Brodi felt like a teenager slipping out after curfew. He couldn't sleep, didn't want to sleep, so he had waited for Elise to fall asleep and slipped out. He left down the back stairs—didn't feel like coming across anyone, especially with his board in hand. EVERYONE knew what had gone down that day, so stepping outside into the hall was like stepping into a nest of mother hens.

Still, the view from Peak 1 had been worth it. He had a favorite spot overlooking the valley, and the view was breathtaking. He really had wanted to go to Peak 3, but he didn't know if he had the stamina. So, Peak 1 it was.

He heard the light footsteps coming up behind him and he knew it was Zoe without looking around. She tossed her board down beside him and draped a jacket over his shoulders before sitting down beside him.

"If you're gonna sneak out, take a jacket, babe. You're not Psymon."

Brodi smiled at her. "Thanks."

"Thought you'd be up here. It's a good place to get your head on straight. You're gonna give the suits a fit, though. You're SUPPOSED to be resting."

Brodi looked around at her and swung his arm out in a wide gesture. "I AM resting, Zo…look at this view!" Then he smiled at her. "So how ya doin', babe?"

"Me? I'm fine. I'm not the one who keeps finding reasons to visit the hospital. If it's a cute nurse or doctor you're after, you could just ask her out. It'd be less painful."

Brodi laughed, then winced as the stitches in his side began to pull. Zoe leaned her head on his shoulder and gave an uncharacteristic sigh.

"It's nice to hear you laugh. We need our Brodi back."

Brodi put his arm around the small woman and smiled. "He'll be back, hon. He just needs some time."

"You know, you really shouldn't have climbed up here. Those stitches are too fresh. You could open up your side again."

"Zoe, I already have Elise fawning over me like a mother hen. And don't get me started about Rahzel."

Zoe nodded. "Funny. I was just telling Rahzel earlier today that we shouldn't be treating you like you're made of glass. Anyway, I just came up here to check on you and to let you know you can talk to me. You know, if you need to. I'm pretty good at keeping a nonjudgmental listening ear."

Brodi smiled and squeezed her closer to him. "Thanks, Zo. I appreciate it."

"Don't just appreciate it. Use it. I'm sorry you were hurt like that. And I'm sorry that it all blew up in such a public way. But most of all, I'm sorry that you have to deal with the aftermath. You didn't deserve any of this. I know what it's like because I've been through it.

The surfer took Zoe's hand in his and kissed it lightly, giving it a squeeze. "Oh, Zo…"

"No, it's OK. I just wanted you to know that if you need to talk to someone who understands, I'm your girl. Now, let's get off this mountain without you bleeding out. Straight down run. You jump or trick, I'll kill you myself. Got it?"

Brodi grinned. "Got it."

Zoe hopped on her board, yelling over her shoulder, "Meet you at the fireplace!" before she disappeared. Brodi took a last look at the view, then pushed off himself. The snow would cleanse him the way the surf did in warmer climates, and he felt the embrace of the mountain as he followed the little wildcat down. No, he wasn't in top form, nowhere near it in fact. But it felt good to be thinking about nothing but the snow.