Disclaimers: I don't own them, I'm not making any money off the story… I'm just trying to play well with others.
~~ I want just a day to make it all OK. You, could you teach me how to cry. ~~
Just a Day- Reamonn
Just a Day
Chapter 2: Trying to Figure Hunter Out
Once inside, both changed into dry clothes and Hunter sat with Cam in front of the computer.
"So, what was it that your mother said about rain?" Cam asked, wanting to know what Hunter had referred to.
"When it rains, it means that someone misses you."
Cam fondly smiled at Hunter, who was staring at the monitor. Although he knew Hunter was fighting it, Cam was slowly getting in.
"I'm sure they miss you as much as you miss them."
"It doesn't make it any easier. Sometimes there are days when I don't even want to get out of bed."
"I understand that. It isn't easy, no matter how long it's been. And I still have my father."
"Blake's the only reason I was able to get through the worst of it. He still is when it gets rough. I just focus on him when I feel like I can't deal anymore."
"Why do you think I'm on the computer *all* the time? Mostly, it's genuinely work. But sometimes it distracts me from thinking about my mother too much."
"I think Blake wouldn't mind if I focused on a computer instead of big brothering him all of the time."
"I don't think he minds it nearly as much as you think he does."
"Have you not seen the looks and protests?"
"That's just because there's an audience! It's bad enough with the other Rangers, but also his girlfriend."
"Oh."
Both sat in silence as Cam worked on the computer. Sensei came in a few minutes later, puzzled about the thoughtful expression on Hunter's face. He was about to ask when Cam noticed his father's look.
"He's having a light bulb moment," Cam explained
"Is this 'light bulb moment' something good?"
"Yes, dad, it is. I think I just explained something that he had misread."
His father nodded, then went into his house. Cam changed the subject to the upcoming motocross rally that had Hunter, Blake and Dustin excited.
"You're what?" Hunter asked, not believing it when he heard Cam the first time.
"I'm coming," Cam patiently repeated. "I'd like to see what the three of you see in this sport."
"I distinctly remember you say that you wouldn't be dragged to one my rallies."
"I'm not being dragged."
It was a while before Hunter and Cam realized that it was time for dinner. In the kitchen, Cam got some guinea pig food for his father while Hunter poked around the refrigerator.
"Any cheese left?" Hunter asked.
"There's some American on the door, second shelf," Cam answered, looking in a cabinet for something.
"Odd place to put it."
"I didn't put it there. I just didn't move it."
Hunter scrunched his nose, "Blake."
"Must be."
"And where did he hide the mayo?" Hunter asked, more to himself than to the room's other two occupants.
"Top shelf, left side, about halfway back," Cam answered.
And when Hunter saw that Cam was right, he could only look in shock. "How…"
"Pure talent."
Hunter, with the mayo and cheese in his hands, stepped around Cam to get to the bread and a butter knife.
"Is that all you're having?" Sensei asked as he watched Hunter make his cheese sandwich.
His reply was in the form of a shrug and, "I'm not really hungry."
"If I make something, will you eat it?" Cam asked, concerned for the other Ranger whose mood seemed to have suddenly turned sullen.
Another shrug. "Depends."
"How about chicken?"
"Don't like it."
"Spaghetti?"
"Too complicated."
When he heard Hunter's answer, he knew he wasn't going to find anything to make. And Cam realized that the wheels in Hunter's head were turning too much. He sat across the table from Hunter, who was cutting his sandwich into four pieces.
"What's on your mind?"
Shrug. "Nothing."
"Liar."
Hunter looked up from his sandwich to Cam, who stared defiantly back. "You're fussing."
Cam leaned back in his chair. "You need to eat more than a sandwich for dinner."
Cam got up and walked behind Hunter. Placing both hands on the young blonde's shoulders, he added, "And don't argue. I will redefine fussing if you even try."
"Sorry."
Cam closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. He knew he needed to find out what in the Ranger's past made him so skittish when it came to letting other people in. And what made him so afraid to upset the people he lived with. But that story would have to wait.
"Again with the apologies. You don't have to apologize for every little thing. And I better not here another 'sorry' come out of your mouth for the rest of the night."
Hunter sheepishly looked from Cam back down to his sandwich. He wisely decided not to say anything in response. And Sensei, noticing Hunter's discomfort, changed the subject.
"Did I hear correctly that Cam is going with you to a race?" Sensei asked
"Yeah. He actually volunteered," Hunter answered, a little surprise creeping into his voice.
"I might as well see what the three of them babble about all the time," Cam replied.
"We do not babble."
"To me, you do."
"And you don't when it comes to computer stuff?"
"No."
"Yeah, you do."
Hunter's mood improved as he and Cam bickered. And although normally Sensei disproved of such behavior, in this case he welcomed it. They made it through dinner without any more drama. Hunter was about to go to his room when Cam stopped him.