1A/N: Okay, um . . . yeah, thirty-third chapter. Officially my longest story . . . but I think I've already said that. Oh, never mind – I just suck at author's notes. Just a warning though: I think this chapter is going to be long . . .
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Accessing Information
0312
CIA Headquarters Parking lot
Clay's POV
"Everyone know the plan?" I asked, as I rolled up the blueprint of Headquarters and stuffed it underneath one of the van seats. Tension hung in the air as I looked at everyone's faces, stony silence suffocating us all.
"Clear," Harm said strongly and everyone nodded in agreement. Everyone had to be clear on it . . . there was no room, no time for screw ups.
"Okay," I breathed and turned to The Kid who had folded out his laptop, already accessing the USB I'd brought for him. "Teddy, everything secure?"
"Map out, locators in place," he replied, his fingers whirling over the keys as a blueprint identical to the one I'd just folded up appeared on the screen, with seven beeping red dots all hovering in one spot in the parking lot – our van. "We're ready to roll."
"Okay, Shapiro – move out," I ordered and Tony obediently ducked out of the van, taking cover behind the bushes at the main gate, his earpiece discretely attached and his mini-microphone on the roof of his mouth. He gave the thumbs up signal.
"Alright, Admiral – Sturgis, front entrance," I ordered, leaning over to check The Kid's screen – Shapiro's marking correctly in place. "You know the drill. Wait for the heads up from Teddy before going in though."
Both the Admiral and Sturgis nodded, opening up the door to the van but looping around the other side of the parking lot towards the main entrance – the visiting entrance. Now it was only me, Jake, Harm, and the Kid left in the van. I turned to Jake, "your turn."
Jake nodded seriously and opened up the door, setting off in the opposite direction of the Admiral. He was heading to entrance number 2 – Special Ops branch. Hopefully Kovac had not yet nullified his SO ID . . . or there would be trouble. I turned around to Harm who sat in his seat at the back, staring at me with his bright blue eyes, his face unmoving. "Stay here at ALL COST," I ordered authoritatively. "Do you understand me?"
For a second, a flash of defiance overtook Harm's eyes but was almost instantly dampened by other issues. "I got it."
"Good," I replied briskly, opening up the door. "Wish me luck."
"Don't screw up."
I laughed hollowly. "Thanks." I turned back to Teddy, who had his ear piece on, his fingers zooming across the keys. "Remember, Ted - communication at all costs. When I say the word, ditch all com to me. To anyone who says the word. Are we clear?"
"Red you loud and clear," Teddy muttered, his eyes not meeting Clay's. "Now, if you want to keep to your schedule, I suggest you get moving."
"Yeah," I replied, my eyes darting to Harm's for a second. "Take care, you two," I said before disappearing through the gate.
Same Time
CIA Headquarters
No one's POV
The Admiral strolled up to the front gate, his eyes dark and serious, his body gliding confidently up to the Visitor's Gate. "Hello," he said when met with the security guard. "I'm Admiral AJ Chegwidden of the Judge Advocate General Corp. Now, it's a matter of extreme importance that I speak at once with your director, Agent Charles Kovac. Please inform him of my presence."
"Proof of identification," the guard barked. He cast a shifty glance at Sturgis. "And who's he?"
"I, sir, am Commander Sturgis Turner, also of the Judge Advocate General Corp," Sturgis replied coldly. "I am here as assistance to my commanding officer. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not if you've got an ID," the security guard, his tag reading Tom, replied. "Then I'll ring up the boss for you."
"Please, this is URGENT," the Admiral replied, a threatening edge overtaking his voice. "Call your boss, he knows who I am."
"Can't let you in without an ID," Tom replied with a bored voice. "And the boss is busy, I ain't gonna be the one to disturb him if I don't know who you are. So, you got the IDs or what?"
The Admiral flipped open his wallet, taking out several different cards and proofs of identification, Sturgis following likewise. "Now, will you please call your boss?"
Tom picked up the cards, scanning them into his computer before nodding with satisfaction. "Sure thing, you wait right here."
"Not much else we can do," the Admiral replied, shifting from one leg to another as Tom left his seat at the guarding booth to go to the phone, and in that moment of isolation, he rubbed his tongue against his microphone. "He's ringing Kovac."
From inside the van Teddy picked up on the Admiral's message, turning on his communicator to Jake's. "Guard's ringing Kovac. Go."
Jake nodded in assent from his position in front of the Special Ops wing. "Thanks, Teddy. Keep an eye out."
"Sure thing," Teddy retorted, blowing up the blue print as the labeled red dots scattered across the map.
"What do we do now?" Harm asked from the back seat.
Teddy leaned back, putting his feet up on the dash board. "We wait."
Same Time
Special Ops Entrance to Headquarters
Jake's POV
"Hey, Midge," I greeted briefly, walking quickly up to the entrance booth. "Long time no see."
"Yes," Midge Hilton batted her dark eyelashes up at me, smiling seductively as she did so. "Just months, Jakey. Where have you been hiding?"
"Italy for a while," I replied evenly. "Venice is nice this time of year. So, will you let me in or what?"
Midge sighed, "You know the drill, Jake. SO card."
I grinned handsomely, handing Midge what I hoped to be a currently active SO card. "Sorry, I must have been momentarily blown away by your beauty."
"Aw," Midge smiles, giggling girlishly. "Such a sweetie, aren't you?"
"Anything for you, babe," I grinned back, leaning against the wall.
Midge slapped her keyboard, her eyes locked on the screen. "Hmm . . ."
I straightened a little, my fears turning for the worse. "Anything wrong, Midge darling?"
Midge frowned. "Yes . . . a little complication with your card."
"Oh, is that all?" I asked, sighing in what I hoped to be a relieved tone. "Must have been because I've been away so long. Not checking in regularly." I flashed her my million dollar smile. "You know my sense of timing."
"That I do," Midge replied flirtatiously. "But I've got to go check this in with Tom at the desk."
My breath caught in my throat, sweat collecting on the palms of my hands as I watched Midge pick up the telephone receiver, dialing the entrance number, and pausing as it began to ring. "Hmm . . ." she said, setting the phone down after several seconds. "I'm sorry, Jake, Tom's not there."
"Aw, but Midge I'm really pressed for time," I said, a whine creeping into my voice. "And I swear that as soon as I get in I'll check in with the SO managers and get my card all checked up. Please?" I begged, grinning handsomely as I did so. "You know me, Midge. It's all right."
Midge rolled her eyes. "Alright, honey, but just for you," she said, pressing her inner button to open the door. "But only this one time, capiche?"
"Yes, ma'am," I heartily saluted, as I swung open the glass door to the Special Ops wing, entering the nearly empty corridor. Inside my mouth, I lifted my tongue, brushing over the microphone that connected me to Teddy. "I'm in."
Same Time
Parking Lot Entrance
Clay's POV
"Jake's in." Teddy's voice crackled in my ear. "Move, Webb."
"Thanks," I replied shortly, running my tongue over the microphone. Swinging my briefcase business like over my shoulder, I wrapped on the Parking Lot glass door and waited until one of the usual attendees - Janice Walker appeared at the window, her mouth chomping upon a large was of gum and her face heavily made up as usual.
"Clay!" she squealed. "What are you doing coming in on a Saturday?"
"You know me," I replied in a bored tone. "Work never rests and neither do I."
Out of the corner of my eye I can see Tony's slight thin body scaling the wall in the corner, ducking behind one of the edges as Janice leans through the square opening in the center of her glass booth, taking a look around to make sure I'm alone.
"You know the drill, Clay. ID."
"Here you go," I replied courteously, flashing my card quickly.
"How long are you staying for?" Janice asked, pulling out one of the admittance forms and printing my name on the top along with my eight digit ID number which she knew off by heart due to how many times I've come through this entrance.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Not even fifteen minutes. I want to get a few files off my computer, that's all. Idiot I am, forgetting them here." I laughed ironically. "Working from home's so much easier these days."
"I'll be," Janice agreed. "Just let me wire in your card to the computer mainframe and . . . um, sorry, Clay . . . there seems to be some sort of weird block on yours . . ."
I bit back my mounting nervousness. "Must have forgot to renew it . . ."
"No, that can't be it," Janice replied, shaking her head. "You were in here just three days ago, that would have been entered into our database – which it was. I'm sorry, Clay, there's a ban on your ID and I need to check this out before –"
I could see Shapiro's shadow, crouching below the glass booth, his eyes darting up to me waiting for confirmation. I watched as Janice's fingers zoomed across the keyboard, her glasses reflecting the screen monitor. And then I saw it, the light in her eyes flash. She knew.
"Now!" I whisper shouted and Shapiro leapt up from his stalking place at the wall, his wiry thin frame plugging into the small square opening in the glass booth. His arms stretched out, knocking Janice down with a blow to the head while pressing the Entrance button down and opening the Parking lot glass door. I pulled him back out from the glass where his upper body only just fit.
"Good work," I whispered to Shapiro as I opened the door for him and myself, Shapiro steering himself off to Janice's booth where he promptly pulled out his masking tape roll, winking at me as he did so.
"See you in a few minutes," he whispered, throwing the door shut behind him – the following 'click' confirming his locking the door as he undoubtedly taped Janice up to her chair while he worked the admissions booth.
Running my tongue along the roof of my mouth, I whispered hoarsely, "We're in."
"Confirmation," Teddy barked in my ear. And then, turning on everyone's mike, he said hollowly, "All systems go."
Same Time
Mac and Jake's Apartment
Mac's POV
"He's beautiful, Mac," Vera whispered to me as Hunter's eyes drooped dangerously low, her arms cradling my sleepy son as we sat watching old movies on the apartment couch. "I know I've said this already, but he looks so much like you . . . barely any Harm."
"Except for the eyes," I grinned, stroking Hunter's cheek as he sucked on his lower lip – always a sign he was falling asleep. "They boy's definitely got Harm's eyes."
"Yeah," Vera murmured, as she tipped Hunter back into his crib and we both watched him roll over drowsily, wiggling into a comfortable position. "I wonder if . . ." she broke off, turning away. "Never mind."
My eyes fell upon Vera. "Do you . . . know yet?"
Vera bit her lower lip, shaking her head at the same time. "I don't know how to . . ." her eyes flashed pleadingly. "You know . . . how to find out."
I shrugged my shoulders. "I suppose you would just buy a home pregnancy test."
"I know, I know," Vera replied wearily, leaning back on the couch. "I went to a drug store the other day, just checking around the isle." She throws up her hands. "Do you know how many kinds there are? How the hell am I supposed to pick? I mean, come on!" She sighed heavily. "Which brand did you take?"
"I didn't take one," I replied slowly. "The doctor told me."
"I don't want to go to a doctor," Vera moaned. "It'll go on my record if I do."
"Vera, you're not in the CIA anymore," I reminded her cautiously, well aware this was a hot button topic at the moment. "They won't check up any more. And besides," my eyes met hers. "This is the perfect weekend to do it . . . Clay and Jake are out."
"Yeah, where did they say they were going, anyway?" Vera suddenly asked, changing the subject rapidly. "Clay told me they were taking Harm out for a little poker . . . obviously no where public, he can't be seen. But they weren't at the house when I left."
"And Jake's already gone . . ." I trailed, but then shook my head. "Stop changing the subject. Now, I want you to go out and buy a test."
Vera's dark eyes looked pleadingly at me, as she opened her purse and pulled out a small cardboard box. "I bought one earlier this afternoon . . . I just picked the first brand I saw, I couldn't choose." She looked down worriedly at the box and then back up at me. "Should I take it?"
"Better do it now than later," I said comfortingly. "Don't worry about this, Vera, children are a blessing."
"Is that what you thought when you found out about Hunter?" she asked me, taking a long look at my sleeping son. "Were you . . . happy?"
I smiled slightly as my mind flickered back to that moment. "Well, to be honest, I was more shocked than anything . . . I'd honestly never expected," I shook my head. "But as soon as it really sunk in – when the idea got under my skin, I was both overjoyed and saddened. Happy for my little miracle, and sad that Harm couldn't join in with my excitement."
"But can you honestly imagine me with a kid?" Vera asked, her tone edging on that of the uncertain. "I mean, I work all the time. So does Clay . . . how could we ever manage? Besides," Vera said, tinges of red seeping into her skin, "we travel A LOT. How will we be able to work out anything? I mean, let's be practical," Vera said, shaking her head. "This kid will be better off not coming into this world at all."
"Don't say that," I whispered soothingly. "I know you and I know Clay . . . and you two could be great parents. You're caring, and you're sturdy, and most of all – you're reliable. And that's everything that good parents are."
"Oh, I don't know, Mac . . ." Vera trailed almost frantically. "Besides, how am I supposed to tell Clay?"
"Well, at the moment you don't have anything to tell Clay," I said, practicality overtaking my tone. "Not until you take that test. Now, the bathroom's down the hall . . . please, Vera." My eyes connect with hers. "You should know . . ."
Vera turned away. "I know . . ." she sucked in her breath. "Okay, here goes . . ."
"Good luck," I wished her, as I took over the couch, Vera's form retreating into the bathroom. My eyes fell upon my sleeping son, who sucked on his fingers as he slept. Reaching down I stroked his dark haired head, smiling as he rolled over towards my hand, grabbing onto one of my fingers as well. "You're my beautiful baby boy," I whispered emotionally. "And I love you very much."
Time seemed to stand still, and then Vera came out, holding a covered tray, her skin looking unhealthily pale, her auburn hair standing out fiercely against her complexion. "Okay . . ." she whispered shakily. "Three minutes . . . I can wait three minutes . . . I can wait three minutes." She flashed me a panicked look. "Can I wait three minutes?"
"Breathe in and out," I said soothingly, "It's going to be alright . . . either way."
"Oh, what am I going to do with a kid, Mac?" Vera's thoroughly frantic now. "What am I going to do?" She fell down onto the couch, her head resting in her hands.
I sighed heavily. "I don't know what you're going to do with a baby, Vera. I don't know what's going to happen, if you're even pregnant . . ." I smiled as I sat down next to her. "But one thing I do know is that if you are pregnant, your child will enter this world with not just one set of parents, but many. Clay will love him or her to death, you know he will. Same goes for you . . ." I smiled waterily. "And I know one man who will very much love to be godfather."
Vera smiled, tucking a dark strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "Jake . . ." she breathed. "Jake would make such a good father."
I nodded along with her. "That he would."
Vera smiled almost to herself, her eyes far away. "In some ways I think he might even be more prepared than me . . ." Vera shrugged. "Did I ever tell you about the first time I met Jake?"
I shook my head. "No . . . how did you meet?"
Vera leaned back against the couch. "I was twenty three . . . it was my first field operation." Vera smirked. "I was scared stiff. We were out in the middle of the desert, trying to bust an arms dealer – Ajay Kunal, dealing with illegal weapons." Vera shivered slightly. "I had to go in to . . . pass off as one of his servants, while secretly gathering information. I was shaken as hell." Vera rubbed her arms. "And I was going to back out, I really was . . . and then he came in. I hadn't met Jake before . . . but I can remember thinking how damn striking he was. Back then he had this kind of . . . golden colored hair," Vera said, a far away look in her eyes. "Did you know he dyes it now?"
"Really?" I asked in interest. "I didn't know that . . ." I grinned. "So he's a natural blonde?"
Vera shrugged. "More of a . . . dirty blonde. Yeah, that's it."
I smiled. "Go on."
Vera sighed. "I was repeating to myself that there was no way on EARTH I was going to go through with this . . . and I guess Jake heard me while he was passing by my tent – we were camping out in the desert. And he just came on in, looked me in the eye, and grinned at me – the way he always does. And said . . ."
Flashback
"Your first mission?"
I nodded at the stranger who had suddenly taken appearance in my room. Desert sunlight shafted in through the clear plastic lining across the side of my tent, lighting his short and slightly windblown hair as he nodded at me understandingly.
"You've got nothing to worry about . . . pre-mission jitters are normal for newcomers. You've just got to keep in mind two things and you'll be fine, guaranteed," he said, nodding at me. "First – the goal. Always remember your mission. It's your target, it's what you strive for – what you breathe day and night. However long it takes, however short it takes – this is what you see. Always keep your head in the game." His friendly eyes flashed at me. "Second – remember the outcome. After this mission you get to go home . . . back to your family, your friends, back to your life. If nothing else motivates you more remember all that you're leaving for the greater good. Remember how much you're affecting people with your actions, how much this matters. Never lose sight of the importance of your mission or yourself. Nothing's worth more." He stared at me, "am I clear?"
"Yes, sir," I replied rather stiffly.
The man grinned at me. "Please, no sir . . . that makes me feel old." He extended a hand to me. "I'm Special Agent Jacob Holter . . . but you can call me Jake."
"Special Agent Vera Azhad," I replied, shaking his hand. "But you can call me just Vera."
Jake grinned at me. "You're awful young to be an Agent, aren't you?"
I smiled pointedly at him. "You're not so old yourself."
Jake shrugged his shoulders in rebuttal. "I like to think myself ahead of the game."
"What game?"
Jake rolled his eyes. "It's a metaphor, youngling. The game . . ." He stared at me as I failed to comprehend. "The game of life." I still stare at him. "Honestly, girl, you've never played the board game Life?"
"I don't play board games," I whispered shrugging my shoulders. "Never had one."
Jake stared at me through shifty blue eyes. "Well, I'll tell you what. You complete you mission, and if I'm still around when you get back – we'll play Life." I stared at him through questioning dark eyes. Jake laughed, "I promise I won't bite . . ." He grinned, "come on, it'll be a lot of fun."
"Um . . . okay," I said, consenting with a shrug. "If you're around when I get back."
Jake nodded. "And if not," he said, as he opened up the flap to my tent. "I'll look you up at the next chance I get." He grinned back at me as he slipped through the opening. "Good luck, Special Agent Vera Azhad."
And the smile on my face did not fade for a while after he had left, even when my first mission approached perilously close . . .
End Flashback
"I don't know," Vera shrugged. "He was just so . . . different."
"I know what you mean," I smiled, thinking back to the first time I met Harm. "The good ones always are."
Vera grinned back. "Not that Clay's what you'd call normal."
"Oh, Clay in no way defines that category," I laughed, as I watched Hunter roll over in his crib. "And despite all those . . . hidden layers, Clay's a pretty good guy too."
Vera smiled almost sadly to herself. "Yeah . . . I lucked out."
"Then how come you don't look as if you think you're so lucky, at the moment?" I asked, my eyes falling against Vera's curled figure.
Vera shook her head. "Clay's . . . Clay's wonderful. In so many ways he reminds me of myself. He's daring, and courageous, and he annoys me to death," Vera grinned. "But, he's just so . . . I don't know. He's got the X factor." I nodded, knowing what she meant. "And then there's Jake who's been . . . everything to me. He was like . . . a brother, the first time I met him. And then, my best friend . . . and then we progressed to something more . . . split apart due to work, and now we're back to being really good friends."
I feel torn for Jake, but at the same time sympathizing with Vera. "And you're sure there could never be anything more?"
Vera throws up her hands in defeat. "Who knows? I love Jake to death – he's like . . . my savior. No matter where I am, what's happening, what twists and turns life's thrown at me, he's always there to pick me right up. But . . . do I love him in the same way I love Clay? I don't know . . ." Vera bit her lower lip. "I used to . . . I know that. God, never mind liking Clay, I used to downright DETEST the man." She rolled her eyes. "But Jake . . . he's always been different. I don't know what I'd do without him."
I nodded, smiling. "Maybe sometimes you've just got to try and . . ."
Rrrriiiinnngg.
I'm cut off by the shrill ring of the three minute timer. I send Vera a soothing look which almost instantly melts against her one of sheer panic and terror. Hand shaking, Vera slowly lifted the cover from the little dish, and I could only watch as all remaining color drained out of her face . . .
Same Time
CIA Headquarters
Jake's POV
"Which hall?" I muttered to Teddy as I steered sharply around the corner, trying to look relaxed as my heart hammered wildly within my chest. "This or the next one?"
"Next," Teddy's voice rings in my ears. "Coming up on your left . . ."
"Gotcha," I whispered more to myself than Teddy as I turned to my left, walking briskly and with meaning. "Which door?"
"Third to your right."
I turned and casually opened the door, taking a look around before slipping in. It was a computer room, equipped with a large wall screen monitor and several pieces of machinery whose purposes were not within my area of knowledge. Nonetheless I hastened to the computer in the corner, slipping in my USB into the appropriate port, and booting it up efficiently. Nervously, I tapped my fingers on the table, as my eyes darted around the room. At any moment they could be coming . . .
At any moment . . .
Same Time
CIA Headquarters
Clay's POV
"Yes, turn to your left . . . almost immediately followed by a turn to your right . . ."
"I know my way to the filing room, White," I replied through gritted teeth as I passed by some agents on their way to the conference room. I nodded in brief recognition to them as we passed. "Isn't there someone else that needs your help?"
"The Commander and the Admiral are on their way to Kovac's office, Jake's inside computer database room, Shapiro's still in the Parking lot entrance booth. You're the only one on the move."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't get me wrong, Teddy – as much as I appreciate your rapt attention, it's really unwarranted. Just tell me when Jake's out."
"No, prob, Boss."
I swerved down another corridor, ducking by Catherine Gale's office, praying to god she was not in the room. I quickened my pace as I exited the main hallway and into the filing wing. "Which room is it again?"
"I thought you didn't need my help," Teddy pointed out cheekily.
"White, I'm warning you . . ."
"Second to your right."
I flung open the door, ducking in and shutting it quickly behind me. Slowly, I paused to catch my breath and to ease my hammering heart. Turning around, I am suddenly assaulted by the vision before me. "Holy crap . . ."
"What is it?" Teddy's voice says in my ear.
"White, there are hundreds of filing cabinets!" I practically screamed at him, while trying and failing to keep my voice down. "How am I supposed to know which one's on Abbas?"
"I don't know . . ." Teddy says pathetically. "Start at the beginning . . . hopefully it goes in alphabetical order."
"Fat load of help you are."
"Oh, sorry, Webb – in coming message . . . get reading."
"Damn you," I said but my message was obviously not received as the mike cut off while Teddy was given another message. I sighed heavily, my eyes scanning the tall stacked filing cabinets, each marked with letters and dates and numbers.
"Lord, help me . . ." I muttered, as I opened the first one.
Same Time
CIA Headquarters
Admiral's POV
"Admiral Chegwidden." I watch as Charles Kovac's eyebrow cocks up. "Why this is indeed a surprise."
I smile politely at him. "A situation has been brought to my attention very recently, and it warrants a confrontation." I sighed characteristically, leaning back in the couch and motioning to Sturgis beside me. "This is Commander Turner, one of my senior officers."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," Sturgis said stiffly.
Kovac smiled in return. "Well, to what situation do I owe this pleasure?"
"Funding," I sighed.
Kovac's eyebrow shot up. "You came all this way for funding?"
I shrugged. "The office isn't busy . . . and it's not just any kind of funding. Over the years, the amounts that YOUR office has cost the Judge Advocate General Corp is in its THOUSANDS. We need that money, Agent Kovac."
Kovac was silent for a long moment and then, "Rabb cost you more than that. You kept him around."
"But he's not around any more," I challenged coolly. "Yet your office still is."
Kovac smiled coldly. "Let's get to the point, Admiral. Right here, right now. What do you want from me?"
I felt Sturgis tense beside me but one glare from my eyes had him back down. I turned back to Kovac. "I want repayment."
Kovac is incredulous. "After all these years? AJ," his voice took on reasonability. "A lot of it wasn't our fault."
"But most of it was," I finished.
Kovac stared at me. "Why don't you tell me why you need this money so badly, AJ, that you're willing to pull flimsy excuses out of the air to gain it?"
I leaned forward. "Commander Rabb is dead since fifteen months, Colonel Mackenzie is on maternity leave, I can only stretch the Robertses' use so far, and Turner here is taking the majority of high priority cases. I can't afford to let the juniors take them, I'm praying on Tiner returning to me, I need the money. I am severely understaffed."
Kovac looked at me for one long drawn out second and then. "Alright, let's talk amounts . . ."
Same Time
Same Place
Jake's POV
"What specifically are we looking for?" I asked, as the computer scanned through old cold cases and recently added files.
"Anything that mentions Abbas in it."
"That could take forever!" I exclaimed impatiently. "And Abbas is a common name."
"That's why you have a USB . . . store everything."
"Pictures?"
"Most certainly pictures . . . that would be very helpful."
I slapped my hands across the keys as I sifted through files. "They've got some stuff from Interpol."
"Put it on."
I dragged it to the disk drive. "Anything else? I've got all federal info."
"Yes, Agent Webb had one more thing . . ." there was the sound of shifting paper and then, "a blueprint of Ballando il Teatro dell'opera Leggero. Dancing Light Opera House."
"Why do we need that?"
"Ask questions later."
I sighed heavily as the verbal wrath of the nineteen year old bore down upon me. "Yes, sir."
Same Time
Same Place
Clay's POV
"I've got it!" I practically shouted into the mouth microphone. "Confiscated items . . . signed reports . . . identification of handwriting, even."
"Brilliant," Teddy's voice cracked. "Jake's stored all the files onto the USB – at the moment he's searching the Opera House blue print."
"Good," I murmured. "But I've got one problem."
"What?"
I sighed heavily. "The Abbas file . . . it's one whole cabinet drawer."
"You're kidding me!"
"'Fraid not," I muttered. "Okay, if Jake's got the files tell everyone to pull out."
"Pulling out," Teddy's voice murmured in my ear. "Everyone, take your rout."
Same Time
Same Place
No one's POV
"Um, I'm sorry, you're going to have to hold on for one minute, Admiral," Kovac said as his office phone began to ring. "Um . . . sorry, yes, Tom? Clayton Webb? Why, no . . . he's not here. Admiral Chegwidden . . . yes, I know that . . . Jake Holter? I'll be right down, Tom." Kovac straightened himself. "I do believe our mutual friend has decided to make an unwanted appearance."
Kovac's hand moved for the door, but then –
"But we're still talking funding!" the Admiral said, leaping out of his chair. "And I'm really pressed for time – either this conversation happens now or not at all."
"Well, AJ, I'm running an office here," Kovac argued back. "I don't have time to talk about funding when it's absolutely MAYHEM downstairs with unchecked agents running around the office. Can we please reschedule?"
"Everyone, take your rout," Teddy's voice boomed in the Admiral's and Sturgis's ears.
"Uh, maybe that would be a good idea," the Admiral said. "Turner and I will be leaving shortly, so why don't we check in at your admission's office for you? Save you the trouble."
"Oh really, it's no trouble, AJ," Kovac said stubbornly, walking out into the hall. "I'll escort you to your car."
"But, Agent Kovac –"
"Not a word against it, AJ," Kovac ignored the Admiral as he walked down the filing hall. "I'm a hands on kind of guy – just like you. I like to deal with my company's inner workings, and it's not fair to you to expect to have to – WEBB!"
Clayton Webb turned around, casting one alarmed look at Kovac, swung his arms forward – holding a whole cabinet drawer – collided the heavy metal contained with the side of Kovac's head. Kovac collapsed into a heap on the ground. And then –
"Run!" Webb screamed.
The Admiral, Sturgis, and Clay pelted down the filing hall, Clay's hand extending the heavy metal cabinet drawer, the Admiral swinging his briefcase, and Sturgis struggling to keep up. Clay raced down the right side of the corridor and then – a door swung right open in front of him, knocking Clay off his feet and onto the ground. Pain.
"Clay?" a voice echoed.
"Holter?" the Admiral glared.
A pounding of footsteps behind them.
The Admiral leaped down and seized one of Clay's arms, pulling him beside him as they raced through the halls, Sturgis obediently seizing the heavy metal drawer while he kept beside them. They ran down the corridor, diving through people and swerving against the corners.
"Almost there," Jake muttered through gritted teeth as the parking lot entrance loomed. "Hit it, Tony!"
From inside the admissions cage Shapiro pounded the entrance button as two ex-CIA Agents, one Navy Commander and the JAG soared through the open door and into the black van that was waiting outside. Footsteps pounded along the hallways – security guards. Shapiro slammed his fist down against the lock button, trapping them inside the building – as he grinned at them through the glass admission's window. "See ya!"
And he wiggled out through the small glass square on the exterior of the cage.
A/N: okay, well – as warned, this was a long chapter. I would have posted last night except I was only seven pages through at that point and could not stop. In fact, I would have gone on longer – except for the fact then I might never stop!
Apologies to Strawberry Kittens – if I'd included all I wanted to in this chapter, it would have gone on FOREVER so everything that I said was going to happen will in the next chapter – and it'll be longer then so you'll probably like it more, instead of something rushed here at the end.
Lauren: well, here's the next chapter for you! I would have posted yesterday . . . except it went on too long! LOL, I think this is my first time ever NOT posting at like two in the morning . . . heh heh, first time for everything, I guess.
Rainydays502: um, thanks – and I also thank you for your name suggestion. Brilliant.
Starryeyes10: thanks
Syraë: omg, I am totally worshipping you . . . you read Full Throttle in TWO DAYS! That's like . . . wow, seriously . . . I can't do that and I love to read – and I wrote this! You're good. Honestly, I can't imagine myself sitting down to a thirty chapter story and just non-stop reading. I think my eyes would start to hurt. LOL – and that's over two hundred pages! Sorry, again . . . still in awe.
Toplesslemon: heh heh, you're sounding like me! Brilliant's one of my favorite words . . . I use it a lot. Omg, it was soooo hard picking out Hunter's name. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done really. I didn't plan on the whole Initials thing until the name Hunter was actually suggested. Yeah, it was suggested by a reviewer and as soon as I read the name I was like, "Hunter Rabb . . . Hunter Mackenzie . . . works both ways. Cool." And then with the initials thing . . . I had to flip a coin for the middle name. And the gender, actually . . . lol, I can't decide anything. I do it all the DPB way.
Froggy0319: I know, I was actually BROKENHEARTED when he died off Desperate Housewives! I was like . . . "He did twice on JAG – only the best TV show on the UNIVERSE, came onto a new hit Television series, and croaks on that . . . he has no luck." And before he got all . . . Mac-y, I didn't mind him on JAG. In fact, I used to cheer when he came on the screen cuz I knew I was in for an episode of action (can you tell by this chapter I love action?). But every episode after the ninth season . . . I like spat on the screen when he came on.
Sugar230: lol, thanks – encouragement always appreciated!
Bail's Other Daughter: thanks . . . lol, the initials were just a bit of luck on my part though. Harm's and Mac's last names worked out. I'm just too lucky.
Daisymh: thanks, and I hope you liked this EXTEMELY long chapter!
Vhosek malacath: lol, still didn't say whether Vera was pregnant or not . . . I'm prolonging it, I know. But you'll find out in the next chapter. There was so much I wanted to fit in this chapter, but then it would have been REALLY long.
Radiorox: alright, now – let's define a BAD review. You got one that relieved the entire HM history . . . that's annoying so I'm willing to count it as bad. But do we get to count the review I recieved yesterday of 'I hate to burst your bubble but –' and then they correct me on something? (P.S: same reviewer as your HM history one)
Dansingwolf: I'm glad I didn't him/her Cassidy too . . . Hunter's such a cool name. I love generic names . . .not that Cassidy's not generic except . . . I don't know. Again, Hunter's cool. Heh heh, we are very much alike, aren't we? I love to debate. Whenever I come out of a debate, I have just this . . . thrill with me, that I only get when I'm really into my writing – it just makes me totally pumped. I get excited over the weirdest things. I was in this debate tournament a few weeks ago – youngest one there by a mile, btw – and one for first place. I was completely shocked because it was my first time ever in a tournament. I don't have any debating program at my school, so I try and do it all in the summer. You're so lucky . . . you could win a trip to Milan and I won a little glass trophy with my name printed on a piece of tape stuck to it's shiny surface (oh yes, and misspelled – due to a long Indian surname) Oh, and my school starts next week – so much for my plan to finish Full Throttle before the summer ends . . . and hey, your review was semi-long so my reply is . . . semi-longer.
Lani: heh heh, Shapiro . . . I love creating characters like him and Jake. Kind of carefree. They're the best to write . . . not stiff ones like Webb. LOL, and Mac at home with Hunter . . . he'll keep her busy. But then again, so will Vera . . . and what happens next chapter!
TV Angel 711: well – as requested, ass-kicking action! I love writing action scenes . . . even though I'm not too good at it. More from the guys' station next chapter . . . as well as the girls. Ugh, I so badly wanted to fit more in this chapter, except it would have been way too long . . .
Pissed Off Poet 1: ugh, I would tell you the ending now (I so badly want to) except . . . I just can't! Oh, I know I'm going to cry while writing it . . . I just know I am. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those cry-girls that dissolves into a million tears when like . . . I don't know, something sad happens, but I've had Full Throttle in my head so long . . . and to write the ending would mean it's ACTUALLY OVER – which I could just not accept. LOL, perhaps that's my reason behind the sequel . . . oh well, at the end of FT I'll preview the sequel. I've even got a name – that's how far in advance I'm working. But I can smell the end . . . and that's always sad.
FoxyWombat: heh heh, me rebel, me! Yeah, oh well – if they haven't posted anything on the homepage I won't bother heading their warnings. They need to make it formal. Plus, it's fun replying to reviews . . . even if it does take a while (how long does it take you? You have a lot of reviewers and I just want to know if my amount of minutes is normal – or if I'm just weird).
Tizy: okay – I have a twelve letter last name – and TWO middle names. Do you know what the total comes to? THIRTY letters. That's right, I have thirty letters. Could you imagine if I married? I would have one first name, three middle names, and my husband's last name! And even if it was short – that would be a mouthful. Because, as it is right now, I have eleven syllables in my name – so even if his was only one – that puts it at twelve – the same number of letters as my current last name. At least yours is just plain weird. Mine's unheard of, weird, AND mind-boggling long. And good news – I've got no homework yet. I return to school eight days from now (yes, I'm already weeping . . . god, school's such a bore)
JamieAKAaclassyone: oh, you're a sarcastic one too, are you? I am – most definitely. In June we had this fieldtrip to Calgary for four days (took a plane and all) and on our last day before we went to the airport we all hit the mall, and there was one of those stupid saying t-shirt stands, and I bought a t-shirt that said 'Sarcasm is one of the services I offer' and my teacher took one look at what I bought and said 'ain't that the truth'. Needless to say I was offended . . . but not as much as I was amused.