One More Time

Dylan sighed deeply as Ashlee explained what was going on. He felt bad that Eric had gotten hurt, and didn't want anyone else - least of all Ashlee - getting hurt too. Maybe parts of this hadn't been such a good idea.

"He needs to be tired out," he reasoned. "Once they catch, somebody needs to give him some good hard ground work. If nobody has time, just make sure he's put in his stall until someone can. Otherwise, he's not gonna listen to you." He paused, racking his brain. "He loves water. So after he's had a hard workout, he's gonna need to be cooled down, then hosed off - that part you can do. Since it's something he likes, he'll probably start reacting positively towards you. Then you can dry him, brush him, give him treats, whatever. Make sense?" 

He bit his lip, his eyes scanning the file room. "First sign he's still nervous or gonna fight you though, back off and give him to one of the guys. As long as he gets in some good ground work though, you should be alright."


Eric nodded at Angel's instructions, even though he didn't like it. Gone were the days of bouncing right back after a fall. Getting his jeans back on and buckling his belt, he winced as his shoulder protested. "Yeah..." He paused as he recalled Ashlee's reaction to him, and a slight smile briefly passed his lips. "We didn't get very far though before Seven decided to spaz out." He shook his head slowly. "I saw Dylan work miracles with that horse, but I'm not so sure it was smart to leave him here for three months like this."

Fully dressed again, he gave Angel another bit of a sheepish look. "Thanks for taking care of us even when we're idiots." He turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he stopped and turned again. Angel was always a good one to talk to, not just about injuries. She'd been here for years, she was married, she had a daughter... she could relate, right? After Ashlee's slip of the tongue, his thoughts had perhaps grown a little more serious. "Hey, Angel?" He paused. "Do you think Stacy likes it here? I mean... from your perspective... enough to stay? For... you know... a long time?"


Zan laughed and bumped Destiny's shoulder. "Well, I don't know if you're gonna like it or not. It's not exactly Alice in Wonderland."

"It's creepy," Jett warned.

"It is not! It's just a little tense in spots. But that's why I'm here." Zan pulled her in a little closer to him. "So she can calm me down."

Jett snickered and almost spit out his coffee.

Zan just grinned and kissed Destiny's head. "There's two more," he added. "Just in case you're not too put off by this one." 

It was a long movie, but the coffee helped keep them awake as they watched. The day moved on, supper came and went, and there was chatter and laughter. It was like a nice day off from everything else, just to enjoy company and relax. By late evening, Zan really didn't want the day to end...

"...How ya feeling?"

Jett had been lying on the couch again, having grown quieter through the evening. "Um. Okay." He still had a headache, and his body was getting sore again, but he knew it was only natural, not to mention his own stupid fault. He checked his phone as a text message came in, and sighed. "Ronnie doesn't want me coming in til later."

Zan rolled his eyes. "He brought Lydia home again? Why can he not go to her place? Seriously!" 

Jett just shrugged, his eyes falling a little. "I'll wait a while then go home."

"Just... stay another night," Zan offered. "And then tomorrow - we're gonna start looking for another place for you to live."

"But I can't afford anything else!" 

"We'll find something. You'd be surprised." Zan looked at Destiny, the irritation showing in his eyes. "Ronnie is a bully. Plain and simple." 

Jett just let his head sink a little more into the pillow, not saying anything more. 

Zan finally got to his feet, yawning as he gathered up some of the bowls and empty snack bags from the coffee table, taking them into the kitchen. If he didn't try to clean up now, he'd never get it done and it would probably sit there for a week.


Even Adison thinks Barnes should know. I trust her more than Kirk, but neither one of them are reacting like I wanted them to. 

Jason's emotions kept churning, and he knew standing here with the lid on was not a good idea. They were still in the beginning stages, and still figuring out all the new developments with this thing. To keep holding back like this wasn't smart right now. He looked to Reese, catching his eye for a long moment. And in that moment, Jason knew he had Reese's blessing to do whatever he thought was right. 

He's letting us go. He knows Kirk can't be trusted with this either. 

Reese broke eye contact and took a deep breath. "Barnes can wait," he reasoned. "The point is, you both know the truth now. And-"

"This can't wait!" Kirk emphasized with his gesturing hands. "This... this... this is insane! Technically, you've got two walking time bombs around this place. How can you just sit back and act like nothing is odd, let alone dangerous?" 

Jason took a step back and winced, putting a hand to his forehead. Katie would be the only one to know he wasn't really in pain. "Look, can we just take a break?" 

"That's a good idea," Reese agreed. "You two have had enough strain for one day."

Kirk frowned. "But-"

"You said yourself they're time bombs. Wouldn't want them to explode all over you." Reese's statement was laced with sarcasm. "This has been an emotional conversation, and I would advise letting them take a breather. You and Adison stay - we're not done talking yet." He nodded to Jason and Katie. "You're dismissed. I still expect progress on the Markus case by the end of the day though." 

Jason nodded and, still holding Katie's hand, walked with her out of the office. There was no Markus case. Walking with purpose, he led the way back across the main floor, headed to his office - and privacy. Just rounding the corner into the hallway though, they almost ran straight into Hal.

Hal reeled back, his eyes wide. "Whoa, sorry." He was just going to assume they were on a hot case, but he immediately saw the looks on their faces and a chill ran down his spine. "What's going on? What's wrong?" 

Jason gritted his teeth and glanced at Katie. If they took off, everyone would know it anyway. It was where that no one needed to know about. He grabbed Hal's shoulder, pulling him along to his office, then shut the door when the three of them were alone. "We just told Kirk and Adison about us." 

Hal's eyebrows arched. "Oh boy. And?"

"It's not looking good. Kirk wants the FBI to know and we all know where that leads. Katie and I..." Jason took a deep breath. "We can't stay here."

The implications of that statement hung in the air as Hal processed it. They didn't just mean here at the office. "Where... will you go?"

"We have a couple options, and only a couple people will know. I'm sorry you won't be included but I don't want you going down with us."

Hal ran a hand over his face. This was heavy. "You packed? What do you need?"

"We've got bags ready - we were afraid of this and made plans while we were in Texas. Just need to go home and grab them." 

"What about a car?" 

"We'll take my truck a ways, then..." Jason sighed and looked at Katie. "Then we'll probably ditch it and trade off somewhere for something else."

Hal cringed. That was his old truck. "Supplies?"

"We'll have to stop on the way out of town."

Hal shook his head. "The more public places you stop, the faster they'll find you. You need help." An idea struck him and his eyes widened. "You need help from someone they'd never suspect." He took Katie and Jason's shoulders and aimed them towards the door. "Go. Get your things. Then go straight to the south end of town - you know where that old pine tree is on that back road?" Nobody hardly ever went there. "Go there."

"But who-"

"Trust me." 

Jason looked down at Katie, worry in his eyes. 

Please tell me you're ready for this because this is our only shot. I don't know how long Reese can keep Kirk and Adison distracted.

Hal exited the office and walked casually down the hall to the stairwell, then downstairs where no one could hear him. Grabbing his phone, he quickly dialed. "Sam? It's Hal. Listen... I need your help. Or more accurately, Katie and Jason do." He took a deep breath. "Are you willing to break the rules one more time?"


Back in Reese's office, Kirk was slouched in the chair. "...but you can't just pretend it doesn't exist!"

"We're not pretending," Reese argued. "It does exist. You've both witnessed it. But it doesn't have to go outside these walls."

"Oh sure. So they're out on a case, Jason gets worked up, their eyes start to glow, and the bad guy isn't going to notice?"

"Who would believe them?" Reese shook his head. "Aside from the whole weird eye thing, they managed for a long time to keep this under wraps. I can't even begin to imagine what their lives must really be like, and I'll be hanged if I'm gonna allow them to be scrutinized by anyone, including the FBI."

Kirk frowned and looked over at Adison. This was a whole lot bigger than he'd thought. All he'd wanted was no more secrets so he could give the FBI some solid answers for once. And now? This was...just insane.