I am SO sorry guys. I had every intention of writing and posting this chapter on Christmas Eve, however, the weather was not on my side. I ended up snowed in at a relative's house. I hope you can forgive me and enjoy this chapter even if it is a little late.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

...

Chapter 14

Another Unwelcome Guest

...

Nas Kamal was as unwelcome as she was a wealth of information. Kurt had learned to trust his instincts and his instincts told him that Nas was driven, intelligent and tough. But they also told him that she was opportunistic and secretive. He had a hard time believing that she would let emotions get in the way of the job.

Nas strode up to him, her authoritative stance making her seem bigger than her small stature would first present, "Assistant Director Weller, I need to speak to you immediately, do you mind if we talk in your office."

Too bad Kurt wasn't a pushover, "Anything you have to say, can be said in front of my team."

Nas paused, her facing tensing in obvious irritation, "What I have to say is highly sensitive." Kurt watched as her gaze shifted to Jane's presence behind him, "I understand that Jane Doe is in your custody now."

If she thought that comment would earn her a private meeting, she had the wrong thing coming. If anything, Nas' comment assured the opposite. Kurt gestured the woman towards their usual conference room, "I understand, we'll take this to a more private venue."

Nas sailed by, confident that she had gotten her way. Kurt turned around to address the team with an raised eyebrowsl. He went around the group and met everyone's eyes and then directed them into the very same conference room. "She doesn't have a say in how we run our team. Together, we are going to go in there and listen to what she has to say."

His gaze travelled over Jane's face and he cringed at the hyper-alert strain visible in her body. As the rest of the team trickled into the room, Kurt reached out and grabbed her hand gently in his own and gave it a tight reassuring squeeze before following behind her.

They sat down solemnly with carefully crafted indifferent expressions on their faces. Nas stood at the head of the table, waiting until they sat down to get started.

"I work for an off book wing of the NSA called Zero Division. Over the past couple years, I have linked several random terror events, with a single terrorist group as the cause." Nas had plugged her computer into their system and used it to bring up a series of images, media files and stats to emphasize her point. She fielded questions on the events and provided the logic behind her claims. It was a thorough and meticulous analysis that evidenced Nas' passion for the project as much as highlighting the ruthless skill of the organization.

"I call them Sandstorm."

The NSA agent very easily kept the conversation centralized on Sandstorm, but Zapata wanted to know about the subject Nas had yet to broach. "Why is the NSA so interested in Jane," Tasha finally cut in impertinently.

Nas stared at Jane down the table, "I believe that Jane was a key member of Sandstorm sent to you as a Trojan horse."

Silence. Kurt's mind rapidly processed the information…

We already knew that Jane was sent to us as a mole; she admitted it herself. But if this is true, we can finally learn about the who and why that was behind it. Did Jane really belong to this… Sandstorm?

This is exactly the break we were looking for; an identity on Jane's former organization and stacks of data. But I know this information has a cost. Judging by the way Nas had zeroed in on Jane— she clearly expected that her announcement could cause a rift. She wants Jane for something and I have a feeling I won't like it.

The team's faces remained unfazed; to them this was not new information. Well… the name was new… Nas seemed somewhat taken aback as if she was expecting a stronger reaction… yells of shock, denial, anger or some kind of backlash against Jane.

When she did not receive any strong response, Nas persevered, "It seems you already aware of that. Good, I suppose that saves me some time. Judging by your reactions, I can assume that your team has moved past that betrayal and is back on track. That is excellent. We have been following your developments since Times Square, while they are impressive, I believe Sandstorm is planning its biggest attack yet on US soil and we need to be more aggressive."

Kurt needed to slow this down, "You have been following our team since last year? And only now have you come forward…"

"Yes, I suppose I should have started with my condolences on Assistant Director Mayfair… but time is of the essence," Nas stated with hollow sympathy.

Reade hissed in a deep breathe while Zapata slammed her fists on the table baring her teeth at the woman's effrontery.

"Your condolences are duly noted," Kurt responded drily. "Perhaps it would be better if you got to the point. I am assuming you require our assistance for something related to Sandstorm?"

"Yours… not exactly. I would like to utilize Jane to infiltrate Sandstorm and take them down."

That was when chaos broke out.

…

...

Kurt had managed to control the team's riotous response while Nas stood at the head of the table taking the anger in stride. Inch by inch, Jane started rolling her chair back until she was pressed into the corner of the room. She liked having the security of the wall at her back.

Jane could see Kurt watching her out of the corner of his eye; he hid it well but she could see concern wrinkling the corners of his eyes. She knew he had every reason to be concerned. The other day she had been a flight risk and now, this stranger comes in and claims she was part of "Sandstorm." He was probably waiting for her to crack under the pressure.

But after over a year, Jane was used to finding out terrifying and horrifying things about her past. In her memories, she had seen a woman wearing her face shoot, maim and kill. And from Oscar, she learned even more unpleasant details of the woman she was. It should come as no surprise that she belonged to a heinous organization plotting against the whole of the United States… Murphy's Law was the law that governed her life.

Jane had just started to come to terms with returning to her old life— looking forward to celebrating the acceptance of her old team. Now, it looked like that fairytale ending was coming to an end. She should have expected that… she never got to enjoy the good things for long.

Am I ready to confront this part of my past? Do I even have a choice?

It seemed that the decision was already made for her. As she looked on, Kurt stood to respond to Nas; he didn't yell, but he was firm. "Thank you for your information and we would be happy for any insight you can give us into Sandstorm. However, you absolute will not put my asset in a life-threatening situation. You want to send her into a dangerous terrorist organization with no real information, no backup— essentially blind? It is non-negotiable. No."

Jane appreciated his protection— she did. But she would appreciate it more if he would discuss it with her first and allow her an opinion. It was her life. It was her past. It was her decision.

Nas was not prepared to accept 'no' for an answer, "I don't think you understand the seriousness of this, Assistant Director Weller. This group is dangerous and I can feel the clock running down on this. It is our duty to protect this country. If nothing else, don't you want vengeance for Mayfair."

Reade had, had enough of this pushy bureaucrat. It was manipulative to use Mayfair as a trigger, "Look, lady, you have no right to come in here and tell us—"

"Reade!" Kurt silenced him with a look and gestured for him to stand down, "Agent Kamal, I appreciate that you want to get this group— we do too. Don't question our priorities or our patriotism. But by your own admittance, you hung back for a year watching us without sharing any of your intel. You are part of the reason my boss is dead."

"You don't understand," Nas pleaded passionately, "It is remarkable that you successfully turned Jane into an asset. This is the best lead we have had in years. The only chance…"

"We didn't do anything. You're talking about Jane like she isn't even a person. She is. She is in this room in fact." Zapata sniped in the background.

"Exactly." Nas directed her gaze at Jane, "Jane, you want to stop Sandstorm, don't you? Remember how they killed Mayfair and how they lied to you. Think of the damage they have done to your own life."

I do want to stop them; but I don't trust you to help me do it.

There was a long pause while Nas waited for Jane to respond. The team held no such expectations. Patterson, who had remained silent up until now, took pity on the woman, "Agent Kamal… Jane doesn't speak; she hasn't since we found her again."

Nas looked helplessly between Weller and Jane. That certainly made things more difficult.

I can't believe they are protecting me from yet another agency… I suppose that was a miracle on its own. I had promised Weller that I wouldn't try to escape. I meant it at the time but I wonder if I am going to be able to keep that promise. I may have to leave for my protection and theirs— the NSA is just as dangerous as the CIA.

Life has turned so unpredictable I'm not willing to bet on anyone or anything at this point, least of all myself. All I know for certain is that I still face a dangerous and uncertain future... all because of my past.

…

...

Nas' posture was still ramrod straight and undefeated- if not disappointed, "I can see that using Jane isn't currently an option. But since I can assume that her mutism is a temporary situation, I would like a moment alone with Jane to discuss the possibility in her future."

Jane was tired of depending on others to speak for her. She stood from her chair and gave the woman a curt nod. The team gave her varying glances of concern as they exited out the door. Patterson touched her arm and gave her a questioning look, only finally leaving when Jane reassured her with a half-smile.

Kurt lingered the longest, "I can stay, Jane. I won't say anything."

Jane shook her head in refusal and he reluctantly left with a final warning look to Nas.

"Well, you've certainly garnered quite a protective following, Jane. I applaud your achievement— it must have taken some effort for them to trust you again after all you've done." Nas certainly didn't pull any punches now that she didn't have to impress Weller.

Jane had her notebook, but didn't consider the comment worthy of a response.

"Clearly, the CIA did quite a number on you if you are still recovering. Keaton always was a little too overzealous." Nas smirked at Jane's suppressed surprise. "Oh yes, I know about your time with the CIA. You do understand that they are still very interested in recovering you. If they do… and if you survive it… they'll keep you somewhere that no one will ever find you."

Only slightly unnerved by Jane's unemotional response, Nas pushed on, letting a hint of threat layer her voice, "Give me a reason to help protect you. Help us bring down the people who put you here. Earn your freedom."

"Blackmail is the lowest form of negotiation," Jane serenely wrote. "I don't need your help."

"No, I suppose you have the FBI's protection… for now. We both know their feelings about you have been fickle in the past. Believe me, with the CIA after you, it never hurts to have another friend in your corner."

Nas had zoomed in on Jane's most immediate fears. Damn she was good. Jane kept her face impassive— a poker face was vital with a woman like Nas; she would take advantage of any weakness.

"You are a liability to me if you can't speak. But I encourage you to snap out of it soon… for your own good. Think about it, Jane, think about the difference you could make— think of the lives you could save. Think of securing your own future."

I don't appreciate the manipulation or being used but I will I'll admit, Nas is passionate about this mission. It is a relief that someone is aware of this organization and actively trying to stop it. I am glad to finally have a better understanding of my origins and I am grateful for the intel she can provide.

All my instincts tell me that I can't outrun my past— it will continue to haunt me until I deal with it. I can't keep avoiding it, I must make a decision— soon.

I want to stop them. I hate them for what they did and at the same time I am so desperate to talk to them. So desperate to understand why they are doing this… and more importantly, why I did this. I want to ask about my past and my identity.I need to find out what drove me to join that group in the first place.

I am so terrified about what I may discover if I go forward with this. Everything is so twisted and convoluted in my mind; a strange dichotomy of who I was and who I am now. So far it has been easy to keep them separate; but if I go after Sandstorm, I know that will become more difficult.

It feels like it's my responsibility. I am the most qualified — I do have a connection to Sandstorm. Maybe I should do this… I should, but not yet. I need to prepare myself to battle this dragon. Once I am stronger, I WILL take them on.

And at that point I will know whether I am taking them on alone, me against the world, or if I will have a team at my back. Time will tell.

…

...

The team convened outside of the conference room, wanting to stay close but not wanting to hover. It was difficult to leave Jane in the jaws of a forceful NSA operative, a woman entirely too capable of shattering the fragile peace they had established.

"What do you think Nas wanted to talk to Jane about?" Patterson asked nervously.

Reade flopped his head incredulously in Patterson's direction, "I think it's obvious… She's gonna try to guilt Jane into helping her. She is going to try and snake her into being her sacrificial pawn."

"Jane wouldn't fall for that right?" Patterson was even more worried now.

"Of course not." Zapata eased with a hint of bravado. "As much as we treat Jane like a fragile flower, we can't forget that she was and is a badass. She could wipe the floor with any of us and after months of torture she still almost managed to escape from this FBI building."

Kurt nodded, "Jane will be fine. Nas Kamal won't be interested in using her until, at the very least, she is talking again. When the time comes, I have no doubt she will be back. But she does not have the upper hand here, she doesn't have any leverage over us or Jane and we won't let her bully anyone into a plan we don't agree with."

"Absolutely," Reade agreed, "And it's important that Jane knows that too."

Patterson muttered regretfully, "I never thought I would wish for Jane to stay silent a little longer."

…

When the conference door swung open, they were immediately alert. Scanning Nas' face as she exited it was apparent that she was leaving dissatisfied. Weller met her in the hall out of politeness.

Even if she was leaving without her ultimate goal, Nas still wanted to press her point. "You do realize that Jane was designed— engineered even— to get close to you. Knowing that, can you truly trust her on your team?"

Kurt couldn't abide her attempts to create a rift in his team. He didn't want her leaving under any misapprehension for next time. "Let me make this perfectly clear… I have no doubts about Jane."

In the interests of pursuing the case, Kurt requested and was granted access to some of the NSA's files on Sandstorm. He suspected, Agent Kamal wanted to whet their appetite on Sandstorm in the hopes that they would become more willing to cooperate. She had no idea that this team was already more motivated to stop Sandstorm than anyone she had ever encountered— their interest was vested and personal.

He realized that the NSA probably would withhold the majority of the research, but the FBI had their own resources and those files would be a promising start to their own investigation.

Jane hadn't exited the conference room yet. Patterson, Zapata and Reade had popped into the office immediately and Kurt joined them once Nas exited the building. When he went in, he gathered that they were attempting to lighten the mood.

"All I'm saying is that Sandstorm is a stupid name," Reade laughed.

"Well what would you call them, hot shot," Zapata rolled her eyes, "What is your big name idea."

"OH! The 'Death Star.'" Patterson piped up gleefully.

"You're giving them waaaay too much credit… I'm thinking the Squad of Anarchy," Reade snorted. Kurt had never heard Reade snort.

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I got this… League of Shadows." silence and then they burst out laughing - even Jane's eyes had lightened with mirth.

Kurt leaned against the door, "You guys missed your calling. Maybe you should try a sideline in advertising."

Reade blew on his knuckles and rubbed them against his collar in faux arrogance, "Welll, what can I say. When you got it. You got it."

"We'll discuss Sandstorm right away if you guys want to have a quick break to get our heads on straight." They didn't really need time. Kurt knew the team would understand he was asking for some space to talk to Jane.

He waited until they filtered out before he took a seat next to Jane. She was more likely to downplay events so he decided to come right out and say what he thought had happened. "I'm going to guess that Agent Kamal tried to blackmail you into helping her."

Jane's eyes widened at his blunt and accurate assessment. She gave a bare nod.

He covered her hand with his own, "Did you believe her?"

Jane gave him a measuring look before biting her lip and giving him a small smile. She shook her head from side to side and watched him slump slightly in relief.

"I know she probably tried to scare you with empty threats. But I talked to Pellington and he has agreed you are well worth protecting. You are vital to our team and this case, he will fight for you." He squeezed her hand in emphasis, "No one will touch you…"

Jane chewed on her lower lip, confused as her eyes darted down to his fingers resting warmly on her hand.

He following her gaze. With a helpless shrug he gave a toothy grin, "I'm the exception."

As much as Jane wanted to linger in the moment, she couldn't leave it there. In stops and starts she methodically penned her thoughts. "I don't trust Nas, but I do want to go after Sandstorm. I can't ignore my past and I have to make them pay for what they did. I would like to be cleared for physical therapy. I need to get back in fighting form."

"We will get Sandstorm, Jane. We will work as a team— don't feel like you are in this alone. We all want to take them down. You will be cleared for physical therapy when the medical team agrees."

Jane's eyes narrowed and she scrawled, "No. Now. My body. My decision. I'm ready. There is no time to waste."

Kurt leaned in gamely, "There is no reason for you to be pushing yourself before you are ready. We will discuss it with the doctor. No promises."

He was being too conservative. "We'll see." Jane pressed the words determinedly into his chest and left the room with a feisty smirk.

...

Hopefully this proves my promise that Kurt and Nas will definitely not be together (Eww). There is even a hint of her pushing them closer together.

I hope you liked it. Let me know your thoughts on the Nas situation.

Next chapter you can look forward to a little bit of comedy and fluff with another Roman sighting.