Chapter 11

Kai and Tala pored over a map at the site. Everyone was working. Work was excruciatingly slow. Every bit of plan was worked out in mini steps with surveys covering the first stage and then extremely slow dusting and only at extreme times shovelling. The sun beat down over the yellow helmets and though everybody was working the morning found Kai and Tala looking every bit a site worker and still not doing any archaeological work. The duo were standing a long distance away from the site, shielded by trees. A map lay on a rock. The map was a local one.

"It has to be one of these four factories," Tala pointed to four marks on the map.

"Hmm," Kai murmured scratching his chin. "I agree. These are the only places with top-notch laboratories and long distance from all populated areas so no spy threat."

"Exactly my thoughts, Watson," Tala replied. "Where do you suggest we go first?"

Kai gave him a dark look at the W-word.

"What? I am Sher-Locked," Tala retorted with swag, referring to the television drama.

"Who is teaching you such stuff?" asked Kai, scowling.

Tala made a sheepish face, "Ian recommended it…"

"You will become Ian if you keep listening to him," Kai scoffed.

"Okay, okay. No need to look so disapproving. I am Sher-UnLocked," Tala offered with LIAR clearly written over his face.

Kai glared at him.

"I am not lying. Anyway, where are we going?"

Kai looked over the map and pointed Penjames Chemicals. "How about we start at the most obvious one?"

"Suits me," nodded Tala.

They folded the map which was camouflaged to look as a McDonalds' flyer.

When they walked back to site, Bryan was waiting for them. As soon as he caught sight of them, he ran forward, caught hold of Kai's hand and dashed into the trees again.

"What was that?" Tala wondered aloud.

"Kai, do you want to lose our bet?" Bryan was whispering.

"What?" Kai's head was full of thoughts of tonight's investigation and nothing else.

Bryan slapped his head, "The 'date-bet', Kai!"

"Oh that," Kai shrugged.

"Yes. That. Do you want to lose to the girls?"

Kai shook his head, "You are right. Diana would never make me forget it. Have any ideas?"

Bryan looked downcast, "How do we set up someone on a date? Do we just go and ask the first girl we meet to date our friend?"

"Who are keeping in mind? Ian or Spencer?" Kai didn't want another Tala fiasco.

Bryan smiled, "Ian. He is such a player. We can't lose if we choose him."

Kai nodded.

"So, do you know any girls?"

"No."

"Okay."

They walked back, dejectedly. Suddenly, Kai clutched Bryan's arm. Bryan screamed, "What? Where is it? What is it?" He started patting himself, aware of the horrors of the Amazonian creatures.

"Calm down. It's not an insect. Look," Kai pointed at Giselle who was currently monitoring some assistants. Giselle's way of monitoring was simple. Standing with a clipboard in her hand, she was shouting orders and scathing remarks.

Bryan gulped, "That is probably the only girl Ian won't be able flirt with."

"But we need someone or the girls will take this opportunity," Kai said.

Bryan shook his head, "Did you see what happened last time they met? I know Ian loves every girl that he sees but Giselle hates him."

"I think they would look very good together. Perfect, you know," Kai looked as if he didn't believe himself at all but necessity made him walk over to Giselle.

"Kai," she greeted him. "I see you are slacking."

Kai gave a cold look, "I need a"...he got the next word out with great difficulty…"favour."

Giselle gave him a puzzled look, "Go ahead."

Kai coughed, "I need you to go on a blind date." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Bryan give him a thumbs-up. Real smooth to not mention Ian's name.

Giselle asked, "What's in it for me?"

Kai stared.

"How about you take the cleaning duty?" she asked.

Kai's usually cool demeanour cracked. The cleaning duty was a horror. Every morning slugs, worms and ants would fill the air pipe they had dug. Cleaning it was a pain. Nobody wanted to do it and Kai had avoided it vehemently.

Kai swallowed, "I'll do it."

"Okay, I am going to help you but only this time."

See, I am having end-semester exams! I have had three papers and three more to go. And that's why I have had no time. Today, I took some time off and I am multi-tasking-watching a match and writing this. So, I am really sorry for the delay but believe me this story was on my mind the WHOLE time. I was so distracted from studying because my fingers were itching to write and my head was full of ideas.

I hope you enjoy this. The next one will be good I think :D Some action happening on the secret mission part too!

Million thanks to all those who read and to my lovely reviewers- Susan Styles, Ansarinaemah, SMRA (Hey! The BEST one till now? Yayy! And I'm glad you like the angst part and I managed to give you goosebumps! :D :D YOur compliments made me super-super-happy...It makes me really grateful that you are willing to wait :') Thanks a lot and RR!), Superkami, Rangerapprentice, ShortBusHero (Welcome to the family :D) and Gingercookiessnaps!

SO I HAVE BEEN THINKING HOW ABOUT A MATCHMAKING SPIN-OFF EVENT? Like a oneshot (based on Matchmaking 1 or 2) written by the participants? Please tell me what you think and if anybody is willing to take part? Pleaseeeee...

Forgive me for all the typos/errors

See ya :D Ilyall :)