Decisions

Jason grins as heads away from Katie’s room, hearing her reference to flying. His mind goes back to a time not all that long ago, yet it feels like an eternity, when he’d first started calling Katie his personal hero. It hadn’t been the best of times for him, but she had made it livable…she’d helped him through when there had been no one else.

Her statement about Kyle was interesting…Jason wasn’t yet convinced that there was nothing between them. But why should he really care anyway? Hadn’t he decided that he himself and Katie were just to be friends? If that was the truth, then he shouldn’t have even said anything about Kyle.

Making his way outside, he’s glad the weather is clear as he straddles his bike and heads for work.


Con sighs a little, though can’t express how much he appreciates Jamie’s support. How much had he missed these years by not recognizing her love sooner?

Finally letting the moment slip into a memory, Con lets her go and steps out of the car. He heads inside a little slower than normal, but as he walks, he holds his shoulders square and confident, hiding the insecurity he really feels. Once inside, he starts towards his office.

“Con!” Laura jumps up from her desk and comes to him quickly, throwing her arms around him. “What are you doing here? You scared me to death, you big goon.”

Con chuckles softly and gives her sister a warm hug. “I couldn’t stand staying in the house another day.”

“Yeah, well you should be in bed.” Laura stands back to look up at him. “You look alright, but not perfect.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Con reassures. Talking for a few more brief moments, he again aims for his office.

“What are you doing here?!”

Con sees Reese coming towards him, and grimaces. “Hi.”

Reese rolls his eyes. “Don’t ‘hi’ me! You should be at home.”

“Yeah, well, now my ride is here, so I’m staying.”

“Why is it that I got stuck with the most stubborn…bullheaded…senseless bunch of people that exists?!” Reese shakes his head. “Fine. But I want you to see Rick.”

“Come on, I’m fine.”

“Rick!” Reese orders. “Now. He hasn’t seen you yet this morning, and I have yet to receive a clean bill of health for you from him. If you don’t go see him right now, I’ll have you escorted back outside and to your house.”

Con heaves a sigh, but throws up his hands in surrender. “Fine. You’ll get your clean bill of health within the hour.” He starts up his route again, wandering down the hall, wondering how on earth he was going to pull this off. He knew he’d have to tell Reese sometime about his hearing loss…but now? Couldn’t it wait? …What was Rick going to say?


… “Con, I’m sorry! I’ve got to tell Reese!”

“Why? Just let me finish off this case first.”

Rick stares up at Con with disbelief. “I can’t do that, and you know it. I’m under written obligation to tell Reese what’s going on. I can’t skirt around it, and I’m certainly not going to lie.”


It’s twenty minutes later that Con is facing the conversation he knew would come. “Reese, please! Don’t do this to me.”

Reese sighs deeply, seated at his desk. “I don’t have any choice. I can’t, with good conscience, allow you to continue working in the field. Not like this.”

Con fights against his emotions as he stands behind the extra chair. “So, what then? I get to do paperwork all day? Take phone calls? Clean the floors? Empty trash?”

“Con, please,” Reese reprimands. “Don’t make this any harder than it is. I don’t know where I’m going to place you yet – don’t force me to make that decision now. As for the time being, I want you to recuperate fully, maybe even take some time off. After that, we’ll see. I could use you around the office.”

“I’m a bodyguard!” Con argues. “That’s what I do!”

“Then maybe you’ll have to change what you do.” Reese looks to the door. “I’m sorry that this happened, and we’re working on finding out who or why you were poisoned. I suggest you take that time off.” He looks back down at his paperwork, ending the discussion.

Con stays for several moments, his frustration and anger boiling inside of him. Finally he spins around and stalks through the door, letting it slam behind him. He makes no eye contact with anyone as he strides across the work floor, heading for the door.


“Jason, you have a call.”

“Thanks.” Jason picks up the phone at his desk. “Yeah, this is Jason. …Kyle? I thought you were at work. Oh, I see. Yeah. Really?” He glances at his watch. “I guess that would work. I could take a few minutes to go over those details. Sure… where do you want to meet?”


Mick envelopes Rosetta in a hug, frustrated with Dylan, but unwilling to take it out on anyone else. “I just don’t know what to do any more. It’s just getting worse, and I’m afraid if I give it too much time, he’ll be gone for good. He’s ready to walk right out of here, in trouble or not.”

Clint pulls a rag from his back pocket to wipe his hands after he catches the set of keys. “Groomsman, huh?” He quirks a grin. “Why not. When are you two tying the knot anyway?”