Gift

Just listing to her brother Ryan was intent on hearing everything not letting a thing slip by. Eli was her brother and she would always do what she could for him. Even if she was the baby sister.

"My brother has become, the same person I always new. Your no differnt just because you made some bad chooses. Heck, we all do. If I had never made that bed on Leo, I never would of owed Roth money and I never would of taken a bullet. Every choose we make has its consequences."

Standing Ryan makes her way over to her brothers side and just puts an arm around his shoulder. No matter what she would always love him. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

"We will find you a new job ok and than you wont be mooching so you can stop yapping on about that. Things will work themself out."

Sitting up even more so she could be closer to Brett, Charlotte intertwines her fingers with him just holding it and not saying anything for a long moment. Finally looking up at Bret Charlotte cocks her head to the side studying his eyes.

"Bret, I am not Maria. I love more than just for money, and I want you for more than just the simple material things you can off me. Your more than good enough for me, the day I ment you, you were, the day of your accident, and even today you still more than I could ever ask for."

Pausing for a moment Charlotte takes in a breath gathering her thoughts before starting again.

"I'll never leave you Bret! I love you far to much to do a silly think like that. As far as ever wanting or needing anything..."

Charlotte takes another deep breath as she can feel a soft little kick inside her belly. Taking Bret's hand and resting it on her stomach so he could feel the soft movement too Charlotte keeps her hand on top of his. Looking up into his eyes and giving a smile.

"...You already gave me the greatest gift of all."

"Mmm...I think everything you talked to me about today was rather interesting. I learned a lot today that I never new."

Just gazing into Sparky's eyes for a long moment Faith finally looks away. Happy it was dark out so the warm color that had come to her cheeks could not be seen.

Looking up again and see Sparky off his arm to her, and the invitation to dinner Faith moves away from the fence and links arms with him. Being drawn closer to him she felt instantly warmer from the nights cold air.

"Dinner sounds fantastic. I hadn't realized how hungry I was till just now. Lead on my good man."

Giving a chuckle Faith was ready to make there way to dinner.

Debt

Sparky's eyes are drawn into Faith's and he chuckles quietly. "Payment? I'll teach you to ride because I want to, not because I want you to work for it."

Hearing her thanks, he finally breaks his gaze and leans back on the fence, looking towards the main house and dining hall where lights were shining from the windows. "I enjoyed the day too. Most people would get bored with my company, so either you're easily entertained or I actually came up with something interesting enough for you to stick around."

He gives her a sidelong glance, shooting her a wry grin. Straightening, he holds out the crook of his arm. "Join me in the dining hall for supper?"


"Yeah..." Bret sighs. "I know. I guess we both messed up." His voice was much calmer than it had been hours earlier.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you too. You hurt my feelings... but I still shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I just... I guess it brought up some bad memories and I thought I was gonna start losing you because I wasn't doing a good enough job."

He pauses, reaching out to stop Charlotte's fingers from picking at the blanket, and he raises his eyes to meet hers. "I'll be able to drive again in a few weeks... then we'll have more money. Just... don't give up on me, okay? I promise I'll do my best so you won't need for anything and... and you won't have to work."

A fear was in his eyes... a fear that Charlotte would find her independence again and no longer need him. A fear that he would not be good enough anymore. A fear that he would lose what was most precious to him.


Eli lets out a long, weary sigh, but he nods. It was only fair that Ryan knew everything. "Well, I'm not gonna mooch, but I do want to stay... I like being around my family again and I was getting pretty tired of Florida anyway."

Staring to pace again, he wanders to the kitchen to grab himself a beer from the six pack he'd bought a couple days ago. Flipping open the tab, he comes back to the living room and sinks down into the chair again, taking a long sip.

"I got in with the wrong crowd, Ryan. I don't know how, but... it seemed like a good idea at the time. I wanted some extra money to bet on some of the races going on down there, so I thought what the hey... turn a blind eye and don't get caught, what's the harm?" He sighs again. "They had me make a few deliveries. I didn't ask and they didn't tell. Ends up that I place a personal bet with one of these guys and I lose. Problem was, I had bet more money than I had. So... I started paying him little by little. He wasn't satisfied though and at that point, it was either pay him or get a bullet to my head. I started rooming with another guy so my rent wouldn't be so high, and I got the other guy to back down until I could pay him off. I did, but... in the meantime, I wound up owing a bunch of other people because all my money was going towards the thug down the street."

Eli scoffs at himself and takes another sip of beer. "I got bills up the ying yang and it's just getting deeper. Then when I came out here, I didn't actually have but a couple days vacation time. My boss warned me that I had to be back, but coming here was more important. I took a risk and lost. Found out a couple weeks ago that I don't have a job to go back to. So now... I'm in debt up to my gills and I don't have a job."

Tapping a finger on his beer can, Eli finally looks to his sister. He was embarrassed to admit all this. He was supposed to be the strong one... the smart one. "So there you have it, Speedy. This is what your brother has become."

Joy

Feeling the gentile shake to her shoulder a potent smell fills her noise like someone had spend the night in the bar. Slowly opening her eyes and seeing Bret a small smile comes to her face. No matter what seeing Bret always made her smile.

"Hey, I know but I wanted to wait and have dinner with you."

Sitting up a little Charlotte searches Bret's eyes for a long moment. She would of waiting forever for him to come home, as long as he had.

Looking down at her hands for a long moment Charlotte picks at the blanket that was over her legs. She had done alot of thinking of her own, and though she was upset with Bret for more than one reason, it was her fault this whole thing started. She was pig headed, and thick skulked and she new it.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was going to tell you honest before the last show because I wanted you to be there, but I should have talked to you first. I'm so use to being independent...and though I meant good by it I just didn't think."

Hearing Sparky's words brought Faith a bit of comfort. It was nice to hear the kind words and it made her smile. Hearing conformation about Angel as well was nice. To have someone tell you a Dr was good, was one thing but having someone confirm it was just an added comfort. Giving a smile Faith gives a nod.

"Teach me how to ride for real, and let me help you in the barn as payment?"

Giving a smile to Sparky Faith's eyes give a twinkle as she scans his face. The moonlight seemed to reflect off it just right and his handsome features donning a soft glow. Her heart gave a little flutter.

"I really did enjoy spending the day with you. Thank you."

"Eli, your family I could never turn you away. You can mooch off me all you like, its what familys are for. You know Pop taught us better than to turn anyone in need away."

Turning off the TV Ryan moves to the edge of the couch bringing her arms to her knees and leaning forward. Thinking for a long moment. Ryan new Eli was proud, it ran in the family because she was to. She only hopped Eli would let her help.

"Eli, you can stay here as long as you need to and I mean that. I like having you around again, and I will help you all I can, bills finding you a job. I'll help. It would be more a burden on me for you to leave and have me worry about you. But in order to stay here, you have to tell me everything from the start...ok?"

Friends

Eli glances over to Ryan, wondering at her tone. Did she know? It wouldn't take a genius - he'd been hanging around for much longer than thought to begin with, without ever mentioning returning to Florida. He just hadn't wanted to admit what was really going on, but he hadn't wanted to leave either.

"Sure... You're a plus of course. But looks like mechanics aren't too hard to come by around here - as far as I could see, your auto shops are all filled up." He shrugs. "As far as food goes, I've been eating off of you for too long already."

Pausing for several moments he finally leans forward with a little groan, tossing the pack of cards aside. "Ryan..." He rests his elbows on his knees, putting his chin in his hands. It was rare that he would refuse to look her in the eye, but he did now. "There's stuff... I mean... " Sighing, he suddenly stands up, pacing a little and looking up to the ceiling. "I haven't been too smart, Ry. I come with... a long list of regrets that I'd rather not have to admit to my sister."

Eventually he stops pacing and looks down at Ryan. "I, um... I've got people that would just prefer I got back to Florida. But not because they miss me. They just want my wallet. Unfortunately, you can't squeeze blood from a turnip and right now, I feel like a turnip."

He didn't know if his implication that he owed money was enough for her to understand or not. "And..." He stops. "I didn't want to tell you this... I guess 'cause I'm mad at myself." He shrugs. "I want to stay here... I really do. Main reason is you. Another reason is that I've been rooming with another guy 'cause I couldn't afford my own place. And... another reason is that... I don't have a job anymore. When I said I was mooching off of you, I wasn't lying... I really have been."

Hooking his hands in his jeans pockets, he just looks at his sister, obviously embarrassed, but at the same time, relieved that she knew. There were a lot of details though.... and he owed her an explanation. But he'd let her digest what he'd just said first.


Sparky cocks his head and stops alongside Faith, sensing something wrong. Listening quietly, he doesn't interject, though his facial expression softens, his eyes showing he was troubled by the news of this new friend.

As she looks up at him, he lets his eyes linger on hers, not afraid to see her emotions shimmering through them. "Anybody in your shoes would be scared," he responds quietly. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Thinking a moment, he gives a little nod. "Annie was right - this is a good place to take care of yourself. We got our problems, but you won't find a better bunch of people, and Angel's a right fine doctor to look out for things after the surgery... 'cause I'm sure you'll make it through just fine."

Sparky offers a gentle smile. "You're a good example for anyone... living the day as if it's your last." Pausing, his eyes roam to the darkening ranch, then back to her eyes. "How can I help make that happen?"


"Bret, what on earth are you doing here? Do you know what time it is?"

Bret looks up at his big friend lamely. It was very late, that's all he knew. In reality, it was near one o'clock in the morning. It had been dark for quiet a while, and he was pretty sure that he'd woken up Con by his disheveled hair and tired eyes. "Can I come in?"

Con furrows his brow warily. "You been drinking?"

"Yeah..." Bret couldn't lie to Con. "Just a little."

Con sighs and opens the door. "Come in."

Bret looks down as he enters, and just stands like a whipped puppy until Con moves him to the living room chair to sit. Con looks at him with question. "Well?"

Bret swallows hard. "Charlotte and I... well no... we didn't really have a fight. I just..."

"Lost your temper again," Con states flatly. "What happened?"

"I don't know." Bret's eyes stay on the floor. "She just... she got another job without telling me and... and I just... I don't understand."

"Mmm." Con leans back in his chair. He'd probably be quite upset if Jamie did that, but that wasn't what Bret needed to hear right now. "So you walked out?"

"I didn't want to fight," Bret defends. "I... I... okay, maybe I yelled at her before I left. But I wanted to calm down so... so I got a drink then... came here."

"Or two, or three," Con corrects knowingly while frowning. "So Charlotte tells you she got a second job and you flip."

"At a nightclub!" Bret elaborates with exasperation. "Singing! I didn't even know she could sing. And she's pregnant! She shouldn't be working so much, let alone hiding it from me."

"Well, she's got a little time before she needs to settle down," Con reasons. He wanted to reprimand Bret for his reaction, but it was hard, imagining himself in that same position. He wouldn't be upset with Jamie - he would be furious. "Know why she did it?"

"Kinda." Bret moans and puts his face in his hands. "I guess I'm not good enough. I can't provide enough and I'm not even worthy to be let in on everything."

"Now hang on, don't blow it out of proportion."

"I'm not, Con! This is exactly what happened with Maria. We started with little fights, she started taking on things that she didn't let me in on, she decided I wasn't giving her enough, then one day, she realized she didn't need me anymore. Charlotte and I are heading down the same path. I can feel it and her keeping a job a secret from me just confirms it."

Con studies Bret's face for several moments. "You're scared of losing her, aren't you?"

"Terrified." Loosened up by alcohol, Bret's eyes fill. "I'm not doing a good enough job. I... I can't make enough money - I've been out of work forever 'cause of that stupid accident. I'm gonna have to support a family now, and my wife is out working two jobs. What does that say about me?"

"It says your wife loves you very much." Con shakes his head. "But it also says you two need to work on your communication. You're right - she shouldn't have kept that from you. She's probably got a whole list of reasons why, but she should have communicated with you. And you - you shouldn't be telling me this - you should be telling her this."

"But she'll just point out that we need the money!"

"Then either figure out a new job for you or swallow your pride until something better comes along."

Bret's shoulders drop and there is a long pause. "Can I just stay here the night?"

"No." Con rises and points to the door. "You need to go home to your wife."

"But-"

"No." Con waits for Bret to stand as well. "I'm not going to assist in hindering your marriage. Don't lay down and give up, Bret. You did that once. Fight to keep what you got this time. You know Charlotte's worth it."

"But I-"

"Walk a straight line." Con points to the floor.

Bret rolls his eyes and walks a straight line, going through a short routine to prove he was sober enough to drive, though he was inebriated.

"Now go home," Con directs. "And don't stop at the bar on your way."

Bret heaves a weary sigh and nods lamely. "Yeah... yeah, okay." Getting turned out, he limps down the walk to his car, feeling even lower than when he'd arrived.

Con makes sure his friend is on his way before shutting the door and letting out his own sigh. Shaking his head, he turns off the lights and heads back upstairs. Easing into bed, he gives a little groan, knowing he needed to cram in some more sleep before work in the morning. "Friends," he mumbles. "Gotta love 'em."


Bret parks in the drive and sits thinking for several long minutes. He was a bit more alert now, but just as depressed. Maybe he was more mad at himself now than anything. He was still upset with Charlotte, but he felt worse for yelling at her like he had.

Eventually, he gets himself to the front door and inside, finding only a small light on. Glancing into the kitchen, he sees that she had indeed fixed supper, and now it sat lonely and cold. Turning to the living room, he limps a few feet, seeing Charlotte lying on the couch. Just looking at her for a moment, he finally sheds his jacket and sets his keys aside.

Sitting on the edge of the couch, looking to his wife's face seems to shatter the anger he had left. He reaches down and runs a hand through her hair, then gently shakes her shoulder.

"Hey," he prompts quietly. He knew as soon as she woke, she'd be able to tell he'd been to the bar, but at this point, he knew there was a lot that needed to be said anyway. "You should be in bed."

Focus

Wanting to retort and make comment's back to Bret defending herself about why she didnt tell him Charlotte couldn't get a word in edge why. Maybe in a way it was better that way or she would just make things worse.

Leaving the laundry for now Charlotte's goes after him as he lets out a howl. Wanting to make sure he was ok. But as she gets to the kitchen the chair goes flying across the floor. As it hits the wall and breaks Charlotte gives a jump wrapping her arm around herself.

Just watching Bret leave the cold glare cutting through her hot tears from in Charlotte's eyes. From anger, being upset, shame. Slowly going over to the chair Charlotte sinks down to the floor picking up the broken peaces of the old oak chair. It was the only one in the set they had, that didnt match but it was special. Her grandmother had given it to her a few months back before she passed away. It wasnt much but it meant a lot of Charlotte.

Taking the peaces Charlotte just looks at them for a long moment thinking if she could put them together but it seemed unlikely. Standing and putting them over in the corner so I could be taken out with the trash.

Moving back to the fridge the tears still streamed from Charlotte's face but she had to figure out what was for dinner tonight. Bret said not to wait up, but she would have dinner on the table for him anyways.

Keeping her eyes straight ahead as she walked stealing glances at Sparky everyone once and a while. A smile on her face showing she was having a nice time just walking.

"I'd like to really learn how to ride a horse. Always wanted to since I was a kid, I just never had the opportunity too."

Continuing to walk, Faith lets out a thoughtful sigh at the mention of going home. It hadnt come up in conversation and she wasn't trying to hide it, it just simply hadn't come up. Looking at Sparky Faith gives a smile at Sparky.

"Oh, maybe I will go back sooner or later but right now...its just not in focus."

Stopping for a moment Faith leans against the one fence that was coming to an end just looking at the ground and thinking for a moment. The only person who new was Annie, and soon Rosetta, and Angel when they talked to them. But maybe having another friend know would be nice too. She wasn't ashamed it was just hard.

"I have nothing left in Thailand. My family is gone, and most the money I had was spent on Dr. bills that didn't do a darn bit of good."

Looking up at Sparky again Faith's eyes held emotions of someone who was thinking about something that was important and a little scare at the same time. Knowing Sparky would have no idea what she was talking about Faith continues.

"I've always had trouble with headaches as a kid. Normal migraines is what my parents always thought. As I got older sometimes the headaches were so bad my vision was blurry, and I'd just have to stay in a darkroom till it was gone. About nine months ago when your sister came to Thailand she was my live in."

Moving her toe in the frozen earth below her for a moment Faith gathers her thoughts before looking up again.

"About a week after she had been staying with me I ended up blacking out. Annie took me to the hospetil and come to find out I had a tumor in my brain about the size of a golf ball. The Dr. didnt understand how I was still alive seeing as it had been there for a while. So I ended up going into sugary and having it removed. We thougth they got it all and for the last 7 months things had been really well. Than a month ago my heackahes had come back. I wasn't blacking out or anything but the pain of the headaches were back, and sometimes they hurt even more than before. So I went back to the Dr and had more test run. It would seem they didnt get all the tumor out that first time. How that happend I dont know, but the medical field in Thailand lacks the skills and tools."

Letting out another deep breath looking up at the twinkling starts.

"So, I came here with Annie because the resources in the US are so much better to have the tumor removed for a second time. Annie told me the best place to recover would be here at the ranch and she wanted to give back the hospitality that I had shown her. Knowing her sister in law wouldn't mind. She even said there was a Dr. on site here so if I needed one."

Looking at Sparky and searching his eyes for a long moment Faith found comfort in them. For a reason she didn't know when she had just met him but it was there.

"Now, I want to try and live my life each day and a time savoring what I can. Going in for the brain surgery for a second time there is alot of scar tissue from the first time, and its tricky. I could die from it. I just have to trust my life is in God's hand and live each day like its my last. Though I addmit, I am scaried more than I let on."

Katie's eyes widen just a little as she listing to Rick. What he said made sense but still, it was a bit surprised what he wanted Jason to do.

Even if they didn't mean to brand us, its still there and it doesn't change the Agency knowing who we are. I guess we will just cross that bridge when we come to it.

Leaning back on the bed again Katie just lets her eyes fall shut. She felt so tired, maybe rest right now WAS the best thing.

Just watching the tv for a long moment Ryan listens to what Eli says but dosnt reply right away. She had known for a long time something was wrong with her brother. She could get the vibes from him, and even after all these years could read him like a book. She just hadnt said anything because she was trying to respect his privacy. But now he was mentioning he would be going back and she wasn't even sure why.

Turning her head a little to look at her brother Ryan just studys him for a moment before nonchalantly inquiring.

"Why would you want to go back to Florda Eli? You have me, a home, food everything you could want. Not to mention a job easy working at one of the shops. I wouldn't mind if you stayed anyways."

Unspoken

Bret rolls his eyes. "I didn't mean everyone but me knew you had a job. I meant any other husband with any brains will know that his wife has a second job!"

He takes a step closer to Charlotte, gesturing with his hands. "I don't care what color fingernail polish you got and I don't care what brand hotdogs you get from the store. But you'd think that if you went out and got a second job, you'd have the decency to tell me about it, instead of hiding it!"

He snatches the paper back from her. "At a nightclub! What were you thinking?!" His temper rises with his voice. "Of all places, you had to choose a nightclub! 'Hey, Bret, what's up?' 'Oh, nothing, just my pregnant wife is singing at a nightclub without my knowledge.'"

Throwing the paper back down, he starts to stalk away, then turns around again. "You didn't want to make me feel bad. So instead of talking to me about finances, you decide it would be easier just to hide a job from me. Were you ever going to tell me? Or were you just going to find out what a fool I really am to be so blind? I'm your husband, Charlotte! I have a right to know about these things. This isn't just something little that doesn't matter! It isn't the same as 'Oh by the way I bought a new dress.' We're talking about a job and our family's income."

Bret pauses, staring Charlotte in the eye. "And you deliberately hid that from me."

It hurt. It hurt deeply and Bret felt betrayed. If only she'd told him. If only she'd discussed it with him. If he'd known their finances were so bad when he was in the hospital, he would have figured something out with her, and he might not have minded her taking on a second job for a while. But at least he would have been in on it. At least he would have had a chance to give his opinion and help make the final decision. But instead, it had been hidden from him.

Spinning on his heel, he heads to the kitchen, limping as his leg throbs. Arriving to the tiled floor, his foot hooks a chair leg, cranking his knee. Already in enough pain, Bret lets out a howl. Too angry to care, his good leg swings around and gives the chair a swift kick. It flies away from the table, clattering on the floor and banging against the wall, breaking one of its legs.

Bret limps to the counter and grabs his car keys, then heads for the front door. Donning his leather jacket, he throws one last glare over his shoulder. "Don't wait up for me."


Sparky continues to walk, his pace much slower than normal on his evening rounds. He glances down at Faith, his eyes curious. "I got the time," he admits. "I'm not the greatest teacher in the world, but I could probably get you started at least."

He checks a gate then keeps on walking. "Takes time though. There's a difference between getting on a horse and going, and learning how to ride. If you want the first, I could throw you on a horse tomorrow. If you're interested in really riding though, I'm assuming you won't be around that long. You're going back to Thailand, aren't you?"


I know... the Agency scares me too. If it was just me, I wouldn't mind so much, but knowing they're after you too... I don't like that at all.

Rick heaves a deep sigh and turns back around to see Katie. "I know you don't like being in the dark, Katie, and I'm sorry. I just wanted to give you time to rest."

Jason looks to Katie, then back to Rick. "Tell us what you're planning and then we'll rest."

"Okay. I want you to blow something up for me."

Jason's eyebrows rise. "You what?"

"I want you to blow something up. Nothing big, but I don't want you spending your energy on that right now."

"Um... and why do you want me to do that?"

"I want to tape it. And I want to study how the item bursts. Before we can investigate your marks further, we need to understand how you work naturally. It's just something I want to see."

Jason eyes him suspiciously. "You don't think it's a brand, do you?"

Rick hesitates. "No. I know it seems to be, and I know the Agency shot you with something that caused the chain of events... but I don't think they knew you two would end up with a permanent mark. Just let it go for now, rest, and when you're both feeling better in a couple days, we'll continue the research."

Jason sighs, but gives in.
I'm too tired to care at this point. Let him do his thing. We'll find out what he means soon.
Thanks for hanging in there with me, Hero. I love you too.


Eli shuffles the deck of cards in his hands, leaning back in the living room chair. There was an awkward silence. There wasn't normally between him and his sister. But there was now, and he knew that she could tell there was something he wasn't saying. She was back on her feet, back to work, and he'd seen her race. Yet he still stayed. He had not gone back to Florida yet, and though he was living out of the same small duffel bag, he hadn't made mention to leaving either.

The tv was on, but Eli wasn't paying attention to it. Supper was undecided. They might do takeout Chinese. But for the moment, his mind was far away. He needed to tell her.

Glancing up, he catches Ryan's eye. The stare that looked back at him told him that she knew something was up but was respecting his privacy. "I suppose one of these days I better head back cross-country," he muses. "I think I've mooched off you long enough." A grin seeps out, showing that he knew Ryan didn't think of it that way. But there was still more... there was still more he wasn't saying.