Stop

Chance grinned and wriggled around a little to nestle further into the couch with Destiny, and returned her kiss. As she mentioned his call, he sighed and let his forehead rest on hers, too. "Eh. Just a case I'm on. People always think they know better than me when they're not actually there to see what really goes on." He didn't want to talk about it. She wouldn't like to hear it anyway, and he didn't want to ruin their evening. 

As he went back to kissing her though, his mind traveled back to a time when he'd felt just like this... immersed in her affections while harboring secrets. And it hadn't ended well. 

Unable to shake that thought, he drew back and sat up before grabbing the tv remote. "There's gotta be something better on," he mused as his free hand reached over to tickle the bottoms of Destiny's feet.


Sitting down with the family for supper, Garret fell quiet, but not because he was trying to be withdrawn. This time, he just liked listening to the chatter between Maggie, Nate and Laura.... and even Brian's intermittent squeals. He couldn't help but think of the pictures he'd found on Facebook a few days prior. Seeing his siblings... his parents... and wondering what life might had been like, had he not been sold to the Agency. Why couldn't he find acceptance and love from his own family, when he had found it here, among strangers? It didn't make sense, and he couldn't justify it in his mind...

...It was after supper and things were settling down for the night. Garret hadn't gone to his own room yet, but found himself in the living room, looking at the shelves along one wall. This was where a bunch of family pictures were kept. There were some people he didn't recognize. People he assumed were Laura's aunt and uncle. He knew Con - he showed up in a lot of pictures, especially older ones where Laura looked much younger. No matter who the face were though... they were all smiling... all happy. Jason showed up a few times with Con. Janet and Rick were included in a couple photos. What... made family happy? And why could they all love each other, even without blood ties? When people with blood ties.... could actually sell their own? 

He needed to stop thinking about it. Stop dwelling. Stop his heart from hurting.


Jeff smiled and nodded. "I'd love to go for a ride with you. As long as you're feeling alright, that sounds like a fantastic idea." He really was thrilled she had come. He hated that she was suffering along with Jason, and he wished he could fix it all. But he cherished every moment he had with her, and was glad they were here. 

Your dad looks... tired. But he looks super happy to see you. This was definitely the right choice. 
Jason took another bite of his supper, and smiled at Katie. 
Think Rick's making out alright? 


At the main house, Rick sat at one of the larger tables with Sparky and Faith, and Xander's family. The last time he'd been here, he'd been trying to save Jeff's life and had not interacted much at all. This time he was here for Jason and Katie, but he wanted to keep his distance unless he was needed. It was different this time around, and as much as he wanted to watch them every second, he knew he couldn't babysit them. Or at least...shouldn't. 

Now here, surrounded by all these people, he was rather enjoying himself, and laughed at a funny story Sparky was telling. In the back of his mind, he wondered if maybe he should bring Janet here sometime. It might be nice to get away with her on a mini vacation.