When he goes for his keys, Josh's surprised. He notices that they're missing along with his car and a note.

"Yo, man, took your car out for a couple of upgrades. Have it back sooner than later. James" Josh reads aloud, but he notices that there's a set of keys hanging there.

"It is still technically mine..." He rationalizes, taking Connor's keys for the Probe.

With an evil smile and a couple of memories that instantly come to mind, Josh goes out the door and quickly gets into his old car.

"Been a long minute, ole girl!" He speaks to the car when he straps himself into the seat.

"Ready to hit some old stomping grounds?" He asks the car as it roars to life.

He presses the accelerator a couple of times to hear the turbo spool up with the pressure release through the blow-off valve. He pushes the clutch down to the floor and shifts back and over to reverse. Josh backs out of the driveway to head towards Institute for the police academy.

Along the way, he takes a single detour in Teays Valley. It's about five miles out of the way but driving his old car and already up that way; it's something Josh can't avoid.

He pulls up in front of a house he hasn't seen since he was eighteen years old. He slowly drives by, staring as plenty of memories begin to flood his mind all over again.

"Damn, it still looks the same." He says to himself with a bit of regret rising to the surface.

After the memories exit his mind Josh returns to the interstate on the way to the academy. When he arrives, he's greeted by a recruit working the security gate.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I'm here to see Justin Adamson; I'm Special Agent Joshua Bradshaw, DEA," Josh replies, flashing his badge to the recruit.

The young man jots down his name and badge number then lifts the gate.

"Park in the green zone and ring the buzzer." He informs Josh pointing which way is the green zone.

Josh pulls forward with a nod giving a thumbs up, and into the green zone where he kills the engine. He pulls himself from the car to walk towards the set of double doors in a single collective breath.

Three officers fly out the door with their guns drawn before he can hit the buzzer.

"On the ground!" One of them orders.

"Is there a problem, officers? I'm only here to see an instructor. I'm here to visit with Justin Adamson; I'm DEA Special Agent Bradshaw." Josh says, trying to go for his badge.

The officers, who are still cadets about to graduate, witness Josh is going for his back pocket. They see his action as a sign of aggression and move in, attempting to take Josh down to the ground.

After one quickly holsters his gun without locking the strap in place, he tries to subdue Josh. Out of instinct, Josh counters with a wrist lock takedown. His buddies try to intervene to assist in apprehending him, but before they can swap their guns for their tasers, Josh puts one of them on their ass with a stiff sidekick.

The other cadet hooks Josh's arm but instantly finds himself in a counter move of a Judo style hip toss. Before the first cadet that stepped up to Josh can react to take him down, he is reinserted back into a wristlock.

"I told you boys I'm here to see Justin Adamson. I was going for my badge. Don't try it again, boys. You're too inexperienced for someone like me!" Josh warns them, keeping his eyes on the cadets laid out on the ground.

A couple of seconds after his comment, there's clapping from behind. Justin knew what would happen and purposely sent out his three of the most arrogant pupils to teach them a humility lesson.

"Now, you three can see that no matter where you are or what you may encounter, there will always be that one person who can easily dispatch you. Luckily for the three of y'all, I knew my brother here wouldn't hurt you too badly. Get back to class and always remember the lesson here today. Never go after someone without working as a cohesive unit." Justin educates his students before he embraces Josh in a hug.

"I should've known you sent them out here. Now, what would have happened to these boys if I had gone all out and decided to shoot 'em?" Josh asks when the hug is broken.

Justin waves it off as he motions Josh to come inside.

"They're carrying blanks in the clips anyway. Those boys needed a lesson in being humble. They're top of their class but have that cocky mindset of being untouchable. When they heard me say that I had a friend arriving, they wanted to play a game. In a game in which they lost, so thank you for that. What brings you here, bro?"

Josh breaks down the case without beating around the bush and offers Justin the team's final spot.

"You know me, man, I'm down for this. I have a couple of days left to teach. Then I'm down for taking these devils down. I've seen my fair share of this garbage come through here and kill people." Justin says as they shake hands to seal the deal.

"Good deal bub, James has our equipment on the way down from Chicago. It's going to take all of us to get this done."

Justin says nothing else about coming aboard but instead waves his hand forward to invite Josh in as a spontaneous guest speaker to kill the rest of the time for Justin's class.

After Justin puts Josh on the spot to give a quick lecture on how things work at the federal level for investigations, they quickly part ways, with Justin promising to stop by Momma C's on his way home.

"I'll see you all tonight, bro. I got another class coming in about an hour. Oh, hey, on your way back, take Route 60 back and stop by this place, Nate's Sports Grill and Bar. You'll be pleasantly surprised by what's there. That I can personally guarantee." Justin says with a wink and a devious smirk that makes Josh feel a bit uneasy.

Josh signals the comment with a nod then departs the classroom. Josh barely rounds the corner when he's met by the three cadets he handled with ease with his keys pulled from his pocket.

"Listen, sir, we're sorry for what we did earlier. We uh thought that three on one and taking down an actual Fed would make us talk of the campus, you know." The tallest cadet mentions with his head down in shame.

"No hard feelings, guys, that was a decent attempt, but here's the thing. Those uniforms create a brotherhood, and a cohesive team is tougher to take down than anything else. Your mistake was coming at me individually. When you get out there with your T.O.'s, learn to work as a single cohesive unit and see the damage you can do then. You all have skills and something special, but it's not about you. It's about that bond and promise to protect the weak and enforce the law of the land." Josh explains, giving the three of them his best advice.

They take his words to heart and walk away. As he watches them discuss the advice and vanish, leaving Josh there until his mind snaps back into focus.

"Time to have some lunch." He says to himself, taking the keys from his pocket again.

He recalls the place Justin suggested. A local spot called Nate's Sports Bar and Grill. Something feels off about it deep down within his gut, but Josh goes against the instinct and takes off following Route 60.

By the time he arrives, he sees a few cars already in the parking lot by the roadside restaurant. Like earlier, there's a nagging instinct sensation that churns even harder this time around, indicating for him to leave. Again, he ignores the feeling of being nervous with everything else in his life, still in a chaotic state, and walks inside, taking a seat at the bar.

"Hey, there, sweetness, what I can get ya?" The bartender asks, pulling out a notepad.

"Eh, just a sweet tea for now. First time being here, any recommendations?"

The bartender takes a menu from behind the bar counter and slaps it down between them.

"Well, our best item, in my opinion, is the Southern Chili Burger with Onion Rings." She suggests pointing to it.

Before Josh can give the go-ahead nod for the recommended meal, his attention is diverted when he hears his name from behind.

"Josh," a familiar voice calls out that leaves him speechless. "Is it really you?"

Seconds later, there's a soft hand on his shoulder, turning him around. The glare in his eyes says it all when he's face to face with Nikki for the first time since they were teenagers.

"My goodness, it is you! It has been too long since the last time I saw you." She mentions hugging him.

Unable to move, Josh sits there with his arms down by his side, wondering why his eyes are playing tricks on him. In front of him, it's as if Nikki hasn't aged a day from the last time he saw her years ago on the night he kicked her out of his car.

"How is it possible that she has not aged at all?" He thinks, unable to focus on anything else but the sounds of her voice.

Nikki takes her hand, slinging her sandy brown hair over her shoulder. She's still about three inches shorter than Josh. She's slender, and her icy blue eyes have the same stare that had Josh the moment he gazes into them.

"Still look like a million bucks." She whispers into his ear.

"There's still one thing I need from you." She continues whispering. "Come back to me, Josh; stay with me, please, open your eyes and look at me."

Suddenly everything around them fades for a split second. Once he comes back into focus, Josh says nothing but excuses himself, walking out of the restaurant. He nearly runs back to his car, ready to slug Justin for sending him there. The instinct finally disappears when he speeds away from the one regret of the past.

Josh returns to the house in no time, where he sees a new silver Lincoln SUV in the driveway.

Connor rushes outside to meet his father.

"Runs like a scolded dog, doesn't she, dad?"

"Just like the old days, my boy. She was an amazing car back in the day, and even now still packs a punch!" Josh admits handing over the keys to his old car.

A minute later, Kyle surprises Josh by arriving and joins the father-son bonding moment going on at the car. Kyle, now joined by Aaron, walk by Josh and Connor to get into the car, waiting to head out.

"Got plans?" Josh questions his youngest son with a concerned look on his face.

"Yeah, get inside. Uncle James said he needs to inform you on something about a trip y'all are taking or something or other. I don't know, but I do know this, dad, I need my keys, please." Connor says, extending his arm out.

Josh places the keys in the palm in Connor's hand.

Then out of nowhere, another odd sensation takes Josh's hand. He stands there as everything surrounding him begins to slightly fade in and out with someone holding his hand whispering to him.

His actions don't seem to garner any attention from the kids or James coming out of the house yelling at him.

"Yo, man, come here! I got some exciting news to tell you and the others in the basement!"

Josh's senses snap back instantly, and he walks around the house, staring at his hand while the whispers in his ear begin to tingle for a moment.

He walks from the sliding glass doors to take a seat in the basement for a breakdown of what to expect.

"So, here's the scoop, fellas. INSIDE has given us all the tools we need. I know we're skipping some details and missing Kyle, but he's been sworn to secrecy. We're all good there, Josh. So, don't sweat it. That kid is on board. Now here's the deal, our rides have built-in hidden GPS along with the one-way microphones into the speakers. Those vehicles are on their way down along with two-tracker vehicles in case we get split up. Justin, you're up first with a '70 GTO, Alex you have a truly exotic ride, an R33 GT-R Skyline. Kyle's ride consists of a Lexus SC300. A fancier version of the Supra but more legit for someone that's a professional driver in training."

James continues the breakdown of each back story for each of them.

"Justin, you're the lead driver on this mission. I have you taking Kyle under your wing by using his high school dropout status but insane skills behind the wheel as your cover story. Alex, you're the wildcard for them being a spotter for the fuzz. You're the one who maps out the streets and gets a feel for the locations where they run."

Alex interrupts James by saying, "shouldn't I be led on this? I mean, I was an Army officer, you know. Being a pilot and whatnot."

"No! I'm the one with investigation training and worked undercover before in my career," Justin speaks up, liking the idea of being the lead man.

The badgering continues between them until James motions for Josh to break up the skirmish.

"HEY! Knock it off!" He yells, stepping between them.

"I have something to do for both of you, but if you're going to bitch like a couple of high school girls, I'll leave your sorry asses here!"

Alex and Justin stand there, gawking at Josh. Unsure of what he means by having something for them.

"Raise your right hands and repeat after me." Josh orders waiting as they follow his instructions.

"I state your name..." They comply as he waits for them to state their name.

"Solemnly swear that I will support to defend the citizens and Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic; that I will bear allegiance to the same; that I take this oath freely, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the duty on which I am about to enter. So, help me, God." They both repeat word for word nearly simultaneously.

"Boys, welcome for now into the DEA." Josh finishes up as he nods, acknowledging their oaths.

"Where's my badge at then, ya funny bastard?" Alex teases, reaching his hands out.

"I have them. I'll run up and get them. Oh, James, by the way, when are their cars getting here?" Josh wonders out loud, pausing at the bottom step.

"They'll be here in the morning. I uh, I have something special for you too, bro. Trust me, and it'll be worth the wait." James says with a wink as it leaves Josh a bit nervous.

A few minutes later, Josh returns with two official badges in his right hand. A grin and the first glare of hope glows in his eyes that they might have a shot to bring down the cartel ruling the streets.

Alex is the first to retrieve his badge and glance it over before stuffing it into his back pocket.

"Dude, this is a dream come true! This is the first time I've felt alive since I lost my wings." Alex explains as the adrenaline flows through his veins.

"This isn't going to be as easy as you think, bub. I mean, f'real, these people are no joke. You'll always have to be looking over your shoulder. They've nearly killed me a couple of times in the last two and a half years. That's why the kids haven't been with me all that much." Josh reveals with a bit of that glimmer dying down.

"I've had to do things I'm not exactly proud of, but this case has been taken to the extreme."

The three of them see that Josh is rattled to his core for the first time in ages. It's a sight none of them ever thought they would witness.

"Holy hell, this is serious, which means we best get serious!" James mentions just before the things hit the fan.

Listening by the door, Josh's daughters crack the door enough to eavesdrop on their father's conversation.

"Hey man, think I could bring mom over tonight? She's dying to see how much Emily has grown up." Alex wonders out loud.

That comment sends a bone-chilling vibe down Emily's spine.

"Why does that matter?" Brooklyn whispers, looking at her sister.

They return to listen right when things get a little heated.

"Alex..." Josh begins with a heavy huff.

"I just don't know... I mean, you know not to be short or nasty, but you gave Emily up, and she doesn't need this in her life to complicate things more. She's got it hard enough having to balance an almost parentless life and then having her biological father and grandmother just thrust back into the mix. It's too much, man, so I gotta decline that request."

The revelation of her past instantly crushes Emily. She's hurt, and it's noticed downstairs when her scream of "no" followed by heavy running footsteps across the house make it apparent.

"I believe the cat is out of the bag," James mentions staring up at the basement ceiling.

"Fuck!" Josh says, dashing for the steps to catch Emily.

After Josh darts through the house, he manages to stop her at the edge of the front yard.

"Emily, please let me explain, sweetheart." Josh tries to say before she rips into him.

"You lied to me! Both you and Erin lied to me about where I came from when you adopted me! I've asked you hundreds of times! You've done nothing but lie to me! You sorry son of a lying bitch!" She screams in his face with a shove that nearly puts him on the ground.

It takes a second for Josh to come back with any kind of explanation.

"I am sorry! We tried to protect you the best we could."

"BULL! You're just as horrible as your mother was to you! Lies and trying to bury the past, and for what, huh? To make sure I become who you want. Why, why did you lie to me, daddy?" She continues to scream with an embrace around her dad's waist, crying into his shirt.

"I won't lie to you again, I promise. You're right, and I was wrong. That doesn't change who I am to you. I'm your dad. I will always be your dad. I love you, kiddo." He tells her, embracing her back with a dad hug.

Momma C, Gwen, Audrey, Brooklyn, Justin, and James all come outside to comfort the traumatized young lady. It doesn't take Emily long to feel the love surrounding her as the family brings in each other, with Alex watching at the corner of the house.

He stands there feeling the cold shoulder. A piece of his soul vanishes that wanted to unite his family and be the hero to impress his daughter. When he reaches that decision, he secretly returns to his mother's house, waiting for his time to shine.

Although the pain of lying still lingers inside Emily, she nudges her way out of the family hug to walk around back. Brooklyn and Gwen go with her to make sure she's okay. That leaves Justin and James to split, allowing the drama time to cool down more.

That leaves the classic matchup of Momma Cline and Josh to reflect on things.

"Well, that was simple, a little too simple if you ask me." Momma C begins putting her hand on Josh's shoulder.

"Yeah, kind of like something from a tacky young adult novel or something. Oh well, guess sometimes good guys don't finish last." Josh replies before a smack meets the back of his head.

"You're a good man, but damn, you're still a fool. If you think this will be the last of this problem, you're sorely mistaken."

All Josh does is nudge his shoulders.

"I guess I'll deal with that when the time comes. As for right now, I must get you and everyone else out of harm's way. Tomorrow morning leave earlier than I said for the beach house. Get everyone packed up and head out. Here's my key, and Emily can show you the way."

That's not the final thing between them. Momma Cline has one more trick up her sleeve before she leaves Josh standing there.

"Understand you had an interesting run-in with Nikki earlier today. How was it seeing her after all this time?"

He's stunned and remains silent with simply staring over at Momma C.

"Gotta remember kid, moms know everything; just like that expression written on your face. It tells me that's something still exists between the two of you. Plus, I'd bet dollars to donuts that when she hugged you, strange things have been happening to you ever since."

Unable to respond, Josh stands there like a statue. How accurate Momma Cline is about how the awkward meeting between the two former lovers and how Kyle just appeared from out of nowhere leaves him flabbergasted. Details have become foggy, and his mind can't make any connection.

"Guess that's my clue to am scram, ain't it. Well, you boys, be careful, and I'll guard them with my life if it comes down to it. You especially be careful; we ain't ready to lose you yet." She informs him with a hug and vanishes back inside the house to get everything ready for the hasty exit in the morning.

When Josh regains some of his thoughts, he returns to the basement, where he and his oldest friends in the world begin to come up with a game plan. It's late into the night before they settle on which of the three locations to check out first. It's a plan in which he hopes will prove with quick results.