Garrett and Franco stood on the sidewalk in front of a line of brick rowhouses on South Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Two of them, right beside each other, had "SOLD" signs staked in the 4x8 patch of grass between the sidewalk and the brick front steps. Garrett looked from one to the other, then mused aloud.

"Which one do you want?"

Franco raised an eyebrow and looked down at Garrett. 

"You didn't pick already?"

"They're both practically the same- inside and out. They both have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a deck in the back garden overlooking the river. One has an extra half-bath and the other has a cellar."

"Ooo, I want the cellar." Franco said eagerly. 

His reaction puzzled Garrett, and he gave the big man a rather confused look.

"What? I want to try making wine, and you need a cool, dry place for that. I've been reading about it lately."

"Christ, we need to get you someone to play bodyguard to before you turn into Edith Green. That'll be yours, then." Garrett said, pointing to the townhouse on the left. He tossed Franco a set of keys, and the two men each walked toward their new homes.

------------

To his surprise, Philadelphia turned out to be quite the agreeable city for Dr. Garrett Mitchell. It was a big change of pace from Los Angeles, and reminded him quite a bit of Boston. Both he and Franco had commented on how quiet the city became at night. LA never seemed to sleep, with its lights and shows always going somewhere; but Philadelphia grew quieter as the darkness drew the day away, and Garrett found it peaceful to sit on the deck of his townhouse and look over the Delaware river as the sun set. It felt miles away from everything they'd left behind- like a real, fresh start.

The first meeting with Ennis had gone splendidly. The leader of the Bella Vista crew had been exceedingly welcoming, which was a relief to Garrett. Keeping with the way things were done, Garrett had made a tribute, and from there was set to begin making some kind of living in this city of brotherly love...whatever that meant. There was a lot to do; from finding furnishings for his townhouse to looking into a possible office to work out of, to establishing other reliable places of "business." There were ideas in the works between himself and Franco, but they still had to be fleshed out. 

Sitting on the deck in a folding chair watching a barge slowly make it's way up the river, Garrett heard Franco's door open and his heavy footsteps cross to his deck railing. 

"Lovely view, isn't it?" Garrett said, thoughtfully.

"What? Across the river? That's New Jersey. You got us houses with a view of pork rolls and bad drivers."

Garrett laughed a bit and stood up, walking to the railing of his own deck. Franco studied the younger man for a few seconds.

"So, you think it's gonna work?" he asked, pulling a cigar from the pocket of his starched khakis.

"I think it might. It's awfully strange playing the main character this time; not being the consultant, or working angles in the background."

Franco was lighting the cigar, but shrugged then took it from his mouth and blew out a long stream of smoke.

"Yeah, but you got what it takes. Amira knew it, or she wouldn't have given you that button. It's your turn now, Doc."

Interesting developments in Philly. This Garrett character, movin' in from the Coast... sounds like he's tryin' to carve out a new piece of the action. Bella Vista, you say? Another crew plantin' roots. It's always a different game in a new town. The rules might look the same, but you gotta learn the local players, the lay of the land. This Ennis... he's the one holdin' the cards there. Smart to make a tribute, show respect. Let's see how these new guys navigate the Philly streets. Keep an eye on that name, Garrett-Mitchell. You never know who might end up crossin' paths down the line, even if it's in a whole different territory.