Time

Though most would want to agree with Wes, it was obvious that storming the Agency wasn’t the best of plans.

Jeff catches Rosetta’s eye, sorry he’d suggested splitting up again. He hadn’t really wanted that to be an option, he’d just been trying to figure everything out.

It’s agreed that trying to find both the location of Dr. Medridge and Sam would be a good starting place to begin research again, while continuing to try and find the location of the last chip.

Con fills Katie in later when she calls, giving her a detailed report to give to Reese. He wants to elaborate on Jason’s change in demeanor but resists, not wanting to open up that can of worms. Instead, he makes small talk about working at TJY before ending the call.


Wyatt seems to have disappeared for the day, someone mentioning he got called out of the office, but early afternoon, an email pops up for Katie.
“Thanks for breakfast. It was scrumptious. - Wy”

Time…

Over the next couple weeks, Wyatt continues to give Katie and Laura rides to and from work as her car waits to get fixed, then winds up in the shop for longer than planned. No one minds though, all three winding up doing more together and enjoying the time to develop friendships.


Plunging ahead with new purpose, work on the case from the ranch takes on a fresh perspective, giving everyone new motivation. But as time drags on and little is found, the pace slows back to the depressing state of wondering if they’ll ever find what they need. The weather warms, creating a conflict of enthusiasm for spring mixed with a depression resulting from the realization that danger still lurks with no warning and no answers.

…Passes

“So then I said I would go.” Jade giggles as she controls the swaying of the porch swing with her foot as she leans against Jason, his arms resting around her.

Jason grins at her high school story, and allows a long pause, the warm breeze seeming to lull them into a melancholy state.

Jade senses his quietness and questions it. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Jason rests his chin on her head. “Just thinking is all…it’s been a month since we’ve dug up anything substantial on this stupid case…the Agency, or Dr. Medridge at least, has gone back into hiding… it all just feels like a weird dream.”

“Yeah…” Jade sighs. “I was talking to Dad about it yesterday…he seemed a bit down over it. Come to think of it though, he’s seemed a bit off for quiet a while. I can’t put my finger on it though.”

Jason quirks an eyebrow. “I heard Sparky say something to Wes last week about him knowing that Mick’s been having nightmares something awful.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“That’s all I heard though, so I’m not sure if that was everything or not.”

Another pause is allowed to reign for several minutes until Jade speaks up again. “How’s your knee after you twisted it yesterday?”

“Better.” Jason grimaces, remembering his sparring session with Con the day before. He’d held himself to a rigorous morning routine for weeks now, though yesterday was his first attempt at getting back into some hand to hand combat. He still depended on a cane to get around, but he’d set aside his crutches two weeks prior after receiving a positive report from JT. “Con felt terrible.”

Jade giggles. “Well you were fighting.”

“He said he shouldn’t have hooked my leg like he did.” Jason rolls his eyes. “He’ll get over it.”

“I’m sure.” Jade straightens up and sighs with content. “We still gonna go on that picnic you keep promising me?”

“Of course.” Jason pulls her back close to give her a bear hug and kiss on the head. “I always keep my promises.”

“Good. Tomorrow then.”



Clint sings at the top of his lungs to a song playing on the radio as he lies on his back under a car. Reaching for another tool, he realizes how much he’s learned since he started helping Wes… and his debt was almost paid off now too. He was going to have to ask Wes if he wanted help to continue, even if the original reason was taken care of.



Mick ties Beauty in the barn aisle, giving her a good brushing after the quick workout he’d given her. With the weather getting warmer, he knew Rosetta would probably saddle her up one of these days, and he wanted the young mare to be ready. Pausing, Mick leans on Beauty’s back for a moment, his mind wandering to last night’s nightmare all over again. Would the bad dreams ever stop? They were still haunting him…some worse than others, but all leaving him with a terror that clung to him throughout the day.



The afternoon at TJY seems slow with several people gone on vacation, and as a slowdown in cases comes. Reese keeps Katie busy with secretarial work though, impressed with her efficiency and adding a few more responsibilities to her plate, along with toying with several ideas for her to help with a few certain cases.

Wyatt leans back in his chair, his feet propped up on the break room table and he throws another dart, landing it near the bull’s-eye in the target on the far wall. Another throw lands his next dart dead center. “Ha!” He glances over to Katie. “I’d say ‘beat that’ but I’m afraid you will like you did last week.” He grimaces. “Scott still hasn’t let me forget that.” A grin escapes as he doesn’t really mind at all…he’d been having too much fun getting to know Katie to let anything bother him at this point. He pauses, his eyes twinkling. “I keep having to fight my jeep in the mornings not to drive by Laura’s, now that her car is fixed. I’ve considered tampering with her engine just so I could keep picking you guys up in the mornings.” He throws Katie a wink. “Guess Trooper and I will just have to take a few extra walks.”

Fight

*Rosetta looks at Jeff, her eyes grow small tears.* " Even if it was cuz we were split up, I dont want to go down the road again. Not now. I wont be for that plan."


*Wes stands again pacing.* "Cant we get TJY involved more? Find out where this DR is or Agency is located and storm in guns blazing and...." *Wes slumps back down in his chair scanning the room.* "Ya I know, not likely."

*Angel sighs.* "We have been through to much to give up again." *She shakes her head* " Its not fair to iceolate outself from the people we love. I say we start fighting back. If Sam was at the McClain's she would of had to give them a home address right? I wonder if we called if Allen would give it to us. I know it could be a bogus one, but it might not of been. We might be able to go and check it out get some clues or something."

~*~At TJY~*~

*As Katie makes her way to the desk she starts to work on the papers Reese has layed out for her. Hours pass and finally the pile is almost empty. Looking down at her watch Katie sees its almost noon. Trying to decied if she wants to call Con now or wait till after lunch Katie picks up the phone and dials Con's number.*

Discussion

Clint stumbles forward just a little as Wendy comes up behind him, but instead of straightening, he bends over, pulling Wendy up onto his back and swinging her around, piggy-back fashion. He sprints into a jog to the mess hall, giving her a bouncy ride until he hits the porch, swiveling around to deposit her on the step. In one swift motion he turns to leap onto the porch and open the door, bowing low to usher her inside. He's breathing heavily, his face red, but he's grinning from ear to ear.

After everyone is settled down, Jason shares and the questions fly, Jason shakes his head. "Rosetta, I don't know." He glances at his grandfather, but Austin doesn't offer anything. "Who would we try to prove anything to, even if we could? The authorities would laugh us out of town before even investigating it themselves. It's been tried. Not to mention we've encountered law enforcement that's been in with the Agency, so who do we trust?" He holds up the papers. "These here are just printouts of of files I shouldn't even have seen. If I would show these to anyone, I could probably go to jail for hacking."

Mick speaks up. "As far as I can tell, the Agency chose us, simply because of our parents. Apparently they agreed with whatever the Agency was doing. That's what we discovered up to this point at any rate. I'm not convinced it has anything to do with us, per say, but rather we just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Jason nods. "That's what we've landed on so far." He turns to Wes with seriousness. "If you have a game plan in mind, do share. But don't think we've come up with nothing. This in itself clears up a lot of questions. You've been lab rats - anyone who gets involved has been, and anyone who gets involved hereafter is included in the batch. I'm in danger, Austin's in danger, and even Con." He shakes his head again. "It won't end until one of two things happen - we take down the Agency or die trying."

Con studies his younger friend, intrigued by Jason's sudden take-charge attitude. What had happened overnight to change his outlook?

"Or give up," Jeff states lamely. "Do you think the torment would stop if we split up again?"

Jason isn't sure he knows enough to answer, but he does anyway. "We thought you all were left alone because you were split up - but it could very well be simply because Medridge was behind bars for a while..."

"So we still don't know what to do." Mick scoffs in disgust. "It's like getting pieces to a puzzle, but putting them together doesn't form a picture."


Once at TJY, the threesome splits up, Wyatt heading to his desk with his breakfast, and Laura to hers. On Katie's desk is a bunch of papers and notes from Reese with new tasks for the day, including a reminder to call Con.

New Calabration

*Rosetta smiles at Mick and rolls off the coutch trying to get motavated.* "It's 7am." *Finally geting enough motavation Rosetta gets up and wakes BJ up ready to start the day.*

*Angel smiles as Luke comes up behind her. She rests her head on his and laughs.* " ya go figure I do know how to cool little."

*As Wendy lays on her bed she hears a loud bank on her window. Jumps straght up in the air finally she heads Clint's voice.* "Why that little." * Jumping out of bed Wendy runs out the door and jumps off the porch running up behind Clint trowing her arm around him.* "Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack?!?"

~*~In Wyatt's Car~*~

*Katie laughs at Wyatt.* " You better watch it she will kick your butt. I bet she could goo." *Katie gives Wyatt a silly grin. The rest of the way to TJY is pritty quiet*

~*~Back at the Ranch~*~

*Rosetta listens intently to what Jason has to say her eyes going big for a moment.* "So all of this, everything we have been through has been the doing of Dr. Medridge. Wow....so how do we even stop this? We dont have any proof but those papers you have."

*Angel sits up straghter in she chair.* "Why did the Agency pick us for the implants though? Was it just randome or do we all have a certin trate or what."

*Wes speaks up* "So whats our game plane now? I just want to get this done and over with so we can move on with our lifes and be happy. I am tired of draging this out. Doing research and coming up with nothing."

*Wendy sits quietly with Clint. Even once in a while glancing over at BJ. He was watching Jason so intently like he new what was going on. But that was impossable he was only 6.*

Clues

Sparky grabs a cup of coffee and wanders the mess hall, trying to focus his mind for the day. He meanders to the living room, taking a glance after realizing this morning that Mick hadn't been in bed all night. Seeing his brother and Rosetta on the couch, he lingers, leaning in the doorway, just watching them for a moment. Maybe a little bit of peace could be found amongst the turmoil.

"They look happy, don't they."

Sparky turns quickly at Mel's whisper, not having heard her behind him. "Yeah..."

A small smile creases Mel's lips as she sees Mick. "I'm glad he came back here...I was afraid at one point that he'd gone too far down to turn around."

Sparky takes a sip of his coffee and nods. "Me too."

Mel gives him a sidelong glance. "Ever wish you could find that happy spot like him?"

"You mean that he's found with Rosetta?"

"Yeah."

Sparky shrugs, still keeping his voice low so as not to wake anyone. "Not sure I was meant to...I suppose a part of me gave up on that a few years back."

Mel eyes him for a moment then turns to go, but not before laying a hand on his shoulder. "There's always tomorrow."

Sparky lifts an eyebrow as he watches her leave, his mind suddenly a thousand miles away from where it was.


As the scent of coffee drifts into the adjoining room, Mick opens one eye groggily, then the other, slowly coming out of a fog. As his surroundings come into focus, he realizes that Rosetta's face is inches from his, a smile prompting his own grin. He draws her a little closer to plant a kiss on her forehead. "One of these days I'll grow up enough to go to my own bed at night." He rolls his eyes then reaches his arms over his head to stretch as he yawns. Recalling the evening before, he knows he owes Rosetta a thanks, though understands that she wouldn't have stayed had she not wanted to. He lets is own look into her eyes convey his gratefulness. "What time is it anyway?"


Luke slips into the kitchen, a smile on his face as he creeps up behind Angel to grab her around the waist and lean down to give her cheek a kiss, his hair still wet from his shower. He rests his chin on her shoulder for a moment, looking at what she's cooking. "Mm-mmm. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you knew what you were doing."


Cindy leans over her stationery on the mess hall table, concentrating on the letters she's writing.


Clint trudges groggily to the mess hall, his hair still askew, having had only one thing on his mind since rolling out of bed: coffee. Passing Wendy's bunk, he reaches up to bang his palm on the window pane, letting out a holler. "Rise and shine!" He continues his saunter to the mess hall yawning big.



Laura follows Katie out the door, locking it behind her. Catching up as they get to the jeep, she slips in the backseat again.

Wyatt raises his eyebrows as Katie hands him the container of food. "What have we here?" He cracks the lid to look inside, a grin spreading across his face. "Now that's what I'd call a right good wakeup call." He smacks his lips, setting the container down on the floor by his seat. "I have a date with that as soon as I get sat down at my desk." He throws Katie a look that conveys he's pleasantly surprised by the breakfast. "Thank you."

As they pull away from the curb, Laura chuckles. "Now if I would have given you something, you would have asked me what favor I wanted."

Wyatt laughs, keeping his eyes on the road. "That's because I know you. This damsel on the other hand...." He gives Katie a sly sidelong glance. "I'm still figuring out. But between you and me, I think she's driven by purer motives than you."

Laura grimaces good-naturedly and whacks the back of the driver's seat. "Thanks a lot."

Wyatt just grins and steers his jeep into traffic.



Most everyone is already seated and eating breakfast by the time Jason enters the mess hall, met by Jade, who helps him with the door. "Hey there handsome." She smiles. "I was just ready to come see if you were joining us this morning."

Jason returns the smile, his eyes and mind clearer than the day before. "I am, but I appreciate knowing you'd find me if I died or something."

The mischief in his eye makes Jade laugh. "Come on. I saved a seat for you."

"Nope." Jason shakes his head. "I got something to share first." He holds up his papers. "This is gonna be of interest to everyone." He makes his way to the end of the room, tossing the papers onto the end of one of the tables. Glancing around, he clears his throat, trying to gain everyone's attention. "Hey, y'all... I got something I want to share with you... last night I found some interesting facts..." He glances at Austin and Con. "I haven't even told you two about it yet."

Austin and Con exchanges glances that convey both surprise at Jason's discovery and surprise that he's that confident this morning - something has changed.

Jason leans on his crutches, glancing down at his printouts. I ran across a name the other day that I finally remembered I'd seen while perusing some Agency files once. After some double checking, and comparing records, I wound up hacking into a system, getting in pretty much by luck. But once there I found some records of a department of the Agency, in which was a partial personnel file, including these." He points to his papers. "This is a file on a Dr. Kent Medridge. He's basically a psychopath. Apparently he's got quite the status at the Agency, having been with them since way back when. We can go over details later, but the bottom line is that y'all have always wondered why you were tortured in a sense, never left alone, even when you weren't trying to go up against the Agency."

Sparky and the others listen intently, confused, but wanting to know more. Jason goes on. "Really, it all boils down to lab rats. That's how you're viewed by Medridge. After the Agency sucked in your families, you received implants and the works, Medridge started his own program of evaluating human behavior under stress. He was allowed to use your families as a testing ground, basically." Jason shrugs. "It's hard to believe, but from what I've gained from these records is that he's been the one behind all the random attacks, kidnappings, you name it. The Agency itself would have been satisfied to leave everyone alone after the implants were in place, but they allowed Medridge to play. There's records on all of you that I couldn't get access to - I'm sure they list reactions, behaviors and results from stressful situations."
He scans the room grimly. "So you've got a double whammy here. Not only does the Agency want you because of the implants, but Medridge is going after you too. He's the type to put an ant under a magnifying glass just to see how long it takes to kill the thing as it burns. It's my theory that the Agency's only motives are the computer chips, and for all we know, they don't realize yet that we're on to them in that area. But Medridge basically has free rein, so he can torture while the Agency can still keep an eye on where everyone is."

Sparky shakes his head in disbelief. "What kind of a sick person would do that?"

"Medridge," Jason states flatly. "He needs to be locked up in a padded room somewhere."

"So what about the last eighteen years?"

"He was locked up," Jason explains, shifting to another printout. "He got in trouble for a wrong diagnosis on a patient a while back, blew the whole thing out of proportion and wound up behind bars. It just happened that he got out about the same time Mick started digging around and the case blew open again."