November 23rd 0900 Hours

AJ was scheduled to have a hearing regarding her mental state. Despite AJ agreeing to take the plea deal offered to her, her attorney was attempting to argue that she was not mentally competent enough to agree to the deal. Hunter and Vince had both called Rori to assure her that the federal authorities were fighting this move from her attorneys.

Roman, Seth and Dean walked into the courtroom. Hunter and Vince were already seated in the back of the courtroom. Dean took a deep breath and looked around the courtroom, knowing Rori would be there. He spotted her sitting on the other side of the room. She was wearing a black dress suit. He sat down beside Roman and Seth and tried to not look at Rori.

"This is just a formality. At most the judge will order AJ have a psychiatric evaluation." Vince whispered to Roman.

"What is the point if part of her deal was to receive psychiatric care?" Roman asked.

"Apparently her attorney is wanting to discard the deal and plead insanity." Vince said. "Really, all this is doing is dragging the process out for no reason."

"How is Rori holding up? We tried calling her last night, but she didn't answer." Seth asked.

"She is fine. She said she would do anything asked of her and that she would continue to trust the federal authorities." Hunter said.

AJ was brought in shackled but in a wheelchair because of her wound that was still healing. She kept her head down and did not look at anyone in the courtroom. The bailiff ordered everyone to rise as the judge entered the courtroom.

"You may be seated. This is a hearing regarding the United States of America vs. April Mendez. Defense has filed a motion to disregard the plea agreement accepted by the defendant based on mental capacity." The judge said.

"Your honor, April Mendez was offered this plea agreement and it was explained to her in great detail with her attorney present when she accepted." The prosecutor stated.

"Further contact with my client has led me to believe she is not capable of understanding what she is agreeing to. Obviously the prosecution always had concerns about my clients mental state as part of the plea agreement was to include counseling and psychiatric help." Defense council stated.

"Your honor, this is a move by the defense to set up an insanity defense." Prosecution stated. "We believe they will refuse the plea agreement and go to trial presenting an insanity defense."

"Ms. Mendez, you are aware of the charges being brought against you?" the judge asked.

"Yes your honor." AJ spoke quietly.

"And your attorney has gone over the plea agreement with you?" the judge asked.

"Yes sir." She spoke again.

"And you wish to accept the plea agreement despite what your council may be advising you?" the judge asked.

"Yes your honor. It would allow me the opportunity for parole that I may not get if my case goes to trial." She said.

The judge leaned back in his chair a moment. "Ms. Mendez has agreed to the plea agreement and is willing to take it. However, the court must be sure that Ms. Mendez is capable of making such decisions to avoid potential appeals in the future. Therefore, I am ordering that Ms. Mendez be examined by three court appointed psychologists. Upon receiving the results of those evaluations, the court will rule on her competency to accept the plea agreement. Court is adjourned." The judge banged his gavel and everyone rose as the judge left the courtroom.

"Is she gonna get away with this after all?" Seth sighed.

"Not likely, like the judge said, he wants to avoid possible appeals in the future. AJ needs help but she is well aware of her actions. If she had any problems they would've been found in the mandatory DXS evaluations." Vince said as they turned to leave.

"I thought this was all a done deal to keep the media out of it and keep things quiet?" Seth was confused.

"Even the best laid plans have problems when you get a lawyer involved, you know that." Hunter sighed. "As long as things stay confidential, we should be okay."

The five men made their way through the hallways of the courthouse and walked outside. Dean looked up and saw Rori sitting on a bench by the steps. Roman caught him looking at her.

"Why don't you go talk to her?" Roman asked.

"I am gonna have a smoke." Dean said and walked in the opposite direction of where she was sitting.

Seth and Roman walked over to where Rori was sitting. She smiled as she saw them approaching and stood up.

"Hey guys, I was hoping I would get a chance to see you." She hugged each of them.

"How have you been?" Roman asked her.

"I'm okay. Getting ready to go to West Virginia for Thanksgiving." She said. "I am leaving Wednesday after my shift."

"I am sure your mom will be happy to see you for the holiday." Roman said.

Rori reached into her purse and took out a check, handing it to Roman. "This is for the clothes and shoes I ordered while staying with you guys. I told you I would pay you back when everything was over."

Roman handed the check back to her. "It's been taken care of. DXS reimbursed me because you were in protective custody. Hunter took care of it. And even if they hadn't, I wouldn't take your money."

"I still appreciate it. You were very generous." She smiled. "Where is Dean? I saw him in the courtroom."

"He went to have a smoke." Seth said, trying to not hurt her.

"Oh….I see." She said, her face falling. Roman and Seth could see she knew what they were trying not to say, that Dean just refused to speak to her and was avoiding her.

"Roman, tell Rori your good news." Seth tried to redirect the conversation.

"What is the good news?" she looked up.

"I've been promoted. I will be taking over AJ's old position. I'll be working directly under Hunter." Roman said.

"Roman, that is wonderful." She hugged him. "I am so happy for you. You are going to do a great job."

"Thank you. I am happy about the position. And we decided to stay at the house. It's paid for and been our home for so long, we couldn't see a reason to leave right now." Roman said.

"What about you Seth? You got a new position yet?" Rori asked.

"I am going to be the DXS liaison to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. That way I can stay in the area." Seth told her.

"Going to work at the Pentagon….oh that is so exciting." She smiled and hugged him.

"Listen, we got to get going. When you get back from West Virginia, give us a call. We'll have dinner together." Roman said.

"I will, that sounds nice." She smiled.

"You have a safe trip and enjoy your holiday." Seth kissed her forehead.

"Thanks, you guys have a good holiday too." She hugged Roman again.

Dean stood on the sidewalk across the street and watched Rori talking with Seth and Roman as he smoked. He wanted to go talk to her, but his mind wouldn't let his body do what his heart wanted.

2200 Hours

Dean stood looking at the picture of Rori on the wall that Roman had drawn. He was lost in memories of Rori when she was staying with them. Seth walked into the room and noticed Dean looking at the picture. Both Roman and Seth had observed Dean looking at the picture several times since they had hung it up.

"You okay?" Seth asked.

"Yeah, just been a long day." Dean said.

"What did you go meet with Hunter about this afternoon? You were gone a long time." Seth said.

"I spent a long time just driving around. Trying to get my head clear." Dean said and sat down on the couch.

Roman walked in. "I am getting ready to turn in for the night."

"Sit down….I have something to tell you." Dean said.

Roman raised his eyebrow but sat down. Seth looked at Dean.

"I went to meet with Hunter about what I want to do now that the DXS is moving us all to new positions." Dean said.

"That's great. We knew you were trying to decide what you wanted to do next. What did you decide?" Seth smiled.

"I asked Hunter for a transfer. He said there was an open assassin position in the Los Angeles DXS division. I told him I would take it." Dean said.

"A transfer? You're leaving? Moving away from us? But why? We're like family." Seth asked.

"I know, it wasn't an easy decision. We are like family, like brothers. Me moving won't change that; you guys will always be my brothers. But I need a fresh start." Dean said.

"Are you sure this is what you want? Hunter said there were several options open to us for reassignment." Roman said.

"I know, Hunter tried his best to talk me out of this. He went over several options with me today. But…..I need this. I want a fresh start." Dean said.

"Maybe you should just take some time off. Take a vacation, clear your head. You don't have to leave." Seth said.

"No, I need a fresh start. I know you guys wanted to stay in the DC area, but the more I thought about it…..I just think a fresh start, new city, new surroundings is the way to go." Dean said.

Roman rubbed his eyes. "Dean…..if this is what you want we'll support you. But if you change your mind….you will always be welcome here as long as we are here."

"I appreciate that. This is something I need to do." Dean said.

"When do you leave?" Seth asked.

"Early December." Dean said.

"Wow, that is soon." Seth said.

"I know. But I will be back here often to visit. And you guys will always be welcome in LA to visit me." Dean gave a small smile.

"We're really gonna miss you. It won't be the same. We have been a trio for years." Seth said.

"It will be weird, working with new people." Dean agreed. "I am gonna go have a smoke."

Dean got up and walked out of the game room. They heard the sliding glass door as he walked out onto the back deck.

"I don't know what to think." Roman said.

"Me either." Seth sighed.

"If this is what he wants, there is nothing we can do." Roman said. "I hope he knows what he is leaving behind."

Author's Note- So what do you all think? Need some feedback. Thanks to Rossi's Lil Devil for constantly reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.