EPISODE 3: Pursuit
PRODUCTION CODE: #467053
WRITER: Laurence Andries
DIRECTOR: Stephen Cragg
EDITOR: Edward Salier, A.C.E.
EDITOR: Sidney Wolinsky

TRANSCRIBED BY: Karen King

***********************

THE SHOW OPENS WITH RANDALL LYNCH, ESCAPED CONVICTED MURDERER AND RAPIST, IN A CONVENIENCE STORE. HE'S CASING THE JOINT.

CUT TO A SCENE IN THE CAVE. TOM AND SLOAN ARE THERE.

Sloan: Is this who you are Tom?
Tom: I don't know anymore.
Sloan: Does that mean you killed some of these people?
Tom: You know who did this, Sloan. You wanted to see what you're up against. You asked for this.

CUT BACK TO CONVENIENCE STORE. RANDALL LYNCH STEALS SOME SNACK FOODS. HE LOOKS TO THE EMPTY DOORWAY OF THE STORE. A COP CAR PULLS UP SECONDS LATER. TWO COPS ENTER THE STORE.

VOICEOVER:

Tom: A new species does what it has to to survive.

CUT BACK TO THE CAVE. SLOAN PICKS UP A PAIR OF GLASSES FROM THE PILE BY HER FEET.

Sloan: What does this have to do with evolution?
Tom: Evolution isn't just about survival of the fittest Sloan. It's about domination.

CUT BACK TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE. RANDALL LYNCH WALKS DETERMINEDLY DOWN THE AISLE TOWARDS THE COPS AT THE COUNTER. HE PULLS THEIR OWN GUNS ON THEM, AND GIVES AND EVIL SMILE. CUT BACK TO THE CAVE AS SHOTS ARE HEARD.

NEXT SCENE

SLOAN WALKS INTO THE BIO LAB. SHE ENTERS HER OFFICE, SITS AT THE DESK, AND PROPS HER SHOES UP. SHE HAS A DISTRESSED LOOK ON HER FACE AS SHE THINKS ABOUT WHAT SHE'S SEEN THE NIGHT BEFORE. SHE PICKS UP THE PAPER AND READS THE HEADLINE:

"Prison escapee goes on killing spree"

SHE JUMPS AS ED COMES INTO THE ROOM.

Ed: Sorry. Guess I can understand you being a little jumpy after last night.
Sloan: Last night?

ED NODS TOWARDS THE PAPER.

Sloan: Ed, I saw some things last night that I-I really can't talk about right now.
Ed: Well, I can understand that. Must've been...pretty rough.
Sloan: Yeah.
Ed: Well you know that, when you do want to talk, I'm here.
Sloan: I'm counting on that.

ED LOOKS AT HER DIRTY SHOES.

Ed: So you uh been doing some hiking?

SLOAN QUICKLY PUTS HER FEET ON THE FLOOR OUT OF HIS VIEW.

Sloan: I really don't want to talk about that either.
Ed: Ok.

ED LEAVES, A BIT UPSET. SLOAN REALIZES SHE HAS HURT HIS FEELINGS.

NEXT SCENE
INSIDE THE POLICE STATION. SLOAN IS LOOKING AT THE CRIME SCENE PHOTOS FROM THE CONVENIENCE STORE MURDERS TACKED ON A CORKBOARD. DETECTIVE RAY PETERSON WALKS UP TO HER.

Ray: See anything of interest?
Sloan: Not enough. Everything I already read in the paper.
Ray: Then that's all you need to know.
Sloan: It can't be. I've told you about Lynch-
Ray: And I've listened. And you know what? I've given you a hell of a lot of slack. But my job right now is to find him before he kills again.
Sloan: And my job is to figure out how many more there are like him. And if they can be stopped.
Ray: Dr. Parker, with all due respect-
Sloan: It's not about respect. It's about corkboards. 'Cause you're gonna need a lot more of them if we don't share information.
Ray looks at the photos on the board. A resigned look comes over his face.

NEXT SCENE

SLOAN IS SITTING AT A DESK, LOOKING OVER PAPERS AND FILES. WE SEE RAY AT HIS DESK IN THE BACKGROUND. SLOAN FINDS A VIDEOTAPE.

Sloan: You got a VCR around here?
Ray: That the convenience store tape?

SLOAN NODS

Ray: You're not gonna like what you see.
Sloan: Haven't liked anything I've seen so far.

NEXT SCENE

RAY AND SLOAN ARE IN ANOTHER ROOM. THERE IS A TV AND VCR HOOKED UP. RAY PUTS THE TAPE IN THE VCR.

Sloan: Lynch.
Ray: He likes twinkies. Think you can use that?

SLOAN GIVES HIM A LOOK. THEY WATCH A BIT MORE OF THE TAPE.

Ray: It gets kind of hard to watch from this point on.
Sloan: Wait a minute....He knew they were coming.
Ray: What are you talking about?
Sloan: Look at it again.

THE TAPE IS REWOUND. WE SEE LYNCH LOOKING AT THE DOOR OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE.

Sloan: One....two....three....four....five. Five seconds.

ON THE VIDEO WE SEE THE COP CAR PULL UP

Sloan: He knew those cops were coming five seconds before they pulled into the lot.
Ray: So?
Sloan: So his back was to the window when he turned. W-were there any sirens? Was there any reason why Lynch would've known they were about to show up?
Ray: No.
Sloan: There's something I didn't read about in the papers.

NEXT SCENE

TOP LEVEL PARKING GARAGE OF A MALL/SHOPPING CENTER. WE SEE A YOUNG WOMAN GETTING HER TODDLER OUT OF A CARSEAT. SHE SETS HER CAR ALARM AND WALKS DOWN THE ROW OF CARS. SHE;S TALKING WITH THE CHILD. SHE STARTS. LYNCH HAS APPEARED FROM BEHIND A MINIVAN. HE LOOKS MENACING (AND PRETTY DARN HOT, AS WELL). HE LETS HER BY. HE CASES THE CARS. MOST HAVE 'THE CLUB' ON THEIR STEERING WHEELS. HE'S GETTING PISSED. FINALLY HE SPOTS A REALLY NICE RED PICKUP TRUCK. HE SMASHES THE DRIVER WINDOW WITH HIS FIST AND GETS INTO IT. LYNCH SEARCHES THE CAB, FINDS AND APPLE AND STARTS EATING IT. HE LOOKS IN THE GLOVEBOX, UNDER THE VISOR, ALL AROUND. A VERY TALL MUSCULAR MAN APPEARS IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW.

Man: What the hell are you doing?
Lynch: I'm looking for the keys.
Man: I got the keys.

LYNCH LOOKS INTENTLY AT THE GUY. A LOOK OF FEAR PASSES OVER THE MAN'S FACE.

NEXT SCENE

A BIG TWO -STORY WHITE HOUSE. WE SEE THE FRONT DOOR OPENING AND OUT WALKS TOM DANIELS IN THE BEST PAIR OF PANTS YOU'RE GONNA SEE HIM WEAR IN THIS ENTIRE SERIES. BROWN JEANS. WOW. ANYWAY, HE WALKS OUT ONTO HIS PORCH. HE SENSES SOMETHING AND IS LOOKING FOR IT. HE WALKS AROUND THE VERANDAH AND DOWN THE STEPS. HE FLASHES ON SLOAN'S FACE.

Tom: Sloan?

WE SEE SLOAN'S HEAD POKE UP FROM BEHIND THE SHRUBS IN FRONT OF HIS PORCH. SHE WALKS OUT FROM HER HIDING SPOT.

Tom: What are you doing here?
Sloan: Waiting for you. You knew I was here. You knew it was me. Didn't you?

HE NODS.

Sloan: It's a sense, isn't it? Lynch has it. So do you.
Tom: We all do.
Sloan: What is it? Smell? Hearing?
Tom: It's better than that. Think about Lynch's CT scan. Think about the levels of brain activity you saw.
Sloan: You're picking up on our neural-electrical impulses. A sixth sense.
Tom: It's not just about knowing where you are Sloan. I can sense emotions. Anger. Tension. Happiness. Joy.

HE STUDIES HER FOR A SECOND.

Tom: Fear. Sloan: Biologically that's quite an advantage.
Tom: Sometimes. It's also a burden. To know.
Sloan: And do you know how I feel?
Tom looks at her intensely. (sigh)

NEXT SCENE

WE SEE LYNCH'S STOLEN RED PICKUP BLAZING DOWN A TWO-LANE 'COUNTRY' ROAD. SHOTS OF HIM DRIVING THE TRUCK. HE SPOTS TWO YOUNG GIRLS HITCHHIKING AND PULLS OVER.

Lynch: Where ya headed?
First Girl: Lake Arrowhead.
Lynch: This is your lucky day.
Second Girl: (to First) I thought we were only gonna catch rides from families.

LYNCH OVERHEARS.

Lynch: Suit yourself.
First: Wait! (She turns to Second) That was before we spent two hours baking in the sun.
Second: But we told your mom--
First: We told my mom a lot of things. (She turns back to Lynch) Are you going to Arrowhead?
Lynch: Yeah.....The fish are really jumping.
First: (to Second) Well I'm goin'.
Second: Darcy!
Lynch: Last chance.
Second girl gets in.
Second: Your mom's gonna go postal.
Darcy: Relax. Everything's gonna be fine. (She turns to Lynch) Right?
Lynch: Oh absolutely.

HE STARTS UP THE TRUCK AND DRIVES OFF.

NEXT SCENE

TOP LEVEL OF THE MALL PARKING GARAGE. WE SEE RAY AND A COUPLE OF OTHER COPS INVESTIGATING THE SCENE. RAY IS SPEAKING WITH A UNIFORMED OFFICER, A COVERED BODY AT THEIR FEET.

Ofc.: Victim's name is Chris Osborne. Black male, mid-twenties. M.E. sets the time of death at eight o'clock this morning. Looks like a car-jacking.
Ray: What makes you think Randall Lynch was involved?
Ofc.: Cashier in the kiosk spotted him when he drove through the gate. Recognized him from the morning paper.
Ray: Judging from the amount of blood and the looks of the victim, I think
Lynch is our man.
Ofc.: Well the good news is the truck he stole was photographed by an unmanned speed trap in San Bernardino County.
Ray: Bad news for the people of San Bernardino County.
Ofc.: Yeah.

NEXT SCENE

WE SEE A ROAD SIGN THAT READS 'ENTERING SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY'. ED'S VW VAN ROUNDS A CORNER AND PASSES THE SIGN.

Sloan: I really appreciate you coming all the way out here with me.
Ed: (kind of pissy) No problem. Actually, I like Arrowhead. I've done quite a bit of climbing out here.
Sloan: So have I.
Ed: You mean the mud I saw on your shoes back at the lab?
She nods.
Ed: Ok, look, I've gotten you this far. Now it's your turn. Will you tell me what we're doing here?
Sloan: I have to show you something. If...we can find it. I'm not really sure what it means. Or even what it really is. But...it scares me.
Ed: So why didn't you tell me?
Sloan: I'm telling you now.
Ed: No you're not.
Sloan: I just...look I just really need you to roll with me on this one. To take a leap of faith, okay?
Ed: How come I'm always the one taking the leap of faith?

NEXT SCENE

INSIDE OF A CAVE. A CAMPFIRE PROVIDES LIGHT. WE SEE LYNCH AND THE GIRLS, TIED UP. THEY'RE SCARED AND CRYING. THE SECOND GIRL HAS DUCT TAPE OVER HER MOUTH. LYNCH APPROACHES DARCY WITH ANOTHER STRIP OF DUCT TAPE.

Darcy: Please.
Lynch: Sssh.
Darcy: Please.

HE PUTS THE DUCT TAPE OVER HER MOUTH AND CARESSES HER CHEEK.

Lynch: Be right back....then we can get the party started.

LYNCH WALKS OUT OF THE CAVE AND TO THE PICKUP. HE FLASHES ON ED'S PARKED VAN AND RETURNS TO THE CAVE.

NEXT SCENE

INSIDE ED'S VAN. THE BACK IS CONVERTED TO A SLEEPING AREA. WE SEE ED AND SLOAN LAYING NEXT TO EACH OTHER BENEATH A BLANKET.

Ed: You could've at least told me it was gonna be a sleepover.
Sloan: I thought we could make it before dark. I'm not really sure where we are.
Ed: You ok? You're shaking.
Sloan: I'm fine. Really. Sometimes I just get lost in this thing. Obsessed with it.
Ed: You've always been that way.
Sloan: What do you mean?
Ed: You've never let any question go unanswered. Drives me crazy. I mean, I admire it. I just don't want to see it get us killed.

A TWIG SNAPS OUTSIDE THE VAN.

Sloan: Ed--
Ed: I heard it.

THEY SIT UP.

Ed: Animal?
Sloan: Two-legged.

THEY LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND SEE A SHAPE IN THE WOODS.

Sloan: Do you have anything we can use as a weapon?

ED SCRAMBLES TO RETRIEVE HIS FLASHLIGHT. THE VAN DOOR OPENS. SLOAN GASPS. WE SEE TOM, LOOKIN' ALL SEXY AND PISSED.

Sloan: Tom!
Ed: FBI.

HE TURNS TO SLOAN.

Ed: What've you gotten us into?
Tom: Get out of here.
Sloan: We're close, aren't we?
Ed: What's going on?
Tom: You shouldn't have brought him.
Sloan: We're close to the cave.
Tom: Lynch is there.
Sloan: So what are we gonna do?
Tom: It's none of your concern. Now leave.
Sloan: I can't. I won't.

NEXT SCENE

EXTERIOR OF THE CAVE. WE SEE TOM, SLOAN AND ED ON A HILL ABOVE THE CAVE, HIDING IN SOME SHRUBBERY.

Ed: What's going on Sloan?
Tom: (to Sloan) He'll know you're coming. Just wait here.
Sloan: Right.

TOM HEADS TO THE CAVE.

Ed: How does he know Lynch is here? And if he's right, why are we here?
Sloan: Look, let's just get through this, then I'll answer your questions, okay?
Ed: Appreciate the optimism.

WE SEE TOM ENTER THE CAVE. HE WALKS TOWARDS THE GIRLS, STILL TIED UP BY THE FIRE. (AND YES, HE'S STILL WEARING THOSE INCREDIBLE BROWN PANTS. WOW AGAIN.) TOM LOOKS AROUND. LYNCH IS NOT IN VIEW. HE APPROACHES THE WHIMPERING GIRLS.

Tom: Sssh.

HE REMOVES THE TAPE AND DARCY TRIES TO SPEAK.

Tom: No, no....sssh...you're all right.

HE UNTIES THEM.

Tom: Can you walk? Ssssh...sssh. Come with me. Come with me.

TOM FLASHES ON LYNCH.

Tom: Go. Run....run...RUN!

THE GIRLS RUN OUT OF THE CAVE AND INTO ED AND SLOAN'S ARMS. LYNCH ATTACKS TOM AND THEY TUSSLE. ROLL AROUND AND PUNCH EACH OTHER. VERY MANLY. FLYING HAIR AND GRUNTS. TOM GAINS THE UPPER HAND AND SUBDUES LYNCH, PINNING HIM DOWN TO THE CAVE FLOOR.

Tom: I could've helped you.
Lynch: That's what you were supposed to do. I can still help you.
Tom: It's too late for that.

TOM BRINGS LYNCH OUT OF THE CAVE. HE THROWS THE MURDERER TO THE GROUND.

Lynch: I'm not going back with them.
Tom: You have no choice.

TOM PICKS LYNCH UP FROM THE GROUND. VERY MANLY, A BIT MORE TUSSLING ENSUES. LYNCH GETS AWAY. HE CLIMBS INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND LIGHTS UP A CIGARETTE.

Tom: It's alright Sloan.
Lynch: Is that what he's been telling you? Wh-what you've seen, is only the beginning. You're gonna see hell. And it starts right here.

LYNCH PICKS UP A CAN OF GAS FROM THE TRUCK BED. HE DROPS IT, AND THE GAS POURS OUT. HE DROPS HIS CIGARETTE AND FLAMES ENGULF HIM. CONFUSED LOOKS ALL AROUND FOR OUR HEROES.

NEXT SCENE

THE POLICE ARRIVE. RAY IS WITH THEM, INVESTIGATING THE SCENE. TOM WALKS OVER TO THE TRUCK. ED IS WRAPPING UP WHAT IS LEFT OF LYNCH.

Ed: So you knew this guy, huh?
Tom: Yes.

TOM REALLY SEXILY HOPS ONTO THE TAILGATE AND CROUCHES THERE.

Ed: What did Sloan tell you about him?
Tom: I know all about Lynch.
Ed: So, is she working for you or what?
Tom: No, just friends.
Ed: Really.

TOM NODS

Tom: Come on.
They pull the body off the truck.
Ed: Got it?
Tom: Yep.

THE COP CARS PULL AWAY.

Ray: I just told them Lynch was a suspect that committed suicide. Now you wanna tell me what I just lied about?
Sloan: Why don't I show you?
Sloan leads Ray into the cave with Ed. They see piles of eyeglasses, blankets, clothes, wallets and handbags, shoes, etc.
Ray: (stunned) Have mercy.
Sloan: We need Lynch's remains.
Ray: You got 'em.

NEXT SCENE

AT THE BIO LAB. ED AND ATTWOOD BURST THROUGH DOORS WITH A GURNEY.

Ed: Do we have a clean room?
Attwood: Taken care of.
Ed: Hey, can you buy us some more time?
Attwood: No, we have to work fast. I can't believe Sloan's not here.
Ed: I can.

NEXT SCENE

A CITY SKYLINE GLEAMS AT NIGHT. TOM AND SLOAN STAND OVERLOOKING THE SIGHT.

Sloan: You need to talk to me, Tom.
Tom: About what?
Sloan: Lynch.
Tom: Lynch is dead. You should feel greatly relieved.
Sloan: Don't. Something happened back there. Lynch said what you've seen, is just the beginning. I wanna know what he was talking about.
Tom: So do I.
Sloan: Why don't you know what he meant?
Tom: I was never told. My assignments were considered too sensitive.
Sloan: Assignments?
Tom: I was a chameleon. I got close to people. Watched them. Became them.
Sloan: That what you did with me?
Tom: Yes.
Sloan: When you tried to kill me.
Tom: That's right.
Sloan: You were a killer.
Tom: Yes.
Sloan: What happens now?

HE POINTS TO THE CITY BELOW.

Tom: Look.

WE SEE A NUMBER OF FIRES ABLAZE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY.

Sloan: What's going on?
Tom: The press conference. Me taking you to the cave. They're moving on. Destroying every trace of their existence. They're getting ready. I just don't know what for.
Sloan: Where will they go?
Tom: Underground. For a while.

WE SEE SOMEONE WATCHING THE SCENE THROUGH A NIGHT VISION LENS.

Sloan: And you?
Tom: Why don't you go home? I'll find you.

WE SEE IT IS TWO MEN, HIDDEN IN SOME SHRUBS, OBSERVING TOM AND SLOAN WITH BINOCULARS. TOM COVERS SLOAN'S HAND WITH HIS OWN AND SHE LEAVES. HE STARES OUT AT THE CITY AND THE FIRES. HE LOOKS REALLY SEXY. THE MEN ARE STILL WATCHING HIM. (AND IT'S NO WONDER)

NEXT SCENE

INSIDE THE LAB. ED, ATTWOOD AND RAY ARE THERE, PERFORMING THE AUTOPSY ON LYNCH.

Att: There's not much to work with here, Ed.
Ed: Tell me about it.
Ray: Just do it fast. The medical examiner's office is on its way over to pick up the body.
Ed: Internal organs are fried. I mean, there's no way I can tell anything about his physiology.
Att: Maybe that's what he wanted.
Ed: Good point.
Att: How about odeontology?
Ed: Could turn something up.
Att: A few more hours and we could do a complete bioskeletal autopsy.
Ed: (to Ray) We need more time.
Ray: I've done all I could do.
Ed: (has an idea) His blood! No, I know we already have the DNA but we could test it for everything. Toxicology, serrology, immunity.

THEY GET A SYRINGE. RAY LEAVES. THE AUTOPSY IS PRETTY ICKY. IN THE HALL TWO UNIFORMED MEDICAL GUYS WALK TOWARDS RAY.

First Guy: Hey, gotta body for us?
Ray: Yeah, in there. Be a few minutes.
First Guy: No problem. Wanna sign the paperwork now?
Ray: Sure. Look, thank M.E. Rogers for me, would ya?
First Guy: Yeah.

NEXT SCENE

TOM IS STILL AT THE OVERLOOK, STARING OUT AT THE CITY. HE LOOKS PENSIVE, LOST IN HIS THOUGHTS. REALLY SEXY. IN A VOICEOVER, WE HEAR LYNCH SAY "YOU'R E GONNA SEE HELL, AND IT STARTS RIGHT HERE." WE SEE FLASHES OF TOM'S THOUGHTS. THE GIRLS TIED UP, LYNCH DROPPING THE CIGARETTE AND IGNITING HIMSELF. THE MEN ARE STILL WATCHING TOM. SUDDENLY HE NOTICES A RED DOT OF LIGHT FROM A LASER SIGHTING ON HIS ARM. HE SCAMPERS AND TRIES TO AVOID IT, BUT THEY CATCH HIM IN THE SHOULDER AS HE RUNS TO HIS CAR. LOTS OF ROLLING AROUND, DODGING AND GREAT VIEWS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED BROWN PANTS. TOM MAKES IT TO HIS CAR AND SPEEDS AWAY.

NEXT SCENE

ED IS IN HIS OFFICE,WORKING AT THE COMPUTER. SLOAN KNOCKS AND ENTERS.

Sloan: How'd the autopsy go?
Ed: Uh, it didn't really. But, I got a chance to do a full blood workup.
Sloan: That's great.
Ed: Yeah, and actually it might be a goldmine. Lynch had immunities to virtually every virulent infection known to man. I mean the guy was a walking antibody. Highest concentration: Cryptosporidium, Heliobacter and Plasmodium. See, there.
Sloan: That means repeated exposure to those three strains.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT A COMPUTER SCREEN WITH A MAP OF SOUTHERN NORTH

Sloan: America, Latin America and northern South America. It shows concentrations of different diseases and viruses.
Ed: Big area. All we have to do is narrow it down. See if we had more samples, we could tell if that's their point of origin.
Sloan: This might be their Eden.
Ed: What's that make their cave? Hell?
Sloan: One way or another they've gotta get rid of us.
Ed: Like right out of Hitler's gamebook. Master race.
Sloan: Master species. This is nature, not genocide.

SLOAN'S CELL PHONE RINGS.

Sloan: Sloan Parker.
Tom: I need you.
Sloan: What's the matter? Are you okay?
Tom: Just hurry up.

HE HANGS UP.

Sloan: Where are you?

NEXT SCENE

SLOAN'S APARTMENT. TOM IS SITTING NEXT TO SLOAN AT THE FOOT OF HER BED. SHE'S WRAPPING A BANDAGE AROUND HIS LEFT BICEP.

Sloan: This would be easier if you took off your shirt.
Tom: No. Just do it like this.
Sloan: You know, I-I'm not a nurse. I-I don't know how to treat gunshot wounds. We really should go to a hospital.

HE LOOKS AT HER POINTEDLY AND SHE REALIZES HE CAN'T GO TO A HOSPITAL.

Sloan: Why would they want to kill you?
Tom: I guess umm...I'm no longer one of them.
Sloan: Then maybe, you could help me.
Tom: How?
Sloan: Ed has an idea about where your species may have come from.
Tom: Then he knows more than I do.
Sloan: You can help confirm his theory. If you're interested.
Tom: What kind of help, Sloan?
Sloan: I need a blood sample from you. (yes, he's just been shot, and she wants to take even more blood out of his body!)
Tom: I can't do that.
Sloan: You owe them nothing.
(At the same time)
Tom: Who are you to tell me what I owe?
Sloan: You're no longer one of them!

HE REALIZES THE POINT OF WHAT SHE'S SAYING. HE LOOKS GORGEOUS. GREAT LIPS.

Sloan: How does that make you feel?
Tom: (he exhales) Alone.

NEXT SCENE

HOT SCENE ALERT! HOT SCENE ALERT!

AT THE BIO LAB. TOM IS SITTING IN A CHAIR. SLOAN STANDS ABOVE HIM. IT'S AFTER HOURS, DARK IN THE ROOM. SHE PUSHES UP HIS SLEEVE. THEIR FACES ARE INCHES FROM EACH OTHER. HER HAIR BRUSHES HIS FACE. HE LOOKS UP AT HER. SHE GAZES INTO HIS EYES. SLOAN PUTS THE TOURNIQUET AROUND HIS RIGHT BICEP AND TIES IT. THEIR FACES ARE STILL INCHES APART. EVERYTHING IS HUSHED.

Tom: You're nervous.
Sloan: I know. I'm sorry.
Tom: Don't be.

SLOAN SWABS HIS ARM SLOWLY WITH ALCOHOL. SHE GETS THE SYRINGE AND POSITIONS IT ABOVE HIS INNER ARM AT THE ELBOW.

Sloan: Ready?
Tom: (softly) I don't know.

SLOAN INSERTS THE NEEDLE AND WITHDRAWS THE BLOOD. SHE FINISHES AND TAKES THE TOURNIQUET OFF. TOM STARES INTENTLY INTO SLOAN'S EYES AND SHE STARES BACK INTO HIS. THEIR LIPS ARE INCHES FROM EACH OTHER. SHE PULLS BACK A BIT AS THEY CONTINUE TO GAZE AT EACH OTHER.

NEXT SCENE

BIO LAB MORNING. PEOPLE ARE ABOUT. SLOAN IS WORKING AS ED WALKS IN.

Ed: Hey.
Sloan: Hey.
Ed: What are you doing?
Sloan: Some bloodwork.
Ed: I already did that. What're you checking up on my results?
Sloan: No. It's a new sample.
Ed: From Lynch?
Sloan: No.
Ed: Where did this come from?
Sloan: Tom Daniels.
Ed: How long have you known about him...about what he is?
Sloan: A while.
Ed: And you didn't think you could tell me? You didn't think I should know?
Sloan: Ed--
Ed: No, Sloan. What's going on? Did you just forget to mention this while you were dragging me halfway across the state?
Sloan: No, I didn't forget.
Ed: Well then you lied.
Sloan: I was afraid to tell you. More than anyone. And the more time that passed, the worse I felt about saying nothing, and the less I could say.
Ed: That's double-talk.
Sloan: It's guilt. Alright. But it's the truth. Can you understand?
Ed: I don't know.

HE WALKS OUT OF THE LAB. SLOAN IS STRICKEN.

NEXT SCENE

INSIDE A PARKING GARAGE. WE SEE ATTWOOD PUTTING HIS BRIEFCASE INTO HIS TRUNK. ANOTHER CAR PULLS UP. LIMO LADY GETS OUT OF IT.

LL: How're things going at the lab, Walter?
Att: Well the press conference had the desired effect. Everyone and his brother is contacting us absolutely certain their neighbors are the new species.
LL: Are you following up on any of those leads?
Att: That's what you wanted, wasn't it?
LL: What's the time table?
Att: I'll let you know as soon as I can. There are a lot of crazy people out there. First let me separate the wheat from the chaff.
LL: Just stay on top of it. Oh. And get some sleep. You look like hell.

SHE GETS INTO THE LIMO AND IT DRIVES AWAY.

NEXT SCENE

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER VAN IN A BACK ALLEY. THE TWO ATTENDANTS ARE DEAD. THE REMAINS OF LYNCH ARE GONE.

NEXT SCENE

INSIDE SLOAN'S APARTMENT. TOM AND SLOAN ARE AT HER COMPUTER.

Tom: So tell me what you found out.
Sloan: You have the same antibodies as Lynch.
Tom: Is that good or bad?
Sloan: Neither. Based on the (something) list, I'm pretty sure the species began in the range 20 degrees on either side of the equator.
Tom: That's a pretty big area Sloan.
Sloan: I think I can narrow it down. There's only one parasite that carries the three diseases to which you and Lynch have formed antibodies. That bug is found in only one place on earth. Oaxaca. Southern Mexico. We have to go there.

TOM NODS HIS AGREEMENT.

NEXT SCENE

TOM'S HOUSE, NIGHTTIME. WE SEE TOM INSIDE WITH A GAS CAN. THERE IS A STRANGE PLATFORM IN HIS LIVING ROOM. TOM EMERGES FROM THE FRONT DOOR, SPILLING GASOLINE FROM THE CAN. HE WALKS DOWN THE STEPS AND TO HIS CAR. FLICKING A LIGHTER INTO THE POOL OF GAS NEAR HIS FEET, HE WATCHES THE GAS IGNITE, AND THE HOUSE GO UP IN FLAMES.

NEXT SCENE

RAY IS SITTING IN A CHAIR AT THE POLICE STATION. A NEWS REPORT IS ON the tv.

Anchorwoman: ....the fire department now estimates the number of first at one hundred and eight, and this evening in another bizarre twist, a fire department spokesman announced the most disturbing detail yet. It is now believed that all one hundred and eight fires were started at 7:50 in the evening. No explanation was offered by authorities. And so the mystery baffling the Southland deepens. Who started these fires. And why.

NEXT SCENE

DAYLIGHT. RAY DRIVES TO THE LOCATION OF THE CAVE. HE TAKES EVIDENCE BAGS AND ENTERS IT. WHEN HE ARRIVES AT WHERE THE PILES OF PERSONAL ITEMS WERE, HE SEES NOTHING. THE CAVE IS EMPTY. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CLEARED OUT.

NEXT SCENE

SLOAN'S APARTMENT. SHE IS PACKING A BAG WHILE ON THE TELEPHONE.

Sloan: Ed, I know you're probably there. Look. I've pinpointed a location of origin of the new species in Mexico. I scammed some money from the lab's research budget and I'm heading down there. Listen. I really need you to come with me. I'll be here for another hour. Call me.

SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE JUST AS A KNOCK COMES AT HER DOOR.

Sloan: Who is it?
Ray: Ray Peterson.

SHE OPENS THE DOOR.

Sloan: I don't have much time. What can I do for you?

Ray: Taking a trip?

Sloan: Mexico. We may have figured out where the new species came from. That's why I'm taking this trip. It'll help us understand what's going on.

Ray: That's a good question. I went back to that cave, Dr. Parker. There's nothing there. Everything's gone. Cleaned out. Sound familiar?
They knew we were there. Any idea how that happened?

Sloan: No.

HIS CELL PHONE RINGS.

Ray: Peterson.....when...put someone on it until i get back.

HE HANGS UP.

Ray: Seems the contents of the cave aren't the only things missing. Lynch's body never made it back to the M.E.'s office. They found the van downtown. Both attendants are dead. No prints, no fibers, nothing. You still sure about your trip?
Sloan: I need to know their common ancestry. Understand their physiology.
Ray: Be careful, Dr. Parker.

NEXT SCENE

TOM WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT BUILDING CARRYING SLOAN'S BAGS AND PUTS THEM IN THE TRUNK. UNFORTUNATELY HE IS NO LONGER WEARING THE TASTY BROWN PANTS. WE WON'T SEE THEM AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE DARK GREY PANTS HE'S WEARING NOW ARE THE NEXT BEST THING. ED WHEELS UP IN HIS VAN. SLOAN'S FACE BRIGHTENS. TOM GIVES AN 'OH, GREAT' LOOK AND LIFTS HIS EYEBROWS.

Ed: Hey.
Sloan: Hey.
Ed: Got your message.
Sloan: I'm glad. Are you here to say good-bye or to come along?

ED LOOKS AT TOM.

Ed: How much do you really know about this guy?
Sloan: I know we need him. And I trust him.
Ed: How can you be sure of that?
Sloan: I have to be. My own...leap of faith.

ED BACKS AWAY FROM HER AND TOWARDS HIS VAN. SLOAN IS DISAPPOINTED. ED MAKES A DECISION AND REMOVES HIS BAGS FROM THE VAN. HE WALKS BACK TO SLOAN'S CAR.

Ed: I guess I'll have to trust him too.

THE GUYS GIVE EACH OTHER REAL INTENSE 'I'M WATCHING YOU' LOOKS. EVERYONE GETS IN THE CAR AND THEY DRIVE OFF.


End Episode 3

And that's it!