Promise

Scott wanted to argue, but all he could really do was just give Hope a small smile. Maybe...the time for arguing was past. "Okay..."

It took a few more moments to gain enough gumption to rise, but he did, and he took his time cleaning up and getting dressed. By the time he emerged from the bathroom, he could smell breakfast. His stomach growled. Eating something last night had helped and now his body wanted more, even if he really didn't feel like it. 

Domino had been well taken care of, and greeted him more happily than she had in ages, running circles and jumping up on his leg. He grinned and scratched her head, amused by her antics. Finally entering the kitchen he wandered over to the counter where Hope was making breakfast. 

"Um... Thank you..." He tucked his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. His mind took him back to the day before and a little heat rose to his neck. He'd acted rashly when he'd kissed her like that. "I'm... I'm sorry about yesterday." He paused. "Not about coming here, but... in your office... I... I wasn't thinking."


Aaron couldn't help the look of surprise on his face. Sam really was sticking to her word? She really was going to let him outside? The soldier in him wanted to resist. The human in him couldn't. He finally nodded and got out of bed to take the crutches. "Thought you'd never ask."

Was that a joke? Hal arched one eyebrow and took up the rear as the three of them headed down the hall.

Hitting the outdoors, Aaron didn't even have to go far before he simply stopped, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was a light breeze. There was sunshine. And it all felt so very good. After basking for a couple moments, he glanced to his side at Sam and a small smile curled his lips. "Thank you." Can we... walk around the parking lot or something? I won't try anything. Promise."


"Sorry," Hunter apologized sheepishly. "I couldn't resist." He couldn't help the smile nor the sparkle in his eye. "Your moment was too quiet." Laughing, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him the rest of the way to the house. 

Upon entering, he stopped short, almost running into Cindy... who was holding out two towels for them. Her smirk said it all. 

Hunter's face flushed as he took one towel and handed the other to Ryan. "Um..."

Cindy rolled her eyes. "I looked out there and saw two kids fooling around in the mud. Then I realized they were too big to be kids." A smile emerged though. "Wipe yourselves off then come have some hot chocolate with the rest of us."