Normel

*As Kaite looks at Jason from his suddon stop she follows his eyes down the isle to the man. Confusing makes her wonder who this was. As Jason throws the money and ice cream in her arms Katie can see, and sence the panic inside Jason. She hadent felt this inside him since his flashbacks. After Jason leaves Katie looks down the isle again. Katie never told her what Alex looked like, but sencing his fear she could tell this was eather the real deal or a look alike. Hurrying Katie heads to the check out and exits the store to make sure jason is on. As Katie nears the truck she see Jason aganst it. Her heart going out to him. Nearing him she lays her hand on his arm.* "J...are you ok?" *After a few moment she can tell his hesatations* " J...you dont need to hide this from me. Its why I am are your friend. Remember I am connected to you. You acted normal like anyone would. Its ok Jason. Your human." *Katie smiles and gives Jason's arm alittle squeeze.*

*Rosetta rolls out of bed at the sound of the phone ringing. Who on earth would be calling at this time of night. Thinking it might be an emergincy Rosetta pics up the phone.* "Hello? R/M this is Rosetta speaking."

Forgotten Face

Jason remains quiet as Katie speaks, a little surprised by her apology. He'd figured all apologies had gotten out of the way...though he couldn't deny that he could still feel the sting.
He grins a little at her suggestion of walking alongside her, knowing good and well that she was working her way up quickly and deserved every bit to be top choice around the office if Reese went that direction.
Jason watches Katie's face, picking up on the subtle signs of what she is thinking. There was something new there - distrust. It hurt more than he would have thought, though he knew it was simply a consequence of his own actions. She was still his friend...she would remain loyal, and she was happy to see him. But there was a barrier there now that didn't exist before.

He exits the truck and gingerly walks with her into the store, still favoring his leg. As they're heading to the counter with the ice cream, his eyes catch a man several aisles down who is buying potato chips. Having already had his mind occupied by the topic earlier, Jason automatically tenses as his brain tells him that he knows the man's face. Logic holds him back from making any rash decisions, but his blood runs cold, his hands starting to shake. The man could have been Alex's twin. It was one thing to overcome memories and not allow flashbacks to control him. But seeing a live figure like this was completely different - something he'd never experienced before.
Tearing his gaze away from the man, he glances at Katie, his eyes full of the panic he won't express, though knowing she has no idea what just happened. He's got to get out of here. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out several bills and hands them to Katie along with the ice cream. "Take over, will ya? I'll be outside." Not even allowing time for her to respond, he spins around to head for the door. Once outside, he takes a deep breath of the night air and goes to the pickup to lean against the the side of the bed. This did not show he was in control...this did not show he'd gotten over the past...but he couldn't help his reaction. He balls his hands into fists, willing his pulse to stop racing. This was absolutely ridiculous.
Taking another deep breath, he diverts his mind to other things in order to free himself of panic. It wasn't a surprise...he had always had just a little bit of trouble every year since his abduction...the anniversary always brought on tense feelings. It seemed worse now though. Despite him no longer struggling with flashbacks and the ability to deal with his memories, his learning to break down his walls had left him feeling vulnerable. He dreaded the night ahead.

But he couldn't let this interfere with this evening. He was supposed to be relaxing and having fun, and he wasn't about to spoil it for anyone else. Pasting a pleasant look on his face, he waits for Katie, coming up with an excuse for his abrupt exit. She need not worry about any of this - she had enough going on that she didn't need him leaning on her for support anymore. Their relationship had changed...and he would accept it.


The ranch's office phone rings several times, the caller on the other end desperately hoping someone will pick up. Jill paces in her kitchen, kicking herself for losing Mick's cell phone number. She had to get a hold of him somehow, and had finally found Rosetta's office number online. She waits, hearing the phone ring. "I know it's late," she whispers, "but someone's got to be up."

Walk along side

*Katie cant help but smile. Though Jason dident show it, his eyes said he was happy and loved the gift. Katie watches Jason for a long momen than looks away.* " I just want to say again myself Jason I am sorry for the way I acted at the ranch I could of handled it better than I did. I dont know what came over me. I had no right to slap you. I guess everything with the letter from my dad, and than hearing you talk to Con. I dont know but I am sorry."
*As everything is silent Katie turns her gaze to Jason again. There he was, siting in front of her. Katie was still his friend, and she was happy to have him around again but still she couldent deny she was treding lightly. Back at the ranch he had disreguarded her emotions, threw them away. Its was easy to tell he has changed now, but still. Katie pushes her thoughts and doubt of friendship out of her mind. She wanted to be open and have a friendship with Jason, but for now she wouldent open herself total to him. Maybe in time though that would change.* " Jason, how about insted of taking a backseat to me, you walk along side me. I think I can shair the spot light. Anyways, I dont like pushing others behind me." *As Katie opens the truck door to step out and replys to Jason.* " Your welcome, and thank you." *Steping out Katie is blasted with a nice warm air, the smell of rain lingering on it. It was refreshing. It gave hope. Rain Katie thinks to herself. Rain washes everything away. Katie looks up to the sky and smiles at the single twinkling star, than heads into the store with Jason.*

Thank you

As Katie and Jason leave, Wyatt's eyes linger on the closed door. Laura follows his gaze, and then looks back at him, all teasing aside. "So how long have you been interested in Katie?"

Without hesitation, Wyatt answers plainly. "Since she walked through the TJY doors with Scott."

Laura lifts an eyebrow. "You're not exactly avidly pursuing anything."

Wyatt looks down at his tiles, letting his mind work on a long word. "I can't right now."
It was no secret that he had had few girlfriends because of his strict standards he had set for himself to date Christian women. Katie was an extremely nice young woman with a big heart full of compassion. She was smart, funny and Wyatt couldn't help his attraction. But he couldn't go any further right now.

Laura gives him a nod, understanding and respecting him.


Surprise flashes across Jason's face as he accepts the package lamely. He wanted to say 'you didn't have to do that,' but that was pretty obvious. He looks up into Katie's eyes. Why did she evoke such emotions so? He never had been able to figure it out. But suddenly the upper hand had slipped from his grasp once again as he clamored to regain control of his own thoughts and feelings. "I...." He looks up to Wyatt's front door and thinks better of sitting in the driveway for too long. Setting the package down, he puts the truck in drive. "They're gonna wonder why we're sitting here..." It was a lame excuse to prolong the gift opening, but it was the best he could come up with.
Once at the all-night quick shop though, Jason shuts the motor off and picks up the package again. As his thumbs slides under the paper, he ponders Katie's greeting several days prior, and now this. He'd been concerned that their friendship might have been ruined because of his stupidity, yet here she was, not only forgiving him, but giving him another chance at friendship, and even going as far as to remember his birthday. The specialness of the moment brought on a mixture of awkwardness, pleasure and doubt that he could live up to being as good as a friend as that to her.

Jason slowly tears the paper off, discovering the contents. His fingers run across the lettering in the leather, and a faint smile plays at one corner of his mouth as he sees the keychain. He just sits quietly for several moments...why had a gift never meant that much to him?
He finally turns his head to look at Katie, the emotions running rampant behind his eyes. "Thanks, Katie....this is.... really, really special." Swallowing hard, he breaks his stare to add the keychain to his set of keys before the unwanted feelings rose again. A brief image flashes through his mind of the night at his house on the way back from TJY. It had been a battle within himself since then, and he thought he had finally conquered it with logic and practicality. But logic didn't seem much of a match for the heart.

Jason leans back in his seat, letting the awkward silence rule for just a few minutes, unwilling to go into the store just yet. Taking the time to regain control and slip back into the more comfortable state of seriousness, he glances back to Katie. "I, um...I want you to know that from now on, I'm not going to stand in your way. Wherever Reese places you at TJY, or whoever he teams you up with, I don't ever want to ruin any chances for you again. So you have my word that I'll stay out of the way so you can pursue your dreams." He finally offers her a grin. "You've grown pretty popular around the office - I'm not used to taking a back seat. But I think you deserve it."

Taking a deep breath, he lays his hand on the door handle, ready to go inside. "Thanks for not giving up on me, Katie..."

The Gift

*Katie places some tiles on the board. As everyone remembers Jason's birthday Katie remains silent. As Jason offers for someone to come along with him Katie stands.* "I'll come along. I need to pic up a few things anyways for Laura's." *Katie gazes around the table and than looks at Ty smiling.* "Hey dont let them cheat and look at my letters ok." *Katie grabs her bag and heads for the door. Once they are outside and in Jason truck Katie digs into her purse pulling out a small package wraped in shinny blue paper with a silver bow. Inside it contains a brown 100% leather wallet with Jason's name imbossed on the front. On the back is says "Friendship is what binds us" Also in the box is a leather keychain the came color as the wallet. On the keychain is says "Hotshot". Katie hands the small package to Jason and smiles.* " Happy Birthday Jason. I hadent seen you sooner you were busy, and I dident want to give it to you inside and make everyone feel bad for forgeting. I hope you like it." *Katie cant help but feel alittle bit excited knowing Jason will love it.*

Ice cream

Jason looks back at Katie, finding himself returning a small smile. His mind wants to delve into much more than he’s willing to at the moment, so he shuts off his thoughts, concentrating only on trying to enjoy himself this evening.

Ty gives Katie a grateful look as she get the pressure off of him, and he relaxes just a little.

Laura shrugs, though doesn’t press the issue any more. “Alright…if you want to join in later, just give the word.” She looks back at the board and begins to take her tiles. “Let’s get this ball rolling!”


It’s halfway through the game. Banter has been going on for half an hour, and Laura’s sides ache from laughing so much. Wyatt leans forward to get a better look at the board, snickering as he thinks of a funny word to place in the corner.

Jason sits back, already having taken in the board at a glance, and knowing what his next move will be.

Ty continues to simply watch the game, never making a move to join in, seeming to draw into his own little world.

Laura studies her tiles, furrowing her brow as she thinks. B…i…r…th…d... A thought suddenly strikes her with enough force to make her eyes widen. “Oh my word.”

Wyatt looks up at her. “It took you this long to realize you’re supposed to be forming words out of these things?”

Laura throws him a withering look before assuming her shocked expression and turns to Jason. “Your birthday was last week.”

Jason shrugs. “Usually happens around this time of year.”

Laura gives his arm a backhanded slap. “I can’t believe I forgot about it! We can’t let that slip by. Wyatt, we gotta celebrate.”

Finished laying down his tiles for a new word, Wyatt nods in agreement. “Let me see if I got anything in the fridge.”

“No, no… guys….” Jason shakes his head. “Forget about it.”

“We can’t do that!” Laura insists. “Besides that, it was your twenty-first, wasn’t it? If that’s not an excuse to have a party, nothing is.”

Jason rolls his eyes, but keeps his mouth shut. If they wanted to do something, he wouldn’t stand in the way of their fun. He swivels his head to look at Katie. “How have you been putting up with these two?”

“Rats.” Wyatt closes his freezer. “I don’t have a thing.” He looks back over to the table. “Anyone want to make an ice cream run? Jason?”

Jason give him a look of amusement. “The gimpy birthday boy gets to do all the work eh?” He chuckles and stands up. “I need to stretch my legs a bit anyway.” He fishes his keys from his pocket. “Anyone coming along, or am I supposed to figure out what to get all by myself?”