Good evening. So, I made a mistake and I feel awful about it! I told you last week that the Jessie and Jonny encounter would take place this week. But, in reading over my chapters, I found out that it's really the next chapter, not this one.

So, to make up for my mistake, I will be posting two chapters this week. The next one should come out either Friday or Saturday. I truly apologize for my mistake, it wasn't my intention to lead you all on. Sorry!

Harry101: I'm really glad that you are enjoying the fic! I know that work is probably killing you. I work for administration at a children's hospital. I know the feeling of having a lot of projects! Hang in there. I really admire your writing and I hope to see the conclusion of your fic. Seriously, you were my inspiration for writing this story.

TJ12398: Okay my friend, just to let you know-I am a firm believer in happy endings! If you read my other stories, you'll see that I never, NEVER kill off any main characters, I always make sure that everyone gets what they deserve and my hero and heroine have a HEA (happily ever after). What's the point of writing a tear jerker that leaves you annoyed and angry at the end? I don't get that. So, please feel confident that this story will have a happy ending.

Anatolie: Well, get ready. I still have other points in this fic that my leave you feeling the same. LOL! Hope you stay tuned.

JDCocoagirl: DR128 doesn't trust anyone at this point. Claire is very level headed. She's going to help the team a lot as well. I feel sorry for poor Benton, he has suffered the most. And when Hadji finds out…oh boy. Let's see. Glad you are enjoying this story.

Playlist:

Royksopp Forever: Royksoop Junior

Fairytale: Milky Chance

This Language: Stateless

Chapter 12

Benton Quest didn't know what to feel. On one side, he felt relieved and happy. Jonny was alive! He didn't think anyone could understand how this knowledge made him feel. His son was alive. No more late nights lying in bed thinking if his son was lying in some hole in the middle of the Peruvian forest. No more thinking if he was at peace with Rachel. No, he was alive and apparently well.

On the other side, he felt afraid. So afraid. This man, because he was a man now, was not his son. At least, not the son he knew. Who had turned him into a killer? What had they exposed his son to in the last five years? Why would they take him? Who was they?

"Benton?" Race suddenly walked up to his friend.

"I'm alright," Benton nodded. "What's our next step?" He asked as he sat down.

Carefully, Ethan began as he sat down across from Benton, "We need to bring him in. I'll put out a BOLO on him and notify local police."

"What else?" Benton asked as he looked at the picture of his son on the board.

"I'll also need to notify I-1 and local police in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine…pretty much the neighboring countries. He could be anywhere at this point," Ethan sighed. "Russia is too large to cover on our own. I'll have to contact KGB as well as the FBI."

"And once you bring him in?"

Ethan looked at Zack and Race, "Benton‒"

"We don't know anything yet," Zack responded. "We will cross that road when we get there. We first have to find out if Jonny did this. All we have right now are circumstantial evidence."

Race nodded his thanks to his friend, "What can we do Ethan?"

"For the moment, let's go over the next steps," he answered. "Don't worry Benton. We will find your son and I'll do whatever is in my power to make sure he's safe."

XXXXXXXXXX

The girls worked diligently for hours trying to find a way to connect Jonny to the UN Ball that was just a few hours away. Jessie was surprised that Claire joined the effort with such passion that she smiled as her friend feverishly typed away on the computer screen. They had contacted Hadji earlier for the list telling him they also wanted to get acquainted those attending the party later that evening.

"Okay, in looking at tonight's guest list, the only two people that would have a connection to Remini are Enrico Hajak and Angelo Astore. Hajak happens to be the president and founder of one of Italy's most prestigious engineering firms. He donates millions to government and has a various military contracts. This year he may possibly open to other nations."

"That means that Italy won't have exclusive weaponry."

"Exactly," Claire nodded. "The other is Angelo Astore. He is being considered to run for Prime Minister in the next election."

"He'd be the obvious target, right?"

Claire shrugged, still looking at the screen, "Truthfully Red, anyone person attending tonight's ball can be a target. It's looking for a needle in the haystack."

"Well," Jessie sighed thoughtfully, "We were able to identify at least two needles. With some luck, we chose the right ones."

"Let's…hope not," Claire rolled her eyes. "I really wouldn't want to be around them tonight if we are right."

Jessie was about to answer when the phone rang. Walking to it, she picked it up, "Hi Mrs. Evans….Sure, we'll be right there." Hanging up the phone, she looked at Claire who was looking back curiously, "Ms. Evans said that the stylists are here."

Claire's eyes widened, "Already?"

Nodding, Jessie answered, "We better go. Don't want to raise suspicions."

"What do we do about this?" the blonde said raising her hands and looking at the screen in front of her.

Thinking for a moment, Jessie answered, "You take Hajak. I'll take Astore…we'll communicate with each other throughout the night."

"How? Do you remember I'll probably be with Hadji all night?"

Smiling, the red head went over to a closet across the room. Opening it, she retrieved two small devices from a silver box. "Here. These are ear pieces. We'll be able to speak to each other with these. Make sure you choose a hairstyle that covers your ears." Handing one of the ear pieces to Claire, she continued, "They run through Iris. I just have to activate them."

"Will it take long?"

Shaking her head she answered, "No, why don't you go and meet the stylist. It'll take me five minutes to get this ready."

"We still need to talk about what we're going to do if we‒"

"I know," Jessie answered, "Don't worry, let' me think some things over and we'll talk again before leaving."

"Alright," Claire sighed, "Let's just hope we don't go over our heads on this."

As Claire walked out of the lighthouse, Jessie whispered to herself, "Let's hope."

XXXXXXXXXX

It was decided that a BOLO would be put out along Russia and neighboring countries for a Jonathan Benton Quest. Circumstances for the BOLO were ambiguous at best. The team decided that the best course of action was to reopen the missing person's case in Europe due to a sighting at the Red Square. This way, agencies would be actively looking for him but not connecting him to the case. The all wanted to protect Jonny until they knew more. Race, Benton and Zack, knowing they could not do anything else for the rest of the day, returned to their rooms to rest. Ethan would work on the reports and information gathered throughout the day and call them should the other agencies contacted found anything.

Once inside their hotel room Benton's immediately voiced out his concerns to the group, "You two can't seriously believe that my son killed this man in cold blood, can you?"

"Calm down, Benton," Race smoothly tried appeasing his friend's anger, "We don't think anything yet."

"That's the problem!" he yelled. "You both have doubts as to the innocence of my son. Race, you know that Jonny would never commit such atrocity."

"Benton‒"

"And you Zack, you've known everything, EVERYTHING about my son and yet you doubt him too?"

"Benton, calm down!" Race finally spoke out. "What do you want us to tell you? Yes, we have our doubts. Part of me thinks that Jonny is involved much deeper than we know. And yes, there is a great probability that he killed the ambassador."

The doctor's eyes widened, "How can you‒"

"Let me finish!" this time Race interrupted. "I also think that if he did this, there is a reason. Jonny would never, NEVER do anything deliberately. We need to help him Benton. Find him and help him."

"And," Zack added, "We can't rule out that if he made himself be seen after all these years, he may want us to find him."

"All we are saying Benton is that in order to find him, we need to detach ourselves from what we feel," Race reasoned. "Don't you think it's killing me every time I see his picture on that damn suspect board? I can't imagine what you are feeling Benton, but if it is anything like what I'm feeling…I just can't allow myself to feel now. Not if I want to find and help Jonny."

Frustrated, regretful and tired, the doctor sighed heavily as he took a seat in the sofa, "I'm…I'm sorry. I just…I just know my son isn't a killer and if he is, then someone did something to him."

"That might be a possibility," suddenly Zack's eyes brightened with newfound knowledge.

Looking at the other I-1 agent, Race asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Benton, you said something about someone making Jonny do things," he nodded. "Can you research companies…organizations…any entity that researches or studies mind control or brainwashing of sorts?"

Both men suddenly saw hope in the older doctor's eyes, "Yes, of course."

"Well, how about you start looking into that," he said before turning to the door, "I have to go see Ethan. If there is a possibility in my theory, perhaps it won't be so hard to find your son," he said before walking out the door.

After he was gone, Benton turned to Race, "You think Jonny's been brainwashed?"

"I don't know Benton," Race acknowledged, "But anything is possible at this point."

XXXXXXXXXX

The stylists were done and gone by the time Jessie knocked on Claire's bedroom door. When Claire opened the door, she gasped in delight, "Your hair kicks ass!"

Jessie had opted to keep it loose, but instead of wearing it straight, she asked for thick curls that cascaded down her back. The sides were pulled back softly and pinned with diamond hairpins.

"It was the only thing I could think of to hide the earpiece. That woman thought of every way to hold my hair up," she snorted. "But thanks. You don't look bad yourself blondie." Claire stylishly pulled her hair to one side. The stylist created a stylish braid with crystal pins sprinkled all over the thick blond braid.

"I figured I could cover the earpiece on this ear," she smiled, "Clever, huh?"

"Very," Jessie answered as she walked in carrying the ear pieces. "I've tested them out and they are working perfectly."

"So we don't need a mic for this?"

She shook her head, "No, the mic is embedded in the earpiece; it will be strong enough to carry your voice through. Just make sure you don't look like you are talking to yourself."

"I'll try," Claire answered as she took the piece Jessie offered her and walked over to the mirror. Carefully, she inserted the piece in her right ear while trying not to ruin her hairdo. "There! All set." Turning to Jessie she asked, "So, who am I going to spy on while on my date with Hadji?"

"Hajak," Jessie immediately told her. "I have a feeling that Jonny will go after Astore."

"Why do you think that?"

"Easy," she walked over to the mirror to check her earpiece on her left ear, "So far, we've had an ambassador in Russia, another here and the son of another ambassador in just a few days ago. If Jonny has anything to do with this, and he'll be here tonight, then it's safe to say that the probability of targeting another government official is high. I'm betting it's Astore."

Nodding in agreement, Claire asked, "Then, why follow Hajak?"

"I said that there is a high probability that it's Astore, I didn't say that it is a sure thing," Jessie reminded her. "Just keep tabs on the man and if you see something weird, then let me know immediately."

"Sure thing Captain!" Claire mocked. Then, turning a bit serious, she told her friend, "Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"No heroics Jessie. If you find out something or even see him, contact the right people. If Jonny is involved, he isn't the same person he was five years ago."

"Claire‒"

"Promise me Jessie!" she said firmly, "I do not want my best friend injured or worse. You need to start accepting that this is a different man and before you put your entire trust in him, you better damn well know who he really is."

Quiet for a moment, Jessie then nodded, "I promise."

XXXXXXXXXX

Ethan read over some of the information he gathered from earlier that morning. Looking over the folder on his desk once more, he was about to pick up the phone when a knock on the door had him look up, "Come in," he said as he absentmindedly closed the folder. "Zack, is everything alright?" he asked as he stood up from his chair.

"Yeah," Zack answered with a nod, "I just came to run by you a thought I had while I was talking to Benton and Race."

"How are they doing? I'm sure the news earlier was not easy to take."

Zack shrugged, "If you just heard that your son is a suspect in what could potentially be an act of terrorism, how do you think you'd feel?"

"I certainly don't wish that upon anyone," the Englishman sincerely said, "Come, have a seat." He gestured the taller man to a chair across from his desk. "Tell me about this thought."

"Well, I know that you never met Jonny personally. I met him on and off a couple of times before he disappeared, but Race and Phil have known this kid since he could barely walk and they swear that he'd never do these things."

Sighing a bit and trying to be careful with his words, Ethan answered, "You know Zachary, I have the upmost respect for both Race and Phil. Phil and I have been friends well…for more time than I remember, but…"

"I know what you're going to say Ethan and I agree," Zack interrupted him. "That's why I came to see you. I didn't run all my thoughts by Race or Benton and I won't until we thoroughly talk about this."

"Well, now you have my interest. Continue," Ethan sat up looking at the man across from him with interest and curiosity.

"From what Race told me, Jonny is one stubborn kid. He won't do or act when forced, so what if…" he wasn't sure if he could continue.

"Tell me Zachary. What if what?"

"What if," he took a deep breath, "What if he was forced not by physical means, but by mental means?"

"Come now?"

"What if Jonny was mentally made to do those things?"

Looking at Zach with a confused look, Ethan replied, "Are you telling me that the kid was what? Hypnotized? Brainwashed? That's a little farfetched isn't it Chap?"

"Maybe. The Quests have dealt with many farfetched scenarios. Why would this be different?" Zach said looking at Ethan, but deep in thought.

"It's an interesting idea," the Englishman nodded. "What would you like to do?"

"I already asked Benton to start researching any expert in mind control or hypnotism. That should keep him focused," he answered. "I need your help pulling up files of any organization that might be associated with any of this."

"I can get my team to look into that," he nodded. "What else do you need from me?"

"What's your next step?" Zach countered.

"For now, all we can do is wait," Ethan answered, "Unless there's a sighting somewhere, we can't really move. I've contacted all agencies and I'm hopeful something will turn up soon. I mean, the kid can't just disappear again, can he?"

"He did for five years Ethan. Whoever has him has not only outsmarted every agency in the world, but Benton Quest as well and that's no easy feat."

Nodding in agreement, the Englishman answered, "No easy feat."

XXXXXXXXXX

Walking out of the shower with only a towel wrapped around his waist, DR128 headed to the closet where he took out the tuxedo he'd wear. Laying it on top of the bed, he went to the table to take one last look at the tools he'd use for the evening. Parts of a Škorpion vz. 61 lay on the table-the barrel pin, magazine catch, trigger, bolt, among other parts. Sitting down, on a chair, he easily began assembling the weapon with ease. Once done, he stood up and walked to the bed where his laptop sat on the nightstand and the assassin's phone lay. He found the phone in the glove compartment of the car. Deciding not to destroy it, he kept it. It would be interesting to know what they'd be telling him.

He sat on the bed and picked up the device. Logging in to the airline site, he checked to see if Aidan Summers was still registered for the Amsterdam flight later that evening. Everything seemed in check. The flight left at 1:50am that morning. He'd carry out his mission and in a couple of hours he'd be in Amsterdam figuring out how to take care of Master. Closing the laptop, he put it away in the laptop bag. Earlier in the day he had packed almost all his belongings in the car. He was paid for the rest of the weekend, but he'd leave to the ball and never come back to the room. He would leave in a tuxedo, carrying the laptop bag in hand and his gun safely tucked away in his jacket.

He'd finish the job. He'd do well and somehow, after everything was over, he'd hope to disappear for good.

Thinking over his plan, he quickly dressed and groomed appropriately. Then, he threw away what he didn't need and took out the "Do Not Disturb" sign front the door. He wanted the cleaning crew to dispose of everything that was his the next morning. The sooner the better.

He gave himself one last check in the mirror before heading out. Taking the laptop bag and securing his weapon, he walked out the door. He was on his way to change somebody's life, but not for the better.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hadji Singh didn't drink. In fact, he hated most spirits. But tonight, he'd have to have something to keep his nerves in check. He had no idea he would feel the way he did for Claire. She was fire to him. He never thought it would happen. When he met her the first time, he thought she wouldn't give him the time of day. But, things quickly changed when she interned for the summer at Quest, Inc.

Hadji found two things about the gorgeous blond. She was as equally smart as she was gregarious. He found her intelligence quite appealing. One night, while working on a project late, they made up a game to pass the time as the program they were working on downloaded on the mainframe. They called "Live Trivial Pursuit". Each of them asked some kind of scientific question and gave each other points for answering them right. In the end, Hadji won, but Claire was not too far behind him. Impressed by her knowledge of various subjects, he saw her with new eyes.

So, it was no wonder that his eyes kept seeing more of her. He saw her smile, her flawless skin, the curves of her body, and that tight little…he gulped down the glass of Brandi he held in his hand.

"Didn't peg you for a drinker," he heard Claire's voice. He immediately turned around and his eyes widened when he saw her.

She wore a strapless black couture mermaid evening gown with lace and ruched embellishments throughout the gown. With her braided hair to one side, her blue eyes brightened over the smoky eye makeup the artist had tailored for her.

"You look…wow," he sighed heavily.

She smiled broadly, "You look great too," she whispered, noticing his Armani tuxedo. "Are you nervous?"

"Very much so," he confessed. "But not because of those people I have to meet tonight."

"Then…"

"It will be my first date with possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he smiled sheepishly at her.

Claire couldn't help but to blush at the comment.

Hadji noticed that she had literally turned red. About to apologize for making her feel uncomfortable, he was stopped by another person walking into the room, "If Claire's the most beautiful you've ever seen, then what happened to me?"

"Wow! Red, you look hot," Claire jumped in, "You were right, green is your color!" Looking at the dress, Claire could tell that Jessie's dress had been made just for her. It was an off the shoulder dark green chiffon dress that fell all the way to the floor. Her hair was loose, reaching all the way to her lower back, but styled into love rich loose red shiny curls.

"Thanks!" she smiled. "You look hot yourself. You too Hadj. Guess there's going to be a lot of people looking at you tonight."

"With two beautiful women by my side, I should hope so," he answered. "Now, I am looking forward to seeing these looks. How about we go on our way?"

Jessie nodded immediately, there was one person she hoped to see tonight and she prayed it would be on good terms.

XXXXXXXXXX

Phil Corvin walked around the ballroom checking every single area to a tee. He had men on the outside of the hotel, men in the security room looking over the cameras inside the hotel and even men with him inside the ballroom where two hundred and fifty guests paraded around him.

He practically begged the president and the powers that be to cancel the event, but the powers adamantly said they would not cower to terrorist threats. The ball would go on and I-1 would be in charge of making sure everything go flawlessly.

"This is a mistake," Phil heard the voice of special Agent Rick Houzz as the man walked behind him.

Turning around, Phil watched as Rick walked up to him, "I know Houzz, just bare with it like the rest of us. It will only be a couple of hours."

"A couple of hours in here is going to feel like decades," the man huffed. Rick had been with I-1 for almost twenty years. He was just two years shy of retirement and couldn't wait for the time to literally fly out of headquarters and possibly the state. Phil knew the man wanted out, but in order for him to get everything that was due to him, he'd have to wait it out.

"It won't be that bad," Phil answered, "I hope."

"Everyone is set," Rick said as he went back to work mode. "And, everyone has checked in with the exception of Special Agent Scott Moore."

"Why hasn't he checked in?" Phil asked disturbed by the thought of an agent checking in so late in the game.

"Last minute replacement for St. Claire," the man answered, "Headquarters called him back for a debriefing."

"Why wasn't I aware of this?"

"Did you not just hear me? Last minute," Rick answered sarcastically.

The two men walked out of the ballroom and into the lobby where a crowd of workers and agent began to prepare the area. Within the crowd, Corvin watched the entrance door where two agents conducted the check in. The area was narrow and it was hard to see who walked in and out. Rick, as he continued conversing suddenly blocked Phil's viewpoint. Corvin suddenly did a double take. He could have sworn he saw a young man he sort of recognized walk in before he quickly disappeared from view.

"Hey, Corvin. You listening?" Rick suddenly brought him back to the present.

"What?"

"I need you to come with me and check the balcony area." The man ordered as he guided Corvin away from the lobby. "We need to go now."

Looking back at the area, Phil tried to find the young man who had walked in. He looked so damn familiar. I'm seeing ghosts, he said to himself before following Houzz to another area of the ballroom.

XXXXXXXXXX

He had never met the man, but he recognized him immediately from the pictures he was shown at headquarters. Phillip Corvin, head of I-1 Maine Office. He was told to avoid him at all costs. No matter what, he was not to show his face to him. DR128 didn't know why, but orders were orders. So, when he saw him by the lobby, he quickly disappeared within the crowd of agents around the lobby.

He remembered the blue prints of the ballroom and seen several pictures of the venue. But, he still had to confirm that nothing inside the room changed, especially now that security Increased since he killed Remini a few days ago.

He walked casually into the room. The cameras stopped working as soon as he walked in to the ballroom. He couldn't use the scrambler; that would draw too much attention and questions from I-1. Instead, he used another device that damaged the image as it recorded. Later, when the agency reviewed the recording, they would find a hazy images of all the events recorded from the areas he walked by. As he looked around, DR 128 was suddenly tapped on his shoulder, "Who are you kid?"

Turning around naturally, he pulled out a badge from the inside pocket of his tuxedo, "Special Agent Scott Moore."

The agent, a man in his forties looked a little skeptic, "Moore?" He shook hands with the kid, "Peck. Will Peck. I knew they had to pull St. Claire out, but replace him with a kid?"

"You have something against my generation?" he smiled with mischief, "Don't worry old timer, I couldn't imagine knowing everything you do, but I promise that what you make up in experience I make up in speed. I think it will be a nice balance to have, especially tonight. Don't you think?"

The balding man laughed sarcastically, "Don't count on it. You're a real smart ass kid."

DR128 shrugged, "My mother tells me so every damn time I speak to her. So, what area am I married to for this evening?"

Pointing the stage where the podium and a large rectangular table sat, the agent answered, "East area right by the stage, left side. You have the best view, right next to tonight's speakers sitting on stage."

"Seems like I got the worst of it?" he grimaced.

The older man laughed, "You're right about that kid. If anything happens tonight, you might have all the action right in front of you."

"Great!" DR128 huffed.

"Hey, at least you have speed, right?" Peck slapped the kid on the back. "You'll need to check in with Corvin, he's by the balcony area giving his seal of approval."

"I'll make sure to do that," DR128 lied, "Anything else, I need to know?"

"Keep those eyes sharp. Make sure that anything that looks suspicious, no matter how small, is reported immediately. Corvin was adamant about that."

"I'll remember," he nodded.

"Good," Peck replied with a sigh, "I have to report to my area. See you later."

"See you," DR128 answered at the man began to walk away. Once the man was gone, DR128 walked to his area. When close to the stage, he noticed that the table had name plates. One of them he paid very close attention to. He smiled inwardly. His target was closer than he expected.

XXXXXXXXXX

While working in his office, the doctor received a phone call from the Master. He didn't sound…happy. Immediately, he walked over to his office, ready to begin another argument, "Probably about DR128. This kid is going to be the life of me," he muttered to himself as he approached the door.

He was about to knock, when the door suddenly opened. The Master looked like he was going to kill him, "Get in now."

Playing it off, he casually sighed, "What is it now?"

Walking to his desk the Master picked up a folder lying on top of his desk and handed it to the Doctor.

"What's this?"

"Read it!"

Opening the folder, he took out began reading what looked like a two page formal report. Swallowing a little, he answered, "What the hell does this mean?"

"Well, let's see Oliver. Yesterday, about 40 miles away from Portland, a cabin was set on fire sometime in the late evening. That is the report and findings."

Damn! The Doctor thought. Could my agent have jumped the gun? Impossible!

The Master continued, "It's amazing how the cabin was set with the technique only our trained operatives know. Tell me, how is this possible. There is only one agent in Maine at this time, isn't it?"

"Of course there is!" the Doctor answered defensively, "Are you telling me that DR128 set this fire?"

"No, he didn't," the Master immediately answered back, "I spoke to him a few hours ago. He assured me that he knew nothing about this! Tell me, who did you sent over and with what purpose. This event has nothing to do with our plans."

"I haven't sent anyone! I assure you‒"

Master didn't wait any longer. He grabbed the doctor by the shoulders and shoved him against the wall in pure rage, "You better hope to God, you didn't send an agent to kill my son. So help me, if you did, I will make sure you suffer until your last breath!"

"I did no such thing!" the Doctor stammered, "I don't know what the hell you are talking about!"

"My assistant is running a check to see where all our agents are. You better hope I don't find only one agent in Maine. You better!"

"You'll find nothing from my end," the Doctor said as he began walking out the door, "I resent you acting this way toward me. I'm your partner! Remember that!"

Nodding, the Master added, "Remember who makes the final decisions here. You better not be lying. I'm not sure what game you are playing, but your time and my patience are growing very thin."

Snorting, the doctor walked out of the Master's office and hurried to his. He had to conduct major damage control.

XXXXXXXXXX

DR128 watched as the guests began to enter the ballroom. The lobby had a pre-cocktail hour before the guests were invited into the ballroom. During the wait time, he checked in with an Agent named Houzz thereby eliminating the check in with the Corvin. Then when Corvin passed by to attempt to meet him, he killed the cameras for a few seconds, thereby making the Agent run to the security room to see what was going on. So far so good. I-1 and FBI believed he was just one of them and he had Corvin running like a chicken without a head.

He carried two phones with him. One his own, the other his assassin's. It was the latter that buzzed in his side pocket. Taking it out, he briefly looked at it when no one was looking. The number was blocked. He was tempted to answer it, but it wasn't the time. Silencing the call, he put the phone back in his pocket when suddenly he looked up at the stage. People were already taking their seats by the long table on the platform. He had to prepare for the right moment. His target had just sat down right in front of him.