Running out of time

We'll be fine, Hero... I know you can do this.
Jason gives a nod to Nate. "All three of us will need to get as close as we can. Katie and I need to be pretty near our targets to be able to do anything."

He stops to check his gun as well before holstering it again. "We'll sneak around there through the trees until we're close." He points out the window. "The lights will blow, and set those guards on edge. They're gonna get mighty nervous so when we come up on them, they'll be ready to drop their weapons. I think we should knock 'em out and drag 'em out of the way. Then...somehow we need to get inside."

"They're wearing ID badges and I assume they have keys of some sort." Wyatt looks through his own binoculars. "Jase, why don't you and Nate slip into their jumpsuits? And...take Katie in as your prisoner?"

Reese raises an eyebrow. "That might work...if you go in and say you caught her snooping around or something..."

"Yeah, but no one is going to buy that Nate and me are the guards," Jason argues. "Surely everyone in there knows everyone else."

Reese shrugs. "Depends. At least it'll get you inside. You're going to have to play it by ear then anyway. If that line doesn't work, then do what you do best."

Jason gives him a wry grin. "I think Nate and I could handle that."

Wyatt nods to Katie. "I think that wildcat back there could handle that too."

Jason glances to her too.
I have no doubt.
"Alright... so it's as much a plan as we've got." He slides open the van door. "Lets move." Letting Nate and Katie out, Jason looks back in at Dalton. "Keep us in touch. Be ready to hack into some systems if we need it. I don't know what'll go down in there."

Once the three are out of the van and ready, Jason automatically takes the lead. Normally he'd fall in behind Nate, but for some reason, this time he was heading in first as long as Reese allowed it.

The air was cold, the wind whipping over the treetops. A light mist could be felt in the air, creating an icy atmosphere.

The clearing is only a few yards away, then it's a grassy slope down into the large parking lot before the building. The three sweep along the outer edge until they're closer to their targets, but off to the side where the guards won't notice them right away.

Sneaking through the shadows, they get closer and closer, bent low and weapons ready if needed. Reaching the building, Jason flattens himself up against the wall, waiting for the others to follow suit. He knew the others would be watching from the van... He hadn't thought about this scenario confusing Dalton, but he might as well start realizing that there were a couple strange people on this team.

Jason creeps nearer the corner and turns his hat around before going just far enough to barely see around the corner. He sees the two guards smoking and talking by one of the doors, and he glances up to see the lights.

"It's gonna get dark," he whispers as he withdraws again.
Soon as those lights are out, they'll be on edge and you can latch onto them, Katie. If they're scared enough, they'll surrender even if logically they have the upper hand.
"Nate, stand by to show them we mean business. If Katie gets to them, they'll fold fast."

Wyatt glances to Reese, then back to Dalton, then back to his dad. He could hear Jason talking, and wondered how well this would really work. He knew Jason and Katie could do some unexplainable things... and most people at TJY had experienced Katie's emotional interference by now... and some had heard about what Jason was capable of... but would this really work?

Jason takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment, willing up the negative emotions. It hurt... he didn't like the way they made him feel. It was one thing to be angry first, then just use that anger. It was another to have to drag it up on purpose.

Standing with his back against the wall, his free hand crawls towards Katie's, giving it a tender squeeze.
I know this hurts you too.

Feeling the peek of his emotions, Jason bundles them tight. Letting go of Katie, he moves quickly around the corner, staring straight at the lights. And like a gun, he aims.

Sparks and glass fly as the lights burst with a loud popping sound. The two guards jump back and aim their guns upward, looking around in confusion. They glance every which way, their eyes wide as they question each other, bewildered and taken completely off guard.

Jason whips back behind the corner, turning his hat around and drawing his gun. "Alright. Let's do this." He nods for them to step out and take the guards down.

Reese's eyes widen as he sees the lights burst by the building. "Atta boy, Jase. Do your thing, Kat."


Dreams filter in and out of Scott's mind, blurring reality and imagination together. Shaking with cold chills of fever, he huddles in the back corner, ignoring the bowl of rice in the corner that was feeding the rats tonight. He didn't even know if it was breakfast or supper, but he didn't care.

"You're determined to die in here, aren't you?" A gentle hand reaches down to rest against Scott's forehead. "If you wouldn't have fought so much, I could have gotten you into the medical center."

Scott withdraws, shielding himself from anyone else, friend or foe. He didn't understand... he never understood anything after the shots.

"Donovan ought to get a shot of that himself," the voice grumbles. "Just hang in there, eh?"

Scott starts coughing, holding his his arms tight against his thin frame to stop the pain.

The other figure finally stands and heads to the door. Their eyes show their compassion hidden from the others in these walls. "Lord, take him quickly," he begs before leaving, closing and locking the door once again.


"So since when are you such a good cook, hmm?" Dani giggles and licks her fork clean, leaning back in the booth at Mom and Pop's.

Carson stands by the table, wiping his hands on a towel. It was eight o'clock, they were closed for the night, but Dani had come for a late supper with him. "I have no idea."

"Well this was mighty good. Either you got Mum's talents, or Herb is a good teacher."

Carson grins, but a bit of melancholy settles over him. He and Dani hadn't spoken much of the past at all, and the mention of one of their parents brought on some long-forgotten memories.

He sighs and lowers himself into the empty booth across from his sister, leaning his elbows on the table. "Think about Mum much?"

Dani cocks her head, a little surprised at the subject. "Oh...sometimes. I remember bits and pieces."

"Like what?"

"I don't know... her smile... how she used to go all out for our birthdays... the smell of her perfume... the warmth of the kitchen when she was cooking... oooh, and her sugar cookies."

Carson chuckles. "Even I remember those."

"What have I forgotten, Carson?" Dani looks him in the eye. "What did I miss out on?"

Carson leans back, letting his eyes drop. There was a lot she didn't remember...but it was just as well. "Sounds like you got the memories that count."

"Maybe. I don't remember Dad much."

Carson's eyes move back up. "You were closer to Mum."

"I guess. I wish I remembered Dad too though. I was twelve... you'd think I would remember more."

"Yeah, but that was pretty traumatic when you were brought to the US. It's not surprising you don't remember much."

Dani shrugs. "I suppose... I don't remember Dad's character...you know? Like... I know Mum was kind and warm and caring... I just don't know what Dad was like."

Carson swallows hard and rubs a dirty spot on the table. "I missed this spot last night," he muses.

Dani reaches over to stop his hand. "Carson...there's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"

He looks up quickly, his eyes searching hers. One day she might remember, and when she did, it might be very hard. It would probably hurt, and she probably wouldn't understand. He couldn't put her through that prematurely. He couldn't be the one to bring that on her.

Carson forces a small smile and shakes his head. "Dad was busy. He wasn't home much."

Dani looks at him for a moment, but then backs down, satisfied with his answer. "So. Enough about the past. What about the future? You gonna move in with me?"

Carson chuckles. "I can't afford to help out much."

"I know. But with my job down at the grocery store we would be okay."

"Well...I don't know. I know you're trying to get your own start and all. I don't want to be a burden to you."

Dani rolls her eyes. "I've offered three times now. I leave it up to you. You know good and well you wouldn't be a burden." Her mouth upturns into a mischievous grin. "You need a good start...if you're going to impress that girl of yours."

"Dani!" Carson's eyes widen, though he laughs. "I think I've done quite well, thank you very much."

"Oh, sure...for starters. I'd date a guy who lived in the back of a restaurant too. But the smell of Italian gets a little old after a while."

Carson smirks. "Maybe Jess likes it."

"Maybe." Dani giggles. "She likes you more though."

"You think?"

"Are you kidding me?" Dani gives him a look like he's crazy. "It's written all over her face. You got her, bro."

Though Carson laughs, for some reason, his eyes lack a spark, and his gaze drops once again. "Yeah, I guess I know."

Dani suddenly furrows her brow. "Well don't get too excited about it or anything," she comments with sarcasm.

"What?"

"Why the grim look? You do like her too, don't you?"

"Of course I like her."

"But...?" Dani fishes for more.

Carson stands up, taking her empty plate. "She'll be here in a few minutes to head to a movie and I still have to clean up the dishes. Come help me or I'll be the one to blame for making us late."

Dani rolls her eyes, but grins, picking up her napkin and silverware. "Lead the way, o cook."