Cooties

Hunter sighs deeply and lets his eyes travel up to Katie. "I suppose reality demands a look at the clock. I think all clocks should be gathered in one pile and A-bombed." He knew they should at least start heading back towards the bike. He was enjoying himself, but after all, he was with someone else's girl... alone... late at night. The last thing he needed was an irate boyfriend coming after him.

Getting to his feet, he brushes the sand off his shirt and jeans. "Okay... if we must."

Ambling back the way they'd come, his pace is much slower this time. It was dark but at least the moonlight was bright enough to see enough details in the sand not to trip and fall or step on driftwood. Getting back to their shoes and socks, he puts them back on, lacing his boots back up again. Once they were back at the bike though, he doesn't mount up right away. Instead, he goes for the treat he'd bought earlier.

Retrieving his Mountain Dew and the two Milky Way candy bars, he takes a long swig of the drink and nods with satisfaction. He then holds out a candy bar and the bottle to Katie. "I promise I didn't backwash and I don't have cooties."

Dylan realizes that Stacy's eyes were aimed at this end of the table and he exchanges a quick glance with Ashlee. "I'm... just along for the ride," he responds. A movie sounded okay. Miniature golf sounded kinda fun. But he really did feel that he was just tagging along and whatever the others decided would be okay with him.

He shrugs. "I'm okay with whatever Ash wants to do."

Eric leans back in his seat and grins. He knew a movie would be enjoyed if that's what was chosen, but miniature golf might provide more interaction and result in more fun for the group. Ultimately, it was up to Ashlee since it was her birthday though. "What'dya say, birthday girl?" 

"Hey, Grace," Jared greets, perking up as she enters the room. After she started on his legs then brought him the food, his eyes widen. "I didn't think you were kidding but... you weren't kidding." He chuckles. "Good thing I passed on the oatmeal this morning." 

Taking a nibble of bacon, he smiles. "Mmm... Bacon had to have been one of my weaknesses." 

Glancing up at Grace, his eyes, were a bit dark from a hopelessness that had begun to settle over him. But despite the shadows, there was a depth there that held a world of potential just waiting to be released. A flicker of spirit...life. "So are you this nice to all your patients?"

"Reese - Alec's outside city limits."

"Aw for crying out loud." Reese glares at his phone as Hal called him on the intercom. "Do you know anything else?"

"Nope. I think he's probably on his motorcycle. He's stopped though, right outside town, so I don't know what he's doing."

"Idiot." Reese sighs. "Okay, thanks." Collecting his thoughts, he dials Wyatt but can't reach him. This time he dials Gunner. "Brent?"

Gunner cringes. Reese only called him that if he was in a bad mood. "Yeah?"

"Connect with Hal then go pick up Alec. He's outside town."

"He's not supposed to be?"

"No!" Reese's exasperation is evident. "He knows good and well he's not supposed to be outside town. We let him roam free and he finally pushed it too far. I want him back here now."

"Okay, okay." Gunner grabs his badge and chain and slings it around his neck. "I'm on my way."


Alec sits on his motorcycle, parked along the shoulder of the main highway. He sat ten feet on the other side of the city limits sign, staring off down the road at passing traffic. Holding his helmet, the breeze combed his hair. He didn't feel it though. He was waiting. Just... waiting.


The past week had felt as if he'd been running in place - never accomplishing anything, but feeling utterly exhausted anyway. Nothing felt right. Nothing was anything more than miserable. He'd gotten word that Tal was still in the hospital but recovering well. Surprisingly, he was glad to hear it. But all it did was remind him what a wretched being he was. So here he sat... awaiting what he deserved.


It wasn't long before he sees a black vehicle pull up behind him. Watching in his mirror, he notes that it's Gunner. He sighs but stays seated.

Confused, Gunner exits the SUV and approaches slowly, finding this whole thing very peculiar. He almost expected some kind of ambush. "Alec?"

Alec turns his head slightly. "Here to take me in?"

"Yeah, well, that's pretty much the case." Gunner searches his eyes. "What's the deal?"

Alec shrugs. "Gonna cuff me?"

Gunner's apprehension lingers. Why was Alec so calm? It was almost scary. "I don't think I need to do that. If you're willing to go in, I'll let you ride and I'll follow you."

"Okay." Alec dons his helmet and starts the engine.

Still confused, Gunner just tries to shrug it off. Maybe Alec was always this weird and he just hadn't noticed. Once inside the vehicle again, he waits for Alec to leave first, then follows him back into town and to TJY...

"So what is it this time, huh?" Reese glares at Alec across his office desk. "Just decided to play hooky so one of my men would waste his time coming after you? Do you think this is some kind of joke?"

Alec's eyes remain on the floor and he says nothing.

"If you want me to take your bike away, I can," Reese threatens. "You won't get as far on foot. I know you came by it through under-the-table deals but I turned a blind eye because I wanted to let you have some freedom. But this is ridiculous. What were you doing anyway?!"

Alec finally raises his dim eyes. "I broke the rule. You gonna report it and have me sent to prison?"

"For sitting alongside the road and wasting our time? Unfortunately, that would seem a rather petty reason, don't you think?"

Alec shrugs. "A rule is a rule. The judge wouldn't be too happy to know I'd done that."

"No, he wouldn't. But I'm not going to report it."

"Why not? I thought you were honest."

"I am honest! I'm also trying to save your hide! Can you not see I care?!"

Alec jumps a little at Reese's loud tone. "If it's just your program you're worried about, I'm sure you can find some way of making it so the program doesn't have to end even if you put me away. Obviously I'm a unique case, and besides, you already have Carson and Gage and Phinox, and even Misty, as proof of rehabilitation."

Reese furrows his brow, just not understanding. "You make it sound as if you want to go to prison."

"It'd be better than this."

Reese was still confused. He didn't know why all of a sudden Alec would choose prison over this. But if that was the case, then keeping him here was a better punishment. "Fine. Then you stay and let this be a lesson to you."

"You can't keep me here if I keep breaking the law."

Reese gets to his feet and leans halfway across his desk, wearing a stern glare. "Alec Banks, if you're trying to bring this program down by getting yourself thrown into prison, then I got news for you - it isn't going to work. This is just a game to you. But you're losing. Guys like you don't win. You just keep playing til we tell you to stop. That's the way it works. Do I make myself clear?"

Alec swallows hard. "Perfectly."