Normal

Carson leans forward to rest his elbows on the counter, cocking his head at Jess. He wondered now if she'd reacted someway to Axel she regretted, or if he'd unintentionally scared her.

"It'll follow you around," he confirms. "But... give yourself time, Jess. It takes a while, ya know?"

Just listening, he's a bit confused about what she's saying, but opts not to ask too many questions. Receiving her comment about Dani and the milkshakes he can't help but chuckle. "I think I'm lucky too. With a bunch like you around me, how can I go wrong?"

Hearing a timer go off in the kitchen, he straightens. "I gotta get back to work." He throws Jess a wink and a small smile. "Don't try to be normal. You're fine just the way you are."


Reese flops down in his chair, groaning as a pile of papers teetered and slid across the desk. Picking them all up, he spots his cell phone, realizing he'd forgotten to take it with him. And just his luck, he'd missed a call.

Listening too it, he furrows his brow in concern. Quiet for several minutes, he thinks, staring into nothingness. A strange sort of emotions were bundled together and trying to emerge, and he just wasn't quite sure what they were.

Rolling his eyes at himself, he hits the keypad on his phone and dials Charlotte back.

"Charlotte, it's Reese. Got your message..." He pauses. "I don't have a number for your sister other than the one I've always had. She didn't pick up this morning though... I figured she was on the road, or in a meeting or something."

He moves back in his chair, cringing as he hears it roll over some papers that had fallen to the floor.

"Listen, do you know what days she was doing what? I might try to get a hold of her again, like... when that party or whatever was, or when she was going to go to the grave? I don't want to keep trying her phone at bad times."


Scott looks up, a little surprised to see Katie, but a faint smile surfaces. "Hero..." He gives a little shrug. "I'm doing alright. If you ask Rick though, I'm on death's bed." Though he'd attempted humor, when it comes out it isn't all that funny.

Looking down, he fidgets with a corner of the blanket. Small talk didn't come very easily anymore.

Receiving her invitation for a picnic lunch though, he glances back up at her. A fear flashes through his eyes. A picnic? Outdoors? Where there were people around?

"I think that's a fine idea," Rick interrupts them. He eyes Scott knowingly. "You'd like some fresh air, wouldn't you? And I bet Katie could swing by home and Domino could even join you." His suggestion is aimed more towards Katie than Scott, providing a tactic for getting him to accept.

Scott hesitates, then shakes his head. "I...I don't think so. I gotta go out later anyway, and..."

"Well it's already after noon," Rick persists. "By the time you're all done, maybe Katie can just take you over to see..."

"No." Scott's face reddens, his eyes drifting downward. He didn't need everyone to know where he was going that afternoon.

"Scott..." Rick softens his tone. "It's okay." He sighs and looks to Katie, then back at Scott. "It's her or me."

Scott pulls his legs up close to his chest, contemplating. He wanted so badly to get out in the fresh air and get away from the infirmary. He really would like to just spend time with another friend. He did want to see Domino, and he knew that no matter what, Rick would see to it that he went to the clinic today.

After a long pause, he finally shrugs and looks back up to Katie. "Okay," he agrees softly. "Just let me get my shoes on."


"No, hold it, I - " Axel's words were cut off as the jack shifted and the car dropped down several inches. He winced, feeling pressed underneath. "Miles! Crank it up!"

Working with as much haste as possible, Miles and Leo get the jack unjammed and within seconds, Axel is sliding out from underneath.

"Oh man, you alright?"

Axel just looks up at Leo a moment, catching his breath. "Yeah...yeah, I'm fine." Getting up a bit shakily, he moves about the car, moving past the incident. His whole morning had been like this. One thing after another, and it wasn't helping his mood any either.

Just as he takes a tool from the workbench, pain shoots through his hand and he drops the tool, muttering under his breath as his fingers no numb. Now was not the day for this. It hadn't been his day since the beginning. He felt almost as though he'd simply gotten up on the wrong side of bed this morning. Why couldn't he go back and start over?

Rubbing his hand, the annoying sensation passes and he takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. If he couldn't do anything else right, maybe he could at least fix one thing he'd broken today.

He heads to the office and closes the door after himself, going for the phone. He knew the number. He'd jotted it down once for some reason and it had been burned into his memory. He knew he'd get a voicemail box because of what time it was, but it didn't bother him. Maybe it was better that way anyway.

Leaning back against the wall, he hears the ringing, then the prompt to leave a message. "Hey, Stormy, it's Axel. Listen, I'm sorry." He sighs and shakes his head. "I didn't mean to be abrupt with you earlier. I didn't sleep well last night, I was in a bad mood and... I guess those aren't very good excuses, but they're all I got. I suppose I felt a little stupid too, not having realized what you were doing sooner, so I wound up getting mad at you instead of myself."

He knew that was the real reason for his surge of irritation. He was always so on top of everything, that taken by surprise like that wasn't a great feeling to him. But he knew Jess hadn't done it on purpose, and he hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.

He pauses, not really knowing what else to say. "I... well... yeah. Guess that's it. Don't want to keep you. Um...tomorrow Darrel will be gone. Don't know if you've got plans, but if not, you're more than welcome to come hang out at the shop again."

He hoped the invitation would be seen as the truce it was meant to be. "So... yeah. See ya later. Bye."

Strike one

Looking at the milkshake and than up at Carson Jess cant help the small grunt the resembled a chuckle. Taking a sip Jess is quiet for a moment thinking about the fact the Axel had called. She wasnt quite sure how she felt about it. Finally looking up at Carson Jess her eyes almost blank as she was deep in thought remembering the past and how it still lived in the present.

"Carson, will I ever be normal again? Or will these scars always follow me around and cause me to not remember that there are some good people out there?"

Looking back down at her glass Jess runs a finger around the rim before taking the spoon and scooping some of the whip cream off.

"I had a friend..and I thought I needed an excuse to see him."

Jess lets out a small scoff discusted with herself for even thinking such a thing.

"When he caught on, he was a little less than happy and I felt real stupid. Strike one up for the stormcloud again."

Knowing Carson wouldnt understand the refrance Jess dosnt bother to explain. Leaning down she just sips her milkshake as her mind maybe thinks to much.

"I'm lucky you have a sister, or alse you wouldnt know how to quite make these as good as you do."

Jess can't help but the small smile that finally makes its way to her lips. Weather it was the milkshakes or Carson's presence that made her feel better Jess wasnt sure but it was helping.

Receving only the voice mail once again Charlotte grows a tad conserned for her sister. She new she would be leaving but she didnt know if anyone would be going with her or not. Charlotte had wanted to go but in the closing months of her job there was no way she could.

Pacing the kitchen floor She brings a hand to her head as she thinks. It wasnt like Angelica to not call and at least let her know she was safe. Having an idea she dials Jamie's number fast.

"Hey Jamie, I know your at work and all but I was wondering if you had Reese's cell phone."

Grabbing a pen and a peace of paper Charlotte quickly jots down a number quickly.

"Ok yeah I got it. Thank Jamie. Ok I'll let him know. Thank again...Later."

Handing up the phone again Charlotte dosnt keep it off for long before staring to dial the number she was just given. Waiting for an answer on the other end Reese's voice mail finally picks up. Well it was better than nothing she guessed.

"Hey Reese this is Charlotte Parker, Angelica's sister. I was wondering if you had a phone number I could reach Angelica on she isnt answering her cell phone and I was a bit worryed. She had gone back to Cali for a few days for some work but also it was our brother birthday and she was going to go viset his grave."

Pacing again Charlotte continues to talk trying not to talk to fast. When she really got worryed its something she did offten.

"I know she was pretty upset that I couldnt come with her and she would have to go alone. I guess I just wanted to see if eather you went with her because I know you guys are close friends, or if she found someone alse. If I dont hear back from you I'll just call our mothers house I just wanted to leave that for last. Didnt think it was woth making her worryed for nothing. Anyways I better get going I think I am rambaling now. Thanks Reese."

Hanging up the phone again Charlotte lets out a sigh as she sits down at the chair on the table. Glancing up at the clock she takes note to what time it was. Bret would be home for lunch soon as least for now that would take away some of her worry.

Slipping through the infermary door without being spoted Katie looks around the room. She had become pretty good about moving around with no one seeing her. She didnt know why she felt like she had to sneek but she did anyways.

Seeing Rick sitting over at his desk Katie gives a small wave before walking over to Scott. As she draws closer Katie can see he is awake and is happy.

"Heya Scotty, how ya doing?"

Giving a genuin smile Katie gives a wave to Scott. She hadnt been in, in a few days and she was happy to be back so she could see Scott for herself.

"I was wondering if maybe you would like to go to lunch with me? That is if its ok with Rick. I figured maybe some fresh air would be good. I have a picnic lunch and I was just gonna head to a quiet spot in the part."

Katie smile lingers on her lips. She wanted to help Scott so bad and she new all she could really do was be a friend. But sometimes the small things really helped people. Scott being cooped up was no good and if she could get him some fresh air she would be happy she did something.