Cell Block Tango

[Alice Ryder]

Meanwhile, Alice walked downstairs to the bar from the living space upstairs. She’d left Gale with Jason who despite having just faced the fact he may never see his parents again seemed to be doing alright. Alice however was furious and if the psionic blockers weren’t still on she’d single handily burn the whole place to the ground.

When she reached the bar several agents and Nick were gathered around drinking.

“Take your drinks downstairs boys.” Alice said pleasantly but there was nothing in the way she said it that left it as a suggestion.

Alice waited until they cleared out before she turned to Nick.

“Do you have any idea how angry I am at you?” Alice inquired calmly. “Agents almost stormed our home endangering not only our son but your grandson and you left me no way to defend them. If Jack hadn’t sealed that door what do you think would have happened? We were in no danger from Jack and Kinsey but is Jason had been hurt what then? What do you think either of them would have done? And turn off the bloody psionic blockers I’m freezing!”

[Nick Ryder]

Nick looked at Alice and could tell by her calm, even tone of voice she was internally burning up a storm if not for the psionic blockers that kept their powers inhibited. He sighed heavily and looked her in the eyes. "Honestly I don't know what those two are capable of anymore. I really don't. I know they weren't trying to hurt my agents or me or you. But... they blew up planets for God's sake Alice." he looked into his rum and coke and shook his head. "Kinsey shared with me what she went through why she did what she did. I'm still... processing it. I'll have a talk with our agents, they shouldn't have gone to our quarters and you weren't defenseless. How many defensive and offensive weapons do I have literally every five feet? I'm not Julie paranoid, but I am paranoid." he held her hand. "I'm sorry. And I'll turn off the blockers. I just... here." he handed her the PADD that Jack left. "I still don't know if I'm furious or more calm. I read one thing I'm feeling... better. Another and I'm ready to go all Human Torch." he got up and mixed her a drink. "Here... you'll need this. The gory details of what they did to them... are not pleasant. And I've dealt with more gore in my career than anyone should have."

[Alice Ryder]

"Well I can tell you're still angry." Alice as she wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself close. "You're practically an oven and it feel amazing...I honestly don't know if I could process the gory details Nicholas. Kinsey is my friend and Jack was long before he was my step son. I can't believe they would have done this without some kind of motivation and manipulation. They had Kinsey for months and Jack who knows with time dilation fields what they could have done."

[Nick Ryder]

"Exactly... I really wanted them to keep their butts here, but... trying to get through to those two was like hitting a brick wall and expecting to walk through." Nick sighed heavily. "They did rescue Mattis and one of the others, no idea what happened to Sand... V'Pier. If he escaped or is still there. My guess is he's still hiding there. Bellatrix is a sadist. Cut his arms off, crushed his jaw, man was nearly dead. Jack kind of... Borgified him. Remember that limb replacement we were working on? Well he managed to couple that with liquid SKIN armor and the same tech that lets us rapidly construct a shuttle hull in hours. Grew him a new arm, new jaw, they just found him in Teri's sickbay. So... yeah they were still doing good stuff for us... but what would stop Kinsey and Jack from taking out another world if they thought it would 'help'?"

[Alice Ryder]

"We have to have faith that they're trying to figure out what happened as much as we are. They just can't do it here locked in a cell." Alice said as she caressed his face. "Either they felt it wouldn't be safe or they just needed the space. It's the only reason I can think of for them to leave the children behind. I could tell Kinsey didn't want to they mean more to her then anything."

[Nick Ryder]

Nick smiled slightly at that. "I'm glad actually... means they aren't that far gone." he looked her in the eyes. "Why didn't you get into counseling? You do a pretty good job of it." he sipped his drink and smiled. "I should have let you talk to them first."

[Alice Ryder]

"Because you were thinking with this and not with this." Alice said as she pointed to his head and his heart. "Or either considering you didn't talk to me either. Which normally you do."

[Nick Ryder]

"I think I was running on impulse." Nick said sheepishly. "I should have talked to you, it takes a lot for me to sorta lose it but I still have a temper and I know you do too. Last thing we need are the two of us going super nova. I was really really close, the psi blocker were as much for me as it was for them. Again... I'm sorry. We're a team. I guess, same as they are. He'd do anything for her and the same in reverse. Alice you're better than a therapist. More expensive though. I have a feeling this is going to cost me a little huh?"

[Alice Ryder]

“Well it will cost you an evening in bed with me most certainly because I’m freezing. Secondly, you’ll find a way to make it up to me. Then we will need to decide how to approach Jack and Kinsey with a level head.” Alice said as she picked up her drink and took a small sip.

[Nick Ryder]

"Square deal." Nick said and leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "I suppose I can call Kassie to pick up Jason and Gale for the night. I kind of enjoy seeing big Jason get all weird when Kassie's around little Jason. He's gonna have to get over that real quick... I think Kassie's having a boy. At least that's my theory."