CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:

Humans

"Okay Daniel, I want the truth about what went on down there in the tunnels", Malcolm said as soon as they entered their temporary quarters.

"I gave you my report", Daniel replied.

"Look, Sir William is gone, and I feel we need to get a few things clear", Thomas ventured. "We all know there's a traitor among the members of the Council. Who it may be, no one knows for sure, but I have a pretty good idea. At this very moment, I have another priority though. I am here to bring Alex home, alive. If there is anyone here that is not with me on this, then please let me know now", he said looking at all four agents.

"I want to bringAgent Douglas back", Jorge spoke up.

"I agree with Garcia", Sterling said.

Malcolm and Daniel glared at each other, neither willing to venture an opinion.

Thomas spoke for them, "Good, so I can see we are all in agreeance. Then let us proceed. Daniel, if you spoke with Alex, now would be good to know whatshe may havesaid. If it will allow us to better our chances of finding her, helping her, we need to know."

Daniel broke his gaze from Malcolm's. He didn't want to break Alex's trust, but if Thomas was trulylooking to bring Alex home, this may be their best chance.

Sitting down in a chair, Daniel took a deep breath before he spoke, "Yes, I saw and spoke with Alex."

"Why did you lie to us?"Malcolm asked accusingly.

"Because you ordered us to kill her. Why should I feel comfortable telling you I made a deal with Alex", Daniel uttered through clenched teeth,

"You what?" Thomas asked.

Looking to the man soley responsible for Alex's career, Daniel spoke, "I made a deal with Alex. She assured me she had no intention of harming anyone. She said she felt different physically, but that she still had her emotions in checkand her thought patterns appeared to be normal. She promised me she would findthe leak, if I could give her three days. It didn't seem like a lot to ask", he finished.

"And what's supposed to happen in three days?" Malcolm asked.

Daniel looked down at the floor, trying to decide if he was betraying Alex. He knew Thomas would only do what was needed to ensure Alex's safety.

"I'm to meet up with her again in the subway tunnels", he responded reluctantly.

"So we have three days to figure out the best way to convince Alex to come back with us", Thomas stated.

"And what about Sir William?" Sterling questioned.

"We need to make sure he doesn't find her", Malcolm noted. "Jorge and Sterling, I want you to be that man's shadow for the next three days. I don't want him taking a leak that you aren't there asking him if he needs some help, understood?" he asked.

"I'll even offer to shake it when he's done", Sterling offered.

"Good, I also think we should figure out where the vampires are. Has anyone noticed they have been blatantly absent since we arrived in this country?" Malcolm noted. "I mean yeah, it appeared as if the lycans killed a bunch of them off, but I don't believe they managed to eradicate them all. And other than the lycan that bit Alex, we haven't seen any of their species either. We need to investigate the vampire compound tomorrow during the day", he said issuing orders.

"Sir William will be here soon, it will be dark out and I know he has no stomach for facing the creatures of the night", Thomas warned. "We need to be careful about what we say in front of him. He wants Alex dead and if what I believe is true, he will go to great lengths to achieve that."

"So we all agree, we're to give Alex three days and then bring her back alive", Malcolm asked questioninghis team.

He was answered with a chorus of yeahs. Nodding to Thomas, the five men had made a pact. There was no turning back now.

At that, the doorknob rattled as Sir William let himself in.

"No luck?", Daniel called out.

Glaring at the Irishman, Sir William answered, "No. I couldn't pick up their trail."

"We'll try again tomorrow", Malcolm stated.

"You aren't going back out tonight?" William demanded.

"The lycans and vampires have been laying low. We haven't seen any sign of either species", Malcolm informed the arrogant man. "But we aren't familiar enough with the city to feel comfortable trying to chase down these creatures in the night. Now if you think you can do better, I will send Jorge and Sterling out with you. Is that how you wish to proceed?" he asked the grumbling Council member.

Glancing around, Sir William knew he was outnumbered, and he wouldn't survive should he be attacked by the vampires.

"No, that won't be necessary", he muttered.

Well then, I suggest you all bunk down for the night. There are some crackers, cheese and meat here if you're hungry. Otherwise, you might want to get as much sleep as you can. Tomorrow looks to be a busy one", Malcolm advised.

Sir William watched thefive men cleaning up and getting ready to settle in for the night. He had hoped that after they all fell asleep, he could comb through their things to see if there were anything that might help him in his quest. But he was out of luck. The four team members had divided up a watch schedule and neither he nor Thomas were includedin therotation.

Frustrated and unable to do anything about it, he too cleaned up and then laid down for the night. He was the firstone asleep.

Thomas was too worried to sleep. He had to find Alex, he couldn't let her be brought down like an animal. It would be too much for him to bear. He was hoping that they would somehow find a way for her to lead a productive life. She was like the daughter he had never had, and he vowed not to fail her now. He checked his weapon and placed it under his pillow as he laid down, trying to get some rest.

Malcolm had first watch and had every intention of keeping an eye on Sir William, they all did. Now that Thomas was here, he was relieved that killing Alex was no longer an issue. He had had a hard time making that decision; and he wasn't the least bit angry that his order had been revoked. Alex meant more to him than he was willing to admit. He knewshe would never agree to a relationship with him, or any other agent for that matter. But she was special to him and he wanted her back, anyway he could get her.Daniel wasn't the onlyone happy to have the chance to help her. HeknewSterling and Jorge felt the same way. They wantedAgent Douglas back in their fold, Sir William be damned!