Texas was comfortable routine. Sam's days went exactly the same way, and he'd never enjoyed monotony more.

Wake up, run the obstacle course, ride a horse, target practice, ride a motorcycle, take a tour with Max, go to an Uncaged concert.

Yes, he wouldn't mind if this went on for eternity. Kyle and Kay were so lively and in their element, it was easy to be infected by their mood. And the energy at the concerts was amazing. They never had the same program so people came flocking to every venue, the crowd thicker each time.

Sam had no idea how much new material there was since he wasn't familiar with the old one, but every evening, Kyle and Kay would lay on Kyle's bed, engrossed in notes and lyrics, discussing themes for possible new songs.

Sometimes, Sam liked to join them just to be able to spin on Kyle's desk chair, staring at the ceiling, and pretending he was that little boy in the photo pinned on Kyle's wall.

And after spending days with them, Sam was so grateful for his brother and his girlfriend. They never kissed in front of him, never touched or had longing love struck staring contests. Sam hadn't even been aware they were doing more than talking until he approached Kyle out of guilt to tell him he didn't have to be abstinent because he was there. 

Kyle had laughed in his face and told Sam he lacked imagination which Sam took to mean that hell, yeah, they were doing it, just not in his hearing range. Which made sense and was what normal people did.

Then Jessie and Jimmy arrived and his world was swallowed by confusion again because they didn't belong in his made-up childhood. Though he couldn't be upset when Jessie hugged him tightly.

"You look great," she said with a big smile.

"Sleep does that to a person," Kay said, already pulling Jessie away from him. "I have so much to show you!"

Jimmy just nudged Sam's shoulder with his fist. "She's right, you do look great."

Sam just nodded, grateful no one was asking how he was feeling, since the answer was good on the outside, shitty on the inside. He didn't want to go there, the numbness worked. He also didn't want to ask how everything was at home, though he felt guilty about that, too. No one had called him since he'd left and he appreciated it. It made it so much easier to pretend.

So he went for a neutral question. "Done with work?"

"Yeah, though it's going to be brutal. Apparently Jerry sold me off to NASA and the Agency wants me in a space training program for some reason."

"You're kidding," Sam said, his jaw dropping. "Like real astronaut stuff?"

"Yes. They're also giving me a training course in satellite technology, which I can't say I mind. That stuff is fascinating."

Sam had never wanted to be an astronaut as a kid, but it still seemed such a far fetched dream. And an opportunity of a lifetime. He'd totally do it, even if he'd probably never survive the training due to his fear of heights.

"So are you going to do it?"

"Not sure," Jimmy said with a shrug. "I'd have to train here in Texas for a while and I'm not sure I want to leave Chicago again so soon." His eyes traveled to Jessie as he said this and Sam understood that she wouldn't be able to follow him this time like she did when he was at MIT.

"No," Jessie said, distracting Sam from the possibility of Jimmy flying off into space. "Really?"

"Yeah, I think it would be great," Kyle said with a huge grin. "You're rusty anyway. Performing would do you a world of good."

"I don't know about that..." Jessie said, the hesitance on her face matching Kay's.

"What did I miss?" Sam asked.

"I suggested that Jessie come and sing with us," Kyle said. "I'm sure you have songs of your own and we can practice them. Besides, I need a break. I'd rather focus on playing my instrument."

"That sounds like a good idea," Jimmy said. "Jessie is awesome."

"So is Kyle," Kay pointed out.

"Yeah, but he's not as hot in a dress," Jimmy countered.

Sam would have normally laughed at this, but the numbness wasn't letting him do much but stare and occasionally be surprised. So he just followed their back and forth. Seeing Jessie sing would be interesting so he was actually excited once they were at the newest venue, waiting for the concert to start.

Kyle had whisked Jessie away to reversals, even if Kay grumbled against it, so only Jimmy joined them for the rest of the day and kicked Sam's ass with ease running the course.

Max was so thrilled to have more of them over, he planned every second of their day, and Sam didn't mind that one bit. After the initial shock change had brought was gone, it was great having Jimmy around. His presence was soothing in a way comparable to Jerry's, but not as loaded with worry, and it worked.

Even now, as he sat next to Sam on a high chair at a round table in this fancy club, he exuded nothing but calm and confidence. Kay on the other hand was a little stiff and shifted in her seat.

"Bad memories in this place?" Sam asked, trying to make conversation.

"Not exactly. It's just weird to me." She shifted some more.

"Is it because Kelly isn't here?" Sam prodded.

Kay shook her head and Sam got the idea she didn't want to talk in front of Jimmy for some reason, which was weird since she'd always seemed closer to Jimmy than to Sam. But any rebuttal Sam would have liked to make died on his lips once the lights turned on and Joey started introducing the bad again.

Except, this time, Kyle was only introduced as lead guitar while their guest lead singer was Jessie. The crowd was stunned for a moment before everyone started cheering madly. Jessie looked amazing in a faded pink chiffon dress with a short tutu-like skirt, black combat boots and a black leather jacket.

"No way," someone said from behind them. "How'd they get her to sing with them?"

But the crowd immediately quieted down when Jessie started singing. Sam had never heard her outside of playing around, and the hairs on his arms stood on end. Her voice was so powerful and haunting and seemed to fill every inch of him. The style of the song was a bit different from what Uncaged usually did as well, the instrumental harsher and more complex.

Jessie was amazing. But so was Kyle who took advantage of not having to sing and was for once fully concentrated on playing the hell out of that guitar. Sam found himself staring open-mouthed like a moron, but he couldn't help it. Three songs later, and he still couldn't believe it.

"Jessie's unbelievable," he mumbled as the band took a short break.

"I know, right?" Jimmy said with a grin. "Want something to drink?"

"Yeah, sure," Kay said before Sam could open his mouth.

"You do know it'll be alcohol free, right?" Jimmy laughed, but hopped off his stool and headed for the bar in the back of the room.

Kay ignored him and drummed her fingers on the surface of the table, still seeming a bit tense.

"You don't like the show?" Sam asked.

"It's not that," she mumbled, her eyes on Kyle who was fiddling with the amp of his guitar while Jessie held it as if testing it out.

"Well, hello there."

Sam and Kay both jumped and turned to a beautiful woman who had stopped by their table. Her hair was dark and wavy, falling over her shoulders with grace. Her skin was olive, her eyes chocolate brown and almond shaped and the smile on her face was a mixture between joy and bitterness.

"Cecily," Kay said, shocked.

"What?" the Cecily girl asked with a laugh. "He's in town and you think I'd miss this?"

"Of course not, how have you been?" Kay's words were a little nervous, as if that harmless, much shorter woman was intimidating her.

"Forget me! I'm a little confused. Them." Cecily nodded at the stage towards Kyle and Jessie who were play-fighting over the guitar. "I thought he'd replaced you."

Kay swelled and Sam was sure she'd end up smacking Cecily. "Of course not."

"So, you're still together, then?"

"Of course we are."

Cecily sighed, the bitterness surrounding her more prominent than before. Then her eyes fell on Sam and her interest perked up.

"Hi, I don't believe we've been introduced." She shot Kay a glare as she reached out her hand. "I'm Cecily Howard."

"Sam Grant," he said, shaking her hand.

"Holy shit, you're Kyle's brother," Cecily said, her eyes widening. "Wow, your family's got genes. And to think you used to be this cute little thing."

"Um... I guess we were all babies at one point?" This was getting beyond weird.

"No." Cecily waved her hand impatiently. "I actually saw pictures of you. Damn, wait." She took in a big breath. "I was Kyle's girlfriend before her." She nodded at Kay. "So of course I know about you."

"Oh," Sam said, fortunately keeping the wow in. Kyle could sure pick them. Cecily was one beautiful piece of work. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." She smiled at Sam before turning her attention back to Kay. "So, part of the family now?" Her eyes scanned Kay's hand, probably looking for a ring.

"We're a tight knit group," Kay said, joining her hands under the table. "It's been great, you know. In every possible way."

Sam felt like blushing and hiding under the table because Kay's tone showed clearly what she was implying. Cecily caught on since her jaw clenched tighter, but she kept her smile.

"It's been great for me, too." She placed her hands on the table to make her huge engagement ring obvious. "I mean Martinez and Berk aren't the only ones getting married this year. I'm surprised Jelly hasn't gotten hitched yet."

"Anyone I know?" Kay asked, though her tone held an obvious edge in it.

"It's Pierce," Cecily answered with a sigh. "Kyle was right. He is a great guy and he's treating me right. So we did get our happy ending after all."

"Pierce as in the guy-you-cheated-on-Kyle-with-Pierce?"Kay asked, shocked.

Sam's insides clenched uncomfortably at the mention of cheating. Why had Kyle claimed he had no idea how it was when it had happened to him as well?

Cecily's eyes narrowed. "Yes, that Pierce. Turns out that drunken mistake was the best decision I've ever made." Her chocolate gaze moved from Kay to Kyle and she let out a deep breath, the longing in her eyes invalidating what she'd just said.

What Sam found even weirder was the longing on Kay's face as she studied the ring around Cecily's finger.

"Doesn't it bother you?" Cecily asked, still watching Kyle and Jessie who were getting ready to start singing again.

"Of course not." Jimmy had joined the party, holding three glasses of what looked like Coke. "Kyle and Jessie are like brother and sister." He put the glasses on the table and reached out his hand to Cecily. "Hi, I'm Jimmy, one of the long lost brothers."

Cecily shook his hand, staring at him as if unable to believe it. "What the hell? Your family isn't fair." She looked from Jimmy to Kyle and back. "I can't even decide who is hotter now."

"Not me, obviously," Sam said.

"Shut up, you're hot, too," Cecily said, and Sam had to admit he liked her no-bullshit attitude. "I'm Kyle's ex, by the way."

"I figured as much," Jimmy said, sitting back down. "I'm Jessie's in progress work, by the way."

"Oooh." Cecily really seemed to understand now. "Right, that makes sense. It was nice meeting you two. And I guess seeing you again."

"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," Kay mumbled as Cecily made her exit.

"Don't like her, huh?" Jimmy asked with a grin, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not one bit. She was such a bully and she hasn't changed much." Kay turned away from them, her eyes back on the band who started performing again.

But as Sam watched her, the tension between her shoulder, he could tell it was a lot more than the meeting with Kyle's old flame. And he couldn't get the look of longing on Cecily's face out of his head.

It had been over five years since she and Kyle had broken up, and yet, here she was to see him, obviously wishing they were still together even if she was getting married to someone else.

Would that be him? Would he ever be able to get over Christine? The thought ruined his night, and for the first time, he longed to go home.

♠️

Two weddings in a day were a bit too much, so Kay was glad to get them over with. Max and Rosario had been a mere formality without a party and she was truly happy for them and the baby they were about to have.

Sonia and Dustin decided to have theirs in a barn which brought back bitter sweet memories. But nothing could improve her mood which had taken a nosedive after running into Cecily. She'd stuck around after the concert to talk to Kyle and tell him about her wedding to Pierce. In his regular fashion, Kyle had been honestly happy for them. Because that was who he was. There wasn't an ounce of bitterness in him.

Kay couldn't get over it. Not over Cecily flaunting her ring and making insinuations about Jessie and Kyle having chemistry. She was as mean as ever and lucky that Kay was civil enough to ignore her and not punch her face in before her wedding. She was turning into as much of a moping shadow as Sam.

She knew it was silly, but ever since Jessie and Jimmy came, everything felt wrong. Texas was hers, and having them there ruined it, made it obvious that they hadn't returned to a time and place where it was just her and Kyle being young and wild. Then there was the matter of Jessie and how Kyle had included her in his creative process regarding everything Uncaged. Lyrics, music, style, everything. It hurt. Even if Jessie was her best friend and Kay loved her to bits, it still hurt. And the feeling ruined all the fun at Sonia and Dustin's wedding.

The band performed there as well, Sonia drumming away in her bride's dress to a crowd of appreciative friends and relatives. Sam, Jimmy and Jessie had also been invited and seemed to be enjoying the show. Kay just smiled and tried to get into it, but it was hard. A large part of her felt homesick which was strange since this was supposed to be her home.

Hell, if she wanted, she could drive back to her house and say hello to her parents. It was a wonder they hadn't caught wind that she was in town. But then again, they've been successfully ignoring each other for three years, so why stop now?

"You okay?" Sam asked.

She turned away from the stage where Kyle and Joey were singing country karaoke and focused on Sam. In spite of all the supposed rest he was getting, he still looked exhausted. There was a sadness in his eyes that hadn't been there before and her heart ached when she realized that the Sam she knew might be gone forever.

"Yes. Just a little homesick."

He nodded. "Me too, unexpectedly. It was nice here, but I know it can't last forever."

"Yeah..." Her eyes scanned the dancing crowd, focusing on Kelly who was trying to pull Joey off the stage. "We're not the same, you know."

"I figured. And I'm guessing it makes this place even harder to face."

Kay turned back to Sam at the bitterness in his voice. "We have no choice. People change. There's no magical place where time stands still. Not even here." And the thought was more painful than she ever expected.

"Max asked me to stay," Sam said unexpectedly. "That if Chicago was too much, I could move in with him, help him on the ranch. Leave a peaceful life away from it all."

Max was so thoughtful and it was a great idea, but Kay couldn't see Sam taking him up on it. "Are you going to do it?"

Sam shook his head, predictably enough. "I can't run away from my problems, Kay. Delay facing them, maybe, but never escape. Besides, I can't leave the Agency. I can't leave you guys."

A tight knot formed in Kay's stomach at the mention of their employer. Working for the Agency was hard. Working for two was even more taxing especially since one didn't need to know about the other. And neither did anyone else. It was the only secret she held from Kyle with only Angie and Jessie knowing about it.

They were all in it after all. Three liars. But it was for the greater good. And one day, when forced with the choice, the guys would get in as well. And then she, Jessie and Angie would be the currency Phillip needed to draw them in.

"Does country music usually make people want to make out?" Sam asked.

Kay snapped out of her thoughts and followed his gaze. Jessie and Jimmy sat on different stools but had bridged the gap between them. They weren't kissing, at least not anymore, but their foreheads were pressed together in a show of affection which wasn't doing Sam any good. She remembered Joey and Kelly and how all over each other they used to be. The memory brought a smile to her face.

"Yeah, it does. Make out and get drunk. Just like R'n'B usually makes you want to get it on."

Sam smiled weakly. "I wouldn't know."

And Kay's heart ached for him all over again. It didn't help when Kyle came over singing and pulled her on the dancefloor. She tried to wiggle herself out of it, but gave up when Kyle spun her in place and pulled her against him.

"What's up, sweetheart? You've been down in the dumps lately."

Of course he'd notice. And she was a fool to ever believe he was too caught up having fun to pick up on her mood. She just shrugged because she didn't have an answer.

"Talk to me," he whispered in her ear, slowing their dance to a sway.

"I don't know. I just miss home, I guess."

"Me too," he said unexpectedly. "It was fun coming back, but this isn't who we are anymore."

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "But you are having so much fun. The band, the concerts..."

He let out a huff. "I spent half the concerts scanning all exits and analyzing potential threats. Thar part of me isn't going away, no matter how hard I try to pretend nothing has changed."

"It has, hasn't it?"

Kyle squeezed her tighter against him. "It doesn't have to be a bad thing. I love it that we can come back here and have a few days of peace. But I also love having Sam, Jimmy and Jessie in my life. And I miss Jerry, Tom and Angie."

"Me too."

If she were completely honest, she wanted her current life away from this place. She wanted the memory untainted. And she'd get her wish since they were leaving the next day. Her gaze drifted to Sam again who was politely refusing a dance invitation from yet another girl.

"Do you think he's better?" she whispered.

Kyle tensed a little, watching Sam as well. "He is now. But once we return, it will be like we've never left. At least he managed to get some sleep."

She wrapped her arms around him and lay her head on his chest. The beating of his heart filled her ears and it was the sweetest music. All her petty worries about Cecily and Jessie and who was more popular seemed so silly then.

"Promise me that everything will be okay," she mumbled.

"Of course it will be. Sam is stronger than he thinks, he'll overcome this." He kissed her hair. "And I will love you until the day I die."

The words sent a sinking feeling into the pit of her stomach. Because for the tiniest fraction of a second, it felt like he'd signed his own death sentence.

♠️♠️♠️

Yay, I finally managed to get this done. Time for some serious drama. But were you glad to see Cecily again and find out what became of her?

I'm curious how you feel about Kay. Do you understand why she started feeling uncomfortable?

Anyway, I bet everyone is ready to get back to Chicago and face the music. Because Kyle is right. Sam didn't escape anything. Just maybe collapsing out of sheer exhaustion.

Here's hoping to more updates. Vote and comment for support.