Raine watched furtively as agents swarmed over the University below.They led two men in handcuffs and chains to a van.She grimaced even though they got what they deserved she was glad it wasn't her they would be interogating.

The sound of a motor starting drew her attention from the prisoners to the coroners van as it pulled away. She sensed the excitement in their minds at having new species subjects to study.

She didn't really need to be here she had done all she could to help but it seemed only fitting to see it thru to the end. If Michael knew he'd defintely have blown a gasket a smile flitted accross her face thinking about his reaction. Raine leaned against the tree and watched as Sloan and Tom came out of the side entrance.

Tom glanced up the hill she knew the angle of the sun made it impossible for him to see her all the same she knew that he sensed just whom was watching them she didn't bother blocking him.

Tom said something to Sloan and she looked in the direction Raine was. Damn they didn't get Lewis she closed her eyes.Opening her eyes the sun suddenly seemed to cause her head to throb inspite of the sunglasses. Sloan and Tom were gone.

It came as no surprise at the sound of an approaching vehicle and the slaming of car doors. Without turning she listened to footsteps drawing closer,"you missed him its going to make him all the more dangerous now."

She turned glancing accusingly at Tom and Sloan "what happened?" "Hello Raine,"Sloan smiled.

Raine gave them an angry look."Why didn't you get Lewis?" Tom rubbed the back of his neck tiredly," he wasn't there." Raine fired back"he was there."

"How do you know I didn't sense him," Tom replied somewhat sarcastically.

"Neither did I but his ego is his weakness and it wouldn't allow him to be anywhere else.You can be sure he was here watching and now he knows everything that happened here today and just who the all players are."

Sloan glasped her hands nervously and exchanged a glance with Tom. "Raine she pleaded, all the more reason to join us help us he'll count you as his enemy now as well." Raine studied Sloan a moment. "Sloan I wont help you destroy my own people. Lewis is crazy and needs to be stopped but if you get those with him as misguided as they are whose next?" Sloan protested "it doesn't have to be that way."

Raine shook her head when she spoke her voice was laced with cynicism," oh you mean I can be like Tom constantly proving my worth to you people until the first moment something happens and I can't explain myself or my motives aren't immediately clear to you all and then you crucify me."

"We would never..." Sloan's voice suddenly trailed off as she remembered how Ed and Walter treated Tom when Lisa killed the reporter.Raine eyebrow rose inquiringly.Raine turned looking at the now silent University crisis averted but what about the next time.With her back to them still she tried to put her thoughts into words.

"Sloan most of us don't want the same thing as Lewis and his followers but their kept in ignorance and confused with brainwashing.Those of us lucky enough to escape that fate and think for ourselves are divided on what the best course of action should be."

Raine rolled her head from side to side trying to loosen the muscles the silence lengthened."Most want to just live in peace,they want the same things as a normal person a home, a job, a family, a sweetheart even.They have no desire to achieve those things at the expense of humans you see they have human friends ,interact with humans all the time and have no quarrel with humanity persay."

"Then there are those that feel you can't be trusted,Michael is a good example of this thinking and he has a large following.They feel we should stay out of it and let Lewis's group do whatever they plan to do without interference and come out in the aftermath either way safe."You see they feel your goverment is as corrupt as Lewis and as divided on what to do about this as we are."

Raine turned pinning Sloan with a challenging look,"can you tell me you trust Dr.Atwood 100%?" Sloan glanced away not answering. Raine murmered, "I didn't think so." "Tom? Tell me you can trust the others with all you are to the same degree you trust Sloan." Tom returned her look his face expressionless the silence grew.

Raine smiled wryly, "thats ok I knew the answer anyway." Raine included them both in her glance and smiled suddenly, "we interupted Lewis's plans, saved the kids and Maseo thats a good begining,anymore than that right now I just can't promise."

Raine brushed past them walking up the hill.Tom's voice halted her steps,"You can't remain nuetral indefinetly Raine,they wont let you sooner or later their going to force you to pick a side." Raine turned and glanced back her head tilted to the side as if in thought she grinned mischieviously "then lets hope I choose wisely." "Dont worry she replied confidently "I'll be around ,maybe we can help one another again." Raine turned and walked up the hill and out of sight.

Sloan glanced at Tom, "Do you think she'll help us when the time comes?"Tom hesitated as if thinking it thru as he replied "If she feels she can trust us and if Michael doesn't have any say in the choice I think she'll pick us in the long run."

Sloans eyes widened "what does Michael have to do with any of this Raine is an adult." Tom sighed and didn't meet her look,"Michael strikes me as a determined man and if my first impressions are accurate Michael is going to make Raine's business his number one priority."And he wants her away from us,I think he knows exactly what Lewis is capable of and he wants Raine as far away from him as she can get."

Sloan stepped closer reaching out she touched his jaw her touch was as soft as silk and Tom felt the muscles in his stomach clench in reflex guiding his face so she could see his eyes.She wondered briefly if they were still talking about Michael and Raine or her and Tom. "But when you care about someone you have to respect the choices they make even when you don't understand them or agree with them."And if need be give them all the help and support you can," Sloans hand slowly dropped.

Tom stared intently as she continued "Michael appeared to be smart enough to realize that if he wants anything to do with Raine then its hast be on equal terms."Tom stepped closer his eyes never left hers intent and probing his look started butterflies in her stomach and she held her breath afraid to breath fearing it would break the spell.Slowly he raised his hand,his thumb slowly traced the outline of her eyebrow,then glided down tracing the curve of her lips.

She exhaled sharp and broken affected more than she thought possible.Still transfixed he slid his thumb inside her mouth along the ridges of her teeth moistening his thumb he withdrew and slid the moisture from his finger along the lower lip back and forth. "Tom?" Sloan's voice came as if she'd been running a distance. Tom gave himself a mental shake,then replied regretfully "we should go Ray Peterson will be expecting us." Sloan inhaled shakily "of course your right,"she turned heading to the car.

"Sloan.." she paused turning with a wary look "yes?" "Your an amazing woman." Sloan stood there smiling absurdly pleased as he passed her and headed toward the car finally she roused herself to catch up .

Neither saw the sunlight reflect off glass and shine accross the way. Nor take notice of the two men standing within the clearing of trees. He stood there waiting for his superior's acknowledgement.

"I'm really going to have to do something about Dr. Parker she's turning into something of a problem. Who knows once Dr Parker is seeing things from a new perspective maybe this will be the catalyst that returns our lost sheep to the fold."

The man remained silent his eyebrow lifted skeptically.He noticed the new silver within Lewis's hair and wondered what they did to him during his stay with the goverment and if he had cracked mentally he shrugged O well it wasn't his concern.

"And Raine?"

"Aaahh yes.... Raine" he murmured, stroking the frame of the binoculars "Raine we'll have to arrange something special for"he smiled glancing at his companion but it held no warmth and the look within his eyes was cold and hard.

The man studied him his face expressionless" and Michael?" "Stay away from Michael, leave him alone."

The man responded tonelessly "I'm sure your aware Michael is quite protective of the girl we may have difficulties."

Lewis smiled humerously "O I'm sure we will, Michael is a realist however and once he sees the futility of the situation he'll bow to the inevitable."

"As you say however Michael has acted with surprising sentiment about the girl well for him anyway."

"True,however by the time he realizes whats happened it will be to late and he'll resign himself to what is to be done."

The man nodded and stood there hands clasped until Lewis turned and gestured "lets go we have things to prepare."