Upside down

Ryder doesn't respond to the teasing, and just shifts his weight a little, keeping his head sunk in Katie's lap. Every bump in the road hurt. Yet he felt so numb, inside and out. It was like he was stuck between sleep and awake, in that strange state where one feels like they're up and moving, but in reality, it's just a dream. If it weren't for the physical pain he was in, he'd believe he was still in bed, dreaming this horrible nightmare.

Tired and weak from the loss of blood, Ryder's hand slowly loses its grip on Katie's, and he slips into something closer to sleep.

The ride to the airport is too long. But Carson had driven as fast as he could. He knew that by now the cabin was probably crawling with Agency thugs, and that most likely, they had men on their way into the city as well.

The team needed to get access to the first route to the US. It wouldn't be easy - they hadn't planned on just showing up unannounced, let alone with an injured man.

"Come on, Ryder." Carson helps Ryder from the truck, assisting him in pulling a clean shirt over his head. Since the bleeding had stopped in his shoulder, they might just be able to make it past security without too many questions. Though Ryder remained very pale.

Ryder tries to keep himself alert, though it's difficult. It was hot outside, but he felt like he was in an oven. He numbly trudges with the group into the airport - it took all he had not to just collapse and sleep again.

God's intervention was the only explanation for the ease in which the team got through security. The airport personnel seemed distracted and in a hurry, barely looking at passports. The team shouldn't have been able to catch the plane that was almost leaving, but somehow they were allowed to board.


We're almost there.

Jason sits next to Katie in the plane, making sure his bag was safe at his feet. While it held what could save Angel's life, it was what was in his back pocket still that held much of his goal for getting home as quickly as possible.

He turns his head to glance at Katie for a moment, and he offers a small smile.

We did good out there... I'm glad they pair us up for teamwork... if there's anybody I'd want with me on missions like this, it's you.

He pauses his silent words for a moment, glancing around Katie to Ryder's still form.

Let's just hope he's alright by the time we get back to Nevada. We gotta save Angel, but now we gotta make sure he makes it too.

Though those sitting around him might have thought that Ryder was asleep, right now, he wasn't. His head rests against the window, and he stares out into nothingness, his eyes dull. His shoulder throbbed. But his heart hurt more. His world had just been turned completely upside down. There were too many feelings to sort through. There was a sorrowful anguish... there was disappointment... there was a slow burning anger. But nothing surfaces... it all just stays inside, churning waiting for the time when they would be released


Domino looks up as her master stirs, and she's quick to rise, trotting to the door where she scratches it lightly.

Scott glances over to her. "Not yet," he whispers. "Not everybody is up yet."

Domino sighs and sits by the door to wait patiently.

Scott looks at his watch, squinting in the dim light. Dalton would probably be here shortly. Which meant this place of rest would soon be an office again.