Ch 19: Double Jeopardy

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

PS. Bad weather here! Anyway, this is part one. Themastermind is coming out soon... Stay tuned!

The wind roared like a wild beast in the night but the couple was too preoccupied with themselves to be bothered about their surroundings. A figure cursed silently.

"I still can't believe you're standing right in front of me now." Jack breathed in her lavender scented hair. He loves the shampoo she used and it hasn't changed since.

Sydney stepped backward to take a good look at Jack, her fiancé that is if he still is. For that, she was still unsure of but daren't ask.

He was still the same drop dead gorgeous man, Sydney thought with quiet pleasure. He was the sexiest man she'd ever met, okay, probably second if compared to Sky but heck.

Jack stood forward and embraced her. Their lips joined for another kiss.

It had been a long time for both of them. They spoke of his sudden appearance. Of what he did and what she did. Sydney had however avoided the part where she was threatened.

Later, they both spoke at the same time.

"Jack…"

"Syd…"

Once more.

"You first."

"You go ahead."

Sydney batted her eyelids shyly, nudging him to speak first.

"All right," Jack nodded, taking in one huge breath. This is it. He had to for he needed this assurance. "Do you want to hear it again?"

"Syd, I… will you marry me?" Jack finished abruptly then stared at Sydney, waiting for an answer from her.

She kept quiet then stretched her arms upward and circled his neck. "Thought you will never ask."

A glint of blush flashed across his hardened, tanned face.

"Is it a yes then?" his voice croaked.

Sydney raised her right hand. "Yes, yes, yes. I, Sydney Drew hereby vow to…"

"Hush darling, I know." Jack put on the ring for her, his ring and they both glittered under the starry night. "From this night, your protection is all of my ambition."

He didn't give her time to protest, just bent his head and took her lips. He teased the corners of her mouth, then took her deeply with his tongue.

The figure leaned against the tree, almost having the impulse to pummel the tree trunk. The plan was backfired, then grimace at the couple walked back to the academy happily hand-in-hand.

"Come on Baby, you've played all night."

"Good dog, buddy. Just like your… erm, R.I.C." Jack praised although not sure how Baby is related to R.I.C. Sydney just laughed.

They entered the halls of the academy, hand-in-hand, happiness plastered all over their faces.

Sydney danced to the reception. "Prep a room for Colonel. Landors."

They took a lift up to their rooms. Throughout the little journey, Jack received smiles and waves and 'Welcome back, Colonel, good to see you again and looking more handsome."

"Jealous?" Jack asked.

"No, they aren't the ones to suffer under my wrath for the rest of your life." Sydney winked cheekily.

Jack and Sydney stopped laughing when they met Sky around the turn of the corridor. Sky stopped dead in his tracks as well.

Mental messages passed through Jack and Sky.

Jack's emotions regarding Sky Tate were conflicting. He liked him, respected him, and appreciated him for the happiness he'd given Syd since her mishap.

Thinking on it all now, Jack drew her into his arms more tightly, receiving as much comfort as he gave. He hugged her close for a long time, turning his face into her neck.

Sky took their messages. "Jack." He nodded as he mouthed the word.

"Sky," Jack nodded too.

Sky shifted his gaze to Sydney, the love of his life and the dying love that had once burned so brightly. For a moment, they gazed at each other, the incomprehensive words that weren't exchanged aloud.

Then Sky walked away, his arms clutching a thick ring file.

Bridge and Z were standing at the extreme end of the corridor and had seen the non-verbal exchange between them.

"Hi, Sky." Z waved as Sky neared them. He just walked away without at least a nod.

"What's with him anyway?" Z asked Bridge who had removed his glove. "You know Bridge, every time I see you removing your glove, it kind of reminds me of the x-men character, Rogue."

"Shhhh Z, their energy… it's weird. Something's up with Sky, he's obviously hiding something from us." Bridge said.

"Obviously he is, he thinks he hid his feeling well with Syd, but no. I knew it all from the beginning."

"Uh, not that Z, he's worried about something, something about Syd."

"Guilty as charge. Sure he does, after all he's the one to have to make a straight face every time he meets Jack."

Bridge looked like he wanted to say more but kept quiet. Z would not understand anyway.

"Special Force A Squad Bridge and Z, report to the command center immediately." Kat's voice blasted on the intercom.

"Drill time." Z groaned.

Bridge smirked. "Thought you have gotten adjusted to the odd sleeping hours already."

Z glared at him. "For your info, it's night time, in other words I need to get my beauty sleep at this hour."

"Oh, since when have you been so beauty conscious like Syd?"

"Oh, since I fall in lov…" Z almost blurted out that she had felt herself physically attracted to this man standing in front of her.

"Didn't catch you. What you say?" Bridge asked.

"Nothing." Z said and marched ahead of him.

Bridge and Z saluted to their commander.

"Your immediate assistance is required at New Tech Square now. Something's up over there."

"Cruger, would you care to be more specific?" Bridge gave their commander his best enigmatic look. "Don't like suspense now."

Cruger growled. "Can't give it to you. I don't know it myself either. The New Tech P.D didn't give me much details."

"Yes Sir." They walked out to the car park, ready for their vehicle.

"So where are we going?" Z asked, seconds later. There was an edge to her tone.

Bridge slanted her a look. He was so tempted to kiss her senseless right now. "New Tech Square, I thought you heard Cruger clear." He said, instead.

"Well, New Tech Square is small but not that small."

"I think your powers and mine are sufficient to find the exact location pronto."

"Whatever."

They sped off in the night.

Z wanted to ask why they, why not send Sky but kept quiet instead. Bridge spoke for her.

"Coz, we're the only ones available tonight."

Z gaped in surprise. "I can't believe you just…"

"Read your mind? Guess I did. Couldn't control my powers just like Dr. Jean Grey couldn't." Bridge winked.

"Look Bridge, I don't appreciate you reading what's up on my mind. Simply put, I don't want you invading my own privacy space." Simply put, I don't want you to know that I'm falling for you, hard.

Bridge shrugged. "Reaching soon. You know, sometimes I enjoy being a police. We can speed for all we can and no one to give us a ticket."

Bridge turned in time to see Z roll her eyes. He chuckled.

XXX

"He wasn't supposed to reach New Tech City tonight." An angry voice hissed in her ear. "What the hell is going on?"

"I know, damn you. We just have to go ahead with plan B." Miranda whispered into her cell phone.

"Whatever it is, I want the girl dead. You hear me!" The voice on the other end demanded.

"You're not the only one who want her dead." She spoke quietly then snapped her phone shut.

There wasn't much time left. She had to act now or it was too late. Jack had arrived too early for his good.

It's all right. Miranda calmed herself down. After this night, Jack is all hers. There's no one else in between them then.

Once Sydney falls down the cliff, she would materialize beside him. Jack would've been too upset and so needed someone to comfort him.

Smart and brilliant as he was, he wouldn't have guessed that she was one of them who plotted her death. There isn't anything wrong with loving someone. Miranda patted the back pocket of her tight jeans—air tickets to Australia.

There they will settle down and make lots of hot, steamy and passionate love. At least, that was what she thought—her idea of an affair with Colonel. Jack Landors.

Probably she will marry him, depending on how he satisfies her in bed. And if he doesn't, which she think not, she would make him fall head over heels in love with her, then kick his ass off her and will island-hop for another man.

This Sky Tate, he looked pretty good. He had a great body and kissable lips. He doesn't like to smile, his lips always tightened firmly.

Serious-looking man—he could surely do as well as Jack in bed, or maybe better. Miranda thought, smacking her lips. She could feel her loins tightening already.

But first, she had to get to the girl first.

XXX

Jack led Sydney to her room and kissed her goodnight before leaving.

"Jack, stay with me tonight."

"No Syd, we have to wait. I don't want to spoil your reputation. Then seek approval from your parents and get wedded as soon as possible."

Jack had to control himself even as he said those words. Sydney really could make him hard.

"I don't care about reputation…" Sydney pouted her lips.

"Be good, honey. I'll be right beside you next door."

"Okay," Sydney relented. "Then we look for my parents tomorrow."

"That's my Syd. Now, run along. Good night."

Jack went off to the bathroom upon seeing Sydney close her room door. Alas, they were together.

XXX

Sky stalked to his room. Seeing Jack and Sydney again pained him, he felt his heart been stabbed again and again and it was bleeding inside.

On the other hand, he was happy for Sydney. She had finally found happiness and solace from the one man she loves so long.

Sky sighed and sat down on the recliner. So much for buying her a necklace, well, that would settle for her wedding gift already.

Sky flipped open the thick cover of the ring file and started flipping to the back. He tore his gaze and stare at the digital clock on his dresser—ten-thirty. He was already so tired but Sky was determined to crack and close this case before Jack's wedding.

Sky's let his thoughts drifted away. There was going to be a huge wedding of course. Sydney's family is rich and so was his. When they were kids, their parents had said Sky and Sydney made a compatible match—a match-make in heaven was their exact words.

Sky hadn't like kiddo-Sydney. He pictured her as a spoilt princess, whining and making noises craving for attention. Yes, she was smart—second in academics, second in shooting and always second best compared to him, Sky Tate.

Yet today, she had evolved into a beautiful and charming young lady. Many of their friends had put them together, thinking they were a pair. How wrong were they, Sky thought, shaking his head.

But the worse part was both their families were going to have to be disappointed. Will they eventually accept Jack Landors was another story.

Sky pulled his thoughts back to the thick document he was reading and almost dropped the file. His eyes widened.

Miranda Annie Jakobs

Age: 23

Past: Master of disguise, ex conman

Current occupation: Police officer

Special skills: Accurate marksman

And a note at the bottom, 'No one knows her real name and her real identity.'

Sky continued reading her files. What she did and how she wormed her way out of each disguise. Great, just great. This Miranda is going to be a real helluva big problem.

Sky took off in his red t-shirt and pants, morpher and blaster still in place.

Sky thought he had seen Miranda somewhere today, near S.P.D. The worse part was they had exhibitions at this time and guests were invited for a talk.

Miranda could easily mingle and hide away among the crowd. Sky was confident that she was related to Sydney's accident.

It was no secret among S.P.D that Miranda had tried coming between Jack and Sydney then. Naturally, Miranda would try means and ways to get rid of her.

By the time Jack stepped out of the bathroom, he was just in time to see Sky dashed outside. What could Sky be doing at this time? Jack wondered and headed back to his room.

Sky met Omega on the way. "Omega, what are you doing here?" He asked in a worried voice. Last he saw, Sydney's room was intact, no sign of breakthroughs. It didn't occur to Sky that Miranda could have been a master of locks and was able to un-trigger the alarms.

"What?"

Sky repeated, "No time for explanations. Hurry to guard Sydney or it's too late."

Sky rushed into the lift, which had approached at the same time. A soft, hissing sound overhead told him that someone had fired the silenced pistol. The bullet splintered wood. A gloved hand had depressed the close button. Sky's eyes followed an arm up to a pleasantly smiling face.

"Very interesting, "Mr. Tate," his visitor said softly. Before Sky could react, a pistol was raised and fired at point blank range into his forehead. He dropped down before he could create a shield.

Miranda shook her head in pity. She didn't want to kill Sky but she needn't an alibi to see her commit murder.

She hastened her steps towards Sydney's room. It was now or never.

XXX

"My meter reading points to a hotel." Z offered.

Finding a parking place anywhere close to the hotel was impossible. "What's on earth is happening today, why are there so many vehicles on the road." Bridge complained.

"Beats me. Just find a place and park, someone's in trouble."

"Okay."

Z couldn't help but wondered how come Bridge was promoted instead of her.

XXX

Jack stepped out of his room and almost banged with Omega. "What the hell?" Jack cursed.

"Sorry, Landors. Sky wanted me to come over. He's acting all weird. No time to talk, I need to get to Syd."

Sky must be up to something, Jack decided. He had been acting like that since the last time he saw him.

Jack ran off in pursuit of Sky.

XXX

The high-pitched whine of a mosquito roused Sydney from her deep sleep. She lurched to a sitting position, heart pounding in expectation of imminent danger, her body drenched in cold sweat even with the blasting of air-con. It wasn't a mosquito; it was a buzzing sound coming from outside.

Sydney turned her head and saw a silhouette standing at the balcony, behind the curtain. Sydney swung her feet to the floor, quietly but swiftly grabbed her morpher and blaster. She squatted low.

Sydney swallowed quietly and began assessing her intruder. When she recognized the figure as Miranda, Sydney almost stood up and welcomed her. Miranda had a silencer in her right hand. The next minute, Sydney stared at Miranda pulled the trigger and stepped away smugly then crossed towards the balcony.

Sydney crawled to her balcony and stared out. Rain began splattering on her as she stepped out and stood upright. Lightning flashed briefly and thunder rumbled, vibrating the rain streaked glass on the opened balcony.

She flicked open her morpher and whispered quietly, "Sam, I'm pissed and ready for action. I'm going to beep my brains out when the music starts. Get your ass down here pronto."

Next thing she knew, Sydney's morpher had been kicked off her hand and she stared horrifyingly at Miranda.

Terror and fury propelled Sydney as she tried to escape the woman standing a few feet away from her. Her stomach tightened.

"You have no where to hide, Barbie." Said the seething voice.

Sydney kept quiet then sprang up on Miranda. It was difficult to outwit her for they both were skilled at combats.

Seeing it a chance, Sydney tried to outrun the killer. She put on a burst of speed towards her room door. Her lung ached. Sweat poured off her. Sydney glanced back over her shoulder. The killer was closing in. terror hammered through her arteries. She was going to be shot to death.

A quiet voice asked 'Why didn't she thought to morphed? Can't, part of S.P.D rule not to use powers against civilians.' Sorry, Jack.

As Sydney closed her eyes, Omega blasted the door open.

"S.P.D., you are under arrest." Omega held a .42 in both his hands, in a firing position.

"Ha, you can't stop me. Both of you, I'm going to have it my way."

As Miranda said those words, she fired twice at both her targets.

XXX

TBC-Pls R&R!