Hit on the head

Getting to there destination Katie hopes off her horse and ties her to a nearby post in a bit of shades. Giving a smile to Dan as she walks back over to Mick.

On the way up they had all talked and though Dan skitted around talking about much of his own past Katie did get to know a little bit about him. He seemed like a nice guy.

Hearing Micks directions Dan look at him and gives a smerk saying thanks alot. Turning to head over to where they had worked yesterday He throws Mick a wink to show him he really wasnt irritated.

"Yeah no problem boss."

Going over next to Mick Katie helps unload some of the stuff they had brought with them putting on her own work gloves. Feeling her phone vibrate though Katie takes her one glove off just in time to feel it stop. Pulling her phone out anyways Katie look at the number and see its Jason. There was no voicemail and it had hardly even done one ring, why had he bothered to call if he was just going to hang up?

Holding a confused look on her face for a moment Katie puts her phone back in her pocket and than puts her glove back on before joining Mick again. She was hurt that Jason hadnt bothered to leave a message but what more could she do?

"Ok what are we going to start with?"

Smiling as she continues to make the coffee she looks up at Gunner and gives a shake of her head. She liked it when her Uncle played along with what she said no matter how strange it was.

"Nah, he just like to humor me that all. I'm the only strange on in the family."

Pouring the water in and setting the pot Bree thinks for a long moment before answering. It had been a while since she could remeber realling being...normal.

"Yeah we are pretty close. When I was real little, I got as pretty bad hit to the head. Probably one that should of killed me, but I lived and since that I had always been a little strange I guess you could say. JT is really the only one who gets me and doesn't think I belong in a nut house."

Looking up from her desk Misty gives a sigh. She was happy Jeff was going to be with his family but she was sad to see him go without knowing the cure to what was wrong.

"Rick what can I do to help? We cant let him...we just cant."

Ended call

Mick gives a little smirk at Dan. "Little hasty there, aren't we?" A teasing tone laces his question at how fast Dan had apparently wanted Katie along.

He looks to Katie and gives her a wink. "I'd never say no to you, you know that. Come on."

Checking the saddle girth one more time, Mick swings up onto his mount's back, aiming her for the trail that would lead to the north pasture, far enough away that they couldn't see it from here.

Staying at an easy pace, Mick lets the mare walk, taking the lead. The trail winds off into the woods for a while and they cross a shallow brook, continuing their route.

Once they finally reach their destination, Mick dismounts, surveying the area of fence that needed to be fixed. "Katie, why don't you help me here a bit... Dan, would you ride down a ways and check to make sure the horses didn't tear apart the work we did a few days ago?"


Jason hobbles back into his office on crutches, flopping back down in his chair. He groans as he sees more paperwork from Reese. Before diving in though, he happens to check his phone, surprised there is a voicemail waiting.

Hearing Katie's brief message, he leans back in his seat. That had been... short. Her voice had sounded... strained? Stressed? Tired? Or was it just his imagination? It seemed the kind of message that maybe she just felt she should make, rather than really wanting to. After all, it was a rarity for her to miss a concert. Had she just felt it her job to mention it? Or had she really wanted to talk to him? He couldn't tell.

So should he call her back? He starts to dial. Surely she was busy doing something around the ranch. He wouldn't want to interrupt her, and what if he'd read her wrong? What if the message really was just meant to be brief and was a hint that she didn't want any conversation?

Looking down, Jason realizes the call has connected and it's ringing. He shuts his phone quickly, tossing it back on his desk with a growl. If Katie wanted to talk, she'd let him know... right?


Gunner quirks an eyebrow, his mouth remaining solemn. "I'll stay, but only if you keep the fee out of the coffee. I'd rather end up with a cough than have to pay for it."

JT rolls his eyes. "How I ended up in the middle of this, I don't know. Brent, you're more than welcome to stay and eat with us, if you like. Apparently my niece isn't going to wait."

"Call me Gunner and..." He finally lets a smile slip. "Pizza sounds good, but I don't want to intrude."

"Nah." JT waves him off. "A little company never hurt anybody. Besides, I want to hear what you have to say."

"Alright." Gunner shrugs, accepting the offer.

JT steps away to dial the pizza place finally, putting in the order for a pizza with mixed veggies, sausage and canadian bacon. "Oh and only use dough on half... yeah, half.... well I don't care how you get it done, we only want crust on half the pizza..."

Listening to one side of the conversation, Gunner shakes his head and ambles into the kitchen where Bree was. "Must run in the family eh?" He leans against the counter, watching her make the coffee. His badge was hooked to his belt, but he wore no sidearm. "I see you and your uncle spend a lot of time together. You're close?"


"I don't think traveling is wise." Rick tries to keep Jeff from leaving the TJY building, but Jeff keeps walking to the exit, slowly, but with determination.

"Look, I'll get on a plane. The whole trip will only last a couple hours then I'll be back at the ranch, safe and sound."

"You're not safe or sound," Rick retorts. "If you stay here, I can keep doing research."

Jeff stops at the door, turning around. "Would you rather die here or where your home is?"

Rick swallows hard, his shoulders drooping. "Alright... I'm... I'm sorry, Jeff. I'll keep looking for an answer."

"Don't apologize." Jeff shrugs. "It's just... life."

"You've got the medication?"

"Yeah, it'll last me a while." Jeff pats his pocket. "I'll see Angel too so... I'm sure she'll be in touch with you too."

Dirty

Even when time it at its best, the hours slip by. No matter how drawn out, or quick they go by the same. The sun will rise, and the sun will sink welcoming a new day tomorrow.

Getting up on her knees and looking over the back of the couch Bree can't help the fant smile the formed on her lips.

"And the stalker continues to stalk me. And this time your the one who followed me here."

Turning on the couch again to shut the folder that she and JT were looking at Bree stands coming closer to both of the men.

"No I cant wait or my stomach is going to eat itself."

Bree eyes twinkled as she ved off and headed to the kitchen.

"I'll make some coffee, Gunner you will stay for pizza, Uncle JT call for the pizza and make it with no dough this time. Than we can all talk."

Trotting up behind Mick Dan gives a smile and stops the horse. Mick had invited him to come along once again to help and he couldnt help but feel a certain pride to know Mick wanted his help.

"Hey Mick, I hope you offer is still open to help with the fence."

Getting down off his horse Dan leads him over to a fence post and ties to horse off to see if Mick needed any help gathering things up.

Sitting in the barn her horse was all ready to go but for the moment Katie didn't move.

Over the last few days she had delt with alot. She been getting sick, her head always felt like it was splitting open and the one night she woke from a horrible nightmare. It had been on that night she was happy to have shared a room to herself. It had been on that night she had called Jason for comfort as well but got no answer. She wanted to leave a message but hadn't. If he wanted to talk to her he would of called back right? But how else would he have known she wanted to talk to him she hadnt even left a message.

Taking a sigh again Katie plays with the phone in her hand. Tonight was a consert and it would be the first since she had told the guys she would be there bodyguard. Even when her and Jason went together she was still there every show. It seemed strange to think now, now she wouldn't.

Dialing Jason's number Katie lets the phone ring. She had to at least wish him good luck and let Jason know she was thinking of him. Continuing to let it ring Katie finally gets his voice mail. Letting out a long sigh she had to leave a message.

"Hey J, I... Good Luck tonight."

Hanging up Katie new it was short but at least it was something. Holding the phone to her chest Katie lets out a long sigh choking on a tear before taking the horse by the lead and going outside.

Coming up behind Dan and Mick Katie gives a small smile seeing as they were ready to go out. Maybe she just needed to lose herself today. Try and drown her own mind and be useful.

"Hey Uncle Mick, I was wondering if you needed an extra pare of hands out there today?"

Looking up quickly at Katie's voice Dan smiles at her as he removes his stetson from the top of his head.

"I think an extra pare of hands would be great as long as you dont mind getting dirty right Mick?"

Dan shoots Mick a quick look.

Katie cant help a small laugh before looking at her Uncle and shaking her head.

"You can tell he's new. Of course I dont mind getting dirty"

Update

With a deep sigh, Clint nods. He leans his head in to kiss Wendy's forehead. "Yeah... yeah, we can get back to our own bunkhouse. They don't mean to keep Chase from you... they're just trying to give you less things to worry about. I'm... kinda glad our moms have stepped in to ease some of that pressure."

He rubs her arm tenderly before his hand finds hers. "But we'll get back to our own place tonight, okay? And then... then by late springtime, maybe our house will be done."


Time has a way of slipping through our fingers, no matter how hard we try to hold it in the palm of our hands. Plans drift away, we age and we sometimes feel it has been unfair. But time pays no heed. And for Texas and Nevada, several days pass without slowing.


"Alright. That's it." JT tosses the rest of the paperwork onto the coffee table. It had been three days, and he and Bree were back at it, but this time, he wasn't going to spend hours pouring over these cases. He cared about each and every patient, but there was a point where he and his niece needed some time out. "Pizza time."

He heads for the phone, dressed in his loose jeans and t-shirt, shuffling in his socks. The routine rarely changed - when Bree came over, pizza was inevitable. They would always change toppings though, sometimes coming up with some pretty strange combinations. JT enjoyed the time with his niece... she was a large part of his social life, whether she realized it or not.

He's got the cordless phone in hand, ready to dial the pizza place, when the doorbell rings. "Aw..." Heading to the door, he looks out, not recognizing who was there. Shrugging, he opens it a few inches. "Yes?"

"Hi, Dr. Timble?"

"Yes... Can I help you?"

"I hope so. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

JT studies the badge that's shown to him. "Um... okay." He backs up, opening the door wider. "Come in."

Gunner steps inside, scanning the entryway and into the living room. An ever-so-faint smile plays at the corner of his mouth. "I see you have company. Perhaps another time would be better?"

"Well.. am I in some kind of trouble?"

"No, no." Gunner shakes his head. "You probably don't remember me..."

JT's eyes narrow as he thinks hard. He didn't recognize this man. He studies Gunner's face, then his eyes move up, catching the patch of gray hair. His eyes widen slightly. "Brent..."

Gunner nods. "The one and only. I imagine your memory has already been stimulated by your niece."

"Yes, how did you-"

"Good guess." Gunner extends his hand. "Always figured I'd see you again someday. I guess I need your help again, but this time it isn't medical."

"Well... we were just ready to order out for supper, but it can wait..."

"No, I don't want to intrude." Gunner shakes his head. "I can come back another time."

JT is too curious though, and calls over his shoulder. "Bree? Can you stand waiting on supper just a little longer?"


Scott leans back in his chair, lost in thought like he had been a lot the last few days. Ever since Hope's court case, he just couldn't help it. He knew there had to be an answer somewhere. He'd toyed with an idea of his for a while now, and knew it was time to say something.

Getting up abruptly, he doesn't even bother telling Dalton where he's running off to. He heads across the main floor to Reese' office.


Mom,
Just wanted to drop you an email since I hadn't in a while. Finally getting around to answering you. Sorry. Been busy lately. Reese has been on my case...

"Jason!" Reese storms into Jason's office, clutching papers in his hand. "I told you to fill out a report, not butcher this case!"

Jason frowns, glaring up at his boss. "I wrote down what happened! You want a better description, ask Con."

"I'm sick and tired of your attitude, Hotshot," Reese growls. "You know better than this, and I expect to see it. You've been sloppy lately and you know it. Now shape up."

I guess maybe I deserve some of it, I don't know. Sometimes it feels like he's got it in for me. He's been teaming me up with Con lately though and that's brought back good memories. We've taken down a few bad guys. Nothing major though...

"Holy cow, what happened?" Rick rushes down through the cubicles towards Con and Jason. Jason had his arm around Con's shoulder, dragging his right leg as blood poured from a wound.

"Caught a bullet." Con tries to catch his breath from having helped Jason in. "Things got rough down at the bar and it got out of hand."

"Apparently."

Jason winces as he keeps heading towards the infirmary, limping. It was the first time in a long time that physical pain was as raw as this. Without emotions wrapped around it, he couldn't decide if it felt worse or better. At least this time Katie didn't have to worry about him.

Jason pauses his typing to shift in his seat. His leg was throbbing. He didn't know which hurt more - the bullet hole or his knee in its brace. Reese had slacked off a bit since he'd been hurt, but Jason was miserable. He couldn't seem to do anything right.

Tonight JetStream's got a concert. Looking forward to that. Axel's gonna come and help Jen again. I'm glad he's got time. He's been on medical leave, did I tell you that? Hasn't been able to move his hand now for a couple weeks - don't know what his future looks like. The band appreciates his help though.

Jason stops again. Tonight they were without Katie. Katie... A couple days ago he'd seen that she'd called his cell phone but... she hadn't left any message for him. He'd wanted to call her back but... if she'd really wanted to talk to him, she would have left a message, right? Or maybe she'd just misdialed. Maybe it was for the best... he wasn't sure what to say to her anyway. It felt so... awkward. But maybe this was good for them.

Pulling the cord on his neck, he pulls the ring out from under his shirt, fingering it. Were he and Katie over? His headaches had subsided... the antidote apparently was doing its job. But deep down, there was a dull ache, somewhere around his heart.

A sharp pain through his leg brings him back to the present, and back to his email.

Good news - Scott's been back to work. Last couple days he's just been here half days. I'm not sure he's feeling quite up to full-time yet, but he's trying. You might mention it to some of the people there at the ranch - they seemed to have grown fond of him after he'd been there a couple times.

Anyway... I guess there isn't too much else to tell. I'd like to come down for a few days. Don't tell anyone yet - I don't know when it will be. I'd like to spend some time writing some of my music and I want to see Kaylee again.

Tell Wes hi. More later.
Love, Jase


Mick brushes down one of the horses, preparing to saddle up. The north fence had been in worse shape than he'd thought, and it was taking several days to fix. He'd asked Dan if he wanted to join him, but not requiring it, he wasn't sure if the young man would join him or not.

The mare turns her head and lips Mick's shirt sleeve.

He grins and gives her neck a loving pat. "Yeah, give me a minute. We'll get going here soon."

Home

Feeling Clint get on the bed next to her Wendy brings her own arms up to him and gives him a squeeze back letting him know she was there. It hurt all over, and her heart hurt even more but she new they had to move on. In a soft whisper of a voice Wendy turns her head sideways to look at Clint a little bit before rolling over to face him. Her eyes had been absent of tears for a while now it was only her heart that continued to cry.

"Clint, I'd ready to go home. Back to our bunk house. I am ready to bring Chase there too."

Giving a little bit of her lip Wendy looks down before look up at Clint again.

"I want to hold Chase, and I want him to know his home for now. I am tired of everyone keeping him from me like I am a doll thats going to break. He's our baby he should be with us. Can't we go home now?"

Shaking her head and than laughing again Bree just laughs for the longest moment JT's comment about painting the room forgotten.

Finally with a long gasp of air Bree sits up and looks at JT her face completely straght now as if she had never been laughing at all. Only the red color was proof she had been.

"You relies Uncle JT that you keep saying we need to do this paper work we need to do this paper work like I am the one who has been distracting us but really....you keep bring up everything but work."

Bree cant help the smile that cracks on her face as she stands to give her Uncle a little shove.

"Or order the pizza you goof, pick up your pager and come back here so we can do this. We can have playtime afterwards."

Shaking her head and sitting back down Bree cant help the chuck that still escaped her voice.

Finishing up her packing and closing the box Hope gives a nod to the air around her.

"Ok I can pick you up no problem. How about in a few hours?"

Leaning back against the barn wall Katie lets out a sigh. Listen to her Uncle there was a change in his voice. She could tell and she new it wasnt good. Had it been a good idea for her to leave? What if she could of helped.

"Ok Uncle Jeff, but if you need anything call me."

Getting disconnected from his Uncle Katie tucks the phone into her pocket and leans forward again her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands. She wished Jason was close so she could talk to him. He'd reasure her things would be ok, but right now did Jason even know if they would be?

Dosage

Clint trudges to the small building, ignoring the people around him. Letting himself in, he slips by Angel and his mother unnoticed as they were talking and looking after Chase in the corner. Quietly he enters the back room, shutting the door so the click wouldn't easily be heard.

Turning around, he looks at Wendy for a moment, just watching. His hand hurt... but that was the lesser of his pain.

His gaze falls to the floor as the walks slowly to the bed. Sitting down on the other side, his back is to her as he takes off his shoes. Then lying back, he rolls over, easing his arm around Wendy and nuzzling his face in close to hers. Her scent was so familiar... so soothing. He closes his eyes, giving her a little squeeze.


Bree's quip about his pager bring JT's laughter out. "Yeah okay... I do love my job. They've just been running me ragged up there."

Settling back, he points to her files. "Alright, come on. Let's get busy. I want pizza but we can't get it until we're done here."

He claps his hands twice to speed things up, then stops as his train of thought shifts. "Oh yeah, and I wanted to tell you that I finally got the painting done in that spare room down the hall. So if you ever want to crash here between shifts or at night or whatever, you're welcome to it."


Scott's smile spreads. "You'll have to pick me up again. But yeah... I need to get out of the house for a while anyway."


"I won't give up." Jeff tries to reassure Katie. "But you know life doesn't stop for anybody. You gotta make it through no matter what happens."

As he's talking, he looks up, catching Rick's eye. Something wasn't good. He swallows hard. "I'll see you soon, okay? Call any time... tell Rosetta hi for me."

Finishing up the conversation, he finally hangs up and wanders over to where Rick is sitting at the lab table. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure." Rick shakes his head slowly. "See, there was some kind of tiny capsule on the edge of that chip that was in you. There was a very minor crack in it - one that no one ever would have noticed without a microscope. I think there was something inside it. Perhaps some kind of formula. Something that was there for safe keeping. I don't think it was the metal that your body was reacting to before."

Jeff sinks down into a chair, listening intently. "You mean... you think something leaked out of the capsule?"

"That's my best guess. There are such small traces of anything left, I'm having a hard time reproducing it to figure out what it was. It could have been a form of the Agency poison. It could have been something else. My guess would be that it wasn't supposed to leak... that if the Agency needed whatever it was back, that they could have killed you and taken the chip and capsule back."

"But... it's so small. How could anything have affected me?"

"Again it's just as guess, but I think you were probably highly allergic to something in the formula. And if it was a condensed dose, even with something so small and so gradual - we're talking years - your body would have continually tried to get rid of it."

Jeff swallows hard. "Well... why then was I better after Angel removed the chip?"

"This is my theory..." Rick holds up his hand lamely, indicating that he really couldn't prove any of this, but it was his best guess. "From the study on the small traces of this...formula, I think that it's self-producing. In other words, it multiplies... grows. Like a bacteria. You were receiving a constant dosage of this, while medications were constantly flushing it out of your system. In and out, in and out. It was a constant battle, but nothing was destroying the actual source. When the chip went out, the medications took care of the rest."

Jeff tries to process everything, quiet for a moment. "But... what does this have to do with now?"

"You have the same symptoms, yes?

Jeff nods.

"Then I'm assuming the cause is similar."

"But... I don't have a chip in me now."

Rick purses his lips grimly. "You don't have any memory of what happened with the Agency?"

"No."

Rick reaches out and turns Jeff's arm slightly. "You have traces here of where someone may have given you shots."

"The formula?"

"Well..." Rick hesitates to give an answer. "I think... it's the mutation of the formula... I think it's more advanced, and... I think they injected it directly into your bloodstream."

Jeff hates to ask more questions, but he knows he has to. "So..."

Rick shakes his head slowly. "I don't know. But the medications I'm giving you aren't getting rid of it. I think whatever this is, is much more advanced than that original formula. It doesn't need a stable source to grow from, like the capsule before... it simply multiplies on its own, throughout your bloodstream."

"Like a poison."

"To you, it is, yes. Others, it might not harm at all."

"So... if the medications aren't getting rid of it..."

"If I keep increasing your dosage, the medications are going to kill you."

"But if you don't?"

Rick looks Jeff in the eye, feeling his own heart sinking. "I'm sorry."

Jeff looks down and his shoulders drop. "Don't be... you've done all you can and I appreciate it. Better to know anyway... at least I know what I'm up against."