Coward

Wrapping his arms around Beth, Justin hugged her tight. If only an embrace could take away the pain. The sorrow. The injustice. But it couldn't. No matter how closely he held her, it wouldn't take any of this away. It wouldn't fix anything. And it wouldn't remove the despair clinging to the very depths of his soul. For he had caused this pain. Just letting Beth cry into his shoulder though, he withheld his own emotions. For now, she was his priority.

Seeing Jamie, he gave her a nod. "I'd like it if you and Pete spent the night," he answered quietly. "I have some things I need to share with you." Gently, he prompted Beth down the hallway to one of the spare rooms. "Come on," he encouraged. "It'll be okay. Just change into something comfy and crawl under the covers." He kissed the top of her head and brushed some tears from her cheek. "I'll be back in just a few minutes. I won't leave you."

But for the moment, he needed to. And he would rather let the others know what was really going on without Beth present. He couldn't tell her to her face...not yet. Slipping back into the hall, he returned to the living room. His mother looked at him with worried question. Pete wandered in from the kitchen, also sensing something more was up than he knew, and he took up his stance next to Jamie.

"I'm pretty sure the threat is over for now," Justin admitted. He hoped Beth would stay in her room and wouldn't overhear. "I received a message that confirmed Beth's sister was the second target and...knowing the Agency, they'll let me take time to lick my wounds before attacking again, so..." He pursed his lips, desperately trying not to show how much pain he was in. "Anyway, I'd feel better if you stayed the rest of the night just to be sure nothing else happens." It was already almost one o'clock in the morning. "I'm assuming Jared will be back soon as well - possibly Grace. So a few extra eyes won't hurt until tomorrow when things are more clear."


Rick nodded to Grace. “Of course. I think he’s a couple doors down on the left. As long as you don’t have any other discomfort, I think we’re done. You’re more than welcome to spend the night here in a room we’ve got set up, or I can take you and Jared back to his mother’s house. We have a couple agents stationed there already so you’d be safe. It’s completely up to you, though.” He gave her a reassuring smile, knowing that if the Agency stuck to their pattern, they wouldn’t use her anymore to get to Justin. They’d find something else, but for now, Grace was probably just as safe as she’d been before Justin got involved here. “You don’t need to be afraid. The worst is over.”

In the breakroom, Jared still sat alone. He’d aimed for the door several times, but had never made it all the way into the hall. After Justin’s fast exit, he didn’t have much choice but to stick around here anyway, but facing Grace was a whole other subject to tackle. He really had treated her badly. He hadn’t liked the way she’d walked away from him when he’d fallen. He hadn’t liked it that she’d forced him to make it back to the house himself. He hadn’t liked it that she’d proven a point while he’d felt humiliated. But he also knew good and well she’d only been trying to help. And he might never admit it, but being forced to take care of himself had only proven that he could – painful as it had been. The words he’d spoken to her in anger had been uncalled for…and he was sorry. She could have been killed…and his last words to her would have been hurtful ones. What must she think of him?

His hands gripped his chair’s wheels again, but he remained frozen in place. What did it say about him that he couldn’t even go see her when she’d just had one of the most traumatizing experiences of her life? Maybe he was more of a coward than he thought.


"...And what, you mind that we've got one less Agency operative to worry about?" Jason slipped off his boots and looked at Wyatt who remained stood in the doorway after escorting him home.  

Wyatt was still worked up after his brief confrontation with Garret, and fiddled with his car keys. "It's not that. It's the fact he just executed a guy with no apparent reason. Sure he was a bad guy. But not only did Garret snap his neck, he also lied to us about what happened, and that makes the whole thing even worse in my book. But apparently he can get away with whatever he wants just 'cause he's got my dad scared."

Jason sighed and folded his arms. It was super late. He was tired. He was annoyed he'd had to wait at the office so long just to be babysat on the way home. And he had no way to help Wyatt. "Garret mighta had some personal issue with that thug - who knows? Coulda been someone he'd rivaled for years. Or maybe even though the evidence doesn't add up, he really did feel he didn't have an option but to kill the guy. I agree his behavior is questionable, but I'm also sure your dad will deal with it in his own time."

"But how can we-" 

Jason held up his hand to stop him. "Wyatt, my head hurts, I'm tired, and you're mad. Can we continue this conversation tomorrow?"

Wyatt clamped his mouth shut and shrugged. "Whatever. But mark my words - Garret is gonna cause trouble for all of us." 


Staring into Chad's eyes, Rosalyn felt a shiver run down her spine. There was no denying Chad's genuineness and honesty. She'd finally realized he was serious about them...but this sounded just about as serious as he could get without actually getting down on one knee. 

Her cheeks flushed as he gave him a small smile. "I kind of have a feeling I'm not ever going to get tired of you," she responded quietly. She leaned towards him and gave his lips a soft kiss. "And I can't promise I'll be perfect either." She gave him another kiss before leaning her forehead against his, and she brought a hand up to cradle the side of his face. "I would follow you to the moon," she whispered. "Just love me and don't let me fall."