Hope

Emerging from the room with his arm crossed over his chest Phinox lets out a sigh. That was a dead end and he new it. Reiker wasnt part of what happend to Katie, they were wasting there breath. Turning to look at Ryder Phinox gives a little pase on the floor before stopping again.

"Riker didnt know anything about what we were talking about. His story may have sound fake and madeup but no one would come up with answers to questions about it as fast as he did."

Thinking again Phinox choosed his words carfely knowing he needed to watch what he said.

"Could they have mixed you up with someone else? I just have a feeling he didnt know anything about Katie let alone who she was."

Bringing his hands up to Laura's arms Nate is quiet for a moment leaning his head back aganst her. The soft small of lavander and soap washed over him making him feel safe. He cant ever remembering a woman having there arms around him and him being the one who felt safe.

Turning a little Nate pulls Laura infront of him and draws her into his lap and brings her close to him. Leaning into her Nate nuzzles into Laura's neck just a little before pulling away a little and running a hand over her cheeck just looking into her eyes.

Laura had become his shelter, his sound ground. He was strong, but a little more strangth was always nice and welcomes. Giving a smile he gives a small nod.

"Yeah I think I am holding the best I can with the help of a certin good looking Lady."

Running his finger over her cheek again He leans in and gives her a small kiss.

"I love you so much."

Slowly walking over to Carson Misty sets a plate down for him that had two grilled cheese samwich on it.

"I thought maybe you would want something to eat."

Stairing at the screen for a moment Misty watches what Carson was watching. Hearing him say a name Misty squots down next to him to continue to watch.

"You know who he is?"

Feeling the pinch in her arm Katie gives a wince. She wanted to cry out in pain, she hated the feeling, the way the EE made its way through her body, they way it felt to be left alone with her own mind, she hated it.

Lifting her head Katie looks at Gage in the eyes her own reflecting an emptyness but a strangth at all the same time. At this point she didnt know what to think or how to feel. She was scaired, and she hurt but she had to stay strong.

"I'm happy to still be alive, because when they find me, and I know they will I want to see the look on your face. I have my hope, and my love. Take my emotions away from me you may, but you cant take away my free will to choose who I am."

As Gage runs the blade aganst Katie she can feel the cold steel on her skin and it stung. Everything inside of her quivered but her eyes showed no fear and she didnt wince or back away but just continues to look at Gage. They would come for her, she new they would, se had to keep hope. Things wernt so bad right now.

Familiar Face

Though Gage's back is turned, a scowl surfaces. This was the fourth time he'd been assigned with Rod, and he never once had liked it.

Walking to the one window, he barely parts the horizontal blinds to see out. Medridge was confident about this little scheme, but Gage wasn't so sure. Something about these people just didn't feel right. Though he'd never say it, Gage wondered if Medridge underestimated the Elite and the families from Texas.


Carson knows that Nate is just as torn up as he is about this whole thing, and he wants to offer some kind of words. But he knows he can't lower his wall. Not and survive the task he'd just been assigned to.

Retrieving the address, he makes his way to Katie's own cubicle, turns on the computer and heads to the right place. Staring at Katie's weakened body, his eyes grow dim. He wanted to kill whoever had done this.

Fishing around the desk, he finds a notepad and pen and starts jotting down notes. Study, write, study, write. Soon he had a barrier built strong enough in his mind that it didn't feel anymore like it was Katie he was watching - it was just someone who he needed to get all the information on he could.


Rick shakes his head at Misty's question. "I don't know if it will always be sporadic or not. It's been about twenty-four hours though, and that's how long I thought the first shot might last. I juts need more time to perfect it, and I need Jason to pay more attention, but right now he's too out of it with this mess to care."

He sighs in frustration. "Yeah, giving him a dose he can give himself isn't a bad idea. Eventually I want to get this thing into pill form so if anything like this ever happens again..." In the back of his mind, he wondered if perhaps this scenario would turn into the future if they didn't find Katie. "...he can have a supply wherever he is, and even Katie too."

Jason's mind propells him back to reality like a speeding jet. Sitting bolt upright, the images of Katie flash through his mind. The emotions wanted to come - they wanted to scream out. But the only emotions there were ones that made his stomach churn and his head hurt. "No!"

His scream made Rick jump and whirl around. "Jason!"

Jason wasn't paying a bit of attention. The dosage still was not perfected and it had set him off kilter once more. A flying arm whacks Rick in the gut, sending him stumbling backward.

"Misty! Sedative!" he barks. They couldn't risk Jason hurting anyone or himself. Rick was mad at himself for not getting this thing right, but he just hadn't had enough time. He needed to find the right combination in the formula that wouldn't send Jason into an emotional fit every time. He knew it was a jolt to Jason's system going in and out of these stages, but there had to be a way to make the transition a smooth one.

Before Jason can even get to his feet, he feels the pain of the needle in his arm. Swinging his head around, he shoots Misty a glare that would have shattered glass had his emotions been in tact. But he wouldn't even remember the anger. Sinking back down on the table, everything goes black once again.

Rick is still catching his breath. "Let's hope when he wakes up from that one, he'll have calmed down." Maybe this was an improvement from last time when it had taken several episodes like this before Jason had been under control.


Reiker glares up at Phinox. "You guys ain't got nothing on me. I don't have to talk to you."

Ryder crosses his arms, scowling as he stands next to Phinox. "I was there, Reiker. You tried to blow my head off, remember?"

"You can't prove that!" Reiker's eyes wander from Ryder to Phinox and back again. There was fear behind his gaze, despite his unwillingness to talk.

Ryder shakes his head. "And what if one of your buddies talked first? Then where would you be?"

"You killed them," Reider spits out.

"Did I?" Ryder takes his gun from his holster, cocks it and aims it at Reiker. "You think I'm not good enough to hit you where it'll hurt but not kill you? You want to find out?"

Reiker swallows hard, his face paling. "They're... they're not dead?"

"One of them is." Ryder continues to point the gun at him. His words were chosen carefully. So far he had not lied. "Who's gonna cut a deal first eh? Any tic of the clock and you could be the only one behind bars. Keep quiet and it'll be your head, no one else's. Now I'm fed up to the back teeth with your whining. So start talking."

Reiker's eyes drift back and forth between the two agents in front of him. A bead of sweat runs down the side of his face. A low growl from the corner makes him shoot his gaze to Trooper, who was none too happy with the tension in the room. "Call of your dog first."

Ryder laughs. "He's not mine. I don't know he commands."

"Well make him back off!"

"Keep yourself calm and he might just stay in his corner. Get nervous and he's bound to help out in the pain department."

Reiker stares at the barrel of Ryder's gun. "You were supposed to die."

Ryder holsters his sidearm giving Phinox a sidelong glance. Reiker had been easy - they'd alreayd gotten past the hard part. "Why?" he questions Reiker.

"I don't know! We were just told to come shoot up the place and make sure you didn't come out alive. That's all."

"Why?" Ryder persists. "Why would you be scared of me after you took Katie?"

"I don't know!"

"Talk!"

"I don't know!"

Trooper stands up and takes a step forward, giving a low growl.

Reiker's eyes widen. "Call him off!"

"Talk!"

"I told you! I don't know!"

Ryder slams his fist on the table, reaching over to grab Reiker by the shirt collar. "Why did you take Katie?"

"I didn't!"

"Don't lie. The van matches."

"It wasn't me! I don't know what you're talking about!" Reiker stares wildly at Ryder, then to Phinox, almost as if asking for help. "We were told to kill you off, and that's all!"

"Me?! Why?!"

"Because of your daughter! That's all they said, alright?! That's it!"

Ryder suddenly drops Reiker and takes a step back, his voice lowering to a very confused tone. "My daughter? What on earth are you talking about?"

By now, Reiker was desperate to spill all he knew. "Me and the other two got called in. They said to kill "the Aussie." Said they didn't want you getting in the way with your daughter. So we came to take you out. Figured we'd shoot up the place and we couldn't miss."

Ryder blinks, trying to act like he was still in control, while his mind was racing. "I don't have a daughter, Reiker." He glares at their captive. "You'll have to come up with a better story than that."

Reiker sees the confusion and latches on. He gives a short laugh. "Do you know you don't have a daughter?"

Ryder's face reddens. "Yes. I do."

"Well then somebody got their lines crossed, but it wasn't me. I was just following orders, and that's all I know."

"You're gonna have to do better than that," Ryder warns. "You had something to do with Katie's kidnapping and you know it."


The day drags on. Hours tick by slowly, making it seem like days. No leads. No breakthroughs. No new information. No contact with the enemy.


"I give up." Ryder throws his arms in the air as the interrogation room door was shut behind him and Phinox. They'd worked on Reiker all afternoon, but had gained no more information than they'd started out with. Reiker stuck to his story and had given them nothing more.

Ryder rubs his hands over his face. He was tired and hungry. Everybody was. He looks to Phinox, having given up on getting much more out of Reiker. "Can't squeeze blood from a turnip. There's got to be a connection between him and Katie though. His story about me having a daughter is ridiculous. I would have thought he'd come up with something better than that. Maybe he thought if by chance I did have a kid, I'd get scared and he could make up a whole new story to shake us off the trail, I don't know. He's got to be lying."

He shakes his head. "This is getting us nowhere. It's been a day and a half and we're no closer."


Jason slowly opens his eyes and turns to roll onto his back. He's hardly moved at all when Rick is already beside him syringe in hand. "Whoa..." Jason's voice is scratchy. "What'd I do to deserve that?"

Rick breathes a sigh of relief. Jason was lucid again. "You don't want to know."

Jason frowns, trying to think past his headache. "Did I give you a bad time again?"

"You could say that." Rick rolls his eyes. "More than once."

"Sorry."

"Not your fault. I thought I'd made progress with the formula but I was wrong. I've been working all day on an improvement."

Jason quirks an eyebrow. "Ooh, upgrade."

Rick grins. "Haven't lost your sense of humor."

Jason swallows hard an sits up, throwing a look in Misty's direction. His eyes apologized for any trouble he'd caused. He glances back to Rick. "Any news?"

"No." Rick shakes his head.

"They still... still watching?"

Rick nods slowly. "Carson's been watching all day."

"Is she... okay?"

"She's alive." Rick gives Jason's shoulder a pat. "She'll be okay, Jase. We'll find her."


Laura slips in behind Nate's desk chair and drapes her arms around his sholders to cross on his chest. She rests her face down in his hair, breathing deep the lingering scent of shampoo and cologne. She kisses his head before straightening up and hugging him closer to her from behind. "You holding up?" She was asking him, while she'd been worried sick all day. But she knew he was too. Katie had a special place in everyone's hearts - that much was clear.


Scott scrolls through more names and more pictures, trying to place the face in the photo Nate had printed off. It was difficult - the photo wasn't the best quality and it was hard to make out some features. All day and he'd narrowed down the search, but still hadn't been able to pinpoint any names.

His mind drifts back to Katie and the emotions rise as a lump in his throat again. Sitting back, he glances to Dalton who was hard at work as well. Back to his screen again, suddenly the images are back. He tries to stop them, but they're like a bad film reel insistant on playing whether he wanted it to or not. Faces and data flash in front of his eyes, triggered by today's turn of events. He doesn't want to focus on them. He doesn't want to decipher them or understand what they were. All he knew was that there were bad things connected to them - connected to his own past with the Agency - and he wanted to shut them out and bury them where they couldn't hurt him any more.

Scott scrunches his eyes tight for a moment before looking back at his computer screen. His pulse had quickened and he hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath. He doesn't look at Dalton again, afraid that his own strang behavior had been noticed.


Carson grinds he cigarette into the ground, breathing out the last bit of smoke. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he makes his way around the building to go back inside. Three minutes. Wyatt had kept watch for him while he took a quick break. He'd needed the break too - though he'd tried to keep up with things all day, his nerves were nearly shot. Keeping his habit quiet hadn't been heard - everyone was too distracted to pay attention to him. It was better that way anyway.

Getting back to Katie's desk, he relieves Wyatt. There had been no changes. Carson glances at his notes, then sits back again to watch. He scribbles another note. All that he jotted down were just loose thoughts that may or may not help the situation at all. But it was all they had right now.

His stomach growls. The one thing that sounded good right now was a grilled cheese sandwich.

Movement.

"Hello." Carson sits up straighter, squinting at the screen. It wasn't the same man who had been in there before. He tries to get a better look, but the room on the screen was so dark, it was hard.

Then the man turns and Carson's eyes widen. "Well, Gage Pelzer. Fancy seeing you here." He grabs his pen again and jots the name down. Next time Nate came to check on him, he'd tell him what he knew.


Gage lets the door fall shut behind him, and walks slowly to Katie's tired, weakened form. "And how's our prisoner holding up?" he asks, not expecting a response. "Looks like I'm not late this time. Rod about had my hide for just about letting you die. Though by the looks of it, I wonder if you'd rather die than take all this."

He reaches for Katie's sleeve to roll it up. There were already visible marks where she'd been given shots before. He hesitates before giving in and administering the EE. It would only take seconds for it to spread through her body.

Heaving a sigh, Gage caps off the needle. Putting it away, he retrieves a new tool. A knife. Testing the blade, he runs it along Katie's neck, not hard enough to cut her, but the threat was there. Reaching out, the knife pushes her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. Bruises accented her face, purple and black, dried blood smeered from the cut in her lip. "You look like your aunt," he muses. "Least from the pictures."

Epie pen

Giving a scoff Rod continues to walk slinking down in his chair. He hated being here, and he hated he was put on this case with these two numb skulls. If it hadnt been for his skills at tourcher he wouldnt be here.

"Just do your job like I tell you to, and I will talk with Barker."

Picking up the phone Rod dials a number waiting for someone to pick up on the other end. Twirling a knife on the desk.

"Yo its Rod, they found the package and have tuned in. Yeah, probley for about a half hour or so. Yeah ok, ok. Bye."

Nate continues to watch running a hand over his face. He didnt know what to do, he didnt know what to do anymore or how to feel. He was so messed up inside and he wanted to break things, he wasnt to scream, he even wanted to cry.

"Oh Katie, hang in there please, we are going to get you out."

Checking over Alec quickly Misty comes over to Jason laying a hand on his arm for a moment. Than going back to the counter she moves around and gets a saringe before going back to Jason and Rick.

"Do we know if it will be this long before it will happen again or will it always be spratice? Maybe we can make something like an epie pen for him to carry?!"

Still staying quiet Phinox stands aganst the wall watching Reiker. Studying him he is quiet for a long while. Moving around the table Phinox leans on it looks there prisoner in the eye.

"Why did you atack Katie's house after we...you already had her? I wany answers about what u know and I want them now."

Chosen

Gage looks up from the desk as Rod comes back into the makeshift office. He already had one black eye from this morning's argument with Barker, who was in charge of this operation. Apparently, Gage had been negligent in more than one area.

He scowls at Rod. "Either I keep up the regular checks so that doesn't happen, or I stay up here the whole time. I keep getting stuck in the middle, and I'm tired of taking the heat for things that go wrong." He knew that Medridge would have their hides if Katie died at this point. They still needed her.

Gage stands up, checking his watch. "Just let me handle the schedule alright? Keep Barker off my back and I'll take care of the girl."


Reese and Scott watch the video, appalled at what they saw, but completely helpless. They agreed with Nate that probably Katie was suffering, as Jason was, without the injections.

"They were prepared," Reese comments. "Which means they know good and well about Jason and Katie's abilities. Jase said someone in Australia knew, but I didn't think it had gone this far. They obviously have a formula like we do."

A Nate's instruction, Scott takes the printouts from him. He swallows hard, looking at them for a moment, then glancing back to the monitor then to Nate. His eyes said it all. He was reliving a portion of his own terror - only this time it was through Katie. All he can manage is a slight nod before turning and heading back to his own office. He wanted to stay... to make sure he knew what was happening with Katie... but he had to help with the work. It was the only way to help Katie.

Reese sighs deeply, running a hand over his face. "I wouldn't wish this job on anyone. But you're right. Somebody's got to keep a constant eye on this. Any little detail might give us a breakthrough." Thinking a moment, he nods. "I'll be right back." Spinning around, he heads quickly for the hall. "Ryder, come with me."


Rick looks at Sapphire gratefully. "Thanks... and yeah, let's get him to the infirmary. He overexerted himself before I could give him the antidote. Seeing Katie there didn't help any," he adds grimly.

Arriving in the infirmary, Rick manages, with Sapphire's help, to get Jason to the table, lying down. Alec was still occupying the bed, still in a drugged sleep.

Panting, Rick gives Sapphire the "ok" to go, then looks to Misty. "Help me out here, will you? We need to revive him, but I'm afraid of what state he'll be in when he wakes up. Prep a sedative just in case."


Keeping Reiker in handcuffs, Carson assists Phinox in getting him to the interrogation room, shoving him down in the metal chair. "Sit," he orders sternly.

"I want a lawyer!" Reiker complains.

"What for? You're already before the judge and jurry," Carson hisses. "You better think long and hard about talking because this jurry is prone to finding people like you guilty, and the judge is partial to the death sentence."

He lets the threat hang in the air before exiting the room with Phinox and shutting the door behind them. "I've never seen him before," he muses. "I wonder if he's new or just a peon." He quirks an eyebrow at Phinox. "Speaking of which... who are you?" Carson's eyes roam Phinox's face, proving that he thought there was something familiar about him.

There wasn't enough time though - they're interrupted by Reese. "Carson."

"Yeah?"

"I want you set up at Katie's desk to watch the feed."

"What?"

"I want you to watch it without blinking," Reese directs. "If you have to get up, you find a replacement until you get back. You're allowed three minutes when necessary."

Carson's eyes widen slightly. The last thing he wanted to watch was his young friend tortured. But someone had to. And he knew why Reese had chosen him."I..." He swallows hard before straightening. His eyes glaze over with a hardened look that was rarely seen in him anymore. "I'm on it."

"Good. Take a notepad." Reese turns to Ryder. "You're free to interrogate our prisoner. Phinox, woud you assist?"

Trooper gives a short woof as if not liking being left out.

Reese frowns at him. "And you belong in your master's office. Get!"

Instead of obeying, Trooper heads around to sit down at Ryder's left side. Ryder looks at him curiously. "He can stay. We might be able to use him."

Carson makes his way to Nate's cubicle, his face free of emotion. "Nate - I need that web address."

Trouble

Continuing to try and look at things around her Katie trys to move her hands as well. She felt so weak at the moment, and helpless. Not a feeling she often felt, and she hated it. Finally after not being able to make anything out and feeling almost drained with a headack forming Katie trys to relax just a little letting her head hang. The headack coming on hurt, like when Jason had blocked his emotions from her. It only made Katie think about how Jason and gone and put even more a damper on her emotion.

Than with such a great force a gateway was open and like hit with a tone of bricks Katie cant feel the emotion flow all at once. Letting out a scream from the pain Katie trys her best to controll it as the feeling of her name being called serges through her. Gasping she manages to calling back.

JASON!!!

But as quick as the emotions had come they are gone, and though riddled with another pain of being shut off from Jason once again Katie new Jason was alive, somehow they had found a way as well to keep Jason alive and he was out there...looking for her.

Gasping now for her own air the pain courses through Katie's body, like a dog dieing of thirst Katie's mouth went dry and her insides felt like they were on fire.

Continuing to watch the screen Rick's words go unnoticed. Taking note to the movement trying to figure what was going on with Katie.

"Could she be feeling Jason? Maybe whatever they are giving her is wairing off too it looks like she is in a great deal of pain like we have seen before when Jason shut Katie out."

Continuing to watch Nate grew more antsy and ass more anger boiled inside him and a quick fear that if someone didnt do something Katie herself would die.

Seeing a beam of light off in the courner and seeing another figure Nate is almost releaved hoping this person good or bad was there in inject Katie again.

Coming down the step Rod mumbals under his breath having hurd Katie screams. Walking over to her he examines her for a moment concluding to what was going on. Turning away from Katie he gives a sharp pearcing yell.

"GAGE!!!!"

Going over to a counter behind Katie he takes a needle and a small bottle injecting the needle into it. Than moving over to Katie again Rod bends down to look for her vain and injects her again. Standing he watchs her closley as her body begines to relax and he knows the drug is working.

Turning to the video camra He gives a devilish grin seeing the light on and knowing that ment someone had tuned in. Giving a salute he move away once again heading back up the steps.

"Gage, you need to be more carfel and keep a closer eye on the girl. The meds wore off and it could of been a bad slip up."

Continuing to watch Nate trys to read the lips of what the man was saying. There was no sound so it was all they had. Thinking fast Nate press a few keys on his keybored as the printer prints out a snapshot of the guy along with Katie on the pole. Taking it and holding it for a moment he finally turns back to Scott.

"See if you can run this thought the computer and get an idea on this guy, something...we need to find Katie this had become a bigger issue than we though."

Turning to Reese Nate's eyes show his own emotions that had grown. This had been taken to the next step.

"Its going to be hard but I want someone watching this 24/7. If anything else happens we need to know about it, if they slip up at all we need to know about it."

Hearing Rick's yell and not seeing anyone else come to help Sapphire stands from her desk and quickly makes her way over to Jason and Rick. Quickly throwing Jason's other arm over her shoulder she does her best to help hold Jason up. Being on the shorter side she find it hard but does her best anyways.

"Are we taking him to the infermary?"

Sapphire follows Rick's lead not use to helping in this way but new at this time she had to.

A little help

Reaching TJY, Jason is trying to keep his eyes open, while at the same time, trying to breathe. They were there... just a little farther... He almost passes out before Phinox makes it to his door, helping him out of the truck.

Though not all that much earlier he'd done everything but want Phinox's help, right now he accepted it, leaning heavily on Phinox's shoulder to keep him from falling as his knees buckled.

Reiker complains under his breath as he's pushed and pulled, but he knows better than to fight too much.

Trooper stares at Phinox for a moment and cocks his head at the whistle. Finally making up his mind, he gives a little growl as if unsatisfied with the situation, and jumps down out of the truck. With Jason so close, he makes no move to defend or attack, and simply follows along behind, keeping a watchful eye on everything.

As the threesome makes it inside, they're met by Carson, who aims for the prisoner, and Rick, prepared for Jason already with a syringe in hand.

Meeting halfway across the main floor, Rick helps ease Jason away from Phinox. "You look terrible."

Jason manages a smirk. "Thanks a lot." He wheezes, putting a hand to his chest.

Rick has to reach out to help steady him. "Easy, easy does it."


Carson glares at Reiker, not recognizing him, but not needing to. His eyes drift to Phinox and his gaze narrows a little, suspicious of anyone new. "Follow me," he directs. "We'll take him to the interrogation room, then have Ryder come in."

Heading for the hall, Carson leads the way, while Trooper brings up the rear, surprisingly not staying with Jason, but following the the prisoner instead as if thinking it his duty to escort Phinox with their catch.


Scott remains in Nate's cubicle, his face still pale, his jaw clenched tightly. He couldn't take his eyes off the computer screen.

Ryder sucks in his breath as he sees the live footage as well, and for a moment, Nate's words to him go unregistered. "Wha... yeah... yeah, I'll be right back." Trying to stay focused, he takes off to find Reese. He didn't bother trying to call his desk - last he knew the line had been tied up.

Within minutes, he's returned. Reese stops short, staring at the screen. "Oh no..." His words are breathed out with a despairing worry. "Tell me that's not what it looks like."

"It's a live feed," Scott confirms grimly.

"But she's alive."

"Yeah..." Scott swallows hard. "She is..."


Jason's head throbs and the room spins. He barely feels Rick rolling up his sleeve, preparing him for the shot. Blinking, he squints a few cubicles down where something seemed to be going on. "Whats... what's happening?"

Rick tries to hold Jason's arm still. "I think they found something."

Jason automatically takes a step forward. "I want..."

"Hold still!" Rick orders, trying to hold him back as the needle slips.

"I want to see," Jason wheezes, making it a few steps closer to the cubicle.

Rick fights against him, looking for an opening to administer the shot. "Just... wait a moment. Jase, would you please... you need this."

Jason struggles, not thinking straight. If they had found anything on Katie, he wanted to know. He didn't care about the shot. Gaining a few extra feet, he has to hang onto the nearest cubicle wall to support himself, though his strength lessens.

Rick frowns at him. "Hold still for one minute before..."

Jason doesn't even hear his words. His eyes had locked onto Nate's computer screen from several feet away. Even at a short distance, he could see what it was, and it turned his stomach to knots. Stunned, he just stares. The free emotions built up inside of him, bubbling and churning. The pressure rose inside of him.

Dizziness tries to take over, and the room starts to go black. Hated tears sting Jason's eyes as he doesn't dare blink, lest he miss something. Though it would do no good, his emotions combine into a surge of energy. But with nowhere to go, the effort it took would only injure the host as the emotions would be catapulted back to him.

Katie!!!

The prick to Jason's arm goes unnoticed as his eyes roll back in his head. Rick is quick about giving the shot, but it's not soon enough. He grasps at Jason, keeping him from collapsing to the floor. "Jason... Jase..." He stumbles, losing his grip as he calls out loudly. "A little help over here!"

Shocking

Pulling into the TJY parking lot Phinox takes the car up to the front doors not even bothering to park the car. Jason needed Rick and they needed to get there prisoner inside, there was no time.

Jumping out of the car Phinox goes to the back of the truck and unhooks the tailgate. Reaching in he unhooks the prisoner and pulls him from the back. Holding tight to the handcuffs Phinox leans close to him and snarles his spainish accent coming forth to send chills down anyones spine.

"Dont try anything funny or you will wish you never were born."

Pushing Reiker twords Jason's side of the door Phinox opens it and reaches in taking Jason's arm and putting it over his shoulder and his arm around his waist to help Jason. Keeping a farm hold around Jason's wast and his other on the handcuffs pushing Reiker along into TJY and down the hall his strangth is aparent more than one might think at first glance.

Looking back at Trooper Phinox gives a sharp whistle not knowing if the dog would listen to him of not.

"Come on you, help me keep this guy in line."

Hearing Scott's words Nate's head jerks up taking the paper quickly from Scott. What did he mean it was Katie? Nate's hand shook at his stomach tied in knots typing in the web adress. She wasnt even sure he wanted to see. Could it be letter? Pictures? No matter how Nate trying to repair himself for what he was to see Nate was shocked by the sight that instintly made an anger flair inside of him.

"They are taunting us. This is....Ryder go get Reese please."

Nate's strong voice cracks a little as he trys to hold his emotions in. It had been emotional enough knowing Katie was taken but now to see her and not be able to do anything was a whole new level.

Hearing a clicking sound Katie lifts her head a little and squints through the dark. The only light there really was was a dim one that eluminated her but not what was around her. Licking her dry lips Katie can tast the tryed blood on them and cringes on them a little bit. Dirt streaked her face and Katie could feel the swelling and brusing in her face from where she had been hit. Lookig past the dim light Kate could see a small flashing red light that was ever so tiny. It almost looked like a camra. Ten to one told her it was probley a sacurity camra to watch her, what alse could it really be. Coughing a little Katie can feel a lump in her dry through as her saliva glands try to work to keep her mouth from being dry. How long would she be here and did she really want to leave if Jason wasnt around anymore?

It's Katie

Ryder takes the paper from Nate, not hesitating to go down the hall to Scott. All it was now, was another waiting game - for Sapphire to get the results, for Rick to confirm the blood analysis, and for Scott to check the web address...

Scott's eyes never leave the computer screen. His eyes hurt and his head hurt from staring at the computer for so long, but he couldn't stop now. It took a while, but he was finally able to confirm security, making sure that when visiting the site given, no one would be able to hack into their own system. But when he saw what was on the screen, his heart leapt into his throat.

He chokes on his own breath, and puts a hand up to cover his mouth. "Oh no..." Shutting the screen quickly, he grabs the piece of paper again, and jogs to Nate's cubicle. His face was as pale as a ghost. "Nate..." He swallows hard and holds out the piece of paper. "It's Katie."


Jason slouches in the passenger seat, just trying to breathe for the ride back to TJY. Trooper is uncomfortable with a prisoner in the back, Jason acting strangely, and the newcomer behind the steering wheel. He gives a whine and a little groan, refraining from barking, but making his displeasure known.

He leans forward with his face over the seat, showing his teeth for a moment at Phinox. A brief but low growl follows.

"Take it easy on him," Jason manages quietly. He reaches up to set a hand on Trooper's head to calm him down. "He's on our side."

Trooper gives a little groan, but relaxes, resting his chin on the seat in front of him.

Jason sinks further down in his seat, the pain in his chest increasing. His breathing had become labored and he couldn't stop the wheezing now. Trying to think straight, he lets Phinox worry about getting them back to TJY and goes for his phone instead. Closing his eyes, he leans his head back, trying to relax. Hearing an answer to his call, he manages to speak weakly. "Rick?"

"Jason? What's wrong?"

"We're coming back... be ready for me, alright?"

"Alright, Hotshot. Hang in there, okay? How far are you away?"

"Not far. Give us another ten minutes."

"I'll be ready." Rick decides not to say now, how thins had progressed in the office. It would be best for Jason to get calm first before anything more was thrown at him.

Jason hangs up his phone, wincing as his headache worsens. He just wanted to get back.

Action

Following Jason's direction Phinox keeps up with the pase that everything happens an almost second nature to him. As Jason comes back into the room Phinox follows swiftly behind him not saying a word but over seeing everything making sure all was well.

No consern was shone in his eyes till he saw the look on Jason's face as he asks him to drive.

"Yeah ok, I can."

Taking Jason's keys Phinox gets into the diver side and speeds down the road. Having a hint on what was happying to Jason it was a bit nerve racking and he wanted to get him back to TJY as soon as possable. Looking every now and than in the review to make sure there passanger was still there.

As Nate opens the package his heart pumps faster than he could ever remember. Seeing the the items in the box Nate is carfel not to touch anything but the paper so if there were prints they wouldnt not get covered up. Holdng the paper and looking at it Nate shakes his head slightly before looking back in the box and seeing Katies watch. His insides screamed, and he could feel his hate for the Agency knocking at the door.

Picking up the box gently Nate hands the paper to Ryder. Before moving past him.

"Take that to Scott and check to make sure the website is not something to hack our system before we go to it and see what it is."

Going into TJY Nate moves with hast not stoping at all. Making his way to Sapphire's he takes the box and puts it on her desk.

"I need you to do print tests, hair tests anything you can think of on this. Inside and out, even the paper on the box dont leave anything unturned."

Slapping on a pare of gloves that layed on her desk Nate takes the watch.

"I am gonna need it done on this as well but I need to get it over to Rick first to see if its Katie's blood."

Wearing off

Reiker's eyes narrow then widen at Phinox's badge. For several moments, he doesn't make one move, just seeming to think about his choices.

Jason waits, unable to see the man from this angle. He looks at Phinox with question. Why was nothing happening?

Reiker swallows hard. "You ain't takin' me nowhere," he growls. "Let me see your warrant."

Jason rolls his eyes. This was going to get them no where. They didn't have time to stand here and argue. They needed to get Reiker back to TJY and get some answers. It was their only lead.

Throwing a look at Phinox, Jason doesn't wait for a nod. Spinning out in the open, his aims stretches out his handgun, pointing it at the cracked opening. "This is our warrant," he hisses. "Get out here, now."

Reiker recoils, but before anything can be done, the door is slammed shut, a deadbolt clicking.

"Dang it!" Jason aims his gun lower and fires a shot at the lock. Then giving a swift kick, the door breaks and flies open. Several figures were moving quickly inside the house. "Freeze!" he orders.

A shotgun goes off, blowing the front window to bits.

Jason doesn't flinch. "Does anybody know how to follow orders?!" he barks.

Reiker is on the floor where he dove with his shotgun. "You got not right!" he yells.

Jason knew he was right. He would probably get in trouble for breaking in here. But he could handle a slap on the wrists from the police.

The other two figures are slipping out through the back door, and Jason calls over his shoulder to Phinox. "Get a hold on this guy before he slithers out of here!" Sprinting through the house, he reaches the back door, ramming it open. But he's too late. He hears the squeal of tires and sees a blue car taking off through the alleyway. Taking aim, he fires a shot, nicking the fender. A curse slips out under his breath.

Getting back inside, he makes a quick search of the house, but there aren't that many rooms to check. It was a small house with no basement. There was nothing else here. He hadn't expected to find Katie here, but it was still a small letdown. He wanders to the living room again where Phinox and Reiker were. Leaning down he grabs the shotgun and hands it over to Phinox for safe keeping, then goes for his handcuffs. "Alright, get up."

Reiker glares at both men, but rises to his feet, having no choice. He winces as his hands are yanked behind his back. "This ain't for drunk driving," he grumbles. "But you ain't got nothing else on me. You hear? Nothing! No proof! I'll get you two for this!"

"Aw shut up." Jason gives the man a shove towards the door, and gestures to Phinox to lead him outside. He remains for just a moment behind their backs, doubling over to catch his breath before following outside.

Reiker resists Phinox, but doesn't have much of a choice but to aim for the pickup truck.

Jason follows after them, going to the green van first to give it a once-over, but finds nothing. Meeting up with them at the truck, Trooper is already barking from the backseat, after he'd spotted the stranger in cuffs.

Reiker is planting his feet on the pavement. "You're not putting me in with that dog," he warns. "Don't put me in there with that dog!"

Jason rolls his eyes. "I wasn't planning to." He lets the tailgate fall open. "Get in."

"This is inhumane!" Reiker accuses.

Jason is not amused with the delay. Yanking Reiker away from Phinox, he shoves the larger man into the back of the truck with no mercy. Swiping Phinox's handcuffs from him, he uses the second pair to lock Reiker to a tiedown ring. "Don't move," he orders, though there's no need. The prisoner was going no where.

Slamming the tailgate shut again, Jason can no longer hide his trouble. Putting a hand to his chest, he starts to wheeze, unable to catch his breath. The antidote was wearing off - quickly. Leaning against the truck, he tries to pull himself together, but it doesn't work. He knew Phinox probably had no idea what was wrong with him, but he doesn't care.

Holding out the keys to Phinox, Jason's eyes ask him to drive. "Get us back in a hurry," he directs, though his tone has dropped to more of a desperate request than an order.


Ryder is quick to follow Nate outside, he himself worried about what they might find. It could be anything, and his pulse quickens.

Reese is on his feet in an instant as Nate tells him what's going on, and doesn't hesitate to follow them out, his gun at his side just in case.

Reaching the outdoors and waiting for Nate to open the package, both men's eyes widen. Ryder withdraws a little, his eyes flooding with emotions. He hated this. He hated it that Katie was gone. He hated it that they were being taunted.

Reese swallows hard, then lets out a long breath. "They're making contact... that's a good thing. Sometime they'll slip up... they will." Though he tried to be confident, his voice wavered. "Nate... take these things to Sapphire and have her start checking for fingerprints. Then lets see what this web address is from a secure computer."

Package

Nate lets out a sigh and shakes his head. Throwing down some files Nate had become frustrated and felt at a loss.

"Because there isnt any leads here. We have been over these files over and over again. This is pointless and a wast of time but I cant think of anything else to do."

Leaning back in his chair Nate runs his hands over his face. He was lost, there was nothing to do...what now?

The ringing of his phone makes Nate jump it was his privet line. Looking down and seeing the number was blocked Nate looks to Ryder giving a shrug and than picks up the phone.

"Hello?"

Hearing silence again on the other line Nate can hear the outside noises but the rest was silent. Looking to Ryder again he quirks an eye brow again his stomach in a knot.

"Helllloooo...?"

"There is a package outside of TJY for you. Was no time in getting it."

Hearing the phone go dead Nate hangs his up his own heart still racing. A package outside of TJY? Nate couldnt help but think the worse.

"Ryder come with me. Someone said there was a package outside for TJY and I find that a bit strange myself."

Standing Nate goes to Reese office and knocks than enters. He needed to know about this.

"Reese, I just got a call and I dont know who from. They said there was a package outside for TJY. I wanted to inform you before I went to see what it was. I cant help but fear the worse."

Outside of the TJY building sat a small box wrapped in brown paper. TJY written on the front in a fancy lettering. Inside the package was a tiny paper that had a website written on it, along with Katie's cell phone, her watch that had blood on it, and her necklace. One could only guess what this was.

Standing at the door Phinox remains cool, and his look very normal, the emotion still blocked from his eyes. Giving no indacation that he might be here for any other reason that was he was goig to say.

Seeing the man peek through the crack Phinox can pick up a little one his voice. Hearig about the guy once or twice he new the man though he had no idea who Phinox was. Phinox speaks in a strong voice his spainish accent really showing itself as he says more than a few words.

"Mr. Reiker..."

Phinox holds up his badge.

"..I need you to come with me on some DUI charges that where ignored. If you come with me we can get this over quick and you can get back to what you were doing."

Continuing to stand strong Phinox has a certin air about him, showing his confadince in the situation but alert at the same time that anything could go wrong at any moment.

Who is it

Ryder sighs and shakes his head as he flips through files. "No... unless you count Katie messing with guys' minds and Jason blowing things up as strange."

Pausing his work, Ryder rubs his hands over his eyes. "We went in, went for the lab... Katie and Jason went in alone while Carson and I watched the hall. They took a while, my brother showed up and shot me, Carson blew a hole in his head and we ran." He shrugs. "We came back here. End of story."

Though he tried to hide it, there was obviously still a twinge of bitterness there that showed through when he spoke of his brother and Carson.

"I still can't figure out why the Agency would come shoot up the house after they already had Katie though. I know they're random and built around chaos because of Medridge, but still..." He shakes his head. "I don't know. I just feel like there aren't any leads here at all."


Jason slides out of the truck, motioning Trooper to stay put. Shutting the door, he moves around and falls into step beside Phinox on the sidewalk, heading for the targeted house. Several other cars were parked nearby. Jason gestures to them, signaling that they might have more company than just Reiker.

Getting to the porch, Jason approaches the door cautiously, moving to lean his back against the wall. "Let him see you first," he directs quietly. "Flash your badge and tell him you're here to take him to court about the ignored DUI charges. See if you can get him to come out."

Reaching over, he rings the doorbell and waits, knowing that anyone inside would have to step out on the porch before seeing him, and by that time, he could already have taken him from behind. It wasn't protocol, but at this point, they needed to get answers and fast. Katie's life was at stake.

Waiting a couple moments, Jason winces as a new pain surges through his skull. His chest starts to tighten, and he knows they need to hurry with this thing. He rings the doorbell again.

Steps are heard inside and a burly man finally comes to the door, but only opens it a crack, barely peering out. "Who is it? Who's here?"

Austraila

Continuing to look out the window Phinox lets Jason's words roll off him. He'd been called worse, and accused of much more before this wasnt any differnt. For now his mouth would stay shut and just stay with Jason trying to keep him out of trouble like Reese had asked.

As the truck comes to a stop Phinox squints a little looking out the front window. Serving the area but not saying anything he takes all that is around them and process it. Making up differnt sanarieos in his own mind how things can go down and how to stop them till finally he brings himself back and opens his own door.

Checking his gun Phinox steps out and walks quietly behind Jason.

Continuing to look through the paper work Nate looks up and gives a nod to Sapphire as she brings in more boxs with Katie's reports and paper work. Turning just a little to look at Ryder Nate gives another short nod.

"Ah she was. Katie has been working here a shorter time than alot of us but she rose to be one of the best quickly. She sure does have a knack for this kind of thing even away from her powers with Jason."

Looking down again Nate comes across the paper work written up from when Katie was in Austraila. Reading through the reports and papers Nate looks for any little clues at all that might lead to finding Katie. It had only been a day she was gone, but that was a day to long and it felt like time would be running out.

"When Katie was in Austraila, did anything strange happen? I mean with The Agency or anything other or related to when you got into the plant?"

Toilets

Satisfied with Phinox's response, and feeling he had some control again, Jason puts the truck back in gear to continue their route.

At Phinox's complaint about Trooper, Jason just scoffs. "I don't control who he likes and who he doesn't."

He glances in the rearview mirror to see his dog showing his teeth. He wasn't growling much, but it was obvious he wasn't happy. Jason throws a look at Phinox again. "Trooper's an awfully good judge of character," he muses. "Good tracker too. He can pick up the scent of scum a mile away."

Just letting the implication lie, Jason allows Trooper to threaten the passenger for another minute or two, but finally calls an end to it, proving he had ultimate control over the dog. A short two-toned whistle is all it takes. Trooper retreats and lies down in the seat once more.

It doesn't take long before the pickup is approaching the next town. Jason follows scribbled directions to a section of town that wasn't in the best of shape. Old cars and litter proved the income level of these few blocks.

Driving slowly, Jason finally spots the van he was looking for. "There she is." Parking a block away, Jason goes for his phone, dialing quickly. "Scott, you got that dirt I needed?"

"Yeah. John Reiker. He's got an outstanding warrant for multiple DUI instances."

"Perfect." Jason flips his phone shut again. "All else fails, this guy is under arrest for drunk driving charges he's been dodging." He retrieves his gun, checking the ammunition, then holstering it. "We go in, arrest him on those charges. Get him to TJY then interrogate him."


Ryder is quick to get on his feet at Nate's request. "I'd clean toilets if I thought it would help," he quips. "Let me do anything but sit here and fall asleep."

Following Nate to retrieve the files, they wind up at a table, sifting through the information. Ryder finds some of it irrelevant but interesting. "Katie was involved in a lot of cases, ay?"


Carson leans back against the warm bricks on the outside of the building. He'd seen Nate and Laura arrive, but had let them pass without a greeting. As far as he knew, they hadn't seen him from around the corner.

Folding his arms, he takes another puff on his cigarette before leaning his head back and closing his eyes. There were too many things to think about. Too much going on. Things had finally started to smooth out, now everything was hitting him at once. Why was God allowing all of this to happen? He didn't understand and he didn't know how to cope.

Breathing

Looking to Jason once again Phinox just shakes his head. Maybe his words didnt help any, and maybe shutting up would be good. If it had been any other day and any other situation Phinox would of retaileated back but this was all about Jason's girlfriend, someone he loved that was taken away and for a moment Phinox felt his own sting as a feeling of loss came over him but quickly slipped away again as he regained controlle of his own emotions not letting them show.

"Keep driving or we wont get anywhere just sitting here. I'll stay quit for the rest of the ride there."

Looking forward again Phinox blinks just a little and than turns to looks at Trooper once more and than to Jason.

"I know this is your protecter and all but do you mind getting him to stop breathing down my neck?"

Troopers presince made Phinox fell uncomfortable and being so close to the angry dog was nerve racking.

Walking across the TJY floor Nate stops at the cubicle he was told to find Ryder. Looking in on him Nate couldnt help but feel bad that he kept being pushed aside. Not only did he probley feel out of place but now he really probley felt like he didnt belong.

"Hey Ryder, I was wondering if I could get your help?! I am going to look through some of the Agency files Katie has and see if I cant find anything that could help us. I dont know if we will or not but I could cover more ground if I had someone to help me."

Nate trys to give the best smile he could considering the situation. Though his morning had been good, now Nate could feel the weaght and presure of he task once again heavy on his shoulders.

Hoof it

Seeing Rosetta crumble, Mick instantly moves to duck under the ropes and go to her. Hearing the horse's nervousness though, he stops, thinking quickly. The foal gave a nicker from the stall. Mick knew better than to keep the two separated for more than a few minutes at a time before weening - them getting any more nervous right now wouldn't help anything.

Moving quickly, Mick unhooks the mare from the crossties, taking her to the stall to reunite her with her foal once more. Letting her go, he shuts the door again and turns back to Rosetta.

Dropping to a knee in front of her, Mick reaches out and takes her hands, forcing her to look at him. He stares up into her eyes, his own full of worry, but backed with strength. "They're going to find her," he states as if it were a fact. "The best are on it, including Jason."

His fingers tighten around hers. He hated to see her cry. It tore his heart every time, no matter what the cause was. "Don't let the Agency take you down too. It's going to be okay."


Under the influence of meds, Alec has little control over his emotions. As he looks at Misty, his eyes fill with a strange look... perhaps one of longing... maybe disappointment for decisions made... maybe regret... confusion for her compassion... but not resistant to it. It had been a long time since someone had been this gentle with him.

His eyelids start to droop, but his body fights to stay awake. "Two wrongs," he repeats, mumbling almost incoherently. "But..." His eyes fall shut. "All I have... have is... prison..."

Feeling the warm blanket, Alec's head sinks further into his pillow, his body relaxing. It wasn't the meds that calmed him, but Misty's voice.

On the other end of the room, Carson stands up, a little annoyed with what was happening. While he didn't want anyone to die, pampering Alec just didn't seem to set right with him either.

He turns to leave, but a hand on his arm makes him stop. Looking at Rick, he lifts an eyebrow with question.

Rick looks back at him with a sternness wrapped in compassion. "Don't forget who you were once, Carson," he warns gently. "You defeated the bad guy inside of you, but you didn't do it on your own. Others deserve the same chance you had."

Carson's first reaction is to snap back at Rick with a comment as to just why Alec deserved no mercy, but Rick's words were too true. They cut him to the quick, putting him in his place. His shoulders drop. "Yeah... I know," he relents. "I'll be around here somewhere... you guys call me if you need anything." Leaving the infirmary, he heads quietly towards the exit. A few minutes outside for a breather sounded good. But his craving was getting the best of him once again.


Jason slowly shakes his head. He had enough to worry about without this guy not letting him lead his own mission. He was more angry with Reese for partnering him up with Phinox than he was with Phinox himself. But either way, his fuse was too short for words like this today.

"That's it," he mutters.

Yanking the steering wheel to the right, he turns the corner and pulls his truck onto the shoulder of the road, throwing it in part. "Out," he orders. "You gonna buck me, then you walk." He knew that on foot it would take a good hour to get where they were going. That would give him plenty of time to do the job he needed to do. If Phinox headed in that direction, fine. If not, fine. He really didn't care.

Jason's cell phone rings. He glances down to see a TJY number. He knew it was Reese's line. He ignores the call and looks to Phinox again. "This is my mission, Phinox, and whether you like it or not, if you're with me, I'm in charge. Can't hack it, then hoof it. But make up your mind fast whether you're gonna shut up or get out of my way."

Trooper sits up in the back seat with barely enough head room. He leans forward, the hairs on his neck starting to rise.

Two Wrongs

Continuing to looks a head Phinox dosnt blink and his tone stays the same as it had before showing no frustration or anger. But the lack of emotion in his voice didnt mean his mind was blank. Many things ran through it as a bit of guilt tugged at him.

"I am working under your rules. There is no problem with that what so ever, you being in charge on this little exsertione I dont have a problem with eather. As for keeping my mouth shut, and doinf what you say thats what I have a problem with. I do as I see fit and what I was trained to do..."

Phinox gives a side long glance to Trooper in the back as his gives a low growl and than to Jason. He could understand why Jason was being so short with him he didnt know him for anything, and this was his girlfriends life they were dealing with.

"...So if you have a problem I'll get out here and walk the rest of the way to where we are going. But losing your temper and taking it out on someone who is trying to help you is not going to help you find her any faster."

Giving a soft smile Misty looks down at Alec for a moment seeing a whole new person that layed before her. Weather by the meds or not the anger wasnt clouding his eyes. Compation flickered in her own.

"There is no such thing as bad people, only bad actions and sometimes there is a reason behind it that can explain everything and finding out that reason before we condem someone is important."

Finishing with Alec's hand Misty lays it down next to him gently knowing he would probley pass out any moment. For now he would stay in the infermary so she could comtinue to keep an eye on him.

"Your not a bad person Alec, just lost and confused by hatred and anger. You felt lost and alone, and clung to the first thing that could of mad you feel better and in that you mad your life."

Standing Misty cleans up a bit and puts a few things in the sink to starilize before reaching for a light blanket to put over Alec and keep the chill away.

"I'd never let someone die on my watch, good or bad. Death is not the answer, and two wrongs dont make a right."

Running the brush over the horse Rosetta continues to talk softly to the mayor. It had been a good few weeks since she had givin birth to the newst addition to the ranch. The little fole BJ clamed as his own. Giving her time and spance to be with her new baby Rosetta had decied that it finally was time for her to get a brushing.

"Hey girl, its ok. Your baby is safe in the stall. You needed this brushing huh?"

Continuing to brush Rosetta hears the barn door open and looks over the horse. Smiling as she see Mick Rosetta never got tired of seeing him come through those doors and knowing he was hers forever.

Though this time the moment was broken as she could see the look on his face her own eyes still held the light but was clouded now by a worry of what was wrong. Things had been going pretty good as of late that it was only a matter of time before something went wrong.

"Mick, what is it? Whats wrong?"

As Micks words hit Rosetta's ears her eyes instintly fill with tears. Katie was like her own child. She had watched her grow, helped her through so much Katie was the daughter Rosetta never had and to hear something had happend to her was like a dagger to ones heart. No matter what she had been through, and how strong she was the pain of something happing to someone she loved out numbered that.

Feeling his knees start to buckle Rosetta drops the brush and sinks down onto a nearby bail of hay. Burying her face in her hands, the sobs start to come.

"No, why...why..."

Feeling the change in Rosetta and not liking it the horse paws at the ground and gives a grunt almost as if giving its own question of why.

Just tired

Jason's eyes narrow, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. He didn't like Phinox's words or tone. He didn't like it that Reese had thrown him together with a stranger, and he didn't like it that he was being challenged.

"Look I don't know where you rank in the secret service, but while you're working with the Elite, you're going to work under our rules..."

Jason's tone is harsh. On a better day, he wouldn't have taken things so personally, but right now, he was angry, tired and scared. He didn't care what he sounded like. He was in work mode and would not be swayed until they found Katie. Phinox might have been older, but Jason had no problem being the leader on this excursion. Nate wasn't here, so he was going to do what he deemed best.

He slows to a stop at a stoplight, waiting to move on as they left the town behind. Trooper gives a low growl, sensing Jason's tension and not liking it.

"...And while you're in here with me, I'm the one in charge. Got it?" Jason glances in Phinox's direction before returning his eyes to the road. "Try to tell me how to do my job, and this corner is where you get off. Keep your mouth shut and do as I say, and you might actually do some good."

The light turns green, but he remains at a standstill. "You in or out? Tell me now so I don't waste my time."

A sharp pain to his temple warns Jason that the antidote wouldn't last forever. They needed to get to their destination and get back before he went down again.


Alec doesn't fight, but stares up at the ceiling, his teeth tightly clamped. Though his eyes water with the pain, he doesn't utter a sound.

Carson shakes his head at Misty's warning to Alec that it would hurt. "Don't worry. He's Agency trained. Pain means nothing."

Though Alec doesn't react, it's evident that he hears Carson's words as a strange look flickers in his eye. Yes, he had been trained to resist pain. If an agent was tortured, they wouldn't talk - learning to endure pain was a security measure.

For some reason, Carson finds himself hanging around the infirmary, though since Rick showed up, he was watched carefully. He wanted to do something on the case for Katie, but at this point, there really wasn't much he could do but wait. He didn't want to go back to the restaurant though - with his luck, as soon as he'd open up, he'd be called in again.

Lying on his back, Alec watches Misty bandage his hand once more. For once, ire did not burn in his stare. His eyes roam upward to look at Misty's face. Still feverish, he wasn't a hundred percent sure what would come out of his mouth. Everything seemed muddled and confused. "Why?" he asks quietly. "If you guys let me die... then you're rid of me with an alibi to the authorities too."


"I'm sorry." Reese grips his phone, his words so sincere. He really was. If he could provide better protection for all of his agents, he would do almost anything in a heartbeat.

Listening to the silence on the other end for a moment, he sighs. "I'll keep you informed."

"Thank you."

"Sure." Hanging up, Reese puts his face in his hands. Jason was out there half-cocked with a newcomer, Nate wasn't in yet, Carson was playing a game between a case and a brother, Scott hadn't been seen in the last half hour... Reese was just tired.


Mick hangs up the phone and just sits in the office for a moment. He swallows hard, trying to gather his thoughts and not jump to conclusions or waste his time on worry. It was hard though.

Finally easing away from the desk, he ambles outside and towards the barn. There wasn't a whole lot going on today. It was relatively quiet. Today, that was a good thing.

Mick finds Rosetta grooming one of the horses in the barn aisle, and he approaches quietly, almost cautiously. Coming around the other side, he leans on the horse's back, looking to the other side at his wife.

Her smile always warmed him inside. Her eyes were never dull.

He glances down, then back up again, knowing that the look on his face had probably already given away that something was wrong. He remains leaning on the horse. "I just got off the phone with Reese..."

Mick stops, rethinking his words. "Rosetta... Katie's been taken. They think it's the Agency."

Clean Sweep

Continuing to watch Jason Phinox hardly even blinks at Jason's comment to him. It would more than a little cold, and harsh words to get under his thick skin. He'd faced so much already that this arrogent agent was hardly even a bump, but Phinox wouldnt underestamate him or that would be his first mistake.

"You better keep me on more than a need to know bases if you wanna find your girl. I am here to help and thats that so it would be easyer for us both if you cut the matcho crap and we worked as a team."

Phinox ment what he said as the passion ran through his eyes. Filled with emotion, his eyes begged to be trusted yet in the back of his own mind there was a tug that this could all end badly and than it would be on his own head, and the blood would be on his hands. That couldnt stop him though, that wasnt an option. He would succsed one way or another.

"So we have matching IDs on the van that link both, but we arnt sure 100% about it being the right one. I bet anything they are going to know who you are the moment they see you and who knows what will go down than. Maybe I should go in there first seeing as they wont know who I am they wont think anything. I can get some information and than we can go on that. They wont run, we wont have a mess. It can be a clean sweep."



Looking up to see Carson Misty gives a small smile before turning back to Alec and taking the bandage from his hand. Looking at the cut and poking at it a few places Misty can see its is a pretty bad infection.

"It looks like it's a pretty bad infection. He wont die from it, but he'll be in alot of pain and if we want him to keep all his limbs its a good thing I caught it now."

Moving around the infermary Misty gets a few things. She needed to work on Alec's hand quickly before it got any worse. Though she new this was going to hurt she new it had to be done.

"This is going to hurt a little."

Taking the achohal in hand she slowly pours it over the wound cringing herself at just thinking about how much it hurt. Than taking a saring Misty gives Alec another shot to help fight the infection before closing up the wound once again and wrapping it.

Talk?

Hearing Misty's voice, Alec feels a strange sensation of being able to relax. Though he still wanted to be left alone, he didn't have the energy to fight, and felt bad enough that he knew he needed help.

Hal nods and offers a hand, taking most of Alec's weight to get him to his feet. Alec hangs between them, his knees buckling. Normally he would have argued. Today his temperament was docile.

It's slow going back upstairs, down the hall and into the infirmary. But Alec put up no struggle. Sinking down on the bed, he curls up on his side. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt sick like this.

Groaning, he opens his eyes just enough to look at his hand that felt as if it were on fire. The redness had spread from his palm to his wrist and was starting down his arm. Looking up, he sees Misty, though her face is a little blurry. "Why don't you just put me out of my misery?" he manages to grumble under his breath.

"She's not likely to."

Hal spins around at the sound of Carson's voice. He'd arrived without yet being noticed.

Carson hooks his hands in his jeans pockets, ambling in a couple steps. He looks at Alec, not knowing all that was happening, then up to Misty, then back down to his brother. "She wouldn't let the worst of the worst die, so I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you."

Alec grits his teeth. "Shove off." Turning the other way, he avoided looking Carson.

Carson glances to Misty again, this time with question. Not so much worry as curiosity at this point. "What happened?"


Laura holds half a smile as she eats her breakfast, quiet for several moments. The meaning of Nate's words hadn't escaped her. "I do like it," she finally responds quietly. Was she just talking about the food? Or more?

Glancing up, she waits to catch Nate's eye. "You're too good to me, you know that, don't you." A quiet laugh escapes. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve your affection."

Her hand slowly slides across the table, her fingers finding the warmth of his palm. "Nate, I-"

A sudden ringing of Laura's cell phone shatters the moment, bringing her words to a halt. Quickly withdrawing, she reaches into her pocket to pull out her phone. "Yes? Reese? ....Yeah, okay. ....No, it's ok, I'm with him now, I'll tell him. We'll be right in. ...Okay, bye."

Shutting her phone, Laura gets up from the table, but steals another bite of food on her way, washing it down with the rest of her coffee. "Jase has a lead. Reese wants us in the office on call. There's a new guy with Jase too. Come on."

Setting her plate on the counter, she turns, heading for the living room where her shoes and purse were.


Jason keeps his eyes on the road and grits his teeth and Phinox talks. This wasn't a meeting - he felt no need for conversation.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're on a need-to-know basis, and right now, you don't need to know."

Tapping his thumb nervously on the steering wheel, Jason gives a frustrated sigh. If Reese found out that he kept Phinox on the outside, he'd have his hide. "We traced the license number of a van we think might have been the vehicle used in Katie's abduction. We're going to the address now to...." He pauses, choosing a better word. "...talk to the owner."

Another day

Moving quickly over to Alec Misty rolls him on his back. Looking into his eyes and taking his temp Misty moves down to the bandage on his hand. Seeing the crimison color coming through she pulls the bandage back just a little checking out he cut.

"Ya did a fine job in getting that infected huh? Dont worry, I'll take good care of you and get ya better soon. Poor thing."

Checking in her bag for a moment Misty new she didnt have what she needed down here and she would need to bring Alec up to the infermary again.

Turning to Hal Misty gives a small nod.

"I need to get him upstairs to take better care of his hand. He has an infection, can you help me?"

Getting on one side of Alec Misty hoped Hal would get on the other to help get Alec back up there.

Quirking an eyebrow for a moment Nate just looks at Laura till finally a grin forms on his lips.

"If by women you mean Maggie than I do it about twice a week. Gives me a little extra time with her and makes her feel special. I like giving a little more to her when I can."

Nate brings the plates to the table and than goes back to get his own cup of coffee.

"I like making people feel special, and seeing them smile. Specialy when I know thats what they deserve because there life isnt easy."

There was a small twinkle in Nate's eyes maybe there was a hiddin meaning in his words he didnt want to come right out and say, but he did mean it.

Saying a prayer before they eat Nate smiles at Laura.

"Dig in I hope you like it."

Hanging up the phone a dark haired man looks to his younger partner and gives him a nod before the engine on the van rawrs. Pulling own his phone the man dials a number by heart and waits to get the voicemail on the other end like he new he would.

"Phinox, the transmiter you planted worked. I am sure you know by now he though he was talking to Brown himself. Your a genus. Stick to the plane you know what to do."

Hanging up the white van drive off leaving only a little bit of oil in its path.

Studing his saroundings Phinox stays quiet. Time and a place to talk, a time and place for everything. For now he choose silence as he soaked in the information all around him. Everything had to be played just right in order for anything to work planed. It was a dangergous game he was playing but he had no choise he had to.

Turning to Reese when he tells him to go with Phinox he gives a small bow out of respect.

"I'll protect him all I can. Thank you for giving me a chanse."

Holding his head high once again Phinox walks quickly behind Jason. He new very little about him, other than what he had been told and read. Hotshot as his file read had just that a hot temper and was not one to be messed with. For now Phinox didnt want to cross him till he new more.

Following Jason to his truck Phinox gets into the passanger side. Quit for a moment he finally turns to Jason.

"Where are we heading and what do we have to go by? I need to know all I can if I am going to help and I would guess your the best person to talk to."