Another way

Reese ponders Nate’s words and nods his agreement. He’s about to say more when they’re interrupted.

Attention is turned to the door as Misty suddenly enters. Carson’s eyes widen slightly as he realizes she’s probably heard everything Ashlyn had said, and the heat creeps up his neck again.

But as Misty speaks, Carson sees that there’s more fear there than anger. Her grip on his hand signals just how badly she didn’t want to lose him. Carson gives her hand a squeeze. “Everything’s going to be fine, Misty. I don’t know how we’re going to work this out, but no matter what, you’re not going to lose me, alright?”

He ignores Nate and Reese for a moment, turning to look Misty in the eye. “I’m not going down that road again.”

“But what road are you going to go down?” Reese intervenes. “Why do they want you back so badly anyway?”

“I don’t know.” Carson shakes his head, trying to think. “Because I was their best assassin? Because they know I know all about TJY now?”

“Those don’t sound like good enough reasons for all this trouble.”

“I know.” Carson racks his brain. “I don’t understand why I’m so important to them all of a sudden, but if this is Medridge’s doing, then there isn’t necessarily a good reason for this. It’s just manipulated chaos for the fun of it.”

Reese lowers himself into his chair, unable to even think of what they should do. “Well, we can’t give you up – that’s out of the question, just like Nate said.”

“But what about Mick?” Carson argues. “At least if the Agency gets me back, I might have a chance of getting myself back out.”

“There’s got to be another way.”

Carson shakes his head. “They’re not playing games, Reese. If they don’t get what they want, they will kill Mick.”

“We’re not sacrificing you!”

“But you’ll sacrifice Mick?”

“There’s got to be a way out of this!”

Carson sinks down into a chair overwhelmed by this sudden turn of events. This could change everything. If they could figure out no alternative, he could very well be taken and killed after the Agency got whatever it was they wanted. Yet he still didn’t to see Mick killed either – he had too much going for him.

Misty’s hand is still in his, and he pulls her down onto his lap, resting his forehead on her shoulder. This was serious, and he had no idea what to do. He had more at stake now…he had friends…he had a purpose…he had Misty. It wasn’t as easy anymore just to saunter into danger. But what alternative did they have?

Reese looks to Nate, back to Carson, then back to Nate. “Is there any way to double-cross them? Is there any way to make them think we’re giving them what they want just long enough to get Mick out?”


Jason can’t help but find Aerith’s story an interesting one. Talking to her was a much-needed distraction and she was nice, bringing his own irritation to a level he could control.

“Yeah, I was born and raised here…done some traveling, but this is where I’ve always called home.” For a brief moment, he thinks of his childhood and how it had been disrupted…and of his old home which had burned to the ground. It was strange he kept coming back, despite the bad things that had happened here.

“Guess it’s my job that’s kept me…” He pauses, wording his words carefully. “Law enforcement gets in the blood I guess and though I’ve tried to leave it behind, I never could.” He thinks of Con and is almost jealous that he’d been able to break away and stay away from TJY.

Jason finishes his banana and sighs, feeling his body getting back on track.


Movement catches the corner of Scott’s eye and he turns his head to see Domino’s head peeking up over the edge of the bed. He’d been laying with Katie for a while now letting her sleep and had forgotten that his dog was still in the room.

Domino sniffs a little, barely able to see Katie’s form, and straining to see Scott’s eyes.

Scott reaches over with his free hand to scratch her head. “Take a rest,” he directs quietly. “It’s okay.”

Domino gives a little whine and isn’t satisfied with the command to go lie down. Instead, she manages to get up on the bed once again, curling up by Scott’s free side and giving him a look that signals she’s determined to stay.

Not wanting to wake Katie with his voice or movements, Scott relents and just lets Domino stay.