TEASER

Zin stopped in his tracks as he entered Lana’s dressing room, staring at her
with a faintly bemused smile. She was wearing an exceedingly form-fitting
black leotard and her hair, for a change, was down. The long black tresses
concealed her charming posterior until she bent over to retrieve something
from under her desk. His smile widened at the newly-afforded view.

“You’re wearing THAT to the speech?” Lana jumped and spun to face him, her
expression startled. His smile grew; he loved catching the girl-child off
guard. He was, as far as he knew, the only man capable of flustering a young
woman whose veins might as easily have been filled with ice-water as blood.
“Not that it isn’t lovely on you, but it hardly strikes me as your style,
little one...”

She smiled wryly, nodding. “I hadn’t expected you yet. I was GOING to
surprise you with the complete ensemble.”

“Ooh, there’s more, is there?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and wondering
what his amusing subordinate was up to. Mere minutes before his
reintroduction to the fugitives at large, it HAD to have been something
interesting. Lana was many things, but she had style, even her enemies had
to give her that.

She nodded and retrieved a large, flat box from under her desk, pulling out
a long red robe, piped with a thick layer of white around the neck and
cuffs. Grinning, she held it up for his inspection. Zin laughed and shook
his head. The robes of a high priestess of the Vartan cult. Ambitious and
daring even for her.

“Does my lord approve?” she asked with a playful grin, putting the robes
down and dropping to her knees before him.

“Oh, he approves MIGHTILY,” he assured her, resting his hand on the back of
her neck. “Although he does wonder how his loyal followers will take it...”
he added, lightly stroking her smooth skin. Her neck was as lovely as
Mara’s, and warmer, too. He made a mental note to eventually find out if the
same held true of the rest of the girl. But such things could wait. She
obviously had her hands full and, of course, Mara still had her uses to him.
She had been a good choice.

Lana shivered but her voice remained steady. “The weak-minded will be
swayed. The unfaithful will remember Vardian history and obey out of fear.”

Zin considered and nodded sharply. During his reign, Vartan had killed his
enemies indiscriminately and brutally, examples to those who might wish to
oppose him in the future. Terror had reigned the way no MAN ever could have.
Lana would instill much of the same fear as had existed during the reign of
Vartan the First in the followers of Vartan the Second. He smiled again.
‘Doctor Jah’lun Zin of the Tashkta Province, Lord Vartan the Second’... It
had a nice ring to it.

“On your feet,” he ordered. “Put it on.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she answered easily, rising and slipping on the
robe. She fastened the high collar tightly and swept her hair back before
turning to face him, the robe billowing behind her. “Does our Lord approve?”

Zin nodded as he eyed her. She was really too lovely for any other outfit.
“Very good, Lana. Have appropriate robes made for the others of my inner
circle.”

“Of course. Their coloration? Mara’s robes?”

“White. I only require ONE high priestess, my dear, and you’ve proven
yourself more ready to the task than Mara ever could,” he purred. Keeping a
girl of her value complacent was far more important than the pride of a
common mistress, especially one who considered herself honored simply by
THAT appointment.

She smiled and inclined her head. “With your permission,” she said,
gesturing towards the door.

“By all means. Go, publicly announce my triumphant return to power. I’ll
wait for your cue.”

Lana winked at him and swept from the room. The assembly hall had been
buzzing with conversation, but it fell silent the moment she stepped onto
the stage. Shock no doubt figured largely into that.

“My friends,” she called, smiling and raising her arms in a gesture of
benediction. “For fully a year, we have lived in darkness and in fear. No
more. For He who was Promised is returned to us. You have let your fears
create doubt, but those doubts will soon be swept away. The prophecy our
Lord Vartan made on his deathbed is fulfilled. Doctor Zin has spent a long
year entombed, tormented by his enemies, but he is with us again.”

In the front row, Jerallan, Meterand, Neko, and Mara rose together and
intoned in unison , “All hail Lord Vartan the Second!”

“That which has been shall be no more!” Lana answered as Zin walked onto the
stage. She smiled faintly as whispered conversations redoubled in volume and
intensity. “SILENCE!” she bellowed, raising her hands again. “Follow my
example and be blessed for it,” she added, turning to face her mentor and
dropping to her knees, prostrating herself until her forehead was touching
his feet.

Zin glanced down at her, smiling faintly. The position suited her almost as
well as the robes. Lust vied with amusement. Pride won out over both. He had
done well the day he had taken this one on. “Our daughter and faithful
servant,” he murmured before glancing up at the crowd. “So many familiar
friends,” he said more loudly, looking around. Nestov shifted uneasily under
his gaze, nor was he the only one. “Oh, it has been a long year, has it not,
separated as we have been? I had begun to despair for your sake when none
came to liberate me. How was it, I asked myself, that such a formidable
force as yourself could be so long delayed by mere stone and metal and a
single, dedicated Cirronian?”

“There were other obstacles, my Lord!” Mara called.

“Were there, now?” he answered, smiling warmly down at her. She was playing
her part well, for which he would have to reward her. “So I had heard, but I
could hardly credit it. Has it truly been so, then, that our faithful
daughter and servant Lana has been alone among the Faithful?” he asked,
extending his hand to her. “Rise, Indri Lana of the Mishtara Province,” he
directed. “Rise and speak.”

Lana slipped her hand into his, winking up at him as she rose gracefully to
her feet. He smiled in unspoken accord. Things were going wonderfully.

“I have not been alone among the Faithful, my Lord. There have been others.
The blame for your protracted interment must rest on my shoulders alone.”

“There is no blame to be placed, daughter. All has been in accordance with
prophecy.” Zin turned his eyes from her to the crowd. “For one long year, I
have been imprisoned, suffering for your sake. Now I am returned to you and,
together, there are NONE who may stand in our way!”

Lana’s watchful eye took note of exactly who went to their knees when, but
within moments, all were kneeling and bowing their heads.

“Well done, child,” Zin murmured to her, taking her hand and leading her
offstage. “I would have to say that went well.”

“They were awed by you.”

“Not by YOU?” he teased.

“Well, not... exclusively,” she answered, smiling and ducking her head.

“You did, of course, take note of who seemed less than eager to follow your
example in worshipping at my feet?”

“The complete list will be on your desk within the hour.”

“Wonderful. But there is one other matter we must attend to first. London.”

“London?” she repeated, turning to face him. “How so?”

“The Porters and Miss Brown become formidable. They can not be allowed to
continue on like this.”

“I understand,” she answered. “I’ll order the assassination of Marcus
Porter.”

“No.” He shook his head. Assassinating an enemy combatant was a distasteful
way to inaugurate a new reign of glory. “Dead, he benefits us nothing.”

Lana’s eyes widened and she smiled. “But captive...”

He nodded, grinning down at her. “I would prefer Marcus, but any of the
three will serve our purposes. Valuable information is to be had and the
removal of one will substantially weaken the other two.”

“The three share the closest bonds of affinity,” she agreed. “Their emotions
will make them sloppy, vulnerable.” Her smile widening, she added, “I guess
now we know why you’re the living god and I merely the high priestess...”

He laughed and shook his head, patting her cheek affectionately. “Good girl.
Tell Haag this is his last chance and see to it that one of the three is in
my hands by the day after tomorrow.”

“It shall be done,” she promised, inclining her head. Haag’s most recent
report indicated that the task of taking one of them would be quite easy
indeed, courtesy of arrangements made some weeks ago. For once, it was
entirely possible that the Orsusian would NOT blunder.

END TEASER
ACT 1

Cole watched the sunlight begin to filter into the bedroom window with a
content smile on his face. His smile widened as, still half-asleep in his
arms, Mel mumbled a drowsy protest to the sudden introduction of light and
rolled over, burying her face in his chest. It was the rumbling in his chest
rather than the actual sound of his laughter that brought Mel fully awake.

“Good morning, Cole,” she yawned, nuzzling closer and not opening her eyes.

It was not the first time, but even after almost a week as lovers it still
felt wonderful to be able to say that to him the moment she woke up. It felt
MORE wonderful to wake up in his arms after having fallen asleep in them as
she had. As always, memories of the night before brought a warm flush to her
cheeks.

“Good morning, Taushi,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair and
reveling in the contact. Her own face was warm against his chest, a sure
sign of where her mind was. It was gratifying to the Cirronian’s mind that
she enjoyed their time together as much as he did. “Today, we will continue
your training in the offensive use of Cirronian energy,” he told her,
tenderly tracing the lines of her back as he spoke. He was still new enough
to this freedom to never miss a chance to touch her. “You grow very skilled
at it.”

She grinned. “I’m not the only one growing very skilled at new things.”

He chuckled and nuzzled her throat. “Some things are easier to learn than
others,” he noted. “It helps that I have a VERY good teacher.”

“It’s easy to be a good teacher when your student is so... enthusiastic
about the subject matter,” she pointed out. “Early morning study-session?”

Cole smiled. “It is good that you do not require as much sleep as most
humans, Mel, because if you did, I do not think your training would progress
at all.”

“Oh, yeah, and all the blame for that lies with ME?” she challenged, fixing
him with a mock-glare. “Because last time I checked, you were the one who
kept--”

“Cole, man?” Nestov’s anxious voice filled the apartment.

Cole sighed at the interruption, rising and reaching for his clothes. Mel
pulled the blanket to her chin, cursing herself for leaving the bedroom door
open. The result of that lapse was that anyone in the hallway would be able
to clearly see her and Cole and know exactly what they had been up to. Of
course, the FRONT door had been locked, but that seldom stopped Nestov.

“Oh, good, there you are,” Nestov said, walking into the bedroom. Mel knew
there was something wrong when he did not even spare her a second glance.
She was relatively sure that Nestov NOT leering at a naked woman was one of
the seven signs of the apocalypse. “We have to talk,” the Dessarian
announced.

“Nestov!” Mel protested.

“Oh, morning, Mel,” he greeted her distractedly, absently retrieving her
bathrobe from its hook and tossing it at her. “You should hear this, too.”

“Nestov, what’s going on?” Mel asked, frowning and shrugging on the robe.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“That’s EXACTLY what I’ve seen,” Nestov whispered, shaking his head. He
glanced at Cole. “What possessed you not to kill the man when you had the
chance?”

“It is not in Cirronian nature to--” Cole began automatically before fully
absorbing the meaning of Nestov’s words. “You mean ZIN?” he gasped.

“Who else, man? At first I thought Lana had finally cracked, then I SAW
him...”

“Oh, God,” Mel whispered, glad she was sitting down because she doubted her
legs could have supported her. Cole looked worse. “This can not be
happening...”

“Yeah, that’s what we thought. But the man’s alive. I saw him with my own
eyes: me, every fugitive in Chicago, and most of the rest of us in the
States. She even called some in from out of country, and the damned meeting
was telecast all over the world.”

“And you are sure it was him?” Cole asked, paler than Mel.

“Well, he was a LOT skinnier, but it was definitely him. I have friends:
it’s definitely him. Only, his EYES... He looked about as cracked as Lana.”

Mel shook her head faintly. It was insane. How had the man survived more
than a YEAR entombed miles beneath the earth?

“How has this affected the Vartan cult?” Cole asked quietly.

Nestov shook his head. “Man, at this point, it doesn’t matter who believes
and who doesn’t. People are too SCARED to question. They hear and obey.”

“Hey, Mel! You up here?” Vic’s voice called from the hallway.

Mel cursed softly. Of all the cops in all the world to walk into the
apartment above her gin-joint at that moment...

“We are here, Vic,” Cole called, causing Mel to wince.

“Cole, we have to...” Vic trailed off as he took in the scene in the
bedroom: Cole sitting on the edge of Mel’s bed pulling his shirt on, Mel
pacing the room in a sheer bathrobe that made it abundantly clear that she
was wearing nothing underneath. He barely even registered the presence of
Nestov in the face of his shock over what Mel and Cole had obviously been
doing the night before. Or this morning... Well, that issue could be
addressed later. He settled for, “Guess you’ve heard the news, then?”

Mel nodded weakly, dropping onto the bed. “Yeah. Zin’s back.”

“You okay?” Vic asked almost automatically.

“I will be. Eventually.”

He nodded faintly, trying and failing to mask his hurt expression.

“Vic, I...” she began, wanting, NEEDING to say something, anything.

“Forget it, Mel. It’s not important right now.” He sighed and shook his
head. “Look, I need to go. Gabe’s absolutely ballistic. Up to now, she was
firmly convinced that Zin was just a figment of Lana’s diseased
imagination.” Turning to leave, he added without looking back, “And Mel, put
something heavier on. You’re going to catch cold again.”

Mel sighed softly as he went, shaking her head. “That could have gone
better.”

“Could have gone a lot worse, too,” Nestov pointed out gently. “Look, I need
to split. I really can NOT afford to be seen in this part of town right
now...”

“I think this is wise, Nestov,” Cole agreed. “I will be in touch.”

Nestov shook his head. “Better let ME get in touch with YOU,” he suggested.
“They know I’ve worked for you in the past. Wouldn’t surprise me if they
have all my phones tapped. And if you don’t mind, I do NOT want to be the
first ‘example’ in the new regime.”

The Cirronian nodded faintly. “Of course not, Nestov. Stay safe.”

Mel watched him go, biting back tears. “What are we going to do?” she
whispered.

“I do not know,” Cole answered softly, sitting and wrapping his arms around
her.

Mel sighed softly and leaned into him, trying and failing to draw comfort.
She could not feel anything but apprehension and a gnawing sense of dread.
Things were about to go horribly wrong for them. She was sure of it.

***

“He’s only one man, Nestov,” the Dessarian woman sighed. “Having served as
one of the physicians on his case, I can attest to the fact that he IS only
a man.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me he was back, Aulani,” Nestov muttered.

“We were ordered to keep his return secret.” She shook her head and took his
hands in hers. “Nestov, it doesn’t matter. If anything, you should be
grateful. His discretion will keep Lana in check and THAT is all to the
good. You no longer need to fear her retaliation for your past mistakes.”

“The man’s lost his mind, Aulani,” Nestov hissed. “What makes you think ANY
of us are safe?”

“I may not believe he’s a god, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in his
cause. He will SAVE our people.”

“By holding an entire solar-system hostage? That strike you as sane or
stable?”

She frowned faintly. “You can NOT believe everything that Tracker told you!”

“Cirronians don’t lie. Besides, he was scared. You weren’t there. You didn’t
see the look in his eyes when he realized what Zin was up to.”

“You’re not still working for him, are you?” she asked, staring at him with
wide eyes. “Nestov, that would be madness!” she protested.

“As mad as worshipping Zin as a god?”

“Yes. And more likely to prove fatal as well!” she protested, shaking her
head. “Nestov, you can’t. Lana would find out and she WOULD kill you.”

“She’ll do what she has to, same as I will.” He shrugged.

She shook her head. “Nestov, please...”

“I know,” he sighed. “I love you, Aulani, and that’s why I want you to be
careful. Worshipping that man is NOT your path to salvation, it’s a one-way
ticket to Hell.”

“I do what I have to, as you do,” she answered quietly. “As we all do. I
serve in his household, primary assistant to his own personal physician. Do
you honestly believe that anything OTHER than enthusiastic endorsement of
the Vartan cult will preserve my hide?”

“He DOES scare you...”

“Yes.” She nodded firmly. “As he should scare you.” She shook her head and
took his hands. “Nestov, I don’t have to believe in the cult, I just have to
smile and nod my head like the rest of us. It’s best, safest. You would do
well to follow my example,” she added, lifting his hands to her mouth.
“Working for the Tracker this time would be suicide. I don’t want to lose
you.”

“And you won’t, sweetie,” he promised firmly, holding their hands between
them and kissing her tenderly. “Don’t be scared. No self-respecting
Dessarian would do something that suicidal twice.”

Aulani gave a grateful laugh, kissing his cheek.

“Feel better?” he asked gently.

“Much.” Sighing, she rose. “But I have to go now.”

“I wish you didn’t.”

“So do I. I hate Neko and now Lana and even Zin scare me. I never thought HE
would, but he does. I have to go... I love you, Nestov. I’ll see you
tonight?”

“Same time, same place,” he agreed, rising and giving her another kiss. “You
keep yourself safe, baby.”

“What else would a good Dessarian do?” she asked mildly, smiling weakly at
him. “Keep yourself safe, too,” she advised. “Lana suspects you might have
given aid to the human Detective when he rescued the hybrid.” With those
words, she turned and hurried from the apartment.

Nestov stared after her with a sigh, shaking his head. He was less worried
about his own life at this juncture than he was about hers. If Lana found
out about his continued betrayal, she would likely kill Aulani on general
principle. It would not have been the first time. Examples came in many
forms.

Sighing again, he made a note to discuss her case with Cole. In spite of the
fact that she served Zin, the Dessarian WAS a good woman. In over her head,
certainly, but no criminal. Just a scared young girl carried away by a
riptide and trying to keep her head above water.

***

“No, Kate,” Mark said flatly, shaking his head.

“You’ll like her, Dads,” Kate assured him, grinning. “I’d wager my Trust on
it.”

He shook his head again. “I don’t do blind dates. Especially not ones set up
by my own children.”

“Would it help if I said please?”

“Not even slightly.”

Kate sighed and shook her own head. “Stubborn.”

He shrugged. “Well, at least we know that YOU come by it honestly.”

Kate shook her head again, her expression grave. “I hate to have to do this
to you, Dads, but you’ve forced me to it. Do you remember that vacation we
took a few years ago to Hawaii?”

“Yes,” he answered, not liking where the conversation was going, not one
bit.

“Remember when you had one too many Mai Tais at the Luau and tried to do the
Hula?” At his cautious nod, she continued, “And remember how Mom got it on
videotape?” Another nod, accompanied by a mortified expression. Kate smiled,
the battle won. “If you don’t go out on this date, I’ll show it to Jess...”

“You WOULDN’T!” he protested, jumping to his feet.

She smiled smugly. “Oh, yes I would. And you KNOW it.”

His mouth moved soundlessly for a few moments before he managed, “Your own
father!”

“Hey, guys, what am I missing?” Jess asked, emerging from her bedroom in a
floral-patterned summer dress.

“NOTHING!” Mark half-shouted. He gave Kate a warning look and sharp gesture.

“Just a friendly father-daughter debate,” Kate added at Jess’ bemused look.
“Have fun on your date.” She made a shooing motion at her friend.

“Okay, but you’re sure--”

Kate approached Jess, drawing her into the hallway and lowering her voice.
“He’ll be there, Jess,” she promised. “And you’ll ADORE him.”

“You sure? I mean, I’ve been having a pretty bad run with blokes just
lately...”

“Not with this one, I promise you. Trust me, Jess.”

“Okay.” Jess nodded slowly. Kate had been oddly insistent that she go out on
this date, and Jess had no idea why. With her luck, it was a sympathy set-up
on both ends. “What’s he look like?”

“He’ll be the gorgeous one wearing a suit and carrying a white rose. Now
go.” Kate made another shooing-motion, not returning to the living room
until Jess had left the apartment. “So, you’ll meet her at--”

“Jess has a date?” Mark interrupted, frowning. He stifled his jealousy. “Is
that wise?” There. Concern for the safety of a friend. Perfectly acceptable.
Especially under the circumstances.

“She’s known this bloke for ages. Old family friend. Now, back to YOUR
date.”

“Kate, I’m not ready to start dating again,” he sighed.

“Dads, you can’t spend the rest of your life alone.”

“I also can’t suck another woman into this existence!”

“That’s an excuse and you know it,” Kate told him, sitting down and taking
one of his hands in both of hers. “You can’t spend the rest of your life
alone,” she repeated, shaking her head. She hated seeing her father alone
and in pain. Especially not when she knew a woman who could make him happy
and who he could make happy himself. “I just want you to be happy.”

Mark sighed and nodded. “I know, Kitten. It’s just...”

“You’ll LIKE her,” Kate promised, walking into the kitchen and retrieving
the white rose she had hidden there earlier. She handed it to her father.
“Just you wait and see. She is beautiful and intelligent and very, very
sweet. Hell, I’d date her myself if she were into that kind of thing.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he murmured, staring down at the rose in
his hand. He looked up at Kate. “You wouldn’t really show Jess that tape?”

“If you go out on this date, I won’t have to,” Kate pointed out. “You’ll
enjoy yourself, trust me. If not, I promise never to try to set you up
again.”

“AND?”

“And I’ll give over the tape,” Kate said, grinning. “Okay, off with you now.
Oh, and remember, I’m spending the night at Lydia’s,” she added, rising.

“You haven’t even told me this woman’s name yet,” Mark protested.

“Her mom called her Hope,” Kate answered cheerfully, picking up her
windbreaker, grabbing her overnight bag, and leaving before Mark could
inquire further.

Mark raised an eyebrow at the wording of that response, but with Kate gone,
there was nothing for it. He could hardly stand her friend up. Picking up
his suit jacket, he left the apartment.

Half an hour later, entering the cozy little café that Kate had designated,
Mark stared at “Hope” with wide eyes, his mouth going dry. The young woman’s
own eyes widened as she took him in, her attention lingering on the rose in
his hand for a long moment before she looked up at him again, her expression
equal parts amused and mortified.

Shaking her head, Jess asked, “So, shall I kill her or did you want to?”

END ACT 1
ACT 2

“I’m bored,” Lydia announced flatly, turning off the TV and glancing at
Kate. “Let’s go to the movies.”

Kate shook her head faintly, irritated. “I’ve TOLD you my father doesn’t
like me going out alone after dark since what happened to Jess’ dad.”

“You going to let him run your life forever?” Lydia asked, shaking her head.
“Come on, Kate. You’re a grown woman. He can’t control you any more.”

“He isn’t trying to control me. He’s trying to keep me SAFE.”

Lydia snorted. “It’s a movie theater, not a back alley somewhere. Besides,
what’s he teaching you self-defense for if not so you can actually get out
now and again? Live a little, Kate. It won’t kill you.”

Kate sighed and shook her head, but could not deny the sense of Lydia’s
words. There was a reason that her father was teaching her self-defense, and
it was NOT so she could spend the rest of her life cowering behind four
walls with an expensive security system and a gun.

Nor, apparently, was it so she could fight the fugitives, she thought,
frustrated by his continued refusal to allow her to come face to face with
one. He kept insisting that she was simply not ready. She FELT ready,
though, her powers and fighting prowess both increasing by leaps and bounds.

She reached into her pocket, fingering the Collector Cole had sent her. He
had made one for each of them, and Mark had been drilling them on their use.
If any fugitive DID try anything, she could handle it.

“Fine. I’ve been wanting to see that new one anyway.”

“Can’t get dear old dad to go with?” Lydia asked, rolling her eyes.

“He doesn’t enjoy ‘chick-flicks’.”

“That’s too bad. Neither do the guys we’re meeting.”

“The...” Kate shook her head. “Lydia!” she protested. “You KNOW how my
father feels about--”

“Well, I couldn’t find an agreeable girl for you on short notice.” She
shrugged. “Besides, for a woman who’s been running her own business since
she was sixteen, you have a REALLY strange habit of letting dear old daddy
dominate you lately.”

“My father does NOT--” Kate began hotly.

“Could have fooled me,” Lydia interrupted, shaking her head. “What is with
you lately, Kate? You used to be so damned independent. Then this Jess woman
shows up and suddenly...”

“Oh, so now it’s Jess’ fault?”

“She obviously runs with the wrong kind of crowd, Kate,” Lydia pointed out.
“You REALLY think what happened to her dad was just a coincidence? How many
murders has your part of town had in the past year? And how unsettling is it
that 20 percent of them are accounted for by relatives of your new
girlfriend?”

“Leave Jess out of this!” Kate snapped, suddenly wondering why she had ever
been fond of Lydia. Like Marguerite, the young woman was more than a little
judgmental, especially about people in lower economic classes. “You have NO
idea what you’re talking about!”

“Well, you don’t have to get miffy.” Lydia shook her head. “Honestly, Kate.
You HAVE changed. You used to LOVE flouting authority, you never used to get
into any trouble, and suddenly you’re finding it right and left and letting
a man who ABANDONED you--”

Kate jumped to her feet and backhanded Lydia, knocking her to the floor.
“Don’t you EVER say that about my father! You have no idea what you’re
talking about, so keep your damned mouth shut!” she snapped, furious at the
attacks on two of the people she loved most in the world.

“Bloody hell, Kate! What was that for?” Lydia demanded.

“For being an arrogant, judgmental, spoiled CHILD who doesn’t know the first
thing about how the real world works and still thinks she knows more than
everyone else!” Kate answered, reaching for her coat. “I’m going home.”

“Kate, don’t,” Lydia protested, struggling to her feet and catching her
friend’s arm. Used to physical abuse at the hands of her step-father, she
seldom let it phase her, even coming from her friends. “Look, I know you and
this Jess are close, but that doesn’t keep me from worrying. As for your
father, I don’t know why he ran out on you because you refuse to tell me,”
she pointed out in a mollifying tone. “I just worry, that’s all. Look, we’ve
been friends since pre-school. You really want to throw that away? Over one
little spat?”

Kate hesitated, drawing a deep breath. Lydia was one of only two close
girlfriends she had in the world, and the only one who was well and truly
separate from a life she sometimes dearly needed to forget for a few hours.
So what if she had acquired some bad habits from being born into a rich
family? Age was bound to soften those in a girl with Lydia’s sweet nature.

“Who are these blokes?” she asked finally. “Have you known them long?”

Lydia shrugged. “Long enough to know they’re decent chaps. One of them works
for my step-dad.”

“Okay,” Kate murmured, nodding. “Sorry I hit you. It’s just... My father has
never in his life done anything without a reason, and he NEVER stopped
looking out for me or loving me.”

“If you say so, but I’d still like to know why--”

“NO, Lydia,” Kate interrupted gently. “You really don’t.” She sighed softly.
“Let’s just go.”

***

“When did my own daughter become so...”

Mark trailed off, not sure exactly HOW to describe this inexplicable action
on Kate’s part. He sat down only because he doubted his legs would have
supported him much longer. How, knowing how he felt about Jess, could Kate
have done this to him? Unless she knew something about Jess that he did
not...

“I think the word you’re looking for is devious,” Jess answered softly,
shaking her head, trying to clear it.

This was the most humiliating experience of her life. It was not merely a
friendly supper out. Kate had been firm in calling it a DATE, and that term
carried all manner of connotations to it. Especially considering stray
thoughts about Mark that were getting harder and harder to fight as time
progressed.

Mark sighed. “This is... I... maybe I should just drive you home now. And
tomorrow I’m going to have a little talk with Kate about lying to us.”

“She actually didn’t lie to ME that much,” Jess admitted, shrugging. “Said
you hadn’t dated much since your wife died, but that she really thought it
was time for you to move on. When I asked her why SHE didn’t go out with
you, she said that it was because you saw her as a daughter. For a minute, I
was sure she was trying to set me up with Jay.” She shook her head faintly.
“She said not, though, and I could hardly stand up her friend when she had
already promised him. Besides, I kind of felt sorry for this poor,
heartbroken widower she kept telling me about. From what she said about his
personality, I really thought we had a real shot at becoming good friends.”

“Well, I guess she didn’t technically LIE to me about you very much, either.
Your mom called you Hope?”

Jess nodded. “Always. Don’t know that she used my real name once in her
life. Drove Dad crazy, but I was always her Hope. On her deathbed, she was
trying to tell me something. I think she meant to tell me about all this,
Guardians and such, but she was... she was just... she was... too weak to
talk...”

“Jessica, I’m sorry,” Mark murmured, covering her hand with one of his own.

“I... I can see why she kept it from me for as long as she did, like you did
with Kate and Mel, but...”

“But knowing could have made things a lot easier on you in the long run.” He
sighed and nodded. “It’s never an easy call. I never resented Mom and Dad
for telling me, but I never wanted that for my girls, either.”

“I can’t blame you. It changes a person.”

“Yes it does,” he agreed quietly. “Living with it day in and day out... God
help me if I ever get used to it.”

“You’re too gentle to ever get used to it,” Jess assured him, smiling
faintly.

“Are you two ready to order?” a waitress asked, approaching.

“Actually, we were just leaving,” Mark started.

“Let’s stay,” Jess suggested abruptly, shocked by her own temerity. Or maybe
it was the two cocktails she had consumed before Mark’s arrival...

“You want to STAY?” Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Why not?” Jess said, shaking her head. “So instead of being a date, it
becomes supper out. We’re friends: there’s no reason we shouldn’t enjoy each
other’s company a bit. It’s not like we’re doing Kate out of our company...”

“No, no you’re right, of course.” He smiled winningly up at the
clearly-confused waitress. “I’ll start with a dry martini.” Grinning slyly
at Jess, he added, “With gin, please, just like the old folks drink it...”

***

“Gabe, will you please stop pacing?” Vic asked, shaking his head as he
watched the Agent pacing the length of her living room and cursing under her
breath.

“Trust me, Victor, I’d much rather be pounding on a heavy-bag, but I don’t
want to tear my stitches, either. So I pace...”

“Gabe,” he sighed, rising and moving to stand in front of her. “Zin is ONE
man. We always knew there was someone running the show with Zin Industries.
So it turns out to be Zin instead of Lana. How much of a difference can it
make?” he asked, knowing it could make a very great impact indeed, but not
wanting to burden her with the knowledge, not when she was so upset to begin
with.

“Cults need two things to really succeed, Victor: leaders and messiahs. As
long as they only had a leader, their power was inherently limited. Now this
Zin steps onto the scene and they’ve got a messiah, too. That changes
EVERYTHING.”

“We’ll get through this,” he promised. “Look, I’m working with some
people--”

She cut him off by pressing two fingers to his lips. “The less I know, the
better off they are,” she murmured. “Remember what happened to the last two
people who worked more or less openly with me on this?”

“Gabe...”

She shook her head. “These people are ruthless and they do NOT appreciate
being opposed. I shouldn’t even have YOU in this deeply or overtly. Only
thing keeping you safe is that my partner is convinced, AND has shared with
everyone in the Chicago office, that I’m having an affair with some cop.”

Vic blinked, startled. Yes, they had kissed a few times, spent many nights
out drinking or at her home curled up together on the couch, but she had yet
to make a single sexual advance towards him, which was starting to leave him
wondering where he stood with her in that regard. Maybe she just wanted a
friend she could curl up with from time to time. Worse, maybe the whole
thing WAS just a cover...

“Gabe,” he began, uncertainty coloring his tone.

“Oh, no, Victor.” She shook her head, cradling his face in her hands and
brushing her fingers across his lips. “Lover, I have two bullet-holes in my
back,” she murmured. “Neither of them is completely healed...”

Vic winced. That had not even occurred to him. Since being shot, Gabe had
numerous restrictions on the activities which she could engage in until she
had recovered from her injuries.

“Christ, Gabe, I’m sorry.”

“Can you wait a few more weeks?” she asked quietly.

“Are you kidding? Of course I’ll wait!”

“I’m glad,” she murmured, pressing her lips to his cheek.

“Kissing a guy’s mouth suddenly on your list of physical no-no’s?” he
teased.

“No. But what might naturally follow that IS,” she answered mildly. “Be
patient. Good things come to those who wait, after all,” she noted. “And
there is a time to every purpose under the heavens,” she added quietly.
“Later, it will be OUR time. Right now, it is time to figure out how to
bring these bastards down...”

END ACT 2
ACT 3

Lydia’s boyfriend Joshua was clearly less interested in the movie than in
the young woman sitting next to him. Kate shifted uncomfortably as he
continued to kiss and fondle Lydia, leaving her to either stare at the
screen or at Joshua’s friend Andre, who was staring at her intently.
On-screen, a building blew up and some Yank cop was berating another for his
failure to see the disaster coming. Not Kate’s idea of a good time, not as
often as her existence included REAL life and death situations lately.

“Not enjoying yourself?” Andre asked her, leaning close to be heard both
over the yelling in the movie and the slurping noises coming from Lydia’s
direction.

“This doesn’t exactly qualify as my idea of a good time, no,” Kate admitted.

“Mine, neither, but Josh said his lady-friend had a friend and that he
needed me to go out with them so it wouldn’t seem... well, I don’t know
exactly how he expected it to seem,” he admitted, shrugging and leering at
the couple for a moment. “You want to get out of here?” he offered.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Kate answered, shaking her head.

“I doubt they’d miss us much,” Andre said, grinning faintly. “Don’t get me
wrong, Katherine. I’m not thinking of ending up like those two, but there’s
a great park nearby, perfect for moonlit strolls.”

“I don’t think so.” Kate shook her head faintly. “Not that you aren’t nice,
Andre, but there are security concerns to consider.”

“Security concerns from ME?” he laughed. “What kind of man do you think I
am?”

“I don’t KNOW what kind of man you are. Thus my concern,” Kate answered
firmly. He was undeniably human, but there was something about him that had
her sixth sense buzzing. The same went for Lydia’s new boyfriend.

“True.” He shrugged. “Maybe we could walk together, then? The four of us?”

“Always assuming we can peel Romeo off of Juliet long enough to suggest
it...” Kate shook her head. It was typical of Lydia to attach herself to
some bloke without the least regard for the consequences. It was a wonder
she had not gotten herself into trouble years ago.

“Psst, Josh,” Andre murmured, reaching around Lydia to poke his shoulder.
“This movie sucks. Let’s take a walk.”

“But--” Joshua began.

“The four of us. We can go our separate ways later.”

“Oh, okay.” Joshua nodded and rose, offering his hand to Lydia, who looked
more than a little disgruntled at the interruption. “Come on, gorgeous.”

“My step-dad would kill you if he heard you talking to me like that,” she
answered with a grin, accepting his hand and rising.

“He’d also kill me if he knew what we got up to most nights after he went to
bed. Doesn’t bother me so long as he doesn’t fire me, too. Come on.”

Lydia grinned at him. “Come on, Kate. Stop being such a... a prude.”

Kate frowned at the comment, but rose anyways. A short walk and she could
make her excuses, going home to see how her father’s date with Jess had
gone. Smiling weakly at Andre, she followed the two men and her friend from
the theater, her mind firmly on her father and best friend rather than the
man suddenly holding her hand. Shaking his hand off, she kept walking,
mentally framing her excuses.

***

Mark smiled across the table at Jess, amazed by how easy and casual their
‘date’ had become. His own instinct would have been to run, but that would
have been as good as admitting that there was something to run FROM. For her
part, Jess seemed disinclined to escape their current situation, though he
was not sure if she viewed it as friendly supper or a date. He WANTED to
take her hands, reach into her soul, and find out. He never got that
intimate on dates, but he did find himself wondering how Jess would react to
such a deeply profound touch: his mind, his HEART to hers...

“Bridget was my first love,” he told her, in response to her surprisingly
direct question. “She was the first woman I ever... well, you know...”

“I know, I just find it hard to believe,” Jess answered, her honesty
facilitated by a few too many drinks. Come to think of it, the alcohol had
probably been behind the question in the first place. “You’re gorgeous and
you’re sweet. Women must have been throwing themselves at you.”

“I guess.” He shrugged, embarrassed. “I didn’t really notice. I met Bridget
in the law library and we started studying together. It went from there.”

“And you had Mel?”

He nodded, his expression briefly pained before turning fond once more.
“After her, I never thought I’d find love again. Then I met Kate’s mom...
She hired me to represent her in a probate matter. We kept in touch socially
after that and, before I knew it...” He shook his head. “Love always seems
to sneak up on me.”

“Maybe that’s for the best. You know they loved you for you, not for your
money or anything stupid like that.”

He nodded faintly. “It’s comforting to know. That a woman loves you for YOU
and not because of your money or because you can help her out in court.”

“I can see where any woman who got to know you would love you for yourself,”
Jess answered, sipping at her drink. It emboldened her slightly, and she
needed that in the current situation, especially given the direction her
mind insisted on taking the discussion, in spite of the fact that she KNEW
she should have known better.

“Jessica... Do you... do I...” he began, stumbling over the question he
meant to ask. He was frankly amazed he could even THINK to.

“You’re one of a kind, Mark,” she answered when he could not finish. It was
an answer that both answered the question she HOPED he had asked and left
her an out in case she was wrong. “Bridget and Eileen were smart women. They
knew a man who could make them happy when they saw one.” She shrugged.

“But...” He regarded her searchingly.

“I can’t see a woman NOT being happy with you,” she admitted, shrugging.

Mark gaped. “Even a woman young enough to be my daughter?” he whispered.

Jess hesitated, inhaling deeply before confessing, “Even one of those,
yeah.”

“Jessica, do you--”

“Yeah, Mark,” she interrupted when he faltered. “For ages now.”

He covered her hand with his own. “Jessica.” Hesitating, he amended,
“HOPE...” It seemed infinitely more appropriate at this stage. He paused.
“Do you mind?”

“You call me what you will. I’m sure I’ll like it. Just so long as it comes
from your heart.”

Mark sighed softly. “Love of the gods, how does a man close his eyes to the
truth for so long?”

“It’s no difficult task. I know I did it for years.” Smiling, she rose and
nodded towards the dance-floor. “Do you mind?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he answered honestly, climbing to his feet and
leading her that way. “I love holding you in my arms,” he confessed. “And I
always prayed that there might be an occasion where I might be able to do so
for a reason other than because you were in pain.”

“Well, now you have that opportunity,” Jess murmured as he pulled her
against his chest. “Make the most of it. I’ve been waiting for this a long
time myself.”

“You could have said something.”

“So could you,” she pointed out, grinning.

“You could have something there, Hope.” He smiled down at her, sighing
softly. “Maybe I won’t ground her after all.”

“Serve her right if you did, the situation she put us into.” Jess grinned up
at him. “You know, she doesn’t HAVE to find out the evening went well for
us...”

Mark raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What are you suggesting, exactly?”

“That we give her back some of her own, devious brat that she is. You refuse
to look at me at breakfast and I’ll be grim and dead-silent. Teach her to
meddle in other people’s love-lives...”

Mark snorted softly. “I like it. We can always thank her later. AFTER we’ve
made her suffer a little.”

“Exactly.” Jess nodded knowingly. “We had to suffer through a pretty awkward
time thanks to her. Least we can do is return the favor.” She winked.

“Just not for too long,” Mark added quietly. “She’s a good kid with a good
heart. I honestly believe that she saw what we refused to and felt that this
was the best way to make us open our eyes.”

“Probably,” Jess agreed, nodding.

The music ended and a faster tune took its place. “Sorry, I don’t dance
fast.”

“That’s okay,” Jess assured him, leading him back to the table. This time,
she sat down next to him instead of across from him. At his startled look,
she shook her head and pointed out, “We sit next to each other on the couch
all the time and lots of nights find us even closer than THAT.”

He colored and tried to look anywhere but at her. The problem was that his
gaze kept turning right back to her. “Is it hot in here?” he asked, clearing
his throat.

“A little,” Jess agreed, rising again and offering her hand. “Let’s get out
of here,” she suggested.

“Out of here?” he repeated uncertainly.

The thing with most dates was that you saw them as far as their front door
and then went your own way. The problem with this one was that her ‘front
door’ was a bedroom only a few dozen feet from his own. And both had had far
too much to drink which, coupled with their newly-acknowledged feelings
towards each other, put them in danger of doing something they might as
easily regret. He was not a man in the habit of kissing on first dates, and
he suddenly found himself thinking of doing far, far more.

“It’s a gorgeous night. A walk would be nice,” Jess suggested, sharing a
measure of his discomfiture at the idea of going home, of what it might lead
to. She was fed up with ill-thought-out relationships and one-nighters, and
she had no intention of ruining her relationship with Mark over one. Buying
herself some time to sober up was definitely a good idea.

“That’s a fine idea,” he agreed. Nodding and rising, he offered Jess his
arm.

“You always this chivalrous?”

“I like to think I have my moments,” he told her, placing several bills on
the table before leading her from the stuffy restaurant and into the cool
night air.

END ACT 3
ACT 4

“That way’s a little too off the beaten path for my taste,” Kate argued when
Josh and Andre suggested turning off the main walkway into a more secluded
path. She was starting to suspect that she was walking into a setup, and
only concern for Lydia kept her from turning and walking away right that
instant.

“Oh, Kate,” Lydia sighed, shaking her head. “Live a little.”

”I’d rather not, thanks. People have a bad enough habit of getting mugged in
this part of town even before they go off onto shadowy walks.”

Lydia snorted in disgust, taking Josh’s arm and starting that way anyways.

“Lydia, don’t,” Kate half-pled. Both men were putting off more and more
unsettling vibrations by the minute.

Lydia looked up, startled by the genuine fear in her friend’s tone. “O...
okay, Kate. We’ll... go another way.”

“Thank you,” Kate murmured. “Somewhere with more people, hmm?”

“Well, if we’re voting, I’m going to have to say no to that one,” Josh
announced, wrapping an arm around Lydia’s waist and nuzzling her neck. “Come
on, Lyd. You said your friend was okay.”

”She is,” Lydia answered hesitantly. “It’s just...”

“Are we going to stand here arguing all night?” Andre interrupted.

“We very well may have to,” Kate informed him flatly, frowning. “Because
Lydia and I are NOT going that way.”

“Oh YES you are,” Andre answered, grabbing her by both arms and propelling
her down the path. “Don’t fight and they won’t hurt you,” he advised
quietly.

Lydia let out a startled shriek only to have Joshua cover her mouth with his
hand and start pushing her in the same direction.

“Which one did he want anyways?”

“Don’t know, doesn’t matter. Bring both, he can sort it out. We still get
paid.”

“Let me go, Andre,” Kate suggested quietly. He was human so the Collector
would not work on him, but that fact hardly made her defenseless against him
after months of going up against her father on the mat. “You don’t have to
get hurt.”

“Neither do you,” he answered, tightening his hold on her arms. Lydia was
sobbing quietly. “Shut up!” he ordered.

Convinced that there could be no reasoning with this man, Kate attacked,
stomping his foot hard and bringing her hands up rapidly to break his hold
on her arms. Spinning to face him, she put the momentum of that motion into
a right hook that sent him flying.

“Run, Lydia,” she ordered, taking a step towards Joshua. “You can just go!”

Lydia did not have to be told twice. She turned and ran. Kate glared at
Joshua. “Let me pass and you don’t have to get hurt.”

“Sorry, luv, but Mister Haag’s paying us good money to bring you to him,” he
informed her, raising a stun-gun.

Lydia screamed nearby in the night, momentarily diverting Kate’s attention.
The next thing she knew, she was face-down on the ground, peripherally aware
of a number of fugitive life-forces closing, more immediately aware of
searing pain throughout her body. Struggling to her feet, she reminded
herself firmly that she was Cirronian, that Cirronians were creatures of
energy and that, therefore, they could not be harmed by it. Yes, it hurt
beyond words, but she could not let that stop her, not after having walked
herself, and worse LYDIA, into an ambush. She punched Joshua hard in the
stomach and broke into a run, hurrying towards the direction of Lydia’s
earlier scream.

She bowled face-first into a tall man who would have reeked of menace even
if she had not been able to sense his mercenary life-force. But, at the same
time, he WAS merely mercenary, not genuinely evil. Could she negotiate with
him?

“And the snare has been successful,” he announced, gesturing into the
darkness.

Before Kate could react, several very large, very strong fugitives were
holding her tightly as the tall man stared thoughtfully down at her. Nearby,
Lydia was being similarly restrained, sobbing quietly.

“Wonder why the whore selected you over the other two,” he murmured. “She is
without honor, but this is extreme even for her. You’re only a child...”

Kate shivered, struggling to retain her cool. Intent as he was to take her,
he was obviously sympathetic as well. She could use that. “Let Lydia go,”
she pled. “She has no part in this. Let her go and I’ll come quietly,” she
promised.

“Kate!” Lydia protested, shaking her head. “You can’t go with this man. God
knows what he’ll do to you!”

“God may not, but I have a pretty good idea,” Kate sighed softly. “Look,
just you tell my dad and Jess that I love them,” she directed. “Go.”

“Let her go,” Haag directed, waving a dismissive hand in Lydia’s direction.

“But,” Lydia began as she was released. She glanced pleadingly at Kate.

“You would do well to listen to your friend’s advice, little one,” Haag
said, shaking his head. “You, Kina, take her to her home and release her
there.”

“No,” Kate said, shaking her head. “She goes on her own.”

“You are in no position to bargain, little hybrid,” Haag informed her,
nodding to the man he had spoken to early.

Kina obediently took Lydia by the arm and led her off, the girl struggling
the whole way.

“Bastard!” Kate spat at Haag.

“Be calm, little hybrid. As you said, your friend has no part in this. No
harm will come to her, I promise.”

Kate found herself believing him. No longer scared for Lydia’s sake, she was
terrified for her own. “What do you want with me?” she whispered, trembling.

“Beginning to return myself to Zin’s good graces will take a mighty offering
and his little whore designated you.” Regarding her almost apologetically,
he said, “You know, I have a daughter your age.”

“How nice for you,” Kate answered bitterly, wondering how to proceed. Of the
four men initially restraining her, only two continued to hold her, the
others obviously lulled by her failure to struggle.

“I would much rather have taken the warrior in fair and open combat, but my
orders were otherwise. Come quietly and I won’t have to hurt you. Obey Zin’s
commands, answer his questions, and HE won’t have reason to harm you
either.”

“As if men like the two of you NEED a reason...”

“Just come,” Haag sighed, shaking his head and turning.

Kate took the opportunity, flipping one of her guards and spinning out of
the grasp of the other. Save Haag, those still standing closed on her en
masse, tacking her to the ground. Everyone there heard the telltale snap.
After years in the military, Haag recognized it for exactly what it was,
too. His most trusted Lieutenants had just signed his death-warrant...

***

“That one’s Migar,” Mark told Jess, pointing it out to her as they sat in
the grass. “See Her? Third star from the right.”

“And straight on ‘til morning?” she guessed.

Mark grinned and nodded faintly. “Or so my father always used to tell me.
But that’s Her, Migar, Hwa’an, our guiding star.”

“Hwa’an?” Jess repeated.

“Not exactly a goddess, but a mother spirit. Hwa’an also means soul, since
each of us has a piece of her within us. Hwa’i is the heart-soul, not the
soul-soul. The true soul endures forever. The heart-soul endures for one
life only,” he explained reverently, resting one hand over her heart. “It’s
what makes an individual special, unique.”

“So you’re saying you only love me for my heart?” Jess teased, glancing down
at his hand.

He grinned down at her, shaking his head. “Not only, no. You definitely
have... other charms as well.”

“Such as?” she murmured, reaching up and cupping his cheek in one hand.

“Such as,” he began, leaning towards her. To hell with his policy of not
kissing on first dates. To hell with her age. She was perfect for him and he
knew it. So, obviously, did Kate. Let Jess be young. She was hardly immature
or inexperienced, not after the life she had led.

Both jumped as his phone rang. Mark sighed softly, shaking his head in
disgust. “Let me just turn it off.”

“It might be important,” Jess sighed. “From Jay or Mel. Go ahead, Mark. We
can... finish our conversation later.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he assured her before answering the phone. “Mark
Porter.” He frowned. “No, you must be mistaken. My daughter’s been at a
friend’s house all night... Yes, Lydia Clarke. No... They... are you...
HAAG?”

“Haag?” Jess repeated, frowning.

“Well where? When? Are you... yes, of course. No, I’ll... Yes. No. I’ll be
right down. Thank you.” He hung up the phone, his expression stricken as he
told Jess. “That was the police. Haag took Kate tonight.”

END ACT 4
TAG

By the time Mark and Jess managed to find the police officer who had called
Mark about Kate’s abduction, the classification of the case had been changed
and the woman apologetically directed them to another Detective’s office.
They reached that office in time to hear him leaving a phone message.

“Mister Porter, this is Inspector Jenkins of Scotland Yard. If you could
call me as soon as--”

“I’m Mark Porter. What’s the status of my daughter’s case. Why was it
transferred to another investigator?” he demanded immediately. As Jenkins
glanced at Jess, he lied, “Kate’s sister.” Jess had as much right to know
what was happening with Kate as he did.

“Mister Porter, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to come with me,”
Jenkins said, hanging up the phone and rising.

“You found her?” he asked, his heart leaping. Jess hugged him and he hugged
her right back, laughing with relief.

“A... body was found in the park she was taken from,” Jenkins began.

“What?” Mark asked, gaping at the man. “A... a BODY?”

“Oh, well, that can’t be Kate,” Jess said confidently. “Kate’s got
self-defense training enough not to get herself--”

“Mister Porter, did your daughter have a small strawberry mark on her left
shoulder-blade?” Jenkins asked over Jess’ protest.

“Yeah, how did you...” He trailed off, his heart sinking. Jess was hugging
him again, but this time it had nothing to do with joy. She clung to him,
shaking.

“If you could come with me to identify the body.”

“No. You have the wrong girl,” Mark protested, shaking his head, refusing to
allow himself to believe that he had lost another of the women he loved.

“I’ll do it, Mark,” Jess offered quietly, dreading the prospect, but not
wanting him to have to suffer through it, either.

“No, Jessica.” He shook his head and squared his shoulders, inhaling deeply.
“She’s my daughter. Bring me to her.”

***

Mark let out a low wail as the sheet was moved back to reveal Kate’s pale
face. “Kitten,” he moaned, shaking his head and rocking himself.

“Mark,” Jess began, resting her hand on his shoulder, tears in her eyes.

“Please...” He shook his head. “Can I have a few minutes with my daughter?”

“Mister Porter,” Jenkins began.

“No!” Jess cut him off. “Bloody hell, hasn’t he been through enough
already?” she demanded, grabbing the startled Inspector by the arm and
spinning him around, marching him out of the room. “The man has a right to
say goodbye to his daughter, damn it!” she snapped, pushing him from the
room and closing the door.

Weeping silently, she looked into the room through the small window in the
door, watching Mark as he spent several minutes speaking before pressing his
lips to Kate’s forehead for a long moment. Straightening and whispering a
few more words, he pulled the blanket back over her face and left the room,
dry-eyed.

“Are you okay?” Jess asked quietly.

“No,” he answered flatly, turning to Jenkins. “You need me to sign
something?”

“Yes, sir. Here.” Jenkins extended a clipboard. Mark scribbled his signature
quickly. “Come on, Jessica.”

“Sir, about the disposition of your daughter’s--”

“Our lawyer will handle it. Come on, Jessica.”

Startled by how unemotional he seemed, Jess followed. The minute they were
in the car, though, Mark gave vent to his pent-up emotions, letting out a
shout of pure rage and slamming his fists against the dashboard, roof, and
finally shoving one through his window, screaming wordlessly all the while
as Jess looked on with wide eyes.

As abruptly as the storm had started, though, it was over. Mark cleared his
throat, shook himself once, and started the car with a quiet, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re more than entitled,” Jess answered, regarding him uncertainly. She
had never seen him in an angry or destructive mood. Not that he didn’t have
every right, but it was just jarring. Almost as jarring as seeing Kate lying
on a morgue slab, cold and pale instead of alive and vital. “This isn’t the
way home,” she realized after a moment spent trying to forget that image.

“We aren’t going home. We can’t any more,” he told her, taking another turn.

“Where, then?” Jess asked.

He had taken them into a part of London that she had never been in before.
It was not the best of neighborhoods, either. Jess recognized the type from
years of experience. No one would question the presence of a car with a
broken-out window. Nor would anyone question the presence of an older man in
a suit with a pretty younger woman. She entertained an absurd momentary
notion that Mark was here to get drugs. He certainly could have easily
enough, but she doubted that was his intention. Especially after he passed
at least three men, standing on street-corners who were almost certainly
dealers. She recognized THAT type from years of experience, too.

“I have a safe-house nearby. It’s where I usually stayed while I was in
hiding.”

He pulled the car into a back alley and stopped it, getting out and
gesturing for her to follow. To her amazement, as they navigated streets
that she certainly would not have felt safe walking alone at night, he
pulled out his cell-phone and calmly reported his car stolen. His next call
was to Jay, calmly telling him that Kate was dead and asking him to
implement her prearrangements. He hung up before Jay had a chance to respond
and dropped the phone into a rubbish bin as it immediately started ringing
again.

A man who obviously did not know a dangerously angry individual when he saw
one approached them as they walked. “How much for a few hours with your
girl?” he asked Mark, getting punched in the face for his troubles. Grabbing
Jess by the arm, Mark kept walking without a backwards glance at the man
writhing on the ground.

“Mark,” she began, startled but allowing herself to be led.

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. It lacked the respect a woman
is due,” he explained absently, pulling her into a side alley and pushing a
dumpster aside with a heave, revealing a low door. “Come in. It’s small, but
it’s clean and safe.”

True to Mark’s word, the one-room safe-house was tiny, but immaculately
clean and probably VERY safe given the numerous locks on the door. Its only
furniture was a neatly-made bed in one corner and a heavy punching bag in
the other. A small lock-box near the bed probably doubled as a nightstand.

“Take the bed,” Mark directed. “I’m not going to sleep. We’ll leave the
country tomorrow.”

“Mark,” Jess began again.

He shook his head, cutting her off with a wave of his hand. “I planned for
this contingency a long time ago. I know what needs to be done. If you’re
attached to London, we can get you back in a few months under a new
identity. Chicago, too, for that matter. Look, I know you must be exhausted,
so get some rest. We’ll discuss it in the morning.”

Before she could protest, he had steered her towards the bed, slipped off
her shoes, and put her out with a burst of energy, gently laying her out and
covering her. Walking over to the punching bag, Mark started driving his
fists into it rapid-fire, cursing and not even noticing when blood from his
torn knuckles started splattering his face, mingling with his tears.

THE END

RavenKat

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