Continuing the Story

Volume 3 is here.

Couch

Hearing about Garret, a look of horror came to Laura's face. She sank down on the couch next to Nate, feeling as though she'd just been kicked in the gut. She could not even begin to imagine being a child brought up in the Agency, let alone being there because their parents had sold them. Actually sold them. Not even abandoned them, but taken money for them. How could an innocent child's parents do something so despicable? "That's...that's awful," she whispered.

Drawn into Nate's lap, she wrapped her arms around him and put her head on his shoulder. She had felt for Garret before, knowing he'd had a rough life. But now she had a completely different perspective, and one that was full of compassion...and an anger for how he'd been treated. Several tears escaped and she nuzzled even closer into Nate. 

Learning of Justin, it made more sense now, why Garret had appeared so upset. It must have been a horrible experience today, bringing to light what must have bee one of his greatest hurts. "You were right to bring him here," she assured softly. "No wonder he's acted so awkward around us... I mean, I imagined he hadn't had much of a family life, being in the Agency and all, but I didn't realize how severe it was." She drew back to see Nate's face, and gently wiped away his tear. "I lost my parents when I was seven...but I had a brother who fought with all his might to keep me, and an aunt and uncle who have always been there. Maybe I've just always taken family for granted. I thought Garret was awkward playing UNO last night just because he probably hasn't played many games. But I never stopped to think that half of it was probably him just trying to figure out how a loving family functions. It must be so foreign to him." 

She leaned back into Nate and sighed. "He needs to be loved so badly, but...he has so many walls. I understand more of why now, but...there's got to be a way. He probably thinks if he trusts us, we'll just end up abandoning him too. If his own parents did..." A fresh tear came to her eye. "No wonder he was so upset when he lost Victoria. She was probably the only good thing he had to hang onto for who knows how long." Another sigh. "Do you think he'll join us later, or is it bad enough he's gonna be hibernating?"


Adison's comment about being married made Kirk's eyes widen, and for just a split second, his laughter stopped, before resuming again. "Uh-huh. Either that, or she'd probably just believe the married part. You're here often enough." He slid his foot over to nudge her leg. "Not that I mind," he assured quickly. Too quickly. His face grew hot and he was glad the lights were off. He cleared his throat. "Let's avoid any more couch escapades though." And his face grew even warmer. "That didn't sound...oh... I didn't mean..." 

Standing quickly, he grabbed the pizza box. "I'm gonna go put this away before pizza crumbs get all over," he announced as he headed to the kitchen.

Explode

Thinking about to the time when that happened Adison couldn't help but start laughing too. That silly old woman across the hall had things so wrong in her head she felt bad just letting her just believe it. But it was impossible to try and write her mind when she wouldn't take two seconds to listen to either of them. 

   "She might have been right and I might have screamed a little. I didn't mean to flip the couch over and it scared the crap out of me."

Seeing the whole thing in her head Adison couldn't help but laugh herself along with Kirk. The whole thing had been silly and she didn't even know what it had started over. It was more than likely something silly that was very unimportant.

    "Oh my...that lady has some wild imagination. One day we should just tell her we are married, but I still dont live here. Watch her head explode."

Coming in the house and seeing Laura Nate new she would be able to see by the look on his face the day had not been good at all. Going into the living room and sitting down Nate ran a hand over his face and threw his hair. He didn't even know where to start with this.

   "I don't even know what fully happened. Justin was in a session with Garret, and Justin completely snapped poking and proding, taunting Garret. Finally Garret had enough and...I new he had come to the agency young but..."

Nate was quiet for a second a tear rolls down his cheek. He didn't know how to take this whole thing, and he felt...terrible. He new all he could do was be there like he had been for Garret, but he wished he could take that pain away.

   "..this. His parents sold him to the Agency. He lived, breathed the agency since he was way younger than I thought. He didn't have a choice, he never had a family...he was just thrown there and told to survive."

Nate shook his head and leaned back pulling Laura into his lap just holding her. He didn't know how parents could do that to there child. The little people they were meant to protect, be there for and love. He just didn't get it. Not to mention the whole thing with Justin he just didn't understand.

   "Justin was just different today too...he didn't bring the information out of Garret, he ripped the wound open. I'm happy Garret came home with me. I didn't think he would, but I think at the moment this was the best place for him at the moment."
 

Too much

Though it didn't show, Garret was just a bit surprised Nate was asking him to go home again. He'd maybe said it earlier, but it hadn't registered. He would still allow it? 

No...no, he was far from ready to go with him, but that was his only other option right now. Without even looking at Nate or responding, he simply started for the parking lot and got into Nate's car. The whole ride back to the house, he remained completely silent. It was a different silence than his usual rebelliousness though. It was a silence that was completely necessary if Garret was going to maintain any control at all. His mind was far away - too far for anyone else to see. Over and over and over again, he saw himself in that dark place, screaming as his parents left without him, not understanding anything that was being said, and leaving behind that stupid teddy bear.

As soon as Nate parked the car at the house, Garret got out before he'd even shut off the engine. And as he stepped up on the porch, the first tear escaped. The dam was collapsing and he wasn't strong enough to hold it together any longer. Not when this house represented safety, where walls naturally came down. Going inside, he made a beeline for the bedroom and shut the door. 

Having been straightening up the living room, Laura looked up in surprise as the door opened, and was about to say hi to Garret, but the look on his face made her stop. Not that she had time to say anything anyway - before she could hardly blink, she heard the bedroom door being closed. Wandering cautiously forward, she waited for Nate to appear, giving him a look of confusion. "What.. was that...?" There had been no mistaking the look of tears in Garret's eyes, which rather frightened her. "Is he okay?"

In the bedroom, Garret hadn't bothered taking off his boots, and was already lying in bed, curled up tightly on his side, his arms wrapped just as tightly around the pillow that muffled the sounds of his sobs. He couldn't stop it...he just couldn't stop it any longer. Thirty years of not being allowed to mourn, and it was finally too much to bear. 


Kirk snorted and finished stuffing the last bite of pizza in his mouth. "Why should I clean under there? Nobody ever sees it. I mean...other than that time we tipped it over." The memory made him laugh. They'd gotten just a bit rowdy and had totally flipped the couch over. Thankfully nothing had been broken. Although the one corner leg had wobbled slightly ever since. 

His laughter increased. "Remember the crash was so loud that Mrs. Trindelmire came over and pounded on the door until I answered? She swore she heard screaming and was gonna call the cops." His eyes started to water and his face grew more red as he laughed. "Then the...the look on her face when she saw you...peeking up over the upturned couch... I never want to know what she was thinking really happened."

Home

Watching Garret leave the room Nate looked back to Reese and Justin. Giving a little shake of his head he new it was best to take Garret home now for everyone sake. He couldn't help the feeling in his stomach he had though. All Garret had been through, he'd never asked for it, he never wanted it, he never had a choice. It made Nate's heartache. 

Passing his desk Nate grabs some paperwork and heads outside. Seeing Garret leaning against the wall. Heading over to him his face was soft, not angry. This was wasn't Garret's fact and even if he hadn't reacted the way he did, Nate didn't blame him.

   "I wont ask if you are ok, because right now I can't imagen you are. So I'll just ask if you are ready to go home? Laura should have lunch ready for us, and Maggie wont be home for a few hours so we can just relax."

Draping her arms over Kirk's legs Adison just sits there for a moment a giggles. She had to harass him every once in a while about his cleaning skills. If she didn't he'd think something was wrong and she just couldn't have that.

   "Maybe a little of both? You know..."

Throwing the pepper at him she laughed again ducking out from under his feet and jumping back to her spot on the couch. She was going to tell Kirk if he had a woman in his life maybe they would clean for him but she though maybe it better if she didn't. Kirk might get an idea, and than there friendship would be different.

   "...You know I like to do that. So yeah..clean under your couch" 

Out of control

Kirk rolled his eyes as Adison went hunting for the topping, and purposely kept himself in the way just to be a pain. "Hey, what's under my couch is my own business...not that...I even know what's under there." Because no, he never cleaned underneath it.

As she sat up, he shifted around quickly and draped his legs over her shoulders like a roller coaster harness, locking his ankles to hold her in place. "You dissing my cleaning skills? Huh?" He wriggled his fingers on her head. "Or are you just looking for a fight?"


Garret didn't even hear Nate's first order. He increased the pressure on his arm, his eyes still glaring at Justin as he started to choke him out.

Justin tried to break free, but without any training, he had no recourse, and was completely at Garret's mercy. His eyes were angry and frightened both - he'd made a mistake and he was paying for it now.

Suddenly realizing Nate was there and talking to him, the words finally got through to Garret. He could finish what he'd started...or walk away now with at least a slight chance he wouldn't pay too dearly for this. Though his emotions were out of control, he finally released Justin.

So close to passing out, Justin crumpled to his knees, gasping for breath. Reese had been right behind Nate, and now went to Justin to make sure he was alright.

Garret took a step back and looked down at them before swinging his gaze to Nate. And he knew. Not only had the most vulnerable part of his soul been revealed, but Justin hadn't been the only witness. Reese knew, and so did Nate. It was public now. And that made the wound even more raw. Keeping a lid on his hatred for this place, he said nothing, but stalked out of the room.

Reese knelt next to Justin on the floor. "You okay?"

Justin managed a nod, though he was still coughing. "Yeah," he managed hoarsely. "I think so."

"What in the world were you doing?" Reese shook his head in bewilderment. "I have never seen you go at someone like that - and Garret, of all people! Did you want to die?"

Justin finally sat up to lean back against the wall, regaining most of his breath now. "I dunno." He shrugged lamely. "I didn't want to be in here in the first place - I told you that - and I'd just had enough of this whole thing."

"Well great, but what about Garret now? That wasn't just anger I saw." Even Reese had recognized that. He'd never forget that look in Garret's eye. It had been so...painful. "Is he alright?"

Justin caught Reese's eye. In reality...he didn't know. "I hope so." He knew good and well that the emotional scab he'd just ripped off hadn't been ready. Just like a physical wound that wasn't ready to be picked at, Garret was bleeding...and bleeding badly. Justin had seen it in is eyes, and it was no one's fault but his own. "I messed up...you'll be lucky if he ever trusts anyone around here again, and...I take full responsibility. I just...got out of control."

Reese was not happy, as shown by his facial expression while he stood and offered Justin a hand up as well. "Who needs the counselor today?"

Justin recoiled slightly, gaining back his composure. "I'm done here, Reese. I told you that. I'm not going to risk any more lives just by being here." He might have wounded Garret today, but he was wounded himself, whether he wanted to admit it or not, and the only reason he got mad was because Garret had pushed his own buttons first. But he never should have allowed that to happen. He was better than that. And he'd failed.


Garret didn't break stride as he headed for the main floor and aimed for the door. There was no way he was going to stay here today. On top of everything else, in the pit of his stomach he knew he'd pay for this day. Reese was going to be furious that he'd physically acted out again. He would be lucky if he didn't get put back downstairs in the cell, and he'd even be luckier if Nate let him return to his home. That wasn't the worst thought though. This little episode could be the last straw, having him eliminated from the Elite scene altogether.

Once outside, he finally stopped to breathe. He couldn't remember when he'd felt so emotionally out of control. Without warning, his legs felt like they would give out, and he turned to lean against the wall, only to find that his hands were trembling as well. He couldn't shake the images from his mind...the images of that day so long ago. He'd always been able to keep them buried and locked safely away...until today. Until Justin had so brutally ripped it all to the surface. Why had he done that? And why did it hurt so much? Only now did he realize that he was short on breath as his subconscious desperately tried to remain in control. He couldn't break. He was stronger than that. But the crack had been formed, and there was little he was going to be able to do once that dam broke.

Pepper

Intensely watching the movie she had picked Adison new they both had seen it a million times but they were creatures of habit and always came back to the movies they loved. Enjoying the pizza Adison was just quiet till Kirk said something about the topping that fell on the floor. Looking to Kirk, and than to the floor, than to Kirk again she was still quiet as he pushed the rest of her pizza crust in her mouth.

   "Are you making a mess again? Dress you up but can't take you out can I?"

Scooting off of the couch Aidson gets down on her hands and knees looking for what as dropped. Bumping into Kirk's legs several times she trys to push them out of the way. Finally finding it she holds it up in the air before sitting up and leaning her head on Kirk's knee.

   "I found it...it was a pepper. By the way...you have a lot of crap under your couch. Do you ever clean under there?"

Watching the whole thing unfold Nate could hardly believe what was going on. Justin was being more pushy than normal, he was agitating Garret, did he have a death wish of his own. He didn't understand why he was doing this. Was it because of everything that was going on in his life?

Hearing about Garret's past Nate stood a little taller. He couldn't believe it...he new Garret had joined the Agency young but to be sold that was a completely different story. He couldn't imagen how he must feel.  Hearing Reese order Nate moved quickly.

   "Garret let go of Justin."

Nate came over to bother of them and stood infront of Garret so he could see him. He hoped he could get through to him at this moment. 

   "Come on Garret...we are going home...let him go, he's not worth going to jail for. Let him go."

Sold

Kirk lifted an eyebrow at Adison’s suggestion. He’d kind of wanted to just go home and hit the hay early, but… How could he say no to eyes like that? And yet, how could he say yes and risk his own awkward self getting in the way? It just seemed to be harder and harder lately to keep his thoughts about Adison to himself, and she wasn’t helping any. 

“That sounds like a great idea.” Really? He inwardly rolled his eyes at himself. “I get to pick the pizza toppings…and you pick the movie.” It was usually a tradeoff one way or the other, and since both had similar tastes in food and movies, they both always ended up perfectly content…


…It was dark in the apartment, except for the television that played the action movie. The volume was turned up nice and loud, even putting Kirk on edge a few times, despite the fact that they’d both seen this one multiple times.

Sitting on one end of the couch, with Adison on the other and the pizza box between them, he took another bite of his slice, savoring the greasy cheese. Until a topping fell on the floor. But he couldn’t see it in the dark. “Oops…” He glanced over at her. “You didn’t see that, did you?”


Garret slid off the bed and stood as Nate came in, accepting one of the mugs of coffee. That actually sounded good this morning. “I’m okay,” he responded with a shrug. “On the mend, I think.” What was going to happen when he was completely over the flu? He didn’t want to admit it, but the thought of going back to the room at the Elite wasn’t all that appealing. It was what it was, though.

Sighing a little, he took a sip of coffee, then nodded to the door. “I’ll come with you. Ready when you are…”


...Garret was not happy to have been brought into the interrogation room. Again. He'd hardly been in the office ten minutes when Reese had told him to get in here for a new session. He was told it was just routine. Protocol. His evaluations weren't finished yet. And he wondered if they ever would be. He was too tired to fight it though. Remnants of the flu were still hanging on, and he didn't have enough energy to argue with Reese about this apparent necessity.

What he didn't know was that he was being watched again from the next room over. Reese wanted to see if there was any change, and he'd also asked Nate to join him so they both could observe.

Justin came into the room and shut the door, taking up his usual seat and setting his backpack down after retrieving his usual notepad. He wasn't happy to be in here. He'd just spent twenty minutes arguing with Reese about him quitting his work around here, but had been pressured into one more session with Garret. He'd told Reese this was it, though. "Garret."

Garret quirked an eyebrow. Something felt off. "Justin. Back for more pointless conversation, I see."

"Nope." Justin sighed. "Never pointless. But don't worry. You won't have to deal with me anymore after this."

Garret cocked his head. "Reese lightening up?"

"No. He'll probably have someone like Hope continue the evaluations. I'm pulling out." He jotted down a note. "So, how-"

"Wait. Pulling out? This have to do with your girlfriend's sister?"

Justin bristled. "Let's talk about you, not me."

Garret shook his head and frowned. "They got to you, didn't they? You're quitting because of the Agency."

"Garret, enough," Justin warned sternly. "I'm not here for your opinion on my personal matters."

"It's not personal." Garret sat back and scoffed. "It has to do with everything and everyone. You just let the Agency win, and you think they're gonna quit now? You think walking away is gonna take that target off your back?"

"And why in the world would you even care? Hmm?"

Garret shrugged. "I guess I really don't. I just figured you wrong, that's all."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you had more guts."

"Guts has nothing to do with it!" Justin's hand came slamming down on the table as his emotions erupted. He felt guilty enough the way it was without Garret's jabs. "I'm protecting those I love!"

Garret rocked back in his chair a little, not having expected the outburst. "You're not protecting anybody by letting the Agency win. They'll attack you if they want to, whether you're still here or not. You got involved, and that-"

"Enough!" Justin raised his voice. "You, of all people, have no right to judge how I handle the Agency."

Garret's eyebrows came down as his eyes narrowed. "Are you comparing your story to mine, or are you insinuating I'm still involved with the Agency?"

Justin tossed his pen aside, tired of this worthless banter. "Take it however you want. I'm tired of trying to help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Since you got here, all you do is insist on throwing your weight around, getting your own way, and thinking you're smarter than everyone else. Reese thinks I can get through to you, but he's never been more wrong."

As Justin's temper rose, Garret's automatically matched. "Then why am I wasting my time sitting here? Go. Quit. Live in blissful ignorance until the Agency attacks again. Then you'll just be right back here, but instead of trying to help me, you'll be asking for my help."

"Why should I ask you for help?" Justin grabbed his notepad and pen and stuffed them back in his bag. "You're nothing but a walking time bomb with the insides of a coward."

Garret stood quickly, the chair scraping the floor. His expression had turned into a glare. "You better have an awfully good reason for calling me a coward."

Too worked up to be sensible, Justin stood to face him, equally angry. "What? Like you don't already know? How many times have we sat here with you refusing to talk to me, huh? You're so scared of the past, you can't even look at it, let alone face it and deal with it."

"My past is none of your business! I'm here because of the present and that's all I care about!"

"And that's your problem!" Justin threw his hands up in the air. "You walk around all high and mighty because you can tear a guy's head off in the blink of an eye. But in reality, you're not even in control of your own life. You may have walked away from the Agency. You may have decided to defect. You may have taken your own path and defied the system. Well, good for you." He clapped mockingly. "But all that isn't worth squat because in reality, you've got the biggest daddy issues of anyone I know, and you're too weak to admit it."

Garret's eyes darkened and he straightened, his hands becoming fists at his sides. "Don't go there." His voice had turned to ice.

"Why not?" Justin wasn't done yet. He'd never been able to figure out what Garret's real problem was about the past, but now he'd latched on to the fear in his eyes and wasn't going to let go. "Still scared, huh? You can't face some little issue in your past. What happened, huh? Your daddy yell too much at you when you were a kid? Was he Agency too? Maybe that's why you hate them so much."

"Shut up!" Garret barked. "You have no right."

"No right for what? Words getting to you, tough guy? Maybe it wasn't your daddy at all. Maybe it was your mommy. What's got you so scared, Garret? All I see is a coward who can't handle the truth."

"I'm not a coward!" Garret could feel his pulse racing and his head getting hot. Memories of that fateful day as a child flashed through his mind, bringing on the same severe pain he'd tried to get rid of all these years.

"Then prove it!" Justin shouted. "Or are you even man enough?"

“You will never understand the things I’ve been through,” Garret hissed. “Just because I don’t want to tell an arrogant jerk like you about it does not make me a coward!”

“So prove it!” Justin repeated. “Go on! Tell me what poor little Garret must have gone through to make him such a mean, nasty assassin.”

“No!”

“See?! You can’t handle it!”

“I can handle anything I want!”

“Can’t prove it by me!”

“I don’t have to!”

“You won’t ever make it out here in this world until you man up and face your past.” Justin’s face was just inches from Garret’s. “Until then, I have to assume you were just a spoiled brat who didn’t get his way and so he found the Agency where he could act out.”


On the other side of the two-way mirror, Reese gave Nate a leery glance. What was Justin doing? This was not his normal style, and he looked just about as worked up as Garret. Should they interfere or just let it go? He opted to let it go for now. He trusted Justin.


Garret didn’t know if his head hurt because he’d been sick or because his blood pressure was just that high. “I didn’t choose the Agency!”

“You said you weren’t born there! Was that a lie or was this a lie? Make up your mind, Garret!”

“I didn’t choose them!” Garret repeated loudly.

“Then how did you end up there?! Fairies didn’t drop you off!”

“My parents sold me to the Agency!” As soon as the shouted words left Garret’s mouth, the very truth of them hit him harder than they ever had before. Saying it out loud…actually uttering those words…it was very different than simply thinking them over in his mind. And it hurt. It hurt more deeply than the matter ever had before. And that hurt quickly fanned the flames of his anger. “I was five years old!” He grabbed Justin’s collar and slammed him back up against the wall. “I wasn’t supposed to remember!” he yelled. Tears glistened in his reddening eyes, but he had too much determination to let them actually fall. “But I do! I remember every single moment of my mother begging those men for the money and my father gladly walking away. The abandoned me because the price was right!”

Justin tried to pull Garret’s hands away, but it was no use. Had he been using his head, he never would have taunted him like he had. He’d known there was pain there, but he’d poked and prodded anyway, and now the truth was out – and it was harsher than Justin had imagined. But he was still upset. “Let me go,” he ordered. “Just because your parents did that does not give you the right to shove me around now!”


Reese, though shocked by what he’d just learned, did not like the look in Garret’s eye. This had gone too far, and it was obvious that Justin was not in control of the situation. “Let’s go,” he told Nate with just a bit of fear. “Get Justin out of there before Garret kills him.”


“You may not be responsible for what happened,” Garret hissed, shifting so his forearm now pressed into Justin’s throat to cut his air off. “But you like causing just as much damage as my parents do, and for that, you deserve what you get.”

Good Morning

Coming down the hall with two cups of coffee in two travel mugs Nate smiled seeing Garret awake. He wasn't sure if he was coming with him or not, but he hoped so. He new that Laura would be ok if he was only gone a little while but it would make him feel better. Not to mention Reese would be happy knowing that Garret was in fact still around and hadn't flown the coop.

   "Good Morning! Got some coffee for you if you are going to head into the office with me. I wont be there long only a few hours. How are you feeling this morning?"

Giving a thoughtful sign Adison nodded her head. She remembered going over Gunner's folder with Kirk. Everything he said was true about him. She wished there was another way though because it did seem like he was a good Agent to have, but at the moment as Kirk had said Gunner was a lose cannon and that just wasn't safe. 

   "I can understand why they don't want him there anymore. I know Reese wont be happy but he cant deny Gunner is a liability and if someone gets hurt because he goes off...that wont be good."

Adison could see how tired Kirk was, or at least tired of work in his eyes. Honestly today hadn't been the best day for her. Nothing horrible went wrong but she just couldn't get her mind to focus on what needed to be done. Maybe it was because Kirk wasn't around but mentally she felt tired.

   "Sounds like a work date to me. How about pizza and a movie tonight?"

Tiger

Kirk sat back in his chair while his fingers fiddled with his water glass. "I hadn't thought about that building. Good idea. I definitely want to check it out. I really think the Elite can improve with workflow if they had a better set up. Different office spaces... open area kind of like what we're doing instead of cubicles. Most of them are empty anyway since they downsized. They really were quite big with a far reach a few years ago. Now though... oh well. At least they're still fighting to survive."

He thought for a moment about her original question. "The agent they want to get rid of is Brent. Gunner. He's one loose canon. That was his file we went through that talked about him getting into all that trouble trying to find his parents' killers when there's probably no killers at all." He rolled his eyes. "Good agent. Lacks the sense to follow rules though. There's just no denying his history and the risks he's taken. He's seen multiple counselors but can't seem to let go of phantom bad guys. Not saying he's crazy but...I'm not sure he's got quite a full set of marbles either. I'm not sure I'd boot him off the team but... the board wants to flex their muscles, so they figure the best way to do that is force the Elite's hand in some way. In this case, they chose to target an agent. If Reese refuses, the Elite will go down. He won't have a choice, and neither will Gunner."

Kirk didn't like handling things that way. If Gunner really was a problem, he'd prefer to help fix that problem rather than just eliminating him altogether. But the board wasn't going to budge. "Anyway..." He sighed. "To be honest, I really don't want to work anymore tonight. So...we can plan tomorrow night if you want?"


Justin just nodded, and let Beth start the movie again. He really didn't want to talk about it any more right now. What was done was done, they were both upset, and both needed to just rest tonight. Tomorrow he'd go in to the Elite to see Reese, enforce his decision to be done there, and then he'd have to talk to Beth once the whole shock of everything had worn off. Only then would she see that joining the Elite was not the answer. 

Settling down on the couch, he kept his arm around her for the rest of the movie. This was just a bad day. It would all pass. Eventually. It had to. 


Laura nodded her agreement with Nate's observations. "He's so different with Maggie. I would never guess he was anything but gentle and kind." She thought for a moment. "Then when he gets upset or scared... I don't know. It feels like having a pet tiger. As nice as that cat can be, it's still wild and you just can't ever trust it a hundred percent. I want to trust Garret...and I don't think he'd hurt any of us on purpose. But he just has this look in his eye every once in a while that's like this little reminder to tread lightly." 

She nuzzled in a little closer to get warm. "I'm not scared of him. I just want what's best for everybody. But I agree... I know there's hope. No one is a lost cause. Not even him..." 


...Morning. By the time Garret heard stirring upstairs, he'd already been awake, showered and dressed for an hour, and was now sitting on his bed with the room's door open. He could feel his body still fighting to get well, but there was more improvement today. He really didn't want to go in to the Elite with Nate. But he also knew without anyone saying so, that since Nate had to leave, it would be best that he go too. And after last night...maybe there was a part of him that didn't want to jeopardize whatever it was he'd gained. He didn't even know what it was. But it was something that had felt...good. As long as he could return with Nate later, he'd go to appease him, and probably Reese, whom he was sure did not like this arrangement at all, even if Nate said he was fine with it. 

Jefferson

   "I dont think Reese will be happy with Agent being taken off the field. I feel like that's going to be the biggest challenge at the moment. Who and why do they want that?"

Adsion grinned leaving the gummy worm for now and coming back to work at hand. Her mind worked around everything he said and started to process and come up with plans. Moving her noodles around on her plate she puts her fork down. She'd have to take the rest of the meal home she was just to full at the moment.

   "Files, I love going through files. You know me...its interesting to pick them apart. I think we should skip the all nighter though. I dont think my brain can handle another one of those."

As the waiter came over Adison asked for a cup of coffee as she smiled and waited for him to leave again. Looking back to Kirk she thought for a moment before sitting a little straighter remembering something. 

   "I'm not sure what kind of new place for the Elite you are looking for but there is that building over on Jefferson that's for rent. It's big enough, I'm not sure about the inside though. Might be worth checking out."

As Justin sits down again Beth just leans into him burying her face into his chest. She couldn't help the few more tears than ran down her cheek. Everything was so messed up right now, she didn't know what to feel and it all seemed to just clash together. 

   "Ok, I'm sorry I upset you. We can talk about it another time."

Leaning back a little she did her best to try and smile up at Justin. She hadn't meant to upset him she really hadnt and felt bad she did. Maybe everything was still to fresh and if they talked about it another day it would be better.

   "Lets finish the movie."

Putting his arms around Laura Nate just laid there for a long moment quiet. Tonight really had been different with Garret. It was a good different though he new that. But it was like his walls were slowly coming down or at least cracking. He was please with the progress, and happy that things hadn't backfired on him. From day one there had just been something about Garret he could tell was good.

   "I'm not one hundred percent sure about his past myself. I know he has been with the Agency young, much younger than Carson, or Alec. Whatever happened though it must have been hard. To grow up like that. Its all he knows, and how he thinks the world works. It's really sad when you think about it. I wish there was a way to give him his childhood back."

Garret's past was very clouded and Nate wondered if he was going to eventually have to work through that before moving on. His guess was yes, but he didn't know when Garret would have too. He felt bad but he was seeing progress and he liked what he said. At least they were going in the right direction.

   "Maggie sure does have that affect on him. I think thats one reason Garret is progressing the way he is. When he talks to her, helps her...I can just see a totally different guy. Thats why I can't give up. There is hope for him, I know there is."

Off the field

It took Justin several minutes to regain control, still alone in the kitchen. Today was just a bad day and it was almost over. Tomorrow would be better. This chapter in his life was done and it was time to move on. Deep down though...he didn't know how he was going to recover from this. Grace's kidnapping. Sarah's death. If he hadn't gotten involved with the Elite in the first place, those never would have happened. He'd been arrogant to never think those around him might be touched by the Agency's wrath. He'd been foolish to think he'd be exempt just because he wasn't on board full-time. And he'd found out the hard way that even the smallest involvement could result in torment. 

Taking another deep breath, Justin finally moved from the counter. The tears were back down at a safe distance, and his anger was subsiding. As he returned to the living room and saw Beth, a new wave of guilt was added on top of everything else. He was a horrible person. 

Coming back to the couch, he eased down next to her, and pulled her into a hug, just holding her close for a few quiet moments. "I'm sorry," he apologized gently. "I didn't meant to upset you. We'll talk about this another day, okay?" He kissed the top of her head. "You wanna finish the movie or just sit here?" He'd let her pick. She was priority right now. 


"Oh, not another gummy worm." Kirk gave her foot a light kick in return. "Took me forever to get that out of the carpet. I even almost cussed... almost." He grinned as he took another bite of steak. It was too bad this had to be a working dinner. They were a great team, but they always focused on work. Even if they goofed off, it never lasted long - the subject matter always came back around to work...as it should. He couldn't let his mind run away with itself or get distracted. Their jobs were their priorities, and besides, that's what they both had always wanted. Right? 

Had he just been staring at her again? He dropped his gaze and finished off his french fries. "Okay. So, remember all those files I had before?" He quickly moved back into work mode. "Multiply that by about ten and that's what I've got to work with now. What I wanna do is come up with at least three different plans of attack that I think would work, then give Reese those options. That way I'm not just bulldozing him into the ground. He's still going to be in charge...ish. I'll just be making sure we keep heading in a direction that the board will be satisfied with. So that's where I'll need your brain And..." He hesitated. "There's one agent they want off the field, and I'm going to have to come up with a good way to tell Reese that."


Garret lay in bed, but was far from sleep, even though he'd used the excuse of being tired to call it in before the rest of the family. It wasn't that he hadn't enjoyed the ice cream and game...there was a part of it that had struck a strange kind of fun inside of him. It was new. Different. But it felt just a little dangerous, too...because a wall or two had been forced to come down. And he wasn't sure if he really wanted that to happen or not. What was happening to him? 

Upstairs, Laura brushed out her hair before crawling into bed next to Nate and cuddling up to him to lay her head on his chest. She sighed with content and draped her arm around him to give him a little hug. "I think tonight went well," she mused quietly. "Garret seemed...almost human there a time or two." She paused as her mind was hard at work. "I know it's not my place and he'll never talk about it...but I can't help my curiosity about his past. What he's been through. Why he was at the Agency in the first place. The kind of soldier they were trying to make him into. He's so tough and hard...but sometimes I look at him and all I see is a little boy screaming to get out. He shuts down so quickly though." She shrugged. "He's too smart to manipulate... I can almost literally see the wheels turning sometimes. But I know he has a heart in there somewhere because of how Maggie can bring him out from behind his walls. Surely there's hope for him."

Carpet

Smiling again she gave a little nod. She really did loved when Kirk asked for her input. It made her feel good, not that Kirk ever made her feel bad, but that extra feeling of being valuable was nice. Taking a sip of her drink she sets it down her eyes twinkling.

   "I would be honored to come over and have you pick my brain. We'll see what we can come up with together."

Hearing his comment that had to do with the other night Adison couldn't mind but find his foot under the table and gave it a light tap. Really she wanted to reach over and wack his arm, reach over and....stopping her thoughts right there Adison new this was not the place, not to mention not how there friendship was, no matter how much she wished there was more.

   "You better watch it or I'll smash another gummy worm into the carpet."

Giving a jump as Justin got s upset Beth didn't exspect it to be that bad. Maybe have him be a little upset, but not as mad as her got. She just listened to him daring not to interrupt. She didn't know what to say. She had already thought about this, gone over the pros and cons and had come out with the same.

   "I just wanted to do something useful."

Beth whispered every so softly as Justin left the room. Just continuing to sit on the couch she didn't know what else to do. He was really upset, and she didn't want to upset him more this had been a crappy day to stay with.

Sinking down on the couch Beth just wraps her arms around herself and brings her knees to her chest. She wondered if Justin would be back, but she would wait. A single tear trickled down her cheek.

   "I'm sorry."

She whispered.

Wrestle

As Beth spoke, Justin sat up straighter and turned to look at her, his eyes going wide. "What? No." He shook his head emphatically. "That is completely out of the question."

He withdrew his arm and stared at her in disbelief. "The Agency kills people, Beth. It's what they do. Getting yourself killed isn't going to help, or bring your sister back. You may not have family to worry about, but you're what I've got...and I don't want to lose you." He took a deep breath and ran a hand over his tired face. "And whether you like it or not...this is my fault. I never should have gotten involved with the Elite in the first place. Take a lesson from me."

Getting up off the couch without warning, he trudged to the kitchen where he leaned on the counter to try and calm down before he lost his temper. He couldn't risk blowing up at Beth. Not now. Not in her state. But he was angry. Angry with the Agency. Angry with the Elite. Angry with himself. And he did know Sarah's death was his fault  nothing could change that.

Feeling the tears starting to surface, he took deep breaths, trying to stop them. This wasn't his time to mourn. It was Beth's. She needed him to be stronger than this. He had to be. His eyes scrunched shut tight as he teetered on the edge of losing it. No. Not now. 


Kirk laughed and nodded. "Yes. Please resume your habit of coming over. I just knew if you did it this last week, I never would have been able to keep my mouth shut 'cause I..." He stopped, his smile changing ever so slightly. "...I tell you everything." It was true. Keeping secrets from Adison was nearly impossible. She just always had such good perspectives and let him get things off his chest...he didn't know what he'd ever do without that.

His eyes dropped to his food as he cut another bite of steak. "Really though," he resumed talking about work, "I'll need some help deciding how to approach things, and I'll wanna pick your brain for some fresh ideas. It's not gonna be easy, but there are some changes I really think need to be made in order for this whole thing to work." He paused to chew while his brain shot off in another direction. "Actually...you wanna come over tonight? Hash things out? I need to come up with a written plan of action that has to be approved by the board before I can proceed and...I really could use youe help." He held up his hand. "And I promise not to be bossy...unless you get out of hand or something. I'm which case, I'll have to wrestle you to the floor again."

Only Family

Eating a bit more of her noodles Adison thought. They sure were going to have there hands full at the Elite and there was going to be adjustments all the way around and having Kirk as her boss. Maybe that was the only normal thing. They works well together so she didn't see it big deal. As much as she likes bwing in charge he still respected her enough and he opinions enough that it worked ok.

   "Hey, as long as you don't get to bossy I don't see a problem with it. I mean it might be a little odd at first, but I don't see a problem with it honestly. When we are one cases together already you pretty much take the lead. I'm just there to look good, and add and extra brain to see it from a different side."

Looking at Kirk for a long moment Adison processed her own look in her head. He was thinking about something but wasn't saying. The look he had...she wasn't quite sure. Maybe it was just her imagination and she was tired.

   "So...does this mean we can hang out again? I kinda miss just talking into your apartment and having the old lady across the way stair at me."

Maggie couldn't help but laugh at Garret's comment about his cards. This was one of her most loved games and playing it with Garret, she didnt know why was more fun the normal but it was. Maybe it was the small smile she herself cought here or there, or maybe it was gentil teasing, but she was enjoying him joining in with the family.

   "Once, I think Nate had almost the whole deck in his hand. His cards kept falling."

Nate rolls his eyes as he takes his next turn and skips Maggie's turn. She loved this game, and even if it was simple she was good at it. He loved spending time winning or losing with his family just enjoying the simple things. Having Garret here to enjoy it too. Looking at Laura he smiled putting his arm around her and kissing the top of her head.

   "There I saved you a little bit of pain Garret from Maggie this go around, but I dont know about the next turn."

As Justin comes back into the room Beth is just quiet. She'd paused the movie to make sure he didnt miss any of it. She'd heard his conversation and felt bad. She didn't want him to quit because he thought this was his fault.

   "Hey. Didn't miss anything I pauses it."

Leaning into Justin Beth leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt terrable today with the funeral. One step forward two back.

   "I wasn't meaning to ease drop but I heard you on the phone with with Reese. You shouldn't quit. This whole thing is not your fault it's the Agency's fault. Anyone could of been targeted."

Falling silent for a moment again she moved a little go look up at Justin. She wondered what he would think of what she was going to say next.

   "I...was thinking of seeing if I could work for the Elite...becaure it was the Agency's fault and I want to help do something usefully and take them down. They removes the only family I had left. I just...want to help."

Boss

The game was easy. Too easy. Garret really didn't understand what the whole point was. The only game he'd ever played had been poker and that definitely had had a point. But this? These people were even stranger than he'd thought, which was saying a lot. For Maggie's sake though, he kept his opinion to himself.

As the game went on, he saw laughter. Friendly competitiveness. Pride in each other. Happy losers. And by the time Maggie slapped down a Draw 4 card on him for the umpteenth time, he had to smile, roll his eyes and shake his head. He was beginning to see now that the point was not to win. Nobody really cared about that. The point was just...to be with each other and have fun. It was still foreign to him. Still something he didn't understand. But there was something...enticing about it. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but...it was part of...something bigger. Family. 

With a hand completely full of cards, he whacked Maggie softly upside the head with them and smirked. "You just wanted me to play so you could see how many cards I could hold." 

Laura grinned as she held only two cards, bouncing just a little to see if she could win this round. "You do seem to have quite a talent there." 

"Uh-huh." Garret leaned forward a little, quirking one eyebrow at her. "Let's see how much talent you have." He tossed down his own Draw 4 card.

Laura's jaw dropped. "You turkey!"

"Hey, don't blame me. Maggie's the one who taught me to play." 

"Sure." Laura started drawing cards. "I have a feeling you've known how be on the winning side longer than just this evening." As soon as she'd said it, she realized how it could be taken the wrong way, and her gaze snapped up at him. 

Seeing the horrified look on her face, his eyes narrowed slyly. "Oh, I've been known to get my way a time or two..." He let his comment linger a moment before adding a grin to take the edge off. "And yes," he said in almost a whisper. "The big scary guy does have a sense of humor." 

Not knowing what else to do, Laura laughed and shook her head. "I'll remember that." Her sidelong glance caught Nate's eye as she smiled. Maybe...just maybe...they were making progress.


For just a moment, Kirk's eyes locked with Adison's. His facial expression shifted slightly from the flippant way he joked with her into something more serious. But it had nothing to do with their jobs. 

Blinking, he dropped his gaze and cut into his steak to take a bite before his mind wandered too far into dangerous territory. "Okay, so...I will...let Barnes know you're coming with me. Next step is finding a new facility for the Elite. The board isn't satisfied with them still using an old manufacturing building. They need something better, above ground, and better equipped for their...our...line of work. I also need to have a sit-down discussion with Reese. Apparently it's also my job to inform him of all this and...he's not going to be happy, especially after our last meeting. And... I'm not sure how to say, 'Hey, we're gonna be working together, you have to move, and oh, you're still the chief but I'm kinda your boss.'"

He sighed and took a sip of water before looking back up at her. "Technically...I'll be...over you, too. Is that gonna be weird for you?"

"Look, I don't..." Justin paused the phone conversation as he paced his hallway. Beth was waiting for him on the couch to finish their movie and he really wanted to get back to her. It had been a hard day for her, facing Sarah's funeral, and he knew that right now, she needed him more than ever.  Having Reese call him this evening was an inconvenience to say the least, especially when Justin's heart was far from work at the moment. He'd been asked to come in tomorrow and discuss Garret, then try to talk to Aaron again.

 

He sighed. "I'm not sure I'm coming back at all."

"What?"

"Can you blame me? The Agency came after me by killing my girlfriend's sister. Do you know what that's doing to me? I'd rather get poisoned myself, but they figured me out, Reese. They figured out how to get under my skin and I fully admit it. I'm just not so sure I want to keep playing this game and risk the lives of those around me."

"So you're just going to quit? Give in to what they want?"

"Got a better suggestion?"

There was a long pause before Reese's voice came back calmly. "You do whatever you think is best. I'd be sorry to see you go - I think you've done a great job so far and the Elite needs someone like you to help figure out the people we bring in, not to mention the ability you have to help them. But...I understand your position. Just think about it, okay?"

Justin dug his toe into the carpet as he stared at the floor. "Okay. I'll think about it. I'll talk to you soon." Ending the call, he let out a long breath. He wasn't taking this lightly, being flippant or making up his mind too quickly. He'd already thought long and hard about it and had made up his mind. He would finish out his jobs with people loosely connected to the Elite - people like Mackenzie and Ryan. But otherwise, he would pursue other clients that would not put his loved ones in danger. 

Returning to the living room, he eased back down on the couch, putting his arm around Beth and kissing her head. He hoped he'd been quiet enough in the hallway to have not disturbed the movie. "What did I miss?" he whispered.

Wing Man

Continuing to just listen to Kirk Adison curls some pasta on her fork. She sure had missed Kirk, and she had missed his babbling too. She never minded it, and would never interrupt him, she actually likes how he just when on about something so she could process it all at once, and no try to do it section by section.

   "Well...if they want you to fail...I guess we will just have to prove them wrong, and make it work. They'll be so sorry they day they messed with us."

Popping her spoonful of noodles into her mouth and chewing Adison smiled searching Kirk's face for a long moment on his last comment. Was there more to his comment? Her heart seemed to speed up a little bit. But the more she thought the more she tried to calm herself down. He was her best friend, that's how he wanted it and she didn't want to jeopardize that. 

   "You are the only wing man I want. I couldn't imagen going head first into danger without you."

Hearing that Garret would play with them Maggie smiled wide. She wanted Garret to be part of the family too and having him play a family added to that. She was pleased. Getting everything set up and making sure Laura and Nate where play too Maggie started to explain.

   "So when you get down to one card you have to say Uno, because if you dont and someone catchs you, you will have to draw two cards."

Maggie smiles again as she deals the cards out. She wasn't sure if she explained it right but she sure hope she did.

Nate looks around the table picked up his cards. Smiling at Laura and than looking to Garret. It seemed he never played a game before like this but he hoped he could relax a little and have some fun.

   "Don't worry Garret we will walk ya though it if your confused still. You will be  pro in no time. Gotta watch it though I think Maggie has wilds up her sleeve." 

Fail

Watching Maggie spill her ice cream, something in Garret's gut twisted just a little as he tensed. He hadn't even realized it until it was over and he was relaxing again. He had too many memories of spills, broken dishes, trips and falls...when he hadn't been so lucky to have someone like Nate around. Instead, he'd been slapped at the least, locked away on average, and beaten at most. And for just a moment her, he'd feared for Maggie. What made these people different? Why had Nate hardly batted an eyelid at the mess?

He didn't have a whole lot of time to dwell on it, before he was suddenly faced with a new dilemma. His ice cream was done, and now Maggie had handed him a very unfamiliar deck of cards and she was looking at him with those eyes again.

"I'm... I'm kind of tired..." Actually, after doing nothing but stay in bed all day, tired really wasn't the right word. He started to hand the cards back, then saw Nate and Laura. They'd done nothing but be there for him today...maybe a few minutes wouldn't hurt. 

"...but..." He looked back at Maggie. "I guess I can stay up a while longer." A game? Really? He wasn't sure he even understood the point, but he'd had a lot of that lately. He sat up a little straighter, closer to the coffee table. "You'll have to teach me."


Kirk finally smiled and rolled his eyes. "I never should have thought you'd even hesitate. You're as bad as I am." He sighed. "I...didn't ask to be put in this position. Once they had me backed into a corner, I came out guns blazing in favor of keeping the Elite running. Guess I didn't even realize how passionate I was til then. And...one thing led to the next, and all of a sudden they were putting me in charge." He shrugged. "Comes with a pay raise...as long as this turns out to be a success. But... I'm not really sure I'm up to the job. The Elite doesnt know yet - that's why it's all under wraps at the moment. Big boss things they'll rebel or something."

He paused his conversation as their food was briught and he thanked the waiter. "I'm supposed to work alongside Reese, and I just don't know how that all is going to work. I feel like I've been set up to fail. Like they set all this up just to shut me up and they know it will never work. Then it'll be my fault and they can sweep the whole thing under the rug. It'll end up exactly how they wanted it in the first place but then they'll have the excuse that they tried to make it work, and obviously the Elite just had to go. I..."

Kirk suddenly stopped as he realized he was rambling. A silly grin curled his lips. He sure had missed Adison lately. This was exact why he'd had to avoid her - because when he was with her, everything always came spilling out. "Yeah so...anyway, I insisted on taking at least two agents with me and they agreed, most likely just to appease me. But...as long as they're giving me a shot...no matter how much of a long shot it is... I wouldn't pick anybody over you."

Crazy

As Kirk stayed serious Adison's smile faded too. This was no laughing matter, and she should of known better than to make a joke. Continuing to listen to Kirk she had no idea what he was talking about. She was worried because she wanted to do her job? It made no sense.

   "You know your secrets are same with me."

Continuing to listen Adison couldnt help the look of surprise on her face. She new her and Kirk had talked about maybe someone from the FBI coming in and helping the Elite and keeping an eye on things, but she never dreamed it would be him. This seemed all so sudden but at the same time it didnt. 

Taking another sip of coffee Adison just let the silence linger as she searched Kirk's face. This would be new and exciting, but at the same time dangerous  She new her answer already though. If she could help take the Agency down she would, this was her life.

   "I'll do it. As long as you'll be by my side, I'll do it. One I've been miserable at the office without you. Second this is what we trained for, this is why we wanted to be agents. If we can help...if I can help, I want to very much."

Giving a smile Adison searches the dark pools in Kirk's eyes for a moment, her own game a small twinkle.

   "Anyways, If you are going to put yourself in danger I need to be there to watch your back. I think I'd go crazy knowing you were in danger every day and I could do nothing."

Enjoying the moment Jess gives a jump at Axel's pain and her face said how sorry she was. Even if she wasn't the one who caused him pain she was still sorry he had to feel the pain at all. She wished he could catch a break but he just couldnt. Something was always happen to him one way or the other and she hated it. 

   "Oh I definitely can come to you."

Leaning in close to Axel Jess gives him a soft kiss doing her best not to touch his arm and hand. Pulling away and leaning the other way she comes back in for another kiss deeping it. She missed spending time with Axel she wasn't about to wast it now.

   "I think that sounds like a great idea. What do you think Maggie?"

   "Yeah."

Getting a little excited Maggie forgot she still had her bowl with a little soupy ice cream in it and send it flying to the floor spilling ice cream. Looking down and than up at Nate and Laura Maggie's eyes started to fill with tears as she sank down in the couch a little. She hadn't meant to spill it.

Seeing his sister had spilled her ice cream Nate calmly set his bow down on the table and smiled at her. He new it was an accident, and the carpet in there was old.

    "It's ok Maggie, you dont need to cry it was an accident. Here...take your bowl to the kitchen and grab some paper towels and I'll help you clean it up."

Looking to Laura he smiled. He new she wouldn't be upset about what happened. It was only a mistake. Waiting for Maggie to come back Nate moved the coffee table back so he could get to the mess better.

It didn't take long to clean the mess up with Maggie's help. Though the carpet was stained a little bit it hardly looked like anything had even happened. 

   "There ya go, good as new. So now...what gave to you want to play?"

Thinking for a second Maggie left the living room and ran up the steps to her bedroom only to come down a few moments later. In her hand she had a set of Uno cards.

   "Let's play Uno."

Going over to Garret she hands them to him smiling. She wanted everyone to play because it was family game time.

    "Do you know how to play? I can show you, so you can play with us...please."

Nate looked to Garret and than looked to Laura. He wondered if Garret would join them, and hoped he would. It was be nice to have an extra person in on the game.
 

Selfish

Despite the ironic humor of Adison's question, Kirk didn't crack a smile. He just looked at her with the same seriousness he'd worn all evening. "That's what I was afraid of." 

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, still studying her. "I don't like the thought of you going to war, you know. I know you can handle yourself, but I..." He dropped his gaze. "I worry about you." To distract his thoughts, he reached for his water to take another sip. It was a long, quiet while before he finally looked back up at her again. It was time she knew the truth. 

"What I'm about to tell you is currently classified. It won't be in the near future, but until the information is released, it's important that you speak to no one about this." He was more serious than normal. Sober. Concerned. Worried? "I told you that I was being transferred, and that's the truth. But I'm not transferring to another branch of the FBI. I'm transferring to the Elite, and it's my job to help restructure the organization." He paused, letting that sink in. "I've also been given my choice of two more agents to come with me. The powers that be want at least three FBI agents working within the Elite to keep tabs on how things are run. I...may have put up quite an argument in the courtroom the other day. As a result, I was put in charge of this endeavor, and I haven't quite figured out whether it's a punishment or an honor." 

He folded his hands on the table and looked Adison in the eye. "That's the short version. I...asked you how you felt about the Agency because...you're on my list of agents I'm considering taking with me." He stopped again as his eyes searched hers. "Selfishly... aside from you being a dang good agent... I want you with me because I can't imagine not having you as my partner." He swallowed hard. "But I don't like the thought of you being a new target for the Agency. So it's going to have to be up to you."


Axel sighed but nodded. He knew Jess was right. Everything would turn out alright. Maybe not the way he'd planned or how he wanted it, but it would be okay. It had to be.

Shifting his head a little, he kissed the side of her neck softly, moving up to her cheek, then around to her lips, letting his own linger there for a few moments. Pulling back, he smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Maybe staying here was a better idea after all." Moving back in for another kiss, he just enjoyed the moment, not really caring about the movie she'd put in, or the ice cream they were going to have. If he couldn't take her to the lake, at least he'd show her how appreciative he was of her willingness to bear with him through the good and bad times. 

In reality, he did have a few moments to ignore everything else, but shifting just the wrong way, he accidentally put weight on his hand, which sent pain shooting through his palm, fingers, and all the way up his arm. Recoiling sharply, he just leaned his head back on the couch, his face contorted in pain as he sucked in a breath. "Okay so maybe you're going to have to come to me," he tried to tease. 


Grateful for Nate's little intervention, Garret tried to focus back on the meal and ignore all the memories that had just come to mind. All of them brought pain, and it was just as well if he didn't have to think about them. 

The offer to go to the office halted his thoughts yet again, as he scraped his plate clean. If he went back to the office, would they make him stay? What if Reese wanted him there and wouldn't let him come back here? He'd wanted to go back to the Elite earlier but...now he wasn't so sure. He didn't know what he wanted anymore, which was almost worse than having a bad plan. "I don't know," he finally replied. "I guess I'll...see how I feel tomorrow." Physically he would probably be better. But mentally? At the moment, he felt incredibly out of sync. 

Seeing his clean plate, Laura smiled. "Garret, would you like seconds?"

He thought for a moment and bit the inside of his lip. It did taste awfully good. Finally he nodded and held out his plate. "Thank you." 

The rest of supper was fairly quiet, and once it was over, the living room was the normal place to sit for the evening. Laura convinced Garret to join them since they'd be having ice cream soon anyway, so he took up one corner of the couch, awkwardly observing how they functioned. It was strange...how they liked just...sitting here. Talking. The television was turned on, but no one really paid that much attention. Brian took most of Laura's concentration until she took him upstairs to put him to bed. It was just...quiet. Peaceful but confusing. 

Then the ice cream. Garret wouldn't admit to anyone that he'd waited all day for this. Remaining in the corner of the couch, he held his bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, eating it more slowly than any of the others, savoring every bite. It was worth staying up for. 

Laura slipped glances in Garret's direction before catching Nate's eye and smiling. Had they finally found something their guest enjoyed? "You want to play a game with Maggie tonight?" she asked quietly. They still had plenty of time before bed, and it would give them something to do as a family.

 

Forbidden Question

Listing intently to Garret Maggie's eyes never left his face. They way he talked it almost had her in a tance as she listend to him talk about the party's, the balls, and the dresses. She had never been to anything like that and had only seen that kind of stuff on tv.

Hearing Garret say something about someone being beautiful Maggie picked up on it fast. He couldn't help but wondering and before she could think about it she asked.

   "Did you have someone you danced with? Where is she now? I'd like to learn how to dance."

Looking at his sister from across the table Nate gave her a stern look but not angry. He new this would be a hard topic for Garret and maybe one right now he didn't want to talk about.

   "Maggie, finish eating and let Garret eat his ok?"

   "Ok."

Maggie picked up her knife and fork again trying to hold it like Garret had showed her and cut some of her food. It felt strange but she was doing it anyways like Garret showed her. Maybe now the people at school wouldn't make fun of her.

Giving a laugh at Laura's comment about the ice cream he shakes his head and holds a look of guilt. Ice cream was his guilty pleasure. Just letting the silence linger for a long moment Nate finally talks again setting his fork down.

   "Tomorrow I'll be going into the office for a few hours. I have some paperwork I need to turn in. If you want to come with me for a little bit Garret."

   "Don't be sorry. As long as I get to spend time with you that's really all that matters."

Giving a smile Jess went into the kitchen and got some stuff together for ice cream in a bit before turning a movie on low. Sitting down she scooted into Axel and leaned her head on top of his. With all the trouble he already had with his hand she could only imagen how hard this would be.

As Axel talks again Jess heart hurt. She new how important all the stuff he just listed off was to him. Misty had helped him get a little of his life back, but what if it was damaged again. It had been hard the time time trying to repair it, now...she wondered if it would be almost impossible.

   "You'll take it one day at a time and just have to find something new to do. I know you can, and I know you will with enough determination. I'll be there to help. Have you called Misty? Maybe she can help again."

It had been a few days since Adison had seen Kirk and she was starting to get cranky, but she did her best to just give it time like he had asked but it had been so hard. So sitting across from him not made Adison happy and she new people back at work would be happy for sure as well.

Taking a sip of her own coffee Adison just listened to Kirk. She had no idea what he was talking about or why he would ask something like that. It seemed odd but maybe it was just all part of his top secret job now. Putting her coffee cup down Adison looked at Kirk question in her eye, but she would not ask.

   "I'd say...as long as you had my back I'd be all for it. Once reason I wanted to work for the FBI was to work on the cases that were harder, get the bad guys that were meaner, and help those who needed it."

Folding her arms on the table she looked down for a second before looking back to to him again. There was no joking tonight, at least not at the moment. This was work related it needed to be treated as such. Though she did wish it was a normal dinner, she new work always came first.

   "If the Agency is as bad as we have been told, they need to be brought down. No one should have that much power to hurt people for now reason. Why are you asking me?"

 Relizing she had asked the question he had said not too she rolled her eyes. It was in her nature to know everything and not just part so it was hard not to ask that. She just grined at Kirk.

   "Forget I asked that, forgot I cant ask the forbidden question...sorry."

Half carton

At Maggie's question, Garret visibly stiffened, and he shifted back to his place setting, picking his own fork back up again. But he didn't take a bite yet. His mind was too far away.

"It was a long time ago," he answered quietly. "I had to learn how to act at dinner parties around wealthy people. I had to learn how they talked...ate...danced. There were fancy dress balls with girls dressed in long, flowing blue dresses and diamonds that sparkled under chandeliers. And when the music played, they moved like they were floating...like a dream, except it was real. They'd dance all night. And when the moonlight shone through the windows, they looked like princesses, just waiting for someone lucky enough to dance with them." 

Laura had stopped eating to listen as Garret's voice had grown softer and softer. His gaze was glued to his plate, but his mind was obviously a very long ways away. "It sounds beautiful," she commented gently. 

"She was." Garret's eyes suddenly grew dark before he blinked and straightened up to keep eating. "But it was a long time ago," he repeated. 

Laura nudged Nate's foot under the table. Her face wore an expression of sympathy. Nate had told her about Victoria, and anyone could tell that Garret's heart was far from being mended. How beautiful was the life he'd just described. Yet it was all within the ugly world of the Agency. How could a little boy - evolved into this grown man - even hope to survive out here after that was all he'd known? It was no wonder he was struggling so. "Was chocolate ice cream part of the enchanted evenings?" she asked lightly to help change the mood.

He finished chewing and managed a wry grin, pulling himself away from the memories. "Not generally. I could sneak in a spoonful every once in a while but it was a rare treat." 

Laura smiled. "Well, tonight you can have as many spoonfuls as you want. But be quick, because Nate will eat a whole half carton if my back is turned too long."


Axel's shoulders dropped, but he knew he shouldn't argue with Jess. She was right... the lake wasn't going anywhere, and the way he was feeling, he really did need to rest. "Okay," he relented. "I'm sorry...but thanks. Staying here actually sounds like a pretty good idea." 

Wandering to the living room, he eased down to sit on the couch and tried to adjust his sling so his hand would be more comfortable, but there really was little he could do about the pain at this point. It was just going to hurt, and that was that. He waited for Jess to join him on the other side, and slipped his arm around her shoulders to give her a kiss on the cheek, then just rested his head on her shoulder. As much as he wanted to be the strong one for her, tonight... he was the one that needed support.

"I gotta prepare for the worst," he mentioned quietly. "If I lose use of my hand... my job is done. My instrument playing is done. I don't know what I'm going to do."


The restaurant wasn't crowded, but most tables were filled. It was quiet with low lights, creating a nice atmosphere with soft music playing in the background. Most customers were dressed nicely, and were enjoying well-prepared meals. 

Kirk sat across from Adison and swirled his ice around in his water glass. He'd contemplated wine, but thought better of it, especially since this was a working dinner. He hadn't been in the office much this past week. All of his assignments were being handed over to other agents, and he hadn't even had Adison over in the evenings, too busy with his classified case to even mingle. Although his main reason for keeping his distance was his inability to keep information from her, and he couldn't afford to spill the beans too soon. 

Now though, he looked at her with a multitude of thoughts running through his eyes. He'd asked her to come to discuss work, although in a place like this, it was a little hard to concentrate. He finally took a sip of water and sighed. "I have a question for you, and you can't ask why I'm asking about it yet, but I just need to find out where you stand." 

He paused and took another deep breath. "You know a little about the Agency. We've had a few cases pass our desks the last couple years, but nothing really in depth, right? But I've also told you a lot about them through my investigation of the Elite. They are one of the worst crime organizations there is, and also one of the most brutal. They despise people who try to go up against them, and they kill or torture without a second thought. So. Knowing how dangerous they are... if you were asked to pursue taking them down... would you?" He cocked his head. "Pretend it would not affect your employment. You could take it or leave it. What would you say?"

Learn

Smiling Katie ran to catch up with Jason and gave a nod. Though she hadn't said anything she still had been thinking about the whole thing with the Agency too and it still confused her. Not that anything the Agency did made sense but they had a pattern and this just didn't fit it. 

   "I think he should be in tomorrow. I'll do my best to remember, to remind you to ask."

As Garret helped her Maggie smiled. Listing intently and concentrating so she could remember what he was telling and showing her. She found this simple thing so interesting she really wanted to try and remember so she could do it herself too.  

   "Thank you for showing me."

Maggie looked up at him and searched his eyes. He held a look the was different, it was soft, caring, Maggie liked it, it made her feel warm. I just made her feel good all over.

   "Where did you learn all that?"

Though Axel said he was fine Jess could see there was more. He was in pain and though nothing might be broken it was possible his bad hand was worse now. It made her feel good he still wanted to go to the lake but she new maybe it was best to just have a night in for his own sake. 

   "I can give you some TLC here, on the couch with a movie and ice cream. I don't mind honest. Once you are feeling better we can go to the lake. It's not going anywhere promise."

Putting her brush down an pulling her hair back Jess throws it up in a bun before smiling at Axel. She wasn't upset she just wanted to make sure he was ok first.

TLC

Axel gave Jess an apologetic look and stepped close to give her a gentle kiss on the lips before answering her. "Accident at work. I'll be okay." His eyes betrayed him though, and he tried to smile. "Nothing broken anyway so... we'll see if I still have feeling in my fingers in the next couple weeks." 

His shoulders dropped a little. He was in pain and nauseous, but he hated spoiling their evening. Too many other times he'd ruined dates because of his mood swings, and he didn't like doing it to Jess again. "It's okay...we can still go to the lake. I mean... I might need a little extra TLC..." He threw her a sly grin. "But I know a great spot on the beach for that."


Waiting just a moment, Jason slid from the pickup too, purposely forgetting his leftovers in the back seat. Coming around the front, he moved close and gave Katie's shoulders a squeeze. He didn't linger though, and aimed for the door.

Before getting there though, he paused. "Hey... Don't let me forget to talk to Nate when he comes in. Maybe he can ask Garret about what's been going on and see if he's got any theories."


Maggie's sudden question made Garret pause mid-chew and he glanced over at her, surprised. He looked down at his own hand, questioning what she saw. He'd spent so many gruelling hours being humiliated and frustrated, sitting at a formal table, being forced to learn proper etiquette that now he forgot it wasn't normal outside certain circles. 

Later he would question the reason for his next move, but in the moment, perhaps he forgot where he was and who he thought he was. He set his own fork down and scooted closer. "Here..." He took her napkin and folded it neatly before setting it on her lap. "Elbows off the table," he directed softly. "There. And..." He took her hand to set the fork in a proper position between her fingers. "Then small bites. And if it's too big..." He took her other hand and set her knife in it, positioning her fingers to make to make it easy. "Cut, set the knife down, and take your small bite."

Across the table, Laura's eyes had gone wide. Her curiosity of Garret's background was killing her, but she didn't dare ask. All she could do was look at Nate again, showing him her surprise.

Fork

Hearing the knock at the door Jess new it was Axel. She was running late for there date and hoped he didn't mind. Brushing her hair and watching to the door at the same time she opened it.

   "Hey, sorry I'm not...."

Seeing his arm done up in the sling she stepped aside so he could come in and stropped brushing her hair just looking at him. What on earth had happened to him? He hadn't mentioned anything happened but he looked horrible. 

   "Axel...what happened?"

Her face held a look of worry and she just looked at him. She couldn't help but hurt because he was hurting. How come things couldn't just get better for him. 

   "We don't have to go to the lake since you are hurt. We can sit here, cuddle and watch a movie. I dont mind."

Just sitting in the parking lot with Jason for a long moment Katie turns to look at him and smile. Though she was still feeling pretty messed up emotionally she did have a good lunch with Jason, and she felt a little better getting some stuff off her chest. 

   "No regrets. Thank you for making me smile despite everything. It was a really nice lunch."

Giving Jason's hand a gentile pat Katie gets out of the truck. She had a lot of work to do still, but at least if she didn't get it all done before leaving Reese new she had been taking Jason to lunch and she was his body guard after all. Leaning on the hood and just soaking up the sun She waited for Jason so they could head in.

   "I do have to say Laura, you must have done something different with this because its amazing."

Nate smiles at his wife before looking to Brian and wiping the little bit of spit that was coming out of his mouth. Looking to Maggie and than Garret he smiled. He was happy to see Garret at the table with them and eating. Even if it wasn't a lot at least it was something.

Looking to Garret Maggie smiles and than looks down at him holding his fork. Trying to maneuver her fork the same way she was having a it of trouble. Frowning a little bit she tried again only to have it fall. Glacing back up at Garret she studied him for a long second. 

   "How do you hold your fork like that? Can you show me?"

Manners

Having been awake, Garret was fully aware when Maggie came into the room. He looked at her dimly and didn't move when she touched his arm. He wasn't sure if staying in here all day had dampened his mood, or if his mood was what had kept him here. Either way, he didn't feel like joining the others for supper. 

"Maggie, I..." He stopped when he saw her eyes. There was so much hope in them. Why did she keep doing this to him? He sighed before rolling his eyes. "Okay..." He finally moved to slide out of bed, and ran a hand through his hair. He'd go...for her. Or maybe for his stomach. Maybe both.

Walking slowly behind her in his bare feet, he came into the dining room to find the table set and waiting. It was different than when he'd arrived late. It was different than being fed in his room. They were asking him into their intimate family time and... it felt... uncomfortable. 

He nodded politely to Laura though, and caught Nate's eye. Whose idea was it to keep him around anyway? 

Once seated, he waited quietly as a prayer was said. Interesting. Odd. But interesting. He wasn't really surprised though with all the Bible verses around the house. As he ate his food, he silently took note of everything in the room. Every sound. Smell. Movement. Word.

"This is very good," he complimented Laura on the casserole. "Thank you."

Laura raised her eyebrows, surprised, but grateful. "You're welcome, Garret. I'm glad you like it." She took a sip of water before catching Nate's eye. She was still amazed at his table manners - even how he handled his silverware - and she couldn't help but wonder where he'd really been all these years. 


Jason finally calmed down enough to smirk as he wiped his eyes. "Right. Yeah. Sorry. How inconsiderate of me." He cleared his throat, and laughed again. "Sorry. So where were we?"

He wound up eating a little more, but took about half with him in a take out box, making Katie promise not to tell Rick. 

Back at the Elite, Jason parked in the lot and shut off the engine before looking over at Katie. "Thanks...this was...nice. No matter what. No regrets."


"Mmm, I don't know." Axel was on his back underneath an old pickup, while at the same time, Leo was bent over the open hood. "This isn't gonna be a quick one."

"Agreed." Leo grimaced as he prodded around inside the engine. "We better let the customer know it's gonna be a couple days. I don't see any way around it."

Axel rolled out towards the front of the truck to look up at Leo. "What else we got on schedule?"

"Um...lemme go look." As Leo turned, his elbow accidentally brushed up against the toolbox that was sitting on the edge of the engine. It hadn't been secured well to begin with, and all it took was a bump. Realizing what he'd done, Leo was quick to yell a warning to Axel. "Look out!"

Reflexes sent Axel scooting back underneath the truck to protect his head, but having used his hands for leverage left them exposed. Though the odds were great, all it took was that split second for the edge of the toolbox to rake Axel's fingers on its way down, then land squarely on his right hand. The pain was so great it took his breath away, and for a moment, he just sat still, almost dazed.

Leo was on the floor in an instant to move the toolbox, ignoring the wrenches that were now scattered all about. Quickly but carefully he shifted the box to set it aside and helped Axel out from under the pickup. Axel just sat and leaned his head back against the bumper, letting his hand rest in his lap. Keeping his eyes closed, he tried to breathe through the pain.

"Axel? You okay? I am so sorry. Is it bad? What do you need?"

He pried open his eyes to look at Leo's scared face. It hadn't been his fault - it was an accident, and Axel couldn't blame him. "Ice," he managed.

Leo sprinted for the break room fridge.

In the meantime, Miles had seen what had happened, and now knelt next to Axel. "You need to go to the ER?"

For the first time, Axel dared a glance at his hand. The top was already bruising and starting to swell, his knuckles skinned and bleeding but not too badly. His palm had also landed on a piece of gravel, which, under the pressure of the falling toolbox, just compounded the pain. "I don't know," he finally answered through gritted teeth. "I...I can't tell if it's broken or not."

Mile grimaced. He knew that was Axel's bad hand to begin with. "This isn't gonna be good, is it?"

"Uh-uh." Axel took another deep breath and swallowed hard. His hand started to tremble, making the pain even worse. As Leo arrived with the ice, he gingerly wrapped it up between the cold bags and stood with the other guys' help.

"Come on," Miles directed. "I'll drive you to the hospital."

...It was several hours later. Axel's hand was wrapped in a sling, and his stomach churning from the pain meds he was taking. No bones were broken - that was the good news. But there was some pretty deep bruising, and the impact alone had caused trauma to his already-damaged nerves. Nothing was for certain until this new injury healed, and Axel knew that. But deep down, he had a growing suspicion that all the repair work Misty had done would now be severely diminished. It was the way his fingers tingled. It was the feel of numbness. It was the kind of pain. It was all too familiar. He'd been doing so well - functioning so well. And now this. It was frustrating at the very least, depressing at most. But...he pasted on a smile anyway. He'd promised to take Jess to the lake tonight, so to the lake they would go. He'd brushed her off too many times before when he'd had a rough day - and he knew it was a bad habit that he needed to work on.

Sighing, he made his way to Jess' door before knocking. He hadn't told her about the accident since he hadn't wanted her to worry, but now he was questioning that choice.