Savage walked away from the gate, smiling at the scowl he knew was on Ryker's face. He felt like his smile did not leave as the hours passed. When it was night, he went to the cells, stopping once he could clearly see the Grimborn brother's snarl. Ryker was on his bed, frowning at the redhead who was working out as usual.

"Dagur," the officer greeted.

The inmate stopped halfway through a push-up to wave. "Hey, S. How's it going?"

"Good." Savage sent Ryker a smug grin. "Mind if we talk where other ears can't hear?"

"I don't mind," the younger man answered.

Dagur went over to the bars when Savage unlocked them, then cuffs were attached to his wrists. He doubted that he would ever avoid the feeling of anxiety he got when someone besides Gobber did that, but he hid it perfectly. The two went to the back room and Savage removed the restraints once the door was closed.

"What are we talking about?"

"The operation. I want you to replace Ryker. I don't like him–never have actually. He only had such a large role because of who his brother is. Outkaast worked with him, but I think he's always been an issue. I like the way you work. You get the money, don't cause a scene, and work well with the others."

Dagur paused, thinking deeply about the request. "What all would I have to do? Rykie doesn't tell me much."

"Basically, what you've been doing. We'll meet up and I'll give you the supply, you and the others distribute it, then you bring the money back. We'll set a date so that you know when it's needed and I'll be the one you bring it to instead of Ryker. The rest is just keeping track of the distributors, but you've been doing that too." Savage had a curious, hopeful look on his face. "Are you up for it?"

"I am."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Savage began going over when they would meet. He returned the inmate to cell afterwards, giving a parting grin to Ryker who looked ready to strangle them both. Dagur noticed and said nothing as he returned to his exercise. There were many thoughts going through his mind, but he could share none of them yet. In the therapy room, he eagerly let them be known.

"I'm replacing Ryker," he told the psychologist.

Farid blinked, surprised. "How do you feel about that?"

"Ambivalent. On one hand, that's good because it'll get me closer to everything and could even show me who the Flyers are, but it's also way deeper than I've ever been in something like this. I'm not sure if I'll be in over my head." He stopped, frowning at himself. "But I don't care. I can't be worried. I'm going to follow through with this. It's the best thing I can do if I'm going to stop them."

Farid had a warm look on his face. "There's nothing wrong with being nervous. I know that you can't show nervousness in front of the others, but you can here."

"I don't even know where to start with this. I'm just anxious," the redhead said, sighing.

Farid turned thoughtful. "Have you heard of music therapy?"

"Is that singing because I'll have to sing something if Mala wins the bet."

The doctor chuckled and shook his head. "Not quite, but you could if you felt it would help. It's useful for relieving stress. It can involve playing or listening to music. Unfortunately, I'm not a skilled musician who could help you with that first one, but it's possible that a similar result could be had if you play a song in your head. Do you have any favorites?"

"I like pretty much anything. It's been so long since I've actually heard a song." Dagur tapped his chin in recollection. "There was a song that used to be on Dad's old radio a lot. It was this bluesy jazz number. I thought it was fun and heard it almost every time I'd work on some new drawings. I still remember it well enough to replay the tune in my head. Do you have music therapists in your clinic?"

"Music, art, and animal therapists as well."

"Ooh, that sounds neat. I really hope that I can meet them one day."

"I believe that you will and that you'll like them when you do."

This put a smile on Dagur's face and they spoke longer, but more conversations were in the forecast for him. Later that day, Gobber came to bring the inmate to the visiting area. His face lit up when he saw who was sitting there.

"Heather!" he greeted excitedly, having picked up the phone. "How have you been?"

The young woman looked excited to speak with him as well. "I've been good. I've also been talking with the twins and they told me what you're doing."

"It's definitely something, but I hope it'll work out."

"I'm proud of you for doing this and keeping Tuffnut out of trouble. I wasn't sure how it would be with him in there. Ruff was losing her mind. If anything had happened to him," she paused, face clouding over, "it would have devastated all of us, but she'd have been destroyed beyond repair."

Dagur nodded. "I know what it's like to lose your little sibling. I wouldn't want her to go through that." He hesitated, his eyes having a more unsure look in them. "If I go to the doc's clinic, will we keep talking?"

"Of course."

He beamed at her. "I was hoping you'd say that. I'd love to get to see what life's like on a normal day for you."

"I don't have much that I do, but I want you to meet Windshear."

Dagur lifted an eyebrow when he heard the name. "Who's Windshear? A friend of yours?"

Heather nodded. "Yes but not a human one. She's a stray dog I found. She's a sweetheart and really protective of me."

"I love her already!"

This caused the sister to laugh a little. "I bet she'll love you too, but she's sensitive to excitement, so…"

"Don't seem wild around her?"

"I think it's more of not being loud around her. At least not until she warms up to you."

"I'll keep a mental note of that. Have you had her for a while?"

"I have. She's helped me through some rough times."

"That just makes her extra special. Any particular treat she likes best? Maybe I'll get some more points if I bring a few to her."

"She's actually a big cheese fan, but she doesn't normally eat from strangers. So, if she does, that's how you really know that she accepts you."

"Then, I'll be quiet as a mouse and have more cheese than one too."

Heather smiled at the hopeful look on his face. It made Dagur's heart feel full to see her look so happy. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he brought his hand which was on the phone down slightly. Doing so, he covered part of his mouth discreetly, preventing any lip-reading and directing the sound into the phone only.

"I don't want you coming back here for a while."

The veterinarian blinked in shock at him. Her feelings were almost hurt until she saw how he was disheartened.

"Can you tell me why?" she asked.

"My new role. I don't talk about my past, so I don't think anyone knows who you are, but I need it to stay that way. If they find out…"

"They might use that as leverage on you."

"They might use that to hurt you," the redhead corrected. "I'd kill whoever tried, but I don't know if I'd be able to get to them before they got to you."

"I told you, I don't need protection," the visitor insisted. "We have no idea how long this will be. I can still visit. They'll probably never know–"

"Heather," Dagur snapped.

His voice was more firm than Heather had heard from him. The inmate's eyes were narrowed and intense. It almost seemed like he was in the middle of a threat. Just like that, it faded into a warmer expression, but his point had been made. Reluctantly, Heather nodded.

"I'll stop coming until it's over."

"Good. I wish you didn't have to wait. Don't think I won't be missing you. Could you let the others know too? All of you could be in trouble if you visit."

"It'll be lonely."

"I'm used to it. At least now, I know it won't be forever. Plus," he added, grinning, "I can ask the doc how you're all doing." His smile faltered. "Take care of each other. I don't know who all is on the outside."

"We will," the young woman promised. "You too." She started to put the phone up but stopped herself. "Love you."

Dagur's smile returned twofold as he heard that. "Love you too."

Heather got up and left the prison. Her brother let out a soft sigh as she did. Getting to spend time with her again would just give him more incentive to stop the Hunters and Flyers. His work would make the area safer for her and the others. He just hoped that the streets would not be too dangerous until he could do that. Before long, Gobber came to get him. The blond noticed the downcast expression on his face.

"Was she all right?"

"Yeah, but I have to keep her away for a bit."

Understanding his reasoning, Gobber said nothing else as he led him back to the cell. Dagur's eyes widened when he got there.

"Rykie got a visitor?"

"I guess so," the older man supposed, scratching his chin.

Dagur shrugged and reentered the cell, happy to not have the Grimborn even if he was curious as to his whereabouts. Ryker was curious about this as well. He sat in the therapy session room, arms crossed as soon as his cuffs were removed.

"Why am I here?" he asked.

The officer did not answer him and closed the door when he exited. Ryker glared after the man.

"I don't talk to shrinks," he grumbled.

When the door opened again, Farid did not enter. Instead, two people did. Ryker's eyebrow raised as he saw Mala and Throk walk into the room. His gaze became skeptical once the captain sat down across from him. The lieutenant stood to her right. Mala's fingertips touched as her expression turned into one of analysis.

"You are curious why we had you brought here."

"I am."

"We have reason to believe that your brother, Viggo, is involved in the same drug ring you were arrested for being part of."

Ryker scoffed at her. "My brother. He's not involved in anything associated with me. I did this alone."

"Interesting."

"Why's that?"

"Because until two years ago, your record was spotless. Suddenly, you were caught in the middle of a drug deal. It just seems interesting to me that you were no longer able to stay unnoticed. Evidence had shown that your work had been going on for many years prior to your arrest. What caused the change in cautiousness?"

"I got sloppy."

"Or setup."

This got a reaction out of the man. He tensed in his seat, jaw set.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I don't? I have read the reports and seen how Viggo has nearly been implicated several times with that ring, but there is always something that prevents this."

"Why are you talking to me then? It sounds like you should be working on building your case against him."

"That is precisely why I'm here."

Ryker got quiet, then he laughed. "You're bold. I don't talk about my own operatives. Why would I lie about my brother and get him involved?"

"Because it would not be a lie and would be the same he did to you. He caused you to get caught and now leaves you here as though you were nothing at all. Does he even think of you as a brother? From what I've heard, he only came to visit you recently…now that Alvin Outkaast had been arrested for his involvement with the Hunters. It would not take a stretch of the imagination to believe that Viggo's sole reason for coming was to see if you would be as big of an issue as the former officer. We know that the operation is still part of this prison despite it being gradually eradicated. If Viggo removed you from your position before, he might again. Unfortunately, since his first removal of you failed, his new plan could be more perm–"

Ryker stood up from his seat aggressively. Throk's hand was already on his holster. The dark-haired man saw this and took a breath, looking back at the captain. Mala had not flinched once and calmly regarded the inmate.

"Mr. Grimborn," she said, gesturing for him to take his seat again, "I did not come here to upset you. My goal is purely to inform you of the dangers you face. Viggo does not care about you. By putting you here, he left you at the mercy of underhanded officers and cruel inmates. Anything could have happened. He does not think of you as his family, just as someone who is replaceable. I hope that you can admit that to yourself if no one else."

Upset but less angry, Ryker sat back down. Throk relaxed slightly, but he stayed ready to attack if necessary.

"We have been after Viggo for a while. You helping us stop him could let us cut you a deal for a shorter sentence or better accommodations. So, if he will not help you, can we help one another?"

The man glared at her before closing his eyes for a moment, deep in thought. He knew she was right. Dagur was taking his place. Honestly, he already had. It was only a matter of time before he was deemed useless and he did not want to know what would happen then.

"Fine," Ryker relented. "Viggo has dealers meet at random locations on even more random days so that no one will expect or predict it. He doesn't leave a trail. I wouldn't be able to prove that he has any part of this. Even if I spoke with him, he would not speak so clearly about the operation to say anything that would be admissible in court. The most I can offer you are names. If you follow Lars Hunt, he'll take you to a deal. He's one of Viggo's main guys. There's another one we used also. Called him Lars number two. He's a shifty fellow, so if you press on him, he'll squeal like the swine he is."

"Thank you for the information," Mala said sincerely. "We will not do anything rash which could cause you to look suspicious."

Ryker gave a nod of his head as Mala and Throk left. After a few more minutes, the officer from earlier returned and Ryker was brought back to his cell. He felt smug for the rest of the night, smirking at Dagur, certain that he had just ruined an opportunity for the young man. He remained content, knowing that by the time either Lars contributed to an arrest, he would be in the clear. No one would trace anything to him and he was right. No one knew he had betrayed Viggo. Ryker went through the yard proudly and confidently. It was the first time that he was glad that his brother condescended to him so much. The man hardly expected him to have any aspirations at all, let alone those which negatively affected him. Ryker was not even annoyed when he saw Dagur speaking with the operatives. Let the redhead enjoy his new position while it lasted. It would not for long.

The dark-haired man wondered what he would be doing in the meantime. Ryker supposed that he would find something to entertain him while he waited for the news. He was consumed by the thoughts–too much to notice someone until he felt a sharp pain in his back. There was an additional sting as the pain spread to his side, then abdomen. Turning, he barely saw an inmate hurrying off with a blood-stained shank. Ryker's vision got blurry and he faintly heard an officer call out something as he stumbled to his knees. He had been unsure about many things a moment ago, but he suddenly was aware of one fact without a single doubt in his mind. Viggo had given him his answer.