Peter could tell Logan was disappointed, so he said, "Sorry. Tomorrow I promise all of us will go skateboarding if there's no rain. To the gym!"

Ted could hear the fire truck's siren blaring as it came nearer. He hoped that his uncle had called an ambulance as well. They needed one, badly.

His uncle ran over to his side and glanced at the girl. "I called an ambulance, too. They're on their way."

Ted had to keep her alive and breathing until the ambulance arrived. Brooklyn began to move so very slightly. He jumped at the realization. He leaned over her. "Brooklyn?" She moved her head as if she was waking up from a nap. "Come on. Wake up Brooklyn." He heard the fire trucks roar up their driveway. The firemen jumped down and laid out the hoses and started to hose down the fire.

The fire chief came over to where Ted was lying on the ground supporting Maya. "She needs an ambulance. One's on its way," the fire chief reassured them. He had a slight Southern accent.

After school, Brian stood with his friends in the hall, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. His mood had not improved of the course of his classes and he stood, still and silent. Peter and Jen chatted casually about the rain and various things, he just listened. After standing there for five or six minutes, Logan came walking up and his face became darker. He muttered a hello and sighed. Then Peter stated that they would not be able to skate-board today. The rain was too heavy and didn't seem to be letting up. Jumping on the chance Brian brightened and smiled "Yeah we can shoot hoops" he said. Then glared back at Logan as he spoke about being good with basket ball. "Are you considering joining the team? Me and Peter are." Just then emmy arrived and a large smile slowly crept across Brian's face "Emmy!" he said happily, not in a good mood. Boy I switch moods fast.. Brian chuckled at himself Oh well...what matters is that I'm happy now "Nice that your here. How was class for you?" he asked Emmy. He heard Peter's voice erupt from his side, and looked over to see Jen and him go walking off. Brian turned to Emmy "Would you like to come? I'd like it if you watched us"

**
"Oh No you mustn't call the police!" Cried Melisha, her hand shooting out and gasping Johnny's "My Father may have them looking for me by now. I'm sure if I'm caught I'll will either be taken back or thrown in Juvie. I can't let that happen!" she sighed and retracted her hand. "Thank you for trying...but I'm afraid you can't help me"

**
Sighing inwardly and outwardly the man listened to the officer drone on about his rights and the court. "I know them already...you mine as well shut it." he said then turned to look at Amanda. "I had no intention of harming you." clutching his side and bit his lip in pain "I needed help....that is all I had asked for. Nothing more..." his expression was hurt. "Abby knew me...."

**

After nursing, Sarah fell into a gentle sleep. Maralyn rocked her back and forth quietly humming a lullaby. "When she grows up I hope she will like books as much as I...." a small king smile spread across her face. "She will be the most beautiful girl....and the most wonderful gift from God"

**

Ian found it hard to believe that the woman he had seen in his dreams was not nice. He could convince himself that it was true. She had been ever so beautiful in his dreams....but very sad. How could this image be so cranky.... I will see for myself he resolved gulping in fresh hair once more.

(fresh hair? )

Amanda sighed, and wheeled abby out into teh hallway. "Do you know this man?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin put an arm around Maralyn. I"m sure she will. Why, I say she will know how to read when she's two!" HE gave her a playful smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johnny said, "They will see you are bruised up and know why you ran away."

The next couple hours where rushed for Ted. The ambulance came and took Brooklyn to the hospital. He and his uncle came later in their Dodge truck. When they got into the emergence area, he could here Brooklyn above the usual hum of the hospital. She was awake and angry. He had noticed that, but why? They where trying to save her life and she wasn't letting them do their job. He has rushed over to where they had her and quieted her down. Once she let them do there job, she was admitted to a recovery room, where she fell asleep.

Ted flopped into a chair beside her bed; he didn't want her to get out of her bed in search of a familiar face. Closing his eyes, he too fell asleep.

Logan jumped on the chance to launch yet another competition against Brian. "Yeah, you bet I'm going to join the team. Should be lots of fun," he said. "I don't usually brag, but... you'll be lucky to be on my team." He chuckled a bit at that.

"I did enjoy my art class," Emmy answered, "Although I'm not very good at painting." She shrugged, "Most of the other's were better than mine."

Then Peter suggested they go to the gym. As soon as Peter and Jen started heading to the gym, Logan followed, leaving Brian and Emmy. Emmy thought Brian would go with them, but he lingered back one moment, asking if she wanted to go to. She was caught off guard.

"Uh, well..." Her day at school had been just a bit exhilarating, and she had been looking forward to going home to her quiet room, her books, and her cat. However, it was raining very hard outside, and she didn't want to head home by herself if Logan wasn't going home yet. After a moment of consideration, she shrugged. "I guess I could come."

When all of them were at the basketball court. Peter flung a shot and it circled around the rim, then bounced out. He rushed towards the ball as quick as she could.

Declan walked into the hall, a smile on his face. The same smile he always had after a good music practice. He searched the hall for his friends, but couldn't find them. Finally he figured he'd look in the gym. As he approached the gym he heard the sound of a ball hitting the ground, and feet scuffling around. He kicked open the doors and shouted, "Boom-baby!" In reference to the movie, The Emperors New Groove.
He walked over to Logan and Brian, who were watching Peter play with the ball. "Are we about to play a game?"

Peter saw Declan, as he dribbled the ball. WHile still dribbling, he approach Declan, Brian and Logan in time to hear him ask if they were abotu to play a game.
Peter asked, "Wanna play a game with us? We have enough to do two players to a team. The girls are just watching."

"Usually I'm not so much into sports," Declan said, "But I feel like playing today."

Peter said, "Okay. You and Logan are on a team. Me and Brian are on a team. How long do you want the game to be?"

In the morning, the hospital let Maya go. Ted and his uncle took her in and made her their new addition to the family. In return, Maya volunteered to cook and clean for them. She had said that their house stunk like sweat and that her first meal made by Brian--she was determined to call him by his first name instead of Mr. Cole or Uncle Brian--was uneatable.

A couple days later, Maya finally got her courage to ask Ted something she had been wanting to ask him ever since he had asked her to stay with them. Maya walked around the barn and found him feeding one of their horses. She coughed to get his attention. He looked at her, still feeding the horse. "Um...could I ask ya som'in'?" She still didn't have the nerve to call him by his name, even his nickname, Country.

"Sure. Anythin'."

"Could ya..."She quickly looked down, away from his gaze. She started again; this time at full speed, determined not to stop until she finished. "Could ya teach me ta ride?"

He saw her start to blush. He smile kindly, charmingly. "Sure. Which horse do ya want ta ride."

She looked up at him and grinned.

He saw her grin. He liked that grin on her face. He grinned back. It was the first time her had seen her grin, or even smile for that matter. He was glad that he had made her smile.

Logan offered Declan a quick fist-bump as the teams split. "Me and you, Decks." Then he turned to Peter and Brian, and grinned. "Ready for this?"

Emmy sat down on the bottom row of the bleachers, setting her book bag on her lap as she watched the boys get ready for their game.

Peter grinned. "Game on! Winner chooses what we do tomorow as long as it doesnt involve haircuts or anything illegal"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen sat closer to her friend. "Peter sure is handsome isn't he?"

Declan readily returned the fist bump with a smile, "It'll be epic."
Then he took off his button down shirt, and fixed his tank-top undershirt. "Hey Peter and Brian." Declan said, "You guys are great guys and all. So I'd hate to make you lose but... sorry." Declan smiled as he got into a ready position.