Goodbye, Scott

Cindy nestles in closer to Wes, her tears still coming, but his words bringing comfort. She knew he was right...it was just hard sometimes.

Letting his warm embrace calm her down, she just stays in his arms until she's drifted to sleep.


Wyatt feels Aerith beside him, and feels her hand to his back, but it's still several minutes before he lifts his head. He reaches for the water, but just spins it on the table for a moment. Though tears are absent, the sorrow lingers.

"We were out on a case today..."

Carson stands at the counter, a glass in hand. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but he did want to know if something had happened to anyone he knew. Unfortunately, it had.

Wyatt pauses before proceeding. "...There was a bomb we didn't know about. Scott didn't come back." He takes a sip of water, then sets the glass back down, his emotions finally getting the best of him. Sinking back in the seat, he stares up at the ceiling as a tear eventually escapes to run down his cheek. "He didn't deserve that, Aerith...it wasn't fair. He shouldn't even have been out there, but we were told it was safe. ...he was a good friend."


Carson's heart sinks, and he stops his work for a few moments. He'd heard enough. Scott was dead. How? What kind of a case could go so wrong? Why had Scott even been there?

Carson retreats to the kitchen, trying to finish up his work. It didn't seem real. He'd never been close to Scott...the only person he'd been close to at all at TJY had been Misty. But he'd known Scott as a good guy...had a good head on his shoulders...he'd been good to Katie too. And now...

He sighs, tossing his towel over a rack. Life just wasn't fair.


Con lets Katie bury herself in his lap, and just lets her cry. "Shh...it's okay," he comforts quietly. "You'll be okay...I promise... I know it hurts...I know." He rubs her back gently, eventually moving around so he can be more comfortable too, and allowing Domino to come back close and curl up with Katie again.

Finally it's getting late, and Con can feel Kate's breathing relaxed some. He's not sure if she's asleep or not, but knows she must be exhausted either way. He needed to get home... he didn't like leaving Katie, but he knew for now she would be okay.

Moving gently, he slides off the bed and pulls a blanket up over Katie, making sure Domino stays put too. "Watch out for her," he directs, giving the little dog a pat. He stands for a moment and looks at Katie with sympathy. "Sleep, Kat... rest."

Quietly he leaves, locking up behind him before heading home. Arriving, the porch light greets him, and he enters the house softly. Seeing Jamie asleep on the couch, he picks up her open Bible before she drops it, and sets it on the end table. Shedding his jacket and shoes, he leans down and lifts her into his arms, kissing her forehead lightly. "Come on," he whispers. "You're gonna get a crick in your neck if you sleep out here."

Managing to turn the light off while still holding her, he carries her to bed. He knew he wouldn't be getting much sleep tonight though...his mind was still far too full.


When someone we care about is gone, sometimes it's as though a fog has descended on our souls. We want so desperately to break free and be happy again, but the loneliness just seems to hold on tight, unwilling to let go. Time seems lethargic, and what happens around us just seems to be a big blur. We talk to others and nod and maybe smile, but all the while, our insides are still mourning...still grieving.


It was chilly. The sky was overcast with a thick layer of gray clouds and a cold mist fell. The cemetery was dark and dismal. Low thunder rumbled in the distance.

The gathering was larger than one might expect on a day like today, and perhaps one might be surprised to see as many turn out for one's funeral who seemed to have impacted only his small corner. But the truth was seen now, that the one who they had all gathered to remember, had touched more lives than realized.

"...he was a hard worker...a good man...a good friend." Reese bravely stands before the small crowd. He'd been asked to speak. He hadn't wanted to, but had known his duty. He looked at those from TJY...he saw friends and family...he saw those outside of TJY who he didn't even know. It was hard to know what to say. "...most importantly, he was a child of God. And those of us who know God ourselves, know that this was not the end for Scott, but only the beginning. Not only is he alive and well and better than ever, but what he has left with us lives on as well. His kindness...his laughter...his big heart..."

Jason stands to the side of the group, hunched over, like the rest, under the determined drizzle. Reese's words seemed to bounce off his eardrums, not to be understood. His mind was too busy pulling out pictures of the past to focus on today.

The last few days had been rough. TJY had been in a quiet state of chaos, the inner turmoil running rampant. Things had gone wrong with equipment constantly, only serving to make the situation and sorrow all the worse. Jason had hibernated in his office most of the time. He'd talked to few people and hadn't even seen Katie much. He didn't know what to say to her... he wanted to say something... he wanted to offer some kind of comfort... she'd seemed so lost... but he just didn't know what to say or how he could even help.

The rest of JetStream is nearby too, present for the memory of their friend. Kyle bridges the space between Mike and his siblings, and Misty, feeling the pressure of both worlds that had been effected by Scott's passing.

Apart from the group and farther to the back, Carson stands as well. He didn't feel a part of any groups there, but had had enough respect for Scott to come. It seemed strange...he saw so many faces he knew...so many he used to be able to just walk up to and talk to...he saw Misty... yet under these circumstances, there was really no longing to stay and talk.

As the short service ends and the remains of the body are buried, the attendees begin to drift in their own directions once more. The mist had turned into a light rain, and the temperature was cold enough one could see their own breath.

Jason trudges toward his truck, not looking forward to the rest of the day. He'd be going back to work. There wasn't much else for him to do. Though he did need to talk with Katie sometime about their trip to Texas. As far as he knew, she still wanted to go...and he knew he needed to. He'd put it off long enough... though admitting some things to his mother was going to just be all the harder after so much time had passed.

Gone

*As Cindy sinks down next to Wes he wraps his arms around her. Only part of the conversationwas hurd but it was enough for Wes to know what was going on. It was always hard to hear of the passing of someone and it was even harder when it was unexspected by an accedent. Wes think's back to the days when he was in the army. How many times was he the one who had to go to his friends home and tell them there loved ones would not be back. It was a curle hard cicle that would never end as long as there was hatread in the world.

Pulling Cindy in even more so she is close to him Wes holds her resting his own head on top of hers offering the comfort he could.*

"I know you hate it Hun, and when something like this happend it can really slap you in the face and show what could happen to anyone. God will keep Jason safe Cindy...."

*Wes tilts her head to look into her eyes.*

"....think of now, don't look to far ahead. God has a reason for everything, lean on him and know he wont give you anything you can't handle."

*Wes squeezed Cindy again and just holds her. His own heart acked for the loss though he didn't know Scott all that well he new him enough that it stung to think he was gone.*

*Looking up from her desk Angelica's eyes meet Reese's. She had hurd what had happend, and it was hard to believe. Hearing the invatation Angelica looks down at her paper work for a moment. She had so much to do, three differnt cases she was working on, but looking back up at Reese and searching his eyes she knows he need someone right now and that was more impotant.*

"I'd love that."

*Truth be told though on the outside she looked fine, on the inside she was crying for the loss of someone who was important.

Standing Angelica grabs her jack and heads twords the door as she gives Reese a small smile and placing a hand on his arm as they exited the room.*

*Katie wraps her arm around the small dog as she lays next to her. All the people around her in the world to give her comfort and yet Katie still felt completely alone. Nuzzaling her face into Domino's fer Katie just continues to let the sob run.*

*Looking out into the dinning area worry pass over Aerith seeing the way he was. Something happend she could feel it and she could only assume the worse.*

"Could you finish drying these glasses for me? Thanks Carson."

*Slowly Aerith makes her way from to back and along the way grabs some water. Making her way over to the booth she slowly slips in next to Wyatt and puts her arm around his shoulder and pushes the water twords him.*

"Hey you"

*Gently Areith rubs Wyatt's back trying to bring him comfort but not sure why she did it anyways. Something was really wrong and the best thing was to be there for him.*

"Whats wrong hun? What happend?"

*Giving Con a hug and a kiss Jamie walks with him to the door flipping the pourch light on. Giving a wave to Con Jamie makes her way back inside and sinks down on the coutch. Whiping some of the escaping tears from her face Jamie reaches for her bible and opens it starting to read some of the passages, before her eyes start to drift shut.*

*Katie dosnt even look up as Domino barks and than stops, nor does she move as someone enters the room easing themself down on the bed. Feeling Con's large hand and hearing his soft voice making the tears in Katie's eyes burn. She was trying to fight the tears but it was hard. Her face hurt from crying and her eyes were puffy, but that dident seem to matter. Staying still for a moment Katie finally sits up and turns repositioning herself to lay with her head in Con's lap as she sat curled into a ball as she sobed.*

"He's gone, He's really gone. I tryed not to be sad, I tryed not to hurt...but...I'm never going to see Scott again. He's really gone."

*Katie burrys her face into Con's lap at her eyes start to red and the tears run even more.*

Too many questions

Laura leans into Nate as she brings her close, and puts her arms around his waist, letting the silent tears run down her face. She hated this... but she was glad to have people near her to give her comfort... someone to help give her strength.

Seeing Sapphire's tears, Susanne moves a little closer to her, putting an arm around her shoulders in a motherly hug. This was hard on everyone...but so hard for Scott's sister. Susanne's own tear runs down her face, though she forces a smile at some of the things said.

Jason looks up as Katie moves to leave, gritting his teeth against the emotional war. He doesn't try to relay anything back...what could he say...what could he offer...nothing.

As Reese concludes though, Jason is the first to slip out and to his own office. Shutting the door behind him, he just leans back against the wall, trying to hold his emotions in. He didn't want to feel them...he loathed them...he didn't want this pain... and he didn't even know why it hurt so much. He and Scott hadn't exactly been close friends. But he'd known him well enough to feel an emptiness now...there was something gone...and if he'd ever hoped to bury the hatchet for good, that chance was now gone.

He thinks about Scott's final words of God. But if there was a God, why had He taken Scott away so soon? It didn't seem logical. None of this did. None of it seemed fair.

Maybe some of the emotion came from realizing how fragile life was in general...how dangerous this job was, even on days when it seemed trivial. Scott had been a good man... and perhaps even some more of the pain in Jason was knowing how much this was hurting his best friend. He wanted to go to her...to offer comfort..but he didn't even know if she wanted it, least of all from him.

Moving to his desk, Jason sinks down in his chair, blinking back a tear. After a few more minutes, he goes for his phone and dials...and waits. "Hey, Mom."

"Jason!" Cindy seems to sense something wrong in his tone. "What is it?"

"Had a rough day in the office."

"Oh?"

"Yeah...have you heard from Austin?"

"No...why? What's wrong?"

Jason hesitates. "We were on a case. And...we lost Scott."

Cindy sucks in her breath. "Oh, Jason, I'm so sorry. How did it happen?"

"There was an explosion...the rest of us were far enough away."

"How awful... I think I remember him... he was the tech guy, right? Kinda nerdy?"

Jason shakes his head. "No...he was the one that convinced us all he was nerdy..."

The conversation doesn't last too much longer. Jason felt a little better having spoken to his mom...and he'd wanted her to know. His trip to Texas had also been postponed one more time.


Cindy hangs up the phone in the kitchen and leans on the counter, letting a tear escape from her eye, her lower lip beginning to quiver. Sometimes she hated her son's job.

Moving away, she walks down the hall to check and see that Kaylee was still asleep, then goes to find Wes on the couch in the living room. The television was going...it was late evening...they'd be going to bed soon. But right now Cindy didn't want to sleep. She just wanted to be held.

Easing down, then sliding in next to Wes, stretched out, she buries her face in his chest. "Some day it's going to be Jason," she wimpers. "Some day, it will be Reese, calling to say it was him who didn't come back..." Several more tears come. "I hate it, Wes...I hate it."


As everyone filters from Scott's office, Reese is left alone. He tries to concentrate...tries to focus on the information that he needed to know...but he just couldn't. Finally he shuts the computer off and just stares at the blank screen for a while. He knew things like this weren't his fault...but it never failed...he always felt responsible anyway. A tech guy could be replaced...but Scott was irreplaceable...to TJY...to his family...to his friends.

Rising from the desk, Reese wanders into the hall, turning one more time to shut off the light, then close the door softly. He starts to go to his own office, but then stops. Seeing a light on down the hall, he walks slowly, then stops, knocking lightly on Angelica's door. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee down at the cafe?"


Domino's excitement to see Katie is soon dampened as she watches her friend wander down the hall to her master's room. Confused, she goes to the door to try and look out, as if expecting Scott to be close behind. But waiting for several minutes with nothing happening, she whines and turns back around, trotting down the hall. Searching for Katie, and finding her in Scott's room, the little dog hesitates, sniffing and cocking her head, hearing the sobs.

Going slowly to the bed, she jumps up and crawls up to Katie, licking her hand, then cuddling down in next to her, giving another small whine.


Wyatt parks his jeep outside Mom and Pop's, noting that there were no other customers here. It was late enough that they were just starting to close up for the night. It was dark...quiet. Wyatt pauses before getting out, then slowly goes to the entrance, testing the door and finding it still open. The bell greets him, but somehow doesn't feel as cheerful.

He knows Aerith is still here tonight, working until closing, but he doesn't call to her just yet. Instead, he just finds an empty booth to slide into, then folds his arms on the table to hide his face. Scott had been a good friend of his...closer than some, and this had hit him a little harder than he'd thought it would.

Carson is just cleaning things off in the kitchen, and comes through the doors, looking up as he hears the bell. He'd been ready to call Jess and tell her he was finished for the night, but now pauses. Seeing Wyatt, he stops, a bit of worry striking him. Something didn't feel right. Moving back to the kitchen, he waves to Aerith and speaks quietly. "Hey...Wyatt just showed up...I think something is wrong."


A sob catches in Jen's throat as she hangs up the phone in her bedroom. It had been Kyle...Jason had just called him. Tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Scott..." During the last few months, he'd really become a part of the group of friends surrounding JetStream...he'd been a part of the team, even if he hadn't been all that involved. They'd all gotten to know him well...he'd been their friend. It was hard to imagine he was gone...harder still to imagine what others must be feeling too.


Con wraps his arms around Jamie, standing in their living room, just quiet for several minutes. He hurt...he'd known Scott for a long time and so had Jamie...this just plain hurt. There was hope...Scott had been a faithful follower of Christ. But still...it never was easy to lose them here on earth.

Thinking for several moments, Con release Jamie, running a hand over her face. "I gotta go somewhere, okay? I'll be back." Leaning down to kiss her forehead, he grabs his jacket and keys. "Keep the light on for me."

Slipping outside into the chilly air, he starts his car and heads slowly down the street. After a couple stops and inquiries, he figures out where to go next. Sure enough, Katie's car was in Scott's driveway.

Con is met at the door by a barking Domino. He leans down and picks up the dog, stroking her behind her ears. "Shh...it's just me. You know me, huh?"

Domino licks his face in response.

"There... okay..." Con puts her down and scans the living room. It was empty. "Where's Katie, hmm?"

Domino trots toward the hall, looks back at Con, then looks down the hall, aiming for Scott's room again.

Con takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. He didn't even know if Katie wanted anyone around... If she didn't, he would leave. But he didn't want to just leave her if she needed someone either.

Making his way to Scott's room, he enters slowly, cautiously. Seeing Katie curled up on the bed, he looks at her with sympathy. How hard this must be for her. Softly, he sits down on the edge of the bed next to her, his big hand going to gently brush some hair from her face. "Hey, Kat." His tone is soft and low. "You're not alone. Big brother is here if you need him."


Jason sits on his couch, his guitar in hand. His music had soothed his soul so many times...tonight it just seemed to amplify the hurt. But his fingers felt the strings anyway, the words flowing through his mind.

How can I move on,
When I didn’t get to say goodbye?
How can I move past,
The memories that haunt me now?
There’s too many questions,
Too much my heart can’t even say.
Too many questions,
How can it just end this way?

How can this world be so cruel?
To take a life away?
How can we live, day to day,
Not knowing who will leave?
How can we love,
Without fear in our hearts,
Of one more loss…one more tear,
One more broken heart?
We miss you.

How can it be true,
It seems like only yesterday,
We both were here,
Building up our lives as friends.
There’s too many questions,
Too much for me to comprehend.
Too many questions,
How can it just be the end?

How can this world be so cruel?
To take a life away?
How can we live, day to day,
Not knowing who will leave?
How can we love,
Without fear in our hearts,
Of one more loss…one more tear,
One more broken heart?
We miss you