Afternoon everyone!

Hope all is well and a Happy Friday to you all. To all my reviewers and followers…Thank you for reading.

Jdcocoagirl: It happened! And wait till they meet in person. I think you will like it.

Guest: Thank you for reading. I hope you like this chapter.

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Chapter 8

DR128 tried to get some sleep, but for the life of him every time he closed his eyes he saw her. Fiery red hair, bold green eyes, and a perfect silhouette of a body. He tried desperately to ignore her, to put the woman in the back of his mind, but it was impossible. He thought he knew her, but he couldn't remember from where.

Could it have been from a past job? Is she one of us? Master never mentioned there would be another operative working the same assignment. But the way she looked at me, he thought. It was like she knew me. Sighing, he rose from bed and looked outside the large window of his ice cold room. He liked the cold; preferred it over warm weather. And, despite only wearing black drawstring silk pants, the cool air around him didn't bother him.

Outside, the city looked peaceful and enchanting. The rain cleared earlier and the night was desolate of clouds and even stars. A full moon brightened the coal colored sky. From his window, he saw part of the rugged coastline. DR128 had never been to the states before. It felt so different from Europe, or Asia for that matter. But, there were some similarities. For example the vast old buildings, the beautiful cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Maine also felt familiar to him. Maybe because a little of it reminded him of England. He thought about the woman from the club again. What was it about her that made his thoughts go array?

Unconsciously, he rubbed his forehead with his hand realizing that he had a headache. He didn't understand why. He had one earlier when his thoughts fell on her, "What is going on with me?"

XXXXXXXXXX

The airport buzzed with people. The plane landed as scheduled, six forty-five in the morning. As instructed by the doctor, he checked in at the same hotel the gala would take place in Saturday. The reservation was already in place, but before checking in later on that day, he was to visit his contact for the necessary tools to perform his assignment.

Walking out of the airport, KG765 hailed a cab, "543 Kensington," he told the driver as he got in.

Seeing the serious young man with the short cropped black hair sitting in the back, the cab driver knew that small talk with this particular customer was not in the cards. Pulling out of the airport, he drove silently, wondering what was in the mind of that particular passenger.

XXXXXXXXX

Friday morning rolled around, but there wasn't much activity in the Quest mansion until almost ten in the morning when the group slowly congregated in the kitchen. Race was already making breakfast since Mrs. Evans had a doctor's appointment and wouldn't be in until later that day.

"Hey Dad," Jessie said as she walked in still wearing her robe, "Please tell me the coffee is ready."

"Yep," he answered as he pointed at the coffee maker by the counter, "Hot and ready."

Without a second thought, Jessie walked over and poured herself a mug. Race looked at his daughter with concern when he noticed the bags under her eyes and her slightly pale complexion, "I take it you didn't sleep at all last night. I'm sorry for your experience."

She shrugged as she prepared her coffee. The murder had been shocking. But, she had seen worse from the many trips and adventures she participated in with father and the rest of the group. Truthfully, Jessie wouldn't dare tell him that the main reason for her unattended sleep was finalizing the Phoenix program which she hoped to use later that evening. "I guess I'm a little out of practice," Jessie halfway joked. "What's for breakfast? I'm starving."

"I'm making omelets," Race answered. "What do you want on them?"

"Can I have an egg white omelet?" she asked. "Kind of watching what I eat."

"Since when?" Race looked at her curiously with half a laugh.

"I haven't really exercised since I got home," Jessie laughed. "You know, maybe I should do that today. A good run at the beach should help clear my mind a bit."

"That bad?" Race asked already preparing her omelet. "Jess, you must be losing your edge," he joked, trying to lighten up the situation.

"Hardly," she answered, "I was used to working out practically every day and I haven't done it consistently for a couple of days."

"Tomatoes?"

"And mushrooms, onions and green peppers," she answered as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Can you make that two, Mr. Bannon?" Claire was the next one to walk in. "With everything that happened last night, I'm surprised I worked up a good appetite. Good morning all!"

"Is she always so cheery in the morning?" Race joked.

"You have no idea," Jessie shook her head.

"Two omelets on the way," he said as Claire walked over to the coffeemaker. "How are you holding up, Claire?"

"In reality, I try not to think about it too much. To think that a killer was that close to us," she replied growing a serious. As Claire prepared her coffee, she too noticed the sickly look on Jessie's face, "Are you feeling alright?"

Nodding, Jessie answered, "Yes, just a bit tired from last night."

Claire looked at Jessie and with her eyes told her that she knew there was more than she was letting on. Jessie herself stared back as if to tell her to shut up, "I'm going running later, want to come?"

"Definitely," Claire answered taking a seat next to her friend, "I so much enjoy running."

Rolling her eyes, Jessie continued to drink her coffee. Soon the rest of the crew began filling the room. A few minutes later, the dining table in the kitchen feasting on Race's very big breakfast. Conversation was light, despite talking about the events from the previous evening. As everyone continued eating, Doctor Quest spoke up, "I'm glad all of us are here this morning, I'd like to call an impromptu staff meeting, if that's all right with all of you."

"Sure," Hadji answered with a nod.

"On Saturday, I've been invited to the UN Gala," Benton began, "Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend. Race and I have to travel to Russia later this afternoon on a project I-1 assigned us."

"What kind of project?" Jessie's eyes suddenly lit with interest. Neither men had worked with I-1 for years, not since Jonny's disappearance. Why now all of a sudden?

"Nothing out of the unusual," Race interjected acting a casual as he could. "Phil was actually here last night before all this happened to ask Benton to create video devices that will help some of the I-1 agents overseas. There's a big case happening there and they need the doc's assistance, so he said yes and we leave later today."

She nodded, not fully understanding why such project demanded last minute travels, "Oh…alright. What type of case?"

"It's classified, honey," Race answered, "We won't even know until we get there."

"Anyways," Benton continued, "Since we'll be in Moscow for at least a week, I'm hoping that the three of you can attend the gala on my behalf."

"Really!" Claire's eyes lit up suddenly.

"Yes," Benton nodded, "Hadji, I would like you to take my place son. Ladies, I called my assistant Veronica last night to see if she could get us an extra ticket. I'm sure it will arrive later today."

"Oh, this is wonderful!" Claire answered excitedly, "I have just the perfect evening dress for this."

"Hadji, I'll also need you to take over the office for me while I'm away. Veronica will keep you informed of any duties you'll need to fill on my behalf." Dr. Quest continued, referring to his executive assistant who was his right hand at the office.

"No problem, father," the young man answered as the doctor nodded and smiled. Despite the torment going on with Jonny's disappearance, Benton couldn't have been happier to have a son like Hadji. It was a reminder that he was still a father to his other son and that he needed to give him just as much attention.

"Jessie, Claire, you'll need to start a bit early," he continued, "There are some projects I'd like you to read over and work on while we are away."

"Sure," Jessie answered with a soft smile. She couldn't help to think something was going on. But for now, she'd let it slide. There was much more important work to do and she realized that both her father and Doctor Quest had given her a window of opportunity for the real project she wanted to sink her teeth into.

XXXXXXXXXX

The phone rang just once before DR128 was up. He quickly reached over the night stand and picked it up, "I'm listening."

"I've sent all the information you need for tomorrow night's assignment by email," a voice alerted him. It was Master's voice. Again, DR128 wondered, why was Master all of the sudden speaking to him when he rarely did for such assignments. "The message will automatically be erased from your account within the hour, I need you to look at it now and memorize the blue prints as well. Plan your escape strategy today."

"I will," he answered without raising any of the questions he thought about.

"As soon as the assignment is complete, you are to take the first flight out to Amsterdam. A ticket has been issued under the name of Aiden Summers. The front desk downstairs has a package containing your passport and currency." Master continued without stopping, "I will meet you there on Monday morning."

For the first time, he was shocked, but didn't say a thing. Instead, he sat up and listened more intently, "I understand."

"Don't you want to know why, DR128?" Master suddenly asked.

He remained quiet on the line, not knowing what to answer, "I don't need to know. I only follow orders Master."

Sighing audibly, Master replied, "I know you do DR128, I know. Make me proud tomorrow night."

"I will Master," he nodded.

"I know you will… son," he answered before he hung up the phone.

XXXXXXXXXX

It wasn't until late morning that Jessie and Claire were able to take their jog at the beach. At first, Claire noticed how Jessie concentrated on her running, but then, upon closer view, she knew Jessie's mind was far from jog.

"Where are you Red?" Claire asked as the two continued running.

"I'm here," Jessie replied, "More than you'll ever believe." They continued jogging until they reached a rocky edge hill, "Come on, let's take a rest." The two women climb the hill carefully. As they sat down, neither spoke for a while. They just listened to the sounds of the waves crashing by the edge.

"What's going on Jessie?" Claire asked looking at her friend who kept staring distantly at the horizon.

Jessie took a deep breath before turning and looking back at her friend, "Before I begin, you have to promise me that you'll not interrupt, you'll not tell anyone about this, not even Hadji and you'll not stop me from my plans. Can I trust you Claire?"

Claire had never seen Jessie look more serious in any of the years she had known her. She felt a shiver crawl through her back when she heard the tone of Jessie's voice, "Alright," she nodded curtly.

"I saw Jonny last night."

Claire felt the impulse to speak, but she controlled herself even though Jessie registered the shock in her eyes. Never the less, the blonde kept her promise and allowed her friend to continue.

"It was at the club," Jessie looked back at the ocean. "Claire, there is no doubt in my mind that it was him. We stared at each other and I swear to you it was him. I should have gone to him, but I was so shocked…so surprised to see him merely a few inches from me that….I don't know, I couldn't move. He was there and I…" she sighed, "Then just like that he disappeared." She then turned to her friend and asked, "Are you going to say anything?"

"I was waiting for you to finish," Claire replied as calmly as she could, "What are you planning on doing now?"

"I'm not crazy Claire. I'm going to obviously confirm it by using Phoenix tonight," Jessie responded. "And, I'm going to start the investigation….I have no doubt in my mind that it was Jonny."

"Let me play Devil's Advocate here," Claire interrupted. "First of all, have you asked yourself why, after five years, would your missing boyfriend appear out of the blue in a club in a city where…"

"Claire!"

"Listen Jessie," she snapped back. "It's not that I don't believe you. Really. I will back you up in everything that you do for as long as I can. But, I don't want you to have these misguided hopes that at the end might disappoint you."

"I'm not going to be disappointed," Jessie shook her head, "I know it was him. And believe me when I tell you that I too have thought why Jonny would appear out of nowhere now after all these years. But there's an explanation and I'm going to find out."

"Why can't we tell Hadji?"

"Because, Hadji and Doctor Quest went through hell when Jonny disappeared," she replied. "I can't put them through that…at least not until I can confirm that it's really him. That's why you have to promise me you will not say a word to him. Promise me Claire?"

Sighing, the blond girl answered, "Fine." She wasn't happy about lying to her future potential boyfriend, but this was Jessie, her sister, her best friend, and her family. There was no question about it, she would do what her friend asked of her, "So, what's the next move?'

Smiling Jessie answered, "Meet me at the lighthouse at midnight."

XXXXXXXXXX

DR128 left his room, took the rental car and drove to the hotel where the gala would take place. He was there to study the layout of the area. He took pictures that he would later look over in his hotel room and made mental notes along the way. KG765 watched DR128 from a safe distance, making sure to get to know his target personally.

After picking up his supplies, he took a cab to a rental dealership and rented a car under one of his approved aliases. He then drove to his assigned hotel, left his belongings in his room and drove over to DR128's hotel. He had been following him for over an hour, learning everything he could about him. He seemed an easy target, nothing he hadn't handled before. Yet, he still believed he had to be cautious.

The doctor warned him that DR128 was dangerous and not to believe everything he saw. Things will not always appear to be what they are with him, the doctor forewarned. Looking at him from inside the black Charger parked across the street from the hotel, KG765 saw nothing to worry about. At least, not from what he was currently observing.

XXXXXXXXXX

DR128 continued taking pictures. He had purposely worn a University of Miami t-shirt, some worn out jeans and a cap. Those that walked past him sometimes glared curiously while others asked why the picture taking of a local hotel. He'd answer that he was an architecture student taking pictures for one of his projects. As he continued his task, he made mental notes that he kept repeating to himself in his mind. One happened to be the black Charger parked across from the hotel for almost thirty minutes earlier. He also noticed that the driver had not excited the car. Someone was watching him.

DR128 continued working on his assignment. There was no need to stop now. He knew that he wouldn't be attacked or killed. At least, not at the moment. If anything, Master would want him to complete the mission before this assassin made a play for him.

His thoughts went elsewhere. If he was being watched by someone, there was a probability that Master found out about the cabin. He'd have to check if his location after the hit was compromised. If so, he'd have to think fast. His time was limited.

XXXXXXXXXX

A knock on his office door had Phil Corvin looking up from the stack of paperwork he had been reading since he walked in earlier that morning. After going to bed at almost three o'clock in the morning, he was back in his office by seven reading over the reports the team compiled the night before at the club. He was so engrossed in his reading, that the knock startled him back to reality. Bidding the person in, he found Alex smiling at him, "Three…maybe four hours of sleep. Did I guess right?"

He shrugged, "Somewhat. The mind kept on working despite the attempt to fall asleep."

"Been there," she answered as she walked in and sat down on the chair across from his desk, "I completed the autopsy on the Remini kid."

"And?"

"Same M.O. Phil," she sighed with concern. "We have a serious problem. There's someone out there who really knows what he is doing. Have you had any leads on finding that kid?"

Phil shook his head, "No, nothing. It's like he vanished from the face of the Earth. I have no idea where the hell he went. Worse, the President is really on my back for answers and I don't have any."

"It won't be easy when he finds out that an Ambassador's kid got screwed the same way his friend did," she answered looking at her friend with sympathy.

"We could be looking at the same guy, but then again," he shook his head. "We're so screwed. Not to mention that another ambassador was killed in Russia a few days ago."

"Have you increased security for the other members?"

"Yes," Phil nodded his confirmation. "Each ambassador and their immediate families have either I-1 agents or FBI by their side and I've upgraded security for tomorrow's gala."

"I'm taking that you'll be there as well?" Alex asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes, I have to make sure we don't have a repeat incident of the last couple of days tomorrow night." He answered just as his phone rang, "Excuse me."

As the agent picked up the phone, Alex stood up, "I have a meeting, we can talk later." She answered as she heard him state his name on the line. He looked up, smiled at her before she walked out.

"Well, you sound horrible old friend," he heard a voice with an English accent respond with a humorous tone.

"Wh…who is this?" he questioned before it dawned on him who it was, "Ethan?"

"Well, who else do you know that can speak with such class and sophistication?" the man on the other side of the line laughed, good naturedly, "How are you Phil?"

"You picked a hell of a time to ask that question," Phil answered with a heavy sigh. Ethan Grant previously worked in the I-1 headquarters of Maine and was the third lead investigator in the Quest disappearance case along with Phil and Zachary. Ethan made significant contributions throughout his tenure in Maine that the Deputy Chief of the agency chose him to head the London headquarters. It had been a dream for Ethan who had wanted to head his own site for years. It also brought him back home with his friends and family. Phil and Ethan kept in touch from time to time since his departure a few years back, especially when cases crossed over their perspective sites. "What's going on my friend?"

"I wanted to speak to you about a certain video that was sent to my email account about an hour ago," Ethan replied as his tone grew serious.

"Don't tell me?" Phil groaned, "Please don't tell me…"

"It looked like Jonathan Quest," Ethan blurted out, "Have you seen it?"

"Yes," he replied, "Zach received it yesterday and we've been looking into it."

"Were you going to call me at any time to let me know?" Ethan asked, his tone growing annoyed as he heard Phil give him the new bit of information, "I seem to remember me being part of this case as well."

"Don't get your balls all twisted Ethan," Phil snorted, "Like I told you, Zack received it yesterday and we spoke to Quest and Bannon first before we could continue. Besides, I did have my office contact you so I followed all standard protocol."

"A personal call would have been the gentleman thing to do."

Sighing heavily, Phil answered, "Fine, I'm sorry Ethan. We can talk about my communication skills, or lack thereof later. Now, I need your help because we are going to need all the help we can get."

"What is going on?" Ethan asked as his tone grew serious, "This kid disappeared from the face of the Earth five years ago and reappears in a Moscow hotel making out with some whore."

"It gets worse, who sent you the video?"

"I have in my files, some agent Joseph Ruttenberg. I've tried locating him, but the agency keeps telling me he's on assignment. I can't get a hold of him," Ethan responded.

"My team is working on contacting him too. As soon as I have word I'll call you myself." Phil replied.

"So what do you need my help on?"

"Benton Quest and Race Bannon will travel to Moscow with Zachary to find leads as to Jonny's whereabouts. I would appreciate if you could help them since they'll be in your jurisdiction," Phil replied with a resolute tone.

"They're coming to Russia?" Ethan asked. "You're not joining them?"

"I'm working on the UN assassinations, I can't leave," he responded. "I've assigned Zach as the lead. Can you take on the case personally?"

"I'll be glad to help," Ethan responded. "But, Phil, I have my own investigation going on here as well. Need I remind you that I have a Russian Ambassador who was gunned down over a week ago?"

"I'm aware," Phil answered, "But Ethan, I need your help in this case. You know this one is...of extreme importance."

Sighing heavily the man on the other line responded, "Alright. I know they are your friends and I know how much that kid means to you."

"Then, you'll help us?"

"Of course I will," he responded, "When will they arrive?"

"They leave this evening," Phil replied, "I'll send you the flight information in a few minutes and where they'll be staying."

"Let me guess…the same hotel that they saw Jonny, correct?" Ethan asked.

"You have to understand Benton," Phil replied, "This new information has given him more hope in finding his son."

"I'm sure Corvin," Ethan told him, "If it was my son, I'd do everything possible to get him back. I don't blame him at all."

"So you'll help us?"

"I'll take one of the agency's jets tonight and meet them there," he responded, "And, I'll keep you posted on any developments."

"Thank you Ethan," Phil replied, "I owe you one."

"Nonsense," the man on the other end of the line replied. "You owe me nothing. I'll call as soon as I can," he said before hanging up.

Once the call was complete, Phil sighed heavily. He hoped that between Zachary and Ethan, Benton would finally get what he'd been trying to find for the last five years, his son.

XXXXXXXXXX

The drive back to the hotel was relatively safe, even though he knew that he was being followed very discreetly. Either way, DR128 knew the other agent would not take him out for the time being; that would be marked at a specific time. He'd know soon enough.

For the moment, DR128 walked back to his room and began uploading the pictures he took on his camera to the laptop. While that was going on, he began looking for any codes indicating that that he had been hacked. It had taken him almost an hour, before sighing deeply. He had in fact been hacked. "They know where I'm going."

He'd have to think another way. Sighing in frustration, DR128 looked at the screen. Master had become very communicative during the past few days, someone was being extremely proactive following his moves online, and now an assassin was ready to finish him off. Everything was becoming more complicated.

He had to plan out his next move very carefully. If he didn't, it would cost him dearly.

XXXXXXXXXX

Benton walked out of his closet with a couple of shirts on hand bringing them to his bed. Packing was not his favorite thing to do, but at this moment, it didn't seem too bad. The prospect of finding something, anything new about his son was more than he could ask for at the time.

He heard a knock on his door that made him turn around. A second later, Race walked in, "Finishing packing?"

The doctor nodded, "Almost done. What time do we leave?"

"Flight leaves at eight fifteen tonight." Race answered as he walked further in to the room, "We should leave the compound about two hours early. Zachary will be waiting for us in the airport."

"I still don't understand why we can't take any of our planes," Benton sighed. "We would get there much faster."

"We have to follow I-1 procedures. We don't want to raise any suspicions with the Russian government. If they think Jonny has anything to do with the UN assassinations…"

"I know," Benton replied before pausing for a moment. "That's my biggest worry. What if Jonny does have something to do with all this?" he sat down by the edge of the bed and picked up a picture from the nightstand that had him, his wife Rachel and Jonny who could have been no more than three years old at the time, "First Rachel, then him…"

"He's not lost Benton," Race said as he walked closer, "You and I both know that someone did something to Jonny. Whatever it is, now they'd screwed up and they've given us a window of opportunity to get him back."

"What if…"

"We will get him back this time," Race answered firmly, "We won't fail. You will get your son back."

Benton nodded. Leave it to Race Bannon to pull him out of the despair he sometimes fell into. When he lost Rachel, he thought he had lost his will to live. But when he lost Jonny, that feeling was multiplied three times over. Race never gave up hope and inadvertently kept the doctor's hopes up as well, "Have you packed?"

"Yep. All ready and set."

"And the kids?"

"Hadji is looking over the guest list to familiarize himself with all the people he has to meet and the girls went out to pick up the gowns they ordered for the affair."

"Ordered?" Benton looked at Race confused.

"According to my daughter, you can borrow evening gowns….something called couture…Anyways, you kind of rent them and give them back…."

"Oh," nodded with a little smile.

"Don't ask me anymore, I'm surprised I remembered that much," Race laughed.

After a few seconds, Benton's features grew serious, "Race, I need to find him this time. I need my entire family back. It's been too long."

"Benton, you will. Your son will come home."

Looking back at the picture frame, Benton sighed, "I better. Or Rachel will never forgive me."