Kellie went to the study to call Robert Scorpio.
"Kind of late for a phone call isn't, Kellie," Robert said.
"You wanted me to call you if I came up with anything on Dante," Kellie said, "I might have an idea…but I don't know for sure."
"Look about that," Robert said.
Kellie ignored him and kept speaking, "I think he might have been brainwashed or someone tried to…he has that same vacant look some of the patients I encountered at the facility years ago dead."
"We already know, Kellie," Robert said, "I'm guessing Dante hasn't been in touch with you today."
"I saw him this afternoon," Kellie said, "He didn't mention anything about…."
"Your brother apparently reached out to Anna earlier today about making sure he wouldn't hurt anybody," Robert said, "I found out a couple hours ago, Dante's leaving tonight for the facility. In fact he's probably already gone."
"Dante's leaving without telling anybody," Kellie said.
"I'm not sure how much Dante's explaining to anyone," Robert said, "I'm sorry if this is coming as a shock."
"I wish I'd thought of this sooner," Kellie said.
"None of us had any reason to believe brainwashing was a factor in this instance," Robert said, "At least Dante was able to figure it out, so he could get help."
"I guess at least I'll be able to explain it to everyone," Kellie said, "Or at least try."
"I assume you remember the drill," Robert said, "You won't be able to have any contact with Dante."
"I remember," Kellie said.
When Jason came looking for Kellie, he found her still sitting in the study.
"Hey, what happened?" Jason asked, realizing something was wrong.
"Dante left," Kellie said, "Robert said he's already on his way to one of those facilities to get treated for brainwashing."
"Did the WSB figure it out and take him or..?"Jason asked.
"Dante did," Kellie said, "He asked Anna to arrange for.…"
Jason took Kellie's hand, urging her follow him, "Come on."
"I want to call Lulu," Kellie said, "But I don't know what to tell her to what to do for her."
"Lulu may not want to see anyone right now," Jason said, "Knowing Lulu, she probably reached out to Laura when Dante left if she reached out to anyone."
"You're right," Kellie said, making a call.
"Hello," Laura answered, "Kellie?"
"Have you talked to Lulu like in the last few hours?" Kellie asked.
"She called me something about Dante leaving," Laura said, "I'm on my way over to her place now."
"Good," Kellie said.
"Do you have any idea why Dante would leave her like this," Laura asked, "Did he give you an explanation?"
"He didn't. The only reason I know Dante left is because I'd called Robert Scorpio not that long ago about Dante," Kellie said, "I knew something wasn't right with Dante when he came back. I finally figured it out, but obviously not soon enough."
What exactly do you think is up with Dante?" Laura asked.
"I think he may have been subjected to brainwashing," Kellie said, "There was a case when I worked for the WSB involving a stolen brainwashing program. During the mission, I came into contact with people that had been subjected to the program. The more extreme cases remind me of Dante. From what Robert told me, it seems Dante and the WSB believe the same. Dante's on his way to a special facility for treatment."
"What type of treatment?" Laura asked, "Do you know how long he'll be gone?"
"Honestly I have no idea," Kellie said, "But the facility they're sending him to means he won't have contact with anybody for as long as it takes."
"In your experience with these types of things, how long does it take roughly to deprogram someone?" Laura asked.
"I'm not sure," Kellie said, "Best case scenario months if he's lucky. Worst case, it could be years if at all. I wish I had a better answer."
"It's more information than we had five minutes ago," Laura said, "I'm glad you called me."
"I wanted to call Lulu but I didn't know if she even knew Dante had left," Kellie said, "I'll call her as soon as I get off the phone with you and…"
"I'll explain to Lulu what you told me tonight," Laura said, "She can call you later with any questions. I know you and Dante are very close and that him leaving like this isn't easy for you either."
"I tried to talk to him, get him to open up to me," Kellie said, "But he wouldn't."
"I'm sure you did everything you could," Laura said, "I'm pulling into Lulu's driveway now. If I were you, I'd let that husband of yours take care of you and worry about this whole mess with your brother another day."
"That's easier said than done," Kellie said.
"Just try," Laura said, "If you hear anything more about Dante will you let me know."
"Of course," Kellie said, "Tell Lulu that… I don't even know."
"I'll tell her you're thinking of her," Laura said.
After they ended the call, Jason took the phone from Kellie.
"I take it Lulu knows," he said.
"That he left," Kellie said, "But it doesn't seem like Dante offered any explanation for why. Laura said she'd explain. Thank god, because I wouldn't even know where to start."
"What do you need?" Jason asked.
"I don't know," Kellie said, "Dante's gone and I don't know if he's ever coming back. If he does, I don't know if he'll be the brother I…."
Kellie trailed off and then spoke again, "When Dante went to work for the WSB, this was not any of my worst fears for him. This just might be worst one of all."
"Then we just have to hope for the best," Jason said as Kellie leaned back against him.
Jason nudged Kellie in the direction of out of the study.
"That better not be your not so subtle hint that I should go to bed," Kellie said.
"I didn't say anything," Jason said, "But now that you mention it, it is late. You've had a long day and…"
"Don't you dare add that I'm pregnant," Kellie said.
"You're the one that brought it up and I did have other things in mind," Jason said, whispering in her ear and kissing Kellie's neck.
"Nice save," Kellie said.
"If you are too tired…" Jason said, "we don't have to."
Kellie turned around to face Jason and kissed him, hard and long.
Kellie pushed Jason out of the study as he kissed her back. Jason picked Kellie up and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom.
The Next Day
Kellie was on the phone trying to reach the foundation's Rescue Operations Coordinator who had failed to return any of her calls. His secretary insisted her calls would be returned at the Coordinator's discretion.
"He's had several days to return my call," Kellie said, "I'd like a meeting with him."
"He has nothing for at least a month," Kathleen said.
"This is a time-sensitive matter I'd like to discuss with him," Kellie said, "And it pertains to work the foundation has done related to Garrett Esoterra."
"That operation is closed," Kathleen said, "Since NCIS arrested him and his other associates."
"There are some other potential associates I would suggest we look into," Kellie said.
"I have nothing for at least a month," Kathleen said.
"He's got twenty-four hours to return my calls," Kellie said.
"If he doesn't return your call," Kathleen said.
"I'll camp out in his office," Kellie said, "Have a nice day." She hung up the phone.
Olivia came into Kellie's living room, "You have to do something about Dante."
"I take it you've heard then," Kellie said.
"That your brother left Lulu and the kids," Olivia said, "Because he believes he's some kind of danger which is utter nonsense. You used to work for the WSB, can't you find him and talk some sense into him. That he should be working through his issues at home with his family."
"Olivia, I can't even contact him," Kellie said, "Even if I wanted to."
"You mean Robert or Anna can't arrange for you to see him or call him," Olivia said.
"Robert already told me this was a no contact situation," Kellie said, "Dante wouldn't talk to me when I tried before he left. Even I could get in touch with Dante, he probably wouldn't talk to me anyway."
"The WSB doesn't know what Dante needs," Olivia said.
"Olivia, brainwashing isn't something you just go to a therapist once a week to fix," Kellie said, "Not like this."
"Are you saying Dante's been brainwashed?" Sonny said, entering the room, "That doesn't even make sense."
"Dad, come on," Kellie said, "You can't tell me that you hadn't noticed Dante isn't completely himself."
"It can't be any different than when you came back from working from the WSB and were getting therapy," Sonny said.
"For issues that stemmed from being raped long before that," Kellie said, "None of my undercover missions turned out quite like Dante's either. Some dudes did try to brainwash me, but couldn't. The WSB found me before they could try anything else."
"Then tell me what is this treatment center like?" Olivia asked, "What kind of help are they going to give Dante."
"Is it like when you had to help undo Alexis's brainwashing?" Sonny asked.
"Honestly, I don't know the answer to either of those questions," Kellie said, "All I can say if Dante experienced brainwashing, the WSB facility is probably the best place for him right now."
"I don't like this," Olivia said, "But I guess I have to accept it. But if you hear anything about Dante, you call me."
"Of course, I will," Kellie said, "I want Dante to come home too."
"I know you do, Sweetheart," Olivia said, hugging Kellie, "i have to get back to the MetroCourt."
"Have you seen Lulu?" Kellie asked, "I haven't had a chance to stop by yet."
"She's doing as well as can be expected," Olivia said, stepping back. She looked back and forth between Sonny and Kellie, "If I leave the two of you alone, are going to play nice?"
"I make no promises," Kellie said, "and the kids are at school."
Olivia looked at Sonny when he didn't answer.
"I always play nice," Sonny said.
Olivia opened her mouth to respond and then thought the better.
"You know what," Olivia said, "I've said my piece. The rest is up to you too."
"How bad is it really? What didn't you want to say to Olivia?" Sonny asked once Olivia left.
"Who says I have anything more to say?" Kellie said, "Besides don't you have some alleged godfather business to attend to?"
Sonny shook his head, exasperated "You had to bring out the verbal bullets already."
"I'm still mad at you," Kellie said, "And like I said, I really don't know anything else."
"And I know you have a talent for telling the truth while simultaneously managing to leave things out," Sonny said, "You don't get a free pass on this one. I can't help Dante if I don't know what we're up against."
"I don't know if any one can help Dante, Dad," Kellie replied.
"What about the WSB? You said they have specialists and a facility for this type of thing," Sonny said, "What happened to it's the best place your brother could be?"
"It still is," Kellie said, "If they can't cure Dante, they can…they can contain him at least."
"You really think Dante might be that bad?" Sonny asked.
Kellie didn't reply.
Sonny touched Kellie's shoulder gently, "Do you think your brother might really end up there indefinitely."
"It's possible," Kellie said, reluctantly.
"What makes you think that?" Sonny asked, "I know you had some case with the WSB involving brainwashing but it's not like you would have been around…"
"I've been to the facility they're sending Dante to," Kellie said, "And I came across some of the more extreme cases. Something about Dante since he came back reminds me of them."
Sonny wanted to argue, but something in Kellie's expression stopped him. Sonny noticed Kellie's hand had moved and was positioned protectively across her abdomen.
"What am I doing, you should be sitting, resting," Sonny said, "Is the baby the okay?"
"The baby's fine," Kellie said as Sonny insisted she sit on the couch.
"Do you need me to get you some water…." Sonny asked.
"I'm fine," Kellie said.
"Are you sure?" Sonny said.
"Dad, I just…I was just thinking about how much I wish I could protect this little one from ever having to experience anything bad," Kellie said, "I know it's not possible but…."
"It's what every parent wants for their kids," Sonny said, "I know you'll do the best that you can to make this one is as safe and loved and happy as the boys and Alyssa."
"Damn hormones," Kellie said, getting teary-eyed, "And why do you have to go and say the right things. I'm still mad at you about the whole guard situation."
"I'm going to make it up to you," Sonny said, "I promise."
"Until the next time," Kellie said, "That you think you don't need security and then one of us pays the price."
"I know I've broken your trust more times than I want to admit when it comes to keeping you and the rest of our family safe," Sonny said, "But I promise you that's changing. My lapse in judgment almost cost me you, Alyssa, and your new little one, and Carly and our baby."
"Is everything okay in here?" Jason asked, entering the room.
"It's just hormones," Kellie said, wiping the tears and standing up, "I'm going to see how Lulu's doing. I think I answered all your questions about Dante."
Sonny nodded, "Tell Lulu I'm thinking about her and give Rocco a hug from me."
"Sure, but I'm sure he's at school still," Kellie said. She turned her attention to Jason and kissed him before leaving.
"Let me know you made to Lulu's," Jason said, "Do you want me to pick the kids up from school."
"I'll pick them up after I see Lulu," Kellie said, "And take them to Kellie's for milkshakes."
"Was Kellie just upset about Dante," Jason asked Sonny after Kellie left, "Or did the two of you get into it?"
"She's still mad at me for not having guards on Carly," Sonny said, "I've told her that I'm fixing that, but she is struggling to believe it. Who can blame her? I've promised her time and time again I'd do everything to make her feel safe here and I've obviously screwed that up repeatedly."
"She's going to need time, Sonny," Jason said, "And to see that you mean what you've promised."
"Cause the words are empty at this point to her," Sonny said. Sonny let out a deep breathe, "And she and the baby are doing okay?"
"Yeah," Jason said, "They're both fine."
"What about her nausea?" Sonny asked, "The medications helping her with that."
"She's back to feeling decent over all," Jason said.
"And the ordeal with Garrett," Sonny asked, "How's she doing with that?"
"One day at a time," Jason said, "She wants to hold on to and enjoy the good stuff even with everything else going on."
"Good," Sonny said, "Look if I haven't said already, I'm sorry for how hard I was on you when you and Kellie said you were becoming more than friends. As much as I hate to admit it, I was wrong about the two of you being together. After Tyler died, I was so afraid she'd get lost in the grief and wouldn't find her way back out. But seeing her face light up when you walked in the room just now, I know that's not the case. What I'm trying to say after watching the two of you, you've both been good for each other, and that I'm happy for both of you."