Your name

Ryder slips his hand down to find Thirteen's. "I'm not going anywhere." He nods to Trent. "You can come sit in the kitchen with us."

Following the other three, Trent walks a bit nervously, throwing Katie a glance that is not easily understood. He smiles though. "Coffee sounds great."

Once he's sitting down, he looks across the table to Thirteen then Ryder. "Reese tells me you're acting as her guardian?"

Ryder nods. "That's right."

"I'm glad you're here too then. I, um... I've got some information..." He turns his attention back to Thirteen. "...about you." Pausing, he swallows hard as if trying to stay composed. "See... a long time ago, I was part of the Agency too... but I'm on the right side now. I know a lot about the past... including information about you." A small smile comes to his lips as he studies her face. "You, um... were raised by the Agency. But the people who raised you weren't your real parents. They were going to use you for some bad things, but fortunately, they changed their minds after trying to start you in that direction."

Trent pauses, clearing his throat. "Your um... your name is Jasmine."

Confused

Confused, Thirteen looks at Ryder, Katie, then back to Trent. "Why... why do you want to talk to me?" Her voice comes out as a whisper. "Ryder, will you stay with me?"

Seeing the tension in her uncle's eyes, Katie could tell something was up. Taking a few steps towards the kitchen, she talks over her shoulder. "I'll put some coffee on."

If it's okay

Ryder tries to relax, trusting Katie. He puts his gun away and extends his hand to Trent instead. "Sorry 'bout that. Just a bit jumpy. I'm Ryder."

"I know." Trent exchanges the handshake and nods. Stepping inside, he offers Katie a smile and hug. "Hey there, kiddo."

Ryder winks at Thirteen, letting her know it was okay, then turns back to Trent. "What brings you here?"

Trent glances at Thirteen again, catching her eye. "Um, well... I always like seeing my nice." He smiles at Katie again. "And... I just came from TJY and wanted to talk to Thirteen, if it's okay." He cocks his head at the young woman, gaining enough strength not to let his emotions overflow.

Killer

Coming up behind Ryder, Thirteen stands on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder. Now knowing he would keep her safe, she was interested in who this man was.

Going to the other side of Ryder, Katie stands on her tiptoes. A small smile spreads on Katie's face as she sees it's Trent. "Hi, Uncle Trent." She gives a little wave and pats Ryder's arm. "It's okay, Killer. I know him."

Katie's uncle

Ryder is confused, but he relaxes a little bit. he stays on guard though, in case this was an unwanted visitor. He pats Thirteen's shoulder. "It's okay. Let's find out who it is." Reaching to his back, he pulls out his handgun.

Hearing Katie, he smirks. "We know. Hang on." Cautiously, he goes to the door, opening it just a little. "Can I help you?"

Trent knows from the accent that this must be Ryder. "Yes, hi, um, I'm sorry I scared Thirteen. My name is Trent... I'm Katie's uncle." Scanning past Ryder, he spots his niece. "Katie!"

Ryder takes a step back. "Kat, you know him?"

At the door

Thirteen looks at Ryder, her eyes wide, going to him. "There is a man at the door that I don't know, but he knows my name." She shook a little. Her eyes go past Ryder as Katie appears. "I'm sorry I made a scene."

"Is everything okay?" Katie had followed after Ryder, wanting to make sure Thirteen was okay too. Hearing the doorbell, Katie raises an eyebrow. "Someone is at the door."

First Impressions

Ryder sighs and shakes his head. "I don't know. He might not realize that it bothers you that much - about the Agency, I mean. I guess... that was the first time you were forcibly disconnected from him, ay? For that long of a time?" He knew it's true, and gives her arm another pat. "It'll be okay. I know he loves you to death and-" He's cut off by Thirteen's yell. Not hesitating, he jumps up, sprinting out the door and down the hall, his eyes wide. "What?!" He reaches her, his heart thumping. 'What's wrong?!"


Trent blinks at the closed door, and can hear the shout for Ryder. He'd scared her. Great. So much for first impressions. Surely Ryder would let him in, and was Katie around? He rings the doorbell again.

Shut door

Katie swipes her eyes, hating to have Ryder see her like this, but at the same time, it was nice to have someone there to comfort her.

"I don't think there is anything you can do, unless you can get Jason to change his mind."

Letting out a sigh, Katie looks down at her hands. So many of her emotions were going crazy at the moment. She wasn't sure what ones were hers and what ones weren't. "Why can't he understand, Ryder? It's not just about the connection. It's about how I don't want to remember the Agency, too."


Staring back at the man at the door, Thirteen could feel her tension rising. She didn't know who this man was, but he made her feel strange ,staring back at him. Hearing this stranger call her by name, she could feel herself jump. Reflexes kicked in and she shut the door in his face. "Ryder?!"

Thirteen?

Ryder looks back at Katie, sorry to hear about her fight with Jason. Though he knew he really shouldn't, he enters her room anyway. Approaching slowly, he sits on the edge of the bed and puts a hand to her arm. "I'm sorry. I know your connection with Jason is important to you... Is there anything I can do?"


Trent's eyes lock with Thirteen's for a long, awkward moment. He almost does a double-take, having expected Katie to answer the door, but he realizes that this is not her.

"Um... hi..." He swallows hard, a strange look in his eyes. "Is this... I mean... are you Ja.. er... Thirteen?"

Hello

Moving just a little on her bed, Katie looks up to see Ryder. Her eyes were streaked with tears. "Oh, yeah, just great. Jason wants us both to take medicine to get rid of our powers after I just got them back. And we had a fight over it." Katie knew she looked miserable, but right now she didn't care.


Hearing the doorbell ring, Thirteen looks up from her plate. "Ryder?" Not getting a reply, she slowly makes her way to the door. Looking out the window and not knowing the man, she calls again. "Ryder, there is a man at the door."

Still not getting a reply, she opens it just enough to see out. "Hello. Can I help you?"

Worried

Ryder is worried too, and shakes his head at Thirteen. "Don't know. Sit tight."

Leaving the kitchen, he ambles down the hall to Katie's room. "Katie?" He knocks on the door, making it open enough for him to see inside. "You okay?"


While Ryder is away from the kitchen, the doorbell rings. Trent stands awkwardly, not really knowing what to expect. He'd talked to Reese after the tests with Rick, and now he needed to face the music.


Jason stalks back into TJY, ignoring the waves tossed in his direction. Slamming his office door shut, he slumps down at his desk, burying his head in his arms.

Sick

Looking at Ryder and Thirteen as she enters the house, Katie feels every emotion from Jason and it makes her stop with a gasp for air.

Feeling even sicker now, Katie makes a beeline for the bathroom. What little she had to eat was now out of her system.

Coming out of the bathroom and looking into the kitchen, Katie shakes her head. "No, thank you." She felt tired now and didn't want to scare Thirteen. Heading to her bedroom, she wanted to lock herself away.

Seeing Katie run into the bathroom, thirteen looks to Ryder, worried. "What's wrong? Is she okay?"

Burst

Left alone at the table, Jason's fist clenches. His water glass begins to wobble, warning him to stay in control. Finally, he gets up too, leaving payment on the table. A quick drive takes him to the far corner of an empty lot. Parking, he gets out and finds a pile of dirt and rocks. He lets his emotions go, rocks exploding into the air. Glaring at an abandoned car, the windshield bursts. Sending a surge of anger towards a dead tree, it's hit as if by a lightning bolt.

After several more targets, Jason sinks to his knees, exhausted. He knew Katie would have felt all of this, but at least his negative emotions weren't aimed directly at her.


Home for lunch with Thirteen, Ryder looks up from the kitchen table as the door opens. "Oh, hey, Kat. Thought you'd be out longer. If you haven't had lunch, we got an extra sandwich here."

Upset and sick

Katie knows Jason was just trying to make things better but the damage was done and she was upset. "I love you, too. I am going home now."

Giving Jason a quick smile, Katie stands. She couldn't stay here any longer. She was upset and felt sick.

Perfecting

Jason knew good and well that Katie was upset. Reaching across the table, he takes her hand again, feeding her all the warm emotions he could muster.

"I love you, Katie. Please understand that this has nothing to do with that." He tries to smooth out the bumps he'd caused. "I'll let you know... rick is still perfecting the formula."

Fine.

Katie's own irritation tried to come forth. Why couldn't Jason see what she was saying? She had just got out of the situation with the Agency and now Jason wanted her to do it again when she knew it would make memories surface, not to mention she was still jumpy and scared though she never said it. It was nice to have Jason near if she needed him.

Letting out a sigh, Katie could feel a headache forming. She did not want to talk about this anymore. "Fine, take the medicine. And let me know when to take mine." She felt upset and almost defeated.

At least?

Why can't you try to understand where I'm coming from?

Jason gave up on trying to speak aloud. The restaurant was busy anyway.

I don't want to force you here. I don't want to just take the medication and watch you take it too or die. That's not my point.

He tries to suppress the irritation that tried to surface. He didn't want this to be upsetting. He loved Katie so much - he just wanted to try this.

Please? Can't you do this for me? Or at least think about it?

Try to understand

"Jason... it's been how long now? You should know there is." Katie leans back, her eyes scanning the room. "I don't want to take the medicine, J. I have gotten used to our powers and I don't like how it feels without them. But if you take the medicine then I guess I have no choice."

Katie knew it would make her miserable. Just thinking about it brought back memories of the Agency.

Please try to understand where I am coming from.

Please

Jason looks away for a moment, his emotions heightening. "I'm sorry."

Please don't be upset.

"Can't we just see how it goes? I mean... shouldn't we be able to survive without it? You and me, I mean. I... I need to know there's more to us than just our connection."

High strung

"Pain? Worry? I have neither of those anymore."

Katie can feel Jason was disappointed but she couldn't help how she felt. She was still high strung from everything that happened to her, and this just seemed to hit a chord.

"I just got our connection back, J. I don't want to give it a try."

Garbled emotions

It's not about anything. I just... ijmdaxvjadmv...

Jason closes his eyes tight for a moment, calming his emotions.

Sorry.

"I know it seems we wouldn't want anything different, but it might solve some things. No more pain and we wouldn't have to worry so much anymore."

His shoulders drop a little, showing he was a bit disappointed in Katie's initial reaction. "You know I've been trying for a long time to find a solution and... well I thought we could give this as try."

Don't want to

Confusion ran through Katie's eyes as she didn't understand why Jason was bringing this up.

"Yes, I know Rick did and I thank him for that. But now we don't need it and I don't really want to consider it."

Did Jason really still hate their connection that much?

What's this about, J?

An option

"I... I didn't say I wanted that. I mean..." Jason's palm goes sweaty. He sits back in his chair.

Don't jump to any conclusions, okay?

"Rick kept me alive, ya know? I mean... it's possible and... and I just thought it's an option to consider."

You don't?

Katie blinks at Jason as he asks about their powers. Her heart seems to quicken. Looking at Jason's hand for a long moment, Katie finally looks up at him.

"I'd ask why on earth you would want that. I love our connection. You don't?"

Connection

"Work's... okay." Jason totally skips over the other topic. He's suddenly not hungry and he can feel resistance in the flow of emotions. He'd upset Katie. He hadn't meant to.

"Hard getting back in the swing of things, I guess."

Pausing, he finally reaches across the table to take Katie's hand, running his fingers over hers. "Katie... I wasn't going to bring this up so soon after everything happened, but... well, if we had a chance to not have to worry about our connection anymore... what would you think?"

Just forget

Taking a sip of water, Katie runs her fork through her food. Her own emotions felt like they were on a rampage.

"If you love me, why are you having such a hard time with..." Her words trail off. "Okay. Just forget I asked then."

How's work?

Let it rest

"I don't know." Jason bites his lip.

I'm so glad I have you back... and I love you... and I wouldn't know what to do without you... you know that.

"Just... can you let it rest for a while? I just got you back and..."

He sighs and stuffs another bite in his mouth. He didn't know what he was trying to say.

Figure

Looking down at her food for a moment, Katie feels strange.

What do you mean?

Glancing back up at Jason, she tries to contain some of her own emotions. "How do you figure?"

Playing fair

Jason's emotions give a little lurch, though it wasn't clear if it was negative or positive.

How can I even answer that now?

He takes another bite of food. "You're not playing fair."

Every day

"I told you I was going to ask you every day till I got an answer."

Katie takes a bite of her grab rangoon before giving Jason a smile.

Gonna quit?

Jason gives her a smirk. "Yes, I heard you. Do I have to tell you to quit asking me, or are you gonna quit on your own?"

I believe

Giving a laugh, Katie's eyes show she was sorry for making Jason choke.

"I believe I asked you to marry me!"

Choke

After prayer, Jason takes a bite of his sweet and sour chicken, but almost chokes as he receives Katie's question once again. "Dang." He clears his throat and takes a sip of water, his eyes watering. "You're gonna kill me if you don't cut that out. Now where were we?"

Marry me?

Smiling at Jason, Katie gives a light nod. "I do. It was too quiet without you and I like being different."

Looking up as the waitress brings the food, Katie thanks her. Waiting till she was out of earshot, she looks at Jason before eating. "Are you happy we can again too?"

Giving a grin, Katie cocks her head, catching Jason's eye.

Will you marry me?


Looking up from her drawing pad, Thirteen gives a smile to Ryder. "I'm doing good. Just trying to keep myself busy."

Setting the pad down, she stands, giving a stretch. "I'll be right back. Just need to run to the potty."

Newcomer

"...So..." Jason looks at Katie from across the table after joining her for lunch. Waiting for their Chinese food, he plays with an empty straw wrapper. "...you, uh... feel good we can talk again, eh?" A small grin quirks the corner of his mouth.


A weary traveler enters TJY, his bag still slung over his shoulder. Making his way between the cubicles, his eyes roam the main floor, his face tired and a bit pale. After meeting up with Reese, he's sent down the hall to the infirmary.

Ryder looks up from his desk, seeing the newcomer and wondering who he was, but he didn't catch his eye. Trying to get back to work, he glances to Thirteen in the extra chair. "How ya doing?"

Never turn

Good morning, you!

Katie laid on her back in bed. It was good to sleep in her own bed again and feel Jason's emotions.

Umm... yeah, lunch sounds good. I am going to just relax today. Then tomorrow back to work.

Finally getting out of bed, Katie throws her bathrobe on before making her way to the kitchen.

"Hmm, what smells so good?"


"You're family, Trent. I could never turn you away."

Giving his arm a pat, Rosetta smiles. "It's gonna be okay and will work out. Good luck again."

Turning, she makes her way back to the mess hall.

Lunch later

"Alright." Ryder nods to Thirteen. "Depending on whatever work Reese dishes out, I might not have to stay all day."


Morning, you.

Jason runs a quick comb through his hair, taking one last look in the mirror. Back in the hall, he whistles for Trooper, who eagerly joins him.

Heading to work. Wanna do lunch later?


Trent stops as Rosetta comes up to him, and he returns her hug. "Thanks... and yeah, I'll um... I'll let you know what happens." He wondered if he'd perhaps made a huge deal out of nothing, if the girl really wasn't Jasmine, but something in his gut told him he wasn't wrong.

He looks at Rosetta a moment, his eyes still so full. "Thanks for everything. I... even though I can say now that I worked for the Agency to keep Jasmine safe... I know I still hurt a lot of people. You've been a better sister than I ever could have asked for."

Good luck

Looking up at Ryder, Thirteen's eyes are bright. Receiving the kiss and returning one, her face turns red a little. Turning to the eggs, she mixes them as she things about the question.

"Well either way I have nothing to do so I guess I will come with."


Going to the window, Rosetta sees Trent making his way down the driveway. She turns back to the group for a moment. "I'll be right back." Exiting the dining hall, Rosetta trots up to Trent. "Hey, Trent, wait."

Coming up alongside him, she pulls her brother into a hug. "Good luck. Remember you're not alone. If you need anything, let me know, okay?"

Sunshine

A smile spreads on Ryder's face and he sets his spatula down so he can turn around. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, he reaches out to run his hand down Thirteen's cheek. "Mornin', sunshine."

He leans down to plan a light kiss on her forehead, then holds out a spatula to her. "Here. Keep stirring the eggs - that way they won't burn."

He moves to the toaster after grabbing a couple slices of bread. "So... you coming to TJY with me today or staying here?"


Trent throws his bag over his shoulder and heads out of the bunkhouse, trudging down the driveway. The taxi would be here soon. He would be going to Nevada alone as he'd told Rosetta last night. He's spoken to no one else since then.

He glances to the dining hall. The others were up. But he would leave them be. He didn't want to have to repeat his story again or face everyone yet.

Breakfast smells

Feeling something land on her, Thirteen sits straight up straight, a bit startled. Looking down and seeing the cat, she runs her hand down through Henry's fur.

"You scared me there, guy!"

Hearing the dishes, Thirteen sniffs the air. It was a different smell, but it was good and made her tummy grumble.

Pulling the covers back, she stands and ambles to the kitchen. Coming up behind Ryder, she touches his shoulder. "Sure smells good in here."

A new morning...

The dishes in the kitchen rattle, and Ryder pauses, trying not to wake Thirteen or Katie. He moves about the stove, preparing the eggs and checking on the bacon. He didn't use to cook... but somehow, having someone to feed and teach had helped.

He was up a little earlier than planned, but he figured the women would be up soon, so he might as well have breakfast for them.

Henry wanders the hallway, having already checked on Katie. He headed into the living room and sniffed at the couch. Jumping up, he lands on Thirteen, checking out the company again.

Changed

Looking at her brother, Rosetta gives a nod. She could scold him more, reprimand him for what he did, but it was the past now and there was no point. He wanted to make it right and that was good.

"Trent, that alone shows you have changed. I am proud of you."

Thinking again for a long moment, Rosetta knows this will be hard for Trent. "I can come with you so you're not alone."

I have to

Trent looks at Rosetta for a long moment before he shakes his head. "No." He purses his lips then looks back to the horse. "I think we had feelings for each other... but it wasn't very deep. We wanted what we wanted and we didn't care about consequences. When she found out she was pregnant, she was braver than anything... despite the wrath of her family. I told her I'd take care of her... so... I can't tell what I would have done. But... after I saw my baby girl... I... I doubt I could have stayed away."

He shrugs, trying not to relive the hurt he'd buried so long ago. "It was too late. But I'm not making that mistake again. I'm going to confirm the girl is Jasmin and then I'll... I'll..." His voice trails off. He had no idea what he was doing. "But I have to."

Did you love her?

Rosetta continues to stand, stunned. She had another niece.

Seeing the look on Trent's face, Rosetta lets go of her own confusion. Stepping up closer to Trent, she lays a hand on his shoulder. "You know you're not alone and you have family to help you, Trent."

Leaning against the fence with him, she lets out a sigh. "I am sorry for your loss. It had to be hard. Did you love her?"

Rosetta looks to her brother with question, wanting to learn more about what she had missed.

Punishment

"No, I can't try." Trent groans and throws himself against the fence, his arms over the top rail. A startled horse looks at him quickly, sniffing his hand. He scratches its cheek, fighting his emotions. "I don't... it's... it was a long time ago."

Glancing over his shoulder, he catches his sister's eye. "You know, I was always the one in trouble when it came to the Hensons and Pents. Oh, Sparky got in a few scrapes, but me, I was the one who couldn't say no. The rest of you were so good at staying on track... you always made the right choices... you all were always the ones with pure motives and would never make the stupid moves I did."

He sighs deeply, finally at a point where he was willing to talk about it. "Years ago, I had a woman I was seeing. None of you knew about her because... well... would you like to have come back to the gang and introduced the girl you were sleeping around with?" He shakes his head. "I was too stupid to say no to myself or to Grace, and too smart to let the rest of you know about it." Something close to a smile quirks the corner of his mouth. "Shocked?"

Pausing a moment, he looks back to the horse, stroking its face again. "Wasn't too long before Grace was gonna have the baby. But I couldn't say anything... I couldn't just walk in and say, 'Hey, guys, I'm a daddy. By the way, no, I'm not married to the mother.' That would have gone really well." The sarcasm is evident in his voice.

"None of you would have approved. As you shouldn't have. It was me at fault, not anybody else. I knew I'd get a talking to from you, Mick, Wes... anybody with brains." Trent's eyes are filled with a sadness. "I was the one with lower standards... I knew I'd never make it into the circle with the rest of you."

Taking a deep breath, it's several long moments before he goes on. "So... Jasmine was born." His face almost smiles. "It was a down time with the gang, so I was able to be there. She was the prettiest baby..." He chuckles. "Blue eyes and a head of Pent red hair. And I got to hold her." Trent's mind is so far away as he speaks.

"It wasn't long enough. She was only a month or two old and Grace was in a car accident. The Agency had instigated the accident, planning to take both hostage. But Grace died instead. They took Jasmine... and they blackmailed me."

Now that he was spilling all the details, he didn't have much choice but to just keep going. Tears fill his eyes and he looks away, trying to maintain composure. "I didn't want to help the Agency... but they said I'd never see Jasmine again. I still couldn't tell you guys about it so... I did what they wanted... for years. That's... that's why I was involved with them in the first place. I never wanted to hurt my family, least of all you. I tried to get out once, but they said they'd kill Jasmine. One more year, they said, then I could take her and go. But..."

Trent shrugs lamely. "I eventually went to prison instead. Word got to me that Jasmine had died. She would have been about twelve. They said she got sick. So... I gave up. I hadn't seen her since she was a baby - they let me have a picture once when she was about six. But that's all I ever had. And then... when it was all over and I came here... there was no point in bringing all this up. I'd still made bad decisions... first, I shouldn't have been involved like that with Grace. Second, I shouldn't have let the Agency pull me in. I figured living with my secrets was my punishment."

Talk to me

Looking to Mick and then her brother, Rosetta was still confused. "I..."

Her head felt like it was spinning beyond control. She had to figure out what was going on. "Okay, I'll see if I can talk to him." Taking Micks' arm as she passes by, Rosetta gives him the best smile she can. "I'll be okay. Watch BJ. I'll be back."

Running to catch up with Trent, she just walks beside him for a moment, finally speaking. "Trent, you can always talk to me. I want to trust and believe you but it's hard when you won't talk to me. Please, can you try?"

Safety of our family

Rosetta's questions hang in the air, all eyes on Trent. He stares at all of them, then locks eyes with Rosetta. "I... it just... I couldn't..." His voice cracks as another tear appears. Putting his hands to his head, he rakes his fingers through his hair before spinning around with a growl. "I just... I can't do this."

Eric's eyes are as wide as saucers as Trent walks away. 'What... just... happened? His daughter?!"

Mick rolls his eyes, keeping his attention on Rosetta. "I have no idea what this is about, but if anyone can get it out of him, it's you. For the safety of our family, we need to know."

The truth

It was the cold hard truth and it pained Sapphire to have to tell Gage. The look in his eyes held nothing but a longing as well.

"No, Gage, they aren't coming for you. The Agency did to you what they do best to everyone... lie."

Sapphire tried her best to show some compassion, but it was hard when the truth was harsh. "I know you don't know me, but I'd like to be your friend and when you need someone, you can call me."

Looking to the door, Sapphire knew she should be going, but for a strange reason, she didn't want to. "Would you like something to eat or drink?"


Just watching Thirteen for a long moment after Jason and Ryder went into the other room, Katie almost studies her before turning away, trying not to stare.

Looking up at Katie, Thirteen could feel her eyes on her, even if they weren't now. "I know, it's strange for me too, looking at myself."

Katie gives a small chuckle. But before she can say anything more, Jason returns. Returning his hug, Katie felt the warmth and felt safe.

Awww... you have to go? Okay, I guess I can let you go.


As Ryder moves next to her again, Thirteen brushes his hand, reaching for another dish. "A movie sounds good but I don't know any good ones so I hope you do!" She gives a smile to Ryder.


Looking at Trent for a long moment, Rosetta is lost for words. Did she really just hear what she thought she did. "Trent, I... when... how... I mean why didn't you say something sooner?"

Daughter

Gage's eyes follow Sapphire as she paces then squats down in front of him. In his gaze was a stare like looking into a black hole. It held so much emptiness, yet yearned for existence. He studies her own gaze as if searching for that existence in the words she spoke. She had compassion... mercy... grace.

"You're different." His speech was quiet, almost timid. He remained sitting, just looking at her. He had supplied the Elite with information, giving in to the interrogations these past weeks. But he hadn't expressed his feelings in the least... until now. Disappointment and hurt showed in his eyes.

"They always said they were my family. They always said that I was strong... that I was moving up in the ranks. They always said that we were working for a cause... that what we did would preserve us because we were rebelling against the system. They always said they would come get me if I was in trouble."

His eyes seem to almost glaze over. He'd been here over a month. Alec had almost been killed by their own. "It was... all a lie, wasn't it?"


Ryder stands back and watches Thirteen for a moment, seeing how she interacted with Katie and Jason. He could see she was a bit leery, but he was proud of her. "Well, we got leftovers for tomorrow then," he muses, going to help Thirteen clean up.

Jason gives Katie a little nod.
Be right back.
Heading into the kitchen himself, he pulls Ryder aside, out of earshot of Katie and Thirteen, also not letting his emotions reveal the content of the quiet conversation. "So... can I trust you?"

Ryder raises his eyebrows. "With what?"

"Keeping an eye on Katie without trying anything?"

Ryder's eyes roll. "I told you before - we're just friends. There's nothing there, mate."

"I just-"

"Look... you have my word. I made a mistake and I already apologized. I'll watch her for you - you've got nothing to worry about."

Jason relaxes just a little, and he nods. "Okay."

"You know..." Ryder cocks his head. "Kat's pretty lucky to have a bloke like you to love her enough not to want other guys hitting on her." He gives Jason's shoulder a pat before going back into the kitchen. "No worries... no worries."

Jason makes his way back over to Katie, pulling her into a hug.
I gotta get home. You be okay?

Ryder sidles up to Thirteen to help wash the dishes. "What do you say to a movie before bed?"


Being broken up by Rosetta, the fists stop, but the glares remain. Eyes fall to the ground as they receive her rebuke. Their shoulders drop with guilt. Eric runs his tongue over his bloody lip while Trent feels the side of his face. Neither had too much damage, but it was obvious that both had pulled some good moves.

Eric finally lifts his gaze to see Rosetta, while Mick stood behind her, his arms crossed. "Trent's holding out on us," Eric accuses. "I was just tired of all the secrecy games."

"It's none of your business," Trent counters.

"It is when it's my family!" Eric can feel the pain again from seeing the worry in Rosetta's eyes. "I just want to know the truth."

"I don't know anything about Jeff!" Trent exclaims. "Why won't you believe me?"

"Maybe it has something to do with all the lies you've told before."

"Guys, cut it out," Mick intervenes. "Now look, we're all uptight, but Rosetta is right. You shouldn't be fighting." He reaches out to give Rosetta's shoulder a squeeze. "Now what is this really about? Eric, you first."

Eric scowls, but controls his temper. "Trent knows something about that Agency girl and I think he knows about Jeff too."

"Evidence?"

"No."

"Trent?"

Trent eyes his brother, sister and Mick. "I don't know anything about Jeff, and that's the truth."

"What about the girl?" Mick presses.

"So I know her name. So what?"

Eric pounces again. "So why won't you explain? Why are you sneaking off?"

"I'm not."

"You are too! We have a right to know what's going on. You've betrayed us too many times."

Surprisingly, tears well up in Trent's eyes. "Just let it go."

"No."

Trent looks to Rosetta. "Please... don't make me dig this up."

"Dig what up?" Eric persists. "Does this girl know something about you? Something that could expose you?"

"No!"

"Then what?!"

Trent's voice wavers. "Just leave it alone, please."

Mick grits his teeth, unsure what to do. If Trent had important information, then Eric was right. Trent needed to tell them. "No more secrets," he states firmly. "What's the girl's significance, Trent?"

Trent swallows hard as a tear runs down his rough face. "She... she's my daughter."

A stunned silence follows.

Insain

Shaking her head Katie cant help the laugh the escapes her lips at Ryder's welcome. It was good to be home and be around her friends once again.

"Have to addmit Ryder if you were anyone else I would pop ya one. Its good to be home."

Walking in farther Katie sets the small bag down that had the items people had given her. Giving a small stretch she was still a little sore but it wasnt much anymore.

Giving a nod to Ryder Katie agrees. Laura's room would be empty soon and she didnt need it for anything. Why let it go to wast. Plus the extra company would be nice.

"Yeah that's ok. I don't mind at all. As long as everything goes smoothly."

Making her way to the kitchen Katie walks slow as to not startled Thirteen at all.

"Hi Thirteen!"

Hearing Jason and Katie enter the house Thirteen is startled but regains her composure quickly. Turning she gives a smile to Katie. It felt strange almost looking at herself, why did she look so much like this girl?

"Welcome Home!"

Takin a few steps back to the sink Thirteen motions to the dishes.

"We were just cleaning up the mess from dinner we made. Ryder was showing me how to cook."

Seeing Jason standing behind Katie Thirteen shifts just a little still not use to large groups but trying her best to handle it.

"Are you guys hungry we have plenty of left overs!"

Smiling at Thirteen Katie shakes her head slightly.

"No thank you, we already had something to eat. But the offer was nice of you."

Looking down as something brushed her leg a smile forms on Katie's face. The black and white furball wanted his attachen too.

Bending down to pick Henry up Katie rubs her face aganst his soft fur as he purrs in his arms.

"Hey there big guy. I heard you had some excitement while I was gone."

"I wouldn't have minded much if you had hit your head sooner. Than I could of talked to you more and sooner."

Smiling at Gage Sapphire enters the room more and does a quick once over making sure everything was ok.

She new Gage was differnt from Thirteen but still there was so much in life he had missed out on she felt bad.

"Well now you have your freedome to an exstent. As for what else they are going to do I am not sure but I know it wont be anything bad."

Leaning aganst the wall Sapphire cross her arms in front of her as she thinks for a long moment. Reese could be a little hard to understand sometimes but he really was a fair guy.

"You deserve a life and a choise to make your own distions. Not because you have to but because you want to. We want to give you a fighting chanse."

Sapphire pushes off the wall and starts to pase just a little. It wasnt a nervouse walk but just one she did when she was thinking. Even when working she often did it, but to everyone else it looked like she was getting water or something of that nature.

"Your not an animle to be chaged but a man to be taught and shown how much laughter, life, love and hope there is out there."

Flashing another smile Sapphire squats down in front of Gage and cocks her head to look him in the eye.

"It will be a hard road but dont look at us as your capters but your friends and teachers as long as your willing to learn."

Looking out the window at the mention of a fight Rosetta lets out a long frustrated sigh before heading to the door herself.

It had been a long time since her brothers had gotten into it but still non the less she had though that maybe they had grown up and put the petty stuff behind them. But she was wrong.

Exiting the house and making her way twords them Rosetta steps in the middle of both her brothers holding her hands out to the side to stop them.

"ENOUGH both of you!"

Looking from one brother to the next the pain could be seen in her eyes, and her tone of voice held the same as it cracked here and there.

"Have you both gone insain and learned nothing after all these years? I have struggled to keep this family alive the best I can and all you two can do it fight. Your brothers for goodness sake, you shouldnt be beating the snot out of eachother."

Letting her arms fall to the sides Rosetta shakes her head. She didnt know the reason for the fight, but still they shouldnt be acting like two year olds.

"You are both grown men, an as such you should be acting like it. Setting a good example for BJ and the other kids at the ranch. Not to mention it kills me to see you both fight."

Rosetta looks from on brother to the next as the tears form in her eyes.

"What do you both have to say for yourselfs?"