A/N: This is an idea that's been bugging me for a while since I started rewatching the show from the beginning. I'm putting the prologue out there and seeing if anyone wants to see this thing go forward. If not, I don't know. I'll probably take it off of here and try it on another ff site. It's just been living in my brain and developing itself like crazy.

It's an AU for sure. A different take on Claudia joining up with the warehouse family. HG is a full-fledged agent already. Bering & Wells will be involved, but not the main focus.

*Disclaimer—I don't own Warehouse 13 or any of its characters (including the warehouse itself since it's pretty much a character itself) and I'm making no money from this. All I get is a good time and hopefully some feedback. Title credit belongs to Linkin Park.

I think that's it. I'm done bugging you now, I promise!

-LOST IN THE ECHO-

Chapter 1.

The decade old truck rumbled down the familiar streets as the man, Andrew Ballent, reached the final stretch of his long commute home. He let out a sigh as he finally pulled into the driveway of his modest home. The sun had set and he could see the glow from the upstairs window he knew to be the master bedroom. He killed the engine and walked up to the faded blue door to let himself in as quietly as possible.

The lights downstairs were all out so he immediately began the trek upstairs towards the source of the light. His back ached from the long day and he was desperate to get out of his uniform and get to his preferred method of releasing the tension that built up throughout the day.

But first, he walked into the master bedroom and grinned at the sight of his wife who was clearly fresh out of the shower. He took a breath of preparation before walking.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes," he greeted while walking leisurely towards the blonde in the towel.

"Hey you," she replied with a bright smile.

It was the strangest thing, he knew he was supposed to love that smile. He was supposed to love his wife, and he had the memory that he actually had felt those things for Tricia at one time. In the last year, however, he began feeling more and more like he was just playing a part. He started having to fake affection that should come naturally; towards his wife, kids, and friends. But once he discovered what it was that actually did bring him joy, playing the role of happy husband, loving father, was a piece of cake as long as he had his nights to let it out.

"You're home earlier than usual," her voice brought him out of his thoughts as she came towards him.

"Clear highway," he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Saved you some dinner."

"Mm, what did you have?"

"Some pasta with my very own, homemade, garlic bread," the woman spoke with pride while he was well past ready to leave the conversation and finally have a chance to get to it. It had been a few days since he'd been able to and he was getting antsy. But he knew he had to continue to be smart about it. His wife had no clue and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Yummy," he continued to play, even giving her a quick kiss for good measure, "How'd that go over with the picky people?"

"Well, Matty ate it up," she answered, "I swear I don't know where that boy puts it."

"He's six, he doesn't put it anywhere," he commented, "It just becomes energy right away. What about Jess?"

Now she sighed, "Your daughter has declared a war on carbs. She refused anything but salad. That was fun."

"My daughter, huh?" he asked with a perfected chuckle.

"She gets her stubborn head from you."

He scoffed, "Tricia-"

She mocked him in an exaggerated manner, "Andrew."

He laughed at her antics and gave her another kiss before pulling away and beginning to change out of his uniform. She sat on the bed and watched him while asking, "Do you want me to heat some up for you?"

"No, no I got it," he dismissed as he slid on his sweatpants, "You go ahead and lay down. I want to pop into the kids' rooms real fast then I'll fix myself a plate and take it out to the shed."

"You mean the Man Cave?" she teased and he grinned.

"Hey, a guy's gotta have a little space all his own," he said with a shrug.

"Yeah, yeah go do your thing," she stated, "Will you be long?"

"Nah," he shook his head, "An hour, maybe a little more, just want to wind down from the day."

She gave him a smile and moved to lie down on the mattress and leaving him to his irregular routine. It wasn't a nightly thing, but it had been happening more often than it used to lately; Andrew would spend time alone at night out in the shed he'd reworked into a knock-around place of his own.

She had to admit that she had let curiosity get the better of her and looked in when he wasn't home, but found nothing extraordinary. It was just a quiet space to tinker with hobbies and spend some time relaxing. So she thought nothing of it and let him have his alone time. Relaxing against the pillow she heard the back door open and close, knowing he would be at least an hour, she switched off the lamp and closed her eyes; there was no need for her to wait up.

There was nothing to worry about.

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The frosted grass crunched under his feet as he crossed the yard towards the renovated shed. Balancing the plate and a bottle of water in one hand, he opened the door and let himself in. He clicked on the light and continued to move after locking the door behind him. He began to whistle a slow tune as he turned on the stereo and passed the lounge chair facing the television. He came to the island bar he'd had installed. This was the custom bit that cost the most time and money.

It was a stroke of genius he'd had and he'd taken out a generous loan to cover it all; another little thing his wife didn't need to know about. Getting everything done without her knowing the immensity of it all was a bit more difficult but he'd managed to get the majority taken care of when he'd convinced her he had to stay behind to work during the Christmas trip to her parent's place.

He opened the cabinet and felt along the side for the hidden button and pressed it. An audible click sounded and he set the dinner down on top of it while he pushed the structure, sliding the entire thing to the side and revealing a staircase below. Grabbing the plate and bottle once more, he took a few steps down. He paused only to grab the handle beneath the fixture and pull it back into place with another click.

He continued to whistle as he descended the spiral staircase into the dark hidden room. The tune echoed eerily off the concrete walls along with the steady steps of his shoes.

Andrew came to a table with a small closed circuit television on it that showed the perimeter of the shed on four quarter screens; the cameras discreetly hidden under the overhang of the roof. He set himself down in the chair and swirled it around to face the opposite side of the small room.

"So," he began, nonchalantly, "how was your day?"

He looked across the space as he pulled the plate into his lap and began to twirl pasta around the fork. There was a small clinking sound that came from the still darkened area, but other than that no response.

"What? You're not talking to me now?" he questioned, sounding offended. "I know it's been a few days, but come on, I've got a busy life, you know. Work and family…you ever try raising a hyperactive boy and a moody teenage girl? Plus all that extra crap. Soccer games, school trips, and God all the neighbors! I tell you if I have to go to the Millers' one more time and listen to Isaac go on and on about who cares…" he cut himself off with a groan of frustration.

The mask he had to wear had completely vanished from his features.

"I'm sorry, but my world doesn't revolve around you. That's all I'm saying."

He paused to take another bite, hearing a shuffle of movement and, again, the sound of metal on metal.

"Mm," he moaned, "Damn, this is good."

Now he got a more verbal response. A quiet moan came from the shadow.

"Oh!" he voiced almost sounding genuine in his surprise, "I'm sorry. I'm being a terrible host. You're probably hungry aren't you?"

He picked up the bread and the water bottle while rising to his feet. He pulled the chain above him and light flooded the room. He looked down at the slumped figure in the char below him. The mop of sweaty matted hair covered her head as it hung listlessly against her chest. He bent his knees and lowered in front of the chair and waved the bread under her face.

"Hey," he taunted as he did so, "You hungry or what?"

He tapped the food against her cheek in a less than gentle fashion. Hands twitched in the cuffs, singing out the familiar sound of their metal against the arms of the chair.

"There you go," he commented; his voice carrying an unsettling tone, as if he was talking to an obedient pet, "Pick up that head and I'll even give you some water."

Another moan came and after a moment her head struggled to rise. After the strain on her neck, she was finally able to look at her tormentor through drooped eyes.

"There we are. I knew you could do it," he complimented with a grin that could have been attractive if there weren't that glint in his eyes. His smile faded for a second and he sneered, "Wow, smells like it's time for another shower, huh kid? Well, we'll do that first."

He stood back up and a cracked whimper came as the food left with him. Andrew noticed this and clicked his tongue at her.

"Stop it," he berated, "You want me to have dinner with you when you smell like that?"

He moved behind her chair, spinning it around and pushing it towards the corner stopping her over the drain in the floor. He grabbed the end of the hose and turned it on, holding his hand under the flow for only a second before pulling it away.

"Oh that's cold!" he stated and laughed, "Well, I don't know why it surprises me every time."

He laughed a few more times as he cranked the nozzle all the way up. He set a hand on the back of her neck tightly and leaned in to speak wickedly in her ear.

"Are you ready Claudia?"

He felt her tense up under his touch and laughed again before stepping back and lifting the hose over her head.

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What you think? Keep going? The Warehouse team will be introduced in the next chapter.