Another day

Axel cocks his head, finding it interesting that Jess was sharing just a bit about herself. For even though some might see it as her simply explaining one small scene of her life, it said much more than that. To Axel, it said that she'd had a past of decisions that might not have been so great. To him, it said that she'd had a man in her life that wasn't so caring. To him, it said that she held regrets that had scarred a once-innocent heart.

Simply looking across the table at her, he doesn't need to ask questions or require a more elaborate explanation. Her tone and her eyes said it all.

"I guess maybe that's a scar's purpose... a reminder so that we don't forget the times we've fallen and picked ourselves back up again in order to survive."

His faint smile reappears. "No...they said once that maybe something could be done with my hand, but... at that time at least, it was too big of a risk. One wrong move and I'd lose all feeling for good. I opted to see what it did on its own. Maybe I chose poorly."

Focusing on his water glass for a moment, he runs a finger around the rim, seeming to concentrate on nothing. But Jess' final comment makes him look up again into her blue eyes. His almost-whispered words escape his lips before he's even thought about them. "I hope the stormy days come again."

The conversational exchange is suddenly halted as the waitress returns with the food, shattering the moment. Axel shifts gears, back into a lighter frame of mind, moving on from the previous topics. And the meal progresses with simple small talk until once again they walk then bid farewell in the auto parking lot. Axel watches until Jess' car is out of sight before finally ambling back into the garage to finish work on the van.


Luke chuckles and shakes his head. "I think you can survive a few days without me. Now... me on the other hand..." He grins and settles back in the couch. Work needed to be done. There were things to do and lists of tasks needing to be accomplished. But right now... he didn't care. Moments of bliss were too rare, and he cherished them all.

Gingerly lifting his legs to prop his feet on the coffee table, he shifts his weight a little so Angel is tucked comfortably next to him. Days were too short and hours not enough. Only a fool would pass up the little moments.


A wry grin surfaces and Jason sighs.

I won't give up. You have my word.

He leans forward to start his truck again, planning to simply go home. Trooper could use some exercise and attention, then after that, the evening would take care of itself. Just a couple more days of this were left. Then it would be back to TJY.

Thanks, Katie. Knowing I got you around makes this thing just that much more bearable.


Good times. Trials. Happiness. Misery. Opposites of feelings and emotions, each longing for something different, each embedded within the souls. But no matter the way a heart is heading, the future doesn't wait. Time is its captain, steering it towards the next sunset and the next sunrise...


"You're late."

"No I'm not." Carson rubs his wet head with a towel, just having showered and changed after his morning jog. "Not if I run."

Dani rolls her eyes as she eats her toast at the kitchen table. "Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of you showering."

"Quite possibly." Carson grabs a can of pop to chug half of it down.

Dani shakes her head in disapproval. "Nice breakfast."

"Well I don't have anybody to fix anything else."

"Hello... you do have two hands."

"Yes, but they're connected to a brain that is always seeming to run ten minutes behind."

Dani can't help a laugh. "Do you want a ride?"

Carson fakes innocent surprise. "I thought you'd never ask."

Dani rolls her eyes again and stands up, stuffing the last bite of toast into her mouth. "Come on. I suppose I can get to work a few minutes early, and I wouldn't want you to have to work late tonight."

"Me either. Misty's supposed to come over late afternoon when I get off."

"Ooh, special plans?"

"Don't have a clue."

"How...exciting?" Dani grabs her purse, heading to the apartment hall with her brother close behind.

Carson chuckles. "Sure. At least I get off before supper time. Aerith will be the busy beaver tonight instead of me."


"AJ! You made it!"

Axel yawns and nods his greeting to Miles. "Mm-hmm. I thought you weren't working this week."

"Ron traded hours with me." The blonde points to the schedule on the wall. "Besides, Darrel will be in today and I wanted to talk to him about the vacation I want next month."

"Good luck."

Miles smirks. "Thanks." Cocking his head, he squints as Axel numbly sets about opening up the garage. "You look like you haven't slept at all."

"Well that's not true. I got at least an hour." Axel opens up two of the large doors, the light illuminating the shop. He runs a hand through his hair and stifles another yawn. He'd woken up on the living room floor this time, without a clue to where he'd been between there and his bedroom. Maybe he hadn't been anywhere, but he'd woken up completely exhausted.

Miles shakes his head. "Whatever you do, today's not the day to fall asleep with the boss around."

"No kidding."

"Heeeeey, Grease!" Leo tosses his jacket to the side and stretches. "Look alive! We actually got cars coming in today."


Scott flips another set of cards over, staring at his tenth game of solitaire. Sighing, he flops back in the bed, weary from a weird combination of boredom and lack of motivation. The night had gone by without incident, so at least Rick was happy about that. He'd spent the night again, but had left this morning with Misty had arrived. His promise though, was to be back after lunch and to take Scott to see the counselor.

Scott's stomach made a strange turn at the thought. He didn't want to go see some stranger. He didn't want to be forced into talking about things he didn't even want to think about. He didn't want to go... He just plain didn't want to see anybody. But he'd already told Rick he would.

Feeling worthless, he sits back up to gather the cards and toss the deck back onto the bedside table. It landed next to the plate of only half-eaten food. He wasn't interested in the rest of his breakfast, even though Rick had asked him to try and eat the whole thing.

He turned on his back, then his side, then his back, then to his other side. He didn't want to stay here. He didn't want to get up. He didn't know what he wanted anymore, but his brain was desperately trying to remain occupied so he wouldn't think about things he didn't want to.

Glancing over to Misty at her desk, Scott studies her for a moment. He hadn't seen Kyle lately. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen much of anybody lately. Even Jason had only just called yesterday instead of stopping by. And anybody else from JetStream was busy. Scott wondered if he even had a place in that circle of friends anymore.

Bringing his thoughts back around, he wondered if Kyle would be back, or if it would be Carson this time. He couldn't tell.