window

Letting out a laugh Bree wiggles and squirms trying to get out of Gunners grasps. Putting her arms through Gunners legs Bree continues to struggle her arms now trapped too.

Finally giving up Bree just lets her body relax and leans her arms over Gunner's legs. Leaning her head back all the way so it was in Gunner's lap Bree gives a chuckle.

"Now I dont see how this is fare you know. I like tickling your feet better."

Feeling Jade move closer to him till she was inches from his face Dan's heart seemed to skip a beat. A feeling that had layed at bay for 4 years, and the warmth her felt was growing even bigger with each moment he spend with Jade.

"I..know."

Leaning in to press his lips to Jades moments before they touched as if by a force that intervened a sicking snap sounds close for comfort that gets Dan's attachen. Turning his head quickly form where the sound came from he squints in the dark.

"What on earth..."

Shortly follow were the sound of horses and the pounding of feel. Realizing what the noise was Dan was in his feet in a heart beat.

"Oh no, the horses just broke the fence and got out. I have to get them back in, come on I could use your help."

Not wasting a moment Dan moves around to the front of the barn and through the door grabbing a few ropes and than coming back out handing some to Jade so she could help round them up with him.

Keeping Leo's hand in her own Ryan's heart beat a mile a minute. Just the face her kept his hand in her own gave Ryan hope that there could be a them in the near to come.

Time slolwy passed and a hour went by. Ryan didnt leave Leo alone for more than a moment at time still worryed about him. Standing by the window Ryan looks out scanning the street and just watching the people pass for a long moment. Finally backing away Ryan goes over to Leo and sits down on the edge of the couch. Resting a hand on Leo's shoulder Ryan gives a small smile.

"Thank you Leo, for defending my honor. That means alot to me."

Picking up a cloth from the table this one a little softer from the last Ryan cleans some dirt and a little left over blood from his face. A fire started in the fire place the keep the living room warm as it started to get darker out.

Dangerous

Gunner was so warm and comfortable... much more relaxed than he'd been in weeks. Maybe he'd just close his eyes... for just... a moment...

He'd just drifted off when he suddenly felt an odd sensation to the bottom of his feet. Jerking awake, he moves his legs, only to find that Bree had a hold of him and was tickling him.

"Ahh! You... Bree!"

JT nonchalantly looks over from the chair, as if he were unamused, except for the little smile at the corner of his mouth. He just continues watching the movie.

Gunner shakes his legs until he can get loose. Shoving Bree back off onto the floor, his legs go over her shoulders and wrap around her neck. Hooking his ankles together, he holds her there, not letting her go. Leaning back, he just relaxes his upper body, putting his hands back behind his head, while letting his legs hold Bree prisoner.


A shiver runs down Jade's spine as she continues to look into Dan's eyes, then feels his hand on her face. It was rough but warm, feeling of hard work under honesty.

Jade swallows hard, leaning in a little closer. Closing her eyes, she could feel Dan's breath on her face and another tingle spreads through her. Why her hands trembled slightly, she didn't know. "You realize... this is... dangerous," she whispers.


Leo isn't sure if he's going to get reprimanded further or not, so when Ryan moves closer and he feels her lips on his, it gives him a start. He opens his eyes a little in surprise, though is unable to pull away. But even though his pride warned him not to let her kiss him like this, something else took over... something he just couldn't seem to control. He'd missed her... and even though he'd been stubborn, he'd wanted her back since the beginning of their whole breakup.

His hand that's holding the ice pack slips down and out of the way as he slowly returns Ryan's kiss. It hurt his lip just a bit, but he really didn't care. His other hand, though with just as sore battered knuckles, slips up behind Ryan's head and through her hair.

Miles' eyebrows raise just about as far as they can go and he looks to Eli, blinking. Eli's mouth is hanging open just a bit as he cocks his head, unable to help but stare. He felt like he should probably back away but...

Miles clears his throat.

As Ryan draws back, Leo looks up into her eyes the best he can without being able to open them all the way. They were full of want... full of question. Why had Ryan just kissed him? Was it really true that she really did care? Did this mean there was still hope for the future?

"I... think our friend is going to make it," Miles comments dryly.

Eli steps closer again, with an eyebrow quirked. "I don't know... he looks a little feverish to me."

Leo would have rolled his eyes, had it not hurt to do so. Instead, he just shuts them and leans his head back. But hidden was his hand that had slid down to rest in Ryan's palm.

Eli returns the cold pack to Leo's eye, a little harder than the last time. "I think you need a rest after that."

Leo smirks. He didn't even know what to say or how to act now. "I think I need my bed," he mumbles.

"I think you should spend the night here," Eli suggests.

"Naw." Leo shakes his head. "Just get me home, alright?"

"Look, Bub." Eli looks at him sternly. "You had a death wish to begin with, you refused the hospital, now you're going to take an order whether you like it or not. Until I'm convinced you're alright, you're staying..."

An hour later, Miles was gone, Leo had made it to the living room couch to lie down, and Eli was scrounging for an extra pillow and blanket.

Leo winces as he curls up on his side, not waiting for the pillow. He'd managed to drink a little water, but otherwise, he'd refused much else. Seeing Ryan out of the corner of his eye, he wonders again about earlier. Would she say any more? Was that it? Did it mean more?

Attack

Reaching up and cradling Jade's face in his hand for a moment his eyes searched hers. The warmth inside him grew just a little more.

Why did he feel like he had no controlle. He was walking dangerous ground he new he shouldn't. But it was like his body and mind were no longer connected.

Giving a small smile Dan whispered.

"You don't need to thank me when its the truth."

Running his finger gently over Jade's face he new his hands were rough but her skin seemed to sooth the acked from the days work that throbbed in them.

Staying pretty quiet once they are back at her place Ryan move back and forth with her brothers direction ignoring the throbbing in her wrist. She felt worryed, and horrible inside seeing Leo like this.

Cleaning his face gentily as she could Ryan catchs Leo's eye many times just looking deep into them each. She'd been so worryed all day and now here he was and she still was worrying.

Hearing why Leo went and started something with Roth makes her stop for a moment just staring at Leo. He'd dont it for her, Leo had risked going aganst Roth because of what he had done to her.

"That was a stupid thing Leo you have ever done."

Nothing being able to the the feeling she had inside or even being able to describe it Ryan leans in taking Leo and pressing her lips to his. Trying to be gentil but being ferm at the same time. All her emotions put into the kiss pulling away for a moment only to turn her head and go back for another kiss. Letting it linger for a long moment till finally she pulled away.

"Thank you."

Giving a nod to her uncle Bree snatches one of the pillows and places it behind her back to try and get comfortable.

"Yep, nothing like ending the week with something sappy."

Waiting for JT to pick the movie and than saying grace Bree was ready to dig in. Cutting the crustless pizza and scooping it into her plate she uses her fork to eat it enjoying every moment.

Finally about about an hour Bree puts her plat down on the table. She had eaten way to much but today it tasted way to good. Leaning her head back she bumps into Gunner's leg and brings her head back up again turning to look at him.

Behind her eyes a grin formed as she plotted something to wake him. Turning the other way slowly Bree reachs behind her and grabs Gunner's feel holding them tight before bringing her other hand around and running her fingers along the bottom of his foot.

Rosetta listened to Mick closely. After there talk and understanding on a few things she was feeling better and now that the conversation had gone back to Dylan and Rosetta wanted to know what was going on and if she could help.

"Ohhh Scott's here yes yes thats fine. I never wanted to come across like I didnt want you to help I just new there had to be some way for you to be here and do so."

Continuing to listen and giving nods and smiles Rosetta new things would work out and Dylan would be ok.

"Katie is going back tomorrow, I am sure Reese with put her on this case too. That alone gives me comfort that Dylan will be ok. God will keep his hands wrapped around Dylan as well. Always remember that. He has his hands around you as well."

Compromise

Jade's mind stops as Dan whispers. Lifting her head a little, she turns her face to his, only inches away. His eyes were so soft... so full. She felt like she could just fall right into them and never look back.

"That was... a nice thing to say." A grateful smile barely creases her mouth. "Thank you."


Eli takes Leo's other side, and together with his sister, get him to his feet. Leo holds in a groan of pain, and his knees buckle at first, but after a couple steps, he's able to help support his own weight on the way back to the car. Miles takes the backseat again, helping Leo partially lay down for the ride to Ryan's. Eli wastes no time in getting out of there and back into town.

Once they arrive at Ryan's, Eli and Miles follow to the front door, with Leo between them. Getting him inside, Eli directs Ryan to get a kitchen chair and put it by the sink. Easing Leo down into the chair, he goes for a towel, wetting it with cool water. "Your face looks like hamburger," he muses.

Leo keeps his bruised eyes closed, managing a wry grin. "I'll take that... as... as a compliment."

Miles stands back skeptically. "You sure we don't need to take him to the hospital?"

Eli doesn't answer right away, but hands the towel to Ryan. "Start cleaning the dirt from around his cuts and get all that blood off of him. I'll go get some bandages and some bedodine ." He's back in less than a minute, looking Leo over while Ryan cleans. "Any broken bones?"

Leo winces as a cut on his face meets the abrasive towel. "Mm-mm... I don't think so."

Eli pulls up Leo's shirt and feels around his ribs.

Leo cries out and jumps. "Would you-"

"I don't think your ribs are broken," Eli surmises. "But you've got some pretty deep bruising there."

"I feel like I got run over by a truck," Leo mumbles.

"A truck?" Miles cocks his head. "Or something meaner?"

Leo clamps his mouth shut, holding his breath as Eli and Ryan's pressure to his cuts and bruises hurt like mad.

Eli forces him to open one of his eyes, making sure it was just bruising and nothing worse. "You confronted Roth, didn't you?"

Leo swallows hard. He didn't look at Ryan. "Nobody else was."

Miles sighs. "That was real smart, Leo... real smart."

"Well I-" Leo stops, having opened his mouth too wide, making his whole face hurt, and making his lip bleed again. He pauses, just letting the other two continue to clean him up. "He deserved it... after.... what he did."

Eli looks across at Ryan, the look on his face saying, He still cares. "Here." He hands her a softer cloth and some bedodine. "Make sure you get all his cuts, and put some of this on his knuckles too." Letting her take over with that, he wraps some ice cubes in a towel and places them over Leo's worse eye. "Can you hold that here, Leo?"

Leo reaches up with a sore hand to hold the icepack in place, feeling a bit useless, but forgetting about his pride for now. He was too tired to fight the help.


Gunner gives Bree a bit of a sheepish grin. He felt stupid for feeling awkward at all. This was Bree... his friend.

Wandering forward, he accepts the middle position on the couch, easing down but not spreading out, for fear of getting in either Bree's way or JT's.

"Movie!" JT votes. He looks to Gunner. "Apparently Bree is neutral, but everyone in this house gets a say, so what say you?"

Gunner's eyebrows rise. "Um... movie is good. As long as it isn't a sappy romance."

JT grins. "Naw, that's reserved for Sunday nights. Right, Bree?" He wasn't ashamed to admit he could enjoy a chick flick with his niece, and any time she wound up at his place on a Sunday night, that was the kind of movie they watched. Sometimes he ended up falling asleep, but he liked letting her enjoy whatever movie she wanted, even if it was a sappy one.

Gunner chuckles. "You two get along well, don't you?"

JT moves to the shelf beside the tv to scan the movies. Looking over his shoulder at Bree, another smile surfaces. "Yeah, we do." Glancing back to the movies, he finally settles on a good drama/action flick. Once it's going, he flops down on the couch by Gunner, says a quick prayer for the meal, and they can dig in.

By the time the movie is halfway over, JT has moved to his easy chair, while Gunner has curled up in the corner of the couch behind Bree, a little drowsy, but not enough to fall asleep.


Mick closes his eyes and lets Rosetta close, leaning his head down on hers. Slipping an arm around her, he kisses her head and just sighs. He knew they would be okay... this was just another bump along the way... but it never made it easier.

Withdrawing a little, his gaze is down, but he nods. "I know you're with me... and... and I need that." Right now, he had a goal, and that goal was to help find Dylan. But without that, he would have already crashed a second time. "I won't ever hurt you or BJ. I know I snapped at you both, and I'm so sorry about that... I don't even remember what all I said, but it probably wasn't nice. I just..."

Unexpected tears spring into his eyes, and he has to stop and clear his throat to compose himself. He knew he had a problem, and it was hard to admit, especially after he'd been doing so well for so long. He'd fallen off the wagon and he knew it. "I just want to get through this one thing at a time. Right now, it's Dylan and I'll deal with the other later. I got mad at you and thought I knew what I was doing, but I was upset enough that I wasn't even thinking straight."

Sitting a little straighter, the shift in conversation helps him maintain control as he keeps Rosetta's hands in his. "When I got to the airport, I couldn't get on the plane... not knowing you were back here as upset as you were. Wrong or right, it didn't matter to me... I just couldn't leave you like that. So... I started making phone calls. I canceled my Elite flight and I called Reese. We talked and made a bunch of plans, and tomorrow, he's getting his team together to start where Dylan was last seen. I'm still going to be involved though, and I hope you're okay with that. I... didn't come home alone."

He pauses, pursing his lips. "Scott flew down. He's going to set up a little work station here so I can see and hear what's going on. So I'll be here but... with them at the same time. That way I can still be here for you and BJ but... I can help with Dylan too." He searches her eyes with hope. "Will that work?"