Document

Misty’s rebellious words cause Carson to grin. “You like bucking the rules, don’t you, ya spitfire?”

Drawn back into a kiss, he leaves Misty in control, allowing her to drive the exchange. Taken into a hug though, evokes a strange feeling. It wasn’t an embrace of passion, but rather one of care…comfort…trust. It was different…

Finally pulling back, Carson sits up and just looks at Misty for several moments, using the silence to concentrate on what was showing through her eyes. She trusted him. Though hardly having known him for long at all, she also cared for him. It still confused Carson to a certain degree. It was nice…he couldn’t deny that fact. But it brought on things within himself that he didn’t want to deal with…questions without answers…locked emotions…

His mind diverts to the deal he’d made the day before. He knew that it went against everything Misty thought he was…what he was changing into. Could he really go through with it, when someone like her had put so much trust into him?

Forcing a wry grin, he gives her shoulder a squeeze. “Now that I don’t have to watch you like a hawk, I’m gonna get myself ready for the day. I’m sure Rick will be here soon to take care of ya.”


Con chuckles and sets his own coffee cup down. Shifting Jamie around, he pulls her up so she’s sitting sideways on his lap and he can wrap his arms around her planting a kiss on her forehead. “It’ll only be for a week or two. I have confidence that you can survive without the likes of me for that long.”

He tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “But this morning I’m all yours.”


Judge Barker doesn’t appear to react much to Lockheart’s bold statement, though tension rises in his eyes. Seeing her leave, he finally lets out a sigh, rubbing a weary hand over his face. He reaches for the phone, jumping slightly as it rings. “Yes? …Not great…no trouble…I don’t think…” He pauses, listening. “You did what?! But we can’t… you said I wouldn’t get into trouble! Well if you do this then….look, I’ve already stuck my neck out far enough. If I push this back any more, it’s gonna look like….” He stops, gritting his teeth. “Fine. Send it to me and I’ll sign it. But this goes no further, do you understand? From here on out, its legit.”


A knock comes to Lockheart’s hotel door, and a maid is standing, smiling. “Sorry to bother you, Miss, but this just came for you and they said it was urgent.” She hands Lockheart a sealed letter, then turns to leave.

The envelope contains a folded paper, a copy of a faxed document, signed by Judge Barker. The date of the preliminary hearing, stated only hours before, had suddenly and been changed to the day after tomorrow…an action unheard of.

Honor

*Misty's grin incress as she brings her arms up around Carson's neck pulling him closer to her. Having no problem kissing her back. For a long moment Misty lingers her lips pressed to Carson's enjoying the moment and the touch of is skin to her face. His hands were rough but gental. Something Misty now longed for and loved to feel. After kiss just a while longer Misty pulls her head back deeper into the pillow looking Carson in the eyes. So much emotion his he blue eyes she never tired of geting lost. The grin plays at the couner of her mouth as her eyes dance.*

"I am feeling better. I couldent die and let ou off the hook that easy. So it looks like your stuck with me. As for geting in trouble for being close to my Prince, I'd be willing to gte yelled at 100 more times if that ment I could tast your lips again."

*Misty reaches her head up to Carson again meeting his lips to once again give him a kiss. Removing her lips from his once again she brings her arms around his back and draws him close her lips brushing his cheek as she gives him a tight hug. It was he who saved her life weather he though so or not. If he hadent had trusted her and done what she asked, she might not be alive at this moment. He hadent let her down and Misty new and hoped he never would.*

*As Jamie sits wraped in Con's arm she lets out a content sigh. Yet the thought of leaving made her a bit sad.*

"Probley after lunch around two or three. I figured than I could get a chunk of driving in, stop at a hotel for the night than arrive in texas around lunch time again. I would drive straght though but I never drove that far before and I have hurd tell of Highway hipnosis. I dont need to be geting in any accidents. I found on the computer a nice hotal to stay in so I wont be in some peace of crap place. And I will call to let you know I am ok and what not."

*Jamie takes another sip of her coffee than sets in on the table. Draping her one arm around Con's chest Jamie nuzzles her head into Con's shoulder so her forhead is on his neck.*

"I sure am going to miss you Con."

*Lockheart takes a seat in one of the chairs across from the desk. Saprised by the new information that was being throw at her. Everything was moving alot faster than Lockheart had exspected. She wasent even sure she understood how.*

"No Judge I was not informed of Mr. Stevenson's move or about his preliminary hearing. This is all new information to me and I have to addmit I am not happy one bit Judge Barker. But I guess I will have to deal with it the best I can and not wast time. There is much yet that needs to be done."

*Lockheart stands gathering her items. Before heading to the door Lockheart searches the Judges eyes on more time.*

"I dont know what side your on Judge Barker. If you good or bad, but somewhere you know that boy is innocent. The evadence and statments they have are proof and most of the stuff being spouted is lies. My leaving comment to you befor I see you again is this. When you become a Judge remember the othe you swore, remember the talk of honor to always protect the innocent and to put those who were bad behind bars. When you stand up there on court day, and look down at everyone, Mr. Stevenson, his friends, his family, those that love him can you look them all in the eyes and tell them there son, friend, soulmate is going to die. Can you really live with yourself, go home and kiss your family knowing you killed an innocent man. If you can than your no better than those who should be sent to death row. You infact yourself are a murder, and I pitty your family for loving such a monster."

*Lockheart holds her head high making her way out of the Judges office and down the hall. The meeting dident go as planed but Lockheart felt confadent non the less. Things were moving fast but that only ment it would be sooner that Katie got to see Jason again.*

Assumptions

Carson gives a casual shrug. “I was on duty all night, we’ll just leave it at that.”

He develops a sly grin at Misty’s comment, his one eye narrowing slightly. “You must not be feeling too poorly.” He searches her eyes for several moments, letting her suggestion hang in the air.

Finally he moves to place a hand on each side of her so he’s looking down on her face. “Sick people shouldn’t be thinking about such things, ya know…” He pauses, stretching out the moment to intentionally create suspense.

Drawing back, he sits up straight, shifting his focus to the door. “And if Rick caught us, he’d have my hide.”

He pauses again. “But then…” His gaze swings back to Misty, the mischief sparking in his eyes. “I think it might be worth the fallout.”

Carson resumes his position leaning over her, a grin playing at his mouth as he looks down into her eyes. “I take that back. I know it would be worth the fallout.”

Bending lower, Carson’s lips envelop Misty’s in a strong kiss, a rough hand finding the side of her face where his thumb runs along her cheek and jawline.


Con looks up as Jamie brings him a cup of coffee, and offers a sleepy grin. “Thanks.”

Taking a sip, he cocks his head to look at her. He’d grown so used to Jamie’s touch. He swings his own arm around her and leans back into the couch, bringing her with him so she’s tucked up beside him. “I know you’ll be back…if I didn’t, do you think I’d be letting you go?”

He thinks for several moments, taking another sip of coffee. “What time are you leaving?”


Judge Barker rises from his seat, and returns the handshake firmly. “Pleasure, Miss Lockheart. Please, sit down.” He gestures to an extra chair, and sits back down himself.

His eyebrows raise slightly. “I’m sorry you were not informed of Mr. Stevenson’s move. I was told you had been notified.” He sifts through some papers on his desk. “The reason I approved his move was because the county jail is not fully equipped to handle prisoners of this caliber. A new policy has been approved and put into action, giving the Nevada count jails relief by sending their heavier case arrestees to the prison for holding at least until they appear in court.”

The judge leans back in his chair, finding Lockheart’s eyes, unafraid of them. “As you know, due to the overload of cases in the system right now, court appearances have been stacked up and delayed. However, as such, I have also approved several other proposals that will allow for quicker and smoother hearings. I myself was informed by the state department that I would be holding Mr. Stevenson’s preliminary hearing a week from tomorrow, when a trial date will be established. I’m assuming you had been notified of this.”

Coffee

*Misty turns her head to see Carson. She hadent relized he was in the room with her. How long had he been there? Misry trys to smile her best she can though her body stull hurt.*

" I feel like I was hit by a bus, and than a car. I probley look like it too."

*Misty rolls her eyes just imagening what she looked like.*

"Did...Did you watch over me all night Carson? Thats pretty sweet of you if you did."

* A grin cross Misty's face as her big brown eyes light up. Her fingers find Carson's hand and Dance ontop of it.*

"Ya know I could always close my eyes and pretending to be sleeping again so I could get that prince charming wakeup call. But something tells me I wouldent have to pretend to be able to get a kiss."

*Jamie's is jolted out of her transe as she hears a loud crashing sound from the yard to apartments over than some yelling. As much as she hated to go its was going to be good to get away from all the noise and chaos. The thing Jamie new she would miss the most was Con.

Heading back inside Jamie glances at the clock and knows Con will be awake soon. Having him stay with her she had learned his patterns so quickly. When he would wake, when he would sleep, what he liked when he first woke up. Jamie had become so much closer to Con.

Grabing another coffee mug from the cabnit Jamie pours Coffee in it along with more in her own. Heading into the living room seeing Con is awake she smiles and comes around to the front of the coutch siting down.*

"Good Morning Sweety. Here's some coffee."

*Jamie hands the cup to Con than takes a sip of her own wraping her free arm around Con.*

"Its gonna be ok. I'll come back to you, I promise."

*The secratary turns from the door heading back out to Lockheart.*

"Miss. Lockheart, Judge Barker will see you this way.*

*The secratary leads Lockheart throgh a door than down a long hall pointing to another room.*

"In there."

*Lockheart steps up to the door and enters the large room. Eyeing the Judge across the room. Walking over to the desk Lockhear drops her brefcase on the ground. Sticking her hand out to the judge.*

"Judge Barker, I am Angelica Lockheart, Jason Stevenson Lawyer. We need to talk about my Client, why was he sent to the state prison so soon and how come I was not informed."

*Lockheart keeps her eyes on the judge. Studing his face, he movements, his actions. Lockheart searches for all her answers in his eyes.*

Sleeping beauty

Carson's eyes drift open slowly, his ears picking up on movement. Rolling over, he looks up to the bed just in time to see Misty lay back down.

Sitting up, he gets his legs under himself to stand just a little groggily, and eases down to sit on the bed next to Misty. "Ah, the sleeping beauty lives," he teases quietly. “I would have tried waking you sooner, but if Rick woulda caught me being the prince charming, it probably wouldn’t have been pretty.”


Con takes a deep breath and stretches, the morning light invading his sleep. He yawns and sits up on the couch, rubbing his face wearily. The nights just didn’t seem long enough anymore.

He thinks for a moment, knowing something was different about today…what was it… oh yes. Jamie was leaving today. It was and odd feeling… Part of Con didn’t want Jamie to go… part of him knew it was necessary. He’d have no one to watch over tonight…he’d be back at his own place. He wondered for a moment at his purposefulness.

Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on his knees to put his face in his hands. Woud anything ever seem easy ever again?


Judge Barker looks up from his desk, raising his eyebrows slightly. He scratches his graying head, then sighs, taking off his glasses. “Alright. Show Miss Lockheart in, please.”

Appointment

*Misty stirs in her sleep. Opening her eyes she stairs at the celing of the room as the sun peeks through the window. Sitting up Misty trys to get her barring. Her mind still a bit foggy. She swings her legs around the back of the bed closes to the wall. Misty was a bit shaky still. Her body had been through a great shock, and was trying to recover. For a long while Misty sits on the edge of the bed trying to shake the foggyness not even relizing Carson was in the room yet. Felling as though she is going to be sick again Misty lays her head back down on the pillow looking up at the tiles. Misty lets out a groan her headack was returning. Not as bad as before but the pain was still there. Misty licks her lips trying to get them wet yet no water would come. Slowly everything starts to come back to Misty about how she had gotten sick. Carson's words reply though her mind were they just a dream? Or did he really say that stuff?*

"WHAT???? Thats not even possbale? Are you sure Reese that information is correct...? This is insaine. Ok...I am going to go see Judge Barker myself right now to see whats going on. I'll call when I know more. Alright, thank you for calling me Reese."

*As Lockheart hands up the phone her jumps out of bed grabing her clothing for the day she makes he way to the shower.

Once finished she spends little to no time fixing her hair and make up before heading to the Judges office downtown. She dident understand how this could have happend so fast. Jason hadent even been in the jail very long. This was very rare to see something like this unless evadence was found that was new and substantiol. But even than Lockheart should of been called and notified. So many rules were being broken it wasent funny in this case. Finally pulling into a parking lot and finding a space Lockheart makes her way into Judge Barker office. Geting to the secratarys desk Lockheart looks down at the woman.*

"I would like to see Judge Barker please."

*The woman behind the desk looks up at Lockheart over her glasses.*

"Do you have an appointment Miss...?"

*Lockheart roll her eyes.*

"Its Angelica Lockheart, I am Jason Stevenson's lawyer and no I dont but for some reson I think the Judge is exspecting me anyways. So just let him know I am here."

*The woman behind the desk stands walking to another closed door.*

"I'll see what I can do."

*Disapearing through the door the woman walks down a long hall till coming to another office. Knocking on the door the woman states.*

"Judge Barker I know you dident want to be bothered but there is an Angelica Lockheart here demanding to see you. She said she was Jason Stevenson's lawyer."

*Throwing her bathrobe on Jamie slowly decends the steps as to not wake Con. Going into the kitchen she pours herself a cup of coffee and steps out onto the back porch leting the cool damp air hit her face. In a few hours she would be leaving making her long trip to Texas. The thougt made her tummy jump. Though she new she would have a good time she was a bit scaired anyways. For a long Moment Jamie studys one of the apple trees in her yard lost in thought.*

Impossible

Reese bids Lockheart farewell, and watches her leave the café. He turns to Nate. “Well…I guess we head back to TJY. I’m assuming Katie’s well taken care of with her friend…and I need to get Carson busy with something he gets us all into trouble. Anything you need before we go?”


Carson is taken a little off guard by Misty’s hand in his, but automatically tightens his fingers around hers.

Rick’s eyes widen slightly at her words, still confused. “A cure, but how…” He sighs as he sees her drifting to sleep, and leans down to make sure she’s okay. He nods, satisfied at least with that much. “She’s relaxed,” he muses. “I’ll hold off on doing anything more for now…I don’t want what I have to counteract with whatever she’s got in her. We let her sleep for now. Though I’m really curious as to what she’s been up to.” He fingers the vial Carson had retrieved from Misty’s bag. “I wonder what this stuff is…”

Shaking his head, he goes back to the counter, giving in to the fact that there’s simply nothing more he can do. “Stay with her, Carson. Keep that cold cloth on her head and if anything changes, tell me.”


Jen returns Katie’s hug. “Oh, I’m so glad you came. I’m sorry you’re having a rough time…” She grows a little more serious. “I can imagine.”

She shrugs a little. “I’m alright…had a little setback the other day, but I’m forging ahead as always.” She grins. “Come on, lets go in the living room.”

The next couple hours are spent chatting, laughing, and discussing more serious issues. Jen finally confides in Katie what Kyle had already revealed, and she asks more about Jason, getting a better grasp on just what was happening there.

By evening, Kyle offers to take Katie back to home or work, and drops her off, promising to see her again soon, and keep in touch about Jason.


“Carson, you better eat something.”

Carson looks up drowsily from his chair, his neck having a kink in it from dozing off. He shakes his head wearily. “Not hungry.”

Rick shrugs. “Suit yourself. How’s she doing?”

“Same.” Carson glances to Misty. She’d been asleep for hours, and both men would have been more worried had she not been relaxed, and had her fever not broken. It appeared she was out of the woods, but hadn’t woken up yet.

“Mm.” Rick looks at his watch. “Since I’m confident she’s going to be all right, I’m going to go home at least for a couple hours. My number is on the counter. If anything happens, you call me immediately, understand?”

Carson gives him a lazy salute. “You got it.”

“You staying in here?”

“Do you trust me?”

Rick cocks his head. “No…probably not. But I saw the heart of a heartless man today, and that tends change perspective.” He turns to leave, not giving Carson time to respond.

Carson watches him exit, feeling a strange silence in the room. He looks back to Misty’s sleeping form, and just watches her for a while. The dim lights in the room gave a soft atmosphere, and it felt peaceful here, despite the chaos that had ensued earlier.

He swallows hard, thinking of Rick’s words…thinking about Misty and how she trusted him. His mind goes back to his phone call earlier that day. Guilt starts to toy with his conscience.

Shaking his head, he stands up and stretches, stifling a yawn. Looking around the room, he spies a couple spare blankets and pillows. He couldn’t go back to his cell tonight…he had a job to do. But he wasn’t going to sit in a chair all night either.

Grabbing two blankets, he spreads them out on the floor beside the bed, throws a pillow down, and eases onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. He knew he’d fall asleep, but he was a light sleeper…if anything changed or Misty stirred, he would wake…


Reese shuffles into his office, downing a cup of coffee on his way, nodding to Susanne and grabbing some paperwork. After finding out about Misty yesterday, he’d failed to give Carson anything to do, and today was determined to keep the man’s mind occupied and put to use.

Just as he’s flipping through some files, his phone rings. Picking it up, he answers and listens, his eyes going wide. “What?! Are you sure? That’s impossible. It hasn’t even been forty-eight hours! How?!”

Jotting down a quick note, he ends the call quickly, just to pick the phone back up and dial Lockheart. “Sorry to bother you this early, Miss Lockheart, but we got a problem. I just got a call from one of my sources downtown. They said Jason was shipped to the state prison at five o’clock this morning, by order of Judge Barker.”

Voice

*Lockheart finishs off her sandwitch and nods to Reese.*

"Yes I though it would be a good idea if you did that. They are going to be looking for everything and anything to tie Jason to more and more stuff. To make him look like even more of a bad guy. For his best intrust and for TJY laying low is good."

*Lockheart finishes off her tea off and lets out another sigh.*

"Well I better get back to my hotal. I have alot of stuff I have to work out. Please any change or anything call me, and I will do the same if anything changes on my end."

*Lockheart stands again and sticks her hand out to Nate and Reese.*

"I'll be seeing you guys again. Take care and have a good one."

*Lockheart smiles and heads for the door.*

*As Misty feels herled into the blackness she can hear a familure voice calling, bekoing her back...."Misty, hang in there, babe, don’t let go yet.” blurry vison enter Misty's mind. The heat, the sickness, it hurt so much she just wanted it to end. Though slipping away Misty feels someone along side of her, the sharp pain in her neck than a cool liqued flows through her. Misty trys to relaxe, as the darkness in her mind taking over for a moment, than as if a curtin was being lifted a bit of light peeks through. A voice enters her mind again... “You promised you’d stick with me, remember?” . A face entered Misty's mind Carson, he eyes looking though her, telling her to hold on. The light, Misty grasped for anything. Misty opens her eyes to the light, to the sound and looks at Carson. Slowly she takes his hand giving it a squeeze.*

"Tha...thank you."

*Misty turns her head, the fever was still there making her feel on fire, but she could feel the liqued coursing through her vains attacking the poison with much hast. If this worked it wouldent be long before the feaver broke and the sickness was gone.*

"I...just have to rest for now. I'm so tired. Rick, I...if I pull through this I think I found the cure."

*Misty closes her eyes again falling into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.*

*Seeing Jen Katie smiles and goes to her giving her a big hug but not uttering a word Kyle had told her. She dident want eather of them embarssed.*

"I was feeling a bit down. Just going through a rough time right now, so I though who better to spend some time with right."

*Katie smiles at Jen. It did feel good to be there. Katie never really had people she liked to spend time with outside of Jason, but finally finding friends was nice. And at a time like this it was even better to have someone to lean on.*

"How are you feeling Jen?"

What is it

Reese nods to Lockheart. “I’m trusting your judgment on this one. We’ve never had one of our agents get in this far before – we’ve always been able to head it off. I think I’m going to really cut down on some of our other cases and start lying a bit lower than we already are. I don’t want any of our other agents in trouble, or doing anything that could connect to Jason while he’s in jail.”

He smiles a little at the mention of Katie. “Yeah…Jason’s a different man since he met her. She’s been good for him.”


Carson lets a sly grin escape at Misty’s comment. “Hey, be nice. I bite back you know.” He wets a cloth down again, noting that she’s not cooling much at all.

“Rick, I don’t think this is doing much good.”

Rick turns from his work and frowns. He comes over and feels Misty’s forehead, his concern increasing. “I’m going to the next room to prepare a shot to try and give the infection something else to think about. Keep doing what you’re doing. If this keeps up, it’s an ice bath for her like we did with Con.”

Carson obeys, staying put as Rick leaves the room. As Misty turns over to throw up, he straights a bit to be out of the way, his eyebrows raising. “Nice aim.” He puts a cloth back to her forehead, pressing her down lightly to keep her still. “Take it easy.”

As Misty calls for Rick, then speaks to Carson, he leans in close to understand what she’s saying, glancing towards her nearby bag. “Rick!” he calls loudly, but receives no response.

Looking back to Misty, he sees her starting to lose consciousness. “Dang it. …Misty, hang in there, babe, don’t let go yet.” Making a split-second decision, he goes for her bag. He has no idea what’s in the vial, or what good it will do, but he can sense the urgency of the matter and isn’t going to wait for Rick.

Finding the vial and syringe, he sets to work. He might hate needles, but he knew all too well how to administer a shot.

Back by Misty again, he sits beside her on the bed, checking the syringe, then feeling her forehead again. “You promised you’d stick with me, remember?” he reminds. “You die on me, I’ll never let you live it down.”

Steadying his hand, he sticks the needle in her vein, slowly dispersing the contents of the syringe. Finished, he sets the needle aside.

“Carson, what are you doing?”

He looks up as Rick reenters the room, explaining quickly before he gets into trouble. “Misty told me to get this stuff from her bag, and to give he a shot and I did. I hollered for you but you didn’t answer, and she wanted it done right quick. She’s losing consciousness.”

Rick moves in closer, checking Misty’s eyes, not questioning Carson’s actions as he trusts Misty’s own judgment, despite her condition. He tries not to let as much worry show as he really feels. “Come on, hun, what’s happening, hmm? What did you tell him to give you? Misty, can you hear me?”


Kyle laughs as Katie elbows him, and follows her up to the truck. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Us guys just don’t cut it sometimes to we?” he throws her a quick wink.

Back on the road, it doesn’t take long to reach his parents’ house, and he takes Katie inside. “Jen?” he calls loudly. “Jen, you’ve got company!”

Jen appears from down the hall, pushing herself in her chair. Seeing Katie, her face lights up. “Hi, Katie! What are you doing here?”

Kyle grins and slowly slips from the room.”

Vial

*Lockheart lets out a sigh and makes her way across the street leaving her car at the station for now. Entering the Cafe for the second time today Lockheart nods at the waitress and scans the room for Reese and Nate. Spoting them she walks over and sits down. Leting out a long sigh.*

"Well I got the story from him, and I have to now do the long process of forming something out of it without giving you guys away. Sometime the week I need to go talk with the judge as well."

*Lockheart shakes her head. This was all to familure to her. Memories of her brother come back to her, they were sad, but they also pushed her on to help Jason even more.*

"He trying to keep his head up but is having a hard time. Not that I blame him. He seems to be worryed more about Katie than himself. Which in a sence might be a good thing, maybe just the face of having her will help him push on."

*Lockheart orders a cup of tea and a light snadwitch.*

*Misty lay with her eyes closed her head was burning up but se could feel Carson and Rick rushing around her and it was making her feel nervouse something she rarly felt. In a quivering voice Misty trys to regain her sassy tone.*

"Watch where you put your hands, cuz I bite."

*Misty can feel the coolness from the cloth and it feels good. but it dident seem to be enough her still felt on fire. Misty opens her eyes again to see the room spinning, shuting them again tight everything still felt like her body was spinning, her tummy crunches again not liking the little bit of grilled cheese she had eaten, trying her best she leans over the bed and upcucks into a newby bucket.*

"Ri....Rick...."

*Misty turns and rests her head back into the pillow. She wasent even sure what she was thinking anymore. Reaching her arm out to Carson again she gestures for him to come closer. In a small whisper she says*

"Caron...go to my b....bag and take out the vi...vial in there. Fill...the saringe....to..."

*Misty winces as another shot of pain shoots through her.*

"...fill it to the second little line..than in....inject it on the veil in my neck.....hurrrrysh."

*Misty's words starts to slear as she can feel her throt going dry. It felt like she was trying to swallow cotton. Misty's eyes goes shut again, as the voices starts to much together slowly she was sliping in a dark whole, the darkenss swallowing her up.*

*Katie smiles at Kyle and gives him a sisterly hug back.*

"I think we are gonna make it."

*Katie looks out across the water. For a moment she though her hurd her mom's voice but knows she couldent have. Though it dident make her feel sad but made her smile.*

"Ya lets go see Jen I could use a woman to talk to."

*Katie playfuly elbows Kyle. and heads slowly for the truck.*

On second thought

Jason is silent while Lockheart speaks, wanting to glean reassurance and hope from her words. If only he had more faith in the system. But he couldn’t be negative…

“Thanks, Lockheart. See you tomorrow then.”

An officer is standing by as Lockheart exits, and steps into the doorway. “Alright, Jason.”

Jason slowly rises, ready to head back to his cell without so much as a glance over his shoulder to watch the confident attorney leave. Trudging to the cell, the squeaky hinges on the door and clang of the lock feel all-too familiar for his short stay here.


Jackman watches from his parked car in the empty lot a block from the police station. His cellphone was pressed up against his ear. “Look I don’t care what it takes. Up the offer. Just get me that fax tonight. I don’t want it waiting another day. This deal is too big for me to want to lose it. We do things my way this time. …What part of ‘I don’t care’ don’t you understand? With Judge Barker’s signature, there’s nothing anyone can do, least of all Lockheart.” He eyes the attorney as she exits the station. “We’re not getting paid to do things by the book, Marcus. We’re getting paid to make sure that kid is convicted. Now get me that fax.” He flips his phone shut and leans back in his seat with a frustrated sigh.


Rick’s concern increases, and he takes a small blood sample quickly to spare Misty any more discomfort. “You just lie still now, okay? Just rest.”

Carson holds the ice water bowl and cloth, unsure exactly what’s going on, though something told him this was no common cold. Misty’s sudden and rapid decline was not something normal.

“Carson…” Rick looks at him with annoyed prompting.

“What?”

Rick rolls his eyes. “Washcloth…” Seeing Carson’s cluelessness, he sighs. “Haven’t you ever brought someone’s fever down before?”

Carson’s defenses rise. “Well, I’m not exactly in the habit of playing nurse, if that’s what you mean. If I…”

“If you have any brains,” Rick intervenes, “You’ll get the cloth wet, wring it out and put it on the poor girl’s forehead while I test this blood.”

Carson looks down at Misty, feeling dumb. Seeing her outstretched arm, he sighs a little, and grabs a nearby chair, turning it around so he can straddle it, and bringing it near the bed. Using the small beside table, he gets the cloth wet and wrings it out, folding it up neatly and laying it across Misty’s forehead.

He sits back for a moment, not wanting to ask if he was supposed to do something else. He felt ridiculously inept…not something he was used to feeling.

Reaching out on instinct, he puts a little pressure on the cloth to disperse the coolness to Misty’s hot skin, then retreats again, just looking at her.

He sees her outstretched hand again, and bypasses his awkwardness to take it in his own. Doing so, though, he notices the small cut on her palm. It looked fairly fresh, though wasn’t deep and had hardly bled at all, already sealed up. But it was starting to get slightly red with infection…odd for a cut so fresh.

“Hey, Doc…”

Rick sighs, feeling as though he has a little kid under foot. “Yes?”

“Is an infected cut significant?”

Rick stops what he’s doing and comes to take a closer look. “Hmm…doesn’t look like much. She could have gotten that anywhere.”

“Yeah, but it wouldn’t have gotten infected in just the last couple hours, would it?”

“Who says she did it that recently?”

Carson looks up at Rick, with a slight smirk. “Trust me. I think I woulda noticed.”

Rick opens his mouth to say something, but then shuts it, realizing the truth in Carson’s statement, his annoyance for that morning’s event returning. “I’m sure you would have.” Studying Misty’s hand a little closer, he frowns, then returns to the blood sample. “Let’s hope it’s just a coincidence, shall we?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that I don’t like the looks of this.” Rick resumes his work at the counter over his microscope.

Carson lets his confusion go, turning back to Misty. He sets her hand down on the bed beside herself and sits back, just watching her.

“It would help if you wet the cloth again.”

Carson’s eyes narrow at the strong suggestion. Rick wasn’t helping him feel any less an idiot. For some reason though, he couldn’t retaliate. Rick was obviously not in the mood for games, and unafraid of Carson, having no problems ordering him around. Carson removes Misty’s cloth, rewets it and puts it back on her head.

Ten minutes later, Rick is shaking his head. “We got another one.”

Carson lifts his eyebrow. “What?”

“Poison.” Rick concentrates on the microscope and the printouts he had.

Carson rises from his seat and goes to Rick, looking over his shoulder. “Not Agency poison…”

“Yes, Agency poison, according to this,” Rick states flatly.

“But how…” Confused, Carson tries to get a better look.

Rick finally turns his head to stare up at him. “Do you know how to read these printouts or decipher what’s under the microscope?”

“Well, no.”

“Then would you kindly step aside? You’re blocking my light.”

Carson sighs and takes a step back. “You’re saying that this is the same poison that got Jason and Con?”

“Yep.”

“But how? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Doesn’t it?” Rick throws him another glance.

Carson glares at him. “No, it doesn’t. The Agency doesn’t even know Misty exists. Besides, you think I’d let them get away with this?”

Rick doesn’t answer. “Then it’s that cut on her hand.”

Carson thinks for a moment before the realization hits him. “She was working with those contaminated samples today.”

“Bingo.”

“Well how bad is it?”

Rick straightens up, his lips pursed in thought. “I wish I knew. But as dangerous as this stuff is, I don’t like taking chances. The problem is, we haven’t developed an antidote yet. You…wouldn’t happen to know of one…”

Carson shakes his head. “Nope. Why would the Agency want an antidote?”

“Good point.” Rick turns back to his work. “Then there’s not a whole lot we can do. If Misty’s fever doesn’t go down any, I’ve got something to give her to help fight the infection, but lets just hope she didn’t get a large dose of that poison.” He pauses, then looks up, seeing Carson still standing there. “Her head isn’t going to stay cool by itself, genius.”

Carson grits his teeth, but retreats to the bed again to turn the cold cloth.

Rick doesn’t look up from his work, but calls over to him. “Take a second cloth and put it right below her neck on her chest where the most heat is. Then..” He lifts his eyes from his microscope, rethinking just who he’s asking to do this. “On second thought, why don’t I…”

Carson rolls his eyes and stands to get a second cloth. “I’ll behave myself, Doc. I may be bold, but I’m not stupid.”

Rick watches out of the corner of his eye as Carson resumes his duty over Misty, taking care of both cold compresses, seeming to get the hang of the simple task as he works with an awkward gentleness. An ever-so-slight grin twitches the corner of his mouth. Maybe there was some hope for Carson yet.


Kyle can’t help the laugh that escapes as a quirky smile spreads across his face. “I thought I was the one who was supposed to be doing the encouraging today.” He reaches over to wrap an arm around Katie’s shoulders in a brotherly fashion. “I do believe we’re going to make it, you know that?”

He chuckles and releases his hold, turning to look back up the beach to the pickup. “What say you to paying that sister of mine a visit? Our folks are out of town for a week and I bet ya anything she’d enjoy the company.”

God On Our Side

*Lockheart smiles and nods at Jason. The look in his eye told a story not to many wemon could see in a man. It was the story of a boy whos care for a girl ran deeper than anything.*

"You've been alot of help so far Jason. I'll do everything in my power to get you out of here. I havent given up and I am looking to the bright side. When I talk to Katie again I will reasure her again for you. I'll see what I can do about aranging a meeting again for you guys as well so at least you both can talk."

*Lockheart stands and makes her way to the door.*

"Your a good man Jason Stevenson, I have no doubt in my mind about that. Katie is might lucky to have someone like you with her, and you are lucky to have someone standing by your side like her. Not many people in this day and age can say that. A close person to me once was in the same position your in told me "They can take away everything from me and lock me up, but they cant take away my memories and my love." always keep that in mind and help you remain strong."

*Lockheart smiles and lets out a sigh of her own as memories of her older bother enter her mind. It had been so long ago but seeing Jason siting there brang back memories.*

"If they bother or rough you up again Jason let me know, but something tells me I'll know from a sorce before you even have a chanse to tell me. No matter what done answer any questions without me. No matter what they say they will do, demand to see me and if they dont they will be sorry. Keep you cin up Jason. I'll be back tomarrow morning."

*Lockheart exits the jail cell and makes her way down the hall.*

*Misty can see blurry visions pass through her eyes. She is able to make out the voices it was Rick and Carson. Slowly Misty opens her mouth though she isent sure if her voice comes out or not.*

" My head hurts real bad and my tummy feels like its in knots. It feels like there is a pile....a..."

*Misty as a sharp pain serges through her.*

"....like a pile of rocks on my head, and like someone has there hands around my tummy and are twisting and turning it."

*Misty trys to stay countios listing to whats going on around her. She trys to think back to what happend today and could have caused her to become sick. Misty shakes her head back and forth.*

"Rick.....Carson...he...dident...anything. This...was my own fault. Its...just a cold...I'll be....fine. I just...need to rest...just alittle sleep."

*Misty turns her hear to look at Carson trying to bring his blurry vision into view. Misty streches her hand out to him. She could make out he had something wet and cold. Her skin felt like it was on fire and new it would feel good. Not to mention for some reson she just wanted Carson close. He was her light in the darkness. As Misty arm turns over it reveals a tiny cut on her palm. Just an ordanry cut.*

*Katie's heart goes out to Kyle. He cared so much for his sister.*

"I guess we both feel helpless than for people we care about. Jen's gonna be ok Kyle. Like you told this is God's plane right. He knows what he is doing and wont give us anything we cant handle. Jen is a smart girl I think she knows what she can and cant do. Just babying her is gonna make it worse ya know. But I understand your consern, she is your sister and you care for her so much."

*Katie looks out at the water with Kyle thinking about both there lifes and how differnt they were yet they were the same. Katie's hand moves to Kyles arm and gives it a light friendly squeeze.*

"She's gonna be ok Kyle. She's so strong and so are you. And we have God on our side. Its gonna be ok. It sure is nice though to have friends to lean on when it gets real hard so Kyle thank you again for your friendship from the start."

Jen

Jason forces a short laugh to surface. "Yeah, alright. I don't know what I'm complaining about anyway. I've only been in here one day."

The look on Katie's face enters his mind, reminding him that whether it was 24 hours or 24 months, it wasn't any easier.

"Look, I appreciate everything you're doing, and I apologize if I seem like I don't. I don't have anyone else to fight the system for me right now, so I know we have to stick together. If I think of anything new, I'll let you know...but I think I covered about everything for this one scene."

Jason pauses, catching her eye. "Try to reassure Katie, will ya? If there anyone who doesn't need this, it's her."


Rick frowns and moves closer to Misty, automatically starting to check her vitals. Her pulse seemed a little rapid...he shines a light in her eyes. "Misty...does it hurt anywhere? What's it feel like?"

Carson can sense Rick's concern, and his eyes narrow slightly. "Normal procedure for a cold, Doc?"

Rick straightens up and looks at Carson. "You of all people shouldn't have to ask why we would treat any illness with the utmost caution."

"What do you..." Carson raises an eyebrow straightening a little. "Are you implying that I..." He pauses, knowing the truth in Rick's eyes. "Look, she was fine a while ago, alright? I don't know anything."

"Good. Then you get your hind end over to the sink, get some cold water in a bowl and a clean cloth. She's getting a fever and I want to catch it before it gets worse." Rick points to the counter sternly.

Carson opens his mouth to argue, but obeys, feeling unable to do anything but follow orders at this point.

Rick leaves Misty for a moment, coming back with a syringe. "Hon, I just want to take a small bit of blood from ya. How you doing, hmm? You still awake?"


Kyle lets Katie look him in the eye for a moment, before turning his gaze to the water. "Yeah, I'm sorry...I guess I've just been a little touchy lately, and I shouldn't have let it get so far that anyone else would have noticed it."

He pauses in thought. "I figured you'd ask eventually anyway. I just...guess I didn't feel much like talking about it, and the other guys respected that so they didn't say anything either."

Kyle thinks for a moment, tucking his hands in his pockets. "Jen fell last week at home. She was trying to get something off her bookshelf and got up out of her wheelchair to do it. Her foot caught on something and tripped her. She couldn't get herself back up, and nobody else was home at the time. She finally got to a phone and called me, so I could come home and help. She said she was fine, but she wasn't moving right. I took her to the doctor the next day and..."

He stops, letting another sigh escape. "When Jen fell, she snapped something in her spine that was already damaged. The doctor said that it was severe enough that he didn't want her doing anything...she needed to use her chair at all times, and reduce her movement to the bare minimum, in the hopes that her body would heal itself. If she were to cause any more damage by either falling again, or simply moving the wrong way too quickly, it could be permanent. As it is, all of her therapy has stopped, and she's immobile...back to square one, only worse."

Kyle shakes his head, still focusing on the water. "There's the hope that if no more damage is caused, her spine will repair itself. She does have an appointment in six weeks for the doctor to see if any improvement has been made. If not, he will then decide if surgery would help, or if it's indeed permanent."

He shrugs lamely. "Jen's determined not to change her routine. She's got it in her head to do just what she's been doing all along, and forge ahead, no matter what. I guess I can't blame her, and I'm proud of her attitude....but I guess I worry about her. I don't want her to live the rest of her life in a wheelchair...but I know it's her life and not mine so... yeah. That's what's happening in that end of the world."

Sick

* Lockheart eyes Jason a smile crossing her lips.*

"I'm not asking you to lie Mr. Steve....Jason. This isent impossable. Give me a few day to peace a story together and I will throw it by you. Its amazing how you can twist words but not lie. I dont lie in my cases. I dident become this good by lieing nor would I ask anyone alse to lie."

*Lockheart closes her brefcase and just looks across the table at Jason.*

"Nothing is impossable Jason as long as you believe. Dont give up and its gonna work out. I maybe your lawyer but I am your friend now too. I can lend you an ear if you need it. Dont keep everything bottled up. Need you clear headed through this all ok?"

*Misty trys to laugh at Carson's comment but it comes out as more of a dry cackle.*

"Ok, for you I'll go to see Rick."

*Misty walks down the hall with Carson leaning on him a bit. Finally making it to the infermary Misty makes her way over to the bed and hopes up laying her head down on the pillow. In a shallow horse voice Misty whispers.*

"I'm ok...I just need to reast. I am geting a cold or something thats all. Nothing magor."

*Misty's eyes flutter than drift shut, only to open again and try to focuse at everything around the room.*


*Katie nods and smiles at Kyle.*

"Your right. Thank you. I just have to try and keep my head up. Just seeing Jason in there today and than having to leave him. It was so hard Kyle. I just had to get away."

*Katie lets out a sigh as she stops walking and stands facing the water the sun warming her face.*

"Hows Jen doing? I couldent help things have been tence with you guys. Is everything ok?"

*Katie's face searches Kyles.*

Dry land

Jason ponders Lockheart's words, mulling them over in his mind. "Technically, Katie didn't get shot until after I'd gunned down the first guy..."

He continues to think. "About the witness, I don't know what happened to her and the other guy. We all got out of there, so I don't know. I didn't hear about TJY cleaning up a second body, so...that one is up in the air."

He rubs his face wearily, cringing a he hits a bruise. "Um...there's just still so much I know they're going to ask. My hunch is that the Agency will either have one of their own prosecutors or will at least have gotten to one, and they're going to dig into this like you wouldn't believe. First off, so Katie and I were taking a walk...that's true. We were walking. Why did I have my rifle with me? It wasn't even hunting season. Let alone, the target range was no where near the cabin. Second, a guy just jumps out of nowhere to take Katie? Then we have another problem." Jason's mind reels with all of the holes in the story. "The guy was shot from long distance. If I was walking with Katie and a guy got a hold of her, I would have shot him point blank. Why would she have been that far away from me?"

Jason stands up and starts to pace. "Then...apparently the body was found by the house where he'd dropped. So if Katie and I were casually walking through the woods, why did Katie wander off, and go snooping around a house?"

He shakes his head. "I don't like the thought of lying, Lockheart...it just gets deeper and deeper the more lies that pile on. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that Katie and I weren't just walking casually out in the woods. It's too simple...they're never going to go for it."

Jason continues to think. "There will also be hospital records of Katie's wound. Yet I'd be willing to bet that the police found the dead guy's gun fully loaded, because he wasn't the one to shoot her - it was the second guy. So then what...our story of a story has holes on top of holes."

He groans and sinks back down in his chair. "This is impossible."


Carson gets to his feet, concerned about Misty. "Don't go wandering off now," he chides. "You're liable to pass out somewhere along the way by the looks of it."

He comes up beside her and puts a firm grip on her arm to steady her and points her in the direction of the infirmary. "How about you just humor me and let Rick take a look at you, hmm?"

Rick looks up as he sees them both appear in the doorway. He raises an eyebrow, seeing that Misty doesn't look well. "Misty? Are you okay?"


Kyle sighs deeply, and simply follows along with Katie, walking in the sand. "I know...nothing seems fair. That's just the way it goes...I guess God never promised us life would be fair. Doesn't make accepting it any easier though."

For a moment, he gets lost in his own little world before turning his attention back to Katie. "I know most of the time I'm just a goofball...maybe it's my way of coping with all the unfairness. But I understand what you're feeling, Katie. There are so many things in my life that I wished hadn't happened...that I wish I could change. With me...my dad...my sister..." He stops, rethinking his words. "I guess I'm just trying to let you know that you're not alone in the way you feel. We're all in the same boat, just hoping that God will point us in the right direction, and keeping an eye out for dry land."

Thank you

*Lockheart sits and listens to Jason for a long while. Going over everything in his mind. This was deeper than she though and she wasent so sure this time how it would end. But she couldent give up she had promised Katie and Jason both she would do all she could and thats what she still intended on doing.*

"So when they day came that you were in the woods with Katie you wernt feeling well correct? Someone pulled a gun on her, it could of been anyone, again noting you were sick. So in shooting Black you were protecting Katie she had already been shot in the arm and probley would of been dead if you haden shot back."

*Lokcheart mind forms an answer, a story, twisting words so they arnt lies but they implay something differnt. Looking down at some paper she jots a few notes.*

"If we have to I'd like to use Katie as a witness. I know you probley dont want that, but she already said she would and it will help the case a great deal. I at least need to have someone who can go up there and I think Katie would be the best canadate."

*Lockheart plays Jason words his story in his mind. Coming across something that was thought unimportant but was.*

"This other agent there, the unimportant one? You said she is dead now, did she die that day or was she a witness to what happend? If she just left whoever there to die than we might be able to play that to our advantage."

*Lockheart sits back in her chair and thinks for a long moment. Contenplating the best action to take in this case.*

*As Misty moves her standwitch awy from her she stands the blood rushing to her head at once causing her to get dizzy again as she tummy tightens. She can feel the heat in her face rising.*

"I just...I just need to lay down for a bit. I should be ok. Just geting a flu or something."

*Standing again Misty uses the table and some chairs to steddy her. Making her way slowly from the breakroom as the pressure in her head increases.*

*Katie slowly turns and looks at Kyle.*

"I'm just so scaired. Seeing Jason behind those bars He dosent belong there. He shot and killed that man trying to protect me. If he hadent I probley would be the one dead."

*Katie trys to controll her emotions as much as she can.*

"I'm trying to be strong I am, and I know God will take care of everything but I'm still scaired. What if Jason dosent get out? What if I'll never be able to hold him in my arms again. I feel so helpless. I dont even know where to start trying to help. Jason is the world to me and it hurts so much. Its just not fair Kyle. Everything was going so well."

*Katie lets out a sigh as she starts to walk along the waters edge again remembering her first time here with Jetstream, than remembering when her and Jason came here. Those were the godo days.*

"Thank you Kyle, for coming and just being here."

How it happened...

Jason takes a deep breath and finally raises his head, keeping his elbows on the table. "First, quit calling me Mr. Stevenson." He stops, realizing his grouchy tone, and tries to soften it.

"I was in Texas because I was on the team from TJY sent to watch the ranch. We'd been there for a while before they even knew it. I was the one to come out in the open when some of their people got hurt and we met them at the hospital."

He thinks for a moment, trying to remember they day under question. "I was getting sick that day, so there are parts I don't remember too well. It all seems like a dream... Um..It was Jim's daughter, Rosalynn...she and her mom had gone home from the ranch and had been attacked by the Agency. Becky was left, but they'd taken Rosalynn. I think it was Rosetta that guessed where they would have taken her."

Jason pauses, replaying the events in his mind. "It was evening. I don't remember what day of the week. We got together a team to go out...Rosetta headed there with her car first, and the rest of us walked through the woods from the ranch. There was me, and Sparky, that's Tyler, and...Jeff....I think Angel came along, yeah...and Katie of course, and Austin, my grandfather. I think that was it. Jeff went down as a diversion and to find out how many guys were on the inside of the house, and Katie went to the basement window to go for Rosalynn."

Jason closes his eyes for a moment. "Something happened...I guess I'd moved away from the others to get a better angle and I saw a guy coming around the side of the house. He'd spotted Katie and Rosalynn who were escaping out the window, and he pulled a gun on Katie."

He swallows hard, remembering the feeling of dread that had come later for killing a man. "I had my rifle and took one shot. Killed him on the spot. Katie and Rosalynn ran. There was a second guy... He got a shot off at Katie. I took him down too. He was alive the last I saw him, but I'm not convinced he lived after that."

Jason shakes his head. "We were seen by another Agency member...ends up she was a relative of..." He stops and rolls his eyes. "Unimportant. She's dead now. Anyway, so Katie got taken to the hospital for her arm, and Rosalynn got back safe. We deserted the house. I..." He stops and thinks. "I made it halfway back to the ranch I guess...I was having a hard time dealing with killing somebody and was sicker than a dog at that point. I might have passed out....I think it was Katie that found me...but after that, the whole thing was over and done with. I was told that TJY had sent a cleanup crew and they were confident nothing had been left behind. The body was supposedly taken care of, so I don't know what went wrong."

He looks up at Lockheart, his eyes beginning to show a dullness. "The Agency wants me in here. You play this by the book or not, it's going to be an uphill battle and I'll be surprised if you get me out of here."


Carson eyes Misty with suspicion, noting that her face was paled slightly. "You're not looking to good." Something in his gut warns him. "How about you going and lying down, or better yet, going and seeing Rick?"


Kyle watches Katie on the beach and tails her at a distance, taking his time across the sand. He stops a ways back and gives her her own space for a few minutes, but then decides to approach. He hesitates, but then rests a hand on her shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. "It'll be alright, Katie. I know that's what everybody says, and I know it sounds trite, but it's true."

He cocks his head so he can see her face, and reaches out to wipe away a tear. "I know probably nothing I can say will make you feel better...but everything has a purpose. I don't know all that's going on, but I know it's not good. Yet I know that God isn't going to let you down. And sometimes...as hard as it is...all we can do is fall back on Him and rely solely on faith to get us through because nothing else makes sense."

Kyle pauses, glancing out across the water. "I think the most we can do right now is pray for Jason...not only that he not be treated unjustly, but that he would find that reliance on God too, because I know he doesn't have that yet. And if he's facing anything like prison or worse, he's going to need to rely on something to get him through, and God's the only thing that will matter in the end."

He allows another pause and turns his focus back to Katie. "We're her for you, Katie. No matter what or when, if you need something, you let us know. We're not in the habit of leaving anyone high and dry. And if there's anything we can do for Jason too, we will." He smiles a little. "I know you two are close...I always thought it was meant to be that way. And if my guess is right, you're feeling worse than he does right about now."

beach

*Katie stairs out the window for a long moment not saying anything to Kyle. Her mind was racing, her hear was hurting, and she wasent sure what to say.*

"The beach, can you take me to the beach? I just need to clear my head."

*Kyle dosent need to answer as they turn down the next street to there left. After a while, and the scenes pass by Katie can see the beach she had been so familure with. Once parked Katie gets out of the truck and walks over to the fence at the waters edge just stairing off into the distince, a small tear rolling down her cheek. She wanted to talk, she wanted to scream, she wanted to let Kyle know what was wrong but she dident know where to start explaining.*

*Nate stairs in the same direction as Reese watching the truck disapear over the harizen.*

"Its gonna work out in the end. We just have to have faith. At least they both have something to looks forward to. Tomarrow will be one step closer to Jason being free again."

*Nate gives a nods relizing how tired he was. It had been a while since he last cup of coffee.*

"Ya coffee sounds good."

*Lockheart sits across from Jason and studys him for a long moment. He looked so tired.*

"Dont give out on me yet Mr. Stevenson, we still have a long road. You have to stay strong for me ok and for Katie too."

*Lockheart lowers her eyes to her papers for a moment leting Jason have a moment to regroup.*

"Ok Mr. Stevenson if your ready I hurt the story from Reese but now I need to know it from you. What happend the day of the shooting? I need to know the smallest of detail. Time, Place, where and why? If I am going to find the loophole I need to know everything I can to peace it together. How and why you came to the ranch? How you need that girl was in the woods and why someone would of pointed a gun at Katie."

*Misty shakes her head at Carson and lets her sassy smile show.*

"Oh ya that sounds exciting real exciting."

*Once the dizzyness pass Misty smiles again but suddanly feels sick. Taking another bit of her sandwitch she windes as a pain goes though her tummy but trys to push it away. She couldent get sick there was to much to do.*

"Ya I should be ok. Just not feeling to well. Maybe am working to hard."

*Misty throws a wink at Carson as her eyes meet his. For a bref moment his face goes fuzzy but than clears up. Great this is just what she needed.*

Tired

Kyle answers his phone while jotting down an order and tossing it back to a coworker. “Yo! …Hey, Katie….” His voice becomes solemn as he hears the hurt in her voice. “You just sit tight,” he directs gently. “Give me a couple minutes.”

Hanging up, he puts his phone back on his belt and takes off his hat and apron. “Larry, I’m taking off,” he calls to the back.

A large man in the kitchen looks at him with surprise and slight annoyance. “Your shift just started.”

“Family emergency,” Kyle yells over his shoulder as he makes his way to the back door.

“But Kyle!” Larry shakes his head as his employee disappears. “That boy,” he mutters and rolls his eyes. “Sometimes I think he’s got a screw loose.”


Kyle wastes no time, getting into his pickup and leaving the Pizza Box behind. Heading across town, he worries a little, replaying the tone of Katie’s voice in his mind. He knew it had to do with Jason.

Arriving at the jail, he parks along the curb, and waves to Katie for her to join him. He sees two other men…he recognizes the one from the other night after the fundraiser, but didn’t know the older one.

After Katie is in the truck, Kyle pulls back out onto the road and gives her a sidelong glance. “You alright? Somewhere you want to go?”


Reese looks after the pickup as it pulls away, and shakes his head. “I think I feel more sorry for that girl than I do Jason. She’s been through heck and back the way it is, and now this.” He sighs and looks to Nate. “Well…want to step across the street for a cup of coffee or something while we wait?”


As Katie is pulled away, Jason turns to rest is back against the bars, unwilling to watch her leave. He stands and waits, barely hearing Jackman and Lockheart.

Jackman eyes Lockheart’s papers for a moment, then hands them back to her, slightly annoyed. “Well…I guess you can take your time, Miss Lockheart.”

He grabs a key and unlocks Jason’s cell. “Alright, young man, no trouble and I won’t cuff you. Come on.” He takes Jason by the arm and leads him back down the hall, to a private room, showing Lockheart in as well.

Once they’re alone, Jason slumps into a chair, burying his face in his folded arms on the table. He was physically exhausted and emotionally rung out. He’d told Katie to be strong…could he be strong too?


Carson quirks an eyebrow at Misty’s comment about his kisses, and gives her a nudge with his foot that’s on the chair beside her. “Don’t tempt me to give you another one. I’m trying to eat.”

He shrugs, taking a bite of his sandwich. “Oh, I’ve just been snooping through personal files, hacking into computers and making deals with the enemy.” He catches Misty’s eye, a teasing glint showing in his own. “I’m a prisoner here, what am I supposed to be doing?”

As Misty sits back down and teeters just a little, Carson cocks his head. “Hey, you alright?”

Dizzy

*Katie gives her best smile to Jason trying to keep her tears held back.*

"Once your hero always your hero. I'll try my best to stay strong. I'll help all I can J. I will count the days till I can hold you in my arms again."

*Nate gently places his hand on Katies shoulder guilding her twords the door.*

"Come on Kiddo we need to let Lockheart work now."

*Kaite streches her fingers as far and as long as she can till finally she has to let go of Jason's hand. As Katie gets outside with Nate her tears finally break free as her mind races. She needed to get away she needed time with some friends. She hurt and she needed someone who could comfort her. Pulling out her phone she dials Kyles number and waits for him to answer trying to hold back her tears but her voice quivers.*

"Kyle its Katie...can you come and get me from Jail? I just need a friend right now."

*Lockheart nods to Reese.*

"I'll call when I know more or need more information. Take care of Katie and make sure she is ok. I'll take care of Jason."

*After everyone leaves the room Lockheart looks to Jackman again.*

"Ok lead the way Detective, and I believe being his lawyer I get more time than a half hour."

*Lockheart pulls a paper from her brefcase and holds it up for Jackman.*

*Misty grins as she takes the other finishes sadwatch from the pan and puts it on another plat. Carrying them both to the table she places one in front of Carson and than sits down across form him.*

"I guess I am a mind reader. I love grilled cheese myself. I dont think I know anyone who dosent. I would of made some soup with it, but we dont have any here."

*Misty takes a bit from her sandwatch.*

"Now how could I forget about you Carson? Havent we been over this. I dont go around kissing people I forget about in a day. Not to mention with a kiss like the ones you give me how COULD i forget. So what have you been up to all afternoon?"

*Misty stands and grabs a glass of Milk, grabing on for Carson too she sits back down a suddon wave of dizzyness passing over her. Closing her eyes for a moment she stedys herself and opens than again taking a drink and smiling.*

Just when I thought

Jackman grits his teeth against Katie’s accusation, and is obviously trying to control his temper in the presence of these people. He receives Lockheart’s warning, forcing a slight smile, though empty of emotion. “Alright, Miss Lockheart. You win. However, I do reserve the right to deny any foul play here. You have my word that this young man fell to the hands of other prisoners here. This jail has been under investigation and found to be clean.”

Jason grips Katie’s hand, trying to convey reassurance to her. He nods to Nate, appreciating his words. “Thanks, Nate. And look…I only have one favor to ask of you. I need you to call Wes Henson, back in Texas. He’s my mom’s fiancé. They’re supposed to be married here real soon, and I don’t want my mom changing any plans because I’m in jail. I know she’ll want to, but please…tell Wes that I insist nothing changes. When I get out, I’ll get over to Texas to see them.”

He turns his gaze to Katie, locking eyes with her. “And you…all I want from you is to know you’re not worrying about me, alright? I need you to keep a level head and to help Lockheart all you can. I’m going to get out of this.” He lefts her hand to plant a tender kiss on it. “You need to be that hero, Katie…stay strong.”

Jackman pauses his exchanges with Lockheart, nodding slightly. “You’ve got your private room if you want it. But I must insist on it only being you with Mr. Stevenson. I must abide by the rules here, and outside interaction, other than an attorney, must only occur as it is now with the prisoner remaining in his cell alone. If the rest of your party would care to step outside, I will escort Mr. Stevenson to the room myself, and you may have half an hour with him.”


Carson lifts an eyebrow, grinning slightly at Misty. “Now, how did you know that I liked grilled cheese sandwiches?”

He pulls out a chair to sit down, propping his feet up on an empty seat on the other side of the table. “You’ve rescued the poor starving soul. And just when I thought everyone had forgotten about me.”