Frustrations

Kyle continues to stand, his back to Katie. He knew he loved music... and his own grandmother's words hadn't left him. But right now, it didn't do much to boost his spirits. Anything that didn't help fix this didn't seem like anything to consider.

Katie's words ran through his mind, but before he can respond, he sees the strange vehicle. He hadn't noticed the other day what Alice had been driving, so he was a bit surprised to see her as she pulls up and rolls down the window. He knew his eyes were red. He knew the look on his face was not one of some happy rock star. But he didn't try to cover it up... not this time. A smile just wouldn't come.

Her invitation and dilemma are barely heard. All Kyle can remember are her words from the day before, mixing with Katie's now. Out of nowhere, his raised voice comes.

"A rift isn't inevitable! I don't care how danged important music is to me, it's not more important than my friends! And if music is tearing us apart then to heck with it!"

He throws his arms up in the air, his frustrations coming out. "I don't care what either of you say. If my dreams are more important than my friends and family, then it's me who's got the problem, not them."

The tears that had built up earlier threatened again, but didn't spill over. Kyle shakes his head in defeat. "Why can't anybody just tell me it really is me with the problem, when that's the truth? Maybe the others could be more understanding, but they're right... split loyalties will only make things worse. I should be able to make up my mind."

Kyle stops his rant and runs his hands over his face. Turning around, he leans back against Alice's jeep. His eyes lowered along with his tone, he gestures between the two women. "Alice, Katie. Katie, Alice." He sighs deeply, totally defeated.

Looking back up at Katie, he apologizes. "I'm sorry, Hero. Thanks for coming after me." Turning his head, he looks at Alice. "As for you... I'll tell you how to get where you're going, but I highly doubt you want someone like me to keep you company today."


"Knock knock."

"Mm-hmm..." Reese is busy looking over some paperwork and doesn't look up. "What is it?"

Gunner leans on the doorway and hooks his hands in his pockets. "Well that's a fine welcome."

Looking up quickly, Reese's eyes widen. "Brent?"

Gunner smiles. "Surprise."

"Well how did you...?"

"I figured somebody in the infirmary might fill you in. I'm the one that brought the two guys from Texas."

"Ohhh." Now Reese understood. "Well it's great to see you. Come in, sit down."

Gunner accepts the invitation and takes an empty chair. "So you're the big boss now, 'eh?"

Reese chuckles. "Guess so. What were you doing in Texas anyway? I thought you were in Arizona."

"Arizona?!" Gunner's eyes widen. "I've been in Texas since we first got sent there."

"What? I was told that you'd been moved around at least twice now. Nobody's supposed to be off base for that long."

"Well tell that to our dear friend Austin." Gunner cocks his head. "I just about grew roots in that shack called a cabin."

"For pity sake..." Reese grabs a piece of paper to scribble a note. "Why didn't you say anything. You want back here?"

Gunner leaned forward, not wanting to hope. "For real?"

"Sure. I can get someone else in Texas to replace you if you want. Why haven't you requested that?"

Gunner shrugs. "Figured I didn't have much say and I didn't want to lose my job. You're serious? About me coming back?"

"Your cubicle is still unoccupied."

A smile surfaces beneath Gunner's beard. "That's got to be the best invitation I've heard in a long time. You got stuff for me to do?"

Reese looks up as if Gunner was stupid. "You know better than to ask a question like that."


Carson throws a few things into his backpack, picking out only the bare essentials. Stepping back out into the hall, he gives one last look around, knowing he's got to be satisfied with what he's got. Anything else he could get through the Elite.

Back into the living room, he sighs and looks at Misty. "Guess that's it. I'll call Dani when I get back to TJY and Herb too, to let him know what's going on. I'm pretty sure he'll understand. And..." He shrugs. "That's that."

Moving towards her, he sets his backpack on the couch, then sets his hands on Misty's shoulders, giving them a little rub. "I hope I'm not gone too long... I'm gonna miss that smile of yours."

He tilts her chin up with a finger so he can stare down into her eyes. He was worried. Despite his excitement to be back on a case and back into some action, this would require getting very close to the Agency. And for someone like him, who had betrayed them, it was dangerous. He could only hope and pray that things went smoothly with the team he chose.

A sly grin curls the edge of his mouth, and his tone quiets. "I better stock up before I leave." Leaning in, he kisses her lips, his hands moving down to draw her in close.

Indoor Fair

Looking up at Carson Misty gives a smile. Bringing her own hand to his face she just runs a thumb over his cheek.

"I always new the end was no where near."

Leaning in Misty gives Carson a kiss on the lips before pulling away and just leaning her head on his head for a moment. So many things ran through her mind and so many options. Having Carson all the way across country she new would be a little nerve rattaling but she had to trust him and know he would be ok. Not to mention he was bringing a team with him.

"I know I cant go with you, even if I want to. This isnt a joy ride and I...can deal with staying behind. You just becarfel you hear me?"

Giving him another hug Misty finally backs away any smiles. She really did want to go but deep down she new that there was a greater reason there of why she was told to stay behind. And for the first time Misty felt at peace with it.

"Sure, I can drive ya back home and than here again not a problem at all."

Grabbing her keys from her desk she informs Rick she will be right back and than checks on Angel one more time before leaving. Smiling as she see the Luke had finally fallen asleep himself.

"Alright lets get goin."

Letting out a small sigh Katie just listens to Kyle. The pain in his voice was great and though she new he was not upset with her she couldnt help but feel the pain that was there. She hated seeing her friends hurt. She felt helpless not knowing exacly what was going on with him.

"Selfish or not you deserve to be happy and have what you want to Kyle. Some people might not understand but they would get use to the idea."

Closing the passanger side door Katie hurrys to catch up with Kyle and walk along side of him for a long moment before stoping and just looking out at the harizon.

"You love music more than anything Kyle, and as for rifts they are inavitable. they are gonna hap...."

Katie sentince is cut off by the sound of a horn as a car approches. Just looking at the red jeep for a long moment Katie dosnt reconise who it is.

Turning down the dirt road Alice figure maybe this would lead to where she wanted to go. Continuing down the road she spots two cars on the side and than two people. Drawing closer she notices one is Kyle. The look on his face is anything but happy and for a moment Alice's heart goes out to him.

Not knowing who the young lady was with him Alice remembers Kyle said he had no girlfriend so hat rules that out.

Laying on the horn as she draws closer Alice's smile remains on her face as she rolls her window down and leans out just a little. Giving a nod to Katie she looks to Kyle.

"Facny meeting you out here. I've seemed to actully gotten myself lost. I am trying to get to the next town over for the little indoor fair they are gaving. I wanted to take some pictures and what not."

Alice stops for a moment searching Kyle's face. How sad and tired his eyes looks. Much differnt from the day before.

"You could always use some comapny I am bad with direction. If you would like to come with and direct me there. Not to mention I hurd its alot of fun."

A mistake

Life had suddenly turned upside down once more. For Carson, it was a taste of what he used to love. He'd become satisfied with his everyday life... but he wasn't going to pass up this chance. The only catch was that the success of this mission was on his shoulders, not someone else's.

Standing back, he watches Misty work with Angel, his mind working overtime.

Jeff paces for a few minutes, then finally wanders out of the infirmary to find something to eat. Luke stays by Angel's side, his hand still in hers, though his eyelids grow heavier and heavier until he's finally fallen into a light sleep.

Carson still watches. It was quiet enough that the ticking clock on the wall seemed to be a loud gong. He had to figure out what he needed. He had to form a plan. He had to figure out where they needed to go in Australia and who they could meet up with once they were there. They would need an ally.

Sighing, he wanders over to Misty's desk where she was standing, and wraps his arms around her waste from behind, leaning so his chin rested on her shoulder. "Looks like this Aussie of yours still has an adventure or two left in him."

Moving around, he gives Misty's lips a kiss. "I'd take you with me, but you need to stay here and help Rick." In the back of his mind, he knew another reason too, but he would probably get into trouble for saying it.

A smile makes its way to Carson's face and he puts a hand to Misty's cheek, running a thumb over her lips. "Behave yourself while I'm gone, will you?"

He wants to stay. He wants this to just be a social call so he could hang around and spend some time with Misty. But he knows he can't. "I need a ride back home to get some things. Can you run me there and back really quick? Anything else I can do over the phone."


Kyle sees Katie's car in his side mirror, but doesn't make a move to leave. He wasn't surprised to see her... if anyone would have noticed his whereabouts, it would be her... she saw everything.

As she comes around to the passenger side of his truck, he doesn't look at her. His eyes remain fixed on the road ahead that led to nowhere. Part of him wanted to be left alone. And part of him didn't want to feel lonely.

"Whether or not I feel alone really isn't the issue here, is it?" he finally answers. His tone was cooler than normal, especially when talking to Katie. But much more was the hurt underneath the tone. "The issue is my selfish nature, getting me into a mess like this and risking friendships over something as silly as a dream."

Shaking his head, Kyle gets out on his side, shutting the door a little harder than need be. Stuffing his keys in his pocket, he trudges down the road, knowing that Katie will follow. Putting his hands in his jacket pockets, he takes in a deep breath. The air was crisp, but the sun was warm.

"I don't even know what I want anymore, Katie." His statement was quiet, but he knew she'd hear. "I know I'm not alone. I know my attitude sucks, and I know I'm taking things way too personally. But I just..."

His voice cracks. His emotions hit him unexpectedly, a sudden low that he hates. But the burning tears behind his eyes don't pay head to his will to hold them back. His attempts to subdue his plummeting emotions had only served to worsen them.

Stopping, he deliberately keeps his back to Katie, taking an angry swipe at his eyes. "Dang it," he mutters under his breath. This really was ridiculous. There was no call for a display like this. But never had he felt so out of control when it came to his feelings.

"All I'm doing is creating a rift between the bands," he mumbles. "It isn't worth it. I should just leave and let everyone be. It was a mistake to get wrapped up in Cryptic... maybe pursuing music was a mistake in the first place."

Not alone

Standing but still listing Misty heads to the cabinet to see what they had to allergy medication or if they had any benadryl left. Listing closly for a moment Misty's heart seems to race. Carson back in action under TJY. Memories of a time long past floor her mind as a small smile comes to her lips.

Turning around Misty readys a sarynge as her eyes meet Carson's for a moment and she can see the flame in them of something he thought was lost. Giving a nod and a smile she gives him the silent encuragment.

Drawing near Angel Misty leans over her giving her a soft smile as she spoke.

"Angel, I am just going to give you some Benadryl ok? We are gonna see if it cant help at all for you. You hang in there alright."

Once at Mike's Katie takes up her normal spot down stairs on the coutch. Just relaxing and listing to the music. but as the minutes drone on the tention can be felt till the emplotion happens.

To shocked by many things Katie is not sure what to say. Hearing that Kyle was drpressed was a shocker in itself. Just sitting almost frozen Katie isnt sure what to think as Kyle leaves. She felt bad for him, and she also felt back for Jason. So much was going on with him.

Following him up the steps Katie is about to say something but stops as she receves his message.

Ok, I'll be around just let me know if you wanna do anything later.

Heading to her own car and glancing up Katie takes note that Kyle didnt turn down the way he normaly did. Something didnt feel right and Katie didnt like the feeling of not knowing. Getting into her car she pull sout of Mike's parking lot and goes the same why Kyle did.

Thinking she lost him she is about to turn around when she see his truck up ahead stoped on the side of the road. Parking her car behind his Katie gets out and goes to the passanger side knocking on the window first and than opening the door.

"You know, they don't call me Hero just because I can talk to Jason. I'm a good listinger, a good friend, and I wont judge you. I can even sit here all day just dont you dont feel alone, Because your not Kyle."

Depression

Carson stands for a moment, unsure of what was going on. But he did know what Misty was implying. If they were going to save Angel's life, they needed the antidote. If they needed the antidote, someone would have to go to Australia to get it. And if someone had to go to Australia, Carson was first to come to mind.

His mind races as he tries to think of how something like that could be accomplished, while at the same time, trying to remember anything that would help them now.

"I don't know enough about this stuff." He shakes his head. "They didn't want anything else to be able to hold off the affects of the poison, so it's specifically engineered to not be thwarted by anything." He takes a deep breath and runs a hand over his face. "Benadryl."

Rick lifts his eyebrows. "What?"

"You know - something for allergies."

"Yes, so?"

Carson keeps racking his brain. "So the way two-sixty-seven works, part of it like, convinces the body that there's something foreign there in order to create an allergic reaction. It's not really, but that's the way the body reacts. Once the immune system targets the poison and tries to get rid of it, the next level of the poison gets through the back door."

He keeps thinking, not even sure if this was making sense, or if what he remembered really was accurate. "So if you give her something like Benadryl, it might trick the body into think it's got help, and leave that first-step dosage alone, allowing the immune system to start battling what's really affecting her. It might buy her some time."

Rick glances to Misty and gives a little shrug. "It's worth a try. In the meantime though..." He looks back to Carson. "What about Australia?"

"What about it? I got kicked off this team, remember?" Carson's eyes fall as he realizes that a small portion of bitterness over the past still remained. "You'll have to take it up with Austin I guess."

"Reese," Rick corrects.

"What?"

"Long story." Rick goes to the phone and picks it up, dialing Reese's office and requesting he come to the infirmary.

Within seconds, Reese is there, asking what's going on. A brief explanation brings him up to date quickly, after first finding out who these strangers are. Being told about the poison and the dire need for the antidote, all that was left was the silence after explaining where one would need to go.

Reese hooks his thumbs in his pockets and looks between everyone in the room. Those from the ranch... his physicians... and someone he wished had stayed on the straight and narrow to begin with. "What are you recommending?" he asks Rick.

Rick sighs deeply. "We need the antidote if we're going to save Angel's life. And... quite frankly, if they've gotten to her, they may get to someone else. If that's the case, then getting the antidote will not only help this case, but may help us prevent others. It's in TJY's best interest to go find it."

"And... who would be on the team to find it?"

"That's why you're here." There was no teasing in Rick's voice. He was serious. No one could decide that but Reese.

Reese purses his lips as he thinks. He knew time was crucial right now. But even so, no one would be able to leave until tomorrow at the earliest. Finally he looks over to Carson. "Mr. Banks?"

"Yes?"

"What say you?"

Carson glances to Misty, then back to Reese. "I say you need someone who knows where they're going."

"Are you volunteering?"

"Can I?" Carson cocks his head. "Wouldn't that be frowned upon?"

"Does my authority mean nothing to you?" Reese's eyes show a fiery glint. "I'm the boss here for a reason. Maybe some would complain because of your record, but we brought you here once when your record was quite colorful. I don't see why we can't now."

Despite the rush of adrenaline the mere thought of the mission stirred up, Carson withholds any plans in his mind. "I'm a civilian now, Reese."

"Are you saying you've forgotten how to do you your job?"

The question brings on the desired defense. "Of course not."

"Then what's your problem? Can you lead a team to Australia and bring us back the antidote?"

Carson looks to Misty one more time. "I'm the only man you got that can get you anywhere close."

"Then you make plans to leave," Reese states flatly. "But this case is confidential." He looks around the room. "Those of us here at TJY may know about it. But the public will be kept unaware, is that understood?" Receiving nods, he turns to Carson again. "How many men?"

"Give me an hour to tell you."

"You got it. Soon as you know what you need, see me. From now until you get back, you're mine."

Once Reese is gone, Carson is quiet for several moments. But in his eyes is an old fire... one that had been dying to be lit again. Turning, he just looks at Misty for a long minute. If only for a short time... it felt good to be back.


Jason grins as he backs out of the driveway. He loved Katie's sense of humor.

Oh, just meet me at Mike's I guess. That way if anything comes up or Reese calls me back in or something, we can be split up. Phil and Mike gotta quit about one o'clock, so I told Reese I'd be in after that. I might wind up playing hookie the whole day though, depending.

Humor laces his silent words.

The time is now. Race ya there.

It's not long before JetStream is in Mike's basement, talking and practicing. While laughter came though, something still wasn't right. Tension was there... one that no one wanted to talk about or admit to...

"...and I am not alone."

The music continues, then falls apart until everyone has stopped. Kyle's shoulders drop and he rubs his forehead tiredly. "Can we just skip over this one?"

Jason sighs in frustration. "Kyle, we've gone over this song five times already. Now what?"

"It's just not..." Kyle shakes his head. "I don't know. "It just doesn't feel right."

"Well do you want to do it?" Though Jason hadn't meant to snap, the tone of his voice showed his true feelings of annoyance that Kyle wasn't pleased, and that Jason was tired of pretending he was over the other night.

Kyle's face reddens. "Look, I told you when you got here that that's not what I want. I said we'd just keep going like always."

He had. As soon as the band had gathered in Mike's basement, Kyle had addressed the night of the concert and had apologized to everyone. Though Jason had accepted, the tension still ran thick.

Jason looks down at his guitar.

He said it alright, but did he mean it? You can't tell me that after the other night, he doesn't want to be in my place right now, in the spotlight. I can't even sing right for him anymore.

"Okay, guys," Phil intervenes before an argument starts. "Lets just take a breather, shall we?"

"A breather won't fix this," Jason retorts.

"Come on, Jase," Jen prompts gently from her seat at the bottom of the stairs. "We all need a break."

Receiving the reprimand, no matter how gentle it was, and no matter the kind intentions behind it, was not the thing to do. Jason grits his teeth, now embarrassment falling into the pot of mixed emotions. Not letting himself give up on the moment, he raises his eyes to look at Kyle, defying Jen's words. "What about Cryptic?"

His question creates a silence no one enjoyed. Kyle looks down at his keyboard, running a finger along the silent keys. "Logan's pulling out."

Mike's eyes widen. "What? Why?"

"Doctor warned him that his vocal chords are being strained too much. He opted to take an extended time-out before too much damage occurred."

Phil lets out a low whistle. "Yeah, he's been going at it pretty hard for a while now. What are they going to do?"

Kyle shrugs.

Jason's eyes narrow. "They asked you to take his place, didn't they?"

Finally Kyle looks up at him. "What if they did?"

"Then I'd say thanks alot for leaving us all behind."

"I wouldn't have to," Kyle argues. "I can still play for JetStream."

"And wear yourself out?" Jen asks, now equally concerned.

Kyle throws up his arms. "No one cared about what happened to me before, why start now? As long as I'm standing here behind my keyboard and filling in the cracks for y'all, everything is good and happy, right? As long as I don't question anything. As long as Kyle doesn't ever want to move up from where he is, everything is just hunky dory, is that it?"

An outburst from him is rare, and it is noted as such. No one knows what to say.

Kyle's own nerves get the best of him as his stomach starts to revolt. Leaving the room quickly, he heads down the hall to the basement bathroom before throwing up.

Phil sighs. "He was doing that last night too. I think it's those meds he's on."

Jen looks up quickly, surprised and confused. "What?"

Phil cringes. He hadn't meant to say anything. "Nothing."

"No, tell me."

"You want me to get on Kyle's bad side even more?"

Jen's eyes narrow. "Tell me, Phil. What's going on?"

"He's taking some sort of depression meds."

Surprise hits everyone. Jason even lifts his eyebrows, now almost feeling badly for his own pressure on Kyle tonight.

Depressed? Maybe he's been a bit down lately, but depressed? Kyle? That seems impossible.

Jen swallows hard. "Well what... I mean... did he talk to you about it?"

"No. I accidentally found out."

"How long has he been taking something?"

"He wouldn't tell me. I don't think it's been too long though." Phil unstraps his bass guitar and sets it on its stand. "I think we better call it a night."

Mike purses his lips grimly. "We got a concert coming up."

"I know."

"What do we do?"

Phil shakes his head. "Well if we keep on bickering, we're not going to get anywhere." He throws a look in Jason's direction. "If Kyle wants to help out Cryptic, then so be it. I'm not going to stop him."

"He should remain loyal to one band," Jason counters.

"Look I didn't say I was happy about it," Phil adds. "But I'm not going to be the first to ask him to leave JetStream. If his venture with Cryptic interferes, that's one thing. But if he can keep up and nothing changes here, then I don't see a problem. In the meantime, I say lay off of him. Something's going on with him and I don't know what it is. But harping on him isn't going to solve anything."

Kyle reemerging makes the room fall silent. He can feel everyone's eyes on him, and keeps his own gaze down as he trudges to the keyboard where he retrieves his jacket and truck keys.

Jen tries to stop him. "Kyle, you sure you feel up to driving home? Why don't you..."

"Just leave me alone," Kyle retorts quietly. He'd heard everything. "I'll see you guys later."

"But, wait, I..." Tears fill Jen's eyes as she watches her brother head upstairs alone. Having her twin hurting was almost bad as if she herself was.

Jason's eyes fall to the floor and he slowly stands up to put his own guitar away. "Give me a call for the next practice... I have to get to work."

Phil nods solemnly. "Alright."

Without saying any more, Jason goes upstairs and out, ready to drive to TJY for the rest of the day.

Sorry, Hero... I don't know if I'm really going back to work or not... give me a while to cool off, will ya?

He slips into his truck and pulls out, heading back towards town, but with no real destination in mind.

Few would notice that Kyle's truck had not headed back to town, but had been driven the opposite direction, pulling over on a deserted dirt road.

Help Aid

Looking up at Carson Misty's eyes show her worry. If the research on this was in Australia, that ment to see if there was a cure someone would have to go there as well. Misty could only think of one person who new the outback like the back of his hand and that was because he grew up there.

"If it means saving Angel's life, I think it would be worth a shot to see about an antidote. But I guess thats really up to whoever we can see will go if they want to or not."

Giving a glance to Carson and than to Rick a worry cross Misty's eyes. She didnt know how long Angel had but from her progression she didn't think she had long at all.

"I honestly dont know how much long she is gonna hold on, but if you can tell me anything you remember Hun that was in the formula I might be able to whip something up that can help her hold her on longer and put her in a little bit more of a comfort zone. Its not a promise but its a shot in the dark to help."

Giving a laugh as she continues to get read Katie cant help but agree.

Hey I asked a long time ago when I was gonna get a cape and be able to fly. If anyone gets it first its me.

Running a comb through her hair Katie thinks for a long moment before replying to Jason. A day off did sound kind of nice and spending the day with Jason was even better on top of it.

I think spending the day with you are the guys would be fun. Maybe we could hit up something to eat as well. When and should I just drive to your place and we will head up together?