Disclaimer: Characters and situations that belong to Mercedes Lackey in this or subsequent chapters are her creations. I'm only borrowing them to give little Rain some play mates.

A/N: This chapter is a little slow... I'm still in the set up stages, this is likely to be a long story if I get enough feed back on it. If not I'll try with one of my other ideas.

Chapter One: New Mission, Same Resolve

Eric Banyon rubbed wearily at his eyes. He should have known that the peace that had come in the wake of the fiasco in Atlantic City had been to good to last. It had been three days since the two major power fluxes in the vicinity of Central Park, and he'd found out absolutely zero, zilch, nothing of any use. At least there hadn't been any power fluxes since, and though the signature of the second flux had been filled with rage, no one seemed to have been harmed.

Tannim Drake from Fairgrove had even come to ask about the disturbance, which had brought home exactly how strong the fluxes had been. After assuring himself that everything and everyone where well enough, he'd gone back home with the admonition to let him know if they needed help. Eric had every intention of taking the man up on it if necessary, he had no intention of going up against something that could use that much energy, and then hide without a trace, alone. No, for something like that, they would need all the back up that they could get.

Eric groaned as he saw the time. Magnus would be home from school so, and likely he'd want to go visit Ace. It was at times like this that Eric was very glad that he'd likely never have any children of his own. Adopting and raising his kid brother, even for so short a time was all the confirmation that he needed that he wasn't particularly cut out to be a father. 'Thank God Kory let me dodge that bullet,' he thought idly as he went back over every scrap that he'd come across in the past few days, looking for any indication of what he might be dealing with. Oh well, with any luck Ria might actually be home for once, and then maybe, he'd get a chance to talk with her about something other than this new "menace".

"One can always dream," He muttered under his breath as Magnus came home.

***

Three days, and this was the best that she had managed to do for the children she had saved. True this dilapidated place was better than the hell-hole she had found them in, but she looked on the two sleeping figures with sadness in her heart, wanting more. Particularly for little Kris... Her heart still ached for the infant and the loss of his mother. If only she'd been a little faster. If only those selfish evil children had never poisoned them in the first place. If only they had no access to those drugs that had so fogged their minds and caused all of this strife. She surveyed the contents of their loft and felt a stab of guilt. They'd had to steal it all, the bottles and diapers the food and clothing, a baby couldn't live without those things, and she'd learned quickly that her gold coins were not money here. That hadn't kept her from leaving some whenever they took something though, after all she doubted this place was so different as to render gold worthless.

They had everything they needed now though, and she was ready to start on her task. A task that had changed slightly in the preceding days, now that she had seen the true evils that lurked in this world. Her first goal would be to dispose of those that gave such hurtful substances to children, peaceably if possible. This would also give her the chance to garner the language of this place from them, that would allow her to obtain employment, which in turn would let he take care of her children without ever filching anything again.

A smile touched her lips as she looked upon her sleeping children. Nina was curled protectively beside Kris' crib acting the part of the big sister perfectly. Now it was her turn, knowing that they would be safe here, she left the dilapidated warehouse, she had hunting to do. It didn't take her long to come across two men in the midst of a drug deal, and patiently she let one of them walk away before stalking up on the one who had sold the drugs.

"Do you know what you do, to the people to whom you sell those despicable things?" She asked voice smooth as silk, and full of energy. This was not her favorite power to use, to play with one's will and make it her own, but she doubted the man would stop just because she asked. "You kill them good sir. Or rather give them the means to commit suicide or murder, and what do you do with your ill gotten gains I wonder? Does it go to helping anyone but yourself?"

The mans head dropped as she knew that it would, and he stuttered out. "I'm sorry, I-I don't know what I ever thought I was doing." His eyes came up to hers then and he pulled a wad of bills out of his pocket. "You're a good lady, showing me the error of my ways. Here, take this, you care, I'm sure you'll use it for good, I was just gonna buy booze."

She accepted the bills a little baffled this hadn't been part of her intent, but apparently the words that she had used had made him wish to give her his money, carefully playing it all over in her head, she realized where the wish had come from, and that this had all been drug money. She shoved it in her pocket without a second thought, and gave the man a gentle smile. "Now go on your way, and think before you do what may harm someone."

"Yes ma'am," the man agreed, before hurrying away. Shrugging off the head ache that she had given herself, and marveling at the new words she'd garnered from the mans head, she continued after the other party of this transaction. This encounter went similar, though the man in question threw down the drugs as opposed to giving her money, and by the time she was done clearing his system, she knew a good deal about where to find other transaction like the one she had just foiled, if after the fact. She also had more of her new language to wade through. She'd done well enough for one night, with a yawn she headed home, tomorrow would be soon enough to continue onward with her quest.

A/N: If you like this and want more, review. I'm not posting anymore of it until I have at least one or two. I don't see a point if no one's going to read it.