Tamsin put on her blade bandolier around her chest as she prepared to head out to The Ash Compound. Kenzi called to see if she could make it to a noon meeting at the Dal Riata about a case Julia was working on and thought she should be there.
Tamsin just shook her head at that last thought. Kenzi, who, had only ten years ago, still scrapped around like a street rat stealing wallets, lifting purses and cloning credit cards was now a bonafide, certified business woman. After her return, Trick turned the running of the Dal over to both her and Bo. Tamsin recalled when Kenzi and Bo had to take a few foundational courses in business. Bo looked like she was about to hang herself when they approached the subject of Economics, but they pressed through it. Through their initiatives and hard work Bo and Kenzi had achieved something with the Dal Riata that was beyond everyone's wildest dreams, and everyone was duly impressed.
Tamsin jumped into her quad-cab Truck, started it up, and drove out of the driveway headed for the Ash Compound and her offices. The last ten years had been a whirlwind for her. After the Una Mens, and after Kenzi's return Tamsin wanted to leave the County for good. Events had brought her entire life to a head. She felt by leaving she could start anew with a clean slate. Fortuitously, Trick called her to the Ash Compound to discuss a proposal with her as she was about to pack up her truck and leave the County for good.
"Thank you for coming." Trick said as Beverly closed the door behind Tamsin and he motioned her to a chair.
"Your Excellency, what can I do for you?" Tamsin asked as she took a seat in front of Trick's desk. Trick sat in a chair next to Tamsin rather than sit behind his desk.
"I hope a great deal." He answered.
"Okay." Tamsin said cautiously.
"I want to form an operations arm. The days of the panicked scramble for information and resources whenever we face an enemy are over. We need an arm that can stay ahead of the game by gathering intelligence on the activity of our enemies and access resources that could be tapped at a moment's notice."
"Okay." Tamsin replied cautiously.
"In order for this operational arm to work and be effective it needs to be a joint endeavor with the Dark."
"Okay." Tamsin again replied cautiously.
"For all that we've been through you have always demonstrated you are a strategic thinker, a do'er, a person who can reach the heart of a matter, decisively and clearly without the…emotional attachment. But most importantly, you are loyal, but your loyalties are not blind. You always act according to what is necessary and what is in the best interests of others. That is what we need in an Operations Head."
"Head? As in Lead?" Tamsin asked.
"Yes."
"As in me?" Tamsin asked incredulous.
"Yes." Trick replied. Tamsin started shaking her head.
"I have already informed The Morrigan of my plan and my desire to appoint you as the head of this new arm and she agrees. Given the financial success the Dal Riata has had on the Fae community it only served The Morrigan's overall interests as well as her pocketbook to continue to forge practical, joint partnerships with the Light."
"Your Excellency, I don't think I am the right person for the job. Plus, with everyone in so much transition…" Tamsin said.
"You mean Bo and Dyson." Trick interrupted.
"And Lauren, who is off on some sort of personal sabbatical for who knows how long."
"I am aware." Trick replied.
"It is getting a little crazy and deep, feelings-wise all around. In fact, I was thinking of…" Tamsin said.
"Leaving." Trick interrupted again.
"How did you know?" Tamsin asked.
"Because you are right things are getting complicated, and not simply relationships - wise. Politically, things will need to be driven to ensure certain objectives are met. But, I cannot do this alone. I need someone I can trust to act correspondingly in the best interests of the County as I work other matters."
"Other matters?" Tamsin queried.
Trick smiled. "Yes."
"My resume is that of a warrior, a mercenary, a bounty hunter and a cop. What makes you think I can forge an operations arm?"
"Because I believe you were born for it." Trick replied.
"That is a lot of faith." Tamsin replied. Trick smiled.
"As you know, I just created the Regency position and installed Dyson in that role. I would like to name you Deputy Regent."
"I thought Dr. Lewis was third in line to the throne, for all intents and purposes?"
"If there a vacuum in official Fae authority, then yes. And if she ever returns." Trick said.
"I understand. Still with Bo and Dyson it would be hard for me to…" Tamsin replied.
"As much as I would like to be considerate, I cannot." Trick interrupted again.
"The Blood King re-emerges." Tamsin commented. Trick smiled again.
"What I meant is this position is not about the personal but about the protection and security of the Fae, so you must consider the responsibility in spite of the personal issues between you all."
Tamsin looked down at her hands. Trick sighed.
"Even though things are complicated all around, I know everyone would be both deeply saddened and hurt if you left."
Tamsin said nothing.
"I need you to trust me and help me as I try to get everyone focused on something anew. On a new purpose if you will." Trick said.
"To what end?" Tamsin asked.
"To the heart of the matter. That is what I need. Will you accept the position?"
"You may come to regret appointing me to this position." Tamsin said.
"I don't think so. I think you may even surprise yourself."
"I would need autonomy in certain areas."
"Agreed."
"If I were to take this on there is one person that I would want with me." Tamsin said
"Oh, who is that?"
"Reed Evangrassi." Tamsin replied. Trick frowned.
"Your old warrior-in-arms from the Great Fae War." Trick said
"Yes." Tamsin answered. Trick kept his frown.
"If you want me to serve as the operations head of this new endeavor then I need the best staff and I need the autonomy to select them no matter their history." Tamsin said
Trick took in a deep breath. "Putting my word to the test right off, eh? Very well. You have it. What are you thinking for Mr. Evangrassi?"
"An operations arm needs an Intelligence arm, and he is one of the best. We kept in sporadic contact after the war, and when I went looking for more of my kind I met up with him. He is currently in Europe serving as the head of the security detail for one of the Light Elder Fae on the Council but looking for a new challenge. This may be just the one for him."
"Very well. Then I take it you have accepted the job?" Trick asked.
"Yes. But on the condition, we may have to hammer out some details as we go further along, but there is one thing I must insist of you."
"Insist?" Trick said haughtily.
"Yes, Your Excellency, insist."
"And what is that?"
"Total and complete truth."
"There will be times…" Trick started.
"No, I mean total and complete truth. I understand you will have to make decisions and moves, political-wise, that may require discretion, even from me, but if such decisions endanger the safety and security of the County, I simply must know. I will support you, but I cannot do it if I do not know." Tamsin said. Trick smiled
"And that is why I tapped you for this role." Trick said as he extended his hand and they shook. "Agreed."
"So. When do I start?" Tamsin asked.
"After you tell everyone that you are not leaving."
"What?"
"You may be able to hide a lot of things, but not from the people who care about you."
"Well, I need to shore that up if I am going to become this operations head."
"In the interests of transparency, Kenzi saw your bags packed, and sounded the alarm."
"Those were hidden in a corner."
"Apparently, not deep enough for Kenzi."
"That little…"
"She is going through a lot of adjustments herself, now with her and Bo taking on the Dal. She said when she found them it was accidental."
"Accidental my…." Tamsin started
"We love you. All of us do. No matter what. You have become part of the family. Families fight. But true families work it out and stick together. That means you, too!" Trick said. Tamsin blushed.
"Enough of that. So how will you get a hold of Reed?" Trick asked.
"By your leave I will need to put in a call first and then take a quick trip."
"Of course."
"Then I will make my way now." Tamsin said as she stood up and Trick followed suit.
"Glad you are staying and taking the job. We need you." Trick said as they grasped hands once again. Tamsin smiled and walked to the door, then turned around
"Your Excellency?"
"Yes?" Trick answered.
"Thank you."
Trick smiled as Tamsin left the office.
Tamsin landed in Vienna three days later after her meeting with Trick, and took a taxi to the center of the city and arrived at Café Zu Rose-da-le, where she found Reed waiting for her. He stood up and greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Tams, so good to see you! Glad you called!" Reed said.
"Thanks for meeting me!"
"Come, let us sit." Reed said.
The waiter came and took their drinks order, and when they were served with their drinks Reed looked at Tamsin.
"So what is this about a job offer?" Reed asked. Tamsin took in a deep breath.
"Well, you may have heard about some not so recent events in our little County."
"Yep. Have to say we all applauded when the Una Mens bit it. Cruel, unpleasant bunch. Glad to have seen the last of them."
"We as well. Well, we are forming an operations arm to anticipate enemy attacks and better coordinate fighting resources. I have been tapped by the County Ash to head this effort up, but to do this job and do it well I am gonna need an Intelligence arm, and I would like you to head it."
"The Blood King, now humbly called Fitzpatrick McCorrigan is the new Ash am I correct?"
"Correct."
"He has no love of me and I, none for him."
"He is aware. But I will tell you the Blood King has changed."
"What from murdering billions to a half a billion?"
"Meaning, he has a motivation for this new perspective."
"That being?"
"Bo. His granddaughter."
"I have heard of the unaligned Succubus. If she only knew what a ruthless, murdering, cold-hearted bastard she has in a grandfather."
"I understand your issues with him."
"What do you mean you understand?"
"I have since resolved my issues with him."
"How?"
"Let us just say life has changed him and me."
"Now that I would like to hear."
Tamsin brought him up to speed on her history within the County. When she first met with the Morrigan, joined the police force. How she met Bo, Kenzi, Dyson, Lauren, Bruce, Trick, the Una Mens, and Rainer again. How she died, and re-emerged fighting bad guys with the Gang. When she finished it was two and half hours later, and they had consumed dinner and two bottles of wine.
"Wow! That is a lot happening."
"To say the very least."
"Now I know why your perspective changed about the Blood King."
Tamsin raised her eyebrows and nodded her head.
"So you want me to join this merry troupe?"
"When he offered me the role I could think of no one better to help me. I will admit I do not think we are out of the woods on the bad guy front. And if we are not, I would like you next to me in the fight."
"Just like old times."
"And to make new times. Will you join me?"
"I decided to join you right when you called me about it."
"You ass! Why didn't you say something and spare me the flight over?"
Reed laughed "And miss spending a little quality time together?"
"Reed, it's…"
"Yes, I know. It's complicated. When do you go back?"
"In the morning."
"Wow! In and out."
"Have a lot to do, and I have learned I cannot be away from the County too long for fear of another crisis rearing its ugly head."
"Never a dull moment?"
"I wish, but with you and me working together we can ensure there are plenty of dull moments."
"Well, at least we can spend an evening out on the town tonight. Game?"
"Game!" They clinked glasses.
And Tamsin stayed true to her word. Aside from some minor skirmishes with errant Under Fae, the County remained largely quiet. Reed, however, watched patterns and thought the minor skirmishes were leading up to something, but until then there wasn't much else he could do but continue to watch.
But what surprised Tamsin even more was her own reaction to it - she reveled in her new challenges.
Since Tamsin had claim on Bruce she assigned him as head of Operational Security at the Dal to help support Kenzi and Bo. Tamsin seemed to be re-energized by her new responsibilities and more so that she was no longer tied to the Dark Fae, so to speak.
Tamsin turned left at another corner and continued down the road when her cell rang. Tamsin hit her Bluetooth button and answered.
"Tamsin."
"Hey!" Dyson said.
"Hey!" Tamsin answered.
"I heard you called?" Dyson queried.
"Yeah, can you do dinner tonight? Trying to get the Gang together."
"Should be able to, barring any case developments."
"Anything interesting you're working on?"
"Somewhat interesting. Julia is working on a case that resulted in some excitement for people living near the Warehouse District this morning."
"Yeah, what is going on with that? I spoke with Kenzi earlier this morning and she said Julia wanted to meet at Noon at the Dal about all of that."
"Apparently, this morning, area residents experienced some type of mental seismic disturbance, like vertigo but with a quake effect."
"Really? That is odd. Really odd. And disturbing. Who wants to be woken up by a quaking headache?"
Dyson chuckled, "Yep, and according to Julia the disturbance may stem from the case she is currently working on."
"Sounds right up your and Erik's alley."
"Yeah, we just got back to the station, but will be at the Dal at Noon to meet up with everyone."
"Great! See you there."
