Alright, here I am with chapter three. I'm not sure how I feel about this one…but this is just how it turned out. This is the longest chapter yet, and except for one section at the beginning, the boys dominate the whole thing. A few people said they wanted more of them in the last chapter, and their POVs are my favorite to write, so all in all that worked out pretty well.
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, although right now I'm not exactly sure how long it will be. This is unbetaed, so any mistakes are mine and mine alone. This is set after 8th episode ('The Exchange') so all spoilers are fair game. 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.
Begin Again
"A lie would have no sense unless the truth were felt as dangerous."
Alfred Adler
"Agent Marlow?"
Her head shot up from where she'd been bent over her desk. She felt her heart leap up into her throat -- Agent Chambers was standing in her doorway.
"We need to talk," he said firmly.
"What's the matter?" she asked, finding her voice. She resisted the urge to reach for her gun.
"You've heard about Jack Freed." It wasn't a question – who hadn't heard that the Director of Homeland Security had been blown to pieces?
"Yes."
"And have you heard about Kim Doherty?" he asked next.
Marlow frowned. She didn't like where this was going. Slowly, she shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
"She's missing," Chambers explained shortly.
"What?"
"Her transport was attacked last night," Chambers told her, "Both of the agents with her were killed, and she's gone."
"Are there any leads?" she asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"No." Agent Chambers shook his head. "But we all know who has to be behind it."
He paused, obviously waiting for her answer. No, waiting for the right answer. Because he definitely didn't want to hear what she actually thought – that Chambers had most likely silenced Kim Doherty, just like he had Carlton Fog, and Agent Borjes.
"Burchell," she responded a moment later, watching for his reaction.
"Who else?" he replied. If that was a test, she must have passed. "Doherty helped him get away from you at the night club – she's probably been involved all along." He frowned. "And it gets worse – there's no sign of Burchell or the others anywhere in the city."
"They couldn't have escaped," Marlow protested.
"Apparently they slipped through." Chambers gave Marlow a long glance, as if debating something, before continuing. "I want you to start with the security tapes of all the exits – if they really did make it out, we'll have them on camera."
A cold pit of dread settled in Marlow's gut. "But I thought--"
Chambers raised a hand to quiet her. "You know the suspects better than anyone we've got. I need you back on the case."
So much for flying under the radar. Marlow forced herself to nod.
"Thank you, sir," she managed. "I won't let you down again."
Chambers watched her for a moment longer.
"We'll catch them," he said finally. "We won't let Borjes's death go unpunished."
But Marlow already she wouldn't. She'd avenge his death, even if she had to point the gun at Chambers's heart and pull the trigger herself.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
They drove north for a few hours, through Ohio all the way up to the shores of Lake Erie, before they turned west again, following back roads into Indiana.
The first time they stopped it was to grab something to eat – the bags of chips were long since gone – and to get new clothes. They parked outside a thrift shop, and Will put his hand on the door.
"I'll only be a minute," he explained. Jay opened his mouth to protest, but he hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Obviously he still had his doubts – and Will really couldn't blame him. After everything that happened he was lucky that Tyler and Jay were putting up with him so well. But the truth was, they needed him, at least if they had any hope of getting their lives back.
Will met Jay's gaze and put on his most sincere expression. "I'm not going anywhere," he said honestly. "Look, if we're in this together, then I need you to trust me, alright?"
It was ironic really, since he was, after all, the orchestrator of their own personal hell, and the look in Jay's eyes told Will he was thinking the same thing.
"And besides," Will pointed out, "I'm less likely to be recognized."
He noticed the way Jay almost rolled his eyes, just before turning back to look at Tyler.
"He's right," Tyler replied simply.
Jay shook his head, then glanced back at Will.
"Just hurry," he said finally, and Will left without another word. Ten minutes later he returned, tossing a few bags into the back with Tyler before reclaiming his seat, and they left.
When they stopped again, it was outside a run-down motel in northern Indiana, close to the Illinois border. They pulled into an empty parking lot, and stopped right in front of the office. Will climbed out and stepped up to the door – it was locked, and there was a note taped to it. He pulled it off and read through, shaking his head as he walked back to the car. Wordlessly he handed it to Jay before heading to the trunk.
"Call if you want a room – 247-9206," Jay read aloud.
"What?" Tyler asked incredulously. Jay passed him the note before following Will out of the car.
"Should we call?" he asked Will, who had already pulled the bags from the trunk and closed it. But Will didn't answer – instead he walked to the furthest room, picked the lock, and slipped inside. Jay looked back to Tyler, who had stepped up behind him, the bags from the thrift shop in his grasp. Tyler raised his eyebrows, then walked in after Will.
By the time they were all inside Will had already opened the door that connected the first room to the one adjoining it. Tyler surveyed their surroundings, disgust and shock mingled on his face. Chunks of carpet were missing, the tacky wallpaper was peeling all the way to the drywall, the sink was rusted, and a stain that looked suspiciously like blood adorned the kitchen table. He reached over and flipped a switch, obviously surprised when the lights actually came on.
"This is the shittiest hotel I've ever squatted in," he said finally. "Scratch that – it's the only hotel I've ever squatted in."
"Well, it's not the Hampton," Will admitted, tossing the bags onto one of the beds. Dust flew up in clouds at the impact. "Or the Holiday Inn. But I've seen worse."
"Really."
"Jay, why don't you pull the car around to the back," Will suggested, rummaging through the clothes Tyler had brought in and dividing them into three stacks. "We don't want anyone spotting it from the road."
Jay nodded and slipped back outside. Will finished his sorting and tossed a few articles over to Tyler, before picking up another pile himself. He paused just long enough to grab some medical supplies from his bag before heading into the bathroom.
It was in a similar state to the rest of the room. Rust and grime coated the sink, toilet, and tub, but Will didn't care enough to dwell on it. He showered and dressed quickly before examining his wound. It was like he'd told Jay earlier – it would heal, but for now, it was throbbing incessantly. He replaced the bandage before slipping back into the room. Tyler looked up from his perch on the end of one of the beds, but he didn't rise. Will heard the water running in the adjoining room – apparently Jay was in the other shower.
Silently Will rummaged through his bag once more, pulling out the bottle of pain relievers. He swallowed three, ignoring Tyler's sideways glance.
"You alright?" Tyler asked casually.
"Fine," Will replied quickly, sitting down on the second bed.
Like Jay, Tyler let the subject rest. He reached for the remote and flicked on the television. It was a news broadcast, but Will didn't pay much attention – at least not until he heard Tyler's sudden curse.
A woman's face was on the screen, and a voiceover filled viewers in on the details.
"—disappeared yesterday shortly after her arrest. Her transport was attacked, killing two guards--"
It was a picture of Kim.
Will had to make a split second decision – one that he knew had dire consequences either way.
"Turn it off," he said suddenly.
Tyler looked over, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"Turn the TV off," Will repeated. He could still hear the water running, but they only had a few minutes before Jay returned.
Tyler was staring in open confusion, obviously trying to comprehend exactly what Will wanted him to do.
"We have to tell him," Tyler said finally. "Jay has to know."
Will shook his head, his face set. "You don't get it, do you? They have her, Tyler. This is them trying to draw us back to New York. We can't go."
"We can't leave her," Tyler shot back, standing. "Look what they did to Maya."
Will felt a stab of guilt, but he brushed it off. He couldn't save Maya, and they couldn't save Kim. They had to keep going, and they had to find the truth -- no matter what.
"If Jay finds out, he'll go back there," Will said evenly. "If he goes back, they'll catch him. And if they catch him, they'll kill him."
Tyler shook his head, visibly stunned. "This is bullshit."
"How're you going to stop him from going when he finds out?" Will demanded, rising to his feet as well. "The best way to help Kim is to bring these people down. Now turn it off."
They both froze as the water shut off. Tyler's eyes smoldered angrily as he met Will's gaze.
"If she dies, Will…" He didn't have to finish the sentence – each one knew that they'd both be responsible, that Jay would never forgive them if he found out they'd kept something like this from him.
"Turn it off," Will hissed.
Tyler only hesitated a second longer before reaching over and flipping off the television. A moment later they heard the creak of rusted hinges, and Jay appeared in the connecting doorway. He paused, glancing between Tyler and Will.
"What's going on?" he asked finally.
Tyler glared at Will furiously – Will returned an even stare.
"Nothing," Tyler said finally, and Will let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Jay was quiet for a moment longer, unsure if he should push for details. But then his expression softened – he'd chalk it up to a fight about the Drexler and Will's betrayal and he wouldn't be surprised. After all, he'd been the one using Will as a punching bag not even two days earlier.
"How long are we staying here?" he asked finally, and the tension between the other two finally shattered.
"Just until tonight," Will explained, tearing his eyes away from Tyler's to meet Jay's. "We're less than an hour away, but we're better off waiting until it's dark. All the major cities will be on high alert after the Drexler."
Tyler made a small sound of contempt at that statement. Will pretended not to hear – Tyler could hate him all he wanted, as long as he kept quiet.
"What about this friend of yours?" Jay asked. "Can he help us?"
"He's got something we need," Will answered vaguely.
Jay shook his head. "That won't work anymore Will," he said firmly. "We're a part of this, too. If you want us to trust you, we need the truth."
Tyler shot Will a pointed glare, which he ignored.
"Information," Will admitted finally. "Freed said this goes beyond the Drexler – he might know how far."
"Might?" Jay echoed.
Will shook his head. "It's all we've got to go on."
"So, Chicago," Tyler said, finally speaking up. "Then what?"
"We won't know until we get there."
Tyler nodded. "I just hope you're right about this."
He wasn't talking about Chicago.
"Yeah," Will said, frowning. "Me too."
TBC
Like I said…I don't really know how I feel about this chapter. I'm working on chapter four, and I hope to have it up early next week. Until then, thanks for reading, and please review!
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