Secret Meetings.. (Feat. Sara Pezzini and Terry Sheridan)
'Come on come on pick up the phone.' Even teeth began to pull against her rouge stained lips. '.It's not like I have all day that fucking chauffeur is waiting for me like a goddamed guard dog.' She lifted herself up onto her knees to peek out of her third floor window and a small sigh escaped her lips as she noted he was still hidden under the dark umbrella, leaning against the car as he smoked. nasty habit, well at least he didn't pollute the car with that nasty filth. Sara lowered herself again and leaned her back to the wall every second of waiting eating at her like a plague. At first she was surprised, the detective had expected a different voice over the line. She stammered at first, "S-Sheridan? Jesus Terry. thank god I heard a mans voice and half thought." She gasped a bit as lightning struck outside her window. The weather startled her out of the idiotic ramblings, and her mind focused. "It's Pez, look. I don't have much time for dilly dallying but I'm out. I have roughly forty five minutes until Kenne. Mr. Irons has requested I return. Can you meet me in my apartment? I've been granted asylum to gather some things and I need to know what the hell you two are up to." Her jaw clenched as she waited for a response hoping to all hell the hard-line didn't have a backup tap. She didn't think so. not with this many tenants, she doubted it would be a clear signal anyway. The lines were so old. It was stuffy in here. wonderful the fucking heat had been left on... Con Ed was gonna love her this month; she noted looking to the cracked open window above the sink.
Sheridan listened to the female voice stammer a bit in the beginning and lighting flashed against the sky and he heard the clap of thunder. "Of course you'd hear a male voice.. that's what I am." He responded simply before she went back into business, he eyed the signs above the freeway and moved over two lanes. So she'd gotten a chance to get away. It was a small window of opportunity but it was one none the less. "Sit tight, I'll be there in a few minutes. Are you being closely watched?" he didn't bother checking over his shoulder as he moved crossing over the white lines of the exit ramp pulling off. A car horn sounded behind him and some guy waved his fist but the Brit ignored it. The car moved down the ramp and turned running the stop sign and headed down the street. Of course he knew where Sara lived, how could he not and he was easily making his way over. "Stay calm, luv..and I'll be there.If you get a knock that says 'Pizza' it'll be me." He hung up the cell and moved into the alley ways. Water splashed up as he drove through a pot hole deciding the back alley would be easier than risk being spotted by who ever was outside waiting for Sara. But now his thoughts went to what he was going to tell her. He and Lara hadn't really gotten a chance to make a plan of the situation. It had been mainly him keeping from Lara doing something brash and telling her about Sara being alright before it turned into a partial row. The more he thought about it the harder it was to work with that woman. It had a tendency to turn up about them. turning another alley he flipped off the lights and the car slowed creeping now through the dark alley. She was lucky he'd been close to her exit or it might have taken longer for him to arrive there. Now the car stopped and he got out flipping up the collar of his leather jacket he moved to the trunk. He opened it and looked through a few of the cases taking some things here and there before moving. Back pressed against the wall as he glanced around the corner. He couldn't use the front there was a man smoking there and he turned into the alley. His locking blade knife was pulled from a pocket and he moved it into the lock of the back door working as silently as he could the door clicked and Sheridan stepped inside. Now his dark form was moving up the stairwell to the third floor. He stopped just before her door and knocked softly. "Pizza." He said turning his chin over his shoulder slightly to look around the hall then back to the door.
Maybe it was the stresses of her situation, her first infraction against Irons since the 'deal with the devil' the very act of her insubordination amplifying the warmth on her flushed cheeks. Sara was wringing her hands together as she pressed the handset into her ear with her shoulder. The compulsive need to crack her knuckles in times of stress. At least the driver seemed to be giving her some space, which at least was a relief. A long even breath she didn't realize she was holding fell out of her mouth in a sigh of relief. "Great. I was starting to lose my mind as to what you guys were up to. Knowing Lara it's a brass balled onslaught and I can't have that." She was tucking the paper back into the purse's lining as she spoke. "Hey if you get any tickets give Jake a call, yes a cop is giving you permission to break the traffic laws." Sara laughed a bit nervously, but it was good to hear humor in herself if only for a second. "Yes, absolutely I'm being watched; A diver. front of the building leaning against a champagne colored Bentley, holding an umbrella. There is a fire escape on the west wall." She murmured an approving "Pizza yeah. that's good. Just watch yourself." With that Sara set to gathering a few things (for show) she didn't want to show up back in her new *shudder* home empty handed now sis she? Exiting the bedroom dragging her army duffle bag She heard the door and ran toward it peeking though the peek hole. Good. "Just a second!" After the three locks were unfastened the detective pulled the door open still on its chain. In her right hand she held her backup the Walther PPK. It's nose was pressed against the peek-hole as she looked out into the hall. The bisecting lines of gold in her green eyes caught the light of the hall perfectly, and her relief was clear. he wasn't followed. "Hang on a sec." Closing the door a bit she drew back the chain and allowed him access. Quickly closing and locking it behind him. "Sorry I'm a bit edgy right now," she offered sheepishly as she un-cocked the weapon and put it on the end table next to her keys.
"Well that's just bloody lovely isn't it." He commented on how things were going and how she wanted to know. There was a bit of a chuckle from his lips at her comment "I'll keep it in mind. I'm sure you've driven with Lara before..I'm much the same." Uncontiously his head bobbed at her information of being watched. Still even now as he was there he was looking after himself, his guard up. When he heard the muffled voice behind the door his weight shifted and hand gripped the case. The knife he'd used to get in was replaced by one of his sigs, there were the sounds of the locks being turned and then the chained door opened and he glanced to the eyes in the gap then to the lips that spoke once more. Once he was let in he set the case down and brushed past her slightly. A brow arched looking over her apartment. "as I expected you would be.." his form moved over the floor looking into the corners then around the speakers. There was a small nod and he turned shrugging off his jacket and moving to the case. A hand ran though his hair some and he cleared a space to sit pulling the case onto his lap. "I don't have much details on any plans. Main thing, keeping both you and Lara alive and well." Eyes glanced down into the case before looking back up "I dropped by Lara's.. she looked like she was ready to work, guns and all. She knows I've met you and your alright. I suppose we wait for the right moment. Something more is going on other than that Egyptian Book of the Dead." Eyes drifted up to Sara as he motioned her over pulling out a phone from the case. "As you can see I've got some new toys." He gave her a cheeky grin before looking back . "Now this phones a beauty. Has its own scrambler to any other line that might be trying to tap its systems. Figure it might come in 'andy.. that the lines at Iron's place aren't being watched. Now the tap I gave you yesterday is fairly untraceable unless pulled from the system. It sends a signal as if its part of the line. I'm sure you'll find a time to muck with that." He watched her for a moment before shifting setting the case open lid next to him. "Things are bit complicated.. and I wish I 'ad a bit more of a plan to tell you about. Trying to work with Lara as an ex isn't a walk in the park. I didn't get an opportunity to ask her about Gabriel. Jackie showed up." His voice shifted slightly upon the name while looking at Sara. "One of my informants let me in on a bit of information on assassination attempts on Lara. I know it 'as something to do with 'I'm.. its just I think it goes deeper. This whole situation does." He shifted moving back to the case "Now then.. what else can I give ya." His eyes were scanning over the things he'd brought up in the case.
The apartment was dark, save the light from an overturned lamp on her living room floor. Frantic outbursts the short time before had loosened a few stray locks. With an annoyed glance the brunette blew away a strand that threatened to poke her in the eye. Sara was still dressed to kill, never bothering to change from the formalities of her dinner. The contrast of the military styled bag, and the Walther verses her attire was like night and day. Long locks of auburn were spun up into a French twist pinned with an old fashioned Victorian comb. "Pardon the dress, I must look like such an idiot, but I was in a rush to get over here." She turned toward the couch walking past the overturned lamp. Who cares if she added to the mess, its not like anyone would notice. She pushed the stack of unopened bills and newspapers from her coffee table and warily she took to sitting on it eyeing up the briefcase of toys. "A internal scrambler huh? I saw something like that in Sharper Image, but nothing this intricate." she noted turning the phone over into her hands. "And that was a huge attachment. and this looks seamlessly perfect. Nice touch using the Samsung S-105. you and Lara always needed to show off." She placed it next to her leg and then leaned her elbows on her thighs her hands under her chin as she eyed up the other contents. "Lara will be alive and well, if I play my cards right. I'm not going to bury anyone else I care about; least off all someone I consider family." Sara's glance turned back up to Terry, he was a fountain of information and the detective side of her felt alive as he de-briefed her on the current events. "Gabriel Bowman is the proprietary owner of a shop off locust and 12th. Just tell him I sent you and I'm sure he will help, the kid knows his shit about all this hokey mumbo jumbo stuff. his ear is usually to the ground on all the occult stuff. I'd say it's a good place to start." She breathed in deep, it was good to hear her own resolve back in her voice. "Secondly, I'm setting up the equipment tomorrow, Irons has an appointment. I overheard his assistance this morning." It was clear to her why the Tomb Raider was attracted to Terry. The rugged good looks alone were enough to fall into, but the voice, the sorted past. Even Sara found herself pondering. "I hope you two have more of a plan then some mad scheme to just bust in with guns blazing. It didn't work very well for the Yakuza I don't think it will work in this instance either."
Eyes moved over watching Sara, taking note of the dress and her style and he smiled lightly. She was defiantly easy on the eyes, if not attracting them. "Not to worry luv. Makes the liaisons all the more pleasurable." He joked softly while shifting eyeing the mess. It had looked like it'd been rummaged though but he didn't bother to question it. Form shifted slightly once more. "Neither of us are keen on the idea of you staying there. But I think I've managed to sway Lara from the thought of storming the castle." Form moved while he watched her look over the phone "The Sharper Image 'as nothing on what I could get my 'ands on too. British intelligence, French, American..I've already placed a chip within my phone that will pick it up as you." the spy looked rather pleased indeed. " Perhaps it's a British thing." He mused at the fact of showing of. Leaning slightly against the couch he gave a nod. "Brilliant.." his fingers rubbed against his chin for a moment. "I think there might be a hidden file somewhere upon Iron's computer..I pulled something from the business office ones. Though it doesn't really make any sense, or is it completed. 'E 'ad a lot of files on something that didn't look business related. In the wall street manner at least." Form shifted again as he leaned forwards listening to her talking watching her lips move as she did before glancing up into her face. "Well then it looks as though I'll be paying Gabe, a little visit tomorrow.." his fingers snapped slightly and he pulled a small clip out of the foam core of the case handing it over to her. "The taps on the phones will be a big help. And this lil' beauty..goes into video feeds. It would have to be attached to the main systems though..and that might be tricky to get about to. I've got an idea of most of the surveillance outside, change of guards and my own surveillance watching as well. So far you're the only eyes I've got in there, that I'd rather not 'ave there." He gave a small nod. His hands moved sliding down against his black slacks before he scratched his knee slightly with some thought. Before looking back into the case. "Maybe a watch with a tracking device..think this one has the ability to send out a distress pulse to its main controls. Not very feminin though." He shifted again and pulled up the semi egg-crate foam to thing that were under the top layer pulling out a package of normal looking pills. "Careful not to use these on yourself..quick desolving in any liquid drinking...out like" he snapped his fingers together. " Specialty bullets? And gun?" he glanced up to her, it was like Christmas with all the toys. "Think there, tranqulizing..blood splatter and normal rounds.." he lifted each one of the bullets before tucking them back and looking back up to her, "Any other gizmos you might need you use that phone and let me know." His hands moved over the silver ridged case top as he closed it and looked back up. "Never trust the cards dealt to you." He spoke calmly and leaned forwards some placing his hand on the table top as he leaned forwards "Anything starts going wrong..we'll be there. The Tomb Raider and I are quite capable of handling ourselves, as I'm sure you are. And she's got Jackie watching over her, though I don't trust 'im..and the fact im sure 'E'd rather me dead..just things seem a bit fishy." he seemed to tense slightly and looked up to her face "What about Nottingham? I saw 'im on the veranda with you."
Her soft lashes blinked out the light in her eyes as she cast her glance back down to the gadgets he had accumulated into this mélange. She leaned forward a bit invading a little of the ex-spy's personal space. The clean smell of soap and a lightly pressed shirt met her nose and she found herself taking in the aroma as her feminine prowess kicked up a bit. "I don't even want to know what this thing does do I?" her index and middle fingers lightly touched a small electronic device at the left edge of the briefcase, seemingly hard wired into the combination lock in the front. Don't tell me this thing is lined with plastic explosives." She smirked at the notion. You never could tell with characters like Sheridan. Hell from his obviously through investigation, Sara found herself doubting her own skills as a detective. "If there is one thing I know about Kenneth Irons, always expect the unexpected." her eyes cast to the VCR that now blinked 12:00 over and over, and then to the wall clock. Good. She had about twenty minutes left. 'Ok calm down Pez, take a breath and enjoy the autonomy while you can,' her inner monologue reassured. "I just hope I can get all of this stuff inside and hidden without having everything circumvented and my ass in a sling." Sara pursed her lips into a smirk and she leaned back. "Good thing, cause I think he's holding his finger over the proverbial button with his ties to the Yakuza. Apparently he had nothing to do with the assassination attempt, he's just keeping them at bay. for my subservience. Seems our dear friend Mr. Estacado did a little job for his boss Paulie and well. lets just say the Yakuza think Lara would be adequate retribution. Looks like we're not the only one who read the tabloids huh?" She felt her breath stop for a moment when Terry leaned in and asked about Nottingham. "What about Nottingham, that. 'Thing' slaughtered over twenty people trying to get to that piece of shit Jackie. If I hadn't. if the Witchblade didn't freak out every time that slime ball popped his head into my life those men would be alive." Her left hand promptly covered the intricate bracelet, as if she feared that even mentioning it would unleash some horror.
When she leaned slightly forwards he shifted and as Lara said perfume was one of his downfalls and hers was down right intoxicating. His free hand rubbed slightly against the back of his neck before glancing at the small box she pointed at and he got that roguish smirk of his "Can't be letting these things into hands they don't belong." A brow arched slightly when she spoke of getting it all in and he grinned once more. "Slightly more simple.." moving he pulled the other pack he'd brought with him. Which still had two gas bombs inside it and other miscellaneous stuff. I had it almost as a second thought after the struggle of trying to get to you to day. Which was by fluke chance I pulled it off." Earlier he'd stopped by a small toy store and picked up a fuzzy brown teddy bear and made his own little adjustments to it. Handing it over he removed the head which left its belly empty and he shrugged slightly "At least its something." His brow twitched slightly when he shifted once again. "I'm not surprised the strings Iron's able to pull. And as for Jackie..as he said I make his 'trigger finger itch'. I comment bout not trusting 'im..and it's passed off as jealousy of 'im snogging and trying to shag Lara." He sighed some and looked at her arching a brow slightly. " Interesting the way men do things when the fancy someone." The muscles in his cheeks tightened a moment before she called Jackie a piece of shit and the corners of his lips pulled up. "Ah, so not too keen on Mister Mafia either, Sara?" eyes glanced towards the Witchblade as she moved to cover it slightly with her hand "Yeah..and Jackie-boy and the Darkness." His eyes scanned up to her throat past the necklace that was there. The wound was barely visible just as Jackie's arm was. Then he shifted back slightly resting his back against the couch once more. "What worries me some..is those Darklings watching out. I know 'es using them to watch after Lara, if not some other ways by day. Guess theres a rule that your not supposed to shoot at the Darklings, it's put me on a knifes point with our Mister Estacado." He drawled slightly looking back into Sara's face.
"That self-absorbed prick thinks he owns this town. Oh don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the 'help' he's offered, (Sara's tone of cynicism was thick enough to cut with a knife) but I really could have done without a gunfight in front of half the department. God knows what my partner Jake had to say about me breaking out of the hospital, and It's been days since I've checked in with Captain Siry. I'll be lucky to have a job to go back to after this case." Her proud look of self confidence was suddenly washed over with self doubt and guilt. She chewed at her lip again then broke off by blurting, "Everything I touch seems to turn to shit. If I were you I'd stay away from me." She looked down a bit breaking eye contact. "Get yourself out before you're knee deep in your own blood because I can't control this thing." It was more then she'd ever offered anyone about her link with the weapon. Usually she was lying, trying to reassure the few who had seen the weapon that she had it together, that her dreams weren't clouded with dark imagery. The detective lived a solitary existence used to bottling her secrets and moments of weakness in a bottle of tequila. He eyes perked up. "Well ya know, ex-lover and all I mean not that Lara is one to kiss and tell but I can see why Jackie might feel threatened. What surprises me is why she felt the need to trust a murderer. I swear if I make it out of this, I'm gonna nail him on so many charges it'll make his head spin." She shook her head. "I guess my main concern is that he'll reveal my secret to the public." Sara looked back up to Terry, "I can't tell you how many times I've expected that door to bust open with guys in hazmat suits .draggin' me off to a fucking lab to try an' find out what makes this thing tick."
Eyes watched Sara's face as he sat silently listening to her talking, he knew some of the Witchblade how it tended to feed on the wielders emotions like it had the first time he'd seen her in action with it how it was lashing out towards Jackie, as if it wanted to rip him to ribbons. "Then it seems at least you an I are on the same page in that. 'Ell..even put one of 'is own family members away. And normally a move like that is like Mafia suicide." There was a sort of a shrug when he looked back up to her watching now as her emotions changed. "I know 'bout your partner too. Is that part of the reason your worried over Lara?" his form went slightly rigid for a moment as his own thoughts drifted back to similar experience he had, had. Sighing slightly he moved taking her hand and looking at her. "I'm well aware of the risks I take. And I've already split blood over this and I'm not going anywhere until it's over." Shifting he watched her "It's no wonder you and Lara as such good mates." He gave her a reassuring smile. And a brow arched slightly before it lowered again. " Well I guess she's always had a weakness for the bad boy types. Sooner or later something doesn't work out. Mine.. I was as Lara fondly calls a -Skirt Chaser- if you couldn't tell from our row at that salon, things usually got hot between us and not always in that shag type of way." There was a shrug from his shoulders and he glanced away some then back to her " But with Jackie..I don't know." Breath pulled form his lips as he shifted and gave a slight snicker "..'E'd just end up back out there on the streets." There was a slight shake from his head "but if you cut out his tongue, 'e can't go telling no one anything." He patted her hand slightly "I couldn't see you lying on any examination tables in the near feauter. Besides I'm sure you'd be able to kick their arses for even trying without the 'elp of the Witchblade." once again a hit of his roguish smile was playing upon his lips.
"S-skirt chaser huh?" She almost coughed out her laughter, "Isn't that a requirement for men in your field?" Sara's jade eyes pierced into his as she half joked, "It wouldn't surprise me if the British government had ulterior motives for the Witchblade too! Although I have to admit, I might enjoy the forceful capture." She couldn't help it, Sheridan was charming, rugged and coarse, not to mention the glib sense of humor. Exactly what she liked and hated in her personal life. The brunette bit down on the corner of her lip as she tried to conceal a clever smirk. "I should get all of this packed away." she finally said after she realized her eyes had been wandering a bit too long. Quickly Sara pulled her hand away and grabbed the teddy bear filled with 'treats'. She pushed up and walked the few feet to her bag, tugging at the strings to tuck the stuffed animal away. It was nice to know she had people looking out for her on the outside, but part of her thought that simply agreeing to live the alternate lifestyle with Irons might be the safest bet for everyone. She walked back to the coffee table and after sitting, placed her hand on his shoulder. "Terry, I just want to let you know that I appreciate all the help. But if things get. out of hand, I'm pulling the plug on this one." Just as the last word fell she heard a forceful pounding on the door. "HEY! Miss. Pezzini? (more pounding) You almost ready?! Mr. Irons just called to say you were gonna be late for the Opera." Great a public setting. It was just like Irons to get off on displaying her in such a place. As if she were a prize he had won at the county fair. Sara drew a startled breath at the repeated banging on the door. "Yeah. yeah. yeah. Just a minute!! (Muttering) you pompous." Sara let her voice trail off mocking annoyance. The pulse in her chest became thready and color flushed out of her cheeks. The homicide detective leaned in close to the ex-secret agent, "I'll contact you after I finish the bit of subterfuge and security. Trust me." She smirked. While her words were shaky her eyes spoke the reality. She could do this.
The cheeky Brit moved some with a bit of a nod "Yea.. the course on getting women into bed. I believe I aced that one." He joked back towards the detective and tipped his head some "Ah, but I don't work for the British Government anymore." He smirked slightly and gave a nod to her releasing her hand as she pulled some. Watching her pack things he moved standing pulling on his jacket and moving to the backpack pulling it over his shoulder and picking up the case. "Your right, wouldn't want Kenny to get any idea's now would we." Form shifted against the ground and he stopped looking towards the door. Speak of the devil there was a knock on the door of one of iron's men.. the driver of the car down below. He gave a nod to Sara before his voice dropped almost inaudibly. "just remember, anytime day or night you can reach me. I'll be standing by for any signal from you.. while keeping an eye out for the Raider, too when I can. Since the driver was now upstairs pounding on the ground it left the car unwatched and Sheridan moved to the window, he opened it and silently moved out holding onto the edge "Be careful." He whispered up and form moved away from the ledge onto the side piping while scaling down. Easily enough the spy made it to the ground and slipped around quickly to his car putting the case and bag in the trunk before pulling out something else. Moving once more he looked around the street was empty and he lay against the wet asphalt under the car attaching a tracking device and a small sound chip to it. Pushing himself now from under the car he stood, not quite pleased he was wet for it. Dusting himself off slightly he looked back up to the third story window and then back to the streets while heading to the alley once again. He moved now into the BMW, the sound of its engine starting up would be fully muffled by the distance from the apartment and the thickness of the walls. The car was slow moving forwards and he drove along the alley for another block before pulling out onto the street and parking the car at a meter. Where he could still watch the Bentley and Sara's departure without being noticed.
'Come on come on pick up the phone.' Even teeth began to pull against her rouge stained lips. '.It's not like I have all day that fucking chauffeur is waiting for me like a goddamed guard dog.' She lifted herself up onto her knees to peek out of her third floor window and a small sigh escaped her lips as she noted he was still hidden under the dark umbrella, leaning against the car as he smoked. nasty habit, well at least he didn't pollute the car with that nasty filth. Sara lowered herself again and leaned her back to the wall every second of waiting eating at her like a plague. At first she was surprised, the detective had expected a different voice over the line. She stammered at first, "S-Sheridan? Jesus Terry. thank god I heard a mans voice and half thought." She gasped a bit as lightning struck outside her window. The weather startled her out of the idiotic ramblings, and her mind focused. "It's Pez, look. I don't have much time for dilly dallying but I'm out. I have roughly forty five minutes until Kenne. Mr. Irons has requested I return. Can you meet me in my apartment? I've been granted asylum to gather some things and I need to know what the hell you two are up to." Her jaw clenched as she waited for a response hoping to all hell the hard-line didn't have a backup tap. She didn't think so. not with this many tenants, she doubted it would be a clear signal anyway. The lines were so old. It was stuffy in here. wonderful the fucking heat had been left on... Con Ed was gonna love her this month; she noted looking to the cracked open window above the sink.
Sheridan listened to the female voice stammer a bit in the beginning and lighting flashed against the sky and he heard the clap of thunder. "Of course you'd hear a male voice.. that's what I am." He responded simply before she went back into business, he eyed the signs above the freeway and moved over two lanes. So she'd gotten a chance to get away. It was a small window of opportunity but it was one none the less. "Sit tight, I'll be there in a few minutes. Are you being closely watched?" he didn't bother checking over his shoulder as he moved crossing over the white lines of the exit ramp pulling off. A car horn sounded behind him and some guy waved his fist but the Brit ignored it. The car moved down the ramp and turned running the stop sign and headed down the street. Of course he knew where Sara lived, how could he not and he was easily making his way over. "Stay calm, luv..and I'll be there.If you get a knock that says 'Pizza' it'll be me." He hung up the cell and moved into the alley ways. Water splashed up as he drove through a pot hole deciding the back alley would be easier than risk being spotted by who ever was outside waiting for Sara. But now his thoughts went to what he was going to tell her. He and Lara hadn't really gotten a chance to make a plan of the situation. It had been mainly him keeping from Lara doing something brash and telling her about Sara being alright before it turned into a partial row. The more he thought about it the harder it was to work with that woman. It had a tendency to turn up about them. turning another alley he flipped off the lights and the car slowed creeping now through the dark alley. She was lucky he'd been close to her exit or it might have taken longer for him to arrive there. Now the car stopped and he got out flipping up the collar of his leather jacket he moved to the trunk. He opened it and looked through a few of the cases taking some things here and there before moving. Back pressed against the wall as he glanced around the corner. He couldn't use the front there was a man smoking there and he turned into the alley. His locking blade knife was pulled from a pocket and he moved it into the lock of the back door working as silently as he could the door clicked and Sheridan stepped inside. Now his dark form was moving up the stairwell to the third floor. He stopped just before her door and knocked softly. "Pizza." He said turning his chin over his shoulder slightly to look around the hall then back to the door.
Maybe it was the stresses of her situation, her first infraction against Irons since the 'deal with the devil' the very act of her insubordination amplifying the warmth on her flushed cheeks. Sara was wringing her hands together as she pressed the handset into her ear with her shoulder. The compulsive need to crack her knuckles in times of stress. At least the driver seemed to be giving her some space, which at least was a relief. A long even breath she didn't realize she was holding fell out of her mouth in a sigh of relief. "Great. I was starting to lose my mind as to what you guys were up to. Knowing Lara it's a brass balled onslaught and I can't have that." She was tucking the paper back into the purse's lining as she spoke. "Hey if you get any tickets give Jake a call, yes a cop is giving you permission to break the traffic laws." Sara laughed a bit nervously, but it was good to hear humor in herself if only for a second. "Yes, absolutely I'm being watched; A diver. front of the building leaning against a champagne colored Bentley, holding an umbrella. There is a fire escape on the west wall." She murmured an approving "Pizza yeah. that's good. Just watch yourself." With that Sara set to gathering a few things (for show) she didn't want to show up back in her new *shudder* home empty handed now sis she? Exiting the bedroom dragging her army duffle bag She heard the door and ran toward it peeking though the peek hole. Good. "Just a second!" After the three locks were unfastened the detective pulled the door open still on its chain. In her right hand she held her backup the Walther PPK. It's nose was pressed against the peek-hole as she looked out into the hall. The bisecting lines of gold in her green eyes caught the light of the hall perfectly, and her relief was clear. he wasn't followed. "Hang on a sec." Closing the door a bit she drew back the chain and allowed him access. Quickly closing and locking it behind him. "Sorry I'm a bit edgy right now," she offered sheepishly as she un-cocked the weapon and put it on the end table next to her keys.
"Well that's just bloody lovely isn't it." He commented on how things were going and how she wanted to know. There was a bit of a chuckle from his lips at her comment "I'll keep it in mind. I'm sure you've driven with Lara before..I'm much the same." Uncontiously his head bobbed at her information of being watched. Still even now as he was there he was looking after himself, his guard up. When he heard the muffled voice behind the door his weight shifted and hand gripped the case. The knife he'd used to get in was replaced by one of his sigs, there were the sounds of the locks being turned and then the chained door opened and he glanced to the eyes in the gap then to the lips that spoke once more. Once he was let in he set the case down and brushed past her slightly. A brow arched looking over her apartment. "as I expected you would be.." his form moved over the floor looking into the corners then around the speakers. There was a small nod and he turned shrugging off his jacket and moving to the case. A hand ran though his hair some and he cleared a space to sit pulling the case onto his lap. "I don't have much details on any plans. Main thing, keeping both you and Lara alive and well." Eyes glanced down into the case before looking back up "I dropped by Lara's.. she looked like she was ready to work, guns and all. She knows I've met you and your alright. I suppose we wait for the right moment. Something more is going on other than that Egyptian Book of the Dead." Eyes drifted up to Sara as he motioned her over pulling out a phone from the case. "As you can see I've got some new toys." He gave her a cheeky grin before looking back . "Now this phones a beauty. Has its own scrambler to any other line that might be trying to tap its systems. Figure it might come in 'andy.. that the lines at Iron's place aren't being watched. Now the tap I gave you yesterday is fairly untraceable unless pulled from the system. It sends a signal as if its part of the line. I'm sure you'll find a time to muck with that." He watched her for a moment before shifting setting the case open lid next to him. "Things are bit complicated.. and I wish I 'ad a bit more of a plan to tell you about. Trying to work with Lara as an ex isn't a walk in the park. I didn't get an opportunity to ask her about Gabriel. Jackie showed up." His voice shifted slightly upon the name while looking at Sara. "One of my informants let me in on a bit of information on assassination attempts on Lara. I know it 'as something to do with 'I'm.. its just I think it goes deeper. This whole situation does." He shifted moving back to the case "Now then.. what else can I give ya." His eyes were scanning over the things he'd brought up in the case.
The apartment was dark, save the light from an overturned lamp on her living room floor. Frantic outbursts the short time before had loosened a few stray locks. With an annoyed glance the brunette blew away a strand that threatened to poke her in the eye. Sara was still dressed to kill, never bothering to change from the formalities of her dinner. The contrast of the military styled bag, and the Walther verses her attire was like night and day. Long locks of auburn were spun up into a French twist pinned with an old fashioned Victorian comb. "Pardon the dress, I must look like such an idiot, but I was in a rush to get over here." She turned toward the couch walking past the overturned lamp. Who cares if she added to the mess, its not like anyone would notice. She pushed the stack of unopened bills and newspapers from her coffee table and warily she took to sitting on it eyeing up the briefcase of toys. "A internal scrambler huh? I saw something like that in Sharper Image, but nothing this intricate." she noted turning the phone over into her hands. "And that was a huge attachment. and this looks seamlessly perfect. Nice touch using the Samsung S-105. you and Lara always needed to show off." She placed it next to her leg and then leaned her elbows on her thighs her hands under her chin as she eyed up the other contents. "Lara will be alive and well, if I play my cards right. I'm not going to bury anyone else I care about; least off all someone I consider family." Sara's glance turned back up to Terry, he was a fountain of information and the detective side of her felt alive as he de-briefed her on the current events. "Gabriel Bowman is the proprietary owner of a shop off locust and 12th. Just tell him I sent you and I'm sure he will help, the kid knows his shit about all this hokey mumbo jumbo stuff. his ear is usually to the ground on all the occult stuff. I'd say it's a good place to start." She breathed in deep, it was good to hear her own resolve back in her voice. "Secondly, I'm setting up the equipment tomorrow, Irons has an appointment. I overheard his assistance this morning." It was clear to her why the Tomb Raider was attracted to Terry. The rugged good looks alone were enough to fall into, but the voice, the sorted past. Even Sara found herself pondering. "I hope you two have more of a plan then some mad scheme to just bust in with guns blazing. It didn't work very well for the Yakuza I don't think it will work in this instance either."
Eyes moved over watching Sara, taking note of the dress and her style and he smiled lightly. She was defiantly easy on the eyes, if not attracting them. "Not to worry luv. Makes the liaisons all the more pleasurable." He joked softly while shifting eyeing the mess. It had looked like it'd been rummaged though but he didn't bother to question it. Form shifted slightly once more. "Neither of us are keen on the idea of you staying there. But I think I've managed to sway Lara from the thought of storming the castle." Form moved while he watched her look over the phone "The Sharper Image 'as nothing on what I could get my 'ands on too. British intelligence, French, American..I've already placed a chip within my phone that will pick it up as you." the spy looked rather pleased indeed. " Perhaps it's a British thing." He mused at the fact of showing of. Leaning slightly against the couch he gave a nod. "Brilliant.." his fingers rubbed against his chin for a moment. "I think there might be a hidden file somewhere upon Iron's computer..I pulled something from the business office ones. Though it doesn't really make any sense, or is it completed. 'E 'ad a lot of files on something that didn't look business related. In the wall street manner at least." Form shifted again as he leaned forwards listening to her talking watching her lips move as she did before glancing up into her face. "Well then it looks as though I'll be paying Gabe, a little visit tomorrow.." his fingers snapped slightly and he pulled a small clip out of the foam core of the case handing it over to her. "The taps on the phones will be a big help. And this lil' beauty..goes into video feeds. It would have to be attached to the main systems though..and that might be tricky to get about to. I've got an idea of most of the surveillance outside, change of guards and my own surveillance watching as well. So far you're the only eyes I've got in there, that I'd rather not 'ave there." He gave a small nod. His hands moved sliding down against his black slacks before he scratched his knee slightly with some thought. Before looking back into the case. "Maybe a watch with a tracking device..think this one has the ability to send out a distress pulse to its main controls. Not very feminin though." He shifted again and pulled up the semi egg-crate foam to thing that were under the top layer pulling out a package of normal looking pills. "Careful not to use these on yourself..quick desolving in any liquid drinking...out like" he snapped his fingers together. " Specialty bullets? And gun?" he glanced up to her, it was like Christmas with all the toys. "Think there, tranqulizing..blood splatter and normal rounds.." he lifted each one of the bullets before tucking them back and looking back up to her, "Any other gizmos you might need you use that phone and let me know." His hands moved over the silver ridged case top as he closed it and looked back up. "Never trust the cards dealt to you." He spoke calmly and leaned forwards some placing his hand on the table top as he leaned forwards "Anything starts going wrong..we'll be there. The Tomb Raider and I are quite capable of handling ourselves, as I'm sure you are. And she's got Jackie watching over her, though I don't trust 'im..and the fact im sure 'E'd rather me dead..just things seem a bit fishy." he seemed to tense slightly and looked up to her face "What about Nottingham? I saw 'im on the veranda with you."
Her soft lashes blinked out the light in her eyes as she cast her glance back down to the gadgets he had accumulated into this mélange. She leaned forward a bit invading a little of the ex-spy's personal space. The clean smell of soap and a lightly pressed shirt met her nose and she found herself taking in the aroma as her feminine prowess kicked up a bit. "I don't even want to know what this thing does do I?" her index and middle fingers lightly touched a small electronic device at the left edge of the briefcase, seemingly hard wired into the combination lock in the front. Don't tell me this thing is lined with plastic explosives." She smirked at the notion. You never could tell with characters like Sheridan. Hell from his obviously through investigation, Sara found herself doubting her own skills as a detective. "If there is one thing I know about Kenneth Irons, always expect the unexpected." her eyes cast to the VCR that now blinked 12:00 over and over, and then to the wall clock. Good. She had about twenty minutes left. 'Ok calm down Pez, take a breath and enjoy the autonomy while you can,' her inner monologue reassured. "I just hope I can get all of this stuff inside and hidden without having everything circumvented and my ass in a sling." Sara pursed her lips into a smirk and she leaned back. "Good thing, cause I think he's holding his finger over the proverbial button with his ties to the Yakuza. Apparently he had nothing to do with the assassination attempt, he's just keeping them at bay. for my subservience. Seems our dear friend Mr. Estacado did a little job for his boss Paulie and well. lets just say the Yakuza think Lara would be adequate retribution. Looks like we're not the only one who read the tabloids huh?" She felt her breath stop for a moment when Terry leaned in and asked about Nottingham. "What about Nottingham, that. 'Thing' slaughtered over twenty people trying to get to that piece of shit Jackie. If I hadn't. if the Witchblade didn't freak out every time that slime ball popped his head into my life those men would be alive." Her left hand promptly covered the intricate bracelet, as if she feared that even mentioning it would unleash some horror.
When she leaned slightly forwards he shifted and as Lara said perfume was one of his downfalls and hers was down right intoxicating. His free hand rubbed slightly against the back of his neck before glancing at the small box she pointed at and he got that roguish smirk of his "Can't be letting these things into hands they don't belong." A brow arched slightly when she spoke of getting it all in and he grinned once more. "Slightly more simple.." moving he pulled the other pack he'd brought with him. Which still had two gas bombs inside it and other miscellaneous stuff. I had it almost as a second thought after the struggle of trying to get to you to day. Which was by fluke chance I pulled it off." Earlier he'd stopped by a small toy store and picked up a fuzzy brown teddy bear and made his own little adjustments to it. Handing it over he removed the head which left its belly empty and he shrugged slightly "At least its something." His brow twitched slightly when he shifted once again. "I'm not surprised the strings Iron's able to pull. And as for Jackie..as he said I make his 'trigger finger itch'. I comment bout not trusting 'im..and it's passed off as jealousy of 'im snogging and trying to shag Lara." He sighed some and looked at her arching a brow slightly. " Interesting the way men do things when the fancy someone." The muscles in his cheeks tightened a moment before she called Jackie a piece of shit and the corners of his lips pulled up. "Ah, so not too keen on Mister Mafia either, Sara?" eyes glanced towards the Witchblade as she moved to cover it slightly with her hand "Yeah..and Jackie-boy and the Darkness." His eyes scanned up to her throat past the necklace that was there. The wound was barely visible just as Jackie's arm was. Then he shifted back slightly resting his back against the couch once more. "What worries me some..is those Darklings watching out. I know 'es using them to watch after Lara, if not some other ways by day. Guess theres a rule that your not supposed to shoot at the Darklings, it's put me on a knifes point with our Mister Estacado." He drawled slightly looking back into Sara's face.
"That self-absorbed prick thinks he owns this town. Oh don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the 'help' he's offered, (Sara's tone of cynicism was thick enough to cut with a knife) but I really could have done without a gunfight in front of half the department. God knows what my partner Jake had to say about me breaking out of the hospital, and It's been days since I've checked in with Captain Siry. I'll be lucky to have a job to go back to after this case." Her proud look of self confidence was suddenly washed over with self doubt and guilt. She chewed at her lip again then broke off by blurting, "Everything I touch seems to turn to shit. If I were you I'd stay away from me." She looked down a bit breaking eye contact. "Get yourself out before you're knee deep in your own blood because I can't control this thing." It was more then she'd ever offered anyone about her link with the weapon. Usually she was lying, trying to reassure the few who had seen the weapon that she had it together, that her dreams weren't clouded with dark imagery. The detective lived a solitary existence used to bottling her secrets and moments of weakness in a bottle of tequila. He eyes perked up. "Well ya know, ex-lover and all I mean not that Lara is one to kiss and tell but I can see why Jackie might feel threatened. What surprises me is why she felt the need to trust a murderer. I swear if I make it out of this, I'm gonna nail him on so many charges it'll make his head spin." She shook her head. "I guess my main concern is that he'll reveal my secret to the public." Sara looked back up to Terry, "I can't tell you how many times I've expected that door to bust open with guys in hazmat suits .draggin' me off to a fucking lab to try an' find out what makes this thing tick."
Eyes watched Sara's face as he sat silently listening to her talking, he knew some of the Witchblade how it tended to feed on the wielders emotions like it had the first time he'd seen her in action with it how it was lashing out towards Jackie, as if it wanted to rip him to ribbons. "Then it seems at least you an I are on the same page in that. 'Ell..even put one of 'is own family members away. And normally a move like that is like Mafia suicide." There was a sort of a shrug when he looked back up to her watching now as her emotions changed. "I know 'bout your partner too. Is that part of the reason your worried over Lara?" his form went slightly rigid for a moment as his own thoughts drifted back to similar experience he had, had. Sighing slightly he moved taking her hand and looking at her. "I'm well aware of the risks I take. And I've already split blood over this and I'm not going anywhere until it's over." Shifting he watched her "It's no wonder you and Lara as such good mates." He gave her a reassuring smile. And a brow arched slightly before it lowered again. " Well I guess she's always had a weakness for the bad boy types. Sooner or later something doesn't work out. Mine.. I was as Lara fondly calls a -Skirt Chaser- if you couldn't tell from our row at that salon, things usually got hot between us and not always in that shag type of way." There was a shrug from his shoulders and he glanced away some then back to her " But with Jackie..I don't know." Breath pulled form his lips as he shifted and gave a slight snicker "..'E'd just end up back out there on the streets." There was a slight shake from his head "but if you cut out his tongue, 'e can't go telling no one anything." He patted her hand slightly "I couldn't see you lying on any examination tables in the near feauter. Besides I'm sure you'd be able to kick their arses for even trying without the 'elp of the Witchblade." once again a hit of his roguish smile was playing upon his lips.
"S-skirt chaser huh?" She almost coughed out her laughter, "Isn't that a requirement for men in your field?" Sara's jade eyes pierced into his as she half joked, "It wouldn't surprise me if the British government had ulterior motives for the Witchblade too! Although I have to admit, I might enjoy the forceful capture." She couldn't help it, Sheridan was charming, rugged and coarse, not to mention the glib sense of humor. Exactly what she liked and hated in her personal life. The brunette bit down on the corner of her lip as she tried to conceal a clever smirk. "I should get all of this packed away." she finally said after she realized her eyes had been wandering a bit too long. Quickly Sara pulled her hand away and grabbed the teddy bear filled with 'treats'. She pushed up and walked the few feet to her bag, tugging at the strings to tuck the stuffed animal away. It was nice to know she had people looking out for her on the outside, but part of her thought that simply agreeing to live the alternate lifestyle with Irons might be the safest bet for everyone. She walked back to the coffee table and after sitting, placed her hand on his shoulder. "Terry, I just want to let you know that I appreciate all the help. But if things get. out of hand, I'm pulling the plug on this one." Just as the last word fell she heard a forceful pounding on the door. "HEY! Miss. Pezzini? (more pounding) You almost ready?! Mr. Irons just called to say you were gonna be late for the Opera." Great a public setting. It was just like Irons to get off on displaying her in such a place. As if she were a prize he had won at the county fair. Sara drew a startled breath at the repeated banging on the door. "Yeah. yeah. yeah. Just a minute!! (Muttering) you pompous." Sara let her voice trail off mocking annoyance. The pulse in her chest became thready and color flushed out of her cheeks. The homicide detective leaned in close to the ex-secret agent, "I'll contact you after I finish the bit of subterfuge and security. Trust me." She smirked. While her words were shaky her eyes spoke the reality. She could do this.
The cheeky Brit moved some with a bit of a nod "Yea.. the course on getting women into bed. I believe I aced that one." He joked back towards the detective and tipped his head some "Ah, but I don't work for the British Government anymore." He smirked slightly and gave a nod to her releasing her hand as she pulled some. Watching her pack things he moved standing pulling on his jacket and moving to the backpack pulling it over his shoulder and picking up the case. "Your right, wouldn't want Kenny to get any idea's now would we." Form shifted against the ground and he stopped looking towards the door. Speak of the devil there was a knock on the door of one of iron's men.. the driver of the car down below. He gave a nod to Sara before his voice dropped almost inaudibly. "just remember, anytime day or night you can reach me. I'll be standing by for any signal from you.. while keeping an eye out for the Raider, too when I can. Since the driver was now upstairs pounding on the ground it left the car unwatched and Sheridan moved to the window, he opened it and silently moved out holding onto the edge "Be careful." He whispered up and form moved away from the ledge onto the side piping while scaling down. Easily enough the spy made it to the ground and slipped around quickly to his car putting the case and bag in the trunk before pulling out something else. Moving once more he looked around the street was empty and he lay against the wet asphalt under the car attaching a tracking device and a small sound chip to it. Pushing himself now from under the car he stood, not quite pleased he was wet for it. Dusting himself off slightly he looked back up to the third story window and then back to the streets while heading to the alley once again. He moved now into the BMW, the sound of its engine starting up would be fully muffled by the distance from the apartment and the thickness of the walls. The car was slow moving forwards and he drove along the alley for another block before pulling out onto the street and parking the car at a meter. Where he could still watch the Bentley and Sara's departure without being noticed.
