"I don't why I'm telling you this," Jason said.
"I know if Kellie were here you'd have this conversation with her" Jackie said, "But I'm happy to listen and it's kind of my job to listen to people talk about their feelings."
"You were interrogating me this entire time," Jason realized.
"Sorry," Jackie said, "I promise I won't tell anyone you talked. I wouldn't want to ruin your reputation. Not to mention some of my colleagues would never let you live it down."
"I guess should thank the director for sticking me with you," Jason said.
"You're good for her," Jackie said, "I knew that when she talked to you on the phone last year, but listening to you talk about how unexpected your relationship with Kellie ended up being. She's good for you too."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked as they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Exactly what I said," Jackie said as Jason moved back from the door and let her answer it.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your chat with Mr. Morgan here," Ducky said when she opened the door, "But the Director would like to see you."
"We were just about done," Jackie said, "Would you mind keeping him company until I can get back?"
"Not at all?" Ducky said, taking a seat.
"You mean I can't leave yet," Jason said.
"Nope," Jackie said, walking out the door and shutting it.
Ducky watched Jason eye the door.
"Is your friend Ms. Janelle Benson enjoying her current accommodations?" Ducky asked.
"I guess so," Jason said, "I don't know if I ever thanked you for your assistance in getting the Zachary Grant murder reopened."
"You're welcome," Ducky said, "I have to admit that is one of the more scintillating cover-ups and murders I've run across. It reminded of this one case…but you don't care about."
"Not really," Jason said, "No offense."
"None taken," Ducky said as Jason paced the room, "I'd imagine you have more important things on your mind."
"Can you get the director to let me go?" Jason asked.
"One would think an alleged hitman of your caliber would have a lot more patience," Ducky said.
"I'll just see myself out," Jason said, turning back towards the door.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ducky said.
"Why not?" Jason said.
"I'm really not supposed to tell you this," Ducky said, "But the director needs to know if you can follow directions. We are part of the Navy after all. So if you walk out that door without waiting for the Director or someone to tell you that you can leave, you won't get any access to the search. Considering they just recruited your tech friend to help."
"I won't have tech support on my own," Jason groaned.
"You won't even be allowed to contact him or he you," Ducky said, "Not until
"I'm beginning to think I made a mistake in coming here," Jason said, pacing.
"We both know that's most likely not true, Mr. Morgan," Ducky said, "But I can't help but wonder if your agitation has less to do with us and more to do with yourself."
Jason glared at Ducky.
"The glare doesn't hide the guilt you're struggling with," Ducky said, "Guilt and regret is a funny thing. Even the best intentions can't always make it go away."
"Gibbs already gave me an earful about Kellie's stepmom not having guards and that I wasn't with Kellie because of that," Jason said, "I don't need it from anyone else."
"I wasn't referring to anything specific," Ducky said, "So what makes you think I was referring to last night. I could have been referring to anything. But since you brought it up, I can't imagine the choice to rescue Carly while your wife was sick and step daughter missing was an easy one."
"No," Jason said, "I don't know that there was an option that ended with everyone safe. I keep trying to think about what could have been differently."
"Spoken like a man being pulled in too many directions," Ducky said, "Tell me something Mr. Morgan, did Kellie ask to you stay at any point during last nights chaos and mayhem."
"She told me to go save Carly," Jason said, "Even when she was checking herself out of the hospital to go find Alyssa."
"As I thought was the case, knowing Kellie," Ducky said, "But if she had asked?"
"I don't know what I would have done," Jason said.
"What did you want to do last night?" Ducky asked.
"i wanted to stay with Kellie," Jason said, "But Carly was in more immediate danger."
"That begs the question," Ducky said, "What do you do going forward? How do you show up for Kellie even when she doesn't ask when your attention is being demanded urgently elsewhere? How do you keep yourself from being torn in two?"
The Quartermaine Mansion
Spencer made his way upstairs to the room Jared and Jamie use when they spend the night.
"Are you two ready to go," Spencer said, looking at Jared and Jamie wearing jeans, baggy hooded sweatshirts and baseball caps meant to disguise themselves. Jamie was sporting a pair of sunglasses.
"The sunglasses are over the top for March," Spencer said, yanking them off Jamie.
"I figured a ski mask to hide my face would attract attention," Jamie said.
"How is Alyssa?" Jared asked.
"She was sleeping when I left her last night. Your grandfather kicked me out," Spencer said, "And called my grandmother to come get me. Since you two insisted I come take you to see Alyssa, I don't know yet. We need to get going while the house is still clear."
The three of them made their way down the back stairs as Spencer kept an eye out for any adult who might stop them.
"No sign of Cook," Spencer said before they made their way through the kitchen.
"And where do you boys think you're off to," Alice said from behind them.
"A stroll in the gardens," Jamie said, imitating Spencer's manner.
"And I'm the queen of England." Alice said, "I figured you boys might try something."
"Try what?" Jared asked, "We were simply on our way to the gardens."
"In Oscar's sweatshirts," Alice asked.
"Oscar said we should make sure," Jared started but was interrupted by Spencer's groaning.
"I thought you two would be better at this," Spencer said, "And take after your mom."
"All things considered, they'll grow into it, I"m sure," Alice said under her breathe.
"Asking an adult to just go see your sister would have been a better plan," Ned said, "You two don't need to be sneaking off.
"Is Nana Olivia around? Can she take us?" Jared asked.
"She stayed the night at the hospital with your sister," Ned said, "Along with your grandfather."
The boys groaned.
"You two," Ned said, "put clothes on that are yours. In the meantime, I'll call to see how Alyssa is. Then we can discuss a visit to the hospital."
"We have to see Uncle Lo," Jamie said as the boys ran like tornados upstairs.
"And Francis," Jared yelled.
They almost ran Monica over.
"Sorry," They yelled.
Monica found Ned downstairs.
"It certainly is never dull when Jared and Jamie show up. I can just hear Edward calling them "hooligans" if he were around to see this." Monica said.
"That he would," Ned said.
"Why are they wearing Oscar's sweatshirts?" Monica asked.
"They thought with Spencer's help they'd sneak off to visit their sister," Ned said.
"Since you seem to things covered," Spencer said, "I think I'll just be going."
"Spencer, the next time your cousins ask you to sneak them out," Monica said, "Tell them no so they don't get themselves in trouble. We don't need that."
"I'll keep that in mind," Spencer said, bolting out of the living room.
"Do we even know if Alyssa's up for a visit?" Monica asked.
"That would be my next order of business," Ned said, grabbing his phone and dialing a Olivia.
"Did she spend the night?" Monica asked. Ned nodded.
"Hi Olivia," Ned asked, "How are you….Jared and Jamie have already tried to sneak off to see their sister. How is she and would the boys be able to come see her…. I'll will let them know. I'll see you soon, love you."
"So…" Monica asked.
"Alyssa is much calmer today," Ned said, "She's still traumatized. It sounds like she can go home sometime this morning. Charles is working with the doctors on that. I'd say the boys can wait for her to be released to see her."
Monica thought for a moment, "Considering that Charles spent last night at the hospital, I'm going to suggest he bring Alyssa here. She and the boys could stay here for a few days at least. I'd imagine if they go home, they'll be reminded their mom is missing a whole lot more, especially with Jason gone too."
"I'm sure Charles will appreciate a break," Ned said, "But are you sure with everything with Oscar."
"Charles and your wife are running on fumes most likely," Monica said, "Jason's off trying to find Kellie and Sonny and Carly are god knows where right now. The truth is between Michael, Olivia, and Jason, those hooligans and their sister are family."
"And we take care of our family," Ned said.
"Besides Olivia would probably suggest it," Monica said, "This way I can at least say I thought of it first."
"And I was almost going to nominate you for sainthood, Monica," Ned teased.