Ally sat and pouted playfully. "This is the first time I've seen you in a suit and it isn't even for me."
Brennan, dressed from head to toe in black was making a final inspection in front of his closet mirror.
He turned to face Ally, sitting on the end of his bed. "You don't think this is the only suit I own, do you? Anyway, you're not the only disappointed one. I had hoped we'd both be dressing up."
Ally was intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"
Brennan gave her a sly look. "Show me yours, I'll show you mine."
Ally stood and sauntered over to him. "Name the time and place and I'll show you everything I've got."
Images filled Brennan's head. "Huh." Was all he spoke, but in his mind...
'Forget the fancy clothes, I wanna see what you've got, now!'
He leaned in as she folded into his arms and their lips met fleetingly. The kiss grew. Their passion grew. Their lips met again and again. Ally started to loosen Brennan's tie---
Emma came through the door without knocking.
She too was dressed up, wearing a smart dress suit and a pair of eyeglasses.
"Brennan are you almost---" She stopped as she saw Ally and Brennan breaking away. "Oh..."
They stared at her partly embarrassed and partly indignant.
"I didn't know Ally was helping you...I really need to learn to knock first."
"It's all right." Brennan lied. "You and Jess are ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." He looked back at Ally and murmured his apology, kissing her once more.
"To be continued." She chanted back, straightening his tie and following him and Emma out the door.
# # # # #
Shalimar frowned. "So run this plan of yours by us again."
Brennan sighed and started from the top. "I'm going to get us a way in by portraying a wealthy jet owner, looking for a new fuel supplier. While I get in Xenos' good graces, Emma, posing as my personal assistant, will get Jess his way in."
Jesse took over. "I checked city records for blue prints of the oil company's refinery, but there's nothing current. We need to know how to get in if we're going to get our evidence. So I'm going to find the right blueprints at Xenos' office."
"We'll keep an eye on you from here." Adam contributed.
"I'll see what I can find out about Mr. Xenos' personal interests," Ally chimed in. "They might give you common ground."
Brennan smiled at her initiative. "Good thinking. I'll be listening for you."
"Be careful." Shalimar warned. "All of you."
# # # # #
It should have been no surprise to Brennan that even the waiting area outside Xenos' office looked like it cost a pretty penny. Rare paintings filled the walls, exquisite sculptures and leather sofas filled the floor. After a glance, Brennan was even sure that the letterhead the secretary used had gold leafing, with real gold! He and Emma weren't kept waiting here long.
"Excuse me, Mr. Reed?"
Brennan looked over at the secretary.
"Mr. Xenos will see you now."
Brennan gave her a charming smile. "Wonderful. Annie," He glanced at Emma. "why don't you wait here?"
Emma nodded curtly, trying very hard not to crack a smile. "Of course...sir."
The secretary ushered Brennan into the office, which was (not surprisingly) even more lavish than the room before. The furniture was made of rich wood and leather, gold and platinum lined everything. Not to mention David Xenos himself: Armani suit, silk tie, diamond and platinum cufflinks, italian leather shoes. This guy was all about the luxuries in life.
Oh, Brennan was going to have fun with this one!
Brennan offered the man his hand. "Mr. Xenos---"
"Oh please," He scoffed. "if I can call you Lyle, you can call me David." David took Brennan's hand in a firm grip, then gestured towards one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.
"Have a seat. Would you care for a cigar?"
Brennan sat down. "I'd love one, thank you."
After helping himself, David passed Brennan a silver tray with the cigar, lighter and cutter.
"So I'm told you've got two or three of your own private jets." David started after several drags.
"I enjoy flying." Brennan replied nonchalantly.
David grinned. "And why not? Plenty of places to go and there's no better way to get there! Though, you may think that opinion biased on my part!"
They both chuckled.
"Tell me, Lyle." David went on. "What else do you enjoy?"
Hey LYLE, Came Ally's sweet, yet mocking, voice in his ear. You might be interested to know that David frequents the racetrack.
Brennan took a drag as he listened, pretending to consider the question. "Well, David, I'm a bit of a gambling man."
David seemed interested. "Ever played the horses?"
Using Ally's words to his advantage, he replied. "Quite frequently actually."
# # # # #
Out in the other room, Emma was ready to move.
She spoke to the secretary. "Uhm, excuse me, could you tell me where the ladies' is?"
The secretary pointed to the door leading out into the hallway. "Down the hall to the left of the elevator." She replied.
Emma smiled sweetly. "Thank you."
The girl smiled back and returned to her typing.
Emma headed right for the elevator, but instead of turning left into the washroom she got into the elevator. She spotted a posting earlier that said company records was on floor three so she punched three and commlinked Jesse to be ready there.
Everything went smoothly until Emma started down the long hallway on the third floor.
"Excuse me, miss," Came a voice behind her. "Can I help you?"
Slowly, Emma turned around to face the stranger. "I'm looking for the records office that would have company blueprints on file." She informed him as calmly as she could.
He nodded behind Emma. "Fourth door on your left. But you'll need authorized personnel to get in, that door requires a passcard."
Emma smiled. "Thank you. Do you think you could take me to someone who can help with that?"
"Sure." He led the way back to the elevator, but Emma didn't board with him. Instead she hit him with a psi-blast to make him forget the conversation and he left for floors unknown.
"Jesse." She called into the commlink.
He appeared from the stairwell access and Emma directed him to the correct door.
"Hurry. I'll wait out here to keep anyone from finding you."
Jesse nodded and phased into the room.
# # # # #
Meanwhile, Brennan seemed to be having the time of his life. He and Xenos were sharing a laugh.
"Lyle, I'd love to do business with you, and I think you'll find our quality for the price unmeasureable."
Brennan's eyebrows twitched. "I've heard a lot about your oil company. It seems you're preferred two to one. How can you afford to sell so low and stay in business?"
David remained casual. "I have an amazing staff of financial advisors, not only do they know how to cut all my costs but they work for nothing!" He laughed at his own joke.
Brennan, see if he'll give you a sample of fuel. Came Adam's voice. We could compare it to Tony's blood sample.
"Just the same, I was hoping for a taste. A small sample I can test out before I make a buy."
For a moment it seemed David thought Brennan was joking. "Oh I'm sorry if I haven't convinced you enough, but I'm afraid I can't agree to that. Legal reasons, you understand."
Brennan shrugged. "Just thought I'd ask."
"Shall we talk some specifics, then?"
"Why not?"
# # # # #
How's it going Jess? Adam asked.
Jesse smiled. "I've got blueprints, security systems, even schedules for shift changes."
All right, download it to Sanctuary and get out of there. Emma, Brennan's almost done with Xenos. Get back there.
"On my way." Emma assured.
# # # # #
Just as Emma made it back to the waiting room, Brennan and Xenos emerged from his office. Brennan exchanged looks with her to be sure everything had gone well.
"Have your secretary send my assistant Annie here the paperwork next week. I have to let some other gentlemen down easy."
Xenos laughed heartily and shook Brennan's hand again. "Lyle, it's been a pleasure. We should play the horses sometime."
"Absolutely. I'll have Annie work out the details."
Emma smiled politely at Xenos.
"David, thank you again. I'll see you soon." And just as he was thinking it, he heard Ally over the commlink mutter,
Yeah...behind bars.
Brennan, dressed from head to toe in black was making a final inspection in front of his closet mirror.
He turned to face Ally, sitting on the end of his bed. "You don't think this is the only suit I own, do you? Anyway, you're not the only disappointed one. I had hoped we'd both be dressing up."
Ally was intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"
Brennan gave her a sly look. "Show me yours, I'll show you mine."
Ally stood and sauntered over to him. "Name the time and place and I'll show you everything I've got."
Images filled Brennan's head. "Huh." Was all he spoke, but in his mind...
'Forget the fancy clothes, I wanna see what you've got, now!'
He leaned in as she folded into his arms and their lips met fleetingly. The kiss grew. Their passion grew. Their lips met again and again. Ally started to loosen Brennan's tie---
Emma came through the door without knocking.
She too was dressed up, wearing a smart dress suit and a pair of eyeglasses.
"Brennan are you almost---" She stopped as she saw Ally and Brennan breaking away. "Oh..."
They stared at her partly embarrassed and partly indignant.
"I didn't know Ally was helping you...I really need to learn to knock first."
"It's all right." Brennan lied. "You and Jess are ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." He looked back at Ally and murmured his apology, kissing her once more.
"To be continued." She chanted back, straightening his tie and following him and Emma out the door.
# # # # #
Shalimar frowned. "So run this plan of yours by us again."
Brennan sighed and started from the top. "I'm going to get us a way in by portraying a wealthy jet owner, looking for a new fuel supplier. While I get in Xenos' good graces, Emma, posing as my personal assistant, will get Jess his way in."
Jesse took over. "I checked city records for blue prints of the oil company's refinery, but there's nothing current. We need to know how to get in if we're going to get our evidence. So I'm going to find the right blueprints at Xenos' office."
"We'll keep an eye on you from here." Adam contributed.
"I'll see what I can find out about Mr. Xenos' personal interests," Ally chimed in. "They might give you common ground."
Brennan smiled at her initiative. "Good thinking. I'll be listening for you."
"Be careful." Shalimar warned. "All of you."
# # # # #
It should have been no surprise to Brennan that even the waiting area outside Xenos' office looked like it cost a pretty penny. Rare paintings filled the walls, exquisite sculptures and leather sofas filled the floor. After a glance, Brennan was even sure that the letterhead the secretary used had gold leafing, with real gold! He and Emma weren't kept waiting here long.
"Excuse me, Mr. Reed?"
Brennan looked over at the secretary.
"Mr. Xenos will see you now."
Brennan gave her a charming smile. "Wonderful. Annie," He glanced at Emma. "why don't you wait here?"
Emma nodded curtly, trying very hard not to crack a smile. "Of course...sir."
The secretary ushered Brennan into the office, which was (not surprisingly) even more lavish than the room before. The furniture was made of rich wood and leather, gold and platinum lined everything. Not to mention David Xenos himself: Armani suit, silk tie, diamond and platinum cufflinks, italian leather shoes. This guy was all about the luxuries in life.
Oh, Brennan was going to have fun with this one!
Brennan offered the man his hand. "Mr. Xenos---"
"Oh please," He scoffed. "if I can call you Lyle, you can call me David." David took Brennan's hand in a firm grip, then gestured towards one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.
"Have a seat. Would you care for a cigar?"
Brennan sat down. "I'd love one, thank you."
After helping himself, David passed Brennan a silver tray with the cigar, lighter and cutter.
"So I'm told you've got two or three of your own private jets." David started after several drags.
"I enjoy flying." Brennan replied nonchalantly.
David grinned. "And why not? Plenty of places to go and there's no better way to get there! Though, you may think that opinion biased on my part!"
They both chuckled.
"Tell me, Lyle." David went on. "What else do you enjoy?"
Hey LYLE, Came Ally's sweet, yet mocking, voice in his ear. You might be interested to know that David frequents the racetrack.
Brennan took a drag as he listened, pretending to consider the question. "Well, David, I'm a bit of a gambling man."
David seemed interested. "Ever played the horses?"
Using Ally's words to his advantage, he replied. "Quite frequently actually."
# # # # #
Out in the other room, Emma was ready to move.
She spoke to the secretary. "Uhm, excuse me, could you tell me where the ladies' is?"
The secretary pointed to the door leading out into the hallway. "Down the hall to the left of the elevator." She replied.
Emma smiled sweetly. "Thank you."
The girl smiled back and returned to her typing.
Emma headed right for the elevator, but instead of turning left into the washroom she got into the elevator. She spotted a posting earlier that said company records was on floor three so she punched three and commlinked Jesse to be ready there.
Everything went smoothly until Emma started down the long hallway on the third floor.
"Excuse me, miss," Came a voice behind her. "Can I help you?"
Slowly, Emma turned around to face the stranger. "I'm looking for the records office that would have company blueprints on file." She informed him as calmly as she could.
He nodded behind Emma. "Fourth door on your left. But you'll need authorized personnel to get in, that door requires a passcard."
Emma smiled. "Thank you. Do you think you could take me to someone who can help with that?"
"Sure." He led the way back to the elevator, but Emma didn't board with him. Instead she hit him with a psi-blast to make him forget the conversation and he left for floors unknown.
"Jesse." She called into the commlink.
He appeared from the stairwell access and Emma directed him to the correct door.
"Hurry. I'll wait out here to keep anyone from finding you."
Jesse nodded and phased into the room.
# # # # #
Meanwhile, Brennan seemed to be having the time of his life. He and Xenos were sharing a laugh.
"Lyle, I'd love to do business with you, and I think you'll find our quality for the price unmeasureable."
Brennan's eyebrows twitched. "I've heard a lot about your oil company. It seems you're preferred two to one. How can you afford to sell so low and stay in business?"
David remained casual. "I have an amazing staff of financial advisors, not only do they know how to cut all my costs but they work for nothing!" He laughed at his own joke.
Brennan, see if he'll give you a sample of fuel. Came Adam's voice. We could compare it to Tony's blood sample.
"Just the same, I was hoping for a taste. A small sample I can test out before I make a buy."
For a moment it seemed David thought Brennan was joking. "Oh I'm sorry if I haven't convinced you enough, but I'm afraid I can't agree to that. Legal reasons, you understand."
Brennan shrugged. "Just thought I'd ask."
"Shall we talk some specifics, then?"
"Why not?"
# # # # #
How's it going Jess? Adam asked.
Jesse smiled. "I've got blueprints, security systems, even schedules for shift changes."
All right, download it to Sanctuary and get out of there. Emma, Brennan's almost done with Xenos. Get back there.
"On my way." Emma assured.
# # # # #
Just as Emma made it back to the waiting room, Brennan and Xenos emerged from his office. Brennan exchanged looks with her to be sure everything had gone well.
"Have your secretary send my assistant Annie here the paperwork next week. I have to let some other gentlemen down easy."
Xenos laughed heartily and shook Brennan's hand again. "Lyle, it's been a pleasure. We should play the horses sometime."
"Absolutely. I'll have Annie work out the details."
Emma smiled politely at Xenos.
"David, thank you again. I'll see you soon." And just as he was thinking it, he heard Ally over the commlink mutter,
Yeah...behind bars.