Light

Continuing to try and comfort Jade Dan rubs her back just trying to keep her calm. He new how she must feel.

"Hey Hey...you belong her more than I do. Heck, there was only one place I fit in and I got as far away from there as I could. We just have to keep moving on you know? I think you fit just fine here, but I think your trying to hard."

Falling silent once again Dan lets out a small sigh. There were days when he hated not fitting in, and feeling out of place but for him he had no family around, and no friends. But Jade had those, she just need to be her and not try so hard. Leaning his head on top of her for a moment the smell of her hair filled Dan's noise. The sweet sent bringing a warmth to his cheeks.

Hearing Mick's voice call for Jade Dan sits up and removes his arm from around Jade and looks up knowing his boss was not happy to see him like this with his daughter. He was only trying to help was that really wrong?

Once Mick is done Dan turns to Jade again giving a little shake of his head and putting a finger under her chin to make her looks up at him.

"You didnt, but its ok that he is. Your mom should have never put you in the middle like that and Mick has ever right to be mad. He's probley more worryed than anything else."

Letting out a sigh and standing again Dan new there really wasnt else he could do right now for Jade. Before leaving though Dan turns to Jade once again leaning aganst the piller giving her a small smile.

"Dont let your light burn out Jade, You've got to much going for you. You smile can light the darkest of places and thats something you should never lose."

Pushing off of the piller Dan turns giving a small shake of his head before retreaving his hat and pitchfork again to continue his work.

Mess

Gunner grins as he follows Bree once more. "If anybody asks, you only let me out for one prowl so I could get some blood."

With his papers and book tucked under his arm, he quietly finds his way back down the stairs with Bree, and back to his room. For once... it didn't feel like such a dungeon.


Jade feels someone sit down next to her and she turns her head a little, surprised to see Dan. She would have told him he didn't need to worry about her, but too quickly, he's got her arm around her.

Hiding her face, she accepts the comfort and leans into him, crying onto his chest. "I'm sorry," she whimpers. "For... for yesterday... and today... I... I just..." She sniffs, the tears still coming in steady streams. "...I don't belong anywhere... and nothing is going right... and..."

A hiccup interrupts her and she tries to regain control, but it's not much use. "I didn't mean to cause trouble... I really didn't." Her words are muffled against Dan as he leans on him. He was warm and his scent mixed with the smell of the barn was somehow soothing. "It's just a big mess," she whimpers and sniffs again. "Just one big mess."

Outside, one could hear Mick's voice all the way from inside the office. He was on the phone and was none too happy with Jill. A heated argument had started as soon as she'd answered her end, and it went on for several minutes. Mick's temper had reached maximum, finding out that his son had been missing and Jill had purposely kept it from him. He knew that it wasn't just her, but her husband and her mother too, all who didn't take very kindly to him. They thought he would interfere... that was an understatement.

"Thank you, I will!" Mick's voice was raised again. "If I find out anything has been screwed around with on this case, somebody will pay. I'm going to that station and if I don't get the answers I want, I will be on this case whether you like it or not. Got it?"

He slams down the receiver, snatches up his hat and stomps back outside, letting the door fall shut hard behind him. He hadn't even taken the time to explain things to Rosetta. He was too worked up. He was worried, scared, and angry.

"Jade!" He aims for the barn again. "Jade! Are you-" He stops mid-sentence as he steps into the barn and sees her with Dan. His eyes narrow in disapproval.

Jade hears her father's voice and snaps her head up, trying to compose herself, but it does little good. "What?"

"I'm going to the police station. If your mother calls, tell her not to bother trying to keep me out of this one." Spinning on his heel, he's gone once again.

Jade bites her lip as another tear cascades down her cheek. Falling back against Dan again, she just wants to find a shelter. "I didn't mean to make him mad," she whispers.

Vamp

Talking a look around the roof and seeing Gunner got most of the books and papers that could be blown away Bree grabs the blue tarp and puts it over the telescope to protect it leaving it for another time.

Turning to Gunner and giving a small chuckle with a small shake of her head the humor showing in her eyes.

"Alright than come on Vamp lets get going. Just watch out for those werewolves they should be doing there rounds about this time."

Over heading the loud voice as he worked Dan didn't want to ease drop but it was loud and people sounded upset he couldn't help it. Cleaning out the stall and listing he can make out Jade and Mick's voice catching a little bit here and there of what was said.

Finally hearing things quiet down and than soft sobs that followed. Feeling his heart break Dan puts his pitch fork down and taking his hat off to set it on the rail Dan cross the barn floor slowly. He hated seeing anyone heart and he did consider Jade a friend he just wanted to help.

Sinking down on the bail next to her Dan quielty wraps his arm around her shoulder pulling her twords him just a little so she could lean on him.

No words needed to be said the only thing Dan had was comfort for Jade as he gentily rubbed her back. It wasnt much but it was all he had to offer.

Maybe... just maybe

Gunner cocks his head as he looks down into Bree's eyes once more. Even though he hated being here, she made it tolerable, and her words meant a lot. "You're a good friend, Bree." He places a hand on her face, cradling her cheek. "I don't care if it's more or less than that definition... you mean a lot to me." He shrugs. "So whatever we have..." He still didn't know. They still hadn't said if they really wanted more or not, or if they agreed they already had it. But he really didn't care. "...Yeah, it's worth getting out of a place like this."

It was true. He had many "friends." But not like this. Not with whom he shared his life and who had seen him at his worst. And maybe... just maybe... this was a reason worth living for.

Grabbing the rest of the loose bits and pieces, Gunner aims for the door again that would lead back inside. Stopping for a moment, he took a deep breath. "Alright, lead the way. This vampire's got your back."


"...but Mom... I... please, Dad might be able to help and.... Well no.... Didn't the police have any more leads? I mean, he can't have just up and vanished. ....Yeah, but... well, no.... who was he with? Didn't they see anything? I don't understand." Jade leans on her knees and runs her hand through her disheveled hair. Sitting in the loft, she'd hoped she was out of earshot of anyone else when her mother had called. It was after time for morning chores and she'd high-tailed it out here, sneaking up to the loft without seeing anyone at all, skipping breakfast too. Now the news wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Agency?" Her voice quivers. "But, Mom... can't Dad.... I... yes... okay..." Her shoulders drop. "Yeah... sure.... yeah, talk to you soon."

Flipping her phone shut, Jade sniffs and wipes her eyes. "God, where is he?" she prays aloud. "I know I didn't get along with him, but... but he's my brother."

"Now you want to tell me what's going on?"

Jade jumps, feeling sick to see her father halfway through the loft door as he stood on the ladder. "How... how long have you been there?"

Mick looks at her grimly. "Long enough to know something's wrong with Dylan. Now look... I know you're mad at me for yesterday and you've been hiding out from me all morning... but please, Jade..." His voice is calmer than yesterday. "Tell me what's going on."

Jade's lip quivers, but she finally nods and stands. Following her dad back down to the ground floor, she paces a little, wiping her eyes again. "Dylan... he's... he's missing."

"What?"

"Missing. He... was out with friends and didn't come home."

Mick's insides churned. "And?"

"And the police are looking for him. End of story."

Mick was beginning to grow agitated again. "How long has he been missing?"

"A... couple days?"

"And why didn't you tell me about this?"

A tear rolls down Jade's cheek. Her eyes catch sight of Dan, and she looks away quickly, embarrassed for him to see her upset again after yesterday. He probably thought she was still mad at him since she hadn't yet thanked him for the flowers. "Mom... Mom told me not to."

Mick's eyes widen as he sets his hands on his hips in anger. "She what?!"

"She said she didn't want you to get worked up or... or interfere."

"Aw, great." Mick shakes his head in disgust. "Is she home?"

"Um... I..."

"I she home?!" Mick raises his voice.

"Yes!"

Mick spins on his heel to storm from the barn, heading to the house. His ex would be getting a call.

Jade stands trembling, now not sure what will happen. She'd disobeyed her mom, Dylan was still missing, and her dad was on the warpath. Sinking down on a hay bale, she starts to cry again, burying her face in her hands. She never should have come.