TOMMY - THE NEXT MORNING

I'm dressed to go, but something doesn't seem quite right. I study myself in the mirror, trying to figure out what it is - what's missing, but I come up with all of nothing. I sigh and I hear Zedd's amused voice, "Careful, Thomas, or people will accuse you of being vain like they do me."

"Kalleimat, you are vain. Luckily, your natural charm outweighs it."

He wraps his arms around me from behind, realizing that my teasing was half-hearted, at best. "What's the matter, love? Having second thoughts?"

"No."

"You know no one will be upset with you if you change your mind." Yeah I'm sure that'd go over real well.

"It's not that, I'm fine with going and doing this. Okay, well not fine, but I'm doing it."

"So what's wrong then?"

"I don't know. Something just seems off."

Studying me in the mirror much as I had, after a minute he shakes his head. "I think you look very handsome, love. Just like you always do."

"And you're biased." Gently disengaging myself from his hold, I check my pockets one more time to make sure I have all the things from the others. "I guess I'm ready."

We go downstairs. Pina and Dar are going to stay behind, which is kind of good. Zedd I might be able to stop, but I doubt I could control them if necessary. Not to mention I think they're going to track us - just in case. Pina greets us. "We were starting to wonder about you two. Are you ready?"

"I guess."

"You guess?" Dar asks. "What do you mean by that?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I have all the little things from everybody and I'm not missing anything, but it still feels like I'm missing something."

"Perhaps you're just a bit nervous" Pina suggests.

"I don't think it's that."

They all study me for a minute when Dar stands up suddenly. "I'll be right back." We all barely have time for more than the exchange of confused looks before he returns and holds something out to me. "Humans are an odd bunch, but sometimes how they think is pretty clear. I think your problem is when you look in the mirror, you're seeing Tommy now, not Tommy then - the one that all these things happened to. You need to be Tommy then with Tommy now control. Understand?"

I open the case he handed me. Inside are my glasses and I can already tell that he was able to get the lenses replaced for me. "You're right, Dar. Those things happened to an injured Dr. Thomas Oliver and that's who they need to see today - who I have to be."

"If you're not, they're very likely not going to believe all of what you're saying or at the very least wonder how you've recovered so quickly with no known medical help. You can't go in as the threatening half breed you now are, you have to for at least this, pretend to be the human you were."

In a moment, I have them on and, as the familiar weight settles on the bridge of my nose, my sense of professionalism asserts itself. It's interrupted, however, by the surge of lust I get through the bond. Well Dar did warn me about Zedd's little turn on where such accessories are concerned.

"If he doesn't feel ready to pretend to be the human he was, perhaps I can help him practice and we can reschedule this little outing for later." Right like I'd ever get out of the bedroom with him in this kind of mood.

I level a look on him that I've used with disruptive students before, knowing I have to be firm or else he will try everything in his power to convince me that arriving late will be fine and that a bit of time for ourselves beforehand will only be beneficial. "Not now, Zedd."

His eyes sparkle at me. "Can't help it, love."

I shake my head. "It's probably a good thing you can't go in with me. I'd have to close the bond for sure so that they wouldn't think I was aroused by what was done to me. Normally, I wouldn't mind Zedd, you know that, but I'd really appreciate it if you could behave yourself today."

"I'll try, but as I've told you before, Thomas, I haven't really been in control, so to speak ever since…" His words trail off as a thought strikes him.

Jason calls out as he opens the front door. "Are you guys ready to go?"

"Give me five minutes, Jason" Zedd responds as he heads for the back door. "I need to get something from the ship."

Watching Zedd dash off, I hear Jason sigh and mutter to himself. "I swear it's like wrangling a bunch of kids that don't want to go to school."

He returns a few minutes later, addressing Jason again when he comes in. "One more minute."

"I'm timing you" comes the warning as he pulls me into the den and out of Jason's glare.

"Zedd, we really need to go."

"It'll just take a minute, I promise. I finally figured out my token, Thomas."

"Zedd, I told you that you didn't need to give me anything-"

"I'm not." Okay then. "In spite of the fact that you are my mate, Thomas, this is only on loan as I'm not yet ready to part with it permanently. I may be some day, but just not yet."

"All right, Zedd. Are you sure that-"

"Yes." His answer is firm. "Do you remember me mentioning the matriarch that favored me?" I nod, noting the catch in his voice. "Before she passed, she gave me this. I haven't been able to wear it in a good many years, but you might be able to."

He holds his hand out and opens it, revealing a small gold band. I look up at him. "Zedd, are you sure?"

He nods and I gently pick it up. The only place it fits is the pinky of my left hand. It feels a little odd since I'm not used to wearing a ring at all, much less there but I'll certainly be aware of it and that's really the point. I kiss him softly. "Thank you, kalleimat. I'll take care of it."

"I know you will." Smiling and looking at my hand, he shakes his head. "Hopefully the next ring I give you you'll be able to actually wear on the proper finger." And let's not even get into that right now shall we.

"I don't need jewelry Zedd, all I need is you" I assure him.

"Still, I'd like to be able to spoil you on occasion. You always do everything and it's rare, now that you're well again, that I get a chance to really give you anything or do anything for you."

"You being with me does plenty for me. Trust me, you couldn't give me anything better than just you."

"Minute's up! Play when we get home!"

Smirking at Jason's yell from the other room, I lean my head on Zedd's shoulder, hearing his muffled laugh as well. "Later?"

"Later."

We head out and in another minute are on the road. Jason's driving and I'm in the back with Zedd. I need all the comfort I can store up before we get there. I'm already a little nervous and it's getting worse the closer we get. "Jason, where do they think I am recovery wise?"

"As far as they know, you still have some problems with language and occasionally fine motor skills."

"What kind of language problems?"

"Like you did when I saw you the first day at Zedd's. Having to take time to order your thoughts sometimes and occasionally struggling to come up with a word you want." That's a manageable amount and if I have problems telling the story again, it fits right in.

I turn to Zedd. "Dar's right that they'll need to see the old me which means that some of how I act today is just that - an act. You'll know through the bond if I'm actually distressed. Don't automatically jump into protector mode, okay?"

"I'll try not to, but you did promise if anything went wrong I could come to your rescue without you being mad at me."

"I did" I agree knowing that is really the only way I'm going to be able to keep him calm really. "But unless that happens you promised to behave, remember."

"I promised to try, though I have to tell you now I don't much care for crowds, nor do I greatly like the idea of being in an unfamiliar place with humans that could pose a threat. Albeit a small one. Where will you be for all this, Jason?"

"With you, Zedd. Since I can't go in with Tommy, I'm going to stay with you so that you can let me know if something's really wrong and to keep them from arresting you while he gives his statement."

I sigh. "And somehow I'm going to have to make it clear that if I haven't testified before we're ready to go home, that they'll either have to make it work without me or give me at least a week's notice so that I can get back. I just don't know how to do it without making them suspicious or giving away too much."

"Just tell them whatever you're comfortable with telling them, anything else I can handle" Jason assures me. "And if you do want to stop, and he doesn't instantly agree and bring you back out to us, let Zedd know through the bond or tell him you want to see me. He may be my boss but he'll learn real fast not to cross me where my family is concerned."

"Assuming I don't get hold of him first" Zedd mutters in agreement.

Eventually, Jason parks the car in the parking garage. Before he gets out, he makes a phone call. "We're in the garage, sir. Do you want to meet us in the lobby?" His eyes meet mine in the mirror. "Yes and I'm absolutely positive, sir. On our way."

He hangs up and we get out of the car. I can't help but ask, "And what are you absolutely positive about?"

"That Zedd's not a threat to you or anyone else in the building."

"Well not to me, but as for anyone else…"

"Listen, I know you don't like when I say this sort of thing, but I'll tell you right now, if I believed that Zedd was a threat to you in any way, there'd be a hundred agents waiting for us in the lobby to take him down and into custody."

"Let them try" growls Zedd.

A plan is already forming in the back of my mind. "I have an idea, Zedd, if it becomes an issue. It'll only be a problem if Jason's boss doesn't trust him or believe him. And remember, mate, you don't have your staff and it wouldn't be a good idea to use it even if you did. We don't want them looking too closely at you or us don't forget."

Zedd continues to grumble under his breath about the 'foolish humans' all the way in and in fairness I really can't blame him too much as if I was in his position I know I wouldn't be nearly as calm right now. "Just remember a hundred agents or not if they do anything to harm or upset Thomas I- shit."

We walk into the lobby and there's a lot of people here. As Zedd pushes me protectively behind him, looking ready for a fight, Jason curses under his breath and in a low voice says, "Stay close guys. I'm not sure what's going on."

"Jason I swear…."

"Be cool Zedd, Tommy's got both of us guarding him, nothing's going to harm him. I just need to figure out what the hell is up."

Even as Jase pulls his phone out to very likely do just that a man weaves his way through the people toward us. "Agent Scott."

"Director Brady. What's going on?"

Eyes going to Zedd, who meets his gaze dead on, the man's response is much to his credit very calm and professional. "Standard security procedures. There's a lot going on today." Really, because for it being standard Jason seems rather unprepared for it. He turns to me and I deliberately shrink back slightly, leaning toward Zedd as I do. "Dr. Oliver?"

I nod hesitantly. "Y-yes."

Immediately, Jason steps a little closer protectively, playing into my act even as the man's stance and tone change, almost as if he's dealing with a child. "Why don't we all go upstairs to where my office is so that you and I can talk?"

I look to Jason, who nods reassuringly. "It's okay, Tommy. We won't be far away."

SIX HOURS LATER

I'm getting tired of having to keep up this act and really tired of all the questions. I really just want to tell him off, tell him the whole truth, and then call Zedd in here to slam his head off the wall. Granted, that almost actually happened as I almost lost it a few times and barely held off a flashback, knowing Zedd felt it too by the hushed arguing that occurred between him and Jason outside the room each time. Thankfully though I pulled myself back as Jason kept my mate under control. It wouldn't even be so bad, but he keeps asking the same questions, a little differently each time, to try and catch me in a lie. Thank the powers that I'm mentally better or I'd have given away at least some of the Rangers by now.

Again hearing the two bickering in low tones on the other side of the door, I know this isn't going to last much longer as my aggravation combined with Zedd's is starting to make us both on edge and slightly hostile.

"Dr. Oliver?"

Realizing that the man before me has asked me something as I'd been focused on Zedd saying something about tacos in a rather defiant tone, I realize it's a good thing I'm supposed to have a problem with my attention span or chances are I'd end up here all night. "Huh?"

I return my attention to Director Brady as he says, "I was saying I don't know if you'll have to testify in court or not."

I nod. "When would I have to do that? I mean, if I have to."

"I'm not really sure. Why?"

"Because I'm not going to stay around here forever. I don't want to be here anymore. I came back to get some things and see some people before I go back with Zedd."

He gives me an indulgent smile. "Back where?" Clever.

"Home."

"Where's home?"

Doing my best to keep my tone neutral, I give a shrug. "Where we live. I'm not going to tell you where. If you need me, then tell Jason and he can get word to me, but I'm not going to have you just show up at our door one day. All I want is peace and quiet and to keep working on getting better." Which is true depending on how you look at it.

He changes the subject and, while I'm aware enough to follow him, I know he's expecting to trip me up. "So John says that you had a history of assaulting the staff at rehab."

I let myself seem to be worked up by this. "That's a lie!"

"Tommy, you do have a history of not cooperating with medical personnel." I give him a blank look. "You argue and fight with the doctors and nurses."

"But I've never attacked anybody. Yes, I have martial arts training and I don't always listen to the doctors, but I've never attacked one."

"But you weren't yourself at rehab."

"I wanted to fight them - stop them - stop what they were doing, but I couldn't. The drugs they had me on - I could barely walk from one room to another, never mind fight anyone! If Zedd hadn't come when he did chances are we wouldn't be sitting here talking about this as I'd be just as bad off as all the others!"

He smiles slightly. "That's what Jason said. We've done some checking since then and - prior to rehab - that's true, but-"

My insides freeze. He doesn't believe me! My hands tighten on the arms of the chair. I feel Zedd's ring bite into my finger, helping me regain my focus before I lose it entirely. "But what?"

"Well it was you that said you and Zedd are together." Flipping back through some papers he rereads something I'd mentioned four hours ago. "You said that that's why he came to see you, because you two are close and have a history together and despite you still being unable to give me a last name for him, you also said that you had decided to stay with him as you're now dating."

"You asked why he was so over protective of me, and how I knew he wouldn't hurt me like he hurt John and the other ones that attacked me. And what does that even have to do with anything? He's not the one that hurt me."

"No, but that puts into question the circumstances and your willingness to go along with what occurred, before he got there." Willingness? He thinks I was willing?!

Swallowing hard and doing my best to keep calm, I know my tone doesn't quite pull it off. "You don't think I wanted to stop them?"

He shrugs. "I've seen cases before where people are caught in a situation and make the most of an opportunity."

Not quite sure where he's going with this, I answer, "Which is what John did."

"And yet, again you say that you're with a male now. For someone who's only had a documented interest in females before, and supposedly suffered a rather traumatic experience with males, don't you think that's a little odd?"

Forget hostile, I've just moved into full blown rage. Completely forgetting that I'm supposed to be damaged, I stand quickly, shoving the chair back. "You think I wanted that? Do you think I wanted my throat torn open? John and the others were about to rape me when Zedd showed up!"

His voice is quiet but his words ratchet my rage up another notch. "And what has Zedd forced you to do?"

"Nothing! Anything that we have done or will do is by my choice! He didn't make me be with him, I'm the one that made the first move!" Focus once more on defending my mate, I realize just a bit too late how that sounds.

Raising a brow and catching it at the same time I do, if not sooner, his response while infuriating is not all that surprising. "So you actively sought out a physical relationship with a rather dominant and hostile male partner only weeks after allegedly being molested by other men against your will. You honestly don't see the problem with the details of your story here?"

"It's different with Zedd. I didn't have a choice with John and even if I had I didn't want what he did me and fought to try and keep him away despite how drugged up and powerless I was. Zedd doesn't dominate me or take me against my will, I say what happens."

"So you're molesting him?" And I'm done now.

Out of nowhere a deadly calm comes over me. "You can ask him that yourself. He'll probably be in here with Jason in about three seconds."

Right on cue, the door flies open so hard it bounces off the wall. Instantly, Zedd is at my side. "Thomas, what happened? Are you all right?"

I don't answer my mate. Instead, I level a look at the man behind the desk. "Go ahead. He's here now. Why don't you ask him?"

He leans back in his chair, not looking worried at all. "Well, now. That's a good trick. Mind telling me how you did it?"

"Bro, what's wrong?" Looking just as concerned as Zedd now, Jason is clearly trying to determine what happened and if he should let go of Zedd's leash so to speak.

"Well, apparently I'm either a big whore who gets off on being raped, or I'm molesting Zedd. Either way I've had enough of this."

"That's not exactly what was said."

Zedd growls at him as I say, "I think we're done here."

"We're really not." Oh really now? "Close the door, Jason" Director Brady directs. "Unless you want your secrets all over the office."

"And what secrets would those be? Personally I don't care what you think happened or didn't happen anymore. I'm leaving."

Turning to go, I'm however stopped cold at his next words. "You really should control your temper a little better, Dr. Oliver. Bad enough we have Lord Zedd wandering around the facility and looking as if he's ready to kill me and half my agents, that behavior isn't really fitting for someone of your past career." Shit.

Looking to Zedd who seems less than bothered by this, I'm not surprised as he moves in front of me protectively, standing up to his full height and giving the man a deadly look. "If you know who I am, then you should know well enough not to cross me or my mate."

"I know a lot more than just who you are."

All that he's implied and now he's threatening me - threatening us? "You don't know anything."

"Before you assume that, maybe you should think back, oh about eight years or so ago, I think it was."

Eight years? What is he talking about? I was in college then - nothing but homework, dating, racing. Suddenly, I remember something else that happened while I was in college, but he has the date wrong. I practically stop breathing even as I exchange a look with Jason, seeing that he's come to the same realization that I have. Zedd's hold tightens on me even as Jason slowly turns and closes the door. "Thomas, what-"

"Wait, Zedd." I focus on the man behind the desk once more. "What do you think you know?"

"I wasn't always in this office, you know. I know the Silver Guardians and Lightspeed Rescue. I was one of the guards in that section of the base when Deca had to land and I've met Andros." He pauses to let this sink in. "I have no intention of outing you, as it were. I actually had no intention of revealing what I knew at all, but I really need the whole truth so that we can plug the holes in your story in a believable way, as unfortunately you're just not pulling it off by yourself."

Once more I exchange looks with Jason. After a minute of silent communication, he nods at me and I return it. I can feel Zedd almost twitching with impatience. "He knows about the moon mission, Zedd. To destroy Serpentera."

As this sinks in, his hold tightens on me just a bit more. Zedd snarls at him, "And so what now? You're going to - what's the word, Thomas?"

He rapidly explains what he means in Eltarian. "Blackmail" I answer flatly.

Brady sits up. "No, you misunderstand. I want you to trust me with the truth so that I can help you. Like I said, you have a few holes in your story and any good defense attorney is going to pick at them until the whole thing comes unraveled, just like I did here before you somehow called your guard in to the rescue."

Jason snaps, "You want him to trust you when you've been deceiving him - and me - this whole time?"

"I get the problem as you see it" the man agrees. "And, as I said, I had no intention of saying anything. Quite frankly, if your story had held up on its own, I still wouldn't have said anything. But since I want to see these bastards in prison as much as you do, I had to finally say something. And while we're on the subject, I've known who you were, Jason, before you ever stepped foot in this department."

He's got us and he knows it. At this point, I'm still calling it blackmail, but- "What was wrong with what I said?"

"It's got too many inconsistencies and too many gaps even for you supposedly still being injured. Not to mention you let your temper blow your cover. I know I was aggravating you, but I was doing that on purpose as if you do testify that's exactly what the defense will do and believe me you cannot lose your temper on the stand like you did here, nor can Zedd be called to your rescue as they will start picking apart your relationship with him and use that to their advantage."

"What do you suggest?"

"How about I point out the holes and we'll work from there."

I sigh. "Zedd and Jason can stay?" He nods. I glance at Jason. "Better call the house and let them know that we'll probably be a while and not hold dinner for us."

THREE MORE HOURS LATER

I'm completely worn out, physically and emotionally, but we finally seem to be done. "One more thing." Or not.

Looking up miserably from where I'm laying against Zedd on the couch, his own exhaustion showing, I swear I'm ready to just let him destroy this whole place and be done with it all. "What?"

"Do you want to confront John about what he did?" Do you want him dead?

Zedd speaks up before I do. "How badly damaged is he?"

"I'd say you did a half assed job, but you were pressed for time. He can still think well enough to make up that story about Tommy being a threat to the staff and how he tried to protect Tommy from you. It takes him a long time to speak, though. Doesn't move very fast these days, either."

Zedd growls a little and then says, "If I see him again, I will kill him."

Jason nods. "I've seen enough of him to last me a lifetime."

As I open my mouth to answer, I remember something that Dar said. "As for the rest of it, maybe when you go back to Earth to deal with things, you should confront the source of your nightmares - see that they aren't a threat anymore." Maybe he has a point. Not to mention that Kira suggested that I need the closure. "I want to see him."

Jason and Zedd stare at me like I've grown another head. "Tommy are you sure?"

"Why?"

"Dar suggested it might help my nightmares if I see that he's not a threat anymore and Kira said I need closure. They're both right. It'll help me move on."

Brady nods. "Somehow I thought you would. If you want, I'll go in with you so that they don't have to. After all, I really don't want to have to explain the dead body."

"I'm not saying that I won't kill him" I warn. "As a matter of fact, I'm not even promising to keep my hands to myself."

Brady stands and we all follow suit. "I think you're better than that." Man are you wrong about that. But he doesn't know about Annwyl, either. Nor my little evil turn while under the spell. Well, not even the spell either. There's a lot we still didn't tell him.

Before we leave the room, he asks Zedd, "By the way, do you think your doctor would be willing to evaluate some of the other patients and see if they can be helped like you helped Tommy? Even a little bit?"

"How would you explain that?"

"I don't have to explain much of anything to anybody. You leave the rest to me, if she'll do it. What do you think?"

I answer, "I'm pretty sure she'd want to see medical records before she sees patients. She'd be able to give a pretty good guess just based on that, I think."

"See if she'd be interested. If so, I'll get her whatever she needs."

We leave the room and follow him deep into the building. Finally, we reach a door and he stops, looking at Zedd and Jason. "You two will want to stay here."

"I don't like this." Looking at the door and no doubt debating on how much time and effort it will take for him to break it down, Zedd shakes his head. "You're certain you want to do this, love?"

"I'll be fine."

Looking to Brady, the threat in his tone and words is clear. "Anything happens to him, and I mean anything, and I will kill you."

"Fair enough." He swipes a card in a lock and the door unlocks. I follow him in, but when the door latches behind me, I start to feel a little nervous. This is how the whole thing started. He leads me down a hall as I comment, much as I had months ago, "I don't like cages."

He pauses for a minute, looking at me, assessing my stability, I guess. "Unfortunately, it's a necessary one." He leads me a few doors down. "Do you want to go in by yourself?"

"Are you going to lock me in with him?"

"No. I'll close the door, but not lock it. If that's what you want."

"Don't lock the door." Easy, Tommy. Don't panic. Zedd and Jason are nearby and you can get Pina and Dar to teleport you if necessary. I hope. Brady unlocks the door and holds it open. Come on, Oliver, find your backbone. I step inside the room, fighting the urge to run once I set eyes on the man in here.

Slowly, he looks up from where he's seated on the bed. His surprised expression changing into a rather evil smile as he no doubt realizes that it is in fact me of all people. "Well now, I never thought I'd see the day. Came back for more, did you? Knew you liked it, slut."

Remembering when he'd said something similar to me makes me shake and back against the door. He rises slowly from the bed. I can feel Zedd trying to calm me through the bond even as John crosses the room little by little. Abruptly I realize that he's not as big as I remember. Not as tall, not as wide even if he is still bigger than I am, however no more than Goldar is really. My panic flares briefly at what he says next. "I'll have to remember to thank Brady for the present the next time I see him."

A momentary thought occurs that I've once more been tricked, however it quickly vanishes as I remember Zedd's rather serious warning to the director about me being harmed and what would befall him if I was. "That's not gonna work."

"What isn't? You coming back for more or are you just worried your new boyfriend will find out." You wouldn't see the light of day again if he did.

I recall Zedd telling me that John was nothing but a bully. I'm not going to let him get to me - not this time. I pull myself up to my full height. "Get over yourself, John. I'm not your victim anymore."

There's a pause which allows me to gather myself further before he speaks again. "You never were a victim. You didn't fight me much. You wanted it."

"There's a world of difference between didn't and couldn't. I couldn't fight you then. I can now. In fact-" I move swiftly, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the nearest wall. I tighten my grip slightly. "In fact, I can kill you if I want to." His eyes go wide as he realizes that I am physically capable now of doing such a thing. "If I want to, I can do to you what you did to me. Give you a taste of what prison will be like for you because you are going to prison. Not only for what you did to me but for what you did to all the others too. I hear that the other orderlies are naming you as the ringleader."

It's an out and out lie, a tactic I've actually learned from Zedd's own bluffs when facing an opponent, but he doesn't know that. I can tell by how he pales. "No" he chokes out. "Franklin was running everything!" Franklin, Franklin, mind quickly searching for the name, I can't place it among the staff I remember dealing with, which could mean it was a doctor, but still… Then I remember - Dr. Creepy.

"Did he tell you to treat the patients that way?" I demand.

"Not exactly, but he said that we could do whatever we wanted to them as long as nobody died and none of the females ended up knocked up!"

I can feel the bile rise in my throat at his statement, but I fight it back down. I can lose it later. "So you decided that raping all the patients was a good idea?"

"Yes - no! I-" His words are cut off as my hand tightens even more and the edges of my vision have a red haze.

Brady's calm, but firm voice cuts into the bloodlust I'm starting to lose control of. "That's enough."

It pulls me back from the edge enough that I can feel Zedd's emotions again. Concern and fear for me are paramount and it pulls me back even more. I drop John and back away, not taking my eyes off him so that he can't blindside me. "You're lucky, if Zedd were here instead of him, he would have let me finish the job he started." I'm shaking again but this time it's from excess adrenaline. Brady gets me out of the room and quickly locks the door before getting me back out of that damned hallway and to Zedd, who swiftly takes me in his arms.

"Easy, love. I've got you. You're safe."

"I'm okay, Zedd. Just very, very angry."

"I know." He looks at the director. "What part of anything happening to him didn't you get?"

Holding up his hands, Jason's boss is having none of it. "Look, from what I saw he's not the one that's going to be having trouble breathing tomorrow."

Grunting in annoyance, but seeming to calm a bit at this, Zedd looks at me carefully before relenting. "Fine, but next time either don't let him back there alone, or if you do leave him be to finish the damn job. Either way I think we've all had enough for today. Can we go home now?" If he's referring to my house, I kind of like that he called it home.

"Home where? If possible, I'd prefer it if you don't leave the planet for a week or two, in case we need to talk again, or I do need him to testify."

"I still have things I need to take care of here. We won't be leaving the planet, as far as I know, until after the holidays."

"That should be more than enough time to find out what's going on" he assures us. "Go ahead and go, Jason can let you know if anything new comes up." Shortly after that, we're in Jason's car and headed home.