Dire states

Having Jess return to his arms, Carson doesn't withdraw. Instead, he offers what she needs - pure and simple comfort. Even though they had gone their separate ways, and even though Carson had known that friendship was the only thing that could be between them... feeling needed was a sensation that he didn't mind one bit. He knew that Jess had been making more friends, but he also knew that she trusted very few. And to be the one she needed... he was only too willing to be there for her.

Carson holds her close, giving her back a gentle rub, and rocking her lightly. "It's okay," he assures quietly. "You'll never be in a safer place than this. I promise you that. And we'll find Peter... don't worry... we'll find him." He hadn't even realized that he'd included himself in the "we" until it was out of his mouth.

After holding Jess for a few moments, he finally pulls her away just as little bit, wiping her tears with his hands as gently as he could. He knew his palms were rough. "I want you to stay here," he directs gently. "I know you don't like it, but it's best until we can get Peter off the street for good."

He offers as much of a smile as he can. "And I want you to get some rest. Let me get myself cleaned up, report in to Reese and everything else I need to do. Then I'll be back... and maybe I'll even bring that milkshake for you." He tosses Jess a quick wink.

"Come on." He leads her to the bed where he gestures for her to sit down. "You'll be out of the chaos in here, alright?" He ruffles her hair a little, trying to bring a smile to her face. "I'll be back, I promise."

Not wanting to leave, but knowing he must, Carson slips out of the room. Only when he was out of sight of Jess does his facial expression change. It's hard. It's cold. It's angry.

Stalking down the hall, he stops at Angelica's office. He doesn't even knock, bypassing all formalities. Swinging the door open, he barely keeps it from banging back against the wall. His eyes blazed. "What do you know about Peter Sanford?" he demands. "How did he get out, and do we know where he is?"


Both Rick and Jason continue to struggle with Ryder, even after Misty comes to help. Though Katie comes, Rick goes for a second sedative. Again, it's worthless.

"What's this guy made out of?" He tries to catch his breath, fighting Ryder's strength.

Jason struggles too. "I don't know. Ask the crocs he's taken down."

Rick's surprise makes him falter a moment, and he gets an elbow to the gut.

Ryder hurls a curse through the air. Screaming, he tries to rip himself loose, by now, his shoulder giving out a steady stream of crimson, mixing with his sweat.

As Katie approaches and touches him, he flinches, his eyes wildly searching her face, groping for recognition. Sweat stings his eyes and he squints, still pulling against the three that were fighting to keep him still.

Jason can feel a shift in emotions, and consciously slows down his own flow in order to give Katie more freedom to help.

Ryder's heart races, his pulse pounding in his head. Everything was blurry and the panic ran deep. But suddenly something started to overshadow the panic, wrapping it in a comforting warmth. It almost felt as though someone had reached inside of him, down deep to find any amount of calmness and trust that existed, and had begun to pull it out, bringing it to the surface.

Staring at Katie, gradually, his pulse begins to slow, his breathing growing steadier. Without putting so much strain against the others, Rick and Jason are able to relax a little bit, finally gaining control again.

Ryder's body starts to drop from its tense state, and his eyes start to droop as he fights to stay conscious. Still looking at Katie, his surroundings slowly come out of the fog, her face coming into focus. "Katie?" he mumbles. Despite his groggy state, somehow he suddenly understands Katie's words, and realizes that what he'd been fighting to get away from had been his imagination. "Dang..." But he can't even finish his statement as his eyes roll back in his head.

Now instead of fighting, Rick and Jason struggle just to keep Ryder from falling onto the floor.

"Get him back on the table," Rick orders. He knew Misty was right. They had to get some more blood into Ryder, and fast. He'd gone too long without treatment and now was intensely weaker than just minutes before. "Thanks, Katie."

Yes, hats off to ya, Hero. You saved the day once again.
Jason lets Rick and Misty set to work on Ryder, now confident that things were back under control. He nods to the door.
Probably shouldn't leave just yet, but... join me in the break room for some coffee? We might as well get out of the way in here now.

Ryder writhes on the table, somewhere between being awake and unconscious. A fever had set in, and he shakes with cold chills. Rick gives up on another sedative and just focuses on helping Misty get the wound closed up. He wanted to go back to look for the antidote, but unfortunately, right now Ryder was in a more dire state. Rick's fear of losing someone was always present, but today it was worse. He had two people in here now who needed their help... would either make it through?


Clint shifts his weight a little, not wanting to crowd Wendy. He takes a sip of his own coffee, then looks down at the steaming liquid. "Yeah... I've been up... for a while." He sighs, then looks back up to her. "I've been working nights in town," he finally admits. "I... didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about me. But... I guess Mick convinced me that keeping it a secret was stupid, so..." He shrugs in defeat, lifting his mug a little. "Here's to your stupid fiance. May he quit learning things the hard way."

Taking another sip, he just hopes that the coffee will wake him up. This morning he wouldn't even get his two hours in.

"Sorry I didn't tell you..." He grows a little more serious. "I just... want to provide is all I guess... and... I want you to have enough and... and be happy."