Chapter 15

T +34 hours

Somewhere Downtown

Seattle, WA

Spencer

Spencer rocked back to his mattress and almost growled at the ceiling. Breathe, he thought, think. Don't just be angry, think. Breathe and… when he had a chance to calm down he went back to sitting where Sara could see him. Do you know why Pieter has you here?

The curious look fell away from her as she shuttered herself, held herself in a way both graceful and noble, watching him without truly looking up at all. Yes, I believe I do.

You believe?

I don't know for certain, he doesn't know sign. He watched the set of her, how she communicated how hard it had been to hang on all this time. And yet, he thought, she has. I don't know that I would have the strength to stay so vibrant and alive after this long. I haven't had anyone to talk to since this happened. But what he's done…

He waved at her to stop her, regain her attention. Try another angle, he thought, shutting her down won't help. You don't need to tell me now, maybe not ever. How do you know Pieter?

We were members of a…a sort of a club in DC. It's a…

He stopped her there as he felt a smile growing, The Court of the Chaplain? Ah, it couldn't be that easy.

You're familiar? She looked up again, finally. Are you a member?

I am, and I ought to have greeted you properly. He levered himself to his feet as best he could, braced himself against the glass door and gave her his best courtly bow, A pleasure to meet you M'lady.

She moved to rise, to greet him with a grin on her face, but drew a quick breath and sank back down, A pleasure to meet you as well, M'Lord. I hope you forgive me for not greeting you properly.

It is understandable. And I will be ripping Pieter's head off his neck as soon as I get out of this closet, Spencer thought. But that grin meant she was open to talking again. He flopped back down before his knee gave way completely. You know, this is actually a good thing.

How so?

Well, if I know my team they have already gone through my belongings, poked through my apartment, looked over my finances, met Ben Marel, gone to the club, and found out about…. He sagged.

What? She had been growing more excited, but when he sagged it settled off her.

I had a problem with Pieter a while ago. I'm sure they'll find out about it, but Paul Smyth was the only one who knew the name of the person involved in the incident. And he left last week to deal with an outbreak in the Congo. He sighed, silently. We may be in here until he gets back.

She seemed to sigh as well. I also spoke with Paul about the problem with Pieter, of course. Do you really think they will find us when he returns to the country?

I'm quite sure of it. I've never known them to fail.

In that case you've at least given me hope. That is more valuable than anything right now.

I wish I could do more. I ought to protect you.

He watched a smile of charmed gratitude laced with sadness come over her. It's a bit late for that, isn't it?

Never. Don't you even think that way, he thought. Don't, please. And no true Knight would hold this against you.

Well, it's not like I've acquiesced. Granted it might be that he just can't hear my no.

Spencer shook his head quite clearly. Stockholm syndrome, perhaps, he thought, or she's tripping the edges of it. Don't even think that of him. If he had any indication that you were willing he wouldn't keep you locked in a cage.

Well, there is that. She paused for a moment, looked around their prison. Will you do something for me?

Anything. Spencer smiled. If I can in this place.

Tell me a story. Tell me about the world outside, as it is. Tell me… She clearly thought a moment. Tell me of your adventures. Tell me what you've read, or about art you like or history. Anything but this place, I haven't had anyone to talk to in so long.

You want me to tell stories? To…talk?

She was blushing again. I've always hoped to meet a Knight who could sign, one who would just talk to me. If you're mounting a rescue and can tell stories I may have to consider this near to miraculous.

Will you tell me about yourself as well?

She nodded a bow of agreement. If you like, but you first, it's been so long. Please.

She wanted him to start talking? Granted, it was harder, slower this way, but there was something about being able to slow down. And it would pass the time until they were rescued; keep her…them both sane and whole, right? Spencer grinned and cracked his knuckles. Whatever the Lady wanted.

T+ 38 hours

Marel Fencing Salon

Washington DC

Emily

They had tossed it around for hours, ordering the traditional Chinese food and going over what they had again and again. It all came out to nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing. So the decision had been made. Tomorrow night she and Morgan were going undercover at The Court of The Chaplain. Hopefully they could come up with something there.

"Are you sure you're going to get home all right?" Ben Marel asked her.

Rather than have him take the Metro this late at night they she had just decided to drive him back to his place. "Yeah, I've got a hotel room that will last me a few days. Once Reid is safe I'll see about getting another apartment."

"That's not what I mean." Ben looked over at her. "I'm worried sick about him tonight."

"Yeah, well, in this job you have to compartmentalize well." Emily was worried sick too. She didn't expect to actually sleep tonight. It was more like going home and trying not to picture what was happening to Reid right now.

"What do you think is going to happen to him?"

"He's going to survive." She replied. "He always has. Get some sleep; we're going to need your help tomorrow."

"I don't know that I can." He sighed then, and turned to look at the building, a restless move. But then he…stopped. "Why are the lights still on?"

That got Emily's attention. "Should they be off?"

"Yes. Susan should have locked up an hour ago."

Emily called for backup, then got out of the car, drew her weapon, and headed for the building. "Wait here." She told Ben. But a moment later, when she turned the corner, he was right behind her. "I told you to wait there." She whisper hissed at him.

"You have the only weapon." He pointed out in the same whisper. "You're not leaving me behind."

Sigh. "I have a spare pistol if you want it."

"I've never used one."

Well then what did he want? They turned the corner, and spotted the van parked in front of the main entrance. "Do you have a back door?" She asked him

"Yeah, this way, he led her around one of the outcroppings of the building to a nearly hidden door. It led to a stairway with a door to the main gym tucked in the shadows. They entered the door and she saw him quickly pick a sword off the nearest rack.

Really? Seriously?

A moment later she saw someone moving in the main room. "Get down." She hissed at Ben, who darted into the locker room door. "FBI! Come out!" She called out, much louder. The figure stepped out from behind a bank of lockers. She had just a moment to recognize the face before the gun was being raised. She dove behind the wall to join Ben just as the gunfire erupted.