Startled

Kaylee thought for a long moment as she fiddled with Wes' fingers. "Otay," she finally agreed. She scrunched her nose again and giggled. "No cranky pan's." 

Jason grinned as he watched the two interact. This really had become a haven. The ranch. A peaceful place of rest. 

You doing alright? How's your dad?


Seeing Destiny pull up, Jett got to his feet and wandered over, feeling just a bit awkward. He wasn't used to anyone looking out for him or helping like this, and he just wasn't sure quite how to respond. But he knew better than to resist her help, since she wouldn't take no for an answer anyway. 

After getting in and buckled up, he gave her a nod. "Okay. I think I can handle some food today," he admitted. His eyes fluctuated between the floor and the outdoors, but not directly at Destiny as they drove. There wasn't a whole lot to talk about on the short drive to get some breakfast, and Jett said little until they were at their table. He'd ordered some coffee and a couple waffles, that now he ate carefully, just in case his stomach couldn't really handle it.

"So... is Zan gonna come knocking my door down later or something since I'll have been with his girl half the day?"


Reaching the Elite, Dylan was still about a half hour early, and even though there were a few cars here already, he decided to wait outside for just a little while longer. He sat against the brick building in the shade and pulled out his phone to see Ashlee had replied. Seeing the picture of her and Seven, he couldn't help but smile, and he saved it. 

Good. Glad he's behaving himself. 
You look like you're enjoying
yourself. ;)

Yeah, guess my internal clock is
stuck at the ranch still. I've been
up for ages and Hunter is still
sleeping lol 

He paused before typing out a third message.

I'm doing alright. Feels like I've been 
here longer than I have. Still enjoying
it though. 

What else could he say? There was a lot he was learning here at the Elite. The highlight of every day was training with Garret and Eli. He was an expert and making copies and running paperwork to the filing room. He had something to hold over Kirk and Adison. He was making friends with Dalton. And he knew there was a whole lot going on at the Elite that he couldn't talk about. 

I've eaten more pizza in the last
week than ever. Don't tell anyone 
I miss Becky's cooking. Even
Luke's lol. It's ok tho. Ty let me 
borrow his bike so at least I can work
off the extra calories.


Alec looked up quickly as Misty entered the room, and stood - slowly. He was still pretty sore, but at least he was well enough now that JT wasn't worried about him anymore. Pretty soon he'd be back to normal. Well, almost anyway. It would take a little longer to gain back the weight he'd lost, which forced him to wear a belt on his old jeans. But otherwise... he was great... ish. 

He gave Misty a little smile. "Nothing to be sorry about. I'm at your mercy, remember?" All he had was a plastic grocery sack with a few items she and Carson had brought him, and that was it. The offer for lunch seemed like a pretty good idea, so he nodded. "As long as you're buying," he tried to joke. "I seem to be... a little low on funds." 

Following her out of the hospital, Alec's eyes were everywhere. His stomach was tight and his palms sweaty. He tried not to let on though, and once they'd reached the outdoors, he drew in a silent deep breath, soaking in the sunlight. Real, warm, bright sunlight. It was the first time he'd been outdoors in daylight since being taken. He was quiet on the way to lunch, just taking in the scenery and trying to notice what was the same and what was different. Some of the streets seemed a little foggy, even though he should remember. Was that a new bakery? He wasn't sure. It felt like there was more traffic, or maybe there were just too many people around for comfort. 

Once he was seated across from Misty, he searched her face. Go figure... she looked a lot better than before, and he looked worse. He ran his finger through the sweat on the cold water glass in front of him and lowered his gaze to study the wet design. He'd wondered more often than not, if he would ever be free enough to sit in a place like this again. And now that he was here... all he could feel were the people around him. They were all minding their own business... but he could still feel them. 

 "Can I take your order?"

Alec visibly jumped at the waitress' sudden appearance, but he forced a thin smile anyway. "I'm thinking... just your traditional burger and french fries. Thanks." He handed her the menu, not relaxing until after Misty had ordered and the waitress was gone again. But even then, his mind had already started to work overtime. Who was friend? Who was foe? Would the Agency be looking for him? Would he recognize an operative soon enough not to be caught? What if they did catch him and take him back? He couldn't go back. 

A clattering of pans from the kitchen sent him to his feet, his knee knocking into the table as he went, making half his water spill out of the glass and sending pieces of silverware to the floor. It was even more of a disruption than the kitchen noise, and now all eyes really were on him. With a reddening face, he slowly sat back down and stared at the table as he tried to hide his trembling hands in his lap. "Sorry," he apologized. "Just... startled me."