In our favor

*Katie thinks for a long moment remembering when she was in TY postions herself.* "Wyatt...this might help, I have been in TY's postions, some day I will tell you the story but not now. Anyways, they dident offer him a lawyer. That in its self is a crim and they cant hold TY cuz of it. If we can get TY to coroperate with us, we can use the no lawyer to our addvantage." *Katie eyes Wyatt showing her is nervouse.* " I just dont want to get in trouble for going aganst your dad. But I trust you as much as him. I'll call Susane now." *Katie goes to the other side of the room calling Susane. Katie fills Susane in brefly and tells her to let Reese know. If he has any problems to call Wyatt or her cell.*

~*~ Back at the Ranch~*~

*Rosetta smiles at Mick. She is happy for his questions. Its nice to shair with him. She only hopes its coming out how God wants it too.* " Well thats the easy part. All you have to do is have someone pray with you and lift your life to God. You have to tell him your sorry for the bad stuff you did. God is our father, and is sad when we disobay. Just like you would be when Dylan or Jade did as kids. As we accept Jesus into us so that way its kind of like a mark he puts on us. He washes us clean and we change. We still are ourself but we have a new glow about us. Our life seems to look so much brighter than it does now. We alow God to open our eyes." * Rosetta holds her smile at Mick. Searching his eyes.*

*Wendy nods.* " Ya I have. As sad as it sounds I dont really like thinking about it." *Wendy stairs across the pond.* "When this is over everyone is going to go there own way and its going to seem so lonly and quiet. I've goten use to having all you guys around. She wont say anything but I know mom is geting older too. And when she gets married I dont know if she is going to continue here eather. I know its selfish...but...I wish you all could stay forever." *Wendy lets out alittle laugh.* "Have you done any thinking about it?"

The future

Ty eyes Katie with suspicion and distrust. “I want you to bug off if you’re not here for anything but to gawk.”

Wyatt quirks an eyebrow. “Cop an attitude and we walk away. We’re here to help you.”

Ty scoffs and makes his way across the cell, reaching for the bars to lean against them casually. “I bet. What are you gonna do? Call the sheriff?”

Wyatt glances at Katie, showing his annoyance, then looks back at Ty. “Have you called anyone?”

“Ha!” Ty’s mouth creases into a smile, though his expression is angry. “I’m lucky I got a cot to sit on.”

“They didn’t allow you a call? Offer a lawyer?”

Ty cocks his head, studying both his visitors. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m in here to be an example, plain and simple. I get nothing but a free ride to the county ‘correctional facility’ where I’ll be behind bars for a good couple years – that is, if Sheriff Drierson has his way.”

Wyatt’s eyes widen. “When are they moving you?”

“Tomorrow. Seven in the morning.” Ty shakes his head. “Look – if you came here on a social call, I don’t know what you expected. What’s your angle?”

“No angle.” The wheels in Wyatt’s mind begin to work. He looks Ty in the eye. “Did you help out with that robbery?”

Ty stares right back at him, his honesty evident, despite his attitude. “No.”

Wyatt pulls Katie aside to where Ty can’t hear them, and keeps his tone low. “Reese didn’t want us making any moves, but if they’re going to take Ty tomorrow, we’ll never get him out of here, and I think he’s telling the truth.” He glances towards the closed door. “Apparently the sheriff isn’t here – the deputy is all we gotta worry about, and unless I’ve lost my touch, I’d say he’s just corrupt enough that we might be able to bribe our way out of here.” He pauses, thinking through what’s going to happen. “Tell you what…call Reese and tell him what’s happened… no… just talk to Susanne – Dad will talk too long. Be brief, then tell Ty that we’re getting him out of here. I’ll work on Mr. Smarty at the front desk.”




Mick pauses Beauty’s grooming to pick out the hair from the brush. He furrows his brow, sucked into the subject like never before as he searches for answers, but still fights against Rosetta’s words. “Well what about this whole Jesus thing? I mean…” He pauses, not liking how his questions were coming out. He’d asked these kinds of questions once a long time ago…Jill had discussed some things with him – she’d been a churchgoer, and Sparky had tried telling him these things. But…he still didn’t understand. He still didn’t trust it. “I’ve heard the whole thing about accepting Jesus..is that true that you have to do that? Why can’t you just say okay and follow God’s rules and that’s it? What’s with accepting Jesus, and how do you do that anyway?”


Clint shakes his head and releases Wendy from his grasp. “No…not yet.” He sighs. “I just haven’t had a good time to talk to him about it. I don’t know if he could use continued full-time help or not. If not, I’m gonna have to go look for another job. I can’t just be here without helping out financially…it’s not fair to the others, like Eric…he’s dispersing his whole paycheck every week just to help keep this place going with everyone here. I don’t want to just sit back and do nothing. Even Dad’s started doing some work through the internet to gain some income.” Clint pauses in thought. “Ever think about what’s going to happen when this thing is over?”



The warm breeze blows softly, rustling the treetops, and providing a peaceful atmosphere for the little picnic. Conversation is kept light between Jason and Jade as they begin their relaxed meal in the soft grass of the clearing.

“So…what are you plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in ten years?”

Jason leans back in the grass on an elbow as he chews his sandwich thoughtfully. The question seemed a random one, but he supposed that it was a subject that simply had gone overlooked before. Neither one of them had spoken much of the future, other than getting through the case against the Agency. “I guess I see myself at TJY.”

“Really?” Jades tone implies slight disbelief. “You like that kind of work that much?”

“It’s in my blood.” Jason shrugs. “It’s what I’ve been trained for…what I’m good at. I like helping other people by working for the corporation.”

Jade sits back, thinking hard. His answer probably shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did. “You don’t think it’s hard on your family and friends?”

Jason stops for a moment, wondering what her point is. “I know it is…but it’s something I feel strongly enough about, that my family and friends just have to adjust and understand. There will always be a need for people like me, and I can’t deny the duty I feel. I care about my friends and family, but like my mom, they just have to trust that I’ll be all right.” He takes a swig of iced tea and looks at Jade with curiosity. “What about you? What’s your future look like?”

Jades’ face reddens slightly, though she easily switches gears to talk about herself. It was a subject she often dreamed about, even if she didn’t speak of it. “Oh…I guess I want to find the love of my life…settle down in a little house out in the country somewhere…marry a man who I know will always be there…someone to spend my evening with…someone whose job doesn’t take him far away, so our kids can grow up with a normal, healthy family life…” She giggles. “I guess that’s a fairytale version.” Her smile grows thoughtful as she thinks about her dream. “It’s what I really want though, I guess. Maybe some would say it’s just romantic ideas, but I’ve seen it happen, and I know if I want it bad enough, I’ll find it.” She looks up at Jason, her eyes suddenly full of hope.

Jason finishes his sandwich, a strange awkwardness settling over the scene. He wasn’t quite sure how to react. Jade’s admittance of her own ideas for the future had caught him off guard.
Jade senses the tension as well, and busies herself with putting away the picnic articles. This conversation had not been planned.

Jason swallows hard as he mulls over what she’d just said, and questions build in his mind that had been buried up until this point…questions to which the answers may not be wanted…and if truth be known, questions that had been purposely avoided. He finally reaches out to take Jade’s hand, forcing her to cease her busy work. “So…that’s what you really want, huh?”

Jade looks down, letting his thumb run through her palm. “Yeah.”

Jason thinks about his life…his involvement with TJY, and his own future. Suddenly his life and Jade’s life appear as opposite as black and white. For someone with a job like his, the daily circumstances were always uncertain. Living in one place and settling down was something he could never promise. Having kids was not something he thought wise for someone in his position, with the danger that he faced and the unpredictable outcomes. And for someone like Jade…someone like her with picture-perfect dreams…would she really be happy with someone like him? The answer was as clear as day, though it remained unwanted.

He forces a weak laugh. “I guess there’s no changing that dream, is there…?”

Jade frowns, instinctively knowing and dreading what’s coming next. She hadn’t wanted her question to spawn this conversation…all she’d wanted was to enjoy the afternoon. But they were here now, and couldn’t avoid it. “No. …And you?” Her words are laced with lingering hope. “You’ll always want to live the life of adrenaline and danger?”

Jason meets her eye with a new form of sorrow. “I can’t change who I am.”

Jade withdraws her hand, unsure what to say as she places the napkins into the picnic basket. A quiet scoff surfaces. “I should have known better, Jason…”

Jason sits up, his heart sinking. After a moment, he voices what they’re both thinking. “It’s not going to work, is it?”

She turns to him, pursing her lips in solemn thought. “I don’t think either of us are willing to change our dreams, and if that’s true…do we really have something that would last?” She shakes her head. “You know as well as I do that ever since the winter social, this whole thing has been just surface feelings. We want it to work…we want to be together…and we do like each other…care for each other, but… is there really any depth?”

Jason has a hard time forming any words. In his heart, he knew she was right, but it still hurt. “I’m sorry, Jade.”

She gives him a little smile, despite the tears behind her eyes. “It’s not your fault. The first time I saw you, I felt something I’d never felt before, and I knew it was worth a try. But sometimes things just don’t work out like we hope.”

Jason looks down, a strange mixture of feelings hitting him. He was sad, yet at the same time, not as sad as he would have thought, perhaps proving what they both knew. “You’re going to make an awfully fine catch for that man of your dreams,” he says softly. “I’m just sorry that I can’t be him.”

Jade reaches over to put a hand on Jason’s face, a tear trickling down her cheek, despite her smile. “There’s a corner of my heart that has grown to love you in a short amount of time, and I’ll never forget that. I have no regrets, and neither should you. I don’t want to let you go, but it’s better to stop now before things go far enough that it will hurt even more.” She pauses for just a moment. “There’s a woman out there somewhere who’s made for you…who has dreams that are so close to yours that when you reach this same point, there won’t be any doubt… You’re a good man, Jason…and you deserve the best.”

Jason takes her hand, swallowing his emotions and sighing deeply. “I hope we can still be friends.”

“Of course.” Jade squeezes his hand.


The walk back to the ranch is slow and quiet, neither speaking much as they stroll hand-in-hand. As they arrive, they turn to each other once more. Jason leans down, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “Thank you, Jade. For everything.”

She smiles up at him, graciously accepting the circumstances. “I’ll see you later, Hotshot.”

A small grin can’t be helped, and he backs away, finally turning to go to his own bunk.

Jade trudges to the mess hall to return the picnic leftovers to the kitchen. As she unpacks items into the refrigerator, she holds back her tears. They had made the right choice, she was certain. But no matter how right, the pain would linger for just a little while.

Somethign Strange

*Rosetta thinks for a moment before answering Mick as she keeps brushing the horse out.* " Why yes Mick you do have to. Think...what would the world be like if those who stole and murdered wernt puished? If we dident have rules we would all be robbing stores, and killing people, this wouldent be much of a world to live in would it? Now think of the bible...I dont like to think of them as rules but gidlines on how I should live mylife. God is here to help us, not condem us. With out even relizing it Mick you follow God's rules now. You dont cuss, You dont murder....The only thing you lack is the trust. If I want to get up and Go...I can. As log as I am healthy while I am doing it. We can do what we like still as long as we shair Gods love, and follow the guidlines along the way." *Rosetta smiles at Mick.*

*Wendy giggles at Clint.* " I dont think I would. Oneday when you dont know it...I'm gonna." *Wendy leans into Clint.* " Ya I like this one too. I really like how everything is reflecting off thew water. I just need to do the sky, and some more trees and it should be done." *Wendy looks out at the water as Clint stands with her.* " Did ya talk to Wes yet about going full time over there?"

~*~With Wyatt~*~

*As Katie follows Wyatt into the back she lifts her sun glasses off her face and puts them on top of her head. As the make there way to the cell with TY Katie eyes him. Something about him seemed familure but Katie couldent put her finger on it. Its wasent possable for her to know this guy she had never seen him in her life. Yet something tuged at the back on her mind. Katie looks from Wyatt back to Ty. A strange feeling comes over Katie in the gut of she stomach. A strange thoughtfull look on her face.* "I guess that depends who you want us to be."

A new face

Mick doesn't look Rosetta in the eye as she talks, though her words are convicting for some reason. He ponders them a few minutes before speaking again. "But if God loves people so much, why are there so many rules and all that? I see Sparky, and....well you too, and it's like you're tied down or something." He shrugs. "Does someone really have to go through Jesus and all that to get to Heaven?"


Clint grin and slings an arm around Wendy's shoulders. "Well, I'm not done for the day, but I needed a break. Wes is gone for a bit, so I gotta close up later." He steers Wendy back to where she was painting. "Mm...I like this one... you do such a good job."
He laughs at her suggestion of painting him. "Ha! I'm sure you'd portray it perfectly, but we don't want to scare anyone away."



The drive to Jackson is a pleasant one, and the radio fills up most of the quietness on the way down. Once arriving, Wyatt finds his way around the small town streets until he spots the police department. It fits the town's size as not very large, with few police cars around it. "Well...let's go in and take a look around. We can say we're here to visit...." He pulls out a piece of paper Susanne had given him. "...Ty Baker. Just play it cool I guess and once we see what kind of shape he's in, we can leave and call Reese before doing anything else. I wanna see the sheriff myself to see if the rumors about his attitude are true."

Wyatt exits his jeep and hops up on the curb, waiting just a moment for Katie. "If they ask, we're Ty's friends. They don't need to know anything else."

Once inside, a deputy looks up from his desk, seeming a little disgusted by their intrusion on the paperwork he's doing. "Yeah?"

Wyatt grits his teeth at the cool reception, and pulls an attitude of his own. "We wanna see Ty...now would be good."

The deputy eyes them suspiciously. "If you're part of his little gang, you can just turn right around and high tail it out of here before you get put behind bars too."

Wyatt leans over onto the man's desk, looking him in the eye. "We're friends of Ty's, and it stops there. So please...just point us in the right direction so we can get out of your neatly combed hair."

Despite a glare, the deputy backs down and nods to a door. "Just go through there. He's in the back cell. Only one there. Try anything and I'll lock the door behind you."

"Thank you." Wyatt straightens and motions for Katie to follow him. They go into the back and follow the short row of cells to the back.

A man looking to maybe be in his early twenties is lying on a cot, staring up at the ceiling. Hearing someone approach, he turns and sits up, swinging his legs around. A black eye accents his face, along with several other cuts and a swollen lip. His dark hair is matted, and his eyes linger on Wyatt and Katie with a piercing stare. He stands up, folding his arms across his chest in a defiant stance, though his attitude doesn't seem to match a more timid look behind the mask. But something about him jumps out as familiar. The way he stands...the way he holds his head. Wyatt doesn't appear to sense the strange feeling in the air.

Ty just stares at them. "Who're you?"

Heaven or Hell?

*Katie laughs* "Ya only if Trooper dosent slobber all over me like last time." *Walking tword the Door Katie hears Susanne call. Looking a Wyatt a smile crosses her face. Throwing on her sun glasses and folding her arms under her chest she gives alittle lean back.* " Ready, Willing, and Able oh great defender." *Katie cant help but bust out laughing as they head out. They maybe small cases Katie was helping with but she loved everytime Reese wanted to help. She was moving up and she loved it."

~*~Back at the Ranch~*~

*Rosetta is not saprised by Mick's question. Picking up another brush Rosetta starts to groom Beauty's other side.* "Well...I would say my constince was trying to tell me something. Maybe you feel badly about something you know you should do. The topic of heaven and hell could be heavy on you mind after talking to someone about it. Your dreams might be perseving the battle your fighting inside to know what is right. Sometimes with us being human we dont like to make a desition untell we workd through the outcome of both to know what will happen, But when it comes to heaven and hell that will never come. We never will know what will happen. Well, we know when we die if we go to heaven than thats wonderful and if we go to hell thats bad and you will be in pain forever. But it sounds like your brain is trying to go deeper and you just cant." *Rosetta stops for a moment to collect her thoughts wondering if she is even making sence.*
"We just have to trust God that he knows what he is doing. That went we turn our life over to him he wont let us down. Ya bad things happen and we are GOD why..why did you let this happen if you love us so. The reson he let it happen is so when we passon we have something to look forword to. If we were happy and content here on earth we would never want to leave." *Rosetta smiles at Mick.* "As for the good things in our lifes, God gave those to us along with the bad so we know than if we put all of our good stuff together that still would only be a small portion of the happyness we will have in heaven."

*After finishing a few brush strokes Wendy lays down her palit and brush. Turning she smiles up at Clint.* "Hey you. I thought Wes would never let you leave." *Wendy giggles.* "How was work today?" *Wendy streaches out her legs and works her fingers in and out trying to get them to uncramp for when she starts to paint again. Over the last few weeks Wendy has made painting one of her main hobbys. And of the ones she thought looked half way deacent she hung in the mess hall and if visters wanted to buy them they could. Wendy liked seeing the look on people's faces when they got her paints like they just got a master peace* "Ya know...sometime your going to have to let paint you while you working. I think it would come out pritty cool." *Standing Wendy walks over near Clint and smiles.*

Ready?

Wyatt just sits back and cocks his head, enjoying giving Katie the upper hand. He laughs and shakes his head. "Nope - I like seeing you win." He finally takes his feet off the table and leans forward to grab his water bottle, finishing it off. "Well, to tell you the truth, if you want someone to help you get a car, the very best person is Scott." He grins. "He may own a bomber himself, but I tell ya - he knows a thing or two about engines, even more than I do."
The clock on the wall changes to one o'clock and Wyatt sighs. "I gotta go help Hal at his downtown office." He gets up and heads to the door, but stops and pivots back around. "After supper tonight I'm walking Trooper down to the park to let him run for a while. Want me to swing by Laura's?"

"Hey Wyatt, Hero in there?" Susanne calls down the hall, interrupting them.

Wyatt almost rolls his eyes, giving a little sigh, laced with humor. "Yeah."

Susanne comes with a phone message in her hand. "Just got a call. There was a robbery over in Jackson and the cops caught one guy who's pleading innocent. The town sheriff has a bad reputation around there, and he's holding this guy as guilty, not even bothering to go out and bring the other culprits in. Sounds like one of his deputies roughed up the guy pretty good too. It was a civilian who called Gary, who just called Reese. We don't have anybody else on call right now - can you two swing down there and snoop around? Reese said not to do anything more than visit the guy and get a grip on what's happening, then report back."

Wyatt grins, knowing Katie will jump at the chance. "You bet. As long as you call Hal and let him know I won't be there today."

"Sure."

Wyatt fishes his keys out of his pocket and looks to Katie. "Take us about an hour. You ready, mighty sidekick?"



Mick smiles at Rosetta, and resumes Beauty's grooming. "Eh, she'll be fine. I got her going pretty well before I sent her here, so she's had a rider on her. It won't take much to get her back in the routine after not having been handled much in a while." He concentrates on a tangle in Beauty's mane, though a flashback from last night's nightmare comes rushing back. Sighing, he shakes his head, too exhausted from the torment to continue keeping it hidden, and deciding just to blurt it out. "Rosetta, if you were having nightmares about heaven and hell, what would you think?"


Clint yell back at Wes to let him know he's got everything under control. After tinkering a while longer, he decides to take a break, and cleans up before wandering outside. Looking around, he heads to one of Wendy's favorite spots, finding her near the pond. He approaches quietly, knowing she's concentrating on her painting. "Hey..."



Jason is just heading to his bunk, when Jade runs up behind him. "Get ready, we're going for that picnic today." She tries to catch her breath.

Jason stops and looks down at her in surprise. "...Okay?"

"It's supposed to rain tomorrow." Jade giggles. "And I'm not going to postpone again. So get yourself ready and I'll go get the food. You okay walking a ways?"

"Yep."

"Good. Meet you back here in ten minutes."

Time Passed

*Katie stands and picks up her own darts. For a moment she is quiet as if really consintrating. Taking aim her first dart lands right next to if not ontop of Wyatt's. She gives a smerk as she can feel Wyatt watching her. Her next lands right by the first. Smiling she sits back down.* "Ya know I could always throw a game or two for you. If that would help your male ego any." *Katie scruntches up her nose at Wyatt. The time had seemed to fly by. It felt like just yesterday was her first day at TJY. Now she fit in. People started accepting her, no matter if she was away from the ranch or not the nickname Jason had given her stuck. Personal Hero, most people shortend it to Hero, a few must have goten wind of Con's nickname (kat) for her too. Though Katie never perked up to that one as much unless it was Con himself who said it. Calling Con had become Katie's daily ruteen. Though it was a call for work Katie always spent an extra few minutes catching up and seeing how everything at the ranch was going. It was always good to talk and hear Con's voice.
Katie giggles at Wyatt's comment.* " I think Laura would kill you if you messed with her car. Thats like her baby you know." *Katie cant help but smile her eyes dancing.* " I guess you and Trooper will just have too. I could use some more exersise myself and now thats its nice out, I hate being cooped up inside all the time. I'm thinking about using the money I saved up and invest in my own car. It would be nice to have one and explore alittle. I dont know much about them though." *Katie leans back in her chair and streaches leting out alittle yawn.*

~*~Back at the Ranch~*~

*As Rosetta leaves the mess hall she smiles at Jade and Jason on the swing. They were so cute together. Walking off the porch she takes in the warm crisp air. It was nice to have the good weather here again. Trying to keep her head up after the case had hit a sour note for the ranch's sake and for her friends and family as well. Rosetta nods as she pass a few guests. The ranch was starting to pic up again and with the warm weather many more responsiblitys. Entering the barn Rosetta smiles at Mick. Coming up along side him she lets out a sigh.* "She sure is a wonderful horse. I think she is going to be a spitfire to train and I sure would like alittle help. If your up to it." *Rosetta grins at Mick as she leans in to give him a kiss. It had been a few weeks. Rosetta and Mick grew with each passing day. Both of them finding happyness in eachother. Rosetta thanked God for everymoment she could spend with him. He had changed since he had been here, Mick truly seemed happy. Though Rosetta couldent help but worry about his nightmares. They seemed to be geting worse. Not wanting to bring up the momries she never mentioned them to him. Rosetta new in time when Mick was ready he would talk to her about them.*

"No nos nos....You need to digs the shand out like dis." *BJ sat in the sand with a few other kids building sand castles and showing them how to dig out motes. Much time had passed since Sam droped BJ off at R/M. Not a day went but he dident think of her. But to his child mind it wasent long and he believed she would be back. Right now BJ was enjoying his new friends and sarroundings. He had grown very attached to Rosetta and Mick. BJ lets out a giggle as him and his friend dig like crazy in the sand. BJ was content.*

*Wes lets out a hearty laugh as Clint sings at the top of his lungs.* "Hey dont quit you day Job eh." *Walking over to the car Clint is working on he looks over his work.* " You are doing a fine job Clint. You've come alone way and caught on fast.I am proud of you." *Wes does a bit more tinkering around in the shop than heads into his apt to thorw some new clothing on and take a shower. He was running a bit late He forgot he promised Cindy he would meet her in town for lunch. Coming out of the back Wes calls to Clint over the raido.* "HEY CLINT, When your done for the day lock up for me ok. I am heading into town to meet Cindy." *Wes leaves the shop and jumps into his truck heading for town.*

*Wendy sits outside on a stump by the pond. The last week has been stressful and hard but she is trying to make the best of her. With her paints and easll sit out Wendy starts to paint the pond. Stoping for a bref moment Wendy lets out a sigh. Than goes back to painting trying to kill time till Clint is done working.*