disclaimer: Some adult language within this section and some violence but not enough to offend anyone..I hope

Raine sighed.

"Want to tell me whats wrong?" The silenced lengthened and Sacha looked up from the morning paper,it was obvious Raine wasn't even aware she was in this world.

"Raine?" Staring out the window her brow suddenly furrowed.

"Raine? Raine whats wrong?"

"Hmmm o its alright I've already ate. " One eyebrow lifted in disbelief."hon that's nice but I didn't ask about whether you've ate or not." Raine gazed at the woman who she called mother not many would have believed it though as her appearance is that of an older sister.She hesitated choosing her words with care.

"Karen was going to slip Dr. Tate the disc yesterday." The silence stretched.

"Mom.. Karen didn't return home last nite."

"Is it possible she simply stayed the nite with Dr.Tate?"

"No not without at least calling me and telling me if she was successful.Besides Karen doesn't sleep around after only two dates."

Sacha sighed,"frankly sweetheart the whole plan sounds pretty thin to me anyway the man's going to know he could have only gotten it one of several places."

"Not necessarily I payed Kiki to bump into the Dr in a manner that was guaranteed for him to remember."

She shrugged,"besides time is one of my many enemies in this." She walked to the window,"I already paid a visit to Tate's apt early this morning theres no one there and Karen was never within it.That leaves me with a couple of possibilities and none of them pleasant."

Sacha's mouth twisted into a half smile, choosing her words hesitantly.

"You mean Michael.Michael is concerned that your passion for others will cause you to take less care with your own safety."

Raine snorted,"I can take care of myself if anyone should know that its him.I don't need Michael. I asked him for help once the results were fatal" Sacha went and stood beside Raine the ocean was calm today its a shame Sacha thought it couldn't produce that calming effect on her daughter right now .

"Raine,that was tragic it always is when one so young dies prematurely.And your feelings for the young man were intense even then you've always been an all or nothing person.But its not like you to unfairly place blame."

"I have to go now rehashing ancient history is getting me no where. I need to find Karen." Sacha nodded, "at least consider what I've said and go with care."

Raine crouched down scanning the house at the end of the drive. It seemed empty devoid of any signs of life.She sighed closing her eyes, clearing her mind she focused on the house and surrounding area.Opening her eyes she stood the house was empty.She made her way to the house circled it within the cover of the trees.

For once she thanked Michael's mania for privacy nosey neighbors wouldn't be a factor. Reaching in her jacket pocket she pulled out a set of picks inserted them into the lock at the sound of the click she grinned Michael really needs a better lock. She entered the laundry room and closed the door. She stood silent nothing moved no sounds absolute stillness.

She entered the main living area and made a room to room search all that remained was the master bedroom hesitating she entered there was only the bed and a computer on the desk. Going directly to the computer she flicked it on and started searching thru it.Raine shook her head, "Who would have thought Michael had a weakness for computer games."

She clicked the computer off put her hands on the desk and pushed the chair back, sighing with frustration she frowned. Nothing. Well theres no hope for it she leaned her back against the wall and slid down to the floor and waited.

Later her's head jerked up sensing Michael. Standing she made her way over to the door and waited,slowly she drew a knife from a strap on the inside of her wrist and waited it would be any second now. Michael entered the room quietly for a split second a dozen doubts flashed across her mind.Then she deliberately made her mind shut down. Michael was a big man well above six feet but the element of surprise was so far hers and before she lost it she went into action.

Coming out from behind the door she kicked the back of Michael's leg, he stumbled for a moment catching himself on one knee before he completely went down and that was all it took. Michael froze as the knife touched his throat.

" Hello Michael."

" Raine",he shook his head.

"This really isn't necessary if you wanted to visit your always welcome"

"I have a problem and I need to know if your part of it?" Michael body tensed he made to rise.

"Nuh uh", she nicked his neck. "I think I like you on your knees.

"Where is Karen?"

" I don't know you mean she finally got a life?" Raine slid the blade of the knife up over his jaw across his cheek stopping at his eye.

"I know you're aware of what we were doing so don't insult me.You wouldn't have come to me quizzing me unless you already knew. You would let Lewis's freaks kill all those innocent people at Quigley's's? There are children there how could you?"

Raine's tone suddenly changed from conversational to angry.

"Raine look.."

"No you look" she slowly rubbed the knife back and forth under his eye.

"I trusted you once with my heart and you betrayed me you let them butcher a 16 year old boy because he had the misfortune of being human and in love with me.You lied to me you promised me you'd stop them you didn't."

"So I ask you again did you have anything to do with Karen's disappearance?" Michael tensed his voice devoid of emotion "I had nothing to do with it nor do I know who does." It required no extra senses to discern he was coldly furious.

"Damn it Raine, when I got there the boy was dead already I swear." She wondered if it was because she questioned his honesty or if it was because she caught him off guard.

She withdrew the knife from his face,reaching into her other pocket she withdrew a small aerosol can.Slowly she lifted the knife away,taking it as a sign she was willing to believe him he probed trying to get a sense of her.

"You know it's likely that the goverment grabbed her." Michael hesitated a moment then moved to stand. He slowly turned, "that's why you can't trust..." as soon as he was fully facing her Raine sprayed the compound into his face.Michael's eyes widened," you lie Michael.. and where I'm going you aren't wanted" His lids blinked, he swayed and then he slid to the floor.

"Sweet Dreams." Raine stepped over his body and quietly closed the door.

Walter Attwood entered his office.Looking at the folder in his hand he reached for the light on his desk without looking up.

"I think the light from the outer hallway is sufficient for now Dr. Attwood." Walter froze.In a casual tone he asked, "who are you and how did you get in here?"

"Who I am isn't as important as what I am and where Karen Whitman is and the disc she was trying to give to Dr.Tate"

"I'm afraid I don't know what your talking about." The voice seemed to come from the corner and was definetly female. Attwood laid the folder on the desk and continued around the it to sit in his chair.

"And a refuse to converse with someone while sitting in the dark and whose face I can't see." Silence..

"Very well Dr Attwood, I don't have time for subtlety anymore turn on the light." Leaning forward under the cover of turning on the lamp he reached for the top drawer where he kept his gun.

"That really isn't necessary, but go ahead if it makes you feel safer.I need to convince you of the truth of what I'm saying."

His eyes immediately went to the corner searching for the owner of the voice.He relaxed his hand on the drawer slightly, standing there dressed all in black was a young woman in her late twenties. She appeared small almost delicate, her hair appeared to go past her waist enhancing the overall impression of fragility. Realising he had been appraising her for sometime in silence his gaze returned to her face searching intently for detail in future identification purposes. It was her eyes the color alone was striking and drew your attention a deep emerald green,but it was the kindness one saw when you looked deeper that decided him to forego the gun for now.

"Please he gestured, anyone going to such extraordinary lengths you must have an urgent matter to discuss. So lets begin again.How did you get in here?" The young woman shrugged, "thru the roof. I rewired the security pad and entered new access codes."

"I see and the guards at the various levels? Their napping they'll wake in a few hours none the worse for wear,its a simple compound really someone made it for me because I dislike violence."

"Well we've discussed the how now the why?" The woman tilted her head inquiringly it reminded him of Daniels.

"Dr Attwood I know you've had Dr Tate under surveillance what I want to know is did you also take Karen Whitman in for questioning?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what your talking about." Her gaze never left his face but one side of her mouthed quirked at the evasive wording. Then suddenly she tensed,glancing toward the lab area. Attwood watched curious what she would do next.

"It seems your not the only one working late tonite. Lets ask Dr. Tate what seems to have him so agitated this evening shall we?" She came out of the corner standing in front of his desk.

"I'd venture to guess the Doctor would be a lot more agitated if he knew he was being watched and people he encounters are subject to an investigation. But lets ask him if he knows where Ms. Whitman is here he is now." Raine watched as Attwood's face became even more reserved. A knock on the door alerted him Ed was indeed here. Not waiting Ed entered talking fast and gesturing animatedly at the disc in his hand.

"Walter listen I was going thru my things when I found this disc. O I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt anything I can come back later."

"No. Its alright." Walter graciously gestured. "Ed, This is?? I'm sorry I don't seem to recall you giving me your name."

"No, Dr. Tate" the young woman smiled self shyly. "Actually its you I was looking for."

"Me? Um sure. Have we met before and I've forgotten?" She smiled, "no we've never met but I'm hoping you can tell me where a friend of mine is.." She trailed off as a distant look came across her face then a frown it was so fleeting he couldn't even be sure it was there.

"It seems I picked inconvenient time to visit.I've come at a busy time I apologize if you could just tell me the last time you saw Karen Whitman I'll be on my way." Ed frowned stepping farther into Walter's office sank into a chair..

"What? Wait what do you mean is Karen missing? Have you called the police?" She glanced at Dr.Attwood and a look passed between them. Ed glanced between the two puzzled.

"Whats going on here?" No one answered the young woman looked toward the hallway again and tensed.

Sloan entered with Tom following behind. As Tom came farther into the office he caught sight of the young woman standing in the shadows he glanced briefly at her then slowly he stiffened. His gaze sharpened and he reached out with his senses nothing he found nothing. There should be something.Thoughts,feelings something but there was nothing but a stillness. Ed looking at her and Attwood trying to understand what was happening noticed her reaction to Daniels.Ed shifted in his chair so he could observe Tom's reaction to her.The woman's entire demeanor changed,even the way she was standing altered she seemed wary on guard. Everyone appeared to be enacting some drama that he and Sloan weren't privy to. Sloan glancing first at Ed and Walter hadn't noticed Tom's reaction or even seen the girl. "Ok whats going on that we needed to be in here at 1 am?" When Sloan didn't get an answered she slowly glanced around curiously at the faces resting finally on Tom's.

"Ed?"

"I'm not sure yet why don't you ask him," he replied still staring at the reactions of Daniels and the woman. Sloan reached out laying her hand on Tom's arm. "Tom whats wrong?" Tom stepped closer. Who are you?

Raine rubbed her temple as if in pain, "who or even what I am isn't the issue. You have much larger concerns gesturing toward the disc.All I want is the where abouts of my friend who was last seen with Dr. Tate. Tell me what I want and I'll disappear never bothering you people again." Ed leaned forward "Karen can't be missing I just left her yesterday afternoon? And what do you know about whats on here? Do you understand whats on here?"

"Yes she hasn't been home all nite and for her thats the same as calling for the national guard." Attwoods voice held a tone of disbelief.

"Your concerned and she hasn't been gone yet a good twenty-four hours?" She fastened her gaze on him sharp and searching.

"Yes when there are men from your employ hired to follow her and check into her personal history." Sloan glanced at Walter, "Walter! is this true?" Walter gestured at the mystery guest with exasperation.

"Yes Sloan don't be so naive right now we have more pressing concerns to deal with." Ed stood up,"You have us followed??!!" Tom looked from Attwood back at the young woman "who sent you? Was it Lewis? Whatever he's up to it wont work and when it fails he'll make you the scapegoat." Raine glanced at their faces and answered cynically, "your right his plan will fail but then he wouldn't be doing any of this now if the brain trusts in charge of him hadn't gotten careless and started playing games with him." Raine started walking toward the door.

Sloan called out "Wait! please you say you want to help then help us." Raine stopped at the doorway and turned "you have all you need to stop it now and three days in which to do it." "If what I've tried to do means anything at all and you do know where Karen is please leave her out of this from now on.She can't harm you."

She turned to leave again but hesitated. "Think about it though. What would happen if a means to narrow the superiority between the new Species and humans could be possible imagine the lengths they would go to stop the man instrumental in achieving that advance for all humanity."

Sloan inhaled sharply and exchanged glances with Tom and Ed.When she glanced back toward the doorway the woman was gone. Sloan put into words what they all had been thinking. "Who was that?"

Tom went after her but returned almost immediately.

"I lost her I couldn't find her." Sloan hesitated, "was she one of you?"

"I don't know maybe, but I've never sensed anything like her before. Even with Lisa I got something a static a hint that something wasn't right. With this woman I didn't sense her what I sensed was the absolute stillness the absence of anything at all."

Tom glanced back where the woman disappeared.."We better hope she isn't one of Lewis's or we'll have our work cut out for us."