Struggling with terrible writer's block and it's so pretty outside right now that it is making it hard to focus!

To Nana, thank you for the review. And yes, Hank does call his sister Peanut. That's how my muse wrote the story. The idea is that Hank does not see her as grown up. That's why he is the way he is toward her. Johnny and Roy see her as an adult, hence their more grown up discussions. Also, he is her brother so he will not always see her as an adult, the same way some parents never see their children as grown up, and even the men call each other pal. So Hank and Ash's dynamic will evolve as their relationship evolves in the story. They haven't seen much of each other lately, since Hank became captain and they have a lot to work on. Hank still sees her as needing handled with kid gloves, and she is starting to try to figure out that she doesn't want to be that way anymore. Thanks for the reviews guys! I appreciate them! Also, there are over 600 views already but not near that many reviews. Would appreciate more you lovely people JJJJ

Also, I don't know if there were rental cars in the 80s…..I wasn't around then. But in this story, they do exist. The model used was a four wheel drive introduced in the 80s.

The shadowy figure flattened itself against the wall as the clumping of boots marched down the dark hallway. The echoes bounced ominously off of the iron doors and down the corridor. The stealthy figure kept quiet until the coast was clear and slipped away. Using complete care, they continued flattening against the wall and darting down halls until they found their prize - an unsuspecting gatekeeper with keys. The guard never knew what hit him. It wasn't until two hours later that he was discovered and the prisoner was reported missing from Aspen County Jail.

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Hank gazed out of the small window of the plane, the beautiful Rocky Mountains rising up toward the sky above them. He was happy. It had been a long time since he had been on vacation. The demands of the firehouse often left no room for frivolous adventures. He sighed and closed his book. At least he finally had gotten the chance for one nice vacation away from the stresses of being a captain.

The pilot announced through the loudspeaker, ""Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you."

Captain Stanley put away his book and turned to Ash who appeared to have fallen asleep in the seat next to him. "Hey there, wake up. We have arrived, sleeping beauty." Ash rubbed her eyes and sat up, looking around her in confusion, as the pilot made another announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."

"We are there already?"

The No Smoking lights blinked, giving the crew members their cue to take their seats for landing. Hank chuckled.

"Yep, we are here. Two whole weeks of skiing, sledding -"

"Snowball fights," Ash added, tucking the guidebook Hank had given her into her purse.

Hank rolled his eyes. "That is so immature."

Ash shook her head. "Hey, Roy!"

Roy stirred and lifted his head. "Hum, yeah, Ash?"

Ash could feel the excitement of the trip starting to overcome her fear of this intense older man that she felt could see her heart's deepest secrets. Right now he was not threatening in any way. He looked like a sleepy puppy that has been woken from a puppy dream.

"We are landing. How's the head?"

Roy rubbed his face and took a deep breath. "Better actually. Wow, it's beautiful here."

Roy had turned to look out the window. Ash smiled and stretched her neck to see where Johnny was. He was still talking a mile a minute to a stewardess that was preparing the drink station for landing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Local time is 2:20pm and the temperature is 9 with 50% chance of snow later this evening.

For your safety and comfort, please remain seated, with your seat belt fastened, until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about. At this time, you may use your cellular phones if you wish.

Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight.

If you require deplaning assistance, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of our crew members will then be pleased to assist you.

On behalf of American Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening!"

The plane was a flurry of chaos and retrieval of bags for a good two minutes. The LA crew stayed seated until everyone in the back had passed them. Then Ash climbed out of her seat, followed by Hank. He began pulling their carryon from its overhead bin. Roy stumbled to his feet and stretched his back. He nodded in Johnny's direction. "Guess I had better go fetch him."

Hank nodded, and pulled down the paramedic's carryon's as well. "Ash," he spoke quietly. She turned to look at him, slightly distracted by the disembarking of the rest of the passengers.

"Ash, please don't feel like you are on probation here, or anything like that. I- " He put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I trust you. I want you to relax, and try not to think about everything that went on back home."

She nodded and picked up her suitcase, not quite meeting his gaze.

"Ash."

She brushed back her hair out of her face and finally locked eyes with her brother. "Yes, Hank."

"Hey, I'm sorry."

She swallowed and looked away. "Yeah, thanks."

He nodded, and they began to move down the aisle to disembark. Roy was coming toward them, a complaining Johnny in tow. Suddenly, Ash dropped her suitcase and threw her arms around her brother. "Thanks, Hank." There was such heartfelt sincerity that he didn't know what to say. Startled, he returned the hug.

"No problem, Peanut. I really do forget that you are a young lady now. You're still fifteen to me."

She rolled her eyes playfully and retrieved her suitcase. Without another word, she made her way down the aisle toward the exit. In her mind, she was torn. She had to get past this feeling worthless stuff. It just wasn't worth it.

Behind her, she could hear Roy and Johnny bickering.

"Now, Roy, I will rest tonight. Stacy was much better company than you. You slept the entire trip. What was I supposed to do?" He had his hands thrown into the air in defeat, and was walking backwards down the jet way. Roy held his own carryon suitcase in his left hand and Johnny's in his right. He did not look impressed with his rambunctious young partner. He shook his head tiredly. "Junior, you were supposed to be resting. That head isn't going to heal without rest. Doctor Brackett is going to tan your hide if you come back still sick. And he is going to tan mine because I didn't make you rest. And if you don't mind, I'd rather that didn't happen."

Johnny frowned at the idea of Dr. Brackett's wrath and shrugged, his hands falling to his sides. He sauntered after Roy. "Fine, I'll go to bed early tonight and sleep late tomorrow. How's that?"

Roy strode into the boarding area and paused. Glancing at his partner, he shook his head. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Junior." He dropped Johnny's suitcase on the ground. "Care to take that now?"

Johnny's eyes widened as he realized he had almost forgotten his suitcase. He glanced back at the closed jet way. "Oh gee, thanks Pally. I forgot all about that."

Roy sighed. His partner was more like his kid sometimes. Even Chris never forgot his carry on and he was eight years old.

"Hey, you stragglers, let's step on it." Hank was ahead of them, walking toward baggage claim, indicated by signs. "We still have to get a rental car and head to the lodge."

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Ash sat on her suitcase while Roy and Johnny haggled over the rental car. Hank was hauling over their luggage from Baggage Claim, located nearby. He set down a heavy one and shook his head. "That's all of it, Peanut. How are the boys doing?"

Ash smiled and looked over at the counter where Johnny was in animated conversation with a lady clerk and Roy was looking through paperwork. "I think you might want to help Roy. Johnny is over the moon again."

Hank snorted and walked over to where Roy was examining the contract. "AMC Eagle, Cap. That's the best and the cheapest. Station wagon too, so should hold all of our stuff."

Hank nodded approvingly. "Sounds good, well done Roy. Let's get the keys and pack up this junk and scram out of here. There are slopes calling our names."

Roy nodded, his tired face taking on a boyish excitement and turned back to the clerk. Hank reached over and grabbed Johnny's arm, effectively hauling him away and over to where Ash was guarding the luggage. "Make yourself useful, pal, and let's follow Roy to the car. Help me carry this stuff."

Johnny looked as if he would pout, but a stern glance from his captain reminded Johnny that after all, this still was his boss. "Aye, aye, sir." He grumbled, stacking his carryon on top of his suitcase.

Hank shouldered his backpack and turned as Roy hurried over, key swinging from his hands. "It's ours for the week, boys. Let's roll!"

They loaded up the cream and wood paneled Eagle and they were off. What they did not know is the snow on the Maroon Bells was packed and perfect for skiing, but also for avalanches. And Mother Nature wasn't going to stop the show for anyone.

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A lone hitchhiker stood on the side of the road, thumbing for a ride. Johnny, who was driving, looked back in the rearview mirror. "Should we pick him up?"

Hank shrugged. "If he is heading into Aspen, sure. We are going that way. There are four of us and one of him. Shouldn't be a problem."

Ash looked sideways at him. "I'm one of the four?"

Hank raised his eyebrow as Johnny pulled the car over to the side of the road and rolled down his window. "Of course, Ash."

"Hey, buddy!" Johnny leaned forward so he could see out the side of the car. "Where you headed?" "Into Aspen, if ya don't mind." The man spoke with a drawl that seemed southern.

Johnny nodded. "Us to. Hop in!"

The man returned the nod, and climbed into the back seat next to Ash, who moved to the middle next to Hank.

"Beautiful country." Hank tried to make conversation in the awkward silence that followed.

The stranger only grunted and nodded.

Ash scooted a little closer to Hank and she felt him lean toward her a little, indicating not to move and make the man suspicious.

Johnny took a deep breath and let it out in an unearthly whoop. "Man! I love vacations. Don't you, Roy?" He was bobbing up and down excitedly to a song on the radio.

Roy nodded, rubbing the ear that had been directed toward Johnny's high pitched outburst. "Yep I sure do, pal. Just love them. Next time remind me why I like fishing alone."

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Awe, come on, Roy. Don't be such a stick in the mud. You know how lonesome vacations by yourself can be."

Roy was gritting his teeth while gazing out the window at the wilderness around them in an attempt not to reply when the news cast interrupted the jam that Johnny was bobbing to.

"The man that escaped from Aspen County Jail is believed to still be in the area. His description was provided to the Jews stations in the area immediately after the breakout in a desperate attempt to head him off before the trail became too cold for search dogs and investigators. The man was said to have longish black hair, green eyes, and a scar down his right cheek. The public is warned that this man is armed and dangerous and his escape has resulted in the fatality of the security guard from whom he stole ID, keys, and a handgun. In other news-"

Johnny turned off the radio and tapped the steering wheel. "Man, I ain't so sure about this, you guys. Maybe we had better-"

The stranger suddenly spoke.

"Don't stop driving until I say so."

Johnny looked into the rear view mirror again. "Huh?"

"I said, Don't Stop Driving Until I Say So." The stranger reached up and jerked off his slouch hat, revealing a long scar down his right cheek and fiery, angry green eyes.

Johnny swallowed hard. "Oh boy."

Please pretty please review! Sorry about the shorter chapter. Longer one coming up!