Malevolent

*As Katie sits wrapped in Scott's arms she watches the sun start to set. She was much more relaxed now and it seemed for the moment everything had returned to normal.

Pulling away from Scott alittle bit Katie looks up into his eyes. She new he wasent sure what was going on and he was probley a bit confused but how was she to explain it when her and Jason wasent even sure. Kaite only hope that Scott would bear with her through it all and in time everything would unfold before there eyes.

Leaning up Katie gives Scott a soft kiss bring her hand to his face.*

"Yes Scott, you can take me home."

*Misty lays in bed listing to the soft cherp of Romino and Juliet on in there cage. It was almost like a song. A million thoughts going through her mind. Misty wanted to call Carson to make sure he was ok but something held her back. She wasent sure what or why, but it caused her to not reach out and grab the phone. Was everything Carson had told her the truth? Misty curses herself for not believing Carson.

A ring of the door bell sends Misty flying up in bed turning her lights on. Taking note it was one oclock. Thinking it might be Carson Misty goes to the front door. Opening it and seeing her brothe standing on the front pourch her blood runs cold.

As Frankie hears the door open he turns back around His eyes as cold as steel a
malevolent grin on his face.*

"Hey Sis."

*Placeing his hand on the door Frankie forces it open as Misty takes a few steps backwards She had no where to go she was traped. once inside Frankie shuts the door locking out the word behind him.*

Neutral

Jason manages a smile of his own and helps Katie stand up, making sure she’s steady before walking back with her.

Scott looks up in relief at seeing her and starts to stand, but remains seated as she lowers herself down next to him. Feeling her need for comfort, he freely lets her put his arm around her, then pulls her in, pressing her head close to his chest and planting a soft kiss on her head.

“It’s okay,” he croons. “I’m right here.” Glancing up, he catches Jason’s eye.

Jason has stopped and is looking at them for a brief moment, long enough to give Scott a nod to let him know that Katie was alright and just needed some loving. “Let me take her car back,” he says quietly. “I’ll have Laura give me a ride home.”

Scott nods, displaying his appreciation for Jason’s willingness to help, and his understanding. He watches Jason walk away, a new feeling coming upon him. Jason was a good man. He had his faults…he had a temper…he’d driven fear into Scott at one time, and he was generally not all that stable right now. But…he had a good heart and a compassion that not many people had the privilege of seeing. And for the first time, Scott had a genuine hope that the old Jason would come back to them soon – he deserved that peace.

After Jason has left, Scott stays with Katie a long while, just letting her rest. He wants nothing else…he needs nothing else. He doesn’t know exactly what happened, but he’s not so sure he needs to know right now. Whatever it was was over, and if Katie wanted him to know, she would tell him.

As the sun begins to sink lower towards the horizon, Scott strokes Katie’s arm. “Hey…it’s going to get chilly out here,” he warns gently. “Can I take you home?”


Jason eases down on his couch, not having the gumption to actually go to his bed. Trooper comes up and nudges his arm, and he relents, scratching the dog’s head absentmindedly.

Seeing his answering machine blinking, he reaches over to slap the play button.

“Hey, Hotshot,” Camryn’s voice greets. “I’ve been waiting about forty-five minutes over here at the Mexican restaurant…I guess something must have come up. I’m assuming it’s work – hope everything is okay. I’ll be on my way home. Give me a call.”

Jason lets out a small groan. He’d forgotten all about meeting Camryn for supper. It had been a spur of the moment plan the day before after a bet on who could stand the spiciest food.

Trying to keep a neutral emotional state, Jason picks up the phone. “Hi, Cam, it’s me.”

“Well hi there, stranger. Don’t tell me you skunked me on purpose.”

Jason forces a short laugh. “I’m so sorry. Something came up and I couldn’t get away. Can I get a rain check.”

Camryn laughs. “For you? Yes. I have off tomorrow if you want to do lunch instead. The waiter there is all hyped up with his finest sauces ready for a competition.”

Jason can’t help a grin. “You’re on. I’ll call you tomorrow about what time.”

“Great. See you then.”

“Yeah. Bye.” Jason hangs up and closes his eyes again, forcing himself to relax. As much as he wanted to think about Camryn right now, he tried to keep a blank mind for Katie’s sake. Until they got this thing figured out, not only did he not want to put her through any unnecessary strain, but he wasn’t fond of her knowing what he was feeling about Camryn either. Best friend or not, they were private feelings that he held within himself, not even sharing with Camryn. At this point, he didn’t want his desire to creep out…he would just get hurt again. It was better to just stay the way he was.


Carson makes it back to his apartment and trudges up the stairs. Getting to his door, he notices the note and raises his eyebrows in surprise. Reading it, he gives a little sigh and takes it down. Great…now he had to come up with a line about where he’d been all evening. Oh well…that shouldn’t be too hard. It was going to be harder to hide his black eye…but maybe that wouldn’t be so bad either if he made it in to work before Misty in the morning.

Getting inside, Carson takes a long hot shower before finally falling into bed, too tired and too sore to care much about anything else.

Leftovers

*Looking up at Jason Katie gives a small smile look apon on Jason's face something new stirs inside her. A friend, a best friend is what she see looking at Jason. His eyes holding the care, and comfort but as a friend and for the first time Katie was ok with that. She dident feel sad, or upset. She felt at peace with being best friends. That was enough for her, and eyes looking back at Jason portryed themself, that a friend was what she had, and what she wanted. Katie smiles another smile. Speaking softly.*

"Between you and him, I dont think I even have to worry. You both take good care of me. Thank you again J."

*Slowly standing Katie just leans on Jason for a moment sterdying herself as the blood rushes back to her sleeping legs. Finally feeling she can walk again on her own she stands up straght slowly making her way to where Scott was siting. Slowly siting down next to him Katie takes Scott's arm and puts it around her shoulders leaning her head on him.*

"Hold me Scott."

*Katie says nothing more for the moment. She had felt the comfort of her friend and the understanding. She had felt the healing touch of her friend. Now she just wanted to feel the comfort of her love and let his love heal the brokeness she felt. Thats all Katie wanted.*

*After Carson drops Misty off she goes inside puting her bag with her left over in the fridge still in the plastic bag. After feeding and leting Romieo and Juliet out to play for alittle bit Misty sits done and pops in a movie.

An hour and a half later the credits on her movie roll as she stomach lets our a loud growle. Relizing she is hundy Misty heads to the kitchen for left overs. Pulling out the back and taking out the container, Misty relized Carson food was in there as well. A smile spreads across Misty's face as she reaches for her coat. I bet right about now Carson was hungry himself. How nice would it be for her to show up with his food for him.

Arriving at TJY Misty heads inside and makes her way for Carson's cubcil. Drawing closer Misty can tell all the lights are off and no one was there. Strange but maybe Carson had decided to call it a night already. Heading out again Misty heads to Carson's place. It takes no time at all to get there and Misty is well on her way up stairs. Knocking on the door and waiting she gets no answer. Glancing down at her watch she takes note its 11:30. Its strange Carson wouldent be answering the door he probley wouldent be sleeping yet.

Taking the key from her pocket Carson had given her she unlocks the door and steps in flicking the lights on. The apartment was silence no form of life. Checking each room and not seeing Carson Misty gives alittle shrug as she gets the worryed feeling in her stomach again. Giving a sigh she trys to shakes the feeling. This was redickulace, Carson was probley out at the store, doing laundry or anything she HAD to trust him. Puting the food in his fridge Misty grabs a peace of paper joting down a note.*

Hey Babe,
After geting home and watching a movie I relized I took your left over food home with me. I wanted to saprise you and bring it to ya at TJY but when I got there you wernt. So I figured you came home already. Geting here and finding you not I just let myself in with the key you gave me figuring you were out with friends, or running to the store. So I left your food in the fridge, and this not on you door duh! Well all is well and I'll see ya tomarrow at work. *hugs*

Sassy

*Misty exits the apartment and locks the door behind her taping the note to the door. Heading down the steps and making her way home once again.*

Victorious?

Jason gives Katie a little squeeze, just holding her close for several more minutes, knowing it’s what she needed. It was a different feeling that surfaced now…holding Katie in his arms like this was not the same as it used to be. There were feelings that were not there any more… but despite their ups, downs, victories and failures, they were still friends, and right now, that’s what mattered most.

Finally Jason pulls Katie out a little bit, cocking his head so he can see her face. “Hey…Scott’s over there worrying himself sick about you… How about letting him take you home? You need to get some rest and it’s going to get chilly out here in a bit. Not to mention, neither one of us are going to leave you out here.”


Bret can’t help his grin at Charlotte. “At this rate, I’m going to need a whole role.”


Carson chuckles and follows Misty outside, driving her back home, then heading to TJY. He stays there a little while, actually doing some work, but as it gets later, he slips back out again.

Driving across town, his conscious nags at him the whole way. He shouldn’t be doing this…there had to be another way. But…there wasn’t. This was the only way to get cash fast, and he needed it.

Parking along the darkened street once again, Carson turns off his car. Pulling out his cell phone, he shuts it off. Better to have it off than have someone know it’s ringing without him answering.

It’s twelve-thirty. Carson makes his way slowly back to his car, wincing a little as he gets in. Cutter had been paying attention tonight, but Carson had still come out victorious. Unfortunately, he’d taking a nice punch to his eye, bringing a nice bruise back all over again. His ribs had held up alright, being wrapped tightly, though he was pretty sore again. All he wanted to do now was get home and go to bed.

Fate Calling

*Katie remains quiet for a while feeling Jasons new emotion of compashen. Like a sponge when it get wet Katie soaks it in. She felt safe as her mind was coming back to reality and her tears once again slow.



Why did Jason and herself have to go through this. Was this a test of there friendship? Was this ment to draw them closer together as friends? Katie dident have the answers for herself. But siting there wraped in her friends arms and hearing his words she new she wasent alone, and everything was going to be ok.



Katie voice is still soft but it hold a hint of the strong tone siganling she was going to be ok.*



"Together.....there has to be a way to controll this thing, and with both our brains I know we can do it. Thank you J!"



*Misty cant help but laugh at Carson reason for geting shot. Giving a little shake of her hear she sassy little smile forms*



"How about you not get shot and come see me. Than I can get a kiss and torcher Rick again."



*Misty gives a playful wink. Finishing off her meal and grabing the left over Misty makes her way to the door with Carson. Dinner had been nice and the company even better.*



*Charlotte sits across from Bret finishing off her dinner. She was happy he still wanted to have dinner. The morning had been aventful and alittle stressful but being out now felt good.*



"..Ya know, things dident go well this morning but I cant say I regret the weekend because I dont. Weather i new your last name or not I had a great time, and I would change that for anythng. I know, I am glad I met you."



*A grin forms on Charlotts face as she looks back at Bret from across the table.*



"I guess you do. Better have the quarters ready. I hear fate calling."

Together

Jason is hit with a mixture of concern and compassion as he realizes just what kind of state Katie is in. He doesn’t have to question why. Only now does he see what kind of damage he caused just today…what kind of damage this whole thing was causing.

As Katie’s head rest on his shoulder, he grits his teeth against his own emotions. This just wasn’t fair…none of it was. She didn’t deserve this kind of pain.

Shifting his weight, he wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his lap, cradling her. Rocking her gently, he rubs her back. “Shh…it’s okay, Katie…” He closes his eyes for a moment, trying to regroup. “It’s not your fault, alright? …It’s not your fault.”

Just holding her, he wants so badly to take this burden from her. If he could, he would. But he can’t. What was this thing doing to them? What was it that was so powerful it could cause this inner turmoil?

“We’ll get this figured out,” he assures quietly. “You and me, together, okay?”


Scott can just make out Jason with Katie, and after waiting a few moments without being called to an emergency, he retreats, finding a spot to sit near the parking lot. He would wait. He had told Jason he trusted him, and it was the truth. He knew Jason and Katie were still working at their friendship, and there was nothing wrong with that. And whether Scott wanted to be or not, he couldn’t always be the one that Katie would want to talk to.


Carson chuckles a little at Misty’s comment. “Yeah, getting out of the office for a while might be kind of fun. It’s getting to feel a bit like a cage in there again.”

He grins slyly. “Maybe if we do go out guns blazing, I can get myself shot so I can come see you in the infirmary and have you doctor me up again.”

Sighing deeply, he checks his watch. “Well, babe, as much as I would love to sit here with you all night…I can’t.” He winks at her. “But at least we got the drive back.”


“…I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together.” Bret shakes his head, still having a hard time believing what had gone on that morning. He looks across the table at Charlotte, unable to help a grin though. “Guess that’ll teach me to make out with a woman whose name I don’t even know.”

The little diner is fairly quiet tonight, providing a nice atmosphere, and the food is good.

Bret cocks his head. “So…at least I’ll have you around for a little while longer.”