Rating – PG-13
Disclaimer – I don't own Dark Angel and it's associated characters and themes. I created Shauna, Christopher and probably one or two others.
Notes – I just want to warn people that although this is a PG-13, it will probably go up to an R – due to suicide mentions – in later chapters, don't let this stop you reading, it will be more a precaution than anything. PLEASE R&R.

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Christopher watched Shauna as covertly as he could. She was fascinating. When he was told that there would be an assassin/bodyguard protecting the women he had been apprehensive, but had thought it a good idea. While he had not been around when X4 had been…created, he had heard about the security problems that had existed. So he was glad they had brought in more security. These children were worth a lot of money, and even the loss of one could be a huge waste.

He had not expected Shauna though. In fact, she was about the last thing he had expected. He couldn't have been more surprised if they had sent a four-year-old. Less, if you judged by the standards they kept here – four-year-olds seemed capable of things like defence. But this pretty little thing looked like she should be in a movie, not a secret military base.

Shauna surprised him. Sure, there was the hard, sarcastic edge to her, but if she was anywhere near as tired as she had looked, that was to be expected. Beyond that, she was bound to be confused. No one ever seemed very forthcoming with information in this place. The whole thing was bound to make her a little ratty. And beneath it all he had glimpsed a person. Assassin or not, there was no cold, unfeeling person here. For some reason that made him sad.

"So is someone going to tell me what it is I'm going to be doing all day?"

Oh, right. File. He handed her the information on Theresa Pearson and Zara Smith. It had a picture of each, name, date of birth, height, weight, background and brief medical history. "Theresa and Zara. Basically you're going to escort them around. To meals, the various doctors and scientists, daily exercise, etcetera. Then back to their rooms."

"That's all I do for the next three or so years? Jesus Christ! How boring. Babysitting. If I had wanted to earn my money that way, I would be sticking up flyers on the community notice board charging ten dollars an hour."

"You're being a little better paid for this than that." Although, he had to admit, when she put it like that…

"Yeah, and half of that goes to the higher ups."

"Still. Besides you got it easy. Start at 6:30am finish at 7pm. Stand round watching people all day."

"Twelve and half hours a day, seven days a week. Up before 6am every morning. On my feet all day. Being bored out of my scull. Fun. Do you know that the average assignment length is six days?"

Christopher rolled his eyes. Although, again, she had a point. "Anyway here we are. Technically, it's 6:32, but I think we'll forgive you for today." He indicated two doors, "Theresa. Zara. The doors to these rooms are locked at all times, both when they are inside and when they are outside. There are guards are here between 7pm and until 6am. Usually, I start at 8:30am and finish at 6pm, and we wouldn't see each other very often. However, today I get to follow you around and act as a sort of guide."

"Gee, thanks." Maybe the tiredness hadn't been the only thing that gave her such a sarcastic edge.

"Your key card opens these doors," he carried on ignoring her sarcasm and swiping open Theresa's door with his own card. "Good morning Theresa. This is Shauna, she'll be your bodyguard for the rest of your time here."

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A blond woman around Shauna's age sat on the bed in a room that made Shauna's look palatial. She wore what looked like regulation grey nothings, which dulled her skin tones making her look pale and lifeless. Or maybe that's the surroundings, Shauna thought. Theresa looked less than thrilled at the word 'bodyguard'. She did not seem to think that Shauna was much by the way of protection.

"Instead of Manticore guards, you'll have Shauna. When you leave this room in the morning she will be with you until you return at night. Do not under any circumstance leave her presence." Christopher continued on – apparently unaware of Theresa's reaction.

There was no reaction from Theresa. She merely stood up and exited the room. Once the other woman was outside in the corridor Shauna moved so she could watch Theresa and for trouble.

Zara had dusky skin and chocolate hair with eyes to match. Christopher repeated his speech. Zara was slightly more responsive with, "Great." A nice warm reception. Shauna supposed she shouldn't have expected much – they were here to do a job, the same as her. Only she wondered what had made them agree to this job. She had duty to blame, but they had nothing except…money? Deciding not to dwell on the whys, Shauna shrugged and turned her attention back to keeping a watchful eye.

As they moved to their first stop of the day – Manticore doctors – Shauna scanned the surroundings, wishing that she had been able to scout them out beforehand. It was good practise to know where you would be defending someone. She had seen the plans, of course, so she knew the general layout of the base. However, seeing it personally first would have been nice. Plans do not give you the details. And that was what Shauna needed to do her job properly.

It came to her attention that all three were watching her. Theresa and Zara with suspicion, which she shrugged off. Christopher with curiosity. When he caught her eye he grinned and winked. She ignored him. She was here to do a job. He would not distract her. Even if he was kind of cute.

Wait. Cute? Where did that come from? First impression of him had been that he was nice, possibly good-looking. However, first rule she had ever learned: never become attached in any way to anyone in your assignment. You could be polite, friendly even, hell sharing a bed never did any harm, but any real attachment resulted in heartache and distraction. She would not go there, could not go there.

Even while her thoughts were running through the emotional status of a bodyguard, her senses were scanning the surroundings – picking up on layout. Furniture (not that there was a lot). Windows (barred). Doors (usually locked). Exit routes (few and far between). Hiding places (what hiding places?). Security strengths (close to impossible to get in without the relevant key cards). Security weaknesses (close to impossible to get out without the relevant key cards). Her mind shifted through scenes, changing the surroundings to fit weather, seasons and time of day. She had to admit the place was a veritable fortress.

As wonderful as this was, it would make her job all the more boring. They wanted the best for this? She doubted anyone would be able to get in, let alone get as far as these women.

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A/N: Reviews are like diamonds. Only not as expensive – just worth more.