SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
ArodLoverus2001: Thanks. Yep. Sorry this isn't soon enough.
Jayme: Thanks. Sorry. Oh. Yikes. Thanks.
DISCLAIMER
UC: Undercover belongs to NBC. I only own characters you don't recognize. I made up the name of the art museum.
The next morning, Jake's eyes fluttered open. What the---where am I? he thought in panic. Then, he calmed down, recognizing one of the rooms at the center. Seconds later, he heard a bell. He chuckled softly. For as long as he could remember, Mike had woken them up with that stupid thing. He was surprised that someone didn't try to find it and smash it. Shaking these thoughts away, he got out of bed and headed for the main lobby.
"Jake?" The agent sighed when he heard Mike's voice.
"What?" he snapped.
"I have a feeling we need to talk," came the response.
"Can't. I'm gonna be late," Jake said. Without giving Mike a chance to answer, he continued out the door. Meanwhile, everyone else was at headquarters, waiting impatiently.
"Where is he? He's usually here by now," Frank said irritably.
"Just give him a few more minutes. He'll be here," Alex responded. Almost as soon as she had said this, they heard a car engine.
"See? What'd I tell ya?" she quipped. Jake walked in and averted his gaze.
"Agent Shaw, you all right?" Frank questioned.
"Just fine," Jake answered in a clipped voice. "So, what's the next stage?" he continued.
"There's an art expo in a few days and I'm guessing that Hiram's gonna wanna scope it out," their commanding officer stated.
"So, we go with him?" Alex queried.
"If you can do it without blowing your cover, yes," Frank responded.
"If? You underestimate us," Jake grinned. Alex laughed, relieved to see her friend acting like his old, cocky self.
"So it's agreed. You two will make sure you get into the art expo," Frank declared.
"Yeah, okay. Now we just have to wait for Hiram to call us," Jake determined.
"Well, let's get into town and see what happens," Alex determined.
"I'm game," Jake agreed. "Wanna a ride?" he offered.
"Sure," Alex agreed. They walked off.
"Okay, am I the only one who sees a potential romantic relationship there?" Cody asked.
"Yes," Monica and Frank answered together. Meanwhile, Jake and Alex had decided to drive around town.
"So, are we gonna talk about it?" Alex asked after awhile.
"'Bout what?" Jake wondered.
"About whatever's bothering you," Alex responded.
"It's nothin'. Just some personal stuff. It won't get in the way of our job," Jake assured her.
"I know you wouldn't. But Jake, this Whitlow---he has you scared stiff," Alex stated.
"Just drop it, Alex," Jake said. He blew out a breath. He didn't need her interrogating him. If she pressed it, he'd only end up telling her their connection. And he couldn't do that...not ever. Alex looked at her friend, trying to decipher what he was thinking. Just then, they heard the sound of a honking horn. The two agents looked out the window to see Hiran in the driver's seat. Oh, thank God, Jake thought to himself. Maybe now Alex would stop trying to figure out what was going on with him. Jake acknowledged Hiram and pulled along side of him.
"Whatcha got?" he questioned.
"Big art exhibition at Greer's Art Center. We're gonna check it out tonight. Shouldn't take too long. Couple hours at the most," came the answer.
"Sounds good," Jake approved. Hiram started his engine and drove away. A few minutes later, Jake did the same, heading in the direction of their headquarters. Once they were there, Jake and Alex relayed what Hiram had told them. Donovan's instructions were clear: go with Hiram and his crew, take in the surroundings for exits and entrances to see if they could get local police in, make sure there'd be enough room to move around if things got dicey, and to be careful. Two hours later, Jake and Alex joined Hirma's crew at Greer's Art Center. As instructed, the two agents took in their surroundings.
"Looks pretty neat. We can enter through the skylight, take the paintings out of their frames without tripping the alarm, and then get out," Hiram noted in a soft tone as other visitors milled around.
"Good idea," Jake agreed. They continued talking for a few minutes, and then left. Moments, the partners were back at headquarters and told Donovan what Hiram had said.
"Good job," Donovan approved. "Okay, here's what we'll do: we wait until one or more of the crew has one of the items in their hands and then we'll arrest them," he continued.
"Yes, Sir," Alex acknowledged.
"You got it," Jake agreed at the same. The team looked at each other. Now all they could do was wait.