It hadn't taken long to realise that being back in Salem had done no good for Stephanie, she needed a break, a real fresh start - and not somewhere where she'd be constantly reminded of her past, granted James didn't do running but technically it wasn't running - it was getting a fresh new place.

First James had snuck around pulling strings making calls, of course he did the calls at work and the kids had no idea either, and while Steph had been cooped up in bed at Michael's for that time James easily had their house packed up again, the twins eventually clued in but didn't tell their dad they knew what was happening, it was kinda obvious to them that their dad wanted to get Steph away and they were always happy to follow. 

Once it came to moving schools though, James had to clue the kids in but informed the school he'd let them know where as soon as he could - not revealing where.

Then hearing about a new task force opening up in Tierney James stole the chance, pulling strings (With Michael's help) to get him back on NCIS and Steph a job that used her skills with the computer yet kept her off the field and still kept her involved with the team - the only way he could protect Steph somehow.

The mountains were also James' favourite place and the idea that they could literally live in the mountains were like a dream come true, and of course be a good fresh start for Steph and his kids literally, James had ideas too about their new home which was a brand new.

It had taken two weeks but finally they were all ready and James sent their things ahead of them and grabbed their truck and dog trailer taking it to the house with some luggage.

The morning of their 'trip' James headed to Michael's he'd not told Steph purely cause he knew that if he had told her they were going on vacation he'd probably get 24 questions but now he could - but told her he was working on something.

The kids knew that they were moving but didn't know where, of course not but they patiently waited downstairs, saying goodbye to their family whilst James headed upstairs to find Stephanie, entering their bedroom James smirked "Hey" he said softly. He had left his coat downstairs in the car and was dressed in comfortable blue jeans and a white polo neck.

Col. Stephanie Huntley

Stephanie was feeling better but she was drowning in paperwork. She was getting sick of staying with her brother-in-law, but while she healed they had all decided it was best that she wasn't alone. There was a lot going through her mind when she heard James' voice in the doorway. "You are gone for hours and all I get is a hey?" she quirked a brow and tossed a pillow hard in his direction. Now that her ribs had healed and her collarbone she was back to her playful self. Setting her computer on the bed she picked up the pillow on her way over towards him before smacking him in the rear end with it. There was a smirk on her face. It was one of those that showed she was happy, and at the moment very pleased with herself. He had made that one WAY too easy for her.

Pecking him lightly on the cheek she gave him a little of a playful shove. So she was feeling better. She'd just woken up from a nap not long before she had finished up with some paperwork. She was still in Pajama pants and a long shirt. Right now she far from cared what she looked like, she was comfortable. It had been a whirlwind of a month while he had been trying to heal. There was the IA case that had been knocking at her doorstep. There had been the arraignment of the man who had been tracking and harassing her, and not going into work and the worry about some stupid crazy person they might substitute as a partner for her. So much looking over her shoulder. Though right now none of that mattered. She was in a good mood. Those were hard to come by, but she was having more of those lately.

"You are gone for hours and all I get is a hey?" "I" started James as he dodged the pillow shooting her a smirk as he shook his head "Glad to see you haven't lost your aim" he retorted, as she approached him and smacked him in the rear end James nailed her with a look - oh yeah, she was in a good mood and well James was glad of that - once she pecked his cheek and gave her a playful shove he kissed her head, hugging her for a moment before leaning back and looking down at her "Hey. Do you mind if we go somewhere? I mean of course, you gotta get dressed" he said casually as he played with her hair.

He waited for Steph to be ready which took merely a few minutes and James grabbed the bags once Steph had shoved her PJs in but as he turned to lead the way out he looked over his shoulder and saw Steph wasn't following "Come on" he narrowed his eyes, when he saw she really wasn't going to he shoved the bags over his shoulders, stepped forward playfully then scooped her up - easily - spinning around he kissed her before marching out of the room and down the stairs. 

Moments later they appear in the doorway, the twins pause as they peer out of the doorway of the back passenger side door of the truck. 

When he ducked she glared. Taking away ALL the fun. Then again, her throwing the pillow was probably as predictable as her snark. "Really you want me to get dressed? I'm comfortable!" she protested making a face. Though all protesting was lost as his fingers went through her hair. Yeah that was usually one way to get her to cooperate. She smiled and gave in getting dressed, which for her never took long.

Just because she was dressed didn't mean she had to actually GO anywhere. Well clearly her being stubborn hadn't gone as planned. When they got to the door downstairs, she wiggled free and pinned him against the door. "Apologize for that right now!" she demanded, though it was clearly a playful demand and her eyes said as much. Her back was to the car as she had her lips inches from his. Oh she was threatening him in the most none threatening way possible. "Right here. Right now" she whispered. Oh she was taunting him.

As she wriggled free James let her go down, but found himself being pinned against the door "Apologize for that right now!" James gave her a look, to those who didn't know know her they'd probably think she was deadly serious but James simply grinned at her, he knew the difference between teasing playing and aggression "Right here. Right now" her proximity to him, he was amused - it gave him an easy opportunity "Oh?" he quirked an eyebrow "you want an apology Sunflower?" he asked before kissing her wrapping his arms right round her.

Within the car the twins were just shaking their heads, both really really glad NO ONE could see them...

Stephanie's look suggested that she wanted the apology and yes she'd totally accept an apology that turned them into giggling school kids. Stephanie was completely distracted and didn't even see the young girl walk up behind her. Madison had seen the two of them at the door, and she was keeping a respectable distance. Still these were her parents? At least that's what the piece of paper said. Her dad's name on her birth certificate was blank. Was this the man who her mother refused to name?

Though Stephanie heard most noises, she had been too full of herself to hear Madison even come upon them. Madison was trying to find words to say something but in the end she ended up just standing there. Great first impression. There were bedroom doors for that kind of thing. Then again... this was private property. She was the one trespassing.

James snorted at her look shaking his head, oh she was apparently serious - but he was in too good a mood to care that they were making a scene, well there wasn't anyone else but them and the kids and dogs right? He played with her hair again a smug look on his face. Knowing full well she was easily distracted when he started playing with her hair and he threatened to kiss her again, just to toy with her, they were like a pair of youngsters right now but James was just happy to see Steph happy and relaxed, and his surprise was coming so yeah - good mood. Inside the truck JJ and Gabriella didn't fail to see the young girl who looked just like Stephanie walk past and they froze, their faces fell, the dogs inside the dog trailer didn't make any noises so it wasn't until the girl was right there that James could see her right over Stephanie's head and he froze, face paling - she looked just like Steph and she looked barely older than his kids - wait - "Steph" he said softly nodding for her to turn around his arms which had been around her shoulders moved down and his hands gently moved to her hands, an automatic action when he knew she might need it. At the sight of her his mind had started working, he was pretty good at telling people's rough age and the child before them wasn't exactly over 18... let alone 20 something... Steph had failed to tell him something... But he wouldn't hold it against her anyway - his eyes remained looking between Steph and the girl, his hands firmly on Steph's as carefully the twins climbed out of the truck and stood there curiously.

Stephanie could tell the intonation in James' various inflections of the way he would call her name. This one made her face drain of all color before she turned around. Did she even want to turn around? She did so and then took three steps back towards James. Her hands were behind her back, she let James have a grip on her hands. Though she could feel her heart rate go up the moment she looked Madison in the eyes.

"I came to let you know the state is taking me into custody. I hope you are proud of yourself."

The brunette somehow managed to find words. "They can't legally do such a thing" She knew because she had signed the paperwork. "You can drop that attitude Madison." She snapped.

"Oh now you want to mother me? What sixteen years later?" She responded.

"I did what I thought was best for you. You really wanted me to come turn everything upside down?" Stephanie had never reached out and now she was realizing that had been mistake.

"Now you care? You care when it's convenient for you is that it? Where were you the last sixteen years?" She darted her eyes to the twins and then to James before landed on Stephanie again.

Stephanie shot a glare at JJ and Gabby one that suggested they would be best advised to get back into the car. Yanked her hands away from James Stephanie stepped forward looking Madison in the eyes. "Let's try this again. Madison, what is going on?" Stephanie spoke. Had she run away?

"I was driving and the truck hit us.. I got scared. But then the police they called DCFS" Madison wrapped her arms are Stephanie. "DCFS showed up and I ran away... well not really ran away. Don't let them do this? Please?" Not really sure why she thought that Stephanie could help but she had a feeling.

Stephanie put her arms around her daughter and looked to James then back at Madison. "When I asked Jackson and Veronika to raise you, I made a promise to you." Steph pushed some hair out of Madison's face.

"I'm mad at you. I went looking for my dad... but my birth certificate is blank.." Madison looked hesitant. What was Steph supposed to say?

Tag: reagan

As Steph turned James let one hand go, but kept his grip gentle on her other, well he didn't want to hurt her did he, he didn't speak - as she took steps back she ended up quite close to him but he didn't move "I came to let you know the state is taking me into custody. I hope you are proud of yourself." at least James got confirmation as to who the girl was "They can't legally do such a thing" James had to wonder exactly what Steph hadn't told him "You can drop that attitude Madison." James continued to be quiet, now was not the time for him to intervene, yet "Oh now you want to mother me? What sixteen years later?" "I did what I thought was best for you. You really wanted me to come turn everything upside down?" "Now you care? You care when it's convenient for you is that it? Where were you the last sixteen years?" As they saw Steph glare at them JJ and Gabriella glanced at James who gave a firm nod in agreement, really not a good place for the twins to be - obediently the twins climbed back into the truck and closed the door. James watched Madison carefully, cautiously - as Steph yanked her hand away James didn't move to grab her just stood there quietly, it was between her and Madison and James couldn't do much just yet. "Let's try this again. Madison, what is going on?" "I was driving and the truck hit us.. I got scared. But then the police they called DCFS" James' eyes widened "DCFS showed up and I ran away... well not really ran away. Don't let them do this? Please?" "When I asked Jackson and Veronika to raise you, I made a promise to you." "I'm mad at you. I went looking for my dad... but my birth certificate is blank.."

Oh that was a question he knew Steph couldn't answer, he took a cautious step forward "Steph" he said softly, oh he was confused as heck, and he could tell Steph was too - he hadn't failed to see her look to him a moment ago - gently, staying where she could see him he took hold of her lower arm pulling her slightly as he stepped sideways and back slightly so she was slightly standing with her shoulder to Madison and a small step away from Madison 'talk to me' he signed low - careful not to be too obvious - his eyes searched Stephanie's, trying to get something, anything.

Stephanie came off to the side with James as he pulled her away. "What am I supposed to tell her? I'm certainly not letting her father anywhere near her." There was also some things that Madison didn't need to know about the jerk CO. "Her adoption was private. If something happened to Jackson and Veronika.. there is a section in there that says she comes into my custody." She'd been on her own then. But now it was both of their decisions not just Stephanie's. "But it's not my decision now. It affects you too" she added.

Stephanie wasn't even sure she could breach the subject of the idiot who still had his nice cushie desk job, at least not to James. "My CO... when I was enlisted." She was signing mostly using short words and sentences. She couldn't bring herself to tell him how long it had gone on. But she had been so numb to everything.

"It's the past though" she tried to dismiss it. Stephanie did not like talking about it. She'd already lived through it and tried to heal from it. She knew it answered a lot of questions but nothing at all. That was typical of Stephanie. "What do you want to do?" As she had said before this was his decision too.

At least Steph had come aside willingly "What am I supposed to tell her? I'm certainly not letting her father anywhere near her." James nodded, he could definitely understand that "Her adoption was private. If something happened to Jackson and Veronika.. there is a section in there that says she comes into my custody." James nodded "But it's not my decision now. It affects you too" He didn't need to think about it, he knew what he wanted to do - but he wanted Steph to talk "My CO... when I was enlisted." James wrapped his arms gently around her shoulders, to say his blood wasn't boiling would be a lie, but he was calm - for Steph's sake "It's the past though" James gave her a 'we'll discuss this' look, he knew right here right now - they couldn't - but he wouldn't let it go, his mind had done the math and he knew "What do you want to do?" 16 years ago James had made a promise to Mya, and right here right now he was going to make that same promise again 'I want to do what is right, for you, and for your kid' he was reinforcing the last two words purposely, he took her hands and gently kissed them before signing again 'She comes with us' he would deal with the rest as they came, right now the kid needed to know she was welcome.

one arm remaining around Steph's shoulders lightly, just below her neck, his hand relaxed on her opposite shoulder he turned to face Madison "Madison right? I'm James" he introduced, for now he'd keep it real easy "We were just heading out, if you wanna join us" his voice was soft, calm, friendly.

Stephanie hated the look that came with having to have a discussion. They already had this discussion sort of... she sighed but knew better than to argue that point. It was going to be a long car ride if there ever was one and if she only knew. Silent but just a nod. She'd been in a really great mood.. but she wasn't sure what she wanted right now.

Though she was able to manage a smile. It wasn't a smile out of being happy with the situation, it was one of those 'I will get through this' half smiles. The kind where she just tried not to worry him. Then he told her Madison was coming with them. Stephanie nodded. He left no room for argument. He didn't usually.

Madison looked between them confused for a second. Great she clearly upset someone. Major upset them, this wasn't just oops i skipped curfew and now you are upset bc im stupid. This was deeper. Maddi closed her eyes and blinked back tears. "No.. I think I should just..." she looked towards the road but it as more of a looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her.

"Madison..." Steph started. "It's alright." Madison shook her head.

"It's not that I just feel like the cops are going to follow me and drag me back to DCFS. I promise I don't make it a habit of running away." She pointed out. Oh Steph knew the run away routine. She'd done it herself.

"I'll make some calls, I promise you that I will not let them take you" That would not be met well. Stephanie didnt even realize the disassociation going on. Telling her they were both law enforcement? Nope. Bad idea. Stephanie glanced at James, she'd handle this in the car.

"Promise me you wont let DCFS come?" she wasn't so sure about Steph much less James. The young girl looked between both adults and nodded.

James was glad she didn’t even try to argue "No.. I think I should just..." "Madison..." James looked sideways at Steph slightly "It's alright.” "It's not that I just feel like the cops are going to follow me and drag me back to DCFS. I promise I don't make it a habit of running away." James was looking between the two for a moment, listening to the words "I'll make some calls, I promise you that I will not let them take you" James nodded to back up Steph, but he hadn’t missed Steph’s tone and body language, gently he rubbed her shoulder "Promise me you wont let DCFS come?" “We’ll deal with them” James said softly “Come on, there’s room in the car for you” he wanted them to get going, before things got in the way, it was a good morning for travel and he wanted to make a start. He offered Madison an encouraging nod and motioned for her to get in the car. As Gabriella saw her dad motion towards the truck she pushed the door open slightly, well it was polite. James really wanted to talk to Steph, but they couldn't unless they delayed the trip, if they didn't delay the trip then they'd have to wait until they arrived at the house. Gently he kissed Steph's head "Come on let's go".

Madison kicked at her feet and shrugged. She climbed into the back of the car, just wanting to be by herself. Strange car, strange people and she had no idea where they were going. Actually Stephanie didn't even know where they were going. Stephanie leaned into James and smiled some. All things considered she was still in a decent enough mood that she could manage a genuine smile. "Yes dear" she teased him lightly. Enough that he would know she was still herself under all of that.

Stephanie got into the passenger seat. She was quiet in the ride over but not because she was upset. Just she was in one of her needing to sort things out in her head pace before talking about them. Having an analytical mind was.. sometimes difficult. Her head rested on the window and she set her hand on James's leg.

Soon they had picked up her truck. The kids were following in the other vehicle. Madison's car was roomie but still decent on gas, even if it was a bit older. Her parents didn't exactly have a ton of money but it was her mother's old camry. The other car her family had.. well it had been the one shattered in the wreck.

Stephanie was under the tailgate of the truck hooking up the trailer lights. She grabbed the GPS device she had underneath the car while she was under there. "James" she called out from under the truck. Her tone was.. concerned but not worried. "Did you reconnect the tracking system ?" She raised a brow in his direction as she slid out from under the truck firmly clicking the trailer lights in place.

Dusting off her back she then reached over and stole a kiss before going into shower. Stephanie hated driving or riding in a car when she was all yuck. Even for a woman who wasn't afraid of getting down and dirty. Once they were on their way she was spread across his lap. She still hadn't touched the whole lying to him about which of her abusers was Madison's father.

Tag: reagan

JJ and Gabriella remained in the Hummer, James shot Stephanie a grin at her response, at least it was a sign she seemed to be okay - underneath. Indicating for Madison to follow in her car James climbed into the drivers seat of his hummer. 

As they drove to the PD in relative silence James had one hand on top of Steph's as he controlled the wheel, naturally moving his hand when he needed to, he knew Steph was trying to process things - he wanted to give her a chance, plus they'd have enough time to talk on the way to Tierney.

Arriving at the PD, James organised the vehicles, and kids - chatting with the three about the route and stops they'd make - not revealing the location, simply saying that they had to follow and close - the twins were more than happy to just accept as usual. Eventually the kids went off to put their things into Madison's car, James having convinced them they wouldn't wanna ride with Steph and James - to ride with Madison was a better choice. James watched amused as Steph headed under her truck and looked down watching as he leaned with one hand on the side of the truck, he'd have been more than happy to help but Steph was the type to want to do things herself and James was more than happy to just watch "James" James straightened up at her voice "Did you reconnect the tracking system ?" James nodded as he held down a hand to pull her up "Of course" he replied softly, grinning as she stole a kiss he watched her go off to shower and shook his head.

Once they were on the road James was quiet for a while as they drove, at least the kids in the other car meant they had actual 'space' to themselves and wouldn't have anyone listening in.

It was a moment before he spoke, his voice calm "Steph, hey" he glanced at her "You okay?" he asked, sure he asked that and got a usual response but from that he could then usually tell if she wanted to talk or not.