Sorry

Cindy falls into Wes' hug, burying her face in his shoulder and letting a few more tears fall.

Finally she pulls back and sniffs, wiping her eyes. "I love you too." She manages a small smile and tries to compose herself, gesturing for Wes to eat. "I'm okay now..."

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I'm just not used to Jason getting upset with me I guess. It just caught me off guard. But... it's okay. He's just really upset with Austin about a few things and I'm sure he'll work it out."

Cindy nods with emphasis, trying to get back on track and not take Jason's harshness too personally. "I don't know what all is going on, but maybe... I don't know... I can't believe some of the things Jason said about Austin but maybe... maybe we should ask Brent since he's still here... or talk to Mick or something." She shrugs. "I'm sure it's nothing."


Axel stands with Jess and puts his own money down too, leading the way out of the restaurant and holding the door for her.

"Well... if your car gives you any trouble, just give us a call." He offers Jess his slight smile and is quiet for a moment as if contemplating something else, but then lets it go. "I'll see you around."

Giving a little wave, he heads for his truck, aiming back to work.


The day grows on, seeming long for some, and short for others. The speed of time, so often appears to be within the perspective of one self, and not within the frame of science. But in the end, nightfall comes.


Jason eases back in his truck seat, a fair distance from Scott's house. No movement had been seen. Scott had not emerged. Jason knew Katie was a little ways away too, also keeping watch.

I think this is gonna be one long night.

He yawns.

He's not going anywhere... Though I do feel better that we're here in case the Agency pulls any stunts.

Settling back, he tries to keep his eyes open, glad that even though he was alone, he had someone to talk to.



Midnight.
Phil groans and stretches on the couch, having fallen asleep a couple hours prior. Yawning, he clicks off the television and rises to go to bed. But as he stands, he realizes that the house has been quiet.

Going to the window he looks out to see and empty parking space. Now it was getting a little strange. The two brothers didn’t make a habit out of keeping close track of one another – they both had their own private lives. But as a simple courtesy, they usually at least let the other know if they were going to be out late.

Thinking a moment, Phil tries calling Kyle’s cell phone as he had earlier, but still receives no answer. Now he was just a bit worried. It was too late to call Jen now – she’d be in bed, and he didn’t want to wake up the entire house. He really didn’t want to bother Misty either, but it seemed the lesser of two evils.

Finally making up his mind, he dials. Just as he hears it ringing on the other end though, the front door opens. Abandoning the call, he hangs up. “Kyle?”

Kyle tosses his keys on the table, a small, rusted tin under his arm. “Yo.”

Phil wanders to the kitchen, folding his arms. “I just about called somebody ‘cause you weren’t back. Everything alright?”

“Yeah, sure.” Kyle sets the tin down and goes to the refrigerator to hunt for something to eat.

Phil quirks an eyebrow. “Long day?”

“Mm-hmm.” Kyle grabs a bottle of pop, then simply aims for a bag of potato chips.

Phil waits for a longer explanation, but receives none. “So… I was just a little worried. Where ya been?”

Kyle stuffs a chip in his mouth and shrugs. “Out.”

“Oh. Well… usually you say something when it’s gonna be this late.”

“Sorry,” Kyle mumbles, taking a swig of pop. He holds up his cell phone. “Battery.”

“Oh.” Phil furrows his brow, watching his brother. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I don’t know, you just seem… a little off kilter maybe.”

Kyle tosses him a quirky grin. “Since when is that new?”

Phil smirks at him. Moving closer, he realizes that it looked as though Kyle had worked himself up into a sweat at some point. “You sure you’re alright?”

Kyle rolls his eyes, chewing a mouthful of chips before responding. “Yes! If I wasn’t, would I be standing here? Sorry I didn’t call. Didn’t know it was that big of a deal.”

Phil gives a little shrug. “No…no big deal.” He eyes the peculiar tin on the counter. “What’s that?”

“Trinkets of a lost time.”

Phil frowns, confused by the cryptic answer. “What?”

Kyle takes a swig of pop and moves to open the tin, showing his brother. It was full of odd items… pretty little rocks and shells mostly.

“Ohh.” Phil raises his eyebrows as he remembers days spent down at the lake when Kyle would make his rounds, picking up anything little that caught his eye. Phil had thought it was silly at first, but at some point had seen the collection and thought it was cool. He’d never known what Kyle’s real reason was, other than just something to keep him busy, but it had been years since he’d even thought about it. He had assumed the box had been forgotten or thrown away. “Didn’t you bury that or something?”

Kyle shrugs and eats another chip, wiping his hand on his jeans. “Kind of.”

“And now…”

“I know somebody who liked some of this stuff. Figured it was about time I got rid of it.”

“Oh.” Phil stands lamely for a moment, still a bit confused. “So… did you have to chase it down or something? Looks like you’ve had quite a workout.”

Kyle pauses his junk food meal to roll his eyes again. “You wanna know which pair of underwear I got on today too?”

Phil sighs. “Sorry. I’m going to bed. See you tomorrow.”

“Great.” Kyle watches his brother leave, eats a couple more chips, then puts the bag away, tossing the rest of his pop back in the refrigerator. Picking up the tin again, he ambles down the hall to go to bed too.



Scott stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets and trudges down the street. People and cars pass him, stirring up the air and blowing trash across his path, but he doesn’t seem to really notice. The sounds around him felt miles away. The traffic lights all blend together in a confusing kaleidoscope of colors, and a barking dog goes unheard.

An unknown purpose leads him forward to an unknown destination. But as he steps across the bridge, he stops. Turning to look down at the river below, a chilly wind whips across his face. Passing traffic pays no heed as he stands waiting… thinking.

Like a nightmare that wouldn’t go away, the past hurts bombarded his mind. As if they were right there, Scott could see the enemy right behind him. He could still see the eyes. He could still feel the pain that had been inflicted. He could still feel the fear. It was a terror that still surged through his veins.

Looking over his shoulder, Scott sees nothing but a bleak world. The sky was gray and the clouds hung low. No one seemed to care. Everything was going on around him as normal, while his own world had been torn apart.

Fear clung to him like a disease. His heart leapt at every sudden noise. No peace. No joy. Just…gray.

Turning back around, he leans on the railing of the bridge, looking down…down. The water was deep and cold. Small whitecaps were forming from the strong wind. No sun. No warmth. Just a chilling prospect.

Moving as if in a trance, Scott steps over the rail to the small ledge, barely wide enough for one’s feet. Slipping, he catches himself, the fear increasing. But what good was catching himself when nothing awaited him but the pain he couldn’t control anyway?

Licking his chapped lips, he lets go of the rail and stares down. It was better this way. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath, and takes the step forward into nothing but the death that was waiting…beckoning...


Scott sits bolt upright, the sweat pouring down the sides of his face, the adrenaline racing through his veins. He stares into the darkness, and scoots back up against the living room wall in the corner.

Domino whines and nuzzles his hand, but he doesn’t respond, only drawing himself in tighter. He hated the days. He hated the nights. It didn’t matter if his eyes were open or closed… if his mind was awake or asleep. The nightmares would come anyway. And this one… this dream… it had been too real.

Now with a new fear evoked, Scott trembles. A strange panic begins to rise within him. He had never feared himself or his own mind… until now. How far would he really go? How completely had his spirit really been demolished?

Looking around in the dark, he realizes that he has no way of communicating with anyone. He had no phone. He had no one here. It was just him and the dark thoughts that had invaded his mind and soul. Never had he wanted the morning to come more.


And morning does come, at long last. Some have received restful sleep. While others have been too alert and on edge to receive the rest they want. But time does not stop... it only presses onward, one second at a time...


Jason rubs his eyes wearily and he blinks. Had he dozed off? He couldn't remember.

Hey, where's the coffee? I'm dying over here.

A grin creases his lips.

No excitement. That would be a good thing.

He glances at his watch.

And... My bet would be that Rick will be here any time to pick up Scott. He mentioned he'd do that this morning, and people should be at TJY by now. What's up for us the rest of the day?


Scott sits back against the wall, having not slept again after his nightmare. He didn't know what to do or where to go. He felt so alone, and so smothered at the same time. He hadn't wanted to go back to TJY today.... but now... part of him hoped Rick came quickly so his mind could not take over again.


A light knock on the infirmary door catches Rick's attention and he looks up quickly. He'd just been getting ready to leave to go check on Scott and hopefully bring him back, and had been concentrating on his tasks, now a little startled. "Yes?"

Kyle peeks his head in around the corner. "Hey, Rick. Can I come in?"

"Of course you can." Rick smiles and nods. "What brings you here? Nothing wrong, I hope."

Kyle shakes his head as he enters. "Naw, I just wanted to see your assistant."

"Ah." Rick studies Kyle for a moment, unsure of the situation going on around him. He knew things had changed, but didn't know details.

Kyle holds the old tin in his hand and it rattles just a little as he walks across the infirmary to Misty's desk. Looking down at her for a moment, a quirky grin surfaces. "Hey, Miss T." It felt odd not to lean down and give her a playful kiss, but he moves past the awkwardness.

"I, um..." He purses his lips, then sighs. "Wanted to apologize." His smile lessens a little, but remains nonetheless. "I wasn't feeling too well yesterday, but it was no excuse for me not respecting your wish to get together. So... I'm sorry."

He sets the tin down on Misty's desk, hesitating a moment. "I kinda already knew what you were gonna talk about." He pauses, not liking admitting this, but knowing he should. "Saw you at Mom and Pop's yesterday morning, and... well.. yeah. Score one for the Mitts timing."

A dry laugh escapes. "Guess I didn't really figure it was worth rehashing after I'd already figured out what was going on."

He clears his throat, dropping his gaze for a moment, then looking back at Misty again. "I, um... brought you this." He pushes the tin a little closer to her. "Box was full so I guess the collection is complete and... I knew you liked this stuff. So I guess... I don't know... maybe it's me trying to apologize, or maybe I just want you to have it 'cause I like seeing you smile. Either way, it's yours."

Hooking his hands in his pockets, he shifts his weight a little awkwardly, not knowing what else he should say. "I... I hope you're happy. Really... I do. And... I'm not going anywhere, so..." He shrugs. "...if you can stand being friends with me, I'll take what I can get."

Another crooked grin forms on his mouth. "I had fun, Misty. Guess I owe you a thanks for that." He bites his lower lip and brings a twinkle to his eyes. "And unless your taste in music has changed," he teases, "I meant what I said on the phone about you coming to our concerts."

He pauses again, disliking the silence, though giving Misty the opportunity to say something if she wanted to.