Gabriele silently thanked Charles for the change of subject and for the attention to be put back on Bridge, and not her. Her boss cleared his throat before starting a very long narrative. When Bridge started speaking, Gabriele made herself more comfortable by slouching in the metal chair and folding her arms across her chest as she prepared for Bridge's usual long-winded speech, this time the topic was Division X. "I want to ask each of you, all of you, to officially join the Division. Long term." Looking around the table as he finished.
Gabriele sighed. Bridge had been trying for years to get her to join his science experiment, but she was never interested. And she still wasn't. "Why?" Her own voice was matched by that of Erik.
"What do you mean 'why'?" Bridge asked to her specifically. In all the years G.W. Bridge had been her boss, she had never asked 'why' in regard to a mission. In reality, she didn't need to ask him. Everything was in the large manila folder he would give her before each assignment. But this request had never came with a manila folder.
"I mean 'why me'?" She said while correcting her posture. Gabriele don't like teams or teamwork. She don't even really like people in general. Bridge knew that. Why would he force her her into something she didn't want to do? She was probably being childish about the whole thing, but she didn't care.
"Why not you? You're the first mutant to ever work with and for the United States of America. You are the most qualified and experienced agent the CIA has. You've never failed a mission. You've brought down numerous dictators and warlords and you've saved countless of lives in the process. You're the best of what you do. Why shouldn't you be involved in the first ever mutant team organized by the U.S?" Bridge said with a small hint of sarcasm.
His adulation still didn't convince her and instead she found it a bit embarrassing but Gabriele remained silent and returned to her lounged state, shrugging the conversation off. Everything Bridge said was true but she wasn't exactly worried about her competence. Gabriele attributed her anti-social behavior mostly to her mutations. Though, she believed some of it could be blamed on her childhood, or lack there of. When you can't touch people without causing them severe pain, you tend to avoid personal contact and people altogether.
Bridge completely ignored Erik's objection and focused only on the woman's. He then berated her with what was practically adoration. Clearly the two had history together. Bridge was confused as to why Gabriele would refused a position she had evidently deserved. Erik wasn't sure if he wanted a part in the whole thing either. He had been dragged into this by Charles, a man he had just met.
The woman shifted uncomfortably in her seat, adjusting the waist of her skirt. Erik had noticed that she fidgeted with her clothing quite often, but he wasn't sure if it was common tick or if she was just uncomfortable with her attire. "What exactly would be the point of our involvement?" She asked, avoiding her boss's previous question.
Bridge smiled, seemingly happy that the woman appeared to have changed her mind about the whole thing. "At the moment, our main object to is find Sebastian Shaw and prevent whatever it is he's planning." He said while pulling a sack of folders from his briefcase.
A manila folder that Gabriele was so use to was placed in front of her. Ignoring everything else, she flipped the folder open and was greeted by a picture of a rather plain looking man with brown hair and a square chin. Her eyes scanned the information and found nothing of real interest. He was a mutant, but the extent of his abilities were currently unknown. The man was also the leader of the Hellfire Club, a secret terrorist group intent on starting another world war. The only thing that peaked Gabriele's interest was the list of his aliases. Dr. Klaus Schmidt, used during World War II. She thought back where she had heard that name before. When she remembered, a frown crossed her face. "Klaus Schmidt is still alive?"
Erik's eyed her from across the table. "Who know Schmidt?" His tone had grown harsh and judging by the venom behind his words, Erik knew the man as well.
"I know of him." Gabriele said, noting that everyone was staring at her again. "The man had a reputation around the concentration camps. Soldiers talk more freely when no one is listening. Or when the person listening is a Jew." She shrugged her shoulders. "So, how do we find him?"
"I think I know a way. But we can't do it from here." Bridge said with a smile and once again taking the attention off of Gabriele, though she was well aware of Erik's eyes which still lingered on her.
"Virginia?" Moira asked. Agent Bridge nodded his head in agreement.
Gabriele sighed. "I hate Virginia."
A few hours later, Gabriele found herself driving down the dark highway, staring at Bridge's tail lights in front of her as Charles chatted away in the back seat with his sister. She had spent twenty minutes debating whether or not to pass her boss who was cautiously driving the legal speed limit, forcing her to do the same. With an aggravated sigh, she moved the rental car into the next lane and pushed on the gas, speeding by Bridge and MacTaggert in the other car. It wasn't until Bridge's headlights disappeared into the night behind them did she talk her foot off the pedal. She was half waiting for one of her passengers to say something about her driving.
When they had met in the parking lot after getting off the ship, Agent Bridge had handed her a pair of car keys before getting in his own car with Moira and driving away, leaving her with a car and the three strangers. She was still wearing the borrowed clothes but she was forced to pick a pair matching high heels before heading to the parking lot with the rest of the group. Erik had taken the passenger seat while Charles and Raven settled into the back.
"Anyone know how far it is to Virginia?"Gabriele had asked, starting the engine.
Fourteen hours, I think." Charles answered, pulling off his tweed jacket.
