Diana

Previously on The 4400.

(opening scene: 4400 Center, outdoors; a woman is cooking on a barbeque)

Alana

(to Tom)  I’ve been offered a job working with the children at the school.

Heather

I blew the surprise, didn’t I?

Nikki

(to Shawn)  I just want to make one thing clear: me breaking up with Danny has nothing to do with you.

Shawn

Okay.  (scene of them making out)

Ryland

(in his hospital bed)  What are you doing here?

Gary

I’m the guy who killed you.

Tom

(to Gary in detention)  Is this list complete?  Because, I’m just wondering how many 4400s you did kill.  (NSA agents enter)  What’s up?  Who are these guys?

Nina

They’ve been brought in to help expedite the interrogation.

Ryland

(in his hospital bed)  I know you find this hard to believe, Tom, but we’re on the same side. 

Daniel

One of our members has been compromised.  I have to assume he’s going to give up my name.

Richard

(in bed, talking to Isabelle)  If you know where Armand is, we’ll tell NTAC.  They’ll take care of it.

Shawn

(after the rescue)  Daniel Armand’s inside.  He’s all yours.

Tom

(begin episode; a homeless person pushes a basket of odds and ends)  This is it.  This is the last member of the Nova group.

Diana

The last one we know about anyway.  It this tip is good, and we bring in Gary Navarro, this could pretty much be the end for the Nova group.

Tom

The tip is good.

(scene change: inside the house; Gary is cooking; the telephone rings)

Tom

(outside scene; NTAC agents arrive)  There they are.  Let’s go.

Agents

(as Gary picks up the telephone)  Go!  Go!

Tom

(bursting into the house)  Gary!  It’s over!  (to agents)  Go!  Go!

Agents

Downstairs!  Upstairs!  Check that way: in that room!  All right!  Nothing here!  Clear!  Check over here!  Clear sir!

Garrity

There’s nobody here.

Diana

(checking the kitchen)  Looks like he just left.

Tom

(taking the lid off a pot with his pistol)  In the middle of making lunch?

Diana

He must have known we were coming.  Someone must have tipped him off.

(scene change: 4400 Center; Isabelle and Shawn make out in a room)

Shawn

(breaking it up)  Ah, Isabelle.  Ha-ha, Isabelle.  You’re not hearing me.

Isabelle

Sure I did.  You said you don’t want to be with me anymore.  I just don’t see why.  The Nova group’s gone.  My Dad knows about us now.  There’s nothing to stop us from being together.

Shawn

Yes, there is.  (frustrated)  Me.

Isabelle

This is because of what happened to Matthew, right?  You think I killed him and the people from the Nova group, too.

Shawn

I wasn’t in my right mind, Isabelle.  So, I don’t know what happened.

Isabelle

Well then, I’ll tell you.  Matthew had a stroke.  Some terrorists died.  And, you got better.  What’s to question?

Shawn

I just think that you and I got a little too intense too fast.

Isabelle

See, I thought that was the best part.  (she moves in to kiss him)

Devon

(entering)  Sorry for the interruption.  Shawn, there’s someone here to see you.  She’s a friend of yours.  She says it’s important.

Shawn

(meeting Nikki)  Nikki!  Oh, my God!

Nikki

(breathlessly)  Hi.

Shawn

What are you doing here?

Nikki

It’s—it’s been a long time, Shawn.

Shawn

Yeah.

Nikki

(nervously)  Hi—hi.  (she moves to kiss and hug him)  I—I should have called first.

Shawn

No.  No, it’s fine.  You look great.  How’ve you been?

Nikki

(hopeful)  Good.  Good.  School’s kind of fun.  It’s just—(pauses)—my Father.  He’s been sick.

Shawn

Your dad?  I’m sorry to hear that.

Nikki

It’s cancer.  It’s in his pancreas.  There’s nothing they can do.  (Shawn nods)

Isabelle

(authoritatively)  Shawn.  (approaching)  Is everything okay?

Shawn

Yeah.  (to Isabelle)  Um, I just need to deal with this thing now, so we’ll talk later.  Okay?

Isabelle

(feigning a smile)  Okay.  (exits)

(scene change: 4400 schoolroom)

Alana

So, Amy.  You used to call your grandmother “Mimi.”

Amy

Yes.  I’d go stay with her for two weeks every year.  But when I came back with all the other 4400s, my Mom told me she was gone.

Agent

(entering)  Alana Mereva?  We’re from the National Security Agency.  You need to come with us.

Alana

What is this about?

Agent

The Pentagon has commissioned a study on the membership and the origins of the Nova group.  We’ve been authorized to interview all persons of interest.

Alana

And why would I be a person of interest?

Agent

Ma’am, we have a list.  Your name is on it.  Let’s not make a scene in front of the child.

Alana

(being escorted out of the building)  How did my name get on the list?  What am I being accused of?

Agent

We have evidence that suggests you’re a member of the Nova group.

(scene change: NTAC detention; Alana and Tom talk)

Alana

I wrote a check.  My friend Ryan at the Center: he came up to me one day about six weeks ago.  Said he couldn’t pay his power bill.  They were going to shut it off if he didn’t come up with the money.  It was a small loan: $165.  No big deal, right?

Tom

Ryan Freel?  (Alana nods)  We picked him up three days ago.  He’s one of the names Daniel Armand gave us.

Alana

So they were right.  He was in Nova.  They say they can hold me for providing financial support to terrorists.  It was just a loan, Thomas.  How long are they going to keep me here?

Tom

They can hold you for questioning without any charge for thirty-six hours.  But it’s not going to come to that.  This is harassment, and it’s not going to continue.  I’m going to talk to Ryan Freel.  I’ll get him to admit that this was just a casual thing, that it had nothing to do with Nova.  Alana, I promise this is all going to be over soon.  Just—(a noise bothers him)—just sit tight, okay?  I love you.  (they touch hands on the glass)

Nina

I know it’s frustrating, but there’s nothing we can do.

Tom

Nina, it’s harassment, pure and simple.

Nina

Yeah, I know it is.  And, I don’t like it, either.  But the Nova group made a lot of people nervous.  Now that it’s broken, the military wants to make sure that it’s dead and gone.

Tom

(frustrated)  Yeah.  We all do.  It’s still no excuse to hold an innocent woman based on absolutely nothing.

Nina

(throws her hands up)  Well, I agree, but the Pentagon went around us on this one.  They went private.  They hired the Haspel Corporation to conduct the study.

Diana

(surprised)  The Haspel Corp?  They do a lot of defense contracting, don’t they?

Nina

Yeah, well, right now they’re focusing on this Nova report.  NSA even loaned them agents to do field work.

Tom

(amazed)  Now some conglomerate has the right to arrest and detain people?  Where’s the oversight?

Nina

There isn’t a lot.  Look.  This whole thing runs on the discretion of the executive in charge of the study.

Tom

So, who’s this executive?

(scene change: in Ryland’s office)

Ryland

I appreciate your frustration, Tom.  It’s unfortunate that your girlfriend got involved in this mess.  But my people were just being thorough.

Tom

Your people?  Alana’s being held by the National Security Agency.  The way I remember it, you life in public service ended with a perp walk through NTAC.

Ryland

Yeah.  There were some unpleasant moments, but that’s the past.  I was censured for my part in the inhibitor—(pauses for the word)—scandal, I guess you’d call it.

Diana

Scandal?  Why don’t you try “murderous plot”?

Ryland

Your opinions are already a matter of record, not that the majority of people agree with you.  Anyway, after the government saw fit to terminate my employment, I weighed my offers and wound up here, Haspel Corp.

Tom

And Alana just happened to wind up in your crosshairs, right?

Ryland

Tom, do you think I would use your girlfriend to prosecute some kind of personal vendetta?

Tom

Actually, Dennis, yeah.  I do.  (outside in the lobby; to Diana)  So, that’s his punishment for causing the deaths of twenty-eight 4400s.  A six-figure consulting gig and a corner office.

Diana

Don’t act so surprised, Tom.  We always knew Ryland had a lot of support for what he did.

(scene change: Ryland enters a busy office)

Ryland

(to technician)  Learning anything new?

Tech

Yeah.  She’s incredible.  In a week, we’ve made discoveries we thought it would take years to get.  Where’d you find this girl?

Isabelle

He didn’t find me.  I found him.

(scene change: outside a hospital; Shawn exits the building)

Nikki

(exiting after him)  Shawn.

Shawn

(to guard)  It’s all right.  (to Nikki)  Hey.

Nikki

That was amazing!  It looks like my father could walk out of here this afternoon.

Shawn

Good.

Nikki

I know my whole family just thanked you again and again, but I wanted to say it, too.  So, thanks.

Shawn

It’s all right, Nikki.

Nikki

You look so different.  Last time I saw you, I don’t think you even owned a belt.  (Shawn laughs)  You used to wear the same flannel shirt every day for a week.

Shawn

A lot’s changed, I guess.

Nikki

Now, you’re doing so great.  It kind of makes me wonder why you never called just to say “Hi,” you know?

Shawn

I was just trying to put everything behind me, maybe.  I guess.  I don’t know.  But I thought about you a lot.  I got to go, I guess.

Nikki

Yeah.

Shawn

(enters the car and rolls down the window)  Tell your dad not to hurry back to the office, okay?  He always was a workaholic.  (Nikki nods; they wave goodbye; the car drives off)

(scene change: inside NTAC)

Diana

(to Tom)  We just got the phone records in from Gary’s safe house.  A call came in at 11:14 a.m.

Tom

11:14?  That’s right before we got there.  It’s a tip off call.  It had to be.

Diana

It came from inside the 4400 Center.

(scene change: inside the 4400 Center)

Heather

Look.  I don’t know what to say.  I can’t tell you why that call came from my office.  But, I didn’t make it.

Tom

Heather, we’ve got phone records that say it came from your extension

Heather

You said, the call was made around 11:10, right?  Well, then there’s no way it could have been me.  I was teaching a class from 11:00 to noon.  I was standing in front of twelve students for the entire hour.  I never left the room.

Diana

Anyone else have access to your office?

Heather

Just the janitor, but you’d have to ask maintenance about that.

Tom

We will.  We’ll need to talk to your students, as well.  Look.  Heather, NTAC isn’t the only organization investigating the Nova group.  There’s going to be a lot of people looking at those phone records, and they’re all going to be less friendly than we are.

Heather

Sorry, guys.  It’s like I said: I was in class.  That’s all I know.  (Tom and Diana leave)

(scene change: Richard and Isabelle have dinner)

Richard

I got a little worried about you this afternoon.  You were gone all day again.

Isabelle

I was out walking.  I like to do that now.  (Richard doesn’t respond)  Dad.  I need you to talk to Shawn.  Tell him he can’t break up with me.  It would be a mistake.

Richard

I can’t do that.  For one thing, I don’t think it is.  I know how much it must hurt right now, but you’ll get over it.

Isabelle

Don’t talk to me like I’m a teenager.  There are thing I have to do.  They’re going to be really hard, dangerous.  And, if Shawn’s not with me, it’s going to make things worse.

Richard

Worse for who?  You?

Isabelle

No.  Everyone else.

Richard

Yeah?  And, what if he says “no”?

Isabelle

Be more convincing.

(scene change: Tom’s house; Tom opens the door to Heather)

Tom

Heather.  What’s up?

Heather

I need to talk to you.  (later, in the kitchen)  Listen.  I’ve been thinking all day about this.  I didn’t tell you everything this afternoon.  There was someone who had the key to my office.

Tom

Okay.  This person: I need to know who it was.

Heather

Tom, it was Alana.  I didn’t want to say anything in front of your partner.  I’m sure you understand why.  Tom, did Alana know that you found out where this guy Gary was living?

Tom

Uh, yeah.  Yeah.  She did.  I—I was on the phone with her when the tip came in.  I told her.  She knew we’d been chasing Gary for a long time.  Heather, come on.  It wasn’t Alana.  There has to be some other explanation.

Heather

I hope so, and I hope you find it.  But what do I do while you’re looking?  You said it yourself: you’re not the only one with access to those records.  And, you’re not the only one who’s going to come asking questions.

Tom

You tell anyone who asks, the same thing you told me this afternoon.  Your alibi checks out.  Unless you say differently, no one is going to be able to prove you lent that key to Alana or anyone else.  Heather, Alana didn’t make that call.  If you just stick to your story for one more day, this whole thing will be over.

(scene change: 4400 Center, hallway)

Shawn

(to Richard)  What if I say “no”?  She comes after me?  You?

Richard

I don’t know.  But I know she’s determined to get you back.  It’s like she sees you as her one connection to the world, to people, to a normal life.

Shawn

So, what you’re saying is: it’s like my job to keep her—I don’t know—human?

Richard

It sounds that way, doesn’t it?  (puts his hand on Shawn’s shoulder)  Look.  Shawn.  I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I do know this: Isabelle’s not giving up, not without a fight.  And, we’ve both seen what happens when my daughter decides to fight.

(scene change: NTAC detention center; Tom comes to release Alana)

Alana

Is everything all right, Thomas?  (Tom doesn’t answer)

(scene change: in the car)

Tom

Don’t think about it as informing.  You’re helping us catch a criminal.  I need you to tell me.  Who did you lend Heather’s office key to?  (Alana doesn’t answer)  Sweetie, please.  This is important.  Somebody compromised our investigation.

Alana

I didn’t give the key to anyone.  It was me, Thomas.  I called Gary Navarro.

Tom

(angrily pulls the car over and steps out)  I don’t understand.  Are you a member of the Nova group?

Alana

No.  Of course not.

Tom

(shouting)  Then why?  I trusted you.  I told you what we were doing, and you used it to betray me.

Alana

I wasn’t betraying you.  I did it for you.  How many times have I heard you say that you felt responsible for what happened to Gary Navarro?  He came to you for help.  And, instead the government used him and turned him against his own kind.

Tom

I don’t like what happened to Gary.  But he chose to become a terrorist.  He joined Nova of his own free will.

Alana

Gary wasn’t with the Nova group anymore.

Tom

What?  How would you even know that?

Alana

A lot of people at the Center know it.  After the Nova group had TJ Kim murdered, he turned his back on them.

Tom

How can you even believe that?  Gary personally tried to murder Dennis Ryland.

Alana

Ryland is responsible for the death of twenty-eight 4400s.  Twenty-eight people that might have changed the world for the better were they allowed to live.  He declared war on us.  I almost died, Thomas.  All Gary did was fight back.

Tom

You should have told me what you were going to do.

Alana

I wanted to.  But I couldn’t.  You were bound by your job.  You couldn’t give Gary another chance.  So, I did it for you.

Tom

And now, you’re going to stand trial right alongside him.  You made that phone call from the Center.  It’s right there on Gary’s phone records.  They’ll figure it out it was you, Alana.  So, what?  Am I supposed to lie for you now?  Am I supposed to become Gary’s accomplice, too, now?

Alana

I’m not asking you to do anything, Thomas.  You want to turn me in, fine.  But I believe I did the right thing.  And, I hoped the man I love would believe it, too.

(scene change: Shawn’s apartment; pouring wine, talking to Nikki)

Shawn

Nikki, if I did pay off your dad’s hospital bill, and I’m not admitting to anything, let’s just say that it’s not that big of a deal.  Okay?  I’m glad to do something with my money.  Giving up my social life to work seven days a week at this place has to have its perks, right?  (he hands her a glass of wine)

Nikki

I have a hard time believing that you don’t have a social life.

Shawn

Running this place is a big job, you know.  It kind of cuts you off from the world.

Nikki

Well, I don’t have $60,000, but if you’re feeling isolated, maybe I can pay you back in another way.  (they share a joke about sexuality)  There’s a new sushi place that opened in Belltown.  It’s supposed to be pretty cool.

Shawn

You like sushi now?

Nikki

You’re not the only one who can change.

Shawn

(a knock on the door)  Just give me a second.  (he rises to answer)

Isabelle

Hey, Shawn.  (entering and noticing Nikki)  Have you seen my copy of the Republic in here?

Shawn

No.  You know what?  I haven’t seen it.

Isabelle

(to Nikki)  Hello again.  I’m Isabelle.

Nikki

(stutters)  Nikki.  Nice to meet you.

Isabelle

I’ve heard of you.  (to Shawn)  Well, let me know if you find my book.  I’m right in the middle of it.  (she exits)

Shawn

(closing the door)  So, tomorrow night?  We’re going to check out this new sushi place?

Nikki

(recovering)  Uh, yeah.

(scene change: NTAC)

Diana

(holding her head)  Oh, my God!  Tom, I’m so sorry.  Anything I can do to help?

Tom

I don’t know.  I know what I can’t do.  I can’t just turn Alana in.  (sighs)  And if we do catch Gary, eventually he’s going to give her up.  So, either way her life is ruined.

Diana

Well, Tom, there’s no way you can try and shake this agency off Gary’s scent.  You’ll wind up a felon yourself.

Tom

I have to do something, Diana.  We’re talking about Alana.  One way or another, we’ve been together for more than a decade.  We—I have to protect her.  Once I know she’s safe, then I can figure out how we move on.  If we move on.

Diana

You need to keep yourself safe, too.  I think that the best thing that we can do—the only thing we can do—is to take ourselves off this case.

Tom

And do what?

Diana

Cross your fingers.  Hope Gary buys himself a one-way ticket to Costa Rica.  (gives Tom an idea)

(scene change: 4400 Center; Heather has been arrested; Alana and Heather exchange glances)

(scene change: Tom’s house)

Tom

What did you expect to happen?

Alana

I don’t know.  But it’s only for thirty-six hours, right?  That’s all they can hold her for.

Tom

Honestly, I’m not sure.  They can hold her for as long as it takes to investigate her alibi.

Alana

We’re talking about Dennis Ryland here.  You’ve told me a dozen times he’ll do whatever it takes to get information.

Tom

He’s going to interrogate her, and I don’t know how far it’s going to go.  Alana, I’ll call his office in the morning.  I checked out Heather’s alibi myself.  I’ll give them my notes.  It’ll all go on record.  Right now, that’s all I can do.

(scene change: Haspel Corp, Ryland’s office; Alana enters)

Ryland

You know, I’m always happy to talk to one of the 4400.  But I have to say, I was surprised to find you waiting outside my office this morning.

Alana

You can release Heather Tobey.  That phone call to Gary Navarro: I was the one who made it.

Tom

(later, entering)  Dennis.  Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.

Ryland

What were you thinking, Tom?  To get romantically involved with a 4400—

Tom

What Alana did was misguided.  It was wrong.  But Gary wasn’t part of the Nova group anymore.

Ryland

Are you actually going to stand here and defend Gary Navarro to me?  The Nova group isn’t a bridge club.  You don’t just leave.  Even if Gary tried to, that doesn’t absolve his other crimes, which include attempted murder.  If the doctors had gotten to me thirty seconds later, I would have been dead.

Tom

I know how badly you want him, Dennis.

Ryland

If it was up to me, Gary Navarro would never even make it to trial.

Tom

Okay.  Forget about Gary.  Can we just concentrate on Alana?

Ryland

Well, I’m afraid it’s not possible to make that distinction.  They’re kind of intertwined, aren’t they, Tom?  Alana will be prosecuted like any other member of the Nova group.

Tom

She’s not a member of the Nova group!  Dennis.  Dennis.  We’ve known each other for twenty-five years.  You have to help me.

Ryland

Like you helped me when my back was to the wall?  Okay.  I’m not a petty man, Tom.  I’ll honor our relationship.

Tom

Thank you.  I appreciate anything you can do.

Ryland

I’ll tell NSA you had nothing to do with this.  You may be a dupe, but you’re not a traitor.  And, as for Alana, her best chance of seeing mercy is to cooperate fully and help us find Gary Navarro.

(scene change: NTAC)

Diana

Now you want to catch Gary Navarro?  Tom, we’ve already passed the case off to Roth and Tierney.

Tom

We’ve got to get him before they do.  We’ve got to get him before Ryland does.  Before anyone.  Look.  Ryland wants Gary.  It’s a personal thing.  If we can get Gary first, we can deal with Ryland directly.  A straight-up trade: Gary for Alana.

Diana

So, Ryland gets his hands on Gary, and it happens with no official record.  No arrest.  None of that sticky due process.  You really think that Ryland’s going to agree to that?

Tom

If we dangle Gary in front of him—in a heartbeat.

Diana

Look, Tom.  You saved my daughter’s life.  I owe you everything for that.  And, I’ll do what you want here, but this is dangerous.  And, it’s a lot of trouble to go to for—uh—a woman who just betrayed you.

Tom

I owe her that much.  More than that.  My son is incarcerated, Diana.  Alana’s been right there with me all the way through it.  And, she doesn’t deserve to rot in some secret prison for the rest of her life.

Diana

Well, any idea where we’d start?

Tom

(smiles)  Yeah.

(scene change: Shawn’s apartment; Isabelle just shows up)

Isabelle

Hey, Shawn.

Shawn

Isabelle.  What are you doing in here?

Isabelle

I came by to talk.  I know you’re still thinking about us, but we’re still friends, right?  I can still drop by?

Shawn

Well, Isabelle, usually friends knock.  What’s up?

Isabelle

I came to talk to you about Nikki.  I know you pretty well.  I don’t think she’s the right girl for you.

Shawn

Well, I don’t know why you think she’s my girl.  You’re entitled to your opinion, though, I guess.

Isabelle

I’m just trying to protect you.  I just have this feeling that if you guys get together it’s going to end badly.

Shawn

Isabelle!  What does that mean?  Are you threatening Nikki now?

Isabelle

Of course not.  Why would I threaten Nikki?  It’s just I have this feeling that if you two hook up, it’s not going to end well.  Not for you.  Especially not for her.  It’s always harder on the girl, you know.

(scene change: Tom visits Alana in the detention center)

Tom

Hey.  You doing okay?

Alana

Yeah.  More or less.

Tom

I want to help you, Alana.  I want to get you out of here.

Alana

I don’t think you can.

Tom

I do.  I think there’s a way, but I need you to trust me.  (he secretly shows her a note that reads: “Remember: they’re listening)  I think you should cooperate with Dennis Ryland.  (a second note reads: “How can I contact Gary Navarro?)  Tell him whatever he wants to know.

Alana

I can’t do that, Thomas.  That would be a betrayal.

Tom

Learn to live with it.  Listen to me.  If you don’t cooperate, I don’t think you’re ever going to get out of here.

Alana

I can’t.

Tom

Then I can’t help you.  (he prepares to exit)

Alana

Thomas.  (he returns)  I was supposed to take the students on a field trip to the aquarium this afternoon.  I need you to go there and leave them a note.  There’s a bulleting board outside the aquarium.  You should put it there, and it should say: “field trip canceled.”  Some of the kids will show up with their parents.  When you see them, give them my apologies.

Tom

I’ll make sure they understand.

(scene change: aquarium; Tom has put up the note)

Tom

(to Diana)  It was a code.  At least, I think it was.  She was telling me how to get a hold of Gary.

Diana

Well, I don’t know, Tom.  It’s already been two hours.

Tom

Let’s give it another fifteen minutes.  (he spies Gary)  Diana.  (they chase him)  Gary, stop!

Diana

(shouting)  Get down!  Everybody get down!

Tom

Look out!  Look out!  Get down!  Look out!  Get down!  (chasing Gary outside)  Look out!  Look out!  Get out of the way!  (he finally tackles Gary, but they fight for a loose pistol)

Diana

(arriving)  Don’t move, Gary!  Don’t move!

Tom

It’s over, Gary.  Come on.  Get up!

(scene change: Gary is chained to a stairway post in Tom’s house)

Gary

So, you’re going to turn me over to Ryland.  You know what he’s going to do to me, right?  Ryland is going to interrogate me.  You know all about that.  You’ve see that firsthand.  And, then he’s going to disappear me.  No trial.  No record.

Tom

I’m not a mind reader, Gary.  Not like you.  I have no idea what Ryland’s going to do with you.

Gary

That’s how you’re going to get through this little hand off with your conscience intact?

Tom

All right.  You want to know?  I’m trading you for Alana.  She helped you.  Now, it’s your chance to help her.  You owe her that much. 

Diana

You made your own bed, Gary.  Nobody forced you to join Nova.  Nobody forced you to kill people.

Gary

I was a baseball player!  I was worried about making the major leagues.  That’s it!  If I hadn’t met you two, I’d be shagging grounders right now.

Diana

(taking Tom aside)  Okay.  You should go.  If you still want to, that is.  But if you make this deal with Ryland, it’s forever.  We live with this.

Tom

I’ll call you after the meet.  You’re going to have to move him right away.  (he leaves the house)

(scene change: Nikki’s house; Shawn is inside)

Nikki

7:30 on the nose.  I got to say I’m impressed.  Big mogul like you.  Figured that you’d keep a girl waiting.  Hey!  (they kiss each other on the cheek)  You ready to go?

Shawn

Nikki, listen.  We can’t do this.

Nikki

Do what?  Dinner?  Shawn, it’s not a big deal.  That’s what people do at night.

Shawn

(sighs)  You know, this is about more than just dinner.  I’m sorry.  I don’t mean to stand you up.  I just—I just can’t do this right now.

Nikki

Shawn, I don’t get it.  What happened?  Did some adviser tell you that I don’t fit in with your PR strategy?

Shawn

No.  Nothing like that.  It’s going to sound like a stupid guy thing.  But me leaving here right now is the best thing I can do for you.

Nikki

All right, then.  Go.

Shawn

Bye, Nikki.  (he leaves)

(scene change: Ryland's kitchen)

Ryland

So, Tom.  I’m guessing that if I don’t agree to this trade you’re proposing, you’re not going to drop Navarro off at the nearest police station, are you?

Tom

You say “no,” and you can forget about getting your hands on Gary Navarro.  I’ll get him a passport, a plane ticket; he’ll be in a third world country by this time tomorrow.

Ryland

And, if I decide to play along?

Tom

You want to know whether I’ll be asking questions about Gary Navarro after you drive away with him?  No.  I won’t be.

Ryland

It’s going to be tricky to make the charges against Alana go away.

Tom

You can do it, Dennis.  I have faith in you.  (he leaves)

(scene change: Alana is released into Ryland’s custody)

Ryland

(to two agents)  Let’s go.

(scene change: on a road surrounded by trees)

Gary

(to Tom and Diana)  Listen.  Take this key ring.  The blue key opens a safe deposit box.  There are eight letters inside, and I’d appreciate it if you’d mail them.  (Diana takes the keys)

Tom

These letters: who are they addressed to?

Gary

Eight families, all over the world.

Diana

Your NSA work?  Those are the families of the 4400s that you helped target.

Gary

Well, I figured it—it’s time to let them know what happened.  Give them a sense of closure.  Seems like the least I can do.  Seems like the only thing I can do, actually.

(the exchange is made on a bridge)

Tom

(to Alana as she approaches and hugs him)  You okay?

Alana

(to Gary as he passes)  I’m sorry.

Gary

It’s all right.  I know it wasn’t your idea.

Ryland

(as Gary is manhandled into a car)  Nice working with you again, Tom.  (he and his team prepare to leave)

Diana

Well, that went well.  (Ryland’s car drives off)  Tell me.  Why do I have such a weird feeling in my stomach?

Alana

It’s not easy to sentence a man to death.

(scene change: inside Ryland’s car)

Gary

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Driver

Quiet back there!

Ryland

(to driver)  It’s all right.  Let him pray.  (Tom’s car comes speeding up alongside, forcing the driver to hit road signs)  Look out!  (the car comes to a skidding halt)

Tom

(he and Diana have their weapons drawn)  Get out of the car!  Get out!

Diana

Keep your hands where I can see them!  Up!

Tom

Keep your hands where I can see them!  (to Gary)  You okay?  (Gary nods)

Ryland

(as he is handcuffed to his car)  Tom, you need to think about this.  Tom, you’re letting a terrorist walk free!

Gary

No.  I was a soldier.  You created me.  All I did was switch sides.  Well, guess what?  Now, I’m done fighting.  I’m walking away from the war.

Ryland

(shouting)  There’s no walking away!  You’ve got numerous federal charges hanging over your head, including attempted murder.

Tom

Murderers walk free all the time, Dennis.  Some of them even get cushy jobs at Fortune 500 companies.

Ryland

Very cute, Tom.  Have you thought about what this means for your girlfriend?  Making her a fugitive is kind of a funny way of showing your love.

Alana

I’d rather be on the run than be responsible for handing a 4400 to you.

Ryland

Skouris.  You’re supposed to be the level-headed one.  Are you really going to throw your career away because your partner is on some personal crusade?

Diana

Well, I don’t see it that way, Dennis.  And, if you want to hold onto your job, you won’t say anything about this.  A 4400 you personally signed out of a military detention facility?  A secret trade in a remote location?  It’s all kind of messy.  I’m guessing, this one stays off the books.  (to Alana and Gary)  Let’s go.

Tom

(leaving)  Nice working with you again, Dennis.

(scene change: at a lonely filling station; a train whistle is heard in the distance)

Diana

(handing Gary a package)  There’s two IDs in there, and there’s enough cash to last you for a while.  The Canadian’s border is about thirty miles, and I’d cross as soon as you can.  Ryland will be looking.

Gary

Yeah.  (Diana turns away)  You know, it’s been almost two years since I met you two.  And, I remember that you said that you would help me.  Well, it’s been a long time coming, but I guess you finally came through.  Thank you.

Alana

I didn’t want us to end, Thomas, ever.  But especially not here like this.

Tom

It doesn’t have to end.  I can come with you.

Alana

You can’t.  You need to be here.  You’re one of the only good men left in this fight.

Tom

I’ll find a way to bring you back.  I promise.  (they tearfully hug; Tom leads her to the car; they kiss; he watches them depart)

(to be continued)