CHAPTER 3

Lauren looked at her watch and exhaled slowly in an attempt to slow down her rapidly beating heart.

Thirty seconds, she thought to herself as she hugged her jacket closer to her body. Hidden within the shadows of a giant oak tree, she slowly peeked around to spot the entrance to the compound a couple of meters northeast of her location. There, stood two guards, one on each side of the road in front of the massive steel gates. Surrounding the rest of the compound was a ten foot wall of bricks with plants and vines wrapping around it. It reminded Lauren of spiderwebs; amazing in its design, pretty to look at, but always a bitch to get through. Not that a ten foot wall wasn't hard enough.

She quickly looked at her watch to note the time, a furrow settling on her brow. The guards should be changing shifts by now... she thought.

Closing in on two minutes past the intended time, Lauren finally saw a black hummer approach.

"Had to take a leak!" The guard exiting the passenger seat defended as the other two muttered their annoyance. The other guard got out of the drivers seat and handed them the keys to the vehicle. He then reached into his pocket and walked towards his buddy.

Lauren, spotting the movement, readied herself. She saw the hummer pull away and waited for the other two to resume their daily regime. The new guard took out a pack of cigarettes, and after trapping one between his lips, turned away from the direction of Lauren to offer one to the other guard.

Lauren made a run for the compound. Her feet beat on the grass in time with her rapid heartbeat as she dashed the 50 feet between the tree and her prison. A quick glance halfway in her sprint told her that the guards were still huddled together now sharing a lighter. Lauren did not slow down as she covered the remaining distance. She did not slow down as she slid into a small gap between two bushes. She did, however, come to a painful halt when her shoulder violently hit the brick wall, a grunt escaping her lips on impact.

Lauren allowed herself a couple of seconds to regroup, rubbing her now throbbing arm and leaning her head back against the compounds cold exterior. Finally removing herself from her leaned position, she fished out gloves from her jacket pocket and mentally prepared herself for the grueling task ahead. Grabbing a hold of a handful of the thick vine, she gave it one good tug. Feeling it's strength, she planted one foot in a gap in the vines and proceeded to pull herself up.

"Woah BoBo... What's with the Rambo scowl?" Kenzi asked, closing the headquarters door.

Bo plopped down onto the couch, rotating her neck in an attempt to cool her head. She exhaled, "I'm sorry Kenzi. I'm just... I don't know. I know something's up with Lauren and... Trick is not telling me anything."

"What do you mean?" Kenzi asked, sitting on the armrest next to Bo.

"Lauren was at the Dal. I saw her at the bar, talking to Trick. It looked pretty serious." Bo continued, looking at Kenzi, "She had none of the Ash bodyguards with her and she left through the back door. I tried to ask Trick about it but..."

"... He was being Trick." Kenzi finished. "Maybe it's just more Nadia-research stuff..." She said trailing off, "Are you sure this is just about that? I mean I know you two just haven't had 'the talk'..." Kenzi's finger went up to mimic bunny ears, "... and I know this hasn't been easy for you."

Bo stayed silent, caught by surprise at her friend's insight. But that was Kenzi, she was thoughtful and insightful... when she wanted to be. Bo sighed, "Yes, fine… It does have to do with that too I guess… It's not like I can just call or drop by at anytime anymore… But more than that, I just really have a bad feeling. I can't explain it."

Kenzi was silent for a moment, absent-mindedly looking at a spot on the floor, when an idea popped to her head, "But you know who can?" She teased. Kenzi brought her hands up in a claw-like position and growled at Bo. Bo would have laughed had it not been so utterly brilliant. She reached into her pocket and dialed.

"Dyson… I need a favor…" Bo started.