KC and I pondered the mission in our room later that afternoon, the guys had decided to hit the slots and bar, I unpacked my few clothes whilst KC watched me lazily from the bedside.

"Do you think Lathain knew about the mega corp being involved?" she asked, I shrugged my shoulders and threw my nightwear under my pillow for later. "Girl you're not wearing those are you?" she asked pulling at my leggings "They're thicker than a goat's arse"

"They're comfy" I told her, she scoffed

"We're in the desert" she reminded me "you think the air con in these rooms will keep you cool?" she swung her legs off the bed and padded to her room, I heard the soft beep of the room key as she typed in her code, she returned a minute later with a thin scarf . . .

At least it looked like a scarf

She threw it to me and I unfurled it, a dark green silk negligee, impossibly short. I gave her a look that told her definitively that I would not be wearing it

"Try it on" she suggested

"Oh no" I said "This wouldn't cover a cat" I handed it back, "besides don't you need it?" KC laughed flicking her hair from her shoulder

"Girl I got a dozen just like it, this one however is special, you can wear it with a pair of heels on a night out and it still looks good" her blue eyes gleamed mischievously "Go on, try it on, make sure it fits" I eyed her warily and slunk behind the changing screen in my room, I figured she'd only tease me until I caved.

I slid the material over me, it fitted surprisingly well. "It's a little short" I grumbled

"You're wearing it to bed" she pointed out "so unless you intend to take the barman to bed with you none will know" she had a point, I changed back into my gear, stepping out KC tutted

"Now what?" I asked, trying to keep the exasperation form my voice.

"It's dinner time, you can't go looking like that" she said, I sighed

"I suppose I have to wear this to dinner?" I asked holding up the thin fabric

KC laughed and gathered her boots in her hands before walking to the door "Not quite what I had in mind babe, but hey if you like the idea I won't stop you" I growled low in my throat "Follow me, I'm sure there's something in my case for you"

Dinner was held in the main gala, I nervously followed KC down the stairs, checking my footing as I went, with no real shoes other than my boots I had borrowed a pair of KC's heels, the heel slight but higher than any I had worn before and I wasn't used to it yet, I also had the issue that KC had bigger feet than mine, the straps slipped occasionally adding to my discomfort

"Aren't you supposed to be super graceful as an infiltrator?" KC whispered to me as we were being led to the table by a waiter she was eyeing up

"I've never worn heels like this before" I told her, she shot me a look that told me she didn't believe me for a second. Lathain and Penumbra were at the table already with Whisperer, Lathain dressed in an easy blue shirt and dark trousers, Whisperer in black tie suit looking particularly smart. Even Penumbra wore a shirt, the tell tale creases of a store bought, never ironed shirt told me the guys had probably coerced him into it.

"Ladies" Lathain said standing "You look gorgeous" KC smiled and took the chair that Lathain offered, even Whisperer watched as she swept to the chair, all grace in her black satin and suede dress. The plunge of her neckline inviting enough but coupled with the long side slit to near her hip she was utterly stunning and really commanded the room. A glance around told me the boys on our table weren't the only ones who were admiring the brash brunette, decked out in her finery.

I had opted for plain black trousers, the slight flare at the base made my heels look longer, I wore a navy blue blouse made of silk, the top designed for KC's bustier frame the opening hung on me a little lower than I was completely comfortable with, but it was this or a dress. KC had spent ten minutes pulling the long waves of my hair back into a French twist, wispy tendrils of rebel hair framed my face, which she deemed to be 'adorable'. I forwent the make-up despite KC's insistence.

Penumbra broke out of the trance that KC had woven first and stood to pull out a chair for me; I thanked him and sat down, somewhat clumsily. The thought occurred to me that I had never socialised with the team before. Other than occasional nights in with KC I hadn't spent any time with the guys, no dinner dates or coffee mornings. The closest I had come to dressing up was in Chicago and then it had been a simple affair of make do with what was on the shelf, this felt far more extravagant.

I felt my face heat as I noticed Whisperer watching me. He poured me a glass of water, and then did the same for KC, for a moment I was reminded of the Kabal and his dinner time routine, unfortunately it also reminded me of his snide comment they're not important enough . . . I shifted uncomfortably as he watched me, he must have sensed he was the cause of my fidgeting as he looked away to hail one of the servers. A waiter came over and took our order, his well trained manners complimenting the girls on their looks, taking the extra second to take further detail of KC, indeed every waiter in the gala seemed to stop by to ensure our meal went without a hitch.

"So ladies" Lathain said, leaning forward and locking his fingers, elbows on the table. A slight frown escaped Whisperer before being covered up; I held back a soft laugh at Lathain's disregard for etiquette. "What do we think about the mission?"

KC shrugged and took a sip of wine, she had fallen into the mission by virtue of being with me, rather than choosing to go "It doesn't matter to me, but hey I'm always up for a bit of a ruckus" she said playing with the many forks on her setting. "But I'm in if you guys are"

"I'm in" I said "Doc was last seen in the area, so if nothing else it'll give me a starting place on where to find her, as for the device, I agree, even if it wasn't something my step father was involved in then we should help to destroy it"

"Remember what Kalin said" Whisperer warned me

"I'm aware of that" I told him "But it's not as if I'm going after him directly" I placed a light hand over KC's, her fidgeting was distracting me

"Kalin?" Lathain asked, I had forgotten that Lathain hadn't been brought up to speed with all the events of the Kabal; we spent some time filling in the gaps whilst food was served. I didn't mention the discussion regarding the quarters, though my face grew red, both with embarrassment at Whisperer's attire at the time and his disrespect at the servant staff. Though as I watched him through the meal he treated each of our current waiting staff as if they were old friends, like he was a different person, perhaps had he taken my comments to heart?

"So we are agreed?" Penumbra said as the last of the dishes was cleared "If so then I will arrange for the transporter unit to be calibrated tomorrow." A soft music filled the air, and many of the people at surrounding tables got up to dance in the small dance floor at the centre of the hall. KC watched them dance with a slight smile and obvious longing. Lathain stood and held out a hand to her. She quirked an eye brow

"I dare you" he said, she laughed and took his hand, challenge accepted. I took that as my cue to leave before the rest of the guys could make a similar offer.

"Gentlemen" I said rising from my seat "I bid you a goodnight", Whisperer rose, perhaps a little too quickly, knocking the table with his legs and nearly overturning the water jar.

"You're not staying?" he asked, gesturing to the dance floor

"I'm afraid I'm not one for dancing" I said "And it's been a long drive" a silly excuse, but entirely incorrect, it had been a long drive and I was tired

"I could walk you to your room" he offered, I shook my head politely to tell him that wasn't necessary, gave a slight nod to Penumbra then went back to the room.

The room was huge and I felt tiny in the confines of the huge bed. I changed into my pyjamas, by the time I had finished brushing the twist from my hair KC's warning was already holding true, the heat was simply too much for the fluffy attire, I glanced at the shift KC had left me, It wouldn't hurt for one night . . .

I slipped it on, already feeling better for it and lay atop the covers, a thin sheet over me for comfort and tried to get some sleep.