Uhm…wow. When I said I wanted a few reviews before I continued this, I was thinking, like four or five. Instead, I got twenty. I'm not complaining – actually, I'm floored. This is the best response I've ever gotten for the first chapter of a story. Of course, now I'm nervous that you guys won't like the rest as much as you did the first chapter, but hey. I'll do my best to do my best…if that makes sense at all.

DISCLAIMER/WARNINGS – I do not own 'Traveler,' or any of the characters, nor do I own any lyrics, quotes, etc. used in this story. This is rated Teen, for language, blood, violence…you know the usual. It is a multi-chapter fic. This is unbetaed, so any mistakes are mine and mine alone. Also, all characters are liable to injury or even death, because when I write things usually get messy. Don't say I didn't warn you.

"If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."

E.M. Forster

Begin Again

Chapter Two

"Does it run?"

The man on the porch had been watching Will curiously as he approached – now he frowned at Will's question.

"Of course it runs," the man replied slowly, still frowning. "Couldn't sell it otherwise."

"Just making sure," Will replied with a shrug, peeking in through the window.

"You weren't too worried about it." The man took a long drag from his cigarette. "You didn't complain too much when your friends left you here."

"They're not my friends," Will explained, straightening up and reaching in his pocket. "I was just catching a ride." He stepped up to the porch, counting out the bills as he went. "I'll take it."

His eyes were still locked on Will as he accepted the money. "It's dangerous to trust strangers these days," he observed quietly, pocketing the cash. "Of course," he paused, glancing over Will once again, "you look like you could probably defend yourself."

"Probably," Will agreed.

Quietly the man excused himself, then went inside to retrieve the keys. He came back a moment later, and placed them in Will's hand.

"Thanks."

The man nodded, and Will opened the door to the station wagon and slid inside. It didn't exactly purr as he turned the key in the ignition and pulled away, but it ran.

The next gas station was three miles up the road. A teal Taurus was waiting in a parking spot in front of the convenience store – Will pulled into the space beside it. He killed the engine and climbed out of the car as Jay and Tyler did the same.

"Get in," he told them, patting the roof of the station wagon. "I'll be right back."

The convenience store was the same as every other gas station mini-mart in the country. He grabbed a few bottles of water from the fridge in the back, and a couple bags of chips off a shelf. He hesitated a moment, then picked up a bottle of pain relievers before heading to the register.

The cashier was a nondescript older man, with thinning hair and narrow eyes. He scanned Will's purchases without comment.

"How far is it to the interstate?" Will asked casually as he paid.

"Just a few miles up this road," the cashier replied automatically, no doubt used to the question. "Keep going straight, and you can't miss the turn-off."

Will thanked the man, took his bags, and left. When he stepped back outside the Taurus was empty, as the other two had relocated to the station wagon. Will climbed back behind the wheel, setting the bags in the space between the front seats. He glanced to Tyler, who was sitting in the back, staring vacantly out the window, his face expressionless.

"Hey," Will said quietly, catching his attention. "Get some sleep – you drove all night."

"Yeah," Tyler replied, turning back to the window.

Will frowned, and reached into the shopping bag. He pulled out the bottle of pills, uncapping it – he poured three into his hand and swallowed them dry.

Jay, who was sitting in the front passenger's seat, watched Will carefully. "How's your side?" he asked as Will adjusted the rearview mirror.

"It'll heal." Will's tone told him not to push the subject.

Jay didn't. "Where are we going, exactly?" he questioned instead.

"Interstate's that way," Will explained, pointing out his window.

"Are we going to the interstate?"

"No," Will responded, putting the car in reverse and pulling out of the spot. "I figure we'll head north for a while before going west again. The feds are probably on our trail, and since you two usually take the quickest route out of town, they'll assume we'll do the same now. It should throw them off, at least for a while."

"And what about your people?" Jay asked next.

"They're following us, too," Will admitted with a frown. "And they don't assume anything."

"We're screwed," Jay concluded.

"Maybe. Maybe not." He turned off the main road, glancing up in the rearview mirror as he went. Tyler was already asleep, leaning against his window.

"So…where are we going, exactly?" Jay asked for the second time that morning.

"I've got a friend in Chicago," Will answered finally.

Jay didn't question him further. He shook his head, a grim smile on his face. "Some road trip, huh?"

Will couldn't help the grin that tugged at his lips.

oooooooooooooooooo

Marlow didn't think she'd slept more than two minutes all night, but the next morning she climbed out of bed all the same. She'd tossed and turned for hours, heart and mind racing, but she still hadn't come to any conclusions.

There was no way Chambers was going to let her live – especially if he found out that she was on to him. He'd already attempted to have her killed once – it was only a matter of time before he tried again.

But what was she supposed to do about it? Go back into the office, sit meekly at her desk, filling out paperwork and hoping she flew under the radar? Should she ask for a transfer? Or should she just grab a few things and run – put as much distance between herself and this place as possible.

Well, she couldn't transfer – that would be too suspicious. Maybe she could spin it, try to explain it away as post-traumatic whatever, but Chambers would catch on. And running was out the question, too – this was bigger than could hope to imagine – you couldn't escape these people.

Really, showing back up at work was the only option she had left. She'd sit at her desk, file reports, and keep to herself. At least that way, if Chambers wanted to kill her, he'd have to do it in the middle of the FBI field office.

Or, he could have someone watching her right now, in her home.

A cold chill crept up her spine. There was no use dwelling on what she couldn't control.

It was over an hour later when she finally stepped into her office, ready to begin what she expected to be the first of many, quiet days.

She couldn't have been more wrong.

oooooooooooooooooo

When Kim came to, she realized three things very quickly. First, her head was throbbing with a dull ache, like a drum beating in her skull. Second, her hands were tied tightly behind her back, stretching her shoulders uncomfortably. And third, the man standing before her didn't look like any officer of the law she'd ever seen.

The room was cramped and dimly lit. Both the floor and the walls were concrete – maybe a basement? As her mind cleared she noticed that she was upright and in a chair. The man was still watching her, a strange look in his eyes. For some reason, he was oddly familiar.

"Who are you?" she asked, her head still pounding.

"That's not important," he replied, watching her.

All of a sudden, bits and pieces of memories came back to her. She'd been arrested, and they'd put her in a van and driven her out to a deserted part of town. She'd gotten out of the car and then…darkness. A flash of pain, and then nothing.

"Where are we?"

"That's not important, either."

"What is important, then?" she demanded angrily. The ropes around her wrists were painfully tight, biting into her skin.

Now the man took a step closer to her, cocking his head to one side as he met her eyes. "Where are Jay and his friends?" he asked, his expression stern.

Was that what this was? Some scare tactic by the FBI to get her to talk?

"I already told Agent Chambers – I don't know."

She hadn't anticipated his next move. With an angry glare he raised his arm and back-handed her. Pain shot across her cheek, and the force sent her reeling. She could have sworn she saw stars.

Now he was watching her again, a cold look in his eyes. Kim was suddenly aware that whoever this man was, he wasn't part of the FBI. He pulled off his jacket, and Kim saw the glint of a knife in his belt. His eyes followed her gaze, and for the first time, he smiled.

"Let me go," she whispered, trying desperately to free her hands, but to no avail.

"I will," he promised her, "but not until I get what I want."

"I don't know anything!" she protested, her voice rising.

"That's not what I'm after."

Fear gripped her chest, and she drew in a sharp breath. The man was leering, waiting for her response.

"You can't do this," she replied, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "He won't let you."

She hadn't even said Jay's name, but they both knew who she was talking about nonetheless. A cruel grin flitted across the man's features, and he leaned in so close that his breath tickled her ear.

"I know."

TBC

I'd just like to thank you guys again for all the feedback – it's really left me with a good feeling. And it definitely motivates me to get this done, so I don't have to keep you all waiting. Translations – I wouldn't mind getting another ten bazillion reviews for this chapter, too. Like I said, I'm fine with anon reviews – the only downside is I won't be able to respond to you.

Once again, thanks so much! I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can – I'm shooting for this weekend.

Cop