Just to Talk To

Reese sighed deeply, just enjoying Angelica's soft attention. He remained quiet for several long moments after her question, trying to come up with a good enough answer. "Because... any man who has a date with a challenged girl like Maggie just to see her smile... can't be all bad." 

He rolled onto his back and looked up at Angelica. "Nate told me how Garret's been around Maggie, and I've seen part of that myself. He's human after all, with a strange soft spot for the innocent. That's why this current situation doesn't add up. I can't believe Scott would blackmail anyone, let alone volunteer for the upgrade. But at the same time, I can't believe a man who dotes on Maggie could force an innocent, weak man like Scott to endure the upgrade, no matter how much he wanted results."

He searched Angelica's face, wishing the answers could be more easily found. "Until Scott wakes up, we won't know the truth. But I can't make Garret suffer without proof he's lying, and let him disappoint Maggie on top of it. So... I let him go. Told him to go back to the Driers and stay out of trouble until we get it all sorted out. He never once threatened me, tried to bolt or even get aggressive. I can't keep a man like that locked up."


Bringing Maggie close to him just like they'd practiced in the living room, Garret smiled as he started to dance with her. The stares from the other girls hadn't escaped him, and he was satisfied that the results of tonight would be exactly what Maggie wanted. She deserved a little more respect and to not be picked on so much. 

He was just glad he was here at all. After Reese had retrieved him, he'd told him that he'd already called Laura for his measurements, then called a rental place downtown for his tux. They'd stopped at a convenient store so he could buy a razor and shave and clean up, and even Garret was surprised at how quickly they'd been able to get here. It had helped that Reese had turned on the light on his car, enabling him to speed, which... had rather amused Garret. Once here, Reese had promised that by the time the dance was over, the elite SUV would be ready and waiting so he could take Maggie home. And for once... Garret trusted him. 

Dancing, eating, drinking fruit punch... It was all pretty different from the dress balls Garret had attended... But deep down, he enjoyed not having to play bodyguard or spy. He was surrounded by kids, adults like Maggie, and normal American parents. How different to being surrounded by the people Medridge entertained. And here...though he did get some strange looks, no one knew him. No one judged him. They had no idea who he was and why he was with Maggie, but there were no preconceived ideas and...that felt... nice.

Handing Maggie a little cup of punch off to the side, he smiled down at Maggie. "See? Dancing's not so hard is it?"


Hunter smiled as he read Ryan's text. The last thing he wanted to do was scare the poor girl. Maybe a while back she would have had a right to be leery, but nowdays, he wanted nothing more than to help if he could.
I'd like to stay a week
at the ranch. Plus a couple
days up and back. If
that's too much tho, I 
can rearrange. My schedule
is prolly more flexible 
than yours.


"Mm...a pretty woman just to talk to can only sustain a man so long." Aaron shot Sam a sly grin before taking another bite of his burrito. "But, um... You're not that kind of girl are you?" He cocked his head a little. She was definitely different than most women he'd known. And...he'd known a few.

He polished off his food before fingering the clean clothes. Better than prison? Probably. Better than the Agency though? Not on his life. If he could just get out...

"Haven't seen Hal lately. He approve of all the attention you've been giving me?"