Hi! Sorry, I've been behind on posting! I'll be honest, between work and a little trip to New York…I just fell behind. I'm posting this chapter without true editing. So, I'm so sorry if it sucks! Feel free to critique…I will re edit it, but I just want to make sure you get to read this chapter.

Hope you enjoy it.

TJ12398: Here it is as promised! And yes, you kind of got your wish in this one…

CubbiesFan1: Hope you like it! Thank you for your support and I hope we get to read each other's writings more.

Goodess Evie: Thank you so much! I have more emotions in here as well. I think we have to have it to end on a good note. The family is trying to break apart their insecurities and the elephants in the room. I just didn't want to end the fic without any of the emotions a situation like this would bring.

Jdcocoagirl: Ha! Surprised you huh! Well, I have a few more surprises in store. ;)

Playlist:

Helen Jane Long: Above All

Helen Jane Long: To Dust

Chapter 29

For the next few days, Jonny spent a lot time with his father as Benton told him more about himself, the Quest family and Jonny's own life prior to going missing. He had been on liquids for days, but the evening prior, the doctor gave out orders to start giving him solids. The oatmeal delivered the next morning looked very unappetizing, but Jessie noticed that he didn't complain. The nurse also lifted the bed, so Jonny was able to sit a little upright. He ate slowly. He wasn't hungry, but he knew he had to eat to get better. His pale pallor did not go unnoticed by his family. He could tell that they were still worried about him, even if they tried not to show it.

"I can't believe you are eating this," Jessie said as she gave him another spoonful.

"I need to build my strength," Jonny answered, still sounding tired. He and his father spent hours the night before going over the QuestWorld system and other devices that he helped his father create. It was a good talk. He didn't remember anything that Benton told him, but it was nice to hear all the things he supposedly did. He was even amazed to see his father's eyes light up about how smart he was.

Jessie made a face as she looked at the bowl, "You are very brave."

"Come on Ponchita, you're not making it any easier for him," Race chuckled as he put down the newspaper read from one of the chairs across the room.

Jessie shrugged and smiled and continued feeding Jonny while he made an effort to continue eating.

Race watched from afar his daughter. The look of love and complete devotion for Jonny still brought shock and concern. He turned and then looked at Jonny. He still looked much worn out, but what concerned him more was the dark gaze the kid still held. He was still uncomfortable around them. Race could tell he studied them as much as they studied him. Jonny had a lot of demons and he didn't want his daughter to be hurt while he fought them. Still, as much as he hated to admit, he also saw the same love and devotion coming from him. They were both in love. And for some reason, that didn't bother him one bit. I'm screwed, he sighed silently.

XXXXXXXXXX

By the afternoon, Jonny rested comfortably. Benton and Hadji had a business conference that they couldn't get out of so the two found a conference room within the floor to hold it. Jessie and Claire went home to gather clothing and other toiletries for the next few nights and Race, after seeing that Jonny dozed off again, went to take a walk to stretch his legs.

Jonny had almost fallen asleep when he heard the door to his room open. His eyes opened and watched as a man, he didn't recognize, walk in.

"Jonathan Quest?" the man smiled. He was probably in his mid-thirties with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He wasn't heavily built, but he didn't look like he exercised much by looking at his endomorphic body. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you! I'm so glad that you are better."

Jonny looked at him in question, "I'm sorry? Do I know you? Do you work for my father?"

"No," the man chuckled nervously, "My name is Copper White. I'm from the Herald."

Still looking at the man as question, he asked, "The Herald?"

"It's the top newspaper in the city," he answered a little perturbed that Jonny did not recognize the name of the top selling newspaper in the state. Shaking his head as he took out a small notebook from his coat, he continued, "I want to ask you a couple of questions. Just about all of us in the news industry are going crazy trying to find out where you've been. I mean, you've been missing for five years kid! Your father, along with Quest Industries kept quiet as to what happened to you. They've evaded any questions regarding you. And to honest, the public has the right to know. And, I think you should have the right to tell your side of the story. If you want to provide a statement for us, I'd gladly take it."

"I'm sorry," Jonny shook his head immediately, "I can't answer that."

"You can't? Or you won't Mr. Quest?" White began to be defensive. "Can you at least tell me about the man who shot you?"

Jonny remained quiet. His immediate thought was getting rid of him, his usual way. He thought about breaking his neck, maybe hiding the body somewhere in the hospital. It be challenging, but he'd find a way.

When White saw that Jonny did not answer him, he pushed further, "So you won't answer the question? How about the man they took into custody? Some sources are saying that he was an I-1 agent. Does I-1 have anything to do with your disappearance?"

"Please get out," were the only words that Jonny replied harshly, trying to control the urge to attack.

"Mr. Quest, I am giving you the opportunity to state your side of the story to the public. Would you want them to read something false or untrue about you and your family?"

"Get out," he answered forcefully.

"Not until you answer me," White answered with a bitter tone. "I didn't come here to leave with nothing."

Jonny suddenly got up from the bed and with a force that he thought he didn't have launched at the man pinning him to the wall. The man yelled, surprised at the attack and the strength the younger man possessed despite his known injuries, "What the…kid, let go!"

"I told you to get out!"

"What's going on in here?" they both heard a third man's voice in the room.

Turning towards the door, Cooper yelled, "The kid's attacking me!"

"Who the hell are you?" Race shouted as he went straight to Jonny who unwillingly let go of the man. "How did you get in to this room?" Jonny kept looking at the man, with a darkness in his eyes that scared Race.

"I'm from the Herald. I only came here—"

"Get out!" Race grabbed the man's back shirt from the back collar shoving him to the door, "You have no right to be here!"

"But, you must want to give your side of the story," Cooper continued. "It's only fair that the public knows why this kid disappeared."

"It's none of their damn business!" Hearing the commotion coming from the room, the staff immediately went over to see what was going on. It didn't stop Race from practically dragging the man down the hallway, "Where's security?"

"I've already called them Mr. Bannon," a nurse suddenly ran toward him.

Within seconds a pair of security guards ran to Race and the man he still held with his hands, "What's going on here?" One of the officers asked.

"How did you let the press up here?" Race bellowed.

"It shouldn't have happened," the second guard answered. "How did you get up here?"

Cooper smiled sardonically, "What can I say? I have friends."

"Get him out of here!" Race turned the man over to the guards, "And I don't want anyone to enter this room other than family or I-1"

"Yes, sir," the guard answered, just as mad at the situation. Grapping Cooper White, he said, "Come on!"

Walking away, Race made his way back to Jonny's room where he found him lying back in bed as a nurse tending his wounds and working to get another IV line in his arms. The woman turned to Race with a little look of concern, "He shouldn't have gotten up. He tore his IV line and he's bleeding. Other than that he looks okay, but I'm going to call the doctor to see about any internal ruptures."

"Are you feeling alright Jonny?" he asked.

The kid only nodded, but Race could see the pain in his eyes.

"I'll be back in a bit," the nurse replied. "I'm sorry about what happened."

"Not your fault," Race answered with a shrug. He knew the woman had nothing to do to with it.

Once gone, he asked again, "You don't have to hide anything from me. I've been shot in the chest before. It's no picnic."

"I could be better," Jonny breathed in deeper trying to allow the pain to subside. He stayed quiet for a moment, Race giving him time to settle. After some time, he turned to Race, "When did you get hurt?"

"A long time ago kiddo, a few years before Jessie was born," Race answered with a sigh as he sat back, "I was not much older than you. Back then I was a rookie with I-1 and working a case in Columbia. I was undercover trying to stop a big drug transfer to the states. Anyways, after months of working with these goons, they finally trusted me enough to tell me where they hid the merchandise they were about to import to the states. I called in my team and they followed me to a warehouse about fifty miles away from the main city. All the pieces were set and we had them. Well, I thought we did. The man who drove me to the site that day noticed something in me that made him feel uneasy," Race shook his head, his mind drifting to that day, "I don't know. Maybe I made some gesture or said something at the wrong time. Till this day, I still have no idea what I did. Hell, maybe he just never trusted me. Anyway, once the cavalry arrived, he wasted no time in popping me in the chest. No warning, nothing. I hit the floor at just about the same time agents infiltrated the compound."

"Tough break," Jonny said looking at the man who looked back at him.

Race shrugged, "It's part of the job. You know that as well as I do, don't you?" Jonny didn't answer, but Race could tell that he silently agreed. "You sure you don't want me to call a doctor?"

"No," the young man shook his head, "I'm fine. It's really nothing that I can't handle."

Looking curiously at him, Race asked, "Want to share something kid?"

Jonny turned and looked at the older man, "What do you mean?"

"Well, for the past few days, I've noticed that you've listened to everything that your father has told you about you, about himself, your family…us. But, you have been very quiet about the world you've live in for the past few years. I'm curious. I know your Dad is giving you the opportunity to talk about yourself and your life when you are ready, but from one agent to another. That's not going to happen, is it?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you are asking," Jonny calmly answered. Although, Race could sense a tinge of defensiveness.

Smiling, he answered, "Secret Agent rule number one. Never tell others about your past. It becomes easier to disappear when there's no trail of cookie crumbs to follow. You are still uncertain about things, aren't you kiddo?"

Jonny knew he couldn't fool another agent and from what he had noticed the past few days and the stories that his father and Jessie had shared with him, Race was a sharp agent. It wouldn't be easy to get past him, "I've been wondering if I can really survive in this world. My father…" he shook his head, "I push myself to say that word."

"It will take some time," Race reminded him.

Nodding, Jonny continued, "He's a celebrity. Exposed to the world. I don't know if I can do that. Be so visible. When I found out who that reporter was, my instinct was to break his neck and dispose of the body. I could have done it."

Looking seriously at the kid, Race replied, "Were you going to do it? Before I came in?"

"I don't know," he confessed. "Probably not. But the thought was there. He's not the only type of person I'll have to deal when I leave this place. They'll be others. Probably worse than him. Do I have the patience to deal with that? I'm not sure. He can, but I'm not so sure I can. It was easier living in the shadows were no one paid attention."

"So if it becomes too much to bear, will you go? Leave your father…Jessie?"

Jonny immediately looked at him, "I would never leave Jessica. To be honest, I'm staying for her. She's the only reason I'm here."

"She's that special to you?" the older man question. "Why her Jonny? I mean, do you even remember anything about her that would make you feel…the way you feel about her?"

"I have absolutely no memory of her," he confessed. "I don't remember ever knowing her. I don't remember any of the things she said we did as kids. I don't remember that nickname that she calls me."

"Hotshot," Race smirked.

He shrugged, but stayed quiet for a moment, pondering his next words, "But, I do know how she makes me feel. Jessica is the only thing that lights the dark world I've lived in since I can remember. She makes me feel like I belong somewhere. She's saved me in more ways than she can even imagine."

"But," Race began asking gently as to not hurt the young man, "Are you sure you are not confusing those feeling for what you interpret as love?" He loved Jonny, as if he was his own son, but he loved Jessie too and he didn't want to see her get hurt. Race knew that Jonny would never purposely hurt Jessie, but he also knew that Jonny had a lot to figure out about his life at the moment.

"You think I'm confused about my feelings for her," Jonny replied to Race in a matter of fact way. Looking straight at Jessie's father, Jonny said, "The first time I saw Jessica wasn't at the UN gala or at the moment when I killed the ambassador's son." Race's eyes furrowed in curiosity. "The first time I saw Jessica was the moment she entered the club. An hour or two before she even met my target. I was fascinated by her. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. She had my attention the entire night."

Race was not sure how to take in Jonny's words. The young man in front of him didn't divert his gaze, didn't speak with fear or shyness in his voice. He looked straight at Jessie's father and with all authority told him what he felt. Race was speechless as he continued.

"I spent that entire night thinking more about her than I did about my next assignment. So, in answer to your question Race," he shook his head, "No, I'm not confusing my feelings. I love Jessica. And by what she's told me, I always have."

Race didn't know why, but he felt at peace now that he had spoken to Jonny. He never imagined that Jonny could be so bold and strong when it came to sharing his feelings for Jessie, but he like that. Very much so. With a nod of approval, Race didn't say anything else.

Then, as if knowing that part of the conversation was over, Jonny then added, "There's another reason why I haven't shared with my father my life. A more important reason."

"What's that?"

This time, Jonny looked down at the blanket, "I've never been proud of the things that I've done. I've done…frightening things…things that I wish I could forget. When my father told me about my past, our family, the importance of the name I carry…if I tell him my past…when he hears of my past. I'm not sure if he will…be happy I'm here."

"Kid, don't think that," Race immediately answered, "Your father would never think that!"

"Maybe," Jonny answered not too much convinced, "But, I'm not ready to share that with him. Do you think that's okay, for now?"

The conversation was suddenly stopped when both men heard a knock on the door. After Race called to come in, a nurse came in with a wheelchair, "Mr. Quest. I have to take you to diagnostics. We need to run a scan to see if there were any ruptures to your wound."

"Sure,", Jonny then allowed the nurse to help in to the chair. Turning to Race the woman smiled, "It won't take long."

"Thanks," Race answered as she began wheeling Jonny out.

But before leaving the room, Jonny stopped for a second and turned to Race, "Is that okay?" he repeated to the older man.

With a curt nod, Race smiled, understanding much more about this new Jonny and the challenges he still faced. Of course it was alright to allow him some time to accept that his father would love him no matter what, "Sure kid, sure."

XXXXXXXXXX

When Jessie walked into Jonny's room and found it completely empty, she panicked. Running, she headed to the nurses station, "Where's Jonathan Quest?"

The nurse looked up, surprised by Jessie's aggressive questioning. "Ms. Bannon—"

"Where is he?" she raised her voice. Her eyes were wide with a combination of anger and panic.

"Jess?"

Jessie suddenly heard her father's voice and she turned around, "Dad, where is he?"

"Calm down, Jessie," Race went to her daughter, "Some reporter broke into Jonny's room and well, things got a little crazy."

"What do you mean?"

"He attacked the reporter," Race sighed. "I don't blame him. I probably wouldn't have done the same thing. The nurse took him in for scan. She wanted to make sure he didn't tear anything internally, so she took him to be checked out."

Nodding with relief, Jessie asked, "How is he?"

"He was shaken, but I'm sure he'll be fine," he answered. "Listen, I have to go back. Benton and I are speaking to administration. We need to make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Where's Hadji?"

"He had to go back to Quest Industries to sign off some paperwork. The board approved another one of Benton's projects and Hadji has to send some paperwork to them by the end of the day. Anyways, he rushed back to the office. He'll be back later. What about Claire?"

"She's at home," Jessie answered. "She looked so tired that I told her to take a breather. She'll be back later tonight."

"Alright," Race said. "Jonny should be back soon. Why don't you wait for him in the room? That way, I don't have to go back and forth from the administration office to check on him."

"Sure Dad, go," she replied.

"We'll be back in a bit," Race smiled and turned to make his way down the hall where Benton was meeting with a member of administration.

After seeing her father disappear down the hall, Jessie turned to the woman by the front desk and smiled shyly, "I'm sorry."

"Quite alright, Ms. Bannon," the nurse replied with small smile. "I was going to tell you that he should be back in about ten to fifteen minutes."

"Thank you," she answered before turning around and heading back to his room. Oh, you need to tone it down, Bannon she thought to herself as Jessie walked toward Jonny's room.

XXXXXXXXXX

Jessie waited for almost twenty minutes before she heard the door open and watched as Jonny was wheeled in.

"Are you okay?" she immediately asked.

He nodded without a word and she knew he was anything but alright.

She looked at the nurse as the woman answered for him, "He's lucky. No tearing. Mr. Quest heals faster than we think."

Jessie smiled at the woman as Jonny made it back to bed, "Yeah, he's a real Superman."

"Alright young man," the nurse said connecting Jonny back to the IV line and the other monitors that checked his vitals, "I don't want you moving in any way that can harm all the work we've done to put you back together. Do I make myself clear?"

Jonny looked at the woman surprised by her sudden motherly tone. Looking at his face, Jessie almost laughed.

"I'm sure he will behave like a good patient," Jessie answered for him. The woman nodded approvingly before leaving the room.

Once alone, Jessie walked over to the bed, "What's wrong?"

Jonny remained quiet for a moment. He knew that he couldn't lie to her. Jessie saw right through him. So, instead, he thought about how he would express what he felt. It wasn't easy. He was used to saying nothing, to never state what he thought and now, he wished to speak to her. Yet, Jonny prayed it would come out right, "Part of me doesn't know what is real and what isn't. It's hard to wake up each morning and be Jonathan Quest. I don't know who that person is. I don't know how he should act, what he likes, what makes him…him. In my assignments, I knew who I was suppose to play, who I needed to be, what I had to do. Here...I just..."

"Jonny," Jessie sighed as she sat down next to him as she continued listening to him.

"I promised him that I would make an effort to get to know him," he continued wanting to say the word father but finding even that hard to do at the moment, "And I am keeping that promise. But Jessica, I am scared. I'm scared that I won't accept this life or that I won't be able to let go of my previous one. What if I can't hold a candle to the person I was? What if I'm a dissapointment to him."

"Don't say that," Jessie leaned down and hugged him. Jonny took her into his arms and held her tightly, "You can't compare yourself to him because you are him. And your father will never think that."

"I not sure Jessica," he whispered in her ear.

Sitting up, Jessie looked at Jonny in the eyes, "You are Jonathan Benton Quest. You are the boy I fell in love with five years ago and you are the man I am in love with today. You are brave, sweet, smart and caring. Those are the qualities you've had since I've known you and they've never changed. Jonny, don't be scared. We are all here for you. I am here for you. I will always be by your side." Leaning even further, Jessie softly place her lips against Jonny's lips. Tenderly she kissed him as she caressed his cheek. Jonny feeling all her love though that kiss responded by deepening it.

Gently, Jessie let go of Jonny, but not before giving him a few light feathery kisses on his lips. Smiling she answered, "I love you with all my heart. Don't be scared because I will always be by your side."

"I love you Jessica," he answered looking at her, "You're the only one that keeps me grounded. You're the only one that makes me feel safe. I can't do this without you."

Leaning down once again, Jessie replied in between her kisses, "You won't have to."

XXXXXXXXXX

Ethan Grant lay on his bed inside the I-1 holding cell that he had been put in since that fateful day in the airport where he lost his son. Damn Aidan, he thought to himself, that's not at all what I wanted for you.

In the days that he waited for his contact to make needed appearance, he thought about his son and what was becoming of him now that he was back with Benton Quest. So many years of training, of conditioning and now, they would soon be lost.

He wasn't worried about the physical aspect. That part of the conditioning was engrained until the day he died. Oliver, the bloody yank, made sure to condition training as part of their lives. Just like eating and sleeping. It was the emotional aspect that worried Ethan. His son hadn't been conditioned or programmed like the others. He had feelings, emotions that his counterparts would never have.

And now, under Benton's care, Ethan didn't want to know what would become of his boy. Benton had all the ammo needed to bring "Jonny" back to him, in a way of sorts. Sighing, Ethan became perturbed by the idea that Jonny would come back. Even if it wasn't all of him, part of him would come back and that angered the English man more than he thought. He had to get out of the hell hole he was in so he could take his son back and away from Quest. That bastard will not take what has always been rightfully mine!

He waited patiently for his contact to arrive and he knew she would come. He had no doubts about that. She too had a lot to lose if he stayed in the current situation. And she knew that. After all, he still had the power, he still held all the cards and she knew he could use them at any moment. After all, there could only be one Master.

XXXXXXXXXX

After Benton and Race spoke to hospital administration, they returned to find Jessie sitting by Jonny's bed having what appeared to be a private discussion among them. Excusing themselves, they told them that they'd be back with coffee to allow them some time to finish their discussion.

As the two men headed to the elevator, Benton asked, "What do you think those two were talking about?"

Race shrugged. With a smirk on his face, he answered, "Who knows. After what happened with that reporter, Jonny and I had a talk."

"Really?" Benton asked curiously, "Can I ask what it was about?

Getting inside the elevator, Race pushed the button to the lobby where the closest food café was located, "The kid is scared Benton. He won't show it, but he's scared. I mean, we've been telling him about his life, what he did prior to his disappearance. You talk to him about your work and who you are, but to really understand what this life of his means…I don't think he did until today."

Nodding in understanding, Benton replied, "All this time, we've been telling him what he feels are stories. The reporter brought to life what his life will be from now on. Well, what it has always been."

"The old Jonny would have known how to handle that prick," Race answered as the doors to the elevator opened. "This Jonny felt trapped. He even told me that he thought of ways to dispose of him. Benton, he thought about killing him to keep him quiet. He's thinking like an operative. That's what an operative would do when someone threatens to talk." As they walked to the café, Race paused for a moment before continuing, "He told me that he's afraid you'll reject him."

"What?" Benton turned immediately and faced Race.

The agent shook his head, "He knows you're important. He knows that his family has a legacy. The world recognizes the Quest name as something good, positive, important. He thinks he will tarnish the name if people find out what he did. It's part of the reason why he won't share with you his life."

The doctor felt both anger and scared by what he heard. Ethan destroyed every part of his son. The thought of beating the bastard crossed his mind once again. But, he tried to erase the thought from his mind and concentrate on his son, "I don't care about my name. I don't care what the world thinks of me, him or anything for that matter. I only care about him, his well-being and his happiness. How can I convince him of that?"

"Benton, it's going to take time," Race cautioned. "There's nothing we can do for now other than to support him and understand that he will have challenges when he goes home. Be patient with him. I'm sure that soon enough he will share part of him with you."

They ordered four coffees and waited for them as they continued speaking, "Ethan…that bastard hurt my boy," Benton said looking particularly at nothing. Race could see the anger in his eyes and the tone in which he spoke.

"I know, Doc," Race nodded. "But, we need to forget about Ethan for now."

"Yes," Benton immediately nodded, "I need to continue to gain Jonny's trust. Maybe it would be a good idea to take some time off. I'm sure that if I speak to Hadji, I could persuade him to continue his dissertation here while he takes over the administrative duties of the company."

"I'm sure he won't have a problem with that," Race agreed. "Besides, he's in no hurry to go back to Boston, now that his brother is back."

Nodding and still deep in thought, Benton then said, "I will still help him, maybe come in to the office once or twice a week. Claire can be there to help him. Besides, it will be a good experience for her. She needs to learn the business end too."

Race laughed, "I'm sure she won't mind at all."

Benton sighed and broke a smile, "Neither will Hadji. If I go once or twice a week to the office, that will give me a few days to be with Jonny. Maybe he can work with me at the lab or maybe we'll just spend some father and son quality time. Get to know each other again."

"I think he'll appreciate that," Race agreed.

The attendant called out their coffees were read and Benton walked up to get them, "I'll take this one," he said to Race, meaning he would pay for the order. Once they loaded the tray with sugar, creamers and stirrers, the two headed back to the elevator.

"You think they're done talking?" Benton asked.

"Who knows, but I'm sure we've given them enough time to at least get everything they had off their chests," Race answered as he pushed the button for the doors to open.

Turning to the agent, Benton asked the question that had been going on in his mind for the last few days, "By the way, how are you holding up with Jessie dating Jonny?"

Race rolled his eyes, "To tell you the truth Doc, I'm still challenged by that. Don't get me wrong, I love Jonny. I'd give my life for that kid in a heartbeat."

"But?" the doctor smirked as the doors opened and they walked in.

"But, he's dating Jessie!" Race shook his head, "I'm still trying to comprehend how that happened."

"Are you okay with that?" Benton asked cautiously.

Race sighed as he pressed the button to the floor they were headed to, "She loves him. Jessie told me that herself and he told me that he loves her. I'm still trying to understand that. But, I can honestly tell you Benton that if Jessie had to fall in love…I'm glad it was with Jonny."

"Same goes for me old friend. I'm glad that Jonny fell for Jessie. He couldn't have chosen anyone better than her," Benton smiled as the doors to the elevator closed.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that evening, the group watched a movie together in his room. Sensing that Jonny needed to familiarize himself with family, Benton asked Hadji to bring in a movie to watch. At the thought of a movie, Hadji happened to bring one of Jonny's favorite, an action film with Jason Statham from a few years back.

When the group sat together, Hadji hoped the movie would trigger something in his brother. He knew it was a very long shot, but he wanted to try anyway. Maybe he could elicit out of his brother a smile, or some comment about how Statham was the ultimate action hero. Hadji would feel that maybe there was something left of Jonny's old self in this new Jonny. And of course, the movie did nothing. Jonny watched it with no emotional investment in it.

Everyone else in the room, sans Claire knew immediately what Hadji was trying to accomplish, and they too hoped for some spark, disappointment soon came in.

"Did you enjoy the movie," Hadji asked at the credits began rolling in at the end.

"Sure," Jonny nodded without any evident enthusiasm.

"Sure?" Jessie joked. "You didn't like Statham in all action and glory?"

"He's a good actor," he answered with shrug, "Although, half of what he did on screen is impossible to do in real life. You do know that, right Jessica?"

At that Race let out a laugh, "Finally! Someone who gets it!" The agent said referring to the numerous arguments he had with the kids in the past about over the top action movies. The great irony was that the one person who fought him the most during these arguments was the one who agreed with him.

Benton noticed that his son, hid a smile that began to form on his lips. Hadji had caught to too. Perhaps my little experiment fared well after all.

XXXXXXXXXX

Early the next morning, Jonny found himself eating his breakfast, oatmeal and whole wheat toast. He ate it dispassionately, but Jessie could tell he pushed himself to eat every bite.

Hadji, Claire and Benton left the evening before to rest after the movie. Jessie and Race stayed behind. Jonny tried to convince them to go home, but Jessie insisted that she wouldn't leave until he did, she wouldn't argue with anyone about that. Race, on the other hand, stayed behind to keep watch, but Jessie knew it was an excuse to keep watch over them. She rolled her eyes. She had to accept that her father would have to get used to the new arrangement.

Although, Race did want to keep a certain watch on the kids, the main reason was he didn't want a repeat of the day before. The first few days agents had been placed for security reasons, but now, the only ones they worried about where reporters who were dying to get the scoop on the Quest story. Race was going to make sure, the press stayed away.

"Okay," Jessie said to Jonny as she held a piece of toast in her hand, "Ready?"

As always, the ever serious Jonny, nodded.

She could have given him the toast, but instead feed it to him. Jessie actually took pleasure in taking care of Jonny, Race studied.

"You know Jonny, I'm amazed that you're eating so well," she smiled. "I mean, I know you don't want to eat any of it, but you still do."

"I have to get ready for my next assignment," he replied with a matter-of-fact tone.

"What assignment?" she asked curiously.

His blue eyes stared at her with curiosity as well, "Training."

Race's eyes darted to him with interest, "Training?"

Jonny looked at Race cautiously. The former I-1 agent noticed that Jonny still tried to decide whether he could trust him too, "Anytime we are hurt on a mission," he began, "our assignment is to build back the strength we lost. After we are cleared, it's all about eating right, exercising and building back muscle and strength."

"Jonny," Jessie carefully began, "This isn't an assignment anymore. True, we do want you to get better, but I don't want you forcing yourself. Take time to heal both physically and mentally."

Jonny looked at her, unable to understand mostly the concept of taking time to heal himself mentally. That was never taught. You were trained to get better and be out there on the field as soon as possible. But, looking at Jessie, he knew that things were changing, he hoped for the better, Jonny trusted her and that trust alone, made him believe her words, "Alright, Jessica."

Jessica, that's what he calls her now. So no more Jessie or Ace. Race felt a little sad by that. He was still fighting his mixed feelings. When had these feelings developed? And, how did Jessie hide them for so long? Benton apparently had suspicions for years. Bastard never said a word, he thought with a small smile.

As the three fell in comfortable silence, they heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Race said before Phil and Zack walked in.

"Good morning," Phil told the group. "Jonny, it's nice to see you up."

"Thank you," Jonny answered uneasily as the man looked him over.

"How are you, Jonny?" Zack began, "I'm Special Agent Zack Scott. I worked along your father and Race during the investigation."

"Good to meet you Agent Scott," Jonny eyed the man with curiosity.

"Phil and Zack have known you since you were ten" Race said as he stood up to shake both men's hands in a friendly gesture. "What brings you two here?"

"Just wanting to see how Jonny was doing and if you needed anything?" Zack responded.

"We're actually doing pretty well," Race answered with a smile, "Everyone is safe and accounted for."

Phil nodded happily and gave Race a knowing smile.

The former agent pick up on the signal, "I could really use a cup of coffee. I've been watching over these two love birds all morning without a break. Care to join me? My treat."

"I'll take you up on it," Zack said as Phil nodded.

"We'll be back in a bit, kids," Race said as the men walked out.

Once gone, Jonny turned to Jessie, "Something's up."