Far from old

Rick looks over to Scott for several long moments, listening to Misty. Finally he nods. "Agreed. I'll talk to Reese about it tomorrow and we'll go from there. In the meantime I guess we just try to make Scott comfortable. I know he wants to go home, but... I don't know. I haven't decided yet if that's a good idea or not."

Scott has his back turned to the other two as his eye stares at the wall. One would think he couldn't hear Rick and Misty's hushed tones, but they would be wrong. He could hear just enough to know what they were talking about. All it did was hit a numb wall though. He supposed he couldn't even think for himself anyway, even if he wanted to.

Pulling the blanket up further, he sinks his head more into his pillow, trying to block out the world... the cold cruel world.


Con returns Jamie's kiss and smiles. Hearing about Katie's suspension, his eyebrows rise and he opens his mouth to respond, but Jamie is already going back to work.

Confused, he opts not to bug her with it for now. "Alright, I'll see you later then." He straightens off the cubicle wall and aims down the walkway. Instead of heading downstairs first, his destination has just become Reese's office.

For the next fifteen minutes, the door remains closed, voices quiet, but tension thick. Then the door is finally open, revealing that Con has left Reese's office and gone to Austin's.

“Hey, Austin.” Con extends his hand to shake Austin’s, after he’d entered the office.

“Con!” Austin smiles, returning the gesture. “Glad to see you. How are you?”

Con nods. “Not too bad.”

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, just working out and seeing a few people. Wanted to say hi to you too since I heard you were back.”

“Well, I’m glad you did.”

“Looks like Texas treated you well.”

“It did.” Austin nods. “Was nice being around the gang for so long. Part of me wanted to stay, but duty calls I guess.”

Con grins. “Hate it when that happens.”

“Any plans on ever coming back here?”

Con shakes his head and gestures to his ear. “Can’t be out in the field without being able to hear half of what I used to, and I don’t plan on being put behind a desk. Besides, I didn’t think TJY was looking for any new hands.”

Austin shrugs. “You know we always are.”

Con chuckles. “True… true. Speaking of hands, I was gonna see Jase and Kat today but doesn’t look like they’re around. They out on a case?” He eyes Austin, looking for the truth. He already knew it… he’d gotten more facts from Reese, but he wasn’t about to tell Austin that.

Austin hesitates, folding his arms across his chest. “Uh…no. Actually, they, um… They’ve both been suspended, Con.”

“Suspended?” Con lifts his eyebrows, acting surprised. “Both of them? What were they doing, kissing in the hall or something?”

Austin smirks at the joke. “No, actually they were attacking me.”

“What? Well how? Or why?”

“Long story. Apparently they were upset about something. I had no choice but to suspend them. They’ll be back in the office in a couple weeks.”

Con forces a wry grin. “Yeah, well, not the first time Hotshot’s been suspended, eh?”

“No…that’s certainly true.”

“Hmm.” Con nods a little and looks around as if fishing for small talk. “Guess while I’m here, I should go see Scott too. Heard he was on his way to recovering. Figure everyone here is pretty happy to have him back.”

“Yes…yes,” Austin muses. “Feel pretty bad for him, but there’s just no way we can afford two tech guys, ya know? I’m sure he’ll make it though. He’s a bright kid.”

“What do you mean? You’re firing him?”

“I prefer to say we’re letting him go,” Austin counters.

“Oh. I see. So…you just keeping him here until…”

“Until Rick gives him a clean bill of health. Apparently he gave TJY his house in his makeshift will before we thought he died, but it will be signed back over to him.”

“Oh, well that’s generous.” Con let just a bit of sarcasm slip.

Austin quirks an eyebrow. “I think Dalton is the better choice for a tech guy anyway. He’s not as prone to accidents, and has a more stable head on his shoulders than Scott.”

“Hmm. Well, yeah, I guess when it comes down to it, you’d rather have the brawn and brain than heart anyway. I mean… just having a good heart can’t get you anywhere nowadays can it? It’s probably the wisest choice, choosing the newer, tougher man over the scrawny little nerd who’s been faithful for years.”

Austin eyes Con a little suspiciously, picking up on the slight sarcasm again. “Yes…for TJY’s best interest, of course.”

“Of course!” Con chuckles. “Got to have the best for the Elite. I heard you were the big boss now too. Congrats on that. Making any exciting changes around here?”

“Well, Carter and I implemented some structure in rankings.”

“Really? No more of this ‘everybody’s equal’ thing anymore, huh?”

“Nah, it really wasn’t a healthy method for this organization, especially now that we’re no longer underground. Structure is necessary.”

“Kinda helps to enforce ‘what the boss says goes’ doesn’t it?”

Austin chuckles. “Exactly.”

“Yeah, poor Reese – he’s been questioned and challenged so much by the others. I bet he’s glad he won’t have to do that anymore. I mean… now it’ll just be a known fact that if you argue, you’re out.”

“Something like that. I’d like to think that most around here won’t argue though.”

“With you?” Con shakes his head. “Who would want to argue with you? I mean, you’ve been gone for over a year, but surely your methods and ideas wouldn’t contradict anyone else’s here.”

“I would hope not.”

“Well…” Con shrugs. “Apparently those two rebels had a problem with something though.” He nonchalantly reverts back to Jason and Katie. “What was that about anyway?”

Austin hesitates. “Oh, it was nothing.”

“Nothing? For them two to attack you? Did they jump you, or what?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“So…” Con fishes for more. “What were they so upset about?”

Austin opens his mouth, but then shuts it again, straightening just a little. “I’m sorry, Con, but I’m not at liberty to say.”

Con does well at hiding his disappointment. Austin had never used those words with him. For years, since Con had been here then had been Austin’s personal bodyguard, they’d been able to speak freely to each other about anything. And now… Austin was purposely withholding information from him. It stung just a little bit. “That’s okay, I understand. Well…” He sighs and looks around. “Guess I better go downstairs if I want to get out of here at a decent time.”

“Alright. Glad you stopped in.”

“Yeah. We’ll, uh… have to do lunch sometime or something.”

“Right.”

Con pauses, looking down at Austin for another moment before finally turning and exiting the office. Only after he’s back out on the main floor does his face change to one of anger. His fists balled up at his sides, he doesn’t go downstairs like planned, but heads to the exit instead. He wasn’t going to sit around here anymore today. Austin had given him no answers, but that was good enough. Something was wrong…very wrong. And apparently Con no longer had a right to know. He knew he wasn’t a part of TJY anymore…Austin had every right to withhold information from him. But…still…

Austins attitude about Scott burned him up, and so did his apparent lack of care about Jason and Katie. Con was too upset to stay today... his visit and workout would just have to wait.

Passing by Jamie’s cubicle, Con sticks his head in just long enough to lean down and give her a quick kiss. “See you at home for lunch.” His tone is cool, and without waiting for a response, he heads out.


Brown grins at Katie's congratulations and nods. "Thank you. Several resignations and the popular vote does help things sometimes."

Easing down in his chair, he leans back and listens, never seeming tired or bored, but intent on gaining understanding of what was going on. Raising his eyebrows a few times shows he's taking in the story, but he remains respectfully quiet until Katie has finished.

Thinking a moment, he looks at Jason. "And what say you?"

"Couldn't have put it better myself. Though I probably would have been harsher," Jason admits.

Brown can't help a slight grin. "At first I was confused as to why on earth you were coming to me about a mentally unstable friend, and I was ready to give you some numbers to call. But... I'm guessing now that this is an Elite agent by the name of Scott Johnson."

Jason glances to Katie, then back to Brown, nodding.

"Mm-hmm..." Brown squints a little. "And... I'm also guessing that this person you believe was wrong, is none other than you grandfather, Jason."

Jason grits his teeth, but has to nod. "You got it."

"Why didn't you want to give me names?"

"Would you? We're already on suspension starting today."

Brown cocks his head. "Took this into your own hands first eh?"

"Maybe."

Brown nods again. "I think it's time I tell you that I already have a report." He leans back around to his filing drawers and pulls out a folder. "This was waiting for me when I got in to work this morning. It's as full written report from Austin about a certain interrogation."

Jason's eyes widen. "Why would... Or... does it..."

Brown leans forward, resting his arms on his desk to be closer to Jason and Katie. "Because he was thorough. To have this on record is to pronounce innocence. He mentions methods of interrogation which do not go against codes and regulations, let alone the Elite's own rulebook. It does comply with your story. It says that Austin and another Agent, Jerry Edmonton, paid Scott a visit, took him to the interrogation room and questioned him. The reason was exactly as you said, Katie, to ensure information had not leaked into the wrong hands - primarily the Agency."

He pauses, looking between the two young agents. "However, what wasn't stated, was what kind of mental condition Scott was in. You've implied that his experience was traumatic enough that is unstable. What exactly is unstable?"

Jason purses his lips in thought.

We might as well tell him everything. We don't have anything to lose. I can't tell yet if he's on our side or not.

"He's scared of his own shadow at the moment. Depressed...withdrawn... He has nightmares and minor flashbacks. We don't know yet the extent of what the Agency did to him, but it was bad enough to turn him into a different person."

Brown thinks, considering the entire circumstance. "Has he been professionally diagnosed?"

"No... it's just been our observation."

"Hmm." Brown is quiet again for several more moments. "Well, first off, I'm glad you told me." He nods to Katie. "I appreciate knowing the other side of things, even though I already had a report. I was under the impression that this was normal procedure on someone who was mentally stable. Now I know better. Second, I agree that this probably shouldn't have happened. I'm disappointed to hear that Austin would put Scott in that position, and that he would even do that to anyone who wasn't in their right mind... That in itself could be meaningless because no testimony of Scott's could even hold up in a court of law if it was proven he was unstable at the time of the interrogation. So moral issues aside, it wasn't legally smart."

Brown pauses once more, still thinking...still leaning forward on his desk. "Unfortunately, I'm not sure there's anything that can be done, other than an official reprimand if that's what you want, though I doubt that would do anything but get you two into more trouble. Without proof of physical or verbal abuse, you have nothing. Even then, the line between interrogation and abuse is a fine one. It would be hard to prove that there was actual foul play here. And even then if you could prove it, it would require Scott's own testimony, but if he's in as bad a shape as you say, that could cause him more undue trauma."

He stops, sighing deeply. "I received notice three weeks ago that Austin would be taking over as Chief of the Elite branch and that Carter was resigning. As such, I cannot pull rank on him, or order him to do anything. Now, if there are enough people at the Elite who feel the same way you do, and they are all willing to sign petitions that say they feel Austin is unfit to be the leader, that could be presented in court to a judge, and Austin could be overthrown and his title removed. I'm not sure you want to go to that extreme, or if it's actually necessary thought."

Brown looks at Katie for a moment, then Jason, then back again, letting them think. "If Austin has done nothing legally wrong, it's going to be hard to do anything. Unfortunately, you're part of the system now, and it's the way it works. Now... I instigated the whole thing for TJY to become the Elite, which as given law enforcement a new branch, and has kept all of you out of prison. I'm still glad the Elite is there, and I respect all of you agents, knowing you live up to the name. But...the one drawback for you is that you're no longer underground, and that you do answer to higher authority now. That can work for you, or against you. Right now, it's working for Austin and against you."

He shakes his head slowly. "I'm not sure I even have any advice for you, other than to roll with the punch, sit it out, and wait and see what happens. If you cause too much trouble and get fired, you do your department and fellow agents no good. Now, if you want, I can see Austin and feel him out to see if he has any motives here that don't conicide with the law. But right now....without any actual illegal activity...that's the best I can do."


Axel quirks a grin at Jess' comment. "Well... I have to admit... I've never been called a rainbow before." He chuckles. "But I guess it's better than being the raincloud."

He sighs and surveys the situation. "Tell you what... since you're already late, let me give you a ride to work in the truck. Then I'll come back and tow this brute in to the shop and give you a call later to give you the bad news. We've got a couple rental cars if need be too."

He cocks his head to the truck, eyeing Jess with the question of whether or not she would trust him.


The woman nods readily to Mabel. "Yes, I'm Sally Renandez. He probably won't know my name though. You can just tell him it's about the dog he has."

Sally waits expectantly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, a little bit nervous. "I am sorry if I'm disturbing him, but this is very important."


Clint can only tighten his grip around Wendy. It took all the inner strength he had not to let his worry and fear out. His mind was still reeling, and he felt just a little bit sick.

He rocks Wendy for a moment, not even sure what answers he could give her. But he had to... She was looking to him for help. And if anyone needed to take the lead, it was him, whether he wanted to or not. He was so not ready for this... but there was nothing else to do. He knew good and well there was no other option than seeing this thing through. Not keeping the baby was not even something that would be considered, and he knew it. It was just.... what... how...

Swallowing his questions, he gives Wendy a squeeze, then shifts so he can see her face. "We'll go back to the ranch," he answers quietly. "Then you go and talk to your mom or your mom and Luke or whatever, while I talk to my own parents." He wasn't sure why, but for now, that felt best. If his parents were going to be upset, he didn't want Wendy there to hear it.

"And then..." He hesitates. What then? He hadn't a clue. "Then we take it one minute at a time." They had made a big mistake... but surely the Lord wouldn't leave them.

Letting Wendy sit with him for a few more minutes, Clint finally moves to get up, gathering up the leftover lunch that neither wanted anymore.

The ride back to the ranch is a quiet one. Clint finds himself reaching over to hold Wendy's hand, hoping that he could offer some comfort to her. He was so confused. He was so scared. Never had he regretted a decision more than now. He loved Wendy... but this had been the furthest thing from their minds.

Arriving in the ranch yard, Clint parks the pickup, and just sits for several moments. Looking over to Wendy, he offers the best smile he can. "It'll be okay..." It had to be. And it was better to face the music as soon as possible than wait. Waiting would just make things worse.

"You go on to your house and... and I'll go to my parents." He looks at his watch. "Then come on over to my bunk, alright? And we'll talk some more."

Brushing her cheek with his hand, he slides out of the pickup. Making sure Wendy is well on her way, he looks to the bunkhouse that had been enlarged and converted for his parents and Rosalyn. Never had he been more scared.

Time ticks by. Curious eyes question the tension in the air. Questioning minds wonder at the absence of others. And the minutes move by more slowly than some would like, and with more heightened emotions than some would like to endure...


“Of all the… What were you thinking?!”

“I’m sorry, alright?!”

“It doesn’t matter! I thought you knew better than that!”

“So I was stupid. You happy now?!”

“No, I’m not happy! I though I raised you better!”

“You didn’t raise me at all!”

“So that’s your excuse?”

“It’s not like I was out every night! There’s only ever been Wendy and it was only once!”

“Once is all it takes! Where was your head?!”


Becky frowns as she folds towels out in the hallway. A tear fills her eye and she sighs deeply.

Rosalyn comes up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder, inwardly cringing at all the yelling going on in the closed room.

Becky turns and forces a smile at her daughter. “You alright?”

Rosalyn shrugs. “Yeah, sure, I’m fine. It’s my brother I’m worried about.”

Becky sets a towel aside and nods. “It’ll all work out.”

“If Dad doesn’t kill him.”

“Oh… he won’t.” Becky sighs again. “He’s just upset.”

“Well there’s not much that can be done now.”

“No… but your father has an awful lot of regrets mixed in here.”

Rosalyn tries to understand. “You mean about not being there when we were kids?”

Becky nods. “Yeah.”

“Well he certainly can’t blame himself for any of this.”

Becky turns again to pull her daughter into a hug. “It’ll all work out,” she repeats.

Both women jump as the bedroom door flies open. Clint stalks by without a word, his face red from the argument, emotion surging through his eyes. He hadn't expected this to go well, but the tongue-lashing from his father after the news had been sprung on the family was enough to make him hate ever telling them at all.

Rosalyn skids out of the way, reaching out to his arm with desperation. “Clint…”

“Leave me alone,” he growls and shrugs off her hand, continuing to the door. He couldn't think straight. He couldn't feel right. There was too much confusion... too much turmoil. It just... he.... Exiting the little house, he lets the door slam shut behind him. Plans for the rest of the day were forgotten.

Rosalyn looks after him. “But…”

Becky stops her from following her brother. “Leave him be. He’s got to work this one out on his own.”

Not five minutes later, a motorcycle engine can be heard revving, then roaring into the distance towards a destination known to no one.

Rosalyn looks to her mother with worry, but is prompted to go outside.

"Go keep yourself busy," Becky recommends. "He'll be back, don't worry."

Rosalyn hesitates, but does as she's told, wandering outside, then to the barn where Mick had told her he had a job for her to do if she had the time.

Becky waits, then slowly enters the bedroom and sees Jim sitting on the edges of the bed, bent, with his face in his hands. She watches him for a moment, then approaches quietly, easing down next to him. Reaching out, she gently runs a hand over her husband’s back, saying nothing and knowing that he’ll speak when he wishes.

Jim feels his wife close and just sits, his mind going a million directions at once. “Did I do something wrong? Did I teach him wrong? Is it my fault?”

“Oh, Jim… no. You’ve done all you can. Even the years you weren’t there, you were still an influence.”

“Then why? Why would he make this decision?”

Becky shakes her head. “Because he’s human. He made a mistake.”

“So I shouldn’t have said anything?”

“No…there are consequences to his actions and he needs to realize it. But…”

“But what? I should let him think I approve?” Jim lifts his head to stare at his wife. “Does he not realize what this has done? Does he not realize that he’s now emotionally and financially responsible for this girl and their child? Does he not realize that this takes away every bit of freedom he had left? That no plans are the same anymore? That any ideas for his future are now gone? That he’s now tied down? That it’s no longer just about him anymore? Does he realize that life as he knew it is completely inside-out now? He talked of trips and jobs and going places… does he realize that probably none of that will happen now? All the plans he had with friends...does he realize it's all gone now?”

Becky lets Jim vent, still rubbing his back, remaining quiet. “If he doesn’t…he will. But there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s been done. He can’t go back and change it. And I can’t imagine what he’s going through inside right now, thinking of all these things. He’s had to become a man in one instant, and you know that’s not easy. That’s probably enough punishment in itself… knowing that all your plans and ideas for the future are now wiped out.”

Jim sighs deeply. “Yeah…I suppose.”

“Do you know what he’s going to do? We talk as if we know he will stick it out.”

“No…I don’t know,” Jim admits. “But there’s a girl who’s gonna need him.”

“It was her choice too, Jim. You can’t blame it on Clint alone.”

“Yeah, I know… I just wish… I don’t know… I guess I don’t want to see them have to go through this… They haven’t even grown up yet.”

“Then we pray. We pray that good will come of this and that we’ll be able to see God in it, despite bad choices.”

“They’re so young… Clint's only twenty-three. Wendy is only nineteen. ”

“I was eighteen when you proposed to me.”

“You’ve also said you thought you married and had kids too young.”

Becky thinks for a moment. “Yes… it took away freedoms that I wanted… it forced me to grow up faster than I wanted… Maybe I regretted it at the time. But I loved you, and that’s what mattered the most… staying with you and my family. And now… now my kids are grown up and fending for themselves. And it’s just you and me again. I worried once that my life was ruined because I married so early. But now… it was so long ago. I can do whatever I want to now, and I still have you.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t agree with what’s happened here, and yes, I think Wendy’s young, and I think Clint has a lot of growing up to do. But that doesn’t mean it has to end on a sour note for them. If they have enough support around them, they can make it. They have to face the consequences of their choices, yes, and they have to face the reality of what’s happening. But be glad they told us… all we can do now is love them in spite of this and show them how real families work. They were wrong. But they have a punishment greater than us yelling at them.”

Jim straightens up and turns to his wife, reaching up to cradle her face with his hand. “Your heart is so big… I love you.”

Becky smiles, her eyes shining. “I love you too.” She takes his hand in hers, a smile curling the corner of her mouth. “You’re gonna be a grandpa.”

A chuckle escapes Jim’s lips. “You make me sound old.”

“Oh, you’re far from old.” Becky leans in to give him a tender kiss. “You’ll always be young to me.”

Jim returns her smile, pulling her into a hug. “I don’t know how I ever lived without you.”

all the same

*Dalton just watches as Scott leaves the office. He's been though alot, and Dalton could only imagen the pain he was in. Scott's problem made Dalton's own seem so small. Maybe thats why somwhere he felt bad for this person he hardly even new.

Turning back to his computer Dalton starts to work again. After a few moments of messing around a message pops up on his computer informing him he had a new email. Rolling his eyes to himself he clicks a few buttons to bring up the email. He might as well read it now while no one was bothering him.

As Dalton reads the email he raises an eyebrow to himself. He hadnt been here long but he had hurd talk back home about how everything was run over here and now that he was actully here things were turning out to be alot differnt than he had exspected and he wasnt sure how he felt about it. Going over the list once again Dalton relizes that Scott's name was not present on the list. Surly this must be a mistake, now that Scott was bad and once he was better they would give him his job back. But why was he not on the list. Pushing it aside for now Dalton keeps it in the back of his mind so when he saw Austin later he could ask about it.*


*Misty looks to Scott with sympothy in her eyes. Every day that Scott didnt get better she felt more helpless. How true Rick's statment was, and how it hurt to know they could do nothing.*

"Unfortintuly, I do believe your right. We heal and ment pysical wounds, but when it comes to the mind, soul and heart that is uncharted tarritory for us. We might end up doing more harm than good."

*Looking back to Rick Misty's face shows how much she caired and how hard it was for to even say the words that they probley couldnt help Scott. But it was true and Scott needed help before for him it was to late.*

*Jamie looks up at Con and gives a smile ignoring the message for now that she had a new email. Seeing Con always braught a smile to her face and she never tired of it.*

"Lunch sounds good to me, its cold enough outside that I dont need you being colder and getting sick on me."

*Jamie can't help the smile that spreads across her face as she finally stands and wraps her arms around Con's neck to pull him a little closer to her and places a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away again. Her eyes just searching his face for a long moment.*

"Austin is down the hall last I checked in Carters office. I've been pretty indepth in my work since Katie got saspended. I have to try and do this all alone now."

*Sitting back down at her desk Jamie lets out a sigh but the smile remains on her face.*

"Just let me know when your done and I will be ready to head out with you ok Hun."

*Turning back to her computer Jamie pops open her email to see what new ones she had.*

*At the mention of Brown getting a premotion Katie raises an eyebrow. Was coming to talk to him a good thing? Everything and everyone and there premotions seemed to be happening in sink and Katie couldnt help but wonder if it was all linked.

Making her way down the hall Katie is pretty quiet. Not even sure herself what she was going to say to the Cheif and how funny it sounded to say that. Coming to the door Katie looks to Jason for a moment and smiles.

Here goes nothing.

Giving a good knock Katie waits for a moment untill they are cleared to enter. Smiling at the Cheif as he greets them Katies enters and finds a chair to sit in.*

"Heya, Congrats on your premotion. Sounds like your doing good for youself."

*Drawing scilent for a moment Katie collects her thoughts and calms her nerves. She wasnt really nervouse about talking to the Cheif but more nearvouse he wouldnt listen to what she had to say. Giving a sigh Katie stratens just a little bit before speaking.*

"I had a question I guess I wanted to ask you because I am not to sure about it myself. I though if I got you opion on it maybe it would help me understand or you could help me in what steps I should take to help correct it.

You see Jason and I have a friend who has been through alot, and well he is not exacly mentaly stable. He's healing on the outside just fine but on the inside he is pretty messed up still."

*Katie's face shows much consern and the anger to what had happend. Her own face and eyes told a story that this bothered her greatly and was a big deal to her.*

"..anyways, there was a change that he could of leaked information about certin things that are pretty important but considering his state of mind at the moment we had decied that it was best that we continue to let him heal mentily as to not cause him anymore damage. A few days later another person came in...."

*Katie continues to tell the story to Cheif Brown leaving out names and that this had to do with TJY at all though she was sure he could put two and to together. She explained to him about how upset it made her and how it had messed Scott up even more as well. Stressing strongly about how she thought what happend was wrong and felt something should be done about it.*

"...so I think all in all it could of been handled differntly, and something should be done now."

*Kaite looks to Jason before looking back at the Cheif. She hoped he understood her and would listen offering help, or something on what to do next.*

*Wendy leans into Clint not to sure that she even believed him that everything would be ok. She wanted to but she was so unsure herself right now what would happen.*

"So now what do we do Clint? I'm scaired and I've never been scaired like this before, but I feel so lost. Should we tell our parents together? or sepreat? I dont...I never....what do we do?"

*Wendy cant help but just burry her face into Clint more. She felt like she wanted to cry but the tears wouldnt come. The feeling of wanting to hide lingered, and yet there was no place to go.*

*Seeing the truck pass her and than back up Jess is thankful for that. Sliding off the hood and hearing Axel's jear she can't help but laugh and let a smile cross her face.*

"Dance near the flame, set the engine on fire its all the same in the end right? Something is burning."

*Shaking her own head Jess holds up her cell phone to show that it was not turned on.*

"You know what they say when it rains it pours right, well my car died, I am late for work, and I have no way of calling anyone because my phone is dead. But than again I guess in every rainstorm comes a rainbow and you just happen to be that. I could use the help."

*Looking back at the woman Mable quirks an eyebrow at the woman but than offersa friendly smile. It wasnt often someone came in looking for Carson and it made her a bit leery as to offering help to a random stranger but Mabel new she had to at least be nice.*

"I can see if he is in yet. Who can I tell him is looking for him?"

*Mable keeps her smile held as she looks back at the woman.*

I thought I told you...

Scott turns back around as Dalton speaks, a little bit surprised. Hearing that others had said he was the best sent a strange sensation through him. It was pride, but it was mixed with a sadness that he probably wouldn’t ever be in that position again.

Dalton’s apparent problem with a program hit Scott as a little strange, but he turns around and steps into the office. He stops though, a sudden wave hitting him… a memory of not all that long ago when he’d been forced to sit at a computer at gunpoint.

Swallowing hard, he shakes his head slightly, trying to rid himself of that image. “Um…sure.”

Walking slowly over to Dalton’s desk, he takes an empty chair and pulls it over, having just a bit of trouble with as little strength as he had.

Sitting down, he looks at the computer, his hands still in his pockets as he squints a little with his one eye. He needed his glasses or contacts, but it would take a while to get either of them again.

Scott is quiet for a while until finally he reaches out and hits a few keys, trying to figure out what the problem might be. He rubs his blind eye absentmindedly as it hurts again like it often did. “You do have a bit of a mess,” he muses. “But it shouldn’t be hard to…” His sentence trails off as he clicks a few more keys, moving just a little closer to control the mouse.

It only takes about two minutes and things are back to where they should be again.

“There you go. Next time just stay away from that area of the program and it should be okay. It’s always been a little fussy that way.”

A tap to his leg almost sends Scott out of his chair and he looks down quickly to see Domino, who was just as startled by his reaction. She gives a little whine and stands, ready to leave the office.

Scott grins a little. “I think someone needs to go outside.” He hesitates, part of him wanting to stay… he wasn’t useful anywhere else. But he had to remember his place.

Rising slowly, he puts the chair back in the corner, stuffing his hands in his pockets again. “Guess I’ll…see you later.” He glances at Dalton for a moment. “If…if you need any more help, um… I should be around… for a while.”

Leaving it at that, Scott trudges out of the office, his little dog close on his heels. Out on the main floor, he hesitates one more, seeing so many people around. In reality, it wasn’t all that busy, but to him, it felt like one big deathtrap.

Swallowing hard, he leans down to pick Domino up with just a little bit of trouble, figuring if he at least could hang on to her, he might be able to make it across the floor alright.

Forcing himself to greet those who waved at him, he finally makes it to the exit. Stepping outside, he sucks in his breath, hit with the fresh air. It had been so long since he’d been outdoors, if he didn’t count the rescue mission that he couldn’t hardly remember. He’d been locked inside for so long… he hadn’t even ever been able to see out a window. It all looked so…big today. And for the first time, the outdoors seemed frightening. There was no where to hide. There were too many places people could come from. There was too much he couldn’t see with one eye. There were so many noises… so much…. so big….

Scott finds himself backed up against the building, staying only for Domino’s sake. His hands start to tremble, fear gripping him once more, digging in deep until it hurt. His pulse sped up, his mouth went dry, his breath growing shallow.

Seeing Domino was finished, he takes advantage of the moment and aims for the door again, moving quickly. All he wanted to do was get back inside.

Turning the corner too fast though, he runs right into Con, who had arrived without him seeing it. Giving a cry of surprise and stumbling backward, Scott’s foot catches on a crack in the sidewalk and he falls backward.

Con’s eyes widen as he sees Scott too late to move, then watches as his friend trips. “Whoa, Scott.”

Scott winces as his hand scrapes the ground and he looks up, his mind half expecting to see the enemy, but quickly he realizes that it’s just Con. Despite that knowledge though, the terror had done its job, and once there, it was stubborn to stay.

Con reaches down to help him up, but Scott refuses, getting up on his own and staggering just a little to regain his balance.

Con feels terrible, and cringes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even see you.”

“It was my fault,” Scott mumbles, groping for the door.

“Can I help you? Are you okay?”

Scott sidles out of Con’s reach, not looking up to meet his eye. “I…I’m fine.”

Con watches helplessly as Scott slips inside. That had been less than a good meeting this morning, and it seemed so strange to see Scott like that. Con knew it hadn’t been his fault, but he still felt badly. Sighing, he heads inside too. He’d gotten used to coming several times a week to work out and see Jamie. Today too, he was looking forward to seeing Austin again.

Scott makes his way quickly back across the main floor, Domino having a hard time keeping up by trotting behind him. He keeps his head down, his shoulders dropped, not making eye contact with anyone. His face was red from embarrassment and irritation mixed with his fear.

Almost running into Laura, he shoulders past, heads down the hall and back to the infirmary. Slipping inside, he lets the door fall shut, backing up against the wall. Seeing Rick, and now Misty too, his eyes fill with tears as he slowly slides down to the floor.

Rick moves quickly to kneel by his side. “Scott… what is it? What’s wrong?”

Scott shakes his head and draws his knees up close. “I…I can’t…it just…I couldn’t…”

Rick looks down and sees that Scott’s hand is bleeding. “Here…let me help you up so we can clean your hand. What happened?”

Scott resists getting up, but is too weak to fight Rick’s physical prompting. He finally gets up slowly, only now realizing that Rick was right. He’d scraped his hand and hadn’t even realized it. Moving over to the sink, he numbly lets Rick clean the scrape.

Rick looks at him with sympathy and worry. “Scot… what happened?” he asks again.

Scott swallows hard, feeling utterly stupid and foolish for his display of emotions. “I…I don’t know. I just…I was outside and…. I ran into Con. I fell down and… I don’t know. I just… I had to come back inside.”

Rick sighs and gets a couple bandaids to finish off the job. He knew Scott had gotten scared again. He could see it in the young man’s eye. He knew that Scott was terrified of just about everything right now, and it pained him to see him like this. He could bandage up the outer wounds all he wanted… but there were some things he just couldn’t help Scott with. “Come on… rest a while. Then we’ll get you something to eat for lunch after a bit.”

Helping Scott back to bed, Rick does his best to get him settled, then quietly goes back to work. Once Scott is at least resting, Rick makes his way slowly over to Misty’s desk. Sitting on the edge of it, he sighs deeply. Scott had only been awake a couple days, but Rick was becoming more and more convinced that something needed to be done.

“He needs more than I can give him, doesn’t it?” he asks quietly.


Con makes his way slowly across the main floor, confused and feeling sorrier than ever for Scott. He hadn’t meant to scare him…

Making it to Jamie’s cubicle, he leans over the top, just waiting until she noticed he was there. “Hey, beautiful.” A smile surfaces. “We doing lunch today after I work out, or are ya leaving me out in the cold?” He tosses her a wink. “I did want to see Austin first though… have you seen him?”


Katie’s confidence helps Jason stay halfway positive as they enter the police station, making him realize once more how much he enjoyed working with her.

In case I forget to mention it again… there isn’t another partner I’d choose to work with.

Right behind her, Jason approaches the desk with her, letting her take the lead on this one. He wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to see Brown about, and was willing to listen and add his part only when asked.

The officer nods. “Yeah, Brown is in. Hang on one sec….” He picks up the phone, dialing a short number. “Chief?”

Jason lifts his eyebrows in surprise.

The officer grins at him, and whispers away from the phone. “Promotion.”

Jason can’t help his smile. Having Brown as the chief might not be a bad thing.

The officer concentrates on the phone again. “Yeah. Um… Katie Pent and J….” He thinks for a moment. “Jason…Stevenson are here to see you. Uh-huh. Okay.” He hangs up and points down the hall. “Help yourself. He’s in his office.”

Jason waves his thanks and heads to the office with Katie. Arriving, Brown calls them in after they knock.

He’s standing behind his desk looking through some papers, and smiles as he sees Katie and Jason. “Good morning. Been a while since I’ve seen you two. What can I do for ya?”


Clint watches Wendy go into the office and stares at the closed door for a moment. He couldn’t help his worry, even though she’s smiled. But…apparently she was going to talk to him later, not now.

Sighing, he tries to concentrate on work again. Flipping on the radio, he starts to sing along with the country song, scooting back to the stubborn engine…

…Clint sits on the park bench next to Wendy, starting in on his food. It had been too chilly for the bike today, so they’d borrowed a ranch truck. Going through the drive through at the fast food joint, they’d picked up some lunch, then settled in at the park.

But as Clint chows down, he sees the worry in Wendy’s eyes again, and notices that she isn’t eating, he stops.

Sighing, he sets his own burger aside, turning a little to face his girlfriend better. He’s about to say something when she starts first, so he waits and listens. As she speaks, his worry grows. Why was there fear in her eyes?

He swallows hard and listens, searching her face. Why wouldn’t he stay with her? Why would she say something like that?

Then her final words hit his ears.

Clint’s eyes widen. The only word to describe the look on his face could be shock. He blinks, wondering if he’d heard Wendy correctly. But staring into her eyes… he knew he had.

Pregnant? A million questions race through his mind. A million scenarios. But only one regret. For once is all it had taken. No matter their admittance afterward that they’d been wrong, no matter their promises not to make that mistake again… Once was enough, and that fact was proving itself now.

Clint didn’t know what to say… or what to do. “I…” He stops, not knowing what he had started out to say. He needed to say something. Wendy was waiting for a response. He knew why she was telling him… She’d been with no one else and he knew it.

Slowly he reaches out and runs a hand along her face. Emotions flood his eyes, but he wasn’t even sure what they were. Confusion…fear…

Not knowing what else to do, he abandons their lunch and takes Wendy’s arms to pull her around onto his lap to cradle her, trying to shelter her from the fear he knew she felt. There was no way he could even imagine what she was going through.

He didn’t love her less. He didn’t blame her. No, it was just as much his fault if not more. But how could there be joy when they hadn’t even planned their future yet? How could this be a happy event when it had been so unplanned, so unwanted?

“I’m sorry.” It was the only whisper he could manage. Pulling away, he looks her in the eye again. Fear shows itself in his own gaze, proving how helpless and confused he felt.

He draws in a shaky breath. It wasn’t like this was something they could hide. In a few months, it would be obvious to everyone. No matter how scared either of them were, they needed to admit what was going on. “You need to tell your mom… and I need to tell my parents too.”

It would be better to tell them now. Though adults, Wendy still lived with her mom, and Clint was still close to his parents. As such, they owed it them to tell them what had happened. It was only right.

“It’ll be okay.” Though his words were meant to assure, his tone proved he didn’t necessarily believe it himself.

Clint runs his hand along Wendy’s face, forcing a small smile. “We’ll get through this. I don’t know how, but…but we will.”


A tow truck rattles down the road, its driver glancing down the streets as he makes his way back to the shop. Tapping the wheel absentmindedly, the driver suddenly passes a car alongside the road. Glancing in his rearview mirror, he quirks an eyebrow. Was that a woman sitting on the hood? That couldn’t be good.

Slowing to a stop, he keeps his sights in his mirrors as he backs up the full length to the car again before stopping. Looking out the window, he can’t help the slight grin that surfaces as he sees just who the woman is. Putting the window down, he calls to her. “I thought I told you to dance near the flame, not set your engine on fire.”

Throwing the truck in park, Axel eases out and ambles around to the other side where Jess was, his hands on his hips. “Looks like I owe your car a thanks for setting up a chance meeting. You in need of help, or have you already called somebody?”


A tall, dark woman enters Mom and Pop's, looking around as if trying to find someone, not just an empty table. She doesn't seem to find who she's searching for, and finally approaches the counter where Mabel was.

"Hello." She remains fairly cool, though a small smile is visible. "I, um... I'm looking for a guy who might work here? I think... his name..." She cringes. "I can't remember, I'm sorry. He's blonde... good looking... not too tall, but not short...." She looks to Mabel for help, feeling a bit stupid.

Enemy

*As Scott turns to leave a ping hits home for Dalton. He'd been around long enough and even in the field before to know stuff like this happend, and people got hurt. It was just the way it went in a job like this. But with Scott something was differnt, there was a sadness there in Dalton's heart that didnt happen to often. Looking down at his computer Dalton pauses for a moment before looking up again. Trying to keep his voice low though it was deep and grough normaly Dalton calls again to Scott. *

"Hey Scott. Humm...I know your still healing and everything but I was having a problem with this program here...."

*Dalton hits a few keys on his keybored to make it look more of a mess than it really was. Truth be told he new the program like the back of his hand but something...something made him want to have Scott's help.*

"...and I was wondering if by any chanse you could take a look at it for me and maybe show me what I was doing wrong. They tell me yours the best and I'd like to have the best show the best."

*Returning Jason's hug Katie just burrys her face in Jason's check for a moment. His feelings being revealed to her. It pain her to know that Jason was more upset about this than he liked to addmit and Katie wished she could make it all ok, but something told her change was in the wind and this was only going to get worse before it was better. Were they prepaired for this, maybe not but at least they had eachother to pull though it. Katie only hoped that the will of someone higher than even Carter himself had his hands wraped around TJY and everyones that layed inside it.

As Jason pulls away Katie just stairs up at him looking deep into his eyes. The eyes that held so much mystory, so much more than any normal person could see. The eyes that had captured Katie from the first time she met him.

Ok, we go see Brown maybe spend some time finding a new meaning to life other than work work work and than we can come back and see Scott. Maybe we can even find something to bring him. He needs to smile and shatter the gloom on his soul.

Giving a playful grin Katie grabs her eyes and hopes into her car starting it and than backing out and out of the parking lot speeding down the highway as if a challange to Jason. In no time flat Katie and Jason are at the station and making there way inside. Looking at Jason she gives a small smerk to his comment.*

"Austin can try to ban us from where ever he like but this is Americe and its a free country."

*Giving Jason's hand gentil squeeze Kaite enters and smiles as they are greeted. Giving a friendly smile Katie walks to the counter.*

"Morning. If Officer Brown in and if so can you tell him Katie Pent and Jason Stevenson are here to speak with him?!"

*Seeing the worry in Clint's eyes strikes a nearve that makes Wendy wish she didnt have to tell Clint anything. It only makes her wish that they had both been more carfel and smarter. Clint's worry only made her worry more but try as she must she holds her smile to reasure him he did nothing wrong.*

"Fast food and the park sounds good."

*Giving a thoughtful nod as his last question Wends stands a little strater walking twords Clint. Reaching out she takes his hand and brings it to her face to feel his skin aganst hers not caring that grease remained on them. Just holding it there for a second Wendy lets out a sigh.*

"Yeah everything is ok, I think. I'll see you at lunch hun."

*Leting go Wendy moves past Clint and into the office shuting the door behind her. Moving slowly over to her chair Wendy sits down at her desk and just rests her head in her hands for a moment as a few tears show themself. Why, why she let this happen. She only hoped God would have mercy on her now and let everything turn out ok.

Finally lifting herself up again Wendy gets to work on the paper work she had to look over an file. Moving just a little bit slower today Wendy trys to stay on tast though it was hard. Her mind always going back to what would be said at lunch and what was the best way to say it.*

Time once again time takes its toll. Moving slow for some as they wait for someone to come along and help them out...

*Kicking the wheel of her tire Jess lets out a long sigh. Why had she taken a new road she didnt know about, why had her car decied now it was going to act up and die on her. She was going to be late for work, she had no one to call because her cell phone was dead, and she was straned out in the middle of no where.*

"Why...why you stupid peace of junk."

*Leaning her back up again the car it lets out a low hiss as though it didnt like to much what Jess said. Giving a small jump Jess just rolls her eyes. The only thing she could really do was sit, and wait hoping someone would come along and help. Letting out another sigh Jess hopes up on the hood of the car and just sits, twirling her dead cell phone in her hand as she staired off into the horizon every tick of the clock seeming to take hours.*

...The time never being the same from on person to the next. Holding what seems like a weight over the shoulders of those who think time passed to quickly...

*Looking across the park bench at Clint Wendy trys her best to not let her nerves show through. Lunch had come to past and what seemed like 15 minutes had been 4 hours. She wasnt prepared to break the news to Clint and she still was not sure how.

Taking a small bite of her double cheese burger Wendy puts it down again. Her stomach was screaming for food, but her nerves kept her from eating. Picking up her napkin she starts to play with it nervously as she tairs it into little peaces her eyes not meeting Clint's.*

"I just want to tell you that you didnt do anything wrong if thats what your thinking...well not you alone anyways and...I'm not to sure how to say this. I was thinking about it all morning running words, sentinces everything through my mind and now...now it just don't seem like the right thing to say..."

*Wendy's voice quivers for a moment as she sucks in a breath trying to regain controll of her emotions.*

"...you know I care about you alot Clint and thats why I had to tell you among other reasons. Where we go from this point I am not sure, but I would hope you would stay."

*Closing her eyes the words almost get stuck in her throat but she forces them out anyways know she has to.*

"Clint, I'm pregnant."

...and though for a moment time seems to stand still as life, heart, words shatter. Emotions going one way and the next for all. Time was enemy once again.

Rank

Scott is quiet for a moment. One might think he didn't even hear Dalton, but finally he responds. "Yeah." His voice is quiet, his mind wondering about where he belonged now... Though Reese hadn't wanted to say much, Scott could tell that his job here might be nonexistent. A lot had changed in two months... and even now, maybe they didn't really think he could handle his job anyway. Maybe they were right. But what else did he have? He had his dog... that was it. He had a house, but logic told him that probably most, if not all of his belongings were gone. He was starting from scratch. And without his job and family here...

Scott blinks, realizing that Dalton had asked him a question. He forces something resembling half a smile. "I'm okay. They said you helped out with getting me back here... guess I owe ya."

He swallows hard, looking around the office, seeing the personal effects of Dalton's in all the places he'd had his own stuff before. He knew it had been necessary. If he'd been Reese, he would have needed to hire somebody else too. After all, everyone had thought he'd been dead. But...somewhere... it still hurt a little bit.

Glancing down toward the desk, Scott spots a can of mountain dew. A bit of a grin surfaces. "Never did figure out if it was my own craving for caffeine or this office that attracted mountain dew."

Pausing, he slips his hands back into his hoodie pockets. "Guess I shouldn't keep ya. Nice to meet you, Dalton."


Jason is a little surprised by Katie's sudden embrace, but resists it by no means, bending down a little and wrapping his own arms around her.

Mmm... free time is always good.

Pulling away a little, Jason looks down at her. "This is my life all right... but maybe it's been that way for too long." He sighs deeply. "If this is the way things are going, maybe I'm meant for something else."

Despite his words though, his emotions tell a different story, revealing only to Katie that he was truly hurt by all of this. This really was his life... it's what he was made for, and the thought of losing it was not only just a little scary, but it wasn't liked one bit.

Brown, eh? Yeah, sure, I'll come along. Not like I got anything better to do. I want to come back later in the day to check on Scott, but otherwise... I'm game. If we can't do our thing under the rules, certainly we can without the rules.

Jason grins as he fishes for his keys in his pocket. "Alright, I'll follow you. Lead the way."

The ride down to the station doesn't take long, and before they know it, Jason is meeting up with Katie again at the steps, making their way up slowly to the doors. "Well, unless Austin has made a phonecall to ban us from the station too, we should be okay."

He didn't really mean to be sarcastic, but Katie could tell how he felt anyway. He grabs the door and holds it open for her, letting her go in first.

An officer at the front counter looks up, recognizing them as part of the Elite. "Hey, good morning. What can I do for you?"


Clint is so focused on his work that he doesn't even hear Wendy come into the shop. Leaning into the engine of the car, his wrench is lost, and he has to reach down in further to retrieve it.

Suddenly hearing Wendy's voice, he comes up too quickly, hitting his head on the open hood. Cringing, he gives Wendy a sheepish look. "Hey, princess."

Finding a rag to wipe his hands, he steps closer to her, grinning, though the pleasure is replaced with a little bit of concern at the tone of Wendy's voice. She seemed happy but... something didn't feel quite right.

Her request for a talk drives home the concern. Had he done something wrong? Was she upset with him for something? Was something else wrong?

"Um, sure," he finally replies. He knew they'd planned on eating lunch together anyway, but the cafe in town wasn't the quietest of places. Then again, he wasn't so sure he liked this need for quietness. But Wendy was smiling...that was a good thing, right?

"We can go to the park if you want. Pick up some fast food on the way. Little chilly out, but by noon, it should be warmed up a bit." He cocks his head, unable to help but ask. "Everything alright?"


Wyatt flips on his computer and sighs, sinking into his desk chair. The tension on the floor was thick today, and he wasn't sure just why. He'd heard murmurings that Austin was back, and that his return had been less than welcomed. He'd also heard that Scott was not doing well, and that didn't do much for his own peace of mind.

Going through a files, Wyatt settles on checking his email before getting started with much. Opening up the program, he's surprised to see an email to the entire staff from Carter. It wasn't often he addressed everyone...

After a time of evaluation, following TJY’s transition to the Elite, it has been decided that there will be changes taking place, effective immediately. These changes are to increase efficiency and also place us in a more regulated position according to law enforcement.

1) Staff must arrive by 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise permitted by direct permission or due to on-duty activity. Consistent tardiness will require disciplinary action.

2) Staff are required to have their badges and Elite ID on their persons at all time, while on duty. Negligence to do so will result in disciplinary action.

3) Arrests must be made according to regulations of local law enforcement. Those arrested may be held at TJY for a period of eight hours, but then must be taken to the police station to complete their time in custody, unless circumstances approved by the police station allow for TJY to keep the arrestee longer.

4) Ranking within the staff is hereby shifted to more appropriate statuses, according to, but not restricted by, local law enforcement. Members of TJY will remain as agents with their duties as prior known (with some exceptions), within the following rankings. Undercover work remains consistent, though not restricted to, Fieldmen and Scouts within their working ranks. The following lists onsite agents and their rankings, followed by their descriptive duties. (Offsite agents will be listed elsewhere.)

Austin Stevenson – Chief of the Elite
Mike Reese – Deputy Chief (Director)
Nate Dryers – Assistant Chief (Detective / Field Manager)
Rick Johnston – Assistant Chief (Physician)
Jason Stevenson – Captain (Detective / Lead Fieldman)
Katie Pent – Captain (Assistant Fieldman / Bodyguard)
Angelica Lockheart - Captain (Attorney)
Wyatt Reese – Lieutenant (Assistant Fieldman)
Laura Gibbs – Lieutenant (Field Scout)
Jamie Franklin – Sergeant (Office Manager)
Wesley Sanders – Sergeant (Firearms Instructor)
Misty Miller – Officer (Assistant Physician)
Trish Anderson – Officer (Research Coordinator)
Dalton Heathrow – Officer (Computer Technician)
Sapphire Johnson – Officer (Research Assistant)
Hal Timbs – Officer (Head Janitor / Night Security)
Ty Henson – Officer (Assistant Janitor)
Susanne Baker – Officer (Secretary of Chiefs)
Pete Kriston – Officer (Assistant Fieldman)
Allen Bryers – Officer (Recruiter)
Linda Greyson – Officer (Secretary)
Jackie Petyon – Officer (Assistant Office Manager)
Ed Heath – Officer (Assistant Recruiter)
Brent Franklin – Officer (Resource Developer)
Gary Miles – Officer (Supplies Manager)

5) Authorities within the TJY/Elite office and their actions and decisions will be respected by junior officers, according to the ranks listed in number 4. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.

6) This statement serves as my official resignation notice. As such, Austin will take over my position, as noted above in number 4.

- Carter

Wyatt blinks, shocked by the email. Parts of it didn't seem so shocking... they'd always functioned within rules and regulations. It was just... so... final. And what was this about rankings though? TJY staff had always been equals. Yes, some agents were in charge of certain things, and there was always someone to answer to. But mutual respect had never been a problem, nor had anyone every really questioned authority, or needed to be put in their place by higher authority.

He stares at the list again. He had been demoted. He respected the others, for sure, but officially being under others like Nate and Jason... sure, they'd been in charge over him plenty of times. But across the board... there were no more equals. Jason usually worked under Nate well, but Wyatt knew him well enough to know that Jason would be none too happy to discover that Nate could now pull rank on him at any given time.

Wyatt swallows hard and tries to shift his concentration, but it's hard. What was happening to TJY?

Talk

*Katie gives Scott a gentile pat on the arm. She new he was scared scenless but she could tell he was trying to be strong. She had to give him credit for that*

"Don't worry Scott. We are only a phone call away when you need us. We will always be there to help you."

*Katie gives Scott a soft smile as she draws away to sit down again. Her mind was starting to think about others things. What would she do with her time off? And how could she find justice that was needed here.*

"Ok, we will stay with ya till Rick comes."

*Katie felt better staying till Rick came in. She trusted him and new he would never let any harm befall Scott.*

*Hanging up the phone Dalton turns in his hair and starts typing at the computer again. Feeling as though someone was watching him Dalton look up. Spotting Scott he just looks for a moment not saying anything. Dalton had hurd about what happend not only with Scott being taken but in passing about what had happend with Austin. Finally giving a nod Dalton trys to talk in a softer tone than normal.*

"Hello, you must be Scott? How are you feeling?"

*Leting out a sigh Kaite links her arm with Jason's as they walk to there cars that were parked next to eachother.

I've been thinking of a few things myself but I don't know how good it will do with anything. Let alone going aganst Austin could get us in even more trouble. Not that I mind doing whats write I just, dont wanna drag you down too this is your life.

Getting to the cars Katie turns to Jason and puts her arms around his neck a smile forms on her face.

Well at least we get some free time now. But first I want to go see Brown and talk with him. You can come with if you want.*

*Opening the door quietly Wendy slips into the shop. Seeing the light on she knows someone has beat her in this morning. Making her way around one of the cars Wendy just stands for a long moment watching Clint. So many feelings and thoughs running through her mind. Keeping her emotions in check the best she could when all she want to do was cry.*

"Heya Clint."

*Stepping out around the car Wendy moves a little bit closer, a smile making its way across her face. Looking at Clint's face Wendy couldnt help the joy is braught her even now to see him. She had to tell him, no matter what he had to know.*

"Ummm...I was wondering if at lunch maybe we could go somewhere quiet to talk."

Greasy job

Scott looks up at Katie, knowing that she was worried... knowing that she had moved close for his benefit. And he did appreciate it... he did... it Was just... still so... hard.

His gaze drops. "N...no, I'll be fine. You and Jason can go." He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head a little. "I... no... I mean..." He hadn't thought about going to be with Sapphire before, but... he wasn't sure that was the right choice either. He loved his sister, for sure, but... he wasn't sure he should pick that option.

Not even able to decide what to do, Scott looks back up at Katie, trying so hard to be brave... trying so hard to be strong, even though inside he was screaming in fear. "I'm okay. Rick will be here soon and... then he can decide if I can leave or not."

Scott drops his eyes again, his thin fingers fidgeting with his blanket. He was so scared. Of what, he didn't even know. It was just... of people. Of the Agency. Of Austin. He was scared he would wake up and find that all this had been a dream and he was still in that dark cell. It just all hurt so bad, but there was no place for the pain to go. "I'm fine," he mumbles again.

Jason looks on, worried and angry.

I guess I'm not all that upset about getting suspended either. I'm just.... angry. And you're right. We need to make sure Scott is going to be okay.

Reese sighs, watching his three agents. "I need to go get started on some things... Jason, Katie, you can't work, but don't be strangers. And Scott... hang in there. Let me know what you decide to do." Turning to the door, he pauses one more time, but still can't think of what else he could say, so he leaves quietly.

The door falling shut makes Scott flinch. He hadn't seen Reese move. It was bad enough every sound startled him, but having only half his vision just multiplied the fear.

Domino whimpers a little and crawls up closer to Scott, confused about all the tension she sensed.

Scott lays a hand on her head, both calming her down, and finding comfort in her fuzzy warmth too.

Jason sighs. "Let's stick around, Hero, until Rick comes at least."

Scott is unresponsive, and draws his legs up close. He was so confused about where he belonged... where he fit... where he was supposed to go.

The infirmary remains quiet for a short while, but Rick shows up on time, ready to take over his duties, and quite prepared to fend off anyone who was not out for Scott's best interests. He anticipated Misty would as well, and was confident that at least for now, there would be no more incidents...


Jason sucks in a breath of fresh air as he hits the parking lot, taking his time as he trudged out of TJY with Katie.

Now what, Katie? How do we battle this? I can't just sit back for two weeks and do nothing. I know Scott is safe in Rick's hands but... there's got to be something we can do.


Scott comes out of the bathroom slowly, having changed into the clothes that Susanne had brought him. He was grateful for her kindness and generosity... At least now he could feel halfway normal... almost.

Rick looks up from his desk and smiles a little. "Hey, you clean up pretty well."

Scott forces a small grin. "Yeah, but I got a problem."

"What's that?"

Scott looks down, emphasizing the fact that he has to hold up his jeans to keep them from sliding down.

Only now does Rick realize just how much weight Scott lost. Those had been his jeans before, and now they were just hanging on him, along with the t-shirt. He could only hope Scott pulled through and regained what he'd lost. "Looks like you need a belt."

Rick scoots his chair across the floor to a small closet where he retrieves one and tosses it to Scott. "Try this."

Scott misses catching the belt and has to lean down to pick it up, but once on, it helps. "Thanks." He wanders around the infirmary for a few minutes, bored and feeling a bit lost.

"Feel free to take a walk," Rick suggests gently.

Scott trudges to the open door and looks out, but stops before entering the hall. It just seemed...so...big. Swallowing hard, his hands shake slightly, and he reaches out to touch the doorway, then the hallway wall. He knew that Austin couldn't do anything during the day when there were so many people around. But that knowledge didn't seem to curb his fear at all.

Walking slowly, he reaches what used to be his office again. But this time the door was open, and he could hear someone inside. Mustering up any courage he had left, he approaches the doorway and looks inside, spotting Dalton.


Clint whistles to himself as he skips down off the porch steps and heads to the shop for the day. Wes was out for the morning, so he'd have everything to himself for a while. His goal was to find out what was wrong with that car before Wes showed up... He'd need a bit of luck, but maybe he could pull it off.

Getting inside, he flips on the lights, tosses his jacket on a hook and rolls up his sleeves, ready for the greasy job.

Worry

*Opening her eyes Katie slowly sits up. Her body acked from sitting in the chair all night but it was worth it. Hearing the fighting herself Katie sits up straghter and is about to go to the door when out of the courner of her eye she see Scott moving. Changing her direction she walks a little closer to Scott's bed. Giving him a friendly smile.*

"Hey Scotty."

*Letting Scott and Jason talk for a moment Katie just watches Scott. Studying his moments and his words. Katie wanted to know how he was really, she wanted to help or at least look into his soul and see him.*

"Its not a problem Scotty. We'd do anything for our friend."

*Before more can be said the door opens and Katie wherls around exspecting anyone to come through the door and ready to protect Scott again. Seeing Reese Katie relaxes just a bit. Listing a little more to what Reese said Katie couldnt help but feel her own anger start to flair again though trying to still keep it in check. Completely ignoring the fact that Reese just told her she was saspended as if she didnt even care Katie goes to Scott's side seeing him upset.*

"Scotty its gonna work out dont you worry and dont you blame yourself ok. Now, are you going to be ok staying here withouOr would you like to go stay with your sister?"

*For a moment Katie moves her emotions to Jason relaying a message to him.

I'm sorry you got saspended. Me I really don't care at the moment. I just want to make sure Scott will be ok.*

* Wendy slowly opens her eyes as she grones. Why was it morning already, why did she have to get up, couldnt she just stay in bed forever. Knowing better than that Wendy turned the covers back on the bed swings her legs around. Slowly making her way to the bathroom she starts to clean up for the day as her mind started to curn reliving what had been discovered lastnight.

Once finished Wendy heads out of the bunk house slowly making her way to work. She still wasnt sure what to do. She was scaired and even scaireder to tell Clint, but she new she had to it was just trying to figure out how.*