Taken by E.M. Leya

CHAPTER ONE

The information on the computer screen was starting to blur as Trenton sat back in his chair and rubbed a fist over his eyes. He'd been working for nearly twenty hours straight. While that wasn't uncommon, tonight he was feeling the strain. "I think I'm going to head out for a while." He glanced at his teammate, Matt, who was busy working on the computer beside his.

"Go. You deserve a break. I've got to hang out a few more hours. I've got an online meeting with a guy who wants to sell me a bunch of baby porn."

"Fuck." Trenton shook his head. Baby porn was what the team called anything that had to do with children under the age of three. It was some of the vilest stuff they had to deal with. "You need me to stick around?" There wasn't much he could do other than offer moral support, but in their profession, moral support could go a long way.

"Nah, I'm good. Go get some rest. We've got that sting tomorrow night. Once I confirm this asshole has the images, I'm going to head home myself. I'm convinced this guy isn't just selling images. I think he's the one making them. If I can get an in with him, then it will make tracking him down easier." Matt reached for his coffee cup.

"I need to unwind a bit before I can sleep. I'm going to drop by Manny's for a drink before I head home." Trenton made sure his computer was shut down and everything he was working on was filed away and out of sight.

"Make Xander go with you. He refuses to go home until I'm done. He might as well go keep you company for an hour or two." Matt turned back to the computer as it alerted him to an incoming email.

"I'll ask if he wants to." Trenton grabbed his backpack from beside his office chair. "Good luck tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can be here in twenty."

"You need to rest more than I need help. Besides, Bry is here if I need him." Matt waved Trenton off. "Go rest."

As always, Trenton felt guilty for leaving. It wasn't like he had any reason to go home, but sometimes he just needed a change of scenery. He needed to get out of the small house that the team used as a base and remind himself that not everyone in the world was evil.

They'd been going hard the last few weeks, trying to find a missing boy from the area. They'd found images of him online shortly after his abduction, but they hadn't been able to find where the boy was being kept. It was frustrating. Trenton had a hard time leaving work when he knew just a little more work and he might be able to find that one clue that would allow them to find the kid.

He couldn't focus on that. He had to rest and take care of his own wellbeing if he was going to be any good at work. He walked into the living room to find Xander focused on his cellphone. "Hey, I'm headed over to Manny's for a drink before I go home. Want to join me?"

Xander looked up, surprise on his face. "You're going out?"

"Just for a drink or two." Trenton shrugged. So what if he seldom went out? He wasn't a complete homebody. It was just the fact that most days, after staring at a computer screen all day, he wasn't in the mood to be social. The things he saw on the screens stuck with him and it was usually better to go home alone than try and deal with people.

He never had been very social. Even as a child, he would spend time alone, only playing with his brother, but rarely with other friends. Having too many people around wore him out and always made him a little uncomfortable. He had enough going on in his own head. He didn't need to deal with others. But then there were nights like tonight where he felt the urge to go grab a drink and relax as he watched people go about their lives.

"I'm going to pass. I've got my session with Katie in the morning. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to tell her this time to keep her from finding out how fucked up I am." Xander grinned.

Trenton laughed. They all hated the mandated therapy sessions they had to sit through to make sure the job wasn't causing them any issues. They all lied their way through them, but he was sure Katie knew that. No one could do the job they did and not come out fucked up. "You've been talking to her for years. She knows how fucked up you are. Hell, just talk about Faith and how she's doing at school and hope it distracts her from your shit."

Faith was Xander and Matt's daughter. She was back east going to school, but everyone missed her. She was one of the many kids they'd rescued over the years, and there wasn't a person who met her who didn't love her. Katie had gotten Faith through some of the hardest times in her life, and he was sure bringing up Faith would distract Katie somewhat.

"Hell, she talks to Faith more than we get to. Faith calls her almost daily to catch up. We're lucky to get a call once a week." Xander tossed his phone on the coffee table. "You okay tonight? This sudden need for a drink anything we should be concerned about?"

Trenton grinned. "Nah, I'm good. Just a need to remind myself there is life outside this house and not everyone is out to hurt kids. I'm just going to have a couple of drinks, then head home and get some sleep. I'll be back by noon tomorrow to make sure the thumb drive is ready to go for your sting tomorrow night."

"We couldn't do this without you. Be careful and enjoy yourself. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." Xander gave him a nod.

"See you then." Trenton pulled his keys from his pocket and headed out. The afternoon heat caught him by surprise. He spent so much time in the air-conditioned house, he forgot what it was really like outside. He hurried to his car, grabbing his sunglasses from the console the moment he slid behind the steering wheel. He took several deep breaths, then started the car and pulled away from the house he spent most of his time at.

He didn't know why he kept his apartment. He slept at the team house more times than not, but sometimes he just needed his own space. A place away from the guys and all the action of the team. Now that most of the team were married or in relationships, he found it harder to be around them. He was the odd man out now, and that left him feeling like a third wheel. It was easier to hide behind his computer than deal with everyone.

He pushed thoughts of work from his mind and thought about all the things he needed to take care of once he got home. Most of his bills were on autopay, but there were a few he needed to take care of. He also needed to get hold of his brother. It had been a few weeks since he'd last talked to Levi. They were as close as two brothers could be growing up, but over the years, they'd drifted apart. A lot of the reason was Trenton's job. He couldn't include his brother in that part of his life. He told Levi he worked at some tech company and left it at that. Their past wasn't easy, but they had overcome and tried to be what the other needed. At times he wished they were closer.

The parking lot at Manny's was halfway full. He planned to leave before it got packed. The last thing he was in the mood for was a ton of people. He just wanted to unwind before he headed home.

He locked his car and headed inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust as he looked around. It was busier than it had appeared from the cars outside. Most of the booths were filled, and people stood around the pool tables and dartboards in the back. He'd hoped to find a stool at the bar, but it was also full. He decided on a two-top table against the wall and sank into a very uncomfortable seat.

"What can I get you?" A young woman asked from behind him. She came around to face him, giving him a tired smile.

"Just a beer. Budweiser." 

"Anything to eat?"

He shook his head.

She grinned. "I'll be right back."

He pulled a ten-dollar bill from his pocket and waited for her to return. When she did, he gave her the money. "Keep the change."

"Thanks, Hun." She touched his shoulder softly before walking away.

Trenton took a long drink of his beer as he started to relax. It was amazing how just a few minutes away from the computer screen would ease the tension in his muscles. He wasn't sure if it was the screen or what he saw on it that caused so much stress in his body, but he always felt better after he got away from it all for a few hours.

It was hard not to think about work when it consumed most of his life, but he forced himself to focus on watching the people playing pool instead of thinking about all the things he could be doing if he'd kept working.

"Mind if I sit down?"

He glanced up to find a woman smiling at him. Her long red hair fell over her shoulders as she touched the back of the chair across from him.

"Sorry to intrude. I was waiting for my girlfriend to get here and really didn't want to wait alone." She eyed chair across from him as if hoping to sit.

He saw the interest in her eyes and was flattered by it. He wasn't in the mood to hook up, but he wasn't against conversation. "Sure, take a seat. Can I get you a drink?"

"Thanks, but I ordered as I walked in." She took a seat then offered her hand. "I'm Janice."

"Trenton." He gripped her hand gently, then released it.

"You live in the area?" She asked.

"I work not far from here. How about you?"

She shook her head. "My friend Tammy lives close so I meet her here. She's got a thing for the bartender." Janice nodded to the bar where a thirty-something guy was making drinks. "He's an asshole if you ask me, but what can you do? Tammy's convinced he's her everything."

Trenton laughed as he lifted his beer to his mouth. He was so thankful he wasn't doing the typical dating scene shit everyone else seemed to be into. While he wanted someone special in his life, work came first, and he doubted there were many people out there who would tolerate dating him with the hours he dedicated to his job. "What about you?"

Janice gave a small shrug. "I just got out of a relationship. I'm taking some time off from anything serious, but I'm always open to something casual." Her eyes brightened with intent as she stared at him.

Trenton wasn't in the mood for even casual. It had been nearly six months since he'd had sex, and he wanted it, but his mind wasn't in the right place tonight. Hell, his mind was seldom in the right place. It was hard to get aroused when you spent the day seeing children abused. "I'm just here for a couple of beers, then headed home. Sorry." He gave her a sympathetic look as if he really regretted that he couldn't warm her bed for the night.

She was attractive, and he liked a sexy woman just as much as a sexy man, but over the last few years, he'd found he was hooking up with women less and men more. He found he liked he didn't have to be as gentle with another man. Sex was rawer with another man. It was rough and hard, something he didn't dare be with a woman.

"My loss, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends while I wait for Tammy." She smiled up at the waitress as a drink was set in front of her.

"You're right, it doesn't." Trenton smiled. "So what do you do?"

She brushed her hair back from her shoulder. "I'm in acquisitions for a large company. Nothing too exciting. What about you?"

"Computers. Even more boring." Trenton told her as he finished off his beer and lifted the empty mug to the waitress for another. "Nothing exciting about sitting behind a computer all day."

"You ever wish you'd found a different career path? Dreamed you were something more exciting like a pilot traveling the world, or an actor walking the red carpet?"

Trenton laughed. "Not really, though I'd love to travel. I'm good with computers though. I'm doing what I should be." He meant every word too. He loved his job as painful as it was to see the worst humanity had to offer. He helped a lot of kids doing what he did. He'd never regret his choice to join up with Bryon and Carter when they'd started the team. He was lucky to be included as part of the STK team. Each rescue they made only made him more determined to keep working and seeking to bring down the men and women who hurt children.

They talked as he drank his second beer, and he found he liked Janice. She had a good head on her shoulders. If he'd been in the mood, he might have asked her out, but his heart just wasn't into dealing with dating right now.

"Another beer?" She asked as he finished his second.

"I think I'm good. I have to drive home, so I better not." He was already feeling the effects of the second one he had more than he'd expected. He was lightheaded and almost sluggish in his movements.

"Then how about a dance before you go?" Janice stood and offered her hand to him.

Trenton glanced at the small dance floor toward the back of the room. A few couples danced, but it wasn't very crowded. "Sure, why not?" Hopefully, the movement would help him clear his head so he could head home. He really should have grabbed something to eat before drinking, but two beers had never bothered him before. He usually held his alcohol really well.

He took her hand and let her lead him to the dance floor. His head swam at the movement, and he was happy to turn into her arms and hold her for a moment as he tried to focus.

"You smell good." Janice held him close as she ran her nose along his neck.

"Thanks." He was having trouble holding on to his thoughts and an even harder time focusing on his feet so he didn't trip or collapse.

Something wasn't right. He'd never felt this way after drinking. Even when he'd gotten sloppy drunk a time or two, he'd been able to focus on things better than he could now.

Janice led him around the dance floor, just swaying to the slow music that played. He let her lead, unable to do more than hold on to her as he tried to think.

"I don't feel so good. I think I need the bathroom." He tried to take a step back, but Janice held him.

"Let me help you." She continued to hold him in her arms but turned them toward a doorway.

"No, I need…" He shook his head, unable to remember what he needed.

"It's okay, Trenton. I have you. It's going to be okay."

He thought she knocked on the door, but he couldn't be sure. He was too focused on trying to stay standing. His head was a mess, pain and confusion both consuming him. "I can't…" His eyes closed and he jerked, forcing them open. What the hell was going on? He needed to sit down and call someone to come get him.

"Let me help you." Janice led him into a small room.

He hadn't even noticed the door opening as she pushed him into a chair beside a desk.

"You did good with this one, Janice," a man's voice said.

Trenton tried to focus, but couldn't tell where the man was. It was like he was at the end of a tunnel, the sounds echoing around inside his head.

"I thought so." She stepped away from Trenton. "You got him from here?" she asked.

Trenton tried to lift his head, tried to keep his eyes open.

"I'll handle him." The man's voice was closer.

Trenton's head rolled to the side, his body refusing to respond to any demand he tried to give it. He'd never been so weak, so confused. If he could just get his phone…