CHAPTER 01

It might have been something that Barbara should have dealt with, some time ago. It had just become such a normal sight around the station that she had stopped paying attention to it. Barbara had not even thought about it, this time, until Calvin could not stop eating his burger with his mouth open. He kept taking bites, as they reviewed the spreadsheets on his computer screen, and it was very distracting. Those reports were the the only reason that Barbara was standing out here, in the commissary, in the first place. She was most definitely not here to watch Cal eat.

The food was obviously not of the Foo King variety since, Barbara did not see any bags or rappers. This burger also looked not only edible but, down right tasty. It also came off a grease stained paper plate and, that meant, there was only one place it could have come from. Barbara did not even have to ask the next question on her mind. She had been catching the occasional, and quite pleasant, scent that would occasionally find it's way out of the kitchen door. It was the same kitchen that, until just recently, nobody even used. Now it was almost constantly in use and, while this was not a bad thing, Barbara could easily see it came with some complications. That's why, when she finished with Cal, she walked in the kitchen, instead of going back to her room.

The frizzy haired girl that had, almost single handed, made the kitchen operational again was busy working nearly every hot surface in the room. She even looked to be having a good time. She smiled when she saw her new arrival and then waived as she asked, “did you want something to eat Agent Reilly?”

Barbara tried to sound friendly and definitely remained polite. She had never handled a situation like this before and, in fact, had never even dreamed of such a thing. “April,” Barbara asked in a light but, confused way, “I just have to ask you. I mean don't get me wrong...”

April stopped what she was doing for a second and then said, “I know what you're going to say ma'am. Agent Scoggins asked me the same thing, some time ago actually.” After thinking about it for a second she then added, “only I think he was a little angrier.”

That got a nod of agreement from Barbara, “yes he normally is. Still, I mean, I appreciate you feeding everyone like you do but... doesn't your mother need your help?”

“Oh I do,” April said. “Between her place and here, I keep busy.” April May was almost embarrassed when she admitted, “I think I'm a lot better at cooking than I ever was at selling real estate.” She then mumbled, “I really blew that one.”

Now Barbara was really confused, “are you working? How do you pay your bills?”

April just shrugged, “jobs aren't a plenty right now. I'm kind of living with mom, you know, over her restaurant.” April became very meek and self conscious at that point, “do you want me to stop?”

Barbara considered what to say. As she did she heard the banging that was coming from up stairs, pretended not to notice, and then told the little girl, “I just came in here to say, we appreciate everything you've been doing for us.”

April only shrugged, “you guys saved my life.”

As Barbara came walking back into the commissary, she almost slammed right into Normal Scoggins. He, like almost everybody else, was still not so used to the kitchen door being used so, normally, he was not on the look out for it being opened. He made the usual comments, about a minor collision, and then kept right on walking for the screen door. Barbara was not so content, “Norman, where are you going?”

He did stop at the door and when he looked back he pointed up before saying, “away from that.”

Barbara crossed her arms, studied the man, then noted that Calvin was sitting over at his desk, busy with the spreadsheets for the new budget. Cal was not really paying them much attention but, he was still here. Norm had been acting a little awkward all day and, that was not something that Barbara was used to seeing the man do. Something was going on with him and it took another round of banging to remind Barbara of who was most likely the cause of that. Still, Barbara did not want to discuss it with someone else in the room. She simply smiled and said, “see you tomorrow Norm.” He seemed to be almost relieved to leave and, in fact, it was obvious he did not so much leave as he, “got the hell out.”

Cal never looked up from his desk as he mentioned, “what's wrong with him?”

So, Cal was paying attention after all. Barbara looked up and Cal did not even have to see that to know what she was doing. He simply stated, “I figured that was coming when that big guy and his daughter showed up. It was the same thing that happened yesterday.” As an afterthought Cal mumbled, “glad they didn't bring them screaming brats with them this time.”

This was alarming to Barbara and, if for no other reason than, she had no idea that someone else had come in her station. If Cal were to be believed then, it had happened twice without her knowledge. That was almost as disturbing as the fact that she had no idea who it was and, apparently, Calvin did not either. It sent Barbara stomping up the stairs towards Ops. She got intercepted before she could make it to the back hallway, the source of the disturbance.

Leslie Tatersall was waiving a paper around in her hand and actually stepped right in front of Barbara in order to stop her. It seemed as if Leslie was all to aware that a physical obstruction was about the only way that Barbara was going to stop. What disturbed the Chief Agent was that Leslie was not frightened by having to do it. It made Barbara think about quite a few more things. Specifically, she was remembering why she had hired this girl in the first place.

Leslie remained all bouncy, her usual self, as she pointed to the paper in her hand, “come on Chief. This is for real. It's the second time they've called. When's the last time that happened?”

The banging was now commanding even more of Barbara's attention as her eyes kept drifting towards the back hall. She blew off Leslie with, “and I got your first memo Leslie. We'll look in to it just as soon as we're not short handed.”

Leslie groaned in frustration, “you guys haven't even left yet. Even if you do, this isn't some kind of save the planet, take on the Wehrmacht kind of bullshit. It's some missing jewelry.”

The banging had now been replaced by some very grating noises that sounded like a power saw. Barbara was having a hard enough time keeping her breathing under control as she pointed out to the little girl, “and I'm sure it'll be missing when we get back.” Leslie still had that beaming smile as she clasped her hands together, like she was praying, began bouncing at the knees, and bobbing her head from side to side. Barbara could practically read the girls lips as they went, “oh please, oh please, oh please.” It did not impress Barbara in the least. She just cut to the chase, “you want off comwatch. That's basically what you're asking me here, right?”

“Oh come on Barbara,” Leslie went into pouting mode, “you don't even need this place. Half the crap in here doesn't even work. We don't even use most of the stuff that does. You could have the main line forwarded to our phones. Come on, I'm bored out of my skull up here.”

“Agent Tatersall,” Barbara said in as formal a tone as she could muster when it was being partially drown out by the sounds of construction work, “there has been and uninterrupted chain of someone manning the comwatch since this organization was first founded, over two hundred years ago. I don't have much left of the Rangers but, that is one tradition I do not intend to give up. As long as we keep it up, we're still here. Now...”

That conversation did not put Barbara in the mood for her next. It was why she stood at the door to her father's old office and just watched as Jake Barton, some pot bellied guy in blue jean overalls, and a young girl with a big blond bun on her head, merrily went about the business of complicating her emotions even more than Jake normally could. They had managed to clean out the room but, it was not like that helped. Barbara had too many memories in this room and, most of the time, she was quite happy not to see them.

Barton finally stopped with the dry wall and was about to say something. Then he apparently changed his mind and just went with, “hey.” He put a nail in his mouth, then took it out, then looked back at Barbara and said, “Patsy must have finally called. What the hell is taking them so long with that?”

“No Mister Barton,” Barbara replied, “I haven't heard from her yet. I also don't care to discuss it in front of perfect strangers.”

That caused Jake to give a quick laugh before nodding to his guests, “oh they're not strangers.”

“Actually I was talking about you,” Barbara replied. Before Jake could say anything she continued, “but, since we're on the subject.”

As Barbara looked to her guests the big guy stopped what he was doing and introduced himself, “I'm Patrick, Patrick Jones. This here is my daughter Katie. Nice to meet you finally, Agent Reilly. Jake here has told us about you but...”

Barbara forced a polite smile and then put her hand up, “not sure I want to know.” Then she looked back at Jake, “what in the hell are you doing to my father's office?”

Now Jake was less easy going, “last time I checked, Barbara, it's my office and the answer to your question is, something you haven't been doing. Namely, that being, using it.” Barbara was definitely going to snap back but, Jake would not let her, “Patrick here is one of the best dry wall guys in the business. When we're done, up here, these offices are going to be usable again. I'm tired to watching Cal eat, with his mouth open.”

“Oh I see,” Barbara was obviously less than impressed, “we have a little extra money in the budget and you think we should spend it on interior decoration, or, do you plan on paying Mister Jones out of your own pocket?”

Now it was Jones who spoke up. He was both quite serious and very respectful in both tone and demeanor, “with all do respect, Agent Reilly. I wouldn't take any money for this job.”

That surprised and confused Barbara and in no small way. She had no idea what to say to that except, maybe, to ask the guy why. Barbara did not have too. Katie Jones volunteered the information before the question could be asked. The girl was downright serious and, almost in tears as she said, “I was one of them people the Germans tied to a post and almost shot. I could....” Then, the girl did break down in tears and ran out of the room.

Jake let it be known, “way to go Barbara, proud of yourself now?” Now she was on the defensive and Jake used the moment to ask Patrick to excuse them. The guy probably needed to go take care of his daughter anyway. He was more than happy and that left Jake giving Barbara a nasty look. Barbara tried to defend herself but Jake waived it off and said, “you couldn't have known, ok? Sides, I'm not the one you pissed off but, next time, could you please ask me before you go sticking your foot in your mouth?”

That drew a scowl, “you set me up for that.”

“Hell no,” Jake replied, “what I was doing was, trying to get this place operational. Something I've been trying to do since I got here. I, also, might add, with no help from anybody, you most of all.” Jake picked his hammer back up and he must have seen Barbara try and talk because, he cut her off and pointed as he said, “and don't hand me none of that, 'you're from Earth and we like it this way,' crap. Nobody likes this kind of thing. I don't care what planet you're from.”

“Thank you,” was all he got in response from Barbara. That surprised Jake enough to stop him from going back to work. It had been the last thing he expected from the woman. When it was clear he wanted to know what that was for, Barbara gladly told him, “for not bringing my father into this. I almost thought you were.”

“Unlike some people,” he gave her a direct stare, “I know how to keep from putting my foot in my mouth.” Again Barbara was about to jump right back at him but, Jake cut her off again. This time he changed the subject, “when are we leaving?”

Barbara blinked, “excuse me?”

“Valley,” Jake said as he began moving around some drywall.

“I know what you're talking about Barton,” Barbara replied. “I'm just surprised you actually read my memo. I'm also a little surprised that you think you're going.”

After shifting some of the sheet rock around, Jake wiped the dust from his hands and told her, “of course I am. I got several reasons to, not the least of which is, I'm supposed to be responsible for the station up there and, I've never actually been there. Then...”

Now Barbara cut him off, “that part is not your concern. It's mine. Besides, I have to be there. I was a witness and as funny as things can be here in the Arch, up there at Valley, they take those things a little more seriously.”

“Which is why I need to be there,” Jake replied. He then pointed out, “besides, it's not like you don't have the room. It's just you and Danni, right?”

“Actually Barton,” Barbara said in a smug sort of way, “Amy will be there too. Kent called and told me he needs the help. I think he's having some problem with the Rennies again.”

This revelation stopped Jake cold. He looked back at Barbara, “if that's supposed to be a deterrent, it almost worked.”

“The Rennies?” Barbara asked.

“No,” Jake replied quite resolutely, “spending a whole day, cooped up in a little chopper, with Amy and Danni. I didn't think you were that into pain.”

Barbara rolled her eyes at him, “I can handle those two.” Barbara mumbled, “I control the intercom switch.” Then she perked up and increased her volume, “besides, that's not the point Barton. We're already running heavy. I can't add another person and I'm sure there will be a headwind or something to add to my excuse.”

“Not going to work,” Jake said as he got back to work. He added, “for a minute I thought you were going bring Shannon into this.”

“Oh no,” Barbara told him. “Donna Johnson is about the only person I trust to do this and I'm not taking that away from Shannon. She's been nagging me to do this for a while now and..”

Jake began looking for the drop cord as he interrupted, “yeah why don't you? I'm sure you got more than enough leave saved up. When's the last time you actually took a vacation?”

“It's none of your damn business, Barton,” Barbara said with a genuine tone of offense in her voice. “My daughter....”

“Asked you to go,” interrupted Jake. Barbara was just too livid to reply.

She snarled and said, “fine. Be out at the helipad tomorrow at high noon.”

“Why?” Jake said with his own snarl, “cause you're leaving at ten?”

Barbara left without an answer.