CHAPTER SEVEN

"What are you doing down here?" Marco asked inquisitively when Rio parked in the theory room after getting back from the center.

"When I get worked up, I can sometime project my thoughts to others' minds without realizing it," she explained. "And considering I'm thinking some not-so-flattering things about my ex, aka Tom's nephew, I'd rather they didn't get accidentally projected to him."

"Like what?" Marco inquired.

Rio raised an eyebrow at him and projected her fantasy of nailing Shawn in the family jewels with a baseball bat into Marco's head.

Marco winced comically. "Ooh, yeah, that would hurt."

"Hence my keeping my distance from Tom for a bit," Rio said. "And I figured in here I could give Jarvis the illusion that I'm working. Hilliard is out on assignment and I'm not allowed into the weapons room without her supervision yet. Otherwise, I would take this out on a paper man."

"What happened with you two, anyway?" Marco asked weakly, as if trying not to sound too interested.

Rio gave him a look. "That's not included in my file?"

"Well, the fact that you have a romantic history, yes," Marco said honestly. "Doesn't give the details, obviously."

Rio sighed, resting her heels on the table in front of her. "Well, what always happens with relationships, huh? You find someone, you make them your best friend, and then they leave and break your heart. Either that or you settle for someone who will never make you happy, but you've convinced yourself that's better than being alone."

"Are those the only choices?" he responded. "Some people end up happy and in love."

"Not that I've ever seen," she said. "Maybe George and Sarah. Maybe. But it's a one in a million chance to actually get something that just works."

"One in a million like being a member of the 4400?" Marco poised with a smirk. "Or becoming a telepath?"

Rio narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "Even in this reality where all that is possible, I'm still a bit cynical when it comes to relationships. My parents were in love at some point but by the time Jacob was born that was over and us kids were the only thing keeping the sham up. That was my big example when it came to things like marriage and I resented it. I figured I probably wasn't meant for that kind of lifestyle. The thing with Shawn… it was a leap for me. One that circumstances allowed and one that still beat me down."

"But you got back up," Marco said earnestly. "Every time I've seen you get knocked down; you've gotten right back up. And you've gotten knocked down pretty hard. Harder than pretty much anyone I've ever met."

"You're sweet," Rio murmured. "And I hope you're right. But it doesn't mean I'm stepping into the relationship ring anytime soon."

When Rio felt she calmed down enough, she made her way into her shared office space with Tom and Diana, asking, "Got anything?"

Tom shook his head in frustration. "Collier had his name on the side of a skyscraper by the time he was 30. You pursue power that ruthlessly, you pick up some enemies along the way."

"So, we find the one who seems most like John Hinckley or Sirhan Sirhan," Diana mused.

"And then tail him until he finally makes his move?" Rio asked. "At this point in time, we could be searching for someone that's a total stranger to Collier now but will want to kill him sometime in the future."

"Or maybe it is coming from someone who Collier's never met and never will meet," Diana added. "I mean, if you hate the 4400, killing their figurehead's a good way to make them suffer."

"Good point," Rio huffed, going to her desk, and sitting down. She rested her head in her hand.

Diana was just as frustrated as she was. "But what are we supposed to do? The potential victim has refused our help. No one said stopping the future was going to be easy."

Tom had been diligently staring at his computer and seemed to find something. "Look at this." Diana and Rio stood to walk over and peer at his screen—a photo of a middle-aged white man with gray hair balding at the top of his head and a seemingly permanent scowl on his face. "His name is Miles Quinlan. Claims Collier bankrupted him, then kicked him out of the center."

"I wouldn't doubt that," Rio mused.

"Lives with his parents," Diana said aloud. "What, nursing a persecution complex?"

"Pretty much a poster boy for the lone gunman theory," Tom said, already standing and grabbing his jacket. He looked to Rio. "You're coming with to scan his head, but you have to do so from the car. If he hates Collier enough to kill him, we don't know how he'll react to being interrogated by a member of the 4400."

"Yes, sir." Rio mock saluted him as she followed the agents out.

You want to talk about Collier? He uses people up and leaves them on the curb.

Rhiannon couldn't deny that this Quinlan guy had a justified reason for hating Jordan's guts. She had the same thoughts about him many times. But she didn't think killing the man was a sound solution.

Is that why you left the center? Tom asked.

I didn't leave. They threw me out. That's what happens when you run out of money. They have all these different levels. They call them keys, right? You make seventh key, you're unlocked.

"Unlocked" – meaning you've got your own 4400 ability? Diana guessed.

Well, that's the big prize. Only they set it up so no one ever gets there. There's mid-levels and side seminars you have to pass. If you're not one of the 4400, each one costs. First, I ate up my savings, then I cashed out the equity in my house.

And they didn't deliver.

Soon as the first check bounced, they told me I'd reached maximum potential and sent me on my way.

Is that why you applied for a handgun permit? Tom asked him. We ran a vicap check on you this morning.

So I bought a gun. So what? I need to protect myself from Collier.

Yeah, well, I hope self-defense is all you have in mind. Tom said. Because if you're planning anything else, we will be all over you the minute you approach the 4400 center. You want something to be paranoid about? Think about that.

Once Tom and Diana were back in the car, Rio told them, "He's definitely angry enough to kill Collier. He wouldn't lose a second of sleep over his death. But as far as I can tell, he isn't actively planning an attempt on Jordan's life right now. That says nothing for the future though. He did think about the celebration coming up. More about a confrontation than an assassination. I say we keep an eye out for him."

"Will do, but it doesn't bring us much closer to figuring out what's supposed to happen," Diana said as Tom started driving back.

"Well, if it's anything like every other case, we're not gonna figure things out until the eleventh hour," Rio responded.

The 4400 reunion was looming closer. Shawn had confronted Jordan about Rio, leading to more than one fight. But when Jordan revealed that he had gone to Maia and her scared reaction to his face was proof that NTAC was right about the threat to his life, Shawn was only worried about losing him.

"You're simplifying the issue. Canceling the gala is no guarantee of my safety," Jordan argued.

"It's a start," Shawn said. "Jordan, you just told me there's a little girl out there who can see the future and she saw you dead. It's time to make yourself scarce."

"And where does it stop?" Jordan snapped. "Do I stay away from the center? I cut myself off from our work?"

"Yeah, if it means staying alive," Shawn started to raise his voice.

"I am not going to become a hermit," Jordan insisted. "That is not a win for us. Look, the center is significantly safer than it seems. Half the people you see in workmen's uniforms are bodyguards."

Shawn couldn't believe the height of Jordan's denial. "Are you looking to die in public?"

"You're developing a real flair for drama, you know. This is hanging over my head, not yours," Jordan stood.

Shawn sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, Jordan. I'm just-"

"I am not ready to become a martyr," Jordan said quietly.

"And you don't have to be," Shawn agreed. "I know you've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. Bringing all the 4400 together. It's like a validation for everything you've done so far. But if something happens to you, it could undo everything that we've started. The movement's not ready for you to be a martyr, either."

Seeing there was no point in searching for a compromise, Jordan snapped, "Just go. Go."

When Rio got home, Davey was still around. Apparently, Ben was doing late night inventory for a book signing at the store. Sarah was in the kitchen working on a meatloaf while Davey watched cartoons in the living room. After kicking off her shoes, she joined him on the couch.

"What's up, squirt?"

"SpongeBob," he murmured. "It's the show that grows as you grow."

Rio chuckled. "This show missed my childhood."

It was quiet for a minute before Davey spoke again. "Sarah said you guys think that Jordan guy is going to die."

Rio sighed through her nose. She'd hoped to keep a lid on her work when it came to Davey. The kid didn't need to be exposed to this stuff. It had a way of eating at you, she could tell. Tom was divorced and hanging onto his son desperately with both arms. Diana was perpetually single with her adopted daughter as her only real family. The backroom dirty politics and red tape made it almost impossible to feel pride in her work unless she would directly save someone's life or take a bullet.

"Davey, don't think about it," Rio told him softly. "Don't worry about it. You don't have to."

"But it's your work," Davey said, looking up at her with wide eyes. "It's dangerous for you."

"Sometimes," she told him honestly. She couldn't lie to him. Kids remembered when they were deceived. "But I am getting trained and Tom and Diana always have my back. And I don't bring this stuff home with me."

"What if it follows you home anyway?" Davey said with a hint of fear showing through. She could tell – without reading his mind – that he was trying to hide his fear. "There are still people out there that want to hurt us just for what we are."

Rio cringed at the memory of members of the 4400 being blown up by hicks from Friday Harbor in revenge for their sister's death. Because she had been murdered by a 4400 psycho. It had been a violent and fearful time and she could tell just the threat had left its mark on Davey. She felt sorry for the boy. Not only was he worried about what people thought when they looked at him, but what he could risk learning when he touched people and instantly knew everything about them.

She took his hand – he'd already learned everything about her and refused to ask questions, and she refused to deny him affection because of his extra gift – and said, "Davey look at me."

He had averted his eyes but lifted them up to meet hers when she told him to.

"My job comes with dangers, yes. I have been prepared for that since taking the job. Because the possibility of helping people, especially our people, outweighed the risks for me. And I understand those risks may worry you, that's why I try to shield you most of the time, even if its difficult." She squeezed his hand. "But I want you to know and believe me when I say that no matter what I deal with at work, I will not let any of it touch you. I will not allow anyone or anything to threaten or hurt you."

Davey pursed his lips and nodded his head silently. He then buried his head in her shoulder and hugged her middle. She hugged him tightly and swore to herself that she would hold true to her word.

Work flew into a frenzy early on in the morning the next day. "One of Dravitt's hired guns flew into town last night. His name is Laurent Ganning. TSA had his alias flagged," Tom announced from his computer and instantly stood to grab his jacket.

"Well, do we have a present whereabouts?" Diana asked

"He just checked into a motel in first hill under the name "Lawrence Gawain"."

Rio wasn't cleared for such an operation, but she just had a gut feeling that going to the motel was a waste of time. She decided to take her personal car and head to the center. It was easy enough to wait in the parking lot and inspect people's minds for this Ganning guy. There were some drones – or at least that's what she called them – working in the lobby and letting personnel in to ready the center for the event. She didn't really pay attention to their jobs or their banal greetings and instructions. Not until she caught wind of an imposing character thinking about his strategy to shoot Collier and get out during the chaos.

She quickly got out of her car and raced through the lobby. When the security tried to stop her, she called out, "Follow me, your boss is in trouble!" and quickly got them to fall in line with her with a little push in their heads. She barged into the stadium where Jordan was doing a sound check.

"And we are humbled by the bravery of our foreign guests, many of whom risked so much to be here today…" he was saying before he noticed her. "Rhiannon?"

Quiet. Get off the stage! Rio mentally projected into his mind as she raced down the stairs. Shooter in the house!

For once, Jordan completely cooperated with her and jumped down from the stage as she jumped on. The doors banged open again and Diana burst in with backup.

"Nobody moves! Everyone stay right where you are."

Rio yanked at the curtains on the stage and revealed Ganning with his weapon out. "Get down on the ground, put your hands on your head!"

Ganning obeyed without pause, outrage playing on his face, since he didn't have control over his limbs for the moment. Tom came up from behind him with his gun out, prepared to take Ganning down with a bit more of a fight. Once he saw what Rio was doing, he holstered his gun and cuffed Ganning. He gave Rio a look. "Great work, Rio."

"Thanks," she said. She sighed as she let go of her control over Ganning.

"Ganning's pistol was made from synthetic polymers. The bullets, too. He walked it right through your metal detectors without so much as a peep," Tom was telling Jordan as the group of them decompressed after the whole episode.

"You were round to get him," Jordan responded. "Miss Mitchell here helped apprehend him with little to no fuss. He never would have killed me."

"He was standing two feet away from you with a loaded firearm," Tom replied, exasperated.

"The whole thing was put in motion by Maia," Collier said, looking between him and Diana. "Your daughter's vision was a gift to me. A prescription, if you will. For changing the future. In one chain of events, Ganning's bullet killed me. I can only assume that somebody has a different plan for me."

Rio fought the urge to roll her eyes. Collier may actually have been convinced that he was some Jesus figure for the 4400, meant to save the world all on his own. While Rio didn't understand what the future's plan was with him, but she didn't think it was that.

"Well, I wouldn't be putting my feet up by the fire just yet," Diana said.

"I have no intention of canceling the extra security measures," he told them.

"The same extra measures that just allowed an assassin to walk right up to you," Tom pointed out.

"And me," Rio said with a wave of her hand. "I didn't use my ability or anything to get passed your drones in the front. They followed me at even the whiff of danger to you."

Jordan regarded her and Tom like dealing with a child. "Would NTAC like a presence at the gala tomorrow?"

"Yes," Tom huffed. "Mr. Collier, we don't stand off to the side and watch. We take command."

"I'll issue credentials," Jordan told him. "That was a rather dramatic demonstration of competence just now."

That time, Rio did roll her eyes.

Rio felt weird getting ready to stand in on Jordan's big 4400 celebration. Diana helped her get her curly corded earpiece fitted for her, even if she could use her powers to communicate with them. It felt odd not to be right behind the other two NTAC agents outside of the office building. She was left to her own devices and her own instincts. It was nice to have that kind of small authority and independence. But also daunting.

In her own form of rebellion, she changed into the shirt she had been taken in, but it was largely obstructed by her fit blazer. She kept her hands at her sides and her eyes peeled on the people around her while she scanned their minds. A few had come up to talk to her, recognizing her from quarantine. It was awkward to say the least since she wasn't exactly attending because she believed in Jordan. But she muddled through it.

She was happy to stop and chat with Richard and Lily and their beautiful daughter when she noticed them. "Hi guys, great to see you 'out of the woods' so to speak."

Richard smiled widely and hugged her, while Lily showcased her confusion. "Wow, Rio… we didn't expect to see you here."

"Working," Rio explained vaguely, fingering her earpiece. She smiled at the baby girl in Lily's arms. "This must be little Isabelle." Isabelle laughed and cooed and grabbed one of Rio's fingers. "Great to see that you're safe, baby girl."

"What do you mean?" Lily frowned.

Rio smiled gently. "Well, your powerful little girl here projected to me a few times."

Lily and Richard both seemed interested and about to ask more questions, but Rio noticed Shawn making his way towards them. She didn't want to deal with him. It would be too distracting when she had a job to do. So, she had to make her excuses to leave Richard and Lily as he grew closer.

"Shawn," Richard greeted the healer.

"Here we go," Shawn muttered. "I think I have to head up and introduce Jordan."

Rio fought the urge to cross her arms or stuff her hands in her pockets as she milled through the front of the crowd for a bit, hearing Diana and Tom whisper to each other as she checked in on their conversation with her abilities.

All the guests check out so far.

Yeah, we secured the surrounding rooftops, did a bomb sweep. So now it's cross-our-fingers time.

Yeah.

"Good afternoon," Shawn spoke into a mic in hand on top of the stage. "Thank you for coming to the center."

Rio concentrated on scanning the crowd, when she picked up very angry and familiar thoughts from Quinlan.

Hey guys, our Hinkley is here. My twelve o'clock she projected to Tom and Diana when she caught sight of the balding man.

Thanks, Rio, Tom thought to her as he made his way to apprehend him. Rio focused on their interaction to make sure Tom didn't need her help while Shawn continued his speech.

Let's go.

I just want to hear what the man has to say for himself.

"We have a great day planned for you, but before we get started, I'd like to thank the man that made this all possible. I mean that literally—he didn't just pay for the food. He built this place and this movement, so I'd like you to please welcome my mentor, my friend—Mr. Jordan Collier."

The audience applauded for the man of the hour as he hugged Shawn and took the mic.

"Thank you and thank you, Shawn, for that introduction," he said, benevolently.

Rio frowned when she picked up a mind farther away from the center. It was almost blank of organic thought. Just a singular thought and goal looping over and over again. Kill Jordan Collier. But they were too far away to be part of the party. They must be a sniper.

Tom, Diana, it's not the old man. A sniper is here! Within fifty feet!

She could feel Tom and Diana begin to reign in their panic as they both mentally asked her for an exact location.

"We are humbled by the bravery of our foreign guests. Many of whom risked so much to be here today," Jordan was saying right as Rio picked up on the sniper's decision to pull the trigger.

"Collier, down!" she shouted, starting towards the stage.

Then a shot rang out and she felt a searing pain in her shoulder. The force of the shot knocked her down to the floor as people began to scream and scatter and duck while a few more shots rained down.

"He's up there! Go! Everybody stay down! We've got a shooter," Tom shouted.

"Rio!" she heard Shawn's voice shout and then his hands were turning her over on her back. She held back a screech of hurt as her wound twanged. She winced away when Shawn started to press his healing touch onto her skin.

"Don't!" she gasped. "Can—can't show them your—power…"

"Everyone calm down! Just stay down. Stay down! We've got a shooter," Diana was yelling.

Rio whimpered in pain that started to stab through her chest and abdomen. But it was just a strong phantom pain and she knew what it must have meant. "Can't—can't—breathe!"

"Did you get hit somewhere else!?" Shawn asked, rapidly scanning her for other injuries.

She shook her head, tears leaking down the sides of her face as she stared up at him. "No—not me… Channeling Jordan. I'm sorry…"

"Jordan?" Shawn questioned, looking over to see the paramedics working over his mentor that had two bullet wounds in his chest. "Jordan!" He lept up from Rio's side and raced to Collier's.

At the same time, Diana was getting to her side with other paramedics to get her on a stretcher. As they did, Rio could both hear and feel the situation happening around Jordan.

"Let me go," Shawn fought against the security guards holding him back from his friend. "Jordan! Oh my god! Oh god please let me go. Please!" Shawn laid his hands on Jordan's body and let out a cry as he tried to bring him back from the brink of death.

Rio felt it as Jordan's heart restarted, letting out a loud gasp for air in unison with him, her back bowing up from her own stretcher. Her paramedic tried to gently hold her flat down on the stretcher before they folded it up in the air and prepared to wheel her out of the building.

"Pulse is weak and thready come on let's go harry up! Breathing's stopped," Collier's lead paramedic said.

"We're losing him again," another said.

"No! You're not going anywhere yet," Shawn said, adamant. Rio was just wheeled out of the lobby when Shawn tried once more to bring Jordan back. She choked on air and flailed her hands out to steady herself. Diana grabbed her hand and held tight.

"Just try to relax, Rio. You're gonna be fine," the woman said.

Shawn! She told me to go through with it, she heard Jordan say.

Who did?

She lied, Jordan whimpered as he faded away.

No, don't go anywhere, no! was the last Rio channeled before passing out.

Rio had gotten quite a few visitors since getting out of surgery. George and Sarah had barely left her hospital room. Tom and Diana came as soon as they gave their statements and took hers. Nikki drove over quickly after classes.

"Got shot in the same shoulder!" she had admonished her. "Come on, Rio!"

"At least there's a real bullet this time," Rio had retorted.

Ben brought Davey by once Sarah called them to tell them what happened. Rio made sure not to let Davey make contact with her skin so he wouldn't know the pain she went through with his own ability. She still had to reassure the young boy that she'd be just fine.

"I told you about the risks and that I wouldn't let them touch you," she told him. "I am – I am going to be fine."

She was discharged the morning of Jordan Collier's funeral. And she had decided to attend, if only to see it all through. And part of her wanted to be there for Shawn. Even if their romantic relationship was over and irreparable, she didn't want to be his enemy and she didn't want to prolong the animosity between them. She wanted peace and closure.

Sarah had come to the hospital with a loose black dress for her to wear that wouldn't be hard to put on over her bandaged wound and arm brace. Soon, there was a knock at the door, and she looked up to see Marco there, suited up. "Ready to go?"

Rio nodded and thanked Sarah for her help with her discharge papers before following Marco out to his car – really, she was wheeled out in a wheelchair, as per policy. "Thanks for agreeing to drive me. And attend this circus."

"No problem," he replied with ease as he helped her into his car. "Neither of us may have liked the guy… but going seems to be the thing to do given the situation. Besides, I can't be the heartless guy who says no to the girl who got shot."

Rio snorted. "I don't even want to go. But…"

"Shawn?" Marco guessed aptly.

Rio gave him a look. "We might hang out too much."

Marco chuckled. "Give me some credit, huh? I can tell he's pretty much the only reason you're going."

"That and appearances like Tom and Diana," Rio replied. "I just… I guess I'm tired of being hurt and angry over the way things went down with Shawn. I want to put it all to bed and move on."

"Moving on sounds like a healthy choice," he commented. "I'm sure he'll appreciate you being there. How are you feeling, post-op and everything?"

Rio wanted to shrug but that would just hurt. "Hurts like hell. They had to give me NSAIDs because I can't have opioids and figure out which ones wouldn't react weird with my risperidone. But they don't work as well to get rid of the pain and make me a bit groggy. I won't be able to be in the field or train or even drive myself for at least two weeks. But it is what it is."

When they arrived, the whole center was teaming with mourners for Jordan Collier. They couldn't really pick out Tom and Diana, so they figured they'd meet up with the agents afterwards. Marco made sure to nab some seats at the end of the row, so Rio didn't risk bumping her shoulder in the middle of the crowd. They sat down soon before Shawn came out to make his remarks.

Rio almost felt sad for her ex-boyfriend as he struggled to get his words out through his choked-up throat and moist eyes.

"You are going to read a lot about Jordan Collier in the next few weeks. Some of it good. A lot of it bad. I will be ignoring all of it. Just like Jordan would have. Because Jordan may have used the media, but he never allowed himself to be seduced by it. I could tell you how much I owe the man. He took me in when I was feeling lost and alone, confused. I'm sure many of you have similar stories. The fact is that everyone alive today, whether they know it or not, owes Jordan Collier. He had a vision to save the future and he gave us that vision. And now he won't be here to see us achieve it. But we will achieve it. I promise you; we will achieve it. We have all suffered a tremendous loss. We are heartbroken and bleeding on the inside, but we will not let that stop us, and I will not let that stop me. We will honor Jordan collier. And we will create the better future that he died building. Thank you for coming. Goodbye."

Marco helped Rio stand off to the side and out of the way of the crowd. Rows of people stopped to talk to Shawn. But after some thinning of the masses, he must have noticed her standing there.

Rio… she heard him project to her.

She turned to Marco and asked, "Would you mind waiting for me?"

"Of course not," Marco told her. "I'll be outside, okay?"

"Thank you," she whispered before walking down the stairs to meet with Shawn. "Hi."

"Hi," he breathed, as if he'd been holding his breath. "I'm… really glad you came."

"Just… paying my respects," she replied awkwardly. It was hard to mourn for someone you didn't like while they were alive.

"It means a lot that you're here," he told her. His gaze fell to her shoulder. "I'm so sorry I left you after you got—"

"Don't, Shawn," Rio gently cut him off. "Those were your last moments with someone you really cared about. I understand."

"I could heal that for you now," he offered weakly. "Since I already outed my ability and all."

Rio was tempted to take him up on it. Her shoulder was throbbing in pain and made her want to bite her lip off. She shook her head. "You've exerted yourself enough."

But Shawn rolled his eyes and reached for her good hand, clasping it tightly and concentrating hard. Rio felt lightheaded for a moment before the pain in her shoulder faded away, along with her wound. She let out a huge sigh of relief when he was done.

"You're lucky they used dissolvable stitches," she joked. "But thank you."

Before Shawn could reply, Tom approached them, speaking to his nephew. "Nice words Shawn. I think Collier would have approved."

"Yeah. I hope so," Shawn said.

"I'll let you two talk," Rio suggested, turning to leave.

"No, stay," Shawn protested softly. "It's okay."

"That's right," Tom agreed.

"Jordan would have liked that you came," Shawn told his Uncle.

Tom chuckled. "Oh. I don't think I was that high on his radar."

"Don't be too sure," Shawn tilted his head. "You guys bumped heads, but you believed the same thing. That the 4400 are the key to the future. Your goals were identical."

"But our methods were different," Tom commented.

Shawn gave him a look. "Not as different as you think."

"See, that's where your view of Jordan Collier splits from mine," Tom said.

Shawn smiled weakly. "Well, at least we have some common ground. Maybe your side and my side can work together now that I'm assuming new duties around here."

"You're becoming quite the little politician Shawn," Tom mentioned. "Now I know Collier would have been proud of you."

Rio couldn't help but agree. The conversation was cut short by a scream, turning to the door off to the side of the stage where a woman was stumbling out. "He's gone. His body. It's not there."

The three of them ran into the side room where Jordan's casket was. It was empty.

"Someone stole the body," Rio muttered in disbelief. "Who would steal his body?"

"There's only one way out, and we were standing right in front of it," Tom said.

"Then what happened?" the woman demanded.

Tom, Rio, and Shawn shared a look.