Author's Note:
Just to let you know, I mad a slight mistake in the last chapter that I remedied and updated early this morning. If you get a bit confused at the beginning of this chapter, this is why. Thanks to all who have reviewed the story! I appreciate it and love hearing what you have to say! Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far!
Chapter Two
After a short train ride to Paris, Nancy and Amelia settled in to their hotel. Nancy hadn't been to the city in years and was awestruck by how much had changed. She knew she really did need a break from Frank just as much as he needed one from her but Nancy was still thinking about him as they walked out of the hotel. The two women indulged themselves on French pastries and breads and went shopping on the Avenue des Champs Elysées, taking more bags back to the hotel than Nancy could really keep.
Although they planned to go to the spa the next day, Nancy begged Amelia to go out alone in the morning. She wanted to go to a marketplace nearby for produce but really just wanted to have some time to herself, though she kept that to herself. Amelia reluctantly relented but told her that she would be nearby at a café if Nancy needed her.
The next morning, Nancy excitedly grabbed her bag, ready to go explore the marketplace. The two women departed the hotel together but soon split off so Nancy could take a scenic route to enjoy the June morning air. Heeding both Frank's and Amelia's advice, Nancy wore a baseball cap to conceal most of her prominent strawberry blonde hair along with sunglasses to hide her face. Walking through the streets, she kept her eyes on those around her, making sure none of them were Powers' men, though she may not have been able to pick them out of the crowd right away anyway. Frank was always better at that than she was. Nancy felt safer once she reached the bustling marketplace, assuring herself that everything would be okay.
She really didn't want to go on the trip with Amelia but Nancy couldn't turn down the opportunity to go to Paris and shop. When they were in France months before, they were near Monaco and didn't have the chance to go north to Paris. Thinking about Frank, Nancy searched the marketplace for his favorite fruits and vegetables to maybe make dinner for him one night. Although she was still a bit mad at him for certain things, Nancy couldn't help thinking about when they were alone. Amelia was great to be around and had a kind heart, especially since she gave up her life back home to help them, but sometimes she was overwhelming. Nancy thought that maybe the older woman was the real reason behind some of their fights. Both her and Frank didn't really have time alone with her around except for the evenings while they slept. They never slept in the same bed together and would take turns throughout the night, keeping watch over each other. When Amelia was around them though, they felt more agitated. Well, at least that was how Nancy felt at times.
Thinking of Frank's smile, Nancy smiled to herself knowing that she missed him a lot even though it had only been a day. He was always able to calm her down when she had a nightmare just like she did for him. Nancy just wished he wasn't so pigheaded at times. But then again, she hated it when he was right about something. She thought of her sleep the night before and the tossing and turning she did in bed. It was restless and agonizing for her, not allowing Nancy to have much sleep. She started to feel the fatigue as she continued to walk the marketplace and she began to lose her focus on the people around her, not catching the person who was following behind her.
Frank was abruptly woken up by a bucket of cold water thrown at him. He shook the water out of his face, feeling a strain on his arms. He looked up to see he was hanging from the ceiling by a rope, his shirt, shoes, and socks gone. Struggling with the bonds while his feet scraped the floor, Frank heard laughter beside him and turned to see who was nearby. His eyes went wide in recognition, looking at the face of William Powers.
"Hello, Frank," he replied. Powers sat on the table, watching Frank, a smile etched on his face. "Long time, no see. I was wondering when you'd wake up but I got a little impatient so I had Nathan here help you. How have you been?"
Frank just stared at him, saying nothing. Looking around, he knew the man well enough that no matter what he did, Frank wasn't going to get away without help.
"A little short on words, are we?" Powers asked. He jumped down from the table and walked over to Frank. "Do you remember what my specialty was when I was a Network operative?"
The man grinned again when Frank's face turned white, knowing what Powers meant. Frank still didn't say anything though he gave Powers a look of sheer hatred. Although the pain he experienced with Dr. Cox brought Frank to the brink, the pain he knew he could feel at the hands of Powers would be much worse. The man pulled out a knife, showing it gleefully to Frank. He made a small mark on his chest, Frank breathing heavily waiting for the pain.
"Now, are you going to answer my question?" Powers asked. He continued raking the knife across Frank's chest, blood running down. "You're not being very nice."
"I'm fine!" Frank finally sputtered out as Powers took the knife away. His face was beginning to sweat from shock and pain. Powers saw he was losing him and slapped Frank's face, jolting him awake. Frank quietly said a curse under his breath.
"Oh, no, no, no." Powers waggled his finger in Frank's face. "We'll have none of that, Frank!"
He grabbed a hold of his hair and looked Frank in the eyes.
"You and your retched brother brought a lot of anguish to me when you destroyed my operation within the Network," Powers seethed. "But I should be really thanking you since I have made more money than I could possibly imagine afterward, so I can forgive that. However, I lost an obscene amount of that same money because of you and your pretty little friend, that of which I cannot forgive. I paid for you two and I expect a return on my investment. So, you belong to me along with Nancy once I find her. Understand? Now, tell me, where is she?"
Frank pursed his lips defiantly. He didn't want to say anything more about where Nancy was. He frankly didn't even know where he was at the moment let alone her current location. Powers brought the knife back, Frank screaming louder than before.
"Go to hell!" Frank yelled. Powers motioned for Nathan, who came over and punched Frank in the stomach. He hung there, sputtering from the pain.
"You know, Frank. There's something I should tell you," Powers replied. "Dr. Cox or Cosgrove, whichever you want to call him, told me something that I know he didn't tell very many people. Something about the two of you. See, I know I can say just one little word and your mind goes completely blank until I say otherwise. Plus I could get any information out of you that way but that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? However, I can't really use you without her. Dr. Cox had this 'genius' idea to create a duo who could work together as one. So, without her, I can't do much of anything great with you. Well, I could but not to the potential it could be with her. Besides I want to see what she can bring to the table. Does that sound 'wild' or what?"
Frank cringed at what Powers said. The man laughed maniacally as he got into Frank's face again.
"You may not want to talk now," Powers said quietly. "But my friend here and I will be able to get anything out of you in good time."
"I can't tell you something I don't know," Frank said. "Plus I don't care."
"Oh, I think you do," smiled Powers, lightly tapping Frank's face. "We have our ways of getting anyone to talk. I just don't want to have my best asset be too injured to do his job effectively."
"You won't get her and you will never have me."
"Oh, but Frank," Powers said, standing up straight. "I already have you. You just don't know it yet. As for Nancy, I have a feeling we'll catch up to her soon enough. And when the time comes, I know exactly where we're going to go first: a little town in New York."
Frank struggled at his bonds as Powers whispered something more into his ear.
"And this time, there won't be any hesitation."
Anna Mitchell walked out of the building and down the street to the marketplace nearby. She wanted to check it out since she had never been to Paris before and it sounded like something she might like. Anna was shocked by all the food she saw and vendors selling numerous items. She was like a kid in a candy store but her enthusiasm increased when she saw her. Anna couldn't believe the luck she was having at that moment. Mr. Powers was going to be ecstatic to hear that she apprehended the girl before anyone realized she was in Paris. Anna followed her throughout the marketplace, noticing the baseball hat trying to hide her reddish hair. Just the hair alone, Anna knew it was Nancy behind the sunglasses. The girl didn't even turn to look around her to make sure she wasn't being followed, almost as if she weren't really paying attention to her surroundings. Anna phoned back to headquarters, asking for backup as she continued following Nancy. The girl suddenly stopped and began looking around her. Nancy soon pulled her sunglasses off, catching sight of Anna. She immediately ran off, dropping the basket of produce she was carrying. Anna smiled as she gave chase, knowing that her prey was going to be caught finally.
Nancy was enjoying the sights around her when suddenly she got a strange feeling she was being watched. She stopped in front of a fruit stand with her basket and looked around her. Nancy pulled down her sunglasses for a better look when her eyes settled on the one person she never thought she'd see again: Lt. Mitchell. Nancy knew it was no coincidence that the woman stood feet away, especially since the woman was looking right at her with such vengeance that Nancy knew she had to get away from Mitchell. Dropping her basket, she bolted, Mitchell following close behind. Nancy jumped over people, broke up couples and groups, trying to put distance between her and the other woman. She saw a man join in on the pursuit as she rounded a corner into an alley. The other end was a good distance away but there was no one around so Nancy was able to double her speed. She heard Mitchell give orders as well as footfalls from them chasing her into the alley. Just as Nancy was about to reach the end, a van skidded to a stop, blocking her way. She looked around for a way out but knew she was trapped like a mouse in a cage. The side door of the van opened and two more men jumped out toward her. Nancy stopped feet from them, whirling around to see the others just about on top of her. Backing herself up against the wall, Nancy waited for the men to attack but they didn't. Mitchell laughed at her, throwing Nancy off guard.
"Well, well, well," Mitchell replied, smirking. "Look what we have here. And I thought my day couldn't get any better."
"What are you doing with these guys, Mitchell?" Nancy asked. "I thought you were better than that. Oh, wait. You aren't!"
"Oooo!" Mitchell laughed. "Tough talk, little girl. You might as well give up, hon. I highly doubt you'll get far fighting us."
"I don't know. I think I did a pretty good number on you the last time," Nancy taunted, standing ready to fight.
"You were lucky!" cried Mitchell. She couldn't stand the confident little twerp and watched Nancy throw the first punch to the guy next to her, knocking him down. When Nancy rounded about to face the others, she stopped as 50,000 volts went unexpectedly through her body from a taser gun Mitchell held. The former lieutenant smiled, walking up to her. "Now, not so much."
Nancy hit the ground hard, stunned from the volts still raking through her body. She never felt anything like it before and was slightly coherent as she felt someone pull her up. They heaved her over their shoulder and carried her to the van nearby. Nancy felt helpless and scared, wondering if Frank was okay before she completely blacked out.
