Title: The evil you know
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
After the washout on the bar the NCIS trio returned to their office. They still had a few hours left in the day so Pride headed to talk to Loretta about another open case. Meredith sat down at her desk and went back to the old files. Chris went to his desk then paused and looked over at Meredith.
"We both skipped lunch."Chris observed. "What's your pleasure?"
"I could go for some pasta."Meredith replied with a smile.
"Italian for the lady and I think I'll grab a sandwich."Chris stated as he grabbed his truck keys. "I'll be back in half an hour."
"Thanks."Brody ackowledged as she looked back at the files.
Meredith heard Chris get in his truck and drive away. Stifling a yawn she filtered through the stack of file folders. It was then she felt a presence in the room. Meredith glanced up and then around there was nobody in sight. She hadn't heard any footsteps either but long honed instincts had Meredith reaching for her gun.
"I'm not here to hurt you."A deep voice stated just as Meredith's right hand closed around her gun.
Meredith stood aiming her weapon at the intruder. Something about the voice was nagging at her. She knew it but didn't know from when or where. That was until the person it belonged to stepped out of the shadows by the door. It was the man from her dreams.
"Marcel."Brody greeted not lowering her weapon as the man moved farther into the room. "Come to turn yourself in?"
"Why would I do that?"Marcel replied with a smile. "I haven't done anything wrong."
"At the very least you're a person of interest in a kidnapping."Meredith commented as she stepped around her desk. "And you're not surprised I know who you are."
"No, I keep tabs on who's lookin' for me." Gerard responded. "You can put that away...just want to talk."
"Forgive me if I'm not very trusting lately."Brody snapped knowing she just had to stall until Chris got back.
"I can fill in the pieces."Marcel stated. "If you're looking for me you've made the connection that far."
"Why would I believe anything you say?"Brody asked.
"Because I saved your life."Marcel said as he settled onto the left corner of Chris's desk.
Chris had just left the sandwich shop and was headed back to the office when his cell phone beeped. He stopped dead in his tracks recognizing the sound. After Brody had been found they'd set up a code she could put into her cell phone if she was in trouble from something connected to the kidnapping. That code would activate a particular ring tone on Chris's phone which was what he was hearing now. His truck was parked two blocks away and Chris took off at a dead run the food left and forgotten on the sidewalk.
Once he reached the truck Chris jumped in. He slammed the door shut revved the engine and sped off leaving tire marks on the pavement. Chris didn't care about traffic laws that he broke on the way there. All that mattered was he got to his partner in time. There was no way he was losing Meri again after just getting her back.
"I'm listening."Brody prompted as she now stood behind her desk.
Meredith knew Marcel had seen her do something with her phone. However, she didn't care. Even in her weakened physically and emotionally banged up state Meredith knew she could take Marcel if she had to. Still she felt better knowing her partner was on the way.
"I found you in an alley in the Quarter almost thought you were dead."Marcel began. "Took you back to my place until you healed up."
"Most people would've called an ambulance."Meredith retored still keeping her gun aimed on the familiar stranger.
"Couldn't risk it. That part of the Quarter you were in has a lot of history; lot of bad blood."Marcel explained. "Had to make sure you weren't mixed up in any of that."
"Thought a witness would complicate things?"Meredith asked bitterly.
"This city has a lot of folk lore and legends."Marcel continued as he stood. "I know you haven't been here long but I'm sure you've heard a few of them. "
"A few all uselly told with a drink or two."Brody replied feeling comfortable with this man and not sure why.
"There are stories that go deeper than the legends and folklore."Marcel responded.
Meredith found herself lost in his voice. She wasn't quite sure what was happening but somehow could sense she was no longer in control. All she heard was Marcel's voice and not even the words any more. Whatever he was saying was lost on her but at the same time Marcel had her complete attention.
"Good."Marcel commented with a smile as he finished compelling the NCIS agent.
Meredith stood quietly behind her desk. Marcel moved next to her and took the gun out of her hand and left it on the desk by her phone. As if on cue the phone lit up and a familiar name flashed across the screen as the incoming caller: Chris LaSalle. Marcel knew taking Meredith away from the office and back to the Quarter was a huge risk. Having her go missing even for a short white a second time around would cause those who cared about her to turn the city upside down. With the tension in the supernatural community already at a breaking point their search would ratchet things up enough.
Still Marcel found he was running out of time and options. He was going to have to trust his gut that alerting Meredith Brody to the existance of New Orlean's supernatural community would be an asset. Right now his people needed all the allies they could get. Placing an arm around Meredith's shoulders Marcel coaxed the compelled NCIS agent outside. Once on the sidewalk Marcel took the woman's right hand in his and within minutes they were gone moving faster than the eye could see.
"Christopher, calm down."Pride ordered as the younger man stormed about the NCIS office like a caged tiger. "We saw the surveliance footage we know who has her."
"Yeah somebody Bruce can't find a current whereabouts on!"LaSalle snapped his voice rising. "All we can do is already done and that's the BOLO."
"I know you want to slam open every door in this city."Pride stated as he came to a stop in front of the younger agent. "You know what happens if we go out guns blazin' people get caught in the crossfire. We don't know Gerard's story yet. He has a license see if he has a vehicle and we'll put a BOLO on that too. He won't get far."
As Chris grudgingly sat down at his desk and typed away at the keyboard Pride looked back at Gerard and Brody their images still paused on the large video screen. If Marcel was the bad guy in this it didn't make sense for him to reveal himself especially not in a law enforcement setting. Though over the years Dwayne had seen stranger things. He just prayed this was the exception and Marcel wasn't the bad guy. Dwayne didn't know how much more trauma and stress Meredith could handle.
