Hi guys. Ok, I'm going to start off by saying that I'm not overly happy with this chapter, but I couldn't tell it any other way. I tried, but the muses were against me.

Disclaimer: All rights are reserved. Only my OCs belong to me.


Karol followed behind the man, making sure to keep distance between them. She was determined to keep him in her sight, just to be sure he wouldn't go running off anywhere. True to his word, he went straight through to the hall, making his way over to his own table. Karol was about to do the same when someone stopped her.

"H'Is h'everything alright, Miss Tracy?" She started and turned to find Parker stood off to the side.

"Hey. Yeah, I think so."

"He didn't give you h'any trouble, I trust?" He looked pointedly towards the retreating form of the firefighter. Karol shook her head.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." She frowned. "Wait a moment. How did you know?" Parker didn't shift, his expression remaining stoic.

"H'I 'eard and saw h'everything, Miss Tracy. H'At least, what transpired in the corridor." Karol cringed.

"I don't suppose there was anyone else around, was there?"

"Oh no, madame. H'I can assure you that there was h'only the three of us. That being yourself, the gent and me." Karol smiled and nodded.

"I gathered that. Thanks Parker. I'm going to be in trouble enough as it is without anyone else finding out."

"H'I h'understand. H'I 'ope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of h'informing 'er Ladyship and Miss Kyrano h'of the development." Karol looked at him and then nodded.

"That's fine. Thanks again." He nodded, making his way back to his post. Taking a composing breath, Karol stepped back through the doors that led into the hall. She picked her way through the crowd and made her way over to Lady Penelope and Tin Tin. With a sigh, she sat down.

"Karol?" The blonde looked to her younger friend. Her dark eyes glittered with concern. Karol smiled, placing her hand on top of Tin Tin's.

"Don't worry, Tin. Everything's gonna be fine."

"What's the plan of action?" Karol thought over her options. No two ways about it, she had to inform Base.

"I'm not sure at the moment, Penny. I mean, I know I'm going to have to call it in. Something like this, it can't go unreported." She hid the gulp well. Her father was not going to be pleased. Penelope hummed in thought. She kept her voice low, not that anyone would be able to hear their conversation anyway over the din.

"How much does he know?"

"Not a great deal, from the looks of things. All he knows is that my name's Karol and I'm IR. That's pretty much it."

"Are you sure?" Karol cast a look to the Lady. She sighed and looked away.

"I can't honestly say that I am, no. But, I'm meeting him tomorrow."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"Probably not. But the only way to stop him from bugging me was to agree to it." Tin Tin and Penelope exchanged glances, turning their attention back to their friend. Karol noticed the look.

"It's not like that. From first impression, he seems harmless enough." Another look was exchanged between the other two women, different to the first. Karol recognised the knowing glint in their eyes.

"Ok, you two can stop that thought right now. I know that look all too well."

"Why, Karol, whatever are you talking about?" Penelope answered, mouth twitching in the smallest of smiles. Karol was not going to be fooled. Leaning forward, she pointed at the both of them.

"You know fine well what I'm talking about. It's information gathering and nothing more. Understand? Nothing. More." Tin Tin giggled, much to Karol's bemusement. "What?"

"Is he the same man?" Karol rolled her eyes and averted her gaze, which only made Tin Tin's smile brighter. "He is, isn't he?" Penelope looked between the two, eyebrow raised.

"What's this?"

"Nothing, Penny." Karol was quick to answer, her tone clipped. A blush crept along her cheeks. She took a sip of her drink, not making eye contact with either of them.

"Oh, this is just like one of those novels!" Tin Tin squealed, giddy with excitement. Karol felt herself blush more. Penelope smiled openly at her friend's reaction.

"Well, now I am intrigued. But I fear we must continue this conversation later." They turned to the stage. The charity auction had come to an end. Karol stood, leaving the rest of her drink behind as CFO Robinson called the quartet back to the stage, where they would play for the rest of the evening.

"Right girls, speak to you soon." She didn't wait for a response, deciding to get away before Tin Tin burst with glee and told the whole story to Penny, which she looked like she was about to do. Stepping back up to the stage, she took her position and flicked through the sheets to find the next melody. She had the sudden feeling that she was being watched, looking across to one of the tables. Indigo eyes met bright green as her attention was caught by Graham. He smiled, sending her a boyish wink. In spite of herself, Karol felt herself blush. Hurriedly ducking her head, she made a show of straightening the music sheet, though she couldn't stop her eyes flickering to him.

'Pull yourself together, Kit. Snap out of it!' She cleared her throat, turning her attention away from the table and looked instead at the lead musician. She raised her bow and rested her chin on the black leather of the chinrest. Like magic, the moment she touched the bow to the strings she became lost in the music it produced. All thoughts of the happenings of the evening melted into oblivion, her attention solely on the instrument beneath her fingertips.

… … … … … … .. … … … … … … …. … … …

"I saw that." Graham blinked, turning his attention to Terry.

"What?"

"You know what." He nodded towards the stage. Graham rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the crowd surrounding them. Many of the party-goers were showing off their prizes, one lady putting on the necklace she'd won and flaunting it to her own crew. He smirked at her drunken antics, turning his attention back to the stage. Karol was now lost in the music, and didn't seem to be aware of anyone around her. Terry nudged him.

"You met her, didn't you? I wondered why you took so long." Graham turned back to his friend, rolling his eyes at the bright grin.

"So what if I did?"

"And?"

"And nothing."

"Oh come on! Something must have happened. She blushed the moment she laid eyes on you. And you can't keep your eyes off her! Come on, man. Spill."

"There's nothing to spill! Look, nothing happened. We're meeting up tomorrow, and that'll be it. She's back off to America and I'll not see her again." His voice sounded bitter to his own ears, and judging by Terry's reaction, he thought so too.

"Hey, come on Gray. Just because she's going back to America doesn't mean you can't see her again. There are vidphones now, you know." Graham sighed.

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know. Hey, loads of people have long distance relationships."

"I'm not even sure it'll get that far."

"Well, just see how tomorrow goes. Where are you taking her, anyway?" Graham swore.

"We...didn't say." Terry sighed and shook his head.

"Graham, Graham, Graham. Must I think of everything? Ok, so I guess she'll be going through London Airport, yeah? Well, there's a great little cafe just round the corner from the main entrance. The May Fair. Does the best cakes in the whole of London." Graham smirked.

"Need I ask how you know that?" Terry shrugged.

"What can I say? I'm addicted to whatever they use in their recipes. Oh, and a word of advice. I'd go about half one if I were you. It gets pretty busy before and after then. And before you ask, yes. It is open on Sundays." Graham laughed.

"You need help, Tez. You've definitely got a problem."

"Nah, the only problem I have is that I can't spend every meal time there."

"I'm glad you don't. They may not do bunker gear to fit the size you'd get if left to your own devices." Terry elbowed him, sending him a mock-glare.

"Ouch. I'm hurt, Gray."

"Ah, you'll get over it." Terry huffed, then grinned.

"Get over what?"

"Whatever." They laughed, Graham turning his attention back to the stage. How was he going to tell her where to meet? What would tomorrow bring, if it brought anything? He sighed and looked down at the table, spotting a napkin that had somehow been pushed towards the centre. Picking it up, he inspected it. It was clean. Perhaps he could use it?

"Hey, Tez. You got a pen?" Terry patted his suit jacket. He reached inside his jacket, fingers dipping into the inside pocket and pulled out a silver biro. He clicked the top and handed it over.

"Always knew it would be needed one day," he said with a grin. Graham shook his head and began to write on the napkin. Once finished, he folded it and pushed it into his trouser pocket, handing the pen back to his best friend. Now, he just had to wait for the right moment to pass it over.

… … … … … .. … … … … .. … .. . . . . . .

The night wore on. All the guests were nicely merry and joyful, laughter and drunken noise echoing throughout the hall as they talked over one another. The quartet finished their final piece, standing and bowing to the raucous applause and cheers. Karol smiled and sighed as she stepped down from the stage. She sat down in the chair by the table, barely listening as the end of the night was announced. She seemed lost in her own world, content to watch people as they began to leave. She smiled at Tin Tin, laughing as the younger woman swayed slightly in her chair, dark eyes bright but glazed. She'd enjoyed herself, that was for sure. Penelope looked no different than she did at the beginning of the evening, and Karol wondered briefly if she'd even touched any alcohol. She had, of course, but she was far too much of a lady to be seen even the slightest bit tipsy. The Lady stood as she was approached by several of the officers who had organised the evening with her. She smiled warmly and thanked them for coming, wishing them all a safe journey home as they left. Karol stood and stretched. She was beginning to feel tired. She was in the middle of a yawn when someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned and straightened, willing herself not to blush or show any signs of nerves. Graham smiled lightly, scratching the back of his head in what could be embarrassment.

"Hi again."

"Hi." Karol's voice gave nothing away. She folded her arms, fixing him with an unreadable gaze.

"So, er, it was nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow." Karol raised an eyebrow as he extended his hand. Not wanting to cause any sort of scene, she accepted his hand and shook it, frowning at the telltale feeling of something being pressed into her palm. He dropped her hand with a wink and a smile, turning to the other two ladies. He nodded to Tin Tin and bowed his head to Lady Penelope.

"Good evening, Milady. Miss." Penelope smiled, eyes surveying him critically. Tin Tin smiled good naturedly, trying not to giggle. Graham looked back to Karol and winked again, walking off to meet up with the rest of his group. The three women watched him go.

"Well, that was most interesting." Karol hummed in agreement, looking to her palm. A napkin had been folded and handed to her.

"He seemed nice. What did he give you, Karol?" The blonde unfolded the napkin, reading the writing.

"Just where he wants me to meet him. I don't know where this is, though." She handed it to Penelope, who seemed to be analyzing it.

"Oh, the May Fair. I know where that is. It's a cafe near to the airport. A nice choice. I must say, I am partial to their Red Velvet Cake." Karol swallowed.

"This wasn't a good idea. Why did I agree to it?" Tin Tin hugged her older friend.

"Oh, Kit, you'll be ok." Karol remained unconvinced.

"How can you be so sure?" Penelope glanced at the retreating backs of the rest of the event goers, spotting Graham and his teammates. They appeared to be laughing and jostling each other.

"Because he appears genuine." She glanced at the note left on the napkin. "Even his handwriting seems open and leaves nothing to question." Karol couldn't help but laugh.

"I knew you were analyzing him!" Penny smiled.

"But of course I was. It is, after all, one of my duties as an agent of International Rescue to analyze potential threats to the organisation. From our brief meeting, he seems to be quite safe." Karol sighed, relaxing somewhat.

"I'm still going to have to call it in. But thanks for your professional opinion, Penny. At least I can tell that to dad." She shuddered. "He's still going to have my hide, though." Tin Tin squeezed her shoulder, offering a friendly smile.

"I'm sure if you explain it to him, he'll understand." Karol looked at her younger friend.

"Not something like this, Tin. He'll consider this a major breach of security, regardless. C'mon, the sooner we get this over with, the better."


So, the evening is over. What ever will happen next?

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