DEATH WISH - Twisters

Trauma Buddies

TYLER PULLED up next to Javi and Kate's truck, doing their signature tornado sign but Phoenix frowned. She recognised the look on Kate's face, she had worn that look not too long ago. "Tyler" was the only thing Phoenix had to say for the smile to drop from Tyler's mouth, for his hand to lower, and for him to look dead ahead as he drove off.

"Ooh, someone's in trouble" Boone whistled and Phoenix sighed softly. "It was just a bit of friendly competition" Tyler spoke quietly, looking over at Phoenix. "Yeah, I know. And that's fine. Just don't do it to the woman who's having a mental breakdown and suffering from PTSD" Phoenix looked at him knowingly and he nodded.

~~~~

The crew were parked outside a motel and Tyler and Phoenix were working on fixing the lights on top of the truck. "City girl" Tyler spoke without looking up and Phoenix smiled, seeing Kate standing on the stairs. "'The cells in the west will choke each other out' she said. 'The one to the east will put on a show'" Tyler repeated.

"Well, didn't throw you off the scent" Kate smirked, leaning against the railing. "Hey, that's what makes Tyler famous" Boone gestured. "You mean on YouTube?" Kate asked, and Phoenix could feel the backhanded compliment.

"Uh, y-yeah. We're on the YouTube. We got what? About a million subscribers now?" Boone smirked. "Yes, sir" Dani and Lily pointed. "Uh, Kate what?" Ben asked. "Your surname, just in case I include you in my piece" Ben continued upon seeing Kate's confused expression.

"Oh, um, just Kate's fine" Kate stood up straight, clearly uncomfortable. "She's a tricky one" Tyler said and Boone hummed in agreement. "Hey, I meant what I said" Phoenix spoke up and Kate tilted her head slightly. "Never meant to scare you. My beef with Javi is an ongoing thing, ain't got nothin' to do with you" Phoenix explained and Kate smiled softly.

"Who said I was scared?" Kate asked, a teasing tone to her voice. "That's my mistake" Phoenix smirked before winking. "Actually, you made a good call earlier. The other cell, it looked stronger but cap never broke" Boone said.

"What's a cap?" Ben asked. "It's a temperature inversion in the mid part of the lower atmosphere. It inhibits a storm from forming" Dexter explained. "Right. Okay" Ben nodded. "Think of it like a glow stick. If it doesn't break, you won't have any light. So, if the cap on a tornado doesn't break, you have no tornado" Phoenix butted in and Ben smiled.

"Thank you" he nodded and Phoenix nodded back. "Where did you guys all meet?" Kate asked. "Did you, uh...did you study meteorology at the U of A?" Kate continued. "No, no" Lily laughed.

"Alright, Kate, me? I just flow with the wind. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, I never went to like, school or nothing. Um, Tyler, he...he studied meteorology, though" Boone said. "Him?" Kate pointed, a shocked look on her face. "He's more than just a pretty face, blondie" Phoenix looked at Kate through her eyelashes.

"Yeah. You know, he's a cowboy scientist, you know. He's got this natural instinct" Boone said. "Okay, Boone" Tyler smirked. "He taught me everything I know, so-" Boone continued. "Boone" Tyler said and Boone shut up.

"You know, our crew's not like your crew, Kate. We don't need PhDs and fancy gadgets to do what we do. I guarantee you, these guys have seen more tornadoes than anyone else in this lot combined" Tyler said. "Is that right?" Kate asked.

"Do you think there's a chance we'll see one tomorrow?" Ben asked. "Oh yeah. Outbreak, baby" Boone whooped. "You know, if you can keep up, we'll put you in the episode" Tyler smirked, taking a sip of his beer. "Wow" Kate mocked and Phoenix giggled.

"Where are you chasing tomorrow?" Lily asked. "Oh, no, no, no, no. Not falling for that again. Kate's from New York. Can't trust a thing she says" Tyler shook his head. "Well, can always trust a guy who puts his face on a t-shirt" Kate retorted before walking up the stairs.