A/N:  I'm on a role now.  I've got 4 chapters written! Give me a few days and I'll have them all up.

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Chapter twenty-two: Too Close For Comfort

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'Because I am dumb.  I am so damn dumb that it would take ten acts of divine providence to raise me to the level of blissful ignorance SIR!'

-Jace (Female Trouble)

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'Straight up, what did you hope to learn about here

If I were someone else, would this all fall apart

Strange, where were you, when we started this gig

I wish the real world, would just stop hassling me'

-Matchbox Twenty (Real World)

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Erin looked at Alec, panic on her face as she heard the tow men make their way up the stairs.  Alec had gone into soldier mode and grabbed her arm in an almost bruising grip.  There was no way they could both climb out of the window in time.  Erin realised just what he was about to do before he shoved her into the open closet and shut the door behind them.  They heard the office door open and Normal and White walk in.

The closet was tiny from what she could tell with the boxes and shelving digging into her back.  Alec's back was pressed right up against the door and they were pressed up against each other, Alec's arms around her waist.  You'd think fate was trying to tell them something. 'Either way' Erin thought later, 'it wasn't a bad experience.'

Erin could barely see anything because Alec was blocking the light from the slats in the door.  Erin hated the dark.  The guys that had hurt her had kept her in a room without windows or any source of light.  So normally, Erin would be freaking out right about now but it was extremely difficult to focus when she had a very live and breathing Alec holding her, his breath on his face.  She could just see his face as he focused on something behind her while listening to Normal and White outside the door.  'Oh yeah' Erin mentally smacked her forehead 'White's outside the door.  How could I forget that?' She looked at Alec again 'Easily.'

"Why would I have seen this girl?" Normal seemed frustrated.  "I've told you people a thousand times! I now check every employee's neck to make sure they're normal.  What more can I do?"

"You seem to have a knack fro employing freaks Mr Ronald." White drawled calmly "Why… one might say you enjoy their company."

"I don't like the way this conversation is headed Agent White" the shuffling of papers "Now, I have a business to run.  If I do see her- what did you say her name was again?"

"She answers to Erin" White sounded irritated "She's approximately 18 years old but she looks younger… If you see her, I'd advise you to call this number immediately and try not to approach her.  Like all freaks- she's extremely dangerous."

They heard the door slam and footsteps down the stairs.

"You can come out now" Normal's voice made Erin jump "I know you're in there.  I always keep that closet door open."

Alec gave Erin a lop-sided grin before opening the door and pulling Erin out with him.

Normal lowered the baseball bat he'd been holding, a look of awe on his face.  "My Golden boy has returned."

"Hey Normal.  Decided to come for a visit" Alec lied as he moved to stand slightly behind Erin as Normal moved to hug him.

Normal's gaze ticked to Erin and he frowned slightly "You're the girl Agent White's after."

"We heard" Alec said quietly, "has he told you why he wants her?"

"No" Normal walked over to a desk covered in papers and handed him one of the papers.  On it was what looked like a photo fit version of Erin.  It looked almost exactly like her.  "That's the second time this week he's been around looking for her.  One of his guys comes in at least once a week asking to see if she's been here."

Normal looked Erin up and down "Those scientists sure know how to make you guys pretty."

Erin opened her mouth to tell him she wasn't a transgenic but Alec stopped her.  "Yeah, well we had to be."  He folded the piece of paper up and stuck it in a pocket.  "Erin doesn't talk much" he shrugged with a wink "but she can sure pack a punch.  Anyways, how are things here? White isn't hasslin' ya too much is he?"

"Not really- he stops in now and again to bug us like you just heard and business is a bit slow but everything's okay."

Normal looked Alec up and down "Are you okay? Everything alright at Terminal City? You eating enough?"

"Normal, I'm fine.  We're all fine.  Actually, Erin and I should be getting back so…"  Alec and Erin moved towards the window.

"Wait! Stop!" Normal had a slightly nervous look on his face as they turned around.  Or maybe it was embarrassment?  "Um…you… uh.., can you tell me about the baby? You know, the one I, um, helped deliver?"

Alec grinned "Oh, Gem's baby? Hope's fine."

"Hope?" Normal smiled slightly "A fitting name."

Alec smiled back as he climbed out of the window "We thought so too.  When this is over, we'll get Gem to come and visit."  "Yeah" Normal agreed "That'd be great…"  But they were already gone.

Next chapter: Question Of Trust…

"She tossed me over her shoulder like I was nothing!" Logan protested.  Alec snorted "You ARE nothing!..."

A/N: Tramps-Like-Us:  Update, update, update! Sorry.  More action comin' up soon, new arrivals, more mysterious White action, add a couple of weird dreams and hey presto- an actual plot!

Messymissy: Sorry to disappoint ya dude, but there's so much that has to happen in this story.  Besides, very little White action equals mysterious and evil plot afoot.  *blinks*did I just say afoot?

MaxCat452: Glad you like the story

Sara: Yep, this story is gonna go all angsty soon.

Moonlight: Doncha just love those Alec visuals?  I'm trying to think of a way to get him nekkid…

Elin: Yeah, more Erin/Alec moments are gonna come.

Fallinorange: Our snows all gone now *looks disappointed* Now it's just rain.