With a snicker, Rosamunde wiggled out of his grasp, ran toward the porch and said, "I'm fine, just a little bit of a cheat--." Before she could finish, her foot landed on a particularly slippery spot in a mud puddle. Her feet flew out from under her and she landed on the muddy ground, right on her rump.

Laughter bubbled out of her mouth, along with a whining, "Ow..."

Jack stood there, astounded for a moment at her mischievous deception. Then, he found himself hard pressed to mask a snicker which came, but was hidden by one of his tanned hands. He walked slowly toward her, then stopped, crossing his arms and raising a red eyebrow. "Are you alright, now!?" his lips were pursed but, a smile was just waiting to break across his features. He reached a hand down to her without saying anything.

***

"I'm fine." Maralyn said softly, patting his hand.

Rosamunde grabbed his hand with muddy fingers. She stood with a wince, holding her other hand to her bottom. "That ground is unforgiving..."

She tried to brush off as much mud as she could. "Guess that's what I get for cheating, huh?" She chuckled.

He played with her long dark hair, hoping she would keep it long forever. Her brown eyes laced with concern and he did not want her to worry. "How's Sarah?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley had invited Kahlynn over to hang out with her, Peter and Jen at her house.
Peter asked, "How was Justin?"

"She's sleeping peacefully." Maralyn responded, looking over at the cradle on the floor. "You should try to sleep as much as possible Justin. It will be good for the healing." she said.

***

Jack chuckled. "I guess. But look, your clothes are ruined." he made a face. "I think my Mom might have left a trunk of things up stairs...I'm sure she wouldn't mind you wearin' some of her stuff"

Rosamunde waved a hand. "Oh, no, it's fine...I don't want to track mud all over your place. If you've got an extra towel, that would be great. Oh, and can you also get my purse for me? It's right by the door."

She placed a tendril of hair behind her ear, smudging her cheek with mud. "Oh, and while you're at it, can I have a million dollars?" Rosamunde quipped, grinning.

"A million bucks? I think I can do that!" Jack said, chuckling. He led her up onto the porch, then disappeared inside. He came back a few moments later carrying a large green towel under one arm, and her purse, dangling from his fingers. "Your dress m'lady!" he bowed handing her the towel, "And your valuables!"

Grabbing both items, Rosamunde unfolded the down and wiped the water and mud off her face and hands. After a few moments, she said, "Off to check on my baby, now!"

She stepped down the porch stairs and toward his truck. However, when she got to the door, she didn't open it. Instead, her eyes focused on the painted sides. "Did you do this?"

Greg looked at his gun, then looked at his wife, then looked David. He dropped the gun, "Fine, Nate works for the FBI, I don't know anything more then that... He's not home right now... Please, I've told you everything I know... Let her go"

---

Kevin grabbed his carry-on and made his way to the door of the concord jetplane, after they landed. "Its good to be home" he said to nobody in general, he got a weird look from a high ranking military officer who clearly didn't approve of rubbing shoulders with grunts. Kevin smiled then laughed internally as the officer turned away.

Jack blushed, coming up to the drivers side. "Yeah, I did that one day when I was bored and thought my farm truck looked equally as boring."

Serria tried her best to followed Kevin through the small cluster of people who rushed to leave the airplane. She caught up with him at the door, clutching her own carry-on bag tightly in her white fingers. She staid strait behind him as they left the place, going into the sun. She lifted her head into the wind and all of her light brown ringlets went flying. The air smelled so sweet and moist, and the sky was the lovely blue. She smiled, a genuine happy smile, the first time in a long while. She reached out and touched Kevin's arm. "I think I will like it here..."

*

David smiled, satisfied. "Thank you." he said, then wrapped his arm around Angie's neck, using his other, now free hand, to retrieve his gun from his hidden shoulder holster. He pointed it forward, leveling it with Greg's chest. "Now, I can't have you going and calling the police as soon as I leave, can I?" His teeth gritted as he pulled the trigger.....

"Wow..." Rosamunde chuckled, pulling the passenger side door open. She laid the towel down on the seat, so that she wouldn't get any mud on the interior. "I wish I could be struck with the same boredom as you if that's the result."

She threw her purse into the truck and climbed up, slamming the door once she was in. Pulling down the mirror, she looked at her reflection and shook her head, "I look like I got caught in a tornado! Why didn't you tell me my hair looked like this?"

Kahlynn gratefully excepted Mileys invitation. She responded quitely to Peter's question. "I think he's a bit upset still."

*****

"Now Micah, that's no way to talk," Jackson responded firmly, but his eyes were filled with sympathy. "Everything will be alright in the end you'll see..." He tried to comfort the boy.

*****

"Ok..." Buck repleid trying to make all that make sense in his head. "So did Alec say anything to you in his car?"

Micah swiped at a tear on his cheek. "How? My dad's a dangerous man. He could spin it on all of us to make it look like it's our fault. I wonder if all the theives were even caught."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter could see the quietness in her eyes. "I imagine I would be too."
Jen asked, "Is there anything we could do for him?" Not only was Justin related to her boyfriend, but he was a good friend to her as well.

Jack chuckled "Because you look beautiful even with it messy" he said, grinning. He started his truck and backed out of his drive.

Justin yawned, "Maybe you're right." He did not want to admit he would not be able to with these new wounds and disfigurments. The pillow felt so weird on his head. He winced, as he turned over, but did not want to show any sign of weakness. He already showed too much. "I love you, Maralyn. Tell Sarah I love her too."