Trouble

Carson just holds Jess for several long minutes, letting the silence take over the room. How he wanted to return another kiss. How he wanted to laugh and tease and have fun with Jess. But it was that lingering shadow at the back of his mind that kept him from it. It was that name in the fog that wouldn't let him. But how could he ever say that?

"Of course I like you the way you are," he whispers.

Finally withdrawing, he sits up straighter, allowing himself to look Jess in the eye. He finds himself putting a hand to her cheek and staring into her gaze, as the words fall from his mouth. "Don't you ever let anyone try to change who you are, Jess. No matter who disappoints you, or lets you down... don't ever lose that spark... don't ever trade your heart for sorrow again. You're strong. You're brave. And you can make it through anything if you just believe in yourself."

Running his thumb down to her jaw, he leans in for a last tender kiss on her lips before standing up, forcing her to slide to the floor too. "Now... since I've wasted almost all our time tonight with my stupidity when working with hot peppers... let's go see if there's a late movie."


Jason listens to Nate, and gives him a nod before he leaves. "Thanks, Nate. See you tomorrow."

After a moment, his eyes follow Katie's gaze, and his own grin forms. "Cards it is." Getting up to grab the deck, the dialogue continues silently.

I don't think we'll ever not be together... Even when we were apart... we weren't really.

He turns around and catches Katie's eye, giving her that patented stare.

The world's a little more bearable knowing you're in it.

Finally dropping his gaze, he goes to swing his chair around near the little table and stares to shuffle the cards quietly, keeping one eye on Scott.



"You can't do this! They're my best agents!"

"They're not yours! They're TJY's, and what they did was irresponsible, totally uncalled for, and I will not stand for it!" Austin's face grows red as he raises his voice against Reese, out on the main floor.

Reese himself was angered after hearing what had happened the night before. He felt like he was missing details from Austin's side of the story, and it had been quite a shock to be greeted in this manner by someone he'd known so well. "I'm sure they were just being over-zealous," he argues more calmly. "There may be call for a reprimand here, but you can't suspend them. Not when we've got so many cases on our plates."

"Two weeks," Austin growls. "They have two weeks leave, and that's final."

"What right have you, anyway?" Reese counters. "Last I looked, that would be up to me."

"Not last I looked." Austin lifts his chin a little higher. "You can take this to Carter if you want, but I guarantee you that he'll be seeing things my way, so don't waste your breath. In the meantime, I'll say now that some changes are going to take place around here, starting with my position."

Reese doesn't know how to react, and swallows hard. "Carter giving me the shaft?"

"Nope. But you better get used to my ideas. Jason and Katie are out for a week. Then after that, as soon as he's physically fit, Scott goes."

Reese loses it. "You can't do that!" he shouts. "Not to him! I won't stand for it!"

"Then go to Carter!" Austin points to the back offices. "Be my guest! But I'm running late as it is, and I'll not stand here arguing with you about it anymore. It's done."

Reese stands helplessly as Austin walks away. All he can do is just stand...shocked. Glancing around, he sees the few others that were already there that morning, looking on at the loud argument. For once... he didn't care. He felt his emotional reaction was justified.

Then lowering his eyes to the floor, he turns and heads down the hall, instead of to his office.


Jason shifts in his chair, lifting his head and wincing, the crick in his neck having formed after sleeping in this awkward position for hours. Yawning, he glances to the chair next to him, and gives Katie's leg a light backhanded swat.

Rise and shine. It's reality time. I... aldkt aejfkwj ewkrj.....

His thoughts all collide like a train wreck as his ears pick up shouting down the hall, and he loses his concentration.

What the...

He recognized Austin's voice and....Reese? Great.

Well, I guess the boss now knows. Sounds like we're in for it.

Jason's eye catches movement and he looks to the bed where Scott is starting to stir.

Looks like our patient is up too.

Scott manages to get an eye open and looks around the room for a moment, his brain trying to figure out why Jason and Katie were there. Glancing down, he realizes that Domino is under is his hand as well, looking back at him with her bright, expectant eyes.

What had... where was....

"Welcome back." Jason offers him a weary smile.

Scott swallows hard, trying to find his voice. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

Scott frowns, thinking. It was foggy.... but the more he thought, the more pieces he could put together. "I... I got into trouble and... you guys came?"

"Something like that."

Scott bites his lip. "Is he... is he still here?"

Jason thumbs toward the door. "I heard him a minute ago. But don't worry. He's not going to bother you anymore. I promise."

Scott isn't so sure he believes him, but he tries. His fingers absentmindely stroke Domino's head. "I... thanks, guys."

"Hey, no sweat. What are friends for?"

Scott manages a weak grin, then pulls himself up so he's sitting, and yawns, trying to wake up. Physically, he felt better than the day before... mentally... he didn't want to think about it. He couldn't remember all that had gone on the night before, but trying to think about it didn't feel good.

Before much else can be said, the door opens, making Scott jump a little. But seeing it was Reese, he relaxes again.

Reese forces a smile to the surface. "Well hi, Scott. Good morning."

"Hey, Reese."

Reese looks down to see Jason and Katie. "And good morning to you two. I was looking for you. Can I see you guys in my office a minute?"

Scott frowns. He could feel the tension. He could hear the stress in Reese's voice. And he could feel that this had something to do with him too. "Don't leave on account of me," he asks quietly. "It has to do with me doesn't it?"

Reese sighs and folds his arms, trying not to let the anger show on his face. "A little bit, yeah." He pauses, finally deciding that if Scott wanted to hear it, then so be it. He looks to Jason and Katie again. "I guess you two are officially suspended from duty for two weeks. My hands are tied. There's nothing I can do... I wish there was. I heard about what happened, and I'm not happy about it either. My advice is to just roll with the punch so you can be back here in two weeks where I need you."

"Suspended?" Scott is confused. "Why?"

Jason grits his teeth.

Because we were protecting somebody. Because we were after justice, not brutality. Because we stood up to somebody who doesn't have a heart, nor does he care.

"We had a bout with Austin last night."

Scott's mixed and confused emotions are written all over his face. "Because of me, wasn't it?"

Jason shrugs. He didn't want Scott to feel badly. "No, it was because of him. And it stays that way."

Scott looks back up to Reese, fear filling his eyes. "Am I... am I gonna lose my job?"

Reese opens his mouth, but he cannot answer. He can't lie, and he hates the truth. What could he say? What could he possibly say?

Scott reads into his silence, and his uncontrolled emotions cause his lower lip to tremble. "Please don't fire me." Tears fill his eyes. "I'll try to get back on my feet... I'll try to do a good job again... I'm sorry that I got people in trouble just... please..." His eyes beg Reese. "This is all I got."

"Aw, Scott." Reese has a hard time himself, controlling the emotions that pool in his own eyes. He cared for each and every one of his agents here, and Scott had always been a special one.

Reese moves forward to the bed, and gives Scott's shoulder a pat. "Don't worry, okay? Just let things settle and it'll all work out. I promise."

Scott swallows hard again, trying to believe, though his voice still wavers. "Okay."

"Good morning!" Susann bursts through the door, her smile like sunshine on a rainy day. No doubt she had heard what was going on, but no one could tell. She grins at Scott. "Hey, there, Mr. Johnson. And... Katie and Jason, and Reese! Looks like all the important people are here."

Reese smirks at her. "We may be good, but we're all the best."

She smiles back at him, and takes a brown paper bag out from under her arm, approaching Scott's bed. Pulling out some items, she speaks absentmindedly. "I found these... somewhere... don't ask why they stuck around, but they did." She sets a shirt, a hoodie and a pair of jeans on the table by the bed. "They're yours... it'll at least give you something to wear other than the infirmary garb. And..." She pulls out a pair of new tennis shoes. "They were your size, on sale, and I knew you liked the brand. So at least you don't have to stay in your bare feet. I can't stand knowing you're walking around here with cold feet."

Scott's eyes are wide and he opens his mouth, but Susanne cuts him off again.

"Oh, and I almost forgot...." She pulls out a couple cans of Mountain Dew, and a couple packages of beef jerky. "Don't tell Rick, 'cause he's sure to say you shouldn't have this now, but... thought it might spark your tastebuds."

Scott can't help his small smile. He was hurting, he was depressed... but Susanne helped. "Thanks, Susanne."

"Don't worry about it." She crumples up the bag and heads back for the door. "Now I'm off to work for the big grouch." She throws a hand over her mouth, sarcasm starting. "Oh, did I say that?" Rolling her eyes, she exits, letting the door fall shut again.

Jason lifts an eyebrow. "Hmm. News of Austin's mood travels fast."

Reese smirks. "That it does. So what are you two doing? Katie? What say you?"