Special?

Scott shuts his desk drawer too hard, rattling the desk just enough to knock his stack of papers off onto the floor. Bending down to pick them up, his elbow catches his soda pop can, knocking it onto the floor as well. He lets out a frustrated groan as he winds up on his knees, trying to clean up his mess. Half his papers wind up in the waste basket after being ruined by the pop, and he tosses his can away as well.

Still on the floor, the knock on his door suddenly stops him. If someone wanted their computer fixed, usually they just used the intercom. Who could want him? He wasn’t exactly in the mood for visitors. He didn’t like being grouchy…he knew that it was out of character for him…he’d already gotten an “are you okay?” speech from Susanne after she’d apparently noted his mood change. But right about now, he didn’t care.

Sighing, Scott continues to clean up his mess. “Yeah, come in,” he calls.


Kyle laughs. “As many blunders as I make, I’m glad you can’t recall them all.” He gives Katie a cheesy grin. “You have to promise to be at our next show though, that’s in a couple weeks. And I was gonna ask…”

Phil elbows him.

“I was gonna ask…”

Phil elbows him again.

Kyle’s face suddenly grows red and he changes what he was going to say. “I mean, we’re gonna have a good lineup, so you won’t want to miss it.”

Mike glances down at Kyle with a smirk. “Would you learn how to talk?”

“I could if my brother wasn’t making me stutter!”

Phil elbows Kyle again for good measure.

“Hey!” Kyle rubs his ribs and looks to Katie. “As you can see, Phil hasn’t changed a bit!”

Jen rolls her eyes and wheels closer to Katie’s bed. “Just ignore them. Kyle is right about one thing though…they haven’t changed.” She giggles. “Gotta love ‘em though.” She gives Katie’s arm a pat, switching subjects. “So, it’s pretty cool you can walk, huh?” She beams. “Told ya you could do it, and you did.”

Mike comes up behind her and rests his hands on her shoulders. He knew that Jen knew good and well Katie didn’t remember her own news that she would probably never walk again after her fall. Yet she was still so excited for her friend. It was that big heart that Mike had fallen in love with.

“Hey, where’s Jason?” Kyle asks. “Figured he’d be around here somewhere with Camryn. I…”

Another elbow flies in his direction.

Kyle’s face grows a little red. “I mean, I figured he’d, well, be…um…”

Phil sends his eyes to the ceiling and back down again. “Kyle…stuff a sock in it.”

Kyle looks down at his feet. “You know, Bro, that’s kinda a gross thing to do.”

“With you it is,” Phil agreed. “I wouldn’t want one of your socks in my mouth.”

“Yeah, well like yours are all that pleasant.” Kyle grimaces and looks to Katie, thumbing at his brother. “You ever want to get rid of somebody quick, just have Phil come over and take off his shoes.”

This time it’s a slap to the back of the head Kyle receives.


Jason’s eyes only open slightly as his ears pick up the sound of his fan. A buzzing sound rouses him a little more, but it takes what seems like an eternity to remove the strange fog from his mind.

Finally opening his eyes fully, he tries to distinguish what is going on…what’s that annoying sound…

Grimacing, Jason rolls over, throwing his hand to the nightstand to slap his alarm off. He gives a groan and looks at the clock, expecting to read six o’clock when he’d set the alarm for. Instead, the bright digital numbers announce that it’s seven forty-eight.

What on earth… Jason sits up, and immediately puts a hand to his throbbing head. His alarm had been going off for almost two hours and he hadn’t even heard it. By now he can hear Trooper moving around outside his bedroom too, anxiously awaiting being let out.

Standing up, Jason is hit with a wave of dizziness, severe enough to make his stomach lurch. He almost falls back onto his bed, but realizes that would be a mistake, and instead, he stumbles to the bathroom, promptly throwing up.

Still trying to shake exhaustion, now Jason tries to figure out what on earth was going on. What day was it…what had happened last night…

The fog slowly lifts, and he groans in frustration as the truth hits him. It was developed enough now, that anything he took that suppressed any emotional activity at all would make him sick. Great. Just great. Anything to just put his mind out for a while was going to cause his emotions to bottle up and reek havoc on his body. Wonderful.

Cleaning himself up, Jason takes a shower, grabs some orange juice for breakfast and heads out, taking Trooper with him. He knows the band is visiting Katie this morning, and decides to wait until lunchtime when Con would be going to see her too. He keeps his cell phone on though, just in case anyone needs to get a hold of him if something has changed.


Carson starts about his tasks, but stops when Herb mentions his eye. It was more obvious than he’d wanted it to be. Even though Herb did a good job of not making him feel humiliated, he felt like it anyway. He wasn’t used to taking a beating without fighting back.

He doesn’t answer Herb right away and just sticks to his work for a short while until he can take a quick break. Sinking down in a chair in the corner of the kitchen, he leans back with a slice of steak to put over his eye, letting his other eye go shut as he holds his ball cap in his hand. “Yeah…” He finally speaks. “They hounded me…roughed me up is more like it. The detective didn’t like my answers and…he wanted to teach me a lesson. Said I hadn’t been punished enough for the things I’d done before…said I hadn’t received severe enough sentences for the things I’d done, and obviously I was no good because I kept getting myself into trouble, and that I’d most likely never learn. I’d be a no good scoundrel the rest of my life.”

A dry laugh escapes. “Poor bloke didn’t know how close to the truth he was, I reckon.”

He sighs deeply. He shouldn’t be bothered by what happened. He just needed to let it go. He never would have let this get to him before…he’d always been able to let everything roll off his back. But he’d gotten so tired of fighting, that finally they’d broken him to the point that now, it just felt like they were still kicking him when he was already down and it did get to him whether he liked it or not.

“Anyway, what’s the special today?”

New Day

Night comes and goes, morning calling once again. Bird sing there song to the morning sun letting everyone know the day has just started.

*Jamie pass by Scott's closed office door. Stoping she takes a few steps back. For a moment she just stands there. It was strange not having Katie here and by now new spread around TJY that Katie and Scott wernt fine. Jamie's heart went out to him she new how it felt to lose thoughs you love. even if it was differnt it still was the same. Finally Jamie knocks on the door and waits.*

*As Katie puts a bite of eggs into her mouth she cant help but beam as she hears Kyle's voice. Puting down her fork she lets out a laugh as the gang enters. Katie gives a hearty wave.*

"Hey guys. Good to see you."

*One by one Katie gets her hugs from everyone and than lets it linger on her for a moment as she smiles and pulls away.*

"So you and Mike are dating?! Thats wonderful...I'm so happy for you Jen. I really am."

*Katie than sits back and scans the faces a smile on her own.*

"J told me you guys have songs on the raido now too. Thats great!"

*Katie smiles fades just alittle but she still trys to hold it.*

"Sorry if I dont remember to well, my memorie isent that great at the moment."

*Herb gives a nod to Carson as he enters and heads into the back.*

"I'm glad to see you came back."

*Drawing silent for a moment Herb turns to continue to prep some things before speaking again.*

"If you put a raw steak on that eye it will takes some of the color away."

*Herb than continues what he is doing giving Carson some direction here and there to help with the morning prep.*

"So what heppend this morning before you left the station? They hound you alot?"

Dusk to Dawn

Jason gives Katie's arm one last pat before sliding away and leaving her alone. Going back out into the hallway, he has a hard time looking the others in the eye, glancing quickly past Nate and Laura, to Con.

Con cocks his head. His friend didn't look good at all. "Camryn was here..."

"Oh?" Jason is glad for the topic shift from Katie. "She leave?"

"Yeah. She said she'd call you a little later. I told her you'd probably go home to sleep tonight."

"Yeah..." Jason nods slowly.

Con looks to Nate and Laura then back at Jason. "You alright?"

Jason's eyes hit the floor. He was uncomfortable in this position...he didn't want the whole world to know what was going on...what his struggles were. "I'm fine."

Con purses his lips a moment, then nods to his sister and Nate. "Katie might like you guys to say hi before you leave. I'm gonna walk Jason out."

Jason looks up quickly, grateful Con had read him so well. He glances at Nate and Laura. "See you tomorrow at work." Making his way back down the hall he walks with Con behind him until they hit the parking lot. Finding his truck, he leans back against the tailgate and lets out a long, weary sigh.

Con studies him for a moment. "That bad, huh?"

"Don't let me be alone with her again, Con."

Con raises his eyebrows. "Why not?"

Jason rolls his eyes upward to see Con's face. "Just trust me."

"Problems?"

"You might say that."

"Well what happened? She try to kiss you again?"

Jason opens his mouth to respond, but turns around to lean his arms on the tailgate, not sure now what he should say. "I wouldn't say 'try.'"

"She did kiss you again."

"Sure."

Con folds his arms, a little annoyed at Jason's evasiveness. "Well what's the problem, Jase? Do you need someone to hold your hand to deal with it or what? It'll be over soon...she'll remember, or we'll tell her, and it'll be over. I don't think you need to be that cautious about it." He rolls his eyes. "It's not like you were intentional about kissing her back."

Jason doesn't move.

Con turns his head a little, looking at Jason more closely. "You weren’t…were you..."

Jason's eyes rove the surroundings before he finally turns just enough to see Con. "Well what was I supposed to do? Give her a cold shoulder? Push her away? And this whole connection thing we have just makes it worse...for a moment back there I actually..." He stops short.

Con prompts him. "You what?"

"I regretted ever letting her go in the first place."

Con sighs and leans on the truck. "So what are you saying?"

"I don't know. I love Camryn and I'm going to marry her. That is what I want to do. That is what will happen, and that is my heart's desire." Jason nods emphatically.

"So...you don't want to be alone with Katie because you can't control yourself or what?"

Jason's eyes narrow. "I just don't want to be put in that position again. I don't want to have to decide whether I'm going to feel as though I'm cheating on Camryn, or whether I'm going to break Katie's heart all over again."

"Because...you'll choose not to break her heart."

Jason swallows hard, his voice lowering. "Yeah."

Con reaches out to pat Jason's shoulder. "I know you and Katie are good friends, Jase...and I know you care about her and don't want to hurt her. So if I'm around, I'll try to be the distraction you need, alright?"

"Thanks, Con...I feel like an idiot."

Con grins and shakes his head. "I've never loved more than one woman, so I don't know what it must be like for you...but I guess if I did have an old love who was now a close friend and she kissed me, it might be hard for me to resist it too, even if I had no intention of going back."

"Yeah..." Jason appreciated Con’s perceptiveness and ability to summarize what was really being said. He's quiet for several more moments before finally pushing away from the back of the truck. "I'll see you around."

"Alright. You coming tomorrow?"

"I should."

"I can take a few hours off work...give me a call and let me know when you're coming and I'll come too."

"Okay. I might have the band come...that will help."


Carson’s lips curl to give him a sly look as he pulls Misty closer to the cell. His one hand remains on her waist, the other creeping up to her shoulder. “You’re lucky these bars are here,” he teases. “Or I might be a little too enthusiastic about thanking you for not letting me fall apart.”

Just letting his eyes meet with hers for several moments, he finally withdraws his hand to reach up and take hers, placing a kiss on her fingers. “You better get going before they think you’re breaking me out again. Come morning after detective what’s-his-name is through with me, I’ll get out of here and go to work.” He throws her a wink that’s more confident than he really is. “I’ll call you.”


Jason keeps one eye on the television, the other starting to close as he grows weary. Camryn’s hand running through his hair relaxed him enough to want sleep, his head comfortably resting on her lap.

Unwinding for a couple hours, and spending time with Camryn had helped calm his mind somewhat, giving him some room to breathe and think things through. He’d successfully pushed most of his unwanted feelings far enough away that he didn’t have to think about him, so that helped too.

Lying on his back as the movie comes to an end, he reaches a hand up over his head to draw Camryn down and give her a kiss. “I’m beat…” He stifles a yawn. “I better call it a night before I fall asleep here and never let you up.”

Camryn giggles and ruffles his hair. “I wouldn’t mind..”

“Mm, neither would I, but Trooper might tattle on us.”

Camryn glances over to the large dog who groans and rolls over to flop his head down lazily on the floor. “I doubt he would tell anyone, but I guess you’re right.”

Jason finally sits up and rubs his hands over his face. “See you tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Camryn leans over to give him another lingering kiss before standing up and grabbing her purse. “I work all day, but I can come over tomorrow night.”

“Okay…maybe we can go do something.”

After Camryn is gone, Jason trudges to his bedroom where he flops into bed without even undressing. He was exhausted. He shouldn’t be…he hadn’t done much the last couple days. But his mind was weary, and holding back his emotions even more than normal so he didn’t surprise Katie was quickly getting to him.

Rolling over, he stares up at the ceiling. He wanted to sleep so badly, but he knew that he would toss and turn. He knew that his mind was too full. He knew that dreaming would come, and that he would be kept awake by haunting feelings and memories. And while in a drowsy state, he couldn’t easily control what emotions were emitted. The last thing Katie needed right now was to be woken up in the middle of the night by his own thoughts.

Jason contemplates for a moment, then rolls back onto his side, reaching to his nightstand drawer. Reaching inside, he pulls out a bottle of pills. He twirls it in his hand for a moment before popping the lid. A good night sleep for him meant at least he couldn’t be at fault for midnight mishaps.


Mornings signal new days. They call up the sun, they bid the moon farewell, and they let the world know that brand new chances are given. They prompt those sleeping to rise and begin the new day fresh. They draw out the weariness of the night to disperse it on golden rays…
Many appreciate this perspective of dawn. Many do not.


Scott shuffles into TJY, his shirt wrinkled, his glasses taped on the side to prove he’d broken yet another pair. Skirting around the eyes of those already there, he at least gives a half-hearted wave to Susanne who calls her greeting. Arriving to his office, he shuts the door behind him to lock at the world.

Sinking into his chair, it’s within minutes that he’s checking his email. Opening the first one, he reads the words and his shoulders sink a little.
Subject: Re: Job Availability
Scott –
Sorry to inform you that the job opening was just filled yesterday. We would have loved to have you here. Keep us in mind for the future though as openings come up.
Tom
TJY AZ Office
-----
Original Message:
Subject: Job Availability
To: Tom Redding
From: Scott Johnson
Hey, Tom, just wondering if that job as chief tech was still available. I know I turned you down, but I heard you might still be looking for someone and I’m at a point now I’d be glad to take you up on the offer. Let me know. I could come any time.
-Scott


“And we’s here to see the girl,
The girl we all love,
Uh-huh.
And we’s here to see the girl,
It’s KT,
The hero’s in da house!”

Jen covers her eyes as Mike pushes her down the tiled hall behind Kyle who was singing at the top of his lungs. He sounded good, but everyone was looking.

Phil elbows him, though he’s grinning. “You wanna wake up the whole hospital?”

“Why not?” Kyle jumps up to hit a sign above a doorway as they head for Katie’s room. Passing the nurses station though, he stops dead in his tracks. A familiar face stares back at him. The nurse’s eyebrow was raised in annoyance, her arms crossed.

Kyle grins wide and leans on the counter. “Hey, babe.”

The nurse rolls her eyes, though few would notice a slight grin at the corner of her mouth. At forty-five years old, being called “babe” by someone like Kyle wasn’t something she heard every day and it could only spark a bit of humor. “You just hush your mouth before I kick you out.”

“I knew you loved me.”

The nurse threatens to beat him with her clipboard.

Kyle throws up his hands and backs away, stifling a laugh. “Okay, okay.”

Phil grabs his brother’s arm and drags him further down the hall. “Come on, dufus. Quit flirting with the nurses.”

Kyle laughs and gives in, skirting back into the lead of the small group. Swinging around Katie’s open door, he sees that breakfast has just been served, and is glad she’s awake. “Yo, KT!” He slides sideways toward her bed, grabbing a chair to spin it around and straddle it backward, throwing Katie a crooked smile. “How’s it hanging?”


Carson eases out of his car and heaves a sigh, trying to wake up. Though he’d been taken home and had the opportunity to shower and change clothes before coming to work, he felt less than refreshed.

Entering Mom and Pop’s, the familiar bell rings and Carson makes his way to the kitchen, waving to Mabel, nodding to Aerith, and hanging up his jacket to trade for an apron.

Going back to where he can hear Herb working, he tries to get his mind on his work and not on the interrogation he’d gone through this morning. Though he’d made it out and had been released with a warning, it hadn’t all been easy. He’d called Misty to let her know he’d gotten out and was going to work, but he hadn’t told her exactly what had happened with the detective.

Glancing at the floor, Carson reaches around to tie the apron behind his back, keeping his baseball cap low in the hopes that his black eye won’t be as noticeable. Maybe no one would remember that he hadn’t gotten hit in the eye during yesterday’s brawl.

Lucky

*Katie keeps her eyes closed for a long moment just taking the sweetness of Jason's kiss in. For some reason it felt like it had been ages since they had shaired a moment like this. As Jason's draws away Katie keeps her eyes closed for a moment and than opens them looking up at Jason. Searching his eyes she trys to figure out the strange feeling she felt Jason was giving off, Almost a confusion. Katie trys to ingnore the feeling but its there anyways just pulling at her mind. Giving the best smile she can.*

"GoodNight J."

*Katie leans her head back on the pillow and turns her had to look out the window. Everything seemed strange and out of place. She could feel nothing was the same anymore. If only she could remember it.*

*Misty cant help the smile on her face the warmth from Carson's touch sending chills throuh her.*

"You'd probley fall apart. But as many times as you have saved my life I have to think the same thing."

*Misty cant help but stair into Carson's deep blue eyes as her finger continues to run over Carson's face. Misty really did think she was the luckest girl in the world to have a boyfriend as great as him.*

Emotions

Jason doesn’t know how he could be surprised, but for some reason Katie’s next movement is a startling one.

As her lips meet his, his eyes close. The warmth of Katie’s touch washes over him and his hand moves to cradle her face.

The back of his mind screams at him not to allow himself this moment. He was engaged. He wasn’t with Katie anymore… But the rest of him seems to have other ideas as he’s drawn closer instead of pulling away.

Jason’s heart beats hard within his chest as Katie’s kiss is received. It had been a long time since they had shared this intimate a moment, and somewhere deep down inside of him, it was realized that he had missed it. Being this close...feeling her in this way created a surge through his emotions, Katie's drawing effect reaching its max and pulling his feelings toward the surface like a beckoning magnet. It felt good...refreshing...invigorating to his emotional system.

A noise in the hall suddenly throws Jason back into reality and he realizes just what he’s doing. Withdrawing quickly, he searches her eyes, his hand still on her face. He saw the love again…that love he had taken for granted what seemed like an eternity ago. The love he had pushed away and rejected.

He tries not to let the redness show in his face. He tries to control his emotions. But for a split second, everything seems to go haywire. Too many conflicting thoughts and emotions stirred within him.

His voice comes out barely above a whisper. “Night, Katie…”


Carson closes his eyes and leans his face into Misty’s hand. Her words are no less than he’d expected, but the feeling that he his unworthy never leaves.

Opening his eyes, he rests his forehead close to her own face, and his hands slip through the bars to rest on her arm and on her waist. “Thanks, Misty. Just keep reminding me of that, eh? Maybe one of these days I’ll remember it.”

He musters up a crooked grin. “What would I do without you?”

Remeber

*Katie stairs back she could just look into his eyes for hours as he looked Jason. She breathing quickened as She drew alittle closer. Feeling her breath reflect off his skin made her heart race. It felt like it had been forever since she was this close to him. Leaning closer she finally pushes her lips to his as a million emotions wash over her. Jason's kiss was so soft, so warm. Katie lets it linger not wanting it to break.*

*Misty reaches her hand through the bars and touches Carson's face running her fingers along his cheek bone.*

"You didn't blow it. You were just trying to protect yourself and thats not a bad thing. Getting mad at the cops is pretty normal too. Being accused of something you dident do, looking like the bad guy. I would of gotten upset too."

*Misty puts her other hand through the bar finally as well resting it on Carson's shoulder.*

"Dont get discurraged on me now ya hear. Your a good guy Carson Bank's who has come along way, and when all alse fails remember I still like ya "

*Misty smiles at Carson her eyes sparkling.*

Blew it

Jason’s pulse quickens as the distance between him and Katie is eliminated. He was sure the heat would show in his face, but what was he supposed to do? How could he blatantly resists Katie, while keeping her calm and happy at the same time?

Looking into her eyes, he almost falls into them. It had been so long since he had….


Carson looks up quickly, having almost dozed off. Seeing Misty, half of him is glad, and half of him is discouraged.

Slowly, he rises from the cot and walks the length of the cell, leaning his head on the bars. “I don’t know if I’m okay or not,” he answers quietly. His temper had cooled way down, leaving him with simple discouragement. “I guess so. Guess I just blew it again though.”

Break out of Jail

*Katie cant help but smile as the moonlight shines in the hospetil window reflecting off Jason's face. Oh how it lit it up reflecting off his endless eyes. The yes that had never betrayed Katie. The ones she could get lost in for hours. Taking Jason's hand she draws him close to her. In a soft voice she whispers.*

" If your not going to spend the night with me tonight at least give me a goodbye kiss?"

*Katie smiles up at Jason as she lifts her head off the pillow the light now lighting up her own face.*

*Misty cant help but smerk as she enters the police station and asks about Carson.*

"Don't worry I wont break him out again. I promise."

*Misty follows after one of the cops that escorts her. Drawing closer to the cell with Carson Misty her a sassy smile on her lips as she trys to cheer Carson up.*

"Shesh these guy watch me like a hawk. One would think I broke someone out of jail once or something."

*Misty smiles again as she leans again the cell bars and her look becomes more searouce.*

"Herb told me what happend Carson, are you ok?"

Before...

Carson keeps his eyes lowered as Herb speaks. He wished he were right...he wished that soon people would look at him for who he was now. He was still making some stupid mistakes and making some bad decisions, but he really was trying... But was it enough? Was him finally turning around now really enough for people to look at him differently? Would he ever really shed his old reputation? At least he had a small group of people that accepted him as he was now.

At Herb's comment about work, his head jerks up and he only sees Herb walking away. His eyes are widened slightly. After all that...after his stupid move and the fight, and him getting arrested...he still had a job? He'd known Herb was on his side, but to let him keep his job...

Carson swallows hard and finally goes to sink down on the hard cot. It felt kind of strange...either had had enemies, or he had people who stuck with him no matter what. He wasn't used to that, even now.

Closing his eyes, he leans back against the wall again, his tongue running over the cut in his lip. Misty might come tonight...he wouldn't be surprised. Herb would tell her the true story and she wouldn't hold it against him. In a way, Carson hung on to that knowledge. With all the stupid things he'd done, Misty hadn't given up on him.


Jason swallows hard as he hears Katie humming his song…he knew good and well when she’d heard it, and it wasn’t a good memory. He’d been in prison.

Seeing her tears again, he wants to comfort her, but doesn’t know how. Why did this have to be so hard?

As she thanks him and runs her thumb over his hand, a tingle shoots up Jason’s arm. He can feel the heat rising to his face again. His response would have been, “I think I’m the lucky one.” His response would have been his own affectionate squeeze to her hand. His response would have been to lean down and give her a kiss. But he could do none of those…not now…

He slowly withdraws his hand to pat hers, and takes a deep breath, letting it out gradually. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m plum tuckered out. I guess I’ll…” He stops short. Had he still been dating Katie, he would have stayed in the spare bed in the hospital room. But that bed was made up nice and neat, showing that he had not slept in it, nor was he intending to. “…be calling it a night,” he ends lamely. “You be alright? Can I get you anything before I take off?”

Remember

*Herb cant help the small grin the plays on his lips but he trys his best to hide it before Carson can see.*

"Yeah I will let Misty know for you. As for the new life, your doing a pretty good job so far. Just at the moment your still paying for you past. Stay on the right road Carson and soon people will forget the old Carson Banks and see the new one. I've already got a glimpse of the new Carson. God works in mysteries ways."

*Herb turns to start to walk away but than stop turning his head slightly to talk over his shoulder.*

"Once you get out of here I expect you at work bright and early to make up for lost time yesterday and tomorrow. Leave me to deciding who works at my restaurant and who doesn't ok."

*Katie cant help a little laugh that escapes her lips.*

"Kyle will never change I think, but that is a good thing. He wouldn't be the same any other way. Some people just are not ment to change I think while other are."

*Katie smiles at her looks into Jason's eyes. Than her excitment grows as she hears about Mike and Jen.*

"Oh wow Mike and Jen. I am so happy for them. Your guys songs on the raido is amazing as well. Thats so cool."

*Katie leans her head back for a moment as she fishes thorough the fog. As if a tiny bit of fog lifts a tone enters Katie's mind as a soft hum comes from her lips and form words.*

"Now I’m broken, See the trouble I’m in.
I got down far, Alone I can’t win.
Bein’ here’s tough, And I know that you’re hurtin’,
Didn’t mean no harm, I love you for certain.

Baby don’t leave me,
Don’t leave my side.
I need you here,
Till the day that I die.

Life ain’t pretty,
And that much I know.
But please…
Stay by my side..."

*As if a lightbulb goes off in Katie's mind her eyes opens and she sits up. Closing them once again she trys to fish through the fog more. A memorie, that song...it was there peeking through the fog but she couldent seem to grasp the rest.*

"That song, you sang it..but I dont remember when I hurd you sing it...I...."

*Katie continues to search, for the becon, for the light. Pushing the fog away only to find more. Her head started to hurt as she clenched her eyes closed tighter to try and remember. But all she came up was with nothing. A few tears roll from her eye.*

"...I...cant remember anything alse...my head it hurts to much."

*Katie keeps her eyes closed for a long moment till she opens them and looks to Jason. A small smile plays on her lips.*

"Thank you for being here with me again."

*Katie runs her thumb over his hand.*

"Your to good to me. I'm so lucky."

Questions

Jason feels Katie's hand on his, and resists withdrawing it. She needed this comfort. She needed him right now. Con was right.

"It'll be alright, Katie, I promise." He shifts his hand to give hers a squeeze.

Chuckling, he nods. "Kyle is Kyle." A grin spreads. "Mike and Jen are dating now. That's something fairly recent." He gives another nod. "The band is good." He thinks for a moment, trying to recall when things had happened, though makes sure that he blocks the majority of emotion-filled memories. "Got a couple songs they're playing on the radio. Kyle gets hyped every time he hears one."

Pausing, he studies Katie's eyes. Where had her memories gone...where was the woman he knew? What had this changed...what did these events mean?


Camryn wanders down the hospital hall, and spots the others. Seeing Jason not with them, she assumes he's in Katie's room, but Con stops her. "Hey, Camryn...hold off a minute or two."

Camryn stops, and quirks an eyebrow. "What? Why?"

"Katie's awake, but, um..."

Camryn is filled with relief. "Oh that's wonderful." She searches Con's face. "But...what?"

"She doesn't remember a lot about recent events." Con swallows hard. "When she woke up, she thought she was still here from an accident she had a while back."

"Oh..." Camryn's brow furrows. "So...what does that mean?"

"Well, she's a little confused at the moment. She doesn't realize how much has happened lately or anything. So we all have to take it pretty easy and slow with her so she doesn't get a shock about some things."

"Some things?"

Con glances at Nate and his sister for help, then back to Camryn. "Well, she still thinks that..."

Camryn doesn't need Con to finish. Her eyes show she suddenly understands. "She still thinks she's together with Jason, doesn't she?"

"Yeah."

Camryn takes a moment to think, not sure what to say. She looks down at the ring on her finger. "Well...I guess...I guess I better not be all over him when she's around yet then huh?"

Con can't help his chuckle. "For the moment, that might be wise. We're hoping Katie will remember everything on her own soon, but if not, there will be things we will simply have to tell her. Just be patient with that man of yours, okay? Katie's a good friend, and he's in a pretty awkward position."


Carson glances up as Herb approaches the cell, but then lowers his gaze again, his hat brim hiding his eyes. "Yeah, I need a new life. But they seem to be in short supply at the moment."

He folds his arms across his chest and sighs, grinding his teeth as he thinks. "Someone needs to let Misty know I'm here...I was supposed to pick her up tonight for a date. And.." He shrugs. "Just go ahead and tell her I lost my job while you're at it. Mom and Pop's can't have someone like me working there."

...still a ham?

*Katie turns her head as she hears Jason come into the room and gives a smile. Her head hurt a little, and she still felt confused but she was happy to see a face she new again.*

"Hey! Going home will be nice. I hate hospetils, not to mention if I go home maybe it will help me remember what I cant."

*Katie gives a little sigh. She really was frustrated that she couldent remember anything. The feeling of something bad loomed in the darkness but she couldent put her finger on it.*

"Oh, I'm doing ok. I just feel tired and hate that I cant remember anything from the last year. Great things probley happend and I cant even remember them. Its frustrating."

*Katie's hand finds Jason's for a moment just resting on top of it. In a sence she was kind of scaired.*

"So how is the band doing? Is Kyle still a ham?"

*Herb is escorted to the back to where Carson is. Giving a heavy sigh he looks through the bars at his new employe. *

"Well your going to be held over night, but I told them your side of the story at least. It dident help you resisted much but whats done is done."

*Herb leans aganst the bars for a moment.*

"Do you need anything Carson? Other than to get out of here?"

Angry

Jason gives Dr. Fuller a grateful nod in response.

Laura reaches over to take Nate’s hand, not exactly sure what to do.

Con looks to Jason, gesturing to the door. “You might want to be the first one back in there, Jase.”

Jason swallows hard. “But Con, I…”

“I know it’s awkward. But you know it’s best. It’s you she wants to see, and for right now, the awkwardness on your part is worth it.”

“She’ll have to know sometime…”

“Yes, but not today.” Con almost can’t stand the thought of how much Katie would hurt to find out right now that she and Jason had broken up. “Just be her friend…she needs that.”

“I don’t know how long I can keep this up…. Letting her think we haven’t changed, not to mention not letting her know what I’m thinking. It’s hard enough now the way it is, I’m driving myself crazy trying to block all these things.”

Con looks Jason in the eye. “You have the ability and you know it. Be yourself and just quit worrying. It’ll all work out.”

Jason glances down at the table. “Yeah…I know…” Finally he rises. “Alright…I’ll be back.”

Slowly he makes his way back to Katie’s room….he’s so unsure about so many things. It was just something else he has to block. He had to do this…for Katie. Whether they were dating or not, she was still his friend, and he still cared about her.

Knocking softly, he enters her room, a smile coming to his lips. He approaches casually and eases down in the chair again, looking her in the eye. “So…I guess you’re gonna live, huh?” The humor dances in his voice. “That would be a good thing. Doc said you could go home in a day or two…I think Laura will be pretty happy about that.” He pauses a moment, cocking his head and knowing that his small talk chatter wasn't doing anyone any good. He finally gives in to a little more seriousness. "How you holding up, Hero?"


The officer at the counter sports a badge with the name Springer on it. He quirks an eyebrow at Herb, and lazily flips through some papers. “Ah, yes…brought in a while ago. Assault charges, I believe. The other three were released, and Mr. Banks was kept for additional questioning. Detective Houghens is unable to see him right now though, so the sheriff has informed us that Mr. Banks will be held overnight.” He shrugs and thumbs to the back. “Want to see him though, be my guess. Officer Thomlinson will escort you.”

Carson paces the small cell, his anger boiling. How could this have happened? It was ridiculous! It was unfair and stupid! He’d been attacked, and just because the other guys had a better story, they were the ones to go free, and he was kept. A ‘troublemaker’ they said. Maybe losing his temper hadn’t helped things much, but he was tired of the bad guy label! No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he was still a bad guy. Would it follow him the rest of his life? Even with a pardoned record, after the stunt he’d pulled with the fight ring and escaping jail, all the dirt was back again.

Leaning back against the wall, his baseball cap is pulled low over his eyes and he stares at he floor. He might lose his job over this one. He’d been given the chance to make a phone call, but the only person he’d call would be Misty, and he hadn’t had the nerve to call her and tell her where he was. Even if it wasn’t his fault, he just didn’t want to have to tell her one more time that he’d messed up. He was tired of being the screw-up.

Bail

*Dr. Fuller looks at Jason for a moment and than gives a nod.*

" I hope she can go home in a day or two. Just someone has to keep a close eye on her. Since she is confused she might try to do something she thins she cant when she really cant. She does I told her that much because Con has said that alot of time had passed. She was pretty shocked but she took it well. Right now she just needs her friends and family. We can only hope in time she will remember."

*Dr. Fuller gives a nod and stands.*

"She is resting now if you want to go in to see her you can."

*Herb watches as the officers take Carson out. He wanted to protest to what happend because he has seen some of what went on but that could make it just harder on Carson after he put up a fight. Letting them go Herb takes his place behind the grill.

As the hours pass Herb becomes impashent and hates to think he'd left Carson there this long. Exiting the kitchen he lets Mable know she is in charge of the grill and he will be back. Leaving the restront Herb jumps into his car and makes his way acorss town.

Finally geting to the police station he enters and goes over to the counter.*

"Excuse me, I saw what happend with Carson Banks and the other men at my restront. I'd like to clear Carson's name please and pay his bail if I have to."

Protest

Jason looks down a the table as Dr. Fuller speaks, hearing her words, processing them, and trying to keep his emotions at bay at the same time.

Finally he looks up at her in time to catch her eye as she concludes, and he grits his teeth, swallowing hard. As much as he wanted to explain everything to Katie, he knew he couldn’t. As much as he wanted her to remember everything right now, she wasn’t, and he couldn’t push her, no matter how awkward the present was.

“So…when will she be able to go home? Does she know what the date is yet?”


The three thugs pause their attack on Carson as Herb steps between them, and Waylon glares at him for a moment. “Hey, he’s the one who started throwing that mop of his around.”

“Yeah,” Reagan nods his agreement. “You got a dangerous man working for you, ya know that?”

Before anyone can say anything more, suddenly the sound of sirens can be heard.

Waylon and his two goons turn quickly to see the door open, and tense, ready to run, but they have no where to go.

Two policemen hurry to the scene, hands on weapons, but remaining calm. “What’s going on here?”

“This guy started attacking us!” Waylon points to Carson.

Carson is finally picking himself up off the floor and wipes a bloody lip, eyeing the officers. “Look, it wasn’t me, alright? I was just working and these goons walked in and…”

“Hey, we didn’t do nothing!” Cash defends.

“…and they started harassing me,” Carson continues, throwing them a glare.

“We did not.” Waylon gestures to the policemen. “We were just minding our own business, and this guy here has a chip on his shoulder about the past, so he started in on us.”

“I did not!” Carson’s voice raises, his face growing red.

“He did!”

“Look, I don’t know what…”

An officer steps in between them, holding up his hands. “I think all you fellows better just come down to the station with us where we can straighten this out.”

“I don’t need to go to the station!” Carson argues. “It’s them, not me!”

The second officer squints at Carson. “Hey…aren’t you Carson Banks?”

“What of it?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of you. You better just cooperate if you know what’s good for you.”

“But I didn’t do anything!”

“I don’t care who did what, you’re involved in this, and you’re coming with us.” The officer takes Carson’s arm.

Carson jerks away, still glaring at them. “Get off. How’d you two end up in law enforcement anyway? You can’t even tell a good guy from a pile of dirt. What did you do? Buy your way into the department?”

“Alright, that’s it.” The first officer grabs Carson’s shoulder, shoving him around, and twisting an arm behind his back to cuff him. The cuffs click shut before Carson can even react. “Now you’re coming with us whether you like it or not!”

Waylon gets a smirk on his face. “Yeah, you better keep those cuffs on. He’s a mean one when he’s riled.”

“You guys are coming too,” the officer orders.”

“By all means!” Waylon gestures for his friends to follow. “We don’t have no problem with that, do we boys?”

Reagan and Cash shake their heads.

Carson resists being pushed towards the door, his face showing his anger at the situation. “I didn’t start this dang thing!” He protests.

“Move!”

He’s shoved forward and stumbles, almost falling before slamming into the door, his hands still cuffed behind his back. “Push me one more time and you’ll pay.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Take it how you like.”

The officers both corral all four men outside towards the two waiting cruisers, ready to take them downtown.

Pain

*The minutes pass as the door to Katie's room stay closed. Time almost seeming endless like a minute lasted an hour.

Finally the door opens and Dr. Fuller steps out closing Katie's door behind her. A grim look on her face. It was so hard to look at these people in front of her that obviously loved Katie very much and tell them she might not even be the same again.

Giving a soft sigh Dr. Fuller motions them to a small room across the hall that has a table and asks them to sit, siting down herself at the front. Silence rules for a moment as she looks down at her papers but finally looks up.*

"It's always hard to find a place to start when dealing with a case like this. There are so many questions unanswered and some there just is not an answer to give. I think that's the hard part sometimes for many people."

*Dr. Fuller is silent again for a moment collecting her thoughts and finding a place to start herself.*

"Katie is a very strong person. Having her in my care I had to look at her past medical records for varies reasons. She's been though a lot and made it out of it all to tell the tail. Not many people can do that. But I have to ask myself how much can one person take before they just shut down. We move in and out of life, day by day. On the outside we are happy and we are doing fine but inside what is wondering around in our minds and in our hearts. We feel one thing but does the other organ such as the heart and brain comply. Do they agree on that the other has decided or are the both going there own way believe one thing, and the other there own. Till finally something happens and that's the final straw and they work together to whip away the pain."

*Nate looks to Laura and than Con till his eyes find Dr. Fuller again. His own confustion was great and he did not understand a word she was saying.*

"Not to be rude or anything Dr. Fuller but non of us here know to much about this medicle stuff and I for one know your causing me to go in circles. It would help a great deal if you talked englash."

*Dr. Fuller can't help but smile and give alittle laugh and than nod.*

"Sorry. What I was trying to say was Katie has been through alot in the past few years. Her body and mind has delt with it fine but somewhere tucked in the back things wernt fine and the pain was growing. She herself might not have even known it was there. For some people it end up going away geting lost in the dark but I believe Katie's dident. Before she was hit I think something alse happend that caused her great pain as well and being hit by the car was a great way for her mind to decied it was going to whipe the pain away taking her back to a time when she was happy."

*Dr. Fuller stops for a moment and lets out a small sigh scaning the faces looking back at her.*

"I'm not trying to saw she was unhappy, in fact she probley was VERY happy, but her mind and body probly just said enough was enough. So that brings us to her condition. There is no telling when she will get her memorie back or if she will at all. Its going to be hard on her, a year has gone but if not more and she cant remember any of it. I think its best if slowly you remind her, or tell her about things she dosent remember. It might trigger something help her remember it might not but like I said before you have to be very carfel not to feed her to much information to fast..."

*Dr. Fuller glances at Jason and than away again before scaning the room.*

"...or her mind will just shut down again and it could be permanint."

*By this time Herb had hurd the panic from Aerith and Mable, and the fight that persisted out in the dinning hall. Making his way from the back and to the group where Carson layed on the ground the other men around him. Not even thinking twice and because of his own big frame He steps in front of Carson eyes the three men.*

"I would sujest you three men lean now before you are arrested."

*Herb's voice is strong not the normal soft tone showing he means business.*

Renegade

Jason’s stomach tightens just a little at Dr. Fuller’s words. It was hard to comprehend what was happening.


Con holds his smile with Katie, the corner of his eye catching the Dr. coming in. “Yes, it’s been quite a while, but not to worry…things will be just fine.” He gives her arm a gentle pat. “I’ll be back, alright? Don’t go anywhere.”

Turning, he gives a slight nod to Dr. Fuller before going back out into the hall. Joining Nate and Jason, his worry he now lets show on his face. How on earth were they going to deal with this?

As Jason paces, suddenly a thought strikes him and he looks up quickly between Con and Nate. “She doesn’t know how strong our connection is,” he almost whispers.

Con lifts an eyebrow. “I didn’t think about that…how does…”

“I don’t know,” Jason cuts him off. “I don’t know how it affects anything.”

“You better cool your jets as much as you can,” Con warns. “Otherwise you’ll giver her an overload she’s not expecting.”

The minutes tick by as they wait for Dr. Fuller.



“Well I’ll be, if it ain’t Renegade Carson.”

Carson looks up quickly from where he’s mopping the floor around the counter. It had been a quiet day until people had started coming in for supper, and after someone had spilled their pop all over the place, he was up to clean. The noise of the evening had begun, and now they only had a few tables left. Mabel was busy at the register, Aerith was taking orders, and Herb was in the kitchen, content at that end of the world.

Carson’s eyes narrow as he spies Waylon and his two buddies, Cash and Reagan. He recognized them alright…They’d had their fingers in the Agency several times during the last few years, their only goal to cause trouble and gain money.

“You here to eat or cause problems?” he asks evenly.

Waylon’s large black frame leans against the counter casually, a sly grin coming out. “Seeing you mopping the floor, I think I’m just here to watch,” he taunts. “Never thought I’d see you in this line of work.”

Carson sloshes the mop back down into the bucket before wringing it out and continuing to clean the sticky mess. He tries to ignore the three that had already gotten under his skin multiple times before.

A cigarette butt is flicked in his direction, landing where he’d just mopped. Looking up with a glare, he sees the smirk on Reagan’s face. “This is a non-smoking facility. I suggest next time you take a smoke outdoors and dispose of the leftovers properly.”

Reagan’s eyes widen and he laughs. “My, my, my, you’ve quite the vocabulary, Carson! Wow…they said you’d changed, but I didn’t believe them. You really have gone wussy.” He slaps Cash’s arm. “Hey, get a load of that - a wussy, Aussie!”

The three goons bust out laughing, Waylon pointing at Carson. “I think you missed a spot.”

Carson can feel his face growing red as his irritation intensifies. Aerith had her back turned from the other end of the room, Mable was still busy, and Herb was too far away with too much noise to know what was going on.

He grips his mop more firmly, his knuckles growing white. “Either sit down and order food, or get out,” he orders sternly.

“Ooh, he does still have a big shot attitude.” Waylon grins. “I thought that still existed somewhere.”

Reagan takes a step forward. “Grady wants you back, Carson.”

Carson bristles. He’d taken orders from Grady for several years. The fellow assassin had always liked Carson’s style. “Tell him he can’t have me. I’m not playing that game again.”

“Well we say you are.” Waylon moves towards him. “It wasn’t an option for you. You are coming with us. You can do it the easy way or the hard way. But you know the consequences of the hard way. You know Grady don’t take no for an answer.”

As the three move closer to Carson, his mind reels. How had they found him? Why did Grady want him back? The Agency didn’t need him. These guys couldn’t just walk in here and bully him. “Sorry boys. I’m not coming.”

“Oh yes you are.” Waylon reaches out to take Carson’s arm, but he’s suddenly thrown backward as a mop handle connects with his jaw. Staggering backward, Waylon knocks over a stool, cursing under his breath.

The other two move in, and suddenly there’s an all out brawl, three against one. Carson holds his own, wielding the mop as a weapon, jabbing Reagan’s stomach, knocking Cash’s feet out from under him, and swinging for a second round at Waylon.

Moving too quickly though, Carson’s foot hits the fresh water on the floor, and his own feet slip. Losing his balance, his feet go right out from under him, his head and shoulders slamming back onto the floor. Almost dazed, he looks up just in time to see Waylon on top of him. Thinking fast, he brings the mop handle up, hitting Waylon where it counts.

With a cry of pain, Waylon doubles over, falling to his knees. By now, Cash is on his feet and gives a kick to Carson’s ribs. Carson winces and rolls away in pain, getting to his hands and knees, but is knocked from behind.

As the fight ensues, several customers look wide-eyed at the scene. One man in a panic grabs his cell phone and dials 911.

Perminent Coma

*Katie cant help but grin up at Con. Her eyes sparkled though they showed alittle confustion.*

"Yeah I guess I can get out of the habbit. Or try anyways."

*Katie thinks for a moment about what Con said about her being here last. Had it really been that long? It felt like just yesterday to her.*

"Has it really been that long Con? It seems like just yerterday to me. Has alot changed since than? Now I feel so lost because I cant remember such a big time spand. I try to remember and all I see is fog."

*Dr. Fuller approches the group with Nate close behind. She scans each face in turn as she plays over things in her own mind.*

"I cant say for certin from what Nate has told me if Katie will ever get her memorie back or not, but once I check her over and do some quick tests I will be able to let you guys know."

*Dr. Fuller lets out a low sigh. This was hard she had delt with cases like this before and 9 out of 10 times people never recovered and if they did they still wernt the same.*

"The best think you can do right now for Katie is make her comfortable and try not to feel her tomuch old information that she dosent remember. If her brain is trying to block out some painful avent or situation that happend and you end up reminding her to fast her brain could shut down again and throw her back into a coma that she very well might not come out of because her mind is trying to protect her."

*Dr. Fuller waits a few moment for any questions and than slips past the group and into the room giving a nod to Con that asked he step out of the room.*

"Hi Katie. I'm Dr. Fuller. How are you fe...."

*Dr.Fuller's voice becomes muffled as she closes the door beind Con as he leaves. Now once again it was a game of waiting.*

Ornery

Con chuckles, doing a good job at acting as though everything was normal. "You know how moody that man is. He just got the living tar scared out of him like the rest of us did." He gives Katie a wink. "Get out of that habit, will you? I'm going to get gray hair hanging out with you."

Casually introducing the subject, he feels her out a little bit even though they haven't spoken to Dr. Fuller yet. "Jase said you couldn't remember some things. Don't worry though, I'm sure it'll all come back to you." He retains his smile. "It's been quite a while though since you were here last, and I've gotten a whole lot more ornery, so you'll have to watch out."


Jason paces the hallway, unsure what to do or how to act. This was just all....hard. It was just plain hard. He knew they would have to slowly tell Katie about what had been happening...but it had been so long. She didn't know about him going to prison. She didn't know about how he'd shut her out and how they'd lost their relationship. She didn't know he'd found a new love. She didn't know Con was no longer at TJY. She probably didn't know that Carson was on the right side of the tracks even. There was so much...how were they to tell her? Would she just accept it and move on? Would it hurt her?

He looks up as he sees Nate with Dr. Fuller, the questions playing in his eyes. He wanted to know what to do. He wanted to know when Katie could go home, and if this partial amnesia was permanent.

Road Block

*Katie nods as Scott turns to leave.*

"It was great seeing you again too Scott. I look forward to seeing you at work."

*Katie's eyes follow him as he leaves the room a strange melancholy settling over her. For a moment she had a feeling of sadness and maybe almost a panic as Scott left the room. Like she wanted to yell for him to come back, maybe even beg for him to stay but why would she do that when she hardly new Scott. As fast as the feeling comes up its gone again and Katie is left alone with the fog and cloudiness. Leaning her head back Katie closes her eyes. All she wanted to do right now was sleep some more. Everything was so confusing and being told much time had passed since her first accident was tiring. Trying to remember but running into a road block was even harder.*

*Nate gives a nod.*

"Yeah I can go find her. I think I saw Dr. Fuller at the front desk when Laura and I came in. I'll be back."

*Nate breaks away from the group and heads back to the front of the hospital to find Dr. Fuller and fill her in on Katie.*

*Katie opens her eyes again as someone enters the room. A smile spreads across her face as she see who it is. Even if it was dark in the room the large frame could give it away in a heartbeat.*

"Hey Big Brother."

*Katie gives a little laugh as Con comes over and mess up her hair.*

"Sorry, I did'ent mean to scair you again. I guess I have a habbit of doing that huh?"

*Katie reaches up to give Con a hug.*

"Hey is everything ok? For some reason I got a strange vibe from Jason like something was wrong?"

Not nice

It takes all Scott has, not to let his face show the agony he was feeling as he receives Katie’s words. It was true. She didn’t remember anything. All the time they’d spent together…everything they had gone through…everything they had shared…their future plans… It was all…gone.

Swallowing hard, Scott musters up the best smile he can, though what he really wants to do is curl up somewhere and cry.

“Thanks. I, um…guess I was just trying something new for someone who liked it.” He pauses, not really knowing how to respond. “I’m doing alright,” he finally replies casually, even though it feels like a lie. “Everyone’s been pretty worried about you. They’ll be thrilled to know you’re awake.”

An awkward pause follows. All Scott wants to do is go to her. All he wants to do is take her in his arms, hug her, kiss her, tell he how much he’s missed her, even though it’s only been a couple days. And he can’t.

Shifting his weight, he finally turns back to the door. “Good to see you, Katie. I’ll catch you back at work once you’re up and at ‘em again.”

Back out in the hall, he takes a deep breath as if gaining oxygen for the first time. His eyes tell all as he glances between the others waiting in the hall. Looking down, he starts for the end of the hall. “I’m going home,” he says quietly. “Unless something changes, I, um…I’ll see you guys back at work.” He doesn’t wait for a response, but aims for the exit, unable to stand it here any longer.

Jason watches him go, and lets out a long sigh. “Ya know…he and I don’t get along all that great, but right about now, I feel pretty badly for him.” He shakes his head. “And I still don’t know why Katie broke up with him. I guess it doesn’t matter much now.”

Con purses his lips in thought, not liking how this felt either. “Well…how about someone going and telling Dr. Fuller Katie is awake? Nate, would you mind? She might also have some advice as to how the rest of us need to deal with this. Whether we need to tell Katie all, or break things to her slowly.”

Not wanting Katie to be alone for too long, he takes his turn. Poking his head around the doorway, he breaks into a smile before entering. “Well, Kat, you’re awake!” He comes up to her bed and ruffles her hair. “Don’t you know it’s not nice to scare a big guy like me?”

You look Spiffy

*Katie watches as Jason leaves the room a smile on her face. Left alone in the silence Katie moves her legs slightly. She could really move them. She was going to be able to walk again after all.

Hearing someone come in the door Katie looks up. Cocking her head to the side for a moment she studys the face that looked looked back at her. Trying to consintrate her smile finally grows. How he looked differt.*

"Scott, look at you. Your all spiffy looking I dident reconise you at first. I love the new look though Scott. Its fits you well."

*Katie smiles up at Scott.*

"How are you?"

*Nate listens to what Jason says as he hold Laura. Katie not remembering was going to be hard.*

"Wow, do you think she ever will remember and if she does....wow."

*Nate looks down at Laura and than back up to Jason and Con.*

"There is so much that has happend since that time. You mom and Wes, the baby, Con and Jamie, Laura and I, Her aunt and Mick. There are so many good memories she is miss too. I feel bad for her. You cant miss what you dont remember but still...just its hard thing to think about and its probley gonna be alittle painful."

*Nate just shakes his head. He dident even know where to start with this. Most of the time he had works that would be helpful but now he was at a loss.*

Hesitation

Jason can't help a grin at Katie's excitement over her legs. At least that had made her happy.

He's about to say more when suddenly he's taken completely off guard by Katie's kiss and hug. It takes all the restraint he has not to jerk away, the heat rising to his face. He allows her to kiss him, but only returns it slightly, not wanting to evoke passion, but not wanting to shock her either.

As she hugs him, he puts his arms around her lightly, still trying to recover. He knew his face was red, and he tries to suppress his rampant emotions.

Forcing a chuckle, he nods. "Yeah, you get to go home soon." He bites his lip as she makes reference to Con. A whole lifetime had passed and she didn't have a clue.

Sliding off the bed and standing up, he gives her hand a squeeze. "You just sit tight here a minute while I go tell someone you're awake, alright?" He winks at her then turns and exits the room.

Scott, Con, Laura and Nate are all in the hall, and stand up as they see Jason, Con questioning the look on Jason's face. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"She's awake."

Sighs of relief come. "Thank God." Con nods. "How is she feeling?"

"Um..."

Scott aims for the door, but Jason stops him. "Scott..." He looks between Scott and the others for a moment. "She seems to think she's still here from her car accident."

Scott's eyes widen. "What?"

"Yeah...she...she doesn't remember anything since then."

Laura raises her eyebrows and glances at Nate, then back to Jason.

Scott isn't sure how to react. What did that mean? The impact hits him hard and he feels his stomach tighten. "You mean she..." He swallows hard. "Us..."

Jason feels extremely bad for Scott, knowing how hard this must be. "No...I don't think she remembers."

Now Scott hesitates, not knowing if he should go see her or not. How was he supposed to act now? He didn't know what to say, what to do... Part of him figured maybe it was better, if that were true. If Katie didn't remember, they wouldn't have to talk about it. But not only was that not a very nice thought, it evoked a new, deeper pain to think that she didn't remember all that they had shared.

He looks to Nate a moment, his hurt and confusion reflecting in his eyes. Finally though he walks forward on pure instinct, going ahead and entering the room. He wanted to see for himself...he wanted to make sure Katie was physically fine, whether this was difficult for him or not. He still loved her and wanted to assure himself she was okay.

Slipping into the room, he approaches Katie's bed cautiously, searching her face, her eyes, for any signs of recognition. When she'd been in the hospital the last time, they'd simply been coworkers. "Hey, Katie...how ya feeling?"


Jason leans back against the wall, and closes his eyes for a moment, trying to regroup.

Con looks at him with concern. "You okay?"

"No, I'm not okay." Jason looks at him with annoyance, keeping his voice quiet. "Do you realize what I said? Katie thinks we're still dating."

Con's eyes widen. "Ohhh. That has to be...awkward."

Jason can feel the heat in his face again. "Tell me about it."

Con has a hard time not laughing as he reads his friend's face. "She kissed you, didn't she?"

Jason smirks at him, not appreciating the conversation, let alone in front of Laura and Nate too. "It's not funny."

"Just a little?"

"Con!" Jason's voice is a hoarse whisper. "I'm an engaged man! No, it's not funny!"

"Alright, alright." Con controls himself. "I'm sorry. Keep your shirt on. I know this can't be easy...surely she'll come around and start to remember. Just give her time."

"Yeah, well now that's what I'm afraid of. How would you like to wake up and think all then, then remember everything has all been turned upside down?" Jason sighs. "She thinks you're still at TJY too."

Con's face drops a little. "Really..."

Lost at work

*Katie leans into Jason for a moment. Soaking up his comfort the comfort that always made her feel better. Jason's comfort was nice but Katie still felt lost and it still was foggy.

As Jason mentions her legs she pulls the blankets back and wiggles her toes a little. A smile cross her face as she looks back at Jason. Than she moves her leg more.*

"I can move my legs. That means...I can walk again. I can really walk J."

*Katie turns to Jason and throws her arms around him and gives him a kiss before wrapping her arms around Jason for a hug.*

"I'm not sure what happend or why I cant remember this hit and run but....my legs work now. They really work. So do I get to go home soon? Since I've recovered from the car crash? Other than this broken arm that is. I bet Laura will be exstatic to see me home again and Con. Poor Con I bet he's been lost at work without me huh?"

It's true

Jason’s eyes grow wide as Katie speaks, the reality of what was happening, hitting him hard. She didn’t remember. She truly thought that she was still in the hospital from her car accident.

Her reference to spending the night together and their kiss brings a strange sensation to his heart. It couldn’t be… had her mind lost so much? Had her mind really pinpointed an exact date to start over, or was it remembering a span of time that confused events?

Either way, the tone in her voice said that she was telling the truth about what she remembered.

Jason is stunned and not sure how to react, but as he sees her tears, he can’t help but offer comfort.

Sliding from his chair to her bed, he sits beside her and puts and arm around her. “Hey, hey, it’s okay, take it easy, hmm?” He reaches over and tucks her hair behind her ear. “Just relax.”

He holds her for a moment, feeling at a total loss. Perhaps is he talked her through it a little, she would start to remember. Perhaps it was the effects of the drugs just lingering.

“What I said was true…it’s been quite a while since you were here.” He moves her a little so he can tilt his head and see her face. Giving her a smile, he wipes her tears with his hand. “You went through therapy and you got out of the hospital, and you can walk fine now.” He gives a little nod to her legs. “Check it out.”

What Happend

*Katie cocks her head and looks at Jason confustion still in her eyes. What was he saying? A hit and run. Maybe he thought it was a hit and run when he new it wasent. Katie thinks for a long moment closing her eyes and trying to think back. Something was there she was sure of it but it was lost in a fog. Katie shakes her head a bit but stops as a pain serges through it.*

"No, I remember..."

*Katie still holds her head she tryed to look through the fog but it only make her head hurt more.*

"...Yesterday I had therpy its going really good too. Hit and run...no thats not what it was...I was forced off the road and than someone pulled me to the side of the road. I...I wasent hit there, I think it was an angel though because she looked like my mom....I...."

*Katie head starts to throp as the thick fog grows. A few tears roll down her face it hurt it hurt alot. She had been asleep for a few days Jason had said, in a coma how was that possable. Kaite can feel herself rock alittle bit as she holds her head.*

"J...whats happend...I..what you said cant be true. I remember we spend the night together watching movies and...the kiss we shaired. I remember it was yesterday."

Do you remember?

Jason is ready to get up and go tell the others that Katie is finally awake, but suddenly he gets the strange feeling that he should talk just a little bit more first.

He furrows his brow slightly. Therapy? What was Katie talking about? Was it just the painkillers that were confusing her? Was she even lucid?

He forces another smile. "You're welcome." Feeling her hand on his arm sends another red flag up in the back of his mind. Why, he wasn't sure. But her touch felt different... Something warned him to proceed with caution.

"Um...Katie... you...haven't had therapy in...quite a while." He leans forward a little, not wanting it to startle her if she really was lucid and not remembering what she should. "You've been in a coma the last couple days from a hit and run. Do you remember?"

Means alot

*Katie looks down at her arm again for a moment. She was a bit confused she couldn't remember breaking her arm but obviously she had. Looking back up at Jason and reaches her good hand out and rests it on Jason's arm.*

"I feel like I have been sleeping for days but it can't be that long I remember going to therapy yesterday when you went to band practice. Whatever those painkillers are they have me on sure are clouding my mind a bit."

*Katie leans her head back on the pillow and lets out a sigh.*

"Thanks for staying with me J. Its means a lot."

Relief

Jason is startled from his drowsy state as he hears Katie's voice, and a wave of relief sweeps over him. "Katie..."

Sitting up straighter, he leans forward, resting an elbow on her bed. He doesn't even know how to express his relief. They all had been scared. But seeing her awake now was what they had all wanted, hoped for, others had prayed for.

He offers her a crooked grin as reassurance to her question. "Seems you got a nasty break in a couple places, but the doctor said you'd be okay in no time."

He pauses, searching Katie's eyes. "How are you feeling?"

Waken

And so the next to days I made my way through the darkness. Letting the light and the voices of friend lead the way. Till finally that light was with in reach and the voices more clear. Than feeling the warmth on my face I step out into the light.

*Slowly Katie opens her eyes. Where was she? She could not remember. Squinting She trys to let her eyes adjust to the dimly lit room. Finally seeing the masheans and the smell of the room she remembered. It felt like she had been in a never ending dream but surly she was only been sleeping a day because she remembered going to therpy yesterday.

Slowly turning her head she see Jason and smiles. That was the face she never tired of, the one she always wanted to see.

Slowly Katie goes to reach her arm out but feels pain course threw it. Sucking in a deep painful breath. Looking down she see her arm is in a sling and becomes confused. What one earth? When had her arm been broken. Slowly she finally speaks.*

"J? What...what happend to my arm?"