Another truck

Yeah... I'm sorry too.

Jason heads to his office only for a moment to grab his keys, then is back out again, this time with Trooper on a leash.

Maybe it's my fault. I get so used to him being my bodyguard that I forget he's not really mine. He is, but he isn't.

His eyes drift downward as he walks. Trooper was heeling obediently, his head partway down, knowing he'd gotten into some trouble.

Maybe Reese would let me take him off the force. I couldn't bring him here or have him on regular cases... but maybe Reese would let me retire him then I could just have him at home.

Jason knew Trooper would be bored though. The dog loved to be on duty, even if it was just sitting and guarding someone like he'd done with Alec for a while. Trooper had a keen sense of work and even if he wasn't out running around, he loved having orders to follow... at least Jason's.

They get outside and aim for Jason's truck, Trooper easily jumping up to lie down in the backseat as usual.

I don't know... I guess I always liked it that Trooper wouldn't take orders from anybody but me. He listens to others when he wants to, but I'm the only one he doesn't play stubborn with when he gets in a mood. Maybe I shouldn't like that though... maybe I should train him to take orders from others too so he doesn't have to just work with me.

Starting the engine, Jason sighs. He wasn't really angry with Reese... just disappointed. Trooper had been his friend for several years now, ever since he'd found him. To lose him, was like losing a coworker, buddy and roommate all in one.

Pulling out onto the road, Jason's mind continues to wander. He knew Trooper shouldn't have bit Alec. He could have pinned him again to keep him away from his master, but instead, he'd chosen to bite. He was doing his job, but he went too far. Did he not know the difference? Jason didn't think so - the dog was too smart for that. Did he just not like Alec? Maybe. Had he sensed more of a threat than Jason had? Perhaps. For some reason, Trooper had felt the need for drastic measures... if Jason taught him not to do that, would he then be less likely to protect him in the field when it really counted?

What do I do, Katie?


Rick follows Nate's gaze to Libby and gives him a little nod. He shrugs slightly, showing that he didn't know why she was in such bad shape. "Ty," he mentions quietly. That's all he knew.

Moving to Alec, he takes his sock and shoe off, then proceeds to cut his jeans that were ruined anyway because of the blood that was staining them. Alec cringes as his ankle is moved around - it hurt a whole lot more than he thought it would, or that he would like to admit.

Rick frowns as he gets a clearer look at the wound. "We're gonna have to stitch you up, but I need to take some x-rays too."

"Aw man. What for?"

"You do realize how long Trooper's teeth are. I need to see how deep the damage goes. Just by looking at this, I'd say he got a few nerves and you're bleeding like crazy. I gotta see how bad this thing is."

Alec cringes. Great. This was all he needed. He looks up at Nate with less than enthusiasm. "You can go now, nurse Driers."

Rick smirks, but nods. "I got it from here, Nate. Thank you."

To Alec, everything seems to take forever. X-ray, stitches and bandages, taking care of the nice punctures and gashes on his ankle. By the time Rick's got him all taken care of, he's growing sleepy and just a little loopy from the pain killers he'd been given. Nerves had been hit as suspected, making the pain just that much worse. Though Rick wasn't enthusiastic about helping Alec, he at least had some mercy.


The infirmary door opens again, and this time it was Ty. He hadn't realized that all the commotion had landed Alec in here, so he's a bit surprised to see him, but doesn't comment. He's looking only for Libby, and seeing that she'd obviously been frightened by the bit of commotion, he feels badly for leaving her.

Mustering up a smile, he aims for her bed, and once he gets there, he takes her hand. "Hey... sorry it took me so long." He looks to Misty, grateful that she'd helped look over her. His eyes drift back to Libby and his thumb runs through her palm. "I got someone I want you to meet... he's gonna help us, okay?"

He calls over his shoulder. "Con?" He'd wanted to warn Libby before bringing Con in. It was bad enough this terrible thing had to happen - he didn't want her scared even more by one of their two resident giants.

Con enters the infirmary slowly, quirking an eyebrow at Alec first, then looking over to Ty and Libby. Gaining a warm smile, he approaches slowly. "Hi, Libby," he greets. He doesn't stare at her marks or act with discomfort at her condition. Ty had explained what had happened, and he was only too glad to be asked to help. "Ty here says you two could use a hand." He grins and holds up his hands. "I got two big ones."

Ty chuckles and shakes his head. "In just a little while, we're gonna go back to your house," he explains gently. "We're gonna pick up your stuff and get you out of there, okay?" He runs as hand through her hair, trying to reassure her that it was going to be okay. "Con's got another truck so... we can make sure we get all your stuff."

It was a no-brainer that all of Libby's things could probably fit in her own truck, but it was easier than saying he wanted Con along in case brute force was needed. He continues to look Libby in the eye. "Then you're coming over to my place until we figure something else out." He said it as as statement. He wasn't going to ask because he wouldn't take no for an answer. He'd talk to Wyatt later, knowing his friend would say yes. Then after that... they'd find something better. But for now, he wasn't going to let Libby out of his sight.