It was someone different now. The older man that had come by yesterday had been replaced by a little turd in his twenties.

Josh arrived a bit after one, offering burgers and soda from In-n-Out. He also held a plain paper bag.

"They just kind of guessed your size man."

The kid tossed him the bag, which he easily caught one-handed. "Thanks." Thankfulness was the last thing he felt. Josh annoyed him on sight. One of those urban street kids fused with suburban mall rat. Backward cap, low riding pants and an air of superiority. He would love to drop kick him out the door but considering the state of things, he didn't dare.

With an inward sigh, he dropped the bag on the bed and turned his attention to the food. He was starving. He hadn't even realized it until he caught the aroma. Wasn't sure when he'd eaten last.

The kid sprawled on the other chair and leaned his elbows on the peeling laminate of the table. "We're gonna be taking a drive."

When the man didn't respond, Josh pushed just a little. "We're heading to Primm."

"Primm?" He spoke around a mouthful of food, very aware of what he was doing.

"Yeah, it's around state line. Small game, big stakes from what I'm told."

Eyes darkened and fixed on him. Josh swallowed involuntarily. Something about this guy scared him. There was a certain intensity that he found unnerving. Shaking it off, he forced himself to meet the older man's stare. "You owe him you know."

"So I've been told."

Clearing his throat, the kid sat back. "Yeah, well, we'll be heading out tonight."

He inhaled the rest of his food, and sucked the Coke dry. Took the bag and headed to the bathroom. A black Henley, pair of jeans, underwear and socks. Basic but that was okay. Purposely avoiding the mirror, he stripped out of blood-spattered pants and button up he currently wore. The same clothing he'd been wearing since he woke up. He didn't know whose blood it was. It could be his but they intimated that it was someone else's. Choosing not to contemplate it, he started the shower before slipping in and sluicing away the grime.

(BREAK)

Gillian had spent one night in the hospital before being able to return to her mother's place in Woodland Hills. It was too far from the desert but there wasn't much to be done. The authorities were combing the area around the car but nothing had turned up as of yet. She didn't expect that anything would.

They'd been heading to Palm Springs when someone had purposely run them off the road. There had been two vehicles, one large pick up and an SUV. They'd been boxed in before being pushed off the shoulder. There was nothing accidental about it. Whoever had been responsible now had Cal. She was positive of it.

She'd been in touch with Ben and although he didn't technically work with the Lightman Group any longer, he was still a good friend and not above favors. He'd assured her that he'd keep his ear to the ground. Cal was useful to the type of people that could likely be on the FBI radar. An APB also went out. They were hoping that someone somewhere saw something. Better yet, they hoped that he'd be spotted. Wherever he may be.

Feeling sick with fear was something that she had to deal with every waking moment. It was especially difficult when James asked where Daddy was and Gillian had to smooth it over, hoping against hope that she wasn't inadvertently lying to her son. Daddy is meeting with some people. He'll be back in a couple of days honey…

(BREAK)

It was so damned hard. He moved through the crowd away from the private room where he just won his benefactor big bucks. He tried desperately to keep his eyes averted, but avoiding people was becoming harder and harder. Every time he'd look someone in the face, he felt like he could practically guess what he or she'd had for breakfast that morning. People were such an open book to him and he couldn't turn it off. It was almost akin to mind reading – he really didn't want to know, but he couldn't help himself. Who the hell was he? Was this a talent or a curse? Currently he guessed the latter.

By the time they returned to the car, his head was pounding once again, dark flecks dancing behind his eyes. Unfortunately he'd left his pills on the bedside table at the flea trap where he was staying. He slumped in the passenger seat as the kid took the wheel.

"You really are amazing dude. Mr. Grandon was big time happy." Josh grinned at him.

The kid didn't call him anything other than 'man' or 'dude.'

"Happy to serve," was his dry response. He wondered how long he would be in Grandon's debt. He'd been involved in some kind of scam gone wrong (so he was told). There'd been a car wreck, someone died and apparently the cops were looking for him. Details were sketchy. Suspicion ran deeply within him but since he couldn't remember he decided to play it safe. When pieces started to fall together, he had a feeling the game plan would change.

"You okay?"

"What do you think?" He rolled his head toward him and fixed him with a blank stare.

Josh frowned. The old man still scared him. Kind of in a Clint Eastwood, don't fuck with me or I'll cut you down at the kneecaps kind of way. Just shorter. "Uh, well, get some rest. We've got a couple of hours on the road."

It crossed his mind to thank him for the kind permission. He decided to ignore the kid instead. He allowed his eyes to drift shut.

The blue-eyed woman turned to him with a sad smile.

They stood in a cemetery. A newer one with flat stones to give the appearance of a regular park and not specifically a park of the dead.

A single tear began to roll down her cheek and he reached out to wipe it away before pulling her into an embrace.

Nearby the little boy was spinning and laughing. He plopped down on his butt in the grass, blinking, apparently trying to shake off the dizziness. The brightness of his smile shot up at them. He felt the woman shake in his arms as she laughed at the boy's antics and couldn't help but join her.

"Children have a way of reminding you what's important in life."

"Yeah they do luv." He kissed the woman gently as she leaned against him.

His eyes opened when the car's engine cut off. The ache inside him pulsed with the pain in his head. He knew that he loved her but he couldn't even remember her name. It was an interesting dilemma.

Looking around it took a moment before he realized they weren't at the motel. Raising an eyebrow, he gazed at Josh questioningly.

"Just needed a drink." He had already hopped out of the car but was leaning in the window. "Come in or stay here. Your choice."

He was under the impression that he was supposed to lay low but he knew things weren't as they seemed. Apparently so did the kid. Perhaps some questions would be in order later. If the pain lessened a bit. With a sigh he decided a drink wouldn't be so bad. He got out and headed up the steps toward the door of the bar.