Who will you be, Kyle? An ineffable voice rose from the shadows of his slumber.
When Kyle didn't answer, the question repeated itself, louder. Who will you be?
"I'll always be Kyle Madigan," he finally responded,"that's who I am."
But who is Kyle Madigan? The voice was taunting, amused.
"I am." said he calmly. "No matter how you twist it around."
The voice seemed to laugh at him. Its laughter reverbrated through the walls of nothingness.
The echoes of the strange dream pulled Kyle to consciousness. He sat up, sweat trickling from his brow. Eve was snoring softly in a nearby bed. Unable to settle back to sleep, he decided to take a ride through the city.
As he drove, he caught sight of Aya's flat. He pulled over and walked toward Aya's door. His face heated when he remembered how he had concluded the night's activities.
I wonder how she took it. Kyle mused. He liked Aya a lot. She was just different from other women. Clever, sarcastic, kind-hearted, but sharp-tongued... Perhaps a little too serious. He decided with a grin.
He was touching the door. When he withdrew his hand, he found it ink-stained. He chuckled silently. Aya would reprimand him later.
Aya Brea woke up from the most relaxing sleep she's had in months. Just knowing the Kyle and Eve were here eased all her troubles. As she prepared for work, she found a piece of paper by her door. She picked it up, unfolded it and read--
Hey. I just want to make sure I'm the first to greet you a good morning. I hope you slept well yesterday. Eve and I will be here at seven. Until then, be a good girl. -Kyle
Shaking her head, Aya wondered how Kyle had managed to place this here. He probably slipped it under my doorstep while I was asleep. Just thinking of Kyle made crimson spots blossom in her cheeks.
"I'd better go to work," she said hastily.
"Agent Brea, it is good to see you really awake," Baldwin commented. "I suppose you feel much better now?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'm glad." But despite his words, Baldwin's tone was impassive. "I need you and Agent Carradine to eliminate an escaped GOLEM soldier who has found its way here in Los Angeles."
"Sir? If I may ask how that happened?"
"It doesn't matter why, Brea. What matters is that while it is here, lives are in danger." Baldwin said. "Your mission is to stop it. Further questions?"
"Request permission to choose my own partner, sir?" Aya asked. "Agent Broderick? His arm is healed."
"Request denied. Agent Broderick has other work to do."
"Then may I get assistance out of MIST? Assistance from people like..private investigator Kyle Madigan?"
An eyebrow shot up. "Madigan--?"
"I found him--or he found me, it doesn't really make a difference--at the museum yesterday," she explained.
"If Mr.Madigan agrees, then you may. Anything else, Brea?"
"No, nothing else."
"Alright. Dismissed."
"Escaped GOLEM soldier, huh."
"That's what Hal said."
"And you say that your partner--Pierce, was it?--is no good at this job?"
"It's not that I don't like him," Aya sighed, "Pierce is smart and all, and he can probably track down the soldier, but I doubt he knows how to hold a gun. So I was wondering...if you can, you know, lend a hand or something?"
Kyle answered without hesitation. "Sure. An adventure like this is what I need but--" His gaze fell on Eve, who was eating her dinner and not listening to the conversation at all.
"I can ask my friend to look after her," Aya offered. "Jodie stays in the weaponry, and I'm sure she can keep an eye on Eve."
"Alright, so it's settled. I'll help you out."
Aya smiled. "Thanks, Kyle. I knew I could count on you."
"Hey, if it means that I get to make a pretty lady like you smile at me like that, I'll do it."
Aya cuffed him lightly on the shoulder. "You and your cheap compliments."