No However

Though Scott still refuses to look at Hope, he feels horrible. Her tone was just as kind as always, even though he'd just told Rick to get her out of the infirmary.

Hearing her start to leave, his pulse quickens. Another tear escapes. He was so confused.

Rick heaves a heavy sigh as Hope begins to leave. "I'm sorry," he apologizes. "I thought he would talk. I'm sorry I wasted your time." He gestures to the door, letting her go.

"I need a friend."

The whimper was almost too quiet to hear, but Rick whirls around to Scott. His young friend still had his back turned. Rick looks to Hope, then back again. "What?"

Scott curls up in a tighter ball. He didn't like it here with everybody around. He didn't like any of this. His body hurt all over and his heart hurt too. But Hope had been the only one that could rescue him before. "Don't go," he asks quietly. His eyes were still shut tight, and he swallows hard, wincing as his lip starts to bleed again. "I need a friend."

Alec has been watching from the bed in the corner and he rolls his eyes. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he stands up, heading for the door.

"Whoa whoa whoa." Rick stops him, standing in his way. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Out of here," Alec answers casually as if he didn't really care. "I don't want to have to listen to a blubbering traitor. Besides, the shrink would probably want privacy anyway."

Rick glares at him. "I don't care what you want or don't want, but for that, you're heading back to the holding cell." He grabs Alec's arm and starts to push him into the hall. "Move!"

Alec laughs and calls over his shoulder to Misty. "Hey, sweetheart, don't forget to call my sister for me!"


Though hearing everything from Nate, Jay and Derek are still confused. Everything was thrown at them so fast... neither knew what to think.

Then hearing of Katie's torture, Derek shrinks back a little, but it's Jay's face that pales. He was scared to find out the truth. Bravely though, both men follow Nate several feet further.

Carson turns slightly, hearing Nate's request. He hesitates. But at least both Rod and Gage weren't in the room at the moment, and Katie seemed fairly calm. Carson eyes Derek and Jay. Derek was easy to pick out - Jason and Austin looked so much like him. And Jay... Carson knew him from the Agency files. He moves his chair back out of the way, so they can see.

"Oh, Katie." Tears fill Jay's eyes and he takes a step closer. Images of his daughter as a little girl flash in his mind. He reaches his hand out towards the computer as if hoping he could touch her.

Derek lays a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get her out."

"I'll do anything," Jay states flatly. He turns back to Nate. "If they want me, I'll go."


Kyle jumps as Alice comes up so quickly next to him, but he doesn't resist her arm around her shoulder. Instead, he leans back into her, giving a short laugh. "You have a point." He turns his head to look her in the eye, slinging his arm around her too.

Leaning down slightly, he rests his forehead against hers. "However..."

His words trail off. All of a sudden, he realizes that he didn't have a real "however." Why was he relying on these pills?

He swallows hard and lets Alice go, leaning back against the bricks again. "I... I can't." A tinge of frustration appears in his voice this time. "I just..."

The battle is obvious in Kyle's eyes. He'd never faced something like this before. He'd never gotten down like he had... After the band trouble, and Misty, and not feeling needed... and now...

He bites his lip and hooks his thumbs in his jeans pockets. "No... there is no 'however' is there?" He scoffs at himself and looks down at the ground. "I got on the boat and now I can't seem to get off again." It was as close as he wanted to come to admitting that the pills he'd been taking had been habit forming.


A taxi pulls up to the auto garage and the young woman steps out, taking her backpack with her and paying the driver. As the car drives away, she turns and just stares at the shop for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she finally starts forward.

Getting into the office, she looks around, but sees no one. There were no customers waiting today and the room was quiet. She looks out through the glass door into the garage and sees several mechanics working on vehicles. One was talking, another laughing and one was… exactly who she was looking for.

Bypassing any rules about customers in the shop, she pushes the door open and enters the garage. The smell of oil hits her nose and the loud sounds almost make her jump.

One of the men was on his back underneath a car and he cranes his neck around to look up and back. “Hey guys, we got a beauty in here!”

Her face turns a shade of red, but she grins. “You better watch the car you’re working on instead of me, or you’re never going to fix that leak.”

“Leak?” Leo looks back under the car to see oil running out of the hose he’d been working with. “Awww man!”

Axel glances up from the engine he was leaning into, trying to see what was going on at the other end of the shop as a couple of the guys snickered at Leo. Catching sight of the visitor, his eyes widen. “What on earth?”

She finally sees him and her grin widens into a genuine smile. “Axel!” Dropping her backpack, she skirts around the other guys to run up to Axel and throw her arms around his neck.

“Whoa there, kiddo!” Axel laughs and returns her hug. “What on earth are you doing here? You’re gonna get covered in grease.”

Liz pulls away and giggles. “Sorry. I was just so glad I came to the right place. I was afraid I’d get here and be so lost.”

“Yo, Axel, who is this pretty little thing?” By now, Leo is out from under the car, wiping his hands on a rag.

Axel quirks an eyebrow at him. “Down, boy.”

Liz can’t help her sheepish grin as she throws Leo a wink. “He likes to protect me.”

“I see that. Last I saw though, he already had a girlfriend.”

Axel slings a protective arm around Liz’s shoulders. “I do already have a girlfriend, Liz is like a sister, and she’s just a kid so lay off.”

Liz elbows Axel, but is enjoying every minute of it. “I’m seventeen and I came all this way by myself – one of these days you’ll see I’m not a kid.”

“Never.” Axel laughs, giving her a kiss on the forehead. But then he stops. “Wait… by yourself? What are you doing here?”

Leo sees that there is going to be a bit of a tense conversation, so he backs off, though his eyes stay on Liz until he bumps into Jed, who turns him around and gives him a shove back to the car.

Liz bites her lip and looks up at Axel hesitantly. “I, um… followed Dad here.”

“Your dad? Why? Is he in town?”

“Yes. He got a call from the Elite but they wouldn’t tell him why. He just had to leave in a hurry early this morning.”

“Wow.” Axel tries to process the information. “And you?”

“Um… I… I was worried about him. And… I knew you were here…”

“Liz…” Axel looks at her sternly. “Do you parents know you’re here?”

“Um… no?”

“Liz!”

“Well I knew they wouldn’t approve! Mom wouldn’t want me to come by myself and Dad wouldn’t want me worrying about him.”

“And that’s a good reason for you not to have come!”

“I…” Liz swallows hard, her face growing red with her embarrassment. “I know… it was stupid of me wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Axel shakes his head. “You’re going in the office right now and calling your mom. Then you’re getting on the next plane home.”

“But…” Liz pleads with him. “Since I’m here… I thought I’d wait to make sure Dad was okay and… and sightsee?”

Axel’s eyes narrow. There was something more. “Sightsee?”

“Sure.”

“What is there to see? Or who?”

Liz looks down. “I thought since… since I was here… maybe I might get to see…”

Axel reaches out and tilts her chin up. He sighs deeply. “Jason?”

“Maybe?”

Axel sets his hands on his hips and thinks for several moments. “Call your mom first… if she wants you to go home, you go home. If she says you can wait for your dad then… you can come to my place.”

Liz squeals and throws her arms around him again. “Thank you, Ax.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Get in the office and call your mom right now. Jess is gonna be here any minute and I want this settled before she is.”

pay

Sapphire nods again. She had started the scans already and just waiting for the resalts.

"Ok, I'm on it. As soon as I get any results I will bring them to you."

Turning Sapphire turns and heads back to her cubicle sitting down at the computer. Typing continues as she lifts her glass to the top of her head and continues her work.

Listing and looking at Scott Hope cant help but feel her chest tighten as Scott yells for her to get out. Though her heart hurt at Scott's words Hope was determaned to not let it show.

Looking to Rick Hope gives him a small nod before walking over to Scott. Laying her hand on his arm gently for a moment Hope gives a small smile.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing Scott. I was worryed about my friend."

Giving a small sigh Hope backs up a little bit.

"I know you dont want me to be here, and thats ok. You know I am only a phone call away Scott so when you feel like you need a friend I will come ok?"

Turning around Hope walks back over to Rick giving a nod.

"I cant be here if he dosnt want me to be. Keep me up to date on how he is doing ok? When he needs me I'll be close by."

Taking Derek hand in his own and than Jay's he gives a half smile. It was an honnor to meet them both Nate only wished it was under differnt reasons. Katie ment so much to them all once Jay found out everything he could only imagen what it would feel like to him.

"Well as you both know Katie had been taken and we dont have any real leads yet on where to go. We have people working twords it and trying there best but..."

Continuing Nate goes into detail about what was going on and how the Agency asked for them. He let them know about Phinox, and the fake lead they had.

Trying to keep is stop the speach seems to take a longer rout leaving out they had footage of Katie.

Nate wanted to soften the blow though he new no matter what it wouldnt matter. It would come fast, it would come hard and nothing could stop it.

"..there is something else too. The agency has wanted us to see Katie and what they are doing to her. We have seen the torcher and its not a pretty sight."

Nate steps aside knowing Carson was probley making sure no one would see the tv untill he could explain.

"Carson, let them see."

Turning and heading over Nate stands knowing this will be a shock for Jay and feeling sorry all at the same time.

"We are doing all we can, we will find her."

As Clint starts to laugh out of controll Wendy looks to him and than her mom for a moment. For a seconded she almost though he has lost his mind untill she felt a small laugh of her own form in her throat. They couldnt cry, or curse what had happened. It was there mistake and they were willing to now take the responcibility for there actions. There family was starting out young, and maybe the wrong way, but it had happend. Something good would come from the bad, two somethings good.

"I love you too."

Slipping out of the room Alice heads in the way she saw Kyle go. Turning the courner and seeing him by the drinking fountain Alice just watches him for a moment. Giving a shake of her head as she see him pop the pills. If only Kyle would rely on himself more and stoped taking those things.

Continuing again she keeps a bounce in her step as she comes up behind him and throws an arm over his shoulder. Leaning close to him for a moment keeping her voice light hearted.

"You know, God can be a great upper too and he dosent make you constapated, and you dont have to wast money on refills."

Alice cant help the laugh that followed. She wanted to get Kyle to stop taking those pills but she new it had to be done in a delicit mannor. For the last time she had tryed she now new that.

Reactions

Carson purses his lips in thought. "Downstairs, huh?" He lets Sapphire's information sink in. "Is there any way we can find out who's been down there? No one's been in or out... so it had to have been someone from here."


Rick is quick to walk to Hope, glad that she had arrived so fast. He stands with her near the counter, giving a deep sigh. “We don’t know,” he answers quietly. “That’s why we need you.”

He tries to giver her all the information he could in the smallest nutshell he could. “During interrogation, Scott has revealed information used by his captors when he was abducted. We have reason to believe that they only would have given him this information, had he turned to their side. He claims he doesn’t really know the information, or doesn’t remember gaining it, but when pressured, he can answer the right questions.”

Rick sighs, trying to think straight. “We have someone who used to work for the Agency that explained their assimilation program… if that’s what Scott went through, then he has computer data stored in his own brain… but again… they only do that if their victim is on their side. Scott’s basically under arrest for treason at this point, though it’s unofficial. And… who beat him up and why? Your guess is as good as mine.”

Hearing voices, Scott slits open his eyes. Who was Rick talking to? Rolling over onto his back and using his elbows to prop himself up a little, he spots Hope. He knew Rick must have called her.

His face grows red and his eyes narrow. “You s…” He stops himself from calling Rick names, and starts again, his voice hoarse and forced. “Get her out of here.”

Rick’s eyes widen at Scott’s angry tone. He couldn’t remember ever seeing him angry. “Scott, hang on, just…”

“I said get her out of here!” Scott’s voice raises this time. His eyes avoid looking at Hope and remain on Rick. “You shouldn’t have called her!”

“I thought you’d…”

“Well you thought wrong,” Scott snaps. He glares at Rick. “You should have just kept…” He cuts himself off as his own tension and movement causes his ribcage to hurt. Wincing, he sinks back down. Rolling over onto his side, he turns his back on them again. A tear trickles down, dropping onto the bedsheets. “Leave me alone,” he mumbles.


"Jason... you wanted to know when Ryder got back." Laura calls Jason on the phone, pretending as though she didn't know why he'd wanted to know that. She knew... but she didn't know what she could do for him, other than be a listening ear if he ever wanted it.

Jason takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Okay... thanks." Hanging up, he just stares at his office door for several moments. He could just sit here... like he was supposed to. Or... he could take Wyatt those printouts he'd wanted the other day...

Picking up the small stack of papers, Jason rises from his desk. His gun and badge were on his belt... and though his eyes were bloodshot, he held his head high. He snaps his fingers for Trooper to follow him, and he heads out into the hall.

He aims toward the main floor, his jaw tight, his stride purposeful. Anyone looking at him would say that this was his territory. Getting to the end of the hall, he's stopped by Hal.

Hal's eyes apologize, but he puts his arm out. "Sorry, Jase, you know what Reese said."

"I know, I know." Jason holds up his papers. "I gotta take these to Wyatt, that's all, alright?" He sighs. "I'll stay away from the computer."

Hal purses his lips, then nods. "Okay."

"Thanks." Jason slips past and onto the main floor. Trooper stays at his heel, sensing his master's authoritative stance. Heading down the row of cubicles, Jason's eyes roam towards the door. He hadn't wanted to stop. He hadn't really wanted to catch anyone's attention. But it doesn't work that way. Instead, his feet suddenly feel like lead weights and he stops dead.

Derek and Jay follow Ryder into TJY, both on edge, just wanting answers. As they reach the main floor, Derek scans the room. He'd heard that they had quite the setup here, but even so, it was still somewhat of a surprise.

Walking forward, his eyes suddenly land on someone coming from the hallway. A cold chill runs down his spine. There was no doubt in his mind who this tall young man was. A part of him had hoped that he might have some time before coming face to face with Jason, but it looked like he had no such luck. He stops, letting Jay and Ryder continue, both clueless about the eyes that had locked.

Jason can only stare. He didn't know what he felt. He didn't know what he thought. He'd purposely thought up an excuse to come out here, but now that he was here, he regretted that decision.

Derek looks back at the same eye level. Half a room separated them, yet they were worlds apart. But... why would Jason even know who he was? Austin had told him years ago that Jason thought he was dead. It was just coincidence that they had seen each other like this. Would Jason question their similar looks? Would he question who he really was? Did he even know he was coming? Had he already put tow and two together? He didn't know.

Jason's stomach gives as lurch. He'd give anything to have Katie with him right now. Trooper lets out a low growl, and Jason doesn't bother to quiet him. Instead, he finally drops his gaze and continues his route to Wyatt's desk. It was right past Derek.

Derek steps to the side, letting him sidle past, still at a loss for words or actions.

Jason strides by as if not caring about this stranger in their midst. Getting to Wyatt's desk, he hands over the papers, then turns to leave again. He would go back to his office. He'd seen what he'd come for. He knew that Derek surely must who he was... but it was better they didn't talk. Jason didn't care to exchange words with this man anyway. There was nothing to say.

As Jason starts to shoulder back past Derek, a hand on his arm stops him. He throws a look in Derek's direction, questioning the move.

Derek swallows hard. "You must be Jason."

"That's right."

"I'm Derek." He extends his hand.

But the gesture is ignored. "I know who you are," Jason retorts.

Derek searches Jason's face, confused. Jason did know? "You... but..."

"Hotshot!" Reese barks at him from near the hall. Not only did he not want Jason out here, he didn't want any confrontations either.

Jason takes a step back, still looking at Derek. "I hope they weren't wrong to call you," he growls. "But if it'll help bring Katie back, so be it."

Derek opens his mouth, but hesitates. "I... I haven't been told anything."

"Then why don't you go find out?"

Derek's pulse was racing. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to act. Did he just walk away? Did he just ignore the fact that this was his son? "I... I will. But I was hoping to talk to you sometime."

"About what? Abandonment?" Jason scoffs. "No thank you."

Derek's heart sinks. "But... I thought you didn't know about me."

"What?"

"I don't understand." Derek's confusion overrode any other emotions for the moment. "Austin said..." His voice trails off as he reads Jason's face. "You... never thought I was dead?"

"Dead?" Jason's eyebrows shoot up. "That woulda been a better excuse, but I'm not that stupid. Why would I have thought that? Everything else has been a cruel reality, why not you too?"

"But Austin said..."

"Hotshot!" Reese yells again. "In your office now!"

Jason throws Derek one last glance before turning away. He was done here. On the way back to his office though, his heart began to ache. This was all wrong. This meeting hadn't been at all like he'd expected. And why would Derek have thought that he believed he was dead? Something didn't seem right. He wanted to be too mad to care. But the anger wasn't quite as strong as it had been earlier... somehow seeing Derek in person had put a damper on the hate. Why, he didn't know. But he was sure he'd have to interact more with Derek before this thing was over.

Derek helplessly watches Jason walk away. What had just happened? Had he really just met his son? It seemed all wrong. Shaking his head, he slowly traces Ryder and Jay's steps to the other end of the room.

Ryder is waiting for him, to introduce him to Nate. "Derek, this is Nate Driers. He's in charge of the investigation."

Derek extends his hand, trying to push aside the strange meeting with Jason. "Nice to meet you."

Jay had just met Nate, and he sighs deeply. "Would someone please tell me what's going on with my daughter? Why are we here? What's really going on?"

Derek nods his agreement to the questions and looks to Nate. "Yes... neither of us know what's going on."

Carson hears the new voices a few cubicles back, and he strategically moves himself in front of the monitor so no one could accidentally see what he was watching. Not until Nate had a chance to explain things.


Jason stalks back to his office, regretting ever having come out. He hadn't given Derek the upper hand, but he hadn't kept it either. And why had Austin been mentioned in that context? Why had Derek thought that Jason would think him dead? Had Austin really gone as far to tell Derek that? Right about now, Jason wouldn't put anything past him. But what did that mean? And was that really what Derek meant?
For the first time, Jason wondered if a civil conversation wouldn't be a bad thing, if only to figure out the facts.

Reaching his office, he slams his door shut and goes to slump down in his chair, burying his face in his arms again. Never had he felt so alone.


Clint is standing next to Wendy as she’s propped up in the bed while Angel performs the ultrasound. His hand is holding hers, for the first time, a bit of excitement shone in his eyes.

Then the news.

Clint’s eyes widen to the size of saucers. He blinks and looks at the screen. Even he could see it. It didn’t take a doctor to figure it out. He blinks. He looks to Angel almost for help, then to Wendy. He blinks again as his knees start to buckle. Twins.

Sinking down, he slides to the floor, his back against the bed, Wendy’s hand still in his. Sitting for a moment, his shoulders suddenly start to shake, even moving the bed. Without seeing his face, one might think he had started having convulsions.

But it wasn’t convulsions. Clint takes a breath, gasping for air, his face red. His silent laughter eventually bubbles out, and he pulls Wendy’s hand close to his face, giving it a kiss.

Finally bringing himself under control, he just sits. Craning his neck, he looks up at Wendy, his eyes glistening. With all the emotions built up, the only thing he could do was laugh. He couldn’t cry. He couldn’t run away. He couldn’t change a thing.

He chokes on another laugh and squeezes Wendy’s hand. “I’m sorry,” he apologizes. He closes his eyes and shakes his head, his quirky grin remaining. Looking at her again, he interlocks his fingers with hers even though he stays on the floor. He didn’t even know what to say. Neither had wanted a baby… certainly they hadn’t wanted more than one. But they were going to have them, they would be a family, and they would make it. The only words Clint could think of were spoken from his heart. “I love you.”

Question

After informing everyone of what was going on with Scott Dalton makes his way to the breakroom for a moment. Frustrated the tention in the air with everything didnt help. In frustration Dalton slams his fist on the counter before backing up a few steps.

Getting ahold of himself again Dalton makes his way back into the infermary to sit a little bit longer with Scott. He just wanted to make sure he would be ok.

Sapphire nods at Carson as a small smile forms. She liked being able to help more, being part of the help was nice.

"I am one step of head of you. The scans are already running and it should take anout an hour."

Sapphire flips through a paper she had in her hand and than holds it out to Carson.

"Did find out though that it was used on one of the keypade down stairs."

Getting the phone call Hope is a bit saprised and is a bit upset to hear things had gone down hill so fast. She had just seen him and he was doing ok when she saw him last and now he was bag again.

Whatever she had talked to Scott about the night before had gotten worse and gone bad. This was imporant, this was her friend and he needed her.

"Yes, yes of course. I will be right down."

Hanging up the phone Hope wasts no time in gathering a few things before heading out of the office. Stoping at the front desk she smiles at her reseption desk.

"Hey Rose can you cancle all my apointsments for today please? An emergncy came up."

Leaving the office Hope makes her way to the destionation and in no time at all arrives. Entering TJY Hope is quick to enter TJY letting people know who she was as she want to the infermary.

Entering and seeing Scott Hope's heart sinks. He had bruses, he had cuts, her heart acked.

Going over to Rick her look was ferm as her eyes search his face.

"Whats going on here? Who did this to Scott?"

Glancing around the room she takes note to the woman behind the desk, another pashen in a bed, and the hulk of a man sitting in a chair next to Scott's bed. It was a full house in here and for it being her first time she was saprised.

Wendy's eyes grow wide as she looks to Clint. Today had been a normal check up and her mom was going to be doing the ultra sound. Clint had come with her because she wanted him there to see there baby for the first time. But to come and hear this....Wendy felt shocked, she felt stunned...she...didnt know what to think.

"Are...you sure?"

Angel nods and smiles at her daughter and future son in law. Pointing to the screen as she movies the soft tool over Wendy's large belly.

"I am 100% sure. See here is one head..and right here is the other one. Unless you baby has two heads and I asure you thats not it. Your having twins."

Just stairing at her mom she isnt quiet sure what to say. She wanted to be happy, she wanted to be excited but she felt so scaired. Not to mention she didnt know how Clint felt about this.

Turning her head to look at him again her face holds question, maybe not even on which he could answer.

Picked up

Scott rolls his head back and closes his eyes against the questioning. Another tear trickles down the side of this face. The brutal interrogation had brought one thing to the surface... and that one thing made him feel lower than he ever had before. He deserved to be locked up.

Rick watches him and shakes his head. They wouldn't get any answers this way. He pats Scott's arm. "Here... take these." He holds out a couple pills with some water. "They'll help you rest."

For once, Scott didn't resist. Right now, if sleep would keep him from this place, he would take it. After downing the pills, he turns just a little to see Dalton again. "It wasn't your fault," he responds quietly. "It's all my fault."

Rick wanted to ask why, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. "Rest, Scott." He nods to Dalton. "Let the others know what happened. We need to find out who did this and why if he's not going to tell us."


Carson half-listens to Sapphire and Nate, keeping his eyes on the computer. "Someone overrode the security codes? Why..." He puts the question to rest, unsure if Sapphire would be able to find the answer.

Shaking his head, he rubs a hand over his face. Did they have a traitor here? Was the issue with Scott even bigger than they thought? What about Phinox? Did have the capabilities? But why?

Soon, it is apparent why someone would have overridden the security. Dalton's news of Scott is yet another puzzle piece that doesn't seem to fit. But now they knew someone had been let in to interrogate Scott. But no security cameras showed who.

Carson's shoulders are slouched. It had been a while, and he was still processing all of the information. He spoke aloud, mostly to himself, though Nate was busy nearby and could probably hear him.

"So...If someone found out, like I did, that Scott had information on the Agency... were they trying to extract it? And if so, why? Was it something the Agency needed? Or was it to prove it existed and protect TJY?"

He sighs deeply. "But why isn't Scott talking? Why isn't he trying to protect himself? And who, on the inside, let someone in?" He runs through names in his mind. Was it really someone connected to the Agency? Did they have a mole? Or was it someone simply concerned about TJY's safety, as Carson and Nate had been?

"I still believe Scott was assimilated and he has Agency data," he muses. "But that just makes him a traitor. That could be why he's refusing to talk, because he knows he'd just convict himself. But if he was a traitor, why did the Agency leave him for dead? Or was the whole thing a setup? Did they leave him for dead, knowing that TJY would come get him? Has this all been an act? Surely not. But what else?"

Carson groans. There were too many pieces... too many unanswered questions. It was nearing noon and they were no nearer a solution.

Movement on the monitor brings him back to his own task, even if he didn't want to think about it right now. It was Gage again. The young man was moving around, offering Katie a drink, and seemed to be cleaning her up a little bit, though was remaining silent and a bit rough.

Carson squints the screen. He wished it was clearer. What were those marks on the inside of Gage's arm? His eyes widen. "He's a user." Carson takes his notepad and jots it down. If they found where Katie was, Gage would be a prime target to bring in. If he had a drug addiction, he would be easy to interrogate and break for answers.

Leaning back in his chair again, he hits the intercom on the phone to talk to Sapphire. "Any leads yet on who overrode those codes?" He didn't know that so far it had been traced to a computer on the lower level.


Rick leans back against the counter, sighing in frustration. The last several hours had been for nothing. Scott had rested some, but Rick had also tried time and time again to question him. And each time, Scott refused to talk. He wouldn't say who had been there, and he wouldn't say what they wanted. He wouldn't talk to Rick, Misty, Dalton or even Wyatt.

Shaking his head, Rick heads for the phone. He didn't like using this route... but they needed answers. If Scott was truly a traitor, which he just couldn't believe, then they needed to find out and fast. If he wasn't, then they needed to know the truth, and they needed to take care of this situation quickly before it got out of hand.

Rick picks up the phone in the corner of the infirmary, far enough away that Scott couldn't hear him. Checking the sticky note that had the number written down, he dials and waits until he's transfered to the person he wanted.

"Dr. Garrison? It's Rick Johnston, over at TJY. Listen, um...I'm not sure if I should have called or not, but you're our last hope." Too serious, he doesn't even notice his unintentional pun. "I'm asking you... if you would consider coming here to see Scott. He's under suspicion of treason."

He pauses, letting that news sink in first. "He was also roughed up pretty badly early this morning, but he won't say who did it or why. We're in the middle of a life or death situation, and we could hold off on getting information from Scott, but we don't know if it's connected or not, and if it is, we have got to know. ...He won't talk to any of us, Dr. Garrison. We've been trying for several hours. I'm asking.... would you come see him at TJY?"


Derek walks through the gate and stops to the side, scanning the faces. He didn't know who he was looking for, and he was still on edge. The whole flight, he'd thought up reasons as to why they would want him in Nevada, and he had yet to figure it out.

Finally he moves forward, his bag in hand.

"Derek... is that you?"

Derek stops in his tracks and whirls around. He blinks, studying the face in front of him. It takes him several moments, but when it finally dawns on him, his eyes widen. "Jay? Jay Pent?"

"Yeah." Jay stands back, studying the man before him. The mission was forgotten for just a moment. "It's... been a long time."

"It certainly has." Derek shifts his weight a little awkwardly. Jay was one of the few out of the Texas gang that he hadn't gotten to know all that well, but there was no doubt it was him.

Jay cocks his head. Derek had been just a kid the last time he'd seen him... he had to be near forty now. It was almost like seeing a younger Austin. There had been a lot of bad feelings back then towards both Austin and Derek. But now... seeing Derek today... all of the frustrations and anger were gone. Time had healed the wounds. "Wow."

Derek starts to smile. "Yeah." He looks down, shaking his head before he looks back up again. There was a lot going unsaid, but it really didn't need to be spoken. Reality was still upon them. "Let me guess... it wasn't a coincidence that we met here."

"I guess not." Jay becomes serious again. "I don't know why you wre brought here too, but it has to do with Katie... my oldest daughter."

Derek's eyebrows rise. Katie had to have just been a baby last time he'd known of her. Though he thought he'd heard over the grapevine that she'd gotten tangled up with TJY not all that long ago. "Is it bad?"

"I don't know. She was taken... by the Agency... then they called me early this morning, but I don't know why. You?"

"Haven't a clue."

"Do you know who's going to pick us up?"

"Don't know that either."

"Well... lets head to the front then."

They reach the front of the airport, still looking for anyone familiar, and still finding no one. Both men were growing more and more tense.

"Jay? Derek?"

Both whirl around to spot the younger blonde man. The looks on their faces confirmed who they were.

"I'm Ryder." He extends his hand. "Reese sent me to pick you up. Follow me."


Jason paces his office like a caged tiger. He had no where else to go. He was under direct orders not to approach the monitor Carson was watching. He knew why... he knew Reese was just trying to protect him, and part of him was grateful... but part of him couldn't stand not seeing for himself that Katie was still alive. He didn't know which was worse - seeing Katie tortured, or knowing that she was and not being able to see that she made it through.

His office was still a mess... he hadn't bothered to clean up the things he'd thrown around. Trooper was staying in one corner just to avoid the glass on the floor.

Jason leans against his filing cabinet and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He felt so... he couldn't find the right words. With a normal human's dose of emotions, he wasn't sure how to decipher everything anymore. But he knew it didn't feel good.

He wanted so badly to just DO something... anything. But there was nothing he could do. Carson was on guard at the computer... Nate was trying to track down locations of where the acid had come from... Phinox was trying to figure out how to set up a meeting with Rod... Scott wasn't talking... Sapphire was still trying to find who had let someone come in the building - but even that, they had no idea if it was connected to Katie or not. Hal was guarding the main floor to make sure Jason didn't go where he wasn't supposed to. No one was interrogating Reiker, but they'd squeezed just as much otu of him as they could, and the police were coming to pick him up later. Rick and Misty were busy with Scott and Alec... Laura was working with Jamie on tracing vehicles... even Susanne had something to do!

But Jason... he was stuck in his office with nowhere to go and nothing to do. He did not want to work on any other cases right now... this was the most important one he'd ever faced... and he was on the outside.

Even Ryder had a task to do.... oh yes... the airport.

A churning started in the pit of Jason's stomach. He'd spoken to his mom a while ago when she'd called to see how he was... he hadn't mentioned that Derek was scheduled to show up. Oh how Jason wished Katie were here. He had no idea how to face the man he'd hated all these years... the man who had abandoned his mother... Jason didn't care that Derek hadn't known about his birth... the fact was that he'd still abandoned Jason's mother, and as such, Jason had grown up without a father. Derek had found out about him later through Austin, though still not caring to ever meet him. It was a bitterness Jason couldn't just pretend didn't exist.

Straightening, Jason sets his jaw tightly. He was his own man. He was one of the best Elite agents. He'd had a rough past, but he'd come out on top, and he was proud of it. No one would put him down. Derek was just another man... just another man.

Why

Moving closer to Scott Misty takes some cleaning salution and a soft cloth. Looking at his cuts Misty knows it will sting but with the utmost care she gently cleans the wounds.

"I'm sorry if I am hurting you Scott. Just hold on I am almost done ok?!"

Continuing to clean the wounds Misty's heart acked. So much pain was going on right now and Misty didnt even know why.

Giving a glance to Dalton the sarrow shows in her eyes as Rick trys to talk to Scott. Than looking back down again Misty consintrates on dressing Scot's wounds.

Seeing Scott Dalton's heart clenches as he beats himself a little inside. Why hadnt he been there for Scott, why hadnt he checked sooner? Dalton wanted to keep his friend safe but insted he was hurting again.

Stepping a little closer Dalton gently gives Scott a pat on the shoulder that had no wounds on it. Though one would not think much of it, for being so big Dalton did have a gentil side that didnt match up to his size.

"Hey Little Buddy, I'm sorry I didnt protect you better..."

Dalton remembered for a moment of the fire that had started in his home. He wasnt able to protect his parents than eather. Though he was small at the time, he always wished he had done more.

"...Who did this to you so we can find them? You didnt do anything wrong and didnt deserve this."

Dalton would hope his coacing would help Scott. He wanted to know who did this to him so he could protect him and make sure it never did again. Dalton didnt like this, he didnt like thinking someone at TJY could hurt Scott like this.

Felling a great amount of pain shoot through the side of her face Katie opens her eyes just a little. The only thing to greet her was the darkness.

Why was this happing to her and was everyone else safe. Katie wanted so despretly to believe they were ok the ones she loved. If there were ok and the Agency hadent harmed them than this, this was worth it for them. Dieing in place of someone you loved seemed like a nobal way to go. She only wished she couldnt feel this pain.

Coming out of her cubicle Sapphire scans the floor looking for Nate. Seeing him close by to Carson still she walks over to him a paper in hand.

In a soft timid voice that held as much strangth as anyone else Sapphire talks her voice sounding almost like Scott's.

"Nate, I dont have that report on the phone yet I am still working on it but I did find something else intresying out. Someone manuly over rided the sacearity code lastnight to the outside doors."

Nate's eyes widen just a little as he looks to Carson than back to Sapphire. He couldnt believe this, what else could go wrong right now.

"Do we know who and why?"

Sapphire looks down for a moment as she shakes her head.

"No I dont, but I can look and find out more before I let you know."

Nate gives a nod. He didnt mean to be short tempered he just had a lot on his mind at the moment.

"Yes do that."

Once Sapphire is gone Nate leans his head down as his eyes closed. Why...why was God doing this. He had a plan for everything but what did this have to do with it and why did Katie have to suffer.

Summoned

Scott groans as he's lifted to his feet. He hurt all over, and a wave of nausea hits him as he moves. Feeling Rick on one side, he realizes someone else is with them now, and hears Dalton's voice.

Rick moves slowly, glancing at Dalton to make sure the hulk is moving just as gently, and he was. Rick could tell Scott was hurt, but making him get onto his feet proved that he still had some energy that would help him recover.

Reaching the infirmary, Rick motions with his head. "Dalton, help me get him over there onto the table. Misty!" He calls her from her desk. "Come help me. We don't know what happened, but someone got to him in the interrogation room."

Scott cringes as he’s eased down on the table. He cranes his neck and blinks, trying to bring Misty’s face into focus. But Rick’s hands on him, forces him to turn back around. He winces as Rick pokes and prods.

Rick’s jaw is set tightly. “Who did this to you, Scott?”

Scott remains silent.

“Scott? Come on.” Rick looks to Dalton, wondering how they would get Scott to talk. He then motions for Misty to come clean Scott’s cuts and bruises as he continues. “Who did this? Who came in and beat you up?”

Scott tries to pull himself up a little bit. The look in his eyes hold fear and a strange form of shame. “They interrogated me,” he mumbles, clarifying. “They wanted… information.”

“What information? What are you talking about?”

Scott's lower lip trembles and a tear runs down his cheek. “I don’t know.”

Rick sighs and leans in a little closer, lowering his tone to be gentle. “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I.” Scott flinches a little as a cut on his face is cleaned. “I just… I thought… I can’t….”

Scott’s rapid breathing, makes Rick reach out to ease him back down to the pillow. “Calm down, Scott, it’s okay… it’s okay. Just rest, alright?” Rick sighs and looks to Misty once more. “Keep him calm and keep cleaning him up. I'll get him some pain killers.”

Scott tries to fight off Misty a little bit, but is too weak and disoriented to really hold her back. "I didn't mean to," he whimpers. "But I had to... I... it wasn't... I didn't know..."

He turns his head around and spies Dalton still there. The look in his eye was pure agony. It was obvious that it was more than physical pain that was torturing him so. "I... I don't understand."


Jason buries his face in his hands, quiet sobs filling the silence of his office as he continues to sit on the floor amidst the mess he'd created. Even Trooper knew to keep his distance.

Why are you letting this happen, God? How can you just sit there and let this happen to Katie? Scott was so sure you would protect her... why aren't you?

Jason was angry... he was hurt. And though he aimed his frustrations heavenward, God was the only thing for him to reach out to at a time like this. No one else could offer help. No one else could offer comfort.

Scott's words come back to him. Jason wanted that peace. He wanted it so badly. Right now, he couldn't control this... he couldn't just pretend it wasn't there... he couldn't handle it on his own. He wanted to know, like Scott, that everything would be okay in the end. But... how could he, when he never had commited himself to God? Why should God even listen to him? Jason spent his time researching and reading the Bible, looking for loopholes or mistakes... he read with a skeptical eye, never really intending on going beyond a surface belief that God existed and sometimes answered prayers. Why should God listen to someone like that?

Jason's heart breaks. He rocks back and forth, torn between his human nature, logic, and the love of God that he knew nothing about.


Carson sits and stares at the computer screen once more. The pain he felt was numbing. Katie was a friend... and even though he might never say it, she held a special place in his heart.

Looking at Katie's limp form, he knew the pain she must be under. A new sickening feeling comes to his gut as he remembers the people he did the same thing to... he had been just like Rod, if not worse. Now being on the other side... it felt terrible.

Carson swallows hard. He had to stay in control. The others watching it had had just about as much as they could handle. He had to stay strong. He had to do this. He had to look past his emotions and concentrate on finding evidence... finding clues to follow.

He bounces his leg nervously as he tries to keep his stomach from revolting. He wanted a smoke like nothing else, but there was no one to take his place right now.


The phone rings. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Stevenson?"

"Yes."

"Is your husband available?"

Gina furrows her brow at the official-sounding female voice. "Who's calling, please?"

"This is the secretary for Mr. Reese, cheif of the Elite in Nevada."

Gina's blood runs cold. "Is there a problem?"

Susanne's tone is kept professional yet gentle. "It's very important that I speak to your husband."

"Um... okay... hang on one second." Gina puts the phone down and leaves the kitchen, wandering to Derek's office adjoining their bedroom. "Derek?"

"Hmm?" He absentmindedly looks up from his paperwork.

"Phone for you. She says she's from the Elite in Nevada... she wouldn't say what she wanted."

Derek lifts his eyebrows as a red flag goes up in the back of his mind. Paperwork was forgotten. The Elite? His mind raced. Did this have to do with his father? "Okay... I'll take it in here, thanks."

He reaches for the phone on his desk. "This is Derek."

"Thank you for taking my call Mr. Stevenson. First I must tell you that this may be a matter of life or death. Your presence is requested at the Elite headquarters here in Nevada. You are being summoned by the chief and it is imperitive that you come."

Derek's pulse quickens. "I don't understand." He hears a click on the line, signalling that his wife had hung up the kitchen phone.

"You are to go to your airport and check in under your name. You have a seat waiting for you on flight 2594, non-stop to Nevada."

Derek blinks. "I what?"

"Please, Mr. Stevenson, write this down." Susanne grows a little testy, in a hurry and wanting him to pay better attention. "Your passage has been booked and your plane leaves Wisconsin in an hour and twenty minutes."

"But what is this about?"

"That information is confidential. I'm sorry, this is all I can tell you. Can we count on you?"

"I..." Derek looks up as Gina appears in the doorway again. "I don't know, I mean... I still don't understand. How do I know this is legit? Is my family safe?"

"At this point, your family is not a factor."

"At this point? What about later? What about tomorrow?"

"Mr. Stevenson, please do not worry about them. We will make sure they're taken care of. Please... just go to the airport and get on the plane. Someone will be at the Nevada airport to pick you up."

Derek frowns. He didn't like this one bit. "I need proof that this is legit and not some trap."

"There's no time. You will have to trust us. Please... a young woman's life is in danger..."


"...Dad? Where are you going?" Liz walks in on Derek, who was hurriedly throwing a few things into a small duffel bag.

"Nevada."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Liz, I can't explain. I don't even know everything, but I'm being called in by the Elite."

Liz's eyes widen. "Isn't that that new law enforcement branch?"

"Yes."

Liz studies her father's body language for several moments as he packed. "This has to do with your past, doesn't it?"

Derek stop and turns to her, his face grim. His family knew of his past with the Texas gang, and also his brief invovement with the Agency. But all of that had been laid to rest, never cropping up until now. "I don't know. But if it is, everything will be ok, alright?"

Liz's eyes fill with worry, but she nods. "Okay." She hesitates. "Isn't that where Jason works?"

"Who told you that?"

"Axel."

Derek sighs. "Yes... as far as I know, it is."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I have no idea if I'll even see him. But I have to leave now... your mother is calling a taxi to take me to the airport."

Liz bites her lip. "How long will you be gone?"

"I... I don't know." Derek zips up his bag and heads for the doorway. He lays a hand on Liz's shoulder. "But I'll be back, I promise. Don't worry, okay?"

Liz embraces her father, receiving a kiss on the top of her head. "Okay. Be careful."


"I what?"

"You are needed in Nevada, Mr. Pent," Susanne repeats. "At the Elite headquarters."

"But... why?"

"It's concerning your daughter."

Jay's stomach churns. He'd gotten the call from Mick that Katie had been taken, and had been worried sick. "Have they found her? Is she okay?"

"I'm sorry, but the situation is delicate and I'm not at liberty to share any more information."

"Is she alive?" Jay demands. "Tell me, or I won't come."

There is a pause. "She's alive, Mr. Pent. But unless you come, there may be nothing we can do."

Jay walks down the hallway with the cordless phone in hand. He wasn't going to waste time... not when Katie's life was at stake. He would do anything. "How much time do I have?"

"There is an Elite jet waiting at the airport. Get there as soon as you can."

"I'll be there in forty-five minutes." Jay didn't know why they wanted him in Nevada, but he didn't care. Whether they needed information, his presence to find Katie, or even in the field, he would do it.


Kyle sat with the others at the table in the diner - their breakfast meal spent out. The last couple dasys had gone well. Their routine had been well-received again. This morning, the group from Break Out was gathered, eating, talking and laughing as usual. In a couple hours, they would hit the road again.

As the chattering and joking makes its rounds, Kyle listens, joining in, while his mind wanders at the same time. Done eating, his right hand fidgets, his fingers strumming in a rhythmical pattern.

"You're fidgety today," Chloe teases.

Kyle snaps to attention, abruptly stopping his hand, not having even realized what he was doing until now. "Hmm?"

Chloe rolls her eyes with amusement, then looks across to Alice who was between Kyle and Hunter. "I don't know how you can sit next to him, all his moving around morning."

Kyle smirks and downs the rest of his water. "She's more kind than you," he quips to Chloe. "But just so you won't have to stand my fidgetiness any longer, I shall excuse myself." Pushing away from the table, he leaves his napkin behind. "Talk about me all you can while I'm gone so when I get back, you're all emptied out." He throws a wink at Chloe, while his hand goes to Alice's shoulder to give her a little squeeze. "Never fear, the great wacky wild child Kyle shall return."

Once outside in the fresh air, Kyle leans back against the building, hearing the city noise. The morning sky wasn't quite blue yet, but was still painted with shades of purple and a hint of orange around the horizon. The air felt good, even if it was within a city he doesn't know.

Reaching into his pocket, Kyle pulls out his prescription bottle. He'd been happy lately. He'd really started to settle in and enjoy being on the road. But it was so hard to let go of what he had credited it to.

But Chloe had almost caught on to the one thing that had really been tugging at him lately. He needed more peace... he needed more peace to stop the senseless want for what used to be.

He pops the lid on the bottle. Next town over he could find a pharmacy and have his prescription filled again.

Search

Nate cant help the sicking feeling he felt and the tears that wanted to come to his eyes though he held them back. This was no joke, this was no nightmare. This was real, Katie was hurt and they had nothing. It was that alone that could drive someone crazy.

"Phinox I want you to think up a plan on how you can get a meeting with Rod, or information from him anything. Than when your done I want you to run it by Carson and I to see if we aprove. Please think quickly."

Pasing the floor Nate cant look at the screen his stomach was still clenched. Though he tryed to block his own emotions his hear still broke.

"Carson I want you to continue to watch. Look for anything reflections, slip ups anything, any hair out of place let me know."

Pressing the intercom button Nate trys to keep his cool though he knows there is stress in his voice.

"Sapphire how is it coming along with that number?"

"I am still doing the search. Its going to be a little bit Nate, give me about an hour its the best time I got."

"Ok, thank you."

Pasing the floor again Nate grabs a peace of paper and jots some stuff done. A bunch of numbers and the name of the acid used on Katie.

"I got a good blimps of that bottle. I am going to see if I can track it down and see where it came from. If I can find the sorce than maybe I can find who sold it and at least its something to go on."

Storm

Jason just reaches the hallway when he hears Katie’s phone ring. Turning back around, he sees the small commotion at the desk, and stops his route. He goes back, even though his anger still burned for Phinox. He needed to know what was happening.

Carson stands back, watching the screen and hearing the call. He dreaded what would happen next. He eyes Jason, knowing that he would take this the hardest.
Notified and hearing the call, Reese is quick to join the group. He doesn't have time to question why on earth Phinox was there, let alone not being held. But he knows not to question his men - something must have happened between times, and right now it was Katie they needed to focus on. Having a traitor in their midst or not, now was not the time to bring it up.

Eyes widen at the request for Derek and Jay. No one understood why they would be asking for such a thing. Not even Reese seems to know why.

Hearing his father’s name, Jason’s heart leaps into this throat. He hated the man, but this was hitting even closer to home. What was going on? Why? Nothing made sense. He didn’t realize his fingernails digging into his own palms, his fists were clenched so tightly.

Continuing to watch and listen, it's a horror that is set into motion. Carson keeps his eyes on Rod and Gage, trying to pick up signs of what would happen next and how far they would go. He tries to block out the image of Katie herself, barring his emotions from getting in the way. It had been his method to deal with these kinds of things when he'd been the one inflicting pain. He'd developed his own on/off button on when to care and when not to. The only problem was, that being a new man made it much harder to turn that switch off.

Jason, on the other hand, is stunned by what he sees. The horror fills his eyes and for a moment, he feels himself stop breathing. A cry wanted to come, but it got stuck in silence. Tears wanted to flow from his eyes, but they remained behind a shield of terror. He felt like he was in the worse nightmare he'd ever had, except he knew there would be no waking up. This was reality, and the one person that gave him reason to live was being put through a pain he couldn't even imagine.

As Rod goes for a second round with the acid, Jason can't stand any more. His scream echoes across the TJY floor. Completely overtaken with the grief he felt, logic no longer plays a part. He goes for the phone.

Carson and Reese both know how important it is not to disrupt Rod, despite what was happening, and both seeing Jason move, they know they have to intervene.

Jason is blocked head-on by both men. "No!" He pushes against them, trying to make the extra ten feet to the phone Nate held. "They can't do this!" he screams. "No!"

Carson and Reese have to plant their feet, trying to take Jason down before he ruined the call. Both have to use all their strength, pushed to the limit by Jason's adrenaline-driven desperation.

"Jason, you need to leave now," Reese orders.

"No!"

"You're leaving," Reese repeats. A look over his shoulder proves that within seconds, Katie would be receiving the second round. He glances to Carson, relaying his desire for Jason not to see this. Carson understands, giving a nod. Reese nods back. "Get him out of here."

Jason still struggles, pushing against both of them. "No!"

Carson finally gets a good hold on him and whips him around, dragging him backward away from the scene and to the hall.

Jason fights the whole way, but his desperation clouds his judgment, making it difficult for him to do much harm to Carson. "No!" he screams again. "Katie!"

Carson pulls him back around the corner then spins him around, pushing him to his office. "Don't leave this office until Reese comes and gets you," he orders sternly.

"You can't keep me in here!" Jason tries to get past him again, but is pushed back.

"I can and I will." Carson stares him in the eye. He knew Jason was hurting, but right now they didn't have the time to pamper him. "You're under Reese's orders now. Stay put or it'll be the holding cell."

"I have a right to know what's going on!"

"And you will. But right now you need to stay away from that monitor." Carson backs away, making sure that Jason stayed put before he spins around and walks quickly back to Katie's cubicle.

Jason stands numbly for a moment, unable to straighten out any thoughts at all. Katie's cries echoed in his mind. The picture of her being burned tormented him. "No!" He slams his fist into the wall, tears beginning to sting his eyes. "They can't do this!" he shouts.

A full minute passes with the sounds of his anguished cries mixed with the crashes of office paraphernalia being thrown against the wall. Breaking glass signals that he'd turned his anger to more delicate objects with no less ire.

And then... silence. Jason is slouched on the floor, surrounded by the debris from his storm. Tears roll down the sides of his face and he stares into nothingness.


Back with the small group, Carson watches in pain as Rod's sadistic nature takes over. Reese closes his eyes, unable to see the girl he cared for like a daughter being put through this.

When the call has ended, there is numb relief. But the pain lingers because it had been real... and Katie had been harmed.

"We need to call Jay and Derek," Reese states flatly. "Whether we give in or not, they need to be here for safety, and they need to know what's going on. I'll have Susanne make the arrangements." Giving a nod, he heads to the office, calling over his shoulder to Nate. "Call me when something else happens."

Carson eyes Reese, and knows that he's leaving because he can't take any more. He couldn't blame him. He did agree with bringing in the two men though. "Why do they want Jay and Derek?" He shakes his head. "That doesn't make sense."

Setting his jaw tightly, he sinks down into the chair, once again, assuming his position at the monitor. He didn't want to make Nate do this any longer right now. "What's next?"

acid

Nate stands at the desk his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. Seeing everything on the computer and seeing Katie just there moving in and out of cautiousness. What did the Agency want with all of this, why were they doing this.

Turning his head as Jason comes out Phinox stands. He new he didnt get alone with him and he wasnt sure what Jason would do. Holding his hands up Phinox looks to Jason.

"I know you dont trust me and thats fine, but lets find Katie and than after words you can do whatever you want with me."

Watching Jason walk away Phinox couldnt help but feel bad for him. He didnt blame him for hating him or even trusting him for that matter. He was the enamy.

The silence was thick as everyone tention is running high. No one really trusting there company but the silence was short lived. The suddin loud Jetstream music, and Jason's voice comes over Katie's cell phone.

Phinox movies closer to the phone and glances over Carson's shoulder as a figure apears infront of the camra where Katie was.

"Thats Rod the one I talked to on the phone. He's the one running the show."

Looking to Carson, than Nate than back to the computer screen.

Nate gives a jump standing quickly. Moving to look at the camra his anger burns. Picking up the phone and answering it he is silent for a moment taking in a deep breath.

"This is Nate."

The gruff voice comes over the other end calm, cool, but a mercaless edge to it.

"Your the leader of this whole show on trying to find Katie?"

Nate's eyes move from Carson and than the camra again. Something was wrong and he didnt like it.

"Yes, what do you people want?"

The voice booms over the phone the volume turned up so the others could hear to, also as he pushes the speeker button for Jason and Reese being able to hear as well.

"We want Derek Stevenson and Jay Pent."

Nate stiffens at the request. Names he hadnt hurd come up in a while.

"No way, there is no way we could give them both to you."

"Than for every moment that goes by your friend here will get another battle wound. For every moment that you refuse she will pay and you will watch as she withers away to nothing, as she crys out in pain and it will be your fault. Sooner or later eather you break or she dies."

Setting the phone down Rod moves to a table that was to the left. Taking out a small bottle he holds it up for a moment. Picking up the phone again he questions.

"Have you even seen what happens to skin when acid hit it? Or how it smells?"

Setting the phone down again Rod moves over to Katie. Reaching out Rod holds the dropper over Katie.

As the acid hits Katie's skin by her neck and her jawbone it sizzles and smokes.

Katie's screams where loud and sharp showing just how much pain she was in. Moving naturley trying to get away from the pain she was feeling. Tears roll from her eyes and down her face. The salt from her tears hitting the acid eaten spot on her face only making it hurt more.

Looking over his shoulder Rod calls to Gage.

"Come here and hold her head to the side. Don't let her move or this could turn out far worse."

Turning back to Katie Rod drops a few more drops a little higher this time. The acid spread into half dollar size taking on no real shape.

The flesh being eaten away as the blood rolled down Katie neck was a sigh that could make anyone sick to there stomach.

Though it hurt so bad and tears rolled from Katie's eyes no plee was hurd, and no begs came from her lips.

Once finished Rod takes the bottle and puts it back in the drawer ordering Gage to let Katie go.

Picking the phone back up a wicked smile forms on his face.

"That was the first time you denyed what we wanted, for her sake I would rethink the offer."

Nate's anger boiled as his knuckles started to turn white from his fists being clenches. Wanting to say something back Nate dosent have time before the phone is hung up.

Not even skipping a beat Nate picks up the phone and dial's Sapphire's line. His voice was gruff but not with her. He was angry, he was hurting and he just saw someone cuse unbearbale harm to his good friend.

"Sapphire, take Katie's phone number and run a scan of the last call to it. Find out where the number is from satalight location, anything I want it and I want it 5 sec ago."

The pain was so great that finally she couldnt stand it any longer. Lowing her head from the pain her tears continued to come. It hurt so bad she didnt know what to think.

Phinox stomach churned as he watched and listen to what was going on before them. He new they would torcher Katie but he didnt know it was going to be this bad. Something didnt seem right though this wasnt part of the plan he remembered.

"This isnt right, Rod's gone off the deepend. Next time I talk to him I have go to see if I can set up a meeting and get him to stop this."

In need

TJY seemes quiet. The hallways are clear… work is being done at desks and in quiet offices. But tension runs high. They were still on the hunt… Still on the search. Desperation grew. All cases had been put on hold except this one. Time was running out. And the only leads were those no one knew if they could trust. But the day was starting again, desks were filling up, and decisions to move forward had to be made.


Rick heads to the second interrogation room with breakfast for Scott, juggling the small try in one hand, and keys in the other. It didn't feel right coming here to find Scott... of all people to have been put in here...

Not surprised to see Dalton nearby, he gives him a nod, then fiddles with the keys, finding the right one to unlock the door. The light was off. “Scott?” He inches inside before reaching for the light switch. Glancing to the right, the blanket and pillow that had been provided were empty. “Scott?”

He sets the breakfast down on the table, then suddenly spots the young agent in the far corner. Scott was still curled up on his side, motionless. A chill runs down Rick’s spine and he moves closer. “Scott?” he asks again. Not receiving a response, he kneels next to Scott to tilt up his face. “Good land,” he breathes. Scott's blind eye was almost swollen shut an his lip still had a steady stream of blood flowing from it. The bruises were deep. He was curled up tightly, as if trying to protect himself from any more harm. “Scott… can you hear me?”

Scott swallows hard and manages a nod without opening his eyes. He hurt all over.

“What happened? Who did this?”

Scott only shakes his head, unwilling to talk.

Rick stands quickly and goes to the open door. His face was pale. “Dalton? I need you in here on the double. You've got to help me get Scott to the infirmary.”


Carson watches every single move Phinox makes.... his eyes, his breathing, his body language. Carson knew what it was like. He knew how the agency worked and how agents were trained to react in situation like this. He knew the tell-tale signs of an agent who was lying to save their hide... and Phinox didn't have them. But that didn't mean he would trust him completely.

Slowly, Carson withdraws his handgun, putting it back in its holster. Contemplating a moment, he turns to Nate. "I need to get back to my job of watching. You're leading this group though - it's up to you what we're going to let Phinox do."

Just then, Jason comes around the corner. He stops in his tracks, his eyes widening, then immediately turning to a glare. "You." He stalks towards Phinox, ready to take out his anger on the one man he knew was a traitor.

Carson is quicker though, and steps in between, holding Jason to the side. "Let it go, Jase."

"But he..."

"I said, let it go." Carson gives him a look of warning. "He's here for Katie this time. He's going to help us."

Jason continues to glare, now confused. He turns to Phinox with a look that could kill, before responding to Carson. "Who is he really?"

"Spanish secret service just like he said, but he's been in the Agency a few years."

"And you trust him?"

"Do you trust me?"

"That's different."

"How?"

Jason relaxes enough that Carson doesn't have to hold him, bu he's still not happy. "Katie's life is on the line... and you're going to trust someone from the Agency. Oh that makes a whole lot of sense."

"We're not going to walk into a trap," Carson states flatly. "But what other leads do we have right now?"

Jason is silent. They had none. The last several hours had turned up absoultely nothing. Looking to Nate, he turns to leave. "Tell me what I'm supposed to do, once you figure it out." Spinning on his heel, he stalks back towards his office.

explanation

Turning back to the computer again Nate sinks down into the chair once more stairing at the screen and Katie bound to the poll. His heart acked.

"Oh Katie."

Still listing with one ear Nate continues to watch the screen trying to think of some kind of plan. He felt like a fish out of water that was running out of time.

"Because I am one of them Carson. I guess no matter how you look at it, I guess I have turned into one of them no matter how I tryed to tell myself it was only to servive. I betrayed myself, my country, and all the good I once new."

Phinox now new it was true, he new that what he had done was wrong. Though if given the chanse to go back he probley wouldnt change anything he new he had been wrong anyways.

"If you dont even want to trust me again thats fine Carson, but trust me now with this for Katie's sake..."

Going through everything he new about the case he told them about how the Agecny new about Katie and Jason abliltys and thats why they choose them next. It had started with Austraila when they found out, to Jason taking a formula for a cure, and now came to this.

The Agency wanted something out of this though he wasnt sure what it was Katie to had to pay the dear price. And though things would not get anymore easy he would do his best in finding out what he could.

"I don't know where they are keeping her but I do have some ideas. If you can give me a map I can show you. I'll be able to find out where she is as well because the day after tomarrow I am to report to a meeting area where the infomation I have collected. They are going to take me to where they have Katie. You can follow but a bug on me anything and find out where she is."

Phinox new they probley wouldnt go for the idea but its all he could do. He didnt know anymore but he did have alot of helpful information to offer.

"It's all I have guys and though you know think its probley a good idea, its really all we have. You have got to let me go when I need too."

Trying

Carson hates listening to the phone call. He hates hearing the other voice. He hates hearing plans to hurt Katie.

As the call ends, he works his jaw muscles, not sure what to do now. The call seemed clean... Phinox seemed to be telling the truth at least on that end of things. But how were they supposed to know that it wasn't all a setup?

"I don't like it, Phinox," he growls. "You've proven you're one of them, and that's about it."

Hearing the question of the next step, he throws Nate a withering look. "It's torture, Nate... use your imagination."

Turning back to Phinox, he releases his hand, but doesn't put his gun back. "Alright. We're not going anywhere until you tell us everything you know about this. You convince us you can actually help, we won't throw you in the holding cell. One wrong move and you get locked up - if you're really on our side and want to help, then you know getting locked up wouldn't do anybody any good."

His eyes narrow to slits. "Where are they holding her?"


While time is quickly passing at one end of TJY, at the other, it couldn't be moving slower. But who would know? Nothing can be heard through soundproof walls. No one can be seen, when movements only seem to be imagined shadows. They come and they go. Fifty-seven minutes is all it takes.

Scott lies in the corner of the interrogation room, curled up tightly on his side. Blood ran from the deep split in his lip, and the bruises on his face were quickly darkening. He moves but winces, his ribcage cracked and so sore. He would call out if he thought it would do any good, but he knew that no one could hear him.

A silent tear drips onto the floor. He lets his eyes fall shut, trying to block the pain... trying to block the anguish.

Phone call

Letting out a sigh and shaking his head Phinox looks to Nate and than Carson again.

"Alright, let me get the number from the phone."

Reaching into his jacket pocket he takes out his phone and flips it open going through the numbers. Finally coming to the one he was marked A number.

Dialing it quickly Phinox waits for what seemed like hours starting to think no one would even answer he finally hears a voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

Keeping his voice calm and cool Phinox makes no flaws in acting like anything was wrong. Moving the phone away from his ear so the others could hear the call on the other end.

"Hey Rod hows everything going?"

"Phinox? You know what I wanna hear."

"Agent three-twenty-five, reporting in twenty-one ten hours after infiltration."

"Clearance accepted. Why are you calling from a number we dont know? What are you trying to pull Agent?"

"Come on Rod give me a break you know I wouldnt have called from a number you didnt know without a good reason. Sacurity here is tight and they have officers all over the place, I couldnt exacly get away to call from my own phone so I am using one in the office that I have been working in."

The lies roll off Phinox's toung like it was nothing. He'd done it so many times before it was so easy to do it now without even blinking.

"You know if Steve new about this he wouldnt be happy."

"Steve can kiss where the sun dont shine because if he has a problem I can take this to Mindrige himself and he'll see it my way. He's not in charge of this operation anyways you are."

"Ya whatever, I dont know what you think your tough stuff you better watch it. How is everything there anyways? Everyone squirming in there seats yet?"

"Yeah you should see them. Mindrige sure did know what he was doing when he said to snatch the Katie."

"Yeah well they havnt seen anything yet. Tomarrow will be the next step. I'll call them on the girl's cell early in the morning. That way it will give us the next step in her capture."

For a moment at Rod's words Phinox cringes as a wave of regret and sadness pass in his eyes. He new what would happend next he only had wished they would of waited another day so maybe they would have another day to find Katie.

"Are you sure you want to start it tomarrow? So soon?"

"I got the ok from Mindridge to go tomarrow. They still dont know your Agency do they?"

Looking at Nate and than Carson again Phinox shakes his head though Rod couldnt see him.

"No they have no idea. They are so blinded by whats going on with Katie they cant see whats right under there noise."

"I new we could count on you for this one. Call again tomarrow when you can, from you own phone this time."

Hearing the click on the other end Phinox know Rod had hung up. Looking up at Carson he holds the phone out to him.

"There, for now she is safe from death."

Though Nate wanted to consintrate on Phinox he found it hard continuing to watch the computer screen. Turning back to Phinox again I though goes through his mind.

"What did he mean by the next step in her capture? If they so much as lay an finger on Kaite so help me..."

Phinox looks to Nate the sad look in his eye once more before it was gone. He hated the thought of what would happend, and he hated having to say it. Giving a nod to Carson he reply.

"As him he knows."

Nate looks to Carson with question.