Please read the author's note at the end, thank you!

The Long Road Ahead

Act II

Episode VI

Narcissism – Part I

"You look fine, Tessa."

"B-But, Mao…"

Kaname turned her head away from the pitch black tinted window of the hired limousine. "Tessa!"

Tessa cranked her head away from her reflection at Kaname's voice. Her grey hair flung about her shoulders. "But, this isn't exactly…"

The blue haired woman giggled, giving Tessa a content stare. "You look nice, Tessa." She said slowly to get the point across, leaning in a bit from her leather seat within the long vehicle. Dim silver and gold lights coming from the interior of the limo shimmered just above Kaname's face. She couldn't help but let out another laugh. "Just like Mao said, this is only a cover, it's not like you are actually going to be doing any actual clubbing."

"Well, actually…Mao said that…" Kurz couldn't finish before Mao elbowed him swiftly in the ribcage.

Kurz's words didn't exactly help Tessa's state of mind. She returned her stare to the pitch black window, looking directly at her own reflection. At Mao and Kaname's recommendation, she had let her grey hair down, it being taken out of her usual ponytail that she draped over shoulder. It was trimmed, cleaned, and had a strange silvery glow to it, something from the salon Mao had taken them to just before night had fallen. Both Mao and Kaname took it upon themselves to prepare Tessa for that night. It was almost as if they had forgotten about the matter at hand, taking the opportunity to pretend that they were actually having a night out on the town. All of this made Tessa feel uneasy. Had her friends truly forgotten about the matter at hand, or were they simply taking this idea of cover to a new extreme. To Tessa, it seemed the latter.

Sousuke sat straight as usual, gently grasping Kaname's hand as she leaned back against her seat. It seemed like a more formal, escorting hold, rather than one of that of a couple. "It's a perfectly normal response to be nervous in a field operation, Madam Captain." The Sergeant said as reassuring as he could. He noticed Teletha's strange nervous posture against the window. "You aren't exactly one to be out in the field, especially during something as serious as this."

All the bodies in the limo swayed to the side ever-so-slightly. The long car had rounded a corner. The blurred lights coming through he tinted glass signaled that they were drawing nearer to their destination, the nightclub district…

"Mr. Sagara, I hardly think that I'm unable to handle myself in the field." She snapped back, taking slight offense at Sousuke's words. "This matter is much more-." Tessa couldn't finish before another voice cut her off.

"Personal?" Mao purred, running her hands over the silky deep purple dress she had bought for herself specifically for that night. While her eyes weren't accusing, they looked directly at Tessa. Mao knew that this matter was in fact very personal to the young woman. David's fate, and that of his little sister's, would be decided in only a few hours…Maybe even Tessa's personal affections lay on the table on a night like this…

Tessa had to take a gulp of courage to even respond. "Well I…What I mean is..." The captain had to reflect the subject quickly. "…I just hardly think this is the time for us to have gone shopping, spending such money!"

Most of the group fidgeted in their seats. While she didn't say it, they all knew that it was very personal between David and Teletha Testarossa.

Kurz was the first to say anything. "Oh, come on, Tessa..." He said rather light heartedly, trying to swing one arm around Mao. She had none of it, pushing him away before his hand even got close to her shoulder. "…It's money well spent. I mean, we would be able to even think of getting in with what we were wearing before!" Kurz motioned with his other hand to his new black suit and tie.

Kaname too looked down at herself. The young woman had picked out a shimmering blue dress, something that matched her hair. "Kurz does have a point you know." She laughed, leaning up against Sousuke who wore a suit similar to Weber's. "Tessa, we need all the help we can get to pull this off. If spending a little money is what it takes, I think we can live with that…"

The captain bit her bottom lip nervously. They all had points in their words. Yet, Tessa still couldn't help but feel uneasy. If David wished for them to meet at such a place, he surely had his reasons. That or it could very well be a trap…

"…And besides!" Kaname said joyously, leaning forward toward Tessa again. She gave her a brief wink. "You do look nice. David won't have any problem picking you out from the crowd. He knows you the most, and trusts you the most. If anyone can find him, it'll be you, Tess."

Looking down at herself, Tessa knew that fighting any of Kaname's words would simply be returned with denial. Although she didn't feel it, perhaps she did looked as nice as Mao and Kaname said. Kaname took it upon herself to find something for Tessa to wear. With a hefty price tag, she had gotten her a long silky black dress. It was one that came down to her ankles, having a slight parting on the side to just above the knee. Around the shoulders it seemed to be laced with silver pieces of fake diamonds. Obviously real diamonds would cost so much more, yet it looked the same. Mao's joke about "showing some skin" might have had something to do with it. Tessa could still feel the cold leather pressing up against her bare back. Thankfully though, Kaname had picked her out something more modest and covering in the front than others Mao suggested.

The limo's speed began to slow. The way the car motioned meant that they were pulling over to the side of the street…

"Don't look so glum." Kurz blurted again, his eyes glancing to the colorful blurred street light outside the limousine. "If it's a trap, at least we can die knowing we are looking nice."

"Ok, stick to the plan…" Mao uttered as their small group passed through the entry way. A duo of bouncers had taken the tickets that had been planted on Tessa during their time in the streets earlier that day. They had made it in. Now for the hard part, finding David. "…Kurz and I will stand watch as best we can on the perimeter of the crowd. Sousuke and Kaname, you both will enter the crowd; it's your job to keep an eye on the Captain. And Tess, you're the bait. You're the one David will be looking for. You find him, find us, and we get the hell out of this place." She paused looking deeper into the crowd, pushing her way forward as she had her head tilted back to everyone else. "This place is too crowded. I can smell a trap like bad fish."

Tessa shifted nervously. Once again, if only she could be in her submarine during something like this. Yet, only she could get David out of hiding. "R-Right." She muttered, picking up her pace so she wouldn't get separated from Mao in the mass of people. Mao did have a point. Something about this place did scream trap. Their only hope was getting in and out without blowing their cover to anyone whom might be watching.

Even Kaname was starting to feel the strain. She was no soldier, but even she had been drug into this, mainly by Tessa. The blue haired woman stuck close to Sousuke, arm interlaced with his.

"By my estimates…" Sousuke began, his voice as reassuring as even. "…Mithril will no doubt have got wind of our intentions. Given what we know, they won't be far behind as well." His head darted to the door that was slowly growing smaller as they walked further into the night club. The look on his face did show a little stress. "I give us less than a few hours before they try and stop us."

Once again, Teletha Testarossa could only cringe at the news. She knew that fact too. Mithril undoubtly would be hot on their trail. For all she knew, they wanted David dead. That was something they couldn't let happen. In addition, the young captain knew not what would lie in store for them once they returned. Surely, the higher ups would not be pleased with some of their best going AWOL. Taking a gulp of courage, Teletha strode even faster forward, coming side by side to Mao. All of them could see the night club's main room getting closer. "This is our only chance."

"This still seems like a trap to me." Kurz mumbled. He looked between Tessa, Mao, Sousuke, and Kaname, giving his fresh black suit a firm tug at the collar. "David could be leading us right into the jaws of the beast. Even if he isn't, how do we know that he isn't being followed? He what, not only betrayed us, but if he betrayed The Collective, how do we not know that they aren't following him as well."

"That's a risk I'm will to take." Tessa barked, as her cheeks turns a light shade of red. Neither she nor Kaname seemed to be enjoying the negativity that had settled over their group. "I-I know David is doing this for his sister. I just don't see how he would turn his back on us after leading us after him this far. David is in there, I know it. We are going to get him out. We are going to help him get his sister back."

Kaname gave a brief purr of agreement. She was with Tessa no matter what. That flicker of confidence gave the young woman hope that this would end with everyone coming out alive.

"Well…" Kurz mumbled again, as their little group drew to the entrance of the main room. "…It's now or never." They passed through the large and swung open wooden doors. He took his place next to Mao and watched as Kaname and Sousuke did the same. The duos stood to the side of the captain, singling her out. It was game time. David was in the massive crowd ahead of them, just waiting to be found. "Good luck everyone."

Tessa couldn't believe her eyes. Her feet seemed to subconsciously carry her deeper into the room. It was as if she had stepped into a completely different world, one only for the rich and famous. This club they had entered was truly one to be marveled at…Teletha's eyes gazed above her head. The ceiling seemed to be covered in polished glimmering mirrors. Like ants she saw the people that stood around her move through the little rays of glancing light that also met the reflective surface. In her gut Tessa felt a strange idea of that she was surrounded by an embodiment of narcissism. The club itself was like a living thing, only concerned with itself and its own self-image. Yet, even she saw herself in that reflective surface. She was now a part of this culture of self-indulgence. That mirror on the ceiling saw everyone and everything; there was no escaping it…Teletha began to pushed future into the crowd. David was in this strange world somewhere.

Lowering down the wall, the grey eyes of the captain looked upon wall covered in a pattern of wooden engravings painted in only the brightest shade of gold. They jutted up from the second level, a balcony type space with silver railings that looked over the main floor. For all Tessa knew they could actually be gold, but that was the least probable possibility. Circling the upper level of the room, the engravings marked the obviously separation between the second level and the ceiling. There were a few doors, one on each corner. Yet, despite the doors, no bodies occupied that space. Tessa could only assume such an area was reserved for private uses, or simply decoration in the world of money-lust and outward image.

Finally, Tessa's eyes darted around the main floor. Not surprisingly, it was packed with people dressed in their nicest, just as she was. Nervousness took over. Teletha had to brush at her sides in an attempt to stay focused. Everyone else was counting on her. Cranking her head around, she attempted to catch a glimpse of her friends. Nothing. Mao and Kurz were nowhere to be found. Even Sousuke and Kaname had been swept up in the pulsing crowd. Yet Tessa knew they were there. They had to be. That was the plan…Turning her head back around front, the young woman strode forward even deeper into the crowd. She could feel her heels pass onto a hardwood floor. Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa spied a stage. At that moment, a heavy red curtain blocked anyone from seeing what was behind it. But the mass of people slowly started to gravitate towards its edge. Something was about to happen there and soon.

That was her chance. More people began to move in the direction of the stage. The room slowly became just a bit clearer. Tessa glanced around frantically. David was still nowhere, but the feeling in her gut said he was close. A feeling of eyes looking at the back of her head gave her both chills and comfort. David was there, she just had to find him.

A bar emerged from the parting bodies. Empty spots began to show as the crowd shifted. There. That was the place where Tessa would be able to get a better view of the room. With a new re-found energy, Teletha strode toward the bar. She had no plans on a drink. The captain despised alcohol. In her nose there was enough smell of booze and wine to last her a lifetime. One could place bets that almost everyone in the establishment probably had their fair share of alcohol already…Nearly stumbling over it, Teletha reached the bar. She could feel her uneasy feet in her heels, now would not be the time for her clumsiness to shine, not in this place with all these people watching. Panting lightly, Tessa swiftly waved off the approaching bartender. No drinks, not today, not now.

The room began to fall silent. Dimming, golden light coming from the large hanging fixtures signaled what everyone already knew, a performance on the stage. People began to hush others. And the lights started to grow darker and darker; the entire club becoming nearly dark, save for a few dim lights shining upon the hardwood dance floor.

"W-Where…C-Could…He…Be…" Tessa Testarossa panted. She stood up a little straighter, fixing her black dress. Some many eyes glanced in her direction. It made he feel uneasy. Such a young woman by herself was something out of the ordinary, especially in a club like this. Although, anyone who thought such a thing and yet to come forward. Even those that remained at the bar glanced in her direction at her arrival. A few young men seemed to be entranced immediately at her appeared. Still, none had yet to come forward and greet her. That included David.

A murmur erupted from the crowd and the red curtain on the stage pulled back. The show was about to begin…

Looking back Tessa watched as a small band took the stage. A woman stepped forward to the microphone, the lead singer was Tessa's guess. They took a few moments, looking over their equipment, eyeing almost like a soldier would eyes his or her weapon…Stepping forward, the lead singer looked out over the crowd, eyes scanning the heads. Briefly, it almost seems that she locked eyes with Tessa at the bar, giving her a strange grin before nodding to herself. Another small silence settled over the room. For a few long moments, even Teletha forgot about looking for David. This new world she had entered seemed to be sinking its fangs into her mind. All of it became almost surreal…

Then…The woman began to sing. Her haunting voice bellowed out over the mass of flesh and drink and money. While no rock band, this small orchestral band's sound was massive. Something about the music stirred the crowd. People began to move, separate, split off into pairs. With an almost god-like voice, the female singer seemed to command the crowd into a slow dance. Almost waltz-like the music pushed the crowd onto the dance floor.

Another chance for Tessa to spy David bared no fruit. The young man was not in the crowd that had gone toward the stage to listen to the music or dance. People began to spread out, once again crowding the night club to near bursting levels. Save for now, there was an order to the madness. Pairs were now dancing to the slowly orchestral music instead of conversing in massive groups of indulging themselves in drink.

Sighing, Tessa began to feel that even after the few minutes she had been in the main room, maybe David wasn't here. "I-I can't believe this…" Teletha whispered to herself, shaking her head. Out of the corner of her ear she could hear some of the men at the edge of the bar murmur about her, yet she couldn't pick out what. More eyes seemed to bore into the back of her head. It made her feel uncomfortable in her own skin, and the dress she wasn't used to probably wasn't helping. If she would've known the feeling, the young captain might have compared it to getting stood up on a date. The girl was all dressed up but with no partner, even if she needed David for different reasons. Her body turned and leaned up a little further against the bar, defeated Tessa's head sunk low on her shoulders. She was sure David would've found her by now…

A firm hand grasped at Tessa's arm…

Pulling away, Teletha didn't even bother to turn. "I don't want to dance. Get away from me." In her mindset, Tessa could only imagine that's what this new figure wanted.

Still, the hand pulled, this time yanking Tessa away from her slouched posture against the bar surface. Now with the young woman's arm firmly in its grip, the man pulled her away from the bar and out into the rhythmically pulsing mass of bodies on the dance floor. The pair seemingly now vanishing within the mass of bodies.

"I said for you to-!" A hand wrapped around her waist, turning her, while the other went toward her free hand. It stopped her cold. This man forced her into the slow dance. Lifting her head to meet this figure's gaze, Teletha Testarossa was greeted by an old familiar face. "David!"

Author's Note:

Ok, so a bit of explaining with this one...

Originally, the entire club scene was going to take place in one chapter. But, as I've worked through my details something became rather apparent...It was going to be stupid long. I had so many details I wanted to put in here that there was no way I could push it all into on single chapter...So, biting the bullet, I split it. I really hope you aren't too angry with the little cliffhanger I've left you...But I assure you, the second part of this chapter will be long worth the wait!

Heh, so anyway, thanks for putting up with me and this story for so long! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!

Thanks

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