Emma changed in to one of her catsuits,a blue one with a white waistband.If only Mrs Rutherscroft could see her now..well never say never.She heard St.Clare's big clock strike twelve times.She was late...She opened her room door carefully,looked around but saw nobody.In a few minutes she was at the warehouse.Steed was already there,waiting for her.He was wearing one of his black suits and a bowler!Emma was smiling.
"What?"
"The only thing missing is your umbrella!"Vanity Steed is a delicious flaw..
"Well..we can't let the circumstances spoil our image,can't we Mrs Peel?"
"We certainly can't!"
"By the way..you must give me the name of your tailor."Catsuits for ever Mrs Peel.You look gorgeous in this one.
"Let me tell you something Steed..".She approached him and whispered in his ear"I se w them myself!"
"Really?"
"Hmmm"She nodded.
"All of them?Including that leather one?"
"Especially that one!"
Steed laughed.
Steed proposed to get back to the dormitories and Emma agreed.They entered the children's dormitory.Everything seemed to be in place.Silence..
"Where are the monsters Mrs Peel?"
"You should have seen them in the morning!"
"But they're so quiet.."
"As if.."
They looked at each other..They run to the first door they found in their way.All the beds were empty...They searched the rest of the building.Noone there..
"Steed, they were here..just a few minutes ago!"
"I know."
"The only answer is.."Steed looked at her.
"Dungeons!Again..."
They both had no idea how to get there though.A secret passage could be located almost anywhere.
"Steed,we must split up."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Yes."
"All right.I'll meet you at the warehouse in two hours.If you're not there,I'll know something is wrong."
"Done..and that goes for you too."
"Be careful!"Steed was looking at her tenderly.
"I will."Emma vanished in the darkness.
First she checked the teacher's dormitory.Some of them where there..some of them not.Emma stopped a moment to concentrate..Mrs Rutherscroft's office..yes that would be a good point to start.She got there only to discover that the door was locked.Emma had prepared herself for that though.She took a piece of wire out of her pocket and after a few twists and turns the lock gave in.The same old trick that she and Steed always used!She could have kicked it open of course..but that would make a lot of noise.She searched quickly.Nothing really interesting.Some bills,some parent letters to Mrs Rutherscroft,some legal papers,lots of books...and a map of England.It looked like an ordinary map,only there were at least a hundred spots marked on it.Possible targets maybe..Emma knew that a photocopying machine was on the other side of the first floor.She was running out of time though,so decided to take the map with her as it was.She folded it and put it in her pocket,then tried to lock the door on her way out.Emma had just noticed a shadow over her shoulder when she felt a strong arm around her neck..a man.He was squeezing and squeezing her neck trying to suffocate her..She gave him a hard blow in the stomach with her elbow and he loosened his grip..then she ducked and slipped away from him.As she was crouched the man in black jumped at her back but she threw him over her shoulder.An other man appeared and grabbed her foot.Emma kicked him as hard as she could.The first man came to his senses,got up and grabbed her by the waist.The second one tried to grab her feet again but she folded them around his neck.The man cried:
"I can't breathe..leave her."
The first man let her body drop on the floor and she released her feet.They both jumped at her now..Emma rolled away from them and got up.Her hair was messed up..One of the men tried to punch her but she stepsided ,grabbed his arm and twisted it.He screamed out of pain.In the mean time the other one kicked her in the ribs.She fell on the ground but wasn't willing to give up.She had to get rid of them,once and for all.The strongest of the men was on top of her and was trying to pin her down.He was yelling:
"Hold her,damn it!"
"I'm trying!"
They were both holding her now.Emma bit the palm of one of them and karate chopped his neck..the other one was pulling her by her hair.God, it hurt!He took a shot out of his pocket..a sedative probably.She kicked his wriest and the shot fell near her.After a few minutes,the second man was lying unconscious.The other one was coming around..Again!One more to go!Emma looked him in the eye.He looked back,then tried to slap her.She ducked and he kicked her hard.She curled into a ball and he kept kicking her.The man thought he had beaten her and approached.It wasn't difficult for her to finish him off.Mrs Peel heard a buzzing noise.Were the children coming back or had Zero sent more of his men?She fled,running as fast as she could.That was a real fight!
In the mean time Steed had decided to explore all the other buildings.He didn't find anything interesting in the labs.They only brought back bad childhood memories.He hated chemistry.He wandered in the dining room and found his way to the kitchen.It was then that he realized how hungry he was.Gardening had improved his appetite.He was searching for a snack when he noticed that they were two different milk bottles in the fridge.They appeared to be the same,but one had a label on it that read "Teachers"and the one on the other read "Children".Odd!Steed moved on and was ready to enter the gymnasium when he saw a man coming out.He was dressed in black and was carrying a gun.Steed hid behind a bush and waited for a few moments.Silence..He decided to go in.There was a large pool in there and the water was glowing.It was poorly lit.Something was moving besides the pool though.Steed was scared and turned around to go.It was then that he heard a whisper..
"Help.."
Steed was at a loss.What if it was just a trap?On the other hand what if someone really needed his help?He was an agent,he should help.
"Who are you?"
"Holmes..."It was the man they had seen in the morning.
Steed approached him only to realize that he was bleeding.Someone had shot him,in the chest.It was probably the man he had seen coming out.Too late for him.The wound was close to his heart and there was no way he could make it.He was so young..such a shame!Steed bent over him.
"It's all right."
"S...son."
"What?"Steed could make nothing out of his words.
"Too.."
"Yes?Come on Holmes..What is it?"
"Too..many..numbers."
"Why are they important?Why are the numbers so important?".
He made a gesture and Steed gave him a pen and a piece of paper.He used all the strength that was left in him to write two letters on it.Then the pen fell out of his hand,and his head stayed tilted on his left side.He was dead.Steed closed the young man's eyes and looked at the note.
It read "H.and P.".Was that the initials of Zero's organization?A secret password maybe?
Steed had no time for guessing.He was sure that who ever did this was coming back to get rid of the dead body.He put the piece of paper in his pocket and leftSteed was heading to the isolation room now.Emma had asked him to take some food to one of her pupils who got an unfair punishment.He was glad that she was such a caring teacher!There was a small window in the room and Steed looked in.The girl was asleep.He whispered:
"Hello!"
Marlene squirmed in her bed..She sat on it and started rubbing her eyes with her small hands.She looked at the window.Steed's form startled her at first,but that didn't stop her from talking to him.
"Who are you sir?You woke me up!"
"I'm a friend of Emma's."
"What's your name?"
"My name is John.Yours?"
"Marlene."She was smiling.
Steed was looking at Marlene.It was too dark.He couldn't see her face clearly but her eyes reminded him of two small fishes that were playing.He was smiling too.
"Are you her boyfriend?"
Steed was stunned.She was just seven or so!How blunt the new generation could be!Anyway,he didn't know the answer to her question.Was he,really?
"This shouldn't concern you, young lady."
Marlene blushed.She was so spontaneous sometimes.Maybe she was a bad girl afterall.There was still some courage left in her though.
"Take me with you..please..please."
"I just can't.I'm sorry sweetheart."
Steed was heartbroken.Marlene crossed her arms in front of her chest and kept looking at the floor.She was sad.
"Hey..I have a little something for you."
"What?"The girl was looking at the parcel he was carrying.
"There is a bar of chocolate in here and also some meatballs!"
Marlene was hungry.She was reluctant to accept a gift from a stranger though..
"Why didn't she come with you?"
"She is busy."
"You don't really now her.Do you?"
"I know her all right.Look!"He showed her a photo he always carried with him.Steed and Mrs Peel sitting on a bench in the country,smiling.It was taken by a newspaper photographer.They wanted their interview and they also needed a photo.Marlene looked at it.She seemed to like it.
"Can I have it?"
"No."Steed was afraid that the girl was going to show it to the other children.
Marlene made a silly face,grabbed the parcel he was holding through the window bars and started eating.Meatballs!It wasn't exactly her favourite but she was starving!
"She would have given it to me!"
She yelled at Steed with her mouth still half filled.
Steed laughed.She was a smart but also very obstinate child.He said goodbye and left.Marlene looked at him and just smiled.Emma's friend was interesting afterall!
Steed had a weird feeling about this meeting...a feeling of deja vu actually.Well..he was going crazy,that was it.She was just a little girl,like all the others!
Emma was still running,hiding.She had come to the conclusion that the men she had met were part of some kind of night patrolShe thought about Steed.Why had she asked him to meet Marlene?Maybe a part of her wanted him to know..to know everything.In this way she wouldn't have to tell him herself.She wanted to find some peace..Then she realized she was standing in front of the school theatre.She hasn't been in there so far!She opened the door carefully..It was small,but charming.There was a deep red velvet curtain that hid the stage.The wooden seats were covered in red velvet as well.Emma looked up..and there it was!She couldn't believe it!It was there all along!Right above the stage was a raven..It was placed exactly in the middle, where the two parts of the curtain met each other.It was made out of marble and its wings were spread wide open.A white raven!Its eyes were glistening as if it was real.They were probably made out of some kind of valuable stone.Somehow it was very beautiful..but also scary.What a weird theatre decoration!Why did they sent her a message involving a statue in the first place?Anyway,Emma was too tired to think.She was sleepy,her ribs hurt,her body was badly bruised..and she should also meet Steed.
Punctuality was one of Steed's virtues.When he saw her coming he looked at his watch.She was half an hour late!She had left him there,waiting,worrying about her.He was ready to scold her when he noticed the terrible state she was in.Her hair was all messed up,her catsuit torn and there was something wrong with the way she moved her left arm.
"What happened to you?"
"Isn't obvious?"
"How many of them?"
"Two."
"I guess they were worthy opponents."
"Very...and you're right.They're expecting us."
It was then that they shared the information they had gathered.Emma showed him the map and told him about her discovery of the raven.She was sad to hear about Ian Holmes.Then she remembered that Marlene had also mentioned numbers the second time she had met her.She had said"Stay away from them..Numbers are mean!"or something like that.
"Steed..I think I know what Holmes meant."
"You mean the note?"
"No.I mean numbers.They 're Zero's men."
"Yes..It does make sense.Do you like milk?"
"Not especially.Why?"
"I think they put something in the milk.Something that makes the children forget a big part of what they witness in the night."He explained all about the different milk bottles.
"Sometimes they're sleepy.They make mistakes that they shouldn't..Sometimes I have to repeat the same thing several times but I believed that they just didn't pay attention..We must stop it!At once!"
Steed agreed.The idea of drugging innocent children was repulsing!
"I wonder how far is willing to go in order to get what he wants."
"This kind of people don't have limits."Steed warned her.
"Steed..did you take the food to the girl?"Her heart started beating fast.She couldn't look at him.She was afraid that if she did look at him,he'd guess everything.
"Haven't I held all your favours?She's sweet actually.I understand why you want to help her."
"Yes,she is.."He hadn't realized..
Emma sat down and winced.Steed was worried about her but always found a way to conceal his thoughts.She was smiling..her cheeks were pink and her brown eyes were lit up.
"Come on Steed!It was fun!"
"The fight you mean.."
"Yes!That is being alive!It's been a long time since.."
"Since you had a catfight..I see".Steed was smiling too.She was right..Some action could make life much more interesting!Fun wasn't exactly the word that he hand in mind though.Sometimes he couldn't understand Emma's perverse ideas on having fun!
"Let me see that.."He touched her arm.
"I'm fine!Steed..."
In spite of her protests Steed folded her sleeve and examined her arm.
"It must be twisted.."
"So..you're also a doctor now!".Trust Emma to be ironic.
"I used to help my friends in the world war..when there wasn't many doctors around us."
She was looking at him.I'm glad you survived Steed..
"How did you serve our country... mother England during the war?"
"I was just a little girl back then!How old do you think I'm?"
Steed laughed.
"You.."Emma laughed too.She winced again.
Steed touched her ribs.
"Don't!"It hurt..
"Come here.."
"I brought a first aid kit with me.I'll take care of it.I had no time to go to my room and get back here."
"Mine is right here.I hid it here this morning just in case.."He got up and after a few minutes he was back with the kit.He had hid it underneath his gardening tools.
"All right then!"
Afterall,she did need medical care,she had to be strong to fight some more.He couldn't possibly ask the school doctor to help her!How would she justify her injuries?Besides,maybe he wasn't to be trusted!Then again..who was she trying to fool?Herself?She wanted Steed to take care of her..She unzipped her catsuit but didn't take it off.Emma turned her back on him and Steed kneeled besides her.He touched her waist..there were bruises everywhere,especially in her ribs.Big red-purple bruises.That bastard must have kicked her with all his strength.Sometimes he hated this job!He carefully placed a bandage around her waist and kept caressing her back.
"Steed!Aren't you done yet?"She was standing still.For a moment she thought she was going to cry.She wasn't ready.She couldn't deal with him right now.It brought back so many memories.The way he used to touch her felt so fine..
"In a few moments I will be."Steed cleaned up the last scratches left.
Emma got up,ready to go.Steed joined her.
"Thank you."
"Stay with me tonight Mrs Peel."His eyes were filled with tears.
"I can't.Don't ask me that!"
"All I want is to take away your pain."
"You've promised me.."Give me some space,some time to find my way back to you!
"I can't keep my promise!I miss you."
"I'm here!"
"All this time..you were never really here!"
" Stop!Now!"
"Stop laughing at me!"
"Steed we came here to work,remember?"
"We used to work together!"
"I don't want to get in to another fight with you!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?You 're not the same person any more!"
"I told you!It has nothing to do with you!Leave me alone!"
"Never."
Steed found that hard to believe.It had everything to do with them.What ever she was going through,now and before, affected him too.He was in love with her!It was about them all along,about the both of them.
He grabbed her arms,pulled her close to him and kissed her.She resisted but soon lost herself in a deep kiss.She put her arms around his neck and he hugged her.There was so much to be said..
"I know I 'm not the person you loved..not any more .I've changed...but we were supposed to change together."She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I guess there's nothing wrong with change.I still love you.Always!"Maybe I used the wrong words Mrs Peel.
"I can't sit here and talk about love while my d.."
She stopped...while my daughter is in danger!Love has many faces Steed.I've disgraced the meaning of it before you came along.Besides,it's not just Marlene who comes between us.I don't know if I 'll ever be able to give you what you want.My perception of love is not the same with yours!I do love you though..so much!Sometimes I even want to love you in the way you need me to.
"Darling..what do you mean?Your what?"
She couldn't talk.He felt her nails in his back.She was holding him so tightly.Her own back was shaking.He couldn't tell if she was crying or not,since she had burried her face in his shoulder.Steed was in pain too.He had hurt her..his persistence had hurt her.He should have accepted the way things were.She was proud and strong.He didn't want to transform her into anything else!Maybe it wasn't meant to be in the first place...the two of them together.Two tears rolled down his cheeks.He kissed her forehead.She lifted her head and looked at him.She wasn't crying afterall.Her eyes were completely dry.Emma wiped his cheeks with her palm.She moved her lips,ready to say something but the last moment decided against it.Suddenly,she turned around and walked away.Just like that!Steed wanted to stop her,tried to say something that would stop her..to no avail.He was left speachless.He reached out as if he could touch her,but she had already vanished.
Emma closed the door of her room.They had reached that point in their relationship where they quarreled..all the time.Unknown forces were pulling them apart.It hurt more than her arm and her ribs.She went straight to bed and curled into a ball.The extra blanket would keep her warm.Soon she was asleep.
The next morning Emma was feeling much more better.She could easily move her arm and the firm bandage had kept the bruises under control.Everyone was wondering about Mr.Holmes and his sudden disappearance.Mrs Rutherscroft explained to the staff that he had decided to quit for reasons known only to him and so had left in a hurry.Most of the teachers questioned her words,but nobody had the courage to face her.There was a lot of gossip too.Anyway,Emma had a lot of things to do.First of all, a costume party was going to take place the same evening and the children were thrilled about it.It was the first time since she had gotten in St.Clare's that she saw a smile on their faces.And second of all..a pile of notebooks full of errors were waiting for her!
Steed was pulling some weeds out of a piece of lawn when he saw something really weird.A witch followed by a bunch of children..well not exactly a bunch of children!There were doctors,bunnies,fairies,geishas,knights,scarecrows.
Steed noticed a boy dressed in a suit..and he was wearing a baby bowler!The children were teasing each other,playing,talking.There were all heading to the theatre.Suddenly, the witch stopped and yelled:
"Children!Please be quiet!"It wasn't a witch..It was Emma Peel dressed as a witch.She wore a black hat,white gloves,black nylons and also a matching long sleeved black leotard.As she turned around to scold the children,Steed noticed that she was also carrying a broomHe smiled.If only he had a camera with him.He could tease her forever and ever with that photo!Steed picked up a white lily and approached her.
"Mrs Peel!"He whispered.
"Goodmorning to you too!"Don't even try to tease me Steed!
"Can you give me a ride Mrs Peel?"He was looking at her broom.Then he added"You know..up there?"He pointed at the sky.
"Sorry..It's an one seat vehicle."
"Never mind.I bet you drive that as you drive your Lotus!"
"Steed.."You've just signed your death contract.
"Keep torturing me and I'll turn you in to a frog!"
"How about a Greek God?Or a prince?"
Emma couldn't help smiling.Then she exclaimed:
"It's a rental!This is what was only left at my size!"She looked devastated.
"You look..absolutely bewitching!"
"All right."She looked at her hat."Tasty is the word I think!"
Steed offered her the lily.Their fingers met just for a second...
"Thank you.It's very beautiful.Steed.."
"It would be better to leave our personal issues aside..until everything is over."
"Fair enough.I would have suggested the same thing to you."
They said nothing for a while,just kept looking at each other.
"What's going to happen tonight?"
"Each year a costume party is thrown at the large chamber next to the theatre.It's the only chance to have some fun in here.The children have also prepared a short play,nothing special,really .We're going down there now..for the rehearsals..you know."
"Am I not invited?"
"I know how much you hate these things!Besides,we're only allowed to rent costumes for ourselves.Only the staff,the children and a few others are going to attend. We wouldn't want them to get suspicious,would we?"
"Don't forget..he knows who we are!"
"Zero knows but I don't think he has told Mrs Rutherscroft or anyone else about us."
"The less who know the better."
"Exactly."
"What about the men in black though?The numbers,as he calls them?Where do they come from?
"I don't know but they seem to know everything about us too!".
"I don't like that either...but I promise you,we will stop him!"
"I don't doubt that."Her voice was tender.
"I'll see you at the theatre then..after everyone is gone.The secret message..your raven..a warning.Something is wrong in there."
Emma agreed.
The children were buzzing.They were bored to death.
"Steed, I've got to go.I can't no longer keep them out here.".
"See you later."
Emma was about to go,when he heard him whispering again.
"Mrs Peel!"
"Yes?"She was smiling.
"Do you know that you can make an aphrodisiac potion out of that?"He meant the lily.
"Really?"Emma blushed.Then she quickly added:
"How could YOU know Steed?"
He winked at her and left.Emma considered it for a moment.Could Steed's secret skills come from a lily?No,he was just teasing her.She knew her Johnsie much more better than that!Mrs Peel put the lily behind her ear and waved at the class to move on.
Steed took out of his pocket a small pair of scissors and cut some leaves off a sick magnolia.
"There you go darling.Aren't you much better now?"
Plants were like ladies.All they needed was someone to pamper them.

Emma was holding a glass of punch,chatting with St.Clare's art teacher,a small brunette with curly hair,Mrs Collins was her name.Mrs Collins was dressed as an Italian aristocrate.She was wearing a wonderful blue velvet dress and had painted a mole on her right cheek.Emma congragulated her on the work she had done.The play they had just watched was interesting and funny.Mrs Collins said that Emma's pupils were as nice as she was.When the conversation reached a more personal level,Emma came up with an excuse to avoid her.She didn't know who to trust.Last night,when she was searching the teacher's dormitory,some of them were missing.Well,only a few of them.It was dark and she couldn't tell who was who.Of course,even if some of them were in the dungeons,nobody could tell for sure that they were guilty.What if they knew what Zero was up to and were spying on him,trying to stop him?On the other hand,what if everyone was in it and they were just changing shifts each night?What if he was just replacing some of them with look alikes?No..that one was far fetched.Enough!She scolded herself.She was going crazy.Emma looked around her.There was Mrs Rutherscroft dressed as a queen and Mrs Murphy dressed as a bird.She looked more like a chicken.Emma also recognized some of her male colleagues.Only a few of them though.St.Clare's was a very large school and she didn't have the time or the will to meet everybody.People were dancing to the music a small band was playing.The children were mingling with the teachers,playing,laughing.Emma thought of her daughter,locked up in the isolation room and suddenly her stomach became a tight knot.She decided to dance too..Maybe in this way she would forget for a while.She danced with a judge,with Scroodge and other Dickensian creatures,with a policeman,even with a member of the Beatles!Some of them were wearing masks,some of them not..but nobody could compete with Steed.He was an excellent dancer.She wished he was with her.She should have found a costume for him too.Too late now..Emma was dancing with a ghost who had stepped on her twice,when an other man approached them.He was tall and was wearing a white,elegant suit.He had the most beautiful,long feather wings Emma had ever seen pinned on his back.He was also wearing a blonde wig ,or was that his real hair?It was very difficult to tell.If it was a wig,it was probably very expensive.A white satin mask was covering his whole face.An angel!How interesting was that!
He interrupted them and talked to Emma.
"May I have this dance?"
The ghost,who was actually Mr.Prichard, St.Clare's accountant, introduced them.
"I think this is Mr.Boyce,one of our main sponsors..and of course this is Miss Miller,our mathematical genius."
"How do you do miss?A genius..and a very handsome one."He gently took her palm in his and kissed it.
"Oooh,don't listen to him,I'm definitely not a genius.I just love mathematics very much.Anyway,thank you for your kind words..both of you!"Emma was friendly but reserved.
"Shall we?"Mr.Boyce made a gesture that suggested he wanted to dance with her.
"Why not?"There was definitely a challenge in her words.Deep down she felt flattered.
They begun swirling around the floor.Mr Boyce was a very good dancer..in fact he was much more than that.The way his right hand touched her waist ..He was caressing her wriest with his left one..so erotic.She started trembling slightly but soon found her composure again.
"There's nothing more interesting or pleasurable than dancing with a beautiful girl."
"A woman.."You're not going to charm me all that easily.
"Excuse me..a woman who is a woman a hundred percent."
"Talking about percentages..There are so many problems left unresolved..especially in my field.I can assure you that the seeking of knowledge is by far more interesting than dancing could ever be."
"I forgot that I'm holding a scientist in my arms."
Emma smiled.He was sweet.
"What's your profession?I mean besides sponsoring?"Where does your money come from Mr.Boyce?
"People Miss Miller.Dealing with people."
"Are you a merchant?"
"No."
"A doctor then?"
"No".
The more mysterious he got the more Emma was interested in him.
"You must be a teacher then,a colleague of mine!I hope I'm not imposing of course.."
Dealing with people.I hope you don't work against the law,Emma thought.
"Not at all.I'm all the above."He pronounced these words slowly and he had the most seducing voice nature could ever give to a male.Emma also noticed a sparkle in his eyes.He probably loved his job very much.
"It can't be true!"
"It is very true.You see,I'm an actor!"
"An artist!What have you done recently?"Are you really?
"Nothing you'd know".
There was a bitterness in his words...maybe a hint as well.Emma couldn't tell.
The band was playing a different tune now.Tango!Emma was on fire,so was he.They were moving back and forward,coming closer,then drifting apart.She arched her back and he bent over her.People were looking at them.She was attracted to him,like a moth is drown to a flame.
Flame.Fire.Emma started shivering.She didn't like the path she had chosen to follow tonight.Was it her choice though?Or was it his?
Mr.Boyce was the first to break the silence.
"Are you happy here?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Are you happy here.. in St.Clare's,miss Miller?"
"Yes,I'm very pleased with the work I do here."I can't wait to get out!
"We try to do our best for our employees."
"I see."Well,you're not succeeding.I wonder if you have any idea about what's going on around here.
"All we ask in return from them is to do the best for us."
"I'm not sure I'm following you."
"You came here for a purpose,didn't you Miss Miller?Or is it..Mrs Peel?"His voice was suddenly very cruel.He had also tightened his grip on her.
"What are you talking about?You're hurting me!"Emma was very angry now and a little bit frightened.Somehow she was right all along.Fire didn't stand for passion and desire but for danger.There was definitely a threat there and he had managed to catch her off guard.Damn it!He was one of them.
They kept dancing.
"Take your friend and go!"
"Don't you dare touch me again!"Emma would have hit him but they were in a public place and that would blow up her cover.Completely..With one quick movement,she freed herself and stopped dancing.
"This is the first and the last warning.Take your friend and go,or else.."
"Or else?"Emma was cold and deadly now.
"You'll loose him and he'll loose you.If not now,tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.That's the price for what you're after Mrs Peel.Justice.You should have figure that out by now.Afterall ,I must admit you're a smart woman.Is it worth it?"
"You're the only one who's going to loose.WHO are you?"
Could it be?Could it be him?Zero?Oooh he was wicked all right.He has been playing with her fears,the yearnings of her heart since the beginning.Emma realized though that there was so much truth in what he had said..and that threatened her well built self defense more than anything else.Zero had a unique way of taking what he needed.
"I think you know who I am,princess".
Her father used to call her princess.How did he know about this detail?That didn't stop Emma from ripping off his mask.He didn't try to stop her.There was a second mask underneath the first one, a fine china mask.It was cold but also very beautiful,hand made.
"You're nothing without your numbers!"Emma retaliated.
"There are never too many numbers Mrs Peel.Believe me,there are a lot of them out there,reaching the infinity...but you know that.You are a mathematician,aren't you?"
He was talking about his people.How many were they?
"I could deal with you right now.Get it done and over with!Now!And if there's a price for that,I'm willing to pay!More than willing!"
I'm not going to let you corrupt any more children!I'm not going to let you punish my little girl!
"Mrs Peel..you let me down.I thought you were much more wiser.Are you sure I am who you think I'm?What if you're wrong?What if I'm just another ...number?Just look..look around you!"He laughed.
Emma looked around her.Three more angels were in the crowd,three more men looking exactly like him,disguised in the same way.She was sure though that this one was the real one.She had frightened him,she could feel it.She turned her head to look at him again but he had vanished,had gone to find the other ones.A few moments later,all of them vanished.
Emma straightened her witch hat and poured herself a second glass of punch.She needed it.
Zero was in the dungeons,heading home.He was thinking about her...Mrs Peel.She was so beautiful and strong.She reminded him of his own love.That's why he had given her a chance..a chance to survive,to get away.She had refused.It was her fault.He wasn't responsible for what was going to happen to them.He smiled.
It's about time I also got acquainted with John Steed,he thought.
Emma left the party early and went back to the dormitory.She changed into her tan catsuit,started eating an apple and lay on the bed.After a while she got up, took a book from the library and tried to read..to no avail.There was no way she could concentrateShe was looking at the ceiling,thinking about Zero.Why had he warned her?Well,it wasn't the first time a madman was attracted to her!Emma was sure that his feelings for her weren't enough to stop him,to stop him from hurting people.She was impressed by his personality,he was a witty man.Could all that crap about acting be true?Who was he?Who was he in the morning?She started pacing up and down.Suddenly,she noticed some flickering lights..She turned off the lamp on her nightstand and approached the window.Someone in the teacher's dormitory was using a flash light to create a signal.Someone else in the labs was answering back.Who?Everyone was supposed to be still at the party.That was easy though..Morse code.Every agent who respected himself knew Morse code by heart.There were two people arranging a meeting,in the wood..in a clearing which was located in the south.Yes,that made sense..St.Clare's was surrounded by a very large estate..a forest actually.Emma put her gun in her belt and run out.She was determined to find out what this meeting was all about.She wouldn't go alone though.The gardener's house was nearby and she should notify Steed,before he went up to the theatre to wait for her.Wait a minute..there he was..heading to the wood.He must have seen the lights too.She tried to call him but he couldn't listen to her,he was already far away.Nobody else was supposed to listen to her either!She would catch up with him eventually..Soon he was about to reach the clearing and she was right behind him.Suddenly, he vanished..his figure was lost behind some oaks for a while.Then she heard a sound..saw two men fighting.Steed's voice..Mrs Peel was ready to throw herself into the fight to defend him.He was in danger!It was a trap!When she approached closer, realized that it was too late.Only his bowler laid there.There were blood stains on it.Emma started shaking.What have they done to him?She looked around her..Nobody!She didn't like that at all.If there was an entrance to the dungeons around there she wasn't supposed to find it.Besides,it wasn't in her best interest to stay there aloneShe turned around to go,to go back to the school to call for help..help from the Ministry this time.It would be suicide to try to face all these men on her own.Suddenly she noticed something far away in the clearing.A monument of some kind..or was it a statue?The sky was lit up by hundreds of stars but yet..she couldn't see clearly.The wind was blowing hard and made her hair fall all over her face.Emma put a strand of hair behind her ear,touched her gun and decided to go for it.Dead yellow- red leaves were swirling around her.It was only when the breeze had weakened that Emma saw the two gray gravestones in front of her.One of them had her name on it and the other Steed's.It was a really sick joke.Somehow it didn't scare her though.She was sure now that Steed was alive..or else she would have found his dead body,not just his grave.As she took a step forward the ground succumbed underneath her feet.She landed a few minutes later at the bottom of a large hole.It was dark and cold and her body hurt.It was a trap afterall..for both of them!Emma felt that someone was watching her.A bunch of men dressed in black attacked her.She fired three times,but hit only two of them.A chubby,tall man jumped at her,but she slipped away.Another one kicked her wriest,trying to disarm her.She grabbed his leg with her free hand and he lost his balance and fell on the ground.They were around her now,watching her,expecting her next move.
"Stay away from me!"
One of the men jumped at her and she shot him in cold blood.The rest of them were afraid to get close to her.
"Now be nice and tell me how I'm going to get out of here."
It was a deep hole and she couldn't climb back up.Nobody was willing to help her though.They kept looking at her,smiling.One of them said:
"There's no way out for you.It's a network..a maze Mrs Peel."
"Which one?"
She made a gesture with her gun.There were two wooden doors,one on the right and one on the left.Silence..Emma shot another number.
"We're not afraid to die Mrs Peel..we're not like you...but we will die if and only is necessary."
"United we stand,divided we fall!"They cried in perfect unison.
It was useless.These were not men,just a bunch of clowns.Deep down they were cowards or else they wouldn't stand there,just looking at her!Emma wasn't afraid to die either.She chose the left door,opened it and bolted it behind her.She heard them kicking it,trying to break it.Emma run away..she didn't know where she was going,just kept running.Suddenly,she show a figure, not far away from her.She raised her gun and yelled:
"Step forward so that I can see who you are!"
"It's over Mrs Peel!"
Mrs Rutherscroft was standing in front of her,dressed in blackShe also carried a gun.
"You!I thought you had no idea about me."
"I'm the only one in the school who does know.I was right.The moment I laid my eyes on you I knew you were to no good.He told me..about the damage you've done..to us..to our family.You shouldn't have come here.You shouldn't have messed up with our plans!"
"What kind of plans are they,really?"
"To put some bitches like you out of the way!"
"It's a clear shot for me Mrs Rutherscroft.If you know anything at all about me,you'll also know what I'm capable of!"
"Drop it!"
"You drop it!"
They pointed their guns at each other.None of them was willing to quit.
"Drop it or you'll never see him again!"
"Who?"Emma heard her heart pounding in her chest.She had forgotten that they had him..
"Our much beloved gardener.I should have seen him for who he is.Gardeners don't have soft palms like his.. "
"You're lying!I think you want us alive."
Mrs Rutherscroft used her right foot to push a button that was close to the wall.A huge net fell over Emma who lost her balance and fell too.Mrs Rutherscroft grabbed Emma's gun.She was trying to break free but there was a glue like substance on the net and it had stuck on her.Mrs Peel heard a buzzing sound and saw the men in black approaching.
"Yes you're right Mrs Peel.We want you alive..but you'll beg me to kill you after I'm done with you."She looked at the men and cried:"Take her!I can't stand her any more!"
"I wonder how you can stand yourself!"Emma was smiling.
Mrs Rutherscroft cast a contemptuous look at her and left.The numbers followed her,carrying Mrs Peel with them.
Steed opened his eyes and closed them again quickly.He palmed his forehead..he had a terrible headache.Where was he?He looked around him only to find out that he was still home..No,it wasn't home,not his own house but the gardener's house.He got up..slowly,gently.The big clock in the school yard stroke four times.Steed looked at his own watch..yes it was four o'clock.Suddenly he remembered..Mrs Peel..He was supposed to meet her three hours ago!.Steed put his jacket on and started looking for his black bowler.Where had he left it?It wasn't on his nightstand,it wasn't in the closet.He searched everywhere.Nothing..Odd!Then he looked at the remains of the dinner he had eaten the same evening.He had overslept.It wasn't just a coincidence..They had drugged him!Why?He hurried to the door and a few minutes later he was at the theatre.He whispered:
"Mrs Peel.."
No answer.She wasn't there obviously.Steed returned to the teacher's dormitory.She wasn't in her room either.Steed also checked the small warehouse,where they used to meet.Nobody..Something must have happened to her.If she had other plans,she would have left him a note.They always worked together because they cared for each other..because they had the best results in this way.Steed found a payphone on his way and decided to call for help.
"Hello?"A female voice.
"This is John Steed."
"The password Mr.Steed"
"Come on Virginia,this is an emergency!"It was Virginia Quaid,Harper's personal secretary.Harper was the chief agent now.He had replaced Sanderson and he was the Minister's right hand.
"I'm sorry sir but he wants everything to be done by the book,you know that!"
"All right.Ladybird."There was a time that they used flowers' names for their nicknames.Now he was the "Ladybird" and Mrs Peel was the "Mantis".Insects!Ridiculous!
"Steed!I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."
"No news good news Harper."
"What's going on?"
"We need some back up.They are too many..too many numbers."
"I think you've gone crazy!"
"Of course not!Numbers are..that's how Zero calls his men."
"That's very original!I've never heard this one before!"
"It's not funny Harper.They took her!"
"Mrs Peel?"Harper was sad to hear the news.
"Who else?Look..we need help."Steed was ashamed to ask for help.They used to be able to defend themselves.
"I'm afraid that's not possible.Steed..we've already lost an agent.Ian Holmes was one of our own people.Besides,she maybe already be.."He paused."dead."
"What if she isn't?"Steed was furious.
"I know how you must feel Steed.I know she's your partner..but you can't help her.Let the police handle it.Get out of there while you can."
"The police?Harper ,there's no proof.They 're going to deny everything!Zero is very dangerous!Send someone down here."
"I'm sorry but it's totally up to the Minister to decide.He doesn't want any more casualties.Do you know how much does it cost nowdays?To train an agent I mean..Besides,we're short on staff.All the "Bugs" are busy right now."
"Damn you Harper!".Steed hung up.No wonder that Harper's nickname was "Roach"! Well,maybe it wasn't his fault.He was just an employee like the rest of them.So many years on service..for his country..for the government.He was all alone now.Steed was looking at the sky.
"Mrs Peel..where are you?"
He saw a bird passing by..no,it wasn't a raven!He decided to go back to the theatre.The door was locked but that had never stopped him before.For a moment he thought that the raven was looking at him..He remembered that phrase:
"And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming."
His eyes...his eyes..Steed searched for a ladder..Well they usually kept one behind the scenes.It wasn't difficult to find it.He climbed it and touched the raven's eyes.Maybe his eyes were buttons.He pushed them..Nothing,just a set of stones.Beautiful and prestigious,but not mechanical.He was completely disappointed.Steed was carrying the ladder back to its place when something extraordinary happened.There was a small window on the wall that was facing the statue of the raven.A moonlight ray went through the window and hit the raven's eyes.The pair of stones glistened and Steed heard something cracking.The curtain opened automatically to reveal the stage.Then a small part of the wooden stage floor disappeared.It was like a drawer..as if someone had pulled it aside.An entrance to the dungeons!He heard voices..someone was coming up.He left the ladder at a corner and hid behind the curtain.Three men in black came out of the hole.They were talking.Steed tried to listen..Nothing important..nothing regarding Mrs Peel.They were just arranging their shifts..One of them asked the others what was the name of their school.They weren't St.Clare's graduates.How many schools like this one did Zero control?After a while the men left.Steed heard that cracking sound again.He jumped into the hole,just in time and landed on a staircase.It led down there..He was determined to find her.If that was the end,then so be it!Steed wanted to share her fate.
Mrs Peel saw him approaching.He was wearing a costume and had the same china mask on,the one she had seen earlier.He was dressed as a priest.Did he believe that he was doing God's work this time?Absolutely mad.
She was confined in a small cell.It was dark and cold.The humidity around her was eating her up.
"It's so nice to see you again Mrs.Peel!"
"Where is he?"Emma was icy.
"You're probably searching for your friend.Well,we're expecting him too.Look!I'm all dressed up,just for him!Don't worry,he'll find his way to you,I know he will."
"I thought..Wait a minute!"Steed is here.Why are you lying to me?
"I know what you think..but you're wrong."
"I saw him!I heard him!"
"You saw what you were meant to see.You haven't learnt your lesson Mrs.Peel.I told you earlier..Are you sure that the things you do see are real?What is reality?True or false.It's just a human invention,nothing more or less.You saw two men fighting,you heard a tape playing.No,your friend isn't here..not yet."
Emma was in pain.She had been so stupid!It was her fault.A bait...that's all Zero needed.
"You have me.Leave him alone."It was a threat,not a plea.
"What do we have here?Some romance..some drama maybe.No,Mrs Peel.You're going to pay for the consequences of your actions.You're going to give me information.Both of you!I need you both!"
He was standing very close to the cell bars.Emma grabbed his wriest and twisted it.His hand was thin,fragile..Like an old man's.She hadn't realized that when they were dancing,he was wearing gloves.Now he was trying to break free..Mrs Peel let his hand fall.
"So, you don't know how to fight,do you?"
"I see you want to play a hard game Mrs Peel.You'll get rotten in here..I promise you."His hand was in pain but he was trying hard not to show.Zero called one of his men.
"Don't give her anything to eat or drink."
"Yes sir."
Emma was hungry.Maybe she shouldn't have provoked him in the way she did.Well,too late now..Zero took a silver cross out of his pocket.
"Anything you'd like to confess?"
"Oh!Give me a break!"Mrs Peel was scornful.
"You have sinned,I can tell you have."He was looking at her.
He had managed to frighten her.Afterall,he was a perceptive man.What did he know about her past?Emma showed him no sign of emotion.Her face was a cold mask,like his.
"You belong to a madhouse and that's where you're going.Soon!"
"Goodnight..princess."Now his voice was smooth and tender,just like a father's.Zero turned his back on her and left.
Who was he?Did he know her father?She missed him so much.Especially now.His voice echoed in her ears..So strange..Emma was convinced now that he was an actor..and a very good one.
Goodnight princess..
Goodnight daddy..
Mrs Peel curled and closed her eyes.Soon,she was asleep.