Amidst the storm

Laura looks up and sets her book down, taking the phone. "Thanks, Katie." Putting the phone to her ear, she smiles. "Hey, you. Sorry I didn't get a chance to see you much today. With Reese back, he had be working like a dog."

She pauses to put a bookmark in her book. "So what's up?"


Despite Con's own depression, a chuckle surfaces and he brings Jamie even closer. "How did I ever wind up with someone as wonderful as you, hmm?" He slides down further in the couch and puts his feet up on the coffee table, prepared to fall asleep right here if what was on tv wouldn't keep him awake. Maybe he didn't have a job, and maybe there were things bothering him that he hadn't even shared with Jamie... but he couldn't deny that just having her there with him made him happy. There was peace amidst the storm.


Luke is relieved when Angel wakes, but his worry does not decrease. Searching his wife's pale face, he takes her hand after she's coughed. Taking a tissue, he wipes off the blood, remaining calm, though his insides were screaming. This couldn't be happening. Not now... not when they'd had so little time together.

"Don't worry about the past," he chides gently. "I wish I would have known, but there's nothing we can do about that now."

He turns to look back to Jeff. "Help gather up her things, will you? We need to get her somewhere else."

"Right." Jeff doesn't question, but sets right to it, picking up Angel's books and other belongings, and finding her bags to put them in.

Luke pulls back the covers and carefully reaches under her to pick her up into his arms. "You're going to be okay," he assures. "I'm not giving up, so you don't give up either."

Giving her forehead a kiss, he stands up, picking Angel up with him, so she can rest her head on his shoulder. "Jeff, you ready?"

"Yeah. Let's go meet back up with Gunner." Jeff kept a close eye on Luke. A few hours ago, he could barely walk, but it was obvious to Jeff now that Luke had dug down deep for any strength left, and was determined to help Angel at any cost. Deciding not to interfere, Jeff leads the way out of the room and back down the hall.


Gunner is taken by surprise as a woman runs into him. He takes a step back, his eyes widening. "Sorry" he apologizes too.

Seeing the look on the woman's face though, a smile suddenly grows. He knew exactly what must be going through her mind. His hands back in his pockets, he just stands a little taller, the amusement sparkling in his eyes. Giving a wave, he bids her farewell, sure that the next person she saw would get an earful about the strange guy at the hotel.

His fun is cut short though, when Jeff and Luke appear, and Gunner is back on duty. Seeing Angel, his own worry forms. "How is she?"

"Not good," Jeff answers. "Where to?"

"TJY. Come on."

The drive to TJY is a tense one. Gunner had picked up a TJY vehicle at the airport, and though gone for quite a while, he knew his way around like the back of his hand. Arriving at the building, it's quiet, and the parking lot is almost empty.

Gunner leads the way, Jeff and Luke still carrying Angel, following along behind. Checking out the door, Gunner quirks an eyebrow. "Guess going public means security isn't as tight," he muses, putting his security card back in his pocket and pushing the door open. he leads the others in and down the elevator, and onto the main floor.

Luke was too busy paying attention to his precious cargo to notice much, but Jeff took a long look around the room, surprised at all the desks and equipment. He'd been told about the office, but seeing it, he was impressed. Turning, he hurries to catch up with Luke and Gunner.

Gunner heads to the hallway, though his eyes take in the surroundings. Not a whole lot had changed, but it felt strange being here. He'd been gone for close to two years. In some ways it had felt like he'd never left. In other ways it felt as though he'd been gone for ten years.

He aims for the infirmary, pushing the door open, but skidding to a stop when he realizes the bed was not empty.

Scott gives a jump, his book flying and landing on the floor. His eyes are wide, at first, not even recognizing who was there. His face pales as a surge of fear rushes at him. "What..."

"Scott!" Gunner steps in further, a smile forming.

Suddenly, Scott realizes who it is, and relaxes. "Gunner... what are you doing here?"

"Got a sick lady here." Gunner thumbs to Luke and Angel as they enter, then Jeff. "Rick around?"

Scott slides off the bed and gestures for Luke to put Angel there instead. "Rick? Um... no... he's home."

Jeff stops in the doorway, unable to help his look of surprise at seeing Scott. If he hadn't known it was him, he wasn't sure he even would have recognized him. He looked like he'd been through the ringer and hadn't come out too well on the other end. He was so thin and... wow.

Luke gently sets Angel down on the bed and pulls a blanket up over her, only now collapsing into the chair next to her, his hand still on hers.

Gunner moves to the counter and picks up the phone, scanning the numbers on the wall. Quickly, he dials Rick. Within minutes, he receives an answer that Rick is on his way.


Rick hangs up the phone and grabs his Jacket. Going back into the living room, he leans down to give Janet a kiss. "Sorry. Emergency. I'll let you know what's happening." As quickly as he'd come, he's gone. But on his way to TJY, he dials Misty. "Misty, it's Rick. We got trouble, Angel's in a bad way. Meet me at the office?"