Phil stalked right by Bartlett's agents without saying a word. Bartlett had commandeered a corner suite to conduct his interrogation of Jade.
"Sir…stop. You can't go in there," a rather large man in a poorly tailored suit yelled after him.
Phil ignored him and kept walking. He did not have time to get a key to the locked door so he settled for banging on it loudly. He knew the noise would eventually get to Bartlett and force him to open up.
Bartlett's agents kept yelling, but none of them were bold enough to put their hands on the Director of I-One.
Bartlett was yelling before he got the door fully open. The same old tirade. Phil stood there with a blank look on his face and confidently waited for his turn to speak.
"Amy," was all he said.
If Phil were a lesser man, the look that crossed Bartlett's face would have brought him a certain amount of pleasure. Bartlett swallowed and then visibly deflated. He nodded for his men to stand down and stepped aside to let Phil in the room.
The room was surprisingly spacious. It opened into a common area with two couches, a large TV and a desk. Besides the front door, there were four exits from the common area. The doors to the two bedrooms, the master bath and a balcony, respectively. It was tastefully decorated and clearly meant for the higher end customers of the Ritz. Phil found himself wondering which well-off couple Bartlett had pissed off when he kicked them out of the suite.
Jade was sitting in the desk chair. Her hands were folded in her lap and handcuffed. Bartlett was at least smart enough to make sure he could see her hands at all times.
"Let's go into the bedroom and discuss this," Bartlett demanded quietly, leading the way.
Phil followed Bartlett, dropping his pocket knife into Jade's lap as he walked by.
She caught it seamlessly and then raised an eyebrow at Phil.
"You're on your own," Phil said dryly.
Once behind closed doors, Phil waited. He would not be the one to speak first. He watched as Bartlett mulled over what to say. How much to give away.
"How much do you know?" Bartlett eventually asked outright.
Phil sighed. "I know everything, Director. I'm very sorry about your daughter. I can't even imagine how that would feel."
"No…you can't," Bartlett sat down heavily on the king sized bed.
"I'm taking over the investigation," Phil told him quietly. "You're not objective."
"That's not true," Bartlett tried to defend.
"Every move you've made has been about YOU catching the man that killed your daughter, not…"
"The man that TOOK her from me," Bartlett interrupted. "Brutalized her. He…"
"I know and I'm truly sorry for that," Phil tried to convey kindly. "But you have an obligation to put the lives currently at stake ahead of your personal vendetta. I believe you're good at your job, but I don't believe you're capable of completing this investigation. Step aside willingly and put me in charge. Let me use your men to search this island. They're not doing any good milling around this hotel waiting for Bannon. Race won't come back here without his daughter. If you step aside, this can stay between us…for now and we'll figure things out once those girls are home safe. If not, I'll go straight to the top and ruin the career you've spent thirty years building in thirty seconds. I don't want to do that, but I will if you make me. I won't let those girls be an afterthought for one moment longer."
"You've never bent the rules for someone you care about?" Bartlett accused. "You haven't done that in the last twenty-four hours alone for Bannon and his daughter?"
"Don't deflect," Phil warned. "This is your best option at present. Benton is the one who uncovered this and he's in no mood to compromise. He can and will go over both our heads so fast. Work with me, Director."
Bartlett's shoulders slumped. "I'll give the order."
"Appreciate it," Phil nodded and then left the room. He smirked when Jade was nowhere in sight.
XXX
Temple had spent the better part of the last thirty years training the next generation of SEALs. He prided himself on molding the best and could not deny Jonny's potential the longer he watched and learned. The kid had all the physical features that were precursors for success, but more impressive were his skills behind the computer. He was the whole package and the Navy needed more of that in Temple's opinion. Then he massaged his bruised jawline and the annoyance crept in again. "Update me," he growled.
Race filled Temple in on everything they knew. He wanted to spare Jonny from having to say it all again. He let Temple absorb the information for a minute. "While you were taking your nap," Race continued dryly. "We flagged and ranked ten more locations that I want to search. All abandoned or isolated enough that someone would have enough privacy to go unnoticed for a few days. We mapped out how to hit them so we cover the most ground quickly. Obviously, we can only rely on the computer imagines to an extent. We'll adjust as we go like always." Race stopped when he saw the wheels turning in Temple's head. "What is it?"
"He's escalating," Temple pointed out. "Going from three girls to five after all this time. That's crazy."
"I don't think this fucker's sanity is up for debate," Jonny spat.
Temple slammed his fist on the table and stood, pointing a finger at Jonny. "Listen you little shit…"
Jonny jumped up too, knocking his chair over.
"JONNY," Race boomed. "Sit. Down. Now." Jonny picked up the chair and did as he was told. Then Race directed his attention to Temple. "Greg…that's not helpful."
"He…"
"Is a kid," Race interrupted. "How 'bout we be the adults? Don't make me play referee. I have enough to deal with. I need you both focused. Okay?"
"Fine."
"Sorry."
"As I was saying," Temple continued. "Escalating that quickly is crazy unheard of. Guys who stay active this long and that regularly live and die by their routines. Their overly cautious. Their patient to a fault. Not because they don't want to get caught. I mean, of course they don't want to get caught, but that's not what motivates their patience. It's because their crimes are their artistry. They're OCD about it."
"Seems like you know a lot about this kind of thing," Jonny added quietly.
"I spent too many years trying to outsmart horrible people. Now I know how they think," Temple met Jonny's eyes briefly and then shrugged, looking away. "Probably explains why I'm so likeable."
"More girls equals more risk of exposure. Why would someone like him take that risk?" Jonny wanted to understand. He wanted inside this guy's mind.
"There's no point in speculating," Race cut in.
"I want to hear his theory," Jonny pushed.
Temple looked at Race before answering. "He either planned it this way, which makes him cocky and crazy or he didn't plan it at all. Something set him off, which makes him impulsive and more dangerous than he's ever been. Neither option is good, but my vote is for the later. My gut tells me he would've only taken four if he planned to increase his numbers. Something set him off."
Jonny swallowed back the fear that wanted to take him down. "Jessie wasn't part of his plan," Jonny announced.
"I agree," Race offered.
"How can you know that?" Temple scoffed. "The odds say that's not true."
Jonny shook his head. "Because he stalked the girls that he planned to take. He didn't stalk her."
Temple laughed. "Oh…How do you know? Think you would've noticed him, young gun?"
Jonny gave him a dirty look. "No. I think SHE would've noticed him, old man."
Temple felt mildly guilty. "Look, I hate to break it to you, but most people don't even notice the person standing next to them. Especially teenage girls. Too busy on their goddamn phones."
"She's not most girls. She's his daughter," Jonny pointed at Race.
Race had been letting them talk while he decided what to do next. A revision to the plan was in order. "He's right, Greg. I could buy her being followed for a few weeks without noticing. Maybe. But not months. There's no chance."
"Alright," Temple conceded. "Let's say that's true. Where does that leave us?"
Race looked straight at Jonny. "You're not coming with us to search the rest of the island. Don't argue with me," he ordered when he saw that Jonny was about to object. "We've combed every piece of surveillance footage available from the areas surrounding where Jess and Keri were taken. Every avenue this psycho could've taken to get off the island by car or by boat and we've found nothing."
"Because he's smart," Jonny said. "He knows that's where we'd look and he avoids it."
"But he didn't plan to take my daughter," Race continued. "So maybe he wasn't being careful when he first saw her."
Jonny followed. His eyes lit up with a renewed sense of purpose. "You think he was a guest at the hotel?"
"That's where she spent most of the last few days," Race pointed out.
Jonny sagged as quickly as he perked up. "She was on the beach a few times too and that's where she was taken. Anyone could've…"
"Either way," Race interrupted. "If we retrace her steps…maybe an image was captured we can use to make an ID. You can retrace her steps better than anyone. Do that. Greg, give him one of the burners. Jonny, look at me. I want you to call us if you find anything. Promise me. Right now…or I swear I'll handcuff you to the goddamn balcony."
Jonny held Race's stare for a while before responding. "Race, tell me the truth. Are you just trying to distract me?"
Race sighed. "I wish I had that luxury, kid. Retracing her steps…scouting the other half of the island…it's all a calculated shot in the dark until we get a better lead. I want to cast a larger net."
"Alright," Jonny nodded. "But I won't stay put if I find something. You already know that so let's not pretend otherwise."
Race pinched the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache coming on. "Fine. You come with us and work from the car." The more Race thought about it, the more he liked that option anyway so he could keep an eye on him. "Let's go," Race headed for the door.
"Deal," Jonny agreed, following.
"Wait," Temple called out. Jonny and Race kept walking. "Fuckers," he said under his breath, locking up quickly and then jogging to catch the elevator door before it closed. Temple watched them for a moment. They were both leaning against the back of the elevator with their eyes closed. He did not like this, but also could not think of a better alternative. "Racer?"
"What?" Race sighed, cracking an eyelid.
"For the record, I don't like this."
"Noted."
"…but seeing as it's the best option at present…at least disarm him," Temple advised. "I'm not comfortable with this love-struck lunatic being armed."
Jonny rolled his eyes without opening them and breathed heavily through his nose to try and quell his frustration.
Race put a hand on Temple's chest. "Leave it alone."
"No," Temple argued. "I don't go out there with people I don't trust. Rule number one."
"I'm aware of your rules," Race said.
"They've kept me alive this long," Temple shot back. "And you. So I'm pretty damn attached to them. Give me your gun, Jonny."
Jonny opened his eyes when he felt the elevator slowing. "I think I'll keep it, Greg. Thanks."
"Insolent little," Greg muttered. "GIVE IT TO ME," he then demanded.
"Take it from me," Jonny challenged, pushing by Race and out of the cramped space when the doors opened.
Race kept a hand on Temple until Jonny was gone.
"Race…"
"Leave it alone," Race barked.
XXX
Benton looked up distractedly when the door to his hotel room opened. There were no active leads in the casefile he had turned over to Phil, but he decided to look into all the dead ends anyway. He was hoping that a pair of fresh eyes would make a difference. So far, all of his researching had ended with a dead or incarcerated man.
"Father," Hadji greeted sadly.
Benton closed his laptop and patted the spot beside him on the couch. "Come sit by me for a moment?"
Ever the dutiful son, Hadji did exactly as he was asked. "I just checked on Jessie's grandparents," he offered. "Got them to eat something. Is Estella still sleeping?"
"She is," Benton smiled. "Sweet boy, always worried more for others."
"I feel so useless. I dislike this inactivity. It doesn't feel right," Hadji admitted. "More than half my family is out there in danger."
"I know," Benton closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. "There's great value in what you're doing though. I hope you know that? Taking care of her family…that's exactly what Jessie would want. So it's what Race and Jonny would want too."
"Yes," Hadji sighed. "Can I help you? What were you working on when I came in?"
Benton opened and closed his mouth a few times. "No…son."
"Please, father. I NEED to help."
XXX
In the video, she was standing by the elevators with her arms crossed over her chest. Waiting for him. He paused and zoomed in to her face. She looked nervous. He had not noticed that in the actual moment.
'Was this really only three days ago?' he thought. 'Feels like forever.'
He had two screens open on his computer. On one, he was systematically tracking her movements through the hotel from the moment she arrived. He would note the timestamp every time she showed up on camera. Then he would identify all cameras within three-hundred and sixty degrees of her and go to his second screen to review the footage from those cameras. He had a good system going, but wished there was a way to speed up his progress. He looked at the clock on the dashboard for the hundredth time and then his next breath caught in his throat.
It was three in the afternoon. He was in the passenger seat of the parked car. Race and Temple were searching the fourth location on their list. A rundown auto-body shop. Jonny had been timing them and was amazed at how quickly they operated. All the locations were different sizes, but they were averaging almost six thousand square feet per minute combined.
'Thirty-two hours,' he thought, starting the video again and seeing himself walk out of the elevator. Followed by Tyler and his friends.
"Hi handsome," she grabbed him before he could get very far.
"You need to stop sending me dirty texts," he said just loud enough for Tyler to hear.
"…but I want you inside me," she shot back without hesitation.
"You never stop surprising me," he laughed and then kissed her. He forgot about the outside world pretty quickly after that. "I'm so crazy about you."
"It's so mutual," she laughed. "Sorry to assault you. I just wanted one more kiss before the full family reunion."
"You never need to apologize for that," he promised. "I thought we were only having dessert with your grandparents?"
"Oh how the dessert table has grown," she breathed dramatically. "Follow me, my love."
Jonny was brought back from the memory when two doors slammed in sync. He felt Temple lean over his shoulder and look at his screen.
"She's pretty," Temple commented and then sat back.
Jonny wanted to slam the laptop shut at his words. 'No. She's beautiful,' he thought in response, but stayed quiet.
Jonny did not bother asking if they found anything as Race started the car and pulled away from the curb.
XXX
He watched. They were right outside of her hotel room. He was kissing her passionately, pressing her against the door like he was desperate to have her. Like he hadn't already had her three times that night. Like her mother was not in the room at the end of the hall. Like they were in their own world.
She eventually pushed him back with a huge smile on her face, turning around in his arms to open the door and then pulling him into her room. That was the last time she was on camera before they went to sleep that night. So far, he had not turned up anything new.
'That was a great night,' he thought. 'No. An amazing night.' Something else he had not realized in the actual moment. She was back in his arms after three months, he had gotten the nod of approval from her grandmother, her announcement on how she planned to reward his patience blew his mind and her decision to transfer to Stanford stole his heart for the thousandth time. She was a pro at that. And it had all happened in the span of a few hours.
He closed his eyes and accessed his memory. The next time she would have been caught on camera would have been the following morning when she left him to meet her mom for lunch. After that, he had spent the majority of that day angry with her. In hindsight, he was kicking himself. How could he have gotten so angry so easily after the amazing night before? He wanted the day back. He wanted to do it better. She deserved that.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts and the silence of the car that he did not feel himself drifting. Then he jumped in his seat. The way you do when you're falling asleep and are suddenly jolted back to consciousness.
'Shit,' he thought, opening the door and walking around the car to wake himself up. When he reached the passenger side door again, he jumped up and down a few times and shook his head to keep himself alert.
'We need to make another coffee run.'
Then he leaned on the car and stared across the street at the abandoned car dealership that Race and Temple were searching.
He looked at the clock again. 'What's taking them so long?'
XXX
Every alarm bell in Race's head went off as he and Temple approached the back door of the dealership. Race was in the lead. He stopped and pointed down, indicating to Temple the freshly disturbed dirt in the abandoned flower bed and for Temple to make sure he stayed on the pavement. Until they cleared the space, they would only speak in hand signals.
Crouching down in front of the door, Race pointed his flashlight at the handle. Glinting clearly, even in the daylight, was a red hair wrapped around the rusted metal. Race's breath hitched. He had already checked the surrounding area for any evidence of surveillance, but that made him pop back up and check again. Nothing.
Temple carefully removed the hair. The way it was wrapped around the handle was no accident. It was a way for this guy to confirm the place had been undisturbed before entering again. Temple also grabbed a rock from the flower bed before standing back up and letting Race take his place to pick the lock.
The warning on the door seemed to imply that the place would be empty, but Race still opened the door with great care to avoid making any noise. Once inside, there was a whole lot of empty floor space where all the cars used to be displayed. The area was just barely lit by the natural light making its way through the dirty windows.
Race pulled his weapon immediately and headed toward the office area on the other side of the building. Temple placed the hair on the ground with the rock on top to keep it from blowing away. Then he followed Race. At all the other locations, they had split up to cover the area quicker. He decided to stick with Race for this one.
They cleared the top floor in two minutes. The only places for someone to hide were the bathrooms, a few cubicles and the two rooms with a door. A breakroom and a supervisor's office. All of those spaces were still covered in a perfect layer of dust.
That left the door to the lower level. Based on the floor plans Race had studied, the lower level was not nearly as big as the ten thousand square foot ground floor. It was about a quarter of that. He stalked toward the door and checked the handle. It was clean. He tried it and it was locked. He leaned down and picked that lock too. He took a breath to steady himself before standing and opening the door.
Race and Temple stared into the darkness.
"Try the light switch," Temple said. "We both know he's not here right now, but he could be back any time so we need to get in and out."
Race flipped the switch up and the space below illuminated. He closed his eyes and listened hard, praying she would call out to him.
"Racer?" Temple questioned when his friend stood immobilized at the top of the stairs.
"Sorry," he cleared his throat.
Temple pushed Race aside and walked down a few steps. "Stay up here and cover me," he offered. "I'll be right back."
Race was tempted to take him up on the offer, but started to follow on shaky legs instead.
"Fucking hell," Temple exclaimed a second later, causing Race to rush the last few steps.
As soon as Race's foot left the last stair, he spun around to get a full view of the room. It was a stalker's wet dream. The room was all fluorescent lights and white walls. The four walls were covered in photographs. Each dedicated to one of the girls. Race jogged around the room to confirm what he already knew in his heart.
"You two were right," Temple commented. "He wasn't following her."
They both pulled out cameras and moved to opposite walls, taking as many pictures as they could.
"I wish I was as organized as this guy," Temple huffed. "Mine are all labeled by hand with notes on what he was thinking and in chronological order. Dates back almost a year. Lena."
Race ignored the cavalier tone in Temple's voice with effort. "Mine started eight months ago. Brenda." He continued to move down the wall as fast as he could, trying to ignore how much she looked like Jessie. How happy and carefree she looked in all the pictures. Race did not read any of the handwritten notes until he got to the last picture. Brenda was in jeans and a sweater, sitting on a park bench and looking at her phone. Her red hair was down and whipping around her face from the wind. The note read simply:
I'll make her mine tomorrow and then she'll be mine forever.
Race felt the bile gather in his throat, but managed to stare at the white space left on the wall and push it back down.
Temple cleared his throat. "Uh…Race, you're gonna want to see this. He'll definitely be back here before he finishes."
Race swallowed and then rushed over to stand behind Temple. There was a picture of Lena with the same handwritten note Race had just read, but after that picture was not empty wall. There were more photos. Clear evidence of what this monster put Lena through. Close-ups of how he hurt her. Worse than the case file photos because she was alive and afraid in them. The close-up of her eyes filled with tears would haunt Race forever. Green eyes.
He turned away, keeling over and throwing up. He closed his eyes tightly once his body stopped betraying him. He stood upright. Ready to rip another human being apart. Literally.
"Come on man," Temple sighed. "I know this is tough, but now I have to clean that up."
Race spun around like he was prepared for a fight. His eyes were brimming with tears and pure rage. Temple involuntarily took a step back when Race took a step forward. "You don't know how tough this is," Race choked out and then held his hands up in front of him less than two feet apart. "Love something since it was this big and then you might get a fucking clue."
Temple looked away so Race could collect himself before speaking again. "Lisa's wall is the same as Lena's and there's nothing on Keri's wall after the last photo of him just watching her. We need to sit on this place, Race. He'll come back here and then we follow him and end it."
Race ran a hand over his face. "Sacrifice another girl?" he laughed without humor.
"And save your daughter," Temple pointed out logically. "He'll kill Brenda first."
Race met Temple's eyes again. "I can't take that chance, Greg."
"Alright," Temple agreed. "You and Jonny sit on this place. That way you can keep eyes on him while he works the other angle. I'll search the remaining locations on my own. If you two find something, I'll come back and watch this place."
Race nodded in agreement. He did not like the idea of sitting and waiting, but knew that was the best plan. The only thing giving him any solace in that moment was the fact that this psycho would definitely be back within a few hours, which meant his life was already over. Race would get to end him no matter what happened.
"Go update the kid. I'll get this place back in order," Temple offered.
Race gestured toward Keri's wall. It was the only one with a door. "Thanks. I'm gonna check that out first." He walked over. A little defeated. The doorknob was clean and unlocked. He opened it and was taken aback again with what he saw. It was the dark room where the recent photos were developed. Race walked in, trying to adjust to the harsh glow of the red light. It was a small room so there were not many photos hanging up, but each one made his blood boil.
He stood frozen and closed his eyes.
'Ponchita.'
A sharp pain shot through his head and Race struggled to keep his emotions in check.
"Whoa," Temple walked in and looked around. "Well…it's understandable why she didn't notice she was being watched. She looks…distracted."
The photos were of Jessie on the beach. Kissing Jonny. Then in various stages of undress. On top of him.
"Get the fuck out," Race glared, shoving Temple hard with two hands.
Temple backpedaled out of the room and slammed hard into a motionless Jonny, who absorbed the hit like a statue.
"You…you were taking too long," Jonny whispered painfully, looking through Greg and into the room. When he lunged for the closest photo a moment later, Temple tackled him to the ground.
They rolled around for a minute before Temple came out on top.
"Get off me," Jonny struggled.
Temple pressed his forearm into Jonny's throat until he calmed down. "We can't disturb anything, idiot. Tell me you understand that?" Jonny closed his eyes and nodded the best he could manage. Temple released him, but still put himself between the photos and Jonny. He watched as Jonny coughed, rolled onto his stomach and then slowly got to his knees, reaching up to grab the railing to help with getting to his feet.
"I'm gonna get back to work," Jonny said hollowly, heading up the stairs without another word. His eyes filled with tears as he walked, blurring his vision. His head swam with visions of her. He felt like he was trying to walk through thick mud and could not lift his right leg. He could see the exit, but with every step he took the door seemed to move five feet further away.
His hand shot out and he held on to the first firm thing he could find in a vice grip.
'Keep it together. Keep moving,' he screamed at himself. 'You just have to make it to car. You don't get to fall apart right now. She deserves better. Keep moving. Just keep moving.'
"I just have to keep moving," he mumbled.
"You're not doing a great job of that on your own," Temple said loudly, causing Jonny to focus back on his current surroundings. Temple was that firm thing he had grabbed. He pushed himself away and landed on his knees. Eyes searching for the exit. He had only made it halfway across the room and not even on his own.
'You're a disappointment,' he thought, staring hard at the ground.
"You're the furthest thing from a disappointment, baby. I love you."
Jonny forced himself back upright and managed to side step Temple, who tried to take his gun, in the process.
"Don't touch me," Jonny warned, heading for the door again.
"You recover quickly from your lunatic behavior," Temple called after him. "That's impressive anyway."
"Shut the fuck up," Jonny snapped.
"It's not your fault," Temple yelled.
"I just found out that it literally is my fault, asshole. You said yourself that something set him off. It was me. I put her right in his path."
Temple watched Jonny leave. "That kid's gonna give himself an ulcer," he muttered and then headed downstairs to help Race wrap up. He found his old friend sitting on the bottom step with a blank stare. Temple sat down heavy next to him. "I'm sorry, Racer."
"For what exactly?" Race said monotone.
"Everything," Temple sighed. "Including that I have no idea what the right thing is to say."
When Race sat there unresponsive, Temple thought he would try to distract him with a change of subject. "I've gotta admit that you trained the kid well. What are his plans after graduation?"
"Stanford," Race sighed.
"Shit," Temple said impressed. "Smart kid."
"Yep."
"I think I'm gonna test him a little. He have any interest in joining up? I could really use…"
"That's not the right thing to say," Race turned and met Temple's eyes. "He won't live this life. That's final. I'll clean up my own mess," he then announced, standing up. "Can you please look around and make sure everything is left how we found it?"
"Yeah sure."
XXX
"Little help?" she asked in a strained toned.
Jonny was sitting on the couch in the living room of the Compound. He was sitting dead center with his legs spread wide and his arms spread even further across the top of the couch. He wanted a front row seat to this show. "You got yourself into this, love. Don't ruin my Saturday further."
"Stop sulking," she accused. "It's one date night, babe. Besides, isn't it kinda nice to already be relaxing at home in our PJs?"
"This is how it starts," he teased. "Not tonight, honey. We'll do it next week. I promise. I can hear it now. Also, you know I can't RELAX," he put 'relax' in air quotes. "…when you wear those type of pajamas."
She was wearing a shorts and tank top set that left little to the imagination. Teal. No bra. He could not tell if she was wearing underwear, but he was trying to figure it out. Since they had started sleeping together, Jonny was convinced that every single thing she did was carefully designed to make him physically explode.
"What are you talking about?" she laughed. "Pajamas are pajamas. I don't have different types."
Jonny threw his head back and chuckled. "Yes you do. Don't try to convince me this is in my head, Jess. If Hadj was home right now, you wouldn't be wearing those."
"Yes I would," she argued. "I HAVE worn these in front of him before."
"No you haven't," Jonny scoffed. "I'd have lost my shit if you did. Your dad too. I think I'd remember that."
She narrowed her eyes. "So possessive, Quest."
"No more than you," he raised an eyebrow. "I heard about that 'conversation' you had with Haley a few days ago."
Jessie just smirked and shrugged. "Stop with the air quotes already. Besides, you'd have the same reaction if I was wearing long sleeves and plaid."
He grinned. "You know how flannel gets me going, baby."
"You're losing it," she countered.
"Jokes aside, this is cruel and unusual punishment. You know how much I love Saturday nights. It's the only time I get you all to myself. I look forward to it all week, Jess."
She looked at him sideways. "If you're so upset, what's with the grin? You haven't stopped smiling since you walked in here to NOT help me."
Jonny rolled his eyes and then stared down at the twin girls Jessie had agreed to babysit for the day as a favor to Mary. They were nine weeks old. Jessie was sitting cross-legged on the floor and had one in each arm. They were being quiet for the first time in an hour. Dozing peacefully.
"Huh?" she prodded.
"Well…they are cute," he admitted. "When they're not screaming bloody murder anyway."
Jessie perked up. "Want to hold one?"
"Nope," Jonny laughed. "Then you'll make me change it."
"She. Not it," Jessie corrected.
"Whatever," Jonny sighed. "Aren't they too young to be away from their mom?"
"Obviously not," Jessie pointed out.
He could tell she was getting annoyed, but she had sprung this on him last minute so he planned to give her a hard time. "Where's the other one?" Jonny looked around.
"I don't know," Jessie sighed tiredly. "She chased after Bandit. Can you please go check on her? She's a mature six, but she's still only six. I don't want her getting into anything she shouldn't."
Jonny shrugged noncommittally. "Our dads locked down everything important before they left. They remember how we used to be. Does Mary really handle all three on her own?"
"Apparently, but I have no idea how. Why won't you just help me?" she whisper yelled. "If this is a real preview..."
"That's a premature topic Jess and I don't appreciate being tested. Is that seriously why you set this up?" he accused.
She furrowed her brow. "Is that why you're acting like an ass? You think I set you up? Get over yourself, Jonny."
Jonny stood heavily. "I'll go fine the other one."
"Her name is Ellie and don't do me any favors," Jessie sneered. "I'll find her myself after I get these two settled. I don't need your help."
"I'm only going to rescue my dog," Jonny shot back and then walked away.
He looked back before entering the hallway and caught a glimpse of her struggling to stand without waking either of the sleeping babies. He had taken it too far and felt like a jerk. He did not know where that accusation came from. It had not crossed his mind when she cancelled on him for the night or when he initially walked into the room and saw her with the babies, but then it hit him out of nowhere and he got anxious. He loved her and assumed they would have a family. Someday. Far in the future. But it had never felt like a real thing before. Just one of those abstract ideas.
He walked down the hall slowly. With no real direction until he heard a tiny laugh. He followed the sound and ended up in the library. Ellie was rolling around on the floor with Bandit. Giving the dog more attention than Jonny had in months. Jonny felt like a jerk for that too.
Jonny watched them for a few minutes before interrupting. She was a cute little girl. Blonde and dressed in all pink. Jonny thought she looked small for her age.
"Thanks for playing with my dog," he announced his presence.
Ellie jumped in surprise. Standing and then staring at the ground. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"It's okay," Jonny smiled. "I didn't mean to scare you. I think Bandit likes you a lot. He doesn't lick everyone's face. Only people he likes."
"Really?" she asked quietly.
"Definitely," Jonny laughed, crouching down to pet Bandit. "I'll tell you a secret," Jonny then whispered conspiratorially.
Ellie's eyes lit up and she knelt back down by Bandit. "What?" she asked.
"Scratch him here," Jonny demonstrated.
"His leg is going crazy," she giggled.
"I know. It's his favorite spot. You try," Jonny got up to give her space. He walked over to the closest bookshelf and perused his options. If he was going to be stuck at home all night, he liked the idea of reading for a few hours. He smiled to himself when he saw the Count of Monte Cristo. One of his all-time favorites. He grabbed it without thinking and headed for the chaise in the corner. Ellie was still engrossed in Bandit so he opened the book and started to read.
He was twenty pages in when he felt tiny hands tugging on his pajama bottoms.
"Whatcha reading?" she asked.
"The Count of Monte Cristo," he told her.
"What's it about?" she asked.
"A fun adventure," he said simply.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it. It's one of my favorite stories. What's your favorite story?" he asked.
"The Little Mermaid," she said excitedly and climbed up on the chaise with him. "Do you know that one?"
"I do," Jonny nodded. "That's a good choice."
"Are you Jessie's boyfriend?" Ellie laughed.
"Why do you ask?" he wanted to know.
"I saw you kiss her on the cheek," she whispered.
"You saw that," he said. Mock scandalized. "You weren't supposed to see that."
"I did," she yelled and then got quiet. "I think she looks like a princess. Like Ariel."
Jonny nodded. "I think she looks like a princess too."
"Do you loooove her?"
"Very much."
"How much."
"This much," he said, spreading his arms as far as they would go.
"Whoa," Ellie exclaimed.
"Whoa," Jonny agreed.
"My mom's like a princess too," Ellie offered.
"Yeah? You miss her?" Jonny asked.
"Yes," Ellie whispered sadly and then laid down, resting her head on Jonny's leg.
He looked down confused, but then place a hand on Ellie's head. "Don't worry. She'll be here to pick you up before you know it."
"That's not my mom," she grumbled. "My mom's an angel."
"Oh?" Jonny's breath hitched. He felt like a deer in headlights. He did not know what to say.
"I still talk to her all the time though," Ellie continued. "Every night. Jessie told me she could hear me and that she will always listen even if she can't answer. I was worried she would be lonely in heaven, but Jessie said there are millions of angels to be her friend."
"Jessie's pretty smart," Jonny offered, pushing the hair out of Ellie's face. "She told you all this tonight?" he asked, trying to place when that could have happened.
Ellie shook her head no against Jonny's leg. "She told me long time ago. She's my Big Sister. We go to the park together. Will you read to me?"
'Gotta love the attention span of a six-year-old,' he thought.
"Sure. Do you want to pick a book?"
"Nah. Can you read me yours?" she asked.
Jonny picked up the book and continued reading chapter three out loud. He was reading on autopilot while trying to remember if Jess had ever mentioned Ellie. He did not think she had, but his mind had also been distracted lately. "You liking this?" he checked in.
"Yes," she said in a sleepy voice.
Jonny paused and then looked down at her again. "My mom's an angel too, Ellie."
"Really?"
"Yeah," he swallowed. It still hurt to think about.
"Do you talk to her?"
"Sometimes," Jonny whispered. "Do you want me to ask my mom to be friends with your mom?"
"Is your mom nice?"
"So nice," Jonny smiled. "And fun."
"I think that's a good idea. Then they won't be lonely for sure."
"Exactly," Jonny cleared his throat. "Want me to keep reading."
"Yes please."
He got through chapter five before he felt eyes on him. Jonny looked up and Jessie was leaning in the doorway. Arms crossed. He lifted Ellie's sleeping form off his lap and stood. Careful not to wake her. He headed straight for Jessie once he had Ellie settled. Jessie moved back into the hallway so Jonny could close the door over.
He pulled her into his arms as soon as he was close enough. Jessie wrapped her arms around his waist and burrowed her head under his chin. "Keep surprising me the rest of our lives?" he asked lovingly.
She kissed his collar bone lightly. "What are you going on about now?"
"Every time I think I know exactly how amazing you are, you surprise me with something more, Jess. You're the best person I know. I love you so much."
She hugged him closer before responding. "I think you're pretty special too, ya know? I overheard some of your conversation with Ellie earlier. You trying to melt my heart away?"
Jonny deflected, toying with the hem of her tank top. He was a little embarrassed. "No. Just these PJs, baby."
"Shut up," she punched his side playfully. "I'm being serious."
He held on tighter. He was not ready to let go yet. "I was too. About the PJs and how amazing I think you are."
"I love you too, Jonny."
"Why didn't you tell me about Ellie?" he asked softly.
Jessie shrugged in his embrace. "I wasn't keeping it from you. I've been part of the Big Sister program for years. We've never spent much time talking about the girls I meet there. I'm usually paired with older girls and I've honestly never felt like I was making much of a difference with them…except maybe helping with their math homework here and there. When they paired me with Ellie…it took a while before she would even talk to me, but once she was comfortable…well you just experienced it. She's pretty sweet. I just wanted to help her."
"Sounds like you did," Jonny said proudly.
"She reminded me of this other really cute six-year-old I once knew," Jessie lifted her head and kissed his chin. "She opened up to you very quick. I'm a little jealous."
"I have one of those faces, babe."
Jessie leaned back to look at him. "Hmm…it is a pretty good face."
He pulled her into a slow kiss. He had no desire to rush it or deepen it. She stood on her tip-toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with the same slow burning passion. He brought her flush against his body and she made a soft noise that made him want to pick her up and spend the rest of the night in his bed finding new ways to make her make that noise.
Screaming babies interrupted them before his mind could go too far down that path.
"Wow," Jonny breathed against her lips. "This really is a full-time job."
"Yeah…wow," she stepped back and pointed a finger at him. "You're dangerous." He grabbed her hand and headed back toward the living room with her. He smiled at her. "What?" she asked cautiously.
"I could think of worse ways to spend a Saturday than getting a preview to life with you."
"Hmm," she hummed. "So the idea of domesticity doesn't make you want to run off and join I-One or something?" She said it lightly, but he knew she wanted the real answer.
"It doesn't," he said quickly.
She quirked an eyebrow. "Really?"
He considered before answering again. "I mean it does generally speaking, but under extraordinarily specific circumstances I like the idea."
"Extraordinarily specific circumstances?"
"Yeah," he kissed her hand. "A little person that's half you and half me…specifically." He saw her try to hide a big smile. "I'm talking WAY down the line, babe."
She looked at him like he had three heads. "Obviously, I don't want this for at least ten years. Maybe more, but I do want it someday. With you."
"Me too." He stopped short when they reached the living room. The babies had stopped crying. "That's weird," he commented, rushing over to the play pen. Afraid something was wrong. He released a breath he did not realize he had been holding when he looked down on them. They were staring at each other. Making gurgling noises. Jessie came up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. He threw an arm around her shoulders.
"Mary was telling me they calm each other down sometimes," she whispered.
"Do you think they understand each other?" Jonny wondered.
"In their own way," she said. "They must, right? They literally came into this world together. It's pretty cool if you think about it. They have a built-in partner for life."
"Yeah," Jonny grinned at her. "It is."
"Are you flirting with me, Quest?"
"Depends," he hedged. "Is it working?"
"I don't know," she said dramatically, backing away toward the exit. "It's been a long day. Next week though, honey. I promise."
Jonny's eyes got wide and then he lunged at her. She was a step ahead though so he ended up chasing her out of the room and down the hallway. He grabbed her around the waist as soon as he caught up, lifting her off the ground and into the nearest corner. A small space between the china cabinet in the hallway and the door to his father's study. He had her pinned there in a heartbeat. He was a full head taller than her now so he had to lean down to touch his forehead to hers. Lips hovering over hers. Her heavy breathing distracting him.
"I'm not letting you go until you admit you've never worn this outfit before," he threatened.
"I don't want you to let me go," she gripped his t-shirt and kissed him.
He slipped both his hands up her body and circled her neck, taking control of the kiss. He pressed his lips to hers firmly for a few seconds and then came up for air.
"Admit it," he urged.
"No," she refused.
He leaned back down and settled his bottom lip between hers, but still refused to deepen the kiss. She made that soft sound again and he had to pull back quickly to maintain control.
"Tell me," he murmured.
She shook her head and lifted up on her tip toes. He met her half way, giving in to temptation and exploring her mouth leisurely. After a minute, he stopped reluctantly to get his breathing back under control. She was not helping. Her hands had found their way under his shirt and were tracing the lines of his abs.
"Why do you do this to me, Jess?"
"What?" she teased. Hands then heading south and inside his boxers. His eyes drifted closed and his mouth popped opened in surprise at her actions. He was not expecting this tonight.
He dropped his head to her shoulder and instinctively moved his hips against her hands. She gripped him firmly and brought him to full attention in record time. "Make me weak," he moaned into her skin when her thumb grazed over the head of his dick. "Fuck…you make me weaker and stronger at the same time. I need you so much."
He picked her up gently, making an unhappy noise when her hands released him and she wrapped them around his neck instead. He blindly backed into his Father's study and almost immediately deposited her on the floor in the middle of the room.
"Make love to me," she begged. "Please Jonny."
XXX
When the last tremble left his body, he collapsed on top of her, but kept most of his weight off her. "You're so beautiful," he whispered in her ear. "I love you."
"Mmm," she relaxed back onto the floor momentarily. Limbs deadweight. All the tension leaving her body. Then she wrapped her arms and legs around him lazily. "Fast…but so effective," she hummed.
"Fast but effective will be clutch when we're parents," he replied. "I'm practicing."
"Oh…that's why?" she challenged.
"No," he admitted, kissing her neck. "I wanted you so fucking bad I couldn't even make it the last five feet to the couch."
"Better answer," she whispered in his ear.
Then he relaxed fully on top of her and buried his nose in her hair. He was just about to close his eyes when she jerked beneath him and pushed him away.
"What's wrong?" he asked, but she was already out of the room. Jonny rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling for a moment, smiling to himself. Then he made his way over to the couch, straightening and replacing his clothes before lying down in a prone position and looking up at the ceiling again.
'How did I get so lucky?' he thought.
She returned a few minutes later and did not hesitate to curl up beside him on the couch. She rested her head on his chest and he stroked her hair.
"Admit it," he whisper yelled.
"No idea what you're talking about," she mumbled.
"What's up, Jess?"
"I'm the worst babysitter of all time," she said. "We didn't even shut the door. Ellie could've walked in on us."
Jonny shrugged.
"You don't care?" she huffed.
"I'd care if that actually happened," he pointed out, trailing his hand from her hair to her hip. "Need me to relax you again?"
"No," she slapped his chest. "That's not happening."
"Worth a shot?" he laughed. "Worked a few minutes ago."
Jessie wriggled up until they were face to face. She kissed him quickly and then spoke softly. "In my defense, you had just told me that you want me to have your babies."
Jonny's eyebrows shot up. "I said baby, Jess. Not babies."
She leaned down and planted a firm kiss on his neck. "He's gonna need a friend. A built-in partner," she smiled.
"HE," Jonny exclaimed. "Okay…let's talk about…"
"Yes," she interrupted. "Jonny, Jr."
"That's definitely not happening," he insisted. "Any kid of mine will get its own name."
"I disagree," Jess shook her head.
"I won't back down on this one," he warned her.
"Neither will I," she shot back and then leaned back to meet his gaze. "Our son will be named after his father. It's important to me."
"Why?"
She settled back down with her head on his chest before answering.
"I don't know how to explain it," she yawned, exhausted from a long day of watching three kids.
"Let's talk about it in ten years," he deflected.
"You mean argue about it?"
Jonny's hand found its way back to her hip. "As long as we get to make up, baby."
Crying babies interrupted them.
"Your turn," Jessie yawned again.
"Nice try," Jonny grinned.
"Fine," she stood dramatically and walked out. His eyes followed her every step. Then she popped back in the doorway. "Hey Hotshot, I bought these pajamas yesterday."
"I knew it," he yelled after her when she ran off with a laugh.
Jonny had not been ready to discuss kids then. He was still not ready now. Knew he would not be for many years, but the thought of having that future taken away at the snap of a finger was absolutely crushing.
XXX
Race and Temple joined Jonny in the car, but it was a full five minutes before anyone spoke. The only noise was Jonny tapping away on the keyboard.
"What are you working on?" Race asked.
Jonny swallowed. He barely trusted his voice. "Trying to figure out who owns the building."
"It's abandoned," Temple said.
"Someone's paying the electric bill," Jonny shot back.
Temple met Race's eyes in the rearview mirror and grinned. "Smart kid," he offered. "I'll call you if I find anything, Racer."
Temple was out of the car and strolling casually down the block before Jonny realized he was gone.
"What's happening?" he asked Race.
Race filled Jonny in on the new plan as he started the car and repositioned it to stakeout the location without being easily seen.
XXX
Out of the corner of his eye, Race saw Jonny lean his head back against his seat.
"How's it coming?" Race asked anxiously. "Making any progress?"
The car had been silent for over an hour. During that time, Race's eyes had not left the entrance to the dealership. He did not want to interrupt Jonny's concentration, but he also needed an update and a distraction.
"The dealership was purchased through several shell corporations," Jonny answered. "I'm having IRIS run a few searches now. Trying to figure out who set them up. It's him, Race. I know it. No one goes to this much trouble unless they don't want to be identified."
Race appreciated the update, but it did not distract him for long. For every minute that passed, an image of his daughter flashed through his brain and his frustrations and fears grew. It was a pain like he had never experienced. Stewing on the potential of what was happening to her. Remembering all the great moments. Her first few breaths in the world. Playing with her favorite stuffed animal when she was two. Teaching her how to ride a bike. Teaching her how to shoot a gun. Watching her graduate. Seeing her with Jonny. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The longest his eyes had been away from the door since he parked. He needed a distraction.
"So how long have you been sleeping with my daughter?" Race asked casually.
Jonny did a double take. Unprepared for the question. For a moment, he felt like all the air had been sucked from the car. It was not a conversation he wanted to have period, but especially not now. "Is this really the time?" he challenged calmly, but his heart started to pound.
"No time like the present," Race shrugged. "You're waiting for your search to finish. We can't go anywhere…"
"Don't you want the option to like hit me or something?" Jonny joked, trying to relax himself.
"I'm well-versed in close quarters combat," Race shot back dryly.
"Great," Jonny turned to look at him, hoping to figure out if he was serious. Race's eyes were glued to the door like they had been for the last hour. His face gave nothing away. "I have no clue if you're serious or just fucking with me right now."
"I'm serious," Race offered. "In my experience with stakeouts, especially those where I've barely slept, the best method for staying awake is to talk. It's easier to talk AND keep focus on the mark if you talk about whatever's really on your mind so you don't have to think that hard. This is what's currently on my mind. Honestly."
Jonny looked out the window, considering how he wanted to handle this. Considering if what Race said was true or he was being played. "You want honesty?"
"Yeah," Race cleared his throat.
"Honestly, I don't think it's anyone's business," Jonny sighed. "Including you. It's…," he closed his eyes and swallowed. "It's between me and Jessie."
Don't stop. I don't want you to stop.
It was quiet for a while. An uncomfortable silence for Jonny.
"So your idiot friends don't know?" Race scoffed.
"Hell. No," Jonny huffed and gave Race an incredulous look. "I get annoyed when they even look at her. Why would I..."
"What?" Race asked.
Jonny shook his head. "She trusts me to be respectful. I wouldn't betray that, Race." Then he smiled. "You think she'd stand for it if I did?"
"No," Race grinned.
"My friends," Jonny continued. "I mean they make their assumptions, but I ignore them. They don't get it."
"Why not?"
Jonny smiled sadly and leaned his head against the window, staring at the door too and then at his computer. Praying. "Because they're not as lucky as me."
Race glanced at Jonny briefly and then sighed loudly. "Sometimes I forget you're only eighteen. You don't act like it."
"You think my friends are idiots," Jonny pointed out.
"They are," Race exclaimed. "Especially Steve."
Jonny laughed a little. "So why would you want me to act like them?"
"I'm not saying be an idiot," Race clarified. "…but you have your entire life to be a responsible adult, ya know."
"You call me 'kid' all the time," Jonny added. Race could not tell if it was a complaint.
"Force of habit," Race shrugged. "The first few years of Jessie's life…I was never able to spend more than a month straight with her before I was off on my next assignment. You were the first 'kid' I ever got to spend significant time with. I remember feeling uncomfortable around you initially and then I started to care, which created challenges with my objectivity. Before I was sent to the Compound that was never an issue for me. Thinking back, it's actually a little scary how easy it was for me to disconnect from everything…everyone around me and just focus on my goal. Anyway, when I felt my objectivity slipping, I thought calling you 'kid' instead of Jonny would help me remember my mission. Not get too close."
Jonny raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Race shrugged again and then grinned. "I figured out how to do both. You were a cute fucking kid. What can I say? Changed my life in more ways than you'll ever understand, Jonny. I'll probably call you kid until the day I die. I just wish you'd still act like one every once and a while."
Jonny did not know how to respond so he stayed quiet.
"Totomus!" Jonny squealed. "Totomus, Race. Look! Closer! Closer!"
"I see," Race laughed hard. "That's a hippopotamus, buddy."
Jonny was sitting on Race's shoulders, bouncing around excitedly at every new animal they saw. Race was impressed with how many the five-year-old could name without being told. Six months at the Compound had passed by quickly and Race had spent nearly every waking hour with Jonny. He could not recall the kid ever talking or reading about animals. Except for his dog. So Race realized that it must have been something Jonny learned and retained from before his mother died. Race could believe that. The kid didn't do much talking, but he asked a ton of questions and then hung on every word of the answer. Absorbing everything like it was the most interesting thing in the world. It made Race feel important and made him miss his daughter even more than normal.
Some days he felt like a glorified babysitter, but the longer he stayed in one place the more he enjoyed it. The more he thought about giving up the action, the lies and the bullets permanently. The day before had been spent building forts and playing Ninja Wars. A game Jonny had made up. Race still did not understand all the rules, but they played it for hours anyway. It was the best day Race could remember having in a while, which made him feel guilty since it had not been spent with his daughter. Race thought about that all night. He barely slept. The only conclusion he could reach was that every second with his daughter had an expiration outside of his control. It was a cloud that hung heavy over each visit. His time with Jonny did not have to end unless he chose to end it. He had agreed to this assignment for six months. Phil told him it was his choice. Re-up or go back into the field. Race had a few days to decide.
When he woke up that morning, Race had a plan. He was going to go for a long run and then a longer drive. He also had a phone date with his daughter that he was really looking forward to since his next visit was two weeks away. It was his day off. Days off were not easy with his job, but a few weeks into this assignment and Benton insisted. Wanted to make sure Race was always refreshed so he could focus on Jonny's safety. It made Race anxious to walk away and put their safety in someone else's hands for even a few hours. It was his duty, but they made it work. A few agents would rotate in to guard the property and Benton would stay on the grounds for the day. At first, Race thought Benton wanted uninterrupted time with his son because the Doctor always spent Monday through Saturday buried in work. Sunday evening was the only time Race saw Benton with any consistency and that was only to confirm his schedule for the coming week. However, Race quickly learned from his fellow agents that Benton was working Sundays too and Jonny would spend most of the day with Mrs. Evans or playing with Bandit alone in his room. So Race slowly started to shorten his time away from the Compound on days off.
That Sunday was Race's last day off before he had to make his decision and he was in a hurry to leave. It was also Father's Day and he wanted to make sure Jonny and Benton had the full day to themselves. He knew better than anyone how much they needed it.
When Race entered the kitchen to grab a water for his run, he found Jonny coloring at the table with Mrs. Evans.
"Morning!" Jonny perked up.
It brought an immediate smile to Race's face. The kid was always so happy to see him. "Morning, kiddo. Mrs. Evans," he greeted. "Where's Benton?"
Mrs. Evans looked at Jonny before answering. He was focused on coloring again. "He's in the lab," she sighed.
"What?" Race growled.
"Said he had some time sensitive items that would keep him there all day," she finished sadly and then pushed some hair out of Jonny's eyes lovingly. "That's so good, Jonny. You need a haircut so you can see your beautiful work."
"Mama used to cut it for me," Jonny said quietly and did not look up from the paper.
Race closed the refrigerator and then sat down next to Jonny. "Mrs. Evans, I really feel like going to the zoo today. Do you know anyone that would want to come?"
"Me!"
"I don't," she chuckled. "I'm sorry."
Race stood. "I guess I'll just have to go by myself."
"Me!" Jonny laughed. "Will you take me, Race?"
"Hmm?" Race rubbed his chin. "Have you been a good boy this week?"
"Yes. Pleaaaase," he begged.
"Go get changed," Race laughed as Jonny rushed from the room. He waited a few beats before turning to Mrs. Evans. "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep quiet," Race admitted.
"It's not our place," Mrs. Evans scolded, cleaning up Jonny's work.
"If we don't speak up for that boy, who will?" he challenged. "This is really starting to piss me off."
Race could only imagine the pain Benton felt at losing his wife. He and Estella had been divorced for years, but she was still the only woman he had ever loved and it would kill him if anything happened to her. That empathy was the only thing that kept Race from breaking off the door to the lab and shaking some sense into the Doctor. That and the whole critical to national security thing. Because Race spent all his time with a little boy that needed his father.
"Closer," Jonny squealed again, leaning forward. Race reached back, lifting Jonny off his shoulders and over his head to sit on the railing of the hippopatamos enclosure. Race wrapped an arm tight around Jonny's stomach and pulled him back against his chest to keep him from wriggling away.
Race pointed at the animal. "Look how big his teeth are?"
"Like my game," Jonny said in awe.
Race growled and pretended to bite Jonny's neck. "I'm a hungry hungry hippo."
"You're silly," Jonny giggled.
A young mother saddled up beside them with her daughter. Race glanced at her and she shot him a tired smile. "Your son is adorable," she commented.
"He's not mine," Race clarified. "…but I agree."
"Race," Jonny interrupted. "Can we go see the pola bears now? They're the white ones."
XXX
After the zoo, Race took Jonny to eat and then a movie. His goal was to tire the kid out so he did not even realize it was Father's Day. He succeeded. Jonny never mentioned it and was passed out in his car seat.
Race also stayed away because he was afraid he would not be able to hold his tongue if he saw Benton. He needed to calm down, but every time he glanced at Jonny in the rearview mirror he had to remind himself to breath. He would have driven around longer, but needed to get home for his call with Jessie.
'Home,' Race thought. 'When did that happen?'
XXX
Jonny did not stir when Race laid him down and tucked the covers up to his chin. That was an uncommon occurrence. Race was convinced that the kid had an internal alarm that told him to wake up as soon as his back hit his own bed. Most nights, Jonny fell asleep somewhere else and Race struggled to get him from point A to his bed without a fight.
Race sat there and watched Jonny sleep for a while. Then he left the room and called Phil.
"Europe or Africa?" Phil answered. No hello.
Race grinned. "What's that?"
"What continent would you prefer for your next assignment?" Phil asked.
"Since when do I get a choice?" Race laughed.
"I'm feeling generous," Phil responded dryly.
XXX
The decision to stay came easier than he expected. Race walked around most of the Compound after hanging up with Phil and ended up out by the cliffs overlooking the ocean. He was standing between the main property, where Jonny was safely sleeping, and the lighthouse, where Benton was buried in work. It was his job to protect them, but for the first time in almost twelve years he wanted to do more than just his job. He wanted to help this family. The wind blowing in his face felt good and he felt grateful for this fresh start. The vibrating phone in his pocket made the moment even better.
'Jessie,' he smiled.
This decision meant he would get to spend more time with her.
XXX
After his call with Jessie, Race crashed unceremoniously onto the couch. It had been an exhausting day. He was just about to close his eyes when a noise in the hallway caught his attention. He looked over and saw Jonny loitering in the doorway.
"You okay?"
"I had a scary dream," Jonny said quietly.
Race extended his arm over the edge of the couch and Jonny barreled toward him, jumping on Race's arm. Race lifted Jonny up as high as his arm would go like a crane and then crashed him down onto his chest.
Jonny giggled the whole time and then settled onto Race's chest.
"What was your dream about?" Race asked.
"I don't remember. Race?" Jonny whispered in a tired voice.
Race whispered back. "What's up, bud?"
"You're my bestest friend."
"Even more than Bandit?" Race asked in mock surprise.
"Yeah," Jonny giggled. "You're way funnier."
"Thanks for coming to the zoo with me," Race rubbed his back. "It wouldn't have been fun without you."
Jonny was fighting to keep his eyes open. He did this every single night, but there was one thing different about that night.
"I love you."
Race's mouth dropped open in surprise. At first, he thought he heard wrong, but then he replayed the words in his head. An unexpected wave of emotion hit him as he stared down at a mess of blond hair. At this little person that had unexpectedly taken over his life.
"I love you too, kid."
Race glanced over at Jonny and felt the guilt welling up again, but he had to push it aside. His little girl needed him. They both needed him to be strong and he would not let them down.
Jonny could feel Race staring and it was making the hair stand up on his neck.
Jonny opened and closed his mouth a few times before working up the courage to answer. "A little over a year," he finally whispered.
"Huh?"
Jonny turned and met Race's gaze head on for the first time in hours. He held his breath.
"Oh," Race nodded and focused back on the door. "Right. Thanks for telling me."
Race did the math quickly. They had waited over three years. All things considered, he supposed he could not have asked for more.
"Since we're being honest," Jonny started and peeked at Race again. "How old were you?"
Race cleared his throat before answering. "Fifteen."
"Did you love her?" Jonny asked.
"I didn't," Race said quietly.
"I was fifteen the first time I told Jess I loved her," Jonny admitted with a genuine smile. It felt good. "I remember thinking the world would end if she didn't say it back. I was trying to create this perfect way to tell her."
"Was it perfect?" Race asked.
"No," Jonny rubbed a hand over his face and then considered. "Yes," he then added quietly. "Do you remember the night of her sweet sixteen party?"
"Yeah," Race responded. "You two disappeared for a while. Left Benton and I with twenty teenagers. I wasn't happy."
"I remember," Jonny laughed.
"You told me that the two of you were fighting?" Race accused. "That she bit your head off. That was a rough few weeks. I felt a little bad for you."
"I didn't lie," Jonny offered. "She did rip my head off and we did fight, but then I told her. It just came out basically mid-argument. The world didn't end."
XXX
Jessie listened at the garage door anxiously. Jonny had insisted on doing this even though she thought it was so dumb. A completely archaic notion. She could hear the tools banging around as her father worked on his car. She could hear Jonny's feet shuffling. She smiled. He always did that when he was procrastinating.
"Uh…Race?" Jonny said with a nervous tone to his voice. Jessie could hear him clearly.
"What's up, kiddo?" Her father's voice was not as clear, which meant Jonny was closer to the door than her father and his tools.
'Smart move, Hotshot.'
"I was hoping…I wanted to discuss something," Jonny cleared his throat.
"Shoot," Race said casually.
"There's this revival of Breakfast at Tiffany's down at the old Criton Theatre," he started confidently. "Jess and I were wanting to go."
"Did you lose a bet?" Race laughed. "She making you go as payment? That's rough."
"Ha," Jonny laughed. "No. Not exactly. I actually asked her to go. Seemed like something she would like."
Jessie heard a long pause after that and then the hood of her father's car slam.
'Please,' she thought. 'Don't be overprotective for once. Please.'
"You asked her?" Race let the statement hang. "Like a date?"
"Yes…well sorta," Jonny fumbled. "No, yes. Definitely yes. I…yes. Is that, okay?"
'Jonny,' she thought with a smile.
She felt alert. Completely awake, but she could not open her eyes or move. Then she felt herself being moved and started to panic.
'DAD,' she screamed, but nothing came out.