A/N: First, sorry for the length of this AN. Just have a few things I want to say. 1) This was originally intended to be the second chapter to a twoshot "Battlefield", but when "Battlefield" went AU and this didn't, I decided to post them separately. 2) This is basically only based off one line of the finale's preview – namely, that whole bit about 'what's wrong with them all dying' – so the characters, especially Ryland, may be a little OOC. Or a lot (yay, Evil!Dennis). Oh, well. Finally, I actually got this up in an efficient manner! Now you're so happy and amazed that you want to leave a review after you read, right?
Really Important A/N: Sorry for the interruption, but I had to also mention that the plot in this was utilizing an (almost definitely incorrect) idea that NTAC (and, by extension, Dennis Ryland), because the illness is basically their fault, knows how to make the 4400s get better, too. Okay, read on.
Ceasefire
Tom Baldwin covered the phone with his hand, looking stricken, shaken. This conversation with one of the men on duty at quarantine was obviously not going well. "First confirmed death of a 4400 from this illness," he reported grimly.
"They're dying?" Diana glanced over at him, and it was clear that she was thinking about Maia as she spoke.
He nodded, returning to the caller for a moment. "Thanks," he said shortly, hanging up a moment later. "I'll be back," he added to Diana. "I have to talk to Ryland."
Tom knocked sharply on the door that was Dennis Ryland's for the time being.
"Come in," Ryland responded, and the agent did so, his righteous anger diminishing slightly as he sat before his friend.
Then he thought about Alana, and Shawn, and Maia, and the feelings flared up again.
Controlled resentment edging his voice, he said, "They're dying, Dennis."
Ryland nodded. "Yes."
"And I know that this sickness they've got isn't natural. It's man-made, and they're dying from it. Do you want them all dead, Dennis, is that it?"
The other man looked him in the eyes. "What's wrong with that? Tom, you're a good agent and a good friend, and as such, I'm not going to ask you how you know what you do. But, regardless of how you came to the knowledge, this isn't your decision to make. We're doing what's best for the citizens of this country, just know that."
Tom was furious, and, unheeding of the peril he was surely putting his job in, he choked out, "What's wrong with the intentional death of 4400 people? They're human beings, Dennis!"
The man glanced at him meaningfully. "And they're your nephew, and Diana's daughter. I'm well aware of that, believe me. But they're also possibly dangerous. I'm sure you remember a certain 4400-initiated terrorist attack on this very building? And there's been other murders, as well, hasn't there?"
"Yes," the agent agreed reluctantly, "but it's not their fault they were abducted, or that they have these abilities. Not Orson Bailey's fault, not Jean Baker's fault, not T.J. Kim's fault. And certainly not the fault of those who've done nothing wrong, who're just trying to get their lives back. They don't deserve to die."
Dennis Ryland appeared thoughtful. Finally, after what seemed like eons, he nodded.
And for the first time in a long time, Tom Baldwin smiled.
A/N: This was so much fun to write. (Exactly 400 words, too, just to challenge myself.) Sorry about the OOCness. Don't forget to review, please!
