Chapter Six: Physics of Trust

Greg Parker didn't lose his temper very often; he prided himself on staying cool even in the toughest negotiations. But as the smug Auror sneered at his rookie and admitted he'd known that Sam Braddock was familiar with magic, Greg's temper, pushed to the limit by the Auror's weeks-long refusal to let them tell Sam the truth and Sam's revelations about his treatment at the hands of wizards he should have been able to trust, finally blew.

In an ice-cold, soft voice he asked, "Auror Wilkins, you've known about Constable Braddock's past all along?"

All of Team One, except Sam, froze, eyes darting between their Sergeant and the oblivious Auror. Said oblivious Auror promptly threw even more fuel on the fire as he smirked dismissively. "Of course I knew about Braddock; everyone knows about him."

Sam flinched as if Wilkins had struck him. Greg's already hard eyes darkened so much that it looked as though his eyes had turned to topaz. "Enough," he growled. He stepped between his Constable and the arrogant Auror. "You knew that Constable Braddock was cleared to hear about the magical world. You knew that our team was just as involved with the magical world as Constable Braddock's military unit. Sam should have been informed before he joined our team so that he could make an informed decision as to whether or not he wanted to be on another team with magic side missions. As Constable Braddock's direct superior, I should have been informed that he was already cleared to know about magic, not given the run-around for weeks on end." Greg leaned forward as he spoke, spitting each word like a bullet. "And you're one to talk about Sam enjoying the death of another human being. I did not clear you to snatch Constable's Scarlatti's headset and give my team orders. If you ever do that again, you will be arrested for interfering with the Strategic Response Unit's comms." He paused, studying the Auror. In an deadly tone, he asked, "Is that understood?"

Auror Wilkins' own temper flared. "What gives you the right to judge me, Muggle? I could have Obliviated your entire team for interfering with the magical world." He gave Greg a disdainful look. "You Muggles may have gotten lucky today and managed to take down a Dark Wizard…"

"Lucky?" Ed interrupted, incredulous.

"That had nothing to do with luck!" Sam burst out, surging to his feet. "Taking that guy down is something we do every day. You've worked with Team One for months and you don't even get that much?"

Spike gave his own sneer. "He doesn't work with us, Samtastic. Today was only the third time he's called us in, ever. He shows up to drop paperwork on Sarge and thumb his nose at the rest of us."

Lou nodded his agreement. "He wants us to do everything the way he and his Auror buddies do things."

"And why not?" Wilkins demanded. "Our traditions have stood for centuries, unlike anything you Muggles do. You demand to be treated like equals, as if Muggles are equal to any wizard…"

Both teens gave furious war cries and tried to lunge at the Auror again. This time Sam caught Alanna, hauling her back as Wordy physically picked her brother up to keep him from landing a blow. This didn't stop Alanna from shrieking, "You're no better than a Death Eater!" at Wilkins.

Wilkins paled at the insult, opening his mouth to respond. Wordy didn't let him. "You think just because we don't have magic, we're what? Less capable, less intelligent? And you think your traditions should trump police procedure because they're older? Well, guess what. We're not wizards and you shouldn't treat us like we are. You never even gave us a chance to show you what we can do, you just assumed anything and everyone from the tech world was lesser than you."

Jules took her own shot at the Auror. "We're not less than you. We have thoughts, feelings, lives, and dreams too. Those women you wouldn't even interview; they could have helped you catch that guy before six women died. Your people didn't even give them the time of day, but we did. Maybe it was just a coincidence that he showed up where we were patrolling and not where your people were, but we kept him from killing anyone else."

Lance drew himself up as much as he could in Wordy's grasp and spat, "My sister and I will not be your intermediaries anymore, Auror Wilkins. If you want my Uncle and his team to help you in the future, you will ask them yourself; instead of dragging me and my sister out of school to cater to your distaste for technologicals."

"You can't do that!" Wilkins protested at once.

Every inch the pureblood, Lance gave him a sneer of displeasure and replied in a haughty and formal voice. "The Ancient and Noble House of Calvin will no longer assist the Canadian Auror Division in its quest to shame our cousin and his team by treating them as inferior to those of magical heritage. You have treated them as inferior by requiring myself and my sister to act as your buffers, disdaining their policies and procedures, and withholding critical information from our cousin as well as Constable Braddock. If our cousin wishes to complain about your conduct, the House of Calvin will be happy to assist in directing him to your superior."

Sam whistled. "Wow, that's everything but the white glove there, kid."

Lance didn't reply but Greg did. "I agree with my nephew. You have no right to interfere with mio nipotes by dragging them out of school to deal with your resentment toward my team."

The Auror stared at Team One as they closed ranks around Sam, Sergeant Parker, and the kids; clearly demonstrating their support for Lance and Greg's position. Sam looked around at his team, wonder in his eyes. It was plain that he hadn't expected their support and acceptance. The young witch still in his grip shifted enough to wrap her arms around his waist again, leaning her head against the blond's chest. Jules reached up and put her arm around Sam's shoulders. None of the men reached out but their stances and expressions made it clear whose side they were on. The Auror drew back, lip curling as he considered his options.

Wilkins stepped forward, drawing himself up. "Sergeant Parker, Constable Braddock, you are under arrest for killing a wizard with a Muggle weapon."

~ Ad Alia

Author Note: Thank you all for reading my latest humble offering to the Flashpoint fandom. 'Ad Alia' means 'To Be Continued', so for those of you enjoying this story, please come back next Tuesday as I post the prologue and first chapter of my next story: Proving Ground – Flashpoint Edition.

Have a great week all, God Bless, Keep the Peace, and Happy Reading!