W's

Alice's continued interest only makes Kyle bewildered yet again. Why she had this desire to do a story on him, he would never know. Part of him wanted to argue and tell her to stop making a big deal out of someone as common as he. But deep down... tucked away... he would quietly admit to himself that someone's honest attention did feel a little good.

Her arm going around his shoulders makes his eyebrows rise, and he turns his face to her with question. Despite her laugh, for just a moment, Kyle sees something beyond the surface humor. There was something more there... something deep and hidden that might only come out a glimpse at a time, but it showed the strength within. If God was leading her, who was Kyle to stand in the way?

Receiving Alice's comment and point to his forehead, a laugh escapes and he reaches out to grab her finger to push it away. "What? You mean like this?" He furrows his brow to force an angry stare.

Leaning in closer to her face, another laugh comes. Standing abruptly, he makes the carriage wobble, and ignores the hollers from below to sit down. "I can make people laugh with a line I don't even have to say!" he shouts at the top of his lungs.

He balances himself despite the rocking motion and throws both hands in the air. "Look out world - Kyle Mitts is on the loose with his trusty sidekick Alice." He lowers his voice to a booming announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, do not be alarmed. It is only one crazed human being, and they are kept moderately under control by the witty written words of Whitt, the whistling woman."

Suddenly realizing the absurdity of what just came out of his mouth, Kyle blinks and flops back down in the seat. "Well. Now. That was exciting." He swings his head around to look at Alice again. "Nothing like a little pepper to stir things up. I do believe I feel invigorated. Or perhaps it's the sugar that has finally hit my system from that cotton candy I had."

Or maybe, just maybe, it was knowing that someone he felt like he'd known all his life would be tagging along on his new adventure.

Line

Alice gives a nod that is followed by a chuckle at Kyle's comment about her being a spice. Its silly quirky side was funny and refreshing that was for sure and it matched her own.

"I do believe you did call me a spice, but I'd rather be that than...."

Drawing silent Alice things for a moment.

"...a lime."

Alice scrunches up her noise and than gives a laugh as her eyes sparkle. As Kyle continues to talk and tell about where he was going and what he was doing Alice gives a nod of her head. This WAS going to be interesting, and maybe even a little fun not to mention something else unspoken felt right about it.

"You know Kyle, I think I will follow you and drive around behind that bus. I think it would be grand fun not to mention I really do want to continue my story on you. Just something about you Kyle. Not only am I intrested in you but I feel...like this is right like something tells me this is what I am ment to do. Maybe its God showing the path I should take."

Giving a smile Alice gives a thoughtful nod. Wraping her arm around Kyle's shoulder another laugh escapes her lips as she draws him closer and for a moment Alice is throw back to a time when her best friend and her had shaired moment likes these. God takes lifes, and he gives them. Knowing exacly what we need when we need it. Coming back she cant help but smile big again her arm still around Kyle.

"But you got to promise me not to yell at me anymore because when you do you have this line right here..."

Alice takes her free hand and points to Kyle forhead.

"...and for some reason it hits my funny bone and I would hate to laugh at you if your trying to be real with me."

Won't stop you

Kyle's eyes widen slightly and he looks quickly to Alice as she speaks. He barely notices the ride is moving again as he just studies her eyes as if determined to find something.

"You really are interested in my story, aren't you?" His look turns to one of almost confusion as to why on earth she really would be, but also one of realization that it was in fact, true.

He shifts his weight so he can sit more at an angle, almost facing Alice. "You're not improper in my book, though you are bold. It's like throwing some pepper on bland food. Makes you go "wow" but it's a good thing."

Stopping, Kyle laughs and shakes a head at his stupid comment. "I think I just called you a spice."

Trying to recover, he takes a deep breath. "Well, Alice Whitt... I'm not going to ask you to go because then I'd be the one feeling improper. But I won't stop you if you want to go, and I won't tell you no. Thing is..."

He hesitates. "Nobody knows this yet, so I'm just gonna ask you not to say anything to anybody. But I got a friend who's part of "Break Out," the karate team that travels around and does sessions for kids on making the right choices, don't do drugs, that sort of thing. He, um... he's asked me to join their next tour. They're leaving in a few weeks... it'll be a team of eight people and we'll be traveling by bus."

Saying it aloud for the first time, it almost surprises even Kyle. "No music... no family... no hometown... something totally different.... something that will get me away from my pipedreams and get my feet back on the ground."

Looking off in the distance, Kyle is quiet for a moment before turning back to Alice with a crooked grin. "So I guess if you're bound and determined to write about me, and you don't mind driving your car behind a bus the whole time - I won't stop you."

2 questions

Giving a nod Katie sits down at the table with Carson and Jason keeping her attachen on the task at hand.

"I can get the ID's together. I can go talk to Dalton about getting you one. I still have my old one and I am sure Jason has his as well."

Continuing to listen Katie gives a nods here and there to show she is understanding and gets everything that Carson is saying. This had to work, and though she admitted she was a tiny bit nervous about getting so close to the agency at the same time she was excited as she adrenalin pumped.

Thinking for a long moment Alice finally looks at Kyle and cocks her head.

"Well...I could say one of two things, but I am not sure what one would be more appropriate without scaring you away. I could always ask to go with you, so I can keep doing reports because I think you ARE in fact an intestine person with many stores still to tell, but I am not sure that is probler of me even though I'd like to."

Leading the silence for a moment Alice looks out at the scenery again as the fairs wheel slowly jerks forward before she speaks again.

"So, I guess I will just leave it at this if you ask me to come alone with you I would be delighted and I think it would be fun, it would give me a few good story's to write and give me a good boost. But if you don't ask me Kyle Mitts, I'll be waiting here so when you return, you can find me and I can talk to you again."

Alice gives Kyle a smile. Not only had she found someone she liked talking to and found so interesting but in a short time she had also found a friend that she felt like she had known for years.

Maybe it's time

Jason returns Katie's hug, giving her an extra squeeze before she backs away.

Nope... I'll always be sorry for hurting you, no matter if I ever see it's not my fault or not... only 'cause I love you.

Carson laughs at Katie's comment. "You, winning? If that's the case, it's only because I'm such a good teacher."

Jason smirks. "So while I'm in there duking it out, you two are here playing games. Nice."

"Hey, I'm not the one who started it." Carson moves to a nearby table, gesturing for Jason and Katie to sit with him. He has a notepad with him, and is ready to form his plan.

"Alright... we're gonna high tail it out of here tonight. We'll catch a couple planes then get across the ocean. It's gonna be one long trip, so be prepared to try and stay awake once we get there. We don't have time for jetlag."

Jason kicks Katie under the table. "She can keep us awake. She's good at bugging people."

Not missing a beat, Carson nods. "This I know." He jots down some notes. "Once we land in Australia, we're going to meet up with an ally there. I don't know anyone myself who's on the good guy's side, so Reese is finding us someone we can trust. We'll need him to help watch our back and keep us up to date with what's happening around us. Once we settle in, we'll head out for where I know the Agency base is. We'll wind up hiking on foot for a good day or so in order to maintain as low a profile as possible. Once there..."

Carson looks up and gives a little shrug. "Who knows. But I chose the two of you because we might need your teamwork, whether it's to scare the bajeebers out of somebody, or be able to communicate without them knowing it."

Jason sits back and sighs. "Well... looks like that's about as much planning as we can do. Do we know how long this is gonna take?"

"Nope. We won't know much until we get there. I'd send a scout ahead, but we don't have time for that. We have to go straight in ourselves." Carson looks at Jason, then at Katie. "We need to gather up some firearms, settle on some fake IDs and get everything else we need packed... and do it all in the next few hours. Are you two with me?"


Kyle is silent for several minutes. One might think he hadn't heard Alice at all. But he finally answers her. "I'm pulling out." His eyes drift the countryside instead of looking at her. "There's two concerts coming up... one for JetStream and one for Cryptic, I'm sure you've seen the ads. I'll be there for both. But after that... I'll be leaving town. You... won't get much of a story on me then I guess, so I apologize. But... I've got an invitation and... maybe it's time for me to move on and leave this dream behind."

Brush off

Continuing the game Katie trys to keep up with the game and what was going on though in mid shot she stops as Carson goes over to the door. Seeing Jason emerge and getting his apology Katie just shakes her head.

I'm never gonna get you to stop saying sorry am I?

Stepping closer to Jason Katie brings her arms around him in a nice tight comforting hug.

I love ya J no matter what.

Stepping back again Katie turns and smiles at Carson a teasing tone in her voice.

"Oh so your gonna just brush off our game like that. Does that mean your losing."

Sticking out her toung just a little Kaite gives a small laugh and puts her pool stick down knowing it really was time to get to work.

"Ok, I guess we can finish some other time. We have people to save."

Sitting back in the farris wheel seat once again Alice just watches Kyle for a moment. How sad he was and how he really did care for his friends. That in itself should make him not cast blame on himself. Taking in her own deep breath of air Alice smiles though her eyes held a searouseness for what Kyle was saying too.

"What are you gonna do Kyle?"

Ceasefire

"Solid, huh?" Carson gives Katie a wink. "I wouldn't expect any less of you." Surveying the table and leaning down to aim, the game continues.

Despite the banter, Carson keeps a close eye on Katie, and tries to keep the pool game going, creating enough havoc on the table to keep anyone on their toes, whether in the game or in the conversation. His own nerves rose and dropped and he knew it was because of Katie, able to tell now when she was getting more nervous and when he'd succeeded in calming her down.

Austin looks down at the floor, his tone suddenly dropping. "Maybe too many times."

Worn out and tired of fighting, Jason flops down in a chair across the table from Austin. "I'm not a kid anymore, Austin. Not only can you no longer control me, but I can see through your mask of care. It's just not true. You have a cold heart, and I don't know why."

Austin leans forward to rest his elbows on the table and put his face in his hands. "Maybe you're right. I just... one thing after another and... I didn't know how to stop it."

"Why don't you try being nice for once? And looking around and seeing the people you're affecting? Do you realize how much hurt you've caused since you've been back?"

"Look, I'm sorry about the prison thing. I meant to tell you, but there was too much danger and..."

"I'm not talking about me. Look at people like Scott."

"I was only following protocol."

"But he's human, Austin! He's a man with a heart. A beaten, scared, man too. Can you not see that anymore? I've heard stories about you from people in Texas... about when you used to care... when you used to see people and have compassion. You had it with me once. Where did that go?"

Austin suddenly stands up and starts to pace. Finally he just stops in the corner. "I'm sorry, Jason."

Jason didn't expect himself to release his anger, but something in his grandfather's broken tone started to chip away at his ire. "For what?"

"For not being the grandfather I should have been. For getting you involved in TJY too early. For not telling you the truth about things. For letting you grow up too fast against your mother's wishes."

Jason flexes his jaw muscles. He didn't want to forgive, but it started to seep through anyway. He'd never seen Austin quite like this before. "You should be apologizing to everyone else. I don't care what you've done to me. But I care what you did to the people you fired... to the people you put in mental anguish."

Austin sighs and looks up at him. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm not needed around here anymore."

"Not if you keep acting like you have been."

"And if I don't? If I changed?"

Jason shrugs. "Then trust will not be easily gained back." All of a sudden, he realizes that his anger towards Austin is gone. He was still hurt. He was still a bit confused. But the anger... the hate... it was gone. He'd said his piece. He'd spoken what was on his mind, and it had been released. "Reese is in command now... and as far as everyone here is concerned, he's going to stay that way. You're the one that walked out - don't forget that."

Carson looks up, suddenly realizing the room had gone quiet. "Hey... either we have a ceasefire or somebody is dead." He straightens. "Yo, Jase... what's happening, buddy?"

Jason hears Carson and sighs. "Open the door, Carson."

"You ready to get to work?"

"Yeah... I'm ready."

"You sure?"

"Carson! Open it or I blow it to bits!"

Carson grins at Katie. "Excitable bloke. How do you keep him under control?" He wanders to the door and unlocks it. As he opens it, it tilts a bit, having lost its top hinge. He looks up at it and shakes his head. "Better get Hal down here to fix this. He still works here, right?"

"Yeah." Jason exits the room, hot and tired, and willing to admit only to himself that Carson's little maneuver had been a good one. He'd finally reached the bottom of his emotional reservoir. Moving closer to Katie, he stops and just sighs, looking at her wearily.

I know, I know... I don't need to apologize... but sorry anyway. At least now we should be good for a while. Maybe I needed that more than I thought I did... Telling Austin how I really felt, that is.

Carson looks in at Austin who hadn't moved. "You taking up residence?"

Austin shakes his head slowly and finally stands up. "No... no, I'll be leaving now. Just do me one favor?"

"What's that?"

"Make sure someone lets me know how Angel is?"

Carson gives him a nod. "I will." He watches Austin leave, then finally turns back to Jason and Katie. "Are we ready to form a plan now or what? We've already wasted enough time."


Kyle sits relaxed atop the ferris wheel as riders below were let off and on. "I wish I could see problems the way you do," he muses. "Ya know... I don't really worry about what other people think of me or what I do... but I worry about the consequences of my own decisions. If someone gets mad at me for my own choices, so be it. But if I make a choice that will obviously cut off my relationship with somebody else... then I do think I'm the one to blame."

He sucks in the cool afternoon air. "I've made up my mind, Alice... I've made up my mind."