FRIENDS AT PLAY PT 1

(A Trust Machine Story: By Drosmire)

Clint surveyed the fridge making sure everything was ready for the weekend.  He had plenty of beer, a couple of steaks, some hamburger, two packages of Brauts, and assorted vegetables.  After closing the fridge he checked the cupboard.  He had a couple different kinds of chips, several loaves of bread, and some popcorn for movies.  Rubbing his hands together he grabbed a package of popcorn so he could start the weekend off right.

The weather was supposed to be gorgeous this weekend and Clint couldn't wait.  He had no real plans other than a lot of grilling out and some movies at night.  Now it was time for Netflix and chill.  The popcorn was going good and the popping was just starting to slow down so Clint grabbed a beer out of the fridge and a bowl for the popcorn.  Once everything was ready he gathered it all up and headed for his couch.

Just as he was getting settled in his doorbell went off.  Setting everything on the coffee table he went to the door and looked out the side window.  He hesitated a moment before he opened the door.  He recognized the woman at his door, though he hadn't seen her in almost a year.

"Misty, come on in," Clint told her as he waved her in.

"Sorry to just drop in on you like this Clint."

"It's fine, go ahead and grab a seat.  You want a beer?"

"I would love one," she replied as she sat down on the couch.

Clint grabbed another beer from the kitchen and handed it to her as he sat next to her.  She fiddled with her beer for a bit before she finally took a drink.  Clint could tell something was bothering her so he sipped his beer waiting till she was ready.  He grabbed a handful of popcorn then slid the bowl towards her.  She munched on a few pieces then visibly screwed up her courage.

"I was wondering if you are busy this weekend?"

"You are looking at it.  I am enjoying some movies tonight and grilling in my back yard tomorrow.  You are more than welcome to join me if you want."

"That's actually why I came over here," she replied looking him in the eye.  "I really don't want to be me tonight and I was hoping you would help me out."

"What?  Oh no!  You know I don't get into those machines anymore," Clint replied as he crossed his arms clearly getting ready to dig in his heels.

"Come on Clint," Misty pleaded with him.  She cranked up her puppy dog eyes knowing how stubborn he could be.  "You know I would never turn you into something without asking first."

"Misty you know why I don't get in them anymore," Clint replied trying not to let the puppy dog eyes sway him.

"Clint I am not Jen," Misty replied laying a hand on his knee.  "I won't even touch the controls, I promise."

"Why can't you ask one of your other friends?"

"Because I want to be a dog.  You are the only person I know who has ever actually owned one."  She could tell that the puppy dog eyes were having the desired effect as he hesitated before his next question.

"What kind of dog do you want to be," Clint finally asked.

"Well since I will be your dog I guess it's your choice," she replied trying to hide her victory smile.  "Just please not some little fufu dog."

"I have to admit I do kind of miss having a pet around the house," Clint said giving her a playful nudge on the shoulder.

"Well since you will be taking care of me I guess I kind of would be your pet," Misty replied trying to hide the fact her heart just skipped a beat.  "I don't trust the others with this.  They would just lock me in their apartments and go out partying."

Clint thought about it for a few minutes.  He knew he could trust Misty, after all she was the one who put a stop to what Jen was pulling with him.  If she hadn't figured out what Jen was doing he probably would have agreed to a three year change which would have ruined his life.  Plus he wouldn't mind some company for the weekend.

"Promise me you won't touch the controls?"  Misty made a crossing motion over her heart.  "Alright, I guess I can do this.  What am I supposed to do with you?"

"I don't know," she replied.  "Dog stuff I guess.  Whatever you used to do with Buster you can do with me."

"Seriously," Clint laughed.

"Clint have you ever noticed how happy a dog is while playing fetch, or tug of war?  I just want a little taste of that," Misty replied.  "It's been kind of a shit week and I could use a little fun."

Clint insisted they finish the popcorn first so it wouldn't go to waste.  So they sat and reminisced catching up on their lives.  Plus it gave Clint time to steel his nerves.  Since she wouldn't be driving back Misty gave him her keys so he could use her car.  They climbed into what Clint affectionately called her toy car and headed to the mall.

It was Friday night and just turning towards night so there was a line forming to get into the machine.  Everyone was getting changed to go clubbing or in some cases to stay in and play.  The longer they waited the more nervous Clint got.  They were finally close enough that he could make out the three interlocking circles glowing on the side.  Another couple entered the machine, step closer.  They left and the next group went in, step closer.  Misty couldn't miss the fact that Clint was a little nervous and pale.  As they got closer he started looking more jittery.

"If you don't feel up to this we can call it off."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you," Clint replied trying to grin and failing.  "Just promise you won't ask me to get changed."

"I promise I am the only one getting changed tonight," Misty told him while looking him in the eyes.  "Tomorrow after I have changed back we are going to talk about this."

10 minutes later it was their turn.  Misty fed money into the slot and selected 1 day and hit the accept button.  Two doorways appeared in the side of the machine giving them access to the booth.  She heard Clint mutter under his breath, "You can do this."  He took a deep breath then let it out as he walked inside.

The interface was exactly how he remembered it.  Selection bubbles were already showing up on the screen.  Misty staying true to her promise was standing in the middle of the booth not touching the controls.  Clint asked to see rottweilers and started scrolling through choices.  Finding what he wanted he punched the green button and waited.  He reminded himself that the machine always waited a few seconds for the other occupant to confirm any choices they made.  Finally the time ran out and the doors reappeared.  It took everything Clint had not to bolt through the doors.

Misty was already standing outside waiting on him.  She stood just short of his waist on all fours.  She was black all over except her chest, the bottom of her muzzle, and her belly.  Those patches were reddish brown matching her hair color.  Her leash ran back between her legs from when she had walked out of the machine.  She waited patiently for him to take her leash.  Her mouth was open with her tongue lolling out as she looked at him.  She closed her mouth and tilted her head at him as he bent down to get the leash.

"Oh she is adorable," one of the ladies waiting in line said.  "Can I pet her?"

Misty let her jaw drop open again in a dog's equivalent of a grin and waited till Clint had a hold of the leash before she walked over to the lady.  She stood still while she ran her hands over her fur.  Once the lady was done Misty looked back at Clint as if saying it was time to go.  He walked her back and she stayed right by his side the whole way back to the car.  Opening the passenger door he waited till she was in the seat before closing the door and running around to the drivers side.

"You are the first dog I haven't had to train to heel.  I could get used to this," Clint said flashing her a grin.  Misty looked back at him for a moment cocking her head at him.  She let out a little huff then went back to looking out the window.

Clint started up the car and headed back home.  They didn't make it a block before Misty bumped the window with her nose then looked back at him.  Clint hit the switch and lowered the window till she could get her head out of the car.  She stuck her head through so she could feel the wind rush by with her mouth wide open clearly already having a good time.  20 minutes later he was pulling into his driveway and rolling the window up.  Misty pulled her head back in and waited for him to open the door for her.  She didn't get out until Clint had a hold of her leash then she jumped out.

As soon as she was out of the car Misty was struck with all manner of new smells, and she could actually separate all of them in her mind.  She could smell the engine of the car already starting to cool, freshly cut grass, lingering exhaust fumes, the scent of cooking food carried on the breeze, flowers freshly blooming.  Then she caught a whiff of squirrel.  Nose to the ground she tried to pick up the trail, but Clint called her name and gave the leash a short tug.  She hadn't even realized she was at the limit of the leash trying to follow the trail.  She walked back to him and stayed by his side as he led her into the house.  Once they were inside he shut the door and unhooked her leash.  There were so many new smells to explore that she had to reign herself in.

"Go ahead and explore," Clint told her.  He didn't get any further and Misty was nose to the floor and wandering through the house.  While she was preoccupied Clint went into the kitchen and started digging around in his cabinets.  It took him a bit but he finally found what he was looking for.  He never had gotten around to getting rid of Busters dog bowls after he passed.  Filling the sink he gave them both a thorough scrubbing making sure they were clean.  Drying them off he filled the water bowl and set it on a mat by the wall.

"Misty!"  Clint called out.  He heard a loud thump from the back of the house followed by the sound of her running.  She ran right past the kitchen headed to the living room.  About a minute later she stuck her head around the kitchen doorway.  Her ears were perked up and her tongue was out as she spotted him and cocked her head at an angle.  She acted so much like a real dog that Clint couldn't stop himself from laughing.  Misty walked into the kitchen her stubby little tail going back and forth so fast it looked like it was wagging her butt.

"Sorry," Clint started unsure how to do this.  "I didn't mean to call you like a dog.  I just wanted to get your attention."  Misty sat on her haunches closing her mouth and giving him her undivided attention.

"I gave you a food and water bowl right over here," Clint explained pointing it out.  Misty looked towards it then back at him and let out a little huff that was halfway to a bark.

"Can you understand me," Clint asked her realizing he should have led with that.  Again she gave a huff.

"That means yes?"  followed by another huff.

"Okay so what is a no?"  Misty let out a throaty groan.

"So are you okay with the dog bowls?"  Misty gave her huff.

"Are you still okay with me treating you like any other dog?"

Instead of the little huff she normally gave for an affirmative Misty let out a full blast bark.  It was loud and deep chested the sound reverberating off the walls.  Her ears perked up and she seemed startled as she looked around, almost like she couldn't believe that came from her.

"Make sure you drink plenty of water, dogs can overheat very easily," Clint told her.  "I am going to watch my movie, after you drink some water you can join me on the couch.  If you need to go outside let me know.  I will try and find you something to eat later."

Clint went back to the living room and dropped down on the couch.  Turning on Netflix he picked his first movie.  He could hear Misty lapping up water before she made her way into the living room.  She eyeballed the couch for a minute before she jumped up.  She curled up next to him facing towards the TV so she could watch the movie with him.

Partway through the first movie Clint rested one hand on her head and absentmindedly started scratching behind her ear.  Misty was really liking it and eventually she rolled over so she was belly up.  Her head was upside down in his lap as she tried to get him to rub her belly.  Clint chortled at her antics, but he did start scratching her chest and belly.  Misty felt her tail start wagging all on its own.  She stayed upside down for awhile enjoying his belly and chest rubs when she felt a sneeze creeping up on her.  She sat up but it was too late, the sneeze shook her whole body.  The second sneeze she actually slid off the couch barely catching herself before her whole body slid off.

Misty found herself stuck with her back legs still on the couch and her front legs stopping her from falling.  She looked around trying to figure out how to get herself out of this predicament when Clint leaned over and wrapped his arms around her chest and hauled her back up onto the couch.

"Buster did the same thing.  You can't stay upside down too long it will aggravate your sinuses," Clint told her.

She laid back down resting her chin on his leg for the rest of the movie.  Once it was over Clint stood up stretching then walked back into the kitchen with Misty on his heels.

"So I didn't have anything special planned for dinner tonight," he explained to her.

He pulled out a paper plate and put a couple of hot dogs on it.  After he nuked them in the microwave he gave Misty one and sat down to eat his.  Misty didn't waste any time in scarfing her hot dog down.

"Good thing for you I didn't keep Buster's dog food."

Misty stopped eating so she could glare at him then finished wolfing down the rest of her hot dog.  Misty was enjoying this way more than the few times Sarah had made her a dog.  She always turned her into a tiny little fufu dog that she could carry around in her purse.  It left her feeling more like an accessory than a pet.  She went back into the living room with Clint to watch more movies.

Once she knew he was situated Misty hopped up and lay down beside him.  Rolling over on her back she managed to get another belly rub before she had to sneeze again.  She almost managed to finish another movie when the water and food started to catch up with her.  Jumping off the couch she spun to face Clint who immediately got the hint and let her out into the backyard to do her business.

One of the reasons she had come to Clint was the fact he had once owned a dog.  So he had a fenced in backyard that she could run around in.  Misty dashed out the door to find a good spot to do her business.  Thankfully Clint didn't follow her out into the yard.  Once she finished up she trotted to the back door and barked to let him know she was ready to come back in.  They watched a few more shows then he headed to bed.  She followed him into the bedroom where he arranged a doggie bed out of comforters and a pillow for her.  She walked onto the comforter sniffing at it then turned a quick circle and plopped down.

"See you in the morning," Clint told her as he turned out the lights and crawled into bed.  He had a small grin on his face thinking about her antics today.  Maybe she would be up for some more games tomorrow.

Clint's dreams were troubled that night.  He tossed and turned as his subconscious replayed his time with Jen and what she had done to him.  Misty woke to the sounds of him rolling around and went to the side of the bed.  As he rolled her direction she nuzzled his hand to try waking him up without scaring him.  Clint jumped a little then looked around like he was confused.  He looked over the edge of the bed and saw Misty sitting there.

"Sorry.  Bad dreams," Clint told her as he lay back down.  "You can sleep up here if you want."

Misty went around to the other side of the bed and jumped up.  Fortunately it was dark so Clint didn't see her almost come up short.  She lay down next to Clint who fell right back asleep with one hand laying on her.  He didn't stir the rest of the night.

Clint woke the next morning to Misty nudging him.  With a sigh he got out of bed and let her out into the yard again.

"Did you get a new dog," his neighbor called out from the other side of the fence.

"No, just dog sitting for a friend," Clint replied walking over to the fence.  Misty came bounding over to the both of them after she finished.  Putting her front paws on the fence she was tall enough for him to reach over and pat her head.

"I am going to be grilling out later if you want to join me," Clint offered.  "I am thinking of doing my bacon burgers again."

"Sounds like a good time," his neighbor replied petting Misty.  "What's his name?"

"Her name is Misty," Clint told him.  "Misty this is Frank."

Frank ruffled her ears saying nice to meet her, then he told Clint he would be over later this afternoon.  Before Clint could head inside Misty's head whipped around.  A squirrel was dashing for a tree in the back corner of the yard.  She watched it scamper up the tree then realized Clint was already headed back in the house.

"Misty come on," Clint called out to her as he held the door open.  She cocked her head at him then ran into the house.  Apparently a rottweiler was more aggressive than the lap dogs she was used too.  When she saw that squirrel she could feel the dog urging her to chase after it.  She headed straight to her water bowl to get something to drink then waited patiently for Clint to refill it.

"I am starting to think you really like being a dog," Clint told her as he refilled her bowl.  She gave him a short bark to say yes.  "How would you feel about playing fetch later?"  Again she gave him an affirmative bark.

Clint pulled out Buster's toy box and started going through it to find his old tennis ball.  He pulled out one of the tug of war ropes and flipped it up onto his shoulder.  Misty saw the perfect opportunity and couldn't resist herself.  She slowly started stalking closer her gaze fixed on the end of the rope.  She tried to keep quiet and not brush up against him as she stretched out to grab the rope and yank it away.  Clint could feel her getting closer and grabbed his end of the rope just before she lunged trying to snatch it away.

However, he had underestimated how strong she was.  She almost pulled him over with her first yank.  He was off balance and had to spin around to stop from falling.  Once he was facing her though it was no contest.  He was bigger and stronger than her, and his kitchen had tile flooring so she couldn't get good traction.  It just wound up being a lot of her growling and holding on while he drug her around the kitchen.  After a few minutes of this she finally admitted defeat and let go of the rope.  Clint reached out and ruffled her ears then she went to drink more water.  Clint went back in to watch more TV and Misty came running in to join him.  She misjudged her momentum and when she leapt onto the couch she crashed head first into the back cushions.  She staggered for a second as Clint reached out to steady her so she wouldn't fall off.  Then she shook her head and gave Clint a big ol doggy grin.

"Having a good time are we," Clint said as he struggled with laughter.  "Sit down and try not to fall off the couch."

Misty found herself sitting before she even thought about it.  Something in Clint's voice had compelled her to obey.  She looked him over for a second wondering what had just happened then flopped down on the couch to watch some shows.  As it got closer to lunch time Clint started prepping food to put on the grill.  Misty followed him in waiting near the table.

"Are you seriously going to wait for me to drop scraps?"  Misty barked with so much enthusiasm her whole body bounced.  Clint shook his head at her.  "Fine you can have some after it is cooked on the grill."

Clint started making patties for the grill, then pulled out bacon strips and started tearing them into small pieces so he could press them into the meat.  He made up four patties then covered them with wax paper and set them in the center of the table.  He went out to his garage and pulled out his patio chairs and a small table.  Misty wandered around the yard exploring the smells.  She looked back towards the house when she heard the door open.  Clint waved her off as he went back inside.  He was back outside in a minute, dropping the patties on the table he poured the charcoal into the grill.  He got the fire lit and watched as the flames leapt up over the grill.  It took a few minutes till the flames died down enough for him to put the patties on the grill and close the lid.

It wasn't long before Misty could smell the meat cooking and wandered closer to the grill.  Before she knew it she was licking her chops to cover up she was starting to drool, the cooking meat smelled that good to her.

"I think Misty is about to pounce the grill," Frank called out to Clint.

Clint looked over at her and sure enough she had moved a little closer to the grill.  Clint had brought Buster's toy chest out and grabbed one of his tennis balls.  He asked if she wanted to play fetch and grinned as her ears perked up.  He held the ball up and moved away from the grill.  His yard wasn't big enough for him to wing it full strength but he could still make her run for it.

Misty darted after the ball as soon as it left his hand.  She almost had it off the bounce but her aim was off and she lunged past it.  She turned around and grabbed the ball on her way back to Clint so she could try again.  Clint put a little more arc on it to try and make it easier on her, but again she missed the ball.  Dogs always made this look so easy, but she was learning first hand it was harder than it seemed.  After she missed on the third try she grudgingly let the dogs instincts take control.  On the next throw as soon as she got close she lunged forward catching the ball on her first try.  She returned to Clint excited for another try but he was at the grill checking on the burgers.  He flipped one of them over then looked over at her wagging her stumpy tail.

"Having fun," he asked her.  Misty dropped the ball so she could let out a bark.  "Frank can you play with her for a bit so I can cook?"

Frank hopped over the fence and greeted Misty with a pat on the head.  Scooping the ball up he gave it a throw.  He kept her chasing the ball until the food was ready.  Frank took a seat at the table while Clint scooped the burgers off the grill and put them on a plate.  He set the plate in the middle of the table and excused himself to go grab the condiments and buns.  Clint didn't miss Misty sitting beside the table eyeballing the food.

"You hungry?"  Misty jumped as she barked.  Clint touched one of the smaller burgers to see how hot it was.  "Give it a few more minutes to cool down then you can have one."

Misty groaned as she plopped down on the ground laying her head on her paws.  It made both of them chuckle at her antics.  Between letting the dog have control for fetch and now the smell of food Misty was struggling to try and regain control, but the Rottweiler's instincts were far stronger than the little fufu dogs she had been previously.  She thought she was making headway when she heard a noise from the other side of the yard.  Her ears came up as her head whipped around zeroing in on the noise.  There on the far side of the yard was a squirrel looking her way.  With a rumbling growl she was up and charging across the yard to run off the intruder.  The squirrel saw her coming and dashed towards the tree in the back corner of Clint's yard.  It dashed around the side of the tree just as Misty's jaws clamped shut behind its tail.  She circled the tree barking up at the trespasser but the squirrel was already to high for her to get at it.  She had thought the rottweiler's instincts were hard to overcome before but now that it's territorial drive was in high gear she felt buried under its need to run off the intruder.

"MISTY! COME HERE!"  Clint raised his voice and projected so much authority that the dog in her was immediately subdued allowing her to retake control.  She trotted back over to Clint as he picked up one of the patties and pulled it apart dropping the pieces into a bowl for her.  He set it on the ground for her so she could eat.

"No more chasing squirrels," Clint told her.  Misty barked in response then set to devouring the meat.  Clint pulled a couple of beers out of a cooler and offered one to Frank who accepted it with a thank you.  They sat at the table talking and sipping their beers for a bit.  Misty finished her food then wandered out into the yard to find something to entertain herself with.  She heard a chittering sound coming from the tree and saw the squirrel halfway up the tree looking down at her.  Now that she was back in control she was able to resist the urge to chase after it.  Instead she gave a half hearted bark up at it and went back to wandering around the yard.  She heard Clint call out and saw the tennis ball arcing up in the air.  She dashed to the side and managed to get underneath it, this time she actually caught it without needing the dog to be in control.

After a few more rounds of fetch Misty had to stop and get some more water.  Clint and Frank sat at the table talking while Misty took a break.  The sun had risen to the point that there wasn't much in the way of shade anymore and it was getting warm.  She moved back under the tree to get out of the sunlight and dropped to the ground panting.  She must have fallen asleep for a bit because the next she knew Clint was packing everything up.  Frank was taking the utensils inside while Clint was putting the furniture back in his garage.  Misty grabbed the tennis ball and put it back in the toy chest.

The tug of war rope was sitting right there on top.  She thought about it for a moment then picked it up.  Her time as a dog was running short and she wanted to try this again when she actually had some traction.  Clint was just coming out of the garage and saw her with the rope.

"Want a rematch do you?"

Clint reached down to grab the rope and Misty ducked away from him.  He made another grab and she dodged to the side.  Clint juked one way and when she tried to dodge he sidestepped and caught her collar.

"Nice try, you ready now?"

Clint took hold of the other side of the rope and Misty immediately yanked as hard as she could.  Digging her paws in she kept pulling and for a brief moment she thought she was going to pull the rope free, or maybe even drag Clint over.  However she underestimated the size difference between them.  Clint wasn't a small man and he kept himself in shape.  Once he had his footing he let Misty wear herself down trying to pull him over, then he started pulling back.  Misty put up a good fight and he struggled for a bit before he was able to lift the rope.  She watched as his bicep bulged then her front paws were slowly lifted off the ground and he held her there one handed as she yanked her whole body trying to rip the rope out of his hand.  After a short time dangling she finally let go of the rope and dropped back down to all fours.

"You put up a good fight," Clint told her as he patted her head.  "Frank, thanks for coming over.  We should do this again sometime soon."

Frank thanked him for the food and went back to his home.  Clint opened the door and let Misty inside.  He got her some fresh water and let her drink.  Once she was done they both headed to the couch to relax and watch another movie.  Misty climbed up on the couch and lay her head in his lap.  Clint started absentmindedly petting her and before she knew it she was asleep.

Misty woke up knowing something was off.  Her head was laying in Clint's lap just like when she fell asleep, and his hand was still on her back.

"Look who's awake," Clint said as she started to stir.  He moved his hand off of her back so she could sit back up.  That was when she realized she was back to being herself.  Clint just watched the show letting her readjust to being human again.

"Thanks Clint, I had a lot of fun."

"So did I," he replied.  "Honestly if you want to do it again I wouldn't mind."

"Even though it means getting in the machine again?"  Misty hesitated but she knew that if they were going to keep doing this she had to ask.  "How can you still be addicted?  I thought you went through the support groups?"

"It might have worked," Clint replied with a shrug.  "except I never finished the program."

"Can I ask why not?"

"For the final part of breaking the addiction you have to go back into the machine and get turned back into what you are addicted to being,"  Clint shuddered at the thought.  "They keep doing it to you making you relive what you were while gradually turning the pleasure setting back to zero.  There wasn't anyone in the group I felt comfortable enough with to go through it."

"Why couldn't you have asked anybody else from our group?"

"Most of them knew what Jen was doing to me and either thought it was funny or didn't do anything to stop her.  I thought about asking you but I didn't really want you  to see me like that," Clint got a faraway look in his eyes.  "At the time I would have begged anybody to turn me back and to be honest it scares me.  Over time it has faded out, now it really only bothers me if I am stressed or if I think about going in the venn machine again."

"You haven't ever tried to find someone to help you finish the program?"

"Up until today I have never been back into the machine so it was kind of a moot point," Clint shrugged.  Misty reached over and touched his knee to get his attention.

"If you ever decide you want to finish the program I would be willing to help you."

"I don't know about you but I am hungry," Clint stood up changing the subject.  "How would you like a steak off the grill?"

Clint went back out into the backyard and set the two chairs back up then got the grill going again.  While he waited on the flames to dip down he grabbed two steaks out of the fridge and added some seasoning to them both.  Picking up the tray he went back out and set them on the table dropping down in the chair to watch the flames.

"You know they make grills these days that come with propane tanks," Misty said as she sat down beside him handing him a beer.  "You just turn them on and the flames are just right."

"Nah I like the flavor you get from a nice charcoal flame.  Gives the meat a smokey flavor that propane grills can't match."  Clint checked to make sure the grill was ready and placed the steaks so they each had their own side of the grill.

He sat back down and leaned back in his chair sipping on his beer.  The sun had been down for awhile and the stars were out.  The temperature had dropped to make it nice and cool and there wasn't much of a wind.  Crickets were chirping and the sounds of the town were quiet and distant.  All in all it was a peaceful night.  Clint and Misty both sat there with there beers enjoying the evening.  Clint would periodically check the steaks eventually flipping them over once one side was good and brown.

"I don't remember how do you like your steaks?"

"Medium rare is fine."

"Girl after my own heart," Clint sat back down and took another drink.  "I will think about it."

"You mean going back in the machine?"

"Yeah," Clint nodded.  "I am not making any promises though."

"I don't want any promises," Misty said as she took another drink.  "I just wanted you to know I would help if you wanted it."