Rain

Dani smiles as she takes Dalton's arm and walks with him up and out of TJY. "Um, I don't know... I like most any kind of food... maybe we can go for Chinese?"

It isn't long before the two are seated in a quiet corner of the restaurant, waiting for their food. Dani tried to make it light, but she did feel a little awkward. It had been quite a while since a man had asked her out, and she hardly knew Dalton. But there was something about him that she trusted. Some people might be scared of him, just because of his size alone. But... Dani wasn't.

"So, um... I don't know much about you... tell me what keeps you occupied when you're away from work?"


Ryder looks around the main floor, barely hearing Sapphire. "No... no. Um... no, thanks. Just let me know if you see her, okay?"

Heading away, he goes straight for the control room. "Hal? Hal?" The room was empty. Giving a little growl, Ryder goes in anyway and checks one of the monitors, typing and clicking until he got what he wanted. Security camera five near the door. He rewinds then fast forwards. His heart drops as he sees what he hoped he wouldn't. He checks the time. It had been hours. "No... no, no, no, no!"

Getting up, Ryder sprints to Reese's office without knocking. "She's gone."

"What on earth are you talking about?!"

"Thirteen. She's gone. She left."

Reese is on his feet. "What do you mean she left? How?"

"I don't know. She was there, she was gone and I found the footage. She left hours ago."

"I warned you." Reese points a finger at Ryder. "I warned you to lock the door and you wouldn't do it. And this is what happens."

"Look, if-"

"Find her, Ryder," Reese orders. "Now! Take someone with you and go!"

Ryder doesn't need to be told twice. He's out the door and across the floor before anyone else even notices. Getting in his car, he looks up at the sky, frowning at the gray clouds. Pushing the pedal to the floor, he burns rubber, heading down the street.

Twenty minutes later, he's back on that side of town, but he's on foot, with Trooper by his side. A raindrop hits his face. "Thirteen!" He looks around the street, glancing into alleyways and parking lots. "Thirteen!" He knew she hadn't gone to the Agency, he just knew it. "Thirteen!"

The rain starts in earnest, and Ryder pulls the hood of his raincoat over his head. Trooper gives a little woof of complaint, but then strains at the leash. Ryder lets him and follows, hoping the dog was looking for Thirteen and not just a dry place to sit.