Darkness

Gage wanders down the quiet hall, running his hand along the wall. Reese had told him that after Hope's evaluation, he had a good chance at freedom. But even that was only one of the many things on his mind tonight.

It had been a new experience, going to the fair with Sapphire. He'd never done anything like that before. The noise, the lights, the people. It had been a bit intimidating at first, but after she convinced him it was alright, he'd started to relax. Riding a ferris wheel for the first time had been great fun, and cotton candy really tasted good, even if it did stick to his teeth.

He'd been a little confused at Scott's behavior, but hadn't asked about it. It just seemed strange that Scott appeared to want to go, but after seeing Gage, had backed off. Was he afraid of him? Gage knew that was a possibility - he'd been Agency after all. But he was trying to change, he really was.

Reaching the end of the hall by the main floor, he turns around and heads back the other direction. Most people were gone home now, and it was time for him to head back to his room. He did feel a little lonely though.


Laura curls up tighter into Nate on the couch, her eyes falling shut, even though the movie was only half over. After supper out, and Maggie put to bed, they'd decided to watch an action flick, but tonight, she was too tired to pay much attention. It had been a tiring day at work, and right now, she was oh so comfortable.

Nuzzling her head into Nate's chest, she sighs with content. She couldn't have asked for more than this.


Jason sits alone at home, his feet up on the couch as the television drones on with a show he didn't care about. The orange bottle shifts in and out of his fingers, his jaw muscles tightening and relaxing over and over.

He'd found Katie's note before coming home from work, and almost hadn't believed it. Why hadn't she told him in person? Why hadn't she talked to him? He hadn't tried to communicate with her all day, but he'd figured she just needed some space. He hadn't thought she'd be taking off. Why couldn't she at least have told him without just leaving a note that Rick had to point him towards? He didn't understand.

He didn't understand why she had suddenly changed her mind. While much of him wanted to try this again and was glad to take the antidote again, part of him was confused. Had he done something wrong? Was this all his fault?

After reading the note, he'd almost spoken to Katie... but something had stopped him. If she'd wanted to talk to him about it, she would have done so. Communicating with her now might just complicate things. So... he'd remained silent. Was she okay? Had she driven? Flown? What time had she left? Was she there?

A headache starts to form, and a bead of sweat trickles down the side of his face. Jason's eyes are aimed ahead but he focuses on nothing. Trooper whines from the floor.

The pain in Jason's chest begins. He can feel it tightening, slowly, starting to suck the life out of him. It was a strange sensation, feeling as though he were suffocating, when there was nothing holding his mouth or throat.

Why he hadn't taken a pill an hour ago like he should have, he wasn't sure. Maybe he just wanted to make sure that Katie was actually going to go through with it first. Maybe he hadn't believed it. Maybe for the first time, he was experiencing doubt if this was the right thing to do.

He winces as a new wave of pain shoots through his body. He numbly tries to communicate with Katie, but his emotions are hurled back at him with force. Yes, she had gone through with it.

Enduring the pain for a few minutes, Jason finally pops the lid on the bottle and downs one pill. Tossing the bottle onto the table, he leans back in the couch, waiting for it to take effect. How long would Katie be gone? Would she actually come back? What was he supposed to do now? Did she want him to call? Did she want to see him at all? Or should he just let her have her space?


Gunner stares up at the dark sky, gazing at the stars that were so far away. Taking in a deep breath, he lets it out slowly before closing his eyes and just feeling the cool night air. Strolling to the low brick perimeter, he leans on it and looks out across the city lights, just able to make out brief flashes in the distance. It was another storm. He could feel it without having seen it - his head throbbed. It always did when it rained.

His fingers knead his head a moment before he straightens and wanders a few feet away, sinking down into the soft folding chair and looking back up to the sky. Some nights he didn't bother with his telescope. It was nice to view with his own eyes.

It was a long way up, on top of the Thomas J. Yates building. It was his place to hide. Cell phone off, no alarm clock, just the world... and a laptop disconnected from that same world, at least for the moment.

The apartment felt small tonight. I don't normally write so soon after having written, but I got a call earlier. They said Parks is dead. Been dead three years. I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that my parents' killer may not even be around anymore to bring to justice. He will stand before God one day, to be sure. But it just doesn't feel good enough right now. Then the question remains - have I even been going for the right man? My target has changed so many times, it seems, that I wonder who it is that I'm searching for. Maybe it's me. Maybe my hope is to find a piece of the past, my past, and somehow recall who I am.

My gut tells me that the man is still out there. Somewhere. Running free, when he should be hung for taking two innocent lives... make that three.

I don't know where this road is leading me. But be it lonely or stormy or raging with fury, I will find my man... and my past. And now I need to find a stick of gum.

Gunner closes his computer, setting it down next to him before digging in his pocket for his mangled pack of cinnamon gum. Last piece. Putting it in his mouth, he stands up and wanders back to the brick rail to lean on it and once again stair down into the lit streets.


Ryder clears off the coffee table from the popcorn he and Thirteen have shared, and lets the movie credits roll as he takes the dishes to the kitchen.

Returning, he leans over the back of the couch to look down at Thirteen. "Since... Katie's gone right now, if... you'd be more comfortable with someone else here too or something, we can work something out..."

Greek

Katie had called Ryder and let him know what was going on. She left him money to pay for bills and rent while she was gone. Now home again she started to putting a few things in her bag Katie holds the extra bottle Rick had given her. Jason would find the letter in about an hour along with the bottle of pills next to it. She new he would know what it ment. Once she was closer to the ranch she would take her own pill giving Jason two hours after that to take his.

Few people new, Rick, Reese, Ryder and soon Jason when he would read the letter. She told the people who had to know the most. It was hard, and she new she would miss it here, and Jason but she had to. Grabbing her bag Katie takes it to her car and throws in it. Taking on last look at the house before getting in and heading down the street.

A few hours later..

Looking up at Gunner Nate gives a smirk and waves him off before pulling out his cell phone and dialing Laura's number. Tapping his pen on the desk he waits till he hears Laura's voice. His mouth turning up into a smile when he did.

"Hello my loving wife. What...no I am not up to anything.."

Nate gathers his papers up and shuts his computer off as he gives a small chuckle listing to Laura on the other end. He loved being married now. It was one of the best feelings in the world and to know Maggie had a female figure in her life was great too.

"..Well...I was calling to see if you and Maggie and would like to go out to the Greek restaurant tonight for dinner?!"

Watching the scenes pass by Katie continues to drive her mind raced on many things. She had called her Aunt to let her know she would be coming home for a while, and had also been told the new about Wendy. Her heart was now heavy for another reason hearing her friends loss.

Excited about going home Katie was also scared about what was to come. She had much to work on and work through. The road would not be easy in fact it would be quite hard but it was still something she had to do.

The scenery becomes more and more frequent as to what she was use to the close she drew. She would be home in an hour, and in another half she would take her pill.

Tired

Carson really doesn't have a whole lot to say, though he's still a bit surprised, and still a bit sad to see Katie go.

Receiving the kiss on the cheek, his eyebrows rise. Opening his mouth, he isn't even sure how to respond, and already, Katie is gone from the kitchen. He's left standing, staring, and hearing the front door's bell. What was all of that really about? And her comment about Jason... were things not okay between them anymore?

Only the smell of smoke brings him back to his attention as he realizes a pizza is burning. "Ohhhh crap." Jumping towards the stove, he fans away the smoke with his apron and turns on the fan. "Aerith! Go make table three happy while they wait for their pizza!"


Dalton's kiss to her cheek makes Dani blink in surprise and she blushes a little. Not realizing it, she takes a small step back, biting her lip.

Trying to recover, she manages a little laugh at the continued antics between Dalton and Scott. "I think it's okay to let others win once in a while..." Rocking on her feet, she looks down for a moment, before glancing up at him again. "I... better get going. I have to run a couple errands to run before I head on over to work."

A bit awkward, she stands a moment, then nods. "I'll... see you soon." Heading back down the hall, she makes her way to the exit and out into the warm air.


Later in the day...

Scott slowly gathers up his things, ready to go home for the day. He'd wound up staying in the office all day. Though invited again to go with Sapphire and Gage, one look at Gage had set his information reeling again, to the point he really didn't want to deal with it. He'd thanked his sister anyway, but had politely declined. He could tell Gage was confused, but he hadn't wanted to bother explaining... he was still trying to get used to all of the data that was in his head, and trying to figure out how not to make it surface when he didn't want it to.


"Did you find him?"

"Yeah, yeah." Con nods to Reese. "We took him down and Brown took over from there. I'm just glad it's over. Took us two hours of tracking after we located him once."

Reese walks with the agents across the main floor of TJY. Con, Jason and Gunner had just returned. "Well, good job. One of you can turn in a report to me later."

"Gunner," Both Con and Jason say at the same time.

Gunner stops in his tracks and throws up his arms. "Why me??"

"Because you were late," Con teases.

"Because of a girl," Jason adds, heading towards the hall.

"Oh, you two think you're so smart." Gunner stops, happening to be right by Nate's cubicle. "Hey, saw your wife downtown at the station. She said to tell you it's chicken again for supper unless you take her and your sister out."

Jason continues to his office, sweaty and tired. It had been a long day and he was exhausted. He hadn't said one word to Katie all day, and after the phone call from his mom, things just seemed to go downhill from there. He didn't know why he hadn't talked with Katie. He just felt... confused. He could feel the stress between them and just didn't know what to do with it. Maybe he should call her... after work maybe. Even if he didn't know what to say to her, maybe she'd want some company, especially if she'd heard about Wendy. Jason did find it a bit odd Katie hadn't talked with him all day either.

Passing by his office, he goes to the break room instead, sinking down in chair with a can of pop. It was time to head home, but he'd rest here a while before driving.

Away Forever

Smiling and looking down at the hat Dalton gives a little chuckle. He didnt know Carson all that well, but from the little bit he had saw him he always had his hat, and he was madly in love with the woman Dr that also worked here.

Taking a small step closer to Dani Dalton leans in and gives her a soft kiss on the cheek pulling away with a small smile.

"I don't mind you stopped by to say Hi. Its always nice seeing a pretty face."

Looking over his shoulder back into the office Dalton smiles as his eyes give a new twinkle. Maybe one that showed he was happy his little friend was back and well, and even happier that he had more confidence in himself than before.

"This time around, I'll let him win."

Trying to give a little smile Katie looks up at Carson as they stop working. Though they didnt talk much, and they never really spend much time together Katie always had a spot inside her heart somewhere that cared a great deal for Carson.

" I know Jason miss me but as for moping I think he'll be to happy to have his own quiet mind back."

Putting the order she had been working on up in the window and giving a little ding of the bell Katie turns back to Carson taking her gloves and apron off.

Stepping for ward a few steps Katie comes close to Carson and stands on her tip toes leaning towards him. Giving him a soft kiss on the cheek Katie lets it linger for just a moment as she closes her own eyes a tear trickled down her face. In a soft whisper she says.

"I'll miss you to Carson. Thanks for everything. I'll be back one day, can't keep me away forever from the people I love, just till I am healthy again!"

Stepping away from Carson Katie does her best to try and muster up a smile though she knows it dosnt hold much of a glow she turns to head out of the kitchen.

Moping

Scott smirks at Dalton as he's put down. "Hey, Reese is the one who promoted me. Got a problem with my rank, you better take it up with him." Still breathing a little heavily, he grins a little at Dani before heading back into the office to sit at the desk.

Dani is still giggling as she looks up at Dalton. "I'm doing alright. Carson left his precious baseball cap her yesterday, so I told him I'd come pick it up." She shows Dalton the black hat. "But I figured I couldn't come without saying hi, so... here I am."

She quirks an eyebrow, giving the office a sidelong glance. "I don't know, but... I'd say Scott was winning that one."


Carson pauses his cooking a moment, hearing the rest of what Katie has to say. He seems a little surprised, not really having known she was having a hard enough time to want to leave.

Trying to process everything while they both work, he glances at her working. "You've been here one too many times," he teases, seeing that she knew where a lot of things were. He catches her salad though before she puts on the dressing, and hands her the right kind instead. "Other than using the chicken I was going to use for this other dish, you're a pro." He gives her a wink.

Quiet again though, he's not all too sure what to say. Finally he gives up trying to do two things at once, and just stops working for a moment, making Katie stop too. Looking her in the eye, a strange emotion swims in his gaze. "Just take care of yourself, okay?" He reaches out to brush a smudge of flour from her cheek.

"I guess you..." The sentimental words didn't want to come out. His rough nature just didn't want to say aloud what he felt... and what he felt was that Katie had given him someone to look out for, even from a distance... she was like another kid sister to him, and he knew he'd miss not seeing her around. He lets his phrase just trail off into nothingness.

"Well... just come back, alright? We'll miss you... especially that boyfriend of yours. I guarantee he'll be moping around here in the evenings." He grins a little. "But don't tell him I told you that."

Goodbye

Feeling Scott hitting his back Dalton cant help but laugh. Scott was strong but Dalton's back was stronger.

"Big Oaf huh?"

Giving a little jump Dalton puts Scott farther on his shoulder as she turns to Dani again. Dalton couldnt help but mess around. It was good to have Scott back and he was glad to see him. Having someone again to talk with in the office would be nice. It wasnt every day Dalton got along with just anyone.

"Oh yes yes everything is under control..."

Feeling Scott struggle again Dalton finally life Scott up a little before putting him down on the ground gentily.

"Look at that your here not even a day yet and you think your the boss."

Dalton's face held a smile to let Scott know he was playing around with him and didnt mean anything bad by it.

"Go on get out of here you."

Giving Dani's cheek a playful little brush Dalton's eyes give a small sparkle.

"How are you today Dani?"

Continuing to make her way around the kitchen Katie almost felt like she a natural at this and it was something she did everyday even though this was her fist time in this kitchen.

Looking to Carson Katie trys to give a small smile though she knows there is not much life to it.

"I just came, because I guess I wanted to say Good-bye. At least its goodbye for a little while."

Seeing an order coming Katie takes it before putting it down so Carson could see it too as she went to prep a few peaces of chicken and a salad. It was a moment before she would talk again.

"I decide I am going to be going home for a little bit. After everything thats happened, I just need time to heal and I think one of the best places would be back in Texas."

Katie didn't know if Carson would understand or now but she always considered herself close to him and she would hate to leave and not let him know.

"I probley wont have contact with anyone while I am gone, because I need to just find that peace I once had again continuing to be confused and hurt is not going to let me do that and its only going to make everything worse. I do plan on coming back though so this is not goodbye for good."

Katie's eyes held a small tear. It was always hard for her to say goodbye. But she new it was not for good, and she had to. She only hoped Carson understood her bumbling words.

"I guess I just feel close to you even if we don't talk alot so I wanted to let you know so you didn't worry."

Katie continues to move around the kitchen with ease helping where she could. Something inside her felt comfortable in the kitchen almost like this was a peace, of being peaceful itself.