Good evening! Hope you all had a nice holiday. Here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy it. I made a lot of changes to this chapter. Hopefully, I didn't dig myself into a hole. YIKES!

TJ12398: I'm dedicating this chapter to you! Just because you wanted some J/J action. This is only the beginning ;) Sorry, I'm killing you, smalls! LOL!

Harry101: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Action scenes take so long to write and you have to be so careful about how you describe the scene around it. So, thank you. I still need a lot of work, but the more I write the better I get with them.

LadyTrish: Thank you for reading! Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it.

Jdcocoagirl: So you liked the chaos…good. BTW, it will get even more chaotic

BabiBrito: As promised, here you go!

Playlist:

Sarajevo: Blackmill

Luna: Smashing Pumpkins

Vienna: The Fray

Chapter 19

On their flight back to Maine, Race watched Zack read once again an airplane magazine that he had been holding on to for over an hour. Neither man spoke since they settled in their chairs before takeoff. But, they felt restless and anxious after hearing that Jonny had been in the states all along, and that Jessie was with him. They couldn't pray enough to be out of the airplane and on the ground as fast as possible.

"You know, the articles in that magazine won't spontaneously change to new ones just because you keep reading the same pages over and over," Race told his friend who sat on the aisle seat opposite to him. Agent Queen, along with the FBI headquarters in Spain, made arrangements with the airline to make room for both Race and Zack. They were given first class aisle seats across from each other. The flight had been calm and the crew had made sure to provide them with everything they could offer. Still, the only thing Race and Zack wanted more was to arrive sooner than the anticipated time.

"What time is it?" Zack asked as he closed the magazine.

"Thirty minutes past the last time you asked me," Race sighed. "We still have a little more than half way to go."

"You think Benton and Ethan will make it before we do?"

"Possibly," Race nodded. "They have a direct flight. We have a connecting flight that lands in Kansas. From there, there's another three and a half hours before landing in Portland."

"Maybe we should call Hadji again," Zack advised.

"He texted me that they had landed in New Hampshire safely with Phil not too long ago," Race shook his head, "I'm sure if something happened someone would have called us. Besides, I don't want anyone to screw up because I'm pushing too hard from afar."

Zack closed his eyes, "You're good Bannon. If it was my daughter…" he didn't, or rather, couldn't finish the sentence. The man inwardly sighed, thinking that he shouldn't have said anything in the first place. Race must have been a nervous wreck at the moment. Knowing that his daughter was with an assassin was not something that could keep anyone calm, "I'm sorry, man."

"Don't be," Race smiled dully, trying to remain calm. "It's killing me that I don't have control of the situation at the moment. But, I'm also pissed off that Jessie would have taken these measures."

At this Zack smiled a bit, "You're getting mad at Jessie? Race, she did exactly what you would have done if placed in the exact scenario."

"Bull!"

Turning to his friend with the white set of hair, Zack answered, "You're so full of crap Bannon. Tell me, if you had seen Jonny, wouldn't you have followed him? Wouldn't you have gone after him? Tell me that you wouldn't have told protocol to fly a kite?"

Race, about to answer, ate his words. He knew that Zack was right. Jessie was a chip off the old block when it came to taking action and bending the rules.

"See!" this time Zack laughed, trying to brighten the mood a little.

Race found himself laughing as well before his voice dimmed and grew serious again, "I hope she's safe."

Growing serious too, the other I-1 agent responded, "Jessie's a smart girl, Race. She'll be fine. It does help that she is as smart and as quick as her old man."

"Jonny doesn't know her," he reminded Zack. "This is a whole different ballgame. This isn't our Jonny. She's with a stranger."

"From what Claire said, Jessie feels safe."

"Yes," Race sighed, "But, for how long?"

XXXXXXXXXX

If all went according to plan, the Master would set foot at Portland Airport at exactly 6:15pm. That would mean the next day if he followed the Western Hemisphere's time zone. Right now, DR128 should be driving back to Maine from New Hampshire. If he doesn't make too many stops, he will make it back midmorning and still have enough time to rest somewhere before our flight to Amsterdam. He was sure DR128 would take care of the Bannon girl somewhere in between.

Satisfied with that thought, the Master put his energies in other pressing considerations. Once in Maine, he'd find someone to take care of Benton Quest. Total chaos would erupt and allow him and Aidan enough time to disappear for good.

The Master was satisfied for the most part, but something else was still tipping the scales and it was not necessarily his way.

He hadn't heard anything regarding Oliver. That meant the doctor never made it to his apartment where one of the agency's assassins had planted a potent gas that would eliminate him. The good doctor had created it himself as an untraceable poison to be used in certain assignments where events needed to look…natural.

The plan was that as soon as Oliver walked into his apartment, he'd smell the invisible vapors coming out of the vents and immediately die from brain aneurysm. It was a flawless, beautiful plan. The agency heads would never question something so likely to happen to a man of the Doctor's age. But, truthfully it would have been death by the bastard's own creation, a magnificent end to the bastard that couldn't have been written better by Shakespeare himself!

Yet, the Doctor never made it to the apartment.

Silently, the Master snorted. He knew where his former friend was heading. But as a man who prepared for anything, he already planned for the alternative. If he didn't get him at the apartment, he was sure to get him exactly where he knew he'd head. He'd kill two birds with one stone.

Things were looking bright, despite the inconsistencies of the past few days.

Bannon will be too busy trying to find his daughter to figure out who killed his friend. And the others will be too busy finding Benton's killer.

"Sir, would you like a drink?" he suddenly heard a stewardess ask him. Bringing him out of his current thoughts, she smiled, "We have a wonderful spirit selection if I do say so myself." She was a pretty young girl with short blonde hair and green eyes and was obviously flirting with him.

Master smiled. Pretty, but not nearly as beautiful as my Rachel. "Sure, why not?" he was feeling great.

"Anything particular?"

"Surprise me," he replied with a smile as the woman giggled and began looking for the perfect drink.

XXXXXXXXXX

As soon as Jessie heard Jonny tell her to make the call, she didn't hesitate. She picked up the phone and dialed the number. Putting the phone on speaker, Jonny heard his supposed brother's voice. He sounded distressed and concerned for Jessie.

"Jessie! Are you alright?"

"Yes," she nodded absentmindedly. "We are fine, Hadji."

"Where are you?"

"Hadji, we just got off the ramp," she answered, still a bit fluttered. "Before, I continue, you need to know that Jonny is listening to this conversation."

Hadji paused before finally saying, "I am so happy you are coming back to us, Jonny."

Jonny didn't respond. He looked at Jessie with an angry look in his eyes before he turned away from her and stared at the highway traffic.

"Listen Hadji," Jessie said when she realized that Jonny would not answer, "I need the address to the tarmac."

"But—"

"Once we are there, I'll explain everything to you," Jessie replied firmly.

After telling them where they were, Jessie plugged the address on the phone's GPS. It took them about twenty five minutes to arrive at the Tarmac. The ride had been deathly quiet, but Jessie could tell that Jonny was trying desperately to keep his emotions in check. She wondered, what was in his mind at times. It's probably the first time he truly does not feel safe, she thought.

Every once in a while, Jessie noticed his face. She could tell that his anger dissipated as he continued driving. She hoped that there wouldn't be too much of it by the time they reached their friends. Jonny, what could possibly be on your mind now?

Once they arrived at their destination, Jonny parked the car and turned off the engine. They could see the plane a few hundred feet away. Looking at Jessie, he asked, "Are you sure we can trust them?"

"I trust them with my life," she answered firmly. "Just like I trust you."

He looked halfway convinced, "I've never depended on anyone, Jessica. I don't know how to trust. And I don't know these people."

She took his hand and gently squeezed it, "Yes, you do. They are your family, our family. And, I know that you can trust. You trust me, don't you? You are capable of so much Jonny, you just don't know it, yet. And, I would never put you in harm's way. I lost you so many years ago and now that I've found you, I will do anything and everything to keep you safe."

Jonny looked into Jessie's eyes and saw that there were no lies in them. What she said was true. Yet, he found it so hard to believe that this woman, so smart, so gentle, could confuse him with this other man who apparently she loved.

With her other hand, Jessie caressed Jonny's cheek, "I will keep you safe Jonny. If you don't want to go in, then we will drive away now and I will follow whatever you tell me. But, I beg that you don't. Hadji loves you and wants nothing more than to help his brother, who he has been searching for too. Please, give them a chance."

Looking into Jessie's soft eyes, Jonny felt the urge to kiss her. Her face was that of an ethereal goddess, the ones that he imagined when learning the history, cultures and literature of the places he visited. He desperately wanted to lean over and take what he craved, but he refrained. So many mixed feelings, so much chaos around him. Could he really feel what he was feeling?

"Jonny?"

He was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts by her voice, "I'm sorry."

"Are you alright?" she asked concerned.

"I'm fine, Jessica," he nodded curtly. He closed his eyes for a second before answering her, "If you trust these people…I'll make the effort."

She smiled and kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

They both got out of the car. Jonny popped opened the trunk and picked up the two duffel bags. One carrying his clothes, the other his guns.

Jessie noticed that the gun that he had taken out at the checkpoint was hidden away under his shirt in his back. She hoped that no one inside would make him pull it out.

They walked toward the Gulfstream G550 plane, a beautiful white plane with the Quest Logo splattered on the sides. Jessie felt Jonny's trepidation. Even though he looked cool and collected, she watch as he studied the plane intently, observing every opening, every window, anything that seemed important. He is looking for an escape route, she thought.

Once they got close enough, Jessie watched the pilot walk out of the entrance door, "Jessie, it's good to see you." It was an older man, in his early fifties with the beginnings of grey sprinkled around his full set of brown hair. He turned to look at Jonny and his eyes widened, "Jonny?"

Jonny raised his brow. He's playing this game too?

Jessie looked at the captain and smiled, "Good to see you too Charlie." Coming closer to Jonny, she put her hand around his arm, "It is Jonny." Turning to Jonny, she said, "Jonny, this is Charles Cameron, or as we call him, Charlie. He's been one of your father's pilots for the Quest planes."

When Jessie put her hand on him, he knew she was asking him to, in a way, follow her lead. He'd have to play this ridiculous game. Using his unoccupied hand, he raised it toward Charlie, "It's good to meet you Charlie."

"Charlie, Jonny's going through a bit of a memory laps," Jessie gently told him as the pilot looked at Jonny with a perplexed look as he shook his hand. "I'm sure he'll remember a lot of things in time."

"Sorry to hear that kid," the pilot immediately told them as he opened the plane's doors for them, "But don't worry, if there is anybody who can fix that it's your dad." The pilot smiled. "Please come in. I'll start preparing everything here outside for takeoff. Hadji said we are heading back to Maine."

"Yes," she smiled looking at Jonny. "We are going home."

"Good to hear," the pilot nodded. "Welcome home Jonny. We've missed you."

Inwardly holding his frustration, Jonny nodded and proceeded to follow Jessie inside the plane.

As the two went in, Charlie made his way around the plane speaking to the airport personnel. Walking in, Jonny noticed the inside of the 14 passenger plane with leather seating, and a conference table. But what surprised him more were the three people who stared back at him.

It was graveyard silence. Dark, lonely and filled with uncertainties. No one knew what to say. And, for a few seconds, no one did. Then, Claire stood up, "Jessie!" She ran toward her friend and threw her arms around her. "God, you scared the hell out of me. Don't ever do that to me again!"

Hugging her friend, Jessie answered, "I promise I won't."

Once they separated, Claire looked at Jonny, "So you're the reason why this whole family's gone crazy all of a sudden. Welcome back."

He looked at the blonde in surprise, but didn't say a thing.

Jonny turned to see the Indian man walk up to him, "Thank God. I thought I would never see you again." Hadji attempted to hug his brother, but Jonny stepped back, "I'm sorry," he suddenly said uneasily. "You don't remember me. I'm‒"

"Hadji," Jonny finished for him. "You're…ah…my brother. Jessica told me about you."

Hadji smiled and nodded as he looked at Jessie before hugging her, "It is good to see you again. We have been quite worried about you."

"I'm good Hadj," she gave her friend a small gentle smile after breaking away from him, "I've been in good hands."

Wanting the awkward moment to pass as naturally as possible, Jessie gently tapped Jonny's shoulder and directed his gaze to the other man in the room, "I think you met Phil Corvin already."

Jonny looked at the man uneasily, "At the ball."

Corvin looked at him seriously, trying to study the kid. Mixed feeling enveloped him. The kid looked exactly like Jonny. There was no denying it was him, but the look the kid gave him sent chills up his spine, "You really don't remember any of us do you?"

"I remember you," Jonny replied. "I was told to make sure you didn't see me."

Phil Corvin looked at him curiously, "Who told you that?"

Jonny shook his head, "It's not relevant—"

"Of course it's relevant! How can we help you if‒"

"Agent Corvin!" Jessie widened her eyes, "Jonny's right. Right, now, it isn't important. What we need is your help. I told Jonny you would help us, unconditionally."

"Jessie," Phil tried to reason.

"We will do whatever you want," Hadji interjected as he looked at his brother. "How can we help?"

They were all interrupted as they heard Charlie's voice telling them that he was about to begin procedures for takeoff and to choose their seats before buckling up.

"Let's take a seat," Jessie suggested. "There's a lot to talk about."

XXXXXXXXXX

Benton Quest felt someone shaking his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he watched Ethan look at him with concern, "Benton, are you alright?"

Nodding, Dr. Quest put his hand over his eyes, "I must have dozed off."

"Yes, for about two hours or so," the English man confirmed. "You looked tired. Didn't want to wake you, but, you seemed to be having a nightmare of sorts."

Sitting up, Benton answered, "It wasn't a nightmare. Actually, I dreamed that Jonny walked into the house…he was smiling. Told me that he had missed me for so long." The doctor smiled, "It was a good dream. I must have been more excited than I thought."

Ethan looked at him for a moment before offering Benton a smile of his own, "The moment will come my friend."

Sighing, the doctor answered, "I hope so Ethan. Right now, things look grim. He doesn't remember anyone of us, he's done things…I just hope I can save him."

"He will be saved," Ethan assured him. "Jonny will be safe. And, with regards to his memory…well, no one but the ones that love him can help him. You've got to believe that he will be fine."

"You're right," Quest answered firmly. "Jonny will be fine. "

"Look at it this way, Benton," he responded, "We were able to find him. It's a start."

"You are right about that Ethan."

A few seconds later, the stewardess approached them, "Would any of you gentleman like another cocktail?"

"Actually, I would," Ethan answered as the woman began taking out a glass from the metal rolling compartment where the drinks were stored, "Let me have a vodka on the rocks. Benton, what would you like?"

"Actually nothing," the doctor shook his head. "I think I had enough with that last drink."

"What are you talking about? We had bloody gin and tonic Chap! That's not a drink!" Ethan exclaimed as he laughed.

"Then, I must have been more tired than I thought," Benton answered as he rubbed his eyes with his hand, "I'm still feeling a bit dragged."

"Don't blame it on the drink," the agent responded as the woman handed the drink to him, "You haven't slept well in days. It just caught up to you."

"Probably," Benton paused. "How long until we get home?"

"Midday tomorrow most likely. We still have ways to go," Ethan answered, "We will make it faster than Race and Zach. We'll gain an advance."

"You're right," the doctor sighed, "I just hope it's to our benefit."

"Don't worry," Ethan responded as he sipped his drink, "It will be."

XXXXXXXXX

After takeoff, Jessie began explaining to Jonny and the rest of the group, how she'd created Phoenix, how the program was able to locate Jonny at the club and how she and Claire figured out that Jonny would be at the ball. Jonny stared at her as she spoke. There were times that Jessie wasn't sure if he looked at her with admiration or something else. Either way, he didn't question her side of the story.

The conversation turned to Jonny who had told them about his assignment, how Jessie ended up saving him, and the man that was after them. He also shared with the group that the Master wanted Jessie dead and why he needed Jessie to hide until he could promise her safety.

"So, let me get this straight," Claire sighed as she turned her attention to the blonde young man, "You need to hide Jessie until you can convince your boss not to kill her?"

"It's not only about Jessie," Jonny answered coldly, "He may very well send me to kill all of you. Operatives are never discovered. This entire assignment was compromised. When things are compromised, we clean it up."

Shaking his head, most likely in awe of what he had heard, Corvin shook his head, "Jonny, how do you plan on stopping your boss? I have no doubts that he will stop at nothing to make sure that Jessie is dead. What can possibly make you think you can convince him?"

Looking at the I-1 agent, Jonny simply answered, "I never said I could."

"Well, what's going to happen, then?" Corvin kept asking as his voice rose. He then realized the meaning of Jonny's words. His eyes widened, "Kid, you can't do this!"

Jessie looked at the I-1 agent with annoyance. She knew Corvin's attitude would not help to convince Jonny that the group was there to help. "Mr. Corvin," she suddenly interrupted. She looked at him as if saying, Don't patronize him.

"Do you all realize what he's saying?" Corvin looked at the group. "Believe me, I am on your side. But, it is in your best interest to stop this now and let us handle it." Looking at Jonny, Phil Corvin pleaded, "You don't have to do this. If you tell me what you know, I'll have the agency handle everything. Jonny, you'll be in danger going on your own."

Staring at the man in front of him, Jonny answered, "Your agency can not stop us. You haven't done so in years. Why would you believe you can now?"

"We have resources‒"

"You have nothing," Jonny stated firmly. Then, he smiled sardonically, "You don't have a lead for the ambassador's murder that took place in your backyard, am I correct, Agent Corvin? How about the assassination of the former Prime Minister of England two years ago? Or, the Minister of State in Guinea last year? I could go on and on, but I guarantee that every single case I tell you still runs cold, doesn't it?"

Corvin looked at the young man with evident shock. He was right. At the moment, all the cases mentioned were still open with no leads.

Seeing that Corvin was not going to answer, Jonny continued, "Your resources are not match for us. For him."

"You keep including yourself," Claire replied with a low voice, "Do you consider yourself part of them?"

Turning to Claire, he answered coldly, "I've always been part of them. Whether I like it or not."

Hadji looked at Jessie with sad eyes. He wished he could tell his brother that he was part of them, part of their family. Problem was that Jonny wouldn't believe it.

Soon they heard that they had to get ready for landing. Charlie asked for them to put on their seat belts and to stay in their seats. Once they landed, the group quickly unfastened their seat belts and began to stand. Jonny didn't waste any time, "We should get going Jessica."

"Right," she nodded.

"Where you going?" Corvin asked.

"Dr. Quest's cabin in Acadia," Jessie answered, "No one knows about it and since it's not under Dr. Quest's name. Jonny's hoping that by me staying out of sight, I'll buy him more time to do…whatever he needs to do. No one will plan to look for me there."

Corvin shook his head with shock, "Jessie, are you listening to yourself? This is wrong; you need to convince him that there are other ways. What the hell am I supposed to tell your father when he hears this?"

"He'll understand, Mr. Corvin," she tried to reason as she spoke not only with her voice, but her eyes, "Right now, I have to trust Jonny, not only for my safety…you need to understand why I have to do this!"

"This isn't the way!" he insisted.

"It's the only way, right now," she countered back.

During their argument, Corvin, Jessie and Hadji were so enthralled in the conversation, that none of them noticed how Jonny casually brought his hand to his back to retrieve the gun he hid. No one, but Claire.

After the landing, she unbuckled, just as everyone did and headed to the back of the plane to retrieve her bag. During the group's discussion, she turned and watched what was happening, noticing Jonny's sudden move. Without anyone noticing, she unzipped the bag containing the gun and the vials. She needed to make sure that Jonny didn't do anything stupid. Quietly, she inserted one of the vials into the gun. As both Phil Corvin and Jessie's argument elevated, Claire watched Jonny slowly pull out the gun and began to raise it. Claire whipped out hers fast, pointed and shot.

Everyone was stunned as Phil Corvin's body made a loud thump on the ground.

"Oh my God!" Jessie screamed. Running to Corvin, Jessie kneeled down. "Jonny, did you…"

"No," he shook his head, as he turned to Claire, who still held the gun. "She did."

Hadji and Jessie turned to the blonde. Hadji shocked, looked at Claire, "What did you do?"

"Is it going to harm him?" Claire asked, a little nervous.

"No," Hadji shook his head as he looked at the man on the floor, "But he is not going to be happy when he wakes up." Looking at his brother, he said, "Help me put him on one of the chairs."

Doing as told, Hadji and Jonny put Phil Corvin on a chair. Hadji checked his pulse and found it normal, "Like I said, he will live. We may not, but he will."

Looking at her friend, Jessie asked, "Why did you do that?"

"Because your boy‒"

"Claire!"

"Friend!" she corrected herself immediately, "Your friend…here was about to pull out his gun and I…just beat him to it. Besides, he wouldn't have let you guys go, would he?"

Turning, to Jonny, Jessie asked, "Were you going to kill him?" She looked angry.

"No," he answered calmly. "But, I was prepared to make sure he'd let us leave."

Sighing in frustration, Jessie asked, "How long will he be out?"

"A few hours," Hadji replied. "This should give you enough time to leave. By the time he comes to, our parents may already be here and they can speak with him."

"Okay," she nodded, "I'll need to go home and pick up a few things."

"No need," Claire smiled as she pulled her bag out of the storage area, "You can use my bag. I packed for a few days."

"You did?" Jessie asked as she took her friend's bag. "Why?"

"I didn't know where we were going or for how long. Now I know that I'm going back home. You'll need it more than I do."

"You are one smart cookie!" Jessie hugged her friend.

"We'll need a ride," Jonny as he looked at Hadji and then Jessie.

"You can take mine," Hadji answered as took the keys out of his pocket and threw them at him. "It is parked by the entrance of the Tarmac."

Seeing that everything was ready and all they had to do was go, Jessie turned to Jonny, "We better go. Acadia is a two hour drive and we might as well grab something to eat and pick up some food on the way."

Opening the door of the plane, Jonny turned to the man Jessie had said was his brother, "Why are you helping us?"

"Because you are my brother and I trust you," Hadji answered as he walked up to Jonny, "The only thing I ask is that you come back safe. Our father wants nothing more than to see you."

Sighing, Jonny answered, "Please do not think I'm this person you refer to. I cannot be. I'm sure I look very much like him, but I'm not. I can't be."

"Why do you say that?" Hadji asked, "Why do you fight it?"

"Because," Jonny replied, "I am no one. I can't accept what I've never been." With that he walked out the door leaving everyone behind.

Turning to Jessie, Hadji said, "What do we do now?"

"I'm not letting him go just yet Hadji," she answered as she began to walk out.

"What do you mean by that?"

Looking at him, Jessie put her hand on his shoulder, "There's a reason why I want to go to that cabin. Once and for all, I 'm going to prove to him who he is and what he means to me." She said before walking out.

Once the two had left, Hadji turned to Claire, "What did she mean?"

"You and I still have much to talk about Hadj," Claire responded as she headed to the door, "But before we do, I want to see my friend off."

XXXXXXXXXX

Oliver looked at his watch. It would be another three hours before he landed in the states to take another plane that would lead him to New Hampshire. He'd then rent a car and drive to the checkpoint to see where he'd have to go next. He was hoping that DR128 was dead already. He didn't care much for the Bannon girl. She'd be easier to handle, but it was DR128 that needed to be eliminated. After that was done, then, it would be easier to get the Master.

Pulling out his laptop, he began doing more research, looking for places where DR128 and the Bannon girl might be in the event that they weren't dead or had managed to escape.

Looking over the information, he found the properties that Quest owned. Aside from the property in Maine, he also owned an apartment in New York and a villa in Rome. Oliver didn't think that they were either in New York or Europe at this point. The house on Maine would be the obvious place. That would prove challenging to get in, he thought as he clicked a button to look over the specs of the house.

Frustration rose a little. If they were in the house, it would be very hard to get to them. More, that would mean that Quest and Bannon knew he was alive. Getting rid of them would also be a challenge.

There has to be somewhere else, the doctor continued thinking. He began to read articles on Quest's research and soon found a link that led to another article that spoke of the doctor's philanthropy efforts. That sparked his attention. Maybe he was going the wrong route. Maybe he was looking at things the wrong way. Maybe, just maybe, with a little more patience, he'd find exactly what he was looking for.