Get her out...

Not even hearing the door on the car open Alice was so lost in her own thought and wondering. She still didnt understand how things had went so wrong with Kyle and even though she new she couldnt changed she wished she had told him sooner.

As She feels someones hand on her shoulder and through her hair Alice gives a jump and looks up her eyes wide for a moment untill she see Hunter. She hadnt hurd him and she had been so long in thought.

"Hunter, I didnt hear you come in. Ya..ya I am ok."

Alice couldnt help how her heart was racing and her new her breathing was differnt as well. A suddon wave of nerves washed over her.

Trying to compose herself she gives a small smile.

"Yeah, I'm ok and thank you for the offer...but I think a little alone time will good for me. Thank you though. Maybe after our next stop ok?"

Phinox dosent like the felling that falls over him but really knows there is no other option. If was now or never to get Katie out and save her life.

"I dont like the idea of a team going in first but I dont see much more of an option."

Thinking for a moment Phinox is quiet and he gathers his thoughts.

"I can hold Rod off while we get our first team in. After that Jay and Derek's ropes wont be tied tight. We all know they would give us Katie no matter what. So this would be the best way, Gate Katie out, Get yourself out, I will hold them off. Right now thats the best we can do."

Phinox looks to Scott.

"I know you can do this for your friend...."

Than he looks to the others.

"A second team would be good and I want Jason there, for Katie's sake."

Twenty minutes

Kyle sets aside his half-finished tea and rolls over, forcing his head further into his pillow. But the nagging in his heart wouldn't let him rest. He'd been downright cantankerous and it didn't feel good. That wasn't like him... it wasn't like him at all to dismiss a friend like that, let alone Alice. He felt like crap, but that was no excuse.

Standing up, he puts a hand to his head as a wave of dizziness hits him, but he shakes it off and keeps going, slipping on his shoes as he aims for the door...


The passenger side door of Alice's jeep opens and someone slips inside. A hand reaches over and gives her shoulder a squeeze, then runs through her hair, trying to offer some comfort.

"You okay?" Hunter asks quietly. His eyes show his genuine concern, his voice soft. He didn't know what had happened, but he wondered if Kyle's physical state had gotten the best of his mood. But he'd never seen Alice cry before, let alone after being with Kyle, and it bothered him more than he'd like to admit. "Can I at least drive for you for a while?"


Kyle stops near the back of the bus, his eyes finding Alice's jeep, but also now seeing that she wasn't alone. Hunter? It looked like he had his arm around her. Kyle's heart sinks just a little lower, though he tried to ignore the strange disappointment he felt. After all, he himself had suggested that Alice let Hunter drive for her... and he knew that Hunter liked Alice, so... what was the big deal?

Turning back around, Kyle almost runs right into Chloe.

"Whoa, Kyle!" She giggles. "Glad to see you up. Feeling any better?"

"Um..." He squints in the painful sunlight. "Maybe... a little... slightly..."

Chloe smirks at him. "You should be back in bed."

"I guess... I was just headed that way." Taking a step forward, he wobbles just a little bit.

Chloe reaches out to take his arm, steadying him. "I think that's a good thing," she chides. As they walk, she throws him a sidelong glance. "Something else bothering you?"

"What? No. I mean... no... why?"

"Oh... no reason." She shrugs. "By the way, if you can't sleep or something, Heath and I have been wanting to play that new card game if you're interested..."

...Kyle lies back down on his bed, the nausea having returned. He felt like he was on a rocking boat rather than a stable bus. Reaching over his head though, he feels around the small shelf until his fingers find his phone. Flipping it open, he finds the screen he needs, and simply types "Sorry." Sending the text message to Alice, he sighs and puts his phone back. He just needed to accept the facts as they were. Backseat Kyle... he'd earned that name a long time ago. He'd learned how to be happy and move on quickly. He could do it again. He was a friend. Maybe not a very good one at the moment, but he knew Alice would forgive him... that's what best friends did. And even though he was a bit hurt that she hadn't told him about her past sooner... he'd get over it. Maybe he was disappointed, but... he could move on.


By the time Phinox gets to the monitor, Carson is there as well, just having been ready to relieve Wyatt again. But things had changed, once more. Both men look up as Phinox comes, then concentrate on Katie again. Seeing the knife and the blood, Carson's fists ball up at his sides, anger coursing through his veins. He wanted so badly to go with the team, but he knew he needed to stay here and alert the others if Katie was moved or if anything else happened.

Reese had followed Phinox, and now grits his teeth. "They're not going to have you," he states flatly. "They're not going to get any of us."

"It's gonna be hard," Carson interrupts. He waits for Phinox to look at him, then points to the monitor. "They're not preparing a thing." The tone of his voice is grim. "They're not planning on giving us back Katie, and we all know it. Nothing the Agency does is legit, and their word means nothing. You're gonna get there with Derek and Jay, they'll ask for them first and you'll be forced to comply. Then they're going to either run or kill the rest of you on sight. Knowing them, they might even have a dummy ready to act in Katie's place... they could do that easily with any female... put a hood over her head, and you'll be trading for some Agency scum, while Katie is left in the basement."

Reese's mind races, trying to find the best solution. "What then? We don't have any options."

"You could go early... or at least part of the team." Carson looks to Phinox again. "What if you and Jason and Scott went in first? You know the area... you know the weak points in security. You three could slip in and start getting Katie out of there. But not too much earlier than the tradeoff, otherwise they'll figure it out before the rest of the team gets there - they will probably go down and shut off the camera at some point so someone here won't know that they still have Katie. When the second half of your team arrives with Derek and Jay, the Agency will be concentrating on them and leaving you to your work in the basement. While the tradeoff is taking place, you slip out again with Katie, give the signal, and the rest of the team can get out of there."

Reese shakes his head. "That is so risky. We could end up with an entire team dead."

"We're dead anyway." Carson's eyes don't lie. "They're not going to play this thing legit. They're going to double-cross us and play dirty."

A new voice interrupts. "At least if Jay and I die, they won't get what they wanted." Derek's voice is tired, but strong. He had just finished writing a letter to his family in case he didn't make it back.

Carson purses his lips. He didn't like to think that way, but that much was true. "At least if half the team is there early, we have the element of surprise."

Reese sets his hands on his hips, still thinking. "How much earlier should the first team get there?"

"That's the hard part."

A new shadow forms on the floor and eyes turn to see Scott approaching. He was tense, but he was there. Without saying anything, he sidles past the others to look at the monitor. Hitting a couple keys, he zooms in to see what he could of the bomb. He could see half of it, and that was good enough. Schematics and calculations flash in his mind, matching up with what he was seeing. "Twenty minutes."

Carson quirks an eyebrow. "You recognize it."

"Yeah." Scott nods. "It's an older model of the Agency's specially-constructed bomb. It was designed about five years ago for a job in Argentina. Five civilians and two policemen died in the explosion when they tried to disarm it."

"You've seen the file?"

"Apparently." Scott couldn't have known this any other way. It had to have been part of the information he recieved during the assimilation.

Carson swallows hard. "But... you know how to disarm it?"

"I've seen the schematics. I know where the parts are and what tools I'll need. But it's going to take me twenty minutes once I'm there... and that's if nothing interrupts me."

Reese eyes Phinox. He knew the agent was weary as well, and also worried that this mission would leave more than one person dead. It felt like a lose-lose situation, but they had to try. "What do you think? If they really aren't planning on giving us Katie, then there's no way we can get her out unless we go in early."

"There's a detonator too," Scott informs. "Someone, probably Rod, has the trigger. "If the bomb is not disarmed, and they figure out that we're planning to betray them with the tradeoff, Katie's dead on the spot. Or... even if they just take Derek and Jay and point us in Katie's direction, they could blow us all up."

Reese sighs. What next? He was still relying on Phinox though. "I need your input. Can you even get in without being seen, with Jason and Scott?" He glances around. "Where is Jason, anyway?"

"Puking his guts out in the bathroom," Carson responds drly. "We need to hope he can go because if there's any hope in bringing Katie back around, it's him being near to her." His eyes shift, knowing as well as Reese, that this whole thing depeneded on one man. "Phinox?"

Feeling

Letting out a deep sigh Alice gives a small nod to Kyle. She felt hurt, she felt sad, she didnt like how she felt and she wasnt sure why.

"Yeah, ok I will be there if you need me."

Turning Alice pats Kyle's leg a little and than heads out of the van. Why hadnt she told him sooner would it be differnt? Had she feel foolish?

For the first time in a while Alice was doubting herself and a suddon lump formed in her through.
Walking a bit faster Alice makes her way to the jeep she could feel the wetness behind her eyes even if she wanted to stop it.

Getting to the Jeep Alice gets in and leans her head aganst the stearing wheel as a few tears roll down her cheek. Alice didnt know why it hurt as much as it did, but she really didnt like it.

Didn't mean to...

Kyle doesn't say a whole lot... to anyone else, it would seem so strange to see him this quiet. Was it the new information that was bothering him? Or was it just that he felt sick?

Accepting the tea, he takes a few slow sips letting the warm liquid soothe him on its way down. Leaning his head back, he just closes his eyes, Alice's question going unanswered for the longest time.

Finally he just shrugs as he takes another sip of tea. "I'm not great company at the moment, so... whatever you want to do." Never before had he not been enthusiastic about spending time with her, no matter where they were or what they were doing. Even in his groggy state, to Kyle, it felt strange as well. But for some reason, the words slipped out of his mouth anyway.

"We're probably gonna leave soon anyway. You might as well get back to your jeep."

Now you...

As Scott comes up to Phinox he gives him a once over fast. The young man was beaten, brused, and thin but from his reports at the Agency he new this man was brilliant smart and a danger to them and there plane. Yes, this was the best person for the job that layed a head.

"As long as your think your up to it. Once I get inside with Derek and Jay and things are sacure, we will need to to disarm the bomb."

Giving a small nod Phinox goes to tell Scott more when his phone rings. Looking down and seeing the number it was the phone call they had been waiting for.

"We will talk more on the way I have to take this its the Agency."

Making his way through the halls quickly Phinox looks into each room trying to find Reese till finally he find him in the break room.

Pointing to his phone he finally answerd it and puts it on the speaker phone.

"Phinox."

"Well well well you did answer your phone. Your eather very brave or your just stupid Phinox."

Looking to Reese Phinox continues the call.

"It took you longer than I thought to call seeing as we took Gage."

"That was a brave move you did I could kill Katie right now if I wanted to. Just ask your friend watching the camra how close I am to her."

Looking at Reese again Phinox's eyes open wider as he leaves the brakeroom and makes his way across the floor to the moniter to see Phinox and another standing next to Katie's almost lifeless body her head tilted in the air as a knife pressed so hard to her skin some blood could be seen trickling down.

Keeping his cool Phinox new not to anger them anymore than they had already.

"You do that and you know you will never get the two your after."

"Our demands have changed, we want Derek and Jay along with you. Your presus to us as well dear Phinox. We cant have Agency information running around."

Before Phinox could answer Rod continued.

"You know where to meet us, and you know who to bring. No cops, and dont do anything stupid or we will blow everyone sky high. Be here in two hours."

The line goes dead and Phinox looks to Reese and than looks back to the screen as the two guys were still are Katie.

"We have to work fast, and I new they would want me. No one gets away from the Agency that easy."

A look passed through Phinox's eyes as he turned away. A feeling loomed over him that her very well might not come out of this alive.

Letting out a small sigh Alice couldnt help but hear the tone in Kyle's voice and cringe just a little. She new this might change things but she wanted to tell him anyways and she hated this tention between them. Some how she had to fix it.

Jumping up from the bed Alice lets her energy through her Alice wants the energy back, the happyness...or at least let it be semi normal.

"Yeah, maybe I will see if Hunter will drive with me. Than again some quiet time will be nice too."

Standing at the stove Alice makes some tea for Kyle and brings it over to him at the bed. Sitting down again She looks at Kyle maybe he did want to be alone now.

"Would you like me to sit with you a little longer or should I go?"

Relentless

Hope's words linger with Scott, long after she's disappeared from the doorway. He stands alone, his mind brimming with a mess of thoughts and emotions. He was confused about what had just happened... because something certainly had happened. And yet... he didn't feel a strong need to try and figure it out. He wasn't sure what kind of feelings were stirred when he thought about Hope, and the turn their relationship had just taken... but for some reason, it just didn't seem to matter. It was simply... simple.

Taking a deep breath, Scott heads for the door. Terror still swam in his veins. But he knew this was something he had to do. He had to do it for Katie... and he had to do it for himself too. He had come a long ways since coming back from the Agency... it was time he took another step.

The basement was quiet. Scott keeps on arm wrapped around his ribs, the pain still enough to make him cringe. He licks his lower lip, feeling that it had stopped bleeding again.

Flipping on the light, he looks at the cases, trunks and row of lockers. He runs his hand along the locker doors until he comes to one with his name on it. A lump rises in his throat. He hadn't used this since the day...

He shakes his head and unlocks it. Inside were a couple sets of clothes. It was interesting... apparently no one had ever had the heart to clean this stuff out, even when they'd thought he was dead.

Rummaging a little bit, he finds the book he wants and tosses it on a bench. Reaching back farther, he pulls out a kit that resembled a toolbox. He'd never used this outside of training scenarios. It hadn't been long after he'd come to TJY that one of their own had come to train him. The man was on the bomb squad, but secretly involved with TJY as well, a prime asset to the team. And now... it was in Scott's hands.

He eases down on the bench and starts looking through the tools he had, familiarizing himself with them all over again. Taking the book, he thumbs through the pages, finding paragraphs he had highlighted and notes he had written. Some of it seemed foreign, which was a scary thought. While other parts he remembered quite clearly. If he was going to be able to do any good, he needed to remember the general theories at least.

A few new images flash in his mind. It was very strange... Thinking for a moment, he closes his eyes to concentrate. Why had this subject matter triggered anything that he'd learned at the Agency?

Suddenly a diagram enters his mind and his eyes fly open. What... He looks down at his book. He knew. He wouldn't find Katie's bomb in this book. It was a special type created by the Agency... and he had the blueprints.

"Scott?"

He jumps, the book falling to the floor with a thud. His heart races as he turns around, but there is relief. It was just Rick. "Yeah?"

Rick approaches quietly. "Carson said you had a bit of a rough time. You okay?"

Scott swallows hard, his eyes falling. "Um... I... I think so."

"How are you feeling?" Rick comes closer, to take a better look at Scott's face, then feel his ribs.

Scott winces a little. "I hurt."

Rick looks down to see what Scott had been doing. "Carson told you."

"Yeah."

"And?"

"I... I'm going." Scott leans down to pick up the fallen book. "I don't have much of a choice... as long as someone keeps an eye on me so... so I don't do the wrong thing."

"You won't," Rick assures. "You won't. Where, um... where's Hope?"

"She went home... I think. If... or... whatever happens, would you call her?"

Rick purses his lips, then nods. "I won't leave her in the dark."

"Okay." Scott picks up his kit and shuts his locker before aiming for the door to go back upstairs.

Once in the hallway again, he sees Phinox and approaches, stopping a few feet away. He was thin, bruised and half blind. But it was all he had to offer. "I can disarm the bomb," he informs bravely. "...if you need me to."


Left alone, Gage howls in complaint, but he's only shouting to a closed door. He fights with all his might against the ropes, throwing his weight forward, only to bang into the table.

Crying out again, he pushes with his feet in an attempt to gain more leverage against the restraints. Unfortunately, he tries too hard. Before he knows it, he's toppled over onto the floor with a crash. A sickening snap comes from his wrist and he cries out again, but this time in pain.

Writhing on the floor, he's a mangled mess with the chair, twisting and turning until somehow he winds up behind the chair, his wrists tangled in the ropes.

Once he's sitting up, Gage breathes heavily, trying to catch his breath. His wrist was screaming in pain and he glances down at it, noting that it's already starting to swell. Great. Just great.

Sweat runs down the sides of his face more persistently now. His eyes find the spot across the floor where Nate had crushed the one thing he needed. Wincing, he pulls at the ropes again. With all the twisting and turning, one of the ropes starts to slide. His eyes widen and he keeps working at it, despite the pain.

Within five minutes, Gage's hands are free. Not that it does a lot of good. Scooting back against the wall, a shooting pain courses through his gut. All he wanted was one more fix! That's it! Just one more!

Doubling over, he shakes with a cold chill, trying to cradle his sprained wrist. Rocking a little, he looks up to find the camera in the corner of the room. Never had he been more scared. He'd always been in control... he'd always been protected by the Agency. But now... he was at the mercy of people who hated him.


Kyle tries to force a smile to the surface in an effort to ignore any hurt feelings that were trying to creep up on him. He didn't like feeling that way about Alice... they'd always been best buds... to have any tension felt wrong and awkward. But... it was still there anyway.

He lets a slight laugh surface. "Well as long as it's just dark circles, we're okay. Tea sounds good if I can keep it down. As far as sleep goes, my head hurts too much for that I think."

He tries to sit up a little more, but doesn't put too much effort into it. "We'll be heading out again soon anyway, so I'll have to do without a nurse. Speaking of which, if you're tired of driving, I know Hunter would be glad to drive for you."

Kyle didn't mean to have a dismissing tone in his voice, but after the words came out, he was afraid that there had been just a small tinge of "go away" in there. He really didn't mean to... he was just.... grouchy. He hated being grouchy. When he was on his medicine, he didn't get grouchy like this. He closes his eyes again, fighting once more against the relentless urges.

New Chapter

Giving a smile Hope herself didnt know what to say next, this feeling felt so good and now things seemed so differnt. Not awkward but different than before.

Tilting Scott's head up with her hand gentil she looks into his eyes once more. A small smile spreads across her face. She saw something in Scott maybe other people didnt, and she new what her heart told her.

Though it might be a while, and though Scott was going through alot they would see eachother again after today.

Running her hand along the side of his face gentily Hope gives a small nod.

"Your gonna do just fine, and you will get your friend out. Make sure you let me know when you get back ok?"

Leaning in and giving Scott a hug Hope let it linger for a moment before pulling away and making her way to the door.

Opening it she stops for a moment before exiting and turns to look at Scott leaning her head aganst the door.

"I'll see you soon Scott. You've got a whole new chapter of your life that will be waiting to be written."

Nate cant help the chuckle that exscapes his lips. In a way he kind of felt bad for Gage, and than again seeing what he had done to Katie he didnt.

"You really think we would let you go? Agency skum? Not gonna happen buddy."

Standing Nate pases for a moment before stoping to look Con and than Gage before lookin at Con again and motioning to the door.

"Come on lets leave him here now to think. Your gonna get pretty lonly pretty quick. We will be back."

Sitting with Kyle still for the first time Alice can feel a strange tention. The look in his eye could not be mistake Alice could tell he was confused and a little hurt.

"I'm...not ok something, but being around my friends, you helps alot it does."

Alice is quiet again for a second before she sit up just a little more on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry I didnt tell you sooner I guess, I dont know what I guess but I kept it from you my best friend thinking it was unimportant and just not something I really tell anyone and for that I am sorry. I should of told you sooner."

Not sure what else she could say on the matter Alice says nothing only hoping Kyle would understand.

Turning back to him she give a quirky smile.

"No railroad tracks I can see by the way. You have a bunch of dark circles under you eyes though. How about some tea and a little more sleep for ya eh?"

So... yeah

Enveloped in the moment, for the first time in oh so long, Scott is able to just let go and fall into the warmth he felt. Hope's embrace made him wish all the more that this was the only thing that existed, and not the nightmare that he'd been living in.

Her words as she withdraws have a much deeper meaning than anyone else would ever know. But Scott knew. And she was right. No one else had been able to find him... except her.

He doesn't mind when she returns to continue the kiss. But after several more moments, even he knows that it can't last forever.

Slowly, gently, he pulls away, his hands running down the sides of her face, then moving to take her own hands. His eyes remain down. He wasn't sure what to do or what to say. This was unexpected... nice, but unexpected, and he didn't know how to move on from here. It wasn't that the moment was so awkward, but leaving the moment felt awkward.

"I guess I have a job to do," he whispers. He swallows hard as his brain begins to work again, already thinking up a million and one scenarios on how to disarm a bomb. Mixed in were new thoughts that he didn't even know existed... they were new additions.... thoughts of places and things and routes to solve scenarios... they were Agency files, but maybe, just maybe, he could use them for TJY instead.

Gradually, Scott stands up, pulling Hope up with him, though he is still just a little scared to look her in the eye. "You should go home... and rest. I... I should be okay now and... and someone will let you know how it turns out."


As Gage's last hope for a fix is crushed on the floor, his eyes burn with a more intense anger. Growling with rage, he tries again to break free, but to no avail.

Con looks at him lazily. "You realize that all you're doing is waisting energy."

Gage breathe heavily, not caring. A drop of sweat makes his eye sting and he scrunches his eye shut tight. But despite his angry exterior, there was raw fear. He had no idea what was going to happen to him. And though he would fight to prove that the Agency would come for him, there was a sickening reality that told him Nate was right.

He had never been in his position before... he had never been caught. He had never been on the other side of the table, on the receiving end. And for the first time, he realizes what a horror it would be to experience what he had helped put other people through.

Still breathing hard, Gage fights against being here, and fights against the urge that was getting stronger and stronger with each passing moment. He'd never been denied a shot before... ever. He'd been taught early on that it made him feel good and helped him stay calm. He wanted it... he needed it.

Shaking just a little, his eyes find Nate again. "You got me.... Phinox saw what was going on... what else do you want? I don't have anything... there's nothing I know that you could want."

Con rolls his eyes. "How about why? What was your involvement? What do they plan to do with Katie now?"

"How should I know?!" Gage raises his voice. "I was just there to assist in making her uncomfortable. The torture was..." Suddenly his words trail off as for some reason, he bites his tongue. A strange element flickers in his eyes... something not easily labeled. "I mean, I helped. But all I do is go and do as I'm told."

"So you're the little man on the job."

"I am not!"

"Then why wouldn't you know what was going on?"

"Because Rod was the one with the orders!"

"Rod, huh? Does Rod have a last name?"

Gage stops again, having realized his mistake. His eyes move from Con to Nate once more. "Look, I don't have what you want. Why can't you just let me go?"


Kyle is quiet throughout all of Alice's explanation. A couple of times, he looks up at her in surprise, his eyes showing a strange mixture of emotions. Anyone would be able to tell that he had not suspected this in the least. He had been totally clueless and never would have guessed that Alice had been married. He had known that an amount of pain revolved around something, but a husband... it was almost hard for him to accept.

As Alice finishes, Kyle is quiet. Still lying propped up in bed, the pounding in his head hadn't stopped, nor had the strange churns in his stomach. But his physical state wasn't what was on his mind now.

Strangely quiet, Kyle shifts his head to finally look at Alice. He wanted to ask her why she hadn't told him sooner. He wanted to ask her why it had taken this long. He wanted to know why she hadn't trusted him before, when he had told her everything about his own life.

A tinge of hurt could be seen passing through his gaze. Alice was his best friend, and he hadn't known such a huge piece of what made her the way she was. Had he been blind, or had she hidden it? Either way, he felt just a little stupid.

Kyle eventually leans back again, closing his eyes. His head felt like it would burst any moment. What should he even think now? Alice had been married... she knew what it was like to love... she had experience the partnership and life of being a wife... she had experienced so much that Kyle never had.

Finally he gives a little shrug. "Thank you for telling me," he replies quietly. "Sorry it's been so rough on you. I, um... can't... imagine."

There was an odd feeling that he tried to ignore. He'd been ignoring its source for quite a while now anyway, and this just complicated it enough to make him want to forget it altogether.

"I'm... I'm glad you're okay despite all of it though. I mean... yeah. So.... yeah."

Happyness

As Hope goes to reply to Scott's questions she dosent even have time to reply before Scott's eyes caught her again and her breath was sucked away.

Scott's hand on her skin felt so much differnt this time than it had in the past. It almost felt like there were eletric shocks coming from his touch but it didnt hurt, Hope liked it.

Feeling Scott's lips once again and the sweet tast of his kiss Hope can feel herself being lost in the moment. His hands combing through her hair felt like nothing she had before as it almost felt like everything was spinning and she just might be floating in the air.

The passion Hope felt was so soft, it washed over her like a blanket nothing she ever felt before but she liked it, and she liked how it made her feel.

Letting her hand slip to Scott's back her moves just a little closer as her hand rubed his back softly her passion finally coming through as well thanking Scott for his gift and for the way he made her feel.

Pulling away once again Hope smile lit up her face as she looked back at Scott and saw something differnt about him.

"I new you were in there still."

Returning again to the sweet kiss Hope wasnt ready to let the moment end. Her heart felt alive like no other, and her stomach fluttered. This was a happyness Hope had never felt before, and now she had it she wasnt sure what to do or how to go about things but she new she didnt want to lose it.

Standing still

Scott had a hard time letting Hope's words penetrate this time. It was one thing to be convinced that he didn't have to be scared of his own shadow. It was another to be told he didn't have to be afraid of failing... in a life or death situation.

His body still shook, retaliating against the emotional strain he was under. Things had been going so well... and this past day had been murder.

Hope's hand on his face makes him look up. Though only one eye could see, it didn't matter. He could still stare back into her own eyes, able to see a million miles away. She was the only one with eyes like that. When he allowed it, he could be taken to another time and place, open to the words being spoken, and open to the peace that wanted to come. She knew he could do it. Someone had confidence in him, that he didn't even have in himself. What did that mean?

Her thumb running down his cheek sends an odd tingle through Scott. His heart was already racing, but something sped it up even more. Blinking back a bead of sweat, he feels her even closer to him, but there is no nervousness present. There is no anticipation, no awkwardness, just... quiet.

Scott doesn't move. Hope's lips on his send heat crawling up his face and down his neck. He blinks. What... how...? He didn't have time to question it. Again, her lips are pressed gently against his.

Stunned, her apology is barely even heard. He blinks again, but finds she has lowered her gaze. For a moment that feels like eternity, he just sits. But then he looks down too. He stares at his hands in hers and realizes that his shaking has stopped. Looking back up, it feels as though his breath has been sucked out of his lungs. But it wasn't a feeling that evoked fear. It was more like suddenly seeing things as they truly were, as if he'd been blind all along.

In a single instant, Hope was no longer just Scott's counselor. In a single instant, Hope was no longer just his casual friend. There was something more... and it was incredibly peaceful.

Realizing that they were just sitting in silence, Scott swallows hard. There were so many things on his mind right now, he thought he might go mad. And yet... it didn't seem to matter.

Ever so slowly, Scott slips his hand from Hope's, reaching out just a little to tilt her chin back up again so he could search her eyes. One might have thought she had kissed him just as a tactic to get him to calm down. But he knew better.

Back and forth, he studies one eye and then the other, searching for meaning... searching for true emotions. He was a mess. He was frail and weak and half-mad. But in a single moment, time seemed to have stopped. And the feeling inside of him was one that he had not felt for a very long time.

His voice is whispered. "Sorry for what?"

This time it's his turn to cradle her face. Her skin was so soft against his palm... so warm. Leaning in closer, he rests his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "How come you believe in me, more than I believe in myself?"

The question just hangs in the air without an answer for now. But even in the silence, hearts move, and tingles like electricity shoot down spines.

His eyes still closed, Scott tilts his head, wanting to feel her lips again. Finding them with his own, his kiss is tender, and grows with passion as his hand slips behind Hope's head, his fingers enveloped by the softness of her hair. His body ached, but his heart felt alive. The taste of the kiss is one not easily forgotten, and once again, time stands still.

I'm sorry

Giving a laugh as Kyle messed her hair it felt nice to have something break up the searousness. Tighting her arm around Kyle's shoulders just a little Alice couldnt help but be a little scaired about what she had to tell Kyle. She didnt know how he would react.

"You have told me everything about you, now its time for me to tell you the one thing about me that I havent hardly told anyone else. I was married about a year ago...."

Alice goes through every detail with Kyle filling him in on who Seth was, and what had happend to him. She explained how things were better now and she was at peace with his death but why sometimes she still pulled away.

It was hard to tell once again but and a few tears filled Alice's eyes at differnt moments non the less.

"..thats why I keep my head up and stay so full of life. I made a promise to myself, to Seth and to God. Sometimes its hard but I know I will be ok."

Alice falls quiet as she searches Kyle's eyes looking for his reaction and wondering what would happen now.

Jumping up out of his seat BJ's excitment bursts forth as he waits for Mick to put the saddle down.

Doing a little dance shows how excited he really was. Seeing Mick set the saddle down he goes over and takes his hand in his own before pulling Mick twords the door.

Hope gives a small smile as her finger gently runs over Scott's hand.

"It's ok to be scaired Scott. Thats how we stay cautious. "

For a moment she was quiet as she choose her words for Scott. Everything she said was the truth and though Scott was scaired she new he could do this.

"Your NOT going to fail, and you WILL remember. Scott your the only one who can do this. Katie's life now rests with you. If your friend is to pass on and go home finally she deserves to be where she is comfortable with her friends right? In a place where she might get better. Not dieing in a damp dark basment."

Hope, hoped that her woulds would help Scott. Bring her hand to Scott's face very gently she ran a thumb down his cheek and his jawbone. Studying his eyes for a long moment, behind the sadness and confustion she saw a man that wanted to help her friend, she saw the happyness once Scott had. For the first time, Hope really saw the man behind the outside shell insted of just knowing and hearing it there. It made my stomach do flip flops.

As if a force pulled her Hope could feel herself moving closer to Scott, she new what was coming and she couldnt stop it not that she wanted to. She wasnt sure at the moment what it was but something was pulling her twords Scott.

Still holding the side of his face in her hand Hope looking deep into Scott's eyes.

"I know, you can do it Scott."

Closing her eyes Hope can feel her lips brush Scott's ever so lightly. A million and one feeling suddonly bursted into Hope all at once sending her stomach to do flip flops. It was a feeling she never had before but she couldnt say she didnt like it, because she did.

Retreating for a moment Hope looks into Scott eyes again before turning her head and coming back again feeling her lips brush his once more and the feelings hit her once more.

Pulling away just a little again Hope finally can regain her thoughts and cant help but think maybe she had just over steped her friendship. Giving a horse whisper Hope looks into his eyes and than away again she almost felt silly, not only was that her first kiss but she never even made sure it was ok.

"I'm sorry, I....I'm sorry."

Nate eyes Gage as the anger is present, but it was not anger twords Gage, it was more on an anger to put fear into him. There was no way Nate would let Gage get to him or see any emotion from him.

"You pocket huh?"

Looking to Con Nate nods.

"Get the needle from his pocket and give it to me Con."

Nate waits for a moment and than takes the needle from Con and holds it up for Gage to see.

"This is what you were asking for?"

Taking it Nate throws it onto the ground and steps on it breaking it and letting the liqued leak onto the floor.

"You have no option Gage, you have no where to go, and you have no one coming for you. Tell us what we want to know and it will be much easyer on you."

Scared

For some reason, Hunter still seems uneasy leaving Alice alone with Kyle, but seeing that she might want to talk privately, he backs off. "Alright... I'll be outside."

Kyle watches him go, keeping his head leaned back and resting it against Alice's arm. He was a little confused at her serious tone... but didn't know if he was misreading her because of his state of mind, or if she really was being sober about something.

Closing his eyes against the light, he shrugs. "You can tell me anything, you know that. Right about now, hearing something new will at least make me forget I feel like throwing up for a few minutes." He tries to quirk a smile, but it's a weak one.

Reaching up and back over his head, he messes teasingly with Alice's hair before letting his arm drop back down again. "What's on your mind, Shadow?"


Mick can't help the laugh that escapes, hearing BJ's innocent logic. "Okay... we can do it that way because we both Love her." He winks at the little boy before standing up and carrying the saddle back to its rack. Every day was full of little corrections, but BJ was finally picking up on them. The boy was a genius when it came to mathematics, but speech was something else altogether. Mick remembered what the doctor had said when they'd discovered the location of the chip, and it seemed to fit. He just hoped that their decision to leave things as they were had been the right one. Right about now though, he wouldn't do anything to ever risk BJ's safety... Mick couldn't imagine the ranch without the little ball of energy running around.

"Alright, Bud, let's say you and I get cleaned up, find an excuse to go to town and we'll go do our secret shopping?"


Scott refuses to look up and meet Hope's eyes. He stares down at his hands in hers, his own shaking as a reaction to everything going on.

He knew what she was saying... and he wanted to believe her... and somewhere deep down, he did want to help. He didn't want to be helpless anymore... just a dead weight. He wanted to prove he was still of use.

But what about last time? The only time he'd been out in the field and he'd been abducted. What about this time? What if the Agency got a hold on him again? Or worse yet, what if he made a fatal mistake that led to TJY's failure to save Katie?

"I can't," he mumbles again. "I... it.... what... what if I do fail? What if I can't remember? What if I wind up turning against my own team without realizing it? I... I don't know. I just...." He swallows hard, his voice wavering as another bead of sweat trickled down his face. His lip had started to bleed again. "I'm.... I'm scared."


Gage fights against his ropes and glares at Nate. "I was just doing my job," he retorts. "All I know is we were supposed to hold her and that's it. My job wasn't hard." He gives a jerk with his arms, trying to free himself, but it didn't work.

"Give me what's in my pocket and I'll talk more," he tries to bargain. He knew he had one syringe left that hadn't been found when he'd been brought in.

Question?

Continuing to watch her friend Alice only feels sorrow for how he felt now. She'd never been addicted to anything except her husband and writing. Cutting one of those out of her life was hard enough she could only imagen how up medicen could be worse.

"I havnt come this far just to leave you when you need me the most."

Turning a little on the bed Alice pulls her own legs up onto the bed her back to the wall. Gently putting her arm around Kyle's shoulders she looks out at Hunter. She new he was worryed, but everything would be ok. She new it.

"Its ok Hunter, everything is gonna be ok. You dont need to keep watch."

Looking back to Kyle Alice plays a few things though her head not sure if now was the right time to tell Kyle or not.

"I have something I want to tell you when your feeling more up to it Kyle. Its...a little bit more about myself I'd like you to know."

If Kyle wanted to know now she would tell him, but first and formost she wanted to offer comfort to her friend who was going though one heck of a time.

BJ thinks for a moment as he scrunchs his nose as he continues to help with the saddle. The little gears in his head turned as he thought about what he mom might like.

Finally his little face lit up as he stratend and looks at Mick with a big smile.

"I dot, a great idea. How about you get mom the flowers because you wove her, and I ta....ta..."

BJ stops and thinks for a moment as he continues to search for the right sound.

"..ta...CAN I can get the braided reins for her since I love her too. Dan we both got her something to like."

Standing aganst the wall in the intaragation room Hope wanted so bad to intervean and help Scott but she new she could not. Once Carson was done with him he would need her for comfort and to help him stay calm. For his sake she had to remain where she was till it was the right time.

The minutes dragged on feeling as though they were never ending. Till finally Hope let out her own sigh of releafe as Carson looks to her and signeled.

Coming slowly over to Scott she placed a gentil hand on Scott shoulder. Listing to what Carson had to say about his friend and Scott reaction she new he was scaired and couldnt blame him. She could very well be the same way.

Waiting till Carson had left Hope moves till she was infront of Scott and pulls a chair up next to him. Reaching out she took his hands in her own and help them for a moment before looking up at him again.

"When you first started coming to me Scott you had said that you felt so helpless like you couldnt help anyone. You were so upset that you had let someone die. Do you remember that?"

Hope waits for a moment before saying anything else for Scott to reply till finally she nods her head a little and gives a smile at him.

"Now is your chanse Scott, to save someone you care about. You dont want Katie to die right? Well its in your hands to herlp her now."

Nate eyes Gage for a long moment as Con said a little of what he wanted to. He sized the man up wanting to take him in to know just what he was up aganst.

Finally as Con finished Nate steped forward as he swong a chair around and sat down himself.

"What do you know about and why Katie Pent? The women you help toucher?"

Nate got right to the point, knowing Gage wouldnt know who we were and if they were good guys or bad guys. As far as he new, they were two people who got a hold of him and now wanted info.

"I would sujest you just tell us, or you yourself will feel a little bit of the same pain Katie did."

Interrogations

At Phinox's last bit of information, all eyes snap up. Jay's face pales and he puts his head in his hands, having thought that the worse was over... he'd been wrong.

A quietness settles over the room and through the phone too. It is a strange silence... one would question why it was there at all. But the agents knew.

Reese looks around at the faces. They all knew the same information. He glances to Phinox, then lowers himself into a chair, taking a deep breath. "Well.... if everything goes accordingly, the Agency will disarm the bomb themselves, right? In order to make the exchange."

"If it goes accordingly..." Rick grits his teeth, emphasizing the "if." "And what if it doesn't? What if we need to disarm it ourselves?"

Again, there is the same strange silence.

Jason's voice finally comes over the phone. "You have to use him, Reese... We can't afford to bring in an outsider this late in the game, and as risky as this is with the Agency. You know that."

"But we can't-" Reese moans and rubs his aching forehead. He looks to Phinox again. "Around here, most agents are trained with firearms, and many with hand-to-hand combat. Fewer have computer skills... the list goes on. We're a branch made up of bits and pieces of people and skills and...."

Rick intervenes. "What he's saying is that we only have one person here who has the right training for disarming a bomb."

Reese purses his lips grimly. "Scott."

"Whoa guys..." Carson's voice comes again. "Do you know what kind of a risk that is? We still don't know which side his brain is wired for. The Agency could have messed with him good enough that he could betray us without even knowing it. And having him onsite?"

"Well what else would you suggest? Letting Katie get blown up?"

Though Reese's words are harsh, they get their point across. Carson comes back a little less aggressive. "Okay, look... I have got to finish with Scott's interrogation. Let Nate handle Gage, and hope we have enough time before Phinox gets his call."

"Why do you need to interrogate Scott first?"

"Because one, he might have information. And two, I'll be able to see if we can trust him or not. I need to confirm that he was indeed assimilated, I have to study his reactions and see whose side he's on. Trust me... we have to do it first, and I would never trust him in the field without this step first."

"And if you think we can't trust him?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

Reese has to think for several moments, weighing their options. It didn't matter which way they turned - no prospect sounded good. Finally, he nods, even though Carson can't see it. "Do it."

"Alright. Wyatt, can you handle watching the monitor?"

Wyatt takes a deep breath. He knew why Carson was asking instesad of directing. But he also knew that probably the worst of the scene was over. "Yeah."

"Good onya. Nate? You should take Con with you and go take care of Gage. Once his sedative wears off, he's gonna be madder than a hornet. He's gonna want a fix, and he's gonna want it bad. If he gives you trouble, just have Con sit on him. Treat him like the peon he is... he will probably think he's big stuff in the Agency's eyes - that's the way they make all their little people feel. But he's nothing. As such, he's probably pretty clueless about this current situation, but it's worth a shot anyway."

Carson stops for a moment, thinking. "Sorry, Phinox. Didn't meant to take over. Carry on. I'm going for Scott."

Once the conversation is over, it's agreed that there isn't much else to be done until Phinox was contacted with more information.

Wyatt is the first to leave, heading bravely for Katie's cubicle. Anything that happened now could be vital to this mission.

Con rises as well, looking to Nate. "Well... let's get this show on the road..."


Scott is quiet, but manages a little nod to Hope. He wanted to believe her so badly. And at one point just recently, he had. He'd really been able to start pulling himself out of this pit. Now he felt like he'd been shoved right back down again, but this time, there were daggers at the bottom that hurt even worse.

The sound of someone entering the infirmary makes him look up. It was Carson. A chill runs down his spine.

Carson approaches slowly, but deliberately. Standing near the bed, he gives Scott a grim look.

Scott swallows hard. "It's time, isn't it?"

"Yes." Carson wasn't going to sugarcoat it. "You need to come with me to interrogation room one."

"Can... can Hope come with me?"

A rare gentleness flashes through Carson's eyes, and his tone is softer if just for a moment. "Without hope, we wouldn't have much of a chance, now would we?" He nods. "She can come."

As Scott unfolds his legs and slides gingerly off the bed, Carson throws a warning glance to Hope. "I can't have any interferance," he reminds. "And I can't explain now, but this has gotten a whole lot more dire."

Scott turns, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Not now, Scott. We're gonna get through this first."

Carson leads the way, with Scott close behind, dragging his feet. One arm was tucked around his sore ribs, and he walked slow enough to feel Hope behind him. He was scared. He was scared of what he might remember. He was scared of experiencing yet another interrogation. He was scared of revealing just how bad of a traitor he'd become.


Gage looks up as he hears the door open - finally. His brain still felt a little foggy, but at least all his muscles seemed to be working again. The only thing that hurt at the moment were his hands that were still tied tightly to his chair. He saw two unfamiliar faces.... of two very tall men... one of which looked like a tank. He couldn't help but swallow a lump in his throat. Oh, great.

Con grabs a seat and sits down to the side, casually, making room for Nate. "Well... Gage... how are you?"

Gage narrows his eyes into a new glare. "How would you be stuck in a place like this?" Few would notice that his hands were shaking slightly, the first signs of his addiction coming through.

"I would hope I'd see an opportunity," Con counters.

"For what?"

"To stay alive."

Gage retreats just a little. He stares at Con, then at Nate. He had never been taken away from the Agency before, and he tried to mask the fear behind his eyes. He'd been trained to withstand questioning and brutality, but never having experienced it, he was afraid. "What do you want?"


Carson sets up the other interrogation room, not enjoying the task, but knowing full well how to do it. It was quite a while ago, but he had been in on several sessions during someone's assimilation, and also the extraction of data. The only hope they had to help Scott retrieve information was to rebuild the environment that might trigger the memory of being at the Agency.

Looking at Hope, his facial expression is not a happy one. Switching off the overhead lights, he turns on a warm spotlight that shone brightly on the chair against the wall. "Scott?"

Scott knows what he's being asked to do, and glances at Hope with hesitation. His swollen face just emphasized his feeling of helplessness. But he obeys Carson and goes to sit in the chair. He blinks in the light. Something about this felt familiar. But he'd been instructed by Carson not to reply to anything unless he knew the answer.

Carson leans back against the table, watching Scott for several minutes, remaining completely quiet. Finally he speaks. His tone was not mean, but it was not warm either. "Directive. File zero three one."

Scott swallows hard. It rang a bell. But nothing else surfaces.

Carson speaks a little more firmly. "Report. Removed agent three seventy-two."

Scott blinks. "I..."

"Report!" Carson raises his voice, sensing that Scott knew the answer.

Scott knew he knew.... but it hurt to remember.... the light... the screen... the information...

Carson slips beside Scott, and in one movement, has him on his feet in a rough choke hold. "Report!" he orders again.

Scott struggles, for a moment caught in a brief flashback, unsure if he was fighting off Carson or someone who had held him captive. "I don't know!"

"Removed agent three seventy-two!"

Scott winces and gasps for breath. "Banks... Carson... enforcement division. Security code one one three. Clearance level three."

Carson immediately releases Scott, letting him sink back down into the chair. He closes his eyes for a moment, hating every moment of this. Reaching to the table, he retrieves a glass of water and offers it to Scott.

Scott accepts, his hands trembling. A bead of sweat runs down his face, and he licks his lip where it had started to bleed again. He squints in the light, but can't see Hope beyond the bright beam. His blind eye hurt and he was exhausted. But he knew that each time Carson extracted information, not only was it further proof that Scott did know it, but they could only hope that it took them one step closer to being able to gain the information more readily... if he would only remember. It didn't help any that it had been so long since the assimilation.

Carson stands back again and runs a hand over his face before taking a deep breath. What he'd really like now was a shot of whiskey. But he had a job to do instead. Once he sees Scott is halfway recovered, he starts again. It was testing his own memory... he had to be able to come up with triggers he knew Scott might respond to... and his own recollections were somewhat foggy in a few areas.

"Code sixty-five."

Scott closes his eyes. He was trying so hard. But that number didn't mean anything to him.

Carson tries again, sternly. "Code seventy-three."

"Department four security." Scott's eyes fly open. "Level... two."

Though Carson was seeing an improvement and wanted to stop, he knew he couldn't. Not yet. "Report. Deceased agent thirty-four."

"Turner. Ashlyn. Clearance five. Enforcement division." Scott pauses. "Notes. Banks termination."

Carson works the muscles in his jaw, quickly moving on. "Location. File forty-B."

Scott swallows hard, trying to reach down... so far down. A horror had entered his veins as slowly, the fog was lifted and he began to remember gaining the information he was sharing now. But he had to respond. "Secured database three."

"Code two fifty-nine C."

"Division six. Clearance level nine."

"Report. Agent Billings. Ryder."

"Communication division. Enforcement termination." Scott squints a little. "Code seven five five. Security clearance level one."

Carson quirks an eyebrow. Ryder had had higher clearance then he'd had? That was interesting. No matter his interest in what Scott was pulling up now though, he would continue this interrogation. It was obvious they had broken through the memory barrier - a relief to Carson that force would no longer have to be used. He'd seen much worse - thankfully it hadn't taken Scott long. Now he would find out the truth of the circumstances.

"Do you remember?"

Scott frowns, not understanding.

Carson repeats, his tone not quite as harsh. "What did they do?"

Scott hangs his head. He didn't want the memories to come. A tear escapes to roll down his cheek. "They beat on me... they said everyone I knew was dead... they said they would stop the pain... if I joined them."

"And did you?"

Scott nods. Carson's mini-interrogation was exactly what they'd done to him in the Agency, and it had effectively triggered the event, just as hoped. But even so, it was a painful thing to remember. "They... they brought me to the lab... and asked me one more time... and... and I gave in."

"Why didn't they continue to hound you about TJY?"

"They... wanted me to write up a report... after the assimilation."

"And do you remember that process?"

Scott nods again, his lip quivering. "There were computers... and they had things I didn't recognize... and a big screen... and all the information..." He sniffs, feeling like a fool. "Seventy-two hours. They... they forced me to take all of it in... then they ran tests to make sure I'd remembered."

"Like what I just did?"

"Yes."

Carson folds his arms across his chest. He knew the way it worked... just like he'd told Hope... usually after assimilation, the victim wouldn't know how to retrieve the information on their own, so it had to be forced through a series of interrogations, similar to this. Once it was triggered though, it was like typing in a password to a database, and whoever it was could remember the information like remembering their best friend's name. It was just... there... and accessible. "Why did they leave you for dead then, Scott? Why didn't they finalize the process by placing you in a division?"

Scott shakes his head and stares at the floor. There was still a blank. "I... I don't know."

"Was it a trap? For TJY? Did they expect you to come back here and feed them information?"

"I don't know."

"Did you feed them?"

"I... I don't think so."

Carson raises his voice. "Have you given them information since you got back? Yes or no?"

"Um..."

"Yes or no?!"

"No!" Scott's pulse raises. "I... I can't... no... no... I couldn't have."

"Why didn't they kill you, Scott? If you weren't loyal to them, they wouldn't have taken you into the assimilation program to begin with and you know it. You said yourself that you gave in. Why then, did they leave you for dead?"

"I don't know!" All of the memories were swarming around Scott once again. He'd thought he'd gotten past the pain, but everything was resurfacing. Everything from the brutal beatings, to watching that girl die, to sharing a cold cell with rats. Leaning forward, he buries his face in his hands. "I don't know! I don't know!"

One more question. The file names were always the same. "Location and code. File zero zero six. Johnson."

Scott doesn't lift his head. "Database five, pathway six two five seven nine. Code three zero A. Password KJ859."

Carson lets out a long sigh. They were finished. Carson now knew the location of where the Agency stored the information about Scott's assimilation. Scott wouldn't know what was entered into it after the process had been terminated. As far as retrieving information, Scott was far enough along now that once calmed down, he'd be able to compile all of it himself in a form that might be able to help TJY. As far as why he was here though... that question remained unanswered. But Carson was determined to find out what had really happened, no matter how long it took.

He steps forward and lays a hand on Scott's shoulder. "You alright?"

Scott nods and straightens up, though he's really not sure. "Is it... is it over?"

"We're done for now, mate. I won't hound you anymore."

Scott could hear the "but" in Carson's voice. "Then... what? Are they going to turn me in? Am I going to jail?"

"Naw, slow down." Carson shakes his head. He glances to Hope, giving her the signal that she could intervene now, and help calm Scott down. If anything, she was the sedative Scott needed. "There is more though."

Scott swallows hard, afraid. "What is it?"

"There's been a new development with the case. We need your help. I'm convinced that you're not going to purposely sabotage the mission. Technically, you'll still be considered a traitor until we can figure out just why the Agency didn't keep you. But I can see your intentions are only to help. And we need that. We'll have to have someone watch you at all times, but... it's worth the risk at this point."

Scott looks to Hope, worry flooding his eyes. Sweat continues to run down the sides of his face, and his mouth was parched. "What.... what do you need?"

Carson hesitates. But he knows he has to do it. He just put Scott through heck, but unfortunately, there was no time for him to sit and lick his wounds. "Phinox told us that there's a bomb connected to Katie. We may or may not need someone to disarm it."

If Scott's face could get any paler, it would have. They wanted him in the field. Terror seizes him and he finds himself shaking his head. "No... no.... I... I can't.... it.... no...."

"You have to," Carson states flatly. "Unless you're willing to let Katie die."

"I can't do it!" Scott blurts out. "I got put in the field one time, and look what happened! I can't do it!"

"You can!" Carson leans down to look him square in the eye. "You're the only one with the right skills. We may not need you. But if we do, we need you there and ready. You can stay here and be afraid, or you go help save Katie's life. Which will it be?"

Scott's lower lip quivers along with the rest of his body. He hadn't felt this afraid since coming home. And now he had nowhere to run. He was a traitor, he was beat up, and now he had to go back out into the field.

Carson backs away, ready to go check back in with Phinox and Reese. He looks at Hope again, giving her permission to stay here with Scott and do what she could. This was now her department.


Rick enters Jason's office slowly after having knocked. He looks at his young friend for a moment, tired of seeing such despair. But the day was just beginning.

He holds out a needle. "We need to get started."

Jason obediently rolls up his sleeve. "What's going to happen?"

"This isn't a cure from the antidote, but it'll speed up the process. Unfortunately, it's not going to be pleasant."

"Meaning...?"

"Meaning you're gonna lose anything you just ate in the last few hours. You start feeling sick, you better find yourself down the hall and not in here."

Jason grits his teeth as the injection comes. "Not like I've never thrown up before."

"No... but I want you to drink as much water as you can too. You need to help your body flush out as much as possible. Then only time will take care of the rest."


Kyle looks up at Alice wearily. It took all he had just to sit here and not beg for a ride into down to the nearest pharmacy. His jaw muscles work out the tension, but it didn't do much good.

He gives Alice a little nod, knowing he wasn't alone. "I feel like a train ran over me," he admits. "Do I have rail marks on my head?"

Hunter can't help a wry grin. "Still got your sense of humor."

"It's all I got left," Kyle returns. His head had never hurt so much in his entire life, and his insides were churning. If he could just have one dose... just once more... He stares back at Alice, finding her eyes and piercing them with his own gaze. "Don't let me off this bus," he requests quietly. "If I get off, I'll find a way to fall."

Hunter's eyes narrow slightly as he listens. Illegal or not, he knew the signs... Kyle was coming down off of something. Pain meds? Sleeping pills? Now didn't seem the time to ask. But he wasn't going to leave Alice alone with him.


Mick grins. "Yeah, I think we can pick something up for mom too. You think she'd want some flowers?" He points towards a row of bridles. "She did have her eye on a nice set of braided reins down at the tack shop. What do you think?"

Over with

Alice gives a shake of her head and a small sigh that is followed by a smile. She felt bad for Kyle and new this had to be hard.

"Psht, you better not be dead. It's be pretty lonly without my best friend around."

Her hand findes Kyle's arm and gives it a gentil pat the smile still on her face as the tone in her voice was softer than normal.

"Not feeling to good this morning huh?"

Leaning in a little closer to Kyle Alice looks into his eyes studdying them for a long moment. She could see the longing for the drug he was addicted to but she could also see the will to be strong.

"You can beat this you know, your gonna be ok."

Phinox looks around the room at all the faces the Reese had assigned to go thinking to himself quickly if these were the best people to go for the job and he agreed that it was.

Thinking for a moment Phinox remembered something that has him a little worryed. He didnt know if anyone had delt with this before.

"There is something else, and it might answer a few questions of why I didnt get Katie out when I knocked Gage out."

Phinox is silent for a moment before looking up and around at all the faces once more.

"..if you look closly on the moniter behind Katie you will see a box. Its easy to over look at first but when I bent down to whisper to her I noticed it was connected to the ropes around her wrists. Its a bomb set up that if anyone was to mess with the ropes or pressure on it was taken away it would go off."

BJ gives a big toothy smile to Mick as he continues to help him with the saddle. The little boy loved helping out and enjoyed even more spending time with Mick.

"Tan we get somehting for mom when we are in town too?"

Excitment could be seen in his eyes as he looked to the man who was the most of a father to him as anyone had ever been. The boy had taken to Mick so fast one would think he has spent all his life with him.

"Oh Scott, you will be normal again. Once we get this all stratend out you will be ok. I just know it, your a stronger man than you think my friend."

Leaning back in the chair Hope let out a small sigh. All he wanted was peace, He wanted his friend back and he wanted all this horrar to end.

THough Hope couldnt say she new how it felt she new it must hurt because it did just thinking about it.

Giving a small sigh she new Scott wanted to get it over with and though she had stoped it for a little while she new she couldnt forever.

"As soon as Carson gets a free moment, we will get it over with."