“Hang on to him!” Chris yelled, managing to snap one cuff around the wrist of the man he and Nathan were fighting with. The deputy just grumbled as he wrapped his arms around the man´s legs, pinning him to the ground. The drunk let loose with a string of oaths and started to pull away. Chris managed to maintain some control of the cuffed arm and finally cuffed the other.

The man still struggled, even after his ankles were bound. Chris and Nathan picked him up and shoved him into the back of Nathan´s patrol unit. The man rolled onto his back and started kicking at the side window.

“Knock it off, TJ!” Chris yelled, pounding on the window from the outside. The guy looked right at him, spit, then kicked the window again.

“Son of a...” Chris yanked the door open and, with Nathan´s help, managed to secure a quick-tie to TJ´s cuffs and ankle restraints, severely limiting

his movements.

“I´ll be back eventually,” Nathan sighed. The prisoner had to be run into the Medical Center in Ajo for BA testing before booking. TJ Oakes was well known to the law men in Four Corners. He was arrested regularly on drunk driving

charges, and generally was out before the paperwork was complete.

This time would probably be no different.

Chris nodded, then watched as Nathan drove around TJ´s car before disappearing around a curve. He turned to the other car -- a small sedan that was so

mangled that it was hard to identify the make.

He shook his head in disgust. TJ had stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason. The sedan had come around a bend and swerved to avoid the obstruction, sliding sideways into a tree before bouncing into a ditch.

“It doesn´t look good,” Josiah said as the ambulance pulled away. It had taken almost an hour for the fire department to cut the pinned driver free. “She´s got head and chest injuries, both legs broken in several places...Poor kid was conscious for a while.” The big man hesitated before continuing. “Kept asking for me to tell her parents...” Josiah looked at Chris, the anguish evident in his eyes. “Hell, I hate that. Kid´s only nineteen. Wants to be a dancer.”

Chris patted his arm, but remained silent. There was nothing to say. The SOB who´d caused the wreck hadn´t sustained a scratch, and a good lawyer would keep him out of jail...again.”

“Goddamn,” Chris finally muttered. ************

At Ezra´s everyone but Drew had gone to sleep. Drew looked to the phone as it rang then lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

On the other end of the line Maude frowned. “Is this the Standish Residence?”

Drew recognized her mother´s voice . “Yes it is, mother.”

“Drew?” Maude sighed. “Let me speak with Ezra please.”

Drew held back tears. Not once in the past few months had her mother called her to check on her or anything, and she knew that Maude did keep in contact with Ezra. “Well I´m fine mother. How are you? And no you can´t speak with Ezra. He is unable to come to the phone right now.”

“No reason to be rude, Drew. And why are you there anyway? Shouldn´t you be in San Diego at school?”

“No mother, it´s LA. I was going to school in LA and I´m no longer attending college.”

Maude laughed. “Now why does this not surprise me? You´re incapable of doing anything right, aren´t you, Drew?”

Drew sat in silence on the other end of the line.

“I gave you a chance to make something out of your life and you threw it away. You should have married Colin when you had the chance. That is the only way you could have made something of your life. And did you appreciate me landing you a decent husband? No you didn´t. Drew, I give up. . I really do I wasted my time trying to make anything out of you because you will never amount to anything.”

Drew was now crying. “Why can´t you just love me for me mother? Why can´t you ?”

“Why?” Maude questioned. “My dear, you make it very hard to love you. How can I love someone who doesn´t amount to anything?”

Drew hung up the phone. She could not handle anymore. At the other end of the line Maude hung up as well and sat staring at the phone with tears in her eyes. “Well I had to say those things otherwise she will just throw her life away.”

Drew was in a state of shock. She had finally asked her mother to just love her and she turned her away. She walked into the kitchen and opened up a cabinet taking out a bottle of rum. She opened it and started to drink..... ***********

The light mist had changed into a heavy rain and a chance lightening bolt had knocked out a major transformer, plunging the region into a nearly impenetrable darkness. Even with the headlights and wipers on high, Chris was having a hard time seeing through the thick veil of combined elements.

As he turned toward the station, his headlights illuminated a figure standing in the road. He slammed on his brakes and the SUV slid sideways.

For the span of a few seconds Chris gripped the wheel tightly, the pounding of his heart overwhelming the pelting of the rain and the slapping of the wipers. He took a deep breath, then, still trembling, stepped into the downpour. He hurried around the car, hesitating when he saw the slight figure kneeling in the street.

Chris knelt down. "Are you all right?" He took the young woman by the shoulders, startled when she looked up at him.

"Drew?" The girl was soaking wet, her hair hanging in her eyes. There was no mistaking the tears mixed with the rain, or the sharp odor of hard liquor heavy on her breath.

"Leggo'a me." Drew pushed him away and staggered to her feet.

"You've been drinking," Chris stated bluntly.

She swung her gaze up to him and swayed. "Wassit to ya, Larabee?" A small fist caught him off guard. He staggered back, more from surprise than the blow itself. He grabbed her arm to steady her and she tried to

swing again. He ducked back and caught her wrist.

"Take yer filthy hands offa me!" Drew tried to pull away, but was too uncoordinated to be effective. "Leame alone! Jes´ leame alone!"

"Hold still, dammit." He shook her to get her attention, sending her off balance. He used the momentum to push her toward the car. "Get in," he ordered, pulling the door open. He wasn't on the mood to deal with a drunk, particularly an underage one. And he was getting drenched. He grabbed Drew around the waist.

"Why can' you jes´ mind yer own fucking business? I trieda do wachyou said an' I failed. I fail at ever'thing." She started sobbing and struggled harder. "Fuckin' lemme go!"

She reared up and kicked the door closed, then kicked back, catching him

high in the thigh. With a pained yelp, he released her.

"Goddam!" he yelled, struggling to breathe. The blow had been a bit close for comfort. For a brief second he considered letting her leave. After all, she wasn't his problem, thank god. But he knew he couldn't. Even if he didn't like her, she was one of the extended family he had here, and more importantly, she was important to Buck.

He started to chase after her, startled to see her silhouetted in the headlights of an oncoming truck. She was running straight at the vehicle, oblivious to the danger. Chris caught up to her, easily lifting her off her feet and yanking her to the side of the road. When she tired to fight, he trapped her arms with his, enveloping her from behind and bringing her to the ground. He managed to trap her legs with

his knees and used his superior size to hold her immobile until she relaxed.

As he knelt over her, he began to rock slightly, crooning soft platitudes in her ear. Her angry sobs finally subsided and Drew went limp.

"'Bout time, you little hellcat." he whispered as he scooped up her limp

form and carried her back to his car.

It took a bit of manipulation to get Drew into the seat without disturbing her. As he was reaching across to buckle her seat belt, he looked at her slack face. Her eyes were swollen and puffy, like she'd been crying for a while. He grabbed his uniform shirt from its hanger and used the dry material to wipe her face.

It was no secret that she'd had a couple of drinks at the Standish Grille from time to time, but never anything like this. He suspected that if alcohol was a problem, Ezra would keep a tighter rein on her.

Something must have set her off. Of course, that didn't matter right now. He had no idea how much of what she'd consumed, but knew that she was too intoxicated to be left alone. That left the dilemma of what to do with her.

Taking her home was out of the question. Trina might be there, but she was a kid herself, and might even be as smashed as Drew was. He'd have to check on that.

Buck -- What if he were the problem? As wasted as Drew was it was a good bet that this had something to do with him. Chris hoped not, but he had to consider the possibility.

He sure as hell wouldn't risk taking her to the ranch. While he'd never

imagine laying a hand on her, Ezra would castrate him regardless.

That left Kenin. The doctor would know what to do if anything happened,

and it would give him an excuse to see her.

He smiled at the thought, then winced as he slid into the driver's seat and squished against the upholstery.

"Add waxing a Jeep and all the patrol cars to your list of community service," he grumbled to the unconscious girl as he draped his jacket over her before starting the engine.

************ The headlights that flashed across the front room of Kenin´s old house were more pronounced than they may have been had the power been on. As it was, without electricity, she had resorted to oil lamps and candles.

At he crunch of gravel, Bear opened one eye and three or four of the cats looked toward the door. Kenin unfolded herself from the recliner and crossed to the front door. She picked up the flashlight that lay on the table there, and the

shotgun that was beside the door, and went onto the porch. She chambered a round in the old relic and waited.

The car engine cut off along with the glare of the headlights, making it

possible to see the Jeep Cherokee. Kenin released the hammer and lowered the shotgun as

Chris Larabee got out of the SUV then went around to the passenger´s side. He

reached in and pulled out a limp form. Ignoring the rain, Kenin set the gun aside and ran forward to meet him.

“What happened?” She had to shout to be heard over the din of the rain. She recognized the girl he was carrying and knew she was Standish´s sister, but that was about it.

“Drunk.” The reply was clipped and blunt. He followed her up the porch

and into the house. Kenin put the shotgun and flashlight back and motioned Chris

to the couch. He deposited his burden and stepped back.

“Found her running around the streets,” he explained as Kenin started to

examine Drew. “Don´t know exactly what happened, but something set her off.”

“She smells like a distillery,” Kenin mumbled, wrinkling her nose. She rubbed a knuckle against the girl´s sternum and Drew batted the hand away.

“Lemee ‘lone.”

“Not tonight, hon,” Kenin chuckled. “She´s cold. Help me get her to the bathroom.”

Chris nodded and scooped the girl up. When they got to the bathroom, he

set her on the toilet and backed out.

“There´s a pair of sweats at the foot of my bed. Would you mind getting

them?”

Chris nodded as Kenin started to strip the soaked clothes off of Drew´s chilled body. He felt awkward prowling the dark house, but was intrigued by the transformation that had taken place since he´d last been there. The place was wall-to-wall stuff. Not cramped or cluttered, but just -- busy, even in the dim light of the oil

lamp.

He grabbed the sweats and nearly tripped over the dog as he turned back. He hadn´t noticed the animal following him. Absently, he reached down and scratched behind Bear´s ears. “Hey, fella.” The dog whined softly and tried to lean on him.

Chris gently pushed the dog back and sloshed down the hall. The water was running in the bathroom, so he cracked the door open and tossed the clothes inside, then continued to the living room. His eyes fell on an old roll-top desk, and the phone there. With a smile, he picked up the receiver. The thing was an antique, dial and all. And something as trivial as a power outage wouldn´t effect it. He

dialed Ezra´s and waited for an answer.

“´Lo?” a groggy voice answered after several rings.

“Trina?” He couldn´t tell if she was drunk or if he´d awakened her.

“Aye. Who´s this?”

The voice was clearing. A good sign. “Chris Larabee. Is Ezra there?” He knew the answer, but he wanted Trina to wake up.

“No. He´s out of town.” She sounded annoyed but alert. “Can I go back

to sleep now?”

“In a sec. Listen, Drew´s...” He hesitated. *What? Falling down drunk?* “She´s going to be spending the night at Doctor Darnell´s house. Kenin got called out and wanted someone to keep an eye on the place.” He hoped the lie sounded more convincing to the Scot than it did to him.

“Sure. Thanks for lettin´ me know.” The receiver clicked down and Chris hung up. For a moment her looked back down the hall, then went out to secure his car.

“Drew, sit up,” Kenin chuckled, propping the girl up. The water had almost drained from the deep claw-foot tub, taking mud with it. Drew blinked slowly at

her and nodded as she started to slip down again.

“C´mon, kiddo.” Kenin pulled her back up and started drying her off. Getting her into dry clothes was a challenge, but the doctor was up to the task. Finally, warm and dry, Drew was directed back to the couch. As soon as she laid down,

she curled up and fell asleep.

“She be all right?” Chris asked.

Kenin nodded. “I think so. Biggest danger is aspiration, so she needs to stay on her side.”

Chris visibly relaxed, then a thin grin crossed his lips. “Gonna have a

helluva hangover.”

The doctor nodded. “I can fix that, too, if you want.”

“Fix it?” He looked at the doctor, then at the sleeping girl.

“Yep. Most of the after-morning effects are from dehydration. I can give her IV fluids.”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Chris muttered. He was well acquainted with the residual effects of a good drunk, and if the girl could be spared that, she should. “Mind if I use the shower?”

“Sure.” Kenin stood and headed toward the kitchen. “Towels are in the cabinet. Just leave the wet stuff in there, and I´ll wash it when the power comes

back on.”

He picked up the small duffel that held his work-out clothes and walked down the hall, trailed by Bear and Buster. When he came out several minutes later, the old lab and the yellow cat were waiting for him. He chuckled and headed back to

the front room. For a moment he paused and watched the two women.

Drew was curled on the couch, covered with an afghan, one arm, containing the IV, hanging free. Kenin sat beside her, stroking her hair. When she noticed him, the doctor looked at him and smiled.

“I wonder what drove her to this,” Kenin mused idly.

Chris shrugged and walked into the kitchen. Without thinking, he dug through the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. He twisted off the top, then went back

to the living room, where he dropped wearily into the recliner. He took a long drink of the amber liquid and sighed. When he glanced back to the couch, he met Kenin´s cool gaze. Even in the dim light he could see her anger.

He raised his hands in question. She continued to glare at him. Mentally, he checked himself over. He was clean and dry. The clothes were a bit rank, but that couldn´t be helped. He was wearing dry socks, so he hadn´t tracked any more water around. So what..?

With a nod toward his hand, he indicated the bottle he held. Her silence answered the question for him. “I´m not under age,” he defended. Kenin continued to stare. “It´s only a beer.”

“And I bet she only started with a drink,” Kenin said quietly.

Chris looked at the bottle he held, then at the young girl. “Aw, hell.” He set the beer aside and leaned back, closing his eyes.

“How old were you the first time you tied one on?”

Chris rubbed his temples. “Fourteen.” Kenin raised an eyebrow. “I was

with some friends. They were drinking too.”

“Oh.” The simple answer was all she said.

“I didn´t have to,” he snapped. “But everyone else was...I was with friends, not running around the countryside all alone.”

“Ah, well, that makes it so much better. And I suppose you´ve never been drunk alone.”

He closed his eyes and sighed. After Sarah and Adam had died, there had

been weeks at a time that he´d gone without sobering up. Weeks that he couldn´t remember. God only knew what kind of damage he´d done, because he sure didn´t.

“I almost killed my best friend,” he finally muttered. He waited for her to say something, to condemn him, but when she remained silent, he continued. “When Sarah and Adam died, it hurt so bad...Alcohol was the only way to function.”

He stopped and peered into sympathetic eyes. “It wasn´t a way to function,” he mumbled guiltily.

“I know that,” Kenin said softly. She had heard about the sheriff´s family, but didn´t know the details. And now, hearing the pain as he spoke about them, she

felt her own loss. “When Will finally died, I thought my world had stopped. Only it hadn´t, and I was expected to somehow go on without him.” She smiled bitterly. “Nothing a little Xanax and Soma didn´t help.”

“Drugs?” His eyes met hers, and he saw the pain that lingered there. He had asked around about the doctor and discovered that she´d married a man who was sick, knowing full well that he only had a few years to live. That puzzled and intrigued him.

“I am a doctor. Fortunately, my parents put a stop to that. But it was

hard, and I couldn´t have managed without support.” She stood and walked toward the

kitchen. “What kind of support do you suppose she has?”

Again, Chris´ gazed strayed to the sleeping form on the couch. Even though they had their differences, he believed that Ezra was a good man, and would do anything to help her if she asked. He knew that the southerner adored his sister. Their father was dead. That left her mother...

Maude. Chris had met the tornado of a woman a couple of times, and she always left him feeling disoriented and tired. He could just imagine what she was like as a parent.

Slowly, Chris stood and walked to the couch. He stared down at the girl

for a few moments, then knelt beside her. He reached out tentatively and touched her cheek. “Fool stunt,” he whispered. “Coulda gotten yourself killed. Or worse. You know what that would´ve done to Buck?”

He heard a noise behind him and stood. Kenin was on the other side of the room by an old console, working a crank of some sort on the side. She opened the lid and placed a record on the turntable of the old Victrola. As she settled the needle, violins -- or more rightly fiddles -- started to play. He recognized the tune as a slow version of ‘Rye Whiskey´.

“Thought we could use some entertainment,” she muttered quietly, looking

down self consciously. She started back to the kitchen, but Chris stepped toward her and held out his hand. Kenin laughed and accepted the invitation, taking his hand and placing her other on his shoulder.

At first they maintained their distance, but as the music continued, Chris coaxed her forward until she was close enough to rest her head on his shoulder. He

slowed, ignoring the tempo of the music, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Kenin sighed, the lingering scent of Stetson on his shirt stirred old memories as her eyes slipped shut. She allowed herself the luxury of pretending that this was not a spontaneous dance with a near-stranger, but rather a stolen moment with a lost love. As the music slowed, she tightened her grip on him, afraid of losing him

again.

Chris felt Kenin´s hand grip his tightly, felt her snuggle against his chest. The oil lamps cast soft shadows that highlighted the wistful look on her face, and Chris knew that she was not dancing with him. His hand tightened on the small of her back and he kissed her lightly on the head. *************

Drew blinked a few times as she started to wake. Where was she? She made a face from the bad taste in her mouth. How much had she had to drink and who was sleeping on her? She looked to see a few cats sprawled out on and next to her. She noticed she had on sweats. "These

are not my clothes." She petted one of the kittens. "How did I get here?"

Glancing around a bit more she noticed Chris Larabee asleep in a recliner. "Oh God, what have I done? Mother´s right. I´m a fuck up." She sat up with her face in her hands.

Chris heard the words -- not the words themselves, but the sound of them

-- and snapped awake instantly. He looked around the room and, finding no danger, he glanced toward the couch. Drew was sitting up, and he thought it was a good guess that the face hidden behind the hands was a bit on the green side.

“Morning, Miss Standish.”

Drew put her hands down and looked up to Chris. "What happened?" She looked back down, not knowing what else to say.

Raking his hand through his hair, Chris looked at her for a moment. "What do you remember?"

Drew's shoulders slumped. "Taking, no downing some rum. Last I remember the bottle was half full still." She couldn't face him. "May I please be excused for a moment? Is there a restroom? I....."

Chris pointed down the hall and watched for a moment as she walked unsteadily in the direction he pointed, using the wall as a guide.

Drew got up and slowly made her way to the rest room. After she was finished she washed her hands and threw some cold water on her face then

looked in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen still and she

looked as though she were half dead. "You are in so much trouble," she scolded herself, then slowly made her way back out to the living room

Chris watched as Drew sank back onto the couch and pulled the afghan around herself. She met his eyes briefly, then looked away. "Like some

coffee?" he asked, unable to suppress his grin when she visibly paled. "Didn't think so."

"So you don't remember anything about last night?"

Drew shook her head "no" then finally looked to him. "From what I just saw in the mirror I suppose I should thank you. I don't know why but I have this feeling I really should. So thank you." She quickly looked back down.

"Not going to get out of it that easily," Chris snapped. "Do you even know where you are? Or how you got here? What about the clothes? Or the needle mark in your arm?"

Drew fought tears blinking a few times, determined not to let him see her cry. "No. Oh God, what happened?" She buried her face again. "Why? You're right, I shouldn't get off that easily and I shouldn't thank you because wherever I was going, you should have left me. Because.." She stopped and fought tears again, keeping her face hidden.

"Because what?" Chris asked, afraid he knew part of the answer. What had she called herself? A ‘fuck-up'? "You scared the hell outta me," he continued softly. "I could have been anyone. I could have done anything to you. You understand what that means? You don't even remember Dr. Darnell starting an IV on you." He sighed and leaned back.

"Hell, Drew, you could've been killed, or worse."

"Maybe that's what I was doing?" she mumbled softly, her voice cracking. She shook her head. "Why do you care anyway?"

Chris looked at her, stunned. "Look, Drew, I may not like you very much, but you're important to people I care about very much. Buck may be an idiot, but he's dead serious about you, and..." Hell, that sounded bad. "You needed help," he finally finished.

“Buck´s not an idiot,” Drew snapped, looking up sharply.

“I know that...”

She cut him off, "But you said yourself I would only wind up hurting Buck. He's better off without me. Everyone is. You don't understand you're not the only person who doesn't like me. I don't like me, my mother.." she stopped for a moment. "Why don't you do everyone a favor and lock me up and throw away the key, because I know you'd love to do that. I mean I'm a horrible person right? I don't even deserve to be in society. I don't have anything to offer."

*Where the hell had all that come from?* This was supposed to be a simple lecture on the hazards of drinking. He'd talk, she'd listen, that would be it. He glanced desperately toward the kitchen, where the sounds and smells of Kenin cooking breakfast were coming from. He wanted to distract the doctor for a moment, because he sure could use a beer.

"That's not true. I don't know you well enough to like you or not, but if Buck sees value in you, it's got to be there." He rubbed the bridge of his nose, then chuckled. "And Maude doesn't like much of anyone."

Drew looked to Chris after the comment and almost smiled. "I can tell you I'm sorry, that I've never did anything this dumb before. But you would quickly point out to me my arrival in town. So again, I'm just really confused as to why you bothered. But you did."

"It was either stop or run you down," Chris answered with a grin. "And that would have been too much paperwork." Beyond that, though, what was

he doing here with her? He could have run her in, booked her, let her spend the night in the drunk tank. So why hadn't he?

"Maybe because I hope that you're not the lost cause you seem to think you are."

Drew nodded then her eyes widened. "I have to call Trina. If she wakes

up and finds no one there she'll be worried."

"I took care of that," Chris said. "As far as she knows you're house sitting for Dr. Darnell."

"Dr. Darnell?" Drew looked around then at her arm. "She helped too?" She buried her hands again. "Can you please tell me what all happened? Where was I? Outside of Ezra's house?"

"Not exactly," he chuckled, then told the girl what had happened. "I could have been anyone. You could have disappeared, and never been heard from again. It happens all the time. And before you give me that

crap about hurting Buck again, it's too late. We've been friends for a long time, and that man has it bad for you. Not for me to judge if it's

right or wrong. Anything happens to you, it'll kill him. So I aim to see that you shape up and stay out of trouble." He grinned slyly and settled back.

Drew looked at him. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry. You might not believe it but I am. I don't expect you to believe me though."

"You damn well better not be lying to me," Chris snarled. "You better be telling me the truth, or Ezra's going to find out all about this."

Drew glared over at him. "I have no reason to lie. Like I said, believe it or not I am. Wait..... you're not telling Ezra?" She looked genuinely shocked.

"None of his business."

"But..?" Drew shook her head then looked to him. Years of being raised

by her mother taught her to know that someone always expected something in return. "All right. What do you want?"

"Want?" He looked at her for a moment, surprised by the hostility and mistrust in her eyes. "I want you to keep your nose clean. Next time you feel the urge to do something stupid, think about what it'll do to Buck. And it might not hurt to help out at the clinic. Dr. Darnell went out of her way to help you." He paused and grinned wickedly. "And..."

Drew looked at him. "And?" She held her breath.

"You have the privilege of riding with me on patrol on the Fourth of July."

Drew looked confused. "Patrol?"

"Yep. In the car, chasing down drunks."

Drew rolled her eyes. "Not saying it's a bad idea. But Ezra will question this. He knows me and he knows you, he's not stupid. And

Buck, what will he say about it? I don't know if you know this or not but right now Buck doesn't like you too much. Ezra either. I'll do my best to try and help that situation because I do feel I owe you, but tell me how I can explain this?" Drew looked him in question.

"Tell him we're bonding," Chris said with a grin.

Drew laughed to herself. "I know my brother, Chris. And I already know

Buck well enough that both of them will pitch a fit over this and probably tell you there's no way in hell you're going to put me in that kind of a situation." Drew waved him off. "Again, I'm not saying no here. I'm just telling you it's not going to be an easy task."

He looked at her, puzzled, wondering if they ever could come to an understanding. He'd offered her an out, and now she was fighting him on

it. Did she really think she was going to get off scott-free? He knew all too well the path to alcoholism, and it started with drowning self-pity with booze. He wasn't going to let her do that. If she saw the effects first-hand, it would help bring the point home.

But if she was reluctant..."All right, then. I was just trying to offer

you a way out. But if you'd rather not, that's your choice."

Drew shook her head. "You didn't hear me did you? You don't care to listen either. I told you I wasn't saying no, but no, you twist my words around." Drew was nearly in tears now. "Forget it Chris. Just lock me

up, because it won't do any good to try and talk to you. And yes, I am sorry and yes, I would go on patrol with you, but damnit, you didn't listen. I'm sorry." She looked down. "I just know how others will react, but no use saying it again."

"I know about being misunderstood, and having my words twisted. Everyone thinks I'm some kind of heartless bastard. Frankly, that's fine with me." He stood and went into the kitchen. He could hear the washer running on the back porch. Kenin glanced at him and smiled, then

frowned when she saw his expression.

"I appreciate your help," he said, "and I'm sure Drew does too." He shook his head slowly, then said, "Can you bring our clothes into town with you?" She nodded silently and returned to her cooking.

Chris went back into the living room and grabbed his keys, then motioned

toward the door. "C'mon. I'll take you home."

Drew stood up and followed him to the door, not saying a word.

Drew looked to Chris after she got into his car "I don't think you're a heartless bastard. But I know right now that Buck and Ezra think you are and I just know that this wouldn't help matters. That's all I was trying to say. I didn't say I wasn't going to all I was trying to say is how they would react."

"So why do you care what Ezra and Buck think of me?"

Drew rolled her eyes. "Why? because maybe I know how it feels. I've been judged and misunderstood my entire life and it's not right. I know you were concerned for Buck. But Buck doesn't see it that way and Ezra doesn't either. It's not fair to you. And it's not fair to me for you to think I'm a liar because one thing I'm not, Chris, is a liar. Do you

realize I do know what you said the other day was right? I told Buck too, that I couldn't do that to him. That I planned on leaving, but he didn't care. He still wanted me. No one has ever wanted me around. I just know how it feels okay? Maybe we don't like each other but I do think we have one thing in common, people just don't seem to hear what we're trying to say. I just hope some of what I said here made some sense."

Chris leaned back against the headrest and closed his eyes. Even though

he knew they would always butt heads, he still wanted to at least tolerate the girl. "I know you're not a liar. And you're not a drunk or a slut. Guess I didn't think about the danger involved in a ride-along. Would you agree to staying at the station that night, helping with the bookings?"

Drew looked at him. "Yeah, I can do that. Just be sure and put Buck out on patrol so he doesn't complain about not getting to take me out." She looked to him and smiled. "Thank you." She put her seatbelt on then looked out the window. " I'll stop by Dr. Darnell's office tomorrow after work and see if she needs help with anything."

"Don't worry about it," Chris suddenly said. "Forget the whole thing. Just do me a favor. The next time you feel like drinking yourself into a stupor, call me."

Drew looked shocked. "You mean that? Not about forgetting to help, because I will. But call you?"

"Yeah. Confidential, between you and me. Any time." Why was she so startled by the offer? "And I promise to try to listen better. Now, are you hungry?"

Drew shrugged "I'm too scared to eat I'm afraid it won't stay down."

“It´s just that Dr. Darnell was working awfully hard to make breakfast. It would be a shame to leave before we eat.”

Drew bit her lip. "Yeah, it wouldn't be polite to run out. Okay I'll try. Just don't laugh if I get up and run to the restroom." Drew laughed. "Forget it. I wouldn't blame you if you did."

Chris got out, then went around and opened the door for Drew. As she got out, he said, "One more thing. I owe you thanks, too."

"What for?" She looked to the house then back to him. "Oh, somebody has a crush." She bit her lip. "She seems like a real nice lady. Met

her when she helped Trina with her sunburn, but only briefly. Then I guess last night, too. I suppose I should go introduce my self coherently."

"Yeah, well, now we got blackmail info on each other," he chuckled. "But it was a good excuse to see her." *******

“Smiley face pancakes?” Chris asked.

Kenin glanced back at him, then put the plate she´d just rinsed in the drainer. She chuckled. “I suppose I could say that it was just an attempt to cheer you up, but...”

Chris cocked an eyebrow. “So you always make smiley face pancakes?”

The doctor shook her head. “Not always. Sometimes I make Mickey Mouse,

or cats. Ladybugs...”

Chris rolled his eyes, then walked over and started drying. He had already changed back into his laundered clothes and now Drew was in the bathroom doing the same.

He hoped. The girl had managed to down enough food to be polite, but had done so hesitantly. Chris certainly didn´t blame her. He knew all too well that the last thing on your mind the ‘morning after´ was food.

After a moment Kenin said, “You know, you really weren´t listening.”

“You heard that?” He paused and faced her.

“How could I not? She made a mistake, Chris.”

“One that could have gotten her killed. You work in an ER. You know what can happen. Hell, she was going to take on a big-rig.”

“She´s just confused and lost. She needs to learn to like herself. Kind of like someone else I know.”

“What´re you implying?” Chris growled, but Kenin could see the teasing in his eyes.

“That maybe you are an old, heartless bastard.”

She smiled, and impulsively he reached forward and grabbed her by the hips, pulling her close.

“Got any idea what I should do for that, Doc?”

Kenin´s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn´t pull away. “Listen,” she whispered, then kissed him. It was a playful kiss, but still, Chris was startled and almost didn´t hear her say, “Give her another chance.”

“A second chance...” He shook his head and smiled. “Dr. Darnell, I do believe you have the cure.” His kiss was deep, almost desperate. Kenin´s eyes met his and her lips started to part.

They broke away abruptly at the sound of Drew´s steps as she entered the

kitchen. Kenin glanced down, then returned to the dishes, but Chris looked over at Drew in time to see the flicker of a smile that crossed her lips. He frowned sternly and she almost laughed, but caught herself when he winked at her.

“You ready to get home?” he asked. He was amazed at the transformation. To look at her, you´d never know what a rough night she´d had.

Drew nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Darnell.”

Kenin smiled and hugged the girl. “It´s Kenin,” she said, then whispered, “If you ever need anything...”

“I´m sorry...”

Kenin cut her short, “Don´t be. It wasn´t a problem at all.”

Drew nodded, then turned to Chris. She met his eyes, then glanced down.”

“C´mon, Troublemaker.” He dropped his arm lightly around her shoulders.

“You mean Matchmaker, don´t you?” she whispered.

“Don´t know what you´re talking about.”

.