The Rose

*After Wyatt drops Katie off she says Hi to Laura than heads to her room. Katie is tired but her mind runs a million miles a minute trying to calm herself and sits down at her computer and opens Jade's email. Katie decieds to reply.*

{Dear Jade,
Its good to know you well though I am sorry you and Jason are no longer together. Dont worry though it always gets easyer. Awww...I miss you guys too. And I miss you. You were one of my closest friends there. Maybe sometiem you could come out and see me. Than I can introduce you to Wyatt and Trooper. Well I have had a long day I better get some sleep. Take care and talk to you soon.

Katie}

*Wes smiles.* "Okies. If you need anything alse you know where I am. I'll be back in, in a bit." *Wes heads to the door. As he is about to leave he stops and turns watching Cindy in the kitchen for a moment. A questions weaghing on his mind. But was it still to soon. It would have to wait.*

*As Katie finishs her lunch downstairs and beats Wyatt in yet ANOTHER game of darts she laughs. Looking up at the clock she relized lunch is over and she has much work to still.* " Well I better get going or I am never going to get all the work your dad gave me done. Does he think I am a merical worker." *Katie laughs and heads for the elavator.* "Thank you Wyatt for the great lunch." *As Katie heads back to her cubicle she spots something new on the desk. As she draws closer she see the Rose. Picking it up she looks at the note underneath. A smile cross her lips.* "Jason." * Looking around Katie dosent see anything out of the ordanry. Looking twords Jason's office she can see a light on underneath the door. Walking twords it Katie stops. Well it could always just be the cleaning lady. Katie makes her way close to the door figuring it never hurts to see anyways. Raising her hand she knocks on the door. Her heart pounding. It has been a long time since she saw or heard anything from Jason.*

Back

Wyatt agrees. “Sure. Maybe we can go back to the park tomorrow after work. I know Trooper would appreciate it.”
He follows Katie outside, grabbing his keys on the way, and drives her the short ways back to Laura’s, letting her off at the curb. “Alright, goodnight, Katie. If you or Laura need anything, you know where to call.”


Cindy giggles at Wes’. “With a face like that, how could I refuse you anything?” She sighs, feeling much more at ease than when they’d first sat down. “I’ll think about the house…you’re right about talking to Jason though…that’s been his home for a long time…I don’t know what his plans are for the future.” Thinking for just a few moments, she finally lets Wes go, backing towards the kitchen. “Thanks for everything…you better get back to Clint, and I better get back to my dishes.”


The evening is a quiet one, both on the ranch, and in Nevada. News spreads from TJY, and though still no details are given, it is expressed that Jason has no serious injuries.
Dawn breaks bright and crisp, a new day starting again. Life at the ranch proceeds as routine, while at TJY, work continues. Laura and Katie go to work, Wyatt meeting them there before going their separate ways as usual.


Jason laces up his boots, straps on his knee brace over his jeans, and stands from his bed, glad to be rid of the hospital. It was hard to believe just twenty-four hours ago he was in critical condition…the doctor was amazed he had recovered so quickly and with so few injuries. Jason didn’t know what to contribute it to…it seemed he was just lucky all the way around. No matter the cause of his recovery, he was ready to get out of here. Todd had told him that by coincidence, the man Jason had gone to Alaska to replace had suddenly been able to go, and now Jason was no longer needed. It seemed a contradiction of gladness to be rid of the job, and want to stay since he’d only been there a couple weeks. But it was getting easier to roll with the punches. Another job would be awaiting him.

Jason hears the taxi drive away as he unlocks the front door of the house. Stepping inside, he throws his duffel bag on the living room floor and heads to the kitchen counter were some random mail is lying from being picked up by the neighbor. Seeing nothing of interest, he takes his bag to his bedroom. Limping down the hallway, a strange feeling hits him. Signs of his and Katie’s stay here still linger, as no one else has been here since.


...The beeping alarm is a rude awakening, and Jason slaps the clock in annoyance. An hour’s nap didn’t seem to have done much good, but it was time to get back to reality. He had a duty to do, and orders to carry out. Jobs moved quickly at TJY, and it seemed ridiculous to have an assignment so soon after the day before, but it wasn’t a rare occurrence.
He rolls himself out of bed, preparing to get picked up by his ride. There was just one stop he needed to make…


The floor is fairly quiet. Jason knew it was the lunch hour and was betting on most of the desks to be empty. Though having been away, he sensed routines hadn’t changed that much, and probably the break room was full right about now. He makes his way down the main aisle, his backpack slung over his shoulder, taking his usual long strides, slower only from favoring his knee.
He keeps quiet, going unnoticed, slipping down past Susanne’s office and glancing around the cubicles. Finally he spots one with Katie’s name on it. Seeing it empty, he hesitates just a moment. He’d made up his mind the night before about this, but still, he’s unsure. He doesn’t know what to expect, or even what he hopes to find. His coming here was unexpected… should he really be doing this?
Jason recalls the email he received from Katie so many weeks ago…he’d never responded…but surely she had been honest. The door had been opened…their severed friendship had a chance to be mended…but would it? Not thinking any longer, he drops a single red rose onto her desk. Grabbing a sticky note and pencil, he jots quickly, “Looks like I owe you another one” and sticks it under the stem.
Sighing, Jason looks at it for a moment. What did he hope to gain? Friendship? Something more? Nothing at all? He didn’t even know. It would take seeing Katie to know, and that was all he knew. After yesterday, he couldn't let it lie dormant any longer. He would have to play it by ear, as uncomfortable as it was.

Pivoting, he heads back down the aisle, his uneven steps clicking on the tiled floor. Avoiding any meetings with anyone else, he slips quietly past the lunch room, his ears picking up familiar voices and laughter. Entering his office, he shuts the door behind him and flicks on the light, sighing deeply. It had been a long time since he’d been in here… Tossing his backpack aside, he goes to sit down in his chair and props his feet up on his desk, grabbing a file folder of papers to sift through.

Puppy Face

* Katie smiles at Wyatt.* "I'd like that thank you." *Katie stands and puts her mug in the kitchen sink.* " Maybe tomarrow we can finish that walk or something. I dont think Trooper liked it was cut short." *After geting outside she gives Trooper a pat on the head and makes her way to the jeep.*

*Wes smiles as he returns Cindys hugs. In a soft calming tone he speaks.* "Than dont. Or maybe talk to Jason about selling the house. Hey, Katie is out that way too. Maybe she would take over the house for you. I bet she could upkeep it with all the money she is making a TJY." *Wes gives alittle laugh trying to lighten things up.* "I guess I could always follow you home too like alittle lost puppy. Look at this face I could do it." *Wes makes a puppy dog face.*

Hero

Wyatt shakes his head, remaining serious. "I don't think you're crazy at all. I think you have a gift...and I can see why Carter wanted you here." Question flickers in his eyes of why Jason and Katie didn't end up partners like he'd heard they would, but he opts not to ask.
For a moment, he's tempted to ask her to stay for supper, though decides better of it. Katie appears to be tired, and he doesn't want to come across as that forward. "Laura's probably thinking I kidnapped you or something," he teases. "How about I give you a ride back to her place?"

Ty sits on the edge of the guest room bed, staring at the newspaper he brought in from the living room. Wyatt had shown him where th want ads were and had even circled a couple for him that were within walking distance. But though Ty had looked at the paper all day long, he couldn't decide what to do. He knew if he wanted to find something he was going to have to ask for help, but he'd been embarrassed enough through the years that he didn't want to go through all that again. At the same time though...the others were bound to find out sometime if he wasn't careful. Could he really get away with no one knowing? But even if he did happen onto a job he recognized, he'd never be able to make it.
Sighing, Ty tosses the paper into the trash. It was doing him just as much good in there as it had out on the table.



Cindy's eyes fall closed as she receives Wes' kiss. She feels warm and fuzzy all over as the tingling spreads. She's not let a man this close since Derek..a fact that's startling even to her.
She's almost sorry when Wes withdraws, and she opens her eyes to see his face, knowing what he's thinking. She sinks back into his arms for a hug, letting him know that she has chosen to allow him one step closer and has no intention of being scared away - not this time.
"Oh Wes...what I am I to do? I don't want to leave."



"...I should have been paying more attention." Jason sits propped up in the hospital bed, talking with Todd. He feels a bit dizzy and his fingers and toes are sore, but reality is slowly coming back to him, and the fog in his mind is lifting. "I was stupid...again."

"Actually, it's a good thing that tree fell." Todd straddles a chair, leaning his arms on the back of it. "Up around the next bend, a bunch of snow caved in from the east cliff. We think it happened right about the time you were going through there. If that tree hadn't fallen on you, you could have been buried alive."

Jason raises an eyebrow. "Wow."

"Yeah, you're one lucky duck, I'll give you that. Doc said he was amazed you hadn't received any serious injuries. Even your bad leg only got bruised."

Jason gives a short laugh. "Yeah...lucky alright... hey, how'd you know I was out there anyway? You came pretty quick, didn't you?"

"Oh yeah." Todd nods. "I forgot. Carter called us. Said that new gal they got at headquarters phoned him in a panic, saying you were in trouble. He believed her and got on the phone with me and ordered me to go look for you."

Jason blinks, just staring at him. "Katie?"

"Yeah."

Jason can't help the wry grin that escapes, and leans his head back into his pillows, whispering to himself. "Once my hero, always my hero, eh, Katie?"

"What?"

"Nothing." Jason shakes his head, turning his attention back to Todd. "How long did they say I'd have to be in here?"

Todd shrugs. "Just overnight I think. I got to head back to base here in a bit, but Hal's coming up to get you when you're released. Doc said he just wanted to keep an eye on you for a while, then you'd be free to go."

The Kiss

*Katie trys to give Wyatt a small smile. Having him ask questions made her feel strange. She dident want him thinking she was crazy.* "Well...I dont know for sure. I felt cold, so I new he was outside, and I felt pain in my leg so I new something happend to him knee. But anything more than that I dident know." *Katie rubs her hand along the rim of her tea mug.* " I know you probley think I am crazy now huh.."

*As Wes looks back into Cindy's eyes he takes her face in his hands.* " Its ok, Jason is your son. I wouldent exspect you to act any other way. I am happy that I could be here for you." *Wes rubs his hand over Cindy's cheek. Tilting her head up Wes leans in closer to Cindy. His heart starts to race. Finally Wes lips touch Cindy's. They are soft and sweet for a moment it feels as though time has stood still. Like the world had stoped for this moment and this moment alone. Wes is in no hurry to back away but feels its probley best he should. Slowly he steps away from Cindy, but he eyes dont fall from her and not leting her go. He searchs them looking, looking to see if he has over steped her boundrys or not.*

Can you?

Wyatt grins, his pleasure obvious. “Of course – it’s a standing invitation. I can pick you up Sunday morning if you want…swing by Laura’s about eight-thirty?”

Several hours pass, and Wyatt allows them to pass slowly, giving Katie time to calm down and get her mind off worrying. Finally a call comes in to Wyatt’s phone from Susanne. Ending the call, he sinks back down in the couch. “Jason’s alright. That’s all I know…Reese isn’t releasing any more information than that…but Jason’s going to be fine, whatever happened out there.” Wyatt looks at her with question. “Can you feel that?”


Cindy finally quiets her crying and just stays quiet for several minutes, thinking. “You’re right,…I wouldn’t ever want to take away Jason’s passion from him…it’s just…hard.” She feels so safe and warm under Wes’ strong arm…how could she have gotten through all of this without him? “Wes…thank you…I…you’ve been a great support to me…and….” Cindy lifts her chin, keeping her head resting against his shoulder to look him in the eye. Heat rushes to her cheeks, but she doesn’t turn away. Instead, her pulse quickens just a little as she falls deeper into his melting stare.