A/N: I forgot the disclaimer at the beginning of the last chapter, so here goes: I don't own flashpoint or anything really except for the plot :) Thank you for reading and don't forget to review.
Sara O'Connor
Age: 27
Occupation: Ex-assassin
Muscles taut, Sara threw a strong opened-palm blow at her opponent. It landed on his chest, effectively ending the fight. The young man fell backward with a resounding thud.
Sara wiped the sweat pouring from her brow before extending her right hand to help up her student. "Good fight, but remember start strong..."
"End strong." The boy nodded, packing his duffel bag and wrapping a towel around his shoulders."Alright, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yup. Bye!"
As her last student of the day left the boxing gym, Sara closed up for the night.
Duffel bag hanging from one shoulder, she began the short walk home. About 3 miles.
Exactly one year ago she had settled down in North York and began training others in the martial arts at the boxing gym close to home, The Red Dragon. A year and a half ago she had completed her last job. At least she was using her skills for good now. That's what she constantly told herself. But then she remembered they were the skills of a killer. A murderer. An assassin. What would her students think of her? Her kind neighbors with their families? If they knew who she was?
Shaking her head, she stopped that train of thought. She had a second chance now and she wasn't going to waste it. Some light had broken through the dark.
Unlocking the door to her apartment, she kicked off her shoes and dropped her duffel. Immediately she felt something was wrong. Flicking on the lights, she scanned the small living room. Someone had been in here. (She made a mental note to switch her locks.) Reaching for the butterfly knife she always kept in her bra (a reminder and consequence of her old life), she stepped forward and checked her home. Nothing.
Still uncertain, she double checked her locks and windows before plopping down on the couch. That's when she saw the black envelope.
Her first instinct was to rip it up but then it might have a clue as to who broke into her apartment. Opening it, she read the typed note inside.
"No matter how fast light travels, darkness is always faster, and is waiting for it."
The hell?
************************************
Laura Lance
Age: 28
Occupation: Lawyer
Huffing another sigh, Laura closed the manila folder on her desk. Thank the heavens that, if all went well, she would close the case tomorrow morning. Speaking of which, she needed her rest for said trial. It was an open and close case. Worker hurt on the job suing company that refuses to pay up. Easy.
Manicured fingers reached for her purse and keys as she rose from her desk. Clicking off the lights, she stepped out and locked her office.
Walking through the mostly isolated building, she wondered why it was so empty. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was 10PM on a Friday. Well that explains it. Some people are not as ambitious or dedicated as her and decide to spend their Friday nights wasting their time. She is more than willing to exchange a couple of weekends and friendships in order to get to the top, the very top.
Exiting the building, she searched for her silver Mercedes Benz. Spotting it, she made a quick walk and reached for her keys. That's when she felt it. Pulling out the black envelope, she stared at it dumbfounded.
Who the hell gad dared put something in her purse? Gone in her office without permission? The building management was definitely receiving a complaint from her in the morning.
Shaking her head at the rudeness of people, she ripped open the envelope. The small white paper read...
"A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker than a germ."
***********************************
Callaghan
On autopilot, Jules changed out of her civilian clothes and into her uniform. She brushed her hair into a ponytail and put her purse in the locker, locking it this time. Taking out her cell, she dialed a number she hadn't called in 5 years.
The woman on the other side answered on the first ring. "Jules?"
"Meghan." She sighed, a mixture of relief and joy seeping in.
"You got one too." It wasn't a question.
"Yep." She answered anyway.
"She did warn us about her revenge." Meghan let out a nervous laugh. "Guess this shouldn't surprise us. But I was still hoping forgive and forget, ya know? Considering she's, um, dead, I figured she couldn't torture us anymore. But I guess we were, um -"
"Meghan! Breathe." Jules couldn't help the upturn of her mouth. She missed her babbles.
"Right. Okay." She took a dramatic breath in and out.
"I'm gonna call Sara. You get Laura." She paused. "We'll meet at my place. Tonight."
"K, leave poor me to call up Conceited Laura. Fine." There was a playful tone to her voice. Then, a pause. "I miss you. See you tonight."
"Bye." With that the two girls ended the call.
She was in the process of dialing Sara when a knock at her locker room door interrupted her. She tensed.
"Jules! Jules? Ya coming anytime soon?"
Frustrated at her reaction, she immediately relaxed at hearing Lew's voice. She pocketed her cell and decided to call later.
Opening the door, she teased. "Can't live a couple minutes without me, Lew?"
Lew chuckled. "Couldn't imagine it. But in my defense its been 20. Team's already in the briefing room."
"Awesome." She retorted sarcastically, quickening her pace.
Upon entering the briefing room, all eyes were on her. She was 10 minutes late. It had never happened before.
"Nice of you to join us, Constable." Ed smirked. "Done braiding your hair?"
She rolled her eyes and took a seat beside Spike, across from Sam. "Sorry, I was making a personal call." The apology was directed at Sarge, who nodded in acknowledgement.
"Was it Scott?" Spike grinned, completely missing Sam's glare.
She shook her head in amusement, but was saved from answering by Greg.
"Guys, leave the girl alone. We have a quiet day ahead of us." He paused, a grin on his face. "You all can drill her with questions later."
Jules huffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest indignantly while the guys laughed at her reaction.
The opportunity to call Sara came while patrolling with Sam. Clicking off her comm link, she dialed the number.
Sam threw her a questioning look. "Everything okay?"
"I, um, just need to call a friend."
"Okay."
She smiled her thanks and held her cell to her ear, holding her breath. It rang twice before the woman on the other end answered.
"Hello?"
"Sara? It's Jules." She let out the breath she had been holding in.
"Jules! Hey, what's up?" A pause. "Not that I'm complaining but why are you calling?"
Jules sighed. "Did you get a note?"
Silence. Until, "How did you know?"
"I got one too." Sigh. "Sara, I think Mel is back."
"Jules, Melissa is dead!" The blond on the other end sounded frustrated. "We've talked about this!"
Jules lowered her voice, chancing a look at Sam, who looked equally concerned and confused at having heard her side of the conversation. "Take a plane. We're meeting at my house tonight. We'll talk then."
Not waiting for an answer, Jules hung up.
"So, I guess I wont be accompanying you home tonight?"
Jules quickly turned to Sam, glare firmly in place, hand motioning towards the comm.
"Relax, I turned it off once your creepy conversation started." He paused, concern showing on his face. "Everything okay? You sounded edgy."
"Yeah, everything's good." She smirked, changing the topic. "I'm sorry about tonight, Soldier. I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
Sam grinned and reached over with one hand to rub her thigh. "I'll be looking forward to it."
In an unspoken agreement, they simultaneously turned on their radios, ending their personal conversation.
