A/N: Next chapter ready, to all who might wondering about Anthony/Dylan Interaction, there will be much more of it in the next three chapters....

Besides I like to say imagining Aurelie Barracuda I somehow had the beautiful black pirate girl from "Pirates of the caribbean" in mind, sorry forgot the name ;-)

Chapter 9: Too many questions

They made it to the helicopter and flew back, it was way past midnight and Alex was cursing like never before. She hated making mistakes. Nat had the feeling from what her friend said it had been nearly impossible not to set of any alarm. The floors in the main building must have had more than the usual extra security. The blonde angel was more worried about Dylan at the moment. The red head was white as a sheet and had not said one word since they escaped through the fence.

"Dylan what is it?", Nat turned her head to the co-drivers seat. Alex stopped ranting and for a moment there was nothing to be heard except the rotor blades.

Then the red headed angel said: "I saw him - An… the creepy thin man!" She wanted to say Anthony at first, but he was dead. She cover her face with her hands and shook her head. "I know how that sounds, but there was someone, looking like him, moving like him. The cane, the hair, the cigarette - he even pulled out my hair and I had the feeling he was holding back when we fought!"

Even Natalie had no idea what to say. Both believed her, but of course they all knew it could not have been the same man that had helped them and kissed Dylan on the roof. They had buried him, seen how he died. "I thought it might be the guy from the Knox case, but he should be dead too and - I think he was recognising the medallion", Dylan suddenly realised, where he had been looking at.

"I don't know what it means, but …", she moaned in despair.

She had no idea what to think, even Alex seemed to lack a logical explanation or else she would have given it already. She just laid her hand on Dylan's shoulder. "Maybe someone tried to impersonate him - to get to you, but why should he be lurking around the warehouses?"

Being tired and having no answers at all, they agreed to meet in the morning and talk everything over. They took their cars home after Nat landed the helicopter on one of Charlie's properties outside the city. Neither of them got much sleep. Nat was the luckiest for Pete had prepared a warm bath for her and then just took her in his arms and crawled her neck until she dozed off.

Dylan's sleep was not very deep and she waked up several times turning on the lights checking whether someone was there, but her flat was empty. This was not a fair tale world, he would not come to her apartment, he was dead and whoever might appear before was certainly not some with a friendly attitude. Yet she hoped it was, that he had returned, but then again she would not have the luck, not her.

Alex got herself into another fight with Jason. She had went over to his place and insensitive to Alex current mood, he reminded her, that they were supposed to go out together on a premier that was taking place in two days. He really had not meant to push her, just inquired about how the odds were to actually make it with the new case. She drove to her own flat promising herself to make it up after the case.

The next morning all six of them were sitting in the office waiting for Charlie's call. After the usual greetings Alex reported how tight security was and Dr. Crushner confirmed that it was way beyond normal.

"So somebody must have known that we were coming", Charlie sounded worried. "Angels, there is something else. Someone has accessed the plans for the new office building. They might also know that Dr. Crushner is here."

"How do they find us so fast?", Aurelie was no doubt shocked by the news. "Where do we move her now?"

"If I might make a suggestion - stay here. The building is secured against brake in, it will be easier to ensure the doctor's safety here than on the road", Charlie said with a calm voice. Aurelie nodded reluctantly: "If you think so." She appeared very unhappy about the situation and slightly unwilling to remain here.

"Does that mean that those killers come here?", Bosley said nervously.

"Yes, I'm afraid so, you better tell Max, that it is too dangerous to come here", Charles reminded him.

"The question is - what do we do now?", Natalie asked. "Or better what do we do first?"

Dylan nodded: "We have to find out by what means…"

"… and to what degree they are up to date with our plans", Alex finished.

"It seems most unlikely, that Aurelie or the Doctor said anything", Charlie said and for a moment Dylan had the feeling he was knowing more than he was sharing with them. But she was too busy with her own thoughts and dismissed it.

"Maybe she was bugged?", Natalie suggested.

"Impossible, we gave her completely new clothes. Controlled everything there was nothing", Aurelie said sounding insulted.

"Maybe there is a hole in your organisation", Alex said seriously.

"Yes and maybe the problem lies here!", Aurelie jumped up.

"Girls, please don't fight each other", Charlie interrupted. "Aurelie - I can assure that the Angels and Bosley are trustworthy, but could you say that about all of your 176 employees at First Rate Securities?"

The black woman sat down: "I guess so, but not every one knows about the mission details. All our employees are checked through. Half of the older active member staff, are policemen with excellent credits, some are even FBI. Bo.., äh Mr. Norman is very thorough about it."

"Aurelie, did you inform anyone about the angels trip to the B.A.C. facility?", Charlie carefully asked with his sincere voice.

"Well, Mr. Norman knows, but not specifically, I mean it was his idea to contact you. It's true I have talked to him, but only to request that he sends me additional, hmm gadgets. The carrier does not know who exactly he is delivering to."

"Still we better check him out, when he arrives", Alex stated and this time Aurelie was not protesting, in fact she was thinking carefully whether there might really been a week spot in the organisation.

"Something else, since Dr. Crushner is now trapped here for a while - I'd like to make her more comfortable. Maybe one of you angels be so nice and see to it", Charlie said.

"That'll be me", Alex said. "I still feel like screwing up and besides I think Dr. Crushner and I are about the same build."

Dr. Crushner gave a thankful smile to the Asian angel, but otherwise remained silent. Dylan wondered if the was sleeping all the nights as bad as she did this one. It was so dreadful when something bothered one and the thoughts ran out of bounds.

"Well we could try another facility, but it might be equally disappointing until we now what went wrong", Nat said. "Plus we have another mystery on our hands, that needs to be solved."

The blond angel was looking at Dylan, who was looking like lost in her own thoughts as she actually was. Slowly began to tell the others about her meeting with the Thin Man or at least the one that looked like him. "I know how that must sound", Dylan finally said, "but it was so him - he even recognised that", she pulled out the medallion. "He stopped his attack, he could have killed me, I'm sure of it."

She suddenly became Goosebumps. That was something she became of aware for the first time. Also she had lost back then for a moment track of time, she was sure, she had not been able to deflect the rapier, if he had not stopped it. And he must have, and the reason seemed indeed the medallion.

"Geez, you have been wearing this all the time?", Nat said almost shocked that she had not noticed. Alex nodded and a moment there was silence before Bosley said: "Man, that's so romantic."

The angels gave him a strange look, but then Dylan smiled and so did Natalie. "Yep it is - and it is not nice that someone is playing with that." She was really angry and that did not happen often.

"Angels that worries me. Also I must admit that I had been wondering whether this assassin Dylan met might be indeed member of the hit-men ring Aurelie was talking about in our first meeting. Anyway I trust that you are able to handle the situation."

The black woman's eyes lightened up as she heard the comment from Charlie.

"Sure", Dylan nodded feeling not one bit better. "But I'd like to check out some things today." Nat nodded: "I think I better accompany you, if someone is imposing the Thin Man, he is clearly trying to start with her, I'd just like to check out Dr. Crushner, before we go."

"Good idea", Alex said. "I see that I get some information on B.A.C. - it'd be helpful to know whether security was generally increased or just in the valley. Then I go and get the things for Dr. Crushner."

"Fine, I make myself familiar with the building", said Aurelie, who naturally could not leave the Doctor and felt almost useless at this point.

"Angels, I inform you as soon anything comes up - Take care", Charlie said confident that his angels were going to solve the mystery.

"Thank you, Charlie", they said and heard the clicking that indicated that he had hung up.

So the Angels separated, Alex was going to the computer laboratory to discover more about the B.A.C. Activities. Nat went with Dr. Crushner down to another lab, were she was again carefully checked for possible bugs. Dylan and Aurelie sat still in the office with Bosley who tried to break the silence. "So Dylan what do you wanna do?", he asked.

"Check out a grave", she said, not feeling familiar enough with their guest to talk about such a topic. Even then she felt that neither Jimmy Bosley nor his predecessor were able to offer much help. This was not a matter of ten reps each!

"You really think it might be empty?"

Dylan almost said - I hope so, but then stopped herself in time: "Would be most unlikely." She stared at Aurelie who had the most doubtful look in her face. "I guess there is only one person who could enlighten the matter…"

"I'm sure he is not going to give it to us", Aurelie told Dylan, before the angel or Bosley could answer the doorbell rang.

"For you?", Dylan asked.

"It'd could be the package", Aurelie said and got up.

"I see how Alex is doing", Bosley told them and got up himself.

Both girls head down the hall of fame to the entrance hall, while Bosley parted and went through a door upstairs. Dylan opened the front door while Aurelie secured it holding her gun ready. It was the delivery boy. He stood calm on the steps until the black woman told him that it was okay. A strange image as he suddenly behaved like a regular postman letting Aurelie sign a paper before he handed over a big parcel. They parted and closed the door carefully.

In the office Aurelie unpacked it right away. It contained a bullet proof vest made for Dr. Crushner as well as two new pairs of guns, that except being totally black, reminded the angel of Madison. Aurelie removed her weapon and took out the new ones with the holsters and said: "They belonged to my partner, he never had much use for them."

She sighed: "Luckily Bo- b agreed that with all those assassins lurking about it was not overdone too have so much firepower." Dylan looked in the parcel discovering more ammunition, two throwing knifes and a munitions belt. "Are you going to war?", she asked unbelieving.

"No, but I won't loose another client to an assassin", she said firmly.

"So you kill them on sight? Is it that?", the red head was sensing that Aurelie was a bit too fast in her decision, but then so was she.

"If it is necessary - I can't afford to be generous, they are too good. So don't expect me to make exceptions!"

The angel realised that she was talking about the Thin Man, that she would kill him, first chance she got. 'Damn it, Dylan', she told herself. 'It should not bother you.' But it did and Aurelie knew, she had realised it the first time she heard her talk about him. 'Have I become that transparent?'

"He is mine to deal with", Dylan said unwillingly loud. Aurelie stared at her surprised and fired back: "If he comes close to her, I really don't care."

Somehow the black woman's attitude bothered the angel, but before they could start a fight, Nat and the doctor came back. "You were right - no bugs, but I suggest we bring along a good meal when we return, Anna needs something to eat."

"I told you Nat, I can't eat", looking at the angel she gave in. "Ok I try something."

"Don't worry you are safe here, we won't be long or Dylan?", Nat asked smiling.

"No, I don't think so", the red head replied chuckling herself as she realised that Dr. Crushner had needed only a few minutes with Nat too go to first name basis, while Aurelie was still formal with her. Anna seemed more relaxed anyway. Probably she just needed to be around someone like Natalie who was even in crisis not lost to all good thoughts.

They left the two behind and head outside to Dylan's car. "I want to drive", she said.

"No problem", Natalie said and got in the car on the co-drivers seat. Dylan was glad that she could do something she was almost prepared to do during the night, but she felt not up to it. Now she was glad that she had waited and had her friend with her. The angels remembered very well the funeral. "You think he might have been not entirely dead when you identified him?", Natalie asked her.

"I almost hope so", Dylan admitted. "But no - he was dead." Her eyes became wet and she sped up. "Still I want to find some things out - maybe someone inquired after him and … I really don't know what to think. It's so irrational, I can't get through the bottom of it. I don't even see the glass."

Nat looked at her, not sure whether she should talk to her about it or leave it alone. They certainly had done so the past month. "Dylan you know that you could have talked to us about it, don't you?", she finally told her.

"Yes - I just did not want to, I can't tell why, maybe because I don't have a clue what it had actually done to me", she said indicating that she still did not want to talk about it. Yet she wanted, but she was afraid about the outcome, especially since last night. Instead of picking in Dylan's wounds Natalie changed the subject to Aurelie. "What do you think of her?"

"I don't know, but she is way to keen on shooting, maybe there was no other way, but maybe there was and she simply hopes to get a certain assassin in front of her gun!"

"You think about the guy that killed her partner?", Nat wondered. "I can't imagine she tries to bring him out. Anna told me how overprotective she is and that she feels saver with Aurelie around."

"Might be, I just told you what I thought", Dylan replied and slowing down as she came nearer to the cemetery. The gate was open and she looked for a place to stop the car. "Ok, let's take a look", she said, after she found a parking space. The cold wind whistled through the trees and the two angels stepped on the graveyard grounds. "Ever been here since the funeral?", Nat wanted to know. Dylan shook her head. No she had not been, she hated thinking about the dead rotting bodies under the earth. She rather remembered them as they had been alive.

Yet they found their way easy to the grave, leaves lay upon it and the gravestone the mother superior had bought said: "In loving memory Anthony an angel in life-time." Underneath his name was only the death date, the birthday was missing like his last name.

Dylan was just staring at it, while Nat suddenly said: "Strange the stone is slightly edged to the left."

She was right, but what did it meant? "Let's look for a keeper or something and ask him about this", she told Nat and the two went strolling. The wind was getting more intense and Nat's even longer hair was flying past Dylan's face. "Sorry, you think I should cut it again? Might get unhandy", she laughed. "Pete already thinks it does."

"Well, I like it this way", Dylan said rubbing her head.

"Oh look Dylan - there is someone", Nat pointed to a figure that was working on a grave with a large wheel barrow. The angels walked over to him. "Hello, there, can we have a minute", the blond girl started and instantly got the intention of the old man. "Well, young ladies, what can I do for you?"

"Are you responsible for the cemetery?", Dylan wanted to know.

"You might say that also I'm not the only one", he took of his head. "I think a storm is coming tonight."

"It is about the grave near that statue", Nat pointed out to an angel statue, "it misses a last name and a birthday."

"Strange that you asked about that one - oh I know what you mean, but after all this time?", he shook his head and then replaced his head looking at Dylan who inquired what he meant by it.

"I'm talking about the grave robbers. Numerous cases until the opened this one. I found them myself. Father and son, lying dead in this very grave!"

"What?", both angels yelled.

"I'm not making fun - the corpse was gone, maybe a partner went kinky or so, but the police found a piece of jewellery that belonged to dead woman whose grave was also dug up in their apartment. Both had broken necks."

Dylan looked at Nat and in her mind was a voice screaming: 'It was him, oh my god, it must be him.' Still it all seemed rather strange to her. The blond angel looked worried at Dylan. "That's indeed odd, is there anyone visiting the grave?"

"Yes, young lady, a couple of nuns, come at least every month or so and say there prayers for him, very nice nuns I must say. And now and then a boy with curly hair shows up. Luckily none of them cares much about flowers", he said.

"Well thank you very much", Nat said and followed Dylan who already walked back to Anthony's grave. "What do you think", her friend asked as she caught up with her again.

"I don't know, but what if it is really him?", she bit her lips.

"I think someone is playing a mean game and he has gone way to far!" Also being usually cheerful Natalie was not believing in ghosts, zombies or people returning from the dead. Neither was Dylan, but this time she wanted to believe it so badly. It worried her friend.

"The boy could have been Max, but it also might have been someone else", she sighed - instead of answers they had found more questions.

The wind rustled as both of them felt and heard their cellular phones ringing. It was not a call it was a message. Both read the display and then with out loosing a second they rushed back to the car.