Something New

Giving a small laugh Faith looks to Jim and gives a soft shy smile. At least Jim was trying to have a conversation with her. From the way Annie talked about her family Faith felt like she already new them anyways. A thick Thia accent comes out with her as she spoke, but her English was amazing.

"I don't think there is such thing as having to much fun."

Rolling her eyes at her brothers refuse for help or even to put something cold on his head. Watching her brother move about the kitchen and wet the cloth to clean up the rest of the mess. Under her breath mumbaling only loud enough so Sparky could hear her.

"I dont think it was me who shook you up."

Giving a small grin Annie joins Faith at the table where Jeff, and Sparky had been. Folding her hands on the table.

Thinking for a long moment about his question it was almost like she wouldnt answer but finally she did.

"Probley for a while now, a month or three, maybe longer. The mission trip we were on in
Thailand which is where Faith is from I might add is done. Not sure when the next one will start up until we get the call."

Just sitting quietly at the table Faith just takes in everything around her, listing to what was spoken. Not being able to help her eyes from roaming to Sparky every no and than admiring his features, and his good looks. Only to look away quickly when he looked up at her.

Putting the tree together with Gage was loads of fun. It reminded her of when she was little and Scott would help her with the tree. He use to love it so much, now having someone else to help once again was nice. Seeing the smile on his face was nice, and the laughs that came from his lips seemed to fill Sapphire's heart.

Gage was changing everyday, becoming more independent and learning more things about the world around him. Sapphire was happy to be part of that.

Standing back with Gage Sapphire sets her hands on her hips and looks at the tree. It was one of the best looking trees she had ever seen. It almost seemed so perfect. The way the lights lit up the branches, and reflected off the ornaments.

"Now this has to be one of the best looking trees I ever saw. You did a great job Gage, it looks so pretty."

Turning a little to look at him Sapphire's eyes sparkle just a little as the light from the tree bounces off them. She really was enjoying her time spent with Gage. It was nice to have someone she felt comfortable around.

"I got something I wanted you to try. Its called Eggnog and it only comes around this season. Have you ever had it?"

Opening her eyes just a little to try and see Jeff Katie could only get them to go so far before having to shut them again. But a small smile forms on her face, she was happy he was there.

In a horse whisper Katie manages to get a few words out to try and carry on a conversation with her father.

"Hey Dad, How are you feeling?"

Fun

Jim, tries hard not to laugh at the whole thing, and after Faith sits down, he takes his seat again. Giving her another smile, he offers conversation. "As you can see, we have a lot of fun around here." He chuckles. "Too much sometimes."


Sparky dumps his handful of coffee soaked ceramic pieces into the garbage then goes to the sink to wash his hands. Having Annie come in after him, he rolls his eyes. "I'm fine," he states flatly. Eying the bag of frozen peas, he smirks. "I am so not putting that on my head."

Grabbing a dish towel and getting it wet with a little soap, he rings it out. "My head is fine, but the floor needs to be cleaned. I was really looking forward to that coffee too." Taking his wet fingers, he flicks drops of water in Annie's direction, trying to overcome his embarrassment with teasing her. "You see what happens when you get me all shook up?"

Bravely heading back into the dining area, cloth in hand, he aims for the table again. Getting on his hands and knees, his eyes stay glued to his task. The heat was still in his face and he could kick himself. But he knew that stewing over the whole thing would do no good. He was sure he must have looked pretty ridiculous to everyone else, so if they thought it was funny, he needed to find the humor in it too.

Wiping up any leftover coffee and collecting a few more small pieces of the broken mug, only a glance or two are stolen in Faith's direction. His words though are aimed at Annie. "So, Miss Surprise, how long are you and your friend planning to stay?"


Rick purses his lips at Katie's question. "Well... I think you just took the brunt of Jason's emotions, that's what happened. Your hand will be fine - its healing nicely." He avoids the subject for now... he didn't want to overload them so soon after waking up. Offering a smile, he stands and goes back to the counter to get some mild pain medication prepared for them both. Seeing Jeff in the doorway, he gives a little nod.

Jeff wanders in slowly, realizing that Katie had not seen him yet. Easing down in the chair, he reaches over to take her unbandaged hand. "Hey, kiddo," he greets softly.


Gage really wanted to know what all it was that Sapphire had put in the fridge, but he withholds his questions for now. Seeing her take the lights and give directions, he grins. "Okay. I think I can handle that."

Going to the tree, he helps with the lights, stringing them through the branches and smiling when something goofy would happen with the string getting stuck on a limb or the tree tilting this way and that. The balls were fun to put on, and Gage's true nature shown through as he stood back and had to make sure that all of the ornaments were completely balanced in position - nothing could be out of place or crooked.

Placing the star on top as the final step, he looks at the decoration as a whole, so quite for such a long time, almost as if he'd fallen into his own little world again. But without warning, he goes and pulls the shade on the window, then turns the lights off in the room. The result was a gorgeous little tree, shining with his blue lights in the corner. Folding his arms, a new smile emerges. "That was fun." He'd never made anything pretty just to be pretty before... he wouldn't have thought it would make himself feel that good.

You never told me...

With the help of Rick Katie sits up a little. Trying to open her eyes the light was so bright it hurt.

Who every though the light could hurt this much.

Taking a sip of the cool water Katie gives a could her stomach seeming to do flip flops as the water its it. Not actully use to having anything in it again that was pretty normal.

I am going to muster all the strength I got to slap you if you keep saying your sorry over this. Its not like you could help it.

Katie sends her warm emotions Jason's way to let him know she wasnt upset and she didn't blame him. This was just something else that happened, like being on a mission and getting shot. No one wanted it to happen or had control over it.

Trying to open her eyes again Katie squints up at Rick, quiet for a moment letting the saliva in her mouth work Kaite finally opens her mouth to let the words come out, but only a horse whisper it was formed.

"My...throat, its really hard to talk, my head dosnt feel the greatest ether."

Katie wingles the fingers on her hand now realizing it stung pretty bad. She count remember hurting her hand at all.

"Hand, it hurts...what...happened?"

Giving a smile and entering the house Sapphire makes her way to the kitchen. Starting to take things out of the bags and put them into the fridge.

"Well I am happy you didnt start. I really wanted to help you."

Finishing up in the kitchen Sapphire takes her jacket and puts it over one of the chairs. Making her way over to Gage and holding up the blue lights.

"First we want to put the lights on first. I'll stand on one side if you like, and you can stand on the other. We can just go back and forth till its all covered, than we put on the balls we got and the little snowmen and than last we put the star on the top of the tree."

Giving a sly smile to her brother Annie was happy to see him suprised. Its what she had wanted, and she was glad it was received well.

"Well if I had told you I was coming than it wouldn't have been a Christmas surprised."

Reaching out and putting her brother into a strong hug Annie really had missed her family while she was away and couldnt be more than happy to be back.

"Give you a heart attack? Your to suborn for that."

Pulling away and seeing Jim looking at her friend Annie felt silly for a moment in the excitment forgetting she had come alone. Stepping to the side to have a clear path for Jim and Sparky Annie smiles.

"Jim, Sparky this is Faith Reynolds, Faith this is my brother Jim and Sparky."

Giving a little wave and a shy smile Faith words come out soft.

"Nice to meet you both."

The events that happen next cause Faith and Annie's eyes to go wide. Sparky fumbling, the glass breaking, Jim's teasing. It was very easy to see Sparky was flustered.

Bringing a hand to her mouth Faith couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped softly. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Annie's brother and could feel her own heat coming to her face. But here gave a sparkle as she watched Sparky as he headed to the kitchen.

"You told me you had brothers but you never told me that one of the was a totally good looking."

Trying her best not to laugh at her brother Annie steps forward, but before she can say anything Sparky was already making his retreat. She couldnt help but feel bad for her brother. It wasnt often he got flustered but knowing her brother so well Annie could see the look in his eye, and it was cute but surprised her at the same time.

Hearing Faith's comment to her Annie just looks at her for a moment and blinks. It seemed they were both attracted to each other right away.

"Well...I think all my brothers are good looking, I just didnt think about saying anything."

Shaking her head and finally letting her laugh escape Annie looks to Faith again.

"Make yourself comfortable I promise no one will bite. I'm going to go make sure Sparky is ok. I'll be back."

As Annie walks away Faith makes her way over to the table setting her bag down and pulling out a chair. Sitting down she keeps her hands in her lap just looking around the dinning hall. It was obvious she was a little nervous, and felt awkward being here not really knowing anyone. Faith new she would be ok in a day or two after she had been here a while just right now it was some place new.

Following her brother into the kitchen Annie goes to the fridge and grabs a bag of peas for Sparky's head.

"You took quite a bump there, are you ok Sparky?"

Mortified

As Rick waits quietly, he's surprised, seeing movement from Katie. It really had worked to have Jason try and wake her up. Moving over to her side, he watches her closely, letting her wake up slowly.

It's okay, just take it slow... we've been here a while. I can't see much right now, so we'll make a nice pair.
"Rick... she wants some water."

Rick nods and leaves to bring back a small paper cup with water. Sitting down on the edge of Katie's bed, he lifts her head a little and helps her take a drink. "Easy does it, Hero."

Jason tries to open his eyes again, still having difficulty as he blinks in the lights that just seemed way too bright.
I'm sorry, Katie... I don't know what happened... It's all foggy... something happened and I just lost complete control.

Rick gives Katie's arm a gentle pat before taking her vitals. "How do you feel? Anything especially uncomfortable or hurting?"

Jeff leans on the open doorway, having just been gone for a short walk. His hands in his pockets he just watches, not wanting to get in the way. But relief was spreading over him, just seeing that his daughter was awake... finally awake.


Hearing someone at the door, Gage gets up again, wandering across the floor in his bare feet. He was a little drowsy, but having someone come was a nice distraction.

Opening all the locks and finally looking out, he sees Sapphire and smiles. He had known she'd come sometime in the next few days, but hadn't known when. "Hey." He opens the door wider so she can come in, eying her bags curiously. "I... was gonna start on the tree but..." He rubs the back of his neck and looks over to the bare tree. "I didn't know where to start."


Jim sees Annie coming, but says nothing to Sparky, barely letting a smile show. Once spoken to, Sparky gives a jump and turns his head in time to see Annie and receive the kiss on the cheek and a hug. "Annie!" He hugs her arms around him. "What on earth... I didn't know you were coming!"

The excitement in his voice was one of a brother who had missed seeing his sister around. Having a familiar face show up unexpectedly was a nice addition to the dismal day. Scooting around in his chair a little, he looks up at her with a wide smile. "You're looking as beautiful as ever. You should know better than to scare an old man like that though." He gives her a teasing backhanded whack to the arm. "You coulda given me a heart attack then there'd be no one to pick on you

Jim, seeing that Annie had the company of another woman, stands up from the table, offering her a welcoming smile and nod.

Sparky sees Jim stand and is confused for a moment. "What..." Tilting his head forward, he looks around Annie and realizes there was someone else there. Catching sight of the attractive woman, he falters for a moment - he probably wouldn't have been quite so affectionate with his sister, had he known a stranger was present.

Remembering his manners, he stands, but Annie hadn't moved back yet, so there wasn't very much room. Teetering as his foot catches the leg of the chair, he puts a hand down fast on the table to catch himself. Unfortunately, he still had his eyes on the woman and his hand goes right where he'd put his coffee mug.

The mug is thrown off balance and goes sprawling, coffee spilling all over. Whirling around, Sparky tries to get a hold on the mug before it falls off the table, but it's slippery and hot. As he fumbles, it slides through his fingers spinning towards him like a torpedo. Still trying to catch it, it's just no use and it goes right off the edge for a long ride with gravity. Ceramic pieces shoot in all directions, clattering across the hard floor.

Jim grabs a fistful of napkins to try and help, but already Sparky is so flustered that he'd rather just be left to the mess. "No, no.... I got it, I'm fine, just..." He doesn't even finish his statement as he squats down to start picking up some of the sharp pieces of the broken mug. Muttering under his breath, he keeps his face down, extremely embarrassed.

Jim clears his throat, deciding it best just to stay out of Sparky's way, so he lifts his eyebrows and looks to Annie, then to her friend. "Welcome to the R/M Ranch..." He purses his lips, trying not to laugh. "My brother doesn't usually give quite this kind of greeting to our guests, but he hasn't seen any female outsiders in so long that it probably just threw him for a loop."

Mad at Jim's teasing, Sparky's head flies, up, but he'd forgotten that it was ducked under the table. Bam! The whole table shakes as his head hits the hard rim.

Jim's eyes widen, his silliness ceasing. "Oh, man, you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay," Sparky grumbles. Finally getting to his feet, his hands are full of dripping broken pieces. His glance catches the woman, his face growing even redder as he sees a set of beautifully soft eyes staring back at him. "Excuse me," is all he can manage before turning to walk to the kitchen to clean up.