Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): The first thing one might notice about the center is the fact that it is one of the nicest old homes in the run down neighborhood. The rambling Victorian shows signs of recent repairs, renovations and painting. Its lawn is freshly mown and someone is going to the trouble of planting flowers around the boarders of the porch. A large, hand painted sign is planted in the front yard. It says: "Hope Community Center. Living, loving and learning through Christ."

A woman works in the light from the flood lamps, dark blond curls tied back in a serviceable pony tail, her plumply curved body hugged by a pair of baggy overalls. She's perched on a kneeler, digging cheerfully in the dirt.

Christian Gallagher: Christian steps up to the center from the bus stop, reaching up to scratch at the back of his neck. Faith-based organizations always did this to him, a little. Young and hip. He's one of the beautiful creatures, no doubt about it. Upon first glance, his age could be estimated at the mid-twenties. He's got the rebel feel to him...hair a soft brown, falling to the shoulders of his well-worn leather jacket. He has about a day's growth on his face, just enough to be a bit scratchy, underneath soft blue eyes. He could hardly be called big...maybe 5'10, and weight 160 tops. The leather jacket sits over a T-Shirt that reads "1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d" and an olive button-down. Blue jeans and an old pair of sneakers finish the look, one that says "I don't take much time...'cause I don't need to." And it's true, he looks good anyway. A small chain rests around his neck, a single gold hoop in his left ear. (Fame 1: Professional DJ. Check Who's Who for Details)

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie sits back on her heels and lets out a breath, wiping the back of one gloved hand across her forehead, smudging it with dirt as she sets aside the shovel. Carefully she straightens her right leg, easing it out to the side. "Lord? I'm not usually selfish but, think you could turn down the heat," she asks with a little laugh as she pushes up to her feet, staggering a bit as her weight settles on her stiff right leg.

Christian Gallagher: He looks over to Jamie, smiling a little bit as he walks up. "Hello." He stops about four or five feet away, looking to her. "Hell fo a day to be working in the yard, so to speak."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She laughs softly and glances over her shoulder at Christian, favoring him with cheerful hazel eyes and a lightly scarred right cheek. "It is but it has to be done. And honestly, given how busy this place is already, night time's about the only time I can spare." She turns carefully, hand dropping to rub her right thigh before she pulls off her gloves and offers her hand. "I'm Reverand Jamie Hope. You can call me Jamie Star," she says.

Christian Gallagher: "Christian Gallagher." He takes the offered hand and shakes it, giving her a friendly smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Jamie."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "You too, Christian." She grins and gestures him towards the steps. "You go on up first. It'll take me a minute," she says cheerfully, resting her left hand on the banister.

Christian Gallagher: He nods a little bit. "All right." A warm smile, before he turns and heads up to the place, looking around with some interest.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie works her way carefully up the steps, joining him eventually on the porch. She tosses the gloves to a basket beside the front door within which rests more garden tools. Reaching past Christian, one hand on his arm, she pulls open the screen door, ushering him inside the large house.

He's confronted by a cheerful living room, painted a soft sky blue. There are two big, mismatched couches, a couple chairs and beanbags scattered around. In one corner is a small book shelf with various children's books, a few toys and a copy of the Bible; in the other corner is the modest television set. Above the arch that leads to the dining room and kitchen is a simple wooden cross. The dining room table is massive and worn, recently polished to a high sheen and flanked by eight fading chairs with bright cushions. The kitchen he can see through the arch is a dream; painted a rich buttery yellow with white linoleum tile on the floor and white tile around the sink it practically gleams. All the appliances are brand new and three small stools perch beneath the over hang of the island.

"Go on through to the kitchen. I'll pour us some lemonaid."

pathological - newbie: ((SOrry to intride, still new at this post thing, is this conicdered invite only? It did not say so at the top but since it is dynamic area, i was not sure. i figured i would ask before becoming a part of it. Again sorry to intrude))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): ((Its open hon...Hope Center is a community center and shelter in one of Brooklyn's poorer neighbornhoods))

Christian Gallagher: He blinks when she touches his arm, and then moves inside with her, looking around the place. He smiles a little bit and nods to her, moving into the kitchen as directed.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Despite the way she moves, its obvious Jamie's young, not quite thirty. And despite pain her eyes are warm and a alive, her smile engaging. "So, Christian, what brings you here?"

pathological - newbie: ((Very good, thank you :-) *glee*)) The sound of odd chatter coming from arround the bend can be heard by anyone, barring any loud noises blocking it out. ((Anyone with computer would recognize it as spoken C++ language, as if some one was using speach recognition software)) Out comes a young lad looking possibly 16 thought he could be 18. Toned looking guy. Long brown curley hair, wearing a Black T-Shirt that says "stfu newb" on the front. He is also sporting some basketball shorts. He does not seem to be walking as much as he is rolling. Yes that is right, he is on rolerblades. You see him sort of looking and pointing at everything, and almost dictating to himself. He noticeably had a small mic that extends fomr his ear to his mouth, and some glasses on. He rolls arround the corner, cautiously, not really paying much attention to his surroundings.

Christian Gallagher: "Well..." He takes a breath and looks around, then to her. "I've kind of been thinking about a way to do some community work. Helping out, giving back, that kind of thing. I do some of it already, but...I have a lot of free time, you know? Work nights."

Christian Gallagher: ((Path, can you change your nick to your character's name?))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Well, Lord knows we could definitely use someone with some free time." She chuckles and makes her way carefully to the cupboard and then the fridge. "What are your interests, Christian? What do you like?"

pathological: ((sorry about that, had to remove the suffix to the nick, path is his nick name. All IC and lagit, got him aproved today :-) ))

Raven: ((still open? *S*))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): ((yup!))

pathological: ((sorry, continue talking, untill i am interacted with, i will be looking at the property and admiring it))

Christian Gallagher: "Well, I do a lot of work with AIDS kids at Mt. Sinai, for one. I work at night as a DJ. And I really just...enjoy helping people."

Heath Rodgers: The young male shuffles up the porch to the front door. His eyes dart left and right rapidly and there is a tremor in his entire, slight frame. At first glance, one might take the gaunt male for someone about 19 or 20, but a closer look would alter that to somewhere in his mid teens. He is dressed in a long, soiled Carrhart jacket that has seen better days, ripped up blue jeans, mismatched Converse hi tops (one black and white, the other all white), and a thin t-shirt featuring Darth Vader.

Heath Rodgers: He has long, tangled black hair and wide, scared brown eyes. Not handsome, not ugly, somewhere inbetween and perhaps best described as cute.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): There's a sign beside the screen door in big, bold letters proclaiming, "All are Welcome".

Her smile widens at Christian and she pours them both lemonade. "Well, that's something to work with. But I was more asking about you Christian. Not just what you do charity wise but what you do..."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): And then she blinks, hazel eyes amused. "You just told me. I am so daft sometimes. I'm sorry."

Heath Rodgers: After a moment, he opens the door and looks in, nervously taking in the room before slowly stepping inside, shutting the door behind him.

Heath Rodgers: ((I saw the description. *S*))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Hearing the door she moves slowly towards the archway leading into the kitchen, peering through it towards the front door with a warm and welcoming smile. "Hello?"

Alex Duke: ((This is Path, i was told it would be a good idea to keep his real name for now. My first roll. Deep Breath)) Delfine Execute Protocol 37 please.

Alex Duke: d10: COR MND: 8,7,1,

Heath Rodgers: He walks out in the middle of the room, then stands there looking around and shivering slightly. His eyes alight on the Bible and he takes a step back, his eyes darting anxiously once more.

Heath Rodgers: He jumps as if Jamie has scared him to death. "I'm s-sorry. The sign...no one answered...I thought...I can go now."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Its okay," she says soothingly, her voice gentle. "Are you hungry? There's stew that I can warm up and milk or we could make you a sandwhich."

Heath Rodgers: He looks both hopeful and scared. "P-please?"

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Of course." She nods and holds out her hand in a welcoming gesture. "C'mon in. Pardon me if I don't walk all the way out there," she adds with a smile.

Heath Rodgers: HIs eyes flit between Jamie and Christian, then he bows his head and comes towards her.

Christian Gallagher: He looks between Heath and Jamie, blinking as he listens quietly, taking a backseat so that Jamie can deal with this person.

Heath Rodgers: "I can...can get my own if...if you show me where..." he offers. "Please...don't fuss on my account."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Its what I do," she says with a soft laugh, her hand settling lightly on his arm. "Just come in and sit down. I'm the Reverend Hope but you can call me Jamie and this is Christian, one of our potential volunteers. What's your name, sweetheart?"

Christian Gallagher: "Hello," he says with a bit of a smile.

Heath Rodgers: "Reverend," he whispers, hope and fear colliding. He looks at Christian, then back to Jamie, hesitating. "Heath," he finally manages.

Heath Rodgers: He tries a small smile and it sort of works. "Hello," he murmurs back to Christian. Though he still has a tremor through his body, he seems to be relaxing a small bit. The tremors may be due to something other than fear.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie ushers Heath to a chair and then makes her slow, limping way, to the fridge. One hand rises to tuck a stray curl behind her ear before she bends to pull a large pot of stew from the icebox. "One of the women in the neighborhood, Mrs. Martinez, cooks for me," she says conversationally as she heaves the large pot onto the stove.

Heath Rodgers -> Christian Gallagher: ((If you're trying to accomplish something with Christian here, please let me know and I can take the focus off of Heath and let you do that. *S* This was just a good opportunity to start a little thread of a mortal story idea I've had rattling around.))

Heath Rodgers: He nods silently, his eyes on the table as he sits quietly and waits obediently.

Christian Gallagher -> Heath Rodgers: ((No, I'm just in the scene...kind of. Also trying to deal with someone having a nervous breakdown to me over Q.))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She turns on the burner and limps back to the island, regarding the young man tenderly. Her hand reaches out to brush his hair back from his face. "How long has it been since your last hit, sweetheart?"

Heath Rodgers -> Christian Gallagher: (( :( That's not a happy thing.))

Heath Rodgers: He jumps again, then looks away guiltily. "N-not long. I've...not been away long."

Alex Duke: ..::Alex spends time to switch from his blades to his shoes. He knows the municipal laws, no blades inside anywhere usually. When he is done sliding his shoes on and putting his skates in his bag, he will thow the bag over his shoulders and walk in the front entrance. Talking to himself as he was before. Anyone with Computer may recognize it as him dicttaing programming code with the odd bit of l33 sp33k::.. ((I am not sure where everyone is, so if i get into a room with you, let me know. Getting the hang of this slowly.))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Shhh. Its okay. No one here is going to judge you. I just need to know so that we can get you medical attention if necessary," she says softly.

Christian Gallagher: He purses his lips, listening to the two of them quietly. When Alex walks in, he looks over in that direction.

Heath Rodgers: He keeps his gaze on the table. "I'm fine. You're...really a reverend?" he mumbles.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Episcopalian," she says with a soft laugh. "We're the uncommon Christian Denomination."

Heath Rodgers: He looks confused as he darts a glance at her and away. "Oh."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Most Churches don't ordaine women," she clarifies gently. Her eyes flick up to Alex and then she glances towards Christian. "Invite him in," she says softly.

Alex Duke: ..::Alex looks the room he is in over and continues his jibber jabber. He keeps looking arround seemingly oblivious untill he sees Christian. He looks at him briefly, almost sizing him up silently, given Alex's Nigth Life, it is something he is used to doing without letting others know what he is doing::.. "Hi, i am sorry the door is open, are you closed because i can come back if need be."

Christian Gallagher: He smiles a little at Jamie's joke.

Heath Rodgers: He glances to Jamie, then Christian, tensing up a little as he continues his glance on to Alex. "I didn't know that," he says quietly to Jamie.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "We don't close," she says, offering Alex a smile.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She nods at Heath. "Do you have questions," she asks, limping to the stove to stir the stew.

Alex Duke: ..::He will smile back::.. Oh well that is nice. Safe haven as it were. ..::He will extend his hand to any who wish to shake it::.. My name is Alex. How do you to.

Christian Gallagher: "Come on in," he says to Alex with a smile. "What can we do for you?" Hey, assume the positive. What's the worst that can happen?

Christian Gallagher: "Christian." He takes the man's hand and shakes it. "Nice to meet you."

Heath Rodgers: Jamie: "N-no. I don't...I...no questions." He pauses. "Does God...does he forgive those who...who have strayed far? Like...really far?" He keeps his eyes on the table.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "God forgives everyone, sweetheart. There are two things He asks of you in return. That you're truly repentent and that you believe in His only Son, Jesus Christ."

Heath Rodgers: "No matter...how far you've strayed? No matter what you've done?"

Alex Duke: "The pleasure is mine Mister Christian. There is not much you can REALLY do for me asside form maybe a tour of the facility at your leisure. I am putting together a Three Dimensional Vector Graphic. I am coding for the use of any one in the city who has the need for it. it would help eliminate the use of paper at town hall, make it easier for developers, or even renovators, to plan their work. I am really doing it of the whole city, bit by bit. Sort of a side project of mine."

Christian Gallagher: He looks over at Jamie for a moment, and then back to Alex.

Christian Gallagher: "Ummm..." He blinks at that, and looks back to Jamie. That's certainly not a standard request.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She puts down the spoon and moves to Heath's side, cupping his face in her hands. "Are you truly sorry for what you've done, Heath? If you are and if you ask God, He will forgive you. He loves you."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie is utterly focused on the poor lost lamb before her. Christian's on his own.

Christian Gallagher: "I, ummm..." He looks back to Alex. "Honestly, I just started volunterring here myself, so I don't know the layout. Or if that would even be okay."

Alex Duke: "I would assume not, as far as i know nobody has taken the time or resource to make a program this big free to the public. I am one of those Open Source Junkies." ..::He laughs. He turns, his attention being drawn by the conversation beside him::..

Christian Gallagher: "Open Source...hmm?"

Heath Rodgers: His brown eyes are scared and he starts to shake his head, only to find himself nodding instead. A tear slides out of one eye. "What if I don't have a soul anymore?" he whispers.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Sweetheart," she whispers, brushing a kiss to his forehead. "You have a soul. Everyone has a soul and no one can take that away." Jamie shakes her head, love shining out of her warm eyes. "Do you believe in Jesus?"

Christian Gallagher: "Hey..." He looks to Alex. "Maybe we can go discuss this out in the front yard. I could, uh, use a cigarette, and I'm pretty sure it's no smoking in here." He gestures toward the door, trying to give Heath and Jamie their privacy.

Alex Duke: ..::Turn to christian::.. Open source is the a standard under the GPL, General Public License. It means you can create source and distriute it without the possibility of maiing proft on it. You can how ever lock said source so that people can take your code and then alter it and take the finished product and sell their portion of it seperting the original product all together. This allows for cheaper software, and the ability to share knowlege and data more openly. WHen you have Open Source software for example, youc an share a problem with thousands of other techies will can, if they dicce to, look at your source and then give you a responce as to a fix that worked for them.

Heath Rodgers: "I sold it," he whispers, dropping his head. "I don't know what I believe anymore."

Alex Duke: ..::He will follow suit continuing to tell him the vast gloy of Open Source under the GPL, Rivetting i am sure::..

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Her hands cup his face gently and she bites her lips. "Can I share an amazing secret with you Heath? Your soul is owned by God. YOu can't sell it; its not for sale. And another secret...God loves you so much that he gave His only son to death so that you could live eternally with Him. All you have to do is accept Christ as your Savior, ask for His forgiveness and it will be given to you."

Christian Gallagher: He heads out into the fron yard, opening the door for Alex and nodding. Smile and nod, smile and nod. He actually does seem to understand most of it, but lets Alex explain anyway. Easier then trying to explain that there's privacy laws about mapping out people's homes and private businesses.

Heath Rodgers: "But I...I felt it burned away." He's trembling again, but he does seem to be listening. "How can it still be there? And what if they find me again?"

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Whatever you felt was a lie, Heath. That's what the devil does. He lies and tricks you into believing when he needs you to believe. The only power he has is the power you give him," she murmurs.

Alex Duke: "SO, how are things arround here? i have not been living here long. New York is a huge change from Toronto, that is for damn sure."

Heath Rodgers: He's weeping freely now, though the tears are silent. "I was promised power, but it was all a lie. All that they took...I got nothing in return."

Christian Gallagher: "Toronto, eh?" He smiles a little bit. "Welcome to New York. That depends on what you mean by around here...anywhere in New York you go has a different feel."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She drops his face to take his hands, lifting them close to her heart and holding them, tears in her own eyes. "WOuld you like to try and find Him again? Would you like to pray with me," she asks softly.

Heath Rodgers: He nods, weeping openly. "I'm s-scared..."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She shifts both his hands into one of hers and brushes away his tears with careful fingers. "Its good to be a little scared. God is your Father and I'm sure he's angry...But like any father He loves you more then there are words." She stills and takes a slow breath. "Why don't we start with a simple prayer. Repeate each line after me." And then she begins the Lord's Prayer.

Alex Duke: ((Perception + Awareness Roll, that guy was sort of creepy, and Christian pulled Alex away form the conversation quick and with a sort of, confusion of what to do. What is the old spidy sense saying?))

Alex Duke: d10: PER + Awareness: 8,8,2,2,

Heath Rodgers: Shaking, he stumbles over some of the words, but he follows her lead.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She smiles gentle encouragement to her, ending the prayer with an "amen". "Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior Heath?"

Christian Gallagher -> Heath Rodgers: ((I'll let you handle that, if there's anything supernatural abgout Heath, of course. ;) ))

Heath Rodgers -> Christian Gallagher: ((Oh no. *L* Pure mortal. This is sort of a pilot test for a storyline I'm dinking with.))

Heath Rodgers: He says a shaky "amen" and then tries a trembly little smile, nodding. "Yes..."

Christian Gallagher -> Heath Rodgers: ((Cool. Let him know that for me? I think he already assumes I'm running Heath for some reason.))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She nods and traces a cross on his forehead. "Do you repent, with your whole heart for your sins? Do you give your soul into the Lord's keeping?"

Heath Rodgers: "Yes...yes, please..."

Christian Gallagher: He stands there, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up as he looks back to Alex. "So what brought you to New York?"

Alex Duke: ((OH good *S*)) "So as i was saying my good man..." ((They can continue conversation, he will continue to bable on about technologies wonderous advancements and how the GPL will one day rule the planet etc))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Lord, accept into Your care Your son Heath Rodgers as I welcome him into the body of Your fellowship. Welcome home, Heath," she says softly, brushing her fingers over his forehead. "Tomorrow we'll go to the church and baptize you."

Alex Duke: ..::He stops his babble::.. "Oh, i was offered a job programming. I am essentially a code monkey. for at least 8 hours out of EVERY day, i am in front of a PC coding my brains out. What do you do for a livingmister Christian?"

Heath Rodgers: ((Didn't give his last name. *S*)) He's shaking, weeping, but smiling. It's more noticeable that his tremors are an emotional effect, not quite like before.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): ((Bah, I missed that.))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Building a relationship with God takes time, Heath and you can stay here for as long as you need while you start that journey."

Christian Gallagher: "I'm a DJ." He smiles a little. "I do most of my work at the Limelight in Midtown Manhattan."

Heath Rodgers: "I...can't stay. Not yet." He looks at her seriously through his tears. "There are others. I have to go back. I have to tell them that they'r not lost. Is there...is there a card...something I can show them?"

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She nods and, wincing, pushes away from the island to move to the far counter, her right leg stiff as she moves. "Yes...Promise me you'll come back though," she says, making it more of a question then a demand.

Alex Duke: ..::Thinks to himself::.. "Defline, city index. Bring up Limelight please." ..::Takes a second::.. OH, the Limelight, i have never been. What kind of music do they play there?

Heath Rodgers: "I promise," he says quietly but firmly. "I just can't abandon the other Lost Boys." Yes, he actually said Lost Boys, and if he didn't look so thin, gaunt, and lost, it would be horribly laughable.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "No. You can't," she agrees, moving to the stove to dip him a large bowl of stew. "Whenever you're scared Heath...Pray."

Heath Rodgers: He nods. "I get scared a lot." Tearing into the stew as if hasn't eaten in days.

Christian Gallagher: "I do a lot of trance, ambient, sometimes house. A lot of my own mixes of stuff, mostly. Starting to produce some of my own music, too."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "I do to," Jamie admits. "And when I'm scared, or I'm lost I ask the Lord to light my way. You just have to remember that He's not always obvious." She shakes her head. "Let me grab the boys," she says, stroking his back gently before moving slowly towards the front porch.

"You two can come back in now."

Heath Rodgers: He nods, barely pausing in his attack on the stew.

Alex Duke: ..::Not paying any attention to her, it is perfectly obvious all the time in front of a PC seems to rot his social skills::.. "Nice, i liuke Trance. It is rockin. I am actually planning on going to the World Electronic Music Festival in july on the 21st, will you be there "spinning" as they call it?"

Christian Gallagher: He looks up to Jamie and nods, stubbing his cigarette out before pocketing the butt. He looks over to Alex. "Shall we?"

Alex Duke: ..::He looks confused at Christian::.. Shall we what?

Christian Gallagher: He grins a little bit. "Go back in."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She smiles warmly to Christian and moves back into the house, pausing in the living room to grab the Bible there. She brings it back into the kitchen and sets it down next to Heath's hand. "Take this with you."

Heath Rodgers: He hesitates, eyes widening as he looks at it. "I can't...can't be caught with this."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Her brow furrows at that and she nods slowly. "Will he hurt you if you have it?"

Alex Duke: "I really should not. Mister Christian. I should be off." Thank you for your hospitality. I will be back sooner or later. ..::Extends his hand for another shake::..

Heath Rodgers: He pales, lowering his eyes and nodding.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie bites her lips thoughtfully. "Could you hide a small pin," she asks gently.

Christian Gallagher: He blinks but nods, taking the hand and shaking it. "I'll see you around. Have a good night."

Heath Rodgers: He looks up hopefully, giving a small nod and a faint smile. "I think so. Yes."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She smiles and kisses his forehead before limping her way towards a small room off the kitchen. He can hear her rumaging around in there for a good, long while before she returns with a tiny gold cross - it looks like a tie pin maybe. "Here," she says. "The symbol itself isn't important, except as a reminder of what you promised Christ tonight."

Heath Rodgers: He nods, closing his hand around it tightly, then getting up on slightly less shaky legs. "Thank you. I have to go...I need to get back before I'm missed. Thank you," he whispers again, "for everything."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She nods, her eyes worried but warm and loving. "You're welcome," she murmurs. "Be safe, Heath. Go with God."

Alex Duke: d10: Mind : 5,3,5,

Heath Rodgers: He nods, wrapping his arms around his thin frame and heading out quickly. ((Goodnight! I need to get to bed.))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): ((Night love! Thank you very much!))

Alex Duke: ((Night all, thank you for the fun post, my first YAY! Hope to be in many more. Nighty night.))

Christian Gallagher: He makes his way back inside the house, watching Heath leave. He smiles at him, and then heads inside.

Christian Gallagher: ((Night, everyone!))

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie sits slowly as he leaves. One hand pushes his bown away and the other brings the Bible closer, her fingers running around the gilt silver pages. She bites her lips and tears slide down her cheeks.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): (Bown=bowl)

Christian Gallagher: He frowns a little bit when he sees Jamie upset, and moves to her, a hand coming to rest on her shoulder. "You okay?"

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She exhales and glances up at Christian to offer a smile. "Sometimes, the weight on my shoulders feels like its more then I can bare but I always pull through. But sometimes, like tonight, I wonder if I've done the right thing. I wonder if I've done enough." She leans into his hand, just lightly. "I honestly hope and pray, that he'll be okay."

Christian Gallagher: He nods a little bit and takes a seat at the table next to her. "I know the feeling."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "You're not Christian, are you," she asks with a slight smile, her fingers still lovingly caressing the Bible.

Christian Gallagher: "Only in name," he says with a smile. "I..." He pauses, pursing his lips as he considers his answer. "I lost my faith a few years ago."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She nods slowly and glances over at him, offering another gentle smile. "I hope you find it again, Christian; whatever it is. Faith enriches a persons life," she murmurs. "By the way. Welcome aboard. It'll be good to have you around and there will always be a bunk for you if you need to stay."

Christian Gallagher: He smiles and nods. "Thanks." A sigh. "I...should probably get back home." He pulls out a business card with his cell phone number, email, and a fax number on it, identifying him as "DJ Halcyon," and sets it on the table. "There's my cell if you ever need to call. When should I be here?"

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): "Whenever you have time to spare, Christian. THere's always something that needs to be done," she says, standing slowly, Bible in one hand, his card in the other. "Let me get you a key," she adds thoughtfully, moving to one of the cupboards. "You can use this to get in if the doors are locked. I'm still working out hours for the open door bit so..." She shrugs slightly and, transfering his card to her bible hand, she plucks up a key. Jamie turns and tosses it lightly to him.

Christian Gallagher: He catches the key and nods. "Thanks. I'll probably be around tomorrow."

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): She smiles. "I look forward to seeing you then. Good night, Christian."

Christian Gallagher: "Good night, Jamie." He smiles and rises, making his way out, toward home.

Jamie Star Hope (Hope Center): Jamie makes her way around the downstairs of the house, turning off lights and locking up, before heading back to her bedroom off the kitchen.

Before retiring she prays, harder then she has in a very long time for Heath and also for Christian in the hopes that he finds his faith again.