After I clean up

"Nah, it's safe," Ryder assures, giving Thirteen's shoulder a pat. Yes, there were a lot of people, but it wasn't like a mob - the most dangerous thing here was the loose croc, and all it wanted was to get away from the people, not attack them.

"Come on," he prompts. "What fun is an adventure if you know the outcome?"

Continuing to lead, Ryder finally stops at the edge of the crowd. He can see over heads and shoulders to where the crocodile was somewhere in the brush on a muddy bank of a pond that wasn't normally housing animals.

Ryder sees there is no way to get through the barrier of zoo personnel, reporters and gawkers, but he spies an opening around the other side of a building. He gives a quick look to Thirteen. "Stay here, alright? I'll be right back, I promise." He didn't think he needed to explain what he was going to do, so with that, he slips away.

Sidling around behind the crowd, he comes out between two buildings at a perfect angle to see the crocodile hiding in the swampy edge of the pond. A zoo keeper with a rifle stood nearby, trying to get a good shot if need be. Ryder had heard that they had no tranquilizers at this time, and it would be several hours, so they were doing all they could without it. Unfortunately, everyone was just making the situation worse, and the croc had no intention of going into the cage they had prepared.

Ignoring the other people, Ryder heads towards the crocodile.

"Hey! Get out of here!" A uniformed man approaches, angry at the intrusion.

Ryder doesn't let if faze him. "Steady, mate. You want this big boy out of here, give me your belt."

The man frowns, confused. "Look, I don't know who you think you are, but-"

"You want him out without shooting him and having your zoo on prime time for cruelty?"

The man hesitates. "Who are you?"

"I've done this before," Ryder assures. "Just give me your belt and that rag you got in your pocket."

Maybe it was his accent that convinced the guy, or maybe desperation. But something told him that Ryder wasn't just some common man with no brain from the crowd. He takes off his leather belt and hands it to Ryder with the rag. "What are you gonna do?"

"Tell him to hold still so you can get him in his cage." Ryder explains no more, and slowly moves towards the animal. The crocodile isn't happy, and he hisses at the newcomer, showing his mouthful of razor teeth.

Ryder advances anyway. He swings wide, making eye contact with the reptile. "Yeah, you're a feisty one, aren't ya?" The croc lunges and Ryder spins out of the way, not even hearing the nearby gasps. He concentrates on the eyes and unravels the belt, stepping closer again.

His next move is so quick, it seems to all happen at once. It's Ryder's turn to lunge, his legs barely missing the teeth before he's thrown himself on the crocodile's back. The croc writhes and spins, trying to throw Ryder, as mud flies. But Ryder's hands are skilled, and in an instant, the belt is around the beast's snout, clamping the mighty jaw shut. The croc tries to roll, but Ryder muscles his head steady before covering the wild eyes with the rag.

Breathing heavily, he looks over to the zoo keepers. "Well get over here with the duct tape!" He orders. "This leather isn't gonna last all day!"

The others are fast to help, now that Ryder had a handle on the situation. The crocodile's mouth is taped shut, and with a bit of pressured prompting, the animal is finally encouraged into the waiting cage. The crowd cheers and claps, the reporters wanting to get a close-up of this "mysterious stranger" who had "saved the day."

Ryder wants no part of it though, and backs off, his whole right side caked with mud. "Just get him back with the others as quickly as you can," he tells one of the zoo keepers. "And make sure you get that tape off before he's loose."

With the excitement beginning to die a little, zoo personnel tries to break up the crowd, sending them on their way, along with the media. Ryder sets his hands on his hips and sighs, looking in at he growling crocodile, then back up to the people, finally spotting Thirteen. He was half muddy, but maybe she wanted to walk around the zoo now anyway. She might enjoy seeing some of the more cuddly animals.

Leaving the zoo keepers be, he slips away, trying to go unnoticed until he's swung over a short fence and is coming back to Thirteen. He grins. "It was muddier down there than I thought," he admits wryly. "But now that that's over..." He perks up. "We could take a look around if you want... see some cute tiger cubs? Um... after I clean up, that is."


Jade looks up to Dan and can't help a little smile. "I keep thinking if I sit here long enough, maybe when I stand up again, all my problems will go away."

She sighs. Hearing his offer, she lifts her eyebrows. "You wouldn't... mind me tagging along, would you?"


Scott catches the jerky and grins as he opens it. "I couldn't help it... it was just too good to pass up. I don't think I should try it again though... I really don't want to die yet."

Looking at the computer screen, he chews a piece of jerky thoughtfully, listening to the classical music playing. "Mmm - you're further along than I thought you'd be. One of these days I'll stump ya..." He knows he probably won't be able to. The two had been going at it long enough now that both knew that they both were good enough to keep this up forever. But it was fun anyway.

"Oh, I was supposed to ask you if you and Dani wanted to go out to the Mexican restaurant tomorrow night with Hope and me."

Stump

Not even looking up from the computer Dalton lifts his hand up to catch the air born can of pop, flicking the tab up with just one finger to open it. A small smile spread across his face, as he could tell what happend just from the sound of Susanne's shriek down the hall.

"It's coming, slowly but it's coming. How you come up with these programs to try and stump me is far beyond anything I can understand but I'll figure this one out sooner or later like I have with the others. Just might take me a little bit."

Stairing at the screen Dalton takes a long sip of the cold drink typing a few commands into the computer, than writing a few more down on a pad of paper before deleting some things on the computer and writing some more.

Over the last few days they hadnt been to busy and to pass the time they had both been working on trying to stumb the other. They took turns and though the time between became longer and longer nether had been stumped yet.

"You know, this has some good to it besides pass the time. These programs are good, and one day we might be able to put them to use who knows."

Dalton gives a little shrug as he reaches into the draw of his desk still not taking his eyes off the computer screen. Pulling to individually wrapped packs of beef jerky out her puts one on his own desk and throws the other to Scott.

"Got Susanne good again eh?"

Giving another smile Sapphire turns and leans against the counter crossing her arms over her chest and looking at Gage. He'd been doing so good the last few weeks and really pulled himself out of the slump of depression. She had been so proud of him, and happy that he really was trying to put his life back together. There still was much to work on, but it was coming and there was no reason to rush any of it.

"Everyone deserves to have a friend. No matter what they have done, or what they will do friendship is important and everyone should have one."

Turning again and taking the box from the counter Sapphire breaks it down to take out to the trash. Giving a smile to Gage she was happy to help, even if once she was gone he changed everything around again it was nice to help just the same.

"Your welcome, alright we have a full day a head of us, the supermarket, maybe we will stop by Kmart or Walmart and pick up a few things you might need there and we are off again. This is your day Gage so where ever you want to go, and whatever you want to buy you just let me know."

Entering the Zoo Thirteen felt a little nervouse, this place was so big, and there were so many animles that looked back her. Being up close was cool, and see somethings she never would of before was really differnt but still they looked sad in there own way. Though she tryed to remember what Ryder had said there was still a part of her that hurt for the animals.

Continuing to follow Ryder Thirteen says nothing on it knowing that maybe, just maybe it was only her that felt this way because of what she had been though and she didnt truly understand this world with the zoo.

"What are we gonna do? There is alot of people over there I dont think its very safe."

Finishing up his chores Dan takes his gloves off and puts them on top of the shelf that he kept most of his working items. Bushing his hat back just a little he lets out a long sigh before stepping outside the bar.

Seeing the familure figure on the bail of hay Dan cocks his head just a little. Something looked wrong with Jade again and though he didnt want to pry he hated seeing anyone upset.

"Hey there. I am starting to think you live on the bail of hey."

Giving a chuckle of his own stupid humor Dan looks up and across the yard. Maybe Jade would like to get away again, he was going into town and maybe she would like to ride along but than again that alone made him nervous just a little. His last expeance in a car with a woman was not a good one.

"I am heading into town did you need anything you want me to pick up?"