Well, I know it's taken me a long time to get this one out, but I really did get stuck, trying to get it right, and I'm still not 100% happy with it, but didn't want to leave it any longer. I hope it reads okay!

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I know I still have some to answer! I will soon!!!

Chapter 48

How Not to Get a Head

Manning was pacing in his office, popping antacids into his mouth every so often. The Head of the Bureau in Washington was due in less than an hour, and Manning was dreading the visit. He hadn't yet told Anna about the meeting, and he was dreading that almost as much as the Head himself. He knew that whatever the Head wanted, it couldn't be good for the team.

"Sir?" said an agent, popping his head round the door.

"Yes, what is it?"

"It's Red. He's arguing with Liz again," said the agent.

"Oh, that's all I need today!" Manning said, striding to the door.

As it was, as soon as he stepped out of his office, the screams and shouts could be heard from down the long corridor. Manning popped another pill in his mouth as he ventured down towards Red and Liz's room, watching out for signs that Liz had literally blown her top.

The door to their room was open, yet was still on its hinges, which was a good sign. Manning peered round the side, looking for signs of destruction. A few items of furniture were on fire, but the carnage seemed contained as Red juggled a twin on each hip as Liz shouted at him, her hands engulfed in flames as she tried to temper her anger.

"Could you two please keep it down? We're expecting someone important from Washington!" Manning shouted over Liz, still hiding slightly behind the door.

"Oh yeah? Who?" Red shouted back, keeping his eyes on Liz as she seethed.

"The Head of the BPRD is due in less than an hour! I don't want him to hear all this noise!"

"Wait, why is he coming?" Liz asked, extinguishing the flames.

"He wants a full report on the mission. Washington isn't happy about the death of that Troll," Manning answered, stepping into the room.

"Is he blaming us?" she said, incredulously.

"I told you what Washington wanted! They're not happy! Anna killing that thing didn't go down too well with them!"

"Anna? He's here for Anna! What's he going to do?" she exclaimed, stepping towards him.

"Nothing! He just wants to talk to her!" Manning replied, backing away.

Liz fought the urge to singe what hair he had left on his head, and strode past him.

Anna lay boneless in Nuada's arms, exhausted by his attentions over the last few hours. Nuada smiled down at her, and stroked her hair. He had known her for such a short time, considering the length of his life so far, and yet, he couldn't imagine being without her now.

Anna stirred slightly as he looked down upon her, her eyes flickered as his fingers brushed against her face.

"What time is it?" she whispered.

"Around 9, I think," he replied, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Do you think we could sleep in?" she said, touching his nose with a little finger.

"I do not see why we couldn't," Nuada said, chuckling at her sleepiness.

Nuada lent down and kissed her gently, revelling in the feel of her soft lips against his own. He pulled the covers higher and settled down with her, pulling her against his bare chest.

Just as they drifted off to sleep, Liz pounded on their door. Anna shuffled out of bed and slung on one of Nuada's shirts. She padded over to the door, rather bleary eyed, and opened it to an angry-looking Liz.

"You both need to get dressed!" Liz exclaimed.

"Why? What's happened?" Anna asked.

"The Head of the BPRD in Washington is on his way here! He wants to know why we killed that Troll!"

"What's he going to do?" Anna said, feeling worried.

"I don't know, but we should be ready for when he comes," Liz said, before she turned and practically ran back to her rooms.

Anna shut the door, unsure what to think. Nuada stood up when he noticed her slightly shocked expression.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I… I think I'm in trouble!" Anna said.

"Trouble? In what way?" Nuada questioned, walking over to her.

"It's about that Troll. I don't think they're happy I killed it. They might lock me up!"

"Never. I will not allow it," Nuada responded, looking at her in earnest.

"But, someone is on their way here!"

"Shh… No one will harm you."

Nuada pulled her to him, and wrapped an arm around her as he led her to the bathroom to bathe and change. He distracted her by washing her slowly and calmly, using all of his knowledge of Elfin relaxation to soothe her.

Nuada was good at maintaining a calm exterior, while internally, he was seething. The very thought that some over-powered cretin would take Anna away from him, made his blood boil. He knew without a doubt, he would kill anyone who dared to lay a finger on her. He didn't care about the repercussions.

Everyone was already sat around the large table in the meeting room when the Head arrived. He was tailed by two agents wearing dark glasses, and was quickly shown to his seat by Manning, who was too busy making sure everything seemed perfect, to notice the glares coming from Liz and Nuada.

"I won't beat about the bush. The mission didn't exactly go as we at the Washington Bureau, had planned. You killed one of the top specimens in our research project," Head said.

"It was self-defence! If you hadn't let them escape, we wouldn't have been needed to re-capture them!" Liz exclaimed, struggling to keep her temper.

"The breach is none of your concern. We wanted them all alive. You failed in that mission. We believe Miss Medford is too much of a liability to remain within the team here."

"You can't do that!" screamed Liz, bolting up and knocking over her chair.

"Easy, Liz," Red said, standing up and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Had you killed any more of them, you would all have been deemed incompetent!" Head shouted.

"I'm sorry! But, it was killing him!" Anna said, as she stood up and pointed to Red.

"You don't need to apologise!" Liz shouted, trying to get away from Red.

"Alright, I've had enough. She's coming back to Washington with us," said Head, nodding to the two agents.

Anna stepped backwards as Nuada stood up, his hand on his sword. He had already planned his attack on the agents if they tried to take Anna.

However, the agents seemed not to notice his look of anger, and made a grab for Anna. She was quick to duck, as Nuada unsheathed his sword, and swung it towards the first agent, the tip grazing his neck. Nuada had already grabbed Anna and pulled her to the side.

Liz was already on fire and walked towards the second agent as he pulled out a gun and aimed it at Nuada. He shouted at Nuada to drop his sword, but was ignored completely. Unfortunately, he didn't notice Red pull his own gun out and aim it at his forehead.

"I'd put the gun down, if I were you, pal," Red said, his cigar hung lazily out of his mouth.

With a gun pointed at his head, and a flaming woman coming towards him, the second agent did as he was told.

Nuada and the first agent were at a standstill. Nuada still had his sword pointed at the agent's neck, while the agent had his gun trained on Nuada.

The thought that the agent might pull the trigger, tore at Anna's heart. She didn't want to be the cause of his death. She felt her hands tingle as they glowed red, and stepped forward and out of Nuada's grasp. She kept her eyes on the agent as she moved, watching for signs that he might shoot. His eyes flickered between her and Nuada, clearly torn between which one he should take down first.

In the second it took him to look back to Nuada, Anna had placed a hand on his gun and it disintegrated, burning the agent before he let go.

"This is why she needs to be contained! She is too dangerous!" Head shouted, as his agent screamed in pain.

The burns weren't serious, but they would take time to heal.

"I want her out of here!"

"I don't think that's gonna happen," Red said, aiming his gun at Head.

"Get that gun out of my face, or you'll be next!"

"Oh, I don't think so. You see, if you take her, or anyone else, we'll go public. Real public. I'm sure Nuada can persuade some of his Elfie friends to make public appearances. It'll be like the circus! Only better!" Red said, grinning widely.

Head seemed to struggle with his words. He knew he had lost, but he seemed unwilling to admit it.

After a few moments, he simply stormed out, with Manning in tow, trying to calm him down.


A/N: I am truly hoping it wont take me as long next time! Please let me know what you all think!!

A/N/N: Oo, almost forgot!! Did I post my Anna commission??

If not, here are the links - http : // i39 .photobucket . com/ albums/ e193/ seph1902/ YuleSnowflakes3S . png

http : // i39 .photobucket . com/ albums/ e193/ seph1902/ YuleSnowflakesSCloseups . png

As usual, take out the spaces.