Picking back up with the girls the same day as the last chapter ended. Please review - keeps me motivated to do the next chapter quicker!

Debriefed

Headmistress Fritton was heading back to her office from the teacher's lounge. A minor riot had broken out (again) and she'd had to reassure them that the recent attacks and damage to the school would in no way affect their pay schedule. Miss Cleaver had the bursar hanging upside down from the ceiling, letting the staff take whacks at him with any blunt object on hand until the Headmistress intervened. The bursar couldn't know, of course, but allowing the coach to torture him was actually part of her compensations package. Overall, the bursar's abuse saved St. Trinian's 47£ monthly. He'd probably squirm less if he knew.

Camilla was surprised to encounter her niece in the corridor to her office, not only seemingly composed but radiating a simple self-assurance she'd not possessed in weeks. She wore an understated slip dress and cardigan, her hair done properly and makeup tastefully applied - even managing to avoid the 'understated whore' style so common to the school.

"Afternoon, Miss." Annabelle greeted, careful to avoid family familiarity.

"Annabelle, you're looking far more yourself." Camilla nodded, pausing to scrutinize her niece for any suspicious signs. The girl just shrugged and smiled.

"Is Mister Thwaites around?" she demurred, easily changing topics before her aunt could start asking questions.

"He left this morning, said he had an errand to run. But I expect he'll be back anytime now." Camilla glanced at her watch, pretending she hadn't been counting the minutes of Geoffrey's absence.

"I'd like to debrief him on AD1 as soon as he returns. I want to check on the girls; be sure they haven't destroyed too much while I was indisposed. Can we meet in your office after?"

"Of course. It should be most enlightening to hear what Geoffrey has to say about our nemesis." Camilla nodded, pleased with the restoration of the new Head Girl to her full strategic capabilities. She watched as Annabelle marched confidently up the stairs and shook her head in mild wonder. Heading into her office she pondered the change. How could she go from absent and vulnerable to self-assured and driven so quickly?

The answer greeted her within the office. Kelly Jones sitting in one of the wingback chairs, a leg flung over one armrest as she sipped a tumbler of the Headmistress' best scotch. She was dressed in all black and had cultivated a more femme fatale persona but last year's Head Girl was every inch the same.

"Kelly Jones, as I live and breath. No wonder Annabelle seems so peaceful again. Returned to save us in our hour of need?" Camilla moved around her desk and raised a skeptical eyebrow at the girl. She'd known her over 8 years now and Jones suffered many afflictions; altruism was not one of them. Kelly's answering smile was full recognition of the Headmistress' assumptions - and verification as well.

"Hardly, Miss. St. Trinian's has always been more than able to take care of itself. But I'll be damned if I let anyone feed Belle to the wolves just cause she's willing." she swung around in the chair, showing the respect of sitting properly in her seat.

"Well said. How long have you been here?" Camilla knew that none of the perimeter alarms had been activated. She'd always assumed Kelly would slip in privately at night, broad daylight was a tad more impressive. The Headmistress expected no less of the girl.

"About 94 minutes." Kelly glanced at her watch. Fritton would hazard 15 quid that the last 60-75 minutes thereof had been spent helping Annabelle rediscover herself. It certainly explained the near miraculous transformation. She poured herself a tea and lit a fag, regarding the former Head Girl. What was it going to take to motivate one of them into taking the next emotional risk? They were thoroughly, sickeningly attached to each other. These past weeks had certainly proven the fact for Annabelle and Kelly's presence here now confirmed it in her own case as well. Young lovers could be so bloody-minded! Then again, Camilla pondered Thwaites and had to admit, older lovers could be every bit as bad.

"How long will you be with us?" Camilla exhaled an ornate smoke ring.

"I don't have any pending assignments for the rest of this month. So long as there's no emergencies I could be here 'til late next week." Kelly smiled, pleased to be home after so long a period.

"Smashing. Do be a darling and make sure that, this time, the real Annabelle stays with us after your departure. I can't abide all this lovesick moping." Fritton sipped her tea, not admitting that she'd been just as broody until they'd had reason for her to go find Geoffrey. Before Kelly could deliver her acerbic reply, Beverly chimed in to announce that Thwaites had returned from the city. Camilla smiled and headed to the door.

"Just wait here, Belle will be back down shortly and I'll send Geoffrey to fill you in."

"He'll want to do you first, I'm sure." Kelly quipped, dead pan expression refusing to acknowledge the double entendre. Fritton paused with the door open.

"Pot and kettle, I should think, Miss Jones." she chided, her eyes sparkling with laughter before she departed.


The debriefing was a touch bumpy in places. What with Geoffrey's stammering every time Kelly took a sip of whiskey and the Headmistress skulking behind her desk having an oddly rhetorical conversation with her new puppy. She would interrupt her own philosophical musings to interject an opinion every time AD1 or Pomfrey specifically was mentioned. Which made things a bit hairy since they were the entire subject of discussion.

"Ad1 -"

"Bastards."

"Has branches all over the world but the headquarters is naturally London. The chapter has over 250 members and is lead by Sir Pomfrey."

"Arrogant prat."

"The counsel chamber is on the ground floor but you want the vault, which is in the basement. Piers -"

"Sodding pillock."

"-Keeps all the valuables there."

On and on and on it went. By the last part of the briefing they just all knew to pause for a moment so Camilla could release yet another insult from her apparently limitless supply. She ended up comprising almost a third of the conversation without actually being involved.

Filling the girls in had been a bit smoother. Despite Roxie's vocal misgivings, all doubts were silenced the moment Belle stepped aside to reveal Kelly's return. It was the ultimate ace to play; having Jones in your pocket guaranteed the win. Annabelle had stepped back and watched as the twins raced to Kelly, embracing her happily. The joy in their tones was nothing compared to the affection in the older girl's face as she smiled down at them. Chelsea could barely stop saying 'oh my god' long enough to fit in a hello and happily wrap Jones into a perfume-laced hug. For all her aloof charm, Kelly never bothered to hide that she was fond of her St. Trinian's girls and happily embraced as many as came forward to welcome her home. She loved them all and that was what had made her a great Head Girl.

The First Form, not knowing her in person but by whispered myth, just stood and stared in awe. A few dared come up to introduce themselves and were favored with a personal introduction and welcome. First Years always were Kelly's favorites. Annabelle smiled, noting that however many students swarmed around them, the Sopranos never left the famous Head Girl's sides.

Belle wasn't the only one watching the reunions from an observational distance. She noticed Roxie also kept to the side, arms crossed as she analyzed the living legend. The Totties had filled her in on the Vermeer escapade and she'd developed a grudging respect for Annabelle Fritton. Any girl that could turn a cell phone into a projectile weapon had to get some credit. Now she was seeing the criminal mastermind behind the exploit. Belle was pleased to note that the indie girl seemed impressed. Or at least curious enough to keep her mouth shut as Kelly and Belle explained the plan in detail to all the girls.

There had been some brief squeaks of surprise when Annabelle announced that she and Kelly would go into AD1 with Thwaites (one being a tiny sound of shock from Kelly herself). Belle hadn't mentioned coming along during the briefing. For good reason, obviously.

"What, just you two? You're liable to start getting 'preoccupied' in the vault and end up locked inside!" Bianca argued with a smirk.

"It's not a timer activated mechanism." Lucy volunteered the information with her usual naiveté, full of helpful spirit and no clue whatsoever. Kelly tilted her head down ever so slightly, the only indication that she wanted to laugh.

"Yeah, well if it's heat sensitive there'll be plenty of bloody alarms set off." Zoe growled from the corner, bringing melancholy chuckles from the rest of the Emos.

There was even more protest when Belle pulled the Twins into the team but no one else. She covered one ear, trying to minimize the damage to her eardrums as the older girls all erupted.

"The Sopranos? They're going and we're not? What, you trying to lock in the glory for yourselves?"

"Nah, they know the Twins won't stop them shagging in a cupboard along the way. They'll probably handle the camera gear!"

"I have a really great undercover nail polish I was going to wear!" Saffy's superficial voice wailed. She'd had far too much fun playing dress up for the mission at the boys' school.

"We're 8th years, dammit! We've been here every step of the way and it's our school too!"

"You'll need informed consultation on environmentally friendly methods of disposal in combat."

"Remember it was a Rude Girl what helped pull off the painting heist!"

"And an Emo!"

And the Head Girl at the time wanted to kill them too. Belle rolled her eyes.

Bianca and Zoe were both fighting to get involved, louder than all the other tribes. The two girls were shouting their qualifications but quickly dissolved into a fight of which of them was more worthy to go. Which, in turn, devolved into listing each other's shortcomings.

"Nothing ever changes, eh?" Kelly smirked. Belle sighed with a resigned smile. No. It never did. Thank God.

Jones touched Belle's wrist, drawing her eyes for a moment of silent conversation before she walked out of the room. The current Head Girl followed without question, leaving the Chavs and Emos squabbling while the Totties were going over disguise ideas and the Eco's were discussing the potential carbon footprint of using nerve gas.

Once in the corridor Belle found Kelly waiting by the stairs, staring pensively at the level below, hand clenching tight to the knob on the banister rail. Annabelle paused a moment to admire the darker girl's profile; a combination of sharp angles and sensual curves that begged to be touched.

"Something wrong, Kel?" Belle slid her hand over the manicured fingers digging into the wood rail, making sure to step in close enough that her words touched black hair.

"I don't remember any mention of you coming with us, Belle. Or the twins. It was going to be me and Thwaites; in, out and easy, right?" the bit of strain in Kelly's voice could've been anger. Could've been fear. Most likely it was anger because she was afraid. A foreign state for the government agent. Annabelle could feel the tension radiating off Jones' body. She wrapped one arm around her waist, letting the other trail along her cheek, turning her face into the conversation.

"You think I'm letting you out of my sight? After six weeks? I don't care if you're breaking into Buckingham Palace, I'm beside you," Belle leaned close enough to kiss Kelly's ear, letting her teeth linger along the lobe, "Besides, you won't find a better accomplice in St. Trinian's. I'm head of the combat class."

"That's just your temper and competitive streak joining forces." Kelly chuckled, willingly giving into the embrace. Fritton knew her buttons far too well.

"Perhaps, but I fought off the Twins plus three other First Years with bicycle chains. Wouldn't you prefer I was with you?"

"Belle, I want you with me every moment I'm awake and quite a few when I'm asleep," Kelly turned in the embrace to face the playful hazel eyes, "I just don't want you in danger."

"Right. You need a demonstration. Come on." Annabelle nodded decisively and grabbed Kelly's wrist, dragging her away. Jones couldn't help thinking how often she found herself in this predicament with Fritton Jr. and though it was never easy, it always got them somewhere fun.

This time it was the sparing room. Not the full arena where the defense classes were held. This was the more intimate chamber Annabelle would always love because it was the room where she first tapped her inner strength. It was still where she and her aunt came once a week to vent frustrations and talk while pummeling the snot out of each other.

She released her grip on Jones and pulled off her sweater, tying her hair back.

"You're serious?" Kelly smirked. Not only had she always been the best fighter at St. Trinian's, she was now a trained government agent. Attacking Kelly Jones was begging for punishment.

"Nervous?" Belle flashed a smile and slid her heels off.

"Of what I might end up doing to you!" she protested. She didn't doubt she was good enough to win, she was nervous she wasn't good enough to keep from hurting Annabelle. Fritton sensed the concern and smiled, stepping behind Jones and running her hands teasingly down her neck and across her shoulders.

"Let me worry about that." she suggested and tugged Kelly's jacket off. Jones hesitated a moment, then surrendered with a shrug, taking off her stiletto boots and tossing them to the side. She turned and faced Belle on the mat, one eyebrow twitching in surprise.

"You got taller." she observed, realizing Fritton was now over an inch taller than herself. The girl had become all legs. Not that Jones intended to complain.

"Guess that means I get to be the boss." Belle smiled playfully.

"Bollocks. Not 'til you can whip my ass." Kelly stepped back into a ready stance. Annabelle seemed keen to try, quickly testing out her opponent's reflexes with some light strikes. They traded experimental blows, feeling out each other's defenses as faster and harder hits were steadily blocked from either side.

"Think Zoe and Bianca are done yet?" Belle asked as she deflected a side kick and returned with a right.

"Not a chance, that fight looked to be a solid twenty minutes. Maybe more. They make Rea and Taylor's tiffs look like peace talks." Kelly shook her head as she swatted the fist away.

"You had to have spotted Roxie, right?"

The speed increased as they circled.

"That would be the blonde that alternated glowering at me and staring at Chelsea's ass?"

No longer just blocking, they were ducking and spinning to evade combo attacks.

"Oh good, you did."

Jones was impressed with Annabelle's skills; she hadn't let a single blow through.

"Hard to miss! Your letter was spot on too, Chels has definitely forgotten all about Dickinson. That reminds me, the teachers still shagging?"

Dodging to the side she caught Belle's arm in mid-air and held tight. Which should've left the girl's defense completely open except -

"Like randy rabbits."

Belle mirrored the move perfectly, intercepting Kelly's strike. They were stuck in a stalemate.

"Well done, Fritton." Jones nodded ever so slightly.

"I aim to please." Belle winked before leaning in to kiss her. The agent was sufficiently surprised by the maneuver to lighten her grip and Belle broke away, gaining a few feet of distance.

"I certainly hope you won't be doing that at AD1." Kelly joked as they resumed sparring, both girls laughing. They were flushed and breathing hard, which was starting to become a severe distraction. Neither could quite shake the memory of the last time they'd seen each other in such condition, or the circumstances. Belle bit her lip in concentration, trying to stay focused. Unfortunately, her expression was completely identical to one from a few hours earlier and Jones decided it was time to switch tactics.

She spun and caught Belle from the side, pulling her into a tight grappling hold. Fritton struggled but her arms were pinned behind her back, securely trapped by Kelly's hand and body.

"How'd you do that?" she demanded, straining against the grip that had her upper body completely locked. She could feel Kelly's breath hot and fast on the side of her face.

"My employers have taught me a few new tricks." Kelly chuckled, trailing kisses over the flushed skin. Annabelle sighed, losing herself in the caresses, turning to meet the lips on her ear. Kelly wasn't loosening her grip this time. She wouldn't fall for the same trick twice, even if she did desperately want the fight to be over. She was, however, shocked when she found her center of gravity thrown to one side, Belle's foot hooked around her leg. Jones blinked and found herself on the mat. She had, however, kept her grip on Annabelle and brought the other girl down as well. The younger fighter sprung out of her grasp, quickly spinning around to pin Kelly before she could react.

"We've been teaching a few new things ourselves. Miss Cleaver decided to introduce some Aikido into our calisthenics." the brunette smirked.

"Oh good, here I was worried you wouldn't be able to keep up!" Kelly grinned, giving Belle only a moment to be nervous before the agent surged off the ground, rolling them head over heels. They grappled across the mats, fighting for advantage; occasional grunts or gasps echoing off the sparse walls. Anyone passing by, hearing the repetitive thumps and breathless sounds, could be forgiven for assuming an entirely different sort of exercise was going on.

It took five tours around the mat before Kelly gained dominance. Belle struggled but found herself completely confined, Jones having expertly subdued all her limbs. She could barely move her toes.

"Submit?" Kelly smirked, one eyebrow cocked playfully. Belle thrashed uselessly for another moment, then surrendered with a sigh.

"You win." she grumbled and Jones smiled, releasing her limbs but not moving away. She had to make nice for the defeat, Fritton's were a proud breed. Kelly stretched along the length of Belle's body, enjoying the missed sensation of having their every inch in contact. She interlaced their fingers, squeezing the familiar hand.

"You are brilliantly good," she admitted, "And definitely coming with me."

Belle's smile lit her face, eyes sparkling in victory. Her hand caught the back of Kelly's neck, pulling her into a deep kiss. Tangling together, they rolled to lay side by side without breaking contact. Jones pulled away to taste down the column of Annabelle's throat, lips and teeth making the breathless girl moan.

"You didn't really think you could take me, did you?" Kelly teased, already looking for the fasteners of the innocent, white dress. Lithe hands caught and stilled her questing fingers. She looked up to hazel eyes flashing mischievously at her.

"I know I can. Just not in a fight." Belle grinned and pushed Kelly flat to the ground. The mats had never seen this much action.