Ok, sixth chapter up. Sorry it took so long, had a bit of trouble here and hadn't really the mind for writing.

That night Jenny went home happily. Nick had kissed her and they had a date for tomorrow night, which was a Saturday and she was already excited about it. She'd never thought that she'd ever be that exited about a date again, but she was. And she was happy about that.

They had stayed in his office for about an hour until someone had found them, being surprised to see them both sitting on the floor, talking. She smiled as she remembered Nick's face, and the look in his eyes when they had kissed. Her thoughts drifted off while she drove, she could drive that way blindfolded, so she used the time to think about what had happened. Every second was forever imprinted in her brain, a thing she was never going to forget, she knew it.

Jenny stil smiled as she stopped her Volvo right in front of her garden gate, where she parked it every night. It was the same house she had shared with Mark, but he had moved out long ago, it almost seemed like a dream that she had been engaged with him. So she had the house to herself, having no one to wait in the evening whenever she had to work longer. Though Jenny hoped that would change soon.

Her stomach turned and made some obscene gurgling noises reminding her that she hadn't eaten very much today, yet Jenny decided she'd have to find the dress first until she could sit down and eat something. Slowly she walked through the small garden towards the old wooden door and reached for her key. She frowned after turning the key.

Thought I locked it twice...

Shaking her head and believing that she had just forgot it again she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Shrugging Jenny walked upstairs to her bed room, throwing her bag carelessly on her bed, along with her dark blue jacket. Then she turned to the big wardrobe on the other side of the room, and stood a moment to marvel it. It was huge, almost reaching the ceiling and over three meters long, a fitting combination between glass, mirrors and a nice shade of white, three doors separating each stack of shelves from the other. If she was true to herself, she should raid it soon, she had barely any space left in there, not to mention the closet for her shoes. Shaking her head again to lose the train of thoughts she stepped on the left side of it and pushed the door open. On top she had some casual clothes, mostly stuff for being at home, but beyond it she had put some dresses for the summer or for special occasions. Deciding that a date with Nick was a very special occasion she reached in and started searching for the dress she intended to wear. A few minutes of pushing and pulling and swearing because she couldn't find it at first, she pulled a dress engulfed by a plastic wrapping out. She had bought it years ago but never got around to wear it until now. Jenny had bought it for a party, but she got sick last minute and since then it was in her closet, waiting for this moment. So the truth was that she had never worn that dress yet, not until tomorrow and Nick would be the first man to see her in it. It was made of silk, red silk, how perfectely fitting. Red silk that shone and gleamed whenever she moved or walked. Jenny could hardly wait for Nick to set eyes on her outfit. He'd be lucky if he wouldn't faint.

Thinking about that made her giggle with satisfaction.

Whatever it was he was expecting, it certainly wouldn't be involving a red silken dress. Jenny walked down the stairs again thinking about what to do with her hair, but settled on it falling free over her shoulders, until she heard a window creak in the silence of her house. Suddenly she was fully aware; alarmed for she knew for certain that she hadn't left one open or opened one as she got here.

Therefore someone else must have opened it and judging by the state of her house that particular someone wasn't robbing her.

Tensed she walked towards the living room, leaving the further half of the corridor in darkness. Yet in the study beyond the living room she saw a light. Sure that she hadn't left that one on, Jenny trembled. She hadn't been in there for weeks, usually working up all her reports at the ARC so she would spend her evening in front of the television.

Slowly she proceeded towards the door of the study anyway, determined to prove to herself that no one was there and she slowly was getting paranoid, Jenny shuffled ever closer. As she passed a small table close to her couch which was decorated with a huge purple vase and a small silver picture frame, showing a smiling Jenny with her parents; she heard the floor creak behind her. Wishing for her bag because of her mobile phone and cursing her damned curiosity she spun around and was greeted by a sharp poke at her upper thigh.

Gasping she looked down, clutching her leg. A small dart was embedded in the thin fabric of her black trousers, piecing the skin beneath. Probably a tranquilizer dart, because suddenly her head felt so light and she staggered, her legs giving out underneath her as though they couldn't support the weight of her body anymore. Jenny collapsed, her flailing left arm knocked down the vase in a last desperate attemt to hold on to it, before she finally fell to the ground, her brown hair sprawled around her head.

With the last bit of energy left, Jenny managed to look up again, lifting her eyelids to see someone walking towards her.

It was Helen and she was grinning dangerously.

Then at last Jenny lost conciousness, falling into a dark confusing dream while the water from the vase wet her hair and clothes and the red lilies that she had bought two days ago embedded her. Helen towered above her, her left hand clasped the tranquilizer gun and her features were ruled by her usual grin, however right now her grin was more compared to some dangerous tigress having found a small helpless baby.

"Bind her hands, we'll take her with us." She said, turning to one of her cleaner clones standing in the deep shadows of the hallway. Without hesitation he hauled Jenny on his shoulder and walked out of the door as if it was the most natural thing in the world to carry an unconcious woman through the streets to their waiting Jeep. Helen followed closely behind. It probably wasn't until some time the next day until Nick found out that Jenny was missing, but there was no point in staying here. She also didn't bother closing the door or switching the lights off, knowing it would have a worse effect on Nick. He always hoped for the best, but expected the worst.

Without even one glance down the street again she drove away, after all, there were plans to be laid, traps to be set up and preparations to make.

The next day

Nick smiled while he drove his Hilux to his parking space. Oddly enough he couldn't wait to get working again.

Rather seeing Jenny again...

True as it was, he was in a very good mood this morning, he had slept well (which was really an improvement) and he was looking forward going out with Jenny tonight.

Besides, he wanted to try and get some more information out of Eve, hoping that no anomaly would spoil that plan. Or his plans for the evening. He had booked a table in a small italian restaurant, near the Thames, hoping Jenny would like it.

He thought of the previous day while he walked through the familiar corridors of the ARC. The way Jenny's eyes had sparkled and her smile until Sarah's voice broke his train of thoughts, calling after him and he could already hear her swift movements on the concrete, catching up with him. She probably had been within one of the smaller labs or the common room and was now walking next to him, looking a wee bit concerned, but other than that nothing seemed to bother her.

"What's wrong Sarah?"

In front of them the double doors leading to the main room came into view and even as Nick pushed the left one open and walked through he heard Sarah ask him something.

"Have you seen Jenny today?" Frowning Nick came to a halt about 9 feet from the doors and turned around to look at Sarah.

"No, I just arrived. Why?"

He saw Sarah wave her hand dismissively, but the movement seemed a bit too acted to be genuine.

"Oh, I just wanted to ask her something, it's not that important."

And even as she said so, Connor and Abby joined them also, Becker standing guard next to the ADD with a look on his face as though nothing could be beyond his power.

"You haven't seen Jenny either? We've been waiting for her." Abby looked up at Nick and her voice made it clear that they had waited a while.

"Come on, I bet she's stuck in traffic. She'll be here soon." Connor tried to ensure her, but he too looked too worried for his words to show any effect on the blonde ex-zookeeper.

Realising that, Nick practically froze to the spot, trying to surpress a slight tremble within his hands.

"You mean, you can't find her? At all?" suddenly he sounded very alarmed and Becker came closer, now listening intensively and, as it seemed at least, a little bit concerned too.

"No, we've been trying to reach her since we're here. You know her, normally she's the first one of us to arrive, and now we can't reach her at all. She's not responding to her mobile or at home. No one has seen her since she went home last night."

At that report from Abby a somewhat sickening feeling spread throughout Nick's stomach, they were right, it was not one of Jenny's habits to be late at work. At least without telling anyone, so something had to be wrong, because she wasn't picking up her mobile either and normally she carried that damned thing with her everywhere.

He turned around to tell Becker to get his men, but the Captain was already talking over the headphone, rallying the backup as it could be said. Seeing this Nick turned on his heels and proceeded back to his car. Only a second later the others caught up with him, Connor wearing a grim expression on his face with Abby walking next to the boy, Sarah came last.

"Do you think something happened to her?" Abby asked while she climbed the backseat of the car, together with Sarah. Connor took the passengers seat next to Nick.

"I don't know, but I'm not taking that chance." Nick answered firmly, already turning the key causing the Hilux come to life, and wondered for a split second why he was so goddamn protective of Jenny. Of course, he knew the answer, but right now wasn't really the time to ponder on his feelings.

First, check out if she's alright, then you can think of it.

While he steered the truck out of the ARC, Nick dialled Jenny's number again, but no one answered. The drive itself was silent, each one of them wrapped within their own thoughts, and suddenly all too aware of what had happened the last time someone had attacked them. All of Nick's thoughts were ruled by it. Last time he had only barely jumped the gun literally spoken. What if this time Jenny had been the target, not him, just because Helen needed to meddle with things and rule his life. He wondered if Helen knew him and Jenny had kissed. If she did, everything she did now would mean she was jealous. And Nick knew how Helen got when she was jealous.

Thinking about all the possible things that could have happened to Jenny made him sick with worry. Nervously he glanced back in the mirror, seeing Becker and his men in the car behind. At length they reached the house Jenny lived in. Her Volvo was still in front, which meant that she hadn't left the house at least. Nick stopped the Hilux right behind her car and walked around the hood, looking towards the house.

And then he froze to the spot, getting even more pale, chill sensations ran down his spine and all he could do was stare. The front door was wide open and inside some lights were left on. Connor and the others must have sensed Nick stiffen and clanced towards the door even as Becker did the same. Without any command or signal he glanced back at his men, all armed and ready to roll, nodding towards the house and swarming off to secure the area and the house itself. Nick shook himself out of his stupor and followed them first, the others walking in file behind their leader, all pale and concerned. He had the bone crushing feeling that he had lost Jenny now, just like he had lost Claudia.

Only God knows what happened to her...

He entered the house, glancing at the warm coloured walls around him and it didn't look like there had been much of a fight. All was still neatly cleaned, nothing was broken and it looked like Jenny had just left for a few minutes. But in that case she would have closed the door and shut the lights off. Nick heard the soldiers rummaging through the house, scanning every room for possible offenders as well as for any sign of Jenny. At last they heard the shouted cry "All clear!" from certain points of the house, Becker already walking downstairs wearing a grim expression on his face.

"She's not here; her bag is upstairs containing her mobile and keys. No one else here as well." He responded in a very soldier-like manner.

Nick nodded gravely and walked along the hallway when he heard a soldier call for him and Becker. Swiftly they were all gathered in the living room, Nick glancing down at the remains of a purple vase and some red lilies, the water still clinging to the carpet. It was the only evidence that Jenny ddin't leave at her own free will. And that could only mean one word.

"Helen." He voiced his thoughts, looking at Connor who just nodded, staring down, breathing deeply. He saw Conor take breath to respond but Sarah called out first. She was standing at the door between hallway and living room holding something small and silver shining in her hand. Walking closer she lifted the thing and revealed a tranquilizer dart. Nick suddenly remembered that Eve had told him Helen had once used a tranquilizer gun to catch her and the thought of Jenny being hauled around like an animal made him furious. Though he tried to bury his feelings as deep as he could, the others saw the wrath written plainly over his face and remained silent. They were all angry, even the normally so controlled Becker had to breathe deeply to restrain him. Abby came closer and eyed the dart.

"Looks like the ones we use. I bet it fell off, because there was anesthetic in it, but these things are designed to fall off to prevent further injury. Probably fell off while they were carrying her away."

Nick closed his eyes for an instant, trying in vain to get the mind movie of Jenny's limp body out of his head, but thankfully his thoughts were interrupted by a soldier, standing near the kichen counter in front of a small dining table.

"Sir, Professor Cutter, you should see this."

He pointed at a single white envelope standing on the table, leaning on an apple, both set there so they would be found. On the front a hand had written 'Nick Cutter', as if they knew he would be here.

Grimly he stared at the paper and the slender writing of the letters.

"It's Helens handwriting." He said in an icy voice, streching out his hand to lift the envelope, but he stopped suddenly when he realised the bomb Helen had set up within the ARC. Who told him this wasn't containing something too? Certainly no bomb, it was too small for it, but something else, though he couldn't think of something other than a bomb.

Becker seemed to read his thoughts and amidst his anger he grinned at him.

"Funny, you're beginning to think like a soldier would." With that he lifted the envelope with the barrel of his rifle and flipped it carefully over. It was plain white, no wires or any fluids on it, but inside they could see a CD.

"Looks like there is some message for us." Becker stated.

"Bag it in, we'll take a look at the ARC." Nick said in a low voice, he had a feeling that Lester would skin him alive, because that was his fault and he knew it.

But damn me, Helen will pay for this...


The drive back to the ARC was filled with Connor making assumptions at what had happened, which wasn't helpful for either of them, especially not Nick. With every scenario Connor thought of, he had a new devastating picture in mind, seeming so real he could have sworn he had seen it. Therefore he tried to block out the noises, wrapping himself in the dull cocoon of nothingness he had felt after Stephen had died. It had helped to focus him, keep him get on with work, however now it wasn't working. He couldn't let go of the thought of Jenny being in Helen's grasp. And what could she want from him or them? Why had she taken Jenny? Shot her with a tranquilizer dart like some random creature.

Oh God, if I get my hands on her...

At length they reached the ARC again. Lester had already been informed by Becker, so he was past his first fury but still pretty high up the wall. However he seemed to sense that right now wasn't the best time to yell at Nick, the man looked like he'd strangle Helen when he found her. So Lester at least left him alone, which was seldom enough normally.

Instead he saw Lester stand on one of the windows of his office, watching Connor handing the envelope over to some lab staff, who brought it into a small lab that could be sterilised within seconds and all of the staff had to wear breathing gear. It took a while to test it for bacteria or viruses or any kind of microbes that might harm humans.

And all the while Nick leaned at one of the desks, his gaze fixed into nowhere; pale, silent and somewhat dangerous. His arms were folded across his chest, eyes narrowed down he could only think of what Helen might do to Jenny. Yet every thought got him more infuriated than the one before. Then he tried to think of what Helen could possibly want, but right now, at least in the current state of his mind, angry as he was, her behaviour seemed totally irrational. At least to him.

"Nick?" Abby's voice made him snap out of his thoughts and he looked at the younger woman. He raised an eyebrow in token if something had come up and even though he hadn't spoken one word, Abby understood and shook her head.

"They're still testing it for health hazards." She answered.

Nick just nodded and was silent.

"How are you holding up?" she asked him quietly while she shifted her position to stand next to him, also leaning at the table. Just yesterday he would have told her that she needn't be worried about him, but now he just shrugged. He was blaming himself and Abby knew that all too well. He had done that after Stephen and after that thing with Claudia. Now he was blaming himself for Jenny. Yet at the same time that silent anger he showed was scary as hell, Abby had never seen him like this before and silenty made a mental mark that he shouldn't get a gun just yet.

Nick shook his head, closed his eyes for an instant before he finally replied.

"I don't know. I'm sick of Helen's games. Now Jenny is missing because of me."

"This isn't your fault." Abby stated firmly, there was no need for Nick to punish himself.

Silently he looked up and met her gaze for a while.

"If it weren't for me, Helen would leave you alone. Stephen was right: She's a bitch. Can't help that."

Abby wanted to reply, but they were interrupted by Connor, walking towards them with the CD in his hand.

"Ok, so here's the good news. Apparently it's bacteria-free and not contaminated with any foreign substances. At least the lab said so. The bad news is, we don't know yet what it contains." The young man said in his usual bubbly self, though it seemed a bit too acted to be real. He was as much tensed as all the others were and fell silent, plugging his laptop to one of te bigger screens of the ADD. If there was a computer virus on it, then at least it would only contamine Connor's laptop instead of the whole ADD. Silently Nick was surprised that he'd do that, that laptop meant a lot to Connor.

He watched the boy put the CD into the disk drive and Connor started typing. Then, the monitor went black, it seemed that some program had automatically started. On the screen Helen's grinning face appeared and everyone tensed a bit more.

So it was true, Helen had kidnapped Jenny and now she wanted to gloat with her victory.

Ok, Cliffhanger I know...

You know the deal, write reviews on what you think!

Greetings Callie