On the run, they rarely got time to kick back. Either the were on the road, or tangled in each other in a hotel room, or stuck on high alert. But it wasn’t often that they felt safe enough – far away enough – to truly kick back. They’d been in this town a little while, quietly blending in, resting at the hotel, and even now visiting the local bar for just a few drinks and to scope out the locals. Just in case. It had all been going well and easy until the very moment it wasn’t. Until she watched Owen turn from the man she trusted to something animal, a killer with dark violence in his eyes and a gun in his hand, staring down the screaming bar patrons. We don’t hesitate. He said it like it’s a prayer, like a mantra.
JJ had been on her feet in seconds, the bar stool falling to the floor as she did. She shoved past a man who insisted ladies stay out of it. It was probably well intentioned but JJ didn’t have time to be underestimated. She could see it on Owen’s face, the brokenness. It wasn’t animal – it was programming.
“Riley…” She stepped forward, stepped into the crowd with her voice low and gentle. “Riley it’s me,” she spoke gently, holding her hands out, trying to calm the people around her. She wasn’t just speaking to him. She was speaking to them too. “No one here wants to hurt you, Riley. No one here is a threat.” She looked around, as if to confirm to the rest of the patrons that what she needed from them was for them to do exactly as she said. “It’s me, Riley. JJ. Look at me. Look at me. Why don’t you tell me what we have to do? We’re partners right? Are you going to fill me in or what?” It was a stall, but JJ hoped it would stall them long enough to ease him. Fighting against his programming was only going to make him angry. It was better for her to play along with it, until he could see clearly again.
The poor man on his knees looked up at Owen, his eyes widening when he heard the gun cock. Resolute in his mission, and ready to obey orders, Owen’s finger moved to squeeze the trigger –– but before he could, he heard a new voice. It was enough to give him pause, confusing his already addled mind. She was so familiar, but why would she be there ? Why would she be in the training room ? It didn’t make sense –– -
‘Partner’. That was a word Owen knew. Yes, of course ! JJ was his partner. They had to help each other, though with what, he couldn’t figure out. It was as though the answer were right there –– reality was just within his grasp –– but kept slipping away every time he held on. The gun in his hand shook slightly and two different factions of his mind began to war with one another. He blinked and finally, painfully slowly, he turned his gaze to the blonde. ❝ I have orders to–– I have orders –– - ❞
The words suddenly sounded foreign to himself, his voice cracking with sudden doubt. There was something about her crystalline eyes that warmed him, letting him think that with her, he’d be okay. Cheap bedsheets and the smell of coffee. Those were the things his mind went to when he looked at her. They were comforting, and they were real. ❝ I don’t have orders, do I ? ❞ Looking around the the room, it was as though he were seeing everyone else for the first time. Then his eyes rested on his would-be victim and panic surged through him. In a quick, precise move of his hand, he disarmed the gun, pulling the slide away and separating it into two, useless pieces. They clattered to the floor and he took off running, needing to get outside where hopefully there would be air so that he could breathe. Owen didn’t make it far before doubling over in the parking lot, his hands on his knees as he tried to make the world stop spinning.