Okay, I've got one more chappie. I haven't gotten the typed-up book chapters yet, but I remembered that before I gave back the book I managed to type of the end of that chapter, you know, where Amy gets on board the boat. So here it is. My main strategy for this fic, I think, is a chapter per chapter. Anyway... enjoy.


"Irina is late."

Isabel stood in the front of the boat, her back turned, but Ian could hear the disapproval in her voice. He allowed himself a grim smile; he would not want to be in Irina's shoes when they returned.

It seemed that recently Isabel didn't trust Irina as much - if she ever trusted anyone, that is. But of late, she'd been giving Irina increasingly trivial assignments, not telling her everything... What was happening? Ian couldn't see anything Irina was doing wrong - but then again, Isabel was more observant than he was. Irina could easily have overlooked some crucial detail to something that he'd missed as well.

Silence fell again, and the boat bobbed gently in the water. Then the ferry they'd been hiding behind start to move. Quickly, Isabel returned to the controls, and the boat moved forward - slowly, so as not to make any unwanted noise, but still at a reasonable pace. Isabel maneuvered them out into the open water, hiding the fact that they'd been far too close to the ferry than safety regulations would allow. As the next ferry pulled in, she made a wide loop in the water and came up close to this one, returning to their previous position. Then silence.

Ian would have felt rather bored, but worry was beginning to nibble at the corners of his mind. What if Amy didn't show up - how would Isabel react to that? And what if she did show up? What then?

Best not to go there.

An indeterminate amount of time later, the radio on a nearby seat crackled to life. Ian sat up straighter, and Isabel turned.

"Amy is coming." Irina, definitely. "She is headed towards this dock. Be ready."

"Of course," snapped Isabel into the radio. "And Irina - when we come back, I hope for your sake you have some explanations on hand."

No reply.

Isabel started the motor, and the boat purred to life. She inched them forward until the dock was just visible around the ferry's edge. Peering forward, Ian could just make out a figure standing near the shore. Was it Amy? He couldn't be sure...

"It's her." Isabel was looking through binoculars. She snapped them shut and turned to Ian. "We're picking her up now, and I don't want to hear anything from you. Don't say a word. Don't intervene. Whatever happens, you're a statue, or it will be the worse for you. Understand?"

Ian nodded. What did she think he was going to do? Sabotage whatever plan his mother had in mind? Of course not. He knew how important it was to get information, and he was not about to put it at risk now.

All other thoughts were driven from his head as Isabel gunned the motor, and the boat roared forward. The acceleration threw Ian back onto the seat and made him feel like his brain was trying to force its way out through his skull. The boat shot around the bend, and stopped inches away from the dock.

Isabel nodded at Amy. "There she is. Keep her from escaping."

Ian jumped down from the boat and onto the dock. Trying to ignore the fact that the wooden surface was pitching up and down under his feet, he halted in front of Amy, casually blocking her way to the ferry. "There you are!" he greeted her, suspecting that Isabel was thinking the same thing. Why was she late? What had taken Irina so long?

"Amy! Come aboard!" Isabel was waving from the boat.

Ian noticed Amy's muscles tense, as though to run. Quickly he slid an arm through hers, locking his elbow to create a strong grip. There. That should keep her immobilized.

He glanced quickly back at Isabel. Her face was disapproving, but she nodded. She understood what he was doing, but she didn't like it. That much was clear.

Ian directed his gaze back to Amy. He felt like he had to say something. "I'm glad you came," he murmured finally. "There's so much to say." He did have a lot to say - most of it concerning Isabel's trustworthiness - but he doubted he'd get to. And he wasn't at all sure if he was glad she'd come. But he'd learned early on that the best lies were usually founded on truth.

Isabel waved again. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

Ian saw Amy's shoulders slump slightly, her body language defeated. Judging that it was safe to do so, he relaxed his elbow a second before she threw off his arm and climbed onto the boat.

As Amy moved past him, Ian glanced once more at Isabel. She was relaxed, carefree, and welcoming; all kindness and nothing to hide.

Ian wished he were that good at acting.


Yeah, it's not much. But I like it. I won't be able to update more until I get those typed-up chapters. No, I'm not trying to guilt-trip or anything! ! ! It's just that... yeah, I kind of do need them.

If you hadn't noticed yet, I have a new fic, one of those horribly cliched ones in which the Clue Hunters have to read the Sword Thief. Go read it if you want. But make sure to review on this one! ! ! ! ! ! !

By the way, there's this strategy I've been using on all of my fics since January: I never use the word said. Ever. I find other substitutes, like snapped, replied, asked, demanded, muttered, interrupted... Or I just don't use speech verbs at all, instead using context to show who's talking. Apparently it's a really good exercise in word variation, as well as being a lot more specific. Anyways... I am just randomly rambling. So bye, and don't forget to PRESS THAT BUTTON!