Growl

"Ah, maybe she wont raz you to much. I bet if she is smart she will know the fresh air is good for you as well. Than again maybe razzing you is just something fun to do."

Coming back around and just listing to the night sounds everything seemed so peaceful. It was hard to believe term oil could ever be layed to rest here. Everything just seemed to fit right, and run so smooth.

Feeling Sparky's hand rest against hers for a moment Faith can't her but curl her fingers just a little before releasing them again. Giving a little giggle she could feel her cheeks getting red already as there was a flutter in her stomach.

Starting to walk back twords the bunk house Faith slows her walking just a little. It felt strange to not want the walk to end. To feel like you had enough energy to walk around the ranch another 5 times and still not be tired. But all good things had to come to an end, and Faith wasn't even sure if she had worn out her welcome already.

"If you want, I come make you some dinner. I love to cook so I wouldn't mind. But if you would like your space and quiet time I could let you be as well. I know I have kind of been your shadow as of late."

Giving a hearty laugh Dalton nods understanding what Scott was saying. He was getting quite tired himself after working all day and night.

"Understandable. I'll see you back bright and early. It your turn to bring the jerky. I'll get another supply of MD!"

Giving a laugh as Kip slides down the latter Karla couldn't help the slight patter in her heart that seemed to be over looked for the last few days. Maybe it was just the excitement of everything but it still felt good to know she had someone to look forward to seeing.

As Kip invites her to come to there band practice and than join them for pizza Karla's face lights up. She hadnt eaten all day because of lack of food, so at the thought of pizza made her tummy growl.

"I'd like that..."

Giving a glance to Carol Karla smiles.

"..that is if your mom doesn't need me to clean tonight?!"

Pulling the car out of the parking lot and starting out down the road. Sapphire throws a glance to Gage. A bit of color was still on her face from the exchange they had, but there was a soft twinkle in her eyes that had not been there before. It almost felt as if she was standing a little bit taller now.

"Ohhhh...yeah I can talk to him for you. I don't see why he would have a problem with that as long as he cant find some time from work. He defiantly is better in the finding good cars than I am."

Quiet again for a little bit as they drive Sapphire makes a quick stop at a mail box to send out some things she had from work. Pulling away and starting down the road again she makes a comment to Gage.

"You know we never decied where we should eat. Have any favorites you would like to go to?"

Strange feelings

Sparky chuckles and shakes his head. Adjusting his weight, he just watches Faith walk backward for a moment, admiring how her features reflected the soft moonlight and how her eyes sparkled. Finally he gives in and starts forward again, coughing just a little as he tries not to laugh more. "Well, I don't want to be accused of making you walk alone."

Catching up to her, he falls into step beside her once again. "Angel's gonna go check on me just to find me gone," he muses. "She'll probably give me a hard time, but this fresh air has felt good."

Passing a bush by one of the corrals, he reaches out to snap a dead twig off to keep his fingers busy. Eventually, small talk seems to run out, so silence falls upon the two, the only sound the soft crunching under their feet. They wind up a ways away from the ranch yard, circling back in a wide arc.

The twig in Sparky's hand had been whittled away by his fingers down to almost nothing, so he tosses it on the ground. As his hand swings back to his side, it brushes against Faith's own hand and for a moment, rests against her palm.

Feeling heat on the back of his neck, Sparky quickly slips his hand into his pocket, ignoring the strange feelings he'd been experiencing since the other day. "I guess they'll be starting supper now," he comments, implying that their walk was probably coming to an end. He was aimed toward his bunk though, still not intending to join the others.


"Dude, you are so good." Scott returns the high-five before leaning back and stretching. "I want to do more, but I'm afraid my brain isn't going to handle anymore tonight. Not to mention, if I don't get home, Domino's liable to take her frustration out on the carpet."

He smirks and stacks up some of his own printouts. "Reconvene tomorrow?"


Kip's grin stays on his face as he closes the book he'd been reading. "I'm doing alright. It was either read a book or play the guitar but seeing as though I left that at Theo's... the books got a turn."

Karla's comment that she'd hoped to see him seems to make his eyes smile just as little bit more. "I see you're getting the grand tour."

"She is," Carol confirms. "Seems she'll be able to find her way around here in no time if she decides to take the job."

"I hope she does." Kip proceeds to slide down the ladder instead of turning around and climbing.

Carol rolls her eyes. "One of these days you're going to land on your backside and I'm going to laugh."

Kip laughs. "You've been telling me that for years and it hasn't happened yet."

"There's a first time for everything."

Kip just grins and shakes his head, looking back to Karla. "If you don't have any plans after you're done, I gotta swing back over to Theo's to get my guitar, then later we're all gonna hang out for a bit of practice then pizza... you're more than welcome to join."


Gage's eyes glisten as he returns Sapphire's smile. He's a little surprised when she leans in again, not having expected that reaction. But his smile grows wider when her stomach interrupts them. He gives a light laugh and nods. He hadn't been hungry earlier, more upset than wanting food. But he was in a better mood now and figured he should at least try to eat something. "Okay. I just gotta get something on my feet."

Once he's got his shoes and socks on and has donned his denim jacket, he follows Sapphire outside to her car. Settling in the passenger seat and buckling in, Gage watches as she puts the car in gear and backs out of the parking space.

"Hey, Sapphire..." He pauses, studying the car for a few moments. "Your brother... knows a lot about cars, right? Do you... think he'd be willing to teach me how to drive... then help me find a car sometime? Sometime when I can afford it, I mean?"

Spending

"Mmmmm...."

Nate can't help the soft moan that came from his lips as Laura runs her hand through his hair, she sweet lips pressed to his own. His emotions coming forth in his own kiss, but keeping it decent in case Maggie entered the room.

As Laura pulls away Nate looks up into her eyes searching them for a long moment, a smile on his lips though still a little worry lingered. Wrapping his arms around Laura Nate pulls her into a strong hug.

"Its ok. You go take your bath and I will clean up dinner, and get Maggie to bed."

Walking in the night air with Sparky was enjoyable like it had been since she got there. Talking with him came so easy and even the silence felt comfortable. Two things that didn't come easy for her till she met Sparky.

Coming to the mess hall and hearing Sparky's comment Faith gives him a sidelong glance a grin forming on her face.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to me, and I am here because I like spending time with you."

Turning around and walking backwards a few steps Faith shakes her head a little her eyes twinkling in the night light.

"Well, are you coming? or gonna make me walk alone now?"

Reaching for his own print outs Dalton looks through the papers before his computer once again. Clicking through a few more things and finally coming up with the web page he was looking for while listing to Scott.

Leaning back in his chair Dalton gives a grin as he holds the papers out to Scott.

"I got the utility services, and..."

Dalton moves his computer monitor around so Scott could see the list of names, times, dates for the next month.

"..Each person's work schedule. I think this should help Gunner out. I even found a way into there security camera's and can shut them off, even get there feed for each room right here."

Holding his large hand out for Scott to gives a high five Dalton pops another peace of jerky in his mouth with a large sip of pop.

Misunderstanding

Nate's question brings Laura's head up to look him in the eye. Glancing to the kitchen and knowing Maggie was still at the table, she sits up then scoots over, straddling Nate's lap to face him. Cocking her head, she puts her lips to his, offering a slow kiss as her hands move up to rake her fingers through his hair.

Drawing back, her eyes lock with his once more. "Of course I know you love me," she whispers. "And I love you too... with all my heart."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she nuzzles into him for a cuddling hug. "It's just been a long day," she mumbles into him. "I'm sorry if I'm a grouch. I think I'm going to go take a hot bath before bed."


Sparky accepts his boots and socks and throws Faith a withering look, though his eyes held a teasing glint. "The day I can't find my way around here is the day they need to call the loony bin to come pick me up."

He leans down to don his socks, then pauses. "Of course... most days its a struggle just to get this old head on straight."

Finally finished, he stands up, heaving a sigh. "Okay... let's see what the great outdoors is like today." Finding one of his jackets, he also slaps his worn cowboy hat on his head. Opening the door, he takes a deep breath. The evening air was a little chillier than he'd expected. Even during winter months, it really didn't get all that cold this far south, but after being in a toasty room for the last few days, it did feel cold outside.

Stepping out on the porch though, he's hit with a wave of dizziness. The closest thing to hang onto is Faith's shoulder as he closes his eyes for a moment. "Mmm... sorry..." He blinks and shakes his head a little. "Maybe my head isn't on as straight as I thought it was."

Coughing again, he waits for that to pass and finally goes slowly down the steps. Taking it easy, he tucks his hands in his pockets and wanders to the perimeter of the ranch, forcing himself not to go to the barn. Once they're close to the dining hall though, he stops and turns to Faith. "I think I'll be okay now... you don't have to stick with me just 'cause you think you have to or anything." Though he really did enjoy the company, he didn't want to burden her unnecessarily... even if what he thought she might have said earlier was true. "I'm sure you'll want to spend time with some of the others here at supper. I'll probably head back to my bunk though and spare the others my germs that I'm coughing all over the place."


Scott look sat his computer screen with satisfaction, then glances to Dalton's as well, finding that they both were going at about the same pace. It was getting late... after dark and way after hours. But with enough Mountain Dew and classical music, neither men wanted to call it quits yet.

"What ever did TJY do without us?" he teases. Leaning back in his chair, he picks up all the pages that had been printed out for Gunner. "Okay, so far we've got surface information... a few doctor's names... some of the nurses... and we do have a layout of the Crescentview's building. I think what would be really good is if we can lay eyes on a schedule... when security switches over... when they lock up for the night... that sort of thing. And.... if we can tap into their computers and find out what places they use for utility services, maybe that could be an in for Gunner... pretty basic, but the 'tv repair guy' routine still works on occasion."


Gunner paces... again. He couldn't sit still. He was wearing a path in the living room carpet, the same as JT was wearing one in the kitchen as he spent hours on the phone. Eventually, JT hangs up and comes into the living room, flopping down in his chair. "It's money," he confirms. "Bree's parents needed her out of the way to get their hands on an inheritance that rightly belongs to Bree."

Gunner stops pacing and quirks an eyebrow. "And she didn't know about it?"

"Not that I know of. But that's why this whole thing worked so smoothly. And now... I don't know. My lawyer worked all day and got nowhere. He said down every path is a dead end. Everywhere he turns, there's some legal blockade."

"This couldn't have been set up overnight."

"No... no, it's obviously a web of legal maneuvers set up over a span of time. My sister and her husband know what they're doing, unfortunately."

"So, now what?"

"I don't know. While we might have found a motive, it can't be easily proven, especially if they've got everyone convinced that Bree is legitimately insane. They could say it was just a coincidence about the money." JT pauses. "You get anywhere on Crescentview?"

"No... nothing. Their security is too tight for me to get through so... I got a couple recruits and they're helping me out." Gunner sits down slowly on the couch. Not only was he worried, but he missed Bree something awful. Days had passed.... he wasn't used to not seeing her in a day, let alone several in a row. It just felt... lonely. "You know if we find the right information, it's going to be up to us and not your lawyer."

"Whoa whoa..." JT holds up his hand. "Stop right there. What do you mean by 'recruits?'"

Gunner's eyebrows rise. "I mean a couple friends at work. Computer guys. They can get places I can't."

JT lets out a long sigh. "Gunner... when I said I wanted you to find information, I may have not minded if Reese didn't know you were spending time on it, but in no way did I want anything illegal to be done."

Gunner can feel his defenses rising. "Well, how else am I supposed to find the information we need?! I tried calling people and trying to get what I needed, but they're so tightly shut that I couldn't even figure out what internet provider they have! I got nothing without breaking into their system."

JT gives a little groan. "There are people out there, Gunner! You just have to find them."

"Well, I can't! Not in the amount of time we have! Getting into their system is the only way, and that will get us everything! I thought that's what you wanted."

"Of course I want their information! But we have to keep this legal, don't you understand? I wanted you to sniff around, not break through security! Any information I can get to my lawyer has got to be clean - otherwise he can't use it because he'll be at risk."

Gunner frowns, his temper bubbling again. "What does he care about schedules and electric companies?"

"If he knows names and he can find out who to call and who'd be most willing to listen, that's a plus. If he can find out if they're late paying their water bill, that's a plus. If he can find out when they need maintenance so he can have someone sniff around, that's a plus. But at least it will be him, and not us! Lawyers are here for a reason! We can't just go in the dead of night and steal Bree away!"

"Why not?"

JT eyes Gunner, realizing that his friend was serious. "Because if we get caught, we're at fault and we'll never get her out of there. We have to let the lawyer take the evidence we get and use it. At least he'll be doing the rest legally."

"But we're already doing things illegal!"

"Apparently you are!" JT throws up his hands. "And it's dangerous! I'm sorry, Gunner, but you're going to have to go right back to staying above the law here. Tell your friends to back off and we'll be okay. You need to snoop here, not cheat."

"But-"

"No!" JT shakes his head with emphasis. "I'm sorry if you thought I was okay with you crossing that line, but I'm not. If we don't keep this entire thing legal, we are sunk.

Gunner knew that what he'd implied to Dalton and Scot was different... and he was going to leave it that way. He did not trust this side of the legal system and if he had to figure out a plan himself, he would. Deciding not to argue any more though, he holds his tongue. Another day was gone and they needed to rest. He'd keep his own plan in the back of his mind. "Alright," he answers calmly. "We keep waiting."