Missing

Scott slides in behind the steering wheel and starts the engine. He glances over to the other parking space where Hope's car was for just a moment, before pulling out. He didn't like driving at night anymore... he wanted to get back to TJY as quickly as possible.

As he drives, his mind wanders. That had been enjoyable. He enjoyed talking to Hope... he enjoyed listening to her... he enjoyed her smile.

He shakes his head at himself as he stops at an intersection. She was a counselor. She had been, still was kind of his counselor. Didn't that complicate things a bit? Or was spending time together as friends really that simple? He didn't know.


Jason sits at his desk, staring at the photo in his hand. Those who knew it existed had no idea how many times he got it out just to look at it. He runs his thumb over the still image of Katie's wind-blown hair. She meant so much to him. She was his lifeline... his reason to live... his hero. And right now, he couldn't feel more alone. All he could do was sit here and wait. There were no leads. There was nothing to trace. The Agency was too smart for their own good.

Movement catches his eye, and he looks up to see Scott passing in the hall on the way back to his office. Jason glances at his clock. He knew Scott had stepped out for a bit a while ago, but he didn't like it that he'd been gone for so long.

Rising from his desk, Jason leaves the picture behind and exits his office to follow Scott. He stops at the door of Scott and Dalton's office. Scott was already seated, getting back to work on the profiles. "Scott?"

"Yeah?" Scott looks up quickly.

"Have a nice time?"

Scott can feel a sinking sensation in his stomach. "Um... yeah."

"Good. I hope you realize that while you were out, those data files have been sitting there, waiting to be gone through."

Scott's eyes widen slightly. "We all need a break, Jase."

"I don't care!" Jason snaps. "Katie's life is on the line, don't you get it?! Have you see the live feed? Do you realize that if we don't find her, they might kill her? We're running out of time, Scott!"

Scott blinks. Any amount of peace that he'd gained from the short outing was wiped away in an instant. It was a harsh reality check. But he knew that none of this was his fault. He remains silent, waiting for the tongue-lashing to pass. He lowers his eyes back to his computer.

Jason just stares at him for several moments. He seemed to have no reaction to what Jason was saying. He folds his arms. "Don't you care?"

Scott's head snaps up. "Of course I care. I can't believe you asked me that."

"Well you don't act like it."

"What do you want me to do?" Before Scott can stop them, tears flood his eyes. "Do you want me to walk around showing my scar and wearing it all on my sleeve?" His voice wavers. "Do you want to hear about each time I just want to sit and cry for Katie? Or every time I think I'm gonna throw up, just thinking about what she's going through?"

Jason swallows hard. He'd spoken hastily and without thinking first. He calms down a little, his tone softening. But his confusion remains. "How do you stay sane?"

Scott doesn't hesitate. "Because I know she's not alone."

"What are you talking about?"

"She's not alone, Jase." Though Scott's voice was strained with emotion, there was a peaceful strength that was untouchable. "God never leaves his children."

"Yeah? Well how come He let this happen?"

"I don't know. But He didn't cause it, and He will bring good from it."

"What if He doesn't?" Jason's anger surfaces again. "What if we don't find her in time?"

A silent tear rolls down Scott's face, but he doesn't blink or lower his gaze. "Then I know that I'll see her again soon."

A chill runs down Jason's spine. The Truth was being laid out in front of him, whether he liked or expected it or not. "You really believe that?"

"I've wagered my soul on it." Scott's hands tremble as he speaks, the strength and passion for his faith having been bottled inside, waiting for the right time. He'd encouraged Jason in his farewell letter - now he had one more chance. "God is my Father and Katie's too. He will never let us down or forget or abandon us. And the end result far outweighs the trials before we get there."

"Father," Jason scoffs. "That hasn't really been a great department for me."

"God's not Derek," Scott counters boldly. "God listens... God cares... God nourishes the spirit and gives peace. God is taking care of Katie, even while she suffers. And He wants to take care of you too, if you'll just let Him."

"I've studied and still don't think it's worth the hassles."

"Hassles? What hassles?" Scott shakes his head. "That's an excuse and you know it. You've tried it on your own... you've tried doing everything yourself. Isn't it about time you leaned on God? Isn't it about time you had the assurance that no matter what, in the end you will be okay and will live forever with those who have also believed?" He takes a deep breath, studying Jason's eyes. "Someone else should never be the deciding factor for your own faith. But wouldn't you like the peace of knowing that no matter if anything happened to Katie or you, that in the end, you both will be in the same place?"

Jason's jaw muscles tighten as a feeling stirred inside of him. Scott would say it was God working on his heart. But Jason didn't recognize what it was. It felt strange... like a pulling towards what Scott was saying. Like a longing he hadn't known he had.

Scott speaks again. "That's why I have hope, Jase. That's why even though I'm torn up inside thinking about Katie, that I still have a peace, knowing that it will be okay."

Jason is quiet for several moments but finally turns and leaves, going back to his office to be alone. He didn't know what to think or how to feel.

Scott watches him leave, then sighs deeply. He'd done all he could...

...Scott watches the faces come and go on the screen, one after the other. His finger was poised over his keyboard to stop the process whenever one image was similar enough to the man he was looking for, to put into the "maybe" file.

Click.... click... click. The task wore on. Scott wasn't sure how long he'd even been at it. All at once, one of the faces flashes in front of him, jolting his mind like a trigger. The unwanted sensation returns of pictures and faces he didn't know, names, information he didn't want to recall. Everything spun before his eyes.

Giving a shove to the desk, Scott pushes away in his chair and stands up abruptly, taking his eyes away from his task. His pulse was racing.

Seeing a shadow on the floor he looks up quickly, scared out of his state. "Carson," he breathes. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Just for a second." Carson cocks his head. The second had been long enough for him to see Scott's strange behavior. "What are you looking at?"

"Um... photos. Trying to tag one of the guys who has Katie."

"Oh. What records are you using?"

"It's a combination of files from the police, FBI... some of our own stuff collected from the Agency."

Carson gives a little nod, his eyes still studying Scott's face. "I bet you recognize a few of them ay?"

"No." Scott's response is quick, and he shakes his head. "I... I don't remember many faces."

"Oh." Carson pauses as if thinking there was more, but Scott doesn't offer anything. "Just wanted you to know that Reese wants an update when you've got one."

"Yeah, okay." Scott says no more, just watching until Carson leaves. Letting out a sigh, he sinks back down in his chair. He had an update to prepare for Reese.

Carson wanders back down the hall, finding Katie's desk once more, again taking his place after Wyatt had watched for him. He'd taken a short break outside to calm his nerves with another smoke before coming back inside, regrouping, and heading to Scott for an update. Now it was back to his task of watching the video of Katie. He still hadn't said much about it... he still continued to keep up his wall. He was numb and he liked it that way. He felt nothing.

After a few minutes though, he keeps the video feed to one side, opening some files on the other. Part of his mind was still on Scott. He continues to watch what he was supposed to, while at the same time begins a brief search. It doesn't take him long. The file wasn't buried deeply - there was no reason for it to be.

Reading on down through the document, Carson sees information that he had assumed would be there. But reaching the end, something was missing.

He leans back in the chair and thinks for a moment, recalling Scott's behavior. Carson knew the signs. He'd seen them before. But why.... He shakes his head. He would find out later.


Alec quirks a grin. "Don't pull any punches, do you? Even you order me around. Alright... fine." He pushes off the desk and ambles back to the bed where he sinks down once again. "You think I'm really going to tell you that I feel great so you can throw me back downstairs? I think I'll stay up here for a while. At least the scenery is nicer." He turns his head, his grin turning into a sly one. "And I'm not referring to Rick."


Reese looks at his watch. He'd called Brown. Half an hour had passed. He needed to leave his paperwork and go. Though he wanted to stay in case anything happened, he really did need to see Brown, give him a face-to-face update and see if the police knew anything as well.

Getting up from his desk, Reese wanders out of his office. Susanne's desk was dark - he'd told her to go home an hour ago and get some sleep. She hadn't resisted.

He heads across the main floor, passing Nate, then stopping where Phinox was working. "Simon?" He taps on the wall. "Heading out. You with me?"


Laura stirs on the bed, opening her eyes wide. She really hadn't intended on falling asleep... but it had felt so good. She tries to get up, but her body just doesn't want to cooperate. Her eyes were so heavy...... she was still so tired. Maybe five more minutes?