Free Pizza

Misty heart sinks just a little as Kyle's own words are returned to her. It hurt and no matter what it would always hurt time and time again no matter how many times ones heart would have to go through it.

"We all learn from our mistakes huh? I guess thats the most important thing of all. The saying goes "Its better to have love and lost than to never love at all." Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just never love. But than I remember that even if I lost some people, I would of missed out on getting to know them and shairing something special."

A small smile plays on Misty's lips as she remembers the good times she has had with a few differnt people including Kyle. Giving a shake of her head Misty isnt sure what alse she should say. Where would things go from here she did not know, how things would end was on the wind and all she could do was blow with it.

Giving a sigh Misty turns and just stands a moment before walking away.

"Your gonna make some girl very happy Kyle Mitts and she is gonna be so lucky. I'll envy her but I'll also he happy for the both of you."

Whiping on last tear from her eye Misty continues to make her way to her car. Sitting for just a moment before driving away.

Standing at the counter Charlotte is lost in thought about differnt things. Starting out the day fighting with Bret had only been the motion that mad the ball roll. The rest of the day hadnt been the greatest eather.

Feeling Bret's arms around her just startles her for a moment but than she relaxes as she is snapped out of her deep thought. Charlotte takes the flowers from Bret a smile spreading across her face. He always new just what to do to make her feel good again.

Looking down at the coin that layed on the counter her grin grows even more as she places the flowers on the counter and turns around to face Bret. Bringing her arms around his neck Charlotte just looks back into his eyes for a moment.

"Of course I forgive you how could I not?"

Bringing her lips to Bret Charotte let her kiss show that she did as well. Bret was the love of her life and she could ask for nothing more. There was no way she could be mad with him forever. Pulling away again she smiles.

"How was everything at the track?"

Just laying on her back in the bed Katie just looks up at the sealing for a long moment listing as Jason makes it into the bathroom. Everything felt so differnt this time and Katie felt so tired. She new that something had happend with Jason and she had put herself on the line for him but what was it? In a horse whisper Katie's voice can be hurd. It hurt to talk but she had to.

"Rick what happened? It was differnt this time."

Though she asked her question to Rick Katie could feel Jason was done in the bathroom she felt ok to talk to him.

It's ok J, really it is. I new the risk when I did it and I would do it again if it ment helping you. Please dont blame youself.

Jason didnt need to say it and Katie already new he would be blaming himself and though she tryed to reasure him it was not it never worked.

Just laying on the bed a while longer Katie is quiet untill Jason comes out of the bathroom. Turning her head she trys to give him her best smile.
Its gonna be ok J.

Hearing Rick's question for a moment Katie is quiet. Sleeping in her own bed sounded gramd right about now but she new if she tryed moving it would only her let alone knowing if her legs could hold her up. If they didnt that would only make Jason feel worse and Katie didnt want that.

"I think for tonight I am going to stay here, if thats ok."

As Carson mess with Jess hair she turns around and gives him a swat to the arm giving a smile and than turns back to Axel.

"Protecting you?"

Looking back to Carson again Jess lips turn into a slight grin.

"I hurd there was going to be free pizza so I followed. Anything after that I am no part of I swair."

Turning back to Joel and the others Jess can't help but laugh herself again. Though the air had been thick before it seemed to be a little bit better now as everyone laughed and smiled. The feeling was nice and Jess liked it.

"You know Joel you say that its over, but something says its FAR from over. The others might life you down but I am not that full of mercy."

Jess cant help the sly grin they cross her face as she looks to Rocky and gives a wink.

Stepping out of the Taxi Angel just stands for a moment looks up at Austins house. She felt tired and sleep was really what she wanted to do, but see Austin was also something she wanted to do. She had gone the whole day with Misty and had seen hide nor hair of him. She even asked Susanne if he was in and she had told her no.

Giving a sigh Angel pays the cab driver and makes her way up to the door. She didnt know if Austin was home but it was worth a try. Giving a knock to the door Angel waits.

there

As Misty’s words hit Kyle’s ears, all he can do is stare back at her. The fire in his eyes slowly simmered until he lets go of her arms.

Backing up a step, he turns his back on her, setting his hands on his hips. He raises his face to look up at the night sky, a few stars visible above the city lights.

A scoffing laugh finally surfaces. “Dang it, Misty. Was I that stupid?”

He shakes his head and turns back around, defeat written on his face. “The first time I dared to love anybody, and I jumped the gun on walking away. And now what do I have? Someone who still cares for me too, but we can’t do a thing about it because her heart belongs in two different places. How can I make you choose?”

His head shakes again. “I’m sorry I’ve been a fool. Go where your heart leads you. I’ll find my way.”


Bret slips quietly into the house, shutting the front door softly behind him. It was late... later than he'd planned on getting home. Things at the track had turned into a reunion, and getting away from his old friends had been hard. He hadn't called Charlotte though, afraid she was still mad at him for that morning's little episode.

Seeing a light on in the kitchen, he heads in that direction, not bothering to stop and take his jacket off. One hand held that which he'd stopped to get on the way home, the other held a quarter.

Stopping for a moment, he just watches Charlotte move at the counter, feeling even sorrier for losing his temper earlier. Finally he moves forward again, coming up behind her. Reaching around her from behind, he presents the flowers, his other arm wrapping around her waist. Resting his his head against hers, he whispers in her ear.

"I love you... and I'm sorry about earlier."

Leaning forward to kiss her cheek, he moves just a little to the side, flipping the quarter and catching it on the counter. Revealing it under his palm, he cranes his neck around to see his wife's eyes. "Tails. That means I get to take you out to supper... if you forgive me."

Remain

Starttled at Kyle turn her around Misty gives just a small jump hearing the door slam she thought for sure Kyle had driven away.

Hearing his words Misty looks up into his eyes. Unsure of what she saw behind them but a certin fire seemed to burn.

Misty new what her heart told her and she new who she was dating. This was thin ground she was walking but at the moment she wasnt sure what anything ment.

Looking back at Kyle once again Misty eyes seemed to hold tears behind them. Everything seemed to hurt but the words just slipped from her toung.

"Yes Kyle...those feelings still remain."

Need to

Jason lies on the infirmary table, his eyes closed as his body starts to react to the episode. He could feel himself getting sick and knew it was only a matter of time before his body would retaliate.

Rick tries to give him some orange juice, but he refuses. "Not now," he mumbles. "Not yet..."

Rick sighs and sets the cup down, just waiting. He paces, worried. He could do nothing for Katie and it was frustrating and scary. It was one thing to try and help someone and fail - it was another to stand by helplessly unable to do anything.

As Katie shoots up with a scream, Scott jumps, taken totally off guard. He reaches out quickly to lay a hand on her arm, hoping that she was alright.

Receiving her quiet words, he's hit with relief. Some might think she was talking nonsense, but Scott knew that she was making perfect sense, and he could only thank God that she'd woken up and was okay. He swallows hard. "You're welcome," he replies softly before sitting back in his chair again, letting Rick through to check on her.

Rick lets out the breath he'd been holding, and returns Katie's smile. "Well, the hero decided to return to us after all," he muses. He starts checking her vitals, pleased that color was starting to return to her face.

Jason cracks his eyes open just wide enough to see a blurry form of Katie, but he can feel that she is awake, the pulse between them gaining back strength.

I'm so sorry, Katie....

He struggles to maintain strength as his feelings become those of guilt and frustration.

I thought I was losing you... it was my fault. I...

His emotional communication is suddenly halted as the unwanted but familiar lurch comes to his stomach. Giving a groan, he rolls over to slide off the table and stagger to the bathroom.

Rick was in the middle of helping Katie and he glances over his shoulder to see what was going on. "Jase, you okay?" he calls. No answer. Rick turns to Scott. "Would you check on him?"

Without hesitating, Scott responds, getting to his feet and heading to where Jason was. Kneeling next to him, Scott just waits until Jason is done throwing up and needs support back into the other room. Though having just been sick, Jason knows he can handle the orange juice now. Unfortunately, this all felt too routine. With a bit of help from Scott, he gets back to table, and takes the cup shakily, trying to get some sugar back in himself.

Scott lets him be and goes back to his chair, quiet and watchful. Mike stands ready to help if need be, but it looked as though everything was under control once more.

It wasn't long before the room had settled down again. Rick moves about the infirmary, and after a few minutes, he encourages Mike to get back to the others. He would look after everyone here. Mike agrees, and after a quick farewell, he leaves TJY.

Jason sits on the edge of the table, slowly regaining strength, but feeling utterly exhausted. Everything was a blurry nightmare. He rubs his eyes tiredly, trying to focus. He didn't know what to say to Katie. He didn't know what to say to Rick. This whole thing was his fault.

Rick approaches him again, his hands tucked in his lab jacket. "I'm sorry for doing that to you, Jason," he apologizes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your flashback."

"Oh, that." Jason's eyes drift downward. "You had to do what you had to do."

"I'm still sorry about it." Rick sighs. "You realize now you can't bury those memories. They have to be available for when these things happen."

Jason swallows hard. His emotions said otherwise... he didn't like this... he felt vulnerable, weak and foolish. "Yeah... I know."

Rick purses his lips, then glances to Katie. "Do you feel up to going home tonight - I can call Laura to come get you. Or you can stay the night if you want. It's up to you."


Things back at the community building went quickly. A phone call from Mike helped relieve worries about Katie and Jason, and soon everybody's equipment was packed up and ready to go.

Axel made sure Jess didn't get lost in the chaos, and told her she could follow him and Rocky to the restaurant. It doesn't take long for the little convoy to reach their destination and soon they're all filing into Mom and Pop's. Mike catches up to them just in time - the only ones missing now were Jason and Katie, Kyle, and Taylor.

The bell above the door rings and Carson pokes his head out from the kitchen. He and Herb were the only ones left tonight, but seeing the group come in, he didn't mind staying open a while longer. A smile spreads on his face and he comes out just as everyone is sitting down.

Coming up behind Jess' chair, he ruffles her hair teasingly. "How did you wind up with his noisy bunch?" he asks.

Axel is sitting next to her, and looks up at Carson with dry humor. "She's protecting me."

"Oh really? From what?"

"Joel."

Rocky chimes in. "Yeah, keep your eye on him tonight, Carson. He might need to borrow a ladder at any given moment."

Joel's face is already red from his position at the end of the table. "Alright, alright! So I said something I shouldn't have! It's over!"

All his shouting does is serve to send a round of laughter around the table. Carson has no idea what was said earlier, but he just shakes his head, satisfied without even knowing.


As Misty comes around to the driver's side door, Kyle is taken by surprise. He'd thought she'd left. Receiving her hug, he's hesitant to return affection, unsure of just what her intentions are. Her words of him doing a good job make his emotions churn even more, but he remains quiet, even when she pulls away. He didn't know what to say. He felt like an idiot, even if she'd said he'd been great. If this is what great felt like, he didn't want it.

Looking down, he plays with his keys. There were things he'd like to say that he simply knew he shouldn't. And that was bad enough without all of this chaos going on. If only he'd handled things differently...

Though his mind wanders, he snaps back to attention as Misty speaks again. And slowly... slowly his eyes raise back up and he turns his head to meet her gaze. Her words hit him hard, a shock to his system. He blinks, unable to look away now, the confusion, pain and utter dismay surging through his eyes. He had been a fool.

But what could he possibly say now that would make any difference. If only he could go back. If only he could go back, knowing what he knew now. Why was she telling him? Why did she feel she had to? Why now? Did she just want to pour salt into his wounds? Did she just want to rub in the fact that he'd been so foolish? No... he knew that was not her intent. But the angry tears surface anyway.

Kyle swallows hard, ignoring his truck's warning light that the door was still open. Misty's final words of encouragement were tucked away for a time later when perhaps they might mean something to him. But right now... tonight... they fell on a numb heart.

He could say nothing. His mind could not think of a response to her words and her tears. But as she starts to walk away, an utter desperation rose up within him. Nothing else was going right. Everything was falling down all around him. Just once... just once, he needed to grasp for something... anything. And caution was his only barrier.

Sliding down out of his truck, he slams the door with a bang, his eyes blazing with a new fire that had sparked from the sheer embers of the pain he felt.

It only takes a few strides to come up behind Misty. Taking her by the shoulder, he spins her around so he can look in her eyes once more, both hands on her arms. His jaw is tight, his eyes glaring but without an anger. "Saying you don't deserve a guy like me is a poor excuse for not getting what you really want," he states flatly. "I want to know right now if those feelings for me still exist. If not, I walk away. But I need to know."