Lesson Learned

Carson hears his phone ring out in the other room, but he doesn't go for it right away. Instead, he stays seated on his bed, staring at the note in his hand. He'd just found it on the pillow. He hadn't looked over the room before leaving that morning.

He lets out a sigh. The short note was hand-written in sprawling letters, proving the twelve-year-old needed to improve her penmanship. But it didn't matter.

Dad,
Thank you for letting me stay with you.
I hope I can see you again.
Love, Mac

Carson bites his lip and fights tears that want to well in his eyes. Standing quickly, he lets the note fall to his nightstand, and he goes out to the other room, not wanting to think about any of this. It was too much... it was just too much.

Grabbing his phone, he checks his voicemail. Hearing he needs to stay out of trouble, he scoffs and hangs up. Of course he did. He always needed to stay out of trouble. But for some reason, he always got into it anyway.

Giving a growl of frustration, Carson swipes his keys from the counter and heads out again. He couldn't just sit around here with his own thoughts until Dani got home. He'd go crazy if he did.


Reese looks up quickly, unable to help a smile when he sees Angelica. Hearing her request, he leans back in his chair, cocking his head. "As if I could say no to doing you a favor."

His eyes have just a slightly sly glint to them before he shakes his head. "Get what you need. Have Hal make the arrangements at the airport for you. I trust if you're helping Carson, that means he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble. Though it seems the guy just can't help it."

Reese sighs. "If TJY needs to get involved, let me know. Otherwise, I trust whatever it is, you can handle it. Just phone here so we know when you'll be back in the office."


Axel turns to Jess, grateful for her presence. Giving a light chuckle, he puts his arm around her to bring her close and kiss the top of her head. "I'm glad too." He looks around and takes a deep breath, nodding. "I'm glad too," he repeats. "Come on. We can sit down by Jen and keep her company at the sound board."

Hearing Katie's whistle and holler, Ryder comes skidding to a stop in the doorway. "Oh, sorry. Were were just um..."

"Well go on, tell her," Rocky prompts, coming up behind him.

"Um..." Ryder fishes lamely. "We were... discussing..."

"He was trying to demonstrate the art of taking down a crocodile," Rocky finishes. Though he rolls his eyes, the humor is evident.

Though Scott keeps his eyes down, he nods a little to acknowledge Kate's presence. "I'm... hanging in there."

He pauses his work on the camera and turns his head to her. "Kinda hard, ya know. But... I'm okay right now."

It was easier now to admit it when he didn't feel a hundred percent comfortable or confident. He had realized that to say he wasn't totally at ease was not admitting weakness, but on the contrary, it was helping him stay within the situation by exposing the fear so others could help him. It had been a humbling lesson to learn, but it was one that stuck with him, and one that no longer brought along any embarrassment.

"I think once people start coming... I'll just stay up near the front." He gives Katie a wry grin. "If I can't see everyone behind me, it won't seem quite so bad."