Any surprises

Mick shouldn't have been surprised by Rosetta's reaction, but her embrace is something he hadn't expected. He had been so foolish, and he felt so weak. He knew that she was upset with him, yet she was strong enough to support him still. He didn't deserve a woman like her.

Slipping his arms around her, he just holds her close, quiet for several minutes... just hugging her, as if he thought if he let go, he really might lose her. His face is buried in her hair as a tear slips out. He'd tried so hard to hold everything together, but as a result, he was close to losing it all. His sons, his daughter, his wife, his friends. So wrapped up in trying to conquer his own addiction, he'd lashed out at others, and tried to hide in the case with Dylan so no one would suspect it was something else that was wrong. But in the end, all it did was make things worse.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Mick finally pulls away. His hands cradle Rosetta's face as he leans in to place a tender kiss on her lips. "I'll be back," he assures quietly. "I promise. If I don't do this, I'll never get it right." It was for his son... and it was for himself.

Finally letting Rosetta go, he turns to pick up his bag. It wasn't three minutes later that one could hear his pickup starting, and he was heading down the driveway.


Sparky looks out of the barn, seeing Mick's truck pull away. Odd. Where was he going? Had he heard from someone about Dylan? A chill runs down his spine, hoping that his brother wouldn't actually have left. He couldn't believe that. Maybe he just needed to go blow off some steam. Sparky hoped that's all it was.

Looking around the barn, a wave of sadness hits him. He really did like it here. He always had, even way back when everything had just started. He hated not feeling like he belonged, and even more he hated knowing that it was just one person that made him feel that way. He wanted to believe Rosetta and Angel that he was wanted. Today though, he couldn't find anything to do to keep him busy.

Wandering to the dining hall, he lets himself in to go make a cup of hot tea. Maybe it would help settle his nerves. There was no one else inside, so he takes his time, finally winding up in front of the cold fireplace. After a short while, he sets his cup down and reaches around to pick up his guitar. Strumming a few chords, he tunes it until he's satisfied with the sound. Settling back, he picks out a quiet song, the minor tones holding a sorrowful yet soothing sound.


Kip grins as he takes Karla's phone number, then gives a wave as she leaves. Watching until she was inside the building, he pulls away from the curb and heads home.

Arriving back, Erik is still up, waiting for him before going to bed.

"Get her home alright?"

Kip nods, playing with his keys. "Yeah."

Erik thinks for a moment, cocking his head. "She seems nice. I'm glad you had her over."

"Really?"

"Yeah. As long as you two behave yourselves, I don't have any problem."

Kip smirks a little. "Thanks for your confidence."

Erik gives him a light slap upside the head while grinning. "Anytime."


JT is just heading out the door for work when his phone rings. He contemplates not even answering it, but he thinks better of it, and goes ahead and picks it up. "Yeah, hello."

"Hi, JT... it's Gunner."

JT grins. He didn't need the introduction - Gunner had a unique enough voice that he recognized it. "Hey, Gunner. What's up?"

"Um... about your offer..." Gunner rubs his tired eyes. "I thought maybe... well... I don't know, I just..."

JT pauses getting ready to go, concentrating on Gunner's weary tone. He could tell without being told that his friend was tired - most likely from another bad night. "Key is under the doormat," he interrupts. "Since I'm not gonna be around, I doubt Bree will be over for supper, but there's plenty of stuff here you can help yourself to. Blankets in the corner of the living room - couch is all yours."

Gunner swallows hard. How he'd landed friends like these, he'd never know. "Thanks... thank you."

"Not a problem, Gunner. Thanks for watching the house. If you need anything, you know where to call." Once the call was ended, JT dials Bree quickly. "It's me. Just wanted to let you know quick that Gunner will be at the house tonight. He didn't say so, but he sounded tired, so I'm glad he took me up on the offer. Didn't think you were planning to come over, but didn't want you to have any surprises either."


The drive took several hours, and Dylan was in and out of his own little world for most of the time. Gradually though, the fog seems to lift a bit and having given up struggling against the handcuffs, he just lies on the floor, eying Katie. He looks at her, then Jason then back to Katie, just studying her for several moments. He mumbles something, but can't make anything sound right under the tape.

Jason glances to Katie.
Think he's gonna be calm enough to talk sense now?
He shrugs.
We can always put it back on if he's not.
Reaching down, he rips the tape off without mercy.

Dylan gives a little groan at the pain the tape causes, and just lies still for a few more moments. He squints at Katie again, a bump in the road jolting his line of sight. "Katie?" He moves around, eventually able to sit up with his back to the side of the van, looking across at her and Jason. "What are you... what's going on?"