Chapter 20: Medford Lakes, NJ – August 24th, 2004 at 3:40 am

The entire room looked similar to the one Frank Castle might've kept: an armory first, bedroom second. All of the weapons were collected and assembled, the appropriate ammunition set beside each weapon. Grenades were backed into a regular backpack style bag carefully so that the pins wouldn't fall out or pulled accidentally. The plaga sample was transferred from the large duffel bag into a smaller, more compact one, which would make it easier to transport.

Ada reached once again into the second of her two duffel bags and pulled out her black leather docker's clutch, sliding her arms through the holes made by the straps. She reached back down into the bag and pulled out not one, but two Blacktail 9mm, placing them into the dual gun shoulder holster. She readjusted the straps of it, keeping the docker's clutch close enough to her body for easy accessibility, but not too tight as to cut off any range of motion or circulation. After she was satisfied with the tightness, she strapped on another belt of sorts: one that held explosives. A few of these, she thought as she grabbed a few of the incendiary grenades from the wooden case that sat on the mattress, and I'm set.

Lucas was in the restroom downstairs, working on getting his .38 from the tank. After spending a few minutes on getting the adhesive gunk out from the grooves of the grip, he made his way up the stairs and turned into the first room on the left. He made his way over to the closet and opened it up. The first thing that caught his eye was his old military service uniform; the one of the United States Navy. Beside that was his SEALs uniform, which was pretty much camouflaged fatigues. The motto of the SEALs came to Lucas' mind. The only easy day was yesterday. Hmm, isn't that the truth.

He reached to the right of the uniforms, grabbing instead a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a faded grey tee-shirt. He knew that he had to change, because it would be known to the Organization's men what he was last wearing, considering that it was standard dress procedure. The mercenaries, on the other hand, might not have. But if that woman was working with them, they would know. She got a very clear look. He began to switch his clothing.

Ada started to wonder what was keeping Lucas, so she started to look for him. Hearing motion in the close vicinity, she systematically checked the upstairs' rooms first. As she came to the final room before the steps leading down, she found in. He had already changed into his jeans, but hadn't finished with his shirt. She scanned his body and quickly apologized.

"It's alright," he said as he started to slide an arm into the faded shirt. Then she noticed a tattoo on his upper right arm.

What is that?

She stepped forward, holding his arms still so that she could get a better look. Amongst all of the faded-white scars was the shape of a bird, its wings spread out in glory. Across the midsection of the creature was a banner that read "SEAL 13: Until It Is Finished." Underneath of the bird was a fire, which looked as though its purpose was to set the bird ablaze.

"A phoenix."

Lucas nodded his head as Ada looked up into his eyes. Ada's hand stayed on Lucas' arm. This small amount of contact was the closest connection that Lucas has had with a woman ever since his family's death. It wasn't for the lack of interest, but for the fear of loss that he didn't allow anyone to get this close again. Part of him didn't want this kind of vulnerability, but the feeling of her touch…

Ada's mouth began to form a word as if to ask a question, but Lucas stopped her. "Later."

"That's your response for a lot of things."

"I know," he answered softly as he pulled the shirt on the rest of the way. He then reached for an equipment belt that was resting on a wooden chair. Looking down, he noticed that the woman he was protecting had put on his deceased wife's old hiking boots.

"Looks like the shoes fit."

Glancing down at the hiking boots on her feet, she responded. "Yes. They're a perfect fit."

"Glad to hear it." He turned around to leave the room. "And they look pretty good, too."

Lucas made his way back to the master bedroom, checking each of the other rooms instinctively for anything out of place. Entering the bedroom, he reached for a pair of Mark 23's and placed them into their holsters. He then began to pack up the rest of the weapons that he was taking, making sure that they weren't loaded.

"Interesting choice."

"About what?"

"I just found it interesting that you're taking handguns other than the Berettas, that's all. Mark 23's, right?"

Lucas nodded as he tossed the two Berettas that he had taken with him to Battery Park into a bag with extra ammunition. "The Berettas were Organization issue. Since I was on the clock, I had to use their weaponry. Besides, I think that I'm officially fired, now."

"Me too," Ada added as she glanced towards the steel digital clock on the wall over the bed.

3:43; nearly time to go.

"Almost done there, Lucas? It's 3:43," she asked, moving towards the window. A flock of yellow eastern goldfinches suddenly flew out from the trees to the right of the window, catching her attention. She looked closer and noticed that some of the tree branches were bending towards the cabin at spots.

Wait…

The first of a group of people came from the trees. As they emerged, she turned around to tell Lucas. "Lucas!" she called out in a quiet but firm tone.

Lucas turned around and moved over to the window and looked out. Seeing the mercenaries and the Observer made him start to move a lot faster. He and Ada started grabbing the bags of equipment. Ada turned around to glance out of the window and check on the advancing people's position.

"Come…"

Lucas didn't have time to finish. It registered in his mind that there was a red dot on Ada's chest, near her heart. She looked down at it also. He lunged across the room, pulling her down to the wooden floor as the glass window shattered around them.

Author's Notes

I'd just like to apologize for the amount of time that it's taking to get new chapters posted...Lately, I've had quite a few exams at college and some other things going on, but the story isn't going to end until I'm finished with it (meaning that I won't just drop it and leave you all hanging). Thanks for reading and check back for more updates!