Waiting

Jason accepts Dalton's handshake, able to almost look him straight in the eye. He was used to being around Con, so Dalton's comparable height didn't faze him.

Shaking his hand firmly, he nods. "That's me. I, um... heard Trooper greeted you this morning. Sorry about that. He takes his job pretty seriously."

As if on cue, the large dog exits Jason's office and trots down to join him. But instead of being in attack mode this time, he obediently goes to Jason's left side and sits down, looking up at his master for any instructions.

Jason simply rests a hand on his dog's head, signaling to do nothing but wait. Trooper obeys.

"Well, looks like you're getting settled in," Jason comments to Dalton. "I'll leave you at it. I, um...guess you got some pretty big shoes to fill around here, but... if you're good, I trust it won't take long."

A lump rises in his throat when thinking about Scott being replaced, but he forces it down. "Catch you later." He moves to leave, Trooper immediately at his heel.


Domino cuddles into Katie for her ride back to the cubicle, soaking in the attention. Once to Katie's desk, the little dog grabs her toy that Wyatt had brought for her, and starts throwing it around the cubicle to entertain herself. After a while though, she stops in the doorway, setting her toy down and looking down the row of cubicles toward the exit. She cocks her head and whines a little, as if expecting someone else to come. Sniffing the air, she comes up empty with who she's looking for, and whines again. Finally she slides down to lay on the floor, resting her head by her toy, while her eyes keep watch for her master that had disappeared.


Wyatt knocks on the infirmary door and enters, throwing a wave to Rick and Misty. "Mom and Pop's tonight at seven," he announces. "Rick, you and your wife are more than welcome to join us... and Misty, I'm banking on you coming along with that boyfriend of yours. And I won't take no for an answer. So... be there."


Con ambles down the row of cubicles, looking around the main floor, and giving a wave to his sister. It always felt a little strange to be here... but never was his presence questioned anymore. It was simply assumed he was here to see his wife. This evening, it was that, and another reason too.

"Hey, you." Con scoots into Jamie's cubicle behind her, to lean over her and give her a kiss. Straightening up, he rubs her shoulders for a moment. "Wyatt called me, said he's trying to get people together for supper in about an hour and a half at your folks'. Didn't think I should pass it up."

He grins and moves back so he can see Jamie's face and lean back against the wall. "Not to mention, seeing your smiling face is reason in itself to drop by." His mind was also wandering to the friend whose whereabouts were unknown at the moment.


Bret pulls into the TJY parking lot and takes a deep breath. It was five-thirty. Even so, it appeared most everyone was still at work. He didn't know if that was good or bad. "Well..." He looks over to Charlotte. "Here goes nothin'. I've never been in here before... you know your way around?"