To thoroughly enjoy this story please read every chapter, if you skip one you won't be able to keep track of the mystery. Thank you for reading and enjoy the ride.

The Summon

Spike had a late night and went to bed intending to sleep-in come what may. Come what may came at 1am when his computer monitor came to life, Yoh-Lin Tee, CSIS Senior Intelligence Analyst was online to him. This better be good! Spike woke up instantly, his brain shifting into gear. He sometimes wondered if he's the only one who's brain shifted in gear.

"Hey, you." He said sleepily to the Senior IA.

Without any foreplay, his CSIS handler went ahead with the nature of his call, "Hey, you. Need your help to sniff out a sleeper cell , I've got no one else. Everyone's been raised." Michaelangelo scarlatti was CSIS' man of last resort! One of several, he supposed.

The two have become tight friends and relied on each other on a number of occasions. In one sense, they're like two peas in a pod. They think alike and has lightning speed brain processors, it's a wonder they don't suffer headaches for all the junk information they have accumulated in their brains. Walking encyclopedias, not wiki that's not realiable, these two were.

"Where to?" Spike cut to the chase.

"CRIB."

"In 15."

"See ya."

He changed into a button up shirt and a pair of denims. Put on a pair of soft Converse shoes. Liley and Moppet were alert to his movements and thought, ok play time. To his credit, Spike the softie, has learned to be firm and said, "Stay."

Scarlatti made it to The Communication, Reconnaisance and Information Bullpen (CRIB) in 15. Let himself in via a secure entrance that required only his finger print for access. He had a funny thought, I should insure my fingers for a million each. The door opened unceremoniously, it had already scanned him while he waited to be let in.

He headed to one of the CRIB's many briefing rooms, number 7. In the room was a stunner. Well, that's an understatement really, she could well be Miss Universe for all he knew. She stood, at her full height at 5'8 (172cm, give or take), just a shade under his height. She was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt, topped by a safari khaki jacket. The outfit emphasized the muscle tone on her upper arm. Wow, she'd put Wonder woman to shame.

Below she had denim shorts that showcased a pair of very well defined legs that went forever. They tapered at the knees and at her ankles, very like a pair of gymnast's legs. On her feet were laced up combat boots, this woman was ready for war. But where would she keep a gun in that outfit? His typical male brain asked. He thought Lara Croft came to life, except this live specimen sported very, very short hair. One could say crew cut.

The skin was like alabaster and she wore no makeup. He couldn't help it, he stared. She must be used to the reaction because, she smiled and simply said, "Are you going to come in or just stand and stare?" It threw him off-balanced and he started to babble, "So… sorry… I'm here for Yoh-Lin. Did you have plastic surgery?"

She laughed at that and extended her hands, "Special Agent Sam Miller."

"First Class Constable Michaelangelo Scarlatti," he harked back, extending his hand. "SRU", he added for special effects. It didn't have any… effect, that was!

Yoh-Lin entered the room via another access door, "Now, you turn up, we've made our acquaintance thank you very much," he said pretending to be annoyed. The Senior IA ignored him and homed in on the beautiful Sam Miller like a heat-seeking missile, "Glad you could come."

"Excuse me, hello…. Earth to Yoh-Lin?"

Yoh-Lin punched his shoulder, "Glad you can make it, too. About time you earn your keep." Spike pretended to be hurt, "What do you mean time to earn my keep? Who do you think rearranges your meetings when you're not looking?"

"Shit," Yoh-Lin was flabbergasted, "I very nearly fired my PA for that."

"Ops, give my apology to her."

"Him."

Spike made a face, didn't mean to be sexist in front of a sexy….. he thought for a second… assassin?

"Boys play-time's over," it was Sam and she sounded damn sexy, too. Both men didn't think they could think in a straight line let alone do security briefing but they could be forgiven, not their fault she's too darn hot.

Yoh-Lin handed them each a USB. "Everything you need to know's in there. I'm afraid Spike that we can't have your full-time attention but any help you can extend would be appreciated. We're short staffed and everyone's on assignment . Sam will be your main contact, her cover is as a University Professor." The CSIS man handed Sam her credentials, University staff card, teaching schedules, and most importantly her handle: Sabrina.

"Spike, your handle: Wolf." The SRU man just smiled that showed the craters on his cheeks. Sam noticed. Cute. She had to mentally slap herself to get back to business. Rule #1 of espionage, never get involved with anyone whichever side of the border. It'll be a real test of the will.

"We can discuss the minutiae of the Operation now or you can both go away and do it on your own time, that said, we don't have a lot of time." He gave them both a secure phone, "Not to be separated from you at any time." Their numbers would be pre-set on the phones but essentially in the event of a compromise they have to have the numbers burned into their memory bank. Yoh-Lin passed them a piece of paper, they both looked at it, memorised the numbers and tore it to pieces.

They have been trained in the science of mnemonic so remembering sequences of numbers was neither difficult nor complicated. Spike, Sam and Yoh-Lin has got the science down to an art.

Time to go. Spike was starting to yawn, Sam glanced at him with a smirk, what she was thinking one could only guess. He excused himself and left 'Sabrina' with her handler.

The Wolf had his first test of loyalty and he hoped to pass.

He reached home just as Winnie was arriving from work. She smiled at him, no questions asked. How could I repay such trust with anything but loyalty? It would be easier said than done.