Disclaimer: R

Some Violence and Language Be Warned

There was something she needed to do..But it was so hard to remember,it was so warm here no pain no fear.She seemed to always be in pain here she was safe.For an instant her mind panicked and she couldn't remember where here was.She drifted lightly feeling so content, it didn't matter suddenly where here was.Every thing was out of focus her inner eye seemed to have fuzz all over everything.For a split second that was funny then it drifted away again.

In the back of her mind a little voice kept whispering that something was wrong with how she was feeling but it took so much effort to concentrate.Just a few more minutes she promised herself and she sunk back into a deep well of darkness..

Night had come and still no word from his place by the window he kept his vigil alone immersed in his own thoughts dealing with the frustration the only way he knew.Withdrawing into himself, locking away those growing feelings into the imaginary cage within his mind and shutting the doors.He turned his head and watched the others seeking comfort from each other.

He realized he envied that.Simple pleasures really that his trainers had spent so long trying to eradicate.Michael watched Tom with interest, his life had mirrored his in someways but he seemed to be embracing aspects of his new life style readily enough.

Still he thought he had managed to save something for himself, turning back to the window he laid his forehead against the coolness of the glass and closed his eyes.The mental image of a small girl lost among a wealth of hair and eyes that reminded him of emeralds,drifted across his minds eye.Her emotions had been so beautiful,so distinct, wasn't that how it started when he couldn't feel anything but emptiness he reached for hers.

The allure of her unrestrained joy had reached out to him drawing him and ensnaring him tighter than anything they did to program him.She had been so fearless even then,a curious blend of realist and dreamer. He admitted to himself even then,she fascinated him,pulled things from him he tried to keep locked up.But he found himself craving those brief respites within her like an addiction so light and delicate.

She had never known how much she meant to him.It had all changed though and she learned early to share her light only on her terms and only with a chosen few.And he hadn't been among her magic circle,he exhaled trying to release the anger he felt all over again,because he could no longer read her.And his awkward efforts only served to make her more wary.

Pulled from the his thoughts he sensed Tom standing there watching.

"There are more like me than I thought." A host of expressions flashed across his face to quick to discern,"how so he asked."

"Feelings,emotions when your not guarding them its like a storm raging inside you."

"Sometimes,"he conceded.I don't feel for much of anything though," he warned.

"But the girl is one of them,"Tom said matter of factly.

"Raine is one of them,"he echoed. Tom stood there staring,it made him restless he tilted his head listening he couldn't grasp what he was sensing.

"What is it?"

"You did that didn't you he nodded at the door?" He glanced at it shrugging it wasn't important,"its a wild talent,erratic but it necessitated me starting conditioning early" he said bitterly.

Changing the subject abruptly," any news?" Tom considered him a moment,then nodded " Ray called a few minutes ago,they found Sloan's car parked across from a teller machine.There was a call placed to 911 reporting shots fired."

Opening the locks on his mind he sent a probe trying to get reassurance,he found fear and worry but not grief he lightly withdrew. "Bodies?"

"Not theirs.A couple of darts were found at the scene their trying to analyze them and Ray's bringing a copy of the ATM's video over."

He released the breath he had been holding,"then its possible their alive.

"Possible.. Walter said from the doorway, "but we need to be prepared for anything."

Behind him stood Ray,he held up the tape "my contact had a hard time getting us a copy of this." He inserted the tape clicking on the TV. Ed entered and sat on the corner of the desk.

"Anything we should be concerned about," Walter questioned. Ray shrugged," these days who knows,there is always room for concern." Michael moved closer the tape progressed showing several people walking up to the ATM." Here, Ray paused it,theres your friend, he glanced back over one shoulder at Michael.He nodded without removing his glance from the screen.Ray started it again,"OK here this is where it gets crazy."

She stuffed money into the front pocket of her jeans glanced around casually.Then looked up into the camera,he wished glasses weren't covering her eyes.She turned and started to step off the side walk, hesitated head coming up again looking around.

Tom said," wait rewind that again." Walter glanced at him,"what do you see?" Ray rewound it,then hit play stepping closer to the TV. Tom pointed," here..see she hesitates." Ed shook his head,"I don't see anything."Tom glanced back at Michael,"its just a second but its there."

Stepping back he nodded at Ray," OK let it play thru." Raine stepped off the sidewalk,hesitated for a split second glanced around then looked down heading toward a row of cars.Suddenly,Raine dove for the pavement.She came up with something in her hand,and flung it by this time there was enough of the assailant in the tape to see that whatever she threw struck him.

He stumbled yanked it out throwing it down,he was rising when she kicked him in the head he stayed down.A second one came from behind her, before he could grab her she flung the back of her fist into his face blood trickled down his nose,she swung around shoving the flat of her palm up and into his nose again.The force of the blow lifted him up and off his feet before he slammed into the asphalt.

Suddenly she jerked, weaving where she stood she tried to reach behind her,her head turned and she was shaking her head no.She waved her arm wildly as if warning someone away then fell.Seconds later Sloan entered the picture, running toward her.

Raine was on all fours on the ground trying to rise.You could see one of them grab Sloan she still struggled trying to reach Raine who had staggered up making her way to Sloan.There appeared to be something in her right shoulder.She was almost at Sloan when a fourth attacker stepped in front of her and raised a gun.

Shaking her head she held both hands up in surrender,the second he shot she jerked sideways stumbled but righted herself enough to kick the gun out of his hand.Taking a swing for her she blocked with one arm and countered by slamming her other across his forearm breaking it,she then kicked his kneecap shattering it.Suddenly she jerked again.

"Stop.That sequence right there,Michael said rewind it again please." Ray rewound it. "Man Ed shook his head, they shot her again and she's still on her feet. Can you imagine what she could do to a date that wouldn't take no for an answer."

Michael and Tom stared at him oddly.He cleared his throat," umm.. Sorry." Ray pointed,"they don't seem to have drugged Dr Parker why?" They exchanged looks,Michael's gaze remained glued to the screen his face carefully blank the muscles in his jaw clenching and unclenching he gritted "they don't need to they don't consider her a threat."

Walter nodded,"alright Ray start it again." He pushed play and they all watched her flinch,ignoring it she ducked the swing with his good arm,stepped in and kicked him right over the heart he flew back and didn't move.She turned suddenly looking back for Sloan but it unbalanced her she fell.Kneeling she fumbled pulling off her glasses then reached around behind her you could see her staring at something in her hand.She threw it away and started crawling across the ground.

Another figure came into the camera's range stepped in front of her path.Striking out with her arm he side stepped. Bending he lifted her up into his arm's her head came up once then drifted down onto her capture's arm and she moved no more.He looked down at Raine,then around the parking lot glancing over where Sloan was being held you could see them conversing then head out of view.

The screen went blue and Ray slowly reached over and stopped the tape.

"Well... Walter offered,"I think its safe to say she didn't go willingly." Tom slowly turned his head and gave him a look that seem to question his sanity.

Walter inquired," there was one individual that didn't seem to badly damaged?" Ray shook his head,"by the time the cops got there he was gone."

"The man that killed Karen,Tom asked you said he told you Lewis ordered it.. Michael?" He had been eerily quiet since the tape ended. Looking up from the monitor he seemed to gather himself,but when he lifted his eyes they looked feral like a wild animals.

"That was what he said,he replied,its possible Lewis doesn't like to be thwarted." "Raine seemed to think Walter paused,choosing his words carefully, that the tape implicating you was in retaliation for helping us with the antidote for the poison."

Michael studied him intently for a moment,inclining his head" another possibility."He looked at Tom his eyebrow rose,"has Lewis changed his methods that radically?" Tom rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "its always a mistake to under estimate him,he's capable of it certainly.But I agree with you he would have simply killed her,then come for you."

Tom eyed him appraisingly,"you seem to know him well." Michael smiled,"our paths have crossed before,and well enough that usually a request to leave me alone should work." Ed sighed," what now,we've got nothing what about the bodies at the morgue?"

Walter looked at Ray,"we need to find out if their dominant's,think you could get us a blood sample." Ray shrugged,"I can talk to my contact and give it a shot he called over his shoulder I'll let you know if I get anything."

"A blood test isn't going to tell us where Raine and Sloan are" Ed argued .

"No. Tom acknowledge, but it will put us one step closer to telling us who."

Michael turned and walked to the window staring into the nite,his voice detached "we already know more than you think.They wanted Raine, they targeted her specifically by going for her weak spots.She's alive when they could have killed her there.Chances are they are dominant's. They know me well enough to try pointing me in another direction.I wonder if they hoped I'd go after Lewis he mused."

Ed stood running his hands thru his hair,"how do you know it wasn't Lewis he's taken Sloan before. And gesturing at Tom you betrayed him,maybe he's just putting all his eggs in one basket."

Michael turned his head staring intently at Ed." Well?? Looking from Tom to Michael,am I right it is possible,you said not to under estimate him,maybe thats what he wanted us to think all along.He set it up to look like him."Allowing for the fact you would be suspicious of how easy it was to follow the trail,wouldn't that make you investigate other possibilities?"

Tom conceded," he has a point.

"Yes, Michael allowed thats why we're going to find out.

Walter nodded reaching for the phone,"alright while we're waiting for Ray's call I'll contact my superior." Michael moved across the room leaning down he placed his hand over Walter's arm stilling the receiver. " No."

"No?" Surprise flickered across Walter's face.

"No I don't trust her."

Walter frowned,"she's been most helpful in the past,her methods he conceded can be somewhat harsh but these are dangerous times. This could become prolonged I can't see a reason not to involve her any longer."

" No."

" Why? " Tom asked.

"Can you tell me you trust her,"Michael countered.Tom was silent. He turned piercing eyes on Walter,"can you tell me you haven't had moments of doubts about her? If I'm wrong then call,but if I'm right then your instincts are not wrong and you should trust them.They will keep you alive." Walter stared at him searchingly.

Sensing his doubts he pressed,"you may share a few common goals now but her agenda I guarantee differs from yours in the long run.And the safety of you and the others is only an absolute as long as your useful to her." He straightened,removing his hand,"its your choice." Trust Walter began,is a two way street."

Michael nodded,"very well he picked up Walter's phone dialing, finally it was picked up hello? Michael leaned down and pushed the speaker option.

"Its Michael. Several seconds of silence followed then a guarded voice replied,

"hello Michael,let me save us both some time I don't know where Raine is."

"I didn't think you would. "You don't? The voice sounded suspicious, why?"

"Because I just saw a tape of several large men grabbing her." The voice sighed,"why have you called me?"

"I'm not sure,I needed someone Raine may have confided in and I know you've stayed in touch all these years." Michael,her tone sounded reluctant. Connie he cut in help me."

"Michael,the last conversation I had with Raine about you among the things she said male chauvinist pig is the only thing I could repeat out loud."Michael looked up suddenly Tom had turned finding the lab areas interesting Walter brought his hand up to cover a sudden smile.

"I hardly think this is the same." Damn... what do you want to know?

"Did she mention anyone that made her uneasy?"

"You mean other than yourself,"the voice replied dryly..

"No the only person that seemed to enrage her to the point of being speechless was you.." Michael,she knew it might happen she accepted that when Karen and her cooked up that scheme to help that old geezer at the think tank."

Tom spoke suddenly," where would she go to hide if she managed to escape?"

"What the devil? Who was that? Michael?"

He hesitated,"Tom Daniels."

"O, shit... Did your IQ suddenly go south for the winter you know who he ran with."

"I know he admitted.When they took Raine they took Dr. Parker as well."

"Considering his connection to Lewis and your recent stunt I would think he would be the last person you want around you." What does she mean." Tom asked.

A harsh laugh came thru the phone,"you mean you don't know he showed up at Nut Central and proceeded to kick the shit out of most of the room." Then sent some nutball of Lewis's back to him in a box..Or I should say a part of him a small part."

"No way,Lewis scares me he's nuts. And I don't think your going to be invited for Christmas dinner this year,not after your visit.." Raine hated him almost as much as Stephen."

"Stephen ??? " Yes Stephen..Michael? "

"Where is Stephen I don't know haven't....now wait a minute don't even ask that guy is seriously wacko and I'm not telling you anything that can come back and bite me."

"Not even if he has Raine?"

"You don't know he has Raine," she retorted.

"Come on,Connie you hear everything has he been seen lately?"

"You know if I do this I'll have to move to even feel safe..

Her sigh came across loud and frustrated,"about 6 months ago I heard some of his zombies were hanging out,you'll love this at a abandoned recycling facility.Just outside the city it had been shut down insufficient funds to finish it."

"Thank you.. Connie."

"Shut up Michael,I'm sending you the bill for my move."

"One more question. She groaned give me a break what?"

"Where can I find Lewis?" Tom's eyes narrowed.

"Do you think I have the address for every crazy in the book???" A smile flickered across Walter's face at that.

"Connie he warned,Michael,she mimicked. Alright I did see one of his goons last week at a Club on 3rd St called Baja's supposedly he's a regular."

"How will I recognize him?"

"He'll probably be the one running like hell the other way she said dryly,he's got a scar over his left eyebrow that cuts it cleanly in two separate sections."

"Thank you... "Michael?"

"Yes?"

"If she escapes she'll find you." He looked startled,I don't.."

"No you don't she said wrly,apparently there is at least one thing both species share.The males are incredibly dense at times." Be Safe" He disconnected,looking thoughtful he suddenly suggested."I think perhaps Tom and I should visit this club."

A small desk light was the only light cutting the gloom.He knocked entered and stood at attention. "Well?" He felt sweat break out on his upper lip,"our sources tell us that Stephen grabbed Raine and Dr Parker. There are two bodies in the morgue he left behind and didn't dispose of."

The silence stretched,until he couldn't take it anymore he blurted, "I'm sorry Sir,it wont happen again." Without looking up he agreed," No it wont."Pulling out the drawer he pointed and shot.The bullet hit the dominant,in the head killing him before he hit the carpet.

A minute later the door opened,Lewis looked up at his protegee gesturing indifferently,at the body "remove this." Send word..."I want those women now." He nodded once,walked to the body grabbing it by the back of the shirt,dragged it out.

Slowly she drifted up thru clouds,it seemed like they reached out to slow her down grabbing at her but she broke thru.The pounding of her head necessitated moving it slowly.She turned it,and tried to force her eyes open but they felt like they weighed a ton.She heard someone talking somewhere above,and wondered distantly who they were talking about.

"Sir she appears to be regaining consciousness."Her head lolled back the other way and someone forced her eyes open to shine a light in them.

"Well the voice asked." She appears to be stable,another hour the sedative should be worn off."

"And her incision?"

"It has healthy color and there is no swelling.Everything is going as you requested."

Distantly,she realized someone was pleased,that thought followed her into sleep again.