Sorry folk that the story has been on hiatus so long. My beta went MIA and I heard recently they can't continue the job. So 1. This chapter is checked only with MS Word = errors in grammar and 2. is there anyone who would be interested in beta-reading? I have the whole story written and I'm doing re-writing but now you have possibility to impact to the story. Otherwise the story wild be on hiatus a lot longer, I'm afraid.

Edit. haha problem you G-ChanSanKun

Thank you for CrimsonsNight and TiraLu for reviewing. Writing Pritchard is easy, all I have to do is letting him say what I would want to say :D

Please, enjoy

Safe

Adam had put his jacket on her shoulders and turned the room's heater a few degrees higher before disappearing to search something better to warm her up. Deanna tried to pull the leather cloth as tight around her body as she could. She still felt chilled, but now she had her legs tucked safely under her on the couch of Jensen's office.

She blamed the adrenaline in her blood but she could not help but notice the smell of musk, tobacco and worn leather that surrounded her. It felt much safer than the empty and scentless interrogation room.

Opening the door made her jump on the arm of the couch. But it was only Jensen, who held something that looked like a blanket and a mug.

"Sorry, if I startled you," he said and put his belongings next to her. Deanna didn't want to give up the secure smelling jacket but it was his. So instead she wrapped the plain colored blanket around her. It must have been made of real wool, she realized as she felt how it pinched her skin.

"Mr. Jensen, why did they arrest me? I don't have done anything illegal. Frank and I have an agreement. He wouldn't set me up," she asked.

He looked at her behind his table. Now he finally had his chance to understand the cyber side a bit better. But he could not help but feel sympathy towards the woman sitting on his couch. He had seen many criminals in his life and this one was not one of them.

"What do you mean?"

Deanna took the mug he had offered. The aroma of hot chocolate filled her nostrils. Her hands felt icy against the hot mug. She took a gulp and shivered with delight when the hot liquid settled into her stomach.

"As you hear, I've a record. Not anything serious, but it's still there. I probably shouldn't say this but I am a hacker as much as a repairer or programmer. I came to work Sarif Industries after I ditched my uni studies. Pritchard had noticed when I had sniffed some minor security protocols out of my curiosity. I was disappointed when I didn't get past them at first try. So I tried couple of times. You can't believe how scared and surprised I was when I got his mail about a job offer," she said. Or better, come to work or prepare cops to fetch you.

It must have been a really fond memory for her, because she smiled for the first time.

"So I moved here and started my work. I've always loved to work with computers and other technical stuff. It's the best here because of the amount of available resources. Frank and I have a competition to see which one is better. I try to get past his security systems. It is a win-win situation. We both hone our skills and we also see possible loop holes in the security. I usually lose," she explained.

Adam noticed this as a positive boost to her confidence. She looked less pale and seemed to have her confidence back.

"So that is why Pritchard say you could not be the guilty one?" he asked.

Deanna's smile fell a little.

"I guess so. I mean, if I did something like that I would try to cover my trace a bit better. But it would be foolish, because we have Frank. And nobody fools him when it comes to computers," she said.

"Let's hope so and see that he clears you out. You've got to be something if he's ready to defend you so fiercely," Adam comforted her. Deanna gave him a half-hearted smile.

"I really hope so, because I like working here. And as hard it is to admit, some person are tolerable enough as well. Even if I usually have to fix what they break."

Adam had to chuckle as well.

"I can imagine."

Their moods lifted even more when Pritchard came in.

"Jensen, I've traced the guilty one. No data has been actually downloaded, merely tried. This time your men are free to do whatever they want. This is scandalous how bad of a job they did."

This earned a dry laugh from Deanna's place. Pritchard gave her another "are-you-serious" look. This time she did not care. Maybe it was the stress, or maybe it was relief that washed over her.

Adam nodded at him.

"As I said, somebody tried. But they left a hint of themselves, which I was able to trace. Seems like Regina will be finally backing her belongings," Pritchard said.

Adam expected a violent burst as most people reacted when they hear who had set them up. But Deanna just smiled from ear to ear.

"Francis, you can't believe how long I have waited to hear you say those words," she said and jumped to hug the man. The black-haired male was clearly not prepared for this and froze when he felt her arms wrap around him.

"There, there. You should sit down again and get some rest, you're clearly recovering from shock," he pushed her away from him. Adam gave him a knowing smile, which Pritchard returned with a 'go to hell, I don't have a heart to care about this pathetic creature'-look.

"Which reminds me- could somebody find a at least some kind of shoes? My legs are freezing," Deanna asked. She jumped back on the couch and wrapped the blanket tight around herself.

"Maybe there is something suitable at the lab-side. I call them and ask if they have something," Adam said.

"That would be nice. If I had some footwear I can go to my working station and put on overalls. Wearing just my t-shirt is slightly disturbing," she said.

"As if somebody would notice it. You're flat as a board," Pritchard snickered.

"You're just jealous mine are smaller than yours. Not that I mind. Life's much easier without those fatbags," she smiled back. Adam felt something unpleasant stir inside him as he tried to push the mental image away.

"Could you two just shut up? That's just disturbing," he asked.

"For once I agree with you. Roomba, you have few days off. And I don't want to see even a glimpse of you," he stressed the last sentence.

"It depends. Though, I still have lots of things to do," she answered. She was thankful of the verbal sparring Pritchard had offered. It made her much better to do familiar things.

An idea to go back to home disturbed her, however. That place had been violated when security had raided it and she doubted she could feel herself safe enough there. And there was no way she would sleep in her bedroom before she purchased a sturdier door!

"No. If I have even slightest wind you're here I'll freeze your ID and passwords," Pritchard answered.

"But, but I feel fine enough," she prayed. She did not want to admit it but she would rather be at work than alone home.

"Sorry Roomba, but I can't help it. There are certain regulations I have to follow," Pritchard said and marched out.

"Like that would have slowed you down before!" Deanna screamed behind him. Adam felt bad for her. She looked again like a puppy that had been kicked.

"Don't you have a friend who could be with you? It's better than being completely alone," he asked. Deanna shook her head.

"They aren't available. I'll search a hotel and stay there a while. Few days and I'm back to normal," she said with smile.

There was a knock at the door.

"Mr. Jensen, you requested some clothes?" a short woman asked. She had neat pile of clothes with sneakers on it. She gave a suspicious look at Deanna, who returned with a dazzling fake smile.

"Yes please. You can leave them on the couch," he answered and nodded towards the piece of furniture.

"Just remember to return them to laboratory side. There are appointed place to used clothes," she said.

"I'll keep that in mind," Deanna said. The lab worker was not even out of the room before she had put the pants on. Next one was the top but when she stretched, the hit she had received earlier reminded its existence. She gasped and doubled over a bit. Adam noticed and crouched next to the couch.

"Are you hurt somewhere?"

"I think I've a small bruise on my stomach," Deanna answered. She straightened herself slowly. There was no pain so she suspected it was nothing too severe.

"Could I see it? If it looks serious, you'll have to go see a doctor," Adam requested. Deanna looked unsure. An idea of showing her belly to someone whether as a professional or not, was not very appealing. She swallowed hard.

"I don't think it is that bad. It's just small bruising."

"Deanna, please. It might not be much, but if Hull acted unprofessionally, I'll have to have proof of it,"

Adam persisted. He looked straight to her eyes, asking her co-operation. He thought a moment should he also take her hand, but decided better of that. Then he noticed small bruises along her chin. Anger started to grow inside him. Hull had really stepped over boundaries this time.

Deanna bit her lip. She wanted to flee to her hole, where she would be safe. All this hustling around drained her emotionally. She lifted her shirt that Jensen could see the damaged area.

Her soft skin had slightly darker color. Now it was barely a size of a ping pong ball but Adam suspected it would grow a little from there. Nothing seemed swollen, so nothing critical had been damaged. Adam rose and sat in front of his computer. Meanwhile Deanna put the shirt on, slowly.

"Once we have the main ordeal over, you can fill an official complain about Hull. It might not be much, but if similar situations would happen in the future, then it would be useful. But it is completely optional. I'm going to discuss with him anyway," he said and typed something down.

"Do I really have to? I hate paperwork," Deanna asked.

"Don't worry. We have plenty of existing templates. You wouldn't believe how much people have to bitch. Just fill the assigned placed and only I have an access to it," Adam answered.

That eased her mind a little.

"Am I free to go already?" she asked.

"Sorry, but no until this is case is six feet under. Until then, you're better to stay here."

"With another bunch of high security level computer stuff? You guys really believe in my innocence."

Adam looked at her sharply. Okay, wrong joke at wrong time. Way to go girl, she slapped herself mentally.

"Should I lock you up to our less comfortable rooms? I guarantee that finding one is not an issue," Adam said with a hint of a humor in his voice.

"Naw, I'm fine. Besides, your couch is quite comfy. I wish I had one in my room," Deanna muttered. Adam found himself smiling to that pouting face so he quickly hid behind his screens.

"I'll have to go now. I lock the door, but have no doubts you would open it in seconds. But for your own good, don't touch it. Or the computers," he said. Deanna sighed. Even thinking about that made her bored.

"Guess I can't help it. I'll just sit here like a dog and wait," she answered.

"Good girl," Adam said back.

After Jensen had left his room there was only silence. Deanna felt herself grow restless as she tried listening to sounds outside the office. More and more people passed by the office. The room was soundproofed well and not a single thing was audible.

Soft hum of electricity tempted her to sit in front of the machine. She could see that Jensen had a security control screen next to his regular computer. To disturb her train of thought she scanned through his shelves for something not incriminating to read. There were some magazines, which were at least couple months old.

"Somehow I doubt he reads these," she thought aloud. She also had no interest in the gossip magazines and left them on the seat. The coffee table next to the door provided her better results. Most books were about law, security and, surprisingly, psychology. Deanna snorted when she put the book back to its place. That was certainly not her cup of tea.

She was rewarded with the few last books of the pile.

"Basic IT-dictionary. Well I guess you need one when working with Pritchard," she muttered. Last one was aboutbasic mechanics. This interested her as the book seemed well read. Pages were wrinkled and there were stains here and there. Also neat handwriting was written to the margins making remarks about the text.

Deanna sat back on the couch. Some info was out of date but most parts were accurate. Also who ever had done the notes seemed to know what they were doing, suggesting some alternations. Finally her mind had settled enough to let her body relax. After a while she had fallen asleep on the couch. The old book lied next to it, where she had set it.

Adam had temporarily forgotten that he had a prisoner in his office. After having a 'nice' chat with Hull about how they treated people under arrest, he still had couple things to do, like arranging the arrest of the real culprit. This part had been easy as she was dumb enough to come to work and not vanish.

So it was only when he was returning to his office he remembered that Deanna was supposed to be there.

"I hope she's still there," he muttered aloud. He entered his door code. At first he thought she really had left but soft snoring proved him wrong. She had fallen asleep into a really uncomfortable pose and Adam did not doubt she would have an aching neck when she woke up. He noticed a book lying next to the couch. He lifted it up and put back on the table. He nudged Deanna's shoulder gently.

"Miss Greylake, wake up."

After a few shoves he got a reaction. She jumped backwards and delivered a blind kick to his lower stomach. It stung but wasn't severe. Adam grunted and covered the area with his hand. Deanna seemed to wake up now completely.

"What is? Oh God, I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?" she asked, concerned. Adam straightened up.

"It's my own fault. You've been through a lot lately. I should be the one apologizing for scaring you. I came to say that you're free to go."

Deanna's eyes lit up.

"Thank you so much. Did you also collect Regina?"

"She was handed over to police to answer her crimes. She won't be bugging you anytime soon," Adam reassured. His phrasing made Deanna grin.

"Did I say something funny?" he asked.

"I just thought that bugging is just so fitting. But now I have to go," Deanna said and put the sneakers on her feet. She was almost out of the room when she looked back over her shoulder.

"Thank you Mr Jensen. I doubt that someone else would have believed Pritchard. You really saved me there," she said.

"I was only doing my job. Nothing special," he denied. Deanna shook her head.

"No, there is a difference between duty and do what you feel is right. I'm glad it was for my benefit this time."

Adam wondered had he really acted like that. No, he simply did what was expected. He shook his head and sat before his computer.