Blow something up

Was it true? Would Scott really never be the same again? He'd tried so hard. But...maybe Hope was right. Maybe trying to be the same was something he'd worked too hard at. But if he couldn't be the same, then who was he?

He sighed deeply, and still sat quietly for a couple more minutes before finally getting slowly to his feet. He wrapped his arms around himself his head hanging except for looking up at Hope. “I didn’t want to bother you, I just…couldn’t go back to work yet, but…but I think I’m okay now.”

Turning to leave, he stopped at the door, then glanced back at her once more, managing a faint smile. “Thank you… for… reminding me I’m okay.”


Left alone again, Garret grabbed the top of the punching bag and leaned on it wearily. Hitting this stupid thing just wasn’t enough. But he had nothing else. Scowling at himself, or the situation, or anything else, he trudged back upstairs to his room where he shut the door, quiet for at least an hour before he emerged again, shoes and jacket on. The workday was almost over, but as he hit the main floor, he saw Nate was still here.

Approaching the cubicle, his face was no less grouchy than it had been earlier. Lying on his bed had done nothing but increased his irritation. “Please tell me I can leave the building.” He stopped at the wall, really not caring whether he had permission or not, but after all his other trouble lately, he might as well ask. “Say yes, because I’m walking out that door before I blow something up, and I’ll be back by morning.”


 Kirk’s eyes widened as Adison mentioned some of his paperwork, although he hid a grin. He should have known. She was the only person who could get away with that without him getting upset. Truth be told, he was kind of glad she was more in the loop than anticipated.

“Agents there?” He cocked his head as the wheels started to turn. “What if… no… or… we could… hmmm…” His eyes roamed back and forth as he thought, then he took a sip of coffee. “You…are a very smart woman,” he mused, finally letting her see his smile.

“Ya know…I talked to several agents in a row and tore them to shreds. Sapphire Johnson defended her ex-Agency boyfriend tooth and nail, including a slap to my face – there was no way I could deny her genuine loyalty both for him and the Elite. Her brother, the head-case geek, broke in half just when I looked at him, fully aware that he doesn’t belong there, yet his reason for being there? The rest of the team believes in him, and that’s good enough for him. Talk about heart. Then Dalton – he’s the giant – comes and just about takes my head off for picking on the poor guy. It was like he was a big brother, not a coworker. So I went for the girl whose been marred to an ex-Agency guy and felt her out as a possible traitor. Broke her to pieces – I’ve never felt so guilty in my life, making a woman cry. I expected a fight, not this…this…raw, genuine allegiance. I just…”

He realized he’d gone off again, and paused his rant by sipping more coffee. “It’s like I’m looking at this rare, priceless jewel, and I’ve been given a sledgehammer to destroy it. How can I do that?” He shook his head. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t have to include everything in my report. ‘Cause if the Elite goes down because of me, I’m not so sure I’ll be able to sleep at night.”


The scent of smoke was thick in the air. Flames engulfed the barns and crept down the fence line, threatening the pastures. Horses ran scared through the yard and thundered past the houses that were left to the fire's mercy. Someone screamed. Several gunshots went off. A pickup tore down the driveway. The ranch had been converted into a war zone.

Sweat poured down Eric's dirty, battered face, his eyes glued to the inside door of the main house. He dared a glance over his shoulder where Stacy and Ashlee were huddled in the corner by the fireplace, both sheltering Harmony and Melody while they themselves were pale with fear.

An explosion went off somewhere in the near distance, sending a flash of light through the window before loud banging on the door ensued, along with the demand to open it. Eric raised his shotgun to his shoulder and took aim at the door, his finger on the trigger. No one was going to take his family. No one. Harmony and Melody's cries echoed in his ears as he waited for the door to open. And when it did, a shot was fired.

Eric woke with a jolt, spilling his now-cold mug of tea down his pantleg and onto the floor. It took him a moment to get his bearings and realize he was in his easy chair, and Melody was crying in the next room. His heart was still thumping wildly though, and he instinctively glanced to the window to make sure everything still appeared quiet. As a clap of thunder shook the bunkhouse though, he jumped again. His dream made a little more sense now, but the unsettling feeling remained in his soul. Apparently this whole Agency thing was getting to him more than he thought.

Trying to shake it off, he finally rose to set his mug in the sink, then wandered to the adjoining room. Harmony was sound asleep. Typical. He wasn't sure if an earthquake would wake her. Melody was another story altogether. He gently picked her up and held her close while prepping her bottle. Angel suspected her immune system wasn't as it should be - she'd already been sick twice now, requiring quite a bit of attention which made Eric worry, although he hadn't voiced those feelings. He just hoped she'd be okay as she got older.

Still drowsy, he leaned back against the wall as Melody finally quieted enough to suck her bottle. Once she was all done and cleaned up and falling back asleep, he put her down again, hoping no more thunder would wake her. It seemed the loudest had already passed, so that was a plus.

Wandering back to the other room, he glanced at the chair, then the bed. After the nightmare he'd just had, he really didn't want to go back to sleep yet. It was after midnight, but since the girls were sleeping soundly again, he really could go for some fresh air. Slipping on his boots and throwing on his denim jacket, he headed outside. It was a rather warm night, but the breeze was chilly - probably coming off the front that had passed just north of them where the thunder was still rumbling. They could use some rain, but it looked like they wouldn't get any of it tonight.

He pulled up his collar and tucked his hands in his pockets before yawning then stepping off the porch to wander around the barns. The nightmare was still fresh in his mind though, making it hard to relax. There was so much on the line now. So much more than there used to be. He'd only had himself to look after for so long that he wasn't sure how to take care of a family without worrying himself to death. With the Agency so close, all he wanted was to keep safe those he loved.

Rounding the corner of the main barn, Stacy's form automatically brought a smile to his lips. He hadn't been sure if he'd run into her or not since she'd changed up her routine to keep a stricter eye on things right now. Coming up beside her, he spoke quietly. "Don't you know it's dangerous wandering around alone in the dark like this?"