A long time

Kip listens intently to Karla, helping himself to another helping of breakfast casserole as she talks. When she's finished, he cocks his head, giving her a little grin. She seemed to lead a pretty quiet life - little timid, enjoying the arts, and seeming to enjoy making others feel good through her expression.

"Maybe you can tag along with the band sometime," he offers. "We're not really anything yet but... we got a good shot at something here real soon. Or you could sit in on our practice session. Might even get you to sing a few notes."

He searches her eyes for a moment before returning to his food, unsure if he'd just been too forward or not, but having fun nonetheless.


Being drawn into a hug, Gunner goes rigid for a moment, taken completely off guard. He'd had her arms around him before, but it had been different... it had been in those dark hours when he'd needed a shoulder and needed the comfort. This wasn't the same. This was a hug out in the middle of nowhere, not with the intention of comfort, but rather to say "thank you." And it was as totally different feeling.

His stomach does a little flop and he feels funny for a moment. He couldn't remember the last time he'd received a hug out of the blue like this. Maybe he never had. And in a brief moment, he realizes that he really didn't know how to hug back. But his arms seemed to know what to do.

A little awkwardly, he slowly moves his arms around Bree, pulling her in gently, warmly. It felt better than he thought it would. He actually... liked this feeling. Her hair smelled sweet and having her close felt... nice. He gives her back a little rub.

"You're welcome," he answers quietly. And he knew that this morning had meant nothing negative at all.

Pulling away so he could see her face, his mouth upturns into a slight grin. "I'll have to remember you like teddy bears."

Glancing in their direction, JT still withholds the smile that wanted to come out. It had been a long time since he'd seen Bree smile like that. Though his own start with Gunner had been rough, he was grateful now for the man's company that seemed to brighten his niece's spirit. But all good things must come to an end, even if he did want to just leave them be. "Soup's on!"

Gunner looks quickly to the table, his arms dropping back to his sides. After glancing at Bree's eyes for just a moment, he takes off his jacket and hangs it on the back of the empty chair to take his place at the kitchen table. "Um... thank you for inviting me."

JT sits back down too, and waves him off. "Like I said, there's too much food here anyway. And besides, I'm stuck with Bree all the time - it's nice to have another man around for a change."

Though Gunner lifts his eyebrows at the remark, JT knows good and well that Bree will know it's a joke as he tosses her a wink.


A motorcycle engine revs as it's pulled up alongside a row of cars. Headlights illuminated the deserted street, casting odd shadows on the milling crowd. Laughter rings out, someone shouts, a bear bottle is shattered against a brick wall, and car engines are warmed up.

Eli dismounts his bike and pulls off his helmet, scanning the crowd. He'd done his homework. He knew what Roth would look like, who his goons were, and what kind of car he had. He also knew he would be here tonight. It hadn't been hard... racers in the area were proud of what they did, despite the police's distaste for it. And anyone involved in the races gladly offered information as to when and where the next event would happen, along with their opinions of who would win, who would not, and who deserved to get left in the dirt. Finding Roth hadn't been hard.

Locking his helmet to his bike and leaving his leather jacket unzipped, Eli tightens his gloves on his hands, his fingers free to flex as he cracks his knuckles. His boots crunch on loose gravel as he makes his way into the crowd, his face tight, and his eyes flaming.


After finally realizing that his phone battery was dead, then recharging it, Axel had discovered the voicemail from Misty. Even though it was evening, he made a call to TJY, hoping to catch her. And he did. "Hey, Misty... Axel. Sounds great and I'm ready any time you want me."