This is a sequel to "Not Knowing". The team are starting to form relationships while the everyday business of saving the world goes on as usual. Mostly fluffy stuff.
"That's very nice team, but we're in MI High, not High School Musical," said Frank's quiet voice in their ear.
"Sorry Frank," muttered Dan, stuffing his guitar hurriedly back into its case.
"And did we find out anything useful ?" Aneisha asked Tom pointedly, once they were sitting in the van with Frank.
"Yes, loads !" said Tom excitedly. He didn't appear to notice the way Aneisha was gritting her teeth together when she spoke.
"Laura told me she sees a lot of people in the music school who aren't teachers and they seem to just be passing through all the time. She has no idea what they're doing there. There's what she calls, a kick-boxing club on a Thursday each week with people who aren't students at the school. There's other weird stuff too. She says that lots of gear gets delivered to the building, but she's never seen it being used with the students. If the students go near any of the Out of Bounds areas, they get ticked off straight away. There's definitely something going on there," reported Tom.
"Wow, she told you lots of things didn't she ?" asked Aneisha sarcastically.
Dan looked at her in puzzlement. "Well, it is his job to get information isn't it ?" he asked reasonably. "He found out more than me anyway," he added. "I managed to plant a few cameras, but basically, I couldn't get near any of the Out of Bounds doors. I tried to wander into one, but I got picked up straight away. They must have surveillance cameras or something."
Frank stroked his chin. "Hm, it's all interesting, but we need more. We need a way to get you infiltrating the building. I'll watch some of the footage your hidden cameras are picking up tonight and maybe Stella and I can come up with some way of getting you into the building tomorrow," he said.
Frank wasn't able to get the team into the Music School the next day. He met them in the corridor the next morning, dressed in his janitor's disguise. "Team, Stella wants to hang back on infiltrating the school. She's got a plan to get you in, but it's going to take a few days," he muttered to them when the coast was clear. "Keep Friday clear," he added mysteriously.
Tom frowned at Frank. "Frank, we'll be at school as usual. How are we supposed to keep the day clear ?" he asked.
Frank looked put out. "Oh, yes, just erm, don't arrange anything," he said, looking flustered before walking away with his mop trolley.
Dan turned to the others. "I don't know about you guys but this could seriously affect my hectic social life if I can't go anywhere on Friday," he said drily.
Keri and Tom laughed, but Aneisha scowled. "It's a shame, Tom's going to have to wait for three days before he can see his new best friend," she said sarcastically, before marching angrily off down the corridor.
"Have I done something to upset Aneisha ?" asked Tom, looking baffled.
Dan shook his head. "Lost on me," he said.
Keri looked at the two of them and sighed, "Boys !" before also walking off to class.
Dan looked at Tom and shrugged his shoulders. "Don't look at me mate. Girls are a different species," he said, before following after Keri.
Dan sat at the desk next to Keri as everyone started to trickle into class. "You've got a really beautiful singing voice by the way," he said shyly. "I never heard you sing before."
Keri blushed. "Thanks," she said. "Do you fancy, maybe, practising together," she asked hurriedly. "I mean, if you've got the time," she added, holding her breath.
Dan smiled. "Yeah, that would be great. Are you free tomorrow night ?" he asked.
Keri's smile threatened to blind him. "Oh yes !" she said. "Erm, that would be fine," she added more casually. "I'll bring some tracks along that I like."
"Good idea," agreed Dan. "I'll show you mine." He heard giggling and glanced across at Tom. "What's so funny ?" he demanded.
"Just wondering what you were going to show Keri," giggled Tom.
Dan looked at Tom and then realised what he meant and rolled his eyes. "Seriously Tom !" he hissed. Keri was blushing, but cackling along with Tom. Dan glanced over at Aneisha and saw that she was staring intently at her book and ignoring the conversation. He frowned in worry. Aneisha was never the one to behave like this. Maybe he should try to find out what was wrong. Looking up he saw that Keri had seen where he was looking. She gently shook her head and mouthed 'Later' at him.
After lunch, Tom disappeared off to work on a science project. Aneisha made her excuses and left for the library. Dan turned to Keri. "Okay, spill ! What's going on there ?" he asked.
Keri looked at him in amusement. "You really don't know ?" she asked. Dan shook his head. "You know that Aneisha really likes Tom don't you ?" she asked.
Dan shrugged and nodded. "I guess," he said.
"Okaaaay," drawled Keri. "You may have also noticed how friendly Tom was getting with that girl at the music school yesterday ?" she asked.
Dan nodded slowly and then Keri saw his expression change. "Oh !" he said. "Oh, I get it. Erm, I don't think Tom meant anything by it though," he said uncertainly. "I mean, he was just doing his job wasn't he ?" he asked.
Keri shrugged. "Probably, but I think Aneisha needs to know that for certain, don't you ?" she asked.
Dan scratched his head. "Okay, sooooo," he said vaguely.
"Soooo, Tom ?" suggested Keri.
"Yeah, Tom. Hm," said Dan, scratching his head again. "Okay. I'm right on it," he said, nodding. Then he shook his head. "What am I supposed to do ?" he asked.
Keri sighed in exasperation. "Get Tom to tell Aneisha he was only chatting to the girl to get information for the team, how much he really likes Aneisha, he's really sorry and would she like to go out with him !" she said. She paused. "That last bit is not absolutely necessary, but it wouldn't hurt," she added.
"Right," said Dan, looking nervous. "I'll see what I can do," he promised.
Dan found Tom tinkering with some electronics in one of the science labs. "So, what are you doing ?" Dan asked. He was nervous so his voice had risen more than he expected. He cleared his throat in an effort to sound normal.
Tom looked up at him with a grin. "What's up with you ?" he asked.
Dan decided that he couldn't carry this off and it would be best if he was honest with his friend. "Right, the thing is, Keri asked me to speak to you," he admitted. Tom looked at him with one eyebrow raised. "It's about Aneisha," said Dan. His mouth was starting to go dry, but he seemed to have his friend's full attention now. "You know how she's been a behaving a bit, strangely," said Dan. Tom nodded. "Well, it seems that Aneisha saw you talking to that girl at the music school and she thinks maybe you've got something going on with her and she's kind of cross and maybe you need to tell her you don't, I mean, if you do, that is don't, have anything going on with her and pretty quick too before she gets really cross with you," Dan gabbled in one long rush.
Tom stood open-mouthed in front of Dan. "Oh," he said.
"Right, and you need to tell Aneisha that you really like her, not this other girl, and you need to ask her to go out with you, that is, if you do and you want to, I mean, you do don't you ?" gabbled Dan again. He was now bright red in the face and wishing the ground would swallow him up.
Tom's shoulders had slumped. "Yes, I do," he said quietly. "I didn't think she would like me though, that's all," he added, staring at the floor.
"Why wouldn't she ?" asked Dan in surprise.
Tom looked at him disbelievingly. "Are you serious ?" he asked. "Look at me ! I'm the boring geeky guy who likes gaming and making tech stuff. I'm the clever one who always stays in the base while you're the adventurous, exciting, strong guy who leaps over walls and fights off the bad guys. I'm just boring ! What girl would like me ?" he said despairingly.
"Well, Aneisha obviously does and she's not stupid, or boring is she ?" asked Dan. Tom shook his head hard. "Well, go talk to her," said Dan.
Tom shoved his work away in a drawer and picked up his bag. "I'll do that. Thanks mate," he said, giving Dan a quick smile before dashing out of the lab. He dashed back in again. "Where is she ?" he asked.
"No idea. You're a spy mate. Work it out !" said Dan. Tom grinned at him and ran out again.
Dan brushed down his blazer and puffed out a big breath. "Well, that wasn't so bad was it ?" he said to himself, before strolling off.
Tom tried to think where Aneisha would hang out when she was avoiding him. He tried the outdoor picnic area, but she wasn't there. He went to the library. She was sitting at one of the study desks, staring at the book they were reading for English. Tom took a deep breath and wondered what to do.
"Hi, Neish," he said tentatively.
Aneisha looked up at him and frowned. "What do you want ?" she asked.
"Erm, I wanted to speak to you," said Tom. "Is it alright if I sit down ?" he asked.
Aneisha was still frowning, but she nodded. Tom sat down next to Aneisha, nervously wiping his sweaty hands on his trousers. "Um, I noticed that you were angry with me and I don't like that," he began. "I just wanted to say that you matter to me a lot and I'd hate to think I've done something to hurt you," he said. "You're special."
"Special ?" asked Aneisha, taken aback. "And is anyone else special ?" she asked pointedly.
"No. You're the only one," said Tom. That sounded a bit weird. "What I mean is, I don't want anyone else if I've got you. Erm, that is if you would be mine, I mean, you don't have to be mine, not that I want to own you or anything. Oh God, I've no idea what I'm saying !" said Tom, now totally stressed out. He looked up to find Aneisha laughing.
"No, I think you've lost the plot a bit Tom, but the thought was there. And what about this girl Laura ?" asked Aneisha, folding her arms.
"Well, I thought I could get some information from her," said Tom. "She's nice and everything. I don't want her though, I want you," he said. "Would you go out with me ? Please ?" he asked in a tiny voice.
"Oh, alright then," said Aneisha, unfolding her arms. "Just don't go picking up any techno geekesses, Okay ?"
"Deal !" said Tom quickly. "Wow, did you just say yes ?" he asked delightedly.
Aneisha stuffed her book into her bag. "Come on, let's find the others," she said, holding out her hand to Tom. The two walked out of the library in happy silence.
