Disclaimer: The usual, don't own 'em though I wish I did

Author's not: Okay I've really been slacking here haven't I"

Muses: Nah, ya think!?



Me: Hey, who's got the pen here?! *Muses shudder* I thought so. Anyways, the only thing I can offer for my failure to update is school (apparently the last year of highschool is VERY important to get into college, who woulda thunk? That and I moved (ten years of clutter packed and moved in 4 days, I still have nightmares from that) so I'm only now finding my notebooks that I've been writing in.

Muses: Ohh tell them how we wouldn't co operate!!

Me; Then there's that, *looks at muses* but maybe I should tell what I did to get you to co operate *evil grin, Muses have tears well up in their eyes* So that's what's up and I hope to update more frequently

Muses: Suuuuree

Me: Hey! You wanna go back to the closet? *argument breaks out*



Chapter 2

The work begins



"He's trying to kill me. I know it!"



"It's just another case." Alex pivoted her chair to face Monica



"You're not the one who has to make up identities for you and Jake plus numerous other 'agents'. You have a week to get the disk back, which leaves me today-max, to get this all done. I'm not superwoman!" Cody chuckled at the last statement



"I don't know, you've been pretty convincing in that role so far, but if it makes you feel any better at least you don't have to work out the encryption for the fake disk. That task will take me straight through this evening to work out. Plus putting the information you write, on the disk"



"Yeah just relax. Grab a note book and a coffee. It'll all come to you, you're good at your job. Alex and I have absolute faith in your abilities."



She seemed a little taken aback by his admission of faith in her-wait their faith in her. Yes they all knew that as a group they were talented, amazing at what they did. But none of them had really been vocal about each other's abilities, probably fearing a swell head. The only one who that dished out praise around here was Donovan, and that was hard to come by. The man expected near perfection, if not absolute perfection, and to get praise from him you had to meet the standards. His ways pushed them, almost to their limits. But no matter how pissed off at him they got, at the end of the day it was a great feeling to know that the effort and result belonged to them. It made them aware of what they could do, and to be proud of it.



Taking Jake's idea, Monica rifled through her desk, grabbing a notebook she headed to the kitchen area, where she spent the next 4 hours writing furiously, without pause.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



"Jake that hand goes any lower than my waist and you'll see how quickly they can become wall ornaments." Smiling Alex swatted him.



"Relax sweetie. People are watching." He said while lightly nuzzling her neck.



In his jacket pocket was the disk Cody had made up, filled with Monica's 'super human' work. The identities of non existent agents. Jake and Alex had separately covered both ends of the city, while Monica had been writing, subtly putting out the word about their acquiring the 'second' disk. Apparently it had worked. That evening, while dining at an uptown restaurant, they had been slipped a message with dinner.



They were to meet an unknown man at a private club downtown and head for the back corner table. Now here they were, the cuddly 'couple' with reputations as wealthy entrepreneurs in 'questionable activities', fully wired with many of Cody's toys. They headed to the back corner table in the dimly lit club that would've made the most stubborn and confident person uncomfortable.



A lone figure at the table went unnoticed by the duo, having been content to remain hidden in the shadows. Drinks they hadn't ordered were placed before them. Looking at each other they didn't get the chance to make their own decision.



"Make it look as if you're taking a sip, then leave it." Donovan's voice came softly through their ear pieces.



They did as told, both barely wetting their lips. Alex took the opportunity to case the club. Tables lined the walls and clustered in the back. The bar was at the front of the room, beside the entrance. Shifting her gaze, she took in the people crowded in the middle of the room, they swayed in abandon to the music being played. Jake on the other hand, had been visually scouting all possible exits. Should they happen to need it.



"Is everything to your liking?" The voice came out of nowhere, but belonged to the shadowed patron, however both agents did a remarkable job of not jumping out of their seats. Jake covered his surprise by pretending to take another sip of his drink.



"Yes, thank you, everything is fine, though I'm unsure as to why there's a need to play 'I spy'." Alex had apparently recovered first.



"I believe it is important to get a feel for those you plan on working with. And may I say it's incredibly brave of you to have tried your drinks. After all, I could have had them laced in order to steal the disk from you." Jake smirked at that.



"Yeah you could've, but who said I brought the disk tonight? You're not the only one that likes to 'get a feel' for the people they work with." The shadow seemed to smile.



"Very true. Have you been able to access the information on the disk yet?"



Right to the point, this should be easy Jake thought



"My girl and I are experts at this type of thing-computers and stuff. We had the information within 3 hours. You?" Alex shot Jake a look, this wasn't how they agreed to do this. The rest of the team held their breaths-reminding themselves to beat him later.



"I'm afraid my people are not as ... well versed in encryption. Still there's no reason why you can't share what you've got or at least the way around the encryption."



"And have you refuse to share your half of the information later? I don't think so. Now if you'd like to bring your disk to a location I choose, then we'll break the encryption and share the info. How's that sound?" Jake was being cocky, but it was a good idea, altered as it was-provided this guy didn't bring backup the size of a small army.



"Let me think on this. I will give you your answer later this evening." This unseen 'partner' was obviously more than a little reluctant.



"Look we have others who can give us what we want for the disk. We just thought you might need it." Jake and Alex started to get up.



"Wait. Tomorrow, you bring your disk, I'll bring mine. You and your girl break the encryption and then we'll trade the information. By the way what do you want with our information.?"



Alex smiled "Information is very valuable to our business, as well as profitable. The right information fetches a very nice sum of money."



Standing up the man reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his card, which he handed to them after writing a number on the back. They were finally able to see who they were dealing with. He had short dark hair, dark olive skin and emerald green eyes. His dark grey suit screamed money and his posture told of a well of upbringing.



"Call this number in 2 hours with your chosen location." and then he left.



"Well round one goes to us"



"Jake I have no idea weather to congratulate you or to hit you."



From their earpiece Cody summed it up "We'll take a vote on it when you get back here"



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



"They're smart, and they know what they want. They've already beat the encryption."



The man from the club approached his boss who was standing by the window, drinking a brandy. He was unsure whether his boss was upset over the way the meeting turned out, he never was talented at telling what kind of mood his boss was in at any given time.



"Yes, but intelligence has it's limits. I'll have what I want soon enough"