Chapter 7 -- Siege Mentality

Cole had already been hard at work for hours by the time Mel got up. Or, at least, that was the impression she got from the fact that the barroom was a complete and utter shambles with bits of electronics equipment, wires, and tools scattered everywhere. Cole was crouched before the front door, working on something.

"Morning, Mel," he called cheerfully without looking up.

"Hey, get you some coffee?" she asked, stepping over a toolbox and looking around.

It was not lost on her that there was an empty glass next to him and a half-empty bottle of scotch on the bar. She frowned and shook her head, moving the bottle back to its place and resolving to talk to Cole about it as soon as the opportunity presented itself. A man who could not moderate himself had no business drinking anything.

"Yes, please, Mel."

"Extra sweet, please, Mel," she said at the same time as Cole.

Cole smiled and glanced up at her, nodding. "Yes, please."

"So, how's it… coming?" Mel asked.

"Well, I've replaced all of the traditional locks with electronic ones. You'll need a key-card and a code to open them."

Mel stared with wide eyes as he casually rambled on.

"I'm going to do the same for the apartment lock, your bedroom door, the basement, and the war-room. I reinforced the glass in the windows with a transparent alloy to make it unbreakable, and I'm going to put up motion-detectors in the barroom and basement. They will be keyed to a security system that I'm installing now. It should make breaking into the Watchfire almost impossible. Definitely not possible to do so undetected any more." Cole paused for a moment. "I'm going to add a redundant system upstairs as well."

Mel blinked. "Um, so, we're… basically we're going to be able to, um… hold off a government siege now?" she asked, walking over to the coffee-maker.

"Yes, Mel." Cole nodded. "If we had to. But I'm more worried about the fugitives."

"Right…" Mel muttered, shaking her head. The answer was typical Cole. The security measures, though, just scared her. She had been thinking new locks and maybe an extra dead-bolt. Reinforcing the windows with transparent aluminum or whatever he had used just seemed like overkill. "But does the bar need to be a fortress?"

"Yes, Mel." Cole rose and walked over to her. "They know we are here. They may try to harm you."

"So, I get to spend the rest of my life living in fear?" she asked, shaking her head, fear and frustration clearly written across every feature.

"No, Mel," he promised softly. "We are going to catch them. All of them. And I am going to teach you how to protect yourself. All of this is temporary, and you won't even notice most of it. How do humans say it? Better to be safe than sorry?"

Mel bit her lower lip and nodded.

Cole smiled reassuringly and touched her forehead for a moment before moving his hand to her throat. "I want you to go sit down on one of the couches, and practice those breathing exercises I showed you. I'll make the coffee."

Mel nodded slowly. "I know that everything is going to be okay," she whispered, taking his hands in hers and smiling lovingly up at him. "And I know that you're not as sure about that... But, I have faith enough for both of us. You borrow a little bit of mine any time you need to."

Cole smiled down at her. She was more Cirronian than she knew. "Yes, Mel. Thank you, Mel."

He absently caressed her throat as she turned to walk to one of the bar's couches, then put on a pot of coffee before returning to his installation of the final downstairs lock. He had to pause again a few moments later to let Isabel in as she showed up for her shift.

The girl looked around with wide eyes. "Um… dare I ask?" she drawled, taking in the mess and Mel sitting on a couch, seemingly oblivious to it.

Mel smiled up at her. "Oh, after that break-in last month, Cole decided to… upgrade our security. Nothing to worry about."

"Right." Isabel nodded and shrugged. Obviously Mel's quirky friend was starting to rub off on her because, as far as Isabel could tell, Miss Porter got stranger every day. Oh, well. At least she was over that depression that had virtually immobilized her for a few days last week. Shaking her head, Isabel stepped over a pile of circuit-boards. "Um, isn't this going to make serving the customers a bit difficult?" she inquired in what she hoped was a casual tone.

"Don't worry, Isabel," Cole told her, smiling. "I'll be done before the lunch crowd starts coming in."

"Right." Isabel nodded again and moved behind the bar. "Coffee's done," she announced. "Who wants?"

"Mel, did you want a cup?" Cole asked her.

"Um, no, that's okay, Cole. I think I'll just go upstairs and practice these breathing exercises some more."

"Yes, Mel. Call me if you need help."

Mel grinned and nodded. "Will do."

Cole watched her go, smiling faintly. Nodding to himself, he walked to the bar. "Thanks, Isabel," he said as she handed him a cup of coffee and a sugar-container. "Don't worry. This mess will be gone in a few minutes," he promised, pouring sugar into his coffee. "I've been working for awhile, so I'm almost done down here."

"Cool." Isabel nodded and watched as he continued to pour sugar into his coffee. For such an in-shape guy, he had one hell of a sweet-tooth. And he had obviously been drinking, judging from his slightly glazed look. He was sharp as always, but also a bit tipsy if she was any judge.

"You'll need this," Cole added when he had enough sugar, reaching into his pocket and producing a key-card. "Don't lose it or I'll have to reprogram the locks."

"You take your home-security seriously," Isabel said softly, accepting the key and slipping it into her wallet.

Cole shrugged and mixed his coffee until the last bits of sugar dissolved. "I take Mel's security very seriously." Shrugging, he emptied his cup in a single long gulp and rose, returning to work. "You'll need to start coming in through the back," he added after a few moments work. "The front locks are only keyed to open from the inside."

Isabel shrugged. "Whatever."

An honest living was an honest living and, for that, she could put up with whatever weird tangent Miss Porter and Mister Hauser were on this time. It would not have been the first time they had acted like complete freaks. It was something that Isabel was starting to grow used to. Rather endearing in its way. Smiling and shaking her head, she started getting the bar ready to open, stepping over piles of electronics equipment and around tangled masses of wires and generally ignoring the fact that anything was amiss. As promised, the mess was cleared away by the time the lunch crowd started to arrive. Cole quietly told her that he would be upstairs with Mel and to call if she needed anything, then he vanished up the stairs.

When he reached the apartment, Mel was sitting on the living room couch, talking on the phone. "No, there's always a place for you at the Watchfire, you know that Jess. And… whatever you decide, we're here for you. Yeah, I know." She smiled up at Cole and mouthed, "It's Jess."

Cole smiled brightly and sat down next to Mel, awaiting his turn to talk to her.

"Hey, Cole's here, Jess. Want to say hi?" Mel grinned and handed him the phone.

"Hello, Jess," Cole said when Mel handed him the phone.

"Hey, stranger," Jess said in a tone of forced cheerfulness.

Cole frowned. "Jess, something is wrong?"

"It's nothing, Cole," Jess assured him, although her voice lacked conviction.

"She broke up with Ewan," Mel explained quietly. "Again."

Cole sighed and frowned, remembering how happy Jess had been when they got engaged. "I'm sorry to hear about you and Ewan, Jess."

"It's no big deal, Cole," Jess assured him. "I'm thinking of coming back to the States. For good this time."

Cole smiled again. "That would be nice, Jess. I've missed you very much."

"Yeah, well, I've missed you, too," Jess told him. "Still walking around in your underwear?" she teased.

Cole smiled and shook his head. "Not so much any more, Jess." His smile widening, he teased right back, "If it would get you to come back, though, I'll start again."

Jess laughed. "Damn, I have missed you. So, any plans to make Mel an honest woman yet?"

"Mel is a very honest woman, Jess," Cole pointed out.

Mel raised an eyebrow, processing Cole's side of the conversation.

"I mean are you going to marry her, you goof!" Jess laughed.

Cole's smile faded completely. "One of these days, Jess."

Her voice was surprised as she demanded, "What have I missed?"

"Nothing, Jess. Work's just been… complicated lately." Cole sighed. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Right," Jess replied skeptically. "Well, if you want to talk about it some time, you feel free to call me."

Cole smiled faintly. Jess really was a sweet girl, and her habit of trying to push Mel and himself into becoming a couple was an endearing one. "If you come back, we can talk about it in person," he pointed out gently.

"Ooh, you mean you'll finally drop the secret agent routine and tell me the real story of what's up with your job?" she teased.

"Maybe, Jess. Parts of the story, anyway."

"Well, that makes my decision a lot easier."

Cole smiled absently. Having Jess back would be nice if she decided to come. "Even if you don't come to stay, Jess, you should come visit."

"Don't suppose your work is going to bring you guys to London anytime soon?" Jess asked.

"Probably not, Jess. I have a lot to deal with here right now."

"Okay, Cole. Look, can I talk to Mel again?"

"Yes, Jess. It was good to talk to you again. Good bye, Jess."

"Bye, Cole."

Cole handed the phone back to Mel. "I'll be in the war-room," he murmured.

Mel nodded and held the phone to her ear again. "Hey, Jess." When Cole was gone, she added, "Honest woman, huh?"

"Hey, you two belong together."

Mel bit her lower lip. "I know we do, Jess. Soon, I hope."

"He okay? He doesn't sound great."

"It's like he said. Work is just really complicated right now. He has so much on his plate and I think he feels a little overwhelmed by it all."

"Can you talk about it?" Jess offered, her concern obvious. The offer had nothing to do with curiosity.

"Not really. It's just… politics, you know." Mel shrugged. Wow, the truth.

"Eww," Jess contributed. "Office politics can be a royal pain."

"They can. Things are ugly at the home-office right now and it's got him on edge. He'll be fine in a few days," she said, trying to convince herself as much as Jess.

"Of course he will. He's Cole." Jess chuckled softly. "Damn, Mel. You are freaked, aren't you?"

"Just a little. Nothing new there."

"Not going to argue with that."

"Smart-ass."

"Well, yeah." There was a pause. "You ever find a halfway decent replacement for me?"

Mel shrugged. "Well, no, actually. I've got Isabel and Bridgett both working double shifts. Bridgett is ready to walk, and Isabel graduates soon. She's not going to stay once she has her degree."

"Bloody hell! I leave you alone for a few months and you manage to alienate both of them?" Jess laughed in spite of herself.

Mel sighed. "Yeah, you laugh." She grinned and shook her head. "You really serious about coming back to Chicago?" she asked quietly.

"You really serious about having a job for me when I get there?" came the response.

Mel grinned. Typical Jess, never one to beat around the bush. It would be nice to have a friendly face and a sympathetic ear. "I'm not going to lie to you, Jess. Things have changed. I'm different and so is Cole. But… having you back would be great."

"Did something happen?" Jess asked, concerned.

"Yeah." Mel sighed. "Last month. And it was big and unpleasant and… a learning experience, but… I don't know, Jess. I don't know that you would recognize either one of us from the Cole and Mel you left here."

"Mel? How deeply are you into Cole's business?"

"Pretty deep. A little deeper every day. I'm different, Jess, I am." Mel shook her head. "But I still miss my best friend. Maybe… before you decide to come back for good, you should come for a visit."

"Yeah, well, the papers take a few months anyway," came the noncommittal reply.

"You want your old job back, Jess, it's yours. I mean that," Mel told her slowly. Recalling how close Jess had come to death in London without even knowing it, Mel was reluctant to have her back, but still could have used the friendship and perspective that her friend's presence had always provided.


"Well, this is something I need to think about anyway," Jess said finally. "Another spur of the moment decision would be stupid of me. You two aren't the only ones who've changed, you know."

Mel smiled faintly. "Well, you think about it. And whatever you decide we will be behind you."

"I appreciate that, Mel, I do. You and Cole are two of the best friends I've had. I need to go now. I'll be late for work."

"Okay, Jess. Take care. Let us know what you decide."

"Yeah, Mel. Keep in touch."

"You too, Jess. Bye. Take care."

"Bye."

Mel sighed and rose as the line went dead. Having Jess back would have been great, certainly, but she was also worried about the younger woman. If Jess came back, keeping her in the dark about Cole's real identity and mission might not be a viable alternative. Telling her the truth had risks of its own, of course, but… Mel sighed and sat back down, breathing as Cole had showed her. It actually was incredibly helpful. She was going to have to discuss the matter with Cole, she decided finally. And, of course, it was still a huge 'what if'. Jess might well recover from her annoyance over the breakup and decide to stay in London. Certainly it would have been safer for her.

Shaking her head, she rose to go fill Cole in on the situation and possible outcomes. She found him in the war-room, not working over a computer but looking through the phone-book. She leaned over his shoulder and saw that it was opened to the A's. A phone-number had been underlined.

"Alcoholics anonymous?" she whispered, stunned. Well, at least she would not have to call him out on his drinking now.

Cole nodded, looking up at her, his eyes sad and a little ashamed. "I think I might need it, Mel. When Nallia and Ashi died… I drank to kill the pain. I wanted to be numb, permanently. I was talking to Jonas… He said that, after his wife died…"


"He crawled into a bottle."

Mel nodded. She had heard Jonas telling Cole the exact same thing, had explained to Cole afterwards what Jonas had meant, how the pain had just been unbearable for the attorney, how the alcohol had helped. Now that things were looking up for him, Jonas was better. He had been self-medicating, doing what he could to kill the pain. It had taken something to get him out of his slump before he could even think of getting his drinking under control. Nowadays, he only ordered seltzer. Cole was in a slump of his own now and, by his own admission, had not always been able to control his intake in the past. Maybe it was the best thing.

Cole nodded. "I want to do that so badly now, Mel. To just drink until it doesn't hurt, until I just don't care about the fugitives or Zin or the weapon or the war or… you."

Mel sighed and leaned over him, wrapping her arms around him. "We'll get through this, Cole. I promise you."

"I know. But right now… I think that it can't hurt for me to go to some of these meetings. I've heard that they can be helpful."

Mel nodded. "Yeah, that's what I've heard. I'll even go with you if you want, for moral support."

He smiled gratefully. "I'd appreciate it, Mel."

She nodded. "I'll call later and get meeting times."

"Thank you, Mel." He smiled up at her, touching her throat. "Is Jess coming back?"

"She might." Mel nodded. "She's angry now, upset. She wants to wait, get over that, before she decides anything."

Cole nodded. "I think that would be best for her."

Mel hesitated. "If she comes back… We may not be able to keep the truth from her. For her own safety."

Cole considered. In the past, Mel had always been the one who had told him how important it was to keep his secret… secret. Now she was saying that Jess might need to be told. And she was right. He nodded agreement.

"If she comes, she may need to be told."

Mel nodded. "Maybe it would be better for her if she didn't come, but… I couldn't tell her not to, either." She sighed. "Does that make me selfish?"

He shook his head. "We both want her back here. We love her and miss her, Mel. It's natural to want her nearby."

Mel bit her lower lip and nodded. "I'm starting to understand what you meant after the seminar. When you said that we couldn't be involved," she said softly, sighing. "That worry over what might happen to a person if you let them in…"

Cole nodded. "It's never easy in a position like this, Mel. You always worry for those you care about. Maybe… maybe, when I've taught you, I'll be able to worry less, but…" He paused, rising, remember. "I have something for you, Mel."

"What?" she asked, curious.

"It came in the shipment that Bendal sent. If you go into the living room, I'll bring it."

Mel nodded slowly, wondering, and walked back into the living room as Cole pulled a metallic box of some sort down from a high shelf.

"Two things, actually," he told her as he walked into the living room with a wooden box in one hand and a bundle of dark blue cloth in the other.

More curious than before, Mel edged forward on the couch as Cole pushed the table out of the way and dropped into a crouch before her, his expression grave and serious as he offered the box.