Chapter 39

Six days after Jonny's rescue, the plane was in route and scheduled to land in D.C. in approximately four hours, arriving in the early morning hours on one of the non-commercial runways at Dulles. Benton had insisted they use his company's plane for a number of reasons; the first being that it was already paid for by his own company; the second being that he honestly believed the military and Intelligence One had already done and sacrificed enough on his behalf and third and most importantly, it provided some level of normalcy for Jonny.

Quest Enterprises' engineers had developed a new layout, making the plane more of a flying high-end office than merely a mode of transport. The interior of the plane had been modified; all of the seats had been removed during the plane's overhaul and renovation. New carpet had been installed, the lavatories made larger, and a self-service kitchen area built into the rear of the plane. The seats had eventually be replaced, but not all of them. Only about thirty seats had been reinstalled after they'd been upgraded for comfort. The seats were not in rows, but conveniently arranged to provide passengers comfort, privacy, and luxury. In addition to the seats, rows of couches ran along the walls near the rear of the plane. Four separate work tables were placed throughout the interior, two on each side, with chairs placed around them. A flat screen television was inset into the dividing wall in the middle of the plane. Smaller televisions were all throughout the plane for convenience.

Stepping out of the rear kitchen, Benton held two cups of coffee securely while he looked around the plane. Benton knew Intelligence One had some very nice, high tech equipment, to include a state of the art fleet of vehicles and planes. Benton knew this because he'd helped design and develop a large number of the pieces of equipment and even some of the vehicles. Corbin's private I-1 jet that he used exclusively for official business stateside and into Canada and Mexico, was a smaller version of Benton's Dragonfly aircraft.

But from the initial looks on the faces of the I-1 agents when they'd first boarded over four hours prior and even now, Benton could tell they weren't used to this type of luxury.

Both Agents Dugger and Velk were stretched out on some of the couches. Dugger was snoring lightly and Velk wore earphones that he'd bought back in Germany stuffed, the other end plugged into his iPhone. His eyes were closed, but the little bops of his head indicated to Benton that the young agent was still awake, listening to music.

Walking past the two men that had protected his son on board the Norwegian vessel that had sailed from Africa, Benton saw Agent Roberts and Altine. Benton had only met Karla Altine back when Jonny and Jessie had first disappeared, but the woman had proved her grit time and time again over the course of the investigation. She'd even found time for her own love life and had eagerly snatched up Roberts as her own. Benton couldn't help smiling thinking about the woman's vivacious personality and straight-forward approach to life. Benton was happy for her and Terry Roberts.

Roberts had recovered almost completely from the injuries he'd sustained from Rage's attack in Moscow, but Benton smiled a little when he saw Karla insistently running a finger over the last visibly scars on Roberts' forehead, causing the generally bashful man to playfully tell her to stop as he tried to read a book. A quick glance at the cover told Benton it was probably some sort of horror or mysterious novel by the artwork, but the title and little descriptive teaser was in a language Benton didn't recognize.

Agent Reynolds was still drugged up and asleep. He occupied another section of the long couch, across from Roberts. The doctors had removed the bullet from his back, remarking that it was nothing but sheer luck that the bullet stopped where it did, barely missing his spinal cord. Reynolds would have to go through physical therapy, but the doctors had been confident he'd make a full recovery. Benton didn't know Reynolds very well, but the man had been assigned to protect Hadji and from his son's own words, the agent had done so admirably and without question or hesitation. When Reynolds was in surgery, Hadji had mentioned the agent had been married for a couple years and had a newborn boy waiting for him back home. Benton was alleviated the young man would survive.

As he continued to make his way towards the front of the plane where his sons, Jessie, Race, and Estella were seated, Benton paused when he reached Corbin. Benton's presence must have appeared in the corner of the man's eye causing him to pull his own ear-buds out of his ears; Benton heard the faint sounds of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 bleeding out of the buds. Phil looked up from his laptop when Benton took a seat in the chair next to the Director, handing the man one of the cups of coffee.

"I assume you know the significance of the piece you're listening to?" Benton inquired with a kind smile. He'd never pegged Corbin as a fan of classical music, but he also knew the Director was a well-rounded individual. Like Benton, Corbin might have found classical music calming, able to set his mind at ease so he could focus and concentrate.

"You mean that it is currently floating around our universe, waiting to be discovered by some form of extraterrestrial life?" Corbin responded with a smile.

Benton nodded kindly, "The Voyager 1. What a concept when you think about it. It could be out there forever. Long after mankind ceases to exist the Voyager will still be out there, carrying our messages, snippets of our culture, our knowledge."

"If it's not discovered first." Phil pointed out.

"I didn't think you believed in such things." Benton raised an eyebrow at the man.

Phil's only response was to shrug and sip the coffee Benton had given him.

"How are you feeling?" Benton asked politely, changing the subject.

"Still in quite a bit of pain." Phil replied with a weak smile. "But getting better."

"You should try and get some sleep, Phil." Benton suggested.

Phil smiled, "So why'd you bring me coffee, Doctor?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't listen to my suggestion." Benton laughed.

"I have a bit more work to do then I'll try to get some rest. I don't think coffee can combat how truly exhausted I am. It'll be nice to be back in my own bed tonight."

"I understand that sentiment, Phil." Benton smiled.

"We're still working this as an active investigation until we find Van Brandt and Anaya Zin as well as the weapon suppliers. However, I'm going to give this team some time off. They've earned it."

Benton nodded his complete agreement. "That they have. But what about you?"

"I promised my daughters I'd take them on vacation, but at this point I imagine they'd like to be back in their own house for a bit. I'll take a few days, but wait for a real vacation till Agent Dugger gets back from his." Phil gestured at the laptop. "I'm actually working on approving all of their requests right now. I had them submit the forms to me before we left Germany."

Benton gave the Director a once over. It was no surprise that his agents were willing to follow Corbin; accepted him as their leader. Not only did he know his job, and know it well, he didn't back down from a fight, battling right alongside his people. And then at the end of the day, he put his agents' needs before his own. Benton could appreciate such leadership.

"Well, don't work too hard, Phil. Get some rest, okay?" Benton stated as he stood.

"I will Doctor. Thank you."

"Phil, thank you." Benton replied. "Seriously, thank you and all of your agents. I don't think I'll ever be able to stop saying that to you."

Phil waved his hand as he sipped the coffee. "It's okay, Doctor. But I do appreciate your gratitude. I'll make sure my agents do as well."

"Perhaps when Jonny is better, when his recovery is progressing, I'll have you all up to Maine. A party could do everyone some good I would think."

"That would be nice, Doctor Quest." Phil smiled.

"Yes," Benton agreed. With a sharp exhale, he looked the Director in the eyes and said, "Well, I'll let you get back to work. Next time I walk past I hope to see you passed out, just like your team, or else I'll have to rethink allowing you further internet access on my plane."

Phil chuckled. "Deal."

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"Roger, you know they can tell you're staring at them, yes?" Estella mewed softly in his ear.

Race smiled then turned to gaze at his ex-wife; the sleepy look in her eyes told him she'd just woken up. "I thought you were asleep, Stell."

"Mmhmmm, don't evade." Estella replied with a small grin. "You have to give them their space."

Race nodded, but he couldn't help but look back at the teens. Jonny and Jessie were seated across from them, speaking in hushed tones. Jonny appeared agitated, his leg bouncing up and down, but Jessie's gentle encouragement seemed to be provide some relief to the young man.

Jonny had yet to approach Race to discuss all that had transpired, only speaking to him in short bursts and providing yes or no answers to Race's questions. While it bothered Race, deep down he knew he had to give Jonny time to come to terms with what he'd done. Race feared that if he pushed the issue too forcefully in these early days, Jonny would clam up and retreat back into himself. That was the last thing Race wanted. For now it appeared that Jonny was truly trying and Race didn't want to do anything that stopped Jonny from healing.

So he looked back at Estella. Tenderly, he placed his fingers on the redhead's chin, lifting her gaze to his and looking into her eyes; the same eyes that years ago Race had fallen massively in love with. He planted a gentle kiss on her lips, "I know, Stell. I just worry about them. Both of them. Jonny's been through so much, but so has our daughter."

"I believe," Estella nodded as she spoke, "I believe Jessie and Jonny will heal together. I think that's the best we can hope for. While you were gone, she was consumed with only one task, to find Jonny. Now that he's back, she can finally begin her own road to recovery too."

Race nodded and the pair fell silent. Estella leaned her head on Race's shoulder and he felt the cool wisps of her breath on his neck. He took her hand and held it close, providing a level of comfort and security that years ago he'd been unable to give to her. Eventually, he asked, "Are you going to stay in Maine with us for a while?"

Estella didn't raise her head as she answered. "If that's what Jessie wants."

"What if it's what I want?" Race asked carefully.

Estella sat up at that. She looked him in the eyes for a brief moment, "Race, we can't think,"

"Stell, that's not what I'm asking," Race reassured, giving her hand a squeeze, "But I know that I could benefit from your presence. You're right that Jonny and Jessie will struggle, but they're not the only ones. We've all be changed in some way, shape, or form by what's happened. That includes me. And you. All I'm asking is that you stay for a while."

Her brow furrowed a little in the way Race remembered it would when Estella was contemplating her decisions and when her features relaxed, Race smile inwardly. Estella nodded, "Alright. I'll stay."

Race let his inward smile out, a pleasant look on his face, "Thank you, Estella."

She didn't say any more. Leaning her head back on his shoulder, Estella closed her eyes. A few shifts for comfort later and she was fast asleep once again.

Race stole another glance at the teens. Jonny and Jessie were still together, but they didn't appear to be speaking at the moment. Looking back over his shoulder as best he could without disturbing Estella, he saw Benton had returned from the back of the plane and was seated next to Hadji. The young Sultan had his eyes closed, his head leaning against the window next to his seat. Benton was reading a book and sipping coffee, but he must have felt Race's stare because he raised his eyes.

When they're eyes met, Race nodded towards his longtime friend. Benton nodded back, smiled a little, and then returned to his book.

A long road ahead, but things will get better. They have to. Race reminded himself. They have to.

Estella adjusted, moving her head from Race's shoulder to lean against the window. Not wanting to make too much noise that would disturb his ex, Race leaned down and pulled his small backpack out from beneath the seat. Unzipping one of the side pockets, he grabbed his pills and a bottle of water. He'd been trying to be discreet about the amount of pain he'd been experiencing since Africa and he knew that his actions during the raid had compounded his injuries. During the few days they'd spent in Germany before departing, Race had seen another doctor and had secured a prescription of high powered pain medications.

Shaking two of the tablets into his palm, Race popped the pills into his mouth, chasing them down with a long swig from the water bottle. Setting both the pills and the water back into the bag, Race settled back and closed his eyes.

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It took all of his willpower to resist his urges and remain calm. It had been almost a week since Jonny had taken any drugs other than what the doctors and his father had given him. But those weren't the kind of drugs he was interested in. Jonny never considered himself an addict, but the feelings he was now experiencing made him wonder just how deeply he'd let himself get hooked on Temple's drugs, both the powdery mixture and the other narcotics.

Jessie had closed her eyes, but she still kept a hand on his forearm. At the moment, Jonny was torn between leaning into her or pushing her away. He wanted both. A quiet noise drew his attention across the plane and he watched from the corner of his eye as Race popped some pills into his mouth.

His own mouth salivated as he watched and Jonny wanted nothing more than to find a way to get his hands on whatever it was that Race had just taken.

I'll figure something out.

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When the plane landed and rolled to a stop, Phil and his agents said their goodbyes to Doctor Quest and Race. Estella and the three teens were still asleep and Phil knew it was best to let them sleep. Everyone had been going full throttle and now that things were winding down, it was apparent that the months of stress and exhaustion had finally caught up with everyone, to include Jonny and whatever experiences the teen had gone through on his end.

"I'll be in touch." Phil said as he shook hands with Race then Doctor Quest.

"Alright," Race answered.

With one final nod, Phil picked up his gym bag and followed his agents, who had already departed. Medical personnel had entered through the rear of the plane, using a lift to transport Agent Reynolds to the waiting ambulance. He was heading straight to a medical facility, and Phil verified that Reynolds' wife had been notified and two agents had taken her and the Reynolds baby to the hospital to meet him there.

His team was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. Heading across the windy tarmac, Phil pulled the lapels of his overcoat tight in an attempt to block the wind; the chilly morning air accompanied by a light falling of snowflakes.

"I'll link up with the agents inside," Dugger spoke over the wind, "make sure our equipment is downloaded from the plane while the crew refuels it. We'll make sure it all gets back to headquarters and logged back in."

"I can help." Velk offered.

Phil appreciated the dedication of his agents. Since neither Dugger nor Velk were currently in a relationship, they must have felt they didn't need to get back to their homes right away. Phil nodded, "As soon as you're done I want you out of the office. You both need to head home and decompress. All of us do." He nodded towards Roberts and Altine too.

"Yes, Sir." Dugger smiled.

"Are you nervous?" Roberts asked Corbin, relieving Dugger of any further scrutiny from their boss.

"A little." Phil replied honestly.

"You'll be fine." Karla offered with a smile.

Phil nodded. They'd reached the entrance of the small private terminal by then. Dugger pulled the door open, allowing everyone to step inside.

A short distance away stood Phil's family, surrounded by I-1 agents. Sarah held their youngest daughter in her arms, the little girl's head resting on her mother's shoulder, her hand clutching a piece of red construction paper. Marissa stood at her mom's side. Agent Brooks hovered protectively off to the side, still fulfilling his duty as their protector until Corbin officially relieved him.

Dugger and the others stepped aside as the I-1 agents came forward to meet them, leaving Phil alone.

Phil quickened his pace, pushing away the pain it caused in his ribs. Jenny must have seen them because she lifted her head from Sarah's shoulder then struggled to be set down. The moment her feet hit the floor she was running towards her father. Crouching down, Phil dropped his bag and scooped the little girl up into his arms, fighting to hold back his tears.

"Daddy!" The girl cried into his chest.

"Hey there, little princess." Phil smiled as he held his youngest close. "I've missed you."

"I made this for you." Jenny smiled and held the paper out for him to see the moment he pulled back a little.

Phil studied the child's drawing, attempting to remain stoic. It was a typical drawing that any young child would make, crudely drawn figures hovering over a diagram of the globe. The figures, three of them wore dark glasses and ties, holding guns and at other figures that were obviously meant to be bad guys, their arms raised high. At the bottom, beneath the globe, were other figures and animals, all smiling.

"This is amazing," Phil smiled at the girl. "Thank you."

"It's you and them," The girl waved a hand at the agents that milled about, "saving the world and protecting us. That's us down at the bottom."

Phil pulled the girl in close again, it was all he could do to hide his tears.

Sarah and Marissa where next to him then. Standing, he set the young girl's drawing down on his bag. Jenny remained wrapped around his leg as he pulled the other two woman into a tight embrace.

"I've missed you all so much." He said.

"We've missed you too, dad." Marissa responded. She was trying to stay strong, but eventually she started to tear up.

"I'm sorry you didn't get to your volleyball tryouts, Marissa." Phil choked up a bit at the fact that his family's lives had been interrupted by all of this.

Phil felt the girl shake her head against his torso, her arms tightening a bit around him as she did. He fought to stop himself from wincing, from showing any pain.

Marissa's response made him want to break down right then and there, "I don't care about that, daddy. I just care that you're home now. Home and safe and back with us."

Phil put a hand on the girl's shoulder blade and held her as he leaned in and kissed his wife, when he pulled back he gazed into her eyes, "I've been waiting for this moment."

Sarah nodded a little, "Me too, Phil."

He pulled them in tight again, holding them, reassured that they were really there and okay. That everything would be okay.

"They said you were hurt." Sarah whispered in his ear as her hands clenched his upper back.

"I'm fine. All that matters is being back with the three of you." Phil replied softly.

They held each other for a number of minutes, but eventually they separated. Jenny held her arms out and up towards him.

"Honey, your dad is hurt." Sarah stated.

"It's okay." Phil smiled at his wife. Gingerly he leaned down and picked his daughter up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. It hurt his broken ribs, but he didn't care in the slightest. He'd deal with the pain later.

Agent Brooks came over. Picking up Phil's bag and the drawing, Brooks held them both and said, "Sir, I'll take you home now if you're ready. We've already taken your cars back to your house. And your house is ready too. We took care of everything you'll need for the next few days."

Phil looked around and saw Patch, Jenny's service dog, being held by his leash by one of the agents. The dog was lying on the floor, snout resting on his forelegs, watching the family interaction.

"What about Raven?" Marissa asked in regards to the family cat.

"He's back at the house already. But from what I've been told, Raven became a bit of a mascot back at headquarters. Most people didn't want to see him leave." Brooks told the girl. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out an I-1 ID badge. He handed it to Marissa. Phil heard his daughters giggle and looking at the badge he saw it was a standard I-1 badge, with Raven's picture, name, and paw print in place of a fingerprint. "Someone even made Raven his own security badge."

Brooks looked at Phil. "There's two agents waiting at your home till we get there."

"Thank you." Phil nodded. "Once you drop us off, I want you to go home and take some time off."

"Yes, Sir." The African-American man replied officially.

Looking around, he saw Roberts and Altine heading out while Dugger and Velk had gone back to the plane with the other agents.

Glancing at the faces of his family, Phil asked, "You all ready to go?"

When he received a trio of nods and 'yes' responses, he smiled and said, "Same here. Let's go home."

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Jonny's heart skipped a beat when the view of the Quest family mansion appeared beyond the trees that overhung the driveway. Two vehicles had been waiting at the private airstrip to transport the family back to home and Jonny had chosen to ride with his dad, Hadji, and Jessie. The other vehicle held Race and Estella.

He was still itching for a fix and hadn't forgotten about the pills he'd seen Race take back on the plane, but he'd have to bide his time and get creative if he wanted to get his hands on them.

The ground was covered in a layer of soft snow and the sun was rising behind the house, illuminating the scene in a peaceful glow of deep red and orange. Jonny couldn't remember the last time he'd watched the sun rise with such beauty and peace. It almost made him forget the pains that were wracking his body from the withdrawals.

"You okay?" Jessie asked softly. Jonny was seated between her and Hadji. His father was up front and an I-1 agent was driving.

"Yeah, I think so." Jonny answered to get his mind off the drugs. "I feel like I'm seeing this place for the first time."

"A peaceful serenity accompanied by the fresh snow indicative of new beginnings." Hadji stated.

Jonny nodded as his brother's words, remembering how Hadji always seemed to say the right thing at the right time.

The vehicle pulled up to the house. Doors opened and Jonny stepped out just as the second vehicle arrived.

He glanced towards it for a moment then back to the house as the front door opened. A man in a suit stepped out, his arms carrying a strange bundle. Jonny tensed.

"It's okay, Jonny." Jessie reassured.

Blinking Jonny forced himself to relax, realizing the man was an I-1 agent. Leaning down, the man dropped the bundle and Jonny discovered it wasn't a bundle at all. It was Bandit. The little bulldog bounded through the snow, making a beeline straight for his master.

Jonny found himself smiling and leaned down to scoop the dog up into his arms. Bandit yipped happily, licking Jonny's face and eventually squirming to indicate he wanted to be set down. Jonny complied with the dog's request and watched as Bandit ran excitedly back and forth in the snow, barking and yapping, his little tail wagging. The dog moved between the familiar faces, but eventually returned to Jonny's feet, barking excitedly and happily.

Jonny heard the other car shut off and the doors open and close. He eyed Race carefully as the drivers and the man at the door moved to Bannon. Jonny listened to the conversation.

"All is safe here, Sir. We conducted our final sweeps and logged everything in our databanks and IRIS."

"Good work, guys." Race said. "What orders were you given for our arrival?"

"That's up to you, Sir." The man from the door replied. "We can stay or you can relieve us of our duties. Director Corbin told us to take our direction from you in that regard."

"Okay," Race was nodding. Jonny kept listening.

"Get your people ready to depart. Give me ten minutes and if everything is kosher I'll relieve you and let the Director know."

"Yes, Sir." The man replied. Jonny watched the agent nod to his men and the trio stepped away from the family members. The one in charge pulled a walkie-talkie from his belt and speaking into it, more than likely recalling the rest of the team to join them in the driveway.

"You ready to go inside?"

Jonny's attention was pulled away from observing Race and the other men by his father's question. Looking at the man, Jonny struggled with the look he saw in his father's eyes. He was concerned, overly so, but he was trying to appear normal and Jonny knew it was for his benefit. He imagined the days and weeks ahead would be filled with much of the same.

"Sure, dad." Jonny mumbled.

Jessie and Hadji were at his side and they followed behind Benton, Bandit jumping through the snow as well.

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The house was silent. Too silent. It had never occurred to Jonny how he'd been surrounded by constant noise while he was with Temple and The Consortium. The castle had always been a flurry of activity and even his times away from the hideout had been filled with a plethora of sounds and other sensory stimulants. Greg was never one to be very quiet, unless he had needed to be.

Jonny found he was actually missing his time with Temple. It had been a huge shock to Jonny's mind, going from constant activity and action, to nothing.

Quietly, he climbed out of bed, pulling on a pair of flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt. Making his way out of his room, he was a bit surprised there wasn't a guard posted outside his bedroom door, but then he remembered that the I-1 agents had all departed.

But Jonny knew he couldn't leave the house. He'd overheard his father and Race speaking that Jonny's access codes to the security system had been deleted. Race had convinced Benton that it was for Jonny's own safety.

Still a prisoner. In my own home.

With a frown, Jonny made his way downstairs. Scratching his arms as he walked, he just wanted something to help him sleep. To sleep without dreams.

The layout of his home had come back to him almost immediately and making his way through the darkened house was not a problem. Within a few minutes he found himself standing outside the door to Race's office. Glancing about to ensure he was still alone, he tried to the door handle and found it was unlocked. That caught him off guard, he'd have assumed Race would have locked the office.

An oversight? Doesn't matter.

Stepping inside, he went and clicked on the lamp that sat on Race's desk. It had been a long time since Jonny had been in this room and he took a moment to study his bodyguard's private space. Looking about the desk, there were no folders or papers strewn about and the laptop Race used was turned off. Turning, Jonny looked at plagues, pictures and mementos Race had on display. Numerous awards and citations hung on the wall from Race's time with the Navy SEALs, Intelligence One, and even from Quest Enterprises. His eyes stopped on one of Race's shadow boxes from the military, the low light gleaming slightly on the golden Trident in the box, the symbol of the Navy SEALs. Jonny smirked a little and moved on.

He perused the pictures that hung on the wall and was a bit disappointed to see that Temple was in none of them. Whatever the true fallout between the two men had been, Race had obviously taken it personally and had chosen to remove any remembrances of Temple from his life. Jonny found the thought disheartening.

Whatever.

Moving away from the desk, Jonny went to the other side of the room to the decorative cabinet that sat in one of the corners. Kneeling down, he opened it and his eyes lit up when he discovered what he was looking for.

Grabbing the first bottle, Jonny screwed the cap off and upturned the glass container to his lips. The brown liquor burned as it went down, but that didn't stop him. Only when he needed air did Jonny turn the bottle of whiskey downward.

Wiping a hand across his lips, Jonny went to take another drink when the lights of the office clicked on.

He didn't turn, didn't react. He just waited, knowing he was caught.

"I knew I should have locked this room." Race stated.

Keeping the bottle in hand, Jonny rose. With a sigh, he slowly turned to face the bodyguard. Race stepped into the room and shut the door. He was dressed only in sweat pants and Jonny saw the healing scars on the man's body; scars from where the bullets Jonny had fired entered Race's torso. Race had either not gone to sleep at all or had been awoken by Jonny's movements through the house.

"Why didn't you then?" Jonny challenged.

"You really think you need that?" Race motioned with his eyes to the bottle in Jonny's hand.

Jonny shrugged. "It's not a matter of need. I wanted a drink."

"Really?" Race asked, but Jonny noted his tone had softened a bit.

"Yeah. Is there going to be a problem with that?"

"You're going through withdrawals." Race shook his head. "I guess this is my fault."

Jonny sneered, "Don't do that. Don't patronize me, Bannon. I can make my own decisions. I'll replace it if that's what's bothering you."

"You think I care about a thirty dollar bottle of whiskey?" Race asked. "I care about you, Jonny. I should have made sure you didn't have access to this stuff."

Jonny set the bottle down on top of the wooden liquor cabinet. "I'm going back to sleep. Not much else I can do around here, you know since I can't even go outside."

"Stop it, Jonny," Race stated firmly. "We're not your enemy."

"I don't want to talk about this." Jonny shot back. "I don't want to hear you say that Temple was the real enemy. I don't want to hear your shit, Race."

"What did he do to you, kid?"

"He showed me that type of man I can be."

"No he didn't." Race answered softly.

"I don't care what you think." Jonny sneered, suddenly feeling the need to get away as fast as possible.

"You should, Jonny. You can't escape this. Sooner or later you and I need to address what happened. What caused you to do what you did."

He'd heard enough. Moving briskly, Jonny made his way towards the door, brushing roughly against Race as he reached for the handle. Race turned from the nudge, but reached out and grabbed Jonny by the shoulder.

"Let go of me." Jonny growled.

"Listen to me, Jonny, and listen good. I'm going to do whatever I can to help you get better. I promised you that. You can resist me and fight me all you want, but I know the real you is in there. Not the Jonny I see right now. The Jonny that wants to be just like Greg Temple."

"He was a good man."

"No, he wasn't, Jonny. He really wasn't. But that's not what this is going to be about. You have a house full of people wanting to be with you, to help you. The most important being Jessie, my daughter. Treat me as horribly as you want during this, but if I find you mistreating her,"

"What?" Jonny cut in. "You'll what? You'll kill me? Isn't that the typical daddy threat? Hurt my daughter and I'll kill you?"

Race shook his head at that and let go. Jonny didn't wait for the man to respond. Throwing the door open, he stormed out into the hallway, heading back towards this room. When he reached the door, he stopped.

Jessie was standing there. He forced himself not to roll his eyes. He imagined the whole damn house was awake now.

Lowering his head, Jonny pushed by the redhead.

"Jonny?"

Stopping, his shoulders sagged heavily. He didn't look back at her when he said, "I'm tired, Jess. Just leave me alone for right now, okay?"

"Jonny, I-"

Turning, he looked her in the eyes and barked, "Just leave me alone!"

He didn't let her respond. Slamming the door shut, he leaned his back against the door. His hands curled into fists and he banged the sides of his skull. Anger engulfed him, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly who he was truly angry with; Jessie? Race? Temple? Himself? He just didn't know anymore.

Through the door he heard Jessie's voice. "I'm here for you, Hotshot. No matter what."

He cringed at the nickname and he fought the desire to throw the door open and remind her not to call him that. But he didn't. He just waited silently, breathing throwing his nostrils. Eventually he heard her footsteps receding and within seconds all was silent in the Quest Mansion once again.

Moving away from the door, but locking it before he did, Jonny went back to the bed and threw himself down on top of it. Pressing his eyes shut, he buried his face in the comforter and cried.

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The End

Of Part 2