Help

Jason dabbed his lip again before nodding. Katie was probably right. Carson was going through a lot right now, and though Jason was in the mix because of his history with Misty, he and Carson had, surprisingly, been pretty civil about the whole thing until today. 

"Well, just to be on the safe side, I think I'm gonna stay out of his way for a while."

Noting that his lip was beginning to stop bleeding, he sighed and looked around the hall, not liking all the tension in the air. He wanted to see Misty, but knew it would probably be best to wait a while. He glanced back down at Katie and quirked an eyebrow. "You...wanna go check out the cafeteria with me? Grab a coffee or donut or something?" 


Alec appreciated Misty’s words, and the fact that she didn’t blame him – whether he still blamed himself or not. But when she mentioned another Banks, he couldn’t help the chill that ran down his spine. Surely she didn’t blame Carson for this…did she? He supposed if she really wanted to trace the steps back, she could wind up blaming him – after all, it was obvious this was the Agency’s doing, and had Carson been honest in the first place, perhaps everyone would be in a different place now. But even then, it was all just guesswork. Carson hadn’t called the thugs to come to the house. He hadn’t wanted the death of his unborn child. Yet…what Alec saw in Misty’s eyes now was something not easily thwarted. And he feared she really did hate Carson to the core.

Pushing aside those feelings, he returned a gentle squeeze to her hand, and forced the best smile he could. “Yeah…you get some rest, okay? I’ll let the others know to give you a break for a while.”

He stood, but still hesitated for a long moment, just looking down at Misty’s frail form. A terrible deed had been done here, and he could only hope that eventually, her heart’s pieces could be glued back together again. But sitting around and waiting was no way to accomplish justice. “I’ll see you again soon.”

Heading out into the hall, he almost ran into Reese. “Whoa. Sorry.”

“How’s she doing?”

Alec shook his head. “Not good. Okay. But not good. She needs to rest now. I said I’d keep the visitors away for a bit.” His eyes met Reese’s for a long, silent moment.

Reese cocked his head. “What is it?”

“Let me help. Please.” Alec’s voice was wrought with emotion. “I know…I screwed up. A lot. And I’m sure I’m not welcome anywhere near the Elite office, but…”

Reese’s eyes narrowed. “What are you asking?”

“Let me help find who did this. I can’t just stand idly by while everyone else is on task. Just…I promise I won’t cause any trouble.” His eyes begged Reese. “Can I just have access to a computer at the office? Let me dig a little for the sake of the case?”

Reese let out a long sigh, his expression one of mixed anguish for the situation, and mercy towards the young man. “I can’t promise everyone will be enthusiastic about your presence – know that. But yes – I’ll allow you back to the Elite base for the duration of this case.”

Alec struggled to contain his emotions. “Thank you. I’d like to get started right away.”

“Tomorrow. You need to be on your game. Rest, and give your head a few more hours to heal. Then come to the office in the morning….”


…To say it was strange to be here this morning would be a severe understatement. But motives were such that they would not keep Alec away. He stared at the Elite door for a few minutes before finally entering, remembering Reese’s mild warning that he might not be welcomed here.

Making his way across the main floor, it felt so familiar, yet so awkward at the same time. Though he could feel others looking at him, he made eye contact with no one, and was glad no one spoke to him. It wasn’t until he’d reached Sapphire’s cubicle that he stopped.

He hesitated before knocking on the short wall. It had been a long time since he’d seen her, let alone talked to her. “Um…Reese said he’d let you know I was coming… He thought it would cause less of a…disturbance…than working with your brother.” He gave Sapphire a bit of an awkward smile. “I…guess I just need a laptop and somewhere to sit.”


Scott leaned back in his chair and chewed on the inside of his lip as he watched the security camera screen he’d just pulled up on his computer. With all that had happened to Misty, horrors of being attacked were again fresh in his mind, making it hard to concentrate. Seeing Alec now, with his sister no less, made it even more difficult.

A wave of nausea forced him to regret having indulged on beef jerky for breakfast. Though his overall health had improved with time, his stomach remained quite sensitive, which was more irritating than anything, especially since his two favorite things – jerky and Mountain Dew – didn’t always agree with him. Not that it kept him from consuming them anyway though.

He finally reached to his keyboard and closed the window, trying to get his mind back on task with Dalton as they hunted for clues as to who had attacked Misty. “Find anything on the satellite surveillance footage?” 


“I’m pleased with your progress.” JT tucked his stethoscope in his pocket and folded his arms before offering Misty a gentle smile. He knew that it was her spirit that had been damaged the most, but he had to remain positive about her physical condition.

“I can’t say yet how long you’ll be here, but I’m confident that with a little time, you’re going to be fine. You just need lots of rest.” He glanced back towards the door. “I’ve…limited the number of visitors for now, because I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed, even when friends mean well. But, um...” He hesitated, but he’d made a promise to at least ask. “Carson…he hasn’t left since he got here and he wanted me to ask if you’d see him. It’s your call and no one else’s.”


Garret felt a new little pang in his heart, but he hid it well, just like always. Yet if one looked closely – very closely – in his eyes, they might see a flicker of dimness that was beginning to spread like black ink in a crystal pool. It had already begun to cloud his perspective on life. It had already begun to cloud his spirit.

“Feeling badly isn’t allowed.” He set aside his weapon and retrieved a rag to slowly clean off his hands. His voice held an icy edge, that might create fear in someone who didn't know him. His eyes continued to drift about, not landing on anything or anyone for more than a moment or two at a time.

“And even if it was allowed, all it does is create room for more pain.” He stood in preparation to clean up his mess and return the weapons to where they belonged. But he first dared to find Victoria’s gaze. “Yet your feelings also prove you’re still human, not yet molded completely into the monster’s robot. And that humanity…is why I love you.”