JJI Investigators Jace Sheppard, Leighton Galliston, Grace McCarrick and Connor Bridgeford were all out on a late-night stake out for one of their Human clients. Jace and Connor were in JJI's exceptionally high-tech, stake out van situated across the street from the residence they were hired to observe, while Grace and Leighton who squatted in nearby tree lines covered the front and rear entrances of the residence. Even though Fae communities within the Six Counties were consumed with Transition plans life must still go on for the still unbeknownst Human plane.
"Anything?" Jace asked.
"Nope. Nothing yet." Leighton replied.
"Nothing here." Grace added.
"Gosh! How long does it take to have sex?" Conner lamented.
"What kind of sex are you having?" Jace asked.
"The kind that doesn't take an eternity to achieve an orgasm, before you kick it to the curb!" Connor replied. Everyone chuckled.
"Well, then do a crossword or something." Grace suggested.
"Why are we watching these people again?" Connor asked in frustration. "This is so below our pay grade."
"We're doing it at the request of His Excellency Stasio, you know, the Viceroy." Leighton replied.
"Yes, smart ass I know. But why? Even this is beneath him." Connor asked.
"It has something to do with the fate of the Transition." Grace answered.
"A Human and a Fae banging a gong has implications for the Transition?" Conner asked. "I thought that plot line was already taken." Everyone chuckled again.
"Well, apparently, these two do." Jace replied. "Speaking of which, I've been curious. What is everyone's plans now that we're part of the Presidium?"
"I'm heading to Presidium." Connor replied instantly. Jace looked at him in surprise and one could feel the looks of surprise from Grace and Leighton through the walkie talkies.
"You're Human, though." Jace said.
"And?" Connor countered.
"Well, a lot of those ancient Fae over there aren't crazy about humans." Jace replied.
"In fact, a lot of them think of us as cattle, Fae as well as Human." Leighton added.
"Not all though." Connor replied.
"That's taking it all a little too casually don't you think?" Leighton queried.
"Aside from a spattering of other Humans, Dr. Lewis and Kenzi are over there, making a go of it." Conner replied. "Why not me?"
"They all have a support system, so to speak." Grace replied.
"Yeah man! You will be on your own." Leighton added.
"I'm not saying I will move there permanently, just for a while. Think of it as moving to a new country, trying something new." Connor said.
"Drank the kool-aid, huh?" Leighton poked.
"I think we'd all be fools if we didn't think this might be a change for the good of humankind, not necessarily the worst. I mean the health, tech and ecological advancements alone are worth it." Connor said.
"At the risk of the elimination of the Human species?" Grace countered.
"Do you really believe that would happen, even if Bo becomes Queen?" Conner countered back.
"No. But the forces that drive the Presidium frankly scare me with all the reports and the scuttlebutt we've been hearing lately. Those forces may not be as controllable as we may think." Grace replied.
"Well, we have to start somewhere, or we'll go nowhere. Besides, history is replete with examples of just one person making a difference." Conner said.
"That's a bit heroic." Grace replied.
"And naïve." Leighton added.
"I would say it's more hopeful. We have so many problems on our Plane, that merging with the Presidium will change things for the better." Connor answered.
"Or for the worse." Grace replied.
"I'm not saying we won't go through some tribulations, but I'm confident we'll come out the other end. Change is here, and it's here to stay." Connor said.
"So it sounds like you're staying here, Grace." Jace queried.
"Yep! Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to visit the Presidium one day, but this is home." Grace replied.
"Same for me." Leighton added.
"What about you Jace?" Connor asked but before Jace could answer his phone vibrated. He picked it up, swiped his phone on, read it for a few long moments then his eyes widened and gasped out loud.
"Oh…oh!" Jace said to himself as he straightened up in his chair.
"What is it?" Connor asked concerned. Jace continued to read his phone.
"Were we made or something?" Leighton asked.
"Doesn't look like. No signs of movement beyond the bedroom." Grace replied. Jace continued to read his phone.
"Jace got a ping on his phone." Connor assured Grace and Leighton on the walkie talkies then looked at Jace concerned. "What is it?" Jace responded by grabbing his things.
"Jace!" Connor pressed.
"What's happening?" Leighton demanded.
"I've got to get back to JJI." Jace said as he opened the van door, jumped out, and was about to close it when Connor stuck his hand out and stopped it from closing.
"What's going on guys? You're freaking us out here." Grace said.
"Jace! What's going on?" Connor pressed again.
"I'll see you later, okay." Jace replied, and then closed then van door on a confused Connor, and then bolted down the street for JJI.
