Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: My first attempt. I said that it would be road then TC then road trip. Unfortunately this chapter was too long for that so road trip will be back after two chapters. Hope you enjoy.
Many Thanks:
Elle6778: Wanted to remind people that as a killer Ben would always have problems, which would cause Alec similar problems.
Lakergirl08: .
Honey X5-452: Life has never been easy for poor Ben, Dara makes it more interesting.
Angelofdarkness78: The line just seemed to work, but wait for a surprise on that.
Shygirl1: Glad you feel sorry for him, some people seem to want to get rid of him, had to change that.
Wildsky: Dara was mentioned in Chap 27, as psy-ops to work with returning X5s. More dangerous not remembering, but psychologically better.
Darkangelgirl262: Well they are twins so some traits should be the same, glad you like Dara. Way to get 2 reviews, change your pen name.
Alec494: Dara is similar to Mia, but 2 chapters before the mission.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Forty-five: What to do with Familiars
Psyche was standing in the corridor, what did he expect, he turned up with four familiars and no explanation then turned around and left.
She was trying to decide how to proceed; at Manticore they would only have one victim at a time and now she'd just had four at once. They were securely held in chains in the holding cell, luckily that other guy Greg had been moved earlier to one of the secure interview rooms. When Max, Alec and Issy had left on their last mission no-one had thought about what to do with him, only saying don't to let Sandeman know of his presence in TC.
Psyche decided to wait for Issy's return to med bay to discuss where to start on these latest POW's and what to do about Greg.
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Leaving the bar for med bay Krit asked, "so this medical, what does it involve and how come you didn't ask for the others?"
Issy was amused remembering the medicals at Manticore. "Oh that depends on you," she replied mysteriously. "I've already seen the others at some time, they weren't always easy."
Krit and Syl looked at each other and thought about making a run for it.
"You know Issy if you keep this up I'll have to employ guards to escort everyone to their medicals," Alec laughed.
"So is that why you're following?" she replied with a grin.
"No I thought we hadn't had much time to talk since you were captured by White, and thought I'd keep you company," he replied.
"Liar, you want to know what Psyche's doing," she responded.
"Why do you ask if you know the answer?" he asked miffed.
"When you're trying to think of an answer you project the real reason, it's too easy to read."
"So how can I ever hide anything from you?"
"You can't," she replied then added, "unless I'm distracted."
He put his arm round her and started rubbing the side of her neck lightly with his fingers. "So I could lie to you now and you wouldn't know what I was really thinking?" he asked as she shivered.
"Mmm whatever you say," she replied. Then realising that she was thinking about anything but why she was going towards med bay, she shook her head, "hey stop that."
Alec laughed, "I knew I had forgotten something important."
Krit and Syl watched the exchange with amusement.
"So how long you known each other?" asked Krit.
"Since Alec was about two," Issy replied still disracted.
"What I mean is when did you become an item?"
"When I was sixteen I changed the rules of our meetings," Alec confessed. "I never regretted it, even if someone did make me forget," he accused.
"For your own safety," Issy reminded him.
"Ok I forgive you that," he conceded, "but I did a lot of chasing for something and not finding it, before you came back."
"Yeah I know, but it broadened your experience," she laughed.
"I wish you two would slow down," Syl cried exasperated. "I haven't a clue what you're talking about."
"No reason you need to know either," replied Alec. By now they were standing outside the door to med bay. "So do you think you can handle these two from here, or should I escort them to the exam room?" he teased.
"Oh I don't think they'll cause me any trouble," Issy replied. "Although I think you're in trouble with Psyche."
"What makes you think that?" he replied nervously.
"Because I can feel her impatience from here and it's directed at you. What did you do?"
"Mole and I dropped the familiars here before going for a drink," he replied, "But why would that unset her?"
"Did you tell her what you expected?"
"No, I just wanted them secure until I could come back and discuss things," he replied surprised by the questions.
"So you expect Psyche to read your mind and know why you left them here?" Issy replied incensed.
"Why not, you do it all the time?" he was confused.
"But that isn't one of Psyche's skills," Issy fumed. "Anything she found out needed to be recorded, spoken by the person she was interviewing. She was never the most placid of people, you're going to have to tread very carefully or you will be her first target."
Alec looked with pleading eyes at Issy, "can't you smooth it over?" a vague memory of his own encounter with Psyche flashing through his mind and causing him to shiver.
Krit and Syl were surprised by Alec's demeanour, "what's wrong with this woman?" Krit asked.
"She's ex-psy-ops," replied Issy, "great if she's on your side, but not if she's against you. I've seen her work on hardened death row criminals and within two hours they've been crying for their mothers and protection. We even had an X5 commit suicide after she worked on them."
"So not someone to upset then," Sly said dryly.
"No, but when she's not working she's fine if a bit intense," Issy said. "Come on let's all see Psyche, then we can do the medicals and be finished for tea."
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Psyche was still staring at the door to the holding cell when they turned the corner into the corridor. "You won't break it down by looking at it," Issy joked.
Still looking at the door Psyche responded, "if that prat of a partner of yours had said anything I wouldn't be stood here now." Alec could feel the underlying tension in her voice and felt the fear that she'd caused in the past.
"So if he never came back, what would you do?" Issy questioned.
"Take the weakest and work my way up," she replied.
"So why are you waiting to be told what to do?"
"Because he's the boss," she stated.
Issy laughed, Psyche turned at the sound and realised that Alec was stood there. "Sorry Alec, I-I didn't-t know you were th-there," she stammered.
Alec was shocked, Psyche worried about what he thought, that was a new one. Krit and Syl didn't know what to think as Issy continued laughing, "your faces are a picture, maybe now I can get back to what I should be doing and you two will talk to each other."
"Hold it," Alec commanded, "did you know that was going to happen?"
"Well there was a good chance with you being so nervous of upsetting Psyche, and her being so worried of your memories of her at Manticore," Issy explained. "It just depended on whether Psyche saw you before she started talking.
"Humph, so you allowed me to make a fool of myself," Psyche accused.
"No, just let Alec see a different side to you," she clarified.
"Just before you go," Psyche stopped her. "What are we going to do about Greg?"
"I'd forgotten about him," she started, "how is he now?"
"He's ok, but I think he'd like to get out."
"As soon as I've finished with Krit and Syl, I'll take him to Sandeman."
"Is that wise, he is a familiar?" queried Psyche.
"It'll be fine until he tells Sandeman my role in his interrogation," she replied.
Alec looked at her, "I'll go with you," he stated.
"Thanks but I should do this on my own."
"Over my dead body," he retorted.
"That can be arranged," she laughed. "Seriously, it could get ugly and I'd rather you didn't end up in the cross fire."
"He's not going to shoot you, is he?" Alec asked concerned.
"No it'll be a verbal ear bashing, but not one I need witnesses for," she finished and turned before Alec could say anything else.
As Alec saw her turn the corner he turned to Psyche, "why is she so adamant that she doesn't want me there?"
"Oh it's not just you, it's anyone," Psyche replied. "It's because just as we seem intimidated by each other, he still intimidates her and she hates it."
Alec looked at Psyche, "is that why you're called Psyche, cuz I didn't get any of that."
"Among other reasons," she replied. "Shall we start on the interrogations?"
"Since you're so good what do you need me for," he asked sarcastically.
"Tell me what you want to know and where you're going," she replied. "I'll bring you a report in two hours of my progress and we can discuss changing tactics."
"Ok basic questions are where's White, who sent them, what are they expecting to achieve and details on their base."
"And where will you be?"
"Next two hours I'll be in HQ checking in with the section heads, then if Issy isn't back from Sandeman's, I'll pay him a visit."
"If I can't find you, what do you want me to do?"
"Talk it over with Biggs, I'll fill him in and he'll make any decisions in my absence," Alec replied. Then before he left, "I trust you to get the information that we need, and sorry about earlier, I didn't think you'd want to be told what to do," he smirked.
"You think we made it up at Manticore?" she questioned, seeing his expression she added, "it was all done to orders, and I'm sorry too."
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Issy took Krit and Syl to an examination room, "normally I'd only have one at a time, so which of you would like to go first, the other can wait outside?" she asked.
"You trust one of us to wait?" Krit queried.
"Yes, this is just a normal medical like a human would have registering with a doctor, with the addition of blood tests to check for certain anti-bodies and serotoin levels and treadmill for heart rate and lung capacity."
"Why the extra tests?" Syl asked.
"To check your fitness levels against other X5's and determine how quickly any medical procedures may be required."
"What medical procedures?" they asked in alarm.
"Ask the others about them later, all I want is the information to base any treatments," she replied.
"Ok I'll wait outside," Syl agreed, "Krit's more likely to go AWOL."
"Thanks," Issy replied going to her desk. As she heard the door close she continued, "Krit can you strip to your underwear behind the screen."
"What!" he exclaimed.
Issy sighed, "Look I need to check you over for recent injuries, I can't do that through your clothes."
"But I thought this was…" he started to protest.
"Look I've seen enough X5's undressed at Manticore, I've repaired enough and I sleep with one, so don't think I'm doing this for kicks," she sighed again.
Feeling embarrassed he did as he was told and after the physical examination, Issy asked several questions which were immediately entered into his file.
Then it was Syl's turn, which proved much less time consuming and less awkward.
When they had both had their medicals Issy sent them back to HQ where the others were waiting.
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Issy returned to med bay to collect Greg. "Hello Greg, how have they been treating you?" she asked.
"Issy have they captured you as well?" he asked with concern, "are you here to help me break out?"
"I'm here to take you to Sandeman, but not to break you out," she replied.
"Where's Sandeman, are these his creatures, why did they torture me, what are you doing here?"
"So many questions," she replied. "Sandeman is near by but you won't be able to leave and tell your cult friends where he is, unless he agrees. Yes he created the creatures you see here, including me. Why torture, because they needed information quickly for a broadcast."
"Why did you let them do it?"
"Let them, I told them what to use," she replied. "I'm one of them and just as you've gone back to White and his friends, so I'll help my family."
"What will Sandeman say about that?"
"We'll find out soon because that's where I'm taking you," she said as she led him out of med bay.
"I could just knock you out and escape," he tried.
"You could try and might succeed in the first part, but I can see at least five people who would take you out before you got four steps away from me."
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A/N: 276 reviews before the next.
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