Tell me how

"I know, I know, shhh." Ryder keeps his arms around Thirteen and rocks her a little.

Loosening his grip so she can turn, he looks down into her eyes, his own clouded with strange, troubled feelings. "I believe you." He nods and reaches up to wipe away some of her tears with his rough palm. "I'm not going to let them hurt you, okay? You're fine, and everything is fine." His voice is soft and reassuring, but it has a firmness as he tried to calm her down.

"Take a deep breath. They're not going to hurt Trooper, alright. Look, he's okay, see?" He turns a little so Thirteen can see back down the hall.

Though he still had a belt around his muzzle, Trooper was back on his feet, being held firmly by Reese while Hal disappeared into the infirmary with a bleeding arm. Reese is pulling Trooper towards Jason's office to lock him in for the time being.

"See, look." Ryder still holds Thirteen. "He'll be fine. And you'll be fine. Okay?" He rubs her arms a little, still talking. "I know you didn't do anything wrong. I know you're telling the truth and I'll make sure Reese understands. He's just trying to protect his own friends, ya know? Come on."

He starts slowly for the spare room again, keeping a strong arm around her shoulders. There was something he wanted... needed to say. But it would have to wait. For now, he just needed to get Thirteen back in a safe place and get Reese off her back.

By the time they reach the room, Reese has successfully locked up the dog and is returning with quite the unhappy look on his face.

Ryder eases Thirteen inside the room, knowing good and well that they had just experienced a huge setback, and most likely she wouldn't even be comfortable here any more. But he had to talk to Reese without him yelling at her.

Turning to his boss, he keeps Thirteen behind him. "Now look, just cool it a minute. She didn't-"

"Ryder, so help me, I'll-"

"Aw, bite ya bum!" Ryder knew he was risking his job by talking to Reese like this, but he had to get his attention. "She didn't do anything wrong."

"But the tape."

"Cods wallop!" Ryder folds his arms across his chest. "She said she didn't let Alec out, then she didn't let Alec out."

"She's Agency," Reese hisses. "You've had a month with her, Ryder, and she can't even go outside yet. All you're doing is stalling the inevitable."

The words sting in a new way, and Ryder recalls Thirteen's own words just minutes before. He'd rather not say some things in front of Thirteen, but he doesn't have a choice. He lowers his voice, looking at Reese with earnest. "Look at her... for just a moment, really look at her." His tone begs him. "She's not a trap and she's not an agent out to get us. She's someone's daughter, Reese. She was someone's little girl. Can't you see that? Can't you think one moment, as if she were yours? She's innocent. And she deserves to be shown she's worth more than answering questions. She's worth the effort to see her through this and help her. ...Please."

Reese takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "You've been disrespectful, you've gone against direct orders, and you've been unwilling to stick to protocol. But..." he shrugs lamely. "I'll give you one day... one day to prove she didn't have anything to do with Alec's disappearance. If you can't prove anything... she gets turned over to me, then removed from TJY."

Ryder swallows hard, but nods. It was the only open window now. He'd struck a cord somewhere, and it had bought him some time. Seeing Reese spin around and walk away, Ryder slowly turns to face Thirteen again. His eyes tell it all. He was so sorry. "Tell me how to help you, Thirteen."