Talk

Ryder found it hard to believe that Reese would threaten her like that, but maybe he'd just used it as a tactic. Deep down, Ryder knew that Reese was just doing his job.... that Ryder wouldn't do any differently if he was in his shoes. The Elite needed to be protected, and an Agency threat was very dangerous, no matter how naive the agent might seem to be.

Filling a small basin with warm water he adds some disinfectant. Then he returns to the table and makes Thirteen sit sideways. Taking her hands gently, he places them in the water, several inches deep to cover her wrists. The blood makes the water murky, and Ryder knew that it probably stung. He keeps his hands on hers though, ensuring they stayed in the water. His fingers run over the cuts softly, cleaning them.

He didn't say much. He was trying to figure out what would happen next. He felt so badly for Thirteen... he knew that she couldn't be treated like this... it would only make things worse.

Taking her hands out of the water, he wraps a towel around them and takes the basin away, returning with some more disinfectant and some bandages. "Okay... here we go."

Ryder takes one wrist at a time, wiping it dry, applying the disinfectant, then wrapping it like a pro. Within a few minutes, the task is done.

He stands in front of thirteen and folds his arms, sighing deeply. "He didn't mean for you to get hurt." Though he was upset with Reese, it would do no good to turn Thirteen against him any more than she already was. "He's just trying to protect the people here. See... where you come from.... they hurt the people here. And Reese doesn't want that to happen. So he wants to get all the information he can to make sure no one here gets hurt."

Ryder knew that Thirteen would understand. Though she was confused and sheltered, she was not stupid in the least. Ryder saw a spark in the depths of her eyes, and something inside of him wanted to find the key to unlock that fire. Something told him that if she were just allowed to learn in a warm and friendly atmosphere, that she'd take off like a rocket and in no time would be caught up to other people.

He shakes his head a little. What was he thinking? Another sigh surfaces. He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear so he could see her face better. "There's a lot of questions that need answer, Thirteen. If I ask them, will you try to answer them?"

No one realized that Reese was standing outside the the door, around the corner where he couldn't be seen. He hadn't meant to harm the girl at all. And he was still very upset with Ryder for interfering. But if he could get Thirteen to talk, then he couldn't complain about that aspect, even if he didn't approve of the methods.

Friends

Feeling her friends arms around her Thirteen sinks into him feeling the safty of his braud fram around her and his arms keeping anyone at bay. Staying sheltered in Ryder's arms Thirteen follows him contently and calm though her wrists now hurt.

Entering the next room Thirteen looks around keeping as alert as she can. Sitting down quietly she now there was nothing to fear now. Giving a nod to the question of helping her with the cuts Thirteen just watches him.

Sitting quiet finally in a small soft voice she talks. "I was scaired and he kept asking questions and I didnt know the answers."

Thirteen looks down at her wrists and than back to Ryder."I just wanted to go back to the room where it was safe. But he wouldnt left me. When he grabbed me I got even more scaired because thats what they did to me at home. I was always traded off and I never new what would happen to me next. I ...was just scared."

The tears started to pool in Thirteens eyes again remembering everything and how made that man was saying he had her friends. "He also said he had two of my friends. I was scaired he was going to hurt you and the dog. I am sorry I got you into trouble.

Rebellion

Ryder can’t help the lurch in his stomach, seeing Thirteen’s desperation.

Reese tries to interfere her movements, but he’s not quite fast enough. Ryder steps forward to cover the rest of the distance between himself and Thirteen. Reaching out to her, he pulls her close, wrapping his strong arms around her, and pressing her head to his chest. He glares at Reese.

Reese throws up his arms in disgust. Any leverage he had with Thirteen was now gone. She had what she wanted. He didn’t want her to be hurt, but at least he’d tried to use it to their advantage, but Ryder had to show up and mess around. “Ryder, when you-“

“Save it,” Ryder snaps. “I told you she couldn’t be handled like the others.”

“I don’t care! She’s still Agency and we still have rules around here. Now she either stays and talks or-”

“She’s getting help,” Ryder retorts. He turns, keeping a sheltering arm around Thirteen, while his other hand reaches down to press her wrists together in order to put pressure on at least parts of her wounds.

Reese slams his hand down on the table. “You take her out of here, Ryder and you’ll have me to contend with.”

“I already do.” Ignoring Reese, Ryder walks out the door and into the hall, keeping Thirteen tucked into his side. Others pass in the hall and throw him strange looks, but he ignores them, and heads to the infirmary.

Kicking open the door, he finds both Rick and Misty gone. Going to the table, he lets Thirteen go and coaxes her to sit down. “Come on,” he directs quietly. “It’s okay now. Can I help you with those cuts?”

Please help me

As Reese continues to talk Thirteen stays silent. Keeping her eyes downs the tears still shine in her eyes but her face becomes hard to Reese. As the cuffs are taken off Thirteen brings to her hands into her lap. The blood still running from them staining her clothing.

Seeing the blood makes Thirteen start to tremble as the fear of the blood goes through her. Hearing the knock at the door make her jump as she looks up so many memories run through her again, but as the door opens and she see Ryder her eyes fill with tears again.

Standing from the table once more Thirteen takes a few steps towords him but sways from the loss of blood that was now on her clothing.

In a weak voice she reaches out to Ryder she just wanted her friend. "Please help me.." The fear is clean in her eyes as she wobbles a little.

Interference

“Thirteen, take it easy!” Reese tries to calm the girl down, but it seems the more he tries, the worse it gets. He doesn’t have much choice but to step back and let the fit happen until it’s finally over.

He folds his arms, displeased with how this was going. Ryder seemed to have thought that she would be easier than this. What had happened?

Seeing that her wrists are bleeding, Reese groans. “Now look what you did, huh?” He sighs. He just wanted to protect TJY. He just wanted some answers. He didn’t want to hurt the girl, but this task seemed impossible. She was either too frightened or too stubborn, and Reese wasn’t willing to bet which one it was.

“Just stop fighting,” he coaxes. “It’ll be a whole lot easier.”

His gut tightens, hearing that she’d been hurt before. He’d suspected it, but it was still hard to deal with. Noticing that she was quieting down, he goes back behind her again, deciding that the cuffs weren’t such a great idea after all. Not that it was his fault – if she would have just sat still, she wouldn’t have cut herself.

Removing the cuffs, he tosses them on the table and takes a closer look at her wrists. “You did a nice job on them, I will say that.”

Straightening, he walks back around to the other side of the table, not willing to stop this interrogation yet. “You answer my questions, and I’ll get you cleaned up and bandaged. If you don’t answer my questions, it will just keep on hurting worse and worse. Not to mention, I’m not thrilled that you already got blood all over the floor.”

A knock at the door interrupts the whole thing and Reese looks over with irritation. “Enter.”

Ryder cautiously cracks the door. “Just got back and wanted to check on…” His eyes spot Thirteen, and widen. “What have you been doing to her?” He enters the room and takes a step further, but Reese stops him in his tracks.

“Stay put,” he barks. “We’re not finished here yet.”

Ryder knows his boss is just trying to make the wisest moves, but it burns him up anyway. He looks to Thirteen, wondering if she really was okay.

Bleeding

Continuing to struggle and scream her pleas grow. "Ouch your hurting me stop. Let me go I wont run away. I just wanna go back to the room please."

Continuing to struggle and feel Reese hands tighten doesn't help her fear. Being pushed into the chair and her arms around her back with the cuffs Thirteen continues to try and get out of the cuffs as they dig deeper into her wrists and draws blood. Soon the cutes are so deep soon they are very painful but still she doesn't stop the struggle till finally she lets out a scream of pain that could chill someone to the bone.

Finally stopping her struggle, her eyes and cheeks are streaked with tears. Keeping her eyes down in a soft defeated voice she whispers, "I don't like you just like everyone else at home who hurt me." She keeps her eyes down still and keeps her lips tightly closed as the tears still streamed from her face and the blood trickles down her hands and fingers to the floor.

Struggling

“Whoa, settle down!” Thirteen’s fighting only leads Reese to put a tighter hold on her. “I don’t want to hurt you, now just calm down!”

Struggling, he finds the girl to be stronger than she looks, and he uses both hands to yank her arms behind her back, twisting her in front of the chair. With a final shove, he sits her down hard, wrapping her arms back behind her.

Her screaming added to his frustration. “Just stop it! Calm down!” He wanted to let her go if that would calm her down, but at the same time, he didn’t want her loose.

Grabbing a set of cuffs from his belt, he snaps them around her wrists, locking her to the chair. She could fight the chair all she wanted.

“Now for the last time…” Reese catches his breath. “I want answers.”

Scream

Seeing Reese coming for her Thirteen backs up a few steps. Memories of hoe she was beaten, and dragged around, passed from person to person. Trying to move back a few more steps it was too late, Reese already had her. Thirteen tenses as the fear courses through her. Not even knowing the tone of her own voice Thirteen shouts as she tries to struggle away pulling and pulling away from Reese. "Let me go, stop stop please let me go. I wont tell anyone, I wont please let me go." Feeling Reese grip tighten, tears start to flow from her eyes as she lets out a piercing scream, followed by more begging.

Sit

Reese blinks, confused for a moment about Thirteen’s reference to Trooper and Ryder. He hadn’t meant them… he had meant Gage and Alec.

“No, look, they’re not…” His words trail off as Thirteen starts to plead, wanting out and wanting to go back to the spare room.

“Thirteen, sit back down, please,” Reese emphasizes strongly. Ryder said she was harmless, but he had his doubts, and he wasn’t going to take any chances.

He steps forward and takes her arm, pulling her back to the chair. “You must sit and you must answer my questions or you’ll have to stay in here for much longer than this session. Be glad you’re here and not behind bars.” He moves the chair, trying to get her to sit back down, his grip firm.

Scared

Taking the juice and sandwich from Ryder Thirteen can feel her tummy rumble again. Giving a soft smile she whispers, "Thank you very much."

First taking a sip of the apple juice she scrunches her nose not sure if she liked it or not. But taking another sip she licks her lips before taking another sip. It was different but she liked it a lot. The bitter taste followed by the sweetness was nice.

Taking a bit of the sandwich she eats a little more than the day before. Thirteen's meal was interrupted as Susanne's voice came over the intercom, making her jump. Watching Ryder leave Thirteen gets nervous but she holds on to the promise that he would be back.

A little time goes by and Thirteen jumps again as the door opens and Reese stands in the door way. Not really wanting to leave the safety of the room Thirteen is hesitant but getting the prompting of Reese scared her even more bring back unwanted memories.

Finally getting into the room and sinking down in the chair Thirteen just looks up at Reese. She felt so scared. She didn’t want to be here. As Reese 's questions are thrown at her Thirteen can feel her nerves rising so many things flashing in her mind.

Her buddies...her...ohh he couldn’t hurt the only friends she had. "Please don’t hurt the man that talks funny and the dog. They were just being nice to me. Please…

More questions are thrown and Thirteen gets more nervous and scared. "I live in my home, and...and...I don’t know. PLEASE can I see my friends again or go back to the room please I don’t like it here." Thirteen stands, taking a few steps around the table. She just wanted to go back to the room and be with Trooper again. She was so scared.

Revealed Motives

Ryder lifts his eyebrows when he realizes that Thirteen doesn't seem to know what apple juice even is. What had this cruel, cruel word turned her into?

He manages a smile. "Okay. I'll go get it for you. Be right back."

Leaving the door unlocked once again, he leaves, and within minutes, is back. A new sandwich is presented, along with a bottle of juice. "Try and eat all the sandwich," Ryder encourages. "You need it."

"Ryder..."

He turns quickly, hearing Susanne's voice call his name over the intercom. Looking back to Thirteen, he gives a little nod. "I gotta go. Eat and sit tight, alright? I'll be back, I promise." He wishes he could do more, but at this point, he knows he can't. Though hesitant, he backs away until he's in the hall, then shuts the door quietly, once more.

Trooper looks up at Thirteen and wags his tail, sitting up to stare at the trashcan where Ryder had thrown the leftover sandwich. A bit of slobber winds up on the carpet.


...Ryder sighs as he heads for the exit. Susanne needed paperwork and it was at home. After going through files with her, running back and forth between Jamie and Reese, then tracking down Hal to borrow his car, time had slipped away. Ryder was tempted to go check on Thirteen before he left, but he knew Reese was headed in that direction now, so he opted to stand back. Better to let Reese handle the interrogation the way he wanted. Ryder would be back.


Reese exits the interrogation room, having it ready with some papers and the cameras on. He goes to the spare room to summon Thirteen, and prompts her out, leaving Trooper to wander the hall and finally wind up back in Jason's office.

Once in the interrogation room, Reese sits Thirteen down in the chair at the table and stands on the other side, his arms crossed. He didn't wear an angry expression, though he was far from happy.

"Okay... I need you to give me some truthful information." He stares the girl in the eye. "If you don't, then it's just going to make things harder on you. We've already got two of your buddies and neither one is thrilled to be here."

He paces a little before turning back to her. "I want to know which part of the Agency you're from and what your role has been. I want to know what your involvement with the Katie Pent case was. And I want to know the names of the agents you've been working with."



Carson manages half a smile. "Breaking down may just prove I'm human, but it's not good either."

Leaning back, he enjoys Misty's arm around him, and reaches down to pat her leg. Just thinking, he's quiet for several moments. "I... I don't know about having contact with Mackenzie. I mean... she'll just want more... she'll just want to see me more and..." He shrugs lamely. "I'm not cut out for it, I mean... I'm not the dad type... I don't know how to be one."



Kyle takes a deep breath and nods, finally back in control over his own emotions. "Ice cream... is the best idea I've heard all day."

Turning, he slings his arm around Alice's shoulders to walk back to the bus. He would tell them about his friend back home later. They were just starting to get back on the bus again to head out.

"Hey, Jordan? Alice and I are gonna take that side road right up there a mile and hang out for just a bit. We'll catch up to you in Greenville, alright?"

Jordan sticks his head out of the door and nods. "Good deal. You know where we're going?"

"Yeah, I got the map." Kyle thumbs towards Alice's jeep.

"Alright. We'll be there when you come."

As Kyle and Alice head towards the jeep, Hunter comes around the back of the bus and watches them. He sighs. Turning away, he gets into the bus behind Chloe, but doesn't join in the card game that soon starts up.

Letting Alice drive, Kyle rests his head back against the seat, looking out the window and up at the starlit sky. God still felt far away.

"Hang a right," he mentions absentmindedly as they approach their exit. A song on the radio catches his attention, and without realizing it, his fingers are moving rhythmically on his leg, begging for a keyboard that hadn't been touched now in ages. He doesn't even notice his automatic reaction to the melody that was playing.


The sound of the front door makes Laura jump. She'd been sleeping soundly up until that point. After that morning, she'd spent most of her time on the couch nursing her emotional wounds with a box of kleenex. Now as she peered over the back of the couch, she saw Ryder.

He pauses in the doorway, sifting through the mail before going to look for the papers that Susanne needed.

"Ryder?"

He turns quickly to Laura's timid voice, and manages a polite smile. "How ya doing?"

"Um... I'm sore." Laura sits up all the way and rests her arms on the back of the couch to prop up her chin. "Off work early?"

"No... just grabbing some paperwork."

"Oh." She was already feeling lonely. "Well... tonight do you... want to watch a movie or something? Or call out for supper?"

Ryder tosses the mail back on the table, and covers half the distance to Laura. "I think tonight I should probably just go upstairs."

Laura could tell that this was more than just him being tired from the day, and a lump rises in her throat. "But I-"

Ryder shakes his head slowly, his eyes telling her he was sorry. "I think you and I both know that I don't want another bloody lip. So... I'll just take it to my part of the house and we'll call it square."

Laura can feel the tears filling her eyes again. "I'm... I'm sorry that Nate hit you. I know you didn't mean anything by your attention. He was just overreacting. I don't want to be enemies."

"No one said we'd be enemies," Ryder corrects quietly. "When I make a friend, I don't run away." He looks at her for a moment, finding what he had thought was there... finding that she was revealing the truth about her lack of feelings. He'd thought it was like this, but he had pushed it anyway. "I did mean something by my attention, Laura. So... we better not keep it up." He swallows hard, knowing what he had just admitted. After all, he'd been the one to encourage Laura to stick with Nate in the first place. But somewhere along the way, he'd been attracted himself.

Laura's eyes widen slightly. "You..."

"I'll see you later."

She watches helplessly as he leaves, heading down the hall then upstairs to retrieve his paperwork. She blinks, a tear running down her cheek. Ryder had had other intentions? He had been wanting something more? And... Nate had seen it? But she hadn't? How could she have missed it? How could she have been that stupid?

She recalls all of the instances that had led up to Nate's explosion. Ryder had been hitting on her, and as clueless as she'd been, she'd just played along, like it was nothing. How could she have missed something like that? She and Ryder just got along so well... and she'd been so proud of herself for being able to trust another man after what had happened with Bryce. Ryder was fun and energetic, and always around. And she... well she'd latched onto him as a good friend. But... maybe... would he really have done all those things if he hadn't meant more by it? He certainly wasn't a stupid man. Laura had liked his attentions... but she hadn't even thought about there being more to it. But... that had been her downfall.

The shutting door snaps her attention up. She hadn't even seen Ryder slip back through the house.

Ok I'll try

Going to take a bit of the samwhich Thirteen stops hearing her name and giving a small jump. Looking at Ryder as he takes it, it was almost like when you take and ice cream from someone who was so looking forward to it. But hearing he would bring another she gives a small nod and than thinks about the apple juice.

"Apple Juice?"

Her own mind conjure up what apple juice might be and the thought of stuffing an apple in a glass was funny to her and it made her giggle just a little before looking to Ryder again.

"Ok, I'll try it."

Giving a small sigh Misty continues to look across the table at Carson. He had so much going on and so much turmoil inside of him. She couldnt help but feel bad for him.

"Your brother, you talk to him but prison I dont think you can do anything about that. He made his choose and now has to pay the price."

Taking another sip of her coffee she is quiet for a moment before continuing.

"As for your daughter give her your address and let her write you. Maybe you can even set something up so you can see her once a year or something. I know you wanna keep her out of danger, and you wanna do whats best but she is your daughter and just for that fact alone, with or without you she is in danger. So write to her, and keep the lines of communication open. Everything else will fall into place."

Getting up Misty comes around the table and slides into the booth with Carson. Putting an arm around his shoulders she gives the one a slight rub.

"Your doing so good, and you have become so strong. Its ok to break down sometimes. Its not a bad thing. Only means you human after all."

Feeling Kyle's emotional state Alice just holds him for a long while. She didnt know how long they were standing there, and she didnt much care. Being told your friend was walking the line of death was so hard, and she new it all to well.

Finally pulling away she looked up at Kyle and gave a small smile reaching her hand up and whipe away the small tear.

"She'll be ok Kyle, if God didnt want her to live she wouldnt have made it this far."

Alice didnt know if her words would help or not but she could only hope. Kyle had been through alot latly she just wanted things to get better for him even just a little bit.

"Come on, how about you ride with me and maybe we can grab some ice cream on the way than catch up with the others again?!"

Emotions

Ryder sighs deeply and shakes his head. "Just... questions about you... where you come from. It'll be okay. Reese... Reese is a good guy." Though he was a little upset with his boss at the moment, he didn't want to scare Thirteen away.

Seeing her retrieve last night's sandwich, he cringes a little. "Thirteen..." Before she can take a bite, he gently slips it from her grasp. "I'll get you a fresh one, okay? And how about something cold to drink, hmm? Maybe some apple juice?" He still wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. It wouldn't be long and Reese would be back, wanting to talk to her.


Carson finally looks up at Misty, his eyes showing just a hint of what he'd done the prior night. He tightens his grip on her fingers. "Yeah... I know. I just..." He shrugs. "Guess I don't like bothering you with my problems, ya know?"

A sheepish smile slips through the cracks. "Or maybe I'm just to stubborn, ay?" He shakes his head and withdraws to sit up a little straighter in the seat, wincing a little though as he does. The booth was too hard to be comfortable.

"What do I do, Misty? What do I do with a half-brother I don't know, who's facing prison? What do I do with a daughter who I probably won't see again anyway? I'm trying to figure it out... I'm trying not to slip up, I just..... can't seem to do it."


Kyle jumps a little at Alice's touch, not having heard her, but he immediately relaxes. Sliding his hand down, he runs it along her arm for a moment, his eyes still far away. "No," he finally answers quietly.

Turning, he leans his back against the tree, taking both of Alice's hands in his. He hated being emotional in front of people, but he couldn't do much to control it this time. "It's Katie Pent... I guess she somehow got taken by some pretty bad people... The Elite got her back, but... she's in the hospital now... in a coma."

Kyle's eyes drop as he swallows hard. If he thought it would do any good, he would go home. But Katie was asleep... and there were a lot of other people around. If she were awake, he knew that she would rather him continue on the road than run home.

His thumb rubs Alice's hand as a new silent tear escapes, his head still lowered. He opens his mouth to say something more, but he knows if he tries, his voice will crack. Instead, he pulls Alice closer for a hug, burying his face in her hair.

Healthy

As Reese makes his presence know Thirteen sinks back just a little but feeling Ryder's hand on her shoulder she could only go far.

Her eyes move wildly from Ryder to Reese than back to Ryder almost begging for his protection as Reese tone was less than comfroting.

Keeping her hand on Troopers head her fingers nervosly pet the dogs head. Listing to Ryder and Reese go back and forth.

As he is about to leave Thirteen takes his arm gently and looks up at him. How scaired she was in this place she didnt know, and the only person she could trust was Ryder. Getting his confermed words that he would be back she let go and headed back to where the blanket and pillow on the floor still were.

Drawing Trooper closer Thirteen continues to stroke his head waiting for Ryder's return. Hearing her tummy growel she looks up at the samwhich continplating eating a few more bits of it.

After Ryder comes back in Thirteen gives a smile. but it slowly fades at the metion of the questioning pulling away a little.

"What...what kind of questions?"

Hearing her tummy growel once more and feeling the all to familure of tummy pains Thirteen moves a little to the nightstand and takes the small samwhich.

Taking a sip of her own coffee Misty just listens to Carson as he talks. Nodding her head now and than to let him know she was listing.

Finally as he drew to a close Misty slowly reaches over and placed her hand on top oh his smiling back at him.

"To get drunk was stupid, but I cant balm you for it for it. You have had alot of stuff going on with you back to back and it was enough to drive anyone insane."

Misty all to well how much stress a person could be under and how it could break even the strongest of people.

"You know you can always talk to me when things get hard. I'll always listen to you. Its alot healthy for you than drinking too."

Looking over twords the tree where Kyle had went to talk with his sister Alice glances to see if he was still on the phone. But being met with Kyle's hand hanging she new something was wrong. Could it have been a bad conversation?

Slowing making her way over to the tree Alice gently wraps her arms around Kyle's wast cocking her head a little to look at Kyle.

"Hey you everything ok?"

She hoped she wasnt imposing she only wanted to make sure he was ok.

Falling apart

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Ryder assures. The last thing they needed was for Thirteen to be terrified here. Alec was one thing - he just had a bad attitude. Gage was clueless, but wouldn't fall to pieces. Thirteen... she needed more care... more delicacy.

Ryder reaches out to put a hand on her shoulder, then runs a finger through her hair, gently working out a small tangle. "Tell you what... how about you and Trooper hang out here for a little while longer and..."

A knock at the door makes him look up in surprise. Reese stands in the doorway. Ryder keeps a hand on Thirteen's shoulder, keeping her from backing away. "Good morning, Reese."

"Ryder." Reese nods and eyes Thirteen before looking back at Ryder. "I was looking for you... I was told you had her in here for the night. Wasn't sure that was such a fantastic idea."

"Well, Trooper stayed in here and... the girl's not a threat." Ryder stands slowly. "I was on the main floor too, so I thought it would be okay."

"The interrogation room has served for Gage, I think-"

"Can we talk about this outside?" Ryder urges Reese into the hall. He looks back over his shoulder and nods to Thirteen. "It's okay. I'll be right back." He leaves the door cracked open as he and Reese stand in the hall. "The interrogation room might be fine for Gage," he hisses. "But not her. She's scared spitless and doesn't need something like that."

"If you haven't noticed, she's our prisoner, straight from the Agency! I will not tolerate us pampering one of them just because you feel sorry for her."

"I don't just feel sorry for her!" Ryder's eyes narrow. "She doesn't even have a name, Reese. She goes by "Thirteen." She's an Agency baby just like Carson figured. It's bad enough for her to be in here at all, let alone in a cold locked room. I mean, come on. She wanted the dog for company so she wouldn't be alone, for crying out loud."

Reese sighs and puts his hands on his hips. "Look, we can't play favorites, Ryder. Agency is Agency. Who says she's not acting?"

"I do." Ryder's eyes spark with a daring fire. "It's not an act. She's not involved, trust me. She doesn't know what's going on, and the Agency is all she knows. Take one look at her and you can see she's been treated like an animal. She's smart, but she's been taught only what they wanted her taught."

Reese grits his teeth. "Ryder... I'm sorry, but I'm not putting TJY at risk because you're attracted to the girl."

"Aw don't give me that." Ryder glares at him. Feeling warmth on his lip, he realizes that he's split it again, and he wipes away the small droplet of blood.

Reese quirks an eyebrow. "What happened?"

"Ask Nate."

"Nate? What, he hit you?"

"Yeah, but I guess I deserved it. Look, I'm talking about Thirteen, not Nate, alright? Just let her stay in this room for now. I'm asking you... for me. Please? She won't go anywhere, I promise."

"Fine. But she gets interrogated this afternoon."

Ryder shakes his head. "Let me handle it."

"No, Ryder! It's bad enough I don't have her under lock and key. We're not going to treat her with kid gloves. Innocent or not, she's still Agency and she still holds some information. It's our job to extract it."

"So what are you gonna do? Use force? Let someone in to beat her up like Scott?"

"That was not our doing," Reese snaps. "I will let her stay in the room, but she gets moved to interrogation one this afternoon, got it?"

Ryder tries to control his temper. "Who's doing it?"

"I don't know. Nate's gone, Jase is gone... I'll probably do it myself."

"Well just...."

"What?"

"Never mind." Ryder turns back to the room. "She'll be there." Entering the room once more, he closes the door behind him to lean against it, looking over to Thirteen. He tried to convey he was sorry. "You've got a few hours," he informs quietly, wiping his lip again. "Then Reese is going to take you into the other room for questioning."


Carson lets Misty lead him out of the courthouse and agrees to the coffee shop. Once there, he eases into a booth across from her, trying not to let the pain show from sitting down. Ordering a coffee and sandwich, he fiddles with a packet of sugar, not meeting Misty's eyes. The table is quiet... too quiet. He was glad she wasn't yelling at him, but he still felt an overwhelming amount of guilt.

He finally breaks the silence. "Screwed up again, didn't I?" His eyes stay away from hers. "I know... we all fall sometimes... but I was stupid.... again."

His finger rips through the sugar pack, spilling the contents on the table. He sighs. How appropriately timed.

"Just with Katie... and Herb and the restaurant... and Alec... and this whole thing with Mackenzie I just..." He swallows hard, finding it difficult for some reason to maintain control. "Guess being back on the field got to me... thinking about Katie. Then I knew I had court today and I just wanted to forget for a while.... just wanted to sleep and forget so... I guess I did." He shrugs. "I don't remember what I did last night. But I still remember everything else I was trying to forget."

His heart ached. He was supposed to be taking over a restaurant. He was supposed to meet a lost brother with strength. He was supposed to be a strong character with or without Mackenzie in his future. He was suppose to be able to handle his job on the field. But instead, he was falling apart.


Evening has caught up with Break Out...

"Jen, look, I... but... wait... I...." Kyle groans and leans back against the side of the bus. He rubs his forehead, holding the cell phone to his ear.

"...of all the stupid!" Jen's tears can be heard in her voice. "You haven't been returning my calls, or anybody's for that matter. Then when I finally get a hold of somebody, they tell me that you almost died!" She chokes on a sob. "Don't do that to me!"

Kyle turns around, resting his forearm against the bus. The reststop was dark and quiet. Crickets chirped, and a few lights lit the near-empty parking lot alongside the interstate. It had been a long day on the road, and he was tired since being released from the hospital. The day had been quiet as well... Hunter had seemed especially offish and Kyle wasn't completely sure why. But he'd kept his distance. Only when stopping for a break, had he realized that he had several new missed calls, and had finally called Jen back. He sighs. "I'm sorry. I know I was stupid and..."

"You certainly were! Don't scare me like that! Accident or not, I..." She sniffs. "...I couldn't do it without my brother so just be smarter from now on!"

"I will, I will." Kyle tries to keep his own voice low. The others were just a ways away, and he really didn't want to make a scene. He knew he's scared his sister, and he felt badly about it. He felt badly for scaring everyone, but was just trying to move on. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"I want a hug," Jen murmurs, still crying.

"Well if I was there, I'd give you one." Kyle waits as there is a long pause. "You still there?"

"Yeah..." Jen sniffs again, her voice continuing to crack as she speaks. "There's... there's something else. That's why I've been trying to call."

Kyle can feel himself bristle. "What? What is it?" His mind immediately thought of all the people who could be in trouble or hurt.

Jen pauses again. "Kyle, it's... it's Katie..."


...Kyle tucks his phone into his pocket as he tries to swallow the lump in his throat. He can hear the others talking a little ways away, but doesn't feel like joining in. Instead, he turns the other direction. Ambling into the freshly-cut grass, he finds a tree to lean against and takes a deep breath, trying to maintain control. But a tear escapes anyway for a journey down his cheek. It drops off his chin and lands unnoticed on his shirt. God, not Katie, please.

Keeping his back to the others, he lets his head hang, What more was there left? What more could happen? How much more severely did his heart have to be torn?

Shifting his weight, Kyle's arm slips on the rough bark and he winces as he receives a nice cut near his wrist. He sucks on it for a moment, but lets it bleed, not really caring at this point. He swipes at another tear. He needed to go. The others would be waiting. But he just needed one more minute...

I know

Pulling back from Ryder a little bit Thirteen just sits there and looks at him for a long moment. Her eyes held so much confustion and that she was weaghing her options in her head.

"My dad he...did alot of missions with the Agency. Really he was a brilliant man but the things he did just didnt seem right. He..."

Hearing a loud bump from somewhere outside the room Thirteen gives a jump as a wave a fear ran through her eyes.

"I..cant talk about him or they will kill me. I've seen it, I know how they do it. I cant talk about it."

Misty gives a small smile and gives a tiny nod to Carson.

"Yeah, lets go the little coffee shop down the road. Get you some coffee, and they have some good hang over food."

Helping Carson up Misty keeps her arm around Carson. Just letting him know she was there.

"Hope, there are some flowers here for you."

"Really? Ok I will be right out."

Opening her office door Hope exits taking the small package with a smile. Opening it up she see the seventeen flowers and her smile grows.

"Miss Garrison there is no note. How do you know who they are from?"

"I dont need a note, I know already."

Turning Hope goes back into her office with a smile holding the flowers and putting her face into them to give a smell.

Guilty parties

Ryder hopes that he hasn't scared Thirteen with his bleeding lip as she examines the blood. But before he can try to make light of it, she's getting to her feet. Letting her go, he's just a little bewildered, though glad she'd stopped crying.

As she comes back with the damp towel, he's surprised. The coarse material makes the cut sting, but he refrains from wincing. He almost felt like if he were to pull away, he might thwart the young woman's desire to help, and she might never try again. As she studies his face, he takes the opportunity to look into her own eyes, searching for the real woman behind her gaze. Her simplicity wasn't the sign of a slow mind... but the sign of a mind that had simply not been taught. Her actions seemed almost childlike, yet there laid a woman within, who had been emotionally beaten into this state. It made Ryder's heart hurt.

As Thirteen speaks, it hurts Ryder even more. How cruel could someone be? He knew she was from the Agency... he knew she was considered a risk, or even a threat at the most. But he couldn't treat her like a common prisoner... he wouldn't.

Ryder lets out a long sigh. Not because he's weary, or because he's agitated with Thirteen. But because he felt lost. He knew what he'd like to do, but he'd never be allowed.

"You can stay here... for now, okay? But later on you'll have to... I mean, you'll..." Looking into her innocent eyes, Ryder's shoulders drop. "For now, you can stay here," he finishes lamely.

Rocking back so he can sit cross-legged, he stays facing the girl. If he could get some answers, perhaps he could avoid her having to go through an interrogation. "You mentioned your father... who is he?"


Reese sees Nate rise, and knows that his answer is the best he'll get. "Okay. You've got three days. But I'll need you back here after that."

He could tell there was more behind Nate's reasoning, but knew better than to ask. "See you in a few days."


Carson doesn't need to lift his head to know who was touching him. It was a familiar touch... it was a hand with just as much warmth as the first time he'd felt it. He sighs. He felt like falling to pieces.

At Misty's question, he gives a forced, dry laugh. "I don't know if I even know..." He grimaces. Thinking hurt. Straightening up, he gives her a sidelong glance. She knew he'd been drunk. His eyes probably still showed it. Yet she was choosing not to chew him out. In a way, it made him feel even guiltier. "It's just been... too much."

He looks around the busy hall for a moment, then back to her. "Can we go somewhere else? I need to get something in my stomach, but... I don't have my car here."


Con knocks on the front door. "Anybody home?" he calls. Not hearing anything, he lets himself in with his own key. "Laura?" He cocks his head, straining to hear. If she was calling to him, he didn't know it.

He wanders through the living room and to the hallway. He sees a light on in the back room and approaches slowly. "Laura?" Opening the door a little wider, he quirks an eyebrow.

Laura was in her shorts and t-shirt, her hands gloved. Pounding away at the punching bag that hung from the ceiling, she grunted with frustration, sweat pouring down the sides of her face. She didn't even hear her brother calling her name. Only when the lights flicker does she pause long enough to realize Con was there. "Oh... Hi."

Con looks at her for a moment, furrowing her brow. Not only was her greeting dry, but she shouldn't be doing this. "You're bleeding."

Laura looks down to see that blood had soaked through her bandage and onto her shirt. "Dang it. These bandages never do their job."

"I'm surprised you're this active at all," Con chides. "You know better."

"I can stand the pain," Laura retorts. She pushes him aside to go to the bathroom, taking off her gloves.

"Well I know that." Con follows after her. "But that's really beside the point. You should be resting and letting that thing heal. That's why the doctor let you go early, remember? Because you promised to take it easy."

"Yeah? Well that was before I decided to punch the bag instead of someone's head."

Con leans on the bathroom doorway as his sister rummages for some clean bandages. "You wanted to what?"

"Punch someone's head in!" Laura states louder. She starts to pull up her shirt and look at her wound, then realizing she's not alone, she shuts the door in Con's face.

Con sighs. "What happened?" he asks through the door. "I got to TJY and found out you were there for ten minutes then left. That's why I came over here - to check on you."

"I don't need anybody to check on me."

"What?"

"I said I..." Laura groans and opens the door back up, not caring if he saw her. He was her brother after all. "I said I don't need anybody to check on me." She grimaces as she cleans her wound and tries to rebandage it, fumbling with the tape.

Con watches her for a minute then rolls his eyes. "Will you ever learn to ask for help?"

"I don't need any help!"

"Apparently, you don't need anything today." Con reaches out to help with the bandage, ignoring her slapping his hands.

With a sigh, Laura gives up and just holds her shirt out of the way. If anybody knew how to put a bandage on, it was Con. "All I need is to be left alone," she grumbles.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Con smirks, his eyes on his task. "I hate it when you won't repeat something I haven't heard."

"And I hate your persistence."

Con finishes up with the bandage and straightens, letting Laura put everything away. "You want to talk about it?"

"No." Laura shoves past him and wanders to the living room to flop down on the couch. Her side burned like mad, but she was too stubborn to baby herself. She goes for the tv remote, but Con reaches down over the back of the couch, taking it from her hand. "Hey! Give that back!"

"Uh-uh." Con shakes his head and comes around to sit at the other end. "First, we talk. I want to know what's wrong. Why aren't you at TJY like you planned?"

Laura grabs a throw pillow to hold. "You really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Nate and I had a little argument. Well no, that's not true. He wouldn't let me have a word in edgewise."

"What was he upset about?"

"About something really stupid!" Laura throws up her hands, then winces, realizing that had been the wrong move to make. She files a mental note not to move around so quickly again. "He thinks Ryder and I have a thing going or something, the idiot."

Con lifts an eyebrow. "Well do you?"

"How can you ask me that?!" Laura looks at him in shock. "Of course not! Ryder is my friend. Period. And if Nate is gonna go all "jealous boyfriend" on me, then he can go sit in his little corner by himself until he decides to play nice. I don't have to put up with him throwing a hissy fit when I've got another guy three feet from me. It's stupid."

Con sits back and takes as minute to think. Nate wasn't one to act without thinking, or to act too quickly. No, it had to be more than this. "Why did he think you and Ryder had something going?"

"How should I know?" Laura rolls her eyes. "So the other day I was in the spare room at work, trying to rest up. Ryder comes in. We start talking. We wind up sitting on the bed, totally innocently, mind you. Nate comes in, and you could tell by the look on his face that he was peeved. Give me a break! It wasn't like Ryder and I were making out!"

Con purses his lips. "Was that all?"

"I don't know. I mean... maybe. No. But Nate didn't complain at the time! How was I supposed to know he was ticked off?"

Con just waits and says nothing, knowing his sister would continue.

Laura groans. "I don't know what he's thinking. He said so many things today I can't remember all of it. He was mad and not making much sense."

"But... something set him off today?"

"Okay, so maybe Ryder gave me a neck rub." Laura looks up to see the surprise on her brother's face. "I had a knot in my neck!" she defends. "He was being nice! And he kept his hands on my neck, thank you very much."

"I didn't say he didn't. So... that was it?"

"Well yesterday he mighta mentioned my other scar."

"The one on your other side?"

"Yeah."

"So?"

"Well he mentioned it in front of Nate."

Con rolls his eyes. "Oh that was good."

"What?! What is wrong with that? I mean, why is Nate blowing this out of proportion? Who cares if Ryder saw my scar? So what?!"

"How did he see it?"

"Well we... we were... we..."

Con waits expectantly.

"It's nothing bad," Laura snaps. "We got to talking about battle scars. He was showing off some of his from crocodiles and the like."

"And ...you showed him yours?"

"Well all I did was just pull up my shirt about an inch!" Laura demonstrates that it really didn't take much to show someone. "It's not like I took my shirt off! Or is that what you and Nate are thinking?!"

Con takes a deep breath and shakes his head, but can't get a word in.

"I wish you guys would give me the benefit of the doubt instead of jumping to conclusions!"

"So... that's what all this is about then? A scar and a neck rub?"

Laura's face reddens.

Con's eyes widen. "There's more?"

"It's all so stupid!" Laura slams her fist into the throw pillow. "Who cares if Ryder knew about the money box in my bedroom? Even you know about that! And what's a kiss on the cheek? Any gentleman can give a woman a kiss on the cheek! It doesn't mean anything!"

Con shakes his head slowly. "Uh-huh... okay."

"Well it doesn't! He's just a friend! He and I have even talked about it!"

"Right... so none of that was inappropriate."

Laura is silent, her temper still hot. "Regardless, Nate didn't have to punch Ryder."

"What?"

"He punched Ryder!" Laura repeats loudly.

"You don't have to yell! Did Ryder provoke him?"

"Ryder doesn't provoke anybody. All he was doing was walking by and Nate pounced on him."

"Right after the kiss."

"I guess."

Con groans and shakes his head. "Laura... do you really want Nate, or do you just enjoy someone there when you need them?"

Laura blinks, her face showing slight shock. "I don't understand. How can both you and Nate take me for someone like that? What have I done to give you both such a horrible impression of me? Ryder didn't mean anything by any of all this! We're just friends! He was glad I wasn't dead - that's why he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I told you about the whole scar thing. He rubbed my neck because he wanted me to feel better, not because he wanted more than that! He knew about the box in my room because I told him where it was, not because he spends time in there!" She can feel the tears finally welling in her eyes. "Can't I be friends with him?"

"Laura..." Con sighs, rising from the couch. "No matter what I say, you're going to have an excuse or reason why I'm wrong and you're right, so there's no point in me saying any more."

"But... I...." Laura stares up at him, surprised he was leaving.

"If you need something, give me a call, okay? And get some rest like you're supposed to."

"But..." Laura watches her brother head for the door and stares at it after it had closed. He'd left so suddenly. He never left like that. Why... But.... A tear runs down her cheek and she slips further down on the couch, curling up and hugging the pillow close. She was making a mess out of everything... again.


The small delivery truck pulls up in front of the office building. The driver gets out, bearing the slender parcel. Checking the address, he goes inside, finding the reception desk. "Uh, hey, I've got a package for..." He looks at the name again. "Dr. Hope Garrison?"

Giving a nod, the delivery man approaches the desk, setting the parcel down and receiving a signature. "Thanks." He tips his hat before exiting the office. "Have a good day."

No note was left to reveal who the sender actually was. There was only the box that when opened, would reveal a bouquet of spring flowers... seventeen to be exact.

Being Human

Pulling away from Ryder a little Thirteen hones in on his busted open lip. Whiping her own eyes from the tears that flowed through them Thirteen just looks back at him a bit of confustion in her own eyes as to why he had a bloody lip.

Reaching out she gently touches it and than pulls her fingers away looking at the blood that now marked them. Something deep inside her stired, she wasnt sure what it was but she didnt like it.

Standing Thirteen timidly walks over to where her water bottel was. Looking as if deep in thought maybe remembering something she takes her napkin and dumps just a little bit of water on the towel before going back over to Ryder and kneeling down on the floor infront of him.

Looking into his eyes for a moment she looks down to his lip and gentil takes his face in her hand bring the cloth to his lip and softly whiping the blood away. Almost copying what he had done on the cut for her the day before.

Being very silent for a long moment Thirteen keeps cleaning Ryder up, feeling inside a little bit of good being able to help as many things ran through her head.

Finally as she cleans the last little bit of blood up Thirteen finally talks.

"I've live there all my life, its been my home and my father is the leader. I want to go back home but at the same time..."

Thirteen looks down so deep in thought and showing the pain inside was conflicting and great.

"..I dont want to go back. I couldnt never be like them, I couldnt bring myself to all the blood, the smell it made me sick. I disapointed my father and he punished me for it. No what I just couldnt do it. I dont want to hurt anyone, and I dont want anyone else to hurt me anymore."

Thinking again for a moment Thirteen looks around the room before looking up at Ryder again in the eyes. Her question searous.

"Can I stay here? Its safe, and feels like my home. I like it in this room, and the floor isnt cold."

One could tell Thirteen was happy with the small room but also just how much of the world she didnt know. For the last 21 years of her life, a room was her home and sitting there, sleeping there, and learning the art of fighting, files, torcher where her pass time. A small clean room, with a carpet floor was like someone winning a million dollars.

Thinking for a long moment Nate plays with his keys in his hand. He could tell his boss his reason but really it had nothing to do with work and he would rather not let it get around. Sooner or later people would find out.

"Just, personal reason. Stress and what not. I know things are pretty backed up at the moment but I only want maybe two or three days than I will be back into the swing of things."

Giving a small nod to Reese Nate stands. His eyes held so many things in them he didnt even know himself where to start.

Taking Carson's hand in a strong hold Angelica gives a nod and a small smile.

"Try and stay out of trouble eh?"

Watching him leave she was about to follow but stops as she see Misty go out after him. Giving a soft smile she new he would get the repramanding and ride would all ready be offered to Carson and she was no long needed. Sitting back down her gathers some of her papers and finishes up a few things before leaving.

Exiting the court room Misty scans the people coming and going finding who she was looking for. Walking over to the bench She runs her hand along Carson back before sitting down next to him keeping her arm around his shoulders.

For many reasons she could be mad at him, she could yell and even lecture but she didnt want to, and it just didnt seem right. Today it seemed like Carson needed something more than that. Even the best of the best fall sometimes and she couldnt be mad at him for being human.

Leaning her head forward just a little bit to look at Carson she gives a small smile.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Tempers

Though startled, Ryder doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Thirteen's shaking frame. He starts to rock her gently, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Shh, shh... it's okay. Calm down... you're safe, you're safe." His tone is soft and comforting.

Trooper gave another little whine and sat down to watch the both of them, seeming to be satisfied that someone had finally come to rescue the girl from her sleep.

Ryder holds Thirteen for a few more minutes, doing his best to calm her down. Holding her, he realizes just how malnourished she is. He wonders when her last good meal was, if ever. Feeling her course hair, he wonders when the last time was that she'd been pampered, if ever. Seeing her clothes, he wonders when the last time was that she'd been shopping, if ever. She was a number... that's all she'd ever been. Ryder didn't know her story... he didn't know if she'd been with the Agency since birth, or just the last month. But he didn't have to. It was instincts that told him this girl had been with the Agency for most of her life, and he knew good and well that if they were willing to trade her off, that she had not been an agent of status. And if you didn't have status with the Agency, you were just a tool to be used and abused.

"Shh..." Ryder finds Thirteen's face to wipe her eyes. "It's okay."

He takes a swipe at his own lip, wiping away the slowly-flowing blood. That was all he needed to add to his day. He didn't want to scare the girl.

"You're alright... do you want to tell me about it?"


Laura blinks, stunned by the words that were flung in her direction. They come fast and strong, almost biting. She takes a step back, not used to Nate talking to her this way.

"I... But... it..." She tries to get a word in, but it doesn't work. Nate was too fired up to pause long enough for her to say anything.

Laura tries to make sense of everything Nate was saying, though her own temper started to flare. Her fists ball up at her sides and she grits her teeth, wanting to shout at him for taking out his frustrations on her and Ryder. But even so, she held her tongue as he continued.

She saw conflict in his eyes. She saw his anger, his hurt, and his disappointment. She saw that he didn't want to be saying these things, but felt the need. She saw tears backed up behind his eyes and she knew that once again, she had hurt him.

As Nate's hand touches her face, she doesn't move. She only stares him in the eye, not pulling away, but not leaning into his hand either. And watching him walk away makes her want to scream.

Spinning around, Laura takes several deep breaths, wincing and putting a hand back to her side. This was all wrong. This was just all wrong. It was stupid. She had no idea where Nate was getting this. She and Ryder were just friends! What was Nate's problem? If he'd had a problem in the first place, he should have said he didn't want Ryder living at the house in the beginning! But he hadn't! So now he decides to lambast her when he was stressed out over who knows how many things?

Growling under her breath, Laura stalks back to her cubicle. Windows or not, she was taking Henry and going home. She was supposed to have several days off to recover anyway. She'd wanted to be here so she wouldn't be alone, but apparently she wasn't wanted.

Within minutes, she's aimed for the door, not even stopping to tell anyone she was leaving.


Reese lifts his eyebrows at Nate's request. It wasn't strange that anybody wanted time off. Everyone had been so stressed out over finding Katie, that several others were taking a couple days as well.

"Um, no, that's okay. We got a lot of things backed up after putting all our resources to finding Katie, but... we can manage."

He cocks his head, studying Nate's face. He didn't need to know Nate's personal reasons... it might not be any of his business. But they were more than an office around here, and he felt compelled to ask. "Is... there something wrong?"


The court session seemed to drag on forever. Carson's headache grew worse, and halfway through, his hair was wet with sweat. Though he knew the room was air-conditioned, he felt hot and just wanted out.

Through further questioning, he did his best, sticking to his and Angelica's plan. Surely the judge would see the truth... wouldn't he?

Carson doesn't have time to meet Misty's eyes again, and it was just as well. Not only was she his girlfriend, but she was a doctor and had probably already picked up on his symptoms and figured out what they were from. For that reason alone, he avoided her gaze.

The only strange feelings he got were from a man that sat back in the corner of the room. He never moved, and was never a part of the proceedings. But he was watching and listening intently, studying what went on.

Carson's attention is whipped back to the case as the judge has his words. Now they would find out.

The judge sighs deeply, looking at both the prosecution and defendant. "This case has many more sides to it than it appeared on the surface. I feel a lot of underlying motives that can never be proved or disproved."

He pauses in thought, checking his notes. "Mr. Banks, I find that you could very well have benefited by kidnapping Mackenzie. There are many ways you could have taken advantage of that situation and received personal gains."

Carson's heart sinks as he slides a little lower in his seat.

The judge continues. "However, I see no proof of this. While a case has been built against you, there is no proof that you intended to kidnap your daughter, or even gain from her being with you. Nor have you even shown signs of ever wanting custody of her. What I do have proof of, is Miss Jones' strong feelings against single fathers and their fights for custody. Because of this, I'm inclined to believe that while she may or may not have been involved in any plots, she indeed took advantage and may have blown this case out of proportion."

Heather's eyes flicker with anger and she shoots Carson an icy stare. He ignores her.

The judge pauses again, folding his hands. "All evidence presented in this case has been circumstantial. Whether I believe Mr. Banks to be innocent or not, I cannot rule that he be found guilty, simply because it is not beyond a reasonable doubt. If he wishes to fight for custody of his daughter, that is to be taken up in another court. As for this case, I am hearby releasing Mr. Banks and closing this case." He taps his gavel. "Case dismissed."

Murmurs spread through the room as the prosecution bench argues within itself about whose fault the loss was.

Carson closes his eyes for a moment, breathing a sigh of relief, and thanking God. It was over. Looking to Angelica, his gaze shows he's sorry for being such a mess, but he's thankful for her work. "Thank you." Standing up, he offers her his hand. "I had a feeling that with you around, it would be hard to lose."

Making his way out into the large hall, the moving air felt good. But his knees were wobbly and he just wanted to sit a moment before trying to walk home.

Finding a bench, Carson eases down and rests his elbows on his knees, putting his face in his hands. He didn't think about the fact that Misty would have to walk by on her way out. It was over. It was all over. And yet... he tries to push aside the little nagging in his heart. No... no, no. It was over.... over, over, over.

He sighs. His head hurt. His tailbone hurt. How ironic that he could feel so badly after winning their case.

Lost

Just stairing back at Ryder something inside Nate softens a little and gives him a small feeling a guilt wells inside for hitting his friend. His anger is great though and as hard as stone not letting the feeling could out.

Watching Ryder leave Nate dosent even hear Laura come over untill she talks. Bringing his head back to face her Nate just eyes her a long moment as he trys to calm his temper down. He didnt want to be angry with Laura, he didnt like that feeling but it was so hard right now.

Finally finding the words to talk Nate new his anger would not cool anymore. He had stood by for to long and watched.

"I liked to know how you think its ok to let somone kiss you? or close enough for a back rub that was rather intamint. While your answering questins maybe you can answer me how its ok to let someone know personal details about you that I havent even seen. Your scar it not exacly in a hey looks at this spot. You probley would like how it made you feel seeing another woman kiss you would you and you would probley have your bother pummel me. Did you ever think about how that stuff made me feell?"

Nate is quiet again for a moment, he tryed not to let the words come out that he wanted to say, but he had to, It hurt so much and Laura had to know.

"Luara I will love you till the day I die, your the woman I want, and your the woman I need. But I cant sit by any longer and watch you flirt with Ryder, and let things happen that shouldent. I have been pashent, and let go on for quiet a while now. Its turning me into the guy I dont like to be."

Nate sucks in a breath and he searches Laura's eyes..his own heart was breaking and he didnt know if his eyes were watering or not.

"I have to think about my sister and myself now. I promised I would never push her away again and because my anger is getting in the way I am. I cant have that happen. I am sorry Laura but this cant work like this. Once you figure out what you want and if you come to the conclustion it really is me, You will know where to find me and I will be there."

Running one last finger down Laura's face Nate steps through his cubicle and turns to head twords Reese office not even letting Laura the chanse to reply. If he stayed he would see the look in her eyes and change his mind about this whole thing, but he could.

Giving a small knock on Reese door he waited to him to reply before entering. Talkng a seat in one of the nice soft chairs Nate is quiet for a moment before looking up at Reese.

"I know now it not the best time but I need a leave of absence for personal reasons."

Nate looks at Reese, he hurt, he didnt know what to think or what would happen he just needed some time away. Maybe take Maggie camping, or to a fair, he just need time.

Lost in her dream Thirteen can hardly feel Ryder shaking her. She new she had to awake, she new she had to get away. Hearing his familure voice break through the darkness of her sleep Thirteen shoots up from bed with another scream.

Turning her head to see Ryder she scoots closer to him and calapses into his lap tears coming from he eyes as she holds on to him for comfort.

Listening intently Angelica sits and waits for her turn, just listing to everything that was said to Carson.

When her turn finally comes up for every questions she had an answer and every answer she had a question. Firing one after another to the procicuter, or Carson even Heather herself.

Angelica did her best bring everything out and not holding any punches. She defended Carson and made his rep know that he was not that man anymore and thought he new it was not safe for his daughter he was a good guy and should at least be able to see her when she wanted. She did all she could for Carson.

Sitting down again and keeping her arms crossed Angelica looked to Carson with a reasurning nod. It was time to wait now, they had done all they could for now.

Guilt

Ryder is taken totally by surprise. He doesn't even see Nate's flying fist coming. As it connects with his mouth, he reels backward, knocking into another cubicle and falling to one knee.

Fighting reflexes kick in and he's back up in an instant to face Nate, but does not retaliate. Nate's words are like a second slap to the face, stinging all the more. Ryder's eyes are wide with confusion, hurt and anger for being hit.

Wiping his lip, he glances down at his hand where he finds blood. He looks back up at Nate and just stares at him for the longest moment. He could easily try to defend himself. He could easily try to explain. He could easily fight back. But he saw the look in Nate's eye and knew that nothing he did would matter. He had crossed a forbidden line.

Without a word, he spins on his heel and walks away. More than his lip had been broken.


Laura is just coming up from paying attention to Henry when she glances across the room. What she saw made her jaw drop and her heart skip a beat. What on earth... Her eyes narrow as she makes her way over to Nate's cubicle as quickly as she can, holding a hand to her sore side.

Arriving just in time to see Ryder disappear down the hall, she whips her head around to Nate with a glare. "What do you think you're doing? What did you do that for?!"


Ryder stalks down the hall, aiming for the bathroom to nurse his wound. His stomach churned and fire burned in his eyes. He knew exactly what had just happened, and he knew exactly the consequences that would occur. And it didn't feel good.

Getting to the bathroom door, he's just about to open it when he hears a scream. Backing up, he realizes that it's coming from the spare room. A chill runs down his spine and he forgets about himself. Sprinting to the door, he throws it open, ready to fend off somebody, but he finds only Thirteen and Trooper.

The dog was pacing and whining, nudging Thirteen lightly with his nose, but unable to wake the sleeping girl. Ryder sees her writhing on the floor, obviously in the middle of a nightmare.

His heart still pounding, he slides down on his knees next to her. Reaching out, he takes her shoulder gently. "Hey, hey," he croons. "Come on, wake up. You're okay... it's just a dream, wake up."


Guilt is written all over Carson's face. He knows that while he was mostly sober, someone as smart as Angelica could easily deduct what he'd been up to. He's just as glad that they don't have enough time for her to give him a reprimand.

Going over last-minute details, Carson can feel the knots forming in his stomach. They had a won case... he knew they did. But that didn't mean the process would be pleasant. They knew that Heather had a personal grudge against single fathers, but Carson would still have to endure an interrogation in front of the judge.

It was too soon before Carson was on the stand. There was a handful of other people there. Heather had several others with her, all of their noses in the air with a confidence that made his blood boil. And then there was... Misty? Surprise flickers in Carson's eye as he catches her gaze for an instant before his attention is drawn back to the slick lawyer in front of him. The games began. Questions were fired, answers were given. Carson had a hard time concentrating, his hangover worsening each time he had to think.

"Mr. Banks, is it true that when Mackenzie was with you, that you had a phone conversation with Heather Jones?"

"Yes."

"And is it true that she told you to take Mackenzie to your local authorities?"

"Yes."

"And did you do as you were told?"

Carson grits his teeth, his hands fidgeting in his lap out of sight. "No. I didn't want to-"

"Why didn't you do as you were told, Mr. Banks?" The prosecutor paces in front of the stand. "Why didn't you do as Heather Jones requested?"

"I didn't want the girl to go through any unnecessary trauma."

"But staying with you - her kidnapper - that didn't seem traumatic to you?"

"I didn't kidnap her."

"Mr. Banks, were you aware that keeping Mackenzie with you was illegal?"

Carson hesitates. But he and Angelica had agreed to total honesty. "Yes."

"And yet you still chose to keep her. Why?"

"I just told you."

"Isn't it true that you wanted to keep Mackenzie and gain custody?"

"No."

"Isn't it true that you saw an opportunity for control by gaining access to your daughter?"

"No!"

The prosecutor's voice rises as well. "Isn't it true that you hired someone to kidnap your daughter, so she would be brought to you, so you could hold her for personal gain?"

"No!"

The prosecutor chuckles and shakes his head. "You... have a record, Mr. Banks."

"I've been pardoned."

"Do you deny having a criminal past?"

Carson keeps himself from rolling his eyes as his shoulders drop. He hadn't been ready for this one. "I do not deny it."

"And... you think while having this past that your living quarters is a safe one?"

"I don't claim that it is or isn't. But-"

"Do you really think it's a safe environment for a little girl?"

Carson's had just about all he can take. "I never said I wanted her to live with me!" His tone rises with irritation. "I never said that I wanted to keep her or gain custody! Whether my residence is so-called "safe" or not doesn't matter because I never claimed to even want her with me."

The prosecutor remains calm. "So you did kidnap her for something else. Money? I understand you're renting an apartment with your sister. Are you financially stable?"

"Money doesn't have anything to do with this! I didn't kidnap Mackenzie!"

The prosecutor spins on his heel to stalk back to his table with a smug look on his face. "I'm done here."

Carson rubs a hand over his face, thoroughly agitated. To anyone watching, he knew that he looked guilty. There were so many reasons he could have had for kidnapping Mackenzie. They had to prove he hadn't. But in his state, it might even be harder than they'd thought. His eyes catch Misty's again. His own were bloodshot and still held a slight glaze. She would know... he knew she would know without even being close to him. He looks down, feeling the guilt for his actions the night before. He couldn't have chosen a worse time to fall to pieces.