***

That could have gone better, a hell of a lot better. Throwing down with Richie was the last thing he wanted to do. His head was still ringing from a couple of those shots he took. But he honestly thought he would have convinced him he was on the wrong side. At least save him from making some of the mistakes he made. Jack was so lost in thought he almost forgot to report in. The only condition Melissa had when she agreed to let him do this was that he bring the head set and call in when it was over. Pulling over to a stop and taking off the helmet, he attached it to his ear Jack turned it on, “Anybody there?”

“I’m here Jack,” Melissa replied.

“Where’s Rachel?”, he asked.

“It looked like she needed a break so I told her I’d take over for a bit. So how did it go?”

Jack looked back before answering, “Let’s just say you won’t have to worry about putting a roof over his head.”

“I’m sorry Jack,” she said, sounded like she meant it too. “Did you have to…,” she trailed off.

“He got away,” he lied. Rachel knew he couldn’t kill him, but he didn’t know if she told Melissa that.

“Right,” she didn’t sound convinced. Could she read emotions over a comm. link? “Is he going to be a problem?”

“I don’t know,” he told her honestly. “I tried talking some sense into him, but he’s believing what ever load of bull Anderson been feeding him. God this can’t get any worse.” A muffled voice came over the set and Melissa mumbled something back to it. A familiar feeling started growing his stomach, “I’m gonna regret saying that ain’t I?”

“Maybe not you,” she said. “We just got a call from Dusty. He was delivering some medical supplies to one of the outside cells. From what I understand he arrived just after it was attacked by a World Inc assault team.”

“Where is it,” Jack asked, not thinking twice. He didn’t know who these guys were but Dusty could be in trouble. He was not in the mood to lose any more friends today.

“Give me a sec to trace your line,” she said. While was tapping his foot waiting he took some comfort in the fact that there was no way Richie could be involved in this one. “As best as we can tell he about twenty minutes away from your position, to the north.” Jack looked at the end of the flashlight that had a compass built in. He had to go in the other direction, back toward Richie.

He’ll worry about that if it came to it, “Tell Dusty to hang on and keep his head down, I’m on my way.” Jack put the helmet back on and revved the motor and quickly turned around. Going as fast as he could at on these roads he knew he could cut down that twenty minutes, he just had to push it to the limit and then some. Way too late for his taste he could hear the sounds of a fight going on. Jack didn’t even hesitate in doing the arm movements and shouted out, “Henshin!”.

Seeing a red fly knock down a blue bobcat as he got a good look at things Jack hit a control on the bike. Two small panels on opposite sides of the headlight opened up and two lasers popped out. Twin beams fired as he hit the triggers on the handlebars. The first couple of shots hit the fly in the gut, it then jumped up and over Jacks head to avoid the others. He turned the bike sideways and skidded to a stop. Watching the fly land he saw a green snake come into view, scales glistening in the moonlight. He risked a glance at the bobcat, “You all right?”

“Son I never been so glad to see anybody in my life,” the bobcat said behind him. “I owe you one.”

“Rachel would be bitchin’ at me if I didn’t come,” Jack said as he took the staff from it holder and snapped it to it’s full length and got between the two group of Drakans. “And I told them to tell you to keep you head down.”

“Saw somebody get hurt and tried to help them,” he explained. Yup, just like Dusty to stick his neck out to help somebody. “Snake guys in charge from the look of things.”

“What about the cell and the rest of his troops? I don’t see them any where.”

“Beating the crap out of each other last I saw.”

“Might as well join in the fun then,” After the whole thing with Richie he was spoiling for a fight anyway. He ran at them, aiming for the bug first. His main concern right now was making sure none of these guys got to Dusty. Easier said than done. He swung the staff at the fly and blocked were he saw a body part come at him. Getting behind the fly he forced the staff against it’s neck. That’s when he realized he lost that snake. Looking over at Dusty gave the bug enough time to flip him over his shoulder.

The bug popped wings out of it’s back and flew straight up then let itself drop. Jack had just enough time to get the staff in front of him to block the elbow drop coming his way. The Drakan grabbed the staff and wrestled it from his hands and tossed it aside. Thinking he was defenseless it left it self open when Jack kicked his leg up. The Drakan squealed in pain as it held it’s mouth. Jack had just enough tome to roll out of the way as it spit something out of it’s mouth. There was a slight sizzle sound as the goop hit the ground. The Drakan looked like it was going to spit again, he grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into the bug huge eyes. It howled again as it backed up.

Jack quickly crawled over to the staff and grabbed it around the middle, giving it a quick squeeze. On one end a small electrode popped out. He grabbed the ring by his hand and twisted it all the way. A loud hum filed the air as the Drakan vision cleared. Jack gripped the staff like a javelin and threw it. The electrode hit the fly in the gut. It took a step back before exploding. He went to check on Dusty, afraid the snake got to him when he wasn’t looking. Relief flowed through him as he saw the old Drakan sitting there in his human form. “You gonna help an old man up or you just gonna stand there and gawk?”

“I’m thinking it over,” Jack said right before he extended a hand. Dusty grunted as Jack pulled him to his feet. “You got to be a little more careful there Dusty. Who’s gonna look after Bessie if something happens to you”

“You kidding son, I plan to be buried in that truck. Which is a far ways off, might I add.” Jack chuckled and was about to ask if he saw where the snake went when he saw a red dot on his clothes. Not even thinking twice he jumped on Dusty and knocked him to the ground. “What the hell Jack!”, he cried. A second later there was a small thunk. Both of the looked up and saw a black dart in the tree behind Dusty. Looking back he saw the snake again, this time holding a rifle of some sort. “Is that what I think it is?”, Dusty ask. Jack didn’t saw anything as he tried to shield him as he saw the Drakan take aim again. It fired and there was a small ping as it hit his armor.

“No you don’t,” Jack said as he saw the snake load another shot. Crossing the distance between them as fast he could he forced the barrel up as the Drakan fired. Suddenly it looked like the side of it head folded out and looking like a hood, great the snake was a freakin’ cobra. It hissed and popped out it’s fangs at him, dripping with venom. Jack let go of the rifle barrel and threw a kick. The cobra dropped the rifle and caught his leg. He found himself flying through the air and crashing on the ground. He got up and threw a punch with the same result.

The cobra grunted as it stalked him. Jack rushed in trying to catch it off guard. For a brief moment he had it on the defensive and backing the snake up. Then it bent it’s back at a weird angle to dodge a haymaker causing him to lose his balance. The Drakan swept his leg out from under him and held to the ground. It tried to bite him, luckily his armor was stronger than those fangs. Then he felt it reached for the belt. Jack didn’t know if the cobra could deactivate his system, and he wasn’t exactly in a rush to find out. Out of nowhere Dusty came in his bobcat form and tried to pry the cobra off of him.

The cobra batted him away and turned his attention back just long enough to backhand him hard. Jack heard a ringing in his head after the hit as he felt the Drakan get off of him. He forced his eyes to focus as fast as they could to see what was happening. Dusty was hurt on the ground and the cobra revealed it’s fangs again. Willing his legs to work he grabbed the rifle by the barrel and ran at the green Drakan. “Hey!”, he shouted to get the cobra’s attention and swung the rifle like a baseball bat. There was a loud, satisfying crack as the rifle broke against it’s head knocking the cobra to the ground. Jack jumped on top of it and jammed the barrel into it’s mouth.

The fangs popped out again as he applied pressure. Letting the rage that has been building up take him he grabbed it’s fangs and pulled with everything he had and yelled. The cobra scream out loud as it’s teeth were forcibly removed. Jack went to stab it with it’s own fangs but it block him. Punching him in the chest and gut several times the cobra stunned him just long enough to roll him off. Another backhand made sure he stayed stunned. The only thing he could hear was the sound of it running away. Getting to his feet Jack made sure it was gone before deactivating the armor and falling to his knees. The anger he was feeling wasn’t going away. Dusty changed back to his human form and knelt beside him. “Son…,” he said quietly, “are you all right? I’ve only seen you that angry one other time.”

“A lot of people have been saying that lately.”

“Anything to do with your friend being alive and kicking?”, he asked. Jack looked at him. “Melissa and Rachel told me. I was going to try to find you after I made this drop actually. Make sure you weren’t going to do anything stupid.”

“Now would I do anything stupid?”. Then he added, “Don’t answer that.” Jack picked up one of the fangs, the blood fresh on the root. “But I think I might have an idea of what to do with these things.”

***

Anderson hurried down the hall and into an elevator. It opened back up to the garage level and he stormed out. As usual Davidson was proving to be a problem, but this was entirely unexpected. How did he even find out about this operation, much less get there a fast as he did. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. When he got to the assault team area he saw a cobra sitting on the bumper of one of the vans hold red stained cloth to his mouth. “Do you want the humans to see you here?”, he demanded. The cobra reverted to Chen’s human form. “That’s better, now what happened?”

“Davidson happened,” Chen answered removing the cloth from his mouth. There were a couple of new gaps in his teeth.

“I am aware of that Mr. Chen. Why were you on the job? And why aren’t you watching over Kingstone?” For that matter where was Kingstone?

“He said he had something to do, he never said what it was. Figured I had a free night and overheard one of us talking about your attack plan. Thought I join in and have a little fun of my own.” Chen spit on the floor, a bit of blood was still evident, “Damn it, nobody told me Davidson was this demented.”

“Davidson did that to you?”, Anderson asked, his interest piqued. “I never knew him to be so vicious. Well there was this one assignment. By any chance was there a blue Drakan monkey involved in any way?”

“Not that I saw,” Chen told him. “I didn’t see Davidson until he stopped this Drakan I didn’t recognize from getting killed.”

“What did this Drakan look like?”

“Some kind of blue cat, I don’t know.” That narrowed it down, how many blue cat like Drakans could there be in his city? He threw the cloth down and reached for another. “He killed your man out there too. While he was talking to the other Drakan I figured I’d use that dart you men were bragging about.”

“Oh yes,” Anderson said, “I nearly forgot about that. It has been awhile since we had to use it. After Davidson found the last dart I figured it best we put it on hold. Of course, now he knows for certain we were the ones responsible for it.” Anderson backhanded Chen before he could respond. The smell of fresh blood over powered the scent of the stale. “There was a reason I ordered a temporary stoppage of its use.”

“Nobody told me they stopped using it,” Chen spat.

Anderson regained his composure, “An oversight on our part. I’ll have Perez do an inspection as soon as possible. That particular weapon should have been removed from the vans by now. My apologies for reacting violently Mr. Chen, but that was the one thing we were certain Davidson was still in the dark about. He might have suspected it, but he had no concrete proof.”

“Doesn’t do me any good now does it,” Chen said. “I have no fangs thanks to him, what in the hell am I suppose to do now?”

“While I can’t do anything about your bite,” Anderson said while taking out a pen and paper and quickly jotting something down, “but I can help with your human appearance. This is an address of a dentist I use. I’ll call him in the morning and tell him you’re coming tomorrow. He’ll have you presentable in no time. I will even foot the bill as a show of good faith.”

“That’s fine for this disguise but what about my real form?”, he demanded.

“I’m sure Dr. Armstrong can have something to remedy you situation. He just needs some time to brain storm some ideas. Stay here, I’ll have my chauffeur drive you home in few minutes, after you stop bleeding.” Anderson walked away and called for his man. He over heard Chen muttered about going under the knife again. He looked back and saw the man trace a small almost invisible line on the back of his neck. A potential problem perhaps, but not something to worry about right now.

No, his main concern was Davidson arrival at the mission. And where Kingstone went off too. Was it possible Kingstone overheard about the plan as well and told Davidson about it? If he did how did he get into contact with him? Or was it the other way around and Kingstone just happened to have the information? Too many question to answer at the moment, but he had a way to get at least a partial answer. Instead of calling for his driver he called Taylor in his office. “Mr. Anderson,” he answered, “I was about to leave for the night.”

“This won’t take long Mr. Taylor,” he said. “I just need to know if Kingstone was any where near the operation tonight.”

“I’ll pull it up.” Several minutes passed before he spoke again. “At most he was a half hour, maybe forty minutes away.” Interesting, was he meeting Davidson?

“Thank you Mr. Taylor. Sorry to keep you a little longer than you planned.” He ended the call and thought it over. Even if he didn’t know about the raid, the fact he and Davidson was in the same area was too much of a coincidence. He would have Perez keep an extra set of eyes on him. If he didn’t have somebody watching him already that is. Anderson was certain Perez would love a chance to stop another defection if Kingstone was heading that way.

***

Melissa entered the make shift gym and watched what was happening. Like she heard Lance was down here with Jack. Lance had some very worn pads on his hands that the other man was currently pounding away on. She saw Rachel standing by watching them and went over to here. “So what exactly is going on here?”, she asked.

“Lance is helping Jack work out his anger issues,” Rachel told here.

“I don’t have anger issues,” Jack snapped as he looked in their direction. “I have issues with the fact my best friend who is suppose to be smarter than me is acting like an idiot.”

“Did you really believe he’d join us just like that,” Rachel snapped her fingers. “I mean would you if the situation was reversed?”

“I’d at least think over what he said,’ Jack said bitterly. “Not believe what ever crap they were forcing down my throat. And not think I was going down the same path as my uncle just for kicks.” He hit the pad so hard Rachel jumped a little. Well that explained were some of it was coming from.

“So what happened last night with the raid?”, Melissa asked. “Dusty said you…”

“I got proof that everybody not what they say they are World Inc.,” he turned away from Lance and started removing the padded gloves he was wearing. “If that doesn’t work I’ll make Anderson change right in front of him of him if I have to.”

“Why are you going on about this?”, Melissa asked him. “I realize he’s your friend and all but this is getting nuts.”

“I’m trying to stop him from going through the same crap I did” he told her. “Why is that so wrong?”

“Jack,” Rachel spoke up, “you know I got you’re back on this, but even you have to admit you’re going a little crazy on this.”

“He pretty much saved me Rachel,” he said softly. He started looking at his left hand. “He saw what was coming and pushed me out of the way. If it wasn’t for him I’d be even worse shape then when they found me, or dead.” He slowly clenched his hand into a fist. “I’m trying to return the favor.”

“I got to say kid,” Lance finally spoke, “I’m going with Jack on this one. He’s going at it a bit wild though.”

“Traitor,” Melissa said with a smirk.

“I’m just saying I’m seeing where he’s coming from.”

“Must be a guy thing,” Rachel commented. “Come on Jack, let’s gets some lunch, my treat.”

“It free to begin with,” Jack told her as he followed her out.

Lance walked up to her and took the bottled water she was holding. “His hearts in the right place,” he said after a bit, “but his heads a bit of a mess at the moment.”

“Really I didn’t notice,” she replied sarcastically. “He has his heart set on getting his friend to change sides. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. Anderson has too many things at his disposal to make Jack look like the bad guy.”

Lance looked thoughtful for a bit, “Maybe we can help him out.”

“How?”, she asked. “I don’t think he’s going to take our word that Jack still a decent guy.”

“Have you ever sent the video?”, he asked her.

“What video?”, she was confused. What did a video have to do with anything?

“The security footage from the safe house Phil was living in.”

“Oh, that video,” she said while putting her head down. “I found it in Chris’s room after he was killed. I never watched it.”

“I have,” he told her. “Jack might have killed him but it does show that Anderson men were the ones who caused the situation to begin with. We get that to him, then Jack might have a small chance of convincing him.”

“It’s too big of a risk,” she said. “We’re lucky Friedman didn’t get caught delivering the note.”

“And how long before Jack starts thinking barging right into World Inc. is a good idea?”

“That’s taking it to the extreme don’t you think?”

“With the way Jack been going on lately?”, Lance countered.

“You’ve been smoking something behind my back.” Melissa started to leave. Stopping by the doorway she said, “I’ll think it over, but I’m not promising anything.” She knew this was a good idea, but she couldn’t risk Friedman getting caught. He was too valuable for something like that. When she entered the hallway she saw Jack sitting there alone. Like when Rachel got hurt he had a lost look on his face. Then he saw her and it disappeared. He waved as he headed off for who knows where. Well it couldn’t hurt to ask Friedman what he thought of the idea. If he turned it down there was nothing she could do about it.

***

Richie walked the halls of World Inc. heading for his room. Everybody he passed gave him a friendly hello. As nice as everybody been with him, the past couple of days he couldn’t help but get the feeling he was being watched some how. Every so often he’d looked back and see somebody turn around real quick. A few of the troops he saw stopped talking when he passed them a few times. That was weird as they usually said a few words to him. “Hello Rich,” a woman said coming up to him.”

“Hi Heather,” he replied. “Things still quiet in the Command Center.”

“I’m afraid so,” she answered. She looked sad for a moment, “This was usually his favorite type of situation. If there was no Drakan activity than he could relax for a bit.”

“Who’s?”, he asked out of curiosity.

“Jack…,” she started than shut up. She started off, “Sorry I got something to check on. I’ll see you around Rich.”

“Right, see you around,” he said absentmindedly. That was something else that bothered him a bit. Nobody wanted to talk about Jack, well outside of Anderson that is. As soon as his name was brought up they either change the subject or hurried off. Quite frankly it was getting on his nerves. Somebody around here had to know what happened to Jack. When he entered his room he saw an older man in a lab coat standing his room. And for some reason there was a TV and a VCR set up in his room. “Can I help you?”

“I’m Dr. Harold Friedman,” he answered. “Ah… could you close the door please, I’m not suppose to be in here.” Richie did so hoping to get some kind of answer from this guy. “Thank you,” he said.

“Now do you mind telling why you’re in here?”

“I’m delivering a message from your friend,” he answered. Richie was stunned for a moment.

“You knew Jack while he was here?”

“You could say that,” he replied, “I was his doctor while he was here.”

“Then you know what happened to Jack then,” finally he could find what the hell went on. “You know why he went crazy.”

“Jack is one of the sanest guys I know,” Freidman said. “Before I forget, Jack wanted me to give you this.” He pulled out a long box out of his pocket and handed it to him.

There was a note attached so he read it first. Richie recognized Jack’s hand writing almost at once. It said, “You might want to see if anybody is missing these.” Richie opened the box and felt sick in his stomach. Inside was a pair of off white, slightly curved objects. They almost looked like fangs.

“Does this look like a something a sane person would do?”, he demanded.

“Are you that willing to believe the worst about him?”, Friedman asked catching him off guard. “To hear Jack talk about it you guys were almost as close as brothers. Ready to back up the other if somebody started bad mouthing him.”

“Jack changed,” was all he could say.

“I’m not going to disagree with that,” Freidman said surprising him again. “Since the time I meet him I could tell a difference in him as things went on. But I can tell you for a fact he didn’t go crazy.”

“Then what happened then? Why did he go on the run?”

“He saw through the lies.”

“Wait,” Richie said as he started to back up, “Your one of them aren’t you? You’re a rebel.”

“Well yes and no,” he told him. “I’m human, but I am affiliated with them. So I hope you appreciate the risk I’m taking here.”

“So why blow your cover to talk to me? Did Jack put you up to this?”

“Jack and the others don’t know I decided to talk to you. I was just supposed to leave the box and this,” he motioned with the video in his hand. Putting it on top of the VCR he leaned against the dresser. “I’m pretty sure they’d flip if they knew I was doing this.”

“So why are you talking to me then? And why now?”

“I had to be careful. Word got around that Anderson doesn’t want anybody who knew Jack to discuss him that much around you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Richie told him. But it would explain why how fast people around here changed the subject. But this guy admitted he was part of the rebels, why should he believe him? “I don’t see why Anderson would keep anybody from talking about Jack.”

“Probably because he knows not everybody can keep the story straight. If I had to guess he figures it be a little more suspicious if several people told you a couple of different versions of what happened?”

“Compared to being avoided?”, Richie laughed out loud. “I’m sorry but that’s a bit of a stretch. I thought the rebels would have come up with better. I mean they had too to get Jack to change sides.”

Friedman sighed and rubbed his eyes slightly. “Is it that much easier to believe Jack is that gullible?”

“I didn’t say that,” Richie backed up. “I mean they must have been working on him for a long time. Hell that Haily woman must have said something to him here and there.”

“Rachel was never part of the rebels,” he corrected, “well not until recently. She joined up the same time Jack did.”

“That’s not what Anderson is saying,” he told him flatly.

“And if Anderson can do one thing it is manipulate people. Jack saw through the cracks, questioned things when other people didn’t. A couple of times a Drakan just went nuts when he was around. He saw something out of the ordinary the second time and found a dart with a chemical that made Drakans crazy. He brought it to me not knowing who I was working for. And for a long time he kept an eye on Anderson and his men.”

“Something about doesn’t sound right,” Richie paced the room. “I know Jack doesn’t trust rich people like Anderson. But he wouldn’t go out of his way looking for something. Even he’s not that paranoid.”

“Not without a reason, right?”, Friedman said like he was reading his mind. “That’s were this comes in,” he put the tape into the VCR and just let it play. Richie watched as this old guy came into vies looking worried, then guys wearing what he recognized as World Inc. assault trooper uniforms surrounded him. It looked like they were taunting the old man. The he turned into an elephant and started fighting back. Soon after he saw Jack on the side as he transformed and started fighting the elephant. When he blew the Drakan up Friedman turned the machine off. “So,” Friedman said slowly, “what did you see.”

Richie had to admit it, “Jack saw a Drakan attacking those guys. But they started it, he couldn’t have known.”

“And Anderson made sure he kept thinking that way. But he overheard a couple of them talking about it and that when Jack started being a little more cautious. The way he explained it they didn’t say it out right but from what they were saying it was obvious there was more going on.”

“And that caused Jack to changed sides?”

“No, this was one of his first official assignments actually, there were a lot of things that happened afterwards in his time here. It wasn’t until Jack fought the Rebel leader in the arena that he left.”

“What happened there, in this arena I mean,” Richie wasn’t sure he wanted to know but he had to find out.

“Jack was quiet about it for a long time before he finally opened up about it. Anderson arranged a massacre. The orders where what ever Drakan he didn’t take out they were to take down.”

“Wait if Anderson is a Drakan why would he do that? These are his own people.”

“Anderson is very old school in his thinking. He feels these deaths are on the rebels head because they want to live their own way.” Friedman went quiet for a few minutes, “Sad part is he thinks he’s doing the right thing for his people by doing this.” He took the tape from the VCR and put it back in his pocket. “I better get going. I hope you realize my fate is in your hands.”

“I’ll…,” Richie couldn’t believe he was saying this, “I won’t tell anybody.”

Friedman smiled slightly, “Thank you. I’m sure Jack would appreciate it too.” He left the room and left Richie with a ton to think about. But he was still a rebel, that video could have been faked for all he knew. Why did the only other person around here willing to talk about him be that guy? He needed some air.

Richie hurried down the hallway not paying attention to anybody. He was so deep in thought he didn’t see the guy he ran into. “Hey man, watch it,” Andy said as he took a step back. “You’re going to hurt somebody of you’re not careful.”

“Sorry,” he answered automatically. “Had my head around something.”

“I noticed,” While he spoke Richie noticed something strange. He was suddenly missing a tooth. Andy looked down and saw it lying on the ground. “Damn it,” he muttered. “That one is always coming out.”

“Did something happen?”, Richie asked.

“Ran into something a couple of days ago and lost two teeth,” he answered quickly. “The dentist I was sent too didn’t seem to know what he was doing.” A couple of days ago? Richie met Jack a couple of days ago. Look at him now he was thinking like Jack. Then he started thinking about the box Jack sent him. It had two Drakan teeth in it. “I’m going to try to put this back in. I have enough practice at it,” Andy laughed. “I see you around.”

“Yeah…,” Richie said hesitantly, “I’ll see you around.” Great now he was trying to put two separate things together. He saw Jack attack those guys that night. Then again Jack saw that elephant attacking those guys too. Richie stopped when he saw his reflection in a window. He took a good long look at himself. Why was it that easy to believe his best friend went off the deep end? How many times did he defend Jack in the past, and he do the same for him. So why wasn’t he doing it now? Jack and this Friedman guy went to a lot of trouble to try to convince him Anderson was full of it. And he just blew Jack off without even thinking twice, a man who was always straight up with him. Not liking what he was seeing in the reflection he walked away.

Richie stopped by an elevator and pushed the call button. He looked at his hands, he was so caught up in being a Rider nothing else mattered. And Jack said he was the smart one.

***

“He talked with Richie?”, Rachel asked Melissa. When she heard it she had a hard time believing it too. Although she was glad she decided to talk to Rachel about it first before bringing Jack in. His head wasn’t exactly straight now a days so who knows how he would have reacted.

“Did Friedman say how it went?”, Lance asked.

“Well he decided to protect Friedman,” Melissa told him. “Which is good, because I don’t think we could have gotten him out of there?”

“Guess there some hope for the guy yet,” Lance said as he crossed his arms and leaned against a table.

“Jack been saying he’s good guy all along,” Rachel told them. “How does that affect things for us? I’m sure Friedman is going to be watching his back now.”

“Let’s just say we found out sooner than anybody expected,” Melissa answered.

“We’re not going to like this are we?”, she asked. Lance shared her sentiments.

“Well,” Melissa started, “he got back in contact with Friedman later. And he wants to meet Jack again. In the Arena.” Lance inhaled sharply when she said that, Rachel was a little confused.

“I get the feeling this is something important,” she ended up saying.

“That where the big challenges are done, “ Lance informed her. “That’s where Anderson got control of World Inc..”

“It’s where my brother had his last moments,” Melissa mumbled. Rachel looked away slightly, realizing where this place was. That one place changed all of their lives drastically.

“So he wants to fight Jack?”, Rachel asked looking a bit unsure.

“He didn’t say,” Melissa said sighing. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea to head there. For all we know he could be leading Jack into a trap.”

“I got to disagree,” Lance countered, “I think we should leave this one up to Jack to decide.” Lance looked over to Rachel, she did so too. She hoped Rachel would agree with her. This might be important to Jack but she couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was about to happen. Emily wouldn’t even tell her what she saw when she discussed it with her.

“The safety of this place should be more important,” Rachel said. Melissa felt elated briefly then she added,” But if he’s calling out Jack he should be the one who decides.”

“Rachel…”, she began.

“Let me decide what?”, Jack asked behind her. All of them shut up with him standing there. He started looking confused when they wouldn’t return his gaze. Finally he said, “So how bad we talking here?”

***

As he traveled the cave like hallway he tried not to think about the last time he was here. But the memory kept sneaking to the front of his brain. The closer he got the stronger they became. Shaking his head in disgust he entered the main section of the cavern. It looked just the same too, a big open area with the sides carved out to look like seats. He went back into the hall when he saw two people standing there. It didn’t look like he was seen so he listened in. He bit his lip when he recognized one of the voices a Richie’s, but who was the other guy.

“I just had to see this place,” Richie said to the other guy. “This is where he decided to turn.” He wasn’t sure what to think now. He thought Richie wanted to talk. “I was hoping I could figure out why.”

“I don’t see what you think you can find,’ the other one said. “Anderson tech guys went over this place with a fine tooth comb.”

“Well you didn’t have to come along you know,” Richie told him.

“Somebody has to make sure you don’t get over your head.” When Richie turned around he gazed up in his direction, but it didn’t look like he spotted him. “How did you find out about this place any way?”

He saw Richie tense up a bit and did the same. “I… uh… overheard a couple of the other talk about it in the cafeteria.” Jack relaxed a bit, he was still protecting Friedman. “And I wasn’t expecting to find anything Andy. I just want to see if I can figure out what got into his head.”

“I’m sure a lot of people would like to get into his head to figure that one out.”

“If that many people,” he said as he came out of hiding, “want in my head maybe I should start charging admission.”

“Davidson?”, that Andy guy said, stunned, as he watched him came down the stairs. He did nothing as he reached the floor, but Jack thought he saw him rub his tongue over one of his teeth.

“I didn’t think you were going to come,” Richie said.

“Why wouldn’t I?”, Jack asked, stopping a few feet from them. “I thought you said to come alone.”

“I couldn’t ditch him,” Richie told him.

“Richie, what’s going on?”, Andy asked. To Jack it looked like he was getting ready to fight. He hoped Richie was seeing that too. “Why is he here?”

“I wanted to talk to my friend,” was all he said. “Is there anything wrong with that?”

“But he’s the enemy,” Andy nearly shouted. “”We have to take him in or…”

“Or what?”,” Richie demanded getting angry. “Kill him, is that what you were going to say?”

“If there no other choice yes!”, Andy shouted.

“There’s always a choice,” Richie told him calmly, “no matter what.”

“You idiot,” Andy reached into his coat and started at him but Richie got in his way. “Are you jumping ship too?”

“I’m stopping you form hurting my friend,” Richie said evenly, but Jack could hear the edge in his voice. “Somebody I know better than anybody, and who looks like he might have right about you guys all along.”

“So it took this and a visit from the doc to make you believe I was telling the truth,” Jack said with a smirk. “I gotta tell ya man, that kinda hurts.”

“Sorry man, it took me awhile to get my heads out of the clouds. Becoming one of your childhood heroes blinds you a bit.”

“I’d say it’s more like you head your head up your ass but that’s just me.” He stared down Andy who stared right back at him with hate filled eyes, occasionally flicking those eyes at Richie. Both of them were probably thinking the same thing. “Of course the big question is who side are you on?”

He looked undecided and took a few moments before answering, “Right now I think I’m on my side.”

“Works for me,” Jack said and patted him on the back.

“So what do we do with Andy here?”, Richie asked. “I mean we can’t just leave with him here.” That didn’t stop Jack from doing this that. He looked back and saw Richie slowly follow but keeping eyes on Andy, “I mean he is human right?”

“I don’t know,” he finally answered. He looked up at the top row and shouted, “Hey, is that guy a human or not?” Richie and Andy both looked up in surprise as Lance, Sparky, Arron and Rachel came into view. She held back a bit as the other came down the steps.

“He doesn’t smell like any human I ever meet,” Lance said.

“You didn’t come alone?”, Richie asked him.

“After what happened the last time I was here I’m not taking any chances. How does it look out there?”, he asked Rachel.

“It’s clear so far,” She told him. He nodded.

“You didn’t trust me?”, Richie was still stunned.

“You yes, World Inc. no. Nothing personal man I’m just going from experience.” He turned toward Andy, “And you’re not gonna let us walk out of here are you?”

“A very good guess Mr. Davidson,” Andy said as he turned into a green cobra. Lance and the other were in dropped their human disguises a moment later. Richie looked around in a bit of shock as a red wolverine, a green wolf and a blue eel stepped up beside them.

“Whoa,” Jack said suddenly putting out an arm, “Take it easy guys. I defanged this sumbitch a few…” The cobra opened his mouth and a pair of mechanical fangs popped out of his mouth. “Oh that is not good.”

“Smooth one Sherlock,” Richie said sarcastically.

“Like I knew they were gonna to turn him into the six million dollar snake,” he said quickly. The others surrounded the cobra, but he pointed past them at right at Jack and Richie.

“I want you two,” he hissed.

“Dude you’re outnumbered,” Jack said, “just give it up.”

“I challenged the two of you,” he said. “Honor combat, right here and now.”

“Great another old schooler,” Jack mumbled. “Can he do that? I mean both of us at once?”

“I’m afraid so,” Lance answered.

“Do we got to take it?”, he asked hoping Lance would say no.

“I saw we take it and do it one more time for old time sake,” Richie said.

“And you mom said I was the bad influence,” Jack told him. He looked up at Rachel. He could tell her vote just by looking at her. Then again this guy wasn’t going to go away, and how long would it take them to narrow down Friedman as the doc? “Let’s do it.” He grabbed Arron by the arm, “Make sure Rachel gets out of here in case this gets a little wild.”

“You can count on me Jack,” the wolf told him.

Jack and Richie faced the cobra. Jack raised his left arm across his chest and the belt appeared around his waist. He swung the arm to the side and brought his right arm to his face. Richie crossed his arms in front of the make the belt appear. The he held his arms out to the side. Jack glanced over to Richie who was grinning ear to ear. He looked in his direction and both of them nodded. Slamming their hands on top of the belts, both of them shouted, “Henshin!”

They were scanned by their belts and the armor formed around them. The cobra got into a fighting stance as they did the same. Richie leaned over and quickly asked, “So what’s the plan?”

“Kick his ass like he owes us money,” he told him.

“That’s always your plan,” Richie complained.

“Why mess with what works.”

“How did you survive this long again?” Jack just shrugged then headed for the cobra. It ducked a wild swing from him but couldn’t avoid Richie coming in with a flying dropkick. Richie picked him up and let Jack get in a few kidney punches. It hissed loudly as it bent to the side to avoid another punch. “What the…? Richie said trying to figure out what just happened. It gave the cobra just enough time to push him back then swing around to clock Jack in the head. He spun with it and kicked it gut. Jack grabbed it then felt it’s hands on his neck. The cobra slammed him into Richie. The Drakan let go and unleashed a flurry of punches then threw him to the steps near the others.

“Get up Jack!” Rachel shouted as he crashed. Arron went to stop her but she wasn’t moving from her spot.

“Hang on buddy!”, Richie shouted as he grabbed the cobra from behind.

“Oy, I’m guessing that’s a warrior king” he muttered as he slowly got to his knees. “Maybe it’s time for a new plan.” A moment later Richie crashed on the ground next to him. He looked at the cobra who just cracked it’s neck as it waited for them to get up. “You ok Richie?”

“Ugh,” he grunted as he got to his knees too. “This is a bad as those fights you used to get us in back in high school.”

“We were usually the ones outnumbered back then,” Jack reminded him. “And those weren’t my fault.”

“Then it’s worse then it was back in high school, and yes they were.” Both of them got to their feet, slightly bent over. Richie glanced up at him and said, “Going high?”

Jack nodded and added, “Going low.” Both of them charged the cobra. They were able to catch it off guard when Jack tackled his at the chest while Richie hit at the waist. But it only took a few steps backwards, refusing to go down. The cobra fought both of them off, blocking or dodging any attack they threw at it. Jack faked a backhand, spun around and kicked it in the back of the head. It went foreword right into Richie spin kick. It looked dazed but was still able to fight them off. Suddenly he grabbed his fist and ducked as Richie swung with a wild right that hit him in the face.

Jack head recoiled back from the impact. Next thing he knew he was flying through the air again and crashed hard. Jack quickly shook the cobwebs out of his head and got on all fours and looked up. Richie was holding his own, jumping over and around the Drakan while trying to get a hit in. Plan B didn’t work out, “time to get creative,” he said out loud. He ran back in and saw the cobra hit Richie in the gut making him go to a knee. Thinking quick Jack jumped off his shoulder and at the Drakan, slamming his forearm into it face. It stumbled back and he kept up the pressure, pounding away with left and right. Suddenly he grabbed it in a headlock and looked for his best friend who was still on the ground. “Richie!”, he shouted to get his attention. “Shining wizard!”

He nodded and ran at them full bore. Jack let go of it’s head and kicked his leg back forcing the Drakan back. He got down to knee and let Richie jump off him. Quickly Richie swung his leg up and planted his knee into the side of the cobra’s head. Landing on his feet he jumped and flipped over it’s head and kicked both feet into it’s back. Jack grabbed it around the head. Richie came in and did the same on the other side. The cobra quickly knocked both of them away. Before he knew it the cobra grabbed Richie by the face and slammed him into the ground repeatedly. Jack tried to help him but the cobra kicked him back. Getting knocked to the ground again the Drakan jumped on top of him bearing it’s mechanical fangs again.

“They said these can pierce your armor,” it said as he struggled to hold him off. “I’ve been waiting to find out since these were implanted into me.” Jack couldn’t stop those fangs as they slowly came closer to him. Then a rock exploded on the back of the Drakan head. He looked past the cobra as it fell foreword and saw Richie standing holding the remains of that rock in his hands. Quickly he pulled the snake off of him and punched it right in the mouth. He helped Jack to his feet and together they hit a double side kick that sent the cobra flying.

“My meter started flashing,” Jack informed him, “how about you?”

“Mine, been flashing for a while,” he said. “Why am I flashing before you?”, he wondered out loud.

“Sounds like a personal problem,” he joked. Richie said nothing in response but he could imagine the look on his face. The cobra staggered to it’s feet as he reached for the right pod.

“Are we going to say it,” Richie asked suddenly.

“Say what?”, he asked confused.

“You know…”, Richie trailed off.

What the hell…? “No I don’t know.”

“Dude look at us,” he gestured at what they were wearing.

Then Jack got where he was going, “Ah hell no!”

“Come on Jack, how often are we going to get this chance.”

“We’re in the middle of something here in case you hadn’t noticed nimrod.”

“You know we got to say it.”

“No we don’t got to say it,” he shot back.

“Oh come on…”, he begged

“I said no.”

“How many times have I asked you for something like this?”

“And how many times have I said no?”

“You owe me Jack.” While they were arguing the cobra staggered at them.

“Alright fine!”, Jack said as he punched the cobra in the gut, bending it over. “Just to shut you up.” They grabbed the Drakan by the shoulders and threw him back. “Damn, you nag more than your last girlfriend.”

“Hey somebody has to make your life miserable while you’re single,” Richie told him.

Jack ended up smirking behind his mask as they faced the cobra, “Wouldn’t have it any other way buddy.”

Running at the Drakan the twisted the right pod on each of their belt down. As the charges ran down their leg they jumped up in unison. Jack extended his right leg and aimed his foot at the Drakan. Richie flipped foreword and did the same with his right leg. Both of them shouted, “Double rider kick!” right before both of their feet hit it in the chest. The cobra flew back into the stone stairs.

Richie turned around and pumped his fist as it exploded, “Yes!”

Jack stared at him for a moment before slapping him in the side of the head, “Dork.”

“Hey,” Richie grabbed him in a headlock and started to noogie him on the helmet.

***

“We just lost Chen signal,” Taylor said over the phone. Anderson said nothing for a moment. Everyone’s biggest fear might have happened, but then again they had no proof one way or another. “Do you want us to send out a team just in case? We still have a small team stationed nearby. If we act fast enough they might catch them off guard. “

“No,” he finally said, “I don’t think we’ll do anything.”

“But Mr. Anderson…”, he started.

“Despite the animosity they may have had toward each other, even Armstrong said this idea of Parker’s would work. We just have to have faith that neither one saw a defect in the plan.” He hung up the phone and walked away from the desk. A pity actually, he actually like Kingstone. No matter, this was just a diversion at any point. No the main adjective was always Mitchell in the Mark two program. It was just too bad that he wouldn’t be able to personally witness Davidson’s reaction when he discovered what he did when Chen was killed.

***

Rachel and the other quickly went to the cavern floor after the fight was over. Jack and Richie were monkeying around, celebrating they’re win. It was strange to watch for a few moments, he never did anything like this after he fought a Drakan. Then again she had never seen him around Richie before either. “He’s going to be impossible now,” she said softly.

Lance stood back with her as Sparky and Arron looked like they were deciding if they wanted to join in or not. “You’re defiantly going to have you have your hands full now,” he said agreeing with her.

“I’m not going to say anything,” she told him. “But Melissa might be bugging you in a few days if that offer to take Richie in is still good.” Lance laughed a bit. Jack headed toward them and deactivated his armor. For the first time in a while what looked like a genuine smile was plastered on his face. It had been awhile since he seen him wear one, “Then again it couldn’t be that bad.”

Richie, on the other hand, was still in his armor and didn’t look like he was going any where. She coughed to get Jack’s attention and pointed behind him. He turned back to him and asked, “You coming or what?”

“I not sure I should,” he said looking bit hesitant. “I mean how would they react to me being around?”

“Probably about as well as they did me,” Jack told him. “Once you get past the first couple of hours of staring it ain’t so bad.”

“We weren’t staring,” Sparky said looking dismayed.

“You guys were doing a pretty good impersonation of it then,” Rachel told him.

“There something I got to know though, is it true you’re with the guy who did this to us?” Jack looked really uncomfortable before answer that he was.

“I’m sure if Jack thought he had a choice,” Rachel spoke for him, “he wouldn’t be there.”

“We got an agreement going,” Jack said. “We take down Anderson then we finished it.” He paused before adding, “But if you want to take a few pot shots at him I ain’t going to stop you.”

“Behind our backs of course,” Sparky added.

“Of course,” Arron said with a chuckle.

“I think I’d better see how many spare rooms my cell actually has,” Lance said dryly.

“Come on Richie,” Jack said, “you won’t have any problems with these guys. You got me backing you up and I’m in good with these guys.”

“You are huh?” ,Richie asked with a little skepticism.

“Well…,” Jack trailed off and looked at them, “it just these guys and a couple of others. But I’m on the boss’s good side so it’s all good in the end.” He gave him a thumbs up that Richie wasn’t returning. Jack looked at her and said, “You want to back me up on this?”

She crossed her arms, “That depends, how much of a pain in my ass are you two going to be?”

Richie chuckled, “Good to see some things haven’t changed. Guess I could always use a sidekick as I do the hero thing.”

Jack lost the smile but he still had an amused look in his eyes, “Watch it Riderboy. Come on I’ll introduce you to the other Stooges.” He headed for them again and Richie was following this time. He deactivated his system and quickly caught up with him. Then he grunted and grabbed the back of his head. He started to fall foreword as Jack caught him, “Richie!”

“What the hell?”, he muttered as Jack put him on the ground. “It felt like something in my head exploded.”

“Don’t worry man,” Jack told him. “I know a couple of good doctors who are familiar with the system. They’ll have you back on your feet in no time.”

“Jack,” he said, why did it sound like he was starting to have a hard time breathing? “I’m having a hard time moving my leg.” They all looked down and saw his leg barely move. And there was no doubt about it, he breathing was getting raspy.

“Oh God,” she muttered as it hit her, “his chip.”

“Don’t say that!” Jack shouted at her. “It’s got to be something else. Something fixable.”

“Guess Anderson screwed us over anyway,” Richie rasped as he figured out what they were talking about. “Didn’t want another one… getting away.”

“Nobody got screwed over yet,” Jack told him starting to sound desperate. “Come on Richie, you’re going to get fixed up then you and me are gonna walk right into World Inc and stomp a mud hole in Anderson’s ass.”

“Don’t think… it’s going to happen… that way bud.”

“Don’t talk like that Richie.”

“We had one last run,” he said weakly. “It was a blast too.” Everybody started to tear up. “Don’t be sad man,” he told him, “just kick ass.” His breath started to become more shallow, he struggled saying, “Best… buds…”

“Because everybody else is a dude,” Jack finished choking up. Richie let out one last breath and closed his eyes. He was gone. Jack lowered his head, shaking slightly. Lance put a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry Jack,” he said but Jack said nothing.

Arron knelt beside him, “We’ll get Anderson for this.”

Sparky added, “We’ll make it real slow too. Just like he deserves.”

“Jack,” she didn’t know what to say, “me, Lance and Sparky will find a place to bury him if you want. We’ll make sure World Inc. can’t find him.” Jack finally looked at her, eyes red from the tears. Slowly he got to his feet and put his left arm across his chest. As the belt materialized around his waist she asked, “What are you going to do?”

“Making sure they can’t bring them back.” He cried out henshin and the armor formed around him again. “Leave me alone…please.”

Rachel nodded, “Sure Jack, we’ll be… we’ll be right outside. Come out when you’re ready.”

Lane pulled her aside and said, “Me and Sparky will watch over him. Just in case Anderson’s troops decide to show up.”

“Right, come on Arron.” As they reached the top of the stone stairs she looked back at Jack. He stood there not even looking at Richie’s body. Her heart broke seeing him like this and knowing there was nothing she could do to help him.

***

He started pacing waiting for the meter to start flashing. For the first time since he first used the system it wasn’t building up fast enough. He looked at the ceiling, the steps, the seats, the floor in front of him, Lance and Sparky guarding one of the doors. Anything but Richie, he didn’t want to see him like this.

He wanted to remain numb and not think at all. But his memory had other ideas. He was three and he, his Mom and Uncle just moved to their new house. The mom and her son from next door introduced themselves. He didn’t remember much about that day, just that the adults were tall and this curly headed boy hiding behind his mother’s leg. He waved and said, “Hi.”

The boy’s mom said, “Say hi Richie.”

“Hi,” he said meekly.

“Wanna play?”, Jack asked. The boy looked unsure.

“It’s alright Richie,” he mom told him, “remember to stay were I can see you.”

“Ok,” he answered. They headed for the swing set in Richie’s backyard.

At seven they were sitting around looking at the various comics Jack had in his collection. Richie’s dad wouldn’t let him read them so he always came over and read his. While they were talking about the latest X-men Jack asked, “Who’s your favorite superhero.”

Richie shot to his feet and put his fist on his hips saying, “Spectreman.”

“Spectreman?”, Jack asked confused and started going through his books. “Is that the ghost guy in DC Comics?”

“No he’s this super cool guy on TV,” he said excitedly. “Mom let’s me watch him when Dad not home. Come on,” he dragged Jack from the bed, “It’s going to be on soon. It’s the coolest.”

As high school sophomores they ran for there lives and hid behind the football field bleachers. Breathing hard they looked around to make sure they weren’t followed. “How do you get us into these messes?”, Richie asked between breaths.”

“Is it my fault the head goon doesn’t have a sense of humor?”

“How many times to I have to tell you to think before you do anything.”

“God,” Jack through up his hands, “why do I keep hanging around you?”

“Because I’m the only one who can stand you,” Richie shot back. They sat there steaming a bit. Before long Richie started chuckling, “I thought he would have caught on faster than he did.”

Jack smiled and pointed at him, “That’s why it was funny. There’s hope for you yet.”

“There they are!” somebody shouted. They look to the street and saw a bunch of angry football player.

“Oh crap run!”, Jack shouted.

They were adults, a month before things went to hell and Jack stopped running after he caught the pass from Richie. He tossed it back saying, “When the last time anybody told you that you throw like a girl?”

“That isn’t funny Jack,” his then girlfriend said.

“Doesn’t make it any less true,” he countered.

“Too bad I can’t say he’s wrong,” Richie said as he put the ball down. Jack jogged back as Richie took the last burger off the grill. “So what are you going to do now? That place closed a week ago and you still haven’t looked for a new job yet.”

“Just taking some time to myself for a bit,” Jack told him as he grabbed a pop. “Besides I’m not in that bad of shape and I got a couple of jobs lined up that pay just as good.”

“You know that offer to work for us is still open,” Richie told him. “I can guarantee you a job.”

“Look Richie,” he said sounding a tired talking about this again, “I told you before I don’t want it. My Uncle taught me a lot of thing, one of them was don’t take jobs from your friends. It’s always going to go wrong.”

“You wouldn’t be working for me,” Richie told him. “I don’t even work there so there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“Your old man breathing down my neck would be a problem. I got an interview set up in a couple of days. All I got to do is be me and the job is mine.”

“Why are you going to be you if you want to get the job,” Richie joked.

“Oh funny, do you see my side splitting?”

“Hey guys,” Richie’s girlfriend said as she held up a camera, “This looks like a photo op to me.”

“Again with the pictures,” Jack said through his teeth.

“Just humor her,” Richie told him. Without any further prompting they stood next to each other put two fingers up behind the other one head and grinned like idiots. The light flashed as she took the picture.

The meter started flashing in his helmet. He looked over to Lance and Sparky. Lance nodded and tapped Sparky in the arm then pointed to the hallway behind them. They left him alone and he finally looked at Richie. He looked so peaceful laying there. Slowly he walked over. He put his hand on the pod and twisted it down, choking up he whispered, “Goodbye Richie.”

***

Melissa sat by herself as Emily came in. She silently sat next to her and listened to the silence. They got back a few hours ago from the arena. Just by looking at them told her things didn’t go well. Hell Jack expression, or lack of, told a bigger story. Emily finally broke the silence, “This was a test for everybody child, nobody knew what the results were going to be.”

She thought about what Rachel and Lance told her went down and the aftermath. “No offence Emily but this sounds like more of a torture for Jack than a test.”

“True,” she admitted, “he was the focus of this event, but we were affected just the same. And will be continued to be now that it is over. Something like this will not just go away overnight.”

“Well at least it’s over now,” she said getting up. “I’m going to try to arrange things to give Jack some free time to sort this out. If I’m lucky I can get him a couple of days, maybe three.”

“Time is what he needs child,” Emily agreed. As she left she heard her say, “Unfortunately his darkest days are still to come.”

***

Rachel woke up and found that Jack never slept in their room that night. It wasn’t until late afternoon when she found him. She expected him to be drunk off his ass but there wasn’t the sight or sent of alcohol around him. He was just curled up against the wall, he didn’t even change his clothes from the night before. Rachel stood by him, she wanted to comfort him but she also knew he needed his space right now. She turned to leave when he asked, “How?”

“Friedman did some checking after he found out.” She turned around saw Jack still wasn’t looking at her. “From what he was able to gather, That Andy guy had a chip in his head too that was linked to Richie’s. When he died it did something to his chip, interrupting his systems functions.” Jack curled up a little tighter when he heard the news. “Dusty wanted to check me out to see if the same thing happened to me. I told him there was no need to.” He didn’t reply, “Of course if you want proof…” And that did not come out like she wanted it too.

“I believe you,’ he said softly, voice cracking a little.

She walked back to him and knelt down, “Come on Jack, talk to me.”

“I’m fine,” he said a bit defensively.

“You can’t shut everything out.” He got up and walked away. “Jack you can’t stuff this down whatever you stuff thing inside you.”

“Not now,” he told her.

“You got to talk about this,” Rachel said following him. “I’m right here when you’re ready.”

“And what do you want me to talk about?!”, he snapped and turned around to look at her. She could see the tears falling down his cheek. After a moment he headed off again, “That fact my best friend is dead again. Or the fact I blew…” he stopped as he started choking up again. “I blew him…”. By the time she reached him he dropped to his knees and cried.

Rachel quickly knelt beside him and held him, “It’s ok Jack, don’t hold it in. He wouldn’t want you to hold it in.”

He slammed his fist against the wall,” Damn it, it should have been me. I should be dead now, not him.”

Rachel held him a little tighter, “Don’t say things like that. Please don’t say things like that.”

“He saved me,” he said not holding back anymore. “Why couldn’t I save him?”

“I don’t know,” she told him. She kissed him lightly on the forehead and held him until he ran out of tears.

***

When night hit Melissa and Rachel said they found it. Rachel told him he didn’t have to go but he wanted to. It something he should have done a long time ago. He pulled up beside the van as Melissa, Lance, Sparky and Arron stepped out. Rachel got off the bike a he looked at the gates. “You want to head back and do this another day?”, she asked.

“I can do this,” he told her. They walked through the gates and though the path until they reached the section they were looking for. God he was so not looking foreword to this.

Rachel could sense his anxiety, “Do you want me to come with you? You told me so much about him I feel like I know him.”

“He would’ve drove you nuts,” he smiled sadly, “especially with me around. I need to do this alone.”

“Sure,” she replied. “We’ll be here if you need us.”

Jack said nothing as he approached the tombstones. A chill ran down his spine as he saw the one that read “Jack Davidson”. He swallowed and looked the one next to it, the one that said, “Richard Kingstone”. He closed his eyes and pinched his nose. A moment later he felt Rachel put an arm around his shoulder. He was so grateful for that. Kneeling down he pulled a photo out of his pocket. The one of them before it all happened. He leaned it against the tombstone and stood back up. “Bye Richie,” he said softly. “I’ll make sure I get the bastard. If it’s the last I thing to do.” He turned and headed back for the gate. The others gave him some space but Rachel stood by his side. Now he was more determined than ever to take down Anderson, no matter what or who got in his way.