The Cryptic Muse

(5:58:32 PM) Archer Keating
He laughed too right along with Chase. Going down memory lane was really cool and he could tell this was important. Especially considering what Chase had been through. Each time he remembered something, Archer felt a thrill. Chase was coming back from whatever hell he had been caught up in. Even the Blades and all that, memories were coming back. But then the conversation turned and the question from Archer hung between them. Blue eyes hungrily ate up any expression that Chase gave away but even then he wasn't ready for when Chase moved.

His gut reaction was to try to twist his wrists away and he started to before he was mesmerized by the look in Chase's eyes. He grunted a soft exhale of breath when pinned to the wall, lips parted in surprise. It all happened so fast, even the tipping of Chase's head as he came in for the kiss, Archer was reacting to each second as it came without thought. It was instinct. His own lips parted and he pushed in against the contact with more fervor than perhaps would be expected, taking as much of that kiss as he could get and then some. It wasn't a gentle thing he was given and he didn't seem to care. His lips were tingling with a hint of pain where his lip got caught between teeth but again, he didn't seem to care. Archer's lower lip was sucked into his mouth and slowly was released, eyes focused hard on Chase's amber gaze. His ears were ringing but he heard each word that Chase said.

His own reply was just a rush of a whisper. "I like that answer."



(6:06:25 PM) Rex Evans
Memory lane was a good and bad thing, all at once. Mostly good, but bad because he couldn't go back and fix all the fucked up shit that had happened while he was gone. It was something he'd probably regret til the day he died, to be honest. Though, it was like he said; he'd numbered bullets -- some, had printed names on them. They'd be used, and they'd serve their purpose. Revenge. In one way, shape, or form, he'd get it. And as of right then, in that second, he had at least four more to tag.

Had Archer even made a true attempt to twist his wrists away, it likely would've been impossible, by no true fault of his own. Chase had a grip like a vice, anymore, and it was taking some time to learn how to - no pun intended, - get a grip on it. When he didn't react negatively, however, it would have been a lie to say that something akin to relief didn't wash over him during that shared kiss, regardless of the rough-factor tossed in there. ..Then again, that was his nature. He'd never been the type to just pet on someone, and then peck a few cutesy little kisses here and there, and call it good. Passionate was what Chase was, in all senses of the word.

Still, the former sleeper took a breath when Archer's reply finally came, even if he didn't look away. Nope. No bashfulness on his behalf. "Good.. s'what I was hopin'." Oh, now he admits it-- go figure.

"Y'know, back.. then.. we prob'ly would've gotten into a hell of'a lotta trouble." Though it was said with a smirk, it was kind of a warning in itself. "..Now, though. If I'm stickin' around with you, 'n all.. there's some things y'gotta know." -d




(6:14:26 PM) Archer Keating
The instinct of fight or flight was what had prompted the initial twist of his wrists for freedom but once that kiss started, no further moves to reclaim his hands was attempted. He was too into the kiss to care about his hands although he wouldn't have minded getting a couple handfuls of Chase during it. Maybe next time. As he listened to Chase say 'good', Archer smiled.

"Yeah. From just about everyone probably." He missed the old days, he missed his brother but damn he wasn't going to trade being right where he was right then for anything. He shifted a little, eyes dropping low then back up. It was pretty plain how much he'd liked the kiss. "Then I guess you need to start talking because there's no way in hell you're leaving now." That was a promise and a threat. He might not be CIA or government or anything else but that wouldn't matter. The whole 'where there's a will there's a way' saying came to mind.

Since the grip on his wrists had eased, he worked one hand free so he could drift fingers across Chase's arm to his shoulder. There, fingers went for a trip through Chase's hair. If he caught wind of Chase wanting to cut it, there would be a riot. Archer needed something to hang on to. "And I'm not going anywhere either so," he flicked Chases ear lightly, "talk to me."



(6:23:12 PM) Rex Evans
Maybe next time. For just a split second, he let his eyes closed, if only to gather his thoughts when Archer agreed that they would have likely had a problem from just about everyone-- that much should have been a given, though. His own parents would have shit bricks..

When that promise and threat alike came, those intense ambers opened, and a smirk was flashed. Only because, typically, he wouldn't have thought twice about not answering-- but, so far? He had no reason to hold anything back. Besides, Archer was the one who'd gotten the gears turning in his head again, or.. as he would have put it.. the brain cells snapping back together, as if they'd been completely split.

Chase's stare didn't budge even as that hand worked its way up his arm and to his shoulder. And his head tilted just slightly into those fingers that moved through his hair. Really, it wasn't as if he even remembered what it was like to not have a head full of weird, whacky hair.. he just knew it felt a little odd. The flick to his ear only intensified the smirk he wore, and with a light shrug, he took a step back. "Fine, fine," he said, as if it were some big ordeal.. and, it was..

"Ever since I got off th'bus here in New York, the ones who did this are watchin' me. ..Think I don't know it, but I do." And it was painfully obvious when you could hear, see, and sense these things. "..So.. if we're out somewhere, doin' somethin'.. and it's weird t'me.. y'gotta trust what I say. M'not usually wrong. Just a few weeks ago, I had t'break my hand just t'get outta some fuckin' handcuffs to deal with one of 'em." Else, he would've watched his only two friends at the time, lose their heads quite literally.

"..Killin' isn't somethin' I just joke about anymore. It happens. ..I don't like it a lot, but.. it can't end til they're gone.." -d



(6:33:52 PM) Archer Keating
He exhaled a quick breath when Chase took a step back, Archer's lower lip once more nibbled by teeth while his eyes followed Chase's every move. A slight furrow of his brow indicated he didn't like the idea of Chase being watched by parties who wanted to do Chase harm. And when it's the government, how do you escape it? He pushed away from the wall and turned to grasp the window shades to draw them closed. He couldn't imagine .. well, yes he could. Archer remembered how he had hit the robber and took him down. He no longer wondered if Chase would have killed the guy. Archer knew he would have.

Once the shades were drawn, he turned to look at Chase again. "How do you get them gone? You can't kill them all. Have you thought about leaving the country?" He could still feel the tingle of lips against his own but to his credit, he was doing a good job of focusing on the issue instead of that. He couldn't stop licking his lips though. Archer moved to the couch and sat down, eyes still focused on Chase. "Why stay in one place? Can't they find you easier if you're in one place?"

He reached a hand out to Chase, inviting him to the couch. There was a glass nearby and a bottle of scotch if he wanted those too.



(6:42:25 PM) Rex Evans
He watched when Acher drew the shades closed, and only reached up to scratch at the back of his neck again; some god-awful nervous tick that was remnant of the fucking code being put there in the first place, most likely.

"I can kill 'em all. I just gotta find out if th'others are alive.." The others in the program, he meant, even if he didn't elaborate. "M'pretty sure they ain't, but it never hurts t'look." Leaving the country, though?

He didn't answer for a long moment, and only watched as the other moved to the couch and sat down, and almost like the stray pup he'd taken in, Chase followed and dropped down beside him. "If I leave th'country, it'd be obvious. Passports, paper trails; I don't have any of th'fake shit anymore-- 'cept an ID card. Everything else bein' held." Go figure, that. "If I stay in one place 'n don't use debit cards or make myself obvious.. they ain't got a fuckin' clue where I am.. 'cept for that one."

Instead of reaching for the scotch right away, he sunk back into the couch and didn't at all resist the urge to snake an arm behind Archer, even if just to draw him a bit closer before continuing. "There's one. Jack Malone; you'll know 'im when y'see him-- if y'see him, I mean." He paused briefly, then cocked his chin up a bit. "Either way, I doubt I'd not notice 'im before he got too close. That was one'a th'things they made sure of; kinda backfired on 'im, huh.." It was musing, plain and simple, the ending statement. They'd created a monster-- good fuckin' luck defeating it.



(6:53:36 PM) Archer Keating
He wasn't going to argue with Chase about whether or not he could kill everyone in the program that had made him like this. There was just a very brief pained look on his face that shifted to one of contemplation. He was really thinking about what Chase was saying. "Fake ID's aren't so hard to get if you have money. I get though. We stay in one place and you're on a cash-only revenue stream. We can work with that." Yes, he took some college courses and wasn't too bad at the financial stuff. He just didn't have a lot of cash on his own right now.

Archer didn't mind at all being drawn in closer against Chase. One hand rested on Chase's leg. It wasn't him being coy or flirting. It was just a comfortable place to let his hand rest. "Who is this Jack guy? Is he someone trying to kill you?" That's when his fingers tightened on Chase's leg in a a gesture that was equally protective and nervous all at the same time. "How will I know him? What do I do when I see him?" At this point if Chase said Archer was going to see him, Archer was willing to take a few things on faith.

Even so, the whole spy thing was new to the Jersey boy. "You know, the closest to being in a fight that I've been was watching you and Quinn beat up other guys." It probably sounded a little pathetic to Chase considering how much training he'd had. "I can make a good cocktail though." He flashed a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "And I pour a great neat Scotch as you have found out."



(7:01:30 PM) Rex Evans
"But all th'other documents.." he mentioned. No, getting fake IDs wasn't difficult.. it was the other paper trails that needed to link way back to a certain date, in a certain place, and check out legit if they were looked into. But that obviously wasn't what he wanted. He wanted his life back. "'xactly." he said, as far as the cash-only revenue stream. "I have money.. I jus' can't get to it without usin' th'fuckin' card, or th'name Rex." Because it was all holed up in a huge banking corporation that he didn't dare trust anymore.

The position Archer took, with that hand resting on his leg, didn't bother him in the least. Even once it tightened along with the questions that were shot at him. His own hand moved then just to rest over top his, almost thoughtlessly. "Jack is one'a the agents who worked in th'program; he liked doin' what he did.. and they liked usin' 'im, because of it. He's not a threat to me 'cause he's too fuckin' slow-- but, you.. Mel.. or Maura.. my friends.." he mentioned. "He'll try t'use any of you t'get to me." Hey, he had to be honest. Even if it did spur nervousness and paranoia. "Likewise, I won't kill him 'cause he's just a pawn 'n doesn't know it-- he did what he was told t'do." That didn't at all mean he liked the guy-- in fact, he'd hospitalized him for a good while with seven sharp shots.

"You'll know 'im. He sticks out 'cause he doesn't look like'n agent. Dresses like a li'l fuckin' prick.. walks 'n talks like one too. But you'll see th'badge." It could have been amusing, in a way; and Archer would see what he meant if and when Jack ever did show his face again.

Slouching down some, those amber eyes shifted sidelong and down to Archer when he mentioned not having been in a fight, and though he grinned, it wasn't anything he found pathetic or ridiculous, really. "I'll show you enough t'get by." However, no, there was no denying he could make a good cocktail and pour a great and neat scotch. "We all got our sweet spots, I guess," he kidded.

"All y'gotta do is trust me 'n you'll be fine." If only he could get the other two to take heed to his warnings, they'd probably be singing another tune entirely by then.. but, detectives and their hard-ass demeanor.. hn. "Speakin' of Scotch.." he kidded, gesturing with a nod of his head to the bottle and glass. Teasing. He did a lot of it.



(7:14:52 PM) Archer Keating
Well, he tried. There was a reason he was a bartender and not a super-spy. It came down to training and what he knew. He did know one thing though. "Don't let him. You do what you have to do. I don't want to be anyone's pawn. Don't you dare sacrifice yourself for me." That was punctuated by a hard jab of his finger into Chase's arm. "You hear me?" It irked him to think that someone might try that and he was going to head that one off right now. He wasn't sure he would recognize this guy but if Chase said so, okay. He was going on faith on that one too.

"I'll learn what you want to teach me, Chase. And I'll do what you say. Mostly." Archer was used to the teasing and had some of his own to give back. If it came down to it, he would do what he was told but he'd expect to be told why later. As far as that scotch, he glanced for the bottle then back to Chase. "That'll cost you." He was really teasing then. He pushed away and got up, grabbing the bottle and the glass. He sat down again next to Chase and poured out three fingers into the glass before holding the glass out to him.



(7:25:25 PM) Rex Evans
He grinned just a little, though it was nowhere near the same type of grin that he had been giving. Don't sacrifice himself for him? That wasn't how it worked. Not at all. Even the hard jab into his arm wouldn't have changed his mind. "I can't promise y'that.." he trailed. "A few bullets ain't gonna kill me. They set it up that way." And he had the scars to prove it, even if it was unsettling to hear. "Tha's jus' th'way they work. To them, I'm'a danger. M'some fuckin' dangerous animal on th'loose, waitin' to tear someone's head off their shoulders." That was the picture he gathered, anyway. "..Just 'cause there are bad ones out there, don't mean there aren't good ones, too." He added. "I got a few watchin' my back, 'n if you're around.. they're gonna be watchin' you too."

"I'll teach y'anything y'wanna know," he said next, a rather Cheshire grin forming in spite of the 'mostly' tossed in at the end of Archer's statement. Hey, it wasn't like he'd tell him to do something and thn leave it at that, later. That wasn't how he worked.

Then, the scotch, yes. The grin was downright devilish as the blonde got up and headed off to grab the bottle and glass. "Cost me what?" he damn near taunted, slouching down a bit further. There'd be more to come later, but.. really? He didn't want to overload Archer at once, with everything at once-- it was a lot to take in, he'd be the first to admit. And had he not known it to be real, he would've equated it to being some sci-fi-drama movie that was being filmed, and he was the unsuspecting star. All the same, he took the glass that was filled, and couldn't help but snicker a little.. just due to the sheer fact that he had, indeed, poured him a glass.

"..Y'sure you're gonna stick around? S'kinda crazy, anymore." -d



(7:46:27 PM) Archer Keating
He didn't like hearing that. "I don't want anyone using me against you, man. That's a cheap shot." He wanted to protest more but he knew that tone and knew he wasn't going to get anywhere if he kept arguing. "You need to let me know who is watching your back so I know who to trust. Right now, you're it." The naive bartender was suddenly flipping a new leaf, worried about his friend and afraid that he'd do something to put Chase into harms way. "I don't want to hurt you."

About being taught, Archer wrinkled his nose. "I don't even know what to ask to be taught so you need to help me out with that. I'm about as good as any couch potato with things like that, you know. You know me. You know what I can do physically. I'm a little stronger, I'm more coordinated. And if I think someone's going to be hurting you, I will hurt them." That was not spoken in jest. Family was everything to Archer and with Chase coming back from the dead, Archer had found a reason to be protective.

The question about cost just about sent Archer into a round of laughter. "Don't worry. I won't break your bank or your balls. I'm very reasonable." He offered the glass to Chase and then leaned in. "Of course I'm going to stick around, Chase. I'm not letting you go again. I want you safe. You're stuck with me. Just deal with it." He flashed a wide grin and before he gave up the glass, he first leaned in close enough to press a kiss to the corner of Chase's mouth. "Got it?"



(8:12:06 PM) Rex Evans
It wasn't something that could be protested. The program he'd been tricked into, in the beginning, had been the same since that very first week when he'd learned so harshly that it wasn't at all some intensified training course. No, no. And by that time, it was entirely too late. He'd been deemed dead, and there was no going back.. even if he'd fought it tooth and nail. "They're cowards. 'Course they're gonna be makin' cheap shots. Ain't no different than th'Blades, in a way.." Only worse; in suits, and unheard of weapons when it came down to it.

"There's'a few I trust. I'll give your their names 'n numbers. One's with th'FBI.. the other two, I told'ja about. Th'detective 'n th'reporter." And his dog, but that didn't quite count. "Shit, Archer.." he said, at the end of that. "Y'ain't gonna hurt me. M'more worried 'bout it bein' th'other way around." And he was. Else he wouldn't have been spouting it all off.

Another grin was flashed, and he shot yet another sidelong glance at Archer. "S'long as you're coordinated, m'bettin' you can learn anything." As far as fighting was concerned; there was no ability he had to teach that would put anyone up to his par, however, but he'd die trying if he had to. "I believe it.." he trailed, watching the sudden protection rush up in him.

"You are, huh? Reasonable.." he parroted, tipping his chin up with a slightly narrowed glance that was all for show. He could have tried to break either one, for all he cared, but he did just smirk and reach for the glass.. even if his hand didn't quite make it to it. "Not like I got a problem with bein' stuck wit' you. I'm th'one with the mess followin' me around.." But, just deal with it? His fingers touched the glass, at least, that time.. but he didn't make any real effort to get a hold of it as that kiss was pressed to the corner of his mouth.

Lifting the glass from Archer's grasp, and off to the side, he used his other hand just to reach up and guide him by the chin right back, just as close, for another kiss. Though, this one wasn't nearly as fierce as the first. "Think so. ..Might need'a li'l bit more convincin' though." Not really. He was just being an asshole. "But you gotta realize this.." he started, only pausing to take a nice, early morning, swig of the alcohol. "I lost a lot too. 'n I don't intend on givin' it up that easily again. You're part'a that now." It could've been taken as a warning, too, what with the way he said it. Cocksure, even a bit on the sly side of things.



(8:30:13 PM) Archer Keating Interesting correlation with the Blades and the CIA. They were each a gang it seemed; one just had better toys. Archer was taking it all in. The promise of contacts, the warnings about being hurt. He should be scared but he didn't feel scared. Maybe he was still in shock because right here, on his couch, was Chase. He wasn't dead and that was not a little thing to swallow down whole. "You should see me when I do my flair bartending. I'm pretty kick ass you know."

He didn't fight to hold onto the glass but truth be told, he barely noticed when Chase managed to get the glass from his fingers. He was lost in the kiss because well, he liked how it felt. It was just all mountains of right. After the second kiss, the one that Chase guided him into, Archer smiled again. "I'm very convincing, you know. I always was." He really hadn't needed to fight. He could charm his way out of most situations. His brow went up when he was told he had to realize something. For a second there, Archer felt really bad. He hadn't been looking at it from Chases point of view. He had lost everything. "I like being part of that." He whispered those words and then eased back so Chase could have an intimate moment with his scotch glass. He hadn't been very worried about just being in his boxers but now, well, he felt the need to get up and get dressed into something more appropriate. "Drink up. You got what, three bottles to finish?"

And on that, he headed for the bedroom again and the jeans he'd discarded. Good thing he didn't wear super tight jeans. He wouldn't have been able to get into skinny jeans. His mind was whirling away though. Having Chase back, hearing the story and all that Chase had said .. it was scary. He wasn't sure what he could do to help but he was damned sure he was going to try anything he needed to try.

Then he grinned. His fingers touched his lips and his blue eyes lifted to rest on the mirror across the room. Yeah, it was all worth it. Even without the kiss. But the kiss had just made everything that much sweeter. "When you are hungry, what do you usually eat?"



(8:49:43 PM) Rex Evans
He should have been scared, and if he was - even in the slightest - he was doing a pretty good job at keeping it under wraps. Though, as of late, he'd only been presented with the types of people who threw up when their nerves got the best of them -- it was something he didn't quite understand, but didn't question. "Never said I wouldn't come watch y'tend sometimes," he chimed, even if it held no chime-like value to it. It was all gravel. "If y'work t'night, I'll come watch." But only if he intended on doing his flair bartending. Otherwise, he'd just try to convince him to play hookie and not even go.

He couldn't help but grin at the way Archer smiled after the second kiss, and he leaned off to the side just far enough to prop his elbow on the armrest before dropping his temple down on his knuckles. "Yeah, I know," he said with an overly dramatized roll of those amber eyes. "S'why I figured you would'a had nine types'a girls hangin' off'a you." Not only that, but well, Archer had always had his attention-- even if it would've seemed a little strange to anyone else who could have possibly been listening in to any of their conversating. "Hope so," he said, with just a hint of that devilish grin he could so often possess. "S'prob'ly gonna be a long road." And all he meant by that was, he wouldn't at all mind the company. You never knew just how fucking lonely you could be until you had no one, and nothing.

When he was told to drink up, he only smirked. "This early, y'want me to drink three bottles? Fuck.." he said, even as Archer headed for the bedroom. When he disappeared into the bedroom, though, Chase was quick to polish off that glass as if it were nothing; truly, it wasn't, but it ensured he wouldn't get some sort of sloppy hangover, whichever way you looked at it. It was rare that such a thing happened, but it had before-- and he could remember it well enough to want to avoid it from happening again.

The entire while Archer was in the other room, he was watching down the hallway -- not trying to watch him, really, just.. lost in train of thought; considering it all, and quite frankly, it wasn't that hard to get used to the idea of keeping Archer around. In a sense, it gave him more reason to stay hellbent on setting things right-- not only that, but, ..he got to kiss 'im, after all this time. It was kind of an amazing sort of thing that left him grinning, even as that question was called out to him.

"..Hotpockets." Really. Had nothing changed? "..Or pizza. Tacos.." Whatever he was in the mood for? That wasn't helping, though, was it?



(9:03:47 PM) Archer Keating
In the bedroom, he just dropped his head forward. That sounded exactly like the food they tried to get mum to buy for them. He finished zipping up and buttoning up his jeans and headed back for the living feeling a bit more constrained but a lot less 'out there'. He didn't bother with a shirt since he just didn't feel like dragging one on. "I have stuff like that in the freezer. No tacos though. Sounds good. We could make those pretty easy." Not that he was trying to feed Chase, just trying to figure out what he needed on hand.

Archer dropped back to the couch with a sigh, fingers running through his own hair. On the other side of the blind, the sun was starting to come up. "I do work tonight but I don't know if I'm going to make it. I only had a couple hours of sleep." He shot a look at Chase and smiled a good natured grin. "I blame you too. You had me in all sorts of strange dreams." He chuckled then his hand fell back to his lap.

"So what's the next move, Chase? You going to stay here with me? You know I'd like that and we could go get your dog." He shot a hopeful smile at Chase but wasn't 100% certain that Chase would take advantage of the apartment. He did have another place, after all. "It's a decent place. I can show you the garage too. I am almost done with my car. Well, not my car. Boss owns it but I drive it. There's a race in a few days. You know the kind, right?" He grinned. It was an expression that had all sorts of fun nuances but the biggest give away were the twinkling eyes. Yes, it wouldn't be a race that mum would approve of at all. "You still drive crazy?"



(10:01:17 PM) Rex Evans
It was kind of crazy, but that's just the way it was: he was still up in the air as far as food choices went when he was hungry. Which wasn't that often at all, given the whole.. non-stop movement of his brain. It was why his reporter friend made a damn good effort to text him and remind him to eat-- even if that only did any good when he had his cellphone.

Chase wasn't quite sure she was aware that was about the equivalent of wearing a GPS tracking device. "Yanno, tacos do sound pretty fuckin' good." he added, as an after-thought when Archer agreed. And even glanced up at him when he dropped back onto the couch beside him. "Dreams? What sorta strange dreams?" Hey, fair was fair, especially when he'd went as far as to share what all he'd dreamed, and in doing so, remembered-- even if he'd left out that it was a bit like deciphering Da Vinci's next big coded masterpiece. Regardless, Chase was thankful for it. "..'n maybe a few hours of'a nap later wouldn't be bad."

Taking another swig frim the glass, he leaned and set it aside before that hopeful smile was shot his way. Shit, Aspen.. you could almost see it on his face. But he was considering the question already, even as he was clued into the car in the garage. Which also seemed to jab back at him the fact that he had a truck he hadn't as much as turned the keys in the ignotion since he'd went 'missing.' Even if it, too, was back in his possession. "Ah, yeah," he shot back. "Th'kind I'd prob'-- 'course I do. S'the only way to drive." Crazy, though he left out the fact that eight times out of ten, the past times he remembered even remotely driving, he'd been incredibly lit and readying the pass-out stage. "We gotta go get Aspen.. 'n then we'll go from there. Got a few other things t'pick up, too." Whenever, of course, Archer was ready to start moving.



(10:16:40 PM) Archer Keating
"It's a little early for tacos but maybe later. There's a place a few blocks away that does mexican." He let his head roll to the side, looking at Chase with a chuckle. Dreams. "Stuff when we were kids. But not really actual events. Hard to explain." He waved his hand. "I've forgotten most of the details already." He really should be tired but he wasn't. Too much excitement with Chase there. That had to be it.

He leaned forward and shot another look at Chase. "We can go get your dog and take it from there, yeah. When do you want to do that?" He was ready anytime and said so with actions by getting up and turning to look at Chase. "Now? I can get a shirt on." He offered a hand to Chase to help him off the couch. He was feeling antsy and wanted to get out of the apartment. The sun was up and they could pick up some coffee at the corner. "There's a bagel shop at the corner. Real good bagels and coffee. I like the coffee." He waved his other hand to indicate the stuff they'd gotten out and the scotch. "We can clean this up later." Yes, Archer was somewhat of a neat freak. "What do you say?"



(10:31:34 PM) Rex Evans
"Man. S'never too early for tacos," he teased.. even if he relented when the answer in concerns of dreams was given. For a moment, Chase just gave him an incredulous sort of look. "Stuff your subconscious made happen, but never really did?" he asked, tipping his chin up. Yeah, who expected Chase - of all people - to have a good grasp on how dreams worked. He had some like that, and it wasn't at all easy to decipher them from the real ones at times. All he had to go by was his body's reaction to the damn things; ninety-nine percent of the time, if it were real, he'd wake up drenched in sweat.. given that it wasn't a half-way decent dream.

The dog. Aspen was probably clawing at the inside of the door by now, and not only that, wondering where the fuck he'd ran off to-- it wasn't usual for him to leave the large husky behind, anymore. But in his defense, things had taken a rather odd turn the previous night, and.. he did what he felt was right, for the first time in.. weeks. "Yeah, now," he agreed, and shoved up to go grab his own shirt out of the bedroom. ...And really, someone should tell him to slow the fuck down sometime, so he realized that - at times - he moved entirely too fast. By the time he re-emerged from the bedroom, the black shirt was back in place with the front pushed down just barely into the front of his jeans. The hoodie, though.. he left it where it lied, still beneath the couple of untouched bottles. Snatching up his cigarettes, and jacket, he pulled the battered thing on and nodded in agreement to cleaning the place up later. "Sounds good t'me, man." ...And the best part was, Archer was just about to see that he wasn't alone in being a bit of a neat freak. ..If he could over look the busted out window in the front of his own place.

"'n I'll never turn down coffee." But bagels? It was iffy; it all depended on how he felt by the time they got to the corner shop. Bagels would always be iffy, given the fact that it was the first place he'd eaten, upon instruction given by the reporter. Just brought up some really intense memories whenever he even saw one; as weird as it may have been.



(10:41:39 PM) Archer Keating
It was strange but still very normal to have Chase in his apartment. He watched Chase head off for his shirt and grinned after him. Nice view, that. He bit his lip and went to get his own shirt. He picked a clean one and re-joined Chase in the living room. As a kid he hadn't been overly neat but as an adult, Archer had grown into liking everything in its place. He grabbed a denim jacket and his keys then led the way out of the apartment. "Good. This coffee is great. I think it's a turkish place. Very strong." He loved the big city. There was always something cool around the next corner.

Once he locked up the apartment, he led the way to the stairs. "Always easier going down." He chuckled and jogged down the stairs. Their steps again echoed and the light filtered in from the skylight at the top. There weren't many windows on the way down though. He didn't stop to think he should look both ways once they ended up in the lobby. It was just any other day for Archer except he had Chase with him now. "I have my own laundry in my apartment but if we need to do the blankets and shit, they have a heavy duty washer in the basement. He led the way to the front doors, waved at the guy behind the counter who was the site manager, and then pushed his way outside into the sun.

It was a nice morning; a little brisk. The sun was out and people were starting to go about their daily routines. Usually Archer was busy sleeping after a long shift but here he was this morning joining in with the normal morning people. The scent of gasoline was in the air, trash and that coffee wafting above it all. When the wind shifted, baking bread could almost be tasted on the breeze. "You know, I never paid attention to you and coffee. How do you take your coffee, Chase?" Archer shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced upward at the sky briefly before looking at Chase. "Goddamn, I still can't believe you're right here."



(10:52:35 PM) Rex Evans
It could have been his story; he'd started off being one hell of a messy guy. Nothing was ever in place, but as he got older - especially while in the military - everything had to be in place, and where he knew it would be each and every single time he needed it. Whatever 'it' may have been. "No other way t'have it," he said of the coffee being very strong.

After his cigarettes were in the chest pocket of his jacket, he headed out and after Archer, who lead to the stairs. "Gravity, m'dear boy," he kidded, but had no problem jogging down the stairs, as well. Even if it was a bit of a habit for him to at least stop for a split of a second - barely noticeable - just to take a quick survey of the place before continuing any further into the lobby. "In th'basement?" he asked, shooting a quick glance at Archer, even if he was grinning. "And why'd we ever need to wash blankets?" He kidded, just out of the blue; perfectly normal, before catching the door with his hand and following suit with heading out into the sun.

And there was when Chase would probably be the most obvious; the way he gave everything a second glance, intentional or not, as they walked through the brisk, morning, air. No one passed by without being at least scanned. One hand jabbed down into the pocket of his jacket, and he quite literally kept his head low, even if that intense ambered gaze could easily shift over to his companion. "Black. Sometimes with'a pack of sugar, no more.. depends.." he said, grinning. Never a fucking straight answer out of him, huh?

"Hey, get used to it," he said, jostling his step just enough to bump his shoulder down into Archer's. He even continued on a few steps without moving away from him, though eventually straightened up. "... I know. S'fuckin' weird. I wish I had've had a way to let you guys know.. or at least one of ya'." That he wasn't dead, that he'd all but been slammed into hell and erased.



(11:01:52 PM) Archer Keating
The banter was great and he fell right into it as if Chase hadn't been gone for years. "Sometimes grown ups actually wash blankets." He gave Chase a smack to the shoulder just because. After all, he wasn't as short as he used to be. Archer hadn't grown too tall yet but he was much less the runt that Quinn had always called him.

"I like cream and sugar in my coffee. They always look at me like I'm committing a sin." He laughed, his shoulder pressed into Chase's as they walked down the sidewalk. He pointed when they got closer. A serious look settled on Chase. "It's not your fault." He squeezed Chase's shoulder in that reassuring gesture then patted his back. "Here we go." He opened the door to the shop and let Chase go in first. Once Chase was inside, Archer followed. He swiped his hand over his own shoulder and scratched briefly before letting his hand fall. "It's not even that expensive here." He greeted the old turkish fellow behind the counter with a smile and made introductions. "This is my friend. I told him you had the best strongest coffee in New York." The man laughed as he got two to-go cups ready for them. "My friend is tough though. Only a little sugar." That got another laugh and the sugar packets sat on the counter for them to use. The man must have really known Archer because he put a quarter of a cup of cream in his cup before pouring out the coffee.



(11:15:09 PM) Rex Evans
"Oh, bullshit," he quipped, regarding the blankets, even after the smack to his shoulder. He didn't as much as attempt to dodge it. No, he wasn't quite the runt that Quinn had always called him, anymore. And he certainly wasn't some sixteen year old kid anymore, either. "..Nah, really, I wash my blankets.." he said, while fighting back the grin that was threatening to topple the entire thing down. It was just an odd little conversation to be having was all.. and it was nice, for a change, to not be threatening to bash someone's face in for withholding information from him, or.. just plain out refusing to tell him things he wanted to know, or needed to know. This was.. a change of pace, regardless of the serious moments that did indeed drift up into place.

"'Cause it is a fuckin' sin. What'a disgrace t'coffee," he said, shaking his head somewhat solemnly-- it wasn't a gesture he could pass off as easily as the next person, though. He was too rigid, too.. intense. His gaze did shift up, however, when the shop was pointed out.. and before he could say anything else, that squeeze to his shoulder came and somehow managed to push it all right back out of his head.

Upon entering the shop, he did the usual sweep of eyes; right, left, straight ahead, then headed for the counter.. even if, once they were there, he stepped off to the side so Archer could do the talking. As per usual, Chase only offered a nod in greeting to the old Turkish fellow, but he wound up grinning when he was referred to as the tough friend. Just then, it was hard to resist swatting the back of Archer's head, not in a hard way either-- and it lost the teasing gesture it had started out as being when his hand rested at the back of his neck briefly as the owner readied their cups of coffee. "Ain't that tough. Just know what coffees s'posed t'be like. Not milk," he finally said, fairly smug in doing so.



(11:22:57 PM) Archer Keating
"I know sin, man and cream in my coffee is not one of them." He said this under his breath in play with Chase as they headed for the counter. His eyes were twinkling mischief as he started his banter with the owner of the shop. He didn't shake off the hand either. Archer leaned into the touch with a little shift of his weight from one foot to the other. He paid in cash and then remembered the bagels. They were less bagels and more a turkish breaded treat that was more savory than sweet. Garlic and cheese were spread on the dough and baked until they were just bursting with flavor. Coated with a light layer of butter, they about melted in your mouth. Archer ordered four of them to go and put down some more money. He shot a look at Chase and grinned, "Trust me. These are great."

He collected the bag and his coffee and then shoulder bumped Chase slightly. "Come on. You get to lead to your apartment so we can get your dog. Do we need a cab or anything?" He led the way to the door and saluted the old guy with a lift of the coffee cup.



(11:33:36 PM) Rex Evans
Chase couldn't help but snort back a laugh at the talk of sin, and cream in coffee not being one of them, but he said nothing else of it. He shifted til either boot was a shoulder's width apart; and yes, it was sort of a defensive stance, but it was typical anymore. He was always braced for something. He watched on as the turkish breaded things were ordered up, and bagged before being paid for.. and only grinned in return to Archer's assurance that they were great.

Gripping his coffee carefully, even during the bump to his shoulder, he turned and started back for the door in unison with Archer. "Nah.. s'not too far.." He paused, and even gave an over-the-shoulder sort of wave to the man behind the counter. Blending in; he was going to have to start picking up such habits, wasn't he? Chase was quiet for a moment, but took a left on the way out of the shop and walked a good hundred yards or so before ever speaking again, and in doing so, it was just another admittance.

"I said apartment. .. Truth is, just th'other day, I got my hands on a few things that clued me in t'shit that belonged to me when I was Rex. My truck.. th'house..-- that's where we're goin'. Not 'n apartment." And why it was such a big deal to him, he wasn't really sure. He just felt like he'd lied, even unintentionally, while playing it a little too safe. A sidelong glance was given to Archer, and a light-hearted shrug of his left shoulder followed. "..'n I don't want you t'feel weird or anythin' when y'see it." Though he didn't elaborate on why it might have caused such a reaction.. just continued walking.



(11:40:39 PM) Archer Keating
The old man didn't think much about the two boys other than to think they were good boys. Archer was in there a lot and never caused trouble. He even helped out once when they were in need of an extra set of hands. So by virtue of Archer's act, Chase was bathed in the 'good boy' light too since he was with Archer.

Outside, he sipped at his coffee and followed Chase to the left. Archer scratched at his shoulder briefly and shot a strange look at Chase. "A house?" He found that interesting. Houses in the area were not the norm. "Okay. No feeling weird. You're sorta acting weird. Where's the fair in that?" He was teasing. It was a good morning as far as Archer felt. Enjoy the little things. Then he realized what Chase had said, "You have a truck? What kind of truck?" Yes, he missed the part where it was Rex's truck and not Chases truck. He took a bite of the bread and groaned at the flavor. "Here, have a bite." He all but shoved it at Chase's mouth.



(11:51:32 PM) Rex Evans
That was a nice effect, honestly. He tended to draw in the wrong kind of glimpses and thoughts that he could all but feel in passing of certain people; it did sometimes suck to have all of his senses heightened, even if only by a bit. It was more than enough to have the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end sometimes.

Shit. He was acting weird? He winced inwardly, but only smirked it off as they continued on. Hey, it was a short-lived thing.. he was prone to bouncing back and forth from time to time, given the circumstance. But it seemed having random conversation to fall back onto somehow grounded him in a good sense, and he was all about to answer the question concerning his truck when the bread was all but shoved in his mouth. One hand came up to take it, even while trying not to laugh, and he managed to at least eat the piece-- even if he didn't eat much, and hadn't intended on doing so. "That is fuckin' awesome, man.." he said, both brows raising slightly, but.. after a light shake of his head, he went on about the truck. "S'an old '99 Nissan Frontier. Not a dent on 'er." Why a Frontier, though? He'd always been more into the older model cars and trucks - not to mention the motorcycles. "Guess I liked it at th'time," he laughed, shaking his head. Without thinking, he reached over and tore another piece of the bread off and popped it into his mouth, just to chase it down with a swig of coffee.

"Ain't really what I expected t'have, y'know," he kidded. "Figured 'n old Fiero or somethin'.." but hey, he was working on that. Sooner than later, he'd have one of those.

It was a good few blocks to go before he took an off-beaten path that lead for a good half-mile or so, through woods that had obviously been cleared at some point in time. Lead right up to the back of a large, one-story house with a wrap-around porch. And just as soon as they were both on the land, the howling yowl of a dog could be heard from the front. Alomst like the pup had a sixth-sense about things, too-- or damn good hearing, at best. Chase said nothing, did nothing, and only kept walking through the tall grass that hadn't been cut in.. well.. months.



(11:59:14 PM) Archer Keating
He laughed as Chase got that bite shoved on him, his steps turning so he was walking backward. "I told you it was good!" His nose wrinkled at the mention of a Nissan. "Not even a Ford or .. Dodge?" He shook his head and chuckled when Chase stole more of the bread. Archer turned so he was walking next to him instead of backwards. "Yeah, you had a moment of weakness. I forgive you." Okay so he was really pulling on Chase's leg now with the ribbing about the truck. "Boss could hook you up for the right amount of money. He knows all the good places to get cars. I just haven't bothered with one of my own yet. Parking is hard and well, I don't really need a car. I'd love to have my own to race. That would be sweet." He went quiet while he ate more bread and followed. He was surprised to find the trees and the driveway. He loved it! "This is cool, Chase!"

Archer heard the dog and lifted his head a little. "That sounds like a big dog. Did you call him a pup?" He had noticed that Chase ahd gone quiet. He was trying to draw him out but didn't try too hard. He finally just fell silent and followed.



(12:07:46 AM) Rex Evans
The bread was good. He had to give him that much; and it just went to show how much he was missing by living inside his own head entirely too much while being in a place he could very well have been taking advantage of. But still, he smirked, and sidestepped just so he was an inch or so closer to Archer while walking. "..Moment'a weakness don't even fuckin' cover it," he cackled, before ducking his head forward and pushing on through the high grass. "Might hafta hit 'em up for somethin'. I mean, don' get me wrong.. th'truck is good. Runs great, but.. s'not me." It was Rex, through and through.. much like the house, and the jolts of memories it thrust up in his head. All while he pretended it didn't.

"Y'wanna car, I'll get'cha a car.." he said, grinning just a little before the exclamation came. It was cool, really. He just wished he remembered more decent things about the place, instead of the wicked nosebleeds and passing out in drugged up stupors. "Think so?" Because, in all reality, he'd been second-guessing the place since he'd found the keys and deed to it.

A slow breath was taken, and he glanced around upon the mentioning of the fact he'd referred to the dog as a pup. "Yeah.. he ain't so old. Maybe'a year." A light shug was given before he fell back into silence as they rounded the side of the house, and landed themselves right at the front of the porch. Of course, the insistent pawing and scratching at the door could be heard, and was silenced with the simplest of sounds. A 'tchh,' on Chase's behalf, and it was almost as if the hidden not-so-much of a beast settled and most likely even sat down.

Up the five steps he went and flung the door open to expose just that; the mis-matched eyed husky, who was likely over eighty pounds at least, was sitting there perfectly quiet with his ears pricked up. "S'Aspen. Aspen, say hello." To which, the copper and blue eyed pup yapped once before hanging his tongue out in a smile of sorts.



(12:14:50 AM) Archer Keating
He had to laugh at the confession about a moment of weakness. "I was being nice." He snorted a laugh though and then shrugged. "I don't know if I need one really." Archer had gotten used to walking and using public transit. He scratched again at his shoulder before batting at the weeds. "Is this a yard or a rain forest?" He was grinning to any sting in the words would hopefully fade away.

"That is young for a dog. Poor guy." He picked up his pace so they could get to the dog sooner. He even came up behind Chase and nudged him along best he could. Yeah, that was like nudging a red wood out of the way! He followed up the steps and then he finally got to meet this dog. He was surprised that the animal stopped barking at that quick sound. He went to his knee and offered his hand, palm down, to the dog for him to sniff. "Hey there boy. How're you? Nice to meet you!" He wanted desperately to start scritching the dogs head and ears but he knew he needed to wait until the dog was okay with him first. "I brought your dad home so he can feed you. I'm your friend."



(12:22:52 AM) Rex Evans
Aspen didn't seem to have a problem sniffing and snuffling Archer's hand before shoving out of his polite sitting position, just to spring up on his hind legs; either front paw planting on the guy's midsection. "..Jus' wait til he starts talkin'." He warned with a light smirk.

He eased past the two of them, and headed into the spacious living room that still held the black leather furniture, and modernized end tables, coffee table, and bookcases; black on silver, metal and wood. His cup was settled down and he did indeed go for the bag of dog food he'd recently bought, and filled Aspen's bowl up nice and right to the rim.

"Aspen, y'can't clobber people like that. Get down," to which the pup did indeed bark in a way that sounded much like he was attempting to protest verbally. Chase just shook his head and headed back to the door, just to prop himself in the doorjam. "'Bout as stubborn as I am," he mumbled, squinting out over the front yard that was in dire need of a cut. It was probably impossible for Archer to hear, but.. Chase heard something.. even if he didn't say so just yet.



(12:28:27 AM) Archer Keating
He was glad when the dog got more friendly and he could use both hands to ruffle through his fur and scritch his ears. "Do you talk? Do you really talk?" He couldn't help being a little silly with the dog. He was ditched quick enough though when food entered the picture. He got up from his knees and went to the door so he could take a look inside. Archer gave a slow whistle. "Nice in there." He looked at Chase and gave him a thump on his arm. "And you're staying with friends instead? Why's that?"

He wasn't aware of anything out of the ordinary. Archer was busy taking it all in. The nice house, the rain forest for a yard, the dog .. it was a little piece of the country right in the heart of the city. "If he's as stubborn as you, then you were made for each other."



(12:36:20 AM) Rex Evans
Hey, Chase didn't mind Archer being silly with the dog! There were times when he, too, was the same way-- and he should have seen him when he'd first found him, and set ahead to bathe him. It'd been one hell of a mess, and an entire bottle of body wash later..

The question, though, just gained a smirk from him, and those amber eyes shifted briefly to Archer upon the thump to his arm. "..Not so great memories 'round here.." he admitted, easily enough. Of course, he didn't finish elaborating on it, and instead used one arm to more or less push Archer inside the house, and behind where he stood. Because sure enough, there were footsteps coming up the long driveway.

His breath caught for a second, but only because he was listening a little too intently, trying to place the sound; the distribution of weight from foot to foot, even if it wasn't all that audible to anyone else other than he. "..Some jackass had 'im chained up in 'n alley.." he said, quietly, though didn't move his arm. Wasn't letting Archer back out of the house.

"Fuckin', goddamn Benjamin'.." came a rather cocky call from the driveway. Then and there, it'd at least be evident as to why Chase was acting weird all the sudden. "Who'd'a thought you'd show back up here.." Adjusting the dark-lensed glasses to rest atop his head, the young agent continued up the asphalt path casually. Strolling right along as if he owned the place.

"Th'fuck d'you want?" he asked, steadily. It was as he'd said earlier: Chase wasn't afraid of this guy.. not in the least. "Was seven shots not enough las' time?" -d



(12:40:41 AM) Archer Keating
His smile faded a bit when he realized they were somewhere that didn't have good memories for Chase. "We don't have to stay if you don'...." He didn't really get much more out before hew as pushed inside the house and shielded by Chase. His question was in his eyes instead of on his voice. What the hell? He nodded at the explaination of the dog but was more curious as to what the hell was up with Chase. He looked in the direction of the voice that called out to Chase and tried to place the voice. He couldn't.

What the .. he managed to keep quiet but he didn't really want to. He peered out around Chase, trying to get a look at the guy. Seven shots. Wait. Blue eyes went huge as he looked from Chase to the stranger. When he finally spoke, he whispered, "Not a friend?"



(12:48:55 AM) Rex Evans
Just the peering out from around him was more than enough than he'd intended on letting happen, though he didn't say so. "No," came his answer, simply enough, and just as low-toned before he was digging into his pocket to fish a cigarette and his lighter out, that he managed to light smoothly enough, given the circumstance.

"What wassat?" Jack tossed back, once his boots had fallen on the first step of the porch; enough that he could very easily see Archer being shielded, and the sheer grin he gave was a wicked one, despite the youthful look about him; the puppy dog eyes that could have been used in a completely different manner, had he attempted to be anything but the black snake he'd been dubbed. "Who's yer friend, Benjamin?"

Needless to say, he was dressed just like Chase had said; not at all like an agent. Plain jeans and a white t-shirt, with just that badge hanging from a ball-chain around his neck. After surveying the other guy, his eyes ticked right back up to Chase. "Oh, tell me y'didn't go diggin' around," Jack tsk'd.

"I'll give y'to th'count'a three, Malone." he warned, even while exhaling a stream of smoke skyward. He wasn't moving. Didn't budge, and be damned if either of the two - Archer of Jack - tried to get past him.

"One.."

"'ey, I thought we were good ol' friends. Y'know, after you 'bout killed me, I thought you'd come around. See it wasn't so bad to be wanted."

"Two.." he continued, the hand with the cigarette jutting forward to brace in the doorway as if he were preparing to lunge forward. And he certainly was.



(12:55:45 AM) Archer Keating
So everything that Chase had said about this guy was dead on. He did look young and didn't look like a cop except for the badge. His hand reached up to curl around Chase's bicep, blue eyes still fastened on this stranger. Archer didn't know what he should do. Should he take the dog and go hide or stand there? He chose to keep watch of Chase's back. When he started counting down, his gaze went from Chase to the guy and back. He scritched at his shoulder again, nose wrinkling. the itching just didn't want to go away. He was more interested in the interaction going on between Chase and the guy than anything else and soon dismissed the itch.

All he could really think about was that this was not going to end pretty.



(1:05:33 AM) Rex Evans
"Persistent fuck," Jack grunted, and took another step forward in a bold dare of sorts. This was what Chase meant when he said he knew Jack was one of the agency's pawns; he so obviously didn't know what all they had done to him. Didn't know he could have literally crushed his windpipe with one hand, without any effort involved. Not nearly as quick as Chase would have done, from the holster on his shoulder, he jerked out his special issued glock.

And that was it. Chase didn't give him to the count of three, as he'd first set out to do. He pushed out of the doorframe and missed a good two of the steps on his way to grab the agent by the neck, only to march him backwards and half down the drive. "I fuckin' told you las' time, y'ain't gonna fuck with me. M'not a goddamn toy. You ain't shit. You can't do shit, 'n you sure as fuck ain't gonna stand here at my goddamn house 'n talk outta your ass." With that said, and the agent already gagging.. he tightened his grip, not at all caring that the pistol's muzzle was wedged beneath his chin.

His second hand came up quickly enough, and just as Archer had seen the night before, it was just a matter of pressing certain points that had the agent's hand unlocking from around the glock. A second latter, it clattered to the asphalt, and Chase continued marching the agent by his neck, and now most likely a trembling hand that he still hadn't released, down the driveway until they were past the treeline. From there, he released him with a good and hefty shove that landed Jack on his ass, scrambling backwards.

"Y-you," the agent crackled, coughing and gripping at his wrist that had more or less been rendered useless for the time being. Still, he managed to get up off the ground, as slow as it might have been. "You--"

"Y'might wanna tuck tail 'n run, Jack. Next time I see you, it'll be me with th'fuckin' needles, and straps to hold you down. Th'fuck outta here." And that was as far as he would take it; turned his back, and reached up to pluck the cigarette from his mouth just to flick ashes off to the side before starting back up toward the house. By then, Aspen had even joined Archer at the door.



(1:08:39 AM) Archer Keating
There wasn't much for Archer to do but watch. He knew the next count was coming and he was actually afraid for the guy. Would Chase really kill a cop? He didn't get a chance to find out really. Archer sucked in a breath and took a step back when the guy skinned his weapon. "Chase.." But then, Chase was moving.

He wanted to follow and to help but he knew he would do no good and would only get in the way. He took a step forward though, watching enthralled as Chase handled the agent with such apparent ease. His hand rested lightly on the dog's head, fingers scritching. "You're dad's a bad ass." He swallowed as Chase came back to the house. Blue eyes shifted from Chase to the guy he'd run off the property.

As Chase got closer, Archer commented, "Never a dull moment." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Make no mistake. He thought everything that Chase had just done was hot as hell. It's cool to watch that shit on TV or the big screen but on your front porch? So .. much .. better!



(5:36:35 PM) Rex Evans
It might have struck him as bad news, had it not been that agent. He might have even decided to sell the house and never have to look at it again.. but, this was Jack we're talkin' about. The street-clothes wearing scumbag he'd dealt with one more than one occasion-- in the past, and in the present.

And he even flashed a smirk when the agent had finally found his voice again, and could seemingly do nothing else but yell and huff curses and the typical I'll fucking get you, just wait. Chase stooped over and picked up the dropped glock, and jogged the steps up the porch. "There's Jack." He said, hitching his thumb over his shoulder before placing the cigarette back between his teeth.

"Nah, never a dull moment with me 'round at least," he mumbled, while pulling the slider on the pistol forward to make sure it wasn't cocked and ready to be fired. Afterwards, he pulled the clip out of the bottom, and headed back into the house. After both Archer and Aspen were inside, he booted the door closed.

"As I was sayin'.." he started, making an offhanded gesture for Archer to follow him. "This place ain't registered in my name. S'just legally mine, since.." Since Rex Evans was his other name? He shook his head, but lead the way into the bedroom that had only recently started being used again. Nothing was out of place, and damn if the bed wasn't even made-- even if there was an indentation of where Aspen so obviously had slept. The glock was dropped on the low dresser beside his own pistol, and he moved to fling open the closet. A second later, he had a black rather simple-looking duffle bag unzipped, and tossed on the bed.

"'Pparently, when I was Rex.. I wasn't th'most sober asshole around." ..Still wasn't, but it implied much more than it sounded.



(5:45:54 PM) Archer Keating
He looked from the departing agent back to Chase and then once more back to the guy who was obviously not happy. He followed back into the house, the whole thing a little crazy and honestly exciting. He scratched at his shoulder, listening to Chase explain and following along with him when he was gestured to do so. "So it's Rex's but you're Rex too so it's yours but it's not Chase's." He said it quickly and then fell quiet while he recited it again in his head to make sure he'd said it right then he nodded with a smile. "I got it."

Archer drifted around the room, looking at things and investigating the area. When the duffel was put on the bed, he drifted in that direction and peeked at it, even reaching over to see if he could tug it open so he could see what was inside. "Pfft .. when you were growing up you often weren't the most sober asshole around." Maybe he was teasing some, maybe not. "What's this?" He indicated the duffel bag as he sat down on the bed next to it.



(5:53:12 PM) Rex Evans
Aspen trotted along indifferently for the time being, and then reclaimed his place on the edge of the bed when Chase and Archer were making their way in that direction, too.

"Right," Chase agreed. It was Rex's house, and therefore, only his by default. Even if the personality was gone, and while that may have upset a single person, in all reality.. Chase was kind of glad, given the memories that he could recall and recount. Archer was taking it better than anyone else had, thus far.

Another smirk formed when Archer reached over to tug at the bag. "Tha's different. Pretty sure all I did back then was drink 'n smoke some weed." Again, nothing had changed. "..This is where I keep th'important stuff." The bag he meant, and he reached in just to pull out the rather huge, bulky, folder that had been resealed. "Th'file that told me what I needed t'know.. 'n I was thinkin' I'd put some clothes in it 'n, later on, go back with you t'your place." He paused only momentarily to lay the folder to the side, in case Archer wanted to look through it-- rare, really. He guarded that thing with his life, most of the time. "..If it's a'right." -d



(6:00:42 PM) Archer Keating
He chuckled and finally dropped back to sprawl backward on the bed. He laced his fingers under his head and watched Chase with the duffel. Blue eyes followed the folder when it was pulled out and there was definitely interest. Since it was near enough to get hold of it, he rolled to the side and then reached for it. He figured if this was taboo then Chase would let him know. Attention jumped from the file though.

"Hell yeah, it's all right. I told you to, yeah. You can stay with me." He grinned wide, fingers curling around the file. He actually slid the file back into the duffel in a silent 'let's look at that later' statement. "You have a leash for the dog? We'll need one back at the apartment. People are a little weird about that." He started looking for dog toys. "Where's his stuff?" Meaning the dog, of course. "This is great!" How could life get any better? Only if Quinn wasn't dead could the day get any better. He rubbed his hands together and then gave Chase a friendly thump of a fist on his shoulder. He knew they were going to do something else but he couldn't remember what it was.

Then it came back to him. The garage! He was in no rush even though he was more than willing to get Chase out of this house and back to the apartment. "Besides, you know living at my place will be better. No guests like that guy you said was named .. what was it? Jake .. Jack .. what?"



(6:08:53 PM) Rex Evans
He apparently wasn't too worried about it; letting Archer read over the file, even as long as it was, would let him in to all the things he couldn't quite talk about just yet. If only because he didn't want the urge to go gun-nut on the agents to come burning back into him.

Chase snickered a bit at the enthusiastic response to his question, and was easily enough right back to the closet; dislodging jeans from hangers, hoodies, and even the simplest of t-shirts. Wifebeaters, socks, the like, and they were all laid out on the bed at first when a leash was questioned. "I got one, m'jus' not so sure he'll like it. He's'a good boy." To which, the mismatched eyed pup barked once.

The thump to his shoulder left him grinning still, but he pointed over to the corner of the room where Aspen did have his own bed, and a slew of toys. "Think he likes th'squeakin' duck-thing th'best." And the leash was hanging by the bedroom door.

Easing back into it, he was speed-rolling his clothes (out of habit, still) and pushing them into the bag. Save for the wifebeaters that didn't necessarily need to be rolled any smaller. Of course living at Archer's place would be better-- not just because there'd be no agents ready to pounce on him there, but still, he only smirked a little. "Jack. Li'l Jack Malone." Leave it to Chase to poke fun at the agent; he always did, though, until weapons were involved.



(6:13:56 PM) Archer Keating
He wouldn't push the leash bit but he would go ahead and gather up the dogs things. He wasn't going to leave anything behind. Archer found a garbage bag and started loading things up, tossing one of the duck things just to see if the dog would go after it. While he was packing up the dog stuff, he watched Chase while Chase filled the duffel. It felt pretty damn natural to be packing up things to move Chase in with him even though 24 hours ago Archer had thought Chase dead. Interesting how things changed, you know?

Archer brought the bag to the bed and dropped it next to the duffel. "Got the important stuff." Even the leash had been dropped into the bag but he hadn't tried to put it on the dog. The husky was really a good looking animal. "I can't believe you just found him. I like him." But then, really, Archer loved all animals. Maybe that's why he was so fond of Chase.

"Jack Malone. I thought you said he was the one who helped you and he still shows up with his gun waving around like that? That's messed up. Why would he do that?"



(6:23:06 PM) Rex Evans
It would have been hilarious, though, to watch Archer try to put the leash on Aspen. He'd tried once, if that told you anything-- the husky threw temper-tantrums that were out-right amusing. The pup did go for the squeaky duck when it was tossed, and caught it between his paws like some sort of bird-dog.. just to flop into the floor with it, to gnaw on it.

Funnily enough - for him, even if he didn't realize it - he was actually doing this with no hesitation. Getting his things together.. getting ready to move right on in with Archer, because.. frankly.. it'd become obvious to him that his subconscious even had memories that surpassed the ones he could easily recall, now. It was a good thing, to say the least.

"That was fast," Chase kidded, when the bag was dropped next to his own. Even took a second to nudge Archer's shoulder with his. It was almost mindless, the way he felt comfortable enough to do so; just being near Archer.. "Pretty sure he likes y'too. If he didn't, he'd be snarlin'.. 'n that shit is scary." Or, would be to someone who didn't know Aspen.

"Tha's where it gets kinda weird, Arch. Jack's dad is th'FBI agent. Senior. Malone. This Jack y'jus' saw is some sorta probationary agent for th'FBI, but is drafted over by th'CIA to do their dirty work. His dad is'a good man. Him? Not so much.." After everything was zipped up, he easily flung the bag over his shoulder and made a quick stop by the dresser to lay it right back down. The 9mm glock was shoved into the front pocket of the bag, and he opened the top drawer again to pull the Taurus PT 58, too - his pistol - and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans. After adjusting his shirt, he hoisted the bag back up and even reached over to snag up the bag of dog things. "Aspen. S'go." The husky promptly picked up the squeaky duck, and stood in a stance ready to follow after them.



(6:32:08 PM) Archer Keating
"Hey, I'm good!" He gave Chase his own shoulder bump back just because it was natural and normal to do so. He listened to the explaination of the two Jacks and then just shook his head. "Ooh. Okay. I'm going to need a score card to keep everything straight, you know." He made a face when Chase took both the duffel and the dog bag. "You going to walk like that all the way back huh? It's a long walk." That was his way of offering to help carry something.

He went into the living room, eyes sweeping around to see if he could find anything in that room that reminded him of Chase. It didn't seem very Chase-like. "So you used to be here .. how long ago was that?" He glanced back to Chase, walking in his direction with a hand out in silent gesture that he was going to carry something.



(6:41:07 PM) Rex Evans
It was a lot to get straight, and even he understood that. "..Nah, y'stick 'round long enough, you'll know 'em all better'n me." Which wasn't really true, it was just.. meant to stress the point. Archer would learn all of them just the same as he and the others did, and know - just by name, or use of it - who was good, and who wasn't.

He lead right along into the living room, toting the two bags even as Archer was offering to help.. and then he snorted back a laugh. "Y'wanna carry the dog's bag, feel free. Jus' used t'doin' things solo.." Which, was true. He'd become insanely independant, and very rarely let anyone else help him do anything.. but.. he did offer the plastic bag out, at least.

He glanced around the living room, too, then just shook his head. "Four months, I think? I can't r'member exactly when it all.. happened.." It'd been recent, though-- definitely not a year, otherwise the house would've likely been dubbed abandoned and on the market already. A deep breath was taken, and he shrugged. "Figure I'll keep it, even if jus' t'store shit in," he said with a slow-to-form grin.



(6:47:21 PM) Archer Keating
Sure, Chase had a point but this was life and death stuff. Archer didn't want to end up on the wrong end of trusting the wrong person. His grin grew as he took the dog bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Yeah, well, you're not solo anymore." And that was spoken like a promise. The younger Keating was not going to let anything happen to Chase and that was that. And if something ended up happening that Archer couldn't control, well then Chase wasn't going to go through it alone.

"Four months and you were this close?" He shook his head. "I'm glad you came into the bar last night. Insane that you were so close and we didn't meet." He chuckled as he looked around. "Yeah. Be a nice place to store things but need to watch out for squatters or gangs taking over." He wasn't sure what the slow-to-form grin meant and for a moment his brows went up and he took a step backward. "Whaaat?" His own grin was there but was a little cautious. "What's that grin for?"



(6:56:23 PM) Rex Evans
It was life and death stuff, which is why he fully intended on making sure Archer knew every and anything he needed to know, in order to play it safe. There was no way he was going to risk him getting hurt on his behalf. "Guess not, huh.." he said, one brow raising slightly as he shot a sidelong glance to the blonde just as he took the bag.

"Jus' don't .. get mad .. if I forget sometimes, a'right?" About not being solo anymore, he meant. That was one of the main things he and the detective fought about; this though, was a bit more personal. There were most definitely things he wouldn't want Archer to tag along with, if they came to be. Like, say, marching right up into the facility he'd been kept at..

"Four months. S'just how long I remember bein' back here. Anything further back than that 'n its blurry. Like bein' out in L.A. ..Fuck, I don't even remember leavin'." Or getting there.

Still, he was glad he'd came into the bar last night, too. It was odd that he hadn't done so sooner than that, to be honest. "Prob'ly better it jus' happened las' night. Wasn't really too stable a few weeks ago." Holing up in hotel rooms with an aresenal of weaponry? No, that wasn't at all stable.. but it was what it was, and he was moving forward, now, at least. Chase only cackled when Archer took the step backwards questioning his intent behind the slow grin. "Y'know.. stuff.." Like that explained it.

"Really. I got a lotta guns 'n all. Other things." In a sense, Chase was planning an all out war, if it came to be.



(7:03:37 PM) Archer Keating
"You're allowed to forget sometimes but not often." He threw a grin back at Chase. Archer couldn't help it. He was going to be grinning like that for a long time. He didn't like that Chase was unstable a little while ago but he was going to do his best to keep him stable going forward. Well, to the best of his ability anyway.

He avoided the subject of guns by asking, "So where is this truck of yours? I don't want to walk back with all this." Okay so the stairs were enough walking for the bartender! They were going to have to cart things up ten flights of stairs. And about the guns, he didn't mind them but knowing there were a lot of guns was a little unsettling. It was back to the whole 'this is a movie' idea again. Archer scratched his shoulder again and then lifted his chin. "Let's get back to my place, put the stuff away and then we'll go see Boss. I'll introduce you around." He hadn't forgotten about getting Chase an interview with Paddy. That could happen too.



(7:10:58 PM) Rex Evans
"S'all I ask for," he said with a smirk. Nah, there was really no killing the mood even he was in. It was rare, for sure, after figuratively 'waking up' after being scrambled. He was usually just this cold-shouldered asshole who was strictly business. And alcohol. And guns. But, hey.. who was counting?

The truck. Chase just about snapped his fingers, as if he'd fucking forgot about it, but went ahead and opened the door to let Aspen zoom out in front of them.. even if all he did was prance around the yard a few paces away from them, as he lead the way to the two-car garage off to the left of the house. Really, driving hadn't even crossed his mind..

"S'out here.. ain't much else in there," he said with a light smirk. But it dawned on him, too, at the same time, that he'd better not slip and open the glove box. Rex still had a ton of shit to clear out of there, and none of it was good. He'd considered selling it, thought twice about flushing it, and in the end.. did nothing. So, the stash of drugs - powder 'n pills - just remained. "Sounds like'a plan." He agreed, and after twisting the lever, shoved the garage door up and open to expose the rear end of the truck. Silver and chrome, just like he said -- not a dent, or ding, on it. Even if it was a Nissan. He tossed the duffle bag up and into the truck's bed first, and moved around to the rear of the garage to rifle through the collective of tools for the keys he'd thrown, just the night before.



(7:18:28 PM) Archer Keating
Be interesting if young Archer got into the stash that Rex had gathered. He never failed to try anything the older boys did and you could bet he probably hasn't gotten any smarter. But, at least he was selective on what he took from who. Since Chase and his brother had died, Archer had pretty much stopped drugs all together and only drank with the purpose of being drunk once in a while.

He smirked and followed Chase to the garage, an idle glance on the dog. It would be a pity to coop him up all the time in the apartment. He would see if Aspen wanted to come to the garage with him sometimes. That would be a good activity to get him out and into the fresh air. "You've probably been too busy with things," yes, he just called getting mind fucked and overhauled by a shadow government agency 'busy with things', "to keep up with working on bikes and cars and shit, huh?" He was sort of fishing around to see if maybe when he wasn't in the revenge business anymore Chase might want to work at the garage. "I think you'll like Boss. He's a no nonsense kind of guy."



(7:26:19 PM) Rex Evans
It'd be interesting for sure, but it'd probably piss Chase off - just at himself, mind you - for not ditching or dumping it somewhere before pulling the truck out of hiding. There were only a few things in the elaborate stash that he was interested in, and he truly had no point to go messing with it by himself -- at least. Drinking, though? That was a nightly affair that would be hard to break, and one that he wouldn't without a fight. If anything shut his mind up, it was alcohol.

Ah, Aspen. The pup had been fine everywhere thus far; from the detective's third-story apartment, to the house, and apparently even chained up in an alley. Chase was fairly certain someone was missing their dog by then, regardless of if they cared about it; be damned if he was going to leave him there, howling and yowling, muddy and matted. Hell no. And from that night on, he'd had a friend.

"Yeah, sorta," he agreed with a short laugh. "That 'n watchin' over everyone's shoulder.." which had been what he was doing, until the detective had convinced him that the local police could do that just as well, for him. If the other two were safe, that left his hands untied and idle. "Kinda keep thinkin' about gettin' a car t'fix up-- jus' not sure how things're gonna go." And that was the sick, sad, truth. Chase was inevitably afraid of the outcome, even if he could handle the agents rather easily, as he'd proved. Nothing huge had even happened, and he was more than a little shaken about what the real future might hold, if he wasn't overly careful with how he did things.

"M'sure he is," Chase said, as he finally swiped the keys up off the bench. "S'long as he doesn't mind me bein' th'same way, we might jus' get along." And there was truth in that. Unlocking the truck with a press of a button, he pulled the driver's side door open and leaned in with just half a breath's hesitation.



(7:33:17 PM) Archer Keating
He put the bag of dog toys in the bed of the truck and leaned on his side, watching Chase. "Don't worry about tomorrow man. Just think about today. Tomorrow will take care of itself." If that didn't sound like his mum, nothing would. He even flushed because he realized it. "Just get in the damn truck." He was a little flustered and climbed in his side, closing the door quickly and with a sound thud. He figured the dog would come in on Chase's side and ride between them.

"Do you remember Chino? The papa of that brood over on sixth? He taught you your first pipe bomb or so you said." He ran fingers through his hair and then leaned back. "Boss is like Chino only he isn't mexican and he's a lot bigger." He moved his hands to indicate how big that Chino was. "He's loyal too. I like him."

He was ready to give directions to the apartment and then to the garage but looked curiously over at Chase. "You okay?"



(7:40:30 PM) Rex Evans
Just think about today. He actually seemed a little taken aback by that, if not a bit awestricken that Archer had said something like that, and you'd best believe he watched him hard for a long moment-- only because he was actually considering the idea of convincing himself to think like that. That, and yes, it did spur the memory up of Archer 'n Quinn's mother.. but, all the same, maybe it was something he needed to hear. Instead of people just arguing back and forth, non-stop, with him about how he was going to handle things.

He made that very same noise, the quick 'tch' of sorts, and Aspen came prancing along - still with his squeaky-duck, mind you - and jumped right up into the truck, and knowingly seated himself in the middle.

Archer's question, oddly, didn't strike up any memory and he kind of made a face at that-- but it would explain, he supposed, why and how he knew to make those things.. among the other many devices he'd learned over the years, after deployment. It wasn't until the blonde gestured the size of the guy that he cracked up, briefly, then nodded. "Oh yeah, him," he said.. but still hadn't climbed into the truck.

It was strange, in a sense, even if it wasn't intentional. "Just thinkin'.." he admitted, and slowly pushed up into the truck to cram the key into the ignition. A twist, and it roared to life before simmering down into a steady purr. "Lead th'way, co-pilot," he teased, glancing over before backing the truck out of the garage and.. ..proceeded to drive all the way down the driveway, backwards.



(7:44:16 PM) Archer Keating
"What were you thinking about?" He watched out the rear window until they were down the length of the driveway. He remembered Chino once saying 'cars like to go backward as fast as they go forward!' and apparently Chase remembered that even if he didn't consciously remember it. He pointed once they were on the street. "That way."

They would get to the apartment pretty quick. Lugging the stuff upstairs wasn't so bad and really, since Chase seemed to trust the dog not to destroy stuff then Archer was going to go on faith that the apartment would be in one piece when they got back. He made sure Aspen had food and water and that his bed and all his toys were within easy reach.

He didn't give Chase a chance to unpack though. "You can do that later. Let's go." Then he dragged Chase back down to where they'd left the truck. He almost suggested they get more coffee but figured they could get something at the garage. After all, Boss always had food around and beer. "Boss could probably park the truck for you while you're staying with me. It's closer than your house and you know it will be taken care of. The guys are .. well .. they love cars." He flashed a grin and rubbed his fingers down his own thigh as if maybe trying to keep his hand busy in case it wanted to wander, which it sort of did really. "Oh, and please don't say anything about Boss' lip. He got caught in the face by a handcuff during a raid and it got a chunk of his lip. He's got this permanent sneer now. Just you know, don't say anything."



(8:01:30 PM) Rex Evans
What was he thinking about? Chase only shook his head once in response. There was no use in dragging up the information about what was stashed in the truck, was there? It was just a moment's worth of panic that really had no place being there.

Perhaps it was a subconscious memory that had him being able to drive backwards just as well as he could forwards, but either way, at the end of the driveway, he managed to spin it forward and went in the direction Archer pointed.

Unloading was easy enough, and of course Aspen wouldn't destroy the apartment. In fact, considering it was a new environment, the beast of a pup was settling in where his bed and toys were for the most part, long before Archer and Chase were headed back down to the truck. As far as unpacking went, he wasn't too worried about it-- so long as Aspen didn't suddenly decide to walk on all fours and figure out how to use a gun, or read his file, the duffle bag was perfectly safe sitting there on the bed where he'd left it.

The idea of Boss parking the truck was what finally had him reaching up to pinch at the bridge of his nose lightly as, again, he couldn't get the thought out of his head. "That'll work," he said, grinning in spite of himself. "Hell, maybe they'll fuckin' trade me for somethin' more.. me." Because, Nissan, that's why.

A dismissive sort of wave was given at the idea of mentioning something about Boss' lip missing a chunk. "S'alright. M'not really th'type to poke fun at battlescars," he said.. even while reaching over to take that idle hand of Archer's up with his own. Telegraphing. Chase was fucking good at picking up on it, obviously. That, and he had no qualms whatsoever with being seen holding another guy's hand. He'd more or less dare anyone to say anything about it, obviously.

"B'fore we get there.. I gotta.. we gotta stop somewhere so I can get rid'a some shit. ..Y'know, if he'll keep th'truck for me." There was another brief hesitation before he let loose of Archer's hand and climbed into the truck again. This time though, once they were both in, he reached over and dropped the glovebox open, exposing the baggies of random, bulk, quantities of different drugs; cocaine, weed, different colored pills, and then the blue ones marked with an E. "..Know where I could dump that.. or.." ... Yeah, he was kind of sheepishly grinning. Who wouldn't have been?



(8:07:37 PM) Archer Keating
"You know, he might do that after some ribbing." He hoped the guys wouldn't give Chase too hard a time over it. If they did, it was only in fun. He looked down then back up when his fingers were caught by Chase. Lower lip ended up caught in his teeth for a second before the wide smile blossomed all over his face. His own fingers gripped tightly. He wasn't going to complain about the tactile contact. Hell, he'd dreamed about it as a kid and then, well his dreams were different and usually bittersweet. He chuckled as he climbed into the truck along side Chase.

"Ooh... Halloween, trick or treat!" He laughed as he looked at the different baggies. "You sure you want to get rid of it all?" He shot a playful look at Chase then got a little more serious for Chase's benefit. "The garage has a jon. You can flush it there. If you want to make a sale, well, you can talk to Boss about that too." Did he really just slide a bit of that E into his pocket?



(8:15:20 PM) Rex Evans
"If he can keep up, y'mean?" Chase could dish it out just as well as he could take it, really. He wasn't worried about being given a hard time, so long as it ended up in a half-way decent trade of vehicles, if that was the route it took. Even if it meant getting something he had to fix up.. it was perfectly fine, so long as he wasn't stuck with a goddamn Nissan. He grinned a little at the smile Archer flashed, after he'd taken his hand up, and probably held just as tight too. Stranger yet, that, considering he didn't like his hands being touched. ...For particular reasons, of course. Archer had seen the flinch the night before, but he hadn't said as much as why it had happened. He'd know it time; soon as he read the file.

Once in the truck, and the stash exposed, he snorted back a laugh at Archer's reaction to the different baggies. "..Well.. --" he started, reaching up to scratch at the barcode tattoo on the back of his neck. "Either way. M'not lookin' to be arrested for th'shit." Be it flushed or sold; he trusted Archer's contacts, though, blindly.. so long as he did.

Did Chase miss the sliding of the E into Archer's pocket? No. But he'd already cranked the truck back up by that point and was reaching over to close the glovebox back when - first, he reached in and rifled through the bags to grab each one of the E pills. He tossed them right up into Archer's lap, then slammed it closed. "..Maybe not all of it." There was the devilish little, half-cocked grin of his before his attention was straight ahead again. "..C'mon, GPS," he said, reaching over to lightly knock on Archer's head, even if his hand lingered there a moment longer.