AN: So sorry I haven't updated in such a long time, life's just gotten in the way of everything… anyway, if anyone's still even reading this, leave me a review, or I might just decided to drop the story and move on to something else… if I do decide to continue, I'll will be updating more frequently since things have calmed down after all the holiday madness… well, that's all I've got to say, enjoy the chapter… later.

"Jesus, Nick," Alex sighed exasperated. "Don't be so dramatic."

"Oh, you take all the fun out of my life." Nick wined.

"No, I just put in enough maturity to make you uncomfortable." Alex stated. "Kristi's the one who provides the fun."

"Don't I know it." Nick chuckled.

"Oh, God." Alex groaned. "Do I have to know those little details? Can't you at least keep your thoughts to yourself?"

"If I so choose, which I don't." Nick smirked.

"Right." Alex rolled her eyes. "So what exactly are you doing here?"

"Watching out for you."

"How thoughtful. Wait, let me guess, not your idea?" Alex didn't even wait for an answer. "Can you go find out if Shalimar's been here in the past few hours?"

"Of course, my lady." Nick bowed low.

"Stop with the dramatic." Alex growled, her eyes changing to a bright yellow as she glared at Nick.

Nick didn't miss a beat. "You didn't say the magic word." But he was no fool, as soon as the words were out of his mouth he disappeared in a shining cloud.

Muttering curses under her breathe, Alex headed back towards the worker's housing. If she didn't have to sneak around the main area's, then she would have a chance to look for any signs of Shalimar.

Agents who were not on site daily did not have a room, but there were little safes holding anything they kept from their former lives. Alex found two that carried familiar scents, Shalimar and Lexa. Neither of the lockers held anything of value. Lexa's looked like it had not been bother for some time. But Shalimar's held a photo album. Alex glanced through the album but didn't recognize anyone in it except a few mutants that Adam's team had come in contact with over the years.

As she was closing Shalimar's locker, Nick popped up next to her.

Alex jumped slightly, and then recovering herself, punched him for scaring her.

"Ouch, Alex," Nick yelped. "Was that really necessary?"

"Next time sneak up on me when I'm in a really bad mood. You'll be begging me to just hit you."

"Oh, and what kind of mood are you in right now?" Nick grinned.

"I'm numb." Alex replied, sending Nick an icy glare.

"You know, whenever I'm around you, I can just feel the love radiating off of you. It's so uplifting and comforting." Nick smiled.

"Drop dead, Nick." Alex groaned. She was starting to lose what little patience she had. "Did you find out anything?"

"Yes, she was here for a few minutes last night. The guards are all complaining cause she didn't stick around too long."

"And where is she now?" Alex demanded.

"I don't know, you're the feral. Where would you go if you wanted to get away from everyone?"

Alex grinned. Without another word to Nick she strode out of the housing area, and straight for the exit.

"So, what?" Nick called after her. "We're going low tech now or something?"

'You got it.' Alex's thought rang through his mind.

Lexa was doing her best not to strangle the rather hyper mutant next to her, but she was quickly losing self control. Jules had spent the entire ride jabbering about everything that she could think of to get on Lexa's nerves.

She was stopped mid rant by Nick materializing in the back seat.

"'ello darling," he drawled, receiving a glared from Lexa almost identical to Alex's. "Have you missed me?"

"Didn't even notice you'd left." Lexa growled.

"Oh, too busy daydreaming about me?" Nick smirked.

Lexa's response was to slam her foot down on the break causing Nick to nearly impale himself on the parking break.

"I'd take that as a no." Jules giggled.

"Yeah, no kidding." Nick grumbled.

"Next time, make sure you're buckled in before you annoy me." Lexa advised. "It's the only thing that's saved Jules so far."

"Oh, whatever." Jules laughed. "You love me and you know it."

"Of course she does Jules, she just doesn't know how to show it." Nick laughed.

"Nick!" Lexa almost wailed. "Tell me you need something or get the hell out of this car."

"Alex needs you."

"Okay." Lexa nodded slowly. "When exactly?"

"Now. Hey Jules, think you can drive the van the rest of the way?" Nick smiled.

"Oh boy!" the young girl could hardly contain her excitement.

"Oh, god." Lexa shuddered. "Just as long as I'm not in it."

"Knock, knock." Nick called as he and Lexa appeared in a very poorly lit cavern. It was a large room like space with many tunnels leading off to the sides. It was obviously a wonderful place for ferals to congregate, but it was just a little too dark and foreboding for Lexa. She subtly started to give off light, trying to see her surrounding better.

"That might not be such a good idea." Nick muttered. "Some one might take it as a threat."

"That's alright, just as long as I see them when they see me." Lexa responded belligerently.

"Never had you're butt kicked by an agitated feral before, eh?"

"I'm not going to answer that," Lexa glared at him.

Nick chuckled softly, and then cleared his throat. In a loud voice he called out, "Anyone here?"

"No," Alex's voice snapped near by, "I just wanted you to disappear into the middle of nowhere for a while."

"Sounds like a good plan." Lexa chuckled.

"Oh, dear," Nick sighed dramatically. "I see both you lovely ladies are having a hard time admitting to your obvious love of me."

"I think you mean hated." Alex and Lexa responded simultaneously.

"Eh, love; hate, there's a fine line." Nick shrugged, then after a meaningful and menacing look from Alex grinned. "So I guess it's time for me to leave then. Call me if you need me."

"Bye Nick," Alex gritted out as he disappeared again. "He is so annoying." She grinned at Lexa impishly. "I should teach him a lesson in manners some time."

"Yeah," Lexa shifted uncomfortably under Alex's gaze, that look made her edgy. "So why exactly am I here again?"

"Oh, right. We're going to have a little chat with Shalimar."

"This doesn't sound good." Lexa moaned.

"Come on." Alex laughed, dragging the reluctant mutant behind her as she headed deeper into the cave system.