For those that have been following my story, I'm updating the old chapters and this will mean some changes in the plot. Hope you enjoy though and sorry it's taking ages!

QOTSA - No one knows

Petshop boys - Always on my mind

Chapter 4 - Flicker

"This is your last chance to prove yourself, so don't be the big dumb oaf you look to be. Mess this up and I'll send someone else to clean up both you and your mistake."

Leon Kennedy lay sprawled across his leather couch. It was one of the rare occasions that he was off-duty and his head was swimming with all sorts of thoughts. He thought his life was simple: get missions, complete them, try to wipe out the T and G virus that wreaked havoc, survive. The past couple of years his love life had been non-existent and while he had believed that there was only one woman that he had feelings for, there was no promise of a happily ever after. The past couple of months, however, had proved to be particularly trying since there was now someone else who plagued his thoughts. Both Ada and Angela had greatly complicated his life and he was starting to worry about his safety; thoughts of them sometimes drove him to distraction and in his profession that was definitely asking for trouble.

He was interrupted from his thoughts by his cellphone beeping, "Have you got something for me, Hunnigans?"

"There's someone who wants to meet with you. He says he's got some important information that'll he'll only share with you. I'm sending over the details of the proposed meeting time now. Will you need transport or will you be able to make your own way there?" asked Hunnigans, business as always.

"I'll get there myself." He hoped that it would be sufficient enough to distract him from his current line of thoughts. Looking over the details that Hunnigans had sent, he could see that the meeting would happen tonight in a city not far from here. Getting ready for the encounter he decided it would be safest to push all thoughts of the two women from his mind.

After the team's initial unorthodox meeting, Rick had bundled them off to the classroom with his second in command, Daniel. An attractive and intelligent man with dusty blonde hair, but so serious he put a statue to shame. Fortunately, they only had to spend a small part of the day covering past missions and strategies utilised by the team. The rest of the day was then spent doing team-building exercises to give Angela the chance to interact with the squad in small groups at a time. The first exercise had been a real operation and Angela had watched from the side-lines to allow her to get a feel for how they worked. They had been swift and effective. Their proficiency, alertness and good communication had resulted in the successful completion of the mission and Angela had been excited to see them in action.

Rick and Daniel had both taken turns to oversee their training after that. "Don't mind this stick-in-the-mud too much Angela. I haven't been able to beat that out of him yet. He's way too serious, but I suppose considering our lot we kinda need it…" Rick had told her teasingly when Daniel had come to take over. She was really starting to get behind Rick's 'rookie policy' - there was less tension and insecurities, and working together felt natural without the occasional power struggle that would crop up between teammates.

At the end of their training, the team was mostly confident about facing the challenges thrown their way. Rick was especially pleased with their progress as their performance was improving with each new recruit, "See, do this enough times and it becomes easier and easier. Now, we go out, we eat, we drink and we celebrate a good week and a new teammate!" With that he signalled to everyone to clear out and everyone walked down the road to the Cuban restaurant that seemed to be a favourite among the Toledo S.R.T. Unit.

The week had been tough, but enlivening. A new squad, new dynamics - learning about each other and working with them - it required greater focus and responsiveness. Angela relished how previously routine and mundane experiences felt novel and she really loved the comradery that her new teammates shared. They'd stayed until closing, sharing stories about their experiences over tamales and drinks of Cuba libre. Most of the team had families to go back to after that, but a few of them had wanted to hit up a club while they had the opportunity. Angela had been happy up till then, she wasn't sure whether she was in the mood for dancing among a throng of hot sweaty bodies that would probably reek of alcohol, perfume and cologne and so she was going to pass on the offer and hit the sack. However, Melissa was ecstatic about having another female officer in the team and insisted on her joining them. She supposed they weren't likely to do this often or anytime soon and so she figured she would join them for a short while at least.

Angela had been right about the sweaty bodies and overpowering smells, but the music was good at Amazon and the company better - Melissa, Reid and Mike were fun loving and didn't take themselves too seriously. They were just there to dance and enjoy the music. They boys didn't take liberties with her and, while she was more than capable of fending off creeps by herself, they were much more efficient at keeping the pushy harassing ones at bay. Overall it was turning out to be a carefree and pleasurable night until she felt like she was being watched. When she looked around she saw a tallish man with dark hair and dark clothing looking her way. It could have been a coincidence as he shortly turned his head casually as if he was scanning the room but in her line of work she had learned to listen to her instincts. Even though they kept slowly shifting around the room he always seemed to be visible from the corner of her eye and occasionally when she looked around she would notice him looking her way before turning his attention elsewhere.

"Melissa. Do you notice the tall stereotypical shady looking guy over there? I'm sure he's been looking over at us for the past half hour and more."

"Hmm…I don't recognise him. He's probably just a class A creep, but it is a bit worrying with the disappearances going on. We'll probably be leaving soon though. Oh! He could be a bouncer who's been infatuated with my good looks! And he's deserted his post and his boss will be very upset with him but dammit he just saw the love of his life and…"

Melissa had trailed off after the rather quirky and laughing smile that Angela had given her. Her attempt to make her feel better had worked and it seemed that he had finally moved on as Angela could no longer notice him in the crowd.

It was unusual for Leon to be standing in queue at a club, but it belonged to the informant and he obviously felt safest meeting with Leon here. When the bouncer saw his ID, he motioned to the other security guard to escort him. Inside was thrumming with bodies and looked to be popular with a range of age groups. Nearing a discrete black door at the far end of the room Leon saw someone familiar, 'Angela?!' It was brief though and then he couldn't see her anymore. 'Am I that obsessed I'm beginning to see her around the place?' he thought to himself.

He didn't have time to ponder on it though as the security guard directed him to go on through without him. At the moment he had more important things to think about; he absolutely could not afford to get distracted now, not when there seemed to be a serious threat on the horizon.

Not long after the group piled out of the club and agreed that they would go home, "Ah, it's late and we're not yungins the way we used to be, now is we Mike?" Reid had asked of his friend.

"Speak for yourself Reid. I just got things to do on the weekend. Anyway, Melissa, Reid and myself live not too far from here so we can walk you back, else we can get you a cab?"

"Thanks for the offer. I'm just on Tamiami Street and the company would be welcome. I think it's that way?" She said looking down the road.

"Looks about right." Mike said as they all headed down the street towards Angela's apartment. "We live just down that way so we'll walk you and Melissa back and head back to our place after. I know you two are pretty good at taking down a couple of hooligans if they start getting fresh with you, but we'll never hear the end of it if you get lost. Rick's always going on about looking out for your teammate even when you're not out on the field."

"Rick seems like a really great officer. You can't help but respect and like him - even if he is a hard taskmaster. How long has he been doing this for?"

"Not as long as you'd think. He lost a close friend out in the field 'cause his team captain wasn't the best and it kinda motivated him to take up the position and rectify all the things he thought was wrong with the way the team was run. When we first came in, some of the things he made us do seemed really stupid, but we really appreciate it now. I know we've all got each other's back and if it weren't for our personal records being a bit…grey…we'd definitely be recognised as the best out there. We feel cheated 'cause Rick should get credit for the work he does, but the higher ups are a bunch of tools."

"You know, from what I've seen of Rick and what you've told me. I don't think it matters. What he cares about are the people – who we're saving and keeping everyone on the team safe. And I think that if the team continues to carry out missions with the clockwork precision I saw the other day, other teams will recognise how good you all are no matter what the higher ups have to say about it."

"We're that good, huh? Well, you realise this now includes you too, right Angela?"

"I do. Anyway, this is my apartment. Thanks for walking me back guys, I've had a great evening."

"No worries. But…do you mind if I crash on your couch or something? I think I've left my keys in my locker and these guys keep a pretty gross apartment." Melissa shuddered.

"Of course. Just don't mind the boxes, I haven't unpacked everything."

"Boxes are no issue at all. Plus, I'm sure even your cold hard floor would be better than their place."

"Well I actually have a rug, so it wouldn't be that cold or hard."

"See! Even Angela's FLOOR is better than your place. You guys need to clean up sometime or you're never going to get a girl."

They all laughed and while the boys walked to their apartment, Angela and Melissa took the elevator to her apartment. The tall figure that had followed them from the club, however, stood in the shadows while he watched them enter the building. He hadn't had a chance to make a move all night. No scene, no witnesses. Well he would bide his time and wait. There were others for now.