A/N from ZombiesloveMangoes: Hello darlings I'm glad you like the last chapter. I'm glad to be back and writing this chapter and writing this lovely fanfiction with my darling friend NarutoRox. This is Z and I approve this message.

Claire

I decide to go ahead and check out the processing plant today. Today was a new day and it would be better off finding nothing then missing something important. I wait around until eleven o' clock to head out. I tell house that I need a complete outside look of the plant. I watch the video for a few hours before deciding what kind of job I was heading into. A heavy patrol every ten minutes runs around the outside gate. Another patrol every five on the inside perimeter. Guards were stationed on every roof top, armed. I could see snipers on three of the eight roofs. Those three were to be avoided at all costs. I look at the surrounding area. The houses stop a few feet from the fence. Although there was enough room for a small vehicle to drive through. Whatever they were processing wasn't on the list of safest in the market. Afterwards, I clean up the mess of the wallet and burn the shreds just to be on the safe side. I took out the money just in case I needed it. It wasn't theft when the wallet was reported lost. I cut up the credit cards and stopped when I came across a picture. It was grainy and wrinkled at the edges. It looked like it survived a fire at one point. It was of Myrnin. He was hanging on someone, but the picture had been burned on that side so bad that I couldn't depict who it could be.

I don't know why, but I take it and put it in my pocket. I continue to burn the worn leather in the incinerator below the sink. I look around and begin to clean the small house. After I have vacuumed both floors, mopped the kitchen, dusted the furniture, and cleaned the windows, do I lie down and set my alarm for ten o' clock. I take off everything except my bra and underwear to accommodate for the heat of the house. I walk over to the French doors and open them slightly, so a breeze can come in. It catches the curtains and sends them up briefly before laying flat against the cool glass once again. I walk back over to my bed and finally lay down. My head hits the pillow and I check underneath it for the gun kept there before closing my eyes. I fall asleep in a reasonable time with thoughts of blood pouring down my arms and into the warm concrete of a French sidewalk.

Myrnin

"I can't do recon for you." Oliver puts on a coat and checks his pockets. "I got a call. I'll be gone for a few hours for this one. I'm heading to Le Blanc. Don't do anything stupid." Oliver leaves as I wave my hand absently behind me. I continues to pace in the living room. I run a hand through my hair. Bob watches sleepily as the shadows begin to cover most of the house.

"I don't see why I pay to have him around." Bob whines and shakes his head. I think back to earlier. Did I invite her to gain Intel on her or because I want to know more about the lingerie she bought today. I shake my head and walk to the kitchen. Sensing that there will be food involved the deerhound lumbers next to me. I open the cabinet grabbing a glass and stare at it as I set it on the counter. She was a good liar, I could tell that much, but she was her angle on this. If she was indeed working for Amelie then this is a ploy to learn as much as she can about me. But if she is just a new resident with a sketchy background and a fake ID then maybe it's a way to find stability, to start over. I grab the scotch that Oliver keeps 'hidden' and pour myself a hefty glass. Bob sits down in front of me as I turn around and use my elbows as support against the counter. I looked at him as I take a swig. "Women have gotten so confusing." Bob barks and I take that as agreement.

I look up and stare at the counter across from me. I set the glass down and tug at my coat sleeve. I brush some of the dog hair off before taking it off. I toss it over the back of the chair and grab my tumbler of scotch. I take another drink as I climb the stairs. I open the door to my room and set the glass on the small table. I kick off my shoes and try and reel my mind into the present. It fails. I keep thinking back to earlier this evening. I could convince myself that it was to gain Intel on Claire, but something knocked at the back of my mind. Like someone at the back door trying to get my attention. I ignored it as I shed the rest of my clothes and jump in the shower. The cold water helped clear my thoughts as I looked up into the shower head, letting the fluid cascade down my face. I put my head down and took a deep breath. I ran a hand across my face and shut off the water. I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself and made my way through my maze of a room. Bob was curled up on his bed and snoring profoundly. I ignored it as I grabbed my glass. I took another drink and walked out into the balcony. The cool breeze picked up and made gooseflesh appear on my exposed skin. I leaned over the edge of the railing and looked out over the city. It wasn't Paris – I opted out of big cities for fear of other spies – but it was nice. I finished the glass and my hair was dry by the time I walked back inside. I grabbed some underwear and threw them on. I set the glass on the dresser and walked over to the chair. I sat down and pulled out the slide that I had made of Claire's finger print. I put it into the machine next to me and ID's popped up on the screen. The partial was hard to recreate, but I managed and found the right profile. I scrolled through it. It said she was research analysis who moved from America. I looked through and looked for anything that I wouldn't expect there. There was nothing. Maybe she was a research analysis from America. Something nagged at the back of my mind as I stood up from the computer. I walked tiredly to my bed as I yawned, stretching. I lay on the bed and slowly drifted off to sleep, images of a fair skinned American in lingerie clouded my last thoughts.

Claire

I woke up to the blaring alarm and shut it off. I stretched from my sleep and rubbed my eyes. I hurried to get dressed and grabbed the necessary items I would need for this. The black outfit fit my body like a second skin. I put all of my weapons in the hidden pockets located all over my suit. I grabbed an over coat and threw it on to disguise my attire. I set up the alarm system and left my home. I saw a cab and quickly waved him over. He pulled up and I slid in giving him the directions. It was a block away from the processing plant and I hurried to pay and get out –not with my own money of course – hurrying to the shadows. I fit into one of the alley ways nearby and climb up the walls. I quickly get to the roof and wait for a second before lunging across the roofs. The moon was clouded tonight, providing excellent cover. I run undetected on the rooftops of Metz. I jump one last time, flipping over the gate of the plant and press myself close to the ground. I look for any signs of a patrol before running to the nearest building. I jump the ladder and begin to climb. I can hear people below me as I ascend the stairs at a rapid pace until the rooftop comes into view. I slow down and listen before reaching down to my hip. I grab the small ball there and toss it up. It scuttles around on the roof for a moment before the guards on top hear. Their feet move closer and after a few words in French are said I can hear the smoke implode from the bomb. The sound of bodies hitting the roof fills my ears and I grab my mask, putting it on, before climbing the rest of the stairs. The smoke is clouding on the roof and blocks anyone from seeing me walking across the roof.

I see the door and run over to it. I grab the lock pick and hurry to jimmy the lock. It clicks open and I rush in before anyone can notice the emancipated guards. I shut the door quietly. I take off my mask and toss it in the trash can at the bottom of the stairs. There's another door and I pull the code out of my breast pocket. I enter the digits and the door pings a green light as it unlocks. I put the code back in my pocket and grab the red laser and compact from my suit. I open the door slightly and let the compact peek out. No one was in the hallway, but there was a camera on the far end of the wall. I turn on the laser and position it on the camera. After a few moments I hear the fizzle and pop of the circuits. I move the compact to see the other side, but I'm clear. I put everything away and exit into the small hallway. I look around, one of these doors held the control room. Within the control room had to have been the surveillance. I think about the lay out that Amelie sent me earlier. I saw the control room in my mind's eye and knew I had to go down two levels. I made my way to the stairs as I heard sirens begin to wail. That took them longer than I expected. I hurried down the stairs, jumping the over the rail to the second floor. I put my ear to the door and listened to the people scrambling around. I listened for the ones with heavier steps indicating they had weapons. I count six of them before throwing open the door. I take off my coat and wrap it around the armed guard closest to the door. I cover his face and shove his head into the wall, crushing his skull. He falls to the floor in a boneless heap. I jump to dodge the oncoming butt of a gun aiming for my head. I grab his head mind jump and snap his neck. He falls next to his companion.

Guns begin to fire as I land and roll to a crouching position. I see the door to the control panel, but a guard comes running from the opposite direction with a gun. I grab the knife at my hip and throw it at him, hitting his chest and burying itself in his heart like an old friend. Three down three to go. I get up and run towards the nearest guard and jump, kicking him with both feet. I am forced back and land on my hands, I shoot myself back up and grab his gun as he fires it. It hits him several times in the chest before he falls to the ground dead. The two others continue to fire at me and I grab the dead man's gun. I shoot at the one in front of me before turning and swinging the gun to take out the other with the end of the gun. It hits his temple and blood burst from his head like a water balloon. I drop the gun and run to the control room. I stick the flash drive into the USB port, the video surveillance begins downloading. I lock the door and jump up putting a bug on the ledge there. I hear more men on the other side of the door. I look from the door to the flash drive. The door begins to get beat on by the guards. Voices shout over the sirens and I look at the download. It's at seventy five percent. I look back to the door. The lock makes a whiney noise and begins to bend. I look at the download. Eighty-eight percent. I look at the cameras pointed at this door and I see men lined up outside shoving themselves at the door, willing it to break. With one last push they break through and guns fire at random. I duck behind a panel and watch the download. For a second longer it finishes and I grab it. I pull out the flash drive and look up. The AC is directly above me. I count to three and jump up. The guns look around before finding me as I grab the panel and it swings down. I climb into the duct and the bullets ricochet off the metal. One breaks through and grazes my side. I hiss and pick up my pace. I disappear into the wall and clutch my side. I hurry to find an exit. I jump down in an abandoned area and wince as pain shoots through my body. I bite back the gasp and hurry outside. I slip out while guards run past me. I hide myself against the wall and wait for them to pass. I see the gate and run to another hidden area. The gates open for a vehicle and I run to catch it. I grab the back of the car and blend into the shadows there. The truck ambles outside as I watch the bedlam with a sly grin. I press my hand to my side and try to get the blood to clot. I put my bloodied hand to my ear.

"House. Come in house." I say into the speaker.

"House is armed and expecting arrival." A mechanic voice records.

"House, send Car to my current location." I hiss and grab my side.

"Car is tracking your location. Destination will be located in three…..two…..one." I cough and wince at the stress it puts on my flank. "Car will arrive in T minus eighty seconds." I listen for the roar of the bike. I see dust movement on the horizon and take a deep breath. "Car will reach your location in five…." House continued to count down as I got off the back of the truck. I hit the ground hard and Car pulled up next to me. I sat for a moment before reaching up and grabbing the handles. It sensed my injuries and went into autopilot mode. It lifted me onto its back and put the tinted glass casing over me.

"Claire, it is wise not to call me when you are injured. Blood is a difficult substance to clean out of my seat." The Scottish accent remarked as it started up and raced into the night.

"Car, just take me home." I winced and held on tight to my side and the leather seat. I hugged my body close to the vehicle.

"Affirmative, Claire." I lost consciousness to the rhythmic movement of the speeding motorcycle.

xXx

Sunlight streamed in through the window. It hit my face and warmed my hair. I buried my face deeper into the pillow. I wince as I move. I shake off the covers and slowly rise to my feet.

"You have two hours before your appointed date with Myrnin." House's voice says through the small speakers in the room.

"It's not a date house; refer to it as a meeting." There was the noise that is associated with rewinding and the message came again.

"You have two hours before your appointed meeting with Myrnin." I nodded.

"Better." I get up and stretch as much as I can before my flank hurts. The ointment is good for small cuts and scrapes, but for wounds like those caused by bullets it still takes a few days to heal. I lift up my shirt and look at the bandaged area. If I don't move too much it shouldn't reopen. For a graze it ended up being quite deep. "House did you download those surveillance files to my laptop and destroy the flash drive."

"Affirmative." I walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace.

"Were there any disturbances last night?" I saunter into the kitchen and eat a small snack before sitting down on the couch in the family room. I finished off my Danish as the TV came on.

"Negative. I went ahead and went through the video and I sorted out all of the clips with the suspect in them." I nodded. I watched the video. Myrnin kept disappearing into a room that had no camera attached alongside it.

"House, pull up the blue prints of the processing plant. Side by side." The blue print came up and House scanned for the door. A big X filled that portion of the screen.

"The room cannot be located in the blue prints." I hummed and put my fingers together.

"Hmm, someone's got a dirty little secret." I watched the video for some time after before shutting it off and heading upstairs for a shower. I remove the bandages tentatively. I see the wound bled through the first layer and I groan. I hurry to get in the shower and avoid getting soap in the wound. I get out within five minutes and begin to get ready for coffee.

Myrnin

I wake up to my phone blaring. I reach to look for it, but it's gone from the night stand. I look up and see a very furry head lying next to me on the pillow. Bob wags his tail as he sits at the edge of the bed with his head on the pillow and phone in his mouth.

"Bob, drool." He whines and drops it on my pillow. I use the sheets to wipe it off before answering. "Oui?" I still don't put it too close to my ear, it reeks of dog breath.

"Someone broke into the facility last night." That wakes me up. I sit up in my bed and push Bob out of the way.

"Do you know who it was?" The man on the other line nearly growls.

"Yes, and then we sat down for a cuppa and had a nice chat." He snapped.

"Alright I get it, did they steal anything?" I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes.

"No, just the surveillance footage, but you know we don't have cameras down there." I nod.

"Are you sure that's all they stole?" I get up and look at the time. I have an hour before the date with Claire. Date? I shake my head. Meeting.

"Yes," There was mumbling on the other line. "I'm gone for a few hours and hell breaks loose." I grab a shirt and throw it over my head. I smell my breath and decide it doesn't need a brush. I run my fingers through my hair and it curls itself into formation. I look in the mirror and decide I look good if I was trying to pull off the bachelor mantra.

"Hell did not break loose." I look around for a pair of clean pants.

"I'll be back in twenty minutes. You have to get going to meet the Black Widow." Oliver shuts a door somewhere.

"You don't know if she kills or not." I pull my pants up and jump up and down to get them on.

"I don't want to know her long enough to find out." I can see Oliver shake his head. "I'll see if I can check out her house for any clues."

"You just want to try on her lingerie."

"Shove off you pig." Oliver hung up and I stuffed my phone in my pocket. I run down stairs, fighting the dog for space. I throw on a pair of shoes and pet Bob on the head before heading out the door. If I walked I would arrive on time and not look like I was over eager. Although if I did, she might not think anything suspicious of me. I decide against looking over eager. She might represent it as creepy. Or chivalrous. I walk at a leisurely pace down the sidewalk. I stuff my hands in my pocket and smile when need be. The girls that live next store smile and blow air kisses. I catch them and blow them back. One of them swoons. I look away and my smile leaves my face. I take a slow breath and turn the corner. Girls like that would have been a tease, when I was younger, now they're just annoying. Always over for tea, trying to find a chink in my armor so they can crawl in and lodge themselves there. I let them play their little games, but I'm just the mascot. I don't play I just encourage the activity. That something from last night nagged at my mind again and I shrugged it off. Before I can realize it I've missed the turn to her street and have to back track to the corner. I try and shake the thoughts swarming my mind, for I get lost again. I look at my watch and see that I have five minutes. I pick up the pace a little. I don't know what actually compels me to do it, but I can't help myself from doing it. As I walk up the steps to her house I look at my watch again. Right on time. I knock on her door and after a few moments she opens it. She only opens it enough to get out. No more, no less. I wonder what she's hiding. Maybe she's just very private. She steps out onto the landing with a shy smile. I give her a genuine one back.

"I was only kidding when I said you had to be here at eight sharp." I smirk.

"I took it more as a challenge." She blushed and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"Shall we get going?" She looked somewhere along my nose. I turned and let her walk down the steps. "I don't know the way….." She looks back up the steps as I walk down.

"Well it'll be that much easier to get you lost then, won't it?" She gave a light chuckle.

"Well, Myrnin, it's a rarity to meet someone who is punctual and witty." We begin to walk at a nice pace down the sidewalk.

"A rarity it is." I see out of the corner of my eye that she winces when we walk over a portion of uneven pavement. "Are you alright?" I slow down and she nods.

"Yes, of course. I just am a little sore from work." I nod and pretend I don't know what she does for an occupation.

"I hope they don't work you too hard, at this rate you'll be in a wheel chair by next week." She looks away from me when I say that. "What is it that you do? Not to be rude." She shakes her head and looks back over.

"I'm a research analysis." My eyebrows shoot up in mock surprise. I knew that, I was asking to see if she'd slip.

"A research analysis, you say? What is it they have you doing down at the agency that could cause such harm, if you don't mind me asking?" She shakes her head again.

"They like to break in the new guys. I didn't think they would be so literal." I chuckle despite myself. "What is it that you do?" She is careful in her approach. I tilt my head to the side and look ahead of me.

"I'm in between jobs right now." I pretend to be solemn and kick a stray rock on the ground.

"Well that surprises me; a man of your status shouldn't have any problem finding a job." I look at her as we near the coffee shop.

"What do you mean by that?" I lift an eyebrow at her.

"Well given that you are young and in physical shape, I don't see why people aren't lining up for you to work for them." I hold the door open for her. I wait until she is inside before I answer.

"Physical and mental shape are two different things." She waits in the small line and I stand behind her. She turns, so we may continue talking.

"Are you unstable? Should I be worried for my life?" It was mock rather than genuine fear. As we near the front of the line the barista sees me and waves at me. I nod as she holds up my usual coffee. I may or may not have been lying about my addiction to caffeine. I wait until we get to the front of the line before grabbing my coffee. Claire order's hers without a second glance at the barista. Before she can pull out her money I put my card down and she scowls at it. "Witty, punctual, and chivalrous. Quite the combination." She puts her wallet in her small clutch and gives the girl at the counter her name. Megan, the nameplate says on her apron, gives me a look then back at Claire. I pretend I didn't see it. In reality I did and wanted to smack it off her face. I don't know why I felt compelled to do that, but it was almost too much and I had to put my hand in my pocket, making a fist, to refrain from doing so. We walk away from the cashier and find a small high chair table to sit at. She winces as she gets on the chair and I lean forward.

"Are you sure you're alright?" I raise an eyebrow at her and she nods.

"Yes, of course," She tries to hide the pain that she feels, but I see it clearly. She grabs her side and tries to smile. It's tightlipped and pained. Her name is called and I hold a hand out to stop her.

"I got it." I give a small smile and go to get her coffee. By the time I come back she is taking even breaths and thanks me for getting her coffee. She takes a sip and her face lights up.

"This is really good." She hums and I watch how she lifts the cup to her lips and takes a sip.

"Yes, only the best for the fair my company." She flicks her eyes to mine for a second before looking back at the table. "How are you enjoying France?" She smirks and puts the coffee cup down.

"It's nice. I'm a little homesick of America though. I'm sure that'll pass." She takes another sip.

"What are you doing in France, so far from home?" Her eyes glaze over and I can't tell what from. She looks at her phone and stands up abruptly.

"I'm sorry I have to go, family emergency." I stand up a little shocked. She sways and grabs her side, hissing in pain.

"Do you need me to –"

"No!" She says rather abruptly. "No," She says softer and hurries to the door. "Thank you for the coffee." I stare bewildered as she runs out the door. I lose sight of her past the window and hurry out the door to catch her, but when I walk out she's nowhere to be seen.

Claire

I hop on Car and the reflective panels turn on, rendering me invisible. I speed down the streets bypassing cars and narrowly missing oncoming traffic. Car takes me into the underground garage, hidden by the flowers, and I hop off running upstairs.

"Intruder! Intruder! Intruder!" House blares and I hear another voice shouting over the robotic one.

"Myrnin! I quit! I am so killing you when I get out of here!" I don't recognize the voice, but the fact he shouts Myrnin intrigues me.

"House, tie him up, initiate lock down protocol." The windows gleam as a soundproof surface covers them. The windows shut and the shades block out any outside intrusion.

"Hey! Hey get you – don't touch that!" I walk out into the family room and he is hanging on the roof by his arms and legs. They are spread out as if he were a starfish. He glares at me and a mechanic arm reaches out and begins to pat him down. All weapons fall to the floor. "Pretty extreme for a research analysis." He remarks in an accusing voice. I walk forward until we are a few feet apart.

"Pretty lousy for a mercenary." His anger flares and his entire bio is pulled up on the TV. "Isn't that right," I look him in the eye. "Oliver."

A/N from ZombiesloveMangoes: Hahaha so there you go I am sorry if it's a little long but I was really happy to write this. Please read and review not for me but for my lovely cowriter Rox. See you in two chapters.