In the End
chapter 3
--------------
* Three Days Later *
- London -
Serena sat at her desk, in the main building of Gentry Tech working on a new pair of infra-red goggles. She ran a hand through her bangs and pressed the tip of her soldering iron to the chip board. She didn't bother to look up as Artimis walked in a bag in his hand and a cup of coffee held in his other.
Artimis watched as the golden goddess worked over the goggles and smiled, he had known Serena for three years. When she and Lita had ran into Usa in the middle of a heist and Usa and Lita had gotten into a fist fight. Almost causing all three of them to get arrested. They would had if not for Serena's fast thinking. Serena had told the museum guard that she was an art restorer and that Usa and Lita were her apprentices, how the guard had believed that or if the guard had believed such a thin story was still beyond Artimis.
The three women had quickly left the musuem and after another argument between Lita and Usa. Usa took Serena and Lita to the loft that, Artimis had rented as a base of opperations durning their stay in town. After a couple hours conversation between Artimis and Serena, and a lot of glaring between Usa and Lita. They had agreed to share the payment of the statue.
Coming back to the present he smiled and took a seat across from Serena, continuing to watch her work knowing that she would get annoyed if he disturbed her before she had finished what she was doing. He set the coffee on his edge of the desk and lifted his slender hand to run it through his long hair.
Serena finally set aside her tools and looked at the strongly built man across from her, Artimis Gentry stood over six feet tall and was built like a football line backer. People often mistaked him for gentle because he had dainty hands that would of fit better on a much smaller man. Not to say that Artimis wasn't gentle he was, but he could also be cold and emotionless when he needed to be.
"Whats up?" Serena asked softly slipping the googles on to test them
" I brought the diligent worker coffee and bagels from Ian's" Artimis replied and offered her the bag.
Serena let out a small squeal and grabbed the bag, Ian's was one of the best bagel shops that she had ever eatten from. She pulled out the sundried tomato bagel and pesto and spread it on the bagel half in her hand, then reached for the cup and took a deep drink of the french carmel and white chocolate coffee.
"Mmmm yummie..." she side and licked whipped cream from her lips.
Artimis chuckled and grabbed his own wheat bagel and cinnamon cream cheese. He spread the cream cheese on the bagel half and grabbed the goggles from Serena's forehead. He slipped them on and blinked everything was magnified. Serena giggled seeing his face and swallowed her bite of bagel. She opened her mouth to tell him why when the intercom on her desk sounded. Serena reached a hand forward and pressed the blue button,
"Yes Wendy?"
"Ms.Vanria there is a man to see you out here. He says that it is important." came a soft musical voice.
Serena and Artimis exchanged looks and both stood walking out of her office. They were greeted by the last person she expected to see in her building. Darien Mikeals stood tall and exstreamly large in Serena's secretarys' small office. He was wearing a black wool sweater and a pair of tight black leather pants tucked into combat boots. In one hand he played with his car keys in the other was his sunglasses which he idly chewed on while waiting for her to make an appearance. Midnight eyes checking his surroundings for dangers or means of exscape should he need them.
"Mr.Mikeals, how may I help you?" Serena asked softly
Darien turned and eyed the blonde woman that stood next to the man that he knew as Artimis Gentry, " Ms. Vanaria, I have need of your help on a certian business venture."
He said softly admiring the way that the pale pink business suit complemented her slender curves.
Serena and Artimis exchanged a look, each one wondering what the grand theif needed from Serena. Serena shrugged and smiled softly at the handsome man, "And tell me why I should help you, Mr. Mikeals... I believe that you were the one that tried to kill
my friends under a week ago."
Darien smiled charmingly,"That aside Ms. Vanaria I need you help. Please come to lunch with me... all will be explained."
Serena paused then nodded, softly. "Okay I'll go with you but if you try any funny business I will kill you."
Darien bowed,"As you wish Serena."
Artimis looked from the suave man then back at Serena,"I'll just gt my jacket."
Serena shook her head,"You stay here Artimis...if I need help I'll call."
Then she motioned for Darien to preceed her and left the building Artimis staring at their backs. Worriedly... he didn't trust Darien Ascot Mikeals.... no he didn't.
******
Serena climbed into the red 2000 comaro and settled into the tan leather seats before fastening her seat belt and looking at Darien who was tapping his keys which hung from the ignition. She took the extra few minutes to study Dariens profile the way the wind blown black tresses fell over his eyes. The full hard line of his lips as he steered the car down the street toward Ian's. She shook her head, she couldn't think about him in that light. She was on a mission to stop him.
Darien was aware of the blonde next to him, he could feel her eyes boring in to the side of his neck. Not that he hadn't taken the time to study Serena out of the corner of his eye. He slammed on the brakes when a moron stopped suddenly infront of him. Serena jerked forward and only her hand on the dash kept her from slamming into the dashboard.
"Sorry about that Ms. Vanria..." Darien said as they pulled into the small parking lot outside Ian's Cafe.
Serena shrugged, "No biggy, but please call me Serena. I hate being called Ms.Vanria."
Darien nodded and led the way into the cafe nodding to the owner Ian before sitting at his favorite table. He caught his breath as Serena paused in a ray of sunlight to adjust her gun before sitting down. The golden light reflected off of her blonde hair making it glow and her saffire eyes sparkle. Finally Serena sat across from him and leveled a look at him.
"Now tell me what you wanted to talk to me about." She said bluntly
Darien smiled tightly wondering how he was going to tell this woman who he really was. He shook his head and plowed into it, "Serena I am not what you think... but I need the help of the Raven...."
Serena raised a brow,"You're not the master theif Kou that tried kill my friends and I three nights ago?"
Darien paused again and looked around the small cafe, Ian's was the best for two reasons. They had the best coffee and bagels in London and the owner Ian Jacobs went to great lengths to make his establishments look quiet and homey. Then he looked back at the sardonic expression on Serena Vanria's face,
"No, I am not."
Serena blinked then began laughing softly,"please do not lie to me Darien."
Darien sighed,"Yes I am the one that was in the gun fight three nights ago, but I am not the theif known as Kou... not totally."
By this point Serena was getting totally confused,"Care to clarify that?"
Darien nodded," I am Detective Darien Adison Corinly, I work with the english government as a shadow agent that sepcializes in taking down world terrorists. I have been working on this current case for the past five years. Along with my partner Jared Vincent."
Serena to say the least was totally shocked but she had to stay in her role,"Okay Detective and what persay is your mission? And why is it that you need the help of a humble theif like myself?"
Darien gave her a knee melting smile,"Because Raye DeMonte is planning to steal a laser cannon that she will sell to the russians."
Serena received another shock when a man with short blond hair walked up behind her and sat in a chair next to Darien,
"It's true Ms.Vanria. Darien and I have been working on this case for years and we have deducted that Raye DeMonte will go for the cannon in two weeks time."
Serena who had simular information nodded and stood offering the man her hand,"I suppose that you are Jared Vincent?"
The man nodded and gave her an impish smile,"If you'll excuse me I must report in now though."
Darien nodded to Jared as the man walked off then looked at Serena,"Well Serena will you help us?"
Serena stood and looked down at him thoughtfully," I will think about it Mr. Mikeals....But I cannot promise a answer today."
Darien nodded, Serena and Darien ate a light lunch then Darien drove her back to Gentry Tech, Serena got out of the car and looked in at Darien. She watched the way the shadows played over his face and smiled softly at him. Darien studied Serena curiously then leaned over the gear shaft to get closer to her.
"Did you want something Ms.Vanria?"
Serena smiled,"Yes Mr.Mikeals.... please tell Mr.Vincent that I will help you both with this case."
Darien felt a flood of relief flow through him at her words, he lifted a hand to brush a strand of gold from her face and paused as she drew back giving him a strange look. Then he lowered his hand and looked at her.
"Good Ms.Vanria... very good. Please meet me at this address tomarrow night." He said and gave her a card that had an address written across it then pulled away of the curb into the city traffic.
Serena watched as Darien drove off wondering what he had been planning then shrugged. She turned and walked into the building taking the Elevator to the seventh floor and walked into her office motioning for Artimis to follow her.
Artimis excused himself from his conversation with the new clerk Zeke and followed Serena into her office. She looked preoccupied.
"What is it Serena?" He asked softly
Serena stared out at the London landscape that her office looked over as she composed her features. Then turned and gave Artimis a saucy smile and wink.
"Call Usa,Lita,Agrias and Molly, we need to talk." She said simply
Artimis raised a brow then pulled his cellphone from his back pocket and started making the calls. What was the news that Serena had? And why did she need the full team to ve there? Artimis moved to the office door and called Zeke into the office part of the reason the man had been hired was because of his skill with disguise.
Serena nodded to the man with longish blonde hair that brushed his jaw. She needed to get word to Mina and Nate but it would have to wait until she had a chance to see what she would be doing.
*****
Darien pulled into the parking garage for the loft he had in London, as he climbed out of his car he pulled the gun and leveled it at the woman who stood slightly in the shadows, his midnight eyes going cold and empty like he had been trained to do.
"What the hell are you doing here Marx?" He said softly
The woman laughed softly and stepped from the shadows a pistol grip shotgun leveled at Dariens chest, Halmi Marx had shoulder length blue hair and dark green eyes. She was Darien's sometime partner, more often than not she was a hired assasin or a Merc. She had the most jaded eyes you would ever see. You never wanted to be on the receiving end of her gun. To friends she was Ami Marx to everyone else she was Halmi Marx killer, nightmare, shadow.
"What a way to greet a friend Corinly..."She said.... her voice belied the cold expression on her face. It was warm and musical something you would expect to hear from a hooking not a woman pointing a gun at you and seeming as if she had nothing better to do but chat about the weather.
Darien looked at her over the barrel of his gun,"What the hell do you want?" he repeated
Halmi still leveling the gun at him smiled,"We need to talk care to take a ride?"
Darien sighed and lowered his gun slipping it into the back of his pants,"you drive Ami"
Ami nodded and opened the door of the beat up chevy nova," After you."
Darien climbed in aware that the shotgun was still aimed at him and waited for Ami to get in. Ami pulled out of the garage and onto the road, without looking at Darien she popped a tape of the Doors greatest hits in.
"Someone hired me to kill you Darien. Question is... who?"
chapter 3
--------------
* Three Days Later *
- London -
Serena sat at her desk, in the main building of Gentry Tech working on a new pair of infra-red goggles. She ran a hand through her bangs and pressed the tip of her soldering iron to the chip board. She didn't bother to look up as Artimis walked in a bag in his hand and a cup of coffee held in his other.
Artimis watched as the golden goddess worked over the goggles and smiled, he had known Serena for three years. When she and Lita had ran into Usa in the middle of a heist and Usa and Lita had gotten into a fist fight. Almost causing all three of them to get arrested. They would had if not for Serena's fast thinking. Serena had told the museum guard that she was an art restorer and that Usa and Lita were her apprentices, how the guard had believed that or if the guard had believed such a thin story was still beyond Artimis.
The three women had quickly left the musuem and after another argument between Lita and Usa. Usa took Serena and Lita to the loft that, Artimis had rented as a base of opperations durning their stay in town. After a couple hours conversation between Artimis and Serena, and a lot of glaring between Usa and Lita. They had agreed to share the payment of the statue.
Coming back to the present he smiled and took a seat across from Serena, continuing to watch her work knowing that she would get annoyed if he disturbed her before she had finished what she was doing. He set the coffee on his edge of the desk and lifted his slender hand to run it through his long hair.
Serena finally set aside her tools and looked at the strongly built man across from her, Artimis Gentry stood over six feet tall and was built like a football line backer. People often mistaked him for gentle because he had dainty hands that would of fit better on a much smaller man. Not to say that Artimis wasn't gentle he was, but he could also be cold and emotionless when he needed to be.
"Whats up?" Serena asked softly slipping the googles on to test them
" I brought the diligent worker coffee and bagels from Ian's" Artimis replied and offered her the bag.
Serena let out a small squeal and grabbed the bag, Ian's was one of the best bagel shops that she had ever eatten from. She pulled out the sundried tomato bagel and pesto and spread it on the bagel half in her hand, then reached for the cup and took a deep drink of the french carmel and white chocolate coffee.
"Mmmm yummie..." she side and licked whipped cream from her lips.
Artimis chuckled and grabbed his own wheat bagel and cinnamon cream cheese. He spread the cream cheese on the bagel half and grabbed the goggles from Serena's forehead. He slipped them on and blinked everything was magnified. Serena giggled seeing his face and swallowed her bite of bagel. She opened her mouth to tell him why when the intercom on her desk sounded. Serena reached a hand forward and pressed the blue button,
"Yes Wendy?"
"Ms.Vanria there is a man to see you out here. He says that it is important." came a soft musical voice.
Serena and Artimis exchanged looks and both stood walking out of her office. They were greeted by the last person she expected to see in her building. Darien Mikeals stood tall and exstreamly large in Serena's secretarys' small office. He was wearing a black wool sweater and a pair of tight black leather pants tucked into combat boots. In one hand he played with his car keys in the other was his sunglasses which he idly chewed on while waiting for her to make an appearance. Midnight eyes checking his surroundings for dangers or means of exscape should he need them.
"Mr.Mikeals, how may I help you?" Serena asked softly
Darien turned and eyed the blonde woman that stood next to the man that he knew as Artimis Gentry, " Ms. Vanaria, I have need of your help on a certian business venture."
He said softly admiring the way that the pale pink business suit complemented her slender curves.
Serena and Artimis exchanged a look, each one wondering what the grand theif needed from Serena. Serena shrugged and smiled softly at the handsome man, "And tell me why I should help you, Mr. Mikeals... I believe that you were the one that tried to kill
my friends under a week ago."
Darien smiled charmingly,"That aside Ms. Vanaria I need you help. Please come to lunch with me... all will be explained."
Serena paused then nodded, softly. "Okay I'll go with you but if you try any funny business I will kill you."
Darien bowed,"As you wish Serena."
Artimis looked from the suave man then back at Serena,"I'll just gt my jacket."
Serena shook her head,"You stay here Artimis...if I need help I'll call."
Then she motioned for Darien to preceed her and left the building Artimis staring at their backs. Worriedly... he didn't trust Darien Ascot Mikeals.... no he didn't.
******
Serena climbed into the red 2000 comaro and settled into the tan leather seats before fastening her seat belt and looking at Darien who was tapping his keys which hung from the ignition. She took the extra few minutes to study Dariens profile the way the wind blown black tresses fell over his eyes. The full hard line of his lips as he steered the car down the street toward Ian's. She shook her head, she couldn't think about him in that light. She was on a mission to stop him.
Darien was aware of the blonde next to him, he could feel her eyes boring in to the side of his neck. Not that he hadn't taken the time to study Serena out of the corner of his eye. He slammed on the brakes when a moron stopped suddenly infront of him. Serena jerked forward and only her hand on the dash kept her from slamming into the dashboard.
"Sorry about that Ms. Vanria..." Darien said as they pulled into the small parking lot outside Ian's Cafe.
Serena shrugged, "No biggy, but please call me Serena. I hate being called Ms.Vanria."
Darien nodded and led the way into the cafe nodding to the owner Ian before sitting at his favorite table. He caught his breath as Serena paused in a ray of sunlight to adjust her gun before sitting down. The golden light reflected off of her blonde hair making it glow and her saffire eyes sparkle. Finally Serena sat across from him and leveled a look at him.
"Now tell me what you wanted to talk to me about." She said bluntly
Darien smiled tightly wondering how he was going to tell this woman who he really was. He shook his head and plowed into it, "Serena I am not what you think... but I need the help of the Raven...."
Serena raised a brow,"You're not the master theif Kou that tried kill my friends and I three nights ago?"
Darien paused again and looked around the small cafe, Ian's was the best for two reasons. They had the best coffee and bagels in London and the owner Ian Jacobs went to great lengths to make his establishments look quiet and homey. Then he looked back at the sardonic expression on Serena Vanria's face,
"No, I am not."
Serena blinked then began laughing softly,"please do not lie to me Darien."
Darien sighed,"Yes I am the one that was in the gun fight three nights ago, but I am not the theif known as Kou... not totally."
By this point Serena was getting totally confused,"Care to clarify that?"
Darien nodded," I am Detective Darien Adison Corinly, I work with the english government as a shadow agent that sepcializes in taking down world terrorists. I have been working on this current case for the past five years. Along with my partner Jared Vincent."
Serena to say the least was totally shocked but she had to stay in her role,"Okay Detective and what persay is your mission? And why is it that you need the help of a humble theif like myself?"
Darien gave her a knee melting smile,"Because Raye DeMonte is planning to steal a laser cannon that she will sell to the russians."
Serena received another shock when a man with short blond hair walked up behind her and sat in a chair next to Darien,
"It's true Ms.Vanria. Darien and I have been working on this case for years and we have deducted that Raye DeMonte will go for the cannon in two weeks time."
Serena who had simular information nodded and stood offering the man her hand,"I suppose that you are Jared Vincent?"
The man nodded and gave her an impish smile,"If you'll excuse me I must report in now though."
Darien nodded to Jared as the man walked off then looked at Serena,"Well Serena will you help us?"
Serena stood and looked down at him thoughtfully," I will think about it Mr. Mikeals....But I cannot promise a answer today."
Darien nodded, Serena and Darien ate a light lunch then Darien drove her back to Gentry Tech, Serena got out of the car and looked in at Darien. She watched the way the shadows played over his face and smiled softly at him. Darien studied Serena curiously then leaned over the gear shaft to get closer to her.
"Did you want something Ms.Vanria?"
Serena smiled,"Yes Mr.Mikeals.... please tell Mr.Vincent that I will help you both with this case."
Darien felt a flood of relief flow through him at her words, he lifted a hand to brush a strand of gold from her face and paused as she drew back giving him a strange look. Then he lowered his hand and looked at her.
"Good Ms.Vanria... very good. Please meet me at this address tomarrow night." He said and gave her a card that had an address written across it then pulled away of the curb into the city traffic.
Serena watched as Darien drove off wondering what he had been planning then shrugged. She turned and walked into the building taking the Elevator to the seventh floor and walked into her office motioning for Artimis to follow her.
Artimis excused himself from his conversation with the new clerk Zeke and followed Serena into her office. She looked preoccupied.
"What is it Serena?" He asked softly
Serena stared out at the London landscape that her office looked over as she composed her features. Then turned and gave Artimis a saucy smile and wink.
"Call Usa,Lita,Agrias and Molly, we need to talk." She said simply
Artimis raised a brow then pulled his cellphone from his back pocket and started making the calls. What was the news that Serena had? And why did she need the full team to ve there? Artimis moved to the office door and called Zeke into the office part of the reason the man had been hired was because of his skill with disguise.
Serena nodded to the man with longish blonde hair that brushed his jaw. She needed to get word to Mina and Nate but it would have to wait until she had a chance to see what she would be doing.
*****
Darien pulled into the parking garage for the loft he had in London, as he climbed out of his car he pulled the gun and leveled it at the woman who stood slightly in the shadows, his midnight eyes going cold and empty like he had been trained to do.
"What the hell are you doing here Marx?" He said softly
The woman laughed softly and stepped from the shadows a pistol grip shotgun leveled at Dariens chest, Halmi Marx had shoulder length blue hair and dark green eyes. She was Darien's sometime partner, more often than not she was a hired assasin or a Merc. She had the most jaded eyes you would ever see. You never wanted to be on the receiving end of her gun. To friends she was Ami Marx to everyone else she was Halmi Marx killer, nightmare, shadow.
"What a way to greet a friend Corinly..."She said.... her voice belied the cold expression on her face. It was warm and musical something you would expect to hear from a hooking not a woman pointing a gun at you and seeming as if she had nothing better to do but chat about the weather.
Darien looked at her over the barrel of his gun,"What the hell do you want?" he repeated
Halmi still leveling the gun at him smiled,"We need to talk care to take a ride?"
Darien sighed and lowered his gun slipping it into the back of his pants,"you drive Ami"
Ami nodded and opened the door of the beat up chevy nova," After you."
Darien climbed in aware that the shotgun was still aimed at him and waited for Ami to get in. Ami pulled out of the garage and onto the road, without looking at Darien she popped a tape of the Doors greatest hits in.
"Someone hired me to kill you Darien. Question is... who?"