Tears

Feeling Sparky's arms around her Rosetta wasnt sure if she was thankful for them or upset that he had to see her like this. It had been so long since she had, had a break down that now she just felt embarrassed. But remembering this was Sparky and how much he had helped her in the past it would be silly to be angry with him.

Leaning into Sparky Rosetta just leans on him as her tears still come. She didnt know what to say, or what to feel she just wanted to cry. Finally catching her breath Rosetta was able to talk in between her sobs as she see sought comfort in his arms.

"Mick...he's...been drinking since he slipped the other day and no he left to go to the McClain and he dosnt know when he will be back. Dylan is going to be there to because I guess they found him with some friends and he was pretty high. I just....dont know what to do Sparky. What am I going to do without him here? What if he dosnt come back? I...I just cant deal with it."

Pushing her face into Sparky's chest even more Rosetta's tears pick up agian. She wanted to stop, but she didnt know how, she wanted to not feel broken but she did. Everything was a mess.

"No one thinks they are better than you Dylan. We only wish we understood. You are I, we dont get alone but that dosnt mean I dont care about it. If I didn't I wouldn't be here. I would of told them to find someone else. But I didnt."

It is sad to see this. I've seen it before, a long long time ago with people I use to call friends. Getting yourself messed up like this is...a quick fix to lose the pain but once the high is gone, the pain is ten times worse.

Leaning forward Katie puts rests her elbows on her knees picking at the dry skin on her finger for a moment than looking back at Dylan. Searching his eyes, looking deeper, trying to find the boy that was in there some where still. Her own eyes trying to show compassion and understanding.

"We are taking you here because we care. There is no other option, and life is two short to let the people we love walk alone no matter how much they want us to."

Turning her eyes from Dylan Katie looks to Katie and than out the window. They would be there soon as the scene's started to look a little familiar.

A fear races in Bree's heart as she stands on her Uncles pourch leaning her head against the door for a long moment. Finally opening the door to the house quietly as to not wake Gunner if he was sleeping Bree steps in.

Hearing television play in the living room Bree new Gunner was still awake. Still feeling so scared she was shaking. Bree new she had seen him, it wasn’t just her mind. Sitting in the dinner waiting for her float tonight it was clear as day when he walked in and looked right at Bree. Those cold steel eyes would not be ones Bree could forget so easily. Why wouldn’t her parents just leave her alone. What had she done? She wanted to start over, she liked her life now, and she liked Gunner. But they had the power to destroy her and everything she held dear.

Walking twords the living room Bree looks in to see if Gunner was awake and seeing the him shift on the couch a little she knows he was indeed awake. Giving a little sniff to let him know she was there Bree enters the room fully and sits down next to him.

Galncing over and seeing Gunner was shirtless once again Bree would of smiled, or felt embarrassed but she was to upset. Maybe she could just talk with Gunner for a little bit, and than leave him be. She just needed someone, even if that someone was shirtless. But who better for that than Gunner. Bree couldnt help smiling in her head, boy did he look good.

Cocky

"No, I don't... wait... just... awww." Jim bites his tongue from letting slip what was in his mind. Lying under his back under the sink, things were not going well. Hearing his phone go off on the kitchen table, he lets it ring for now. He'd look at it later.

Becky ducks to look under the sink, trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry. Can I do anything?"

"No." Jim groans and slides out so he can sit up. "Other than get me something to drink."

"Now that I can do."

Jim grins and tosses his wrench aside before getting up and checking his phone. The message worried him, and it must have shown on his face.

Becky hands him a glass of iced tea, frowning at the look he had. "What's wrong?"

"That was Rosetta... said Mick was gone for a few days and wondered if we'd watch BJ for her 'cause she's a wreck."

Becky's eyebrows rise. "That's... strange. Did she say where Mick was going, or what was wrong?"

"No. Could have something to do with Dylan though. That would be my guess."

"But why would Rosetta..."

Jim looks at his wife, still worried. They had both mentioned to each other the question of how things were between Mick and Rosetta lately, and both had been concerned. But neither wanted to make assumptions either. "I'll go see what's up."

"Yeah. And yes we can handle BJ. I'm more than happy to have a little one around here."

Jim grins and gives his wife a kiss on the cheek. "Me too. Be right back and don't use the sink!" His exit is followed by Becky's laughter. Jim opts to check the dining hall on his way to the house, unsure where Rosetta would be. He just didn't want to call - it sounded as though face-to-face would be better this time. Sticking his head in the dining hall, he glances around. "Rosetta?"

Sparky stops his strumming on his guitar and looks to the door. "Not in here." Something seemed odd. "Everything alright?"

After a quick explanation, Sparky volunteers to go find Rosetta. He was more involved than Jim was, and Jim agreed that he'd go find BJ instead to keep the boy out of the way in case Rosetta was more upset than he thought. The brothers split up in different directions, Sparky heading to the house. He knocks on the front door but doesn't receive a response. Contemplating his options, he knocks again, then finally opens the door cautiously. "Rosetta?"

Coming in all the way, he looks around. Things seemed normal. Quiet. But then he hears something down the hall. "Rosetta?" Heading down the hall, he realizes that the sound is quiet sobbing coming from the bedroom. The door is open, but he's still careful, stepping into the dim room. He's about to call for Rosetta again when he spots her on the floor and his heart gives a leap.

In an instant, he's on his knees next to her with an arm around her shoulders and speaking softly. "Rosetta... are you okay? What is it? What happened?"


I hope so, Hero... I hope they can help him. But it will really depend on whether or not Dylan wants the help. I know Mick wants him helped and that's why we're going to the McClain's, but they can only do as much good as their patients want them to. If Dylan doesn't want to be there... forcing him won't do any good, and may just make it worse. Let's just hope he's still got some brain cells of sense left.

Dylan stares back at Katie, seeming to take forever just to process what she was saying. He knew what words she was saying, but his mind was so lethargic that it took him a while to put everything together and understand what she meant. Surprisingly, he doesn't argue back. Instead, his eyes fall to the floor.

Trying to adjust his weight, he finds it hard with his hands cuffed behind his back. "Can't you take these things off?"

"Nope," Jason responds flatly. "You're stuck with them, Bud."

Dylan frowns, shifting his gaze to him. "You're Jason, aren't you?"

"That's right."

"Who sent you guys? If it was the cops, they woulda had me in jail already."

Jason exchanges a glance with Katie. The truth was always best. "Your dad. He's included in that batch of worried sick people."

Dylan scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Hey." Jason gives him a light kick with his boot. "Don't diss your dad. You're lucky you got him around to care at all, believe me."

"Yeah, well he never cared enough to be around before."

"Everyone makes mistakes. You can't hold onto that bitterness, Dylan. Hating him won't do anyone any good."

"You're a sniper, not a counselor."

Jason quirks an eyebrow. "You think you know a lot, don't you?"

"I know you two are freaks." Dylan's eyes narrow, lucid enough for his cockiness to show through. "The Elite has their own two little superheroes."

Jason forces a slight laugh and shakes his head.
He's lucky we don't throw him out while we're going down the road. He's got some attitude.
"I wouldn't call us superheroes... just smart enough to use what we got. What about you? How far have you gotten with what you can do?"

"Ha!" Dylan smirks at the idea. "All I can do is get into trouble. Or haven't you figured that out yet?"

"Oh, we figured it out. But we know there's more to you than that. What I'd like to know is why you're flushing it down the toilet."

Dylan clams up, his jaw muscles working on his tension. "Where are you taking me?"

"A place that can give you help."

"The only help I need is to be left alone."

"That's not the answer, and you know it. I know you're not stupid."

"Then why can't you just leave me be?" Dylan's look turns into a glare at both Jason and his cousin. "Why can't anyone just leave me alone? That's all I want."

Jason shakes his head, disgusted. "Ever thought you have more than one person that cares about you?"

Dylan pulls his knees up closer to his chest, his wiry frame making it easy. One could clearly see that he'd lost much weight, and it wasn't a surprise. "Ever thought I didn't need them?"

"Oh yeah... yeah, you've done a real good job on your own. How long you think you'd last with those doped-up friends of yours? A week? A month? How long 'til you got desperate for a fix and messed with the wrong punk on the street? How long 'til you got a knife in your gut for challenging the wrong dealer, huh?"

Dylan's glare falls to the floor. "You don't understand."

"How about you help us understand?"

"You think I just took off on a whim the other day?" Dylan gives a laugh. "No one pays attention to me. No one cares where I go or what I do. Ask my mom where I've been spending my nights the last two months and she'll tell you in my bed. Then go see how many times my bed's been slept in. I'm not as stupid as you think I am. Only when she realizes I'm gone does she apparently call my dad."

Even then, she didn't call Mick.
Jason shakes his head again. "So you've been at this game a while now, huh?"

Dylan seems to want to answer, but falls silent again instead.

I wonder now how long it really has been. He looks like he's been down this path a while now, not just a week. Something seems off though. Notice how he looks like he wants to say more, but doesn't? I wonder if some of his so-called friends already got to him and he's afraid of ratting them out. Sheesh... how does someone get this far?

Surprisingly, Dylan seems to be able to read Jason's face. "Don't pretend you're better than me," he hisses. "You don't have a clue where I've been."

"You're right. Care to share?"

Dylan lets himself fall to his side, curling up the best he can, and taking another hard jolt as a pothole is hit. "You can tell my dad to just forget about me."

"You can tell him yourself. He's going to be meeting us."

Dylan's face seems to change from anger to almost fear. His eyes find Katie again, almost as if begging her not to take him.


Gunner slips on a clean pair of jeans and runs a towel through his almost-dry hair. Ambling back to the living room in his bare feet, he goes to the couch and flops down before putting his things back in his bag underneath the coffee table. It had been a long day at work, his mind pulled in a million directions at once. But once he'd been able to leave, he'd gone home and packed his bag. He'd almost changed his mind about going to JT's, but after a short time in his own apartment, he knew he at least needed one good night's sleep and he wasn't going to get it unless he went somewhere else. Getting across down and finding the key had been easy, and after that, the evening was free for him to explore a little bit, then settle himself down.

Sighing, he pulls his legs up to sit Indian style. The house was quiet. He could hear two clocks ticking. One in here, and one in the kitchen. It was strange... but even though he was alone, it felt better than his apartment. Dark shadows didn't lurk here. It was a peaceful house. And he knew without fully knowing JT that this was a godly house. No wonder Bree liked it here. It felt... safe.

Gunner eventually picks up the television remote, assuming he had the house to himself after JT's call and not hearing from Bree all day. He'd almost called her, then had opted to let be. Leaning back, he clicks on the television to find a B movie.

Help

He looks like he is semi with it. Might as well take it off for a little bit. I wont be scared to put it back on though.

Looking down at her cousin Katie lets out a sigh. Hearing him say her name Katie new he was a little more down to earth now than he had been before.

"Yeah Dylan its me."

For a moment Katie goes silent again. How much should she really tell Dylan at this point? If she told him to much he could make it harder on them and himself with a struggle. But than again maybe if she just tried to covey there worry that would be different all together.

"We were worried sick about you Dylan. You went missing and everyone panicked. Than we found you doped out of your mind and that worried me even more."

Katie didnt know what to say so she feel silent again. Though her mind still ran a million miles a minute.

Whats going to happen to him J? Will they be able to help him?

Being left to stande alone in the house as the sound of Mick's truck rumbles down the drive way more tears from in Rosetta's eyes. Her husband was leaving and she didnt know when he would be back. Though she new it wasnt her fauly, she couldnt help thats feeling.

Going to her phone Rosetta's dials Jim's number. Trying her best to keep herself composed. It was hard, and she hurt. Getting the voice mail Rosetta leaves a quick message as her sobs are small.

"Mick left for a few days and I am a reck, I was wondering if you and Becky Jim would watch BJ for me. I just...need some time alone I think, and I dont want to have him see me like this. Just let me know when you get this message."

Hanging up the phone Rosetta sinks to the floor putting her hand into her hands as her shoulders shook the sobs ringing out in the room.

Picking up her phone and seeing the message Bree hadnt even hurt her phone go off. Seeing it was her Uncle Bree wasts no time listing to the voice mail. A smile forms on her face as she hears more than likly Gunner will be staying with her. Bree wasnt sure why that made her extreamly happy, but maybe it was because he would get to see him more now.

There was a few things she had to do around town today, and her normal float. Maybe after that she would see about calling Gunner to both him for a little bit.

Any surprises

Mick shouldn't have been surprised by Rosetta's reaction, but her embrace is something he hadn't expected. He had been so foolish, and he felt so weak. He knew that she was upset with him, yet she was strong enough to support him still. He didn't deserve a woman like her.

Slipping his arms around her, he just holds her close, quiet for several minutes... just hugging her, as if he thought if he let go, he really might lose her. His face is buried in her hair as a tear slips out. He'd tried so hard to hold everything together, but as a result, he was close to losing it all. His sons, his daughter, his wife, his friends. So wrapped up in trying to conquer his own addiction, he'd lashed out at others, and tried to hide in the case with Dylan so no one would suspect it was something else that was wrong. But in the end, all it did was make things worse.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Mick finally pulls away. His hands cradle Rosetta's face as he leans in to place a tender kiss on her lips. "I'll be back," he assures quietly. "I promise. If I don't do this, I'll never get it right." It was for his son... and it was for himself.

Finally letting Rosetta go, he turns to pick up his bag. It wasn't three minutes later that one could hear his pickup starting, and he was heading down the driveway.


Sparky looks out of the barn, seeing Mick's truck pull away. Odd. Where was he going? Had he heard from someone about Dylan? A chill runs down his spine, hoping that his brother wouldn't actually have left. He couldn't believe that. Maybe he just needed to go blow off some steam. Sparky hoped that's all it was.

Looking around the barn, a wave of sadness hits him. He really did like it here. He always had, even way back when everything had just started. He hated not feeling like he belonged, and even more he hated knowing that it was just one person that made him feel that way. He wanted to believe Rosetta and Angel that he was wanted. Today though, he couldn't find anything to do to keep him busy.

Wandering to the dining hall, he lets himself in to go make a cup of hot tea. Maybe it would help settle his nerves. There was no one else inside, so he takes his time, finally winding up in front of the cold fireplace. After a short while, he sets his cup down and reaches around to pick up his guitar. Strumming a few chords, he tunes it until he's satisfied with the sound. Settling back, he picks out a quiet song, the minor tones holding a sorrowful yet soothing sound.


Kip grins as he takes Karla's phone number, then gives a wave as she leaves. Watching until she was inside the building, he pulls away from the curb and heads home.

Arriving back, Erik is still up, waiting for him before going to bed.

"Get her home alright?"

Kip nods, playing with his keys. "Yeah."

Erik thinks for a moment, cocking his head. "She seems nice. I'm glad you had her over."

"Really?"

"Yeah. As long as you two behave yourselves, I don't have any problem."

Kip smirks a little. "Thanks for your confidence."

Erik gives him a light slap upside the head while grinning. "Anytime."


JT is just heading out the door for work when his phone rings. He contemplates not even answering it, but he thinks better of it, and goes ahead and picks it up. "Yeah, hello."

"Hi, JT... it's Gunner."

JT grins. He didn't need the introduction - Gunner had a unique enough voice that he recognized it. "Hey, Gunner. What's up?"

"Um... about your offer..." Gunner rubs his tired eyes. "I thought maybe... well... I don't know, I just..."

JT pauses getting ready to go, concentrating on Gunner's weary tone. He could tell without being told that his friend was tired - most likely from another bad night. "Key is under the doormat," he interrupts. "Since I'm not gonna be around, I doubt Bree will be over for supper, but there's plenty of stuff here you can help yourself to. Blankets in the corner of the living room - couch is all yours."

Gunner swallows hard. How he'd landed friends like these, he'd never know. "Thanks... thank you."

"Not a problem, Gunner. Thanks for watching the house. If you need anything, you know where to call." Once the call was ended, JT dials Bree quickly. "It's me. Just wanted to let you know quick that Gunner will be at the house tonight. He didn't say so, but he sounded tired, so I'm glad he took me up on the offer. Didn't think you were planning to come over, but didn't want you to have any surprises either."


The drive took several hours, and Dylan was in and out of his own little world for most of the time. Gradually though, the fog seems to lift a bit and having given up struggling against the handcuffs, he just lies on the floor, eying Katie. He looks at her, then Jason then back to Katie, just studying her for several moments. He mumbles something, but can't make anything sound right under the tape.

Jason glances to Katie.
Think he's gonna be calm enough to talk sense now?
He shrugs.
We can always put it back on if he's not.
Reaching down, he rips the tape off without mercy.

Dylan gives a little groan at the pain the tape causes, and just lies still for a few more moments. He squints at Katie again, a bump in the road jolting his line of sight. "Katie?" He moves around, eventually able to sit up with his back to the side of the van, looking across at her and Jason. "What are you... what's going on?"