Stuck

Opening her eyes slowly Alice trys to remember what happened and why her head was killing her. The last thing she remembered was going to text Kyle as she watched the pillow fight through the back window.

Than looking up from her phone she saw the bus swerve, heard the sick sounds her jeep swerved, and than everything went black before anything more could be done.

Bringing a hand to her head Alice's fingers felt a little numb as she felt her a warm blood on her forehead. She hurt all over and felt a little tingly but as for as she could tell nothing was broken she didn't think.

Hearing Kyle's voice Alice can feel her nerves churn in hope that Kyle, and everyone else were ok. She hadnt even thought about that till now. Trying to unfacen her seatbelt Alice cant.

"Kyle, my seat belt is stuck. I cant get out."

Turning her head and streching her neck to try and see out the shattered windshield Alice just wanted to see Kyle to know he was really ok with her own two eyes even if things were a little blurry.

Continuing to smile at Camryn Sapphire dosent miss a beat as Gage walks away.

"Thats my buddy Gage. He's a good friend of mine."

Turning to give Gage a nod and smile as he finds a table to let him know she will be right there. Returning her attachen to back Camryn once again she nods.

"I'm doing pretty good. Looking forward to the cooler weather thats on its way."

Letting out a smaall sigh Sapphire looks to Jason and gives a small smile.

"Well I better get going it was nice seeing you again Camryn. Jason I will see you back at work."

Giving a wave Sapphire turns and heads to the table where Gage waited.

Entering the dinning hall Katie lets her feet drag a little. It had been a long morning and Katie just wanted the day to end already. Drawing close to one of the table Katie gives a jump as she hears Jeffs voice not exspecting him to be there.

Looking up and seeing Jeff Katie gives a smile as a more energy enters her step. Going over to him she pulls him into a hug.

"Uncle Jeff, your back."

Smiling and pulling away Katie looks into his eyes.

"Does this mean Rick found out what was wrong?"

Accident

Jason looks up quickly, a look of surprise crossing his face. "Sapphire..."

Camryn smiles, her eyes bright. "Hi! Long time no see." She cocks her head and shrugs. "I'm alright. Just catching up on old times. I'm back in the area for a while again."

Jason can feel a little bit of heat in his face. He wasn't suer why. It didn't matter that he was here with Camryn. He just hadn't expected to see anybody else that was all.

Camryn glances to Gage. "And this is...?"

"Gage," Jason answers her. "He's..." Well, what was he? A friend? From TJY? A ward? A... what?"

Gage gives Jason a knowing look and finishes his sentence for him. "...going to look for a table." He'd rather not try and figure ouot how to be introduced today. The most he deserved was to be called an enemy. He shifts his gaze to give Sapphire a sidelong glance before slipping away, a few tables down.

Camryn seems a little confused by the odd behavior, but she says nothing. "And you?" She asks Sapphire. "How are you?"




Jeff takes his glass of juice and eases down at one of the tables, feeling a lot more tired than he should from his short trip. "Yeah," he muses. "Katie's big heart is why everybody loves her... and it's why she gets hurt too. I guess it goes both ways."

Taking a sip from his glass, he closes his eyes a moment, letting a wave of nausea and pain pass. He needed to go find Katie. He wasn't looking forward to having to explain himself multiple times on the way though, with as many people as he'd probably meet while trying to find her.

Luck is with him though, and the door opens, revealing Katie coming in before lunchtime. Waiting until she was closer, Jeff looks up from the table, letting a smile spread. "Hey, Kiddo."




Kyle had been on the bus for the last hour as the team had a meeting on their way to their next stopover. It was a little past dark, and they would have supper when they stopped. It was a good thing - the whole team was hungry after barely having time for lunch after their morning event. On to the next town to try and get some sleep before the next day's event.

Kyle shifts back in his seat, closing his eyes. He had wanted to ride with Alice on this last leg, but he knew Jordan wouldn't let him get away with missing the meeting.

Receiving a pillow in the face from Chloe, rest is forgotten, and a pillow fight ensues, sending laughter throughout the bus. The only one unable to join in was Jordan, behind the wheel.

As they head down the interstate, the bus slows slightly to take a curve. Beside them was a semi, trying to pass. Jordan frowns, grumbling to himself about the driver not giving him enough room.

What happens next was too fast for anyone to remember until much later. Three cars ahead, a tire is blown. The car goes out of control, swerving as the brakes are hit. Another car manages to swerve around them, but the next slams into it head-on. Jordan slams on the brakes. The truck beside them, however, tries to turn, the driver paying no attention to who was beside them. A sickening crack comes next as the bus is jostled violently to the side. The impact causes the bus to turn at a sharp angle, onto the shoulder of the road. Momentum does the rest, and the bus is suddenly no longer on its wheels.

Everything inside the bus is turned inside out as the vehicle tips onto its side, skidding off the shoulder and into the deep ditch. Taking the angle, the large bus carries enough motion to roll. Over and over and over, it finally stops in a steaming heap against a tree.

Silence.

Darkness.

Kyle swallows hard, feeling something wet trickle down the side of his face. His head hurt. He felt like he was upside down. Wait... he was. Something heavy was on top of him, his leg twisted at an odd angle. He doesn't try to move yet. Licking his lip, he tastes blood. "Chloe?" he calls, his voice raspy. "Blake?"

A small crash answers him as someone moves and sends some broken contents of the bus scattering further into the darkness. Someone groans.

Jordan is hanging from his seatbelt, a gash in his temple. His leg felt funny. "Myla?" he mumbles. "Myla??"

"Help..." Shawn's voice feebly comes from somewhere in the back. "I... I'm pinned."

Chloe's muffled cries echo in the darkness. "Kyle?" Her voice quivers with fright. "Anybody?"

Kyle finally tries to move, sliding out from under the heavy object that had been on top of him. "I'm here..." He stops to catch his breath. He suddenly realizes that he's by a window. It's above him... the bus must be on its side. A strong elbow thrust and the glass shatters, sending cool night air rushing inside.

Feeling a hand on his leg, he looks down, squinting at Chloe's lethargic form. "Come on... you alright?"

"I... I think so."

"Here." Kyle tries to help her up, gently lifting her through the new hole and out of the bus. He tries to see more in the darkness. "Is everybody okay?" he calls.

Jordan, Shawn, Hunter and Heath all manage to answer, though from the sounds of it, not all were okay. Jordan tries to call to his wife again, but once more he receives no response. Blake was unheard from as well.

"I can't move," Shawn cries again.

Boxes tumble down as Hunter rights himself from where he'd landed. He hurt all over, but at least he could move. "I'm coming, buddy, hang on." He moves towards the back.

Kyle crawls towards the front of the bus, glass cutting into his palms and knees. Fumbling in the dark, he finds Jordan's seatbelt and releases him. Jordan tries not to fall, his leg landing against something soft. "Myla? Oh no... Myla..." Groping in the next seat over, he finds his wife.

Kyle grits his teeth. "Is she alive?"

"I... I don't know... yes... yes, she's breathing." Jordan finds what's left of the seatbelt to free his wife. "We have to move her."

"We need to call for help first."

"I have to get her out of here!"

"Jordan, listen to me!" Kyle speaks sternly to his friend. "You move her, and you could cause more damage. Wait for the paramedics."

"Kyle heads back the other way, searching blindly for Blake, who still had not made any sound. He sees Hunter helping Shawn up and out of the bus, and Heath is close behind, seeming to be the most mobile of anyone at this point.

Suddenly, Kyle remembers Alice. She hadn't been that far behind the bus. Finding another broken window, he crawls outside. Already, he could hear sirens in the distance. Squinting, he blinks back some blood. He knew his body was going into mild shock when he realizes that nothing hurts anymore. Stumbling halfway up the ditch embankment, he tries to see Alice's jeep. God, please don't let her have been in the accident too. "Alice?! ...Alice??" His foot slips and he sinks into the cold grass. He shivers, only now realizing that he's strangely cold.

His eyes then spot the familiar jeep, turned on its side above the ditch. "Alice!"

Continuing up the slope, he forces his body to move, though it feels like he's fighting gravity every step of the way. Disoriented, he winds up crawling the rest of the way to the jeep, trying to see into the windshield. Lights were everywhere. The sirens were nearing. He heard people shouting. He wipes more blood from his eye so he could see. "Alice?!"

Back in town

Looking up at Gage as Sapphire hears the soft tap on the door she gives a a smile. Knowing the Gage wasn't feeling to well Sapphire wouldn't stay out to long so he could come back. She just wanted to at least get him out for a little bit.

Standing Sapphire smile and gives a nod making her way to the exit. Slowing her speed a little to match Gage's so she doesn't walk away without him.

"I was going to Mom and Pop's but I thought maybe a bit of a scene change would be good so instead there is a Cafe across town I like as well I though we could go to."

Pulling away from her brother again Rosetta gives a soft nod. She hurt, she ached for her brother but right now being sad in front of him would not help. She had to strong as long as she could until she was alone, or with Mick to let her tears come.

"Apple juice, that I can do. I just did some shopping the other day so your in luck. You get the first glass out of the container too."

Turning to the fridge Rosetta reaches in for the apple juice and than for a glass, calling over her shoulder.

"Katie has been having a pretty hard time. I think she will be happy to see you though. Your right to it would probably be best if you told her, not that if you didn't she wouldn't be able to tell. Sometimes I think she can see right through people when I wish she wouldn't do she wouldn't get hurt."

Turning back around Rosetta hands Jeff the glass of juice. She was worryed about her neice but knows she had to work through it on her own. Until she wanted help there would be no point in offering.

Pulling up outside of the small restraint Sapphire turns the car off and gives a small smile to Gage before exiting the car. It had been a quiet ride here, and Sapphire did most of the talking but she trying to at least keep the conversation enjoyable for him.

Stepping up on the sidewalk Sapphire takes a moment turning waiting for Gage before continuing on into the restraint making sure to keep him close not knowing how busy it was. She her eyes rome the room for a place to sit they fall on to familure figures on the other side of the room. A smile spreads on her face. Turning to Gage again she gives a smile and points.

"Lets go say Hi to Jason, and his friend Camryn first before we sit ok? I promise it wont be long."

Making her way over to the small table with Gage, Sapphire dosnt even really think it strange that Jason was with Camryn. Who he spent him with with was non of her business.

"Hey Hotshot, Hey Camryn I didnt know you were back in town. How ya been?"

Lost love

After Sapphire leaves, Gage just sits for the longest time before finally sliding off the bed. He'd said yes, just because it was Sapphire, and he knew he'd been disappointing her the last few days. And she was being so nice... he still wasn't sure why she cared, especially enough to bring new things for him like this. He fingers the new sneakers. Why?

Sighing, he gathers up some of the new things and goes down the hall to the bathroom, his feet dragging just a little.

Twenty minutes later, he's coming back down toward the main floor, his eyes down. But he had his new clothes and shoes on and had cleaned up as suggested.

Avoiding contact with anybody else, he makes his way to Sapphire's cubicle. He knocks on the wall, shifting his weight awkwardly. Even if he were feeling well, he still felt funny with this odd new freedom he had. "I'm... ready to go."


Jeff doesn't hinder Rosetta from another hug, but rather returns the embrace again and kissing the top of her head to try and reassure her.

Giving her a grateful smile, he shakes his head a little. "Actually... just some apple juice would do, if we've got any. I... can't handle much else at the moment." He'd been nauseas ever since getting up that morning and it hadn't gone away even after he'd gotten sick on the short plane ride.

Glancing around the room, his eyes roam the emptiness before landing on his sister again. "Sometime I... I need to see Katie. I know it's not a good time for her but... I've always tried to be honest with her and I don't want to stop now."


The cafe was quiet, but business was picking up over the lunch hour. The back corner remained relatively private though.

Camryn smiles, studying Jason's face from across the table. "How have you been?"

Jason gives a slight chuckle and looks down, shrugging. "Good I guess. Can't complain."

"Still chasing bad guys, I assume."

"Yeah... you know it's in my blood. What about you?"

"Oh, I'm alright. I, um... had a rough bout there with my parents, but we've worked through our differences. Now I'm back here after hooking a job at the newspaper."

"Writer?"

"Go-fer."

Jason laughs. "And you came back for that?"

"No." Camryn grins and shakes her head. "That will pay my rent. I came back because I missed it here."

Interrupted by the waitress, their conversation is put on hold until Camryn strikes it up again. She glances down to see Jason's still-empty left hand. "So... you find that special someone yet to keep your happy?"

Jason's face reddens just a little. He knew the topic would come up, but it was still awkward. It had been so long. He really had loved Camryn. She'd made him laugh... she'd given him energy.... she'd been there for him at some pretty confusing times. He'd wanted to spend the rest of his life with her... to always have her energy and always have her enthusiasm right by his side. That's what he'd wanted then...
"I think so." He rolls his eyes at his response and grins. "Yeah... yeah I think I have. Just... been a little rough lately."

Camryn cocks her head. "Katie?" The look in Jason's eye gave her the answer, and she smiles again. "You know.... even when I thought I would be your wife, it was hard to think of you and Katie not together."

There was so much Jason didn't understand. So many questions. He finally lets himself look Camryn in the eye, searching for answers. Had he truly been in love with her? Had he truly wanted to spend the rest of his life with her? Had he truly wanted her to be the one? At the time... yes. But... he knew now that it had only been because he didn't think he could have the one he'd wanted in the first place. And even now, as he looked into Camryn's eyes... the eyes he had loved... he knew that they would always be second choice. Maybe things with Katie weren't great... but.....

Camryn reads his face, and gives a gentle nod. "I know..." She could still read him so well. "I was just thinking the other day about how sometimes we don't see beyond what we think we want... and how later, we can look back and wonder how we ever could have wanted it."

Jason knows what she means. And he couldn't have put it better. "I was foolish."

"So was I." Camryn sighs. "I guess that's kind of why I wanted to talk with you... so I could apologize."

"For leaving?"

"No. For letting you fall in love with me in the first place."

Jason sits back, not sure he understands.

Camryn continues. "Maybe it could have worked between us. I'm sure we could have made it work somehow. But... I think you and I both know now that it wasn't meant to be. I was desperate for love... I was desperate for attention, and you were the one I picked." She gives him a quirky grin. "But even though some good might have come from it, and even though you returned some feelings, I realize now that I was filling a void in my life with the wrong thing. I thought that falling in love and getting married would fix my life and make my problems go away. But I was wrong."

She pauses, the emotions coming out through her tone. "I loved you, Jase... I really did, and I would have followed you anywhere. But if I had... I would have missed out on a whole new chunk of life I experienced and grown from... and... knowing now that feelings have faded... I would hate to think that they would have faded after we'd made a lasting commitment. We wouldn't have been happy."

Jason takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It was hard going over all of this, so suddenly, just when they first saw each other again. But maybe it was good. "I loved you too," he admits. "But I think you're right. Maybe we were too hasty. Maybe I was searching for the wrong things too."

"I think God wanted us to do some growing up," Camryn concludes. "I think He had two totally different plans for us. While I think He used our relationship for good, and He would have blessed a marriage, I think there's brighter horizons for both of us... they're just on two different ends of the world." She reaches out to pat Jason's arm, faint tears forming behind her eyes. "Sometimes making decisions based on the heart's emotion is okay... and sometimes it's simply hiding the truth underneath that there has to be more than a mutual attraction to make life work."

Jason purses his lips and finally nods. "Yeah... I guess I always wondered what would have been."

"We could spend the rest of our lives wondering 'what if,' Jase. But wouldn't it be nicer to think about what will be?"

Jason's eyes return to hers. "And what will be?"

Camryn's smile spreads slowly, the tears still glistening in her eyes. "What will be is a friendship between us that's healthy enough we can wave at each other as we pass on the street. Maybe we'll even socialize sometime. But you'll be with the one you really love... and I'll find mine one of these days... But he'll be someone who will add to my life... not fill the holes that I needed to let God fill."

Jason just sits for several long moments, letting silence reign as his thoughts wander. "You know... for the first time, I think I understand. God's been working in my life too... and every day I see how far I've come, and how much further I have yet to go. He's given me a lot of people to keep me in line... and I think you're one of them."

Camryn chuckles. "It sounds good to hear you talk about God in your life... it really does."

"I'll agree with that."

So much more could be rehashed. So much more could be talked through again to dissect every little aspect. But no more needed to be said. Both were at peace. Both had scars that would still remain in their hearts, but they had long-since healed over, allowing them to move on, as once again, love became a memory. The had laughed, they had loved... and now they had grown. With new eyes came new perspectives and new sight, revealing that sometimes plans that don't work the way one wants are actually blessings in disguise. It was good they had parted. And it was good that they could talk about it now without the pain.

"So." Camryn straightens up, taking on a perkier tone. "How's JetStream? I want to hear all about it, and I want to know all the gossip about everybody and how everything has been going."

Jason laughs, the awkwardness having melted away. "Everything?"

"Everything."

Cure

Giving a smile and a nod Sapphire's eyes light up. It would be nice to have someone to eat with today, and she hoped it would do some good for Gage to get out and see the sun light even if it felt like he didn't want to.

"Ok, I'll leave you to get cleaned up, dressed and what not and than we can go."

Sapphire stands making her way to the door once again before stopping and turning to give Gage a small smile as her gaze met his.

"I'll be at my desk when your ready. There is no hurry so take as much time as you need."

Exiting the room Sapphire makes her way to her desk to sit and wait for Gage looking over a few peace of paper work that had been left on her desk the night before.

Continuing to look at her brother new tears form in Rosetta's eyes. They had started ask tears of joy to see Jeff back but now turned to tears of sorrow. Her brother, her best friend..they had though he was better, and the worst of the worst was over, but now he was happing all over again and Rosetta didn't know what to do. Pulling her brother into a hug again her buries her face into his shoulder.

"Oh Jeff, I...will try and make it as comfortable for you as I can. Would you like some coffee or something to eat before everyone else gets here?"

Rosetta didnt know what she could do for Jeff, but she would be there for him and take care of him no matter what. Even if it was hard sometimes she wouldn't give up, and she would continue to make sure Angel and Rick looked for a cure.

I just wanted

Seeing the new things, Gage's eyebrows lift just a little. Then hearing Sapphire, he cocks his head, studying her. His eyes move about her face, landing on her gaze for several seconds. He felt terrible. He wanted to just curl up back under the covers and pretend that morning had never come. But... he found it hard to resist Sapphire.

He reaches out to investigate her gifts and finally looks back up at her. "Thank you." Thinking another few moments, his eyes still seem so lifeless, but he nods. "Okay. I'll... I'll each lunch with you."


Jeff hugs Rosetta tight, almost unwilling to let her go again. Receiving her questions, he forces his smile to remain as his hands slide down her arms to find her fingers. He gives her palms a little squeeze. "Yeah... yeah, I'm back for good."

Lookign down a moment, he glances back up at her eyes. He couldn't lie to her. "It's um... Rick's not sure but... it's aggressive and..." He stops, his voice almost cracking, but he manages to stay strong. "I... I don't know how long I've got, Rosetta. I just... wanted to be home."