Yes. Once again I have snuck on to make you people happy. :-P (No need to thank me.) Sorry about not updating Broken Hearts but my mom has my story (At least the parts I need) plus with the FOUR DAYS WORTH OF HOMEWORK I've been too busy anyways. Fortunately for all of you my mom didn't take this story which was almost half-way written beforehand. So enjoy.

"What a perverted little jerk!" Bell angrily thought as the door shut behind the running security guard. At least torturing him had been something to do. She hopped off the desk and strolled around the room eager to learn any secrets it may hold. The front of the desk caught her eye.

"Hello. What have we here?" She asked herself quietly, staring at the inscription on the front desk.

"En…In." Her mind automatically translated the words when they were said aloud, but saying them correctly was the problem. Slowly, she decoded it.

"In...absentia luci? That was easy…lessee…luki…no, luci…teni?...tenebrae… vinku…dern1…vincu. In absentia luci tenebrae vincu." In the absence of darkness light prevails2. "That's true enough." Bell said aloud. Pride swelled in her chest knowing what she had accomplished but it quickly died down as boredom returned. She was about to continue exploring when she spotted the guards hat on the ground. A playful smile lit on her lips.

Later…
Manning stormed into the lobby to see no one. The most he could see of human life was the guard's poking up from behind the desk.

"So where is this all important person or did I come all this way for no…thing?" The guard had stood up in the middle of his sentence, or at least who should have been the guard. In his place stood a woman, about a head shorter than he was, dress in business-like clothes slipping off the hat. At first he stared but then he quickly pulled himself together.

"I sent your guard home," The woman explained as she walked to the front of the desk. "I hope you don't mind, though you may want to consider hiring someone else." She leaned against the desk, her lips pursing together as Manning blew out a line of smoke.

"So what newspaper are you with?" Manning asked. "Or station…Either way you'll have to schedule an interview." The woman grinned, almost mockingly.

"I'm not a reporter, Mr. Manning. I have a different kind of business in mind." The woman had the kind of look a child gets before performing a nasty trick…crafty, sly.

"You see," she continued "I'm going to be in town for the next few days. Unfortunately I seem to be a little low on cash." Eyes remained fixed on Manning, staring hungrily. Chewing his cigar nervously, He wished she would stop.

"So? What's your point?" He snapped keeping his voice stern despite the strange quivering fear running through him. The kind an animal gets when it senses its being hunted.

"My point is that I need a place to stay and food to eat. This place obviously has a big government budget. There's also the fact that I certain…talents that you will need. I suggest we make a little arrangement." Manning nearly dropped his cigar at this.

"This isn't some kind of hotel. If you're broke that's not our problem. Go find some place else to stay." As he ranted he acted as though he was casually strolling around the woman to the front desk. The stranger just followed him with her golden eyes, her expression unchanging. Manning slumped down into the swivel chair behind the desk as if that was his whole intent while his mind screaming to do what he needed to do. Under the desk his hand slowly crept, reaching for the switch that would end it for this strange woman…slowly…carefully.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Her eyes twinkled with smug triumph.

Manning, slightly stunned, unintentionally dropped the act.

"Hm? What?" He sputtered. The woman smiled maliciously.

"Wondering how I did that?" She asked in a soft, venomous voice. "I'm not stupid. That was one of the first things I checked for. Besides even if I hadn't known, you're a terrible actor."

This time she had injured his pride. His cheeks flushed, Manning flicked switch, alerting security. Haughtily he straightened his tie and took another puff from his cigar.

"Now we'll see just how eager you are to stay," He jeered before taking yet another puff. The woman's face remained stony as she stood up, straight and tall.

"Sir, soon you will see just how useful I could be to your…organization." Bell could already hear the footstep of what HE thought was her imminent defeat. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed together irritably.

"We'll see" she whispered as the doors burst open.3

1: That's my way of saying darn. It's fun being odd.

2: I love quotes too did I mention that. WooHoo!

3: I have no idea what doors. They're just doors.

I enjoyed making Tom Manning the stuck-up a-hole that he was. I hated him in the movie…except for the part with the gears and Kronen. That was funny! Heehee! One more thing: Yes, the woman is/was Bell. Don't ask. That'll just spoil the surprise. All your questions will be answered later. Also, thanks for all the encouragement! You guys are right, I probably right about not needing info from the comic but I'm anal about things being accurate like that. I hate it when stories screw up facts because I learn a lot of random useless stuff from stories and I like it to be correct useless stuff.

I have just one thing left to say: dances around in circles, singing Two more weeks of scho-ol! Two more week of scho-ol!