Catch a Rainbow

Feeling a bit of color that comes to her face Jess dosnt take her eyes from Axel's. Feeling the emotions inside of her cluster Jess is not sure how she would describe how she felt but it was there non the less and the comfrot her felt was nice. Something about Axel just something she had taken to and had grown to form a feeling she wasnt quite sure of. The smile on Jess face could lite up a dark room the moon just reflecting what was already there.

"To some I guess storms are amazing to look at, but to me its the rainbow after the storm that captured my gaze..."

Bringing her other hand up Jess brushes a peace of stray hair from Axel's forhead as her hand gently cubs his face her thumb running along his jaw bone.

Axel always made her feel good and dispite the scares, and the cuts, the bruses that remainded on her it was almost as if when she was with him they were gone. He never took not to them, or pointed them out like so many other people would. To Axel Jess was normal.

But was she good enough for someone as wonderful as him? Did she deserve this happyness she felt. Her fear is what kept her back from saying what she truly felt.

"... But how do you catch a rainbow that is so far out of reach for the likes of a lowly storm."

Staying seated Nate looks to Laura his eyes held a sadness. Some might interpertie as a disapointment or even a longing for something that was missing. But to Nate it was a feeling inside that couldnt be discribed, it was an emotion that made him want to cry even though he wasnt sure why.

"I'd...wish you would talk to me Laura. Its what I am here for. I dont want to pretend everything is ok when its not."

Nate couldnt help the emotion that was in his voice. He was so tired, and sad, maybe even a little bit of depression was thrown in there. He felt so many things at once it was hard to disypher them all.

"I just wish you woul let me be there for you. I dont like being on the outside and having to look in. I know you deserve your personal space and thats alright I just wish..."

Nate's words trail off as he moves his shoe through the grass the dim light reflecting off the blades. He wanted to say more, but he didnt want to say more. He wanted Laura to know how he felt but he didnt want to step over the line. Nate didnt know how far to go and how much to hold back. He was just so confused.

Unspoken

"Yeah, I'm always trying to find good hiding places, or lookout points," Axel admits. "Every once in a while I happen on a view that really is amazing."

Feeling Jess' hand on his, he instinctively realizes that something is different about this time. It wasn't his sore hand, and she wasn't trying to help... Turning his head, he catches her eye. A look was in her stare that hadn't been before. His gaze pierces her own as he tries to figure her out.

"I think I might have just found another one."


Laura looks down and gives a little nod. "I'm okay." She lifts her eyes to Nate again. "It's just... yeah." A short laugh surfaces. "I told Con I didn't want to see anybody 'cause I don't know... I just needed time to think... to clear my head."

She pauses again, swallowing hard. "Look... I don't know if now is a good time or not... After all the trouble you went through to get here, I'd rather just let the hard stuff go for now."

Laura stands up again, fidgeting with her gloves. It was obvious that there was a whole lot she wanted to say, but wasn't.

Brush

Getting to the outside of town Jess cant help but be amazed. Following Axel Jess gladly lets him take the lead out of town not knowing where they were going.. Everything was so amazing she couldnt help but look in aw.

Coming to the tree and just watching Axel climb it Jess cant help the smile that makes its way to her face. Taking Axel hand Jess climbs the tree with him.

For a moment Jess felt young again. There were times in her young life when she would forget all her cares and feel free. This reminded her of that and she liked it.

Fiding a comfortable spot next to Axel Jess swings her legs just a little. Looking out over the land Jess feels a contentness settle over her.

"Oh Axel this is amazing. Its like nothing I have even seen before."

As the sit is taken in the moonlight shines through the banches casting its light onto Jess making her eyes sparkle even more as the smile like non other remainds on her face. Bringing her hand down to rest it on the tree branch and give her more stability Jess hand goes ontop of Axel's. Looking down at it for a moment Jess dosnt move her hand. Finally looks up again she smiles at Axel as the strange flutter comes into her heart again.

Still sitting and leaning over Nate smiles. He new Laura must be jumpy and he didnt blam her one bit.

"I startled you I am sorry for that. Was trying not to but I new there really was no way around that."

Finally starting Nate turns to Laura searousness eched on her face.

"I came to see you."

Nate lets out a small sigh.

"I wanted to make sure you were ok with my own eyes. Its important to me to know you will be alright. Just...wanted to make sure."

Tree

Axel cocks his head a little, finding Jess' choice interesting. Even though she'd said that she trusted him despite his past record, this proved it, and it made him feel good.

"Alright. Dirt road it is then."

Taking the lead once more, Axel heads out of town. They ascend a small hill where the road becomes dirt, then once over the other side, the town is simply hidden from view. But as such, Axel had been right - it felt as though they were out in the middle of nowhere.

Walking just a ways farther, Axel stops where there is a big oak tree that grew up beside the road, it's branches hanging over the way. "I used to come here to think," he muses. "I did that a lot at one time... before Cryptic came along. It was always quiet out here... not many people come this way out of town. But..."

He looks to Jess, a small smile creasing his lips. It was almost sly, but not quite. "...you really can't get the full effect of the view until you see things the way I did."

Walking over to the tree, he finds the lowest branch and starts to climb up to the next nearest that was a long, sturdy limb. It was a little more difficult than anticipated with a numb hand, but he makes it, then offers Jess a hand up. Still grinning, he helps her up, then climbs two branches higher. One would think he was crazy to do it in the dark, but even after a year, he knew right where to put his feet. Helping Jess up again, he finally sits, scooting over just far enough so Jess can sit next to him, their legs dangling off the sturdy limb. And from there, the view was amazing.

Up above through the branches, the moon and stars shone brightly, a million little lights, twinkling in the clear sky. Across the land one could see the lights of nearby cities, and the darkness of forests where a shimmering river ran through.

Axel takes a deep breath of the fresh air. "A little bit of heaven," he muses quietly.


Still shocked by what she'd done, Laura can't even laugh, though something deep down wanted to. She sits down next to Nate and takes off her gloves. "I'm sorry," she apologizes again. "Mm... jumpy I guess."

Pausing, she looks down at her hands. "So what... why did you come?"

Trust

Walking with Axel in the fresh air feels nice. It had been a long time since she had just felt walked with out a destination.

Not even relizing how long they had been walking Jess wouldnt mind walk for miles more. It felt good, the fresh air felt even better.

Being given the three choises Jess thinks them over carfuly. Each one in her own mind meaning something differnt.

" I think, I'd like to take the dirt road and be in the middle of no where. I've never seen the stars and moon before."

Jess gives a smile to Axel. She trusted him whole heatedly, and had no fear that he would try to hurt her.

Not given enough time to react Nate is hit and drops to his knees holding his stomach. Silent for a moment he trys to catch his breath as the pain courses through his body and legs. Finally looking up at Laura with tears in his eyes he trys to smile at her.

"Well, I am glad to see you too."

Giving a cough Nate stands again though he is a little shaky. Going to sit down on a large stump he continues to try and catching his breath. Looking up at Laura again he can see the remnints on her face of what Bryace had done, once again thinking he had taken it to easy on the man who hurt his love.

"Remind me to stand farther back from now on so you can reach me eh?"

Reflexes

With a faint smile, Axel stands up too, and leads the way back upstairs. Telling Jess he'll be right back, he takes to the upstairs two steps at a time reemerging a few short minutes later with his sneakers on, and a hoodie thrown over his t-shirt.

Glancing into the living room, he sees that Derek and Gina had joined the kids in front of the tv. He catches Derek's eye and motions that they're stepping out, and Derek returns a short wave. He wouldn't lock the door until after they'd gotten back.

Axel opens the door for Jess so she can go out first, and within minutes, they're walking the sidewalk through the crisp night air. It was much cooler here than in Nevada, but the air had a refreshing feel to it. Though spring was around the corner, it still got a bit nippy at night.

Axel keeps the pace fairly slow, his hands tucked into his pockets. "It's been a while since I've walked this neighborhood," he mentions. "I used to all the time..."

Walking to the end of the second block, he stops and points. "There's a park up there a ways if you're interested. Or there's an all-night coffee shop the opposite way. Or..." He points straight ahead. "Town ends on a pretty dirt road that makes you feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere."


Laura had not even heard anyone come up behind her. She is so engrossed in taking her frustrations out on the woodpile that it didn't matter whose voice it is. Before it can even register in her mind, she is taken totally off guard.

Reflexes kick in. Without even thinking, she whirls around, not looking before she twirls the ax around and swings. The handle hits Nate squarely in the stomach before being turned again, the blunt side of the head coming up right where it counts.

Seeing Nate go down to his knees, Laura gasps, dropping the ax and putting a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Nate!" She kneels next to him and puts a hand to his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

Only now in the dim light can the bruises on her face be seen, and the split lip that was slowly healing.

"Are you okay?" Worry courses through her eyes, and she feels stupid for having reacted so quickly.

As ever

Smiling back at Axel Jess cant help a flutter that happens in the bit of her stomach and the pitter of her heart. Looking down for a moment at Axel's fingers intertwined with her own before looking up at Axel again.

Moving her legs to stand Jess smiles still holding Axel's hand.

"A walk sounds great."

Giving a nod and returning the handshake to Paula Nate smiles and tells them thank you before going out the back door. From the pourch Nate can make out Laura's form by the wood pile. For a moment he just stands there before making his way over.

Drawing closer Nate stops again and just watches her for a moment. A new fear surfacing. What if she still didnt want to see Nate and turned him away? Nate didnt know if once he was there next to her he would be able to leave if asked without making things worse. Swallowing his own fear Nate makes his feet move on, he had to. He had come this far and even if Laura turned him away he just wanted to make sure she was ok. Thats all he wanted.

Standing back to keep enough room that Laura didnt feel as though she was crowded Nate gives a smile as he puts his hands in his pockets. He didnt want to startle Laura be he felt as though it might be inevitable.

"You know, even with the sweat and dirt from working so hard you still look as beautiful as ever."

Ax

Axel moves his fingers to curl around Jess' hand, stopping her from rubbing for a moment. "Jess..." He shakes his head. "No one is going to make you stay at a hotel. If you try, you're going to insult this family..."

He can't help a small smile. "...and me."

His eyes roam to the stairs, his nightly habit kicking in. "You wouldn't want to go for a walk, would you?"


Dan opens the door slowly, the look on his face one of caution. But hearing who this man is, a small smile forms. "Hi, Nate, nice to finally meet you. We've heard a lot about you. Yes, Laura's here, please come in." He opens the door wider for Nate to enter.

A few of the grandkids are in the living room watching a movie before their parents come to pick them up, and they turn around to eye Nate curiously, but none get up.

Dan leads Nate through to the kitchen where Paula is washing dishes. She turns around, a warm smile coming to her face. "Well, you must be Nate." She dries her hands and approaches to offer her own handshake. "Welcome."

Dan gives his wife a nod. "He'd like to see Laura."

Paula's eyes fill with a sadness. "She's been out back for several hours now." She looks to Nate with sympathy. "She wouldn't eat supper... said she wanted to blow off some steam, so she went for the wood pile. You can find her out there." She gestures to the back door.

Dan gives Nate a look of approval. "If you need anything, let us know." He opens the back door for him.


Laura takes another swing, the ax coming down hard into its target, splitting the piece of wood in half. The loud chop echoes through the dim yard. She only pauses a moment to wipe her brow with the leather glove on her hand before aiming and swinging again.

Her hair is sweaty, hanging down the sides of her face after escaping the rubber band that was meant to hold it back. One of Dan's flannel shirts hangs loosely over her t-shirt, the sleeves having long since been rolled up as the task had made her warm.

Another swing. Another small log split. Another frustrated yell. The muscles in her arms ache, but she doesn't stop. Anger glistens in her eyes.

The evening was darkening slowly, the sky clear and hanging onto the last light of dusk. A cool misty haze envelopes the yard, hiding most anything else from view. Laura didn't mind. She felt more alone this way. And that's why she'd come out here.

Her back to the house, she doesn't see the door open, and doesn't hear anyone approaching.

An angry yell comes forth along with another swing. The log doesn't split. Another chop follows, and another and another until the stubborn wood finally breaks in half. Laura stops to catch her breath, bending over as her heart raced from the exercise. Her jeans were damp and dirty, proving she'd been out here for hours already. She was tired... so tired. But she didn't want to sleep. She wanted to kill this terror inside of her. She wanted to destroy the weakness she felt.

Another log. Another chop. The ax's blade is driven down into the wood fibers.

Impose

Following the directions Nate feels like he is getting no where till finally breaking the harizon he sees a small farm house. Coming closer Nate can feel his heart beat faster. He hadnt seen Laura in so long, and thats all he wanted right now.

Pulling into the driveway it takes Nate a moment before getting out of the car. Just looking around he takes note to the few toys that layed in the yard, and the bikes that leaned up aganst the house he sure did hope he had the right place.

Walking to the door slowly Nate straitens out his shirt. Before coming here he had run home quick and changed cleaning up his own knuckles as well making sure he didnt look like a lunitic. Knocking on the door Nate waits till the door open. Smiling he inquires.

"Hello I'm Nate Driers."

Nate holds out his hand for a handshake as an offer of friendship and a sign of peace.

"I am looking for Laura if she is around?!"

Giving a soft smile it made Jess feel good that Axel liked when she helped with his hand. Meeting Axel's eyes Jess cant help but smile bigger forgetting the pain that is caused her as her cuts were being streched,

"It feels nice knowing that I can help you like that. Being needed for something. It feels nice. Thanks."

Continuing to help with Axel's hand Jess moves a little on the couch so she is face Axel more bringing her legs up and sitting indian style on the couch. She felt so comfortable and relaxed, for once in her life it felt like her worrys just melted away.

Thinking about Axel's offer to stay Jess smiles.

"I wouldnt mind sticking around. Maybe you could show me some of the sights. Though as for staying here, I can always find a hotel to stay at. I dont want to put Gena and Derek out or anything. They have a full house as is, and I dont mind staying close by."

Jess wanted to stay, she wanted to spend more time with Axel after coming such a long way, but she didnt want to impose saying she would stay here when an offer hadnt even been made. She really didnt mind staying in a hotel.

Lingo

"...yeah, so I don't know if he's coming or not, but if he shows up, he's okay. There shouldn't be any more threat, now that Bryce is taken care of."

Dan nods, listening to his nephew on the other end of the phone. "Thanks, Con. You want me to go get Laura so you can tell her the news yourself?"

"No... don't bother her, if she's taking time alone. When you see her, let her know we caught Bryce and I'll let her know when she needs to come home."

"Alright, sounds good. Take care of yourself."

"Will do. Thanks for helping out... tell Paula hi."

"Sure thing. Bye now."


Axel is still sitting sideways on the couch when Jess comes nearer. As she reaches over to take his hand, he lets his legs slide down so he's sitting cross-legged instead, his knees no longer a barrier.

He looks down at Jess' question, but finally glances back up to her. "Yeah. I can't get the tingling to stop anymore. Last couple days it's been that way. Either it hurts like the dickens or I can't use it 'cause it goes numb."

He focuses on her own hands as she words, and his tone softens a little. "You're the only one that can make the pain go away. It still goes numb, but... thank you. Not even pain killers do what you do."

Leaning to the side, he rests his head on the back of the couch, just watching Jess. "I'm going to stay here a couple days yet... I know they won't mind if you do too... if you wanted to."


Ryder is heading down the hall and onto the main floor, not really paying much attention. He didn't know why he'd come today. Reese was too busy to talk, he had nothing to do, and he was just in the way.

Turning a corner around the cubicles, Ryder runs right into Wyatt. His pop can goes flying, hitting the floor with a bang and a hiss as it fizzes.

"Whoa." Wyatt staggers backward. "Sorry."

"Naw, my fault." Ryder grimaces as he leans down to pick up the wet and sticky can. "There goes that idea."

Wyatt grins a little. "You're Ryder aren't you."

"What gave that away? My aimless wandering? My strange looks, or the accent everybody thinks I have?"

Seeing the humor in Ryder's eyes, Wyatt laughs. "All of the above? You coming or going?"

"Well, all I wanted was a lolly water but wound up with a barney instead, so maybe going is better than coming, ay?"

Wyatt's eyes widen slightly. "You what?"

Ryder blinks. "What?"

"Um..." Wyatt grins. "I thought Australians spoke English."

Ryder gives a sheepish laugh. "Sorry. What'd I say?"

"I have no idea."

A laugh surfaces and Ryder shakes his head. "Apparently I better be more careful if I want all you to know what I'm saying."

Wyatt joins the laughter, remembering the night before. "Take away."

"And you thought I was just scrambling my English."

"Let me guess - I just didn't understand your Aussie. So now it's my fault."

"Well somebody's gotta be to blame."

Wyatt shakes his head, still grinning. "So what happened again?"

"I was after a soft drink. Ended up in a bit of an argument though."

"Ohh. Why didn't you say so?"

Ryder smirks. "I thought I did."

Wyatt just shakes his head. "So is there a problem? Who were you arguing with?"

"The only other Aussie around here."

"Ouch." Wyatt grimaces. He's about to say more, but suddenly stops. He'd read the report just this morning, and now the pieces in his mind fell into place. It would probably be better to avoid the subject for now, so he twists it back around. "Now I never had any trouble understanding what he was saying."

"Do all Americans sound the same?" Ryder counters. He shrugs. "Some people find it easy to blend in and pick up new speech habits, especially like Carson when he's been doing it for so long. He mighta been raised on another side of town too."

"What about you?"

"I dunno. Guess if I hang around you Yanks long enough I'll wind up sounding like everybody else. But don't hold your breath."

"I won't." Wyatt keeps grinning. "I'm Wyatt, by the way."


Ty hurries down the hospital hall, keeping the folded blanket in front of him. Only if someone looked closely would they see that the blanket was only half of the large bulge. The other half was being hidden underneath his jacket. He'd avoided being checked over so far, but wasn't about to waste any more time.

Scooting into Scott's room, he doesn't even knock, but shuts the door behind him.

Scott gives a start. He'd dozed off, and though Hope was still there, the last couple hours had been very quiet. He hadn't talked a whole lot, his body too tired to continue the battle for now. But seeing Ty, he forces himself to be more alert. "Ty?"

"Hey, Scott." Ty grins, then nods to Hope. He'd heard who she was, and wasn't surprised to see her there. He comes a little closer to the bed, letting the blanket drop. "I got something for you." He unsnaps a couple buttons of his jacket, and suddenly a little black and white furry head appears.

Scott's eyes widen in shock, his mouth dropping open. "But..."

Ty is still smiling. "She just got a good bump on the noggin. Vet says she's just fine as long as she doesn't get too rambunctious for a couple days."

Tears well up in Scott's eyes. All the sorrow and grief from losing his little friend were suddenly replaced by one of the biggest joys he could remember. Domino hadn't died.

Ty comes closer and lets the squirming dog go. Domino slides from his arms onto the foot of the bed, wiggling with excitement as she crawls up to Scott's face, giving him plenty of slobbery kisses.

A laugh comes out as Scott holds her closer, burying his head in her fur.

Ty just smiles in satisfaction, glancing down at Hope as if to make sure she approved.

Kicking and Screaming

Taking the peace of paper from Con Nate just looks at it before looking back to Con. A million emotions filled his eyes.

"Thanks Con!"

Just sitting there for a moment before leaving after Con get out Nate thinks. He was able to go see Laura now...but why now did Con give this to him?

Not caring to give it a second thought Nate pulls out of the parking lot and heads in the direction that was on the paper.

Smiling and giving a soft hum Misty nods to Carson. They both had been so busy, she was tired and stress having a nice time out would be great and some personal time with Carson would be nice.

"I dont care if you have to drag me kicking and screaming I would like to have dinner with you. And maybe when everything has calmed down I can ask my Uncle for a vacation."

Giving a nod and a wave to Carson as he leaves Misty goes back to her work. Her and Rick were so close to the cure if she was lucky by tonight they would have it and could administer it to Angel. There was just one missing link still, and Misty was almost there.

Enjoying the meal and listing to the chatter around the table the smile never leaves Jess face. This was something she could get use to and now new why Axel liked it here so much. This was a family, something so many people missed out on.

Wondering down stairs with the other three Jess enjoys spending time with everyone even if she didnt talk to much. Just watching the two kids plat was enough to keep her entertained. It's not untill Nick and Liz have gone upstairs that Jess looks to Axel and smiles at his question.

"I think I like it. I've never had....this..."

Jess motions around the room to the house, the family, and the love felt here.

"...its nice. I can see why the rainbow likes the spot in the clouds."

Taking note to Axel rubbing his hand again Jess moves a little bit close but not to close to make him feel uncomfortable. Gentily reaching over and taking Axel's hand Jess starats to rub it. To her it had become normal now and didnt feel to awkward anymore. Though she had taken not in just the day it had been bothing him more.

"Your hand has been bothing you alot more as of late huh?"

Rack off

Con grabs Bryce's limp body and drags him to the car, not really caring about anybody watching. Throwing him into the backseat, Con joins Nate up front for a quick but quiet ride to the station.

By the time they arrive, Bryce has regained consciousness, but is in too much pain to talk or give them any trouble. Dragged inside, he doesn't look anyone in the eye, only glaring at the floor.

It takes only a brief explanation to the officers to have Bryce taken away, and before they know it, Con and Nate are alone once more in the car. It seems so quiet. It seems so... empty. All the rage was gone. Bryce had been caught. Now all that was left was sorrow... sorrow for a loved one who had paid a steep price at no fault of her own.

Back to TJY, Con doesn't get out right away. He needed to get in his own car and go home for the rest of the day, but first...

Con finds a piece of paper and a pen, leaning forward to use the dashboard's flat surface to scribble something out. Turning, he hands Nate the paper where an address is written. "Dan and Paula Gibbs. It's a little farm... you'll find Laura there... if you leave now, you'll make it by supper time... so go before I change my mind."

Getting out of the car, he shuts the door and doesn't look back, ambling to his own car. He would leave Jamie to her work... he'd see her in a while when she got home anyway.


Carson leans into Misty, enjoying the moment with her, almost feeling deprived since he'd been gone. Finally withdrawing, he grins, giving her a wink. "I better let you keep on saving lives. But tomorrow I'm having dinner with you, no ifs ands or buts."

Straightening, he runs his fingers through Misty's soft hair for a moment before finally backing away. "Talk to ya later, Sassy."

Carson wanders out of the infirmary, tired, and wanting a shower and his bed. But he was thirsty first, so his route takes him by the break room on the way, as he fishes for change in his pocket.


Ryder has found his way to the break room after wandering the halls, deciding to grab something to drink. Hearing someone behind him, he turns around.

His stare turns to ice, and he looks away. Carson picks up on it immediately, but at this point he really didn't understand. Last he knew, he and Ryder weren't exactly pals, but they had been far from enemies. "Decided to stick it out around here?" he asks cautiously.

Ryder finishes getting his can of pop, then turns around, his glare still present. "Rack off, Carson."

Carson's eyes widen. It had been a while since he'd been told that. "Easy on! What did I do to deserve that?"

"Figure it out yourself."

Carson sets his hands on his hips. He was tired, he was worn out, and he hadn't expected this. "Is this about your brother?"

Ryder grits his teeth, his hand tightening on his can of pop. "Well now, that's a smart guess."

Since getting back, Carson hadn't taken time to really sit and think about what had happened in Australia. Now he suddenly realized that he might have made an enemy without knowing it. "I had no choice," he defends.

"Cods wallup." Ryder glares at him. "You could have just nicked him."

"And we all might have died." Carson throws up his hands. "You want to blame me and walk around with that chip on your shoulder, go right ahead. But I won't feel guilty. I save the team. I did my job. If you hadn't been so danged intent on getting the traitor out of there in the first place, you might not have even gotten shot, and we might not have even had to put the whole show in jeopardy!"

Ryder's temper flares, but he manages to keep it in. Deep down, he knew. He knew that Carson had been saving the lives of his team. He knew that had he been Carson, he would have had to make the same choice. But on the surface, all it did was hurt.

Emotions flood his eyes, and before he says something he'll regret, he stalks out of the break room.

Carson heaves a sigh and shakes his head. A pang of guilt hits him. It was a fact that he had killed again. At the time, he had just acted on instincts. But now... now that he thought about it... did that mean that he'd turned his back on the change he had allowed himself to make? He suddenly wondered. Maybe it wasn't as cut and dry as he'd thought it was. Forgetting about the drink he'd come here for, he slips back out into the hall. He would go home. He would sleep. Tomorrow, things would go back to normal.


Liz continues to giggle, shaking her head as Axel gives her a warning glance. "Okay, okay, you win. But when you have time, I really do need your help. I can't reach that lightbulb in the basement. You know, the one over the keyboard that keeps going out."

"And... you don't have a brother? Or very tall father for that matter?"

Liz sticks her tongue out at him. "I like picking on you better. Besides, I've asked them, and they keep putting it off."

"And you think I'm different?"

"Oh, you're different, alright," Liz teases.

Axel shakes his head and looks back to Jess. "Sometimes I wonder why it is I like it here so much."

"Mom's cooking?" Liz asks.

"Yeah, that's probably it." Axel rolls his eyes. Turning to Jess, he gestures with his head. "Come on... you can meet the rest of the family."

Nick is found somewhere in the back, greeting Jess nicely. Gina is in the kitchen, and meeting Jess, she offers a very warm welcome, never drawing any attention at all to Jess' appearance. It was obvious that once here, you were a part of the family.

Supper is eaten at the dining room table, full of laughing and talking. The whole family acts as though having Jess there is quite natural, never missing a beat, and being sure to include her in their conversations. Axel sits next to her, making sure she's comfortable in this atmosphere, though is relaxed enough himself, that he hopes she is too.

After the meal, Gina and Derek stay upstairs to clean the dishes, while the other four head downstairs. Liz and Nick fool around with some music for a while, but then wind up wanting to watch a moving upstairs.

Sitting sideways at one end of the couch in the basement, Axel's feet are almost tucked under one of the cushions, with his knees up close to his chest. Once the two siblings are gone, he rubs his hand a little bit, glad that Liz had not asked him to join in the musical venture of the evening. Had he needed to tell her no, then tell her why, she would have worried about him from then on out.

He looks to the other end of the couch at Jess, giving her a small smile. "Crazy enough for you around here?"

Family

Feeling Con pull him off Nate lets out a strong huff trying to catch his own breath.

"I'd rather see him dead, but I guess that wouldnt be right."

Whiping the blood from his knuckles on his pants Nate takes a pare of handcuffs from his belt loop. Taking his boot Nate rolls Bryce over being anything but gentil. Cuffing his hands Nate hoists him up and hands him over to Con.

Letting out a long sigh Nate just stands for a moment looking out at all the people in the park. Getting lost for a moment Nate finally comes back to where he is and turns back to the car. His eyes now had lost most of there anger and held only sadness.

Getting back into his car he waits for Con to get Bryce in and than himself before pulling away for the station.

Jess gives Derek a genuin smile as she feels more relaxes being there this time. Now that Axel was with her things just seemed better.

"Not to much trouble, than again I think its the storm that gives the rainbow the most trouble."

Startled just a little by the sound of running and the unexspected voice Jess soon is relaxed again seeing the young girl. Giving a smile again Jess takes Liz's hand and gives it a soft handshake.

"Its very nice to meet you as well Liz."

Just smiling Jess stands back at watches Axel and Liz interact along with Derek. She'd never had a family to call her own let alone remember what her own patents looked like. Seeing this interaction was new to her, it was something she herself had never experinces and it was intreging to see a group of people so close it was strange and new to see a family.

Feeling tired and stressed Misty contnues to work on knowing right now she had to. Feeling Carson's arms around her and hearing his voice Misty cant help the smile that made its way to her lips. Just knowing Carson was around, was enough to want her to go on.

"I like being captured, and facing the consequences when its from you."

Not being able to help the grin that surfaced on her lips Misty turns her head to look at Carson letting her lips meeting his and her other hand coming up to the side of his face and than slip to the back of his head just letting the moment linger.

Mama Sue

Bryce is taken completely off guard, his eyes wide, his face pale from almost getting hit with the car. Too stunned and surprised, he doesn't even have time to react before Nate is on him. Struggling under Nate's weight, he gives a wail, but is answered with fists. His own fists fly, but they only get tangled in Nate's arms, and he's unable to defend himself. Blood spurts from his mouth and nose as he's hit over and over again. Finally one of Nate's blows renders him unconscious.

Con is right with Nate, getting out of the car, but being on the other side, he sees Nate get to Bryce first, and let's him take over. Seeing that Bryce is going no where, Con stands back, letting Nate handle him. His anger still burned. He remembered Bryce from years ago. Now justice would finally be served.

But as he sees Bryce finally lose consciousness and Nate doesn't stop, something tells him to step in. Though he'd like to see Bryce dead, if they killed him, it would be them on trial instead, and this was far from self-defense.

"Alright, Nate, alright." He steps closer, putting his hands on Nate to pull him off their now-prisoner. "He can't serve time if he's dead."


Looking up at Jess, Axel's mouth finally curls into a smile. He takes Jess' hand and stands up, any food being forgotten. He didn't want to stay at the grill any longer. Getting outside Axel stops and turns to her before going to his car. "I don't know how to thank you, Jess. I guess all I can do is admit I was wrong." He shakes his head a little. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you either." His left hand moves up again to run gently along her cheek. The look in his eye proved that it pained him to know that Peter had gotten to her again.

Dropping his hand, he starts forward again, tucking his tingling hand in his pocket out of the chilly wind. Jess always helped the pain go away. But this time the numbness was sticking around. For now though, he wouldn't draw attention to it.

"You can follow me," he offers, heading to his car. Once back on the street, he makes sure Jess is behind him, then heads back to the house.

Parking, he gets out and waits for her, then goes to the door. Not needing to knock, he opens it for Jess, letting them both in.

Derek is just passing when they walk in, and he stops, lifting his eyebrows and giving a little smile. Axel was back... Jess was here... that could only be a good thing. "Well hello, you two."

Axel nods to him. "Gina mind if we have an extra guest for supper?"

"You kidding me?" Derek smirks. "She'd cook for an army if it meant more chatter at the table."

Axel grins. "Alright. So have you two..." He gestures between Derek and Jess with question. He hadn't quite figured out yet how Jess had found him, but this was the only logical explanation.

Derek nods. "Yeah, we've met." His smile is warm and aimed at Jess. "Glad you came back and brought this scallywag along with you. I hope he didn't give you too much trouble."

Axel rolls his eyes. "Only a little."

Suddenly running footsteps can be heard coming down the hall and Liz comes shooting around the corner. "Axel, Axel, Axel! I need your help with..." Her voice trails off and she skids to a halt, her feet sliding on the tiled floor in her socks. Her eyes widen, realizing that Axel had not come back alone. But the embarrassment is quickly replaced with a muffled giggle. "Oh, sorry to interrupt."

Axel grins. "Liz, this is Jess, Jess this is Liz."

Liz's eyes light up. "Oh it's so good to finally meet you!" She offers Jess a friendly handshake. "I kept wondering when I'd get to put a face to the name Axel can't seem to quit talking about. Just yesterday, he was..."

Before she can finish, Axel has stepped forward to lock her head under his arm, slapping a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, Jess. This one is the chatterbox of the family. Really, she doesn't know any better. Poor thing. We all put up with her though."

A backhanded slap to his gut forces him to catch his breath and let Liz go.

Liz giggles and backs away several steps. "You big meanie."


Carson wanders through TJY, making his way to the infirmary. Once there, he pokes his head inside to see Rick at the counter and Misty at her desk. Tired, but not willing to go home yet, Carson is quiet about entering, and slowly comes up behind Misty's chair.

Bending down, he wraps both arms around her, under her chin. "Tsk... letting an Aussie sneak up on you? I thought you knew better." He cocks his head around to almost rest it against hers, just far enough he could see her eyes. "Or do you just like being caught?"


Gunner grins as he finds the plate of cookies on his desk from Susanne. "Oh, you're a sweet woman." Letting one with chocolate chips melt in his mouth, he trots down to her office, not knocking before going in. "Mama Sue!"

Susanne gives a start and papers go flying. "Gunner!" She reprimands. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"Not enough." Gunner comes around to plant a teasing kiss on the top of her head. "You do know how to take care of me." He still has half a cookie in his hand, and he takes another bite.

"Well good. Now help me pick these papers up." Though Susanne's voice was annoyed, the twinkle in her eye proved that she enjoyed every minute of this. "And while you're at it, when are you going to shave that horred mess?"

Gunner grins and helps her pick up the papers. "Aw now, if I got all nice and prettied up, you wouldn't recognize me anymore!"


Ryder wanders across the TJY floor, feeling a bit lost and out of place. He knew people's names, but few faces, and most didn't know him either. He didn't feel unwelcome, but he didn't feel like he fit either. Ambling down the hall, he glances into an office, a supply room, then the infirmary. When he gets there though, he spots Carson. He stiffens immediately, and doesn't stick around. Instead, he continues his aimless walk. It would be just as well if he didn't have to run into Carson today.

Together

Looking over to the right where Con was point Nate see Bryce. He'd never seen him before but he new just from one look who he was.

Ignoring anything Con might of been saying to him Nate speeds up in his car again getting closer and closer and closer to Bryce till finally she does a tail spin with the backend of his can and almost hits Bryce.

Not even missing a beat Nate is out of his car and tackles Bryce right over the hood of his car and slamming him to ground on the other side. Stanying on top of him Nate's fit hits the side of Bryces face with such great force from all his anger, and his emotion.

"Your gonna be sorry you ever layed a finder on her."

Continuesly Nate fast meets his face, and sides not even caring about the blood that now was forming on his own hands. As Bryde trys to fight underneath him Nate only hits harder losing focus of relaity and just wanted to hurt the name that hurt Laura.

Looking at Axel Jess smiles. Being invite to now see the family that was so close to Axel felt like an honner.

"I'd like to meet them properly. Yes...I'd like that Axel."

Jess face though was covered in bruses, cuts, and scars beamed like no other. The life and color, the happyness that filler her eyes.

"I've been many places from my past life, but I never really stoped to see or enjoy anything. I think....this time I'd like to."

Standing Jess offers her hand to Axel. They had both walked in here alone, and lost with differnt purpis in mind. Now...now they would walk out together with the same purpis.

...

Axel lets out a long, slow breath. Today was what he'd always hoped for - unconditional friendship. But today had been the first time he'd allowed it to happen.

He shakes his head a little, a wry grin forming at just the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, well... this rainbow doesn't really like letting go of the storm either."

Sighing, he looks around the restaurant, then back to Jess. "I don't know what to do now, Jess... I'll admit that to you. Back in Nevada, my job and home might be gone for good. My reputation is smudged and who knows what the guys are thinking..." He pauses, wondering about all of that. Jess hadn't said "come back" but it was as good as implied. "But here..."

Axel stops, not wanting to decide now. "Would you like to meet the family that took me in after I got myself out of jail?"


Carson listens to Peter, making him squirm under the knife blade. "Press charges against me?" A cold laugh surfaces. "I don't think you'd really want to do that anyway, would you?"

The knife goes sliding across Peter's forearm, just enough to draw blood but not wound deeply. "So you got what you wanted eh? You really got what you wanted."

Carson's blood boils. The knife goes back to Peter's throat. "I ought to kill you right here," he hisses. "No one would miss you. No one would care because you're the scum of the earth. But you know what? Killing is too good for you. No... you're going to confess outright, then you're going to stay behind bars - this time I'll make sure of it."

Half an hour later, Carson is finally satisfied with enough recording to convict Peter. Another punch to the jaw and Peter is out cold for a nice quiet ride down to the police station. Carson preferred there over TJY... at TJY Peter might not get out alive.

Reviving him once more, Carson drags Peter out of the back of the van, keeping his hands tied behind his back. He pushes Peter mercilessly up the steps and inside, not caring about the marks Peter bore. It wouldn't matter.

An officer lifts his eyebrows as he sees them, and Carson shrugs. "He fell down."


"Whoa whoa whoa." Con points across the dashboard to the city park, forcing Nate to slow down. "Bryce's car, ten o'clock."

Sure enough, the vehicle was still here, and Bryce was still standing beside it.

Rainbow to roll with

Just staying quiet Jess listens to Axel every word he says goes hurd and taken in. Not missing one beat or losing attachen Jess is just quiet and listens.

Everything Axel said made sence, and added up. Some was saprising and some was not it went hand in hand.

Watching Axel Jess can see the emotion, the pain that pooled in his eyes. That alone was enough to tell anyone they were innocent. Many people could fake, but to look deep into the eyes, to look into the soul was the truth.

"So you think your innocent but have no proof? I dont think it would be possable to sleep walk and do something like that. It just seems....I dont know just not possable I guess."

Looking around the small restront Jess starts to note that it was getting busy but not to bad yet. Leaning in just a little bit to Axel and keep her voice down so no one would over hear them she continues to talk with Axel. Her own emotion hiddin in her eyes.

" I dont think your capable of it. Your an honorable person, with a good heart. It's just not possable."

Straghting just a little Jess cant help the smile that spreads across her lips.

"If you would consider not running anymore, I know a storm cloud with enough thunder to go around that needs a rainbow to roll with. Its not every day a storm is around long enough to see the rainbow, so when they catch one they never want to let go."

Giving a nod as if she agrees with herself Jess eyes become more searouse. She ment what she said and she said what she ment.

"In all my life, your only the second person I ever considered a true friend. I'd hate having to lose that."

Jess had known it was hard for Axel to tell his story and how it must have hurt him inside, but just hearing it...hearing it from his own lips put an ease over Jess.

Feeling the slap to the face Peter wakes with a start his head was pounding. Fanticly looking around the the inclosed area.

What was going on? Where was he?

Finally relizing it was Carson's voice he could hear Peter trys to look behind him.

"You cant do this to me man, this is un human."

Struggaling again till he feels the blade to his face Peter's heart races. Feeling the sting from the blade Peter winces.

"Man...if if you want Jess you can have her. I'll leave her alone, you can take her. She was to weak anyways. I got what I wanted from her and now I've moved on. Just let me go and I'll leave her alone. I wont even press charges on you."

Lonely

Emotions flood Axel's eyes. The pain, the hurt, the grief... it wasn't something others saw in him very often. It wasn't something that he usually let show. He was so sorry that Peter had gotten to Jess again... and so sorry that he hadn't been there for her.

He closes his eyes for a moment and just shakes his head. But she didn't let the conversation stop there. Instead, she kept on going, talking about him again, and her reasoning for being here now. He would revisit the subject of Peter later. For now... for now, there was another issue.

Reaching across the table with his other hand, he cups Jess' in his own. Taking a deep breath, he finally meets her gaze once more. "You are... one of the strongest people I know. The last couple days, all I've been told is what an idiot I was for leaving Nevada... and even my own gut started telling me the same thing. And... now I know why."

His fingers tighten a little around her hand, while his other hand stays limp in her palm. "I was an idiot because while I acted like I thought I had friends... maybe I never trusted that I really did. And you... of all people... coming here after you knew about my record... I'm... amazed."

And he was. It was the most fitting word. Jess had been taken advantage of more than once... Axel had denied her the truth even about himself... yet she had looked past absolutely everything and had been brave enough to come.

Axel looks back down for a moment, then takes another deep breath. "I... don't know if I'm the kind of man my record says I am or not." He knew that sounded crazy. But it was time. It was time he told the truth, and he was finally ready. Jess had shown trust in him, now he only owed her the same in return.

“I was out with friends. It was late… We’d just come from a party and wanted to go hang out at the docks by the lake.”

Axel could pull up the memories as if the event had just happened yesterday. Everything was vivid… the sights… the sounds… the smells.

“Me and Joe thought about taking a dip in the lake, but decided it was too cold. Wayne and Tammy were kidding around back in the parking lot. We just talked, threw rocks… no trouble, but we should have been home.”

He pauses, dredging up the chain of events. “I finally decided to go home. I asked Tammy if she wanted a ride, but Wayne convinced her to go out with him and Joe to the club downtown. It wasn’t my thing so they weren’t surprised when I declined and simply left.”

His eyes almost glaze over as he thinks, as if totally lost in what had happened. His fingers twitch a little over Jess' hand. “I went back to my apartment and went to bed. Slept like a rock until about six in the morning. The police were pounding at the door. Soon as I showed my face, they put me in cuffs and were arresting me. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, and it scared me, so at first I fought. But they took me down, and hauled me in. After that, I got interrogated. It started to sink in just what I was being charged with, and I kept saying I was innocent, but they said Tammy insisted that it had been me. I couldn’t believe it.”

Axel shakes his head as his eyes lower and he swallows hard, obviously not enjoying this, and finding it a bit difficult. Apart from the Stevensons, Jess was the first to hear all of this.

“We went to court. But I didn’t have a solid alibi, and the doctor that came said that the dna matched - it had been me. Tammy was there too... I remember being on the stand and looking out and seeing her. I could still see traces of the cuts and bruises on her face..." He stops and looks up. Jess looked so much the same. "...and the look in her eye when she saw me was pure terror.”

He pauses again, keeping his voice low. “I did hear her story in court. She said she went to the club with Joe and Wayne. They had some drinks, then after that she had trouble remembering things. Joe and Wayne both took the stand then, and their stories were the same. They said I showed up about half an hour after they did and said I told them I had changed my mind and wanted to join them. They said after a while they left the table, and looked over once to see me coming on to Tammy. They shrugged it off, but then a little bit later, they looked again and we both were gone. They said they went outside and found us both out back, catching me in the act. They said they were shocked and started a fight with me, but that I got away. Instead of following me, they stayed to help Tammy and call the police.”

Axel finally straightens, withdrawing his hands, his gaze falling to table. The look on his face was one of sadness, disgust, embarrassment and helplessness. “Tammy remembered bits and pieces… enough to mess her up emotionally… enough that she’d never be the same. Though she couldn’t remember the face of her attacker, it was Joe and Wayne’s testimony that sealed that angle. Then there was the medical proof.”

He sighs deeply. “I was asleep in my apartment. I was out cold and don’t even remember dreaming that night. Someone once asked me if I thought maybe I really had gone out, drank too much, got into trouble, then didn’t remember it the next morning.” He withdraws his one hand to rest it in his lap so Jess won't see it start to shake. “I guess there’s always been a small part of me that has questioned that. I've been known to sleepwalk and do things that I never have remembered. I would never, ever have hurt anyone, least of all like that. But was I in my own mind?” He shrugs again, helplessly. “I have no proof of anything. I always figured somebody paid off the doctor who presented the proof of dna. But do I have proof of that? No, of course not. I just always tried to find peace in the fact that I don’t remember doing anything to Tammy, and it wasn’t my nature to ever even consider it. Makes me sick just to think about it.”

Axel shifts his weight in his seat, bothered by all of this. Looking up, he locks eyes with Jess again. He felt out of line, but he was going to say it anyway. “I’ve never been with a women, let alone forcefully. I’ve always had moral standards high above that, and anyone would have testified to that. …Until the trial. I found out just how few friends I really had.”

He takes a breather, feeling the heat in his face. Even though he thought he believed his own innocence, that didn’t make the subject matter any easier to deal with. It was still an embarrassing topic, especially when talking to a woman.

Axel doesn't know how much more he should say, but he'd started, he might as well finish. There were unanswered questions, and he might as well be totally open at this point. Anything less would be silly now.

“Once I was behind bars, I never heard from any of my family or friends. No phone calls, no letters, no visits. I’d been completely cut off. And when I finally got out and was done with the rehabilitation program, I walked to my parents house, only to find a for sale sign in the yard. The neighbor, an old family friend, saw me, and told me that my parents had moved five months prior.” He closes his eyes for a moment. “No one had let me know. Even my brother had left town without a trace. So…”

He purses his lips. “That was that. I headed out of state, not bothering to figure out where my parents were. Wound up here in Wisconsin where no one knew me. Settled for a while, then Cryptic came along. It was just the thing I wanted to really start something new, so I joined up with them and… the rest is history.”

Axel bravely meets Jess' eyes again. Maybe it would hurt her to think that he might be innocent, but allowed her to think otherwise. But when he had had no proof...he wouldn't have wanted her to assume he was the good guy, then find out later it had all been the truth after all.

"And now... I'm just a lonely rainbow without the thunder."


By now, Carson is fully riled, so when Peter tries to go back inside, it's a strong arm that stops him. "Oh, no you don't."

Swinging Peter around, he balls up his fist. "Say goodnight."

...it's half an hour later. Peter is sitting in a chair, his hands tied behind his back. Where they were was damp and warm. A hot light shines in his face, and a tape recorder sits, recording the sounds, some of which would be edited out later. For the first sound was that of a knife being sharpened.

"Wakie, wakie," Carson prompts, giving Peter's face a light slap. "We don't want you sleeping all day. I need something from you first." As he moves, the small room rocks. It wasn't a room. It was the back of the TJY van.

Carson leans over behind Peter, putting the razor-sharp knife to the side of Peter's face and putting slight pressure on it. Enough to hurt, but not enough to draw blood. "Now... you're going to confess right now, that it was you who assaulted Jessica Fisher... twice. Or else you're going to be picked apart, one small piece of flesh at a time."

A crooked grin forms. "And don't think I won't do it."

No idea

As Axel touches the side of Jess face she dosnt flinch or show fear of him closing her eyes for a moment at his tender touch. Opening her eyes again Jess looks up at Axel some small tear form in her eyes but she dosnt let them pour over at his question of why she is there.

"There is no point to a storm without the rainbow. I wanted you to know Axel that I still cared about you and if I have to bring you my car and say its broken for you to believe me I will. A million times over again."

For a moment a fear rises in Jess, but not one that said she was scaired of him but one that made her wonder if he would stay or turn her away.

Watching him sit down across from her a releaf pass over her knowing that this ment at least for now he would stay.

Looking down at his hand Jess continues to rub it softly, stoping even little bit just to hold it before swallowing and speaking again.

"Peter came back, I'm not sure why he was out of jail but he was, and he was waiting for me. He didnt hurt me as bad as he did the first time but as you can still see it was bad enough."

Jess pauses for a moment just thinking back to when Peter had hurt her the first time is gave her chills and she hated thinking about it but she had to tell Axel.

"I got to thinking while I was at TJY again and you know your not like Peter. Even if you did or were at one time, your not anymore. I've seen you, I know you and you never would of hurt me let alone someone alse. Peter was scum, you...your a rainbow I see things like you, I take note and keep in my memorie everything and I've seen your heart. You always did what you could to make sure I was comfortable, to make sure I didnt feel threatend or out of place. That sounded sound like the work of a rapest to me."

Jess cocks her head just a little hoping she mad sence and was not just babbling.

Getting his smoke taking out of his mouth Peter is about to yell a retort when he looks up at see Carson. For a moment he is frozen in his seat not sure what to say or why Carson was even here. Finally finding his voice Peter trys to play off his discomfort.

"Carson my good friend. I havent seen you since Vagis."

Getting pulled from his seat Peter trys to stay as cool as he can as he throws his arm around Carson a little to play like everything was cool.

"It will all be ok Lady's I shall return in moment. This shouldnt take long."

Being pushed along Peter dosnt resist till they get outside and he is thrown aganst the wall.

"Whoa, whoa easy..."

Turning around and looking back at Carson Peter shakes his head.

"I dont know what your talking about man. Now if you dont mind I have people waiting."

Trying to push past Carson Peter trys to get inside.

Show me

Taken completely by surprise, Axel almost jerks his hand away from the woman who had touched him. But the voice comes first, ceasing the flight reaction.

Looking down, he knows who speaks, but is so confused at her presence, that he just stands and listens. Her being there alone was enough to shock him. And her words only add to that shock.

Jess' soothing touch to his hand breaks up the pain like only she could do. For a moment, he closes his eyes, wondering if this was some kind of a dream. But her words hurt. There was too much pain for this to be a dream. Derek had been right. And she was right. He hadn't let anybody make up their own mind. Jess speaking of him cutting off her rainbow felt like a dagger to his heart.

Then as the hood falls from her face, question, fear and concern flash in his eyes. What had happened to her? For a brief moment, he remembered her looking the same, the first time he'd seen her.

His eyes lock with hers, and for several seconds, he's simply unable to move or speak. He just didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to act. What had happened to her? What was her point in coming? Was she asking him to come back? Was she simply telling him she was still his friend? Or not?

By now, the waitress had realized that she was forgotten, and she had moved on to help other customers.

Axel swallows hard and reaches out with his free hand to run a finger down the side of Jess' face, gently avoiding the cuts and bruises that were still there. "Oh, Jess." His own words are but a whisper. "What happened? And why did you come?"

Letting her keep hold of his hand, he eases down on the other side of the small table. He glances down to the way she was rubbing his hand, then looks back up to see her eyes once more. his voice is still quiet. "Do you really want to hold the hand of a rapist?" He had to know why she'd come. And he had to know if it had anything to do with the way she looked.


Carson takes his time getting to the door of the Bullseye, then once there, he just leans up against the brick wall for a few minutes, loitering until he thinks it's been long enough. Then he enters the bar.

Getting inside, his ball cap is low, but he has a clear view of all the corners. And he spots Peter. The rage boils up inside of him, as he sees Jess again, battered and bruised. His fists tighten at his sides. But before moving forward, he takes a deep breath, slipping on a mask of casual, business air, he traipses on over to Peter's table.

"Well, well, well, look who we got here." Carson lays on the thick accent, winking at the girl so no one gets alarmed. "If it isn't my old pal, Peter."

He reaches out and takes the cigarette from Peter's mouth, putting it out in the ash tray. "I think it's been too long since we had some guy time, what do you think?" He smiles, reaching down to pull Peter up by his collar. "Now, I don't think you really want to get a whole lot of attention in here, do you? So why don't we just step on out back for a minute?"

He nods to the girl, then to another woman who had shown up. "No worries. We're old mates." Staying casual, no one would notices how firmly a grip he had on Peter's collar, and few would realize the warning tone in his voice. But he knew Peter would know. And he also knew that Peter liked to connive and would rather try to weasel out of a situation than face it in front of others. For once, he was glad of that.

Dragging Peter to the back, before they know it, he's kicked open the door and shoved Peter into the dim alleyway, letting him bounce off the neighboring brick wall. Carson's face has changed to a hard, cold look with an icy stare.

"Alright, Peter. Show me what you got. Or are women the only things you're man enough to handle?"

Play with kids

Finally seeing Axel walk through the door Jess is still silent till he walks close the waitress leading him. Jess didnt really know what she wanted to say but she could only hope the words would come and make seance. Knowing Axel probley who it was because oh her hood being up Jess dosnt give it much thought as she gently takes Axel's hand as he walks by. Jess had noticed when he came in that is was bothering him. Rubbing it softly she speaks.

"You once asked me if you told me something about you would I run away, and turn you out like the other. I had said no because despite my own background and the skeletons in the closet you accepted me."

Jess is quiet for a moment letting her few words sink in before she spoke more.

"And than when I did find out, you didnt even let me make up my own mind. You did it for me, and than walked away. I'm not sure if you cutting the storm off from its rainbow hurt more than me finding out your past Axel."

Looking up Jess hood finally falls from her face and off her head as she eyes look up at Axel and pearce his own. Her blue eyes sparkled. Though her face was marked with the bruses and cuts, Jess was happy to see Axel. She had come such a long way and went through so much to find Axel she only hopes he did not turn away again.

Nate shakes his head at Con and rolls his eyes. He cant help but give a chuckle at what Con did to the prisoner. At the moment he was rotten and not a great person to be around, but finding humor in something said the real Nate was in there still somewhere.

Continuing his direction Nate calls over his shoulder to Con.

"Come on, can we move on with our day now? We do have more important things to do than sit hit playing with kids."

Entering the bar Peter has the same familure smug look on his face as he goes to the bartender and orders a round slinging his arm over a womans shoulder that looked younger than Jess.

"So your going to be my hot date tonight huh? What ya want to drink?"

Getting drinks for himself and the other girl Peter finds a table to sit at before the rest of his crew showed up. Pulling the girl down into his lap Peter plants a long kiss on her lips before letting her up and taking a sip of his own beer and lights up a smoke.

Bingo

Derek gives Jess a warm smile. All he can do is watch her leave, incredibly curious now. He knew who she was. He knew she'd called. But he hadn't expected her to actually come. And if he knew Axel, Axel wouldn't have expected her to come either.

Derek lets the screen door fall shut again, and closes the inside door to keep the chilly air out.

"Dad, who was that?"

He turns to Liz. "I'm ninety-nine percent sure that was Jess... Axel's talked about her."

"Oh yeah, the gal he likes."

Derek lifts an eyebrow. "Now don't go spreading rumors."

Liz grins. "I'm not. I'm a woman and I can see that look in his eye."

Derek shakes his head. "Well, now you can pray that she finds him, and when she does, that he'll be receptive."

"You think he'd walk away?"

"At this point, I don't know. If he does, I know he'll regret it for the rest of his life."


Rick lets Misty help him straighten up, though he holds his side. "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay," he grumbles. "That sure was stupid. I don't know why I didn't think he'd do something. I must be more tired than I thought."


As Alec comes sprinting around the corner, he skids to a halt, running into another stranger. Though it was the tank of a man behind Nate that made his eyes go wide. Distracted, he doesn't even see Nate's fist coming at him. In an instant, everything goes black.

Con's eyebrows shoot up. "Whoa. Nice one. Who is this clown?"

By now, Rick has managed to get closer, though is still a bit out of breath. "He's one of the guys who jumped Scott last night."

"What?" Con had been too distracted to hear about that. "Is Scott okay?"

"Yeah, he will be. He killed this guy's partner."

"Scott did?" Con found that hard to believe.

"Yep. Bullet right to the head."

"They break into his house or what?"

"Apparently."

Con's anger just boils. It was bad enough they had everything else to worry about. Why couldn't these goons go find someone else to pick on? Stepping forward, he grabs Alec by the shirt and lifts him up just enough to start dragging him back to the cell.

Rick rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Don't kill him, Con."

Con throws him a look. "I'll try not to." Dragging Alec the rest of the way, he pulls him across the floor near the toilet. Grabbing a set of handcuffs he'd swiped from the supply room, he cuffs one of Alec's wrists to a sturdy pipe that ran up the wall.

Rick peers in on him. "A little much?"

"What?" Con frowns. "You can still feed him, and I was even nice enough to put him next to the toilet. What more should he want?"

Rick shakes his head. "Yeah, fine." Moving slowly, he goes in and sets the now-cold food down on the floor just within Alec's reach for when he would wake up. "Guess it serves him right."

Only now does Con notices that Rick himself looks a little pale. "You alright?"

"Oh sure... I'll just have my assistant here take a look at this rib, but I'm pretty sure it's broken. Otherwise I'm fine."

"Well, I'd ignore this goon for a good while. Make him need you. He'll fold eventually." Con turns back to Nate. "Now... where were we?"


Axel pulls into the little gravel parking lot of the Roadside Grill. He had a lot of memories connected to this family-owned restaurant. Many noon or evening meals had been eaten here with the Stevensons. They were in a small town, so business never was booming. But the daily customers liked it that way. And so did Axel. This was his kind of sleepy town.

Shutting off his car's engine, he's just about to get out when a shooting pain courses through his hand. Groaning in disgust, he stops with the door open, trying to rub away the sensation. Today it was either in pain or numb. It had never lasted this long or been this severe... and Axel's fear was that the injury had finally won. He'd been warned about that when he'd refused surgery.

Flexing his fingers, he can't really feel them move too much, but the muscles were still working. He'd just have to be careful not to pick anything up with it.

Getting the pain to at least reduce to a dull ache, Axel finally gets out of the car to head inside. He had so much on his mind... he just wanted... he didn't know what he wanted anymore.

The bell on the door jingles as he enters the grill, and a few people who are there turn around to look or give a friendly nod. A waitress comes to him - one that he didn't remember. "Hello," she greets warmly. "Are you alone?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, I got a table right back here you can have."

"Um..." Axel stops her. "Can I have a table by the window instead?"

"Oh sure." The girl nods and starts to lead Axel down to a corner table, unaware that he'd chosen that table as his favorite a long time ago.


Carson yawns, leaning back in the TJY van. "Come on, Peter," he mutters. "Where are you, ya scum?"

Suddenly, his question is answered. Peter's car pulls up to the Bullseye.

"Bingo." Carson's pulse quickens and he straightens up, watching intently from a half block away. Seeing Peter go inside, Carson gets out of the van, taking his time to walk casually to the bar. He'd take just long enough to let Peter get settled, then go in. If he could time it right, he'd get Peter out the back where they could have a little "come to Jesus" meeting."


Bryce puffs on his cigarette, watching people in the park. His buddies had warned him to stay out of town, but he didn't have any fear. So far no one had found him - they'd all been looking too far away. No one expected him to stick around. Besides that, Laura was probably too scared to testify anyway.

Leaning back against his car, he checks his watch. He'd be meeting his buddies in a while to go have some fun, then tonight it was party time.

Wait

Trying to give a smile a little bit of happyness flash in Jess eyes even if her voice an movents didnt match it. She was happy that she new where Axel was so she could go see him.

"No..No thats ok. I'd rather just find my rainbow before it fades away for good."

Backing up Jess goes to turn and leave again. About to say something to Derek about how he looked like someone she new she thinks better of it and just gives a nother smile.

"Thank you for the help. It means alot."

Stepping aside as Rick is pushed into the table Misty is quick to go to him making sure he is ok.

"You can't get fired we still have to help Angel."

Misty trys to lend Rick a hand to try and help him up and letting him catch his breath.

"Are you ok?"

"...fine we can retrace our steps and if we come up with nothing again I think maybe we should try the next town over. It he new what was good for him he wouldnt sti...."

Heading down the steps Nate wasnt paying attachen running right into someone he didnt know. Seeing the look on the man face and the blood that was seeping through his shirt and instint flag went up to Nate making the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He wasnt in the mood for anymore maneac people to break out of here and be on the streets let alone some punk kid. His fists balled again Nate does hesatat and knocks the prisoner squear in the face sending him spralling to the floor.

Seeing the kid uncontus on the floor Nate gives a shrug.

"At least he wont be going anywhere for a little bit and he will wake up with a headach."


Sitting at the small dinner table Jess wore her hoodie with its hood up that hide most of her face. A waitress had been over a few times to check if Jess needed anything and each time Jess had ordered just water and than a soda.

Axel was not at the restront yet when she had shown up so quietly she sits at the small table and waits, she waits for what she was looking for. She had been told that the rainbow she was looking for was coming here. So Jess waited. She waitied for the rainbow, to accompany the storm.