Five Minutes

Eli tried not to act too enthusiastic, but he really was thrilled - this was a huge step for Ryan to actually go see the races. He gave her a solemn nod. "Soon as you give me the word, we'll leave. Even if it's just five minutes after we get there." He meant it - if she got uncomfortable, he'd drop everything to take her home. Getting her there at all was an accomplishment. 

Offering her a smile, he cocked his head. "Dad would be proud of you, ya know? For getting through this... for keeping going even when it got rough. You've got this."


Feeling Adison come up behind him, Kirk jumped just a little before realizing it was her. About to chide her, he didn't have time before she kissed him, which immediately defused any irritation. He just grinned and shook his head...it was a little unfair that she already knew him so well, she could redirect his thoughts so he wouldn't be mad. 

He turned down the burner heat a little to let the stirfry cook on its own, and moved over to stand between Adison's legs as she sat on the counter. Slipping his arms around her waist, he smiled. "Yes," he answered her question. "You can stop being such a distraction. That would be a huge help." Leaning in closer, he gave her lips a light kiss. "And you can give me another one of those 'cause that first one just wasn't enough."

Returning, he let his next kiss linger and deepen. He'd wanted to kiss her like this all day but they'd never had a chance. 


Bree's words made new tears spring into Gunner's eyes. Things had been going so well. He'd been on such an even keel. It felt like he'd been hit by a tidal wave he'd never even seen coming. How could she possibly think this was better than finding a new path?

"I love you so much," he whispered. "Why can't...why can't I ever shake this? I tried so hard...for you....but... It never works." It was always something. Something to trigger his misery, and once triggered, it was an avalanche of misguided thoughts and emotions all colliding at once. And here he was again at a hospital. All his time spent trying to fight and beat this thing...it had been wasted.

There was a knock on the door, interrupting them, and a nurse poked her head in the room. "Five minutes," she reminded gently. "Then visiting hours are over."

Gunner nodded before she left, but his body had grown tense. Bree and JT were going to be two whole hours away. How could he possibly survive this?