Job well done

Scott is so disoriented that when he feels Hope's touch, he jerks his hand away. His knuckles whack the corner of the entertainment center with a loud crack and he tries wildly to focus his one eye in the dark. He doesn't even recognize who Hope is.

Like a fog lifting though, he suddenly realizes who it is sitting in front of him, and whose voice he is hearing. "Hope?"

His voice shakes along with the rest of his body as he trembles. "There was no way out... and she died and I couldn't... it was too late..." He blinks and tries to slow down, as the dark outlines of his living room start to make more sense. A dream... it was just a dream. His hand starts to hurt now from hitting it so hard and he wonders how he'd wound up in this part of the room.

"I'm... I'm sorry, I..." He would have stayed right where he was, had the trauma not affected him so. Fumbling to stand up, his knees wobble, and he stumbles forward and down the short hallway to the bathroom. What little supper he'd had was lost as he throws up, still shaking from the experience of the vivid nightmare.

Sinking down on the floor, he leans back against the bathtub and hides his face in his hands, embarrassed, scared and angry.


Domino is still out in the living room, trembling a little bit. She'd tried before to comfort her master but had never succeeded, so now she just looks up at Hope. Giving a little whine she licks Hope's hand and nuzzles her fingers, looking for some comfort of her own.


Alec and Eli are waiting for Ryan as she comes looking for them, both grinning. Eli's grin widens and he shakes his head, tossing his sister a week. "Good driving, Speedy. I made some good money on you tonight."

Alec twists his head to look down at Ryan, hearing her question. "Mmm... I'd say it was pretty good. Could be better though." Slipping his arms around her too, he leans in for a nice long kiss before pulling away. "Now that's better. Congratulations, Ry."

Eli hangs back a little, observing. He had a strange feeling in his gut. Couldn't quite pinpoint it, but it was there. Had been since Alec had arrived on the scene. He says nothing though, and just lets Ryan have her celebration. She deserved it.

Alec glances around at all the other people and the cars. There were a whole lot of things here that were awfully tempting. If he didn't have an arm around Ryan, he would probably already be into something he could get arrested for. Getting his attention back to her, he gives her a bit of a squeeze. "One of these nights I might have to tag along. See what the big deal is."

Eli snickers. "She doesn't let anybody ride with her when she's in the zone."

Alec is about to respond, when his attention is diverted, along with everyone else's.

Amidst the noisy crowd, a new sound had emerged. But it wasn't a revving engine. It was a siren. It wasn't a full wail, but enough of a bleep to get people to move out of the way and realize who was there.

Some people scatter, not wanting to be caught with some of the things they'd brought with them to this secluded location. Some try to slip into the shadows, knowing they can't be caught, but wanting to see what happens. Most stay, knowing that the cops tolerated their racing out here, in order to keep them off the city streets.

It wasn't a normal police car though. It was a black pickup with a single flashing red and blue light. And the officer wasn't a regular police officer. He was in plain clothes, but wore a sidearm, and his badge was unique.

Jason scans the crowd, his facial expression of one who was in no mood for games. He'd been called away from his date with Katie and he was not happy about it. Holding up his badge, he addresses the curious few who had gathered around him. "I'm looking for Alec Banks - has anyone seen him here tonight?" With no response, his eyes narrow. "I was told he was here. If no one's gonna help me, then stay out of my way while I find him myself."
I get a tip and I still have to go on a wild goose chase. Why me? Con would have been a good pick for this one.

Alec is still standing with Ryan a short ways away as he hears Jason's voice. A curse is muttered under his breath. "That was fast." He glances down at her and sighs. "I guess I forgot to mention the part about me ducking security at TJY to get here."

It was suddenly very obvious that Reese had not given him extra time today, but he'd taken it anyway.

Eli quirks an eyebrow. "Guess they don't tolerate that sort of thing, huh?"

"Unfortunately. Looks like one of the top dogs has come to take me in. And just when I was starting to have fun." Though Alec's words were a bit humorous, his tone indicated that he was not happy. He'd been giving Reese what he wanted lately, but the whole deal was growing old and Alec was getting tired of it. His freedom was still just out of reach.


Dani grins as she licks wing sauce off her fingers, completely stuffed from eating so much. Being pulled closer to Dalton to receive the kiss to the head, her grin widens. "Nah, I'm not too good to you," she argues.

Cleaning up with a napkin and leaving everything on the table for now, she scoots back on the couch and turns to face Dalton, letting the movie get lost in the background. Her eyes sparkle teasingly. "I can try though."

Taking his shirt collar to pull him to her, she presses her lips to his for a long moment before drawing back and searching his eyes. Looking down then back up again, she bites her lip, contemplating whether she should or shouldn't. Throwing caution to the wind, she shifts around a little more, slipping one leg over Dalton's so she could sit on his lap, facing him. They could replay the movie parts they missed later.

Slipping her hands around his neck, she looks into his eyes before resting her forehead against his. "You're way too comfortable," she murmurs. "You might not get rid of me." Moving her face down again, her lips find his once more and this time she lets the moment continue, allowing passion into her kiss.


Leo focuses on the task at hand and gives a little scoff. "I've had better days," he responds. Marking on the wall with a pencil and ruler, he shakes his head. "This one downright sucked."

Turning a little to see Cassy, he gives a shrug. "Things were okay 'til Miss "I'm gonna dump you for another guy" showed up with the other guy. It wasn't so great. But... it's over. Whatever. I'm still trying to move on. And now..." He looks back to the wall. "We got mirrors to hang and that's a much more interesting subject."

For the next few hours, the work persisted. It was a struggle with just the two of them and by the time the hours had passed, Leo was hot and sweaty, having downed several cans of pop along with the pizza Cassy had ordered. He was determined to finish the job though, so even after it was quite dark out, he insisted on continuing.

Once the last mirror was up on the wall though, it was worth it. Standing back and surveying their handiwork, Leo falls onto the floor, lying flat out on his back. He was going to be sore tomorrow. But it was worth it. "I don't think I can move," he mumbles to Cassy. "If you got a pillow I think I could just stay right here."

Grinning, he turns his head but doesn't get up. "Job well done. You'll have this place running in no time."

Laugh

Lost in her own land of being fast a sleep Hope doesn't even feel the first jolt from Scott. She seemed so at peace herself sleeping there with Scott.

But as his scream shatters the dark Hope jerks up from the couch not even being able to react till Scott is off the couch. Getting her own bearings and hearing the crashing sound as Scott was off the couch and stumbling all over things Hope stands.

"Scott...its ok."

Watching himself get slammed into the wall and sink to the door Hope gives a jump but it quick to go over to Scott. Going down to her knees to be at eye level to him Hope reaches out her hand to lay it on top of his gently.

"Scott....its ok...it was just a dream. It's me Hope Scott, it was just a dream your safe."

Watching her brother and Alec as they interact Ryan wasn't sure how it was going to go with them. Just keeping her arm around Alec's wast. She wanted her brother to approve it would make it so much easier.

Finally hearing her brothers comment Ryan's arm drops from Alec's wast. The other night was a close one but she had lost. Her mind had just been full of what was going on and the loneliness she was feeling but now having her bother and Alec here made her feel confidant, she could win today.

"That day we don't talk about, it was a fluke. I'm back full force and ready to kick butt. I'll see you guys on the flip side."

Ryan gives her brother a hug and than runs her hand down the side of Alec's face happy he was here to watch. Getting into her car and puling away Ryan gets to the starting line.

...And like Ryan said she the race was over and she had won. It was close so close no one could even tell who would win, it seemed to change so much. But in the last leg Ryan hit the gas her mind was clear her foot heavy and she had won.

Engine smoking and the smell of burned rubber hung in the air. Collecting her victory, and signing a few magazines it was no time that Ryan was trying to find her brother and Alec again.

Finally spotting them the grin on her face was huge as she made her way over to them. Slinging her arm around Alec's shoulder and panted for air. Her face flush from the adrenaline rush.

"See I told you I'd win Eli. So what did you think of your first street race?"

Finally settling down with Dani Dalton was completely comfortable on the couch as he had been many times before. Saying a prayer and than digging into the pizza and wings while the movie started to roll Dalton munched away.

Finished with the pizza Dalton looks to Dani whipping his mouth at the mention of cookies. Leaning back on the couch and pulling her two him he kiss the top of her head.

"Your to good to me you know that!"

He was so comfortable here, with Dani in his arms. She meant so much to him, and kept him feeling like he was needed to take care of someone.

Hearing Leo say she wasn't useless was nice. It was something she really needed to hear right now after being burned. Knowing her friend, who hadn't seen her in so long didn't think she was really was something nice.

Listing to Leo's directions and tasking it in Cassy makes sure she took everything in so she new what to do. Laughing as Leo moon walked over to her Cassy rolls her head back before moving away a little to go to the tool box.

"Your just a silly as every Leo...I like it."

Pulling some pencils from the tool box Cassy holds one out for Leo before going to the wall to start making where the mirrors went. Consternating the best she could Cassy swayed a little to the music herself before finally talking again.

"So how did the rest of your day go? Good?"

Moonwalk

Scott is oblivious to Hope moving around, caught up in a world of dreams and deep sleep. Leaning on her, his mind gets lost in the shadows that came upon him almost every night now. The dreams always started out like any other dream... no emotions were attached. Then something would go horribly wrong. He would see faces of men he never met but knew every detail of their Agency profiles. They would chase after the innocent. Gunfire would ring in his ears. He would be chased down with the rest of them, herded and fired upon. Then he would be in a room, all alone. There was chaos in the streets. He had to find a way out. His heart pumped harder and faster.

Scott gives a little jolt on the couch, still lost in sleep. Domino looks up at him and give a little whine, knowing the signs. Slipping from between him and Hope, she jumps off the couch and goes several feet away to sit and watch, knowing if she stayed, she'd wind up getting shoved off by her master.

There was always one door to escape. Whether he was in a warehouse, abandoned building, library or elegant house, there was always one way to get away. He would aim for it, suddenly only feet from an attacker. Sweat would pour down the sides of his face and he would realize that he'd been shot. Blood would be on his hands. Was it his or someone else's? He would turn to his right and see a young woman huddled in a corner, shaking, skin and bones, so cold and so sick. She would be beaten, abused and taken advantage of right in front of his eyes. But if he strayed off his path to try and save her, he would get no where, only getting farther away as if he were running in place. Then finally, he would realize she moved no more. Still needing to escape the chaos, he would finally find the door. Down, down, down into the pit of a dark basement. His attacker still behind him. Then he'd see it. His way out. But only feet from freedom, there would be an incredible roar, deafening anyone near. Then the blinding light and immense heat. The bomb had gone off.

Scott's scream shatters the silence of his house as he flies from the couch. He wasn't in his bedroom with a clear pathway though, and totally disoriented, he falls forward, catching the coffee table with his leg. Stumbling in the dark, he knocks things over and slams into the wall by the entertainment center, sinking down in the corner to hold himself tightly as his whole body shakes, his heart racing.


Alec grins and slips his arms around Ryan as she comes in for a kiss, not having known if she would give him the attention in this crowd or not, but pleased that she did. "Yeah well... an animal can't stay in a cage forever, right?"

Turning around with her, he keeps an arm around her waist, giving a nod to Eli. "Hey. Heard a lot about you."

Eli cocks his head a little, intrigued by his sister's behavior around this man. For someone she hadn't known all that long... she certainly did seem attached to him. No wonder she'd dumped Leo. "Well... I hope it's been good."

"I think it has."

"I've heard a lot about you too," Eli muses.

Alec purses his lips in thought. "I don't think I better ask about the good or bad on that one."

Eli chuckles and shakes his head. "You better not. Welcome to the races. Watch yourself around here - newcomers stick out like a sore thumb."

"You speak from experience."

"I got sore knuckles along with the thumb."

"Ah." Alec wriggles his fingers along Ryan's ribs teasingly, still talking to Eli. "I think I'll be alright."

The pause that follows is made up of a short staredown as each man sizes the other up, trying to figure him out. Eli finally looks back to his sister. "You gonna stand around all day or you gonna get in line and show these punks your loss the other night was not a foretelling of the future?"


Dani blushes slightly as she grins up at Dalton and accepts the flowers, breathing in deeply their sweet scent. "Mmm you're too sweet, you know that?"

Standing on her tiptoes, she tugs on Dalton's shirt so he'll bend even closer so she can reach his lips with hers, giving him a soft kiss. "Thank you."

Spinning around, she rummages in the cupboards to find a vase, making sure the flowers are in water before getting out plates and a stack of napkins. "Alright... movie time." Smiling, she heads into the living room, making sure Dalton is right behind her. Getting settled on the couch, they spread out the food on the coffee table so everything is easy to get at while they watch their movie. Dani missed her brother, but she had to admit that having the place to themselves was nice. "Okay...." She searches the remote control. "There we go. Play." She giggles. "I never have gotten used to where things are on this remote."

Grabbing a piece of pizza, and some wings, she settles back Indian style on the couch. "Oh, oh... and I made cookies today too so we have some dessert."


Leo laughs. "No rap. Not a problem." As Cassy goes to order the pizza, he heads to the radio, pulling it out from the the corner then finding a station that played rocks hits, new and old. Bobbing his head a little bit, he turns up the volume and goes back over to the mirrors to survey what needed to be done. After the day he'd had, it was a nice distraction.

Joined up by Cassy again, he looks down at her, giving a bit of a smirk. "Cassy - no one on this team is useless... ever."

Wandering over to some of the supplies he nods absentmindedly. "Mm-hmm... we got everything we need. We'll utilize your level to make sure we get everything straight since there's just the two of us. Let's mark out where each mirror will go then get the glue ready."

Tapping his feet to the rock music, he moonwalks back to her, tossing his head to the side. "Leo's mirror hanging at your service!"

Might not live!

Getting comfortable on the couch with Scott Hope cuddle close to him with Domino next to her. Hope wrapped her arm around Scott not caring to much if it was her holding him, and not the other way around.

As Scott drew quiet Hope took note he was sleeping and he looked peaceful. Not bothering him she continues to watch the rest of the movie. Finally the credits roll and Hope gently gets off the couch. Shutting the movie off, she takes there bowls from the ice cream to the kitchen.

Making her way back to the living room once again Hope grabs a blanket and gets back on the couch with Domino and Scott. Snuggling next to him once more. It was late, and she didn't want to wake him to leave so at least until he woke Hope would stay with him. Pulling the blanket over herself and Scott it wasn't long before Hope was out too.

Stumbling forward a little as she received the bump to the knee a grin forms on her face before she even turned around already knowing who it was. Looking up at her brother her eyes meet his giving him a nod that it was ok, she new who this was.

"You know, you really should do that when my brother is standing right here. You might not live to actually see me race."

Turning around the grin still on her face, and the fire in her eyes like any other time she saw him Ryan puts her arms around Alec's neck leaning in for a kiss that lingered a few moments before pulling away.

"Look like Reese did let you out of the cage for a little while longer huh?"

Stepping back the grin still on her face she turns to her bother. Holding her hand out to him, and than back to Alec.

"Eli this is the one and only Alec, Alec this is my older brother Eli."

Stepping inside and going to the kitchen Dalton gives a hearty laugh shaking his head. Putting the pizza and wings down He pulls Dani over to him, her back against his chest. Leaning his head down so it was by her ear. Bringing the flowers around to the front of her.

"Well that girl behind the counter I don't know she was giving me eyes. Don't worry I told her to stop because my girlfriend wouldn't take to kindly to it. Unfortunately she laughed and called me a freak. I think it was just my size she was staring at. Anyways these flowers are for you, the most beautiful woman in Nevada."

Giving a laugh and seeing Leo was still ready to help Cassy nods to over in the courner were an older radio almost an antique sat.

"The door sticks a little so you need to lift up and open. I only have one request in music though..no rap. Let me order the pizza I'll be right back."

Leaning the studio area Cassy goes behind the desk pulling out the phone book and dialing the number for the pizza place.

"Yeah...large cheese and mushroom pizza, twenty-four wings, and some pepsi...forty-five minutes ok....yeah...yep just come on...just follow the music...ok...thanks."

Coming back into the studio area Cassy carried the phone with her setting it down by the wall. Giving a smile and a nod to Leo she couldn't help but laugh a little. Something told her this was going to be a lot of fun, spending this time with Leo.

"Soooo...do you want ladder hold the mirror glue duty, or no ladder on the ground hold the mirror duty?"

Letting out a sigh and shaking her head.

"Leo...I have to be honest with you. I have no idea what I am doing. I watched the guys work a little so I know some but not enough. I hope you know, and if you do can you show me how to do it so I dont feel useless?"