Jynx's office was one of the few that had a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains. Before anyone would get in the office, Rue had been known to sneak in to watch the early morning mountain life. Greg Jynx, however, did not seem like the type of man that would truly appreciate such a view and so Rue was pleasantly surprised to find the blinds open behind him.
Jynx was a no-nonsense man. He wore custom tailored suits, silk ties, and perfectly starched shirts. He wore gray today, he wore gray everyday because of his status with the Technocracy, and his mirror shades were not far from his hands. Were it not for the fact that his shirt was white, Rue would have made a Regis comment, which likely would have been missed by Jynx. The best thing about the leader of the team was that he had the ability to be almost invisible in a crowd, the only thing standing out was his hair. The man was blonde, like Rue, but Jynx's blond was almost platinum, the kind of hair that would be pink for a week after using cheap drugstore one-time hair dye. His brown eyes were darker than chocolate, and all emotion seemed to be swallowed by the coffee recesses. Rue hoped that her slightly rumpled appearance would be associated to the fact she was two minutes early as she opened the mahogany door.
Like Dr. Yuni's office, the director's was contemporary with stainless steel, glass, and black leather. The most prominent feature of the room was his large glass and stainless steel desk, on which sat manila folders and legal folders, and little else outside the few sleek black P.R.E. pens. Jynx seemed to sit in his rolling leather chair, starring at the middle of his desk with his hands making nervous twitching motions seemingly randomly. The truth was that Jynx's company computer had been built into his desk. The monitor was flat and under the glass, the keyboard programmed into the desk's top. A small projector positioned on the corner of the desk was meant to project the computer images onto the blank white wall to Rue's left. The blank wall was a screen and nearby sat a black leather couch, a love seat, and a glass and stainless steel coffee table. It was this corner of the office that the team would meet in to locate and target dangerous Reality Deviants.
"Sir?" Rue asked, approaching the desk. Jynx glanced up briefly,
"Early, as usual. Something I've always noted on your company reports." Rue said nothing as she stood in front of the desk, hands clasped professionally in front of her. Jynx finished whatever he was doing and then leaned back in his chair, looking at Rue as he balanced his fingers on each other in a triangle shape.
"Blue?" He asked, raising a brow. "Not exactly company standards, is it?"
"No, sir." Jynx sighed and waved his hands as if brushing away obnoxious insects.
"If there is a Technocrat who can dress outside the standards, it is you, Rue." The woman raised her brow, unsure of how to reply. Jynx spared her the need to say anything. "Your written report was excellent, as always. I could almost hear you reading it to me as I read it. That was pleasant, to say the least." He smiled at her and Rue swallowed the urge to fidget.
"Then why was I asked to give an oral report on the mission?"
"Would you believe it is because I like the sound of your voice?" Jynx laughed briefly. "Actually, I understand you were in Psych Ops today."
"Yes sir," she replied.
"Is everything all right?"
"I had been having dreams, sir. They've been concerning fire, which is a paralyzing fear of mine since I was a child." Something on Jynx's face hardened.
"Fear of fire is a healthy one for the Front Lines."
"Which is why I was sent to Psych Ops, since I am no longer part of the Front Lines, but a defender. Dr. Yuni plans on getting me used to being around fire to help me get over my fear."
"Sounds like I should buy you candles, Rue." Jynx paused, as if considering something to say, but then changing his mind. "I am pleased that you went to Psych Ops after these dreams."
"Actually, Agent Lexx took the initiative and scheduled me to go." Jynx looked at her with a raised brow.
"You trusted Lexx with this information?"
"Lexx and I have come to trust each other, sir."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Melonie." Rue almost jumped at hearing her first name out of her director's lips.
"Sir?"
"Greg, please. Lexx was supposed to become director before I was transferred here. This, of course, was before you came along. In any case, Lexx has been searching for a way to undermine me ever since. I would hate for someone," Jynx cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. "Well, for someone like you to get caught in the middle of a power struggle. Believe you me, you will be a director before Lexx will be."
"Someone like me, Greg?"
"Well, you know, someone with such skill and, um, maturity." Rue decided not to press the point, and waited for Jynx to continue. "In any case, I would have to suggest caution of your part with Lexx."
"Are you saying he is not trustworthy?"
"He can be trusted," Jynx admitted. "But I suggest you go to Psych Ops alone, and enjoy the fact that they are confidential."
"Then how did you know about it?" Jynx smiled.
"Well, I am your director. Let me see you out, I was just going home. Maybe, if it's all right with you, I could walk you home?"
"Um, I suppose so." Jynx paused only to grab a file and turn off the desk computer before getting the door for her. "Thanks, she said, pausing as he locked the door behind him.
"The pleasure is all mine. I'm actually rather glad that you were the last one to report, give me time to talk to you more."
"Oh, well should I just be the last one every time?" Rue could almost hit herself as she spoke, she was very close to flirting with her director!
"If you would like." Jynx handed her a file. "In there is some information on a target a group of RD's are considering."
"I take it you would like me locate security precaution options, back up locations, and the optimal opportunities to apprehend the suspected RD's?" Rue responded as she took the folder.
"I would, actually. Since you won't be there to advise the team as you normally are, I think it would be best if you came up with a mission plan before we left." Rue stopped as Jynx pressed the down button on the elevator.
"Why would I not be going with you?" She asked, confused. Jynx gestured for her to enter the elevator first. Rue was too distracted to notice the sudden blush on her director's cheeks and the straying of his eyes to her skirt as he entered behind her.
"These are some of our most dangerous RD's, and they may have expanded to include particular deviants who can well, play with fire. Considering your fear and the fact that there is no certain time as to when you will complete the operation to rid yourself of it, I don't think it's a good idea to force you into the mission. You will be in constant contact with us, of course, but will be safe here." He gestured for her to go first as the elevator took them to the main level. Rue swallowed her temper as best she could and tried to speak evenly.
"Greg, I have to disagree with you there. I think I would be able to handle the mission, even if there is fire involved. I was trained well and I have been assigned to a tough team for a reason. I would like to accompany this mission."
"Commendable, Melonie," Jynx replied as he held the door open for her to cross the bricked path to the housing. "But I will have to wait for reports from Dr. Yuni to see if I agree with you. Believe you me, this is not something I would look forward to doing without you, but if it means that you will be more fit on other missions, I will take the risk."
"Greg, you're not listening to me, I can handle the mission! I know I can! If you would just let me prove it-"
"And how would you prove that you are ready for such a mission? I'm sorry, Melonie, it hurts me to tell you this, but as of right now, you are not on this mission's roster. End of discussion." Rue pursed her lips and sighed.
"Understood, sir. I'll read this over and begin work on it first thing in the morning." With that Rue turned on her heel and entered housing alone, her fist clenched at her side as she made her way to Lexx's apartment. Before she could knock, he had wrenched the door open.
"I saw you," his voice was almost a growl. Rue scowled.
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw you with him, with Jynx!" Rue rolled her eyes.
"He offered to walk me home and he gave me an assignment, Simon, that was all! Are you going to let me in, or are you going to keep screaming at me in the hallway?" Lexx growled and moved to let her in. Rue entered and looked at her lover evenly,
"I promise you, there was nothing." She watched as Lexx grabbed his mirror shades, and her calm broke. "Don't you dare!" she hissed, grabbing the glasses off his face. "You are not going to use the mind effects on me, Simon, I am telling the truth!"
"Jynx requested you personally when you were stationed out in Boston, you know that? He had never heard anything of you except for the standard report, but he said that you would be great on his team."
"Yes, because I have an understanding of security systems and logistics, Simon. Why do you think I am always the first one to get the assignments? Because I plan the strategies, that's why and you know it!"
"Really? Or is it because you're cheating on me with him?"
"You are so ridiculous!" Rue screeched. "You know that I am not fond of Jynx, and that I consider him a tight fisted dick that could use a good hooker. Why the hell would I choose him over you? You know what, I don't care anymore, Simon. I was just told that I might not be able to go on this next mission because of the possible deviants involved, I'm going to have to sit in a room of candles once a week because of this fear of fire, and on top of all that, you're accusing me of sleeping with our director! You know what, you can sleep alone tonight, and for the rest of your nights here for all I care." Without waiting for him to reply, she left, slamming the door behind her.

It had been nearly two weeks since she had seen her apartment. She had almost forgotten how much cleaner it was in comparison to Lexx's. Rather then a futon, which would serve as both couch and bed, the woman had gone with a real mattress, which she set on her floor in a corner of the room. She had sacrificed having a real living room to have a library, consisting mostly of analyses of wars as recent as Iraq to as ancient as Mesopotamia. Strategy has always fascinated Rue, who completed the library with a desk and filing cabinet of top secret bases and forts of most countries, and the flaws in the security. There were few places Rue could not get in. Two tall chairs were pushed up to her kitchen counter to serve as a breakfast bar. Pushed off to one side was a collection of bean bag chairs for use when the rest of the team was over.
Rue shut and locked her door behind her, tears trickling down her cheeks and cutting scars in her make-up. She set the file on her desk, covering the layout of Area 51, and changed from her suit to a loose white tank top and gray shorts that read "princess" on the back. She had owned this outfit since high school, but it still fit her so she saw no reason to change.
"Men," she said to her reflection. Leaving her bathroom, Rue poured herself a drink from a hidden stash of vodka and sat down at her desk, opening the file folder. Before her sat five pictures of the supposed reality deviants which would quickly become her targets. Each had a short profile to go with them. Rue, not being interested in the names of the people she would send her fellow members to kill, skipped reading the names and jumped to the section entitled "Records" on the first one.

Deviant has become a dread to the Technocrats in the PRISM. Deviant has been associated with the twice burning of Springfield, association with fellow deviant "Ebon Phoenix". Possibly a Maruader. Orders suggested: kill.

There followed a more complete list of the crimes and half way through, Rue was forced to push it away. It was a wonder this deviant had not wiped himself out of reality years ago. Being a Virtual Adapt, however, he had probably programmed himself back in. The remaining four were not nearly as frightening, with the exception of the mentioned Ebon Phoenix, and a woman whose kill count was enough to make any Technocrat nervous. Oddly enough, there was a sixth profile, or the last page of one, but no picture or first page was with it.

Threat level moderate, but proceed with caution. Skills are unknown.

And nothing more.
Scowling, Rue went back looking for a missing profile page, but could not find one. It was not like Jynx to have left out a deviant, but there was a first time for everything. She would bring it up to him tomorrow. The woman was pulling out the mission statement when there was a knock on her door. With a sigh, she stood and went to the door, opening it as far as the chain would allow.
Lexx stood on the other side.
"Melonie, please, don't slam the door in my face! I know I deserve it after what I said-"
"You're right," Rue replied and shut the door, turning and leaning against it.
"Oh Melonie, come on, please! I was an idiot, I know. And you have every right to be mad at me, but won't you listen?"
"Why? So you can accuse me of cheating again?"
"I got upset seeing you out there with Jynx. You're beautiful, Melonie Rue, and anyone would get nervous seeing you with someone else. Please, let me come in? We have to be able to work this out." Rue unbolted the door and opened it, walking back to her desk. Lexx entered, shutting and locking the door behind him. Rue crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at him with the coldest glare she could muster. Lexx was still in his suit, although his hair was rumpled. His eyes were slightly blood shot and it looked as if he had been crying as well.
"Well? Explain yourself."
"My room has a view of the courtyard too, and I was watching for you to come back. I had this nice dinner planned for you and everything. Then I looked out and saw you talking to Jynx, and I lost it. I don't know why I thought you would do anything with him, but he obviously likes you, and that worries me. Please, please forgive me." Lexx had made his way over to her and knelt as he asked for forgiveness.
"That hurt, Simon, to hear you accusing me like that for talking to someone else. I've never been a fan of those relationships and I'm not going to start to keep you around."
"I know, and I'm not really that kind of guy, you just make me so nervous." His fingers began to slid up her bare legs. "You're beautiful, and smart, and funny. Any man here would trip over themselves to have ten minutes alone with you. You are amazing and I'd never want to try and keep you in a little cage. I promise." Rue looked at him, trying to ignore her body's familiar reaction to his touch.
"If you accuse me of cheating again, it will be the end of it. Understand?"
"Yes, yes I do. Thank you, Melonie." Lexx took her hands and kissed the palms. "Thank you." Lexx pulled her out of her chair and onto the floor with him as he kissed her lips with paralyzing force. Rue fought a little at first, she had work to do after all, but as Lexx's hand slid up her shirt, she forgot her complaints and kissed back.

"What did you mean when you said you might not be able to join the mission?" Lexx asked as he held her close. Rue could feel his heartbeat slowing down against her back and he was a wonderful substitute for a blanket on the cold floor of her room. Rue opened her eyes and sighed.
"Jynx doesn't think it would be smart of me to tag along. He says the deviants this time are more dangerous and fire will most likely be involved. I'm supposed to plan the strategies and then listen for feedback."
"I think that would be better, then you would be ready for the next mission. Besides," he kissed her ear. "I like the idea of you waiting eagerly for your man to come home." Rue rolled her eyes.
"Simon, don't."
"Why not? Why don't you want to talk about it, Melonie? What scares you about us?"
"I said I don't want to talk about it, Simon." she moved to get up, but his arm tightened around her.
"All right, all right. I won't say it again, don't leave me like this, Melonie. You're really warm." The woman settled down next to him again and forgot about work for the remainder of the night.