I...L..

Pulling the rental car into the parking lot Jess parks it close to the garage. Not sure where alse to take the car she figured this would be good and if it needed to be put somewhere alse she would move it.

Next entering the shop Jess gives a friendly smile though feels a little on edge from all the strange faces that staired at her. Quickly walking to the front counter Jess leans on it a little bit.

"Hi, I'm looking for Axel he said my car was ready."

The man behind the counter throws a smile at Jess and gives a nod to the office.

"Right past those door you'll find him Miss."

Giving a nod of thanks Jess makes her way to the office doors knocking lightly before entering. Keeping the door open behind her Jess eyes rome the room before landing on Axel. A small grin plays on her lips. Having spend several differnt occations with Axel Jess was starting to warm up to him. Remebering her promise of lunch Jess feels a bit of akwardness but why not.

"I parked the rent car out front. I hopes thats ok."

Fiddling with the key for a moment Jess finally puts it on the desk and than takes a step back. Finally looking up again Jess makes her offer though her head still hurt from the night before maybe some company would cure that.

"Thank you again Axel for all the help. Who knows how long I would of been sitting out there if you hadnt come alone. I was wondering too, maybe...that is if your not busy if you would like to grace the rainy day with a raindow at lunch?"

Feeling completely silly for what she just said Jess looks down again. Why she felt all nervouse she wasnt sure. It felt differnt though, not as she was scaired but something...differnt.

Entering Mom and Pop's Katie does even have to look around to already know where to find Jason. He was always in his favrote spot that never changed. The smile on her lips growing bigger as she walked over Jess bends down and gives Wyatt a quick hug.

"Hey you. I know its only been a few days but I have missed seeing ya."

Standing up again Katie slides in next to Jason and gives him a tighter hug and a quick kiss.

"And you...its only been a day, and I ALWAYS talk to you but still...I missed you something awfel."

Pulling away from Jason Katie slids her hand down his arm and interlocks her fingers with Jason before turning her attachen to Wyatt who was talking.

Feeling Jason's anger and feelins well Katie trys her best not to let the slight bit of pain show though she gives Jason's hand a slight squeeze without even relizing it. Her own anger larg from this situation.

Walking over to the table Aerith over hears enough of the conversation to know it was about work. A smile spreading across her face Aerith slids into the booth next to Wyatt.

"Is all you guys ever talk about is work? I feel left out here you know."

Leaning over Aerith gives a kiss to Wyatt cheek before snuggling a little into his side.

Entering the infermary Misty gives a wave to Rick as she walks to her desk. Spotting the flowers that layed there she didnt need to ask why they were from she alreayd new. And like thunder and light coming up unexspectily a clash of emotions is her heart braught a pain that that made her feel lower than low.

Picking up the phone as she sits down Misty knows what she has to do. For the sake of the one she cared about so much she had to do this even if it hurt.

Getting Kyles answering masheen Misty lets out a sigh. She hated talking to these things and she hoped Kyle would get her message.

"Hey you..."

Misty pauses for a moment.

"...I was wondering if your not busy tonight if we could have dinner. Well...get back to be Hun. I L...."

Misty stops for a moment biting her toung. Maybe at one time she would of said it but now everything was so upside down and it tore her apart. No, she couldnt say it for Kyle's sake she couldnt.

"I'll talk to you later."

Yeah

Carson looks at Misty, knowing that he wasn't alone with the jumbled thoughts and questions. But neither had time to figure it all out now... neither had sorted through everything in their mind enough to attempt talking it through yet.

Letting her go, he steps back, absentmindedly picking up a towel again, preparing to get back to work with Herb.

Hearing Misty's question, he looks back up quickly, eying her for a moment. She didn't normally come here to eat. He had no reason to be at TJY anytime soon. He didn't even have his own phone. But... yes, he would see her again.

"Yeah." An ever-so-slight smile quirks the corner of his mouth, and a new spark flashes briefly in his eye. "Yeah...you'll see me again."

His faces shows his weariness, his eyes showing how tired he was of the battle he had been fighting. But he had strength to keep going. And somehow... somewhere... this morning had given him a hope that he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Watching Misty pack up and leave, he just stares at the empty doorway for several moments. Part of him almost wondered if all this had really happened. The throb in his finger proved it had, and he looks down at the neat job Misty had done.

Sighing, he finally turns and tries to concentrate on work. "Sorry, Herb," he apologizes. "Where we at?"


Jason slides into the booth at Mom and Pop's, waving his greeting to Aerith. At the same time, he makes a mental note to stop by again soon. It had been a while since he'd actually talked with her, and he missed their conversations.

Wyatt grins as his friend joins him. "Let me guess. This wasn't just a social call."

Jason chuckles. All he'd said on the phone was that he wanted to meet for lunch and Wyatt had agreed. "Can't it be?"

"Not with you." Wyatt shakes his head with humor. "Though you said Katie was coming. That makes it a little more social."

"A little." Jason grabs a napkin to fiddle with. "Naw, just figured the company would be good, and I wasn't going to venture in to TJY today, so I wondered what was happening there."

"Ahh." Wyatt nods. "Well..." He stops, seeing Katie come into the restaurant. His smile widens. "Hey, stranger." He saw her at work all the time, but lately hadn't had much of a chance to talk, and not having her around the office, a bit of life had been missing.

Wyatt holds off on continuing his sentence until they were settled and their orders had been made. "Little bit of excitement this morning..." He rolls his eyes. "I don't know exactly what happened, but by the time I looked, Scott had tripped and fallen or something and Austin was yelling at him about Domino, then Rick was yelling back at him and I don't know what the end result was. A while later I saw Sapphire and Scott leave... I think she took him home."

Jason grits his teeth.

Sounds like the tyrant is still on the warpath. Scott wasn't ready to go home yet... I wonder why Rick let him.

He shakes his head. "How's your dad feel?"

"Terrible." Wyatt leans back in his seat, his ponytail hidden from view. "It's almost like for the first time, his hands are truly tied. And I think it's the first time he's wondered if he belongs somewhere else."

"He was part of TJY from the very beginning!"

"I know... but it's not TJY anymore, Hotshot. Did you know about the signs to the lower level?"

"What?"

Wyatt cringes. "There are signs on the elevator and stairway doors now that go down to the lower level. They say "Employees Only." Con came late yesterday to work out and ended up stalking out, madder than a hornet. I don't think he even told Jamie he was leaving, he was so upset."

"Aw, come on." Jason rolls his eyes, his anger starting to rise again. He didn't bother keeping a cap on it. He knew Katie would get the brunt of it, but he wasn't going to make himself sick today.

Wyatt shrugs. "None of us know what to do."

"Well... Katie and I haven't exactly been sitting on our hands."

"Oh?"

"You didn't hear it from us, but... Austin might be under investigation for an incident or two."

Wyatt lifts an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Not a word past this table," Jason warns. "Or we could all have heck to pay." He shakes his head, figuring it best if nothing more was said on that subject. "So Scott went home?"

"I think so. I was going to ask Rick when I got back, then might suggest I, or someone else, go sit and watch the house overnight. I don't want anything happening, especially is first night there."


Phil yawns and glances up at the clock from his seat on the couch. Furrowing his brow, he checks it with his watch. It was nearing one o'clock. That was strange. Kyle only had to work until eleven this morning, and was going to be back here by noon to go over some songs.

Grabbing his cell phone, Phil dials his brother, but gets his voicemail. "It's me... wondered what was up for today. Plans changed? Call me."


Kyle keeps one hand on the steering wheel of his truck, while his other picks up his phone after the message had been left. Listening to it, he simply flips the phone shut again, then tosses the whole thing into the back seat. It would go unanswered the rest of the day.

Turning up the music on the CD player, he presses his foot more firmly on the gas pedal, creating more distance between himself and town.


Scott sits in the middle of the barren living room, the shades drawn, only a dim light being allowed through the cracks. The house was empty... so empty. He had known that it would be this way. He had imagined what it would look like. But seeing it for himself... it was still a shock he did not appreciate feeling.

Pulling his knees up close, he looks up at the empty wall where he used to have frames that showed off his photography. The corner that held all his magazines was empty. There was no furniture. The back room no longer held his computers and cherished cameras. It was all gone.

Sapphire had been kind enough to bring him today, but he hadn't wanted her to go in with him. He'd waited until she was gone to enter alone, Domino as his only company.

Upon arriving, there had been a strange bundle waiting for him with no name as to who had brought it. But it held a blanket and pillow, a bit of food and some dogfood. Scott didn't know who had brought it, but something told him it had originated with Susanne. He wished he didn't need to be looked after like that, but he couldn't complain. It would get chilly in the house tonight... the electricity hadn't even been turned on yet. Logically, it was ridiculous that he wanted to be here. But he just... wanted to be away from TJY. He wanted to be away from all the eyes. He wanted to be away from all the opportunities to continue making a fool out of himself.

He didn't know what would happen after this. He didn't know what tomorrow would bring. He didn't know how he could function now at all. He had no money... he had no transportation... he had absolutely nothing. He didn't like needing to depend on others, but he would have to. Though part of him didn't even care. Part of him wished he could just stay here and fade away so it would be all over. Part of him wished that he never would have been rescued.

Domino comes trotting up to him, seeming to be happy to be back in her old house, but as she tries to play with her master, she receives no response. Giving a little disappointed sigh, she finally gives up and goes to curl up in the corner where her bed used to be.

Scott closes his eyes and rocks back and forth. Never had he faced emotions like this before... never had he ever felt so utterly lost.

And he hated it.


Axel wipes his greasy hands on a rag and walks across the shop, stepping over tools and hoses.

"Yo Grease! You taking that car out?"

Axel shakes his head. "She's coming to pick it up. Bringing the loaner back too." He continues to the office, grabbing a bottle of iced tea from the vending machine. Flopping down in the chair, he glances at the clock, his stomach growling. He'd wait. Just a while longer.

Reasureing

Looking back into Carson's eyes as he pulls away Misty can see the questions that fill them. Some where differnt from her own, yet most were the same. It was hard to give answers to question that you wernt even sure about. All Misty new was this moment, and this moments held feelings. Though they were confusing and held much question on top of question Misty new there would be much to talk about.

Resting her head aganst Carson's for a moment Misty closes her eyes. She didnt want to leave right now, she didnt want to go back to work. But knowing she had to Misty lets out a sigh before looking up at Carson. It felt like if she left she might never see him again though she new that was silly.

"I guess I should be back. I've been lucky so far not to feel the wrath of Austin but I am sure its coming."

Moving away from Carson Misty goes over to the counter to finish packing up her things and grabing her bag before she heads to the door. Stoping Misty turns and looks at Carson, giving a smile. She couldnt help it, she had to ask, she had to reasure herself.

"I'll see you again?"

Protocol

Carson lets himself be enveloped in the passionate exchange, his ideas the day before having flew out the door completely. All that was left was a longing for this moment not to end. For within this second when time stood still, he had purpose… he had life.

What was going on in the other room didn’t matter. The bell that signaled people coming and going didn’t matter. They were alone, if only in their moment.

Finally drawing away, he keeps his arms around Misty, looking into her eyes once more. What all this meant, he didn’t know. Where they went from here, he hadn’t a clue.

An ever-so-slight sign of sadness flickers in his eyes… a remnant of what his plans had been… what he thought had been the answer to his problems. But how could he leave it all behind now? He didn’t know. He didn’t know now what his plans were. Could it work? Could they really start over? Could he really have another chance? And could he really not mess things up this time? He wasn’t convinced. But he didn’t want to back away yet either.

“You better get back to work,” he reminds softly. “I hear protocol is getting tight over there.”


Rick looks up from his work as he hears the light knock at the door. “Come in,” he calls. As the door opens, he raises his eyebrows. “Didn’t you find her?”

Kyle nods. “Yeah… yeah, I did.”

Rick eyes him with confusion. Kyle was still holding the flowers he’d had the first time he’d come, and he hadn’t been gone but fifteen minutes. “Well was everything okay at Mom and Pop’s?”

“Um. Yep.” Kyle nods and walks over to Misty’s desk, setting the bouquet down, then hunting for a piece of paper and a pen.

Rick watches him, still confused. “What was wrong? Who was hurt?”

“Hmm?” Kyle finds a notepad and spots a pen. “Oh, somebody cut their hand or something.” He squints at the blank paper for a moment, then scribbles out a note.

“Miss T – Flowers for you to brighten your day…”

He pauses, the pen hovering above the paper for several moments.

“…Sorry my hours changed, can’t make it to the caves. Have fun. Call me, we’ll do something else…”

Stopping again, he sets the pen down and tears the piece of paper off, crumpling it up and tossing it into the waste basket. He sighs and just stares at the notepad again. Finally he just sets the pen down and leaves the flowers without a note.

Rick quirks an eyebrow as Kyle heads out. “Want me to tell her anything for you?”

“Nah.” Kyle smiles and shakes his head. “Words just mess things up anyway.”

Rick chuckles. “Let flowers do the talking… that’s what I always say.”

Kyle nods with amusement. “Agreed. See ya.”

“Yeah… take it easy.” Rick watches Kyle leave, then shakes his head, still a little confused, but letting it go. It wasn’t any of his business anyway. In the back of his mind though, he feared something was amiss.

Kyle hooks his hands in his jeans pockets and ambles back through TJY, making his way to the parking lot once more.

What counts..

Hearing thats Carson had missed her makes the hair on the back of her neck stand up as her heart beat starts to speed up even more. How those woulds sounded so sweet to Misty's ears. Like they had been lacking water for so long and had now just got some. Being able to breath her own whisper as the emotions pools in her voice Misty replys.

"I'm missed you too."

Being close to Carson again Misty felt that spark, that glimmer that had gone out so long ago. The feeling, the life was back. Misty had been mad and she had every right but now it seemed like it was gone, lost. Misty had seen a new side to Carson the other day at TJY, slowly he was changing. He was trying to make himself better and that was what mattered.

As Misty feels Carson pull her closer to him and he runs his finger down her face she closes her eyes and forgets where exaclt they were. Once again like before in the infermary all that mattered was just them. Time has stoped, stood still and was waiting on them.

As soon as Carson's arms wrap around her and his lips press against her own Misty brings her hand to Carson's face to cradle it before bringing it to the back of his head while her other hand finds his back rubbing it ever so softly. And as the kiss continues Misty lets the sweetness wash over her as with every moment her passion growing stronger. She's missed this, She had missed the feeling, she had missed....Carson.

"MABLE....."

Herb stands cross armed at the front counter looking at his wife as she peeked through the window the lead into the kitchen.

"Would you please mind your own business?"

"But Herb....I think they are going to get back together. There kissing, and I think its good they belong together you know."

"That might be so Mable but its non of your business to go around peeping on people and making asumptions you know."

Mable can't help the smile that spread across her own face as she moves away from the window and grab a few menu's for the people that just walked in.

"What would I do without you to remind me."

Passing Herb Mable gives him a kiss on the forhead and than heads to the table of the new customers.

Looking to Aerith Herb just shakes his had and rolls his eyes.

"Women."

Aerith cant help but let out a small laugh as she puts her book back down that she was reading.

"Yeah but you love her and thats what counts right?"

"Ah, that you are right on that you are. No matter how nosie that woman is I wouldnt trade her for anything."

Have to stop

Carson holds his gaze on Misty, his thoughts all colliding in his mind. He'd made a decision... after yesterday, he'd had it all planned out. But seeing her again... none of it mattered. It had been that way since the very first day he'd met her. No matter his plans, no matter his determination, she could change everything in an instant, just by being there. He'd wanted to walk away... he'd wanted to realize his mistakes and simply move on from it all without looking back... without another chance to mess things up. He'd made up his mind for good. But now... receiving her gift... knowing she still cared so much... seeing her here... being close to her once more... How she had such power over him, he would never know.

Feeling her hand on his face, he closes his eyes for a moment before looking back at her with a look that held so many thoughts and emotions. He was at war again, with no answers in sight. Oh, how he wanted to start over. And just as badly, he wanted to walk away and not take another chance.

A whisper comes without him even thinking. "I've missed you so much."

Reaching up, he takes her hand from his face, planting a gentle kiss on her fingers. Something he had told her so very long ago comes back to him once more. "You've got me so messed up that I don't even know which way is up anymore."

His eyes roam hers, forgetting his surroundings, or the pain in his hand. He didn't know what he wanted. He didn't know what he needed. All he knew that whenever Misty was around, he felt alive... and it was a feeling he'd been without for far too long.

Drawing closer, he cautiously pulls Misty towards him, not knowing if it was good idea or not, but almost unable to help himself. She was the only woman who ever had affected him like this.

Carson cradles her cheek with his hand, running his thumb down to her lips and chin. "You're going to have to stop doing this to me," he whispers.

In the next moment, his arms are wrapped around her in a warm embrace, his lips pressed to hers.