Maybe

Victoria had been home for a few hours now. Once cleaned, and dressed in another dress Victoria exits the house and walks down one of the garden paths. The last two days had been long and her mind continued to take her back here but she had gotten her job done and in the morning she could report to her grandfather her findings.  First though...there was someone else she wanted to see and if only for a moment she just wanted to be close to him.

Getting to there secret place Victoria gives a smile seeing Garret. Something told her he would be here and she was glad she was right. Coming up behind him she new he would hear her so she had no fear of startling him. 

   "It's good to see you up and around Garret. I was hoping they took good care of you while I was gone."

Laying her hand gently on his arm she gives a smile looking up at him. She really had been worried not knowing what was going on. Even if she could turn it on and off when she had to that didn't mean she didn't care. It was just at times she couldn't let her feels get in the way of work and when she felt sick she just had to bury it, least she be the one buried.

   "It's always nice to get away from this place, but as long as your hear its nice to come back too."

Watching Hunter walk away Katie couldn't help but feel bad. She didn't want him to think she thought it wasn't ok or that he was wrong for asking at all. She just thought maybe now was not the best time so she should pass. It hurt though that she had to turn down her friend.

   "If I really hadn't of wanted to go with you to lunch Jason I wouldn't have said yes."

Looking to Jason Katie tried to give him a smile. She was still upset with him over the whole thing the other day but she was doing her best and thats what mattered right? She just wanted things to be ok, she wanted Jason to understand...but maybe he never.

   "A nice lunch...huh? What time do you want to head out?"

Katie did love Jason even after there fight, and a nice lunch would be nice even if she was mad. Maybe a nice lunch would be the right track, maybe...maybe...it seemed to a word Katie was saying alot lately. Maybe she just had to get over it.

Pacing

Hunter holds a wry grin and nods, knowing that if he argued, he'd be in hot water. "Yeah, okay." His eyes move to the side, seeing a rather tense look on Jason's face. He clears his throat and looks back to Katie. "Maybe dinner's not such a good idea, eh?" His grin turns into a smile. "But I got my phone on me. Take it easy." Waving, he turns to leave without giving the chance of any further awkwardness. 

Watching him leave, Jason knew the other man had taken the hint. He didn't mind that Katie was friends with him - having friends wasn't anything that Jason would ever mind. But even know she'd suggested dinner again, and that made him bristle. Perhaps now though, Hunter would know better. 

Looking back down at Katie, he gives her a sorry kind of smile. "Thanks... for saying yes. I, um..." He bites his lip and leans on the top of the cubicle wall. "I'm sorry I've avoided you the last few days... I was just hoping we could have a nice lunch and..." He shrugs. "Just if you really want to though." 

Watching Victoria leave, Garret knew better than to wave. She was a business associate - nothing more. Anything else witnessed and that would be the end of their relationship. 

His eyes follow the car as it leaves, wondering about where she was going and why. All she'd said was that it was a mission - it was all she was allowed to tell. If he'd been well, he would know the details. But Medridge never let anybody work when they were weak, because they weren't at the top of their game. Garret knew the car was probably headed to the airstrip. Medridge's vehicle of choice was his private jet - no matter where he sent his agents. There were times Garret wondered if an hour trip in the air was actually just to a location nearby... but nobody ever knew. The only thing Garret knew was that they were in Europe. When going to the United States, he'd been taken to the airport and from there, he knew where he was. But other than that, he was just as much in the dark as everybody else. 

Sighing, Garret turns and puts his hand to his side as he walks slowly back inside. It would only be a few days until Victoria returned. But a lot can happen in a short amount of time. Determined to get back into the swing of things Garret insisted he was fine, able to once more be at Medridge's side. Agents came and went and Medridge remained busy with planning, contacting field agents and more. Garret involved himself with planning future missions and also continued working with Medridge on finding their leak. And once a small piece of evidence finally came in, the truth was found out....

...Garret paces the small grove in the dark, his mind reeling more than it had in a long time. Victoria was back. At least she was supposed to be today. He had yet to see her, but he'd opted to come to their hiding place in case she wanted to see him. He needed to talk to her before she talked to anyone else. He didn't want to. But he needed to. He didn't want to be the one to inform her of what had been happening and what they'd found. But he knew it should be him instead of somebody else. So he continues to wait... and continues to pace in nervousness.

Awkward

Finished packing her bag Victoria looked around her small room making sure she had everything. Today she wore dress pants, and a nice shirt. No gun was found on her for today if found out with it there could be trouble. A knife though was nicely placed in her boot so if there was trouble she could defend herself. She was only leaving for two days but this two days would seem almost like forever. She new what she had to do and even if she hated it, she had to least anyone think she was the leak.

 Picking up her bag and heading out Victoria lets out a small sigh. She really hadn't told anyone she was leaving other than a short meeting with Garret. She always hated leaving him and in his state now she hated it more. At least he was up and moving around slightly.

Stepping outside and heading to the black car that awaited for her Victoria stops feeling someones eyes on her. Looking back twords the house she see Garret looking down from above. She had wanted to say goodbye and now she wanted to give a wave but it just wasn't possible with the eyes on them. Giving a nod was all she could do and she new Garret would know what she was feeling. 

Taking the sun glasses from the top of her head she puts them on and gets into the car. It would take a little bit to get to the destination and that would give her time to collect herself and get into work mode. She had to pull this off and see if they could figure out what had went on. To many things had been left unanswered from the night of the part and it made her uneasy. But worst of all was the sick feeling on who she new, she would have to get the information.

Taking a bit of her sandwich Beth leans against the tree next to Justin. It was a nice day out today, great weather for there picnic and fishing. Beth was happy she'd come it was always a nice time with Justin. Without even knowing it he just had a way of making her feel good.

   "You are welcome Justin. Thank you for inviting me."

 Busy with her work today Katie really hadn't noticed much. Since the fight with Jason the other day she hadn't talked to him much or anyone else for that matter. She just didn't feel in the mood and didn't want to say the wrong thing. So to save the trouble she just stayed quiet and dug herself deep into her work.

Hearing the knock and Jason's voice Katie looks up a bit surprised to see Hunter standing there with Jason. She wasn't sure what to think seeing Jason standing there with Hunter. In a way it was kind of awkward after they had, had there last fight.

   "Lunch...I..."

About to deny Hunter's invitation due to lots of work Katie stops and Jason chimes in and says they are going to lunch together. Raising an eyebrow Katie was taken back again. They had no planes let alone hardly talked to each other the last few days and now out of the blue Jason wanted to do lunch! Would he had still asked if Hunter hadn't been right there?

   "Sorry Hunter I'm not going to be able to lunch today. Jason and I had, had plans already. I'll text you later and maybe we can get together with some people or something and do dinner or something. Thanks for the offer though, and the surprise visit. It was a nice break up to the day."

Looking between Jason and Hunter Katie's eyes were still a little sad. The fight had done a number on her, and had caused her to feel quite low about having a friend. She still didn't know how Jason could not understand. She could only hope there lunch today would be better than the other day.

Mission

"Oh yes, don't you worry. Your help is indeed needed." Medridge nods. "I may send you to Harkins on an intel mission." 

An intel mission. That's what Medridge called it when he sent his agent in to extract information the easy way. Or to put it bluntly, seduce the target to make their tongues loose. If he wanted the target tortured, it would be a pressure mission. But apparently Medridge wanted Harkins to talk without having his throat slit. 

"In the meantime though..." Medridge continues to pace. "The estate is on lockdown. No one in or out until I am sure there is no leak, or we have found the traitor." 

Reaching to his desk, he picks up a filing folder and hands it to Victoria. "This is the file on Harkins. He is a wealthy businessman from the United States who now lives in Switzerland. With the connections he has in the State with politics and financial institutions... he could prove to be of value to us. Study his file. You may or may not need it." 

...A week later, the lockdown at the estate was over. Not because they had found anyone though - at least not that anyone would say. There were quiet suspicions that Medridge had found the leak, but for some reason nothing yet had been said. As far as Harkins went, Medridge had scheduled Victoria's "intel mission," sending her to Harkins' place in Switzerland for a 2-day visit, hoping to gain as much information as possible about his contacts, and, to find out if Harkins had known the assailant at the party...

Garret leans on the railing of the balcony and looks out over the estate. He was feeling better every day and had finally been allowed to get up and dressed and take a walk. A couple more days and he'd be back to work. For now though, the room's balcony was as far as he'd wandered. He had been ill-informed about the party's incident and was itching to talk to Medridge himself about the whole thing. All he knew now was that Victoria was scheduled to leave on some kind of short mission in a few days, and he was feeling left behind. 

Justin laughs again and nods. "Okay. Lunch sounds good." Getting up, he helps Beth retrieve the little cooler and drinks, and finds a spot under a nearby tree for some shade. It isn't long before he's leaned back against the tree and chewing his sandwich thoughtfully. 

Looking to the side at Beth, he gives just a little sigh. He really did feel like an idiot. First for waiting so long, then for things he wanted to say not coming out right. He knew now his feelings were true though. He had just been too scared to admit it. And now... would she choose Zach? He would still be her friend no matter what but... it would hurt, and the only one to blame would be himself.

Shifting his eyes back to the pond he watches the dogs try to catch a frog. "Kinda hot today but not too bad," he muses. "Thanks for coming along."

Hunter pulls into the Elite parking lot, taking note that Katie's car was here. He should have called but... maybe he just wanted to see if she'd hang out if he showed up. She had to have a lunch break sometime today, right? And it was close to noon.

This morning had been a rough one, mentally. Hunter had seen Kyle from a distance at the grocery store and it hadn't done much good for his emotions. Not that he cared... but... he did... maybe. Regardless, he had no idea why he had then thought about having lunch with Katie. Or maybe he did. Maybe he knew what a good distraction she was from his problems. Or sounding board. Or both. Maybe.

Killing the engine, he parks his bike and removes his helmet. It was a bit strange being here - where he'd been arrested and held. Yet his overconfidence convinced him that he was just fine walking in here.

Entering the building was too easy, and he knew there most be cameras or something to keep an eye on who was coming and going. Going down a level and getting to the main floor, his eyes scan the cubicles. Come to think of it, he wasn't sure where Katie was supposed to be.

Wandering forward, he nods to a few people who look at him, as if he belonged there.

Jason comes out from the hallway, eyes down on some paperwork that he needed to take to Katie. Another day had passed without much spoken between them, and he knew he needed to make things right, even if he used paperwork as an excuse to go to her cubicle. Not paying enough attention, he just about runs into somebody, but is able to stop short. "Whoa. Sorry."

"No problem." Hunter shakes his head. "I wasn't paying much attention myself."

Jason cocks his head, wondering who this guy was. "Can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah, maybe. I'm looking for Katie."

"Katie?" Jason's eyes narrow slightly. "And you are...?"

"Hunter Maxwell." He grins. "You guys have a file on me, I'm sure."

Jason blinks. This was Hunter? This was the Hunter that Kyle had told him about before? And now Katie's newest friend? Interesting. Jason keeps ill feelings in check and offers his hand. "I'm Jason."

Hunter's eyebrows rise. Of all people for him to run into. This was rather interesting. He accepts the handshake though. "Katie's famous boyfriend."

"Famous?"

"Well, to her." Hunter grins.

"Mm." Jason didn't know if that was a compliment or not. "Come on. I'll take you to her desk." Leading the way, he heads to Katie's cubicle, knocking on the wall. "Hey. This paperwork's for you and... you've got a visitor."

Hunter smiles and leans on the wall. "Looks like my lack of calling first may have bit me in the butt. I was gonna see if you wanted to do lunch but..." He eyes Jason then Katie again. "I don't want to intrude." Or get his brains beat out for asking Katie to lunch with her boyfriend standing two feet away.

Jason swallows hard. He and Katie had no plans. As as matter of fact, they'd had no plans since their argument two days ago. His eyes wander toher , wondering what she would say. He recalled his conversation with Con yesterday. "Actually... Katie and I are going out to lunch." Though he spoke to Hunter, his eyes move to Katie. "That is, if she's going to say yes to me."

Hunter quirks an eyebrow and straightens, unsure about the strange tension he felt. He really did need to work on his timing.

Help

Looking back at her grandfather Victoria face still remained without emotion. She wondered who Harkens really was and why someone would of been after him. Her grandfather said he would be a nice addition, but why?

   "Who was Harkens?"

A trader sounded about right for this situation but who would dare? Inside there own home, so close to Medridge? Who had the gut for that.  They always checked there people, double checked them and made sure they were clean. Even the ones they held close did not get special treatment. It made little sense but so much at the same time.

   "If you need help with the investigation let me know. I can help."

Laughing and shaking her head again she couldn't help but find the humor in the whole thing. Just seeing Justin standing there fishing pole in hand dripping wet it was almost like Beth could see the little kid in him wanting to just let go, be silly, and have fun. That made her smile even a little more.

   "Sleeping it wet clothing will make you a prune and don't worry my lips are sealed. Though I don't know about the dogs they might slip."

Sitting up again and shaking her head Beth new she was being silly but it felt good and she new Justin wouldn't mind at all. Having a little harmless fun was not a big deal.

   "How about we eat while you dry and the fish calm down?"

 

Traitor

Though Medridge greets Victoria with a returned kiss to the cheek, he only grunts a reply to her question. Pacing around behind his desk, he taps his cane on the floor as he thinks. "No... no luck yet. But I believe it was Harkins the shooter was after. He would have been a nice addition to our... establishment." 

Shaking his head, a look of disgust crosses his face. "It's bothering me too, and I think Dirk is right. I think we have a traitor in our midst." 

He studies Victoria for a moment, his eyes seeming to pierce into her soul. "Be wary, Granddaughter. Without knowing, even these halls are dangerous. Those closest to us may not be trusted." 

Garret lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His side throbbed, his head hurt and he felt hot all over. But his mind was still at work. What had happened last night? Why? Had it been a ploy? Distraction? Attempted murder? But why here? Why now? To whose benefit? These were all things he'd like to know so he could better do his job and remain on top of things. 

"Aw, cut it out," he growls at a nurse as she mops his forehead. 

"You're burning up," she chides. "We need to cool you down." 

"Then how about a cold bath instead of you flitting about every moment?" 

"I'm following orders."

"Aren't we all..." Garret grimaces as she checks his bandages. All he wanted right now was to get out of here. 

Justin smirks and looks down at his wet self. "Yeah... you could be right. But this is my favorite rod and reel." Which was now also dripping  wet. 

Trudging up out of the water, he flops down in the grass on his back and squints up at the sun. "Gonna have to wait for the fish to calm down now," he muses. "A nap sounds alright though. Not that I like relaxing in wet clothes." 

Giving Beth a sidelong glance, he grins then starts to laugh. "You better not tell anybody about this."