Mike Reese?

Standing to walk Eli to the door her arms wrap around him returning the passionate kiss, thanking him for just being there for him. The night had turned crappy, but in the end it had become nice again just spending time with Eli at her home and getting to cuddle. She almost didn't want him to go, but she needed her own alone time now to think through everything and takes the quiet to start to repair and heal a few wounds that had been ripped open.

"Mmmm...Maybe we can do lunch tomorrow. The day after that I have to leave for a job I am doing out in Texas. Wont be gone but a few days, however a lunch with you would be a great thing to remember I get to come back to."

Taking another quick kiss Scarlet gives a wave to Eli as she leaves before closing the door behind her and heading back into the living room to flop down in front of the tv. She'd stay up a little while longer, do some reading and than head to bed.

Tossing the blanket over top of herself and just getting comfortable Scarlet goes to flip the channel only to jump at the knock at the door again. Giving a smirk she already new it had to be Eli, maybe he had forgot something or simply wanted another kiss.

Standing and going to the door she opens it about to say something smart but stops at the look in his eyes it sent chills down her spine. Doing as he directed she stepped into the house again retreating her leather jacket from the hook and throwing it on before heading back outside with Eli to there bikes.

Seeing the vandalism on Eli's bike Scarlet can feel a twist in her gut. This wasn't the best part of town, but she had never had a problem like this before.

"What on earth..."

Turning back to her own back she can see the words scratched in to her own paint, and over the new images Eli had just put on them. They were new, first seen by her eyes today and not they were runed.

Instintly Scarlet's arm goes around her stomach as she squats to the ground. She felt sick, she felt embarssed by the words scratched into the pain, she felt increadbly angry, her own eyes sparked at she looked up at Eli from the ground. She new how did this, she new who's handy work of hate had put this here.

"Roth!"

Her voice was low an angry, something she hadn't felt in a long time, not fear but a pure anger. All the work Eli had put into this for her ruined, and his own bike it was destroyed because he was with her. A tear feel from her eye but a different kind, these ones were hot and heavy, she wanted to hit something, she wanted to kick anything to let this anger out but instead she swallowed it and just held it in as she clenched her fists.

"What a low down, dirty skum bag! You bike....its ruined. My bike...its...I can't even explain how angry I am right now."

Standing and taking the papers from the desk Hope gives a nod to Reese. She was thankful for his kindness, and his friendship. Hope new she would have many people behind her in this time, and she was thankful for that...leaning on God was easy and hard at the same time but she new with help from her friends and loved ones it would be ok.

"I'll make sure to keep you updated, and Rick will be kept updated as well. Just remember if you tell anyone else to let them know not to tell Scott. He doesn't need to think about this right now. He just needs to get better."

Turning and heading for the door Hope lets out a tired sigh. After talking with Rick she would see about getting some work done, if at least for an hour or so.

"Thanks again Reese."

Opening the door to leave Hope almost runs into a tall, blond haired woman She had never seen before. Trying the best smile she could as to not scary her off Hope moves a little to the side.

"Sorry about that."

Giving a sweet smile and looking back at Hope with her bright teal eyes the woman nods a little moving out of Hope's way. Her voice was soft, but strong at the same time.

"Not a problem. You wouldn't be able to tell me if this is Mike Reese's office would you? I've seemed to got myself turned around a little."

Giving a nod and moving out of the door Hope continues to hold her smile the best she can.

"Yes your in the right place. He's right in his office now."

"Ok thank you!"

Once Hope was gone the woman turns back to the office door and lets out a slow quivering sigh. This was it, she could do this, she had to do this her own life depending on it.

Giving a knock on the door it opens slightly, not sure if she should walk in or not she pokes her head in the door to see Reese at his desk or who she thought was Reese she didn't really know what he looked like.

"Hello...excuse me. Sorry I don't mean to barge in, or many I do because I am that desperate but my name is Destiny Rose and I was directed that the best place to come for a body guard, or protection from the Agency would be here. Are you...Mike Reese?"

It was easy to see the woman was strong, but at the same time here eyes were pleeding. She was serous about what she had said she did need protection. She new all to well who the Agency was and it was for that reason they were after her.

Coming up the walk way slowly Beth was back from her short break. She had needed air about twenty minutes ago as the Dr's had to calm her sister down. Today was not a good day for her. On days like this it seemed like her nightmares, and fits were getting worse and what triggered them no one new. Beth could only guess herself it was when her brain got to tired of blocking everything and for a few while it just let the memories back full force.

Arriving at the bench where Justin sat it took Beth a few moments to realize it was him. He looked stressed out, but more normal today than the first to days she had met him. Trying to give the best smile she can Beth steps a little closer to the bench. It wasnt every day she talked to someone but the last few times she had been here even if it was strange so had Justin it was almost normal to say hi and be semi friendly with him.

"Wow Justin for a second I didn't even realize it was you. You look human today!"

Beth's voice had a bit of a sarcastic tone despite her mood, a bit of teasing as well.

Skunk

Eli grins at Scarlet, more than happy to stay for a while. "Okay... but you have to at least let me take my jacket off so I can get comfortable."

Giving her a wink, he lets her slide off his lap so he can take off his jacket and hang it over the back of the couch. "Alright... what kind of movies do you have anyway?"

...A couple hours later after a movie, cuddling on the couch and almost falling asleep, Eli knows he needs to get home. Scarlet seemed to be feeling a little better, and Eli had simmered down on the inside, though some time alone would be good for him too.

Donning his jacket again, he walks to the door, meeting Scarlet there. Pulling her into a final embrace for the night, he leans down and presses his lips to hers in a passionate goodnight kiss. Drawing away, his eyes twinkle a little bit and he steals one last quick kiss before straightening up. "I'll call you sometime tomorrow, okay?"

His hand reaches up so his palm can slide down the side of her face. "Goodnight, Scarlet."

Finally on his way, he takes a deep breath of the night air and ambles down to the parking lot. Though it was dim, the lights around the lot provide enough light to see easily, creating a safe atmosphere. Getting to his bike, however, Eli felt anything but good. Stopping in his tracks he stares at his bike and the profanity that had been scratched deeply into the paint. Sometimes he let his own language get a little carried away, but having these kinds of words on his bike made him sick. Not to mention, the paint was trashed. Who on earth...

He turns quickly to look at Scarlet's motorcycle and sure enough, hers had been vandalized as well. The new paint job was ruined - hours and hours of labor destroyed by one simple and dastardly act. The words that had been scratched into Scarlet's bike were no better than Eli's - an embarrassing display with which to ride down the street.

As the shock begins to wear off, Eli's calmed demeanor begins to boil again. His fists clench at his sides as he glares at the handiwork. Someone had known exactly what would get to them. Someone had known exactly what to do in order to hit them where it hurt. And there was only one person Eli could think of.

"Roth." His words came out as ice, enough to give anyone listening an instant chill. This... this had gone beyond the limit. This was downright low and dirty. "You skunk," he hisses into the night air. "You'll pay for this."

Turning around and aiming for Scarlet's again, a trashcan is on the receiving end of a deadly kick and it flies through the air, clanging into the sidewalk a ways away. Eli's pulse was racing and he pops his neck, his fingers flexing in his motorcycle gloves. Reaching Scarlet's door, he knocks and waits to see her again. Fire blazed in his eyes. "Get your jacket," he directs calmly. "You need to see this."


Reese nods a little, wishing he knew what to say, but the words wouldn't come. One of his own was suffering, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Okay... but if you do need anything... don't hesitate to ask, alright?" Unsure whether he should or not, Reese reaches over to give Hope's hand a little squeeze before he stands up.

"Take all the time you need, Hope. We'll... work around your schedule as you need it. Just, um... keep me in the loop, okay?" It wasn't her boss speaking... it was her friend who cared.


Ambling down the sidewalk with a backpack over one arm and a soccer ball under the other, Justin crunches into an apple.

"What were you thinking? You could have been turned in for that alone!"

"Look, I did what I had to do. Scott needs a push, not more pampering. Now you called me in for this job, let me do it or tell me to walk away. The choice is yours."

Justin sighs and relents to his body's desire to sit on a bench near the parking lot. A brief chat with his uncle hadn't gone very well. Nobody had complained about the little battle with Scott, but he'd heard about it and hadn't been happy. He hadn't told Justin he was off the case though, so Justin was planning on returning tomorrow as normal. It was just irritating that he couldn't do his job the way he wanted to do it. He didn't have much to lose though, and he wanted to win this... for Scott. Justin didn't take his job lightly.

Leaning back on the bench, he lets his head fall back so the sun was on his face. Closing his eyes, one might think he was asleep, but his mind was far from it. He was already thinking about tomorrow. He needed to call Alec first though.

Tease

Just happy Eli was here, and he kissed away her tears it filled Scarlet with a new feeling twords him. He was as soft as she hoped, as gentile as she new, and honest as she liked. Deep down she new Eli wish she had told him soon but hearing he would get over it made her feel good. She hadn't lost him.

Returning the soft kiss Scarlet liked it as much as the rougher ones. This one being different and showing Eli's soft caring nature. Pulling away a little and looking up to search Eli's eyes Scarlet gives him a smile.

"If you could stay with me for a little bit..that would be nice."

Scarlet new she would be ok like she always was. The wounds that had been broken open would heal again just right now having someone show there comfort to her was nice. Something she hadn't had in a while. So if she could soak it up tonight and Eli didn't mind than why not.

"We can watch a move if you like, or just sit here. Than after I can let you leave."

Scarlet gives a small grin a teasing tone in her voice. At least she still had her sense of humor.

Waiting for Reese's reaction Hope wasn't surprised to see the shock on his face. She was sure it was still written on her own as well. This was something hard to deal with and after the shock wore off Hope new she was going to more than likely break down and cry a little but once that had all passed she'd turn this over to God and remember he had a plan. She's be ok, even if it was hard she wouldn't have to walk alone.

Hope was happy Reese agreed that she could still come into work too. If she sat at him and had to stew about this all it would only make it worse. Working was the only thing that might keep her sain.

"I guess this just goes to prove second hand smoke can harm you too huh?"

Letting out a small sigh Hope could remember back to when she was younger with her family, a lot of her aunts and uncles use to smoke, and as she got older even some of her patients she had she would allow to them go on the balcony and smoke as well. But now she was paying the price for it.

Hearing Reese offer to do anything Hope gives him a small smile. Seeing the soft nature in his eyes it was nice knowing her cared, it made her feel a little less alone.

"I don't think so not right now anyways. Lots of prayer would help, but I know you already would do that."

Up to you

Looking down into Scarlet's eyes, Eli just studies them for the longest time, allowing himself the pleasure of falling into them. His hand moves to her face again, cradling her cheek softly.

"I'm glad to know all of you," he responds quietly. "I... wish I would have known, but... I'll get over it." His thumb runs along her cheek and back again. "I've probably got a few cards I need to lay on the table too... but not tonight."

Leaning a little closer, he kisses away the tears that had fallen from her eyes before his lips find hers in a gentle expression of care. "You want me to stay a while?" he asks softly. "Or I can go... it's up to you."


Once Hope is in Reese's office, something just doesn't seem right. The peace that usually followed her around wasn't in the air this time. There was something new... almost foreboding.

Nodding to her request not to tell Scott whatever it was, Reese agrees. He would respect her wishes. There was fear, however, for the news she was about to tell him. What would be so bad that she wouldn't even want Scott to know about it?

Hearing the news, Reese's eyes widen slightly, filled with a mixture of surprise and sympathy. Hope was one of his own... at least that's how he viewed her and all the others. He was the leader, meant to take care of them and make sure they were all okay. And now Hope... had cancer. He wondered how she had contracted it in the lungs and was shocked at how quickly they had diagnosed it, but it didn't matter much. "Oh, Hope..."

Reese gets up from his desk and moves around to the second chair to sit next to her. "Of course you can still come in when you feel up to it. I'm so sorry." He was glad she'd told him... he'd been a little worried about her being sick, and knowing the truth was best in his mind.

Searching Hope's eyes, his gaze is soft and caring - a mixture most people didn't have the privilege of seeing. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Boss and Friend

Knowing Eli was there for her meant so much to Scarlet and feeling his arm tighten a little as he stroked her hair made her feel so good. Knowing her tears would no scare Eli away, would not make him think any different.

As Eli brings his hand to Scarlet's face she leans her head into his hand just letting his rough but soft skin be felt on her face. She liked the way his hands felt. Than following him to the living room and giving a sniff Scarlet rests her head on Eli's chest once again as they sit down on the couch.

The tears start to slow again, and though she was a bit surprised about the news of Jimmy telling Eli about everything Scalet only moves her head a little to look up at Eli. Studying his face she couldn't help the the warm fuzzy feeling inside that he new the past, and she was still here. The softness she had seen inside Eli really was there, and he was willing to show it to her.

Part of Scarlet was happy Jimmy told Eli yet another part was upset she hadn't told him herself. She shouldn't have waited so long to say anything.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but...I'm happy you know now. Now you know the hidden me, all that I am. You know me more than anyone else has in a long time."

Standing outside Reese's office door Hope holds a bunch of paper work. She had just finished at the dr's and she had learned a lot more than she expected. Tears wanted to come but the shock was still to great to let them. This was not what she had expected.

Now she stood here, Reese was not only her boss who needed to know but she considered him a friend as well. One of the few she had right now and she needed someone. She couldn't do this alone. Everything was going to change.

Knocking on the door Hope waits for an answer before entering. She trys to give the best smile she can though she still felt so sick. She hoped the meds the dr had given her for now would start to kick in and make her feel a little better.

"Hey Reese. I just got back from the dr's and I was hoping maybe I could talk to you about something. I could really use a friend."

Hearing it would be ok Hope sits down in one of the chairs across the desk from Reese. Drawing silent for a long moment and catching her breath Hope finally looks up at him.

"First I was to ask that you respect me enough that what I am going to tell you I don't want Scott to know yet. He doesn't need this weighing on his mind with everything else he is dealing with. If you need to tell anyone else thats fine just not him, not till he is better."

Setting her medical papers down on his desk of different charts, reads and tests Hope had them copied so she could give them to Rick seeing as he was the Dr here. It would be good he had them in case Hope ever needed his help.

"I went to the Dr's today as you know because this morning I was still feeling so sick. They ran some minor tests and relized my breathing seemed a little off, and than they ran a few more tests on my lungs."

Hope chocks on her words for a moment fiddling with the zipper on the jacket she wore just a sign this was hard for her.

"They found some abnormality and they have ruled it as lung cancer. I'm going to have to go back in for more tests to see how bad it is and what not but...they are sure and hoping they caught it in time and it had done little damage so I wont have to go through much to get rid of it."

Looking up at Reese it was easy to see the pain in her eyes and how hard this was for her. She was always the strong one helping people and now she was the one that needed to be helped.

"I'd still like to work here on good days when I can. Just to keep my mind off everything thats going on with me so I don't sit at home and go crazy. But I though you should know as my boss and my friend."