Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who read and reviewed. To whom it may concern, I do not allow anonymous reviews for my own reasons.

TOO QUIET

In the government laboratory in the capital center, Dr. Isaac Gilmore and Dr. Kezumi both were in front of computer monitors searching criminal databases for any sign of activity with former Black Ghost operatives, specifically Scarl, whose, like a few others' remains were still never found. It was because of this that Dr. Gilmore and Dr. Kezumi felt that they would hear from factions of the organization that were not yet accounted for. So both men began to methodically search criminal databases, and make notations as they combed and sifted through thousands of listings.

Gilmore leaned back and wiped at his eyes. "Kezumi, I hope we're not being alarmists here. After all, it has been three months since the dissolution of Black Ghost, and we've seen neither hide nor hair of any of the Black Ghost hierarchy or underlings. For all intents and purposes they may have perished when the base blew up."

Kezumi regarded his colleague evenly. "I'd like to believe that, Isaac, but I don't believe Scarl would just disappear and not make any attempt at revenge. It's just not like him." He remembered the man who was coldly focused and insanely dedicated to making cyborgs out of humans who he'd randomly picked for his diabolical plans. Both he and Gilmore had worked on the project until they realized his plans were to make high performance weapons out of human beings to use in his plans for world domination. They then escaped with cyborgs 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, and 008 and finally rescued 009, who was to be the ultimate cyborg.

"Do you think he would be so bold as to try again to capture the cyborgs?" Gilmore inquired.

"If he's able, I'm sure of it. We must make sure the cyborgs are safe, at all costs. At the beach house they are safe and you should contact and gather the others as soon as possible. Even if it is just us jumping to incorrect conclusions."

Gilmore nodded in agreement.

Back at the beach house, Chang and Great Britain were hard at work, revising the menu for Chang's Chinese restaurant. Both were adding dishes that they had collaborated on for Chang's bistro, and as they did so, the customary bickering ensued.

"You have to be kidding. What makes you think that offering Peking Duck would bring in more customers?" GB scoffed.

Chang addressed him haughtily, "Because only the finest restaurants of true Chinese cuisine serve Peking Duck, it's quite a specialty and very different from the usual fare."

GB snorted, "And the wealthy and powerful will flock from miles around just for that? I doubt it."

Chang bristled, "GB, you never cease to amaze me. You try to make yourself an expert in everything. Believe it or not, just because you've been an actor doesn't mean you know it all."

"Ahh but it does, my friend. You see, in order to be successful on stage one must be willing to make oneself into anything the script requires. And that takes superior intellect and skill," GB said in a cutting manner.

Chang opened his mouth to protest when 003 entered the room, interrupting them. "Shhh, gentlemen please. 001 has just gotten to sleep. If you must argue, do it quietly." Both men bit their lips in shame at her admonition.

003 turned and headed back to the room she shared with the infant Ivan. She tiptoed in and peeked into the cradle to make sure the baby was covered. She then walked to the bay window to sit and watch the seagulls fluttering about on the deserted beach. She reached inside her skirt pocket and drew out the pink bloodstained handkerchief that she had kept with her since the destruction of Mount Olympus. Tears stung at her eyes as she remembered the little half boy/ half beast cyborg that resembled and was named for the Greek god Pan who had been wounded by Jet and she had tended the wound with the same handkerchief she was holding. The mountain caught fire as Professor Gaia's generator that powered the mountain overloaded, killing the Greek god cyborgs. During the disaster, little Pan ran into the erupting mountain afraid for his friends and 003 shrieked and tried to go after him but 005 held her back. When the mountain had completely exploded, the cloth gently landed at her feet on the deck of the Dolphin like a butterfly. She had broken down into tears, as the realization of the young boy's demise was clear. And as usual, 009 had knelt beside her with his arm around her shoulders, comforting her. No matter what affected her, he always was there to offer comfort and support.

Francoise closed her eyes and dove deep into her reverie as she remembered Christmas Eve. For weeks before she had been homesick and when she asked Dr. Gilmore if she could see Paris again he could ill refuse her. 009 insisted on taking her there from the Dolphin in the motor transporter and as he helped her down, his hands lingered on her waist as he wished her well. He reminded her that he would return to pick her up for the team's Christmas celebration as she went off. It had been a bittersweet visit to her hometown as she went from the park she and her brother Jean Paul had played in when they were children to the dance studio where she diligently worked for her dream to be a dancer to become a reality. It was a time of sweet reminiscence like a dream come true until Black Ghost had almost turned it into a nightmare. They had managed to plant a device on her that rendered her cyborg capabilities useless then tried to capture her until 009 stepped in to rescue her from falling from the clock tower as she was under the influence of Black Ghost. Afterward, they had wished each other Merry Christmas under the bursting chrysanthemums of light that were the Yuletide fireworks of Paris. On the ride back to the Dolphin, they held hands, no conversation needed. But it was like that often between 003 and 009.

Francoise sighed softly as she drew her legs up onto the window seat, resting her chin on her knees, so deeply into her memories that she didn't notice that she wasn't alone. She turned her gaze from the activity of the seagulls outside and saw that 009 had quietly entered her room and joined her. He took a seat beside her, gold flecked brown eyes twinkling with a shy smile.

Not wanting to wake 001, he murmured, "I was wondering where you were. I hope I'm not bothering you."

Francoise smiled warmly at him. "Of course not, Joe. I was just here daydreaming. And trying to get away from the two battling gourmets." She listened carefully. "Sounds like they've made a truce."

"Yeah. They both decided to head to the restaurant to get ready for tomorrow."

She regarded him evenly. "And what have you been doing?"

Joe shrugged, "Nothing really. I wanted to go for a walk on the beach but it's not really beach weather." He gazed out at the overcast skies. "006 wanted to recruit me to do shopping for him but I disappeared. He was so picky the last time I helped him, I just figured I'd make myself scarce."

Francoise giggled, "Oh Joe, you're terrible."

"Well, there goes my squeaky-clean reputation. Some 00 cyborg leader I am, huh?" he grinned at her, eyes twinkling.

She lowered her head and said, "I think you're a wonderful leader. You always look out for all of us when we're on missions and you make wise decisions."

His eyes lit up and he lowered his head. "You really think so?" he asked like a little boy.

"Uh-huh. I really do," Francoise said softly as she blushed, averting her eyes.

Joe's eyes were locked on her in an intense penetrating gaze. He moved to take her chin in his hand and draw her closer. His lips gently touched hers, soft like a butterfly as she responded in kind. His hands cupped her face as her arms encircled his chest and the kiss deepened. New strong feelings were pulsating through him as his heartbeat quickened and his blood pounded through his veins like the surf outside.

Francoise was feeling lightheaded as she opened her mouth and allowed him to taste her sweetness. She had never experienced a real kiss before, her life being so focused on dancing before she was turned into a cyborg, but her very human side responded to Joe like a crocus opening its bud to the first rays of spring. She drew closer into his warm circle.

Meantime, Joe's head was spinning, heady with the feel of her and the scent of her perfume. Finally, finally the dreams that had invaded his subconscious every night since Christmas Eve were becoming a reality. But if the truth be known, reality was turning out to be better than even his wildest dreams.

They continued in their passionate exploration of each other when a loud wolf whistle startled them into breaking apart, both blushing furiously. A sly laugh from the doorway sounded.

"Whew, it's getting mighty hot in here isn't it 009 and 003?" 007 snickered.

"007, you scared me!" 003 cried hotly.

009's golden brown eyes darkened and narrowed dangerously. "007, you have a lot of nerve. You should respect another's privacy," he snapped, annoyed by GB's sly teasing.

007 guffawed lewdly, "009, it looks as if 003 happens to be your favorite dish."

003 blushed and turned her head and 009 jumped to his feet. "That's enough! 007, I think you'd better leave. Now," he ordered in a tone that brooked no argument. He found himself wishing he had fingers like 004 so he could blow the smirk off of 007's face

"Okay, okay! I didn't mean anything by it, 009, I think the idea of the two of you is cute," 007 said placatingly.

"What is going on in here?" 006 inquired as he too made an appearance. He peered into the room where 003's pretty face was still flushed crimson with embarrassment. "Oh there you are, 003. I need to ask you a favor."

"What is it, 006?" she asked in a shaky voice. Joe gazed at her in concern as he took note of her flustered state and reached to squeeze her hand reassuringly.

Chang continued, "I need you to fill in for my hostess. She called in sick for tomorrow and I need you to come. Will you?" The plump Chinese man beseeched her, wringing his hands.

"O-of course, 006. I-I'll be glad to help," she replied calmly, having regained some of her composure. Her cheeks, however, remained a becoming shade of pink, which made her even prettier.

"Oh thank you so much, 003! You are saving my life. And would you please wear that Chinese silk dress you wore before? It adds a certain ambiance to the atmosphere of the restaurant."

"I'll say," 007 agreed with a glint in his eye. "Don't you agree 009, huh?"

009's eyes shot daggers at the leering bald man. "007, I'm warning you," he threatened as he moved menacingly toward the door. Needing no further action, 007 beat a hasty retreat, laughing like a maniac.

009 groaned as he fought the overwhelming urge to go and throttle 007 within an inch of his life. He turned to 003 who was kneeling by the crib and lifting 001 out. He went over and knelt beside her.

"I'm sorry to have put you in such a humiliating position 003," he said in a low voice, his eyes hidden by his mahogany mane. "Please forgive me."

003 continued to attend to 001 silently as 009 waited. Head slumped, he was about to rise and leave when her soft voice halted him. "There's nothing to forgive."

"Huh?"

She made to rise and he assisted her to her feet when she looked into his face. "I liked it, Joe," Francoise said shyly as carrying 001 she stepped around him and exited the room.

He watched her head out and a slow smile came to him as he followed.

TO BE CONTINUED