A/N - Wow... first week into the new year and I already broke my new year's resolution. Oh well... I guess it was bound to happen. Classes start up tomorrow so I had to pack up everything and move yesterday and during it all, I forgot to submit the chapter. My bad... Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy and feel free to tell me what you think by leaving a review. You guys rock!

In the medical ward, Director Davis finally stabilized, hooked up to an oxygen tank. Just outside, Alex and Bentley stood watching, anxiously watching the nurses diagnose his condition. Seconds later, Delsin, Fetch, and Eugene came dashing through the door and joined the two.

"We came as soon as we heard, what happened?" Delsin asked.

Alex simply shook her head, her eyes fixated on the Director. The younger conduits watched as the group of doctors seemed to nod in agreement and approached the group on the other side of the glass window. The lead doctor removed his mask and sighed.

"How is he?" Alex asked.

"Not good I'm afraid. He's having difficulty breathing, and he's constantly coughing up fluid. We fear he might have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," the doctor explained.

Bentley winced at the name.

"What does that mean?" Fetch asked.

"It's a combination of lung diseases like bronchitis and emphysema that contribute to blocked airways and the accumulation of mucus in the system," the doctor explained.

"Is it curable?" Delsin asked.

"We can treat it, but the damage is… irreversible. I'm sorry," he concluded, looking at Alex, "He wanted me to tell you that he signed the paperwork."

She nodded in understanding and the doctor walked out of the medical ward with his team behind him. Bentley turned to look at Alex.

"Should we tell Sam?"

"No, he's on a mission right now, and I need him focused," she explained. Alex then walked into Davis' room and stood beside him. He slowly looked towards her and Alex put her hand on his shoulder.

"Alex…" he muttered.

"Director?" she responded quietly.

"I'm… sorry. I thought I… had more time."

"Don't say that. We have a very talented team working to help you."

"So… do you," he said while looking over at the young conduits.

"Bentley."

"Sir?"

"Thank you… for everything… you've done… I know your stance on conduits is… conflicted… But you've always pulled through and… done the right thing. You've done more… than redeem yourself."

"Thank you, sir."

He then looked over at Alex.

"I'm… so… proud of you. You're strong… you're passionate… and you've always been by my side."

"You've been by mine too."

"Thank you," he said, pain apparent in his face, "Unfortunately, it's time for change."

"No… not yet. I'm not ready," she said frantically.

"We don't… get to choose… our time… Alex. You… know that."

"No sir, please." Alex pleaded, tears forming in her eyes, "Don't make me do it."

"Good… luck," he said as he closed his eyes.

That's when the others realized what the doctor had meant by 'paperwork'. He had given her permission to pull the plug. She walked over to the wall where the oxygen tank was hooked up. She looked over at Davis and, with a tear-ridden face, mouthed "good bye" before tearing away the power supply from the wall. Immediately, Davis started gasping for air. For several seconds, his body tried desperately to take in oxygen. However, his mind overcame his body and he relaxed; his body laying still despite the desire to breathe.

Alex was drawn to his fist, which was tightly grasping the gurney he was laid on. However, moments after his body calmed, so his grip. It slowly opened up and slipped off the side of the gurney, hanging there. It was done. Alex turned and looked at Bentley.

"Grab the doctors. Let them know," she ordered, wiping away her tears.

"Yes, ma'am," Bentley replied before leaving the medical ward.

She then turned to the young conduits.

"I need a moment to myself," she said while leaving the room behind Bentley. When she left the room, the three conduits simply stood there, staring at each other. After a few moments of thinking, they left and headed towards the training area, where they went to work.

Meanwhile, Bentley informed the doctors of the Director's passing and went back into the room where he was tending to Cole. We walked over to the bench where he was running diagnostics on the prosthetic before seeing the Director. He pushed himself to continue his procedure, but stopped seconds later to put his hands on the desk and hang his head low. From the opposite side of the room, Cole watched silently; he knew better than to ask.

Alex walked down the busy hallway towards her office. The rest of the base had been continuing normal operation, not knowing what happened to the Director. On her way to her office however, she was greeted by the door that lead to Davis' office. With a heavy sigh, she opened it and walked inside. She then closed the door behind her and walked up to his desk. His wheelchair still sat behind it, replacing a normal desk chair.

She placed her hand on the armrests of the chair before turning to look at what was on his desk. She saw a yellow folder, the same one he had taken out when she last gave him her report of the conduits' training. She opened it up and found a detailed profile of many of the conduits being housed here. One by one she sifted through the profiles. However, when she came across one particular page, she stopped: Troy. Troy was the one who found Davis in his office. She then looked at the corner of the room, and at the security camera.

One hour later, Ryan could be seen leaving the training area. He felt conflicted, after being told the news about the Director from Eugene. He decided to head over to the medical ward to see for himself. He went towards the room Davis was staying in, but was distracted by two people speaking in the adjacent room. As he put his hand to the door handle, one said his name and Ryan stopped, his interest piqued.

He walked to the other room and stood just outside. Beyond the door, Bentley and Cole were discussing with each other. However, Ryan would soon find out that they weren't discussing his treatment.

"I just don't see why this is necessary," Cole stated.

"It may not be, but we know that Kessler went back in time to train you," Bentley reminded.

"That was because of John. He's not an issue anymore."

"Correct, but consider the chain of events that took us here. The only reason we are having this conversation is because Kessler, you, went back in time. Now, if you stayed here and didn't go back, we would be allowing history to repeat itself. If you don't go back in time, your younger self could go back to living his life like the Blast never happened."

"And what's wrong with that?" Cole asked.

"The Beast could show up and destroy the world like Kessler said," Bentley explained.

Cole looked down and sighed before speaking again.

"So, there really is nothing wrong with me?"

"I apologize for lying, but I was afraid Ryan wouldn't be as cooperative if he knew."

"He's gonna' be pissed when you tell him. You know that, right?"

"I do," Bentley spoke before stopping to think, "We'll falling apart."

"Things could be worse."

"How? Our Director's dead, our conduits are leaving faster than we're finding them, not to mention Celia."

"I was up against the world, remember? I was on my own, but here? Here you have a whole team dedicated to helping conduits."

"But our team is falling apart," Bentley said sullenly before turning to leave, "I'll be back."

However, before he could step outside, Ryan stepped in the doorway, preventing Bentley from leaving. A look of shock spread across his face and Cole sighed while looking down.

"How… How long have you been standing there?" Bentley asked.

"Long enough."