For one day...

As the hussle starts Jackie takes a step back letting Wayne take control for a moment as she just sized the band up. Just taking them in and gaining a lot from just observing, and watching. She always liked to do that before she said anymore more to bands. Getting a feel for them by not saying anything at all was something that helped Jackie a lot in her work.

Following Wayn to the table Jackie holds the smile on her face. As Erik bumps into on mistake Jackie looks to him and gives a little nod.

"Its quite alright. It's a small room and this is a big group. The bigger the better though, just...don't do it again."

Jackie gives a little wink to Erik before remembering her paper work and going into the other room only to return once again and take her seat. Opening the folder she looks over her notes for a moment before looking up at the group again, not speaking to just one of them but letting her eyes move over them all and not singling anyone out.

"First I want to start out meeting out by saying we are thrilled to have you guys here again and get to know each of you. Our studio is small and sometimes it might feel like things are not moving, but I assure you it is moving. Wayne and I both will be walking through this with you guys each step of the way."

Giving a nod a nod and a smile Jackie's eyes fall to Erik for a moment seeming to linger longer than they had on anyone else. She had seen a lot of good looking guys come in and out of this place, but something about Erik was different to her. Relizing maybe she was looking at him a little longer than she should Jackie clears her throat and looks back to Kyle than the others too.

"We want you guy to be yourself and not try to change what makes you guys you. A lot of other places out there try and change music make it better, change the sound but we want to take what you guys already have and just bring it to life. It's important to us than you be true to the music in your hearts."

Hearing Alec was ready Ryan leaves the house with him quietly closing the door behind her. Eli was still sleeping and the last thing she wanted to do was wake him as she was heading out.

Getting to the car and getting in Alec's question did not go unheard as she put the keys in the ignition and starts up the car heading down the road and in the direction of the beach. She had been to that ice cream shop a few times and she liked it. It was a tiny place, but sometimes that was better than the big fancy ones.

"I've been there a few times and I liked it a lot. All there ice cream is home made so its tasts a lot better than the stuff you buy from the store because its fresh."

Giving a glance over at Alec at a stop light Ryan reaches over with her free hand and takes his inter locking there fingers together. Though Ryan was rough and tumble, walking in and out of danger, deep down she still had those soft moments when she just liked things to be as they were.

"So for one day we get to run away. The world is ours, and the time will mostly likely tick to fast so I think we should make the best of it while we can."

Revving her engine a little bit Ryan takes off down the street heading out of town and going a little faster than normally in town she did. Though this was outside of town it really didn't matter. The sooner they got to the lake the sooner the fun started. On the way back though the drive would be slower as she new already she wouldn't want the day to end.

Morning had come way to early for Beth and it seemed like it was just going to be one of those days. Couldn't sleep, than got up late, her hair wouldn't not work with her today so left down and slightly damp was how it would stay. At least she made it here in one peace, and it would be just her luck maybe she had missed Justin seeing Scott already.

Coming up the walkway and seeing Justin a small smile forms on her lips before it was gone again. She hadn't missed him, at least that was a good thing.

"I was running late today. I thought for sure you would be in with your friend already. Happy your not though."

Sitting down for a moment on the bench next to Justin Beth gives a small sigh before turning a little to look at him better. Just studying him for a long moment she finally looks away studying the people who walks to and fro on the nice day.

"I made the fish last night the same way you said you liked doing it. It tasted pretty good, I liked it. No dogs today or any other crazy get up? You sure your feelin alright?"

True?

Trying to find comfort in Sapphire's words, Scott nods a little. He knew the goal was to get out of here so he could go back to his own home and not be tormented all the time. But would he really? Maybe she was right... maybe that shouldn't even be an option.

Her question of breakfast makes him glance over to the nightstand where his portion sat cold. He wouldn't eat it now anyway. But he hadn't eaten it because he hadn't wanted to. "I'm... I'm not really hungry."

He swings his gaze back to his sister, searching her eyes for a moment. He had Dr. Hawks after him to eat. Jenny too, and Justin. If Hope were around, she'd be after him to eat more too. Would it help get him out of here sooner?

"But... maybe I'll just have some toast or something." Standing up, he sets aside the bag Sapphire had brought for him, then goes to put on his socks and shoes. "Okay... I'll show you where it is."

Fifteen minutes later they were in the lunch room. There weren't many people around at this time of the morning so it was nice and quiet. Scott did get a piece of toast with some jelly and was trying to drink a little more orange juice too.


"Oh, really?" Justin's eyebrows rise slightly as Jenny informs him where Scott is. "Well good. I won't interrupt them. Just call my cell phone after Sapphire leaves, okay? Then I'll be in to see him."

Wandering back outside, Justin finds himself back at the familiar bench beside the sidewalk. Easing down, he sets his backpack down too and makes sure he has the empty container with him. He'd been sure to wash it after he'd had the cherry pie and figured he'd see Beth today to give it back. If not, he'd leave it with a note.


"I am so ready." Alec grins and gives Ryan another kiss before aiming for the door. Once they're out, it doesn't take long to get on the road towards the lake. Though Alec probably wouldn't say so, this was something new to him. He'd hung out with friends a bit before and done a few fun things, but having a day's excursion with no real plans... it was what maybe he'd always wanted but never had. It was just something else Ryan had given him, that he tucked away in his heart that was still softening around the edges.

Watching the scenery pass, Alec's mind flits from one thing to another. "Hey, I heard there was a good ice cream place by the lake. True?"


As the group sees the woman and man, they stop, half relieved that someone was there to greet them, and half so nervous they could barely move. As Jackie approaches Kyle, he immediately returns her handshake with a smile. "The one and only."

Wayne wanders up behind Jackie and smiles at the group, offering his handshake as well to the several who were near. "Hey guys, good to see you. Jackie's right, we're glad you're here." Setting his hands on his hips, he studies all the eyes looking back at him. "I hope you realized that you're an odd case."

Kyle laughs and nods. "Yeah, it usually doesn't work quite like this, does it?"

"Nope." Wayne chuckles, shaking his head. "You're a no-name band, greener than grass with family sponsorship carrying you through. You being here means you must have quite a bit of pull with someone."

Kyle's grin widens. "We sure do. And He's been doing some pretty peculiar stuff ever since I joined this group."

"Yeah, I heard you didn't even start this thing."

"Nope. They nominated me." Kyle exchanges a quick look with Erik. "As long as they're happy, I'm happy."

"Well, as long as you all are happy, we're happy too." Wayne nods to the others. "So who have we got? Who's who?"

Kyle goes through quick introductions, explaining names and what they did. "And... then we have Karla... she's along to help us with our bookwork and help us manage what's happening. And this is Alice - she's a writer for What's Up and also my shadow whom I love."

Wayne grins. "Very good. Alright, well lets just have a seat over here and talk about what the plans are. No pressure today - just talk and sorting through some logistics."

The group trails in to a nearby table with chairs, each finding their own seat. As they're getting seated, Erik accidentally bumps into Jackie. "Oh, sorry." He grins sheepishly as he teasingly shoves Theo and his chair closer to the table. "Theo likes to take up too much room."

One of these days

Sapphire hated seeing her brother sad. From as far back as she could remember it always broke her heart and she was the one who would come to his aid and dry his tears. Now, it still hurt just as much to see her brother hurt and knowing this time she couldn't make it better.

"You will get out of here Scott, I know you will, and I can feel that you will. If for some reason you don't yes I will come see you still. But right now thats not even a factor in my mind and shouldn't be in yours. Keep working twords getting better and I know you will."

Continuing to smile at her brother she new it was hard for him but she wanted him to know she was behind him. No matter what she would always be there, and never would she leave him. He was part of her life and always would be.

"Would you like to go for a walk or maybe head to the lunch room and get some breakfast together?"

Once Alec was gone to the shower Ryan pulls out her phone to call into work quick coming with a reason while waiting. Once done with that Ryan goes back to her room and pulls out a tank top and a pare of jeans with holes in the knees. Returning to the living room again to wait for Alec she sits on the edge of the couch knowing he wouldn't take long.

Having Alec come up behind her and lay a kiss on her neck Ryan gives a small giggle as it tickled a little from being unprepared for it. Leaning back into him a little and bringing her hands up and behind her to run them through his hair and keep him close Ryan turns her head to give his lips a kiss.

Pulling away a little bit the sassy grin plays on her lips as she just looks up into Alec eyes just staying silent for a moment before finally talking.

"I think leaving before Reese's dogs come out to catch you is a good idea. I won't be to long in the shower."

As promised Ryan is in the shower and out again in only a few moments. Her hair tired back in a nice pony tail to keep it off her neck with the heat outside right now. Slipping her wallet into her pocket Ryan puts an extra hair tie around her wrist as she slips her sandles on.

"I'm ready to hit the road, beach, and enjoy playing hookie if you are."

"Maybe if you weren't busy playing Oreo bowling and paying attachen to the clock a little more you wouldn't have a scramble now."

Sitting down a little ways from Wayne Jackie had a headset on and was listing to a few different new sounds they had been working on. A teasing tone played in his voice as she picked on Wayne. It was just so easy to do sometimes why would she bother passing up the opportunity?

Finishing with what she was listing to Jackie takes the headset off and turns her chair to look at Wayne for a moment as he franticly cleaned up his area.

"You know your not suppose have food in here right? One of these days your uncle is going to catch you and ream you a new one."

Shaking her head and standing she new Wayne would be right behind her as she went to the door and stepped out into the other room where the band was.

"Hey Guys, you must be the new band we have been waiting for."

Eying everyone for a moment her eyes fall on Kyle. She didn't know for sure if that was the leader or not but his description seemed to match really well so she would go for it. Extending her hand she gives a small nod.

"You must be Kyle Mitts himself. I'm Jackie, and this..."

Jackie turns around a little bit to see if Wayne was behind her right as he was coming through the door.

"...this is Wayne. We are so happy to have you guys here, and can't wait to get started."

Surprise Attack

Having Sapphire take his hand, Scott doesn't pull away. It almost felt strange... almost new. He and his sister had had their ups and downs, no doubt, and their recent hurdle wasn't an easy one. It had been a long time since much affection was shown, even if they had always loved each other as siblings.

Just remaining quiet, Scott sees the treats she brought him, and his faint little smile returns to his lips. "Thank you..."

Feeling her squeeze his hand, it takes him a moment, but he returns it. He didn't know what the future held for them with Gage still in the picture. But for now at least, this was okay with him.

"Thanks for waiting," he whispers. "Some days... some days I don't know if I'll ever get out of here."

He looks down at the floor, burrowing a toe into the carpet. "Some days I really do feel like I'm going mad... like I have no control over what's happening inside my head."

Glancing to Sapphire, his eyes are so very tired, sunken in with dark circles tracing the bottom edges. His lifeless eye seemed even less so, if it were possible. "If I... if I can't ever leave, will you... still come see me sometimes?"


With Ryan actually agreeing to get out for the day, Alec grins. He manages to get up off the couch in time for her to return with the shirt that he accepts. His eyes are full of a sly mischief this morning - almost a playfulness like a little boy planning to skip school. He may have been in control of his own direction in the Agency... but only to a certain degree. He might never admit it, but there had been boundaries there too, and if rules were broken, he could have ended up dead. Feeling as though he could just take off for a day and not worry about being shot or taken down gave him just a little piece of that freedom he was looking for. Reese might not be too thrilled, but that was the least of his worries.

"I won't take long."

As promised, it doesn't take him over ten minutes to get himself cleaned up for the day and back in the living room. Coming up behind Ryan, he slips his arms around her and kisses her neck teasingly. "Shower's empty. If we get out of here in time, anybody Reese sends out here to get me will have to go back empty-handed."


Wayne leans back in the desk chair, taking careful aim with his rubberband. Letting it go, it snaps from his fingers, shooting through the air and smacking into his stack of oreo cookies, making them scatter. "Yes!" He throws his hands up in victory. "Score one against the oreos! I take no survivors." Stuffing one of the fallen into his mouth, he swivels his chair around. After mixing music all morning long, it wasn't unusual for him to goof off for a few minutes and regain some sanity.

His eyes fall to the clock on the wall in the sound booth and he quirks an eyebrow. "Hey, Jackie we got that new band coming in this morning, right?"

As if on cue, the door in the other room opens. Wayne looks up quickly through the glass to see the band just entering. "Ohhhhh crap." Moving quickly, he grabs the waste basket and attempts to clean off the desk of all remnants of oreos while he tried to clean his teeth with his tongue at the same time. "Why didn't Chet tell us he was letting anybody in?" It was his own fault, but it was also easy to blame someone else for lack of warning.


The band enters the open room that could be set up for many different things. At one end was a booth for recording, and at the other was another room set up for mixing the recordings. It was not a large studio at all, but it was a studio nonetheless and the excitement still hung in the air.

Erik looks around, taking it all in. "That guy said someone would be in here, right?"

"Mm-hmm..." Kyle glances around too, not sure what to do now.

Kip points up and over to the recording booth behind the glass. "There's someone up there... must be them I guess."

Twila smirks a little. The guy that had shown them in had seemed too busy to get them where they were going or make introductions. She hoped whoever they worked with would be nicer than that.