Endless

*Jess lets out a small sigh.*

"You know your capable of having dreams and achieving them just like me."

*Jess is quiet again as she plays with a strawberry that is stuck in the bottom of her glass trying to get it out.*

"I like just looking around and finding the good in anything. Like this strawberry."

*Jess pulls her legs underneath her and leans over the table getting a little bit closer to Carson and tilting her glass just a tad so he can see in the glass.*

"Look how it lays in the milkshake only a bit of it covered in pink while the rest of the red and green stick out. It seems, artistic to me."

*Jess looks up at Carson and gives a small nod. Her eyes proving she liked talking about this.

Searching Carson's eyes for a moment Jess finally talks again a different tone in her voice. One that she's she was deep in thought and was thinking about this before.*

"And take your eyes for instance as well, they are amazing Carson. They have a depth that lasts forever, they hold a certain sadness but yet there is light somewhere deep in them. There almost luring, as if they echo and call for someone. You have, nice eyes."

*Jess holds her gaze, just looking into the endless blue of Carson's eyes. To Jess they said so many things, they and they made her feel safe.*

Pieces

Carson's eyes narrow slightly, a small smile on his lips. "It's the special ones that can make dreams come true...and you're special enough to do it. Don't sell yourself short. You got a lot of life left."

Taking his straw, he tries to suck some more milkshake, but finds it difficult. Grimacing, he stirs it around. "I think I made this one too thick."

As Jess asks him what his own dreams are, he pauses, his eye on the table. Looking back up to her, and staring hat her eyes, he shakes his head. "A guy like me doesn't have dreams, Jess. All he has are broken pieces of a past he wishes was a dream."

Carson swirls around his straw in his glass, realizing the hypocritical attitude he had...he was encouraging Jess to dream, while at he same time eliminating himself from that equation. Sighing a little, he shakes his head again. "I guess I wouldn't know what to dream for anyway...all I've ever done is live for today."

He tries to revert the topic back to Jess. "So...photography, huh? Nature? Animals? People?"


Bret is grateful that Charlotte doesn't press the issue, and enjoys her presence and the kiss she offers again. Standing up, he takes her by the shoulders and points her to the living room. "Dishes can wait. It's movie time, and I'd say tonight is a good drama night..."

He goes over to his rack of DVDs, finding one he wants, and pops it in the player. Flopping down on the couch, he hooks Charlotte with his feet to bring her down too, locking her between his legs so she can't go do the dishes.

Only a dream

*Sitting down across from Carson, Jess leans her arms across her on the table and takes a sip of her milkshake. A smile spreads across her face again. Carson did make good shakes and Jess tummy was churning more than she wanted to admit.

Jess sips her milkshake in throught for a moment after Carson asks his question. She had never been asked that question before though she had thought of the answer many times. Never would she think about telling anyone for fear they would laugh. Someone like her with hardly any money was not cut out for it.*

"I don't have dreams really, only wishful thinking. Most my dreams are dark and foggy. Though I have one I can see clearly. Though I, guess I never did put a great deal of thought into it. I do have a dream but thats where it ends. I always wanted to go to college for photography and math. I like them both."

*Jess leans her head back aganst the booth and closes her eyes for a moment. An image rolling through her mind as she speaks. Almost being able to smell the air and feel the wind.*

"Traviling, in a yellow lambergine, the wind in my hair out to some place nice snaping pictures."

*Opening her eyes again Jess is braught back to the real world.*

"But that, is only a dream. I could never see it coming true. How about you Killer? What do your dreams look like?"

*Charlotte smiles at Bret from across the table. She could tell something was bothering him but decied for now not to ask. If he needed someone to talk to he new she was here. It's not that she didn't care but she learned along time ago not to push someone.*

" You beter believe it. I want to spend at least some time with you on my days off. However tomarrow I might flip a coin on cleaning your house again. It needs it."

*Charlotte grins and thans stands starting to clear the table and putting the left over food away. Coming back over to Bret Charlotte bends out giving him another quick kiss before finishing clearing the table.*

"Well I picked dinner, you pick the movie hun while I wash up these dishes."

Dreams

Laughter twinkles in Carson's eyes. "Thank you."

He moves with Jess to pick up the fallen chairs and try to finish cleaning up. It doesn't take too much longer and the cleaning is finally completed. Carson takes a few minutes in the kitchen and the emerges with a strawberry milkshake in one hand, and a vanilla in the other.

Picking a booth, he slides in one side and sets Jess' milkshake down on the other. Sitting sideways with his feet up on the seat, he settles back against the wall and sighs deeply. Tonight had been a nice distraction. It had gotten his mind off of unpleasant topics, and given him something different to think about.

Carson takes a sip of his milkshake, enjoying the cool treat. "Alright, Jess...what's said in here stays in here.... so tell me... what do your dreams look like? No holds barred - anything possible. Where do you want to be in five years?"


Bret takes a sip of water and keeps his gaze down on his plate. "Just an old pal of mine, stopping by. Kind of a pain, actually..."

His voice trails off as a sudden flashback hits him. Maria had confronted him about his so-called friends, and what they'd been doing. He'd skirted around the issue then just like he was now. And that had only contributed to his divorce.

He brings himself back and swallows hard, suddenly his appetite lessening as he stirs his fork around his food. "So... day after tomorrow you want to do something?"

What happens

*Cringing as the chairs fall Jess gives a small jump as the last one falls. Standing sunted for a moment Jess brings her hand to her mouth and for a moment a spark of life is seen in her eyes as a laugh escaps her lips. She couldn't help but see the humor for the moment in what had happend. Turning to Carson she puts her free hand over her hart.*

"What happens, at Mom and Pop's tonight stays at Mom and Pop's tonight. You have my word."

*Jess shakes her head as she puts the rag and cleaner down on one of the booths and starts to help pick up the chairs and placing them on the table tops again.*

*Charlotte smiles back at Bret knowing good and well what he ment. Pushing off the counter she steps away from him walking backwards for a few moments with a grin on her face.*

"Dinner, sounds good. It should be done momentarly."

*Turning back around Charlotte starts to finish the dinner.*

"Hun can you set the table for me?"

*Stiring and tossing the smell of the stir fry drifts through the air and smells so mouth watering. Emptying it into a serving bowl she places it on the table and grabs them something to drink finally ready to sit down and to have the meal.

The conversation was kept light and the dinner continues and finally Charlotte remembers what she wanted to ask Bret before but forgot.*

"Who was that at the door before hun?"

Chairs

“Mm.” Bret is caught off guard but has no problem accepting or returning Charlotte’s kiss. He pulls her even tighter to himself, cocking his head and leaning into the exchange. Backing up a couple steps, he’s pressed back against the counter, the sizzling food going ignored as the passion lasts.

Just a little abruptly though, Bret’s hands slide from Charlotte’s back and find the counter on each side of himself. He lets the kiss continue for another moment, but then pulls away, his face slightly red as he strums his fingers restlessly on the counter.

“Supper,” he comments lamely. “We definitely need to eat supper.”


Carson chuckles and shakes his head, but lets Jess help clean. If it made her feel good, he wasn’t about to stop her.

With the radio going and the warm temperature in the room, it created a somewhat cozy atmosphere, despite the need to clean.

Turning chairs upside down on the tables to mop, Carson works as he normally does, knowing the routine well. At one point though, while he’s mopping, he doesn’t pay attention to where he’s going, and he backs right into Jess.

Spinning around, he laughs. “Sorry, I wasn’t watching…” As he speaks, he turns back around, his mop hitting one of the upturned chairs. Too late…it falls. And like a row of dominos, one by one, each chair on the tables clatter and bang to the floor, creating a resounding crash throughout the room. And all Carson can do is stand with his eyes wide and watch until the last chair has bounced to it’s fate.

He blinks and just stares… Finally he turns his head to Jess. “This goes no further…you got that?”


Scott lets Katie nestle into him as he eases down partially on his side, leaning against the armrest of the couch. How many times had they been here before? How many times had they sat like this, just enjoying each other’s company? Would this be the last?

His one hand holds hers, while his other lays across her shoulders, just holding her close.

The dim light in the living room and the dark television makes for a quiet atmosphere, but it’s not minded. The only sound is Domino racing back and forth with her toy, finally stopping and realizing that she’s the only one playing. She gives a little sigh and drops her toy. Surveying the couch, she hops up on the end and crawls up next to Katie, finding a nice little pocket to curl up in.

Scott’s mind wanders as his fingers slowly stroke Katie’s arm. He hadn’t told her everything…but it was still in his mind…

“Look, if this is about Katie and me…”

It hadn’t been. It had only been a business lunch. Reese had wanted them to discuss a delicate case privately, away from the office. But it had turned into an unexpected personal meeting.

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

Jason had immediately discovered his mistake. “Aw man…I’m sorry.” His words had been genuine.

The conversation had been civil, despite the tension. Scott had questioned Jason’s starting statement, and had found out the hard way about the night at Mom and Pop’s.

“…we were out back…I guess I was flirting with her, I don’t know…it just…she came up and kissed me.”

Scott’s heart had sunk. He’d suspected that Katie still had feelings for Jason, but knowing they’d kissed brought on a disappointment he hadn’t been ready for.

Jason had defended. “…I told her no…it didn’t feel right…I tried to leave and we argued. I got too riled and had an attack. Katie took me home and took care of me for the night…and that was that.”

His explanation was honest enough. Scott believed him, and had appreciated the openness. He hadn’t expected Jason to share as easily as he had…maybe Jason had simply known I was too late to try to hide anything.

They’d discussed the past a little…Scott had questioned the connection between Jason and Katie and how it affected other things. He’d found out more about the emotional bond. Then Scott had asked what he really wanted to know. “What about you, Jason…do you still love her?”

Jason hadn’t answered right away. There had been a long silence, and Scott had had to force Jason to look at him, repeating the question. “Do you?”

Jason had looked him square in the eye. “No.”

Part of Scott wanted to be glad with that comment. If Jason didn’t love Katie, then she couldn’t very well pursue him. Though at the same time, it was disheartening to think that she might be loving a man who didn’t return that love and never would.

And yet… Scott wondered. Jason’s tone didn’t lie…his eyes didn’t lie…but he was a master of emotions and Scott wouldn’t find it hard to believe if Jason could fool a lie detector.

Scott had been surprised at the answer…he’d thought Jason still had feelings for Katie too, with the way they interacted, especially lately. He wasn’t blind. But why would Jason lie? Didn’t he have more to gain if he would admit this love than hide it? Or was he hiding it because he thought Katie was better off with someone else? If that were the case, Scott would have to commend him for having guts. At the same time though…if Jason did love Katie, he wasn’t being fair with her by not showing it.

This had turned out to be a mess… how, Scott didn’t know. But it had. And poor Katie was getting the brunt of the whole thing. All their futures rode on her decision. It wasn’t fair…but what else was there to do?

Scott lowers his head further onto the armrest, not knowing how long Katie wanted to stay, but it didn’t matter to him. She could stay as long as she wanted, but if she felt she had to leave, he’d take her. For now though…he just wanted to sit…and be with her.