Room to Breathe

Carson? Had Scott really come across the person in charge of Carson’s case? Jason wondered if that’s what he meant. If it was, they might finally be able to take down the person who had caused so much strife in Carson’s family. But at what cost? As Jason drove, he used one hand to call Dalton and tell him with few details that they’d found Scott and were headed back. At least whoever else was out looking for Scott could come back in as well now. Although Jason wished he would have been found somewhere else. Anywhere but that terrible place. How could Garret have ever done such a thing? 

The rest of the ride back was silent until they arrived, and Jason gently but quickly carried Scott inside. He wasn’t sure whom he felt worse for – Scott or Hope. Seeing how pale she was worried him.

Taken by surprise by the sudden entrance, Rick dropped everything he was doing and pointed to the examining table. “Lay him down here.” He waved to Misty for assistance before starting to look Scott over. “The upgrade? I don’t understand.”

“It was Garret,” Jason hissed. “He put Scott through the assimilation upgrade. Had some bogus story that Scott strong-armed him into it.”

Rick frowned as he checked Scott’s good eye for reactions. “Of all the…” He withheld his choice words. “Everybody out. Please. I need room to breathe.” 

Jason gave Hope an apologetic look before taking her shoulders and guiding her to the hallway. When Rick said something, it was better just to follow orders. “Come on,” he coaxed. “We can grab a chair and sit out here and wait if you want.” He glanced around. “Dalton should be showing up soon, too.” 

“Jason. Hope.” Reese headed their way. “What happened?” 

Jason gave him a brief rundown and thumbed to the infirmary. “Rick and Misty are looking him over. He…doesn’t look good.”


On the other bed in the infirmary, Aaron was on high alert. What on earth was going on? The upgrade? Garret had pulled it off? Wait, how? Where? Was there a facility nearby? Had anyone else been involved? He tugged at his handcuffs as he tried to turn and see more of what was going on. Without Sam in the room at the moment though, he was held tight, just like usual.


In the control room, Hal had been leaning back in his chair, but now sat up straight. “Whoa.” He pointed to several monitors, following Jason and Hope as they brought Scott in. One angle of the camera in the infirmary showed Rick and Misty working, and Aaron off to one side. He looked slightly agitated but nothing bad.

Hal looked over at Sam. “As long as Aaron isn’t misbehaving, in a case like this, respect what’s going on with the new patient, and keep your distance. If he starts causing trouble though, you have every right to go in there and do whatever’s necessary to keep him from interfering in Rick or Misty’s work.”


Garret shook his head at Nate’s question and remained quiet for a few moments, just staring out at the scenery. “He…threatened to alert the Agency that I’m alive, unless I helped him. He knew that would mean death for Victoria and he knew that was the only thing I couldn’t ignore.”

He sighed and looked down at his hands. “I know I said I thought the upgrade could be helpful for the Elite and that I thought it could hold many answers – I still believe that to be true. But I accepted Reese’s decision. I never would have forced Scott into it. If not for him, for me – I couldn’t risk the consequences. And now…I’m facing the consequences anyway.” He gave Nate a sidelong glance. “Reese won’t believe that letter any more than Jason did. You know that.”  


Family. The subject wasn’t quite as much as a sore spot with Hunter as it used to be, but he still had his moments where he’d rather not think about it. He smiled again and nodded at Ryan’s comment. “It’s very peaceful and quiet, yes. The ranch has a long, complicated story, but in a nutshell, they’ve helped a lot of people who just needed…to find that peace. They’ve fallen on some hard times, so their goals have shifted a bit but… I’ll always feel that I was led there for a purpose.” 

He took another bite of pizza and chewed thoughtfully. “I need to go back again for a visit soon.” 

Finishing off his piece, he glanced at Eli. “Dog eat pizza crusts?”

Eli chuckled. “Every once in a while…until Ryan yells at me.” He winked at his sister. 

Grinning a little, Hunter held down his crust lower to the floor and looked over at Zidan as he clicked his tongue. “Hey, wanna be friends?”