Distance

“Okay. I’ll be in touch then.” Justin wasn’t going to stay any longer today, purposely giving Ryan some space. He stood slowly and picked up his backpack to sling over his shoulder before giving her a slight nod. “It’s gonna be okay,” he assured. “We’ll get this figured out.” 

A few minutes later, he was in his car and headed towards Mom and Pop’s. He owed Carson a quick stop, then a visit with Mackenzie, then finally home and on to dinner with Beth…

…Things were quiet, back inside. Eli could hear when Justin left, but didn’t come out of his room right away. It was strange not knowing how to act around his sister – he didn’t care about himself, he just wanted to help her and not make things worse. He was glad Justin was in the mix now though and hoped it would help. 

The next couple days, time didn't seem to matter much. Eli made sure Ryan got her phone back from her car, and did go to work, but didn't like being gone too long. He just wanted to see her smile again...he just wanted to know she really was going to be okay.

Wandering to the kitchen after a quick shower after work, he came close and set a hand on Ryan’s shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “Hey. My stomach’s trying to eat itself." Actually, he'd skipped lunch and was now regretting it. "I was thinking steaks…maybe invite Tal?...”

 Tal lay on his couch, one hand on one dog, the other dog curled up between his legs. Work had seemed extra stressful today, but maybe it was because he'd avoided talking too much about Ryan with Eli. Actually, that was the story the last two days. He hadn't seen Ryan since the hospital, and felt rotten, even though he was torn between being hurt and upset, and knowing she was in a rough spot needing support. He'd at least texted her since she got her phone back...though hadn't elaborated much on anything, telling her he was super busy at work, and crashing in the evenings. Which was true...he just usually spent time with her anyway, even if he did have hard days at work. 

His buzzing phone made him sigh and he picked it up to see a message from Eli. Steaks at their place. He knew he couldn't say no. Not after avoiding them so much already. He had to go. He had to at least show his face and then...then, something. He didn't know what. He had to talk to Ryan somehow. Sometime. Soon. He just...didn't know how. Or when.

A couple hours later, the three of them were in the living room at Ryan and Eli's, ready to eat the steaks, while a movie played on television. It was so much like so many other evenings, yet…different. Eli had had a strangely hard time getting Tal to come over, which was odd in itself, then Ryan was quieter than normal, which just added to it. And even now, as Eli took a bite of his meat, he glanced to the couch and couldn’t help but notice the extra physical distance between Tal and Ryan. What was up? Ryan hadn't said they were on the outs or anything...

Tal cut another piece of steak off before taking a bite and focusing on the television. He couldn’t remember when being here had ever been this uncomfortable, and he hated it. He was having a hard time being this close to Ryan, knowing things were over. Even when he’d arrived, he’d given Zidan extra attention, just to act as a distraction so Ryan wouldn’t have a chance to try and hug or kiss him. He just wanted to go home, but…couldn’t. How could he break things off when she needed help? It just felt so messed up.


Reese pursed his lips and finally shrugged. “I’m sure we could find something to pin on Victoria. Her association with the Agency alone is enough to keep her a while. And I’d really hate to let her go when we’ve got her in custody already, but you’re right. If she wants to leave, we have little choice, and at this point, I’m not so sure it’s worth fighting her.”

He gathered up a few papers on his desk and stacked them together. “Let’s let things rest until tomorrow morning. I’m still leaving Garret up to you, and we can discuss Victoria more after we’ve slept on it.”


Aaron lay on his stomach on the rooftop of the building across the street from the Elite. Peering through his binoculars, he spied his target. After spying all day on who came and went, he’d settled on this one. Anyone else might be too unpredictable. But her – he could handle. And if his hunch was right, the Elite would trade anyone to get one of their own back, despite what Victoria thought. He hadn’t heard a thing from her, nor had he seen Garret again, and it was time to act.

…It was several hours later. The sun had set, and the streets were growing quieter. But something was still amiss. Anyone passing by Susanne’s house might not notice anything. But should one stop and take a closer look, they might see her purse lying on the ground near the porch steps. Car keys tossed away near the driveway. Susanne’s wallet partially hidden in the flower bed…

…“They’ll hear by now that I’m missing, you know.” Susanne tugged at the ropes that bound her wrists behind her back. “My boyfriend will be at my house, and when he sees I’m gone, he’ll go straight to the Elite and they’ll take turns ripping you limb from li-” Her sentence was cut short by a hard backhanded slap to the mouth. Wincing, she licked her throbbing lip, and tasted blood. She didn’t have long to recover before a fist was thrown at the other side of her face. Fear gripped her soul, but she reacted with anger, lurching in the chair, though it did no good. “You think you’re so tough?! Let me go and see if you can handle me when I’m not tied up, punk!”

Aaron leaned down to her eye-level and glared at her. “I already proved once you’re not strong enough to take me. And if I let you go now, you’d be dead in five seconds. Don’t press your luck.”

“What do you want from me?” Susanne’s legs strained to break free from being tied to the chair, but she was held too tightly. She squinted through eyes that were both beginning to swell and turn black and blue. She knew she was in a basement somewhere, but that was it. It was damp and cool, and there was no light except for a single dingy bulb hanging from the ceiling. “Why did you take me?”

“Leverage.” Aaron cocked his head. “You’ve just confirmed the Elite will want you back. And that’s what I’m counting on.”

Susanne watched him stand and head for the stairs. “Why? What are you…” Her mind reeled. “Garret. This has something to do with Garret doesn’t it?” Her question went unanswered though, as she was left alone. “God, please help me,” she whispered desperately. She’d always known working with the Elite came with risks, but this was the first time she’d faced anything worse than prisoners brought in. And despite her brave exterior, on the inside she was terrified.

Aaron scrolled through names on Susanne’s cell phone as he paced upstairs. He was in an abandoned house he’d found on the outskirts of town, perfect for a temporary hideaway. There was only one contact on Susanne’s list that had the most recent calls and text messages – Chuck. It had to be the boyfriend she’d mentioned. A perfect way to get in to the Elite without a chance of them tracking him. Dialing, he waited until he heard Chuck answer.

“Hey, Chuck, got your girlfriend here.” He kept his tone calm and down to business. “Her life is on the line, so I suggest you get a hold of her boss at the Elite and tell them to give her a call so we can negotiate her return. I expect a call back within half an hour or Miss Pretty here is gonna be less pretty.”

Without waiting for any response, he ended the call and tucked the phone in his back pocket. “Let’s hope your boyfriend has enough brains to follow instructions,” he mused aloud.


A black four-door car drove slowly up the ranch driveway and parked near the main building. There weren’t any visitors scheduled to arrive, and it was not a car that had been seen here before. A man and woman emerged, the woman opening the back door, seeming to be absorbed in taking care of something in the back seat, while the man looked around as if seeking assistance. He was dressed well in nice pants and a button down shirt, his features clean-cut and well-manicured. 

Only after starting for the main house did he spot the nearest person, changing his route. Approaching Stacy, he offered a smile. “Hi. My name is Troy Dexter. I’m looking for an Eric Pent. Do you know if he’s here?” 

Gut Feeling

Looking down at the journal that Justin put in front of her Ryan's fingers run over the cover. Talking about how she felt was hard so she wondered if writing it down would be a little easier. Though Justin said he wasn't going to read it she wondered what the point was. 

   "Ok, I'll try and see how that goes."

Seeing Justin's number Ryan gives a nod. If she needed it maybe Eli would let her use his phone. She still hadn't gotten hers back from her car yet. She hadn't even see her car yet, but from what she was told there really wasn't much left. She did need to get she stuff from it sooner or later though before it was taken away for good. Maybe Eli would give her a ride there.

   "Uh, yeah in a few days is ok. I'm not going back to work till next week. So anytime would be good."

   "It is pretty hard to take in but its not unheard of. I mean even the best of the best could have something click one day and if Garret wasn't born into the Agency like he said he does know life outside it already."

Thinking for a long moment Nate could understand Reese's hesitation. All this did make little sense even to him, but he had to go with his gut on this. It was hard to know what was right and what was wrong in some situations like this. All the could do is do what they thought was right.

   "As for Victoria, we really would have no reason to keep her. We know she is Agency but since she wasn't the one who shot me she hasn't done anything wrong that we can prove. We could always let her go and see if she leads us to the other guy who did shoot me, but really that would all depend on a lot of thinks."

Tough Pill

Once again, Justin noticed Ryan looking past him, and wondered if "Alec" was here with them now. "Finding someone who makes us feel special is a big thing," he responded gently. "It's hard when they're gone...especially if we took them for granted while they were here."

He leaned down to reach in his bag and pulled out a small journal to set it in front of Ryan. "I want you to do me a favor. It might be awkward at first, but that's ok. Not everyone likes to write. But I want you to use this at least twice a day to record how you feel. Whether you're sad or angry or confused. Even if you just put down one word. And if you see or hear from Alec... I want you to put that in here too, and record how that makes you feel." 

His small smile returned. "I'm not going to read it - it's just for you. I want you to get more comfortable expressing how you feel, even if it's just on paper. Sometimes it's surprising how simply admitting something can help us figure out what's making us tick...or what's thrown a monkey wrench into things." He reached out and opened the journal to reveal a handwritten note stuck inside. "This is my cell phone number. If something happens or gets worse, or you just need to talk, call me. Or text. I'd like to meet with you again though, maybe in a couple days, if it's alright with you?"


Heading back down to the holding cell, Garret had a hard time battling his adrenaline. This - being controlled without a fight - went against an entire lifetime of training. And when they reached his cell, all he wanted was to go to Victoria instead. But all he could do was glance at her door before being locked up again. He trusted Nate would do what he could, as promised, but he didn't trust Reese or the Elite system.


Reese was quiet for a few moments mulling over everything he'd witnessed, along with Nate's deduction. He tapped a pen on his desk as he thought, proving his stress level. "I just find this whole thing hard to believe," he finally admitted. "He's certainly acting irrationally enough to be in love...but a top Agency man? Giving in to his emotions? He's got how many years of training, yet he not only runs away, but runs into the arms of the enemy?" He shook his head. "It's a tough pill to swallow."

On the other hand, Reese's passion for his rehabilitation program made him want to see this through. Helping people out of the Agency was where he really felt he was doing the most good. If Garret was telling the truth, how could Reese turn his back?

"As far as Victoria goes, I don't know what to think, and now, apparently, there's another man loose out there. Which reminds me to tell you to watch your back and watch it closely. I don't want the next bullet to take you out for good." 

He sighed deeply. "What if Victoria doesn't want to stay with Garret? How can we not turn her in?"

One thing..

Hearing Justin's question Ryan looks up past Justin again at Alec. He was standing in the same place still smiling at her. Almost finding humor in what her answer might be.

   "He was just miss understood. I enjoyed his company, the way he made me laugh. He just...made some bad desitions."

Ryan felt so strange talking about this. It was hard, it was strange. Ryan felt like she could say so more but she couldn't find the words.

   "He made me feel special in his own way."

Looking at Garret Nate just studys him for a long moment. He felt like there really was more but he didn't think he'd get anything else from Garret right now.

   "I can't blame you for wanting to protect the one you love. That's all I really want to do in this world too."

Nodding twords the door Nate opens it. Garret would back to his cell for now till tomorrow. Everything hung on Victoria and not even Garret knows what way it would go.

Walking back down the cubicles after Garret was back in his cell. Going to Reese's office he sits down in the chair across the desk from Reese.

   "Well you heard everything. I know one thing for sure. Garret loves Victoria and I do believe he did this all for her."

Half Truth

Justin nodded slowly and scribbled a note on his pad before he cocked his head. A new smile emerged. "Oh, I don't need to know anything - all I'm doing is helping dump out the box of puzzle pieces so we can figure out what the picture is together." 

He paused to simply read her for a moment before speaking again. "Alec, he um...could be a bit of a scoundrel from what I understand. But you saw past that, didn't you? What did you see in him?"


Nate's question set Garret on edge again, but this time he held his cool. He knew in his silence that followed, it was as good as admitting he'd been hiding something, but he had to form his words carefully. He was too far out of control to think too quickly on this one.

"Medridge...has favorites." Garret finally let his eyes rise once again to see Nate's face. He wanted to trust him. He was at the Elite's mercy whether he liked it or not. But there were just some things he refused to reveal until he was certain of the future. "I'm a favorite and so is Victoria. Her training goes a long way back, and she's one of the best. I was recruited when I was..." He paused. "...young. So I've had my fair share of training as well. We are both valuable to Medridge because of our skills and loyalty. I was his right hand man - you don't get that far without being good at what you do. Though her role has been different, Victoria's rank in the Agency is as high as mine. There are few operatives who know more than we do."

He leaned back in his chair, finally more at ease, although he knew good and well he was still holding back. "You're right - Medridge can easily replace agents. But he's spent many years grooming us for our jobs. Me, to take his place, though it's never been documented officially. And Victoria to eventually serve as an equal. She's special because of her knowledge and skills. Medridge would be a fool to simply try and replace her. He has too much invested in her and he takes his possessions seriously."

Everything he'd said was true. Those were all valid reasons as to why Medridge would want Victoria back. But if Reese found out she was the psychopath's flesh and blood, he'd never agree to trusting her, let alone protecting her. Garret had to convince them to trust her before he would be willing to give up this piece of information...even to Nate. And now the question was...did Nate believe what he'd just told him?

Garret glanced to the mirror then back at Nate. "If Victoria won't stay... I can't go back. So...my own offer to help in return for freedom still stands, regardless."

Why?

As Garret had his fit of rage he stood ready just in case anything else happened though he didn't think it would. Looking to the mirror that was on the wall he shook his head knowing Reese was in the other room. He new his boss would not like this, but Nate new it was the best way. He hoped Garret did trust him, and he hoped he would hold true to his word. Sitting down across from the table he just waits till Garret is calmed and is ready to talk.

When Garret starts talking Nate looks up at him searching his face and listing. So much could be said in so few words. There was a world, of love, hurt and anger in his words that made Nate know they were true. He couldn't help but feel bad for Garret to an extent. There fate, the woman he loved hung in the balance and he didn't even know if she was going to follow him. Nate tried to put his self in Garret's shoes and he didn't like how it made him free either. 

   "As far as I know since Victoria is not the one who shot me, if she can calm down and doesn't try to hurt anyone in time like you she will be let go of. We really dont have a reason to keep her now since she hasn't done anything wrong."

Nate leans back in his chair and thinks for a long moment still searching Garret's face. There was something else there, something else that might be very important to everyone. Nate couldn't put his finger on it.

   "If we are lucky maybe I can get you to see Victoria again tomorrow morning. I shouldn't be at work but I will be so I can see this through Garret. I meant it when I said I'll do all I can to make sure you are safe, and that goes for Victoria too. I just need to know one thing so we can keep us saft too."

Pausing for a moment Nate rises. He'd lead Garret back to his cell in a few moments. He just needed his question answered.

   "Why is Victoria so special? She might be highly skilled like you are but the Agency has never had a problem in replacing people before. The way she carry's herself is different too. Hard as stone, but the way she stands, talks...its almost like she'd had far more training in many different things. I just want to know why?"

Sitting across from Justin Ryan fiddles with her napkin. This felt so awkward, and strange to her. She'd never eally been one to share her feelings with people and now she had to. It was nice that Justin was understanding, Ryan just felt like she was wasting his time too.

Looking up it was not Justin Ryan look at but it was past him to a figure that stood by the window. It was Alec, his arms folded and a smug look on his face as he shook his head. Looking back to Justin Ryan lets out a long sigh as she looks down again.

   "I guess Alec died, but I thought he was still alive. I was getting texts from and seeing him. That...really sums it up. What else do you need to know?"

Rage

Walking to the interrogation room, Garret could feel all the eyes on him. It was a different stare this time. There was even more distrust. More caution since he wasn't restrained. They were afraid of him, and he could feel it.

Getting to the room, Garret sank down in a chair, but shook his head at Nate's offer for something to drink. He'd promised he would talk...but now...now he didn't know what to say. He'd been banking on Victoria saying she'd stay with him or at least giving him some kind of positive response. But neither had come. He had no idea what she would do, and as such, he was stuck between a rock and a very hard place.

His eyes glanced up to Nate's, and he remained silent for several long moments. He'd planned on revealing everything, in an effort to build trust. But how could he, without knowing what Victoria wanted? If she wanted to escape and leave, he wasn't going to risk exposing the fact that she was Medridge's granddaughter. There was no way the Elite would let her get away if they had that bit of information. Garret had planned to ask for protection for her as well...but without knowing if she'd even stay at all, how could he convince them that she was on the same side he was? His plan was falling apart.

With the rising stress and a new surge of adrenaline, Garret slammed his fist down on the table without warning, before getting up and giving the metal chair a swift kick to send it flying into the corner. It was so sudden and so forceful that it would have made anyone jump. Putting his hands on his head, he growled in frustration and paced a small circle. It was so out of control. Everything. This whole thing. Himself.

On the other side of the mirror, Reese shook his head. Garret was unpredictable and dangerous. He'd had absolutely no reason for this outburst. Reese didn't approve of the lack of restraints, but he'd handed the reins to Nate, and wasn't going to interfere. Regardless, he didn't trust Garret or his displays of rage.

Stopping, Garret leaned his hands on the table, refusing to look back at Nate again. His breaths came more rapidly as his pulse pounded, and his muscles started to shake. The sensations caused a new memory to surface, sending him back to when he was just seventeen...

"...Control yourself, Garret."

"I don't want to!" Garret took a swing at the punching bag. He was soaked with sweat and out of breath, yet refused to stop. He'd just been tortured, had barely escaped a mission alive, then had found out he'd been lied to. His hot temper was something that had reared its head a lot these past few months, and they were coming down on him hard for it. 

"You need to learn to use your anger." The other agent stopped the bag from swinging, and looked at him sternly. "You need to harness it. Control it. Otherwise, you'll never survive your next assignment." 

Garret shouted a string of profanity before turning on the agent, starting an all-out fight between them. It had only ended when Garret had finally been pinned face-down on the floor, barely able to breathe. 

"Enough!" the other agent commanded. "If you don't start shutting down your emotions, you will never succeed. If you cannot control yourself, then you will learn not to feel. You will act with your head and never, ever your heart."

It had been a constant struggle for him to ignore his feelings. To not be upset with betrayal. To not care when he'd been wronged. And later, part of his stability had come from the drugs, making him even more the perfect soldier for Medridge's plans. 

Garret took a deep breath and let it out slowly. There were no drugs to help him this time. Only his own willpower. He wasn't used to these kinds of emotions, which made this whole thing even harder. If he'd been back at the Agency estate, he would probably have picked someone to beat up just to feel better. But that wasn't an option here.

In reality, only a couple minutes had passed, and he finally returned his gaze to Nate. His own eyes were so full of these overwhelming feelings, yet so empty at the same time. "I did all this to be with Victoria." There. He'd said it. He straightened and resumed pacing as he talked. "We met a few years ago, but her gr... our commanding officer didn't want us to be together. So I devised a plan to defect. I planted a clue only she would find, so I knew she'd be the one to come for me. And I was going to convince her to stay with me here."

He gritted his teeth. "But now I'm not so sure it's going to work." He paused and looked Nate square in the eye. "I'll only warn you once. If she chooses to leave, do not stop her. She is just as capable as I am at getting her way, and I'm pretty sure you don't want an office full of dead agents. But if she chooses to stay, I'm just asking that we be let free with the understanding that we'll both help fight against the Agency."

Then there was Aaron. He started pacing again. "Victoria wasn't the one who shot you. She brought another operative. I don't know what he's going to do, and that's the truth. But be careful - he's a hothead with a happy trigger finger...as you well know. I don't know if he'll report what's happened or try to get Victoria and me out of here, since he's loyal to me. At this point I'm in the dark on that one, I swear."

Finally calm enough, he grabbed the chair and put it back up to the table to sit, and leaned forward on his elbows. He was mentally and emotionally exhausted, yet so worked up, that if he didn't work off some of this adrenaline soon, he wasn't sure he could avoid another fight. He was falling towards depression and desperation, both a result of his own doing. His eyes dropped downward, and his voice came out in a lower, more subdued tone. He might not be telling Nate whole truths - Victoria's true identity still had to be kept secret for now - but he'd given his word to talk. "What else do you want to know?"


Even though Eli knew very little how to help his sister on all of his, he did know that it was a good thing she was willing to talk to someone. She'd always been so strong... She had to get through this.

He gave her leg a pat before starting in on his own vowl of soup. "It'll be okay... I promise. It's just another curve in the road. You got this."

Feeling his phone, he paused to read Scarlet's message. His brow furrowed in confusion. What was going on? He knew a little bit about her family, but she didn't talk much about them, so he'd never asked many questions. He hadn't even known she'd be with them at all on this trip though, so something was up.

Okay. See you soon. Miss you and anxious to talk.

Eli tried to make the rest of the evening light until he encouraged Ryan to go to bed. After that though, he got on his phone again to make the only connection he had...

...It was the next morning, and Eli had made the introductions before making himself scarce in his bedroom to give Justin and Ryan privacy at the kitchen table. He'd gotten a hold of Justin the night before, and Justin had suggested he come for a casual visit today just to get things started, then they'd play things by ear.

At the kitchen table, Justin took a seat and set aside his backpack, then took a moment to study Ryan's face. Her eyes. Her body language. "So...I've heard from your brother what's been happening..." He cocked his head as he paused. "But, I always like to go straight to the source. I'm not here to tell you you're crazy, poke fun, or tell you what you've been doing wrong. I'm just here to listen, and hopefully help straighten out any tangled thoughts that might be getting in the way."

He gave her slow nod. "We're not on a schedule, there's no right or wrong way to tackle this, and you're in the driver's seat." He grinned. "Which, from the sounds of it, you're pretty good at. So...how about you tell me your story - you can start wherever you like - and we'll just see where it leads?"

Slow or Fast

As the door opens and Nate steps inside Victoria stiffens slightly. She didn't want Garret to leave her, to walk out and leave her alone in here once more with her own thoughts. It was more terrifying than anyone would ever know. Just watching as Garret left she sank down on the cot that was by the far wall. What would happen know she didn't know. But it would seem she had all the time in the world.

Seeing the Garret was coming willingly Nate didn't see the need for cuffs anymore. He believed there wouldn't be any problem even if he got many strange looks. Seeing Reese on his way he gave a small nod. This was his time to get answers if he wanted them He could listen to everything and peace it together.

   "Take a seat at the table. Do you want any water or anything before we start? If not feel free to start whenever. I'll let you pick where you'd like to start since you've already know the questions. Take it as slow or as fast as you want."

Once home and settled in Ryan was thankful that Eli volunteered to make dinner. She was starving but really didn't feel like cooking herself and the sound of fast food just turned her stomach tonight. She felt drained, but hyper, happy, yet sad, and all she really wanted was to crawl under her covers in bed and sleep. But if she did that, Eli would worry even more and she'd already caused enough of that.

Stiring her soup Ryan took a small sip and couldn't help but smile a little on the inside. Eli new how to make chicken noodle soup just like there father use to. Even if it only came from a can there was just something about it that was different. Maybe it was the simple ingredient of love. 

   "Yeah, I'll try it out and see how it goes. I know I need something I just....I'm just nervous. I'm not a big fan of talking to people about how I feel. But I'll try."

Ryan shifted a little on the couch letting her free hand drop down to Zidan's head giving it a scratch. Than returning to her soup she took another sip. The air was thick, and awkward tonight and Ryan could only hope it wouldn't last long.

Getting Eli's text Scarlet looks around the room to the sleeping form on the far bed. She'd taken an unexpected detour before coming home. It couldn't be helped though, and it was all for a good reason. Taking note to another several boxes that were in the room taped, with address on them she new tomorrow would be another long day. But before heading to bed she at least wanted to text Eli back.

   Happy to hear Ryan is ok for the most part. I had a family
emergency myself and wont be home for at least another 3 days. 
Everything is ok, just something unexpected came up.  I'll
call you when I get home.

 

Honor

Eli wasn't so sure himself why Tal had suddenly taken off, but he gave Ryan a reassuring smile anyway. "Yeah, I'm sure he's fine. He's been sitting here almost as long as I have, and stayed til you woke up before I sent him for coffee. He's probably just going stir crazy."

It would take Eli a while to talk to the right doctors, but he was determined to get his sister home today, and after a few hours, he finally succeeded in having her released. By now, most of the day was gone and he was exhausted, but he wouldn't even think about sleep. He got Ryan settled on the couch and did his best to get whatever she needed before eventually making a light supper of chicken soup. 

Stirring the soup once more, Eli took his phone out of his pocket to text Scarlet.

Home. Ryan is doing ok. Is gonna need help working thru some emotional issues. Long story. But we're good for now. Can't wait til you're home.

After sending the message, he turned off the stove and took supper into the living room. It wasn't until he'd given Ryan a bowl that he fianlly brought up the subject once more of getting help. 

"So...you'd really be okay if I found someone you could talk to?" He eased down next to her on the couch. "About...the whole Alec thing, I mean. 'Cause I know a guy who's pretty good at helping figure stuff out..." He didn't want to pressure her, and this was awkward enough the way it was, but he didn't want to wait too long.


Garret closed his eyes for a moment, wishing he had the right words to say. Wishing he could convince Victoria of the things he felt could work for them. But he'd given her all he could. He knew it was a big decision, and he'd thrown it at her all at once, but they simply didn't have time to think through every detail. 

"Please just..." He was cut off as the door opened, and he turned quickly, automatically putting himself between Nate and Victoria in a protective stance. No...no, he didn't have his answer yet. Their time couldn't be up yet. He didn't know what Victoria was going to do. He couldn't walk away until he knew! Desperation flickered in his eyes as he looked back and forth between Nate and Victoria. He'd given Nate his word - and if he didn't keep it now, he'd be doomed for sure. 

His shoulders dropped, and he gave Victoria one last glance. His quiet words to her were not spoken in English, but in Russian, knowing full well that Nate would not understand him, but she would. "Think quickly. I can't change paths now. The future is in your hands." 

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turned back to Nate and nodded, even though every fiber in his being wanted to stay. He knew now that he'd be questioned again. That Nate would be searching for better answers as to what was going on, and Garret had given him his word. And right now, all he had in his defense was his honor. He had to keep his promise. "Okay," he relented. 

Think about it...

Sinking down in the bed a little more Ryan lets out a long sigh. Everything was a mess and she hated it. She hated disappointing people, she hated knowing she was not ok, and most of all she hated depending on people. She new that Eli didn't mind but it still bothered her.

Seeing Tal come into the room Ryan gave a small smile to him. He had been there, she wondered if he was or not. She was happy to see him and yet there was part of her that felt guilty too. Tal was very important to her, and she loved her time spent with him but at the same time, now relized deep down she cared about Alec still hurt, and she new it was wrong. Before she never noticed it though, and now she did. She'd definitely need to talk to Tal before she would lose even a friendship with her. At the moment though her mental state couldn't handle it but she hoped soon she oculd.

Getting the small kiss from Tal Ryan smiled again about to thank him for coming but was cut off as he said he needed to go. Ryan found that a little strange but really didn't get to say much as Tal made his way to the door. Hearing him comment she gave a small laugh before waving a little.  Once he was gone she looked back to her brother with slight question on her face.

   "Is he ok?"

As Garret paced Victoria just stood there looking at him. This behavior was so...odd for Garret and it scared her slightly. She still didn't understand what was going on. This all was just crazy and it made her heart race. She came here to try and get Garret out, to rescue him, and instead he was tilling her he wanted to stay.

   "You'd choose the wrath of my grandfather over being safe? I don't get it Garret, this is all way to much."

Looking up into Garret's eyes Victoria searched. Searched for an answer different from the one she had been given. This was not what she expected, this was not how life was meant to go. 

   "I...I don't know Garret. I have to think about it. This is a lot of information at once. How am I to leave everything for a world we know nothing about? A world we will be hunted in. I always said I'll follow you anywhere...but I don't understand Garret."

Glancing down at his watch Nate new it had been a few min longer than the fifteen minutes longer than he had already told Garret he'd have. If he left Garret stay in there any longer he new Reese would have his head and than maybe loose all chance as help him, or them both. Opening the door Nate steps inside looking to Victoria and than to Garret.

   "Garret, it's time to go."

Afraid

Everything Victoria said - all of her questions - it was so familiar. It was all the same things that had gone through his own mind a thousand times before he'd made his decision. And to some extent, there were not answers for everything. As Victoria mentioned Aaron, Garret's eyes flashed with concern. Aaron was a good agent, but he could also be a loose cannon, which could really mess this thing up. He'd have to handle that...somehow.

"Yes...yes, I'm crazy." Garret paced a small circle, his mind reeling. "But we're here, don't you see? We're already out. I know it won't be easy, but I would rather spend my life with you and have to look over my shoulder, or even die, than to live with you in sight but out of reach forever." He shook his head. "I don't care what the Agency thinks or what your grandfather might do. Nothing can be more painful than living at the estate day after day after day as a robot forbidden to be near you."

His eyes found hers again, begging her to understand. To see through his eyes. To feel through his heart. To accept this offer now. "I haven't been brainwashed. I've been thinking about this for a long time and just waiting for an opening. All those botched missions?" His shoulders sank slightly. "Those were my first attempts to get out, and I just covered them up so no one would know. I can't take it anymore. The orders. The senseless killing of innocents. The obsession of Medridge to do nothing but torture. I have lived with it for far too long and..." His words caught in his throat as a childhood memory flashed through his mind. Victoria didn't even know of his true past - few did. And it was something he did not like to revisit. He quickly recovered and shook his head again. "...I just want to be free. With you."

Stepping towards her again, he took her hands in his. "It will take time to gain the Elite's trust, but I believe it's possible. Eventually, the handcuffs will come off. Nate...the agent who was shot, he's...he's different. This place is different. I can't explain it - I don't know what it is. But if we commit to helping them, they won't send us to prison, and at least we'll have someone to watch our backs if your grandfather sends men after us."

He paused, knowing full well that he was giving her a huge load of information all at once - and also turning her world upside down. Not to mention, he knew his behavior was not at all what she was used to. But he didn't see any other way. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I am so sorry it had to be this way. But in just a few minutes, that door is going to open again, and I'm going to have to start giving them answers. I've got to know... will you stay with me? Will you see this through and change your allegiance so we can be together?" Oh how he wanted her to say yes. To join him in this quest for freedom. To stay with him. His eyes searched hers for answers, but all he could see was her confusion, and he was afraid. Afraid she might say no. 


Standing outside the hospital room, Tal held two coffees. He'd gotten back several minutes ago, but had respected the private conversation going on between Eli and Ryan. It was hard not to hear what was being said though, and now Tal wasn't sure if he wished he hadn't overheard or not. His insides felt like they were tying themselves in knots, and he sank down in a chair instead of going into the room.

He'd known Ryan had had a hard time letting go of Alec in the first place. He'd known it would take a while for her to get over her feelings. He'd known she had taken Alec's death hard. And maybe way down deep in his heart, Tal had always sensed there was more. But to hear her say it out loud...to fully admit to Eli that yes, she'd still been in love with Alec...it made Tal's heart hurt in a whole new way.

Maybe it was just because she was emotionally strained. Or maybe it was just the meds talking. Maybe...maybe... But Tal knew that whether or not those factors came into play, Ryan had just spoken the truth. Whether he liked it or not, his gut told him that no matter Ryan's current mental state, she had just been honest with her brother.

Tal leaned his head back against the wall as his mind tried to work through this. What she'd just said...it meant that all along...all this time...while Tal had thought he had her heart, in truth, it had been with another man. Not only that, but another man who had even had him beaten within an inch of his life. Yet Ryan's heart had remained with him. Now that Alec was gone, Ryan couldn't ever return to him...but that didn't seem to matter anymore. Tal was just second pick. That was all. No matter how hard he tried to win over Ryan's heart, he'd always know that she'd never really wanted to be with him. And he couldn't simply go on and justify his efforts with the fact that Alec was now dead. Tal's heart had been betrayed, and his love crushed.

His eyes glanced to the open door. Now what? Ryan was in bad shape. How could he just walk in there, tell her he overheard, and call things off? Yet how could he pretend he hadn't heard the truth? It was all one big mess in his mind, and he had no idea how to handle this. What he did know though, was that his relationship with Ryan...it had just been severed. He couldn't keep trying anymore. He was done. 

Eli smiled and nodded at his sister. "As soon as they say it's okay, I'll take you home. They just want to make sure you're going to be okay. Then we'll work on everything else, alright?" He didn't care what it took. He didn't care if he had to quit work to be at home with her and watch her twenty-four/seven. She was his baby sister, and he would not fail his father. Already his mind was racing with options and ideas on what to do. Who to call. Ryan did need help, and he knew it would have to come from someone who knew what they were doing. His little talks with her wouldn't be enough for this one. But at least she was willing, and that was the first and most important step. 

Seeing a shadow on the floor, he glanced up to see Tal with the coffee, and nodded. "Thanks."

"Sure." Tal handed him his cup, and forced a small smile. "Everything okay?"

Eli nodded. "It will be." He truly believed his sister could pull through this. It wouldn't be easy, but he believed. "I'm gonna see how long it will take to get her out of here and take her home."

"Good idea." Tal wandered to the other side of the bed and looked down at Ryan. He wanted to badly to take care of her. Hold her. Comfort her. He wanted to be the one to see her through this. But he knew now that it was not his place. It never had been. He'd just believed a fairytale that was now ending. But seeing her like this - he couldn't confront her now. But he couldn't stay either. Instead, he leaned down to give her a soft kiss on the forehead. "I need to go and at least get a partial day in at work."

Eli quirked an eyebrow. Something felt strange. "I'm sure the boss would let you-"

"It's okay," Tal cut him off. "If you need help with anything though, let me know." He walked slowly to the door and paused once to just glance over his shoulder. "Don't give the doctors too much trouble." It was a lame attempt to tease, but it was all he had.

Crazy

Hearing the door open Victoria let out a small sigh. It wasn't meal time again yet, so that could only mean someone was here to ask her questions again. Maybe this time though if she gave them a little info they would let there guard down just enough. Turning she is quite surprised to see Garret standing in the door way, the Agent that had been shot being the one escorting him. What surprised her even more was the lack of handcuffs, or any restraints for that matter.

Not getting a chance to say anything Victoria was taken into Garrets embrace. She tried to wrap her arms around but couldn't her her own cuffs on. She leaned her head into him though. She'd missed him a great deal, and to have him that close again was so very nice.

Continuing to listen to Garret Victoria only grew more and more confused. She was confused about everything Garret said. Him being here with a reason, Not trying to gather intel, or anything else. He was here by choose because he wanted out of The Agency. How many times had people tried that in the past, and how many times had they failed. How could or would this be any different. This all made no sense at all.

   "First off, I didn't shoot that Agent. That was Aaron after I told him not too. It was just to perfect of an opening  to get me inside here...to find you..and get you out I couldn't wast it."

Search Garret's eyes again her own showed how much she did love him, but there was so much confusion too. They'd talked about a time when maybe they could get away, when they could be together with out fear of what would happen. But Victoria never dreamed of that day actually coming or Garret trying to making it happen. It was a dream they had, but nothing more.

   "Are you crazy? Have they done something to brain wash you? How do you actually think we could get away from the Agency, specially my grandfather. He'd never let us go without a fight or killing us first.  Don't you remember all the others who have tried? We are far more important to him than they were, so it would be worse for us. I dont understand there Garret?"

Alec had died trying to help people. It made Ryan feel good knowing he was trying to do good, but at the same time it made her angry and even more sad knowing he gave up his life to make that happen. He was a hero, but why did he have to be a hero. A small tear ran from Ryan's face and cheek.

   "Ok, I...I guess...I should. Can I go home though if I promise to come back? I just want to go home now."

Ryan's head hurt, she was sad and she just felt tired. Everything had gotten so messed up, and so quickly. She was thankful Eli was there and Tal...oh Tal. Ryan's heart was even a little bit heavier now. He was always so sweet, so loving...he didn't deserve her. He deserved someone far better. A few more tears ran down her face for several different reasons this time.

Respect

Nate's speach only proved to deepen Garret's confusion and curiosity about this strange place. He hadn't had a prayer that his plea would be anywhere near answered. Yet Nate was more than willing to help. Not just fulfill a request, but really help him. And that willingness didn't make sense. 

As the cuffs are removed, Garret rubbed his wrists, grateful for the small amount of freedom once more. His stomach did a flip as his mind raced with words...words were all he had to convince Victoria why he'd done this was all a good thing. She was right next door. He finally had his chance. His plan was finally coming through. 

He wasn't sure how Nate knew this was so important to him, but he was truly grateful. It was a slight nod that portrayed that thanks. But it was more than that. In this gesture, Nate had gained a small portion of Garret's respect. A small portion of Garret's trust. And neither of those things came easily. Both had been earned with literal bloodshed, and this step of good faith.

Silently following Nate, Garret's stomach flipped again. And as the next cell door was opened, his eyes finally, finally fell on the one for whom he had done all of this. Prying his gaze from her, he glanced at Nate once more to make sure this really was being allowed, then stepped inside so the door could be shut again. 

"Victoria..." A whisper was all he could manage before closing the gap and wrapping his arms around her in a strong hug. "You made it. I knew you would. I knew you'd have to be the one to come." He withdrew to cup her face with his hands, and place a long, tender kiss on her lips. But he wouldn't give her time to respond. They had no time. 

"I only have a few minutes," he explained, glad these cameras had no audio. If Victoria wasn't going to agree to any of this, he didn't want anyone else to know. Leaving his hands on her face, his eyes were flooded with emotions. Desperation. Pleading. Longing. Love. "I came here on purpose." It would be a hard pill to swallow, and he knew it. "I wasn't captured, and I wasn't on assignment. I didn't kill my last target. I ditched my own tracker and turned myself in." His thumb caressed her cheek as his gaze begged her to listen and understand. 

"I am so sorry I didn't tell you. I knew that if we tried this together, we'd never make it. So I had to use an alias only you'd know, so you would be the one to come for me." This was so much information, but he couldn't stop now. The clock was ticking. "I couldn't stand not being with you anymore. I couldn't stand being a robot any longer. I didn't want to live anymore if I couldn't be with you always. So...I ran. I'm done with the Agency, Victoria. I've offered my allegiance to the Elite in exchange for their help in keeping the Agency off my back. And with that - as soon as I can gain their trust - which I believe I can in time, is freedom. Freedom to do what I want and live like I want. And what I want is you. Only you. We'd never be together under your grandfather." 

Oh how he wanted her to believe him. To follow with him. To want the same thing. "You shooting Nate put a little crimp I'm things, but that's already being sorted out. All I need now is to know if you're in this with me. If you'll stay with me. Leave everything behind so we can finally be together." He swallowed hard, his eyes piercing deeply into her own. "I love you... That's my only reason for being here... And my only defense."


Eli sighed deeply, but he wasn't upset. He was glad to finally know the truth for sure. He'd suspected as much all along, and even though it wasn't what he wanted, at least now he knew.

"Yeah." His response was soft. Gentle. "Yeah, he really is gone. You know I didn't trust him anymore after all he'd done...but he did die trying to help others. He finally did the right thing...it was just too late." He gave Ryan's hand a small squeeze. Would reality really stick this time? Would she really accept it now? "I... I think maybe you need help getting through this." He didn't really like saying it, but he knew it was best. "I don't want to see you get hurt again, so maybe...if you had someone to talk to, to help you understand why all this is happening?" He gave her a reassuring smile. "It'll be okay... I promise."

Actions Louder Than Words

Letting Garret come closer Nate held up a finger on his bumb arm to hold that one who might be watch cameras would only see. He was couscous but he did not feat Garret. He new it was hard for the others to understand but he understood it, and he trusted his gut. Looking Garret back in the eye Nate was quiet for a long moment. So much was unsaid, and yet it felt like he was still making a step forward with Garret and really thats all he cared about.

   "The thought didn't even cross my mind to keep them on you. However, I will have to keep Victoria's on. She did shoot me after all. But you are free of yours for now."

Leaning down Nate uses his good hand and slips the key inside the lock and turning. The chain and cuffs around Garret's feet falling to the ground. Standing Nate does the same with Garret's hands but stops before turning up and looking at Garret once again in the eye. Close enough one might not be able to read his lips.

   "Sometimes in tight situations its hard to hide emotions, even for the most skilled in the art. I want you to know I've taken on being responsible for you. Everything that has to do with you is now in my hands. If you are scared Victoria will be used against you, rest a sure I will do all I can not to let that happen. Agency or not, information or not, I dont believe that is something that should be messed with. Family, love, or friend...I dont believe with using that to ones advantage."

Turning the key and letting the cuffs fall to the floor Nate turns to starts for the door. Opening it he turns around and motions for Garret to follow.

   "Come on, Victoria is right next door."

Walking back and forth once more Victoria like a caged animal and she hated it. Waiting was never her strong suit and she wondered if she was going to have to wait longer than she though. The Elite didn't slip up much, but sooner or later they would have to and she'd use that to her advantage. How long would she have to wait though. How long would Garret have to wait. Was he even still there? Being in the dark was no fun, and Victoria hated it. 

Ryan was happy Eli was there.  What would she do without her big brother? He always seemed to know just how to reassure her even when everything was a mess. He was just as confused as she was, and probley even more scared. Ryan hated knowing she was causing that, but she didn't know what was what to stop it.

Hearing her brother's question Ryan looks down at the blanket draped over her lap. Picking at a loose string that she seemed to have found she was just quiet for a long moment. Finally looking up at him she couldn't help the tears that still ran down her face.

   "I...I guess I was. I new I'd always have a small place in my heart for him, but...I guess I didn't bury it like I thought I did. Actions speak louder than words right?"

Letting out a long sigh Ryan closes her eyes again and leans her head back on the pillow. She felt sick, she felt sad, she felt angry...she just felt all kinds of messed up. How could this all really be happening? She always thought she was a down to earth kind of person but now...now she was broken.

   "He really is gone....isn't he?"

All this time...

As Nate stepped inside, Garret looked up quickly, surprised at anyone's presence before it was mealtime, and doubly surprised to see it was Nate. His eyes immediately took note of the arm sling, and slight paleness in Nate's face. For his injury, he was back to work awfully fast - even faster than an Agency man would be. Was Reese that strict or had Nate actually wanted to come back into work? Regardless, Garret couldn't help but feel a bit of relief to see Nate alive, up and walking.

Remaining seated, his face showed no expression as he listened. As Nate mentioned Victoria though, and his suspicion if love, Garret's eyes flickered. He was desperate, but terrified the Elite would use his love against him. It was his only true weakness, and they now knew.

Garret slowly got to his feet and took several small steps towards Nate, looking him square in the eye. His pulse was racing, and a bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face. Emotions churned within him to the point that if one looked, they might be surprised to see traces of tears held back by sheer willpower. But he still had his own set of requests. 

He held out his cuffed wrists to Nate. "Let me see her. But take these..." He glanced down at his ankles. "...and those, off first." His eyes returned to Nate's. "You have my word - I will not hurt anyone. I will not try to get away, or try to take Victoria. I'm not asking you to trust me. Just allow me this, and you'll get your answers." His eyes begged Nate to understand, and his voice quieted to almost a whisper. "Fifteen minutes." He wanted eternity, but for now, fifteen minutes was all he needed to explain things to Victoria. "And I'll talk to you without a fight. That's all I want."


"Hey, shhh..." Eli reached out and gently brushed away Ryan's tear. "You're going to be okay," he assured. He paused as the doctor informed them he was leaving but would be back, then returned his focus to his sister. "I don't... I don't know why you thought you were getting messages from Alec. But you weren't. Not really." It was hard to admit, but it was the truth. "He...he really did die, Ryan. He really is gone. I know you were upset about it but...but maybe you were more upset than you admitted?"

Eli searched her face for answers - anything to explain her strange behavior. He was no psychologist, but he needed to know why this was happening to his baby sister. "You thought he was still here and...and wanted to run away with you, so..." He hesitated to ask this, but he needed to know if his suspicions were correct - and it would help understand her state of mind. "You were still in love with him, weren't you? All this time?"

From what I am told...

Ryan's mind was so foggy. She remembered hearing Alec was dead, but than she got messages from him. She remembered going to his funeral, but than he wanted to run away with her. She remembered a fight with Eli, and than nothing else. It was like time had stopped, or her brain had, while her body still moved. Ryan couldn't remember that part.

   "I...I remembering being told Alec was gone, but I remember talking to him too. I got a message from him. We were going to be together again."

Leaning her head back on the pillow Ryan closed her eyes as so many things ran through her head. A tear ran down her cheek. She didn't know what was happening, or what was going on. She felt so confused.

   "...He said he was ready to run away, to get away from everyone who hated him, for us to be together. Whats wrong with me Eli? If Alec is really gone...than...whats wrong with me?"

Nate stands and gives a nod to Reese. It meant a lot to him that Reese was still going to let him do this. He still had a chance, and so did Garret. He just had to get through to him, and he had a good idea how.

Standing outside the holding cell door Nate just looked in the window for a long moment at Garret. Something had changed slightly. Nothing that made Nate worry about his safety, but something with Garret had changed. He almost seemed nervous, upset, and scared.

Opening the door Nate sets inside before shutting it behind him. Just standing there for a long moment still observing Garret before taking in a deep breath. As Reese had reminded him his guard was up but not to high. 

   "From what I am told I owe you a thank you for saving my life. The way I see it you could of let me die there and gotten away but you didn't. Makes me think maybe you have a soft spot too. Which really worked out well for me or I wouldn't be standing here."

Holding a set of keys in his hand good hand Nate fiddles with them for a long moment. So many options to be weighed, so many situations to go over, so many outcomes. It was often hard deciding what was the right one, but Nate new he had to at least try.

   "I've been told that you have been pretty despret to see the woman who shot me and I'm not quite sure why yet. I have my suspicions, and my guesses but I dont really know if they are right or not. So I'm not going to give you an ultimatum because even if you told me no I'd probley take you to see her anyways. After all...I'd probley be the same way if my love one was so close, yet so far, left in the dark but trying to save...."

Nate is silent for a second just searching Garrets face. Why would anyone go crazy to see someone else, someone else that maybe had been sent there to kill him. Why would Garret risk everything for one person. If his speculation was right it was because Victoria was more to him, even if an Agent wasn't aloud anything more, that didn't mean it couldn't happen. Maybe Victoria was the key to all this, the last piece of the puzzle that didn't quite fit yet.

   "..So I ask you, not at Elite to Agency, but man to man. Once I take you to see her afterwards if you could fill me in on the whole story of what is going on, that would really help me out."

Remember?

Reese sat behind his desk and listened as he allowed Nate to present his case. His agent shouldn't even be here - he should have been home resting. But it was obvious that little could keep him away at this point, and Reese was too tired to fight him. The last couple days had worn on Reese, made apparent by his weary stature. This whole thing set him on edge and seemed to be leading them in circles. The last thing he wanted was to slip up and make them vulnerable like he'd already done with Garret. Reese's nose was still swollen, his eyes black and blue from his nearly broken nose. The others were still recovering from that episode too, making this situation even more of a risk.

He sighed deeply as Nate finished his spiel. "You're right. I did make you Garret's handler, and I'm not going to take that back. I think you should be home resting but that's beside the point." He leaned back in his chair and fiddled with a pen. "Since you're in charge of him, I'll allow you to do whatever you think is best, within reason, of course. You should know that Justin was here once but seemingly got nowhere. But be aware - I think he's holding back. I can't put my finger on it, but I think Justin knows something he's not telling me. I don't know what his motive could possibly be, but there's a missing puzzle piece there. Also, Carson has confirmed that Victoria is a high ranking Agency operative. That's all he knows, but it's enough to make us take every precaution with her. And don't forget... Garret may have helped save your life, but then he came in here and threw his weight around so hard, it took five men to slow him down. Do not... I repeat... Do not let your guard down."

Reese waved to the door. "Now go before I change my mind and scrap this whole idiotic plan to save people who don't want to be saved."


Garret sat in the floor of his cell, ankles and wrists cuffed - a stark reminder that prison was all too close. Things had been quiet. Too quiet. No one had spoken to him since Justin had been here. Not one word. Other than meals, the door stayed shut, and he had no idea what was going on. He had no idea if Victoria was still here or if she'd been carted off to prison. Although his gut told him she was still here, and she was near. But he was blind and it made him feel all the more claustrophobic.

No one had told him if Nate really had survived. No one had threatened, interrogated or even spoken to him nicely. It was a silence that could drive him mad. But only because he was failing at bringing Victoria into the fold. Without a chance to see her, this whole thing would be in vain.

He leaned his head back against the hard wall and stared up at the security camera. His eyes had regained their dark, hollow look. With each passing minute, his freedom was just that much farther away.


Eli remained at Ryan's bedside, having never moved until she's finally woken up. It was hard seeing her so disoriented, but he was relieved she was awake. Tal had been there when she'd awakened as well, and had been equally as relieved. Making room for the doctor though, he'd volunteered to go get some more coffee for Eli and himself.

Eli reached out and took Ryan's good hand to give it a squeeze. "The important thing is you're going to be okay." He and Tal had both already expressed to her how happy they were she was okay, but relief still couldn't cover it for Eli. He had almost lost his sister tonight, and if he had...he wouldn't have known what to do.

Once the doctor had left temporarily, Eli searched Ryan's face for any more clues. "You...say you were going to go see Alec but...but we talked about this... Alec is gone... Remember?" He hoped she wouldn't fight him again. He hoped he could get through to her. That maybe her strange behavior had just been a short-lived minor thing.

He swallowed hard, knowing she was hurting, physically and emotionally both. "They...question whether or not you did this on purpose because you didn't even slow down. It looked like you aimed at the tree, and you didn't brake. Do you...really believe you were going to see Alec?"

Remember

The next few days seemed to pass quicker than normal. Things were different around work but one would guess it was the slight tension from having not one, but two highly trained Agency Agents in there facility. It was far from the norm to have two at one time, and knowing how skilled they were, or at least would seem just added to the stress of everything.

  "You asked me to be his handler so I'd like to keep doing that. I believe Garret really is here to try and change. He didn't have to save me! He could of just run off after I was shot but he didn't. That just doen't strike me as someone who has alternate motive."

 Nate had been released from the hospital last night and told to take it easy. He was going to be ok other than maybe ripping his stitches out. First thing this morning He'd come to work his arm in sling and all to talk to Reese. He hoped he wasn't to late and he could still help Garret.

  "I don't know anything about this woman, nor do I feel I should trust her. She did shoot me after all, but I think I can get Garret to tell us whats going on and maybe his whole store. If we keep pushing, and squeezing without really giving him anything it's only going to make him clam up, and possibly turn him against us. So please Reese...let me see if I can get him to work with me a little more, for everyone sake?!"

   "I...I can't remember. I was...I think I was going to see Alec. I don't remember running a red light, I dont even remember crashing."

Ryan sat up in her bed as a Dr shone a flash light in her eyes. She really didn't know what was happening, way she was here, where Alec was, or anything. Everything seemed a blur, and nothing made sense to her right now.

Looking over at her brother she would see the worry in his eyes. He was tired, he was stressed and it was because of her. Was she really losing it? She'd herd people throw around that she'd tried to kill herself, that it was because of Alec, but nothing mad sense and she was so confused. What was really going on?!

Two Coffees

Though somewhat settled down compared to earlier, Garret's stress level was still high. Only after Justin had gone did he resume his pacing, every once in a while throwing a glare at the security camera. But today he didn't have enough control to take it apart for attention. Besides - they weren't going to give him what he wanted anyway, especially now. He didn't like it that he'd lost control. He didn't like feeling this much pressure get to him. He didn't like it that Justin had been able to perceive his deepest secret so easily. Had he really fallen so far? Had he really lost all sense? All strength? Was he really just an irrational, weak man leading himself and his beloved to slaughter?

Stopping his irratic pacing, he faced the wall that separated the two cells, and placed his palm on the cool blocks. Was Victoria on the other side? Was she so close, yet so far out of reach? Would he really be able to pull off this entire, insane scheme? It was all he had. She was all he had.


Aaron slowly rose from the floor, and put a hand to the back of his throbbing head. It took several blurry moments to remember where he was, and what had happened. And when he realized just why he had a splitting headache, he muttered an angry curse. This would be the last time he'd ever agree to working with that woman again. If his hunch was right about her and Garret, Garret could keep her, and good luck to him.

After gaining back his full bearings again, Aaron took a look across the street to find it quite. No sign of Garret, Victoria, or that downed Elite officer. He didn't know what had transpired, or if the guy had died, but two things were certain: there was something terribly wrong with Garret, and Victoria had gone in. Aaron new well enough that she had most likely taken advantage of the situation to follow through with her plan of being caught so she could get inside. The only problem now was that was the extent of Aaron's knowledge - she hadn't given him any kind of plans regarding communication or how she'd get out. He was completely in the dark now, and even more frustrated for it.  This whole thing was ridiculous. If he didn't see any sign of her or Garret in the next forty-eight hours, he would come up with his own plan.


Laura sighed and turned to give Nate's forehead a kiss. "You always see the good in people, don't you? Even someone who would seem a lost cause."

She snuggled down a little closer to him. "If that's how you really feel though, it may take some work to convince Reese. Rick implied he's pretty hot about the whole thing. And if I know Reese, he's probably pretty close to pulling the plug on this thing and giving Garret prison time."


Jason grinned a little, glad Katie hadn't teased him about his ridiculous comment. "Okay...we'll do it soon."

Reaching his office and easing down in his chair, he nodded to Katie. "Thanks. I should be okay now." He opened a drawer to retrieve a bottle of pain killers. "I'll buy you two coffees if you don't mention this either." He smirked. "All Rick needs is another reason to keep tabs on me."

Reply

Nate thinks for a long moment his good arm gently running up and down Laura's arm. She did make a good point but there was just something that told him Garret wasn't all bad. He could never try and explain it the way he wanted to, it was just a feeling.

   "I don't know I can't really explain the feeling I have. I guess...Garret could of let me bleed out, he could of run off, and we never would got got him again. I see people like Misty, and Carson and it reminds me that even the Agency can have people who want out, and just change there life around."

He new it was hard for Laura to understand, and maybe she didn't even agree with him and that was ok. But there was just something that didn't add up, for reasons unknown.

Sitting on the bus Chad looks out the window as the rain pored down. He'd messages Rosalyn a few times and hadn't gotten any reply. He'd hoped everything was ok, and maybe she was just busy but he couldn't help the feeling he had in his stomach. 

Hey, I know I am probley more than annoying at this part and I'm
sorry if I am. Just worried since I haven't heard anything from 
you. Hope all is well, and if you just want me to go away. Just
tell me.

Letting his finger hover over the send button for a long moment he finally presses it tucking his phone back in his pocket. It had been a long month on the road and getting the texts here and there from Rosalyn had helped break up the crazyness. He missed them now but maybe with some luck he'd get a reply this time around.

At Jason's comment Katie couldn't help the heat that came to her face. She wasn't use to those comments from Jason anymore so she couldn't help but blush. Continuing to help him, and see him try to recover from his own embarrassment she couldn't help but give a small laugh.

    "Coffee sounds good. Just let me know when and where."

Getting into the interrogation room Victoria sits down on the small bed watching as the Agent left the room. On her way in she had seen another room and could only guess that, that was where Garret was. So if she played her cards right, it was only a hop skip and jump than they could be out of there.

Standing she starts to pase the floor. She didn't like this, but what was done was done, and now it was time to start planned the escape. Not wanting to give that away to soon though she just continued to pase, taking everything in little by little before stopping at the wall that separated there cells. She hoped he was ok, everything had been so strange and not like him at all. She could only wonder if the Elite had done someone that bad that caused this.

Gone

Justin continued to sit quietly, intrigued by this woman's own apparent desire to study him. He didn't mind, and didn't try to hide anything. Her answer did add to his curiosity though. Did she really not know why Garret wanted to see her? It was nearly impossible to determine if anyone was telling the truth, but if he had to guess, he'd be seventy-five percent sure her answer was truthful.

"Fascinating." Justin nodded. "Okay. Well, if you don't know, then I guess I don't have any other questions since you obviously can't help solve this particular puzzle." 

He stood and aimed for the door. "Don't go anywhere... I'm pretty sure this isn't the last talking-to that you'll get." 

Once outside, he was met by Reese who had been watching and listening from the adjoining room. "That's it? You're done?"

Justin shrugged. "She's not going to give us anything. Not yet. She doesn't have enough reason to. If she really is in on something with Garret, I don't think they're on the same page, which is a might strange. Has Garret calmed down any?"

Reese wasn't happy with what he deemed a lack of result, but he just sighed and nodded. "A bit. You want him brought up?"

"No. I'll go to him."

"Not without backup, you won't."

"Suit yourself." Justin aimed for the stairs. Before he got to the holding cell, he was joined by Hal, armed and ready. Justin cared little though. "I want a word with him alone."

"No chance," Hal retorted. "He'll rip you to shreds."

"No he won't. But if he does, you're off the hook. Please. Three minutes is all I want."

Hal didn't like it, but he'd allow it as long as he could see through the tiny one-way window in the door in case he needed to intervene. At least Garret was finally sitting on his cot without screaming now. 

Justin entered cautiously, met by Garret's angry glare. "You don't look so hot."

"What do you want?" Garret's voice was hoarse and irritated.

"Just trying to put together a puzzle, but we're missing an awful lot of pieces."

"You'd get more if you let me see that woman."

"You mean Victoria?"

Garret's eyes flickered.

Justin nodded. "Yeah, we got her name. She doesn't care much for sharing though. Isn't quite as cooperative as you. Which leads me to believe she's either not connected to you at all, or you two have pretty poor communication."

Garret stood up. As he did, Justin heard Hal at the door, but held up a hand to stop him, as his eyes remained on Garret. "Tell me what's going on before Reese puts you both away for life."

"Just let me see her." Garret tried to control his temper. "That's all I want. Give me fifteen minutes."

Justin shook his head. "I'm sorry, that's not my call."

Garret sighed and sank back down on the cot. "How is Nate?"

One of Justin's eyebrows quirked. "I don't know, but I think he's going to be alright. You're concerned?"

"Of course I am." Garret bounced his knee with impatience. "At least Reese can't pin murder on Victoria."

"Ah. Back to her again. I asked her why you wanted to see her so badly but she didn't seem to know. Care to enlighten me?"

Garret's eyes remained on the floor. "It's none of yours or anyone else's business."

His tone and body language made Justin cock his head. There was something there. Something hidden. Something deeper. "How long have you been in love with her?"

Garret's gaze shot up instantly and he grew rigid. No one could know. Not yet. They'd use it against them for sure. "I'm not allowed to be in love with anyone," he hissed. "Now if all you're gonna do is badger me, then get out before I use your head as a battering ram."

Justin pursed his lips and thought for a moment before relenting. He'd learned what he wanted. He didn't believe Garret's threats, but all the same, he'd leave him be for now...

..."Learn anything?"

Justin was back in Reese's office, once again being questioned. And once again that same unwanted churning came to his gut. Reese was a good guy. Honorable. Trustworthy. But he was also bent on taking down the Agency. And for some reason, Justin couldn't let himself be a part of using love as leverage. He had no proof. It was only a gut instinct based in Garret's physical reactions, but even so, he believed he'd latched onto the truth. But love could be the worst leaverag of all, and Justin simply didn't feel good about using it. Not like this. It felt like betrayal of the worst kind.

"Justin?"

Justin blinked at Reese. "Oh, um...no. Victoria's got a thick enough shell to resist a canon and Garret is still pretty worked up." He glanced at his watch. "I gotta go, though. I'm late for a session with someone."

Back at the interrogation room, Wyatt had returned. But not to talk this time. He motioned to Victoria. "Get up. We're gonna get you comfortable."

 It was a short walk down the hall and downstairs. There were only two holding cells, and it was the second on that Wyatt chose, since the first was already occupied. Thankfully, a cinderblock wall separated the two. 

"In ya go." Wyatt motioned with his handgun into the cell. "You can keep your bracelets on - if you behave yourself, maybe we can take them off later. For now though, make yourself cozy. I have a feeling you're gonna be here a while."


Jason winced as he leaned on Katie to get to his feet. He could pretend all he wanted that it didn't hurt, but Katie would just know he was lying anyway. Using her for support, he limped beside her towards the hall.

He chuckled at her comment and shook his head. "I dunno. I always thought your beast side was kinda sexy." As soon as he'd said it, his face grew hot and he bit his lip, choking on an embarrassed laugh.  He could kick himself for his lame brain comments - didn't he know anymore how to shut up? "But let's do coffee anyway," he tried to recover as they neared his office, "just to be on the safe side." Seriously, did he have no brain at all?


Just having Nate awake and talking without being so pale was enough to bring Laura comfort. It would take her a while to get over the shock of the day, but at least she knew now  that he’d be okay. 

She nodded as he recalled information – it matched what Rick had told her his last comment though, made her turn and glance at his face. “You seem to think this Garret guy is awfully innocent. From what I hear, Reese thinks it’s all part of an elaborate plan to infiltrate the Elite. How can you be so sure Garret save your life and didn’t intend for you to get hurt in the first place? I mean after all…he is Agency.”


“I can’t do it anymore. I just can’t.” Rosalyn leaned her hands on the saddle rack, losing the battle of trying to control her tears as they cascaded from her eyes. She threw her oily rag aside, giving up on cleaning her saddle.

Clint sighed, remaining seated on the narrow bench. The tack room door was shut – not that it mattered. At this late hour, few would wander into the barn anyway, unless it was Stacy, and she’d know well enough to leave them alone.

The evening had not been good. During supper, Rosalyn and Jim had gotten into it. The argument had escalated until both father and daughter had gone their separate ways. When Rosalyn hadn’t shown up again, Clint had helped put Chase down for the night, then had gone looking for his sister. He’d found her vigorously cleaning every spec of dust from her saddle and oiling every tiny crack in the leather, but it had done little to soothe her soul.

“We’ve all been taught to survive.” Clint tucked his hands in his jacket pockets and leaned back against the wall.

“There’s a difference between surviving and living.” Rosalyn sniffed and glared at her saddle. “And I am tired of survival only.”

Clint wished he could help. He wished he could fix this. He wished he could change the way things were. Change his father’s heart. Erase the past. Anything.

Rosalyn’s pocket buzzed, interrupting the tense silence. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before retrieving her phone to see who had just sent her a text message. Chad. With sweet words. Again. As always. All of this stupid mess had all started the very day Chad had come. The day he’d flirted with her at the dinner table. Treated her like a princess. And stolen her heart.

Giving an angry yell, Rosalyn recoiled, phone in hand, before letting it fly. It slammed into the tack room wall and fell to the floor, the screen shattering. Several pieces of the casing broke off and sprung in all directions, bringing a quick and sudden death to the handheld technology.

Clint’s eyes were wide, and he blinked. “Feel better?”

“No.” With tears still flowing, Rosalyn turned to her brother. “I’m done. With all of it. With this place. With Dad. With Chad.”

“Hey…” Clint stood and set a hand on her shoulder. “You can’t mean that.”

“Which part?” Rosalyn’s lip trembled, but she held a steady gaze. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be torn in two different directions.”

“But –”

“No. It’s time I stop this stupidity and find my direction. My way. Not Dad’s…or Chad’s, or anyone else’s.”

Clint withdrew his hand, his frown showing his concern and confusion. “I thought you wanted to be with Chad.”

“I do.” Rosalyn swallowed hard, while yet another tear escaped. “But not like this. Not while I’m just being pulled apart. Not while I don’t even know who I am anymore. I can’t do it.” Choking on a sob, she fell into her brother, grateful for his arms that hugged her. “It’s not Chad’s fault,” she cried softly. “But I can’t keep doing this. I can’t let him in when all it does is cause grief. He’ll just get hurt.”

Clint’s hug was a gentle one, just offering a small bit of shelter in this miserable storm. He knew his sister was in love with Chad, but he also understood her need to break free from all of this, if only to figure out what she truly felt and truly wanted. “Are you going to let him know?”

Rosalyn sniffed again as she pulled away and went to pick up the pieces of her phone. “No. He’ll figure it out.” Maybe it was mean, but her heart simply couldn’t take telling him to leave her alone. A clean break – that was her choice. “If he actually worries and calls you or something, you can let him know what’s going on.”

“What really is going on?”

“I’m leaving.” She turned and stared at her brother’s eyes. “I’ve been considering it for weeks, and now it’s time. Will you help me?”

Clint set his hands on his hips as a deep sigh was slowly released. “Yeah. What do you want me to do?”…

…It was late. Late enough that the sky was pitch black, showing only a few stars through a low cloud cover. A chilly breeze carried with it a dampness that made the air feel colder than it really was. Eerie shadows were cast about through waving trees that, in the daylight, normally offered a comforting scene. Tonight though, little comfort could be found.

Clint finished tying his boots and donned his leather jacket before quietly slipping back down the hallway to his and Wendy’s bedroom. Bending over, he left a soft kiss on her cheek before setting a folded note on her nightstand – just in case he didn’t return as soon as he hoped.

Wendy –
Had to run some early errands. Be back shortly. Love ya.
Clint

He was careful to remain silent as he left the house, and only once outside dared a tired yawn. The cold air was a sure way to wake him quickly though, and he aimed for the ranch’s main yard.

Rosalyn was already there – waiting in the shadows near the main house that was, at this hour, without occupants. With her were several bags, a laundry basket and one cardboard box.

“This it?” Clint couldn’t hide his surprise.

Rosalyn nodded, and shouldered one of the bags before picking up another one and the basket. “It’s…enough.”

Clint knew better than to argue, even though he felt his sister deserved more than this. She had many more belongings and should be allowed the dignity of taking what was rightfully hers. But this was her choice, and he’d said he’d help. “Alright.” He picked up the last bag and the box and nodded down the driveway. “I parked closer to the road so we wouldn’t wake anyone.” …

… Rosalyn rang the doorbell and waited. She and Clint stood at the back of a large brick house in a fairly quiet part of town. It was still dark out, but the street lights left few shadows. Though not the best part of town, it wasn’t the worst, and it was close enough to downtown that many necessary locations, such as a grocery store and gas station, could be walked to easily.

“You sure about this?”

Rosalyn glanced at her brother. “Yeah…I am.”

“Rosalyn!” The door had been opened by a young woman about Rosalyn’s own age – rather short, slender, with brown hair haphazardly pulled back at the nape of her neck. She reached out and immediately hugged Rosalyn. “I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”

Rosalyn returned the hug before withdrawing, and she shook her head. “I couldn’t. Not now.” She gestured to her brother. “Hannah, you know Clint.”

“Oh yes.” Hannah nodded. She’d seen Clint at church with the rest of the family. “And this is Lizzie.” She opened the door wider as another young woman joined them.

Lizzie scratched her blonde head and nodded sleepily. “Hey, y’all.”

Rosalyn giggled. She’d met Lizzie not all that long ago at an event with Hannah. “A little too early for you?”

Lizzie grinned. “Just a bit.” She thumbed inside. “Why don’t y’all come in for some coffee?”

Clint helped Rosalyn pick up her things and bring them inside. “Thanks, but I gotta get back to the ranch.”

Hannah’s eyes dimmed with concern. “I’m assuming no one else knows yet, right?”

“Right.” Rosalyn sighed and looked back to Clint. “I’m sorry you’re gonna get the brunt of it.”

“Eh…” He shrugged. “I’ve got broad shoulders. You be okay now?”

“Yeah.” Rosalyn drew close to give her brother a long hug. “Thank you for all your help.”

“Don’t mention it. Just…let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“Okay.” Rosalyn pulled back and swallowed hard, keeping her tears hidden. “I’ll call you later.”

“Right.” Clint nodded to the other girls. “Later.”

All three waved, and once the door was closed, Hannah and Lizzie both came closer to Rosalyn. “You doin’ alright?” Lizzie questioned.

“Oh, yeah.” Rosalyn sniffed as a tear finally escaped. “I’ll be fine. Just… wish things could have been different.”

Hannah patted her shoulder. “Well, we’re happy to have you here.”

“Especially the whole sharing the rent part,” Lizzie teased.

Rosalyn laughed and rolled her eyes. “Right. Where’s my room?”

“Right down the hall. Come on.”

They’d been standing right near a kitchen that was small, but organized well enough to create plenty of space. Next was a cozy living room with a couch, two chairs, a small entertainment center and a window that overlooked the backyard. After that was a nice large bathroom – which was good, since three women would now be sharing it. A spacious walk-in closet was next, which would be shared as well, since the three bedrooms were all quite small with very little space to spread out.

“Here you go.” Hannah set one of Rosalyn’s bags on the single bed.

“Thanks. So who else is in this house?”

“The two Wixtrom brothers are upstairs.” Lizzie pointed to the ceiling. “They work nights though, so we hardly ever see or hear them. Then next door to us are the Barker’s. They’re older, like in their sixties, and sweet as I’ll get out.”

“There’s a sign out front for a vacancy – where’s that?”

“Oh, there’s a basement apartment available, but it’s been empty for a couple months now. Nice place – just one bedroom though.”

Rosalyn’s eyes scanned her new room. It really was small but…it was cozy. It was plain…but she’d eventually collect some new belongings to put in here. Like a nightstand…or a little bookcase. At least she had a window. It looked out into the alley, but at least it provided light and a view to the sky, should she feel claustrophobic suddenly living in the city.

“Well…” Hannah looked at her watch. “It’s about five o’clock. I woulda gotten up in an hour anyway for work, so I’m gonna go have some of that coffee Lizzie made. Anybody joining me?”

Lizzie yawned. “It’s my day off, but why not? I’ll take a nap later.”

Rosalyn smiled. “There’s no way I could sleep now. I’m in.”

“Good.” Hannah slung an arm over Rosalyn’s shoulders as they headed back down the hallway. “You job hunting today?”

“Yeah. I’ve got several leads on some cleaning jobs. It’s a start anyway…”


… “What do you mean you can’t tell me?!” Becky’s eyes flashed as she stared at her son. It was hours later. He’d been back to the ranch just barely before dawn, and only now, in the main kitchen for breakfast, was he receiving the first wave of reactions to Rosalyn’s departure.

“I gave her my word.” Clint’s tone remained steady, even though it hurt to see his mother under such stress. “She is well. She is safe. But I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone where she went. It was her specific request.”

“So that’s it? All I get is this note?” Becky waved a piece of paper in front of his face. Arriving at the kitchen this morning, that’s all she had gotten. A note.

“I’m sorry.” Clint set his hands on his mother’s shoulders. His own eyes were so tired. He was carrying a heavier burden than perhaps he ever had, and he was alone in it. “You have to let her go,” he urged softly. “She doesn’t even have a cell phone now. Respect her decision. For her sake.” He let her go, but just in time to turn and almost run into Jim, who had heard most of the conversation. His face was tight with what seemed to be more anger than worry.

Ignoring his father, Clint poured himself a cup of coffee and prepared to leave the kitchen, but Jim blocked his route. “Excuse me.”

Jim folded his arms. “Not until you tell me where your sister has gone,” he demanded quietly but sternly.

“I’m sorry.” Clint held a steady gaze. “I can’t do that. Please let me pass.”

Jim’s jaw clenched, and his arms lowered, but he didn’t move. “I won’t ask again,” he warned.

“So what are you gonna do?” Anger was boiling through Clint’s veins, and his coffee cup trembled in his hand as he stared at his irate father. “You gonna hit me again? Once more for good measure?” His voice lowered to almost a whisper. “You strike out one more time, and so help me, you’ll never lay eyes on your grandchildren again.” Daring to move, he pushed past Jim. But he wouldn’t be joining everyone else at the tables. Instead, he slipped out the back door and walked around to the porch. Easing down on the swing, he held the warm mug between his hands and watched the wisps of steam that rose then disappeared. Such was life. It was there…then gone. So fast. And right now…he hated it. He hated all of this. If it weren’t for Wendy and Chase, he would have been gone long before now. Other than having them, he felt more alone than he ever had before.