Case

Carson steps slowly into the house and shuts the door behind him. Looking at Misty, the questions and concern are evident on his own face. What had happened? Who had done this? Why had she tried to keep it from him?

Reaching out, he takes her chin to tilt her face so he can see the bruise better, then lets his hand drop. His eyes take a quick glance around the room, and he knows that things are out of place.

Looking back down at Misty, he searches her eyes, not sure whether to be relieved she was okay, or upset that she had said nothing. His blood boiled at the thought of someone hurting her, and it took all he had not to lose his temper.

"Who did this to you?" he asks sternly.


Scott looks up at Katie and runs the back of his hand down the side of her face. A grin remains on his lips. "I think I like Wonderland."

Shifting his weight around, he pulls the cords back through that he'd been working with, trying to concentrate on work again. "I hope this means you'll do dinner with me tonight... He glances to her to catch her eye. "Somewhere special."


Bret sits in the hospital room, listening to the whirring and beeping of the monitors. Brandon had always been the rambunctious one of the bunch...always cracking jokes, whistling at the ladies, or bucking the system when he felt like it. To see him here now, so still...so quiet...it was strange.

The preliminary hearing would be tomorrow, and Bret would either be released, or the prosecution would bring a big enough case that it would have to go to court. He hoped that Lockheart's representation and claim against the accusations would be enough to dissolve the case before it developed at all. In the meantime, Titan Inc. was already undergoing new negotiations with a company that wanted to expose the caves and explore the possibility of a tourist attraction.

Sighing, Bret leans back in his chair. Then there was Charlotte. She'd done something to him...ignited and old spark...one that had led him to do things he never would have before. Her very presence evoked the want to throw caution out the window, and he had. Was it bad? Was he using the best judgment? Was it wise to really get involved with her when she'd just be leaving soon? He hadn't thought about anything between them really developing further than the weekend, simply due to circumstances. Seeing her after the weekend just hadn't been a choice. Was it now? If it was, what did he want?


"..a ring of fighters, huh?" Jason glances at the file of papers and a few pictures that Reese had brought to his office.

Reese nods. "Basically underground street fighting. The law has known about it, but hasn't yet pinpointed the location. But last week they found a guy dead and are pretty sure it's connected, so they want to buckle down and disband this thing. Most likely there's drugs and gambling involved along with the fighting."

"Hmm..." Jason reads the information thoughtfully.

"I want you to head up this investigation," Reese continues. "My bet would be that the best way to find out where this place is, is to get in there yourself, and you're good enough that you could. Look over this stuff and let me know what you think."

Jason was a little surprised at this responsibility. It was the first time since being back from prison that Reese had given him a case. But he couldn't say he didn't like it. "Alright. Will do."