Phone Book

Shifting and giving a small smile to Jason Katie nods.

Thank you J.

Turning Katie makes her way back into the infermary. Her heart raced as she drew closer to her Uncle. He looked so small in the bed and it made her heart hurt. Katie had always been close to Jeff, and now it was sad to see him so weak.

Taking Jeff's hand gentily in her own Katie sits on the edge of the bed and runs a tumb over his hand.

"Oh Uncle Jeff...what happend."

Katie let out a sigh as a tear ran down her face.

"You have to be ok. You have to be."

Looking up as the wrench clattered to the floor Ryan looked up from where the engine to the car she was working on should of been. Listing just a little Ryan shakes her head. Axel's hand had been getting worse and she felt so bad for him but there was nothing she could do. The only that seemed to work was Jess' rubbing.

Seeing Leo start to walk by again Ryan looks up once more catching his eye. Giving a sideways smile she whispers and points to herself with her tool.

"You, me lunch half hour."

A frustrated slam comes from inside Dalton and Scott's office as a phone book was thrown at the wall with force.

"Come on come on where did I put it."

Continuing to look through his desk Dalton grew even more frustrated. The paper with the phone number was around here some where he new it.

Opening his desk draw a small peace of note paper stairs at him. Rolling his eyes the big man felt stupid and pulls it out.

Dialing the number Dalton couldnt help but feel a bit nervouse but is almost saddened when he gets Dan's voice mail.

"Hi Dani its Dalton. Sorry I didnt call sooner I lost your number. Yeah yeah I know thats what most guys say, but I have a phone book here who had a meeting with the wall that can say I really did. Anyways I was wondering if tomorrow you would like to go for that walk. I have off. Well just...call me back. Bye."

Hanging up the phone Dalton cant help but lean back in his chair a small smile on his face as he thinks about his lunch the day before.

Looking down at her husband Charlotte's lips turn up in a small grin as she talks into the mic.

"They could only be so lucky. You know I only have eyes for you."

Giving a small wave and a kiss into the air Charlotte's smile grows.

"Be safe out there and you get a nice long kiss."

Leaning into Mick slightly Rosetta always welcomed his comfort though this visit seemed to hold something differnt. Simply just by Mick's body language alone told her so. Rosetta couldnt help but prepair herself for the worst.

Hearing about Jeff a few tears spring into her eyes. Her brother, no why...why again? Turning to look at Mick Rosetta trys to blink away her tears.

"Do..they know whats wrong? Is it the same as before or...it couldnt be because when we took the chip out he was ok...I..."

Falling into Mick's arms a silent sobs comes forth. She was told old for this, this continue battle.

"Mick...whats happening to our family!"

Call

As Katie leans into him, Jason wraps his arms around her, trying to be a shelter. Despite their argument, she wanted him now and he would be there. He kisses the top of her head lightly.

"I'll call them for you."

Don't worry... he'll be okay. He's strong and will pull through.

Rick appears in the hall, just having stepped out from the infirmary. "Katie...?" His face is grim. "He's calm now if you want to see him... but I'm not sure how much time he has." Turning, he slips back into the room, looking at Jeff half-asleep in the bed, then at Misty. "I don't know what's wrong with him, Misty. It's kind of like his body is reacting to something... almost like an allergy, but it's so severe... I don't know what to do."

Jason gives Katie's shoulder a squeeze before nodding her to the infirmary. "Go on. Try to find out what happened. I'll call Texas."


Leo hears another wrench clatter and his eyes drift from the car he was working on, to the one at the other end of the shop. Axel was muttering to himself and looking around for the dropped tool. Thankfully, Darrell wasn't around today again.

Sighing, Leo moves from his car and wipes his hands on his rag, wandering over to Axel. "Need help?"

"No, I don't need help," Axel snaps. "Just..." He takes a deep breath. "Sorry. Just one of those days."

Leo looks to Axel's hand that was held to his side. "Did it finally happen?"

Axel stops working and closes his eyes, turning to lean back against the car. "Yeah." He lets out a sorry scoff. "It hurt this morning, but by the time I came down here, there was nothing. It's been numb for about five hours now."

He tosses aside the wrench he'd found. "If it doesn't improve by the end of the day, I might as well pack up my stuff."

"Well don't-"

"Have you ever seen a one-handed mechanic?" Axel shakes his head. "No, it's too late." Glancing around at the others in the shop who were busy working, he turns back around again. "Just don't tell anybody yet."

Leo shrugs. "Okay. What about Jess?"

"I'll... tell her. Soon."


"It's a great day for racing, ladies and gentlemen, as the breeze is cool on this eighty-degree day. Be sure to stop by the concession stands for some icy lemonade, and check out the racing shack where you can get your favorite hats, jackets and more. Take your seats, 'cause we'll be starting in just ten minutes..."

Bret zips up his jacket and tips his head to look out across the track to where the announcer was giving his spiel. It really was a perfect day, and they had a good turnout too. For a track that went against the flow and never got involved with the bigwigs or the racing hooplah, they were holding their own quite well.

"Yo man, you ready?" Landon slaps Bret's shoulders.

Bret grins. "Sure am."

"Good. 'Cause I heard Troy telling his buddies out there from Carterton that he was gonna take this one. Personally I think it'll be you."

"Or you."

"Naw... Maybe I never left, but you got the talent and you know it."

Bret pulls on his gloves, still grinning. "Maybe. See you out there." He points after his friend as Landon walks away. "Be safe."

"You too, bro."

The anticipation in the air was thick. Engines revved. People were mingling everywhere. From his spot on the track, Bret looked up above the stands to the box where Kirk was, along with several others from the crew, and Charlotte. "Hey babe." He grins, while speaking into the mic in his helmet. "No flirting with the guys while I'm down here."


Mick hangs up the phone in the house and just stares at it for a moment. This didn't sound good.

He moves slowly to go back outside. So much had happened already. He hadn't wanted to think that Rosetta's bad feelings were realistic, but now he knew they were.

He'd just come inside to get something to drink and happened to hear the phone ring while he was there. The conversation with Jason had been brief. Walking to the barn, he looks around for his wife.

"Mick?" Eric looks up from his seat on a bale of hay. "What's wrong?"

Mick shakes his head. "Later. Seen your sister?"

"Um... yeah, I think she's down with one of the foals."

"Thanks." Mick continues his route down to the larger stalls. Hearing Rosetta's voice, he smiles and slides open the stall door to join her. The little chestnut filly looks at him curiously and swishes her tail. Toddling over to him, she sticks her nose out to sniff his hand.

Mick grins and lets her nuzzle his palm, then suck his fingers. It would be a while before she had teeth. She moves from his fingers then sniffs his pocket with interest.

"Naw," he croons, nudging her back to his mother. "You'll get to find out what an apple is once you got something to chew it with."

Sighing deeply, he then moves to Rosetta, pulling her into a hug. "Hey." Drawing away a little, he looks into her eyes, knowing that she could sense his seriousness. "Jeff's at TJY. He went to Katie's... he's sick... really sick."

Could you

Bringing her lips to the lemonade straw Sapphire figured Gage probley never had anything like this to drink and was confirmed by the look on his face. Taking her own sip Sapphire's eyes squint as the lemonade hits her own tastes. Finally as the sour pass, Sapphire smiles at Gage. Seeing his own small smile, and the glisson in his eyes please her to know there was a tiny bit of happiness she put there.

"I am happy you like it. Once you get past the lip puckering sour tast its not bad. I think this is one of my fav drinks on a nice hot day."

Nodding twords the path again Sapphire walks with Gage as they both sip there drinks. The silence ruled for the moment but she didnt mind. It looked like Gage was taking everything in and that was a good thing to get him use to the normal world.

Katie finally opens her eyes and looks at Jason. Her own searching his looking deep into them, searching for the comfort she needed.

He came to my house after Ryder and Thirteen left. I dont know where he has been. I new he was sick as soon as I saw him and I brought him here as soon as I could.

Taking a few steps closer Katie leans into Jason feeling his warmth. She wished she could do more for her uncle be she didnt know what. She still had to call her Aunt, but how could she break the new to her. It was always just one thing after another with there family.

" Can you call my Aunt or Mick for me? I am to upset. My place is here so when they are done with Jeff I can be close."

Pucker

Jeff? But... how? What's he doing here? I thought...

Jason lets his unspoken words trail off, seeing the worry in Katie's eyes. "I'm sorry."

Remembering that morning's spat, he awkwardly lets his hands slide off her shoulders, not even knowing if she wanted him near right now. "Is there anything I can do?"


"Lemonade?" Gage blinks and looks to the stand that was selling drinks. He'd always just drank water, since he could remember. He knew all the others he worked with had drank things like soda pop or beer, but he'd always been told he needed to stay away from those things. "Um..." He was free from the Agency now... and he did want to try this... "O... Okay. Yeah."

Waiting for Sapphire to get their drinks, he stands a bit awkwardly, his eyes forever roaming the park, always on guard.

Once Sapphire is handing him his drink, he looks a the straw for a moment, skeptically. Finally he takes a sip. His lips pucker and his left eye squints as the sweet and sour collide on his taste buds. Blinking, he looks at Sapphire with a bit of surprise. He hadn't quite expected that. But something made him want more. He takes another sip. This time it went down more smoothly.

Looking to Sapphire again, a faint smile just quirks the corner of his mouth as his eyes show pleasure. "I like it."