Panic

Continuing to listen to Mick Dan walks just nodding her head here and there. He couldnt help but he a little disappointed in hearing Katie had someone but he was happy for her, and hoped Jason would come to his senses and come to Katie. She was something special that much Dan could tell.

"I hope Jason knows what he has. Katie is a nice, pretty girl who would great catch for anyone."

Getting into the truck and putting his seat belt on Dan stops for a moment an almost glazed look in his eyes as Mick asks him about a woman in his life. Soon the look was gone as Dan turns his head to Mick and gives a half grin.

"Nah, no woman for me. Someday the right woman will come along for me again. At the moment I dont much mind being a batchler. So where is this hay we need to get?"

Receiving Jason's sympathy makes Katie feel a little better. Maybe thats what she needed, just for him to show he cared a little more. And knowing he was going to at least try made Katie feel good inside knowing he cared.

"Ok, at least you said your going to try. Thank you!"

Katie lets out a long sigh and gives a nod of her head even though Jason couldnt see her.

"I love you to Jason, More than anything in the world. I'll hang as much as I can till you get here. Hope to see you again J."

"You owe me 300.00 you know Ryan."

Ryan looks over the roof of her car as the larder man who stood with 3 other of his friends. She new who the man was and why he was here, but the amount of money he wanted was more than she had told him.

"I dont owe you 300.00 I owe you 150.00"

"Dont give me that and try to get out of it. You and Leo arnt together anymore fair and squair you owe me 300.00."

Coming around to the other side of her car Ryan keeps her arms folded across her chest. She held her ground. Really she was in no mood for games, let alone ones that involved Leo.

"I told your Roth the moment I started falling for Leo the bet was off and I meant it. I was wrong for what I did and I wanted to keep the happyness I found. Its over now, but I still ment it the bet was off. You get 150.00 after the race."

"I want the money now, all of it there is no backing out Ryan. Don't be stupid just give it to me."

"I said afterwords Roth, 150.00 after words. Now go bother some of your other friends before I lose my cool."

Turning her back to Roth Ryan reaches to open for her car door. The race was going to start and she had no time for this.

What happened in the next few moments was so fast. A gun was drawn, a temper flaired. Shots rung out, people panicked and screamed. Money was take and people fled. In what seemed like the blink of an eye all was quiet and the only remint left of a deal gone wrong was the bloody heap of a body next to Ryan's car, the breaths taken were short, the palus slow, and the crimson blood stain on the chest growing bigger as it soaked through her shirt.

I'll ask

The three guys just stare at Ryan, seeming to feel more sheepish than upset with her for pouncing on them. It works though. As Ryan walks away, the guys look at each other, and silently decide not to keep picking on the same subject. It wasn't worth it.



"They will..." Mick nods his head as he starts the truck. His eyes give Dan a sidelong glance. He knew the young man had a lot of questions running through his mind. "Sometimes two people just need to grow a little on their own before they come together." This he knew well, though he hoped Jason and Katie would find happiness in a much shorter time than he and Rosetta had.

"Jason and Katie have come a long, long way. They've been through a lot, apart and together, and they've been dealt a hard hand in life. But... if I know them, they'll make it. What about you?"

Mick cocks his head, a little grin on his face. "You've been here how long? I have yet to hear of any woman in your life."



Jason lets out a long sigh. "Oh, Katie..." He couldn't imagine what she was feeling right now. "I'm so sorry... I know Rick's still working..." He knew that didn't help much. He'd heard Scott had helped out, but he also had heard Rick and Misty hadn't had any successes yet.

Thinking a moment, he closes his eyes. "I don't know if Reese will let me go or not..." His voice trails off and he kicks himself. He'd just gotten back, realizing some ways in which he needed to change, and this was his only response to her now? "...but I'll ask him, okay?"

He bites his lip and glances out his office towards the infirmary. "There's... something I need to talk to you about too... but not until I see you."

Another pause. Why he felt awkward, he didn't know. "I love you, Hero... hang in there for me, okay?"



Gunner leans back in his chair and fires another rubber band into Susanne's empty office. Another bullseye. With his feet up on his desk, he rocks a little, his mind wandering too much to concentrate on paperwork. Why he was hesitating to call Ned, he didn't know. The thought of ghosts kept coming to mind, even though he tried to get around it. But he couldn't just give up his life's work in one moment... could he?

Company

Putting on her gloves before the race Ryan makes her way through everyone. It had been a long afternoon with three races down already and her pockets full. Out on the track her mind was free and it was a great place to forget about everything. If it hadnt been for that reason she would of called it quits a race back and went home with what she had already.

Passing by the small group Ryan can't help but hear Leo's name stopping for a moment to hear what was being said. Ryan wasnt nosie but with everything going on she couldnt help but think it had something to do with it.

Hearing what was being said about the person she still did in fact care for Ryan cant feel a small burn form as she cant help but speak up.

"Leo has more brains than you guys ever will, he let go when he new it was best for him. That take more guts than this here..."

Ryan waves her hand to the race track.

"...ever will take. If I could go back and change what I did, I would so I could hold onto Leo a little long. Money, who cares about money. When it comes to the heart thats worth more than diamonds or pearls ever will."

Ryan shakes her head as she trys to calm herself down. She wasnt even sure why she was saying all this. These guys were just going to laugh when she walked away anyways.

"Dont you guys have better things to do than but into other people's business. Just watch the race."

Finishing putting her gloves on Ryan shakes her head again and makes her way to her car. Another half houre and the race would start. It would give her enough time to show off her car, and get some money in for the bet.

Following behind Mike Dan trys to process his comment as he hasnt said anything more on it. Life line...what did that mean? Just staying quiet for now Dan listens to Mick. Well if Jason was Katie's boyfriend and hadnt come to see her he could understand why she was upset. He'd be pretty upset too.

"If they are that close though...oh never mind its non of my never mind anyways."

Dan lets out a long sigh as he got into Mick's truck. He liked Katie, she was nice, seemed fun and was extremely pretty he hated seeing her so sad.

"I hope things work out for her."

Seeing her phone ring Katie puts it up and answers it. Her position was still in the grass where she was sat earlier as she leaned back just looking up at the clouds in the sky that passed up. Her mind raced but she was trying to come to conclusions, and figure things out.

Hearing Jason's voice Katie hadnt exspected him to call her back so fast. But hearing that voice was nice, it was water to a thirst soul even if she didnt know what he was going to say yet.

Listing to Jason Katie wanted to say so much back, like she wasnt asuming anything, and she didnt think anything but that would be a lie. Jason felt he needed to get this off his chest, than he needed to and make this was the best sorry she was going to get but she would take it.

"I miss you alot too J, and well I've been going through some changes with myself..."

Katie thinks for a long moment. She was ready to go back but she couldnt not now with Jeff.

"...J I found out Jeff is really my father. Its confusing I know but I cant explain more because I dont know more right now. But he only has a few days left to live. I cant leave now. See if Reese will let you come back out to see me for a day or two so we can talk? I could use the company"

Lots going on

The guys in the shop all look up as Ryan makes her exit. No one had expected her to leave early, but no one was all that surprised either.

"Yeah," Jed answers her. "We'll cover for ya. Get outta here." He waves her off. "See ya tomorrow. Good luck tonight."


"Seen Leo around?"

"Nah. Doubt you will. Not after he ain't with that chick driver no more."

"Oh?"

The two men talked off to the side as a small group of racers preparing for that night's course, at the familiar hangout on the edge of town. "Yeah didn't you hear? He dumped her for some blonde thing."

"I heard Ryan dumped him," a third guy chimes in.

The second laughs. "That'd be more like it. Leo's a lot of show and talk, but he don't got the brains to back any of it up."

"I'm surprised he kept Ryan around as long as he did."

"Don't let that fool ya either. I head it was all a bet. Never was serious to begin with."

"Poor guy."

"He was asking for it - the way he flirts with anything with two long legs? I bet it was a funny sight to see him when she broke the news."

All three crack up.

"Yeah. The fool prolly learned his lesson the hard way. We ought to hook him up with Sandy - now that would be funny!"

"Do they give out stupid rewards?!"

They crack up again at the expense of the one who wasn't even there to defend himself.


Receiving Katie's comment, Cindy bites her lip as the younger woman walks away. She hadn't even been thinking when she'd blurted all that out to Mick. Sighing deeply, she tries to forget about it. What was done was done.


Mick grimaces as he sees Katie leave. Great. He'd been wrong. She had overheard them. Before he can think too much about it though, Dan interrupts his thoughts.

"Jason is Katie's lifeline." Mick shakes his head. "Come on."

Waiting until they were outside and on their way to the barn, he explains further. "Jason's her boyfriend... they've been extremely close... closer than most people can understand. It's... hard to explain, so I'll just leave it at that, for now." He eyes Dan as they walk. "They're just going through a rough time right now. A lot is happening in both their lives."


Jason enters the little diner, his gaze finding Camryn sitting in the far booth. She didn't see him yet, giving him a moment to collect his thoughts. His heart gave a little jump. But he didn't like it, even if it felt good. It wasn't supposed to be there, and he knew it. That little jump belonged to someone else. Maybe he was still trying to sort through his mess of feelings but... a few things were starting to clear up.

Taking a deep breath, he moves forward, deciding to put off that topic until it was time to go...


"...You look tired."

Jason nods, his eyes showing his tiredness, even after the lunchtime meal. "Early morning to get back here at this time."

Camryn grins. "And let me guess... Reese won't let you have the afternoon off."

"You kidding? I didn't even want to ask. Getting two days off was bad enough. Though honestly, the look in his eye said 'don't let the door hit ya on the way out.'" Jason shrugs. "I'll do a few extra jobs and I'll get back on his good side again."

Camryn stirs her iced tea with her straw a few moments before looking back at him. "There's more on your mind than just work."

"That obvious?"

"Mm-hmm. You've been quiet since you got here."

Jason leans back in his chair and runs his hands through his hair. "Oh, I don't know. I guess... I guess the last few days I've just been thinking a lot... kinda hard for a man to admit he's been wrong, ya know?"

Camryn smiles a little. "Kinda hard for a woman, too. What was your epiphany about? Katie?"

"You're too smart for your own good."

"Oh, so I'm right."

Jason can't help his sheepish grin. "Maybe. I don't know. Just... hard sorting through it all. I keep getting bombarded with information and different angles and perspectives and I keep coming to the conclusion that there are a lot of those perspectives, not just mine. And I don't know... I guess maybe sometimes I think I've got the wrong one."
He wraps his fingers around his glass, his eyes falling to the floating ice cubes. "You know... if Katie were here... we wouldn't be... I mean..."

Camryn gives a little sigh, her smile fading. "Yeah, I know. Third time's the charm, right? If you're trying to say this is it, just say it quick."

Jason looks up again, his eyes apologizing. "I'm sorry. I hope we can still hang out or something later... find yourself a guy and maybe we can double-date. I just... I guess maybe thinking so much, I realized that seeing you... like this... it just opens up too many doors that I need to stay away from."

"You haven't done anything wrong. You-"

"I know. But I don't want to start, either." Jason shrugs lamely. "I've already betrayed Katie's trust enough."

"I understand." Though disappointed, Camryn did know he was right. "I'm sorry for putting you in this position. I probably should have kept my distance. I was just... glad to see a friend and... maybe was too enthusiastic."

"No... no, it's okay. Seeing you has... well... it's sort of reminded me of what I got. So don't be sorry."

"Alright. See you around then?"

"Yeah... yeah, I'll be around." Jason gives a little nod. "Thanks, Camryn."

She gives him as much of a smile as she can. "Katie's got a real winner in you. Try to work things out with her, eh? You two belong with each other."

"You think?"

"I know."

It's a short while later when Jason is back and TJY again. Lunch really hadn't gone as planned, and he was exhausted, but... at the same time, he could feel that finally, finally he was starting to work out a few things in his mind.

Back in his office, he's got several voice mails waiting from the last few days, and he's tempted to skip them, but eventually he decides he better listen to them. The last one catches him off guard, and hearing what Katie has to say, he can feel the heat in his face. He hadn't talked to her at all for several days, and now she knew he'd been in Texas, and Sapphire had spilled the beans about Camryn. Great, just great. He doesn't hesitate to pick up his cell phone and dial Katie back.

"Katie, it's me..." He leans back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he tries to figure out what to say. "Look, whatever you're thinking just... just stop, alright? I've... well I've just had to sort out some things in my own mind and I'm sorry if it confused you."

He pauses, wondering how deep the damage went. "I love you too. And... and I miss you. Please don't assume anything about my trip or... or Camryn or anything, okay? 'Cause it's not important now. I just..." He sighs. This wasn't coming out at all like it should. "I can't explain over the phone," he finishes lamely.

Message

Continuing to listen Hope can feel herself become more and more confused. She new Katie, and she new her Aunt but the history in the family she didnt really know and this whole thing just made it worse. But trying her best to peace everything together Hope just continues to listing knowing that Scott needed her close. If for anything just to know he wasn't alone.

Coming up behind Rick Misty reaches out to touch the paper in witch Scott had drawn along with the other strand of DNA they had. Her brain taking there mental pictures, and the wheels already working as she saw a few possibility.

"I still don't understand any of this that's going on over in Texas with Katie, Jay, and Jeff but I can already see some possibles and its more than what we did have."

Looking to Scott and giving a smile and a slight nod of her head Misty was sensear.

"Thank you Scott, that was a great job you did."

Never leaving his side, writing, crumpling, throughing away, uncrumpling, throwing away again time and time again Misty continued to work with Rick. Calling off her date with Carson once again Misty gives her many sorrys as she explains what she was working on was big and could very well save Jeff's life. There was no time to wast. Even as her own body wanted to rest Misty will it forward, this was her job, this was her life, this is what she loved to do. And so they continues to work as day turned to night, and night turned to day once again...

Keeping to herself and working quietly Ryan's mind never stoped working. Only it wasnt work, or her races she was thinking about. Leo was what clouded her mind, a way to say sorry, a way to let him know she did care even as she came up blank her mind just reverted back to the look on his face two days ago. The pain she had seen, the hurt she had caused.

Not even hearing Jed at first Ryan continues to work trying to losen a bolt on the engine. At the moment his voice breaks through the bolt gives and Ryan slips slicing her hand on another sharp peace of metal. Letting a curse slip from her lips she looks up at Jed not noticing the harsh tone in her voice as her hand throbbed.

"What...what I am trying to work?!"

Relizing after she said it how her voice must have sounded Ryan shook her head as she wrapped her rag around her bleeding hand. Coming around the car she stops next to Jed giving him an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry Jed, I am not sure when Darrel will be back. I am pretty sure before he left he had said late tonight or early tomorrow, but....dont hold me to that might get me into trouble."

Letting out a long sigh Ryan holds up her hand to indacate she was going to take care of it before blood got everywhere. Turning to head over to the bathroom Ryan stops as she spots the blond and sees Leo go to her.

Ryan can feel her heart stop, and than start again as her stomach churns and it feels like someone reached in twisting it all around. Watching them leave Ryan cant help as her eyes follow them.

Once they are out of the shop her eyes stay on the door for a long moment as she blinks away something wet that had formed in her eyes. Finally moving again Ryan makes her way to the bathroom to clean and wrap her hand. It only takes moment to finish but before she leaves Ryan just looks for a long moment in the mirror. Giving a shake of her head Ryan turns and heads out of the bathroom once more heading back to the car she had been working on.

Looking down at it for a long moment Ryan couldnt get her brain to focus on it again. It just wouldnt work. Shutting the hood with a bang Ryan grabs her jacket and looks over at the other guys.

"I have to get out of here. Mind covering for me if Darrel decieds to come back early?"

Katie sat quietly at the end of the table not really joining in much conversation. She had been so tired and really didnt want to leave Jeff but Angel was with him and she needed to get something to eat. So coming to the dinning hall seemed to be the best solution if only for a little while.

Now thought after starting to hear a little bit of Mick and Cindy's conversation she wondered if she really would of been better off not knowing. Jason had been out, and not once did he come to the ranch. He new Jeff was dying, and he new Katie was having a hard time with it but still he didnt come? Why?

Standing almost abruptly Katie starts to make her way to the door. She didnt know if she was mad, or just hurt Jason hadnt come to see her. Stoping by Cindy to give Kaylee a little pat Katie looks at Cindy trying to give a small smile.

"I'm happy you had a nice time while Jason was out. Must of been good to see him."

Lowing her eyes again Katie finishs making her way to the door before slipping through it.

Watching from his own seat down Dan had noticed Katie's reaction and over heard the conversation himself. A little confused he was still concerned for Katie.

Poping the last chip into his mouth Dan stands as Mick called him. Looking twords him he throws his stetson back on his head before taking the short strides to Mick's side.

"Yeah, yeah yeah I'm ready."

Just standing there for a moment looking twords the door Katie had gone out he couldnt help but get a strange vibe and feel bad for her again.

"Sooo..who's Jason and why does Katie look so upset over not seeing him?"

Making her way across the grass once more Katie takes in a deep breath and lets it out seeing her own breath in front of her as it was a little colder today. She told herself not to over react, and to stay clam but she still couldn't help but be upset. Finally pulling her phone out Katie dials his number at the office wondering if he was back there yet.

Just letting it ring Katie figures the voice mail in his office would pick up any moment as all unanswered calls were reverted there. But much to Katie's surprise on the ring before the voice mail would pick up she heard a very familiar voice and for a moment was a little surprised.

"Thank your for calling The Elite how can I help you?"

"Sapphire?"

"Yes?"

"Hey its Katie long time no talk I guess I wasnt exspecting you to answer the phone."

Katie tryed to sound cheery but new she was doing a fail job at it. It was just so hard.

"Oh Hey Hero, yeah the last few says Susanne has been sick, and everyone had been pretty busy, Jamie has been using a bunch of sick time too so I was here and free. Did you need to talk to Reese?"

Katie pases in the grass a nervous habbit she noticed she had picked up since coming here.

"No actually I was wanting to talk to Jason please."

Thinking a moment Sapphire cocks her not seeing Jason back yet.

"He's out to lunch right now, but he's usely back in about a half hour. Camryn has to be to work but than most days."

Taken back for a moment and feeling like she had reserved a punch to the gut Katie managed a whisper, maybe she had heard wrong.

"Cam...Camryn is back in town?"

"Oh yeah, she had been back for a while now. Jason spends most of his lunches with her I am suprised he never said anything."

"Must...oh slipped his mind. Can you send me to his voice mail please?"

"Yeah sure thing Katie. It was good talking to you. We miss you here, hope you come home soon."

Hearing a beep Katie knows Sapphire was patching her over to Jason's voicemail. As the silence lingers Katie has time to think and she dosent like what her own mind come up with. Maybe thats why he didnt tell her he was here. Maybe things were....

Getting cut off Jason's voice mail comes on the link and Katie waits. She didnt even know what she was going to say but now she had to say something.

"Hey J. I...well..."

Katie lets out a long sigh as she shakes her head and sinks down onto the wet grass a small tear rolling out of her eye. She thought she was getting better, she felt like she was gaining control and now it felt like things were crumbling down.

"Sapphire told me you were out to lunch with Camryn, so I figured I wouldn't bother you on your cell. I just wanted to tell you, you mom really appreciated you came to see her. She really missed you a lot. I hope next time I'll get to see you too."

Katie is silent for a moment as she can feel her emotions well even more, like a brick was on her chest.

"Anyways, have a good lunch and I'll talk to ou soon I guess. Take care J. I...love you."

Katie's last words were soft and trailed off as she hung up the phone. Just continuing to sit in the glass as the small tears rolled down her cheek.

No visit

Rick stares at the paper, lost in thought before finally paying attention to Hope's question. "No... but this might get us started in the right direction. If this is a formula to something they gave Jeff, we can work backward. But... why would that be in Jay's file? That still doesn't make complete sense."

He turns the paper, still studying it, making sure Misty can see it, too. "Wait... I bet this isn't specifically anything from Jay... I bet this is a diagram of dna that's been manipulated by their own formula... But how does that help us?"

Scott furrows his brow, still trying to think. Surely he hadn't discovered something just for it to mean nothing. "Why did I think of Jay's file?" he whispers. He couldn't remember how his mind had gotten there.

"Okay..." Rick holds up his hands. "Let's start over. The Agency thinks that Jay is the one who had their formula in him because they believe Katie is his daughter. Somehow, it wound up being Jeff instead though. So any documentation about that particular formula would be in Jay's file. Right?"

Scott almost cringes, trying to keep it all straight. Hope's hand on his shoulder was about the only thing keeping him afloat at the moment. "How does that help us?"

"I don't know." If it weren't so serious, the situation would almost seem comical. Rick paces, paper in hand. "Wait! I got it! ...No... no that wouldn't be it. I didn't think there was a connection between this thing with Jeff and the ability phenomenon." He continues to pace.

Scott's eyes widen. "You said this looks like dna. What about Jeff's? What does his look like?"

Rick goes to his own files and digs out a printout, laying both papers side by side on the counter. "Misty, take a look at this.... here's the Agency's... here's Jeff's... they almost match... but... Jeff's has been broken down... almost like it's deteriorated compared to this other diagram. But... why?"

"It's what they gave him," Scott concludes. "The Agency didn't know Jeff's own dna had been manipulated from their formula - they thought it was Jay. So whatever was leaking out of his capsule to begin with, started breaking this down... it was a direct attack on what had been fused into his own system."

"That's it!" Rick straightens quickly. "That's it! The Agency has a way to destroy their own monster! It's not a pill or a suppressant like they gave Katie... or like I made for her and Jason. They still didn't know that Jeff is Katie's father, so they tested their new and improved agent on him... he was just an easy target because he was the first person to carry the original formula in the first place - in the capsule with the chip. This time perhaps they were even trying to place a substance in his bloodstream that wouldn't harm him or be detected like a chip, but if they ever lost their data, they could just get a hold of some of his blood, break it down and find their formula again."

Scott's eyes widen. "And they didn't realize they were working on their own target."

"Exactly. The formula that's in Jeff now, the Agency knows can destroy the connection between Katie and Jason. Unfortunately, they didn't know that they were injecting someone who already had a piece of the puzzle in his dna, so what happens... it starts eating him alive. If it were Katie and Jason, it would remove the elements from them that give them abilities and they would be forever normal. But for Jeff - he contains only a few pieces, enough for the formula to recognize and attack, but without the rest of the agent in him, this formula would attack his own system, and in turn, make him sick."

"Until he dies."

Rick's excitement over the discovery is brought to a solemn halt. "Yes."

"What can we do though? If what's killing him is basically an anti-mutation, then how can you fight that?"

"We give him what Jason and Katie have and let the formula destroy it without feeding on his own healthy system."

The rest of the day, into the night and all through the next day, Rick doesn't leave the infirmary. With little sleep, he works alongside Misty, trying to recreate a formula to give Jeff to give the substance something else to feed off of. But time was running out, and Rick feared that they would not find the solution in time. And even if they did, it was no guarantee that Jeff would ever recover...


"Yo, Leo, where were you yesterday, man? Looked all over for ya!"

Leo doesn't look up from his engine, in order to answer Jed. "I was out."

"Out. You can be so cryptic sometimes, you know that?"

"Naw, that's Axel."

"Now that guy can creep me out," Miles chimes in. "Yesterday I turned around and there he was. 'Bout scared me out of my pants. I swear he's part Indian."

Jed smirks and clinks around in an engine. "Hey, Ryan, I was..." He looks up. "Ryan... Ryan?" Turning around, he finally sees her in the far corner, working quietly. It had been like that the last few days. Everyone in the shop knew about her and Leo, even though no one talked about it. Even so, it was strange to see Ryan off by herself. "You know when Darrel's supposed to get back from that convention?" he calls.

Leo is still working when the side door opens and a tall, attractive blonde sticks her head in. "Hello?"

He throws her a grin. "Hey, gorgeous. You ready to go to lunch?"

"Am I ever." She lets herself in, smiling at him, and tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Subs or pizza today?"

"Mmm..." Leo thinks as he wipes his hands on his rag, wandering closer and slipping an arm around her waist. He leans in so his face is about two inches from hers. "Subs. Then we can split one."

She giggles and shakes her head, pulling away walk back outside. "Alright. But no onions."

Leo gives a little flirtatious growl before tossing his rag aside and running after her. "Later guys, after lunch!"

"Yeah, yeah." Miles waves him out the door. "You better be back in an hour!"


“No, he left early this morning.” Cindy bounces Kaylee lightly on her knee, the child gurgling with pleasure.

“Oh, I see.” Mick takes a sip of water while listening at the lunch table. “He came when?”

“Mm, about three days ago.”

“Surprised he didn’t come out here to see some people.” Mick’s eyes move to the side, barely able to see Katie, who sat behind him a few feet in the corner, taking a break from watching over Jeff. He didn’t think she’d heard the conversation, and it was just as well. Cindy had commented that Jason had been visiting for a couple days, but the young man had not shown up at the ranch once. Apparently, he had already started back to Nevada.

Cindy frowns a little. “He was… distant. His leg was still bothering him from where he got shot. Said he mostly just wanted some quiet time to work on some music he’d been meaning to write. We had a good time though. He didn’t talk much about work, but that was just as well. He seemed like he needed the break.”

“I see.” Mick nods a little.

A smile spreads on Cindy’s face. She had missed her son, and had enjoyed the time, even if he’d seemed bothered by something he hadn’t wanted to discuss. “Kaylee was glad to see him, too. Saw him and she blurted out ‘Jah!”” Cindy chuckles. “Wes and I figured that meant ‘Jason.’”

Kaylee giggles and throws her arms around. “Jah!” Her eyes sparkle as she stares up at Mick, very proud of herself for reasons only she knows. Squealing, she bounces enough that she almost falls off of Cindy’s knee.

Mick laughs and shakes his head, reaching out to ruffle Kaylee’s soft hair. “I wish I had your energy.” Downing the rest of his drink, he stands up and stretches. Lunch was over and it was time to get back to work. “Dan? Dan! Where is that-” Looking a few seats down, he realizes Dan hasn’t been that far away. “Oh, that’s where you’ve been hiding,” he teases. “You ready to go pick up that hay?”

Good work

Continuing down the road Hope dosnt say much else to Scott as she just focuses. Scott was pretty focused and if it was to help someone than she wouldnt stand in his way. She new he wanted to help, and she new it would make him feel good.

Finally making it to TJY Hope parks the car and hops out only a few feet behind Scott as she follows him through the cubicles weaving in and out. Hearing Gunner's comment as she pass him Hope shakes her head and rolls her eyes throwing her own comment over her shoulder.

"He's not running from me, so no line is needed. I'm just trying to keep up with him."

Listing to Scott for a long moment Hope is a big confused but than understand as she steps farther into the room. Giving a look to Rick and than to Scott Hope gives a nod doing her best to give him the currage in the fact that she was there if he needed her.

"You can do it Scott."

Looking over Scott's shoulder his drawinng starts to come together bit by bit taking form. Finally as Scott is done Hope cocks her head putting her hand gentily on Scott shoulder letting him know he did good. Throwing a glance to Rick she questions.

"Is this it? Will this make Jeff better?"

Feeling Axel's hand on her shoulder Ryan turns her head the tears that had filled her eyes were now dry. Giving a small smile Ryan felt the comfort from Axel and she couldnt help but feel a little better than someone actually cared even if she still felt like crap, and hurt inside.

"I don't know how to make it right Axel. I've....never done this before let alone care about anyone like I did Leo."

Letting out a long sigh Ryan gives a strech and stands from the bench looking to the building and than looking back to Axel.

"For now I guess I should just get back to work. Thanks Axel."

Slowly heading back to the shop Ryan enters not making much sounds but throwing a glance at Leo before going back to the car she had been working on. She hurt, she felt stupid for what she had done to Leo, she felt a little humilated herself not to mention silly for crying in front of the guys.

Keeping her head down Ryan is more quit than normal as she continues to work on her car just trying to keep her mind busy.

Make it right

Squinting as if in pain, Scott shakes his head. "I don't feel intelligent... it's all just... weird. If I could only retrieve the information on my own..."

Leaning back, he runs a finger over his mouth, thinking hard as they drive. "I see it... but I don't know what it is... just... drive."

Still thinking, he lapses into silence the rest of the way to the office. Once there, he heads inside quickly, breaking into a jog across the main floor and skidding around the corner into the hall.

There's just a few people around, and Gunner looks up quickly from his desk. Seeing Scott run by, with Hope close behind, he lifts his eyebrows. Giving a little wave that goes unnoticed by Scott, Gunner shakes his head, showing a bit of amusement. "Keep him in line, Doc, looks like he's getting away from you."

Scott makes it down to the infirmary, bursting in without knocking. "Rick... Rick..." He paces in circles, raking his hands through his hair. "It's... it's in there, I know it is."

Rick blinks, stopping what he's doing. he looks over to Misty, then at Hope, then back to Scott. "You alright?"

"No... no, it's Jay... I mean Jeff. They thought it was Jay, but it wasn't."

Rick quirks an eyebrow, totally confused. Stepping forward, he pulls Hope further in, shutting the door. It was apparent the secret wasn't going to be held as tightly as as attempted. "Scott, what are you talking about."

"The... the..." Scott snaps his fingers, still squinting as he thinks. "...formula. It was for Jay. But it was Jeff. That's how it turned out to be Katie."

Rick folds his arms bewildered. He glances to Hope. "Jeff's Katie's father, not Jay. Keep it under your hat. Scott, where are you going with this?"

"The meds... the Agency thought it was Jay for some reason. But it was Jeff... it had to be, otherwise Katie wouldn't have inherited her abilities. And... and... and so the information in Jay's file is actually Jeff's."

"What information."

"I don't know. It's like a... a... web or... or something. Like... like..."

Rick waits, then his eyes widen. "Like a formula?"

"Yeah!"

"Here." Rick hands him a notepad and pencil. "Draw."

"What? I can't draw."

"Just draw, Scott! You're seeing a formula from the Agency files. I know you can do this."

Scott swallows hard and he takes the paper and pencil. He glances at Hope with uneasiness, needing to know she was there. It was scary, pulling out this information... but if it helped...

He starts to draw what he'd seen, writing out as much of the letters and numbers he could remember, below what to him looked like a web, but to Rick it looked like dna.


"Mmm." Axel purses his lips. He'd thought the rumors were true, now he knew they were. "That's tough, Ryan... I'm sorry."

Axel didn't normally touch anybody, let alone a female, but Ryan had his trust. Reaching over, he puts a hand on her shoulder. "I wish I knew what to tell you... I know you like Leo... and I know he likes you too." He shrugs a little. "All you can do is move forward and see what happens... try to make it right."

Mess of things

Hearing Axel's voice Ryan looks up and than down again shielding her bloodshot eyes. Taking her hand and swipping away the tears Ryan looks up again and trys to give a smile before it slowly fades.

What was the use Axel had seen her eyes already and new something was wrong. She might as well just tell him before someone else did and made it bigger than the starting.

"Yes, No...I dont know."

Ryan is quiet for a moment as she collected her own thoughts before shaking her head and pulling the rag from her pocket and just playing with it in her hands for a moment.

"Oh Axel, I've mad a mess of things and it was my own fault. I really did fall for him ya know, I cared, and I enjoyed being with him and now...now he dosnt believe any of it. Not that I dont blame him. I had something good in my life for one and I messed it all up by not telling him the truth before he found out himself. Maybe if I had he would of believed me when I told him I really did fall for him."

Sitting having lunch with Scott Hope enjoyed the time, and the friendly, loving conversation she sheared with him. After the frustrating day she had, it was nice to just kick back and enjoy some company.

"I feel so bad for Katie. Its always hard losing someone and they just seem to be dropping like flys around her."

Hope takes a sip of her drink but gives a jump as Scott stands. She didnt even have time to ask what was going on before he was almost out the door. Throwing down some money and grabbing her bag Hope trys to follow after him.

"Whoa, Whoa no stealing my car. I didnt give you a key so you could steal it, only barrow it sometimes."

Getting into the driverside Hope waits for Scott to climb in before she takes off heading back to TJY. Letting the silence linger for a long moment before she finally glances at Scott.

"So...whats going on? Whats going on in this intelligent mind of yours?"

Didn't want to be...

Leo glances up as Ryan starts to walk away, the pain hitting him harder. He wanted to call her back and tell her it was okay... but he was too hurt. No matter what she said now, he really didn't know what to believe. He'd been so blind... and unfortunately, he really had liked her. He'd kidded around a lot, and he knew he flirted with girls all teh time... but Ryan had been different... She'd given him attention and actually wanted to spend time with him. Or so it had seemed. Now though... he wondered if any of it had ever really been real.

Seeing the other guys looking at him, he shoots them a glare and they all quickly get back to work. Mustering up any gumption he had left, Leo gets back to his own work, determined to ignore this whole thing.

Outside, someone had just been coming into the shop in time to see Ryan slip around the corner. Concerned, they follower her steps before approaching quietly and slipping down on the bench next to her.

Axel looks out to the surrounding buildings, not saying anything for a moment.

"You alright?"


JT hears the doorbell and gives a little sigh. Giving up on paperwork for a moment, he gets up from the couch, not bothering to see who was at the door before answering. Swinging the door open, he immediately bristles. "Gunner."

"Yeah, JT, look, I-"

"You're not supposed to get within five hundred feet of me," JT cuts him off. "You realize if I call you in, they'll do more than suspend you."

"So call." Gunner throws up his arms. "I came to apologize alright? I was desperate and I did something stupid. So... I'm sorry."

JT thinks for a moment. He wasn't afraid of Gunner... the agent didn't seem to want to hurt him any more now than he had the other night. "Change of heart?"

Gunner shrugs. "Just figured... I don't know... I didn't want to be the bad guy."

"Mmm." JT nods. "Well... alright then. You've been here... I won't call it in... it's over."

"Okay... good... yeah... right." Gunner gives a little wave as he turns back around to leave. "Thanks."


"...and Rick says if they can't find a cure then... Jeff's only got another couple days left. Even if they do find a cure, he says after this, Jeff's immune system will be basically shot, but at least he'd be alive." Scott plays with a bit of food on his dinner plate. Though taking time out to be with Hope, conversation had eventually led back to work anyway.

He shoves some beans to the side, having eaten about half his food. More than normal, but it still left a lot untouched. "I feel bad for Katie... I know she was close to Jeff, ya know? He's a nice guy... least he was to me."

Scott leans back in his chair and rubs his forehead where a headache had formed. He had accidentally overheard something Rick had said earlier, revealing to him the truth about Jay and Jeff. He'd promised not to say anything though, for Katie's sake, but the whole thing had been churning in his gut. He couldn't imagine how Katie must feel right now.

"Jeff..." Suddenly Scott seems very far away, almost in a daze, his voice now a whisper. "Jeff Pent... they thought..." His eyes widen and his fork clatters onto his plate. He finally focuses on Hope again. "We have to go... back to TJY."

Not even waiting for a response, he stands up, grabbing his jacket and abruptly ending their date. "Come on, or I'm gonna swipe your car."

Foolish

Ryan wants to say more but she doesn't know where to start. Never had she felt anything quite like this. It felt like anything inside was being ripped apart and it was her fault.

She had fallen for Leo, maybe she would of even said she was in love, but now she had hurt him and tore him down. Now, it hurt more than anything she felt and a new sensation was coming to her eyes burning them. Something no one ever seen, the wet sensation she had never felt before though she new they were tears as the pain inside of her continued.

Looking away for a moment and blinking Ryan looks back to Leo again.

"And never had the heart felt a pain like this before, and never would it want to feel this pain once again for it was my own blind eyes that carved this open wound."

The words from her lips seemed to flow with a deep meaning again something that was not normal but spoken from the heart.

"I'm sorry Leo, It was cruel, and wrong and I was the fool. Getting to spend time with you showed me a side of you no one else gets to see. I DID fall for you, and the more time I spent with you, the more I cared, but your right I don't deserve you because you are better than me. I'm...sorry."

Feeling the water fill her eyes more Ryan turns and makes her way to the door. Quickly glancing at the others in the room Ryan turns her head down once again and leaves the grudge. Making her way to the side of the building Ryan finds a bench and sinks down on it putting her head in her hands just sitting there for a moment as the pain inside of her indured. She'd been so foolish. And lost one of the best things she had going for her in life.She just had to collect her thoughts for a moment before getting back to work.

I hope

"You? Fallen for me?" Leo shakes his head and grabs a nearby tool. "I don't know what to believe anymore. All I know is a couple guys are short ten bucks because you and I have been on a few dates. I always wondered why you finally gave in to my nagging, and now I know why. There was no way on this green earth that you would have gone out with me in the first place... until you had something to prove."

He looks up again, fire flashing in his eyes. "I know I can be stupid sometimes... and I know I goof off and I screw up a lot of things. This is the only job I could ever keep for more than six months, and I know most people just take me for an idiot. But not a fool... Never have I been set up like this, just to be made a fool out of. Whatever your point was, Ryan... whether it was to make me look stupid, to earn a buck or just prove some stupid point, you did it quite well."

Leo's fingers tighten around his tool. "I don't care what happened in the meantime... the fact is, that this whole thing started because of a bet. And I'm the fool. Congratulations... I hope the next guy knows better than I did."

Kind of Woman

Bristling herself a little and seeing the look on Leo's face Ryan's heart thumps hard. For a moment she knows what Leo is talking about.

"Leo...I..."

But hearing Leo continue Ryan cant help as she almost turns to stone as his comment hits her and her eyes narrow.

"Whoa, Whoa wait a second...I dont know what or who told you anything like that but I wasn't betting on me coming back to your room, to do anything of that nature with you. I'm far from that kind of woman."

Shaking her head and folding her arms across her chest Ryan continues to look at Leo not moving.

"I...dont know what you think or what anyone told you Leo, but...I HAVE fallen for you. My time spend with you has been enjoyable. Do you really think that was all a lie Leo?"

Humuliated

Leo bristles. Instead of turning to Ryan to try and steal a kiss to the cheek like he normally did, he doesn't even look at her.

"I um... I don't think I'll be joining you for this race... or any from now on, for that matter."

He tries fumbling with a part in the engine, but finally gives up, shooting Ryan a look full of hurt. He'd run into some of her racing buddies that morning, and it hadn't been pleasant. "I've been humiliated enough, thanks. So if your next move was to see how long it took me to invite you back to my place so you could win an additional ten bucks... I guess you lose."

He leans on the open engine, shifting his gaze back to his task again, his teeth clenched tightly.

Race

Hope gives a nod to Reese knowing his concern. She had a few more idea's about Gunner and maybe some ways to help him but for now she would keep it on a down low. Sometimes things were just better that way.

"It's not a problem Reese. Thats part of my job now. I'll write up my report and have on your best by tomorrow afternoon. If anything else comes up I will let u know."

Hope turns and leaves Reese office making her way back to the interrogation room. Sitting down at the small table that was named her desk for now Hope lets out a small sigh as she starts to write her report a little before she left.

"Shhhhh...save your strength now ok."

Katie's eyes filled with more tears as she looked down at her father. She new the time was coming and it hurt so bad. She wanted Jeff to keep his strength so he could hold on a while longer.

"Don't you worry about me, I am gonna be fine."

Leaning down again Katie leans her head on the pillow next to Jeff Katie brings her feet on to the bed just snuggling next to him. Leaning her arm around him gentily.

"I'm going to miss you Dad, dont give up to soon."

Grabbing the wrench Ryan walks over Ron and hands it to him. Giving a point to the engine he was working on Ryan give a small chuckle.

"Try tighting that bolt and replacing that cap. There is a small crack in it thats going to let air in so it doesn't have a right seal."

Turning around to go back to her own car Ryan spots Leo and a big smile spreads across. But not even receiving a hi from Leo Ryan cocks her head confused for a moment. It wasn't like Leo to say anything.

Walking over to the car Leo was working on Ryan whips her hands on her rag before tucking it back into her pocket and leaning against the car.

"Hey there. There is a big race tonight so I get to see you at the end of the finish line right?"

Odd Behavior

Reese sighs deeply but nods."I was afraid of that. But it was worth a try. I appreciate what you did do... maybe something clicked inside that thick skull of his." He shakes his head a little. "I'm glad you're keeping an eye on him. I've always been a little worried about him - that's one of the reasons I kept him out in Texas for so long... he claimed the time alone made him crazy and maybe it did... but at least he wasn't back here chasing a fantasy mystery. Anyway..."

He takes a deep breath. "Thanks for letting me know what happened. He's still on suspension... hopefully he'll get over this."


Though his eyes were closed, a small smile creases Jeff's lips. "I think I like it too," he whispers. "I love you so much, Katie..." His hand finds one of hers to hold. It was strange... for so long, his had been the warm strength... now it was Katie's health and youth that made her hand the warm, strong one against Jeff's cool skin.

"I'm... I'm sorry I didn't.... tell you sooner." He has to take a breath, the effort of speaking almost too much now, making him cough. "I just.... it was better and... and you had a... a family."

He licks his dry lips as he tries to think of the right words. His cluttered mind wasn't making it easy. "But... but I'm glad you know now so... I could.... so I could... call you my... daughter."

Making the effort to open his eyes, his glossy stare looks up at Katie, love and pride shining through. "When I'm gone... keep your light strong... okay?"

A quirky grin surfaces at just the corner of his mouth. "Somebody has to tell the... campfire stories."


"Oh come on!" Jed grumbles over the engine he was working on. "This big piece of... Where is Leo anyway?"

"Wasn't scheduled 'til this afternoon," Ron mumbles from under another car. "Hey, Ryan, pass me that wrench, would you?"

Miles clangs around in a corner, looking for a tool. "Anybody want to hang out tonight?"

The activity in the shop was enough to let Leo in the side door without being noticed. Instead of barging into the conversation or making an entrance as usual, he simply clocks in, then gets started on the car at the far end. His eyes stay lowered, and he doesn't even greet Ryan.

Keep an eye

Looking up at Jay again Katie gives a small nod and a little smile as the tears still glisson in her eye. Slowing moving pass Jay Katie enters farther into the bunkhouse and to Jeff's side. He was getting worse by the minute and Katie could see it in his face. Sitting down on the bed Katie gentily runs her hand up and down Jeff's back and arm gently rubbing.

"You can't leave me yet, not after I just found out your my dad."

Tears rolled freely from Katie's eye not holding them back this time. Her hand shook a little but she didnt take it off of Jeff. She was there, and she wanted him to continue to feel her and know she was close bye.

"I always felt so close to you. Like I could tell you anything in the world and it would be ok. Sometimes I ever felt like you ran a close second to how close I felt to Jason."

Stopping for a moment Katie choked on her own words. The emotions churned inside of her, everything was happening so fast there was very little time to work through it all and process it.

"You could always make me smile and your camp fire story's kept me entertained for hours even if it didn't seem like it. I think I almost got every one memorized."

Katie gives a smile to Jeff trying to make him feel better and as comfortable as she could.

"I'll always remember the good times. I love you Dad!"

Katie gives a small chuckle and shakes her head whipping some of the tears from her face.

"It sounds strange calling you that, but I'll get use to it quick. I think I like how it sounds."

Opening the car door Hope stops for a moment and turns back to Gunner.

"Be safe ok?"

Getting out Hope closed the door behind her and makes her way inside starting to head down the levels. Making a quick stop to see Scott and set up a dinner date Hope was on her way once again to Reese office.

Giving a smile and a nod of hello to Susanne Hope knocks on the office door. Hearing Reese's answer to come in Hope slips into the room quietly and makes her way to his desk.

"Hey Reese, I just wanted to let you know that today is my last session with Gunner. I cant help someone who doesn't want it. It just does not work that way."

Hope it quiet for a moment as she collects her own thoughts and than speaks again.

"But that dosnt mean I wont be keeping an eye on him. He'll be back to see me sooner or later when he is ready. I could see it in his eyes the truth is gonna his him hard. We just need to give this time ok?"

Floats

Gunner lifts his eyebrows, a little surprised, but he doesn't argue. Putting the car in gear, he pulls away from the curb, takes a U-turn and heads back to TJY. Really, he'd just won a battle. But for some reason, he didn't feel like celebrating.

Once at TJY, he lets Hope off at the door. "See you later then," was as much as he'd said since leaving the scene. Instead of parking and coming inside too though, he leaves once again, not bothering to inform anyone where he was going.

At first he heads to the outskirts of town, the rolling cemetery in sight. But he changes his mind and leads left instead.

The little shop isn't very busy. It was just as well. Ordering a large rootbeer float, Gunner sits in the booth alone, his feet propped up on the other side. He had no paperwork today. No laptop today.

He fiddles with the straw and takes a long drink of the cold treat, almost giving himself a brain freeze.

"You're chasing ghosts, Gunner."

He takes his spoon and dishes out some ice cream to suck on.

"You've become the bad guy."

He orders a second float.


Jay doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Katie, holding her close. His own tears fall. "Oh, Katie..." Her words meant more to him than she would ever know. "I love you so much... and I'm sorry."

Kissing the top of her head, he keeps holding her, not wanting to ever have to let her go. But he knew he had to.

Taking a deep breath, he pulls back just a little, reaching up to wipe away some of her tears, while his own remained. "And you'll always be my daughter too," he whispers. "That will never, ever change."

There was a lot more to be said... a lot more to be explained... but for now... for now this would do. Jay points Katie towards Jeff. "I have to go get Angel... You need to say what you want before..." He lets his sentence trail off, unfinished. "I'll be right back."

Though almost completely out of it, Jeff had seen the embrace, and he felt at peace. Something told him that it would all be okay now.

Talk

Giving a shake of her head Hope looking out the window again as her heart sank just a little. She could feel the had taken a step back now and it would only be that much longer till Gunner could find his peace.

"We are going back, and there will be no session tomorrow, or the day after. I am telling Reese this was the last session."

Hope continues to look out the window blinking her eyes every once and a while as she let out a small sigh.

"There is no point in wasting your time for anymore sessions when you dont think you need them."

Hope falls silent but her brain was still saying so much. Thinking of ways to help Gunner, thinking of reasons. No matter if she tryed to stop or not her brain tryed to form a plan.

Making her way back across the grass Katie drags her feet. Words from someone she really never talked to lingered as she headed to the bunk house.

"So your mad at them both?"

"No I dont think I am, I think its more confustion than anger."

"So why did you walk away?"

"Because I was hurt, and I am trying to be strong through this whole thing. Jeff dosnt need to see me sad. I cant cry, I have to be strong."

Katie looked over her shoulder at Dan to who leaning on the fence next to her. He's seen her upset and followed her. She didn't mind to much for his company, after all she really didnt know him all that well and sometimes its easyer to talk with a stranger.

Dan's heart went out to Katie and he couldnt even imagen how she must feel. His life was far from perfect, but he wondered if knowing the man you called father all your life turned out not to be hurt more than his own problems.

"It's ok to cry you know, in front of Jeff, in front of everyone. Its not going to make them feel bad, but going to show them that you have feelings going on inside of you too that need to be let out."

"But what if I can't stop the tears once they start to come?'

Dan gave a small smile.

"Your a strong woman Katie Pent. Once they start, when your ready they will stop too."

Katie gave a short laugh.

"How do you know I am strong? You only just met me."

"Because since you came here, I've watched from a distance. Your Aunt and Uncle talk highly of you too. Your an Agenct in the Elite that has to take some kind of strangth too."

Katie smiled at Dan. What he said made her feel good. Its was a soft worm glowing feeling she had inside and Dan's words made a little scence.

"So what do I call them now? Dad and Uncle just some seem right anymore."

"Call them both Dad, or just call them by there first name till your comfortable. I am sure they would understand."

"I just..."

Stepping a little closer to Katie Dan lays a hand on her shoulder and bends a little to look her in the eye.

"There is no just Katie. You have always been close to Jeff and really this changed nothing but making your guys closer. He's dieing Katie and you know it. There is no time for second thoughts. And if he was to go tomorrow would you really want him to think you were mad?"

Katie looked up at Dan into his blue eyes.

"No, I wouldn't. Thanks Dan."

Realizing she had stopped at the porch Katie takes a deep breath opening the door. Stepping inside she almost runs into Jay. Looking up at him no words come for a moment as she just looks at him.

Finally though she moves as she wraps her arms around him. The tears that had been filling her eyes for day finally made there way out and down her cheek staining Jays shirt.

"I just...want you to know, You'll always be my dad too."

done?

Gunner's eyes stay focused ahead, and he gives a short laugh. "You're good... you're very good. For a moment, I almost trusted you."

He shakes his head. "You're right though. I'm the one that asked for the doctor to come out, so here you are."

He puts the key in the ignition, giving a sigh as every wall securely moves back up in place. "Alright, Dr. Garrison, are we heading back to headquarters to be done with today's session? Or are you going to make me sit and think about what we talked about today?"


"Yeah... I told her." Jeff lies on his side, curled up, his eyes barely open as he talks with Jay.

Jay sits in the chair, his shoulders drooping. "And?"

"She walked away." Jeff swallows hard. The tears were dry, but the emotions lingered. "She just... walked away."

"Was she upset?"

"I don't know... I think so..." Jeff's voice starts to trail off as his eyes fall completely shut.

Jay sighs. Apparently there was no more than that to be said anyway. "I'll let you sleep a while." Standing up, he receives no response. A bit of worry hits him. "Jeff?" Nothing. He gently shakes his brother's shoulder. "Jeff?"

Jeff manages to open one eye lethargically. "I'm cold."

Jay grits his teeth as he gets another blanket to spread on top of Jeff. "Don't go anywhere.... not yet." Turning, he heads from the bunk to go get Angel. Even he could see that his brother was going downhill fast.

Dr. inside of me

Looking back to Gunner Hope can tell her had just hit a nerve and for a moment Hope can't help but feel a little bad. She didnt want to hurt Gunner, and she wanted him to trust her, but she also had to see deep inside.

Following Gunner back to the car Hope slides into the passanger side and is silent for a long moment. Being cautious of what she said next.

"I am different Gunner, not many would let you out of there office to walk, or drive. Most would make you sit and talk about your problems. Outside the box, I look outside the box all day Gunner, with every person I meet. But when there are to many holes sometimes you cant go ferther and the past is best to be left in the past."

Drawing silent again for a second Hope looks out the window at the scene were Gunner had described everything. Giving a shake of her head she looks back to Gunner for a moment.

"I wanted to understand Gunner, I do but its my job to question everything, look around everything and put the peaces together. You wanted the Dr. inside of me and well...thats what I do."

Everybody else

Gunner's shoulders drop a little and he tilts his head at Hope, blinking once. He might have been made out of iron, but he words still stung on a certain level.

"You're just like everybody else." He shakes his head. "You told me you were different, but this just proves you can't see any further out of the box than anyone else."

He steps up on the curb and shrugs lamely. "If I'm the bad guy, then I deserve to be the one in jail while a murderer walks free. Is that what you're saying? Or no..." A light laugh surfaces. "You don't believe there's a murderer at all."

He throws up his hands in surrender. "Alright... let's go back to your 'office' and sit and stare at each other until this thing is over. I thought you might understand, but I guess not."

Moving towards his car, Gunner slides in behind the steering wheel, keys in-hand, and just waits for Hope.

Become

Just eyeing gunner for a long moment Hope listens to him not really saying anything. She just listened getting to know him more and understanding. Standing Hope quickly follows Gunner. He wanted to show her something so she could understand him she would listen and see. At least he was talking about everything that happend.

"I'm not scared of much. I think I can handle a car ride."

Getting into the car and taking the ride with Gunner Hope scans the area of town. She new this place, and had been through her before but this time it was for a much different reason.

Finally moving from the car Hope leans aganst the door just watching and listing to Gunner before moving to the sidewalk than the side of the road trying to invitation everything he was saying.

Once Gunner was done Hope straightened a little giving a small shake of her head.

"For a guy who cant remember you sure do know alot about that night, the only problem is there are many flaws to your theory."

Hope didnt challenge Gunner to be rude, or disrespectful but to dig deep, and see what was inside of Gunner, this was her job and this is what she did best.

"Just because someone was in a different car, doesn't mean it still wasn't them. A person can change there car many times, have back up cars and what not without anyone ever knowing. Next, maybe someone did peal out, I never denied that your parents were killed. but how do you know for sure that car was waiting for yours there is no way to know that one."

Stopping for a moment as she watched the car come around the curve and see it miss Gunner her heart races. He could of been hit if the driver hadnt been paying attachen and it didnt faze him a bit.

Watching as Gunner made his way back over to her Hope looks up into his eyes. Searching for a moment, looking, taking in, and compressing information.

"Hurt him or not dont you see Gunner in doing what you did..."

Hope's voice trails off for a moment looking around and than looking up at Gunner again.

"...You've become the bad guy."

Ghosts

As Jeff watches Katie go, he is helpless to stop her. He has nothing else to say that would help the situation, and he hadn't the strength to go after her. All he could do was let one more tear fall as the door was closed.

Sliding back down until his head rested in the pillows again, he covers his face with his hands, silently crying out to God all the questions and frustrations he could do nothing about.


As Gunner looks at Hope and receives her calm but firm words, a new look flashes in his eyes. It was brief, but it had been there. He'd claimed he had no buttons to push, but something she'd said hit him a little too low.

Leaning back in his chair, a smile spreads until he starts to laugh. "Now that's more like it. I knew the councilor existed somewhere in there."

He shakes his head and stands up. "Alright, Hope, you think I'm chasing ghosts? Come on... let me show you something." Heading for the door, he glances over his shoulder to make sure Hope is coming with him.

Leading the way, he heads down the hall, across the main floor and out. Fishing his keys out of his pocket, he aims for his car. "Unless you're afraid to ride with someone of my insanity, hop in."

The ride doesn't take long. Soon they are at a sleepy part of town where Gunner pulls over near an intersection. Getting out, he nods for Hope to come with him. He walks just a short distance to where he had been less than an hour earlier.

"They said a vehicle came from this side here and t-boned my parents' car as we were crossing the intersection, then took off."

The screech of tires echoed in Gunner's mind like he had heard so many times in his nightmares.

"Problem was, that there was red paint on our car, and the guy they caught had a black convertible that wouldn't have been big enough to cause that kind of damage, even if it had been red."

Gunner walks out into the middle of the quiet intersection, spreading his arms out as he talks to Hope, who he'd left at the curb. "They also said that my dad ran a red light. He was a driving instructor! He wouldn't have run a red light. There were strange bits and pieces of lumber dropped along the road, which indicates the pickup had just been to the lumber yard a mile or so away. But if that were true, he would have been coming from the other direction. So it wasn't just a casual outing - someone had purposely come this way. There were also tire marks over here..." He gestures to one side of the intersection. "...indicating someone peeled out. They'd been waiting for our car and gunned it when we came around that curve."

Still standing in the middle of the road, a car comes around that very curve to a green light, and has to swerve to avoid hitting Gunner. The driver yells a curse, but keeps on going, Gunner remaining unfazed. "Not to mention, it's a quiet intersection. Rarely do two cars meet here, let alone twelve years ago."

He wanders back over to the curb to look Hope in the eye. "My parents were murdered. Reese may call me crazy, but I'm not giving up until I find that other driver. I know threatening JT was breaking the rules, but I wouldn't have hurt him. Chasing ghosts?" He shakes his head. "I don't chase ghosts. I chase bad guys."

Hurt

Hope lets out a sigh and shakes her head. With Gunner it was different, with this case it was going to be hard and she almost felt at a lose on what to do. Reese was going to have to give her more time with Gunner she could already feel it.

Looking at Gunner for a long moment Hope just lets her mind process running up and down, in and out everything about Gunner that she had learned.

"First off, I am not pretending anything. Its not the way I work, so if you think thats what I am doing sorry to let you down."

Hope takes a deep breath as her voice stays calm showing she had no frustration though on the inside she did just a little.

"Next, I guess we are going to be stuck here doing nothing because I cant tell Reese your sain because you held a knife to a mans throat. Weather you would of hurt him or not dosnt matter, the fact that it happen matters. But, I cant help you eather because you don't want my help. Yeah you will answer any of my questions, and you will do whatever I ask but deep down, you don't want help. Your chasing ghosts Gunner, and looking for something that should of been let go a long time ago. So until your willing to have help I'm sorry but out meetings are going to be boring."

Helping Jeff the best she can to set up and next to her Katie just waits as he trys to catch his breath again. Katie was pashent and didn't feel in a rush, she didnt mind that Jeff took his time.

Finally hearing that her Dad was right, and she needed to know the truth Katie's eyes held a bit of confusion but the smile never left her face. She didnt understand what was going on. Taking the ring from Jeff's hand Katie looks down at it holding it in her own just looking at it, and running her fingers over it. More confusion ran in her eyes that it was her mothers.

Continuing to listen on Katie looks up quickly almost startled as Jeff mentions he was her father. Tears formed in Katie's eyes thought they didnt pour out, her face turn beat red as the confustion grew.

"All these years, everything I went through.....I..."

Katie didnt know what to say, she was a little upset, she was a little scaired, she was confused and she felt hurt. The man she had call father for 22 years was now no longer hers, he wasnt really her father.

Sliding to the edge of the bed Katie looks to Jeff again.

"Why? I..."

Katie shook her head she needed to think or she new she would say something she didn't mean. Closing her hand around the small object Katie stands and looks at Jeff.

"I, need to go think alone. I'm sorry Uncle...Dad.."

Neather sounded right anymore to say, who was Jeff really now?

"I'm sorry Jeff."

Getting up and leaving the bunkhouse Katie makes her way down the small steps and starts to go across the grass, her head down as her mind raced and her emotions when haywire. A feeling Katie had felt before and hated.