"I've been waiting" Brian said when Jack pulled up. Jack exited the SUV with the duffle bag.

"I brought toys if we need them" Jack said. "What can you tell from the readings?"

"All I can tell is that it was a big energy burst" Brian replied. "It's still lingering." Jack handed him a pulse rifle. "Where did you get this?"

"Out of storage" Jack replied. He grabbed the small things from the duffle bag, handing a small blue item to Brian.

"What is this?" Brian asked.

"Portable prison system" Jack said.

"Also found in storage?" Brian asked. He pocketed the blue device. Brian's phone beeped. "There's a shift in the energy. Let's go." Jack followed the short man into the forest. "We're heading towards the river, near the cricket center."

They barrelled through the trees and emerged on a trail. They ran west towards the river, crossing the canal, following the trail deeper into the woods. Cardiff Castle loomed just beyond the trees like a silent sentinel. Jack slowed only when Brian slowed and stopped.

"It's just up ahead" Brian said quietly. They crept down the path, using the trees and brush as cover. Just around the bend they could see a pinkish light emitting from something the size of a large dog bowl and two figures standing before it. One had a weapon ready and the other was checking a handheld device. "What do you want to do?"

"Say 'hi', of course" Jack said. He stepped out from behind a tree slowly. His arms were raised and his pulse rifle was raised with them. "Hello there!"

The two figures stopped what they were doing and aimed their weapons at Jack.

"I'm Captain Jack Harkness of Torchwood. Who are you?" Jack asked. He took a few more steps and stopped. Jack could see the humanoid figures. They both had 31st century hairstyles, orange tinted skin, and silver body suits. "You're Lurmans, aren't you?"

"How do you know about us, human?" The Lurman with the handheld device asked. Jack smiled.

"You could say that I'm not from around these parts" Jack replied. "I'm with Torchwood. We monitor all alien activity on Earth. Now I need to know, gentlemen: What do you want?"

"We are with the galactic federation" The Lurman with the green hair said. "We're looking for an escaped convict."

"You are bounty hunters" Jack said. He couldn't help but worry about who they were after. "Mind if I call my associate over?" Jack whistled and Brian came out from the woods. "Let's talk. Who is this escaped convict?"

"Who is this?" The green haired Lurman asked.

"Dr. March" Brian said. "Who are you?"

"You are the authorities for this planet?" The other Lurman asked. They lowered their weapons.

"Yes" Jack said.

"I am Wren" The green-haired Lurman said. He gestured towards his dark-haired partner. "This is my partner, Huapi."

"We're looking for an escaped convict who was traced back here" Huapi said. Huapi pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to Jack. It was a ghoulish looking man. He could have been a caricature of a stereotypical undertaker. Relief washed over him.

"I cannot say that I've seen him" Jack said passing the paper to Brian. Brian shook his head 'no' and passed it back to Huapi.

"I haven't had anything come up on my systems" Brian said. "Do you know his mode of transport?"

"Something like this" Wren said turning their device off and collecting it. "He stole one."

"That was picked up immediately, but I haven't see any energy signatures that were similar" Brian replied.

"We require a place to stay on our trip here" Wren announced.

"Oh boy" Brian scoffed.

"I can arrange that, but you have to be a little Earth-smart" Jack said. The two Lurmans looked at each other. "Earth is still turning a blind eye to aliens, for the most part. You also can't be flashing those weapons around."

"We will not allow you to take our weapons" Wren said defensively.

"It's fine" Jack said. "You should just carry them around in a bag or something. Also, silver is definitely not in this year."

"You're going to make this a long night" Brian said with a sigh.

"Gentlemen, welcome to Earth" Jack said with a smile.


Jack set the two Lurmans up with a double room in a small hotel in downtown Cardiff. The lady at the front desk had not been happy with him for the late-night booking. Brian had been sent to pick up a few items for the Lurmans, so they could fit in better in Cardiff. The Lurmans seemed a little unhappy with the room and the low-tech technology of the flatscreen and available wifi.

"What's the convict's name?" Jack asked looking at the picture again.

"Yesmir Roan" Wren replied. "He has a penchant for smelly foods."

"Like fish?" Jack asked.

"Perhaps rotting fish" Haupi replied.

"Let us check our system tonight" Jack said. "We can come back here in the morning and do some searching. We can work together on this."

The two Lurmans moved to huddle across the room, near the window. They talked to each other in whispers. It went on for a few minutes, giving Brian reason to hope they wouldn't be trouble.

"We will accept your offer" Wren said.

"What kind of communicators do you have?" Jack asked. He raised up his vortex manipulator and flipped it open. Haupi pulled out a silver brick device and slid it open. "Oh, the Dasr 355, nice. That model lasted a while." He pressed a button and it eventually beeped. "Alright, you should be able to contact us if you need to."

"Cardiff is pretty conservative" Brian said. "If you're walking around in silver, especially during the day, you're going to get looks." He pointed at the bags he had left by the door. "I brought you two some basic Earth clothes so you can fit in."

"Thank you, Doctor" Wren said.

"You two might enjoy the local nightlife around here" Jack said with a smile. "There's a bunch of places to visit in the area."

"Jack" Brian muttered. Brian smiled at the two alien bounty hunters. Jack gave him a confused shrug. Brian just rubbed his forehead. "Nothing. Wren, Haupi, it was wonderful meeting you. Jack and I will see you in the morning."

"Good sleep, Doctor" Wren replied.

"Yeah...Good sleep" Brian said.

Jack and Brian were heading back to their vehicles. They were both quiet until they were almost to Jack's SUV.

"Alien bounty hunters with bad tans?" Brian asked.

"They seem pretty nice and Lurmans are naturally a little orange-tinted" Jack said. Brian looked exhausted and tired of being left in the dark. "Look, they're Lurmans. The most we have to worry about is them spending the night partying and then nursing a bad hangover in the morning. Haupi looked almost like he just wanted to head to bed."

"Lurmans. Okay, okay" Brian said. "Where are you off to? Back to the warehouse?"

"I have some things to do" Jack replied. He opened the vehicle door and started getting in.

"Things or a certain person?" Brian asked.

"You are one feisty dwarf tonight, Brian" Jack said with a laugh. Brian flipped him off and stormed off towards his car, which was parked down the block.


Jack hurried back to the hub and found the majority of the lights turned down. He scanned the hub and climbed the stairs to his office. He was relieved to find Jessie lying on her cot with a book. She had changed into shorts and a t-shirt that fit her.

"Hey" Jack said with a smile. He was surprised that she wasn't asleep. He slipped out of his coat. "That took longer than I thought it would."

"That's fine" Jessie replied. "I finished up for tonight and took a shower."

"A shower sounds pretty good right now" Jack said. "Aren't you supposed keep your back dry?"

"I needed to shave my legs" Jessie said. "I wasn't going to go around like sasquatch-woman anymore. Besides, I haven't had a hot shower in long time."

"Cole won't be happy about that" Jack said. He crouched down near the cot. "What are you reading?"

"It's a William Blake collection" Jessie replied. She saved her spot and showed him the cover. "Do you like Blake?"

"I never met him" Jack said. "His work is a bit too religious for me."

Jessie's mouth pulled into a smirk and she set her book aside. "What did you find out there tonight?"

"Alien bounty hunters" Jack said. He stood up and started undoing his shirt buttons. "Brian and I dealt with it. They're in a hotel for the night and we're going to search for their escaped convict in the morning."

"Bounty hunters?" Jessie asked sitting up.

"They're not after you" Jack assured her. He pulled his suspenders down and took his button-up shirt off. "Still up for another movie or is it too late?"

"I want to try to sleep" Jessie said. "I feel like I haven't slept in a long time, like I've forgotten how to sleep."

"Well, for starters" Jack said moving to pull Jessie up from the cot. "You shouldn't sleep on that cot." He pulled her along with him. "You should sleep down in the hatch with me." He raised his hands in a natural nothing-down-my-sleeve gesture. "I won't do anything. We will just sleep."

"That sounds like a line" Jessie replied following him towards the hatch.

"It might be" Jack said. "But, tonight, it isn't. C'mon. I have a big bed down there, fresh sheets, and I promise it's safe."

Jessie stopped close to Jack, close enough that they slightly brushed against one another. "I don't sleep much and I don't sleep well."

"I don't mind" Jack said. He started to reach for her, but she moved to the hatch and started climbing down.

"I won't lie" Jessie said on her way down. "I considered sleeping down here once or twice, but I never did." She exhaled loudly when she left the ladder. "It seems so long ago."

"Only a day or two by my count" Jack said moving down the ladder. Jessie ran her hands over her forehead and hair, silently dealing with the odd time issues. Jack got to the bottom of the ladder and moved around the brunette. He started with his boots, taking them off and placing them in a spot where his boots fit perfectly. Jessie sat on the bed and watched him undo his pants.

"So...who are the bounty hunters?" Jessie asked. Jack turned his back to Jessie and slid his pants off. He had a nice, firm butt that Jessie noted as being like Myron's The Discus Thrower. She had seen it at the British Museum and she could recall the statue, the room, the sounds, the smells, and the fine details.

"-are Lurmans" Jack said. Jessie blinked rapidly and mentally kicked herself for zoning out. He had pulled on a pair of boxers. "They look pretty human, but kind of...well, I guess you could say '1980s futuristic' with bold colors and sometimes just hideous fashions." Jack pulled his socks off and moved to the bed. "I've never met a completely terrible Lurman, maybe a bit childish, but never terrible."

Jessie moved towards the far side of the bed. "I wonder who they're after."

"Don't worry about it tonight" Jack urged. He watched Jessie turn onto her stomach and position the pillow to best suit her needs. Her lip twitched as she got into place. "Do you want anything for your back? I'm sure there's some advil or something."

"I'm good" Jessie replied. Jack laid down and watched her.

"You're lying" Jack stated. "I can see it in your face."

"It hurts every time" Jessie muttered. "It's become pain I can deal with."

Jack leaned over and kissed her shoulder. "Get some sleep."


The Cardiff morning was drizzly and grey, like many normal Welsh mornings. The Torchwood team looked like a band of outcasts thrown out in the wet, cold morning. Jack stood there in his blue RAF coat with Jessie next to him in her dark plaid retro coat, her hair pinned up in a crown of braids on her head. Brian stood in front of them, to get a better look, hands shoved into a buttoned-up pea coat. His blonde hair tousled in the wind. Ritha had changed her appearance to resemble a mediterranean-skinned human and wore a modest red wig. She was bundled up in a dark grey trench coat and stood close to Cole, who wore a fitted leather jacket and a burgundy beanie. They all stood waiting for the two Lurmans to finish their scans of the bloody body of a rough-looking fisherman. His stomach had been ripped open and his soft organs...eaten. Torchwood had been given access to the body by the police, who were currently keeping a few locals and tourists at bay.

"This was definitely done by Yasmir Roan" Wren confirmed. He, and Haupi, were dressed in the basic clothes that Brian had brought them. The only thing strange about them were their hairstyles and the visor glasses that Wren insisted upon wearing.

"This was reported this morning, not long ago" Cole said. "I bet Roan is still around here."

"Cole, take Ritha and Haupi" Jack ordered. "Be careful. This guy might look fragile, but he's not."

"I'll go down a block and make my way through the alleys" Brian said.

"I'll join you, little doctor" Wren said pulling a gun from his generic looking brown coat.

They hurried off, but not before Brian could be heard saying "Don't call me 'little'. Just or Brian is fine."

"Come with me" Jack said to Jessie. They hurried into the closest alley with guns ready.


Cole, Ritha, and Haupi hurried down to the waterfront to began their search. Despite the rain, there were still people walking about and a few tourists taking pictures of boats. The waterfront shops, on this side of the harbor were plentiful for only a block or two and then gave way to the warehouses of the fishing industry. The smell of fish and sea water was hard to miss.

"That smell would definitely attract the criminal" Haupi said as they hurried towards the more industrial area.

"Ugh" Ritha said as they got closer. "I find it very off-putting."

"Hopefully he hasn't figured out how to access the sewer system" Cole said. They hurried towards a warehouse where a ship was currently unloading an early haul of kippers.


Winding through the alleys, Brian and Wren slowly scanned the area for signs of alien tech. Wren had his Dasr 355 open and was waiting for a beep.

"You're sure that he has tech on him?" Brian asked.

"He wouldn't ditch his only way on and off the planet" Wren replied. "Unless it was broken."

Brian kept his gun in hand. Wren had told him how Yasmir Roan had sharp, claw-like hands and that he was very fast. Brian had images in his mind of an evil version of the Flash, mixed with the image he had seen of Roan. Brian waited for Wren to finish his scan of the area and kicked himself for having butterflies in his stomach. He had been working with Jack long enough that he should be used to this by now.

"I'm detecting something, but it could easily be Captain Harkness if he's close to us" Wren said.

"Where is it coming from?" Brian asked. Wren pointed somewhat down the alley and somewhat at the warehouse they were next to. "Let's get started."


Jack and Jessie were making their way through the alleyway, a few blocks from Brian and Wren. They worked together checking the alley, "clearing" the alley as the police might say. All they had done was scare off two homeless kids who didn't stick around to answer any questions. Jack had instructed Jessie to make sure the corners were clear before moving into a new space. They moved quickly and quietly.

"What's in this warehouse?" Jessie asked. The brick-sided building was dirty and that dingey color between brown and grey. The second and third floors had numerous windows coated in grime, and for a moment, Jessie thought she saw someone walk past a window on the second floor.

"Nothing right now" Jack said. "A few of these places have been empty for a few years."

"I think someone is on the second floor of this building" Jessie said gesturing up to the window. "I thought I saw someone."

Jack looked up but saw no one. It was hard to see anything through the windows with the drizzle and poor lighting from the overcast day. It was mostly reflections of the sky.

"You sure?" Jack asked.

"Not 100%" Jessie replied. "Jack, if this place is empty, it wouldn't be a bad spot to hide out. It's near everything and it's tucked away."

Jack still hadn't seen anything, but that didn't mean that Jessie was wrong. He hurried over to a door and pulled on it, but it was locked tight. Up high was an old escape ladder with stairs leading up to the roof of the building and landings at each floor. Jack holstered his weapon and held knitted hands together to make a foothold.

"C'mon" Jack said. Jessie holstered her weapon and hurried to get a boost up. Jessie felt her hands grip the cold metal of the old ladder and she hung there for second. She was about to say something when she felt the metal give and the ladder shifted down with a horrendous metal squeal. It jerked to a stop about four feet from the ground and Jessie couldn't help but fall off.

"Great" Jessie grumbled. "I think the whole country heard that."

Jack started scurrying up the ladder. "I think I saw him!"

"Right behind you" Jessie said following him up.


Brian and Wren glanced at each other when they heard the metallic clabber. They hurried to find their way towards the noise. Wren's Dasr 355 beeped as they passed a garbage collection area and headed out to the street.

"Just ahead of us" Wren said. The building before them had an old sign that was mostly worn off that read 'Broughton & Co. Maritime Fabrication'. The windows on the ground floor were boarded over and the main doors had chains around the handles.

"Let's find a point of entry" Brian said. They followed the building, looking for a way in. Brian pulled out his mobile and dialed Cole. "Cole, we're at the old Broughton & Co building. We think we have something."


Jack and Jessie entered the Broughton warehouse through a window that had already been broken. The warehouse was dark and dusty. The smell of grease, welding machinery, and dried fish lingered in the stale shop, along with the smell of death.

"Oh god" Jessie said covering her nose. "That's ripe."

"No kidding" Jack replied. "Let's find this guy fast." Jack looked over the railing and around at the warehouse. It seemed still. "I'm heading to the right, you take the left."

"Where are we meeting?" Jessie asked.

"Wherever we find each other" Jack answered. They both had their guns drawn as they hurried to find the gaunt figure they had caught a glimpse of. Jack felt the familiar feeling of excitement as he made his way down the warehouse second floor mezzanine. It was closely followed by a slight nausea due to the awful smell. Jack gave a quick snort to try clearing his nose of the smell, but it was to no avail.

Jack passed old workstations and supply rooms. They were either too dark or too dusty, showing a lack of any disturbance. The mezzanine was open to the floor below where a few welding stations were located, along with various machines for fabricating, a line of rollers to help move heavy things, a large ship propeller that was torn and twisted, and a large boat winch. Jack would move fifty feet or so, then check to see if there was movement either above or below him. He did this a few times before he was tackled from behind, hitting his chin on the railing.

Thin, strong hands pressed down on his back. Jack made an aggravated noise and tried turning over so he could at least face his attacker. The Jack felt one hand move from his back and start tearing at the hand that held his gun. His gun was thrown down the dark hallway.

"Hey!" Jessie shouted from somewhere across the building. Jack was turned over and found himself looking into the dreadful face of Yasmir Roan. His skin was yellowed and everything was sunken in, so his skull stood prominently beneath his skin. He was very thin, almost skeletal, but quite strong. One of Roan's hands held tight to Jack's collar and for a moment, Jack was lifted slightly towards Roan. Jack screamed when he felt Roan's hand tear into his side.

Two rounds were fired and they sounded almost fake, like loud pops, in the warehouse. Roan was hit in the shoulder and fell off Jack long enough for Jack to roll over in agonizing pain. Jack felt sweat grace his brow and tears stream from his eyes. He couldn't bring himself to stand up.

"Jack!" Jessie yelled. He heard her, but wasn't looking her way. She sounded so distant. There was another shot fired and Jack was sure that he saw Roan duck out of the way. Was he that fast or was it just good timing on his part? Jack groaned and rolled onto his stomach. He could feel himself slowly healing. He stood up in time to see Roan take two quick jabs from Jessie. The tall, gaunt figure bent over and picked her up before moving to toss her aside like she weighed nothing.

"No!" Jack screamed. Jessie was over the railing and he couldn't do a damned thing from where he was. Roan turned towards him and gave him a smiling grimace. "You're going to pay for that."

"I doubt it" Roan grumbled. His voice was eerie and instantly sent a shiver down Jack's back. "I'll eat your guts and drink your blood."

"Well" Jack said angrily. "I am a tasty piece of man-meat."

Jack had crept forward a few steps, getting closer to the workstations where he had seen a large pair of pliers. He waited a moment, daring Roan to move first, and rushed to the workstation. He was relieved when he grasped the oversized pliers and felt even better when he brought them down across Roan's face. He did it again and again, until blood appeared on the criminal's alien face. A thin hand clung to Jack's leg and, all too quickly, the other thin hand of Roan tried digging into his soft parts again. Jack felt sharp pain in his lower right side before the thud of the floor on his backside. He kicked his boots into Roan's face as best as he could.

"Jack!" Ritha screamed from the window. Cole seemed to jump through the window and almost immediately opened fire on Roan. Haupi was beside him doing the same until Roan collapsed halfway on Jack. Wren and Brian ran up the main mezzanine stairs with their guns ready. Ritha ran over to Jack. "Jack, are you alright?" Her eyes widened at the amount of blood on his clothing. "Cole, he's bleeding out!"

"Where's Jess?" Jack asked. "Jess!" Jack groaned and held onto his midsection. "Get this bastard off of me."

Wren and Haupi stepped up and pulled Roan off of Jack. His blood, in the poor light, looked black. His face was twisted into a hideous snarl. Cole knelt down next to Jack to look at his wounds. Jack pushed him away and sat up on his elbows. It hurt like hell because he wasn't healed. He was shocked when he saw a pale hand barely reach over the floor of the mezzanine. It felt around and slid back down.

"Brian, help her" Jack grunted. Brian looked around and saw the pale hand reappear. He set his gun aside when he knelt down and clasped her hand and wrist.

"I got you!" Brian said. "Ritha!"

"Cole, just leave me alone" Jack said pushing his hands away. Ritha hurried over to Brian and helped him pull up Jessie.

"You are heavy" Ritha complained as Jessie's torso was pulled up onto the mezzanine. Brian grabbed her butt and leg, pulling her fully onto the mezzanine.

"How'd you get down there?" Brian asked. Jessie was holding one hand to her chest.

"That asshole threw me over" Jessie replied. "I caught myself on a support, but I broke a finger in the process."

"Let me see" Brian said. Jessie held out her hand and Brian made a face. Her ring finger was bent at an awkward angle. "Cole!"

"I'm not hurt that bad" Jack insisted. Cole gave him a frown and went to look at Jessie's finger. Jack managed to stand up and felt a little winded.

"I can fix this at the SUV, but for right now" Cole said looking her hand over. He tried blocking her view as best he could, then reset the finger. Jessie cried out and pulled her hand away. "How's your back?"

"I'm sure it's fine" Jessie said moving to stand up, out of Cole's reach.

"Captain Harkness" Wren said. "We want to thank you for your assistance."

"You're quite welcome" Jack said. The team watched as the two Lurmans took hold of the dead man and pulled their transport device out. Haupi pressed a button, they each held onto it, and bright light encapsulated them.

"Bye" Brian called out as they faded. The smell of ozone was present for a moment after they were gone, but the foul stench of the warehouse quickly overpowered it.

"You okay?" Jack asked Jessie. She nodded 'yes'. "Did anyone see bodies around here?"

"There are a few on the ground floor" Brian replied. "Wren and I found them in a bloody heap."

"The smell is worse in here than out by the docks" Ritha said. Even through her human guise she looked a little green.

"I want to get out of here" Jack said. "Someone call Andy so the police can clean this mess up."


As soon as everyone was back at the Torchwood warehouse, they dispersed to their office areas. Ritha insisted that their clothes stank and barricaded herself in her office with three candles going. Brian grabbed a cup of coffee before heading to finish going through database 1 and to write up his own report of the incident. Jessie had received a call as they pulled into the warehouse.

"I told you mon-a while ago-that I decided to move here" Jessie spat over her cellphone. Jack watched her. She was oblivious to the others. "Paul, if you don't back the fuck off, I won't write another book." Jack could hear the angry tone of the man on the other side, but couldn't quite hear him. He had a good idea of what was being said though. "I don't know what your problem is! I just finished up two books before my trip."

"I want to see that finger" Cole said after stepping right in front of Jessie. She held up the hand with the broken finger and headed for her office so she could finish talking to her agent. Cole looked at Jack, feeling a bit brushed-off. "Americans are so bloody rude."

"She's on the phone, Cole" Jack said. "I need to go change. I believe blood and gore is a fashion faux-pas."

"I want to see you too" Cole called after him. Jack gave him a wink and hurried down to the sub-basement. "Can't anyone be serious in regards to medical care?"


Jack stood in his office, changing his shirt and watching a security monitor that was always on. A car had stopped in front of the warehouse and a man snapped a quick photo from inside the car before slowly driving away. Jack peeled his button-up shirt off and then his undershirt. The vehicle drove off the monitor. Jack pulled a clean undershirt on and saw the car, heading back towards the main road, come back on the screen and stop.

The man wore sunglasses and was far enough away that most details were lost. He seemed to have short hair, a square face, a barrel-chested build, and something dangling from his rearview mirror. Jack didn't recognize him and that made him worry. He pulled on a fresh button-up shirt and let his fingers do the work while keeping his eyes on the monitor. Questions ran through his mind. Who was this man? Why was he taking pictures? Did he know that they were Torchwood?

Jack took down the license plate and finished with his shirt. His phone rang and he answered it. "Hey Andy."


"You would think that getting a finger reset and put into a cast would be a high priority" Cole muttered as he wrapped gauze around Jessie's hand. She sat in her trousers and a striped shirt, not looking amused at the short cast Cole was insistent upon. His hair was still poking out from under his beanie hat. It looked ridiculous with the lab coat he had on. He liked wearing his lab coat though. It was his badge, a showing of his efforts, a display of his medical profession.

"Don't I just need one of those finger splint things?" Jessie asked.

"No" Cole replied. "You're obviously prone to bodily harm, so the cast goes on."

"I'm not prone to bodily harm" Jessie said cooly. "This is the first broken bone I've ever had."

"That sounds like a load of rubbish. It only has to be on for a week" Cole said. "Then, I'll check it to see where we go from there. You might have a splint after that."

"Super" Jessie mumbled. Cole rolled his stool back to the counter and grabbed a black roll of casting tape from a bowl of cool water.

"You realize that you did a really good job with that finger, right?" Cole asked. He got the tape started and began wrapping the gauze under-wrapping. Jessie didn't looked amused. "I read one of your books. It was a while ago. It wasn't bad, but I'm more of a Stephen King sort of guy."

"Which one?" Jessie asked. The cast went from her forearm, around the main section of her hand, and around her last two fingers.

"The Inn on Maiden's Heart Road" Cole replied. It was Jessie's second book. Cole cut pieces of the fiberglass casting tape to form stronger sections, to prevent mobility until the finger was healed. "It felt like you were trying a little too hard with that novel."

"I was" Jessie replied. "It was my second book and I rushed it. The next one, From The Mountaintop, was better."

"Maybe I'll give it a read" Cole said. He finished wrapping the arm and fingers, and began smoothing the casting tape to make sure it was properly sealed. "The cast needs to set up for a few minutes." He stood up and started putting things away. "I heard you have a few new books in the works."

"My agent has two new books that I finished before my trip here" Jessie said. "They will probably come out in a few months or something."

"Is that who you were on the phone with earlier?" Cole asked.

"Yes" Jessie replied.

"Everything okay?" Cole asked. Jessie's mouth thinned for a moment.

"It's none of your business" Jessie said. Cole shrugged.

"Whatever, just making small talk" Cole said. "You can go, just do yourself a favor and don't do anything to that cast for the next 10 minutes."

"No problem" Jessie replied hopping down from the medical bed. "Thanks for the cast, Cole."