Burning Embers
Chapter Five: Making Waves



Moon-hued waves lapped quietly against the supports of the pier, casting silver reflections over everything nearby. The moon shone brightly overhead, gently mocking as it glowed happily down on Roger's solemn face. His dark eyes rested on the water, watching blankly as his mind raced with fevered thoughts. He had taken Norman to the emergency room for treatment and the nurse had assured him that the wound looked shallow and he would be fine. Roger had left directly after, not wanting to miss the 7 o'clock deadline. He had a number of tricks up his sleeve for this tradeoff but he still felt more unprepared than he had ever felt before. The letter hadn't told him what this psycho wanted but he would give anything to have Dorothy back. Anything.

He exhaled quietly into the night air, wondering how she was being treated. Was she afraid? Lonely? Not likely, he had never seen her express those emotions before. Hurt? In pain? His hands clenched into fists. If that man had so much as touched her he would not live to see another sunrise. Roger would see to that. He would not allow Dorothy to be harmed, not because of him anyway. Not if he could stop it.

Lights in the distance alerted him to the approach of the mysterious Michael Price. Roger turned slightly to squint into the headlights of a sleek black van that pulled up close by. He was blinded until the lights shut off and the engine died, restoring his night vision. He blinked twice as the passenger side door opened and a man stepped out, his figure lit only by the moon's pale light. The man took a few steps forward and Roger fixed his image into his memory for later use. He had blonde hair and his eyes gathered the starlight and reflected it back a washed-out blue. Roger supposed he would be handsome to women, but to him he only looked twisted and calmly evil. There wasn't a spark of real life anywhere in that face.

"Good evening, Mr. Smith." The smooth voice drifted over the sound of the waves. "I trust your butler is going to be all right?"

"Where's Dorothy?" He snapped, a small voice in his head wondering at his lack of control. He was a Negotiator, always cool and collected when in these situations, but this time he could not keep his feelings in the background. He had never had to negotiate for himself before, and he hated the fact that could not distance himself from these circumstances.

Michael chuckled softly, the sound raising the hairs on the back of Roger's neck.

"Ah, such a pretty thing. I had her dressed in something more suitable for her beauty, black is such a harsh color." He paused as Roger growled low in his throat. "Don't worry, Mr. Smith, she had been well taken care of. Here, I will show her to you." He looked back towards the van and the side door slid open as two small figures stepped out. They both came forward, light steps crunching in the gravel and Roger stifled a gasp as he saw who they were.

The taller of the two was Angel, wearing a sly smile, arms crossed over her chest. His gaze slid over her, she wasn't who he wanted to see. Next to her, looking delicate and vulnerable was Dorothy. She was wearing a blue dress and a sparkling tiara that rested softly in her flame-colored hair. Her midnight eyes were smoky and rimmed with long, dark lashes. He had never seen her look more beautiful, or more human. He stared at her, trying to catch her eyes but she never looked at him, keeping her gaze on the ground in front of her. He turned swiftly back to Price, a snarl on his lips.

"What did you do to her?" He said, his voice dangerously low. "What's wrong with her?"

Michael lifted an eyebrow. "Nothing's wrong with her. The tiara is embedded with a computer program that keeps the young Miss Dorothy from escaping and under my command. I shall remove it when I have what I want."

"And what is it you want?" Roger asked, fighting to remain calm. It would do him no good to rip the man's heart out before he got that tiara away from Dorothy.

"All in good time, Mr. Smith." Price answered. He turned to Dorothy. "Come here, my pet."

Roger stiffened as Dorothy slowly lifted her head to meet Michael's gaze and came forward to stand by his side. Furthermore, she didn't even flinch as her kidnapper put an arm around her slim waist. Roger gritted his teeth. Michael noticed his barely concealed rage and smiled wryly.

"So, I finally have something of value to you." He said, smugly, pulling Dorothy closer to him. "At first, I thought to destroy her, as this city had destroyed everything I held dear. I wanted it to be the same for you as it was for me. Now, don't get me wrong, Mr. Smith. I have no personal grudge against you. My revenge is aimed only at this world, this life, but you do have something I need and I intend to get it."

Roger felt his stomach fall to his feet and his lips would hardly form his next words. "What do you want?"

Michael sneered and suddenly his whole demeanor changed. He eyes lit with an eternal flame, glowing strangely like burning embers. He grabbed Dorothy's wrist harshly and raised it over her head, pulling her roughly in front of him. Roger took an angry step forward and Price twisted her arm, causing her eyes to widen slightly as pain registered in her mind. Roger stepped back again.

"Do you know what it is like, Roger Smith?" The deranged man asked, his voice inflected with a note wildness. "Do you know what it is like to be plagued by memories you weren't sure were yours? That made you have nightmares while you were still awake? That brought questions in front of your eyes that could never be answered?" He growled suddenly. "I want the answers to those questions, to the terrible memories that show me a blood soaked past. I want to know what it is my own mind is hiding from me. I want the truth."

"And you think I can give you that?" Roger snapped, his patience gone.

Price looked at him, his gaze burning hotly. "I know you can." He touched light fingers possessively to the curve of Dorothy's neck. "And you will, or I will be Dorothy's keeper forever."

Roger had no calmness left. "What do you want?" He shouted again and Price laughed harshly.

"I want the only bearer of truth left in this city." He paused and Roger felt his blood run cold.

"I want Big O."



* * * *
tbc...

Sorry this part came a little late, finals suck! *growls under her breath* I hope this keeps you satisfied till next time! And sorry for the angel fans that say she is OOC here. I actually didn't think she was out of character because she has always wanted Big O and I think she would team up with anyone to get it. Sorry, just my opinion. Anyways, I forgot the disclaimer on this story so here it is.

Disclaimer: I do not own Big O, and never will, but could I just borrow Roger for awhile? No?...Okay... *sniffle*

*does a little dance* Now for the chips and salsa! *munches* gotta have some energy to go study some more! Here have some! And don't forget to review!

*hugs* --twilight