Disclaimer: The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest is owned by Hanna-Barbara. No money is being made from this story. It is simply by a fan for other fans. Also, Criminal Minds is a product of CBS, no money is being made from the use of their characters.

A/N: Sorry to all my readers that this chapter took so long. I've been super busy at work and a lot of unexpected challenges have arisen. I started this chapter over a week ago, but I had a few things to work out with it before I felt comfortable posting. I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 18

Soreness encapsulated Jessie's entire body, but she was thankful to be out of the hospital and back amongst her family. Sleep had only come with the assistance of the drugs that doctors had given her during her brief stay and she was thankful that the her slumber was not disturbed by any nightmares. Those, Jessie knew for a fact, would come later.

Jessie had wanted nothing more than to go home, back to Maine, and surround herself with all things familiar and safe. However, there was still the matter of being debriefed by Intelligence One. Race and Doctor Quest had both insisted that it be done later, perhaps back in Rockport, but their protests fell on deaf ears. Jonny and Hadji had told Jessie about how her father's agency had shunned him and taken away his credentials and access to their extensive databases and she got the feeling that there were still those within the nation's Capital that wanted nothing to do with Race Bannon ever again.

Jessie stared out the window, alone with her thoughts. Since they had been required to come back to D.C., Corbin had insisted that the agency place them in the best accommodation possible. They were staying at the Jefferson, one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, but Jessie barely noticed. She spent the time staring out the window, looking out at the city and its monuments to American history.

She had wanted to stay with Jonny, but her parents thought otherwise and therefore Jessie was stuck sharing a room with her mother. For some reason it made her nervous; probably due to the last time they were alone together they had been kidnapped. The difference was that now the rest of the family was there as well. And all of their kidnappers were dead.

Lightly, she traced the scar that Drazen had given her. It was deep, but not too deep that she thought it would leave a permanent reminder of the trauma. Closing her eyes, she shuttered as the memory of her ordeal came flooding back. She needed answers. Pulling her gaze away from the scenery she looked at her mother, who was sitting across from her, watching her, but acting like she was reading a book.

"Mom?" She started.

Estella quickly closed the book, a little too quickly; making it obvious she was just waiting for her daughter to speak. "What is it, Jessie?"

"Why did all this happen?"

Estella blinked, not in confusion, but in an attempt to stall, "We told you already, sweetheart. You shouldn't worry about that now."

Jessie shook her head, not accepting being patronized any longer, "They did things to me, mom, and I deserve to know why. They said things about you and about things that happened in the past and I want to know."

Estella sighed as she looked away from her daughter, "We did what we thought was best at the time."

"You and Director Corbin?" Jessie prodded.

Estella nodded, "Well he wasn't the Director back then, but yes. You'll meet Doctor Natalie Smith at the debriefing tomorrow."

"Why is she so special?" Even though she didn't know the woman, Jessie had a slight bit of resentfulness in her towards the handicapped Doctor. She knew it was wrong to have such feelings, after all the woman had just been a teenager not much younger than Jessie, when she was injured and thrown into the situation, but Jessie couldn't shake off her judgements just yet.

Estella shrugged, "She was just a girl that was injured during a horrible war. We wanted to keep her safe as well as that damned stone." The last two words growled forth from her lips.

"Ah yes," Jessie smirked, perturbed more than she really felt she should have been. "The stone that holds secrets. That we no longer have."

"Phil has it."

"What's he going to do with it?"

Estella hesitated, but Jessie picked up on it immediately; her mother knew. "Or should I ask what are you both going to do with it?"

"You don't need to worry about that, Jess," Estella said with a determination that made Jessie flinch, "Just know that this is over now."

Jessie sat silently for a moment, not sure how to proceed, finally she decided to change the subject; perhaps she'd get better answers from someone else about the stone. "So why do we have to wait until tomorrow for the debriefing? I just really want to go home."

"I know, Jessie. Believe me, we all do. But Doctor Quest and Director Corbin had some business to take care of today."

"What kind of business?" Jessie asked.

"I don't know."

"About us? Or Dad?"

"I really don't know," Estella answered. "They wouldn't say."

"You know something, mom?"

"What is it?"

Jessie suddenly smiled, "I really can't believe you shot Mr. Corbin."

Estella was taken aback by her daughter's statement and stared, mouth agape, back at the red-headed teen.

Jessie started laughing hysterically, "I mean, wow, you actually shot him. That took balls, mom!"

Estella felt horrified and desperately tried to hold back a laugh, but couldn't contain it any longer and burst out laughing as well. While she didn't find that act of attempted murder funny, and neither did Jessie, they used the incident to release some built up tension about the entire situation.

"Lucky for him I'm not a very good shot!"

"No kidding, mom!" Jessie said as the laughter between the two women slowly died away.

Finally, silence filled the room again and Jessie turned back towards the window. A moment later there was a knock at the door. Estella went and opened it, revealing Race and Jonny.

"We heard some noises," Race said, still on alert.

"We were just sharing a few laughs is all," Estella said.

Race eyed her but said nothing. Jonny pulled a chair away from the large oak desk in the room and went and sat next to Jessie, "Hey, Ace, how you feeling?"

Jessie smiled a bit and nodded, "I'm okay."

"I was thinking, it's a nice day out, so instead of being cooped up in here, we can go for a walk or something."

Jessie felt her chest tighten; torn between the idea of staying in the room where she was safe, but reminded of her recent confinement, or going outside where she would feel vulnerable and not in control. Jessie knew the signs of post-traumatic stress, but she still fought against accepting the idea that she was suffering from it already.

Jonny seemed to pick up on her hesitation and gently took her hand, and soothingly whispered, "It's okay. If you don't want to go outside, we can stay here, or in the hotel."

Jessie shook her head, she didn't want to let fear take over. If she let it in now, it would never release its hold on her. Standing up she said, "No, I want to go," Looking at her parents she said, "We'll be okay."

Race and Estella exchanged worried glances. "Are you sure, Ponchita? I can follow…"

Raising a hand she cut her father off, "No, dad, no tails. We'll be fine and besides, Jonny will protect me." She smiled at the blonde.

With a heavy sigh, Race acquiesced, "Fine, but be back soon. I don't know how soon Benton will be back, but hopefully before dinner time."

"Thanks, dad," She went and gave her dad a hug and a peck on the cheek. Then she hugged her mom, but Estella could tell there was rigidity in her daughter's muscles.

An hour later Jonny and Jessie were seated on the edge of the steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial. The sun was bright and only a few clouds spotted the otherwise clear blue sky. Tourists milled about, snapping family photos while pointing out directions to the next stop on their sight-seeing tour. The blonde and the red head watched the people silently, both lost in thought as to what had just transpired in their lives over the last week.

Jessie let out a long sigh, drawing a concerned look from Jonny. Reaching for her hand, Jonny took it tenderly into his and softly asked, "You okay, Ace?"

Jessie shrugged, "Mmmmhmmm…" she hummed. Leaning back her face was raised towards the sky, soaking up the sun. Closing her eyes she said, "It feels good to be outside…in the sun…but," Her reluctance to speak freely concerned Jonny, but he knew it best not to prod too much. She lowered her head and turned he gaze towards her best friend and confidant. Her green eyes shone with life, but also with trepidation and worry. "The openness…" She glanced around at the tourists, "It's beginning to bother me, Jonny. "

"We can go," Jonny said, pulling Jessie to her feet. "We can keep moving if that helps."

Jessie nodded, "Yeah, let's walk around some more before heading back to the hotel."

Jonny smiled and was pleased to see Jessie smile in return. He knew it would take time, but eventually Jessie would be back to her old self again. Inwardly, he dedicated himself to making sure that he was there to support her through the entire healing process.

Reaching the bottom step, Jonny asked, "Where to, Ace?"

"Let's just walk and see where we end up." Jessie replied as she wrapped her arm around Jonny's waist, "As long as we are together that is what matters to me right now."

The feel of Jessie's body against his gave him comfort and he could tell that it did the same for her; she did not feel tense anymore. Placing his arm around her shoulders he gently brushed her hair aside and said, "Sounds good to me."

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"I think we can both agree that this is the best course of action for everyone involved." Corbin stated.

He sat in his office, the same office that Estella had tried to kill him in. In less than a week, the carpet had been replaced and his computer was fixed. Except for the memories, there was no trace of anything to remind him of the attempted murder on his life.

Doctor Quest occupied one of the chairs directly across from the Director's desk. The two men had been discussing potential scenarios for the future, but Benton could tell that Corbin was still physically exhausted from his ordeal.

"I do, but perhaps you should get some rest, Phil," Benton suggested. "You look like hell."

Corbin smiled briefly, but he didn't argue with the famous scientist.

When he saw the agent wasn't going to respond, Benton continued, "We can always discuss this at a later time; after you've had some time to recover."

Corbin shook his head and leaned forward. His wounded shoulder was still bothering him to the point he kept his arm snugly against the side of his body from time to time, "I do not want any of you to have to come back because of this matter."

"I'll still continue to consult for you as needed." Benton stated.

Corbin nodded, "I appreciate that, Doctor Quest. We'll meet again tomorrow morning before the debriefing."

Benton glanced at his watch, "It getting late. I should head back to the hotel."

"I can drop you off on my way home." Corbin suggested.

"You can drive?"

Corbin smiled, "Of course. I'm not dead you know. Besides, I need to talk to Estella briefly before I head home myself."

"Alright, but that brings up another question." Benton stated.

Phil was half way standing when he stopped and locked eyes with Benton. Slowly sitting back down the Director asked, "What question would that be?"

"What are you planning to do with the stone?"

Corbin held Benton's gaze, then slowly a sly smile crossed the man's lips, "I was hoping that with all the craziness that you'd be half way back to Maine before you realized that we hadn't discussed the stone."

Benton smirked, "That doesn't answer my question."

"I have a plan."

"Are you going to destroy it?" Benton continued to force the issue, not letting Corbin off the hook so easily.

"I do not, for one second, believe there is some magical method of storing information on the stone. That is nothing but a fantasy. However, I do recognize its historical significance."

"Jonny said he felt something odd when he touched it."

"It was probably his nerves. We were all pretty wound up."

"So, again, what do you plan to do with it?" Benton asked.

"Do you want it?" Corbin asked, catching Benton off guard. He had not expected the other man to offer it up.

But he shook his head and said, "No, I would like to see it go to a museum or someplace where it can be studied. Even without the mythological aspects, it is still a fabulous piece of craftsmanship and has such historical value to so many people."

Then Benton added, "It would be a shame if you destroyed it just to prove a point."

Benton studied the other man. While he trusted Corbin as a man of integrity and honor, he was still human and still susceptible to acting irrationally out of a need for revenge. Corbin's eyes narrowed, his lips pursed in a thin line. "I will do what is right, Doctor Quest."

"I hope you do, Phil. I hope you do." Benton rose and Corbin followed suit.

Almost thirty minutes later, Corbin pulled up in front of the hotel where the Quests and Bannons were staying. The drive over had been in relative silence, with a few remarks about the weather and other small talk pleasantries about Corbin's family and how they were holding up. It had not been Benton's intention, but he seemed to have put the I-1 agent on edge with his inquiries about the stone.

Putting the vehicle in park, but leaving the engine running, Corbin got out of the car and walked over to the passenger side, just as Benton was emerging. "I'll just call Estella later," Phil stated, "I really want to get home to see my family."

"Understandable," Benton said as he shook the younger man's hand. Even with his injuries, Corbin still possessed a strong, firm handshake. Benton turned to head inside, but turned back as Phil called his name.

"Benton, I'll do what's right. You know that."

Benton walked back over to the agent and looking him in the eyes said, "I know you will, Phil. Just remember there is a fine line between revenge and justice."

Corbin took in the man's words and Benton turned back around and headed into the hotel, leaving the I-1 agent to contemplate his next course of action.

Corbin watched the scientist enter the hotel, wondering for probably the thousandth time if they were making the right decision. As he got back in his car his cell phone rang; fishing it from his suit jacket pocket he looked, recognizing the number.

Answering the phone he said, "That was fast."

"You know that's how I work." The voice on the other end replied.

"Do you have it?"

"Of course. Have I ever let you down before?"

Corbin ignored the question and said, "When will you be here? I need it by tomorrow morning."

"My flight lands just after midnight."

"Good. I'll meet you at the airport. Send me your flight information."

"You owe me a lot for this one, Phil. This wasn't easy with such short notice."

"But isn't that how you work?" He shot back at the caller.

The caller responded with a sly chuckle, "See you at the airport."

The caller hung up. Phil smiled inwardly and shook his head as he put the car in drive and pulled away from the hotel.

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"Why don't you come back to Maine with us for a while, Stel?" Race asked. He and Estella had finished a light dinner at the hotel's restaurant and had adjourned to the bar. Race sipped a scotch as he studied his former wife. "You probably shouldn't be alone after all you've been through."

Estella traced her finger along the edge of her wine glass, appearing deep in thought. "We've never been the best at sharing our feelings with each other, Roger." She replied.

Race took her hand gently in his, "It's never too late to start, you know. And you know Jessie needs you as well."

"What happened to Jessie was my fault," Estella replied, her eyes averted from locking with Race's gaze. "I don't know that she would forgive me, or that she really even should."

"There was no way you could have known these things would have happened. Not after such a long period of time. I think you're being too hard on yourself, Estella."

Estella shook her head, "No, you just don't understand."

"Then enlighten me." The words came out of his mouth a little too harshly.

Estella looked up at him and then pulled her hand away from his. "This is how it always starts, Roger. You expect me to bare my soul to you at the drop of a hat, but you never did the same. You don't understand at all!"

Race flinched at her words as if he had been smacked in the gut, caught by surprise by Estella's sudden change in demeanor. He felt his face flare and drained the rest of his scotch. Setting the glass down, he motioned at the bartender for another. He heard Estella snort.

"I don't want to start an argument, Estella." He said turning back to her, "I want to help, but you always do this. You treat me like some sort of beast. You know we were once in love!"

Estella exhaled and returned to her wine. As Race's words sunk in she was reminded about how complicated her relationship with Race Bannon really was.

As the silence stretched on, Race was getting impatient. "Estella, look. If you won't come back to Maine for me, do it for Jessie at least."

Those words seemed to get through to her and she nodded slowly, "Okay, but I have to do something here first."

Race blinked. "What? What is there left to do?"

"I can't tell you that, Roger. You just have to trust me."

Race saw that the bartender had filled his order so he took another long pull from the glass. "Does it involved Corbin?"

Estella did not answer, so Race knew he was right. "What are you two planning? Does it involve the woman you've both gone to such great lengths to protect?"

"You say that like what we did was wrong. Just leave it be, please." Estella pleaded, again refusing to look her ex in the eyes.

"I don't like this, Estella. I don't like it one bit. You don't work for him anymore, you don't have to follow his orders anymore."

"I'm not following orders, Race." Estella replied, anger creeping into her voice. "Things happened back then, things that we need to ensure are finally over."

Race's eyes narrowed as the hair on the back of his neck tingled; always a sign that he knew something was not as it seemed. "What exactly was the nature of your relationship with Phil?"

Estella let of a short laugh as she rolled her eyes back at Race, "Is that what you think, Race? You think this is about him and me? That we were lovers or something?"

"Were you?"

"No! And how dare you even insinuate such as thing! People died and all you think is that I was sleeping with your boss!" Estella stood and gathered her purse, "Did you forget that you and I were actually married at that time? That he was married as well? You never cease to amaze me, Roger."

Race stood to block her path, "Estella, I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

Estella paused, "No, Race, you did mean it. But I've come to expect such from you."

"That's not fair, Stel." Race shot back.

"And you accusing me of adultery is? After all this crap, that is what you're thinking?" Estella stared him down with defiance. "We were part of a team, that's it. Some bad things happened there and you know something, Roger," She spoke his name laced with contempt, "Phil was a lot better listener than you ever have been. He recognized that what I was experiencing wasn't normal for me and he helped me through that. If that bothers you, well too bad. That's something he and I will always share."

"But you did try to kill him." Race pointed out unnecessarily.

Estella stared at her ex in disbelief; amazed that he would throw that back in her face just to try and win an argument. Glaring at him she responded, "Phil and I have unfinished business related to this matter, that's it. Once we are done, I'll come to Maine, for Jessie's sake."

Estella brushed past him, not giving him a chance to respond; watching her go Race shook his head. He could be such an ass sometimes and it seemed that neither he nor Estella could carry on a conversation with the other very long before it turned into an argument. Some people were just that way.

He sat back down to finish his drink.

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It was almost eight o'clock when Jonny and Jessie returned to the hotel. They had spent the afternoon and into the evening walking, seeing the sites, grabbing a quiet dinner together, and then just walking some more. As much as he wanted, Jonny didn't pry Jessie for any information about her trouble; he knew that she was suffering from the torment her kidnappers had inflicted upon her, but he didn't want to force her to talk before she was ready. For now, it was enough consolation that those men were all dead.

"Let's just sit down here for a while." Jessie said, motioning towards a quiet corner of the immense lobby.

"We should at least let our dads know we are back." Jonny said. "Maybe Hadji can join us?"

Jessie nodded, "I'd like that."

Jonny withdrew his phone and sent a quick text message to both his dad and Race. Then he texted Hadji to ask him to come down to the lobby.

They chose an unoccupied corner of the lobby with large, overstuffed chairs. The lighting was low, creating a calming essence throughout the area. A few minutes later, Hadji emerged in the lobby and Jonny waved him over.

"How are you feeling, Jessie?" Hadji asked as he pulled one of the chairs closer, forming a somewhat enclosed space between the three teens.

"I'm better." Jessie said, meeting his gaze. "That bastard chopped my hair though!" She added with a smile.

"It'll grow back," Jonny offered.

"But it's all uneven now."

Hadji took a risk and said, "Well at least they didn't make you dye it like they did to your mother."

Jessie giggled and soon all three were racked with laughter. Perhaps laughing at such a dire event was not common, but it helped to relieve the panic and worry that had built up in the young girl.

"We are wrong for laughing." Jonny said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"They say that laughter is the best medicine, Jonny." Hadji suggested.

"That and being with those you love." Jessie said, as the trio quieted down. "I'm just so lucky to have you guys here to support me."

"Never in a million years would we be anywhere else." Jonny said and Jessie thought she could see him puffing his chest out a bit.

"I heard you both were very brave," Jessie said. "Jonny, you even took out some of those goons trying to protect my mom and that young woman."

Jonny blushed, "It was nothing."

"What matters is that you are safe now, Jessie, and that we can all go home soon." Hadji stated.

"I don't see why we have to stay any longer though," Jonny added turning serious.

"Intelligence One wants to debrief us." Hadji said.

Jessie wrung her hands, "I mom said this was all over that stone."

"That's what they said." Jonny added, "I held the stone for a bit and it was rather odd now that I think back to it."

Hadji filled Jessie in on the history of the stone, why the men who took her and her mother wanted it, and what it was allegedly capable of.

"And Director Corbin has it now? That's what my mom told me." Jessie asked.

"He made your dad give it back to him in Baltimore after you were rescued." Jonny confirmed.

"I want to see it."

"We will see it tomorrow at the debriefing I am sure." Hadji added.

Jessie nodded as a hushed quiet came over the group. They sat for some time, just being in each other's company was enough to settle Jessie's frayed nerves and put her anxieties at ease.

Close to an hour had passed before the teens all decided it was time to head back up to their rooms.

"Tomorrow will be here before we know it." Jonny said.

"Good," Jessie replied as they reached the elevators. "I just want to get this over with and get back home to some familiarity."

"Same here." Jonny replied and put his arm around Jessie's shoulders, pulling her close.

"Likewise, my friends." Hadji added as the elevator chime alerted.

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To be Continued…

A/N: No action here as things begin to wrap up. I hope the wait wasn't too long and I'll be starting the next chapter as soon as possible so I can wrap this story up, mark it complete, and move on to the next one!