Making Out

Becky looked to Xander and wiped her eyes before she nodded. "Thank you."

Jim remained silent, but waved. He was grateful for Xander's help... he really was. He was just too overwhelmed right now to think about much else besides survival. 

All through breakfast, he remained quiet. Some people didn't even realize anything was going on. A few figured it out, but didn't make a scene. And some that did know opted not to ask him about it, not wanting to embarrass him or for him to talk about it before he was ready. 

After breakfast, the dining room became quiet. Jim hadn't eaten anything. He'd been too worried about finding the food on his plate, and wasn't ready yet to practice with a full audience. Instead, he just drank his coffee in the corner and kept silent. He cupped his mug between his hands, his shoulders slumped. He lifted the mug and kept his thumb on the rim so he wouldn't miss his mouth, and took a sip of the now-cold drink. He didn't care though. 

"Jim?" 

He jumped. He hadn't heard Becky approach. "Yeah?" 

"What can I do for you?" 

He sighed. "I dunno. Make sure there aren't any shoes out in the middle of the floor so I don't trip over them?"

Becky smiled and put her arm around his shoulders, giving him a loving squeeze. "At least you still have your sense of humor." 

He tried to smile, but it wasn't much. There was too much on his mind to even express right now. What was he going to do? How could he even contribute to the ranch anymore? He would just be a burden and nothing more. He wouldn't see his grandkids' faces as they grew up. He wouldn't see Rosalyn on her wedding day. And riding? That was over. Working in the barn? There was nothing he could do now. 

"You want to stay here or go home or...? 

Jim just shook his head. "I'll... stay here for now." 

"Okay." Becky patted his back. "I'll be in and out before getting lunch ready in case you need anything." She let him be and went outside, taking a deep breath before stepping down off the porch. A few new tears came and she wiped them away before aiming for the barn. Getting inside, she stopped at one of the stalls and greeted the slender bay mare who came looking for a treat. "Hey Ember," she crooned. She scratched the mare's cheek lovingly. "Your master is having a pretty bad day." Would Jim even be able to ride ever again? She wondered. 

Catching sight of someone else in the barn, she realized it was Xander. Leaving the horse, she approached him slowly, tucking her hands in her pockets. "Thanks... for helping Jim keep as much dignity as possible earlier. I'm... worried about him. His mood more than his eyesight. I don't know if he has the gumption anymore to face this like he once did."


Sparky chuckled and nodded. "There's a lot to drool over in town. We'll make a day of it." Hearing Ryan's stomach, his eyebrows rise. "Maybe you two ought to grab some quick breakfast before we go though."

Hunter grinned. "I think that's probably a good idea."

"Alright. We're gonna leave in about an hour."

After Sparky was gone, Hunter turned to Ryan and nodded to the door. "Come on. I need more coffee." He slung his arm over her shoulders and jostled her side to side as he meandered down the aisle in a not-so-straight line. "Can't walk til I get enough caffeine..."

An hour later, almost to the minute, they were back outside near the garage where one of the pickups had been hitched up to the flatbed trailer.

"Dylan! Think fast."

Dylan had wandered over from the barn and looked up just in time to grab the keys midair. His eyes widened before he looked over at Sparky and grinned. "Really?"

Sparky aimed for the passenger side. "You break it, you buy it."

Dylan's smile widened and he adjusted his cowboy hat. "No problem." 

"Uh oh..." Hunter came up behind them. "Maybe I'm gonna change my mind about going."

Dylan turned around and threw him a smirk. "You may know how to go fast, but I can out maneuver you with a trailer or tractor any day." 

"Whoa." Hunter held up his hands. "You're pretty confident there, bud." 

Dylan opened the driver's door and climbed up inside. "That's 'cause I'm right."

Hunter grinned as the door closed, and nodded to Ryan. "Guess we've got the back." The extended cab provided plenty of space in the backseat for extra passengers, and Hunter got the side behind Dylan. "Alright, hotshot, watch the potholes." 

Dylan scoffed as he started the engine and buckled his seatbelt. He reached up to adjust the rearview mirror and spied Hunter and Ryan. "No making out in the backseat. No potholes." 

Hunter's face flushed and he pushed the driver's seat roughly. "I liked you better when you weren't such a smart aleck." 

Dyan laughed. "I bet you did." He put the pickup in gear and started forward, watching carefully as he pulled the trailer .

In the backseat, Hunter nudged Ryan's knee with his own, just to tease her. 


Garret was satisfied with Ron's answer, but remained on guard. "Alright. Well, I'm still not the guy you're looking for." 

Pete quirked an eyebrow. "You've been accessing the computer system here, right?" 

"Oh trust me, Reese wouldn't allow me to do anything without Sapphire's watchful eye." 

"What about at home? You've got Nate's house to yourself now, right?"

Garret bristled all over again. "Seriously? You're not gonna let this go, are you?"

"Just being thorough, Garret. I can't help it that suspicion will be thrown your way more than anyone else's. Would you rather me be asking the questions or the FBI?" 

Garret's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I've got Nate's house to myself at the moment. What of it?" 

"Use the internet much?" 

Garret's mind immediately went to his brother, and the connection to Jamison. He stiffened, but tried to control his facial expression. "A little. But if you're asking if I've contacted the Agency - or some vigilante sniper - the answer is no. Are we done here?" 

Pete glanced at Ron. "I think we're good for now, unless you've got something else?"