Sorry for any spelling and grammar mistakes in this one. I haven't got much time to look it over but I thought it was best just to get it posted. Not the most exciting chapter but something we just have to get for reading and don't forget to review.

Clandestine calls from service closets are cliché. But for Siena Antokov they were also a regular occurrence. There were few places in Hale Industries that remained hidden from the excessive number of security cameras positioned in every corner, hallway, entrance and exit of the building. In between delegating all tasks to the interns and sneering at the advances of Rick from Human Resources, the board members' secretaries held court in the bathroom on the 14th floor. It was there that they satiated their bored minds with their break time espionage, though after infiltrating their circle Siena discovered they knew nothing of real importance to the company.

With the bathrooms all occupied by the secretaries and their spies the only remaining safe haven was the service closet on the 26th floor. Thieving was not all stealing Ferraris and parachuting onto the roof of the Louvre. Sometimes a thief had to do what was necessary to get the job done. At that moment, what was necessary was for Siena to hide out in a damp, dark room.

"This is ridiculous! It's been six days and I haven't gotten a thing out of this. They still have me making photocopies with the interns," Siena flipped over a bucket and sat down to rest her swollen feet. Infiltration meant camouflage and camouflage meant high heels.

"Did you get anything out of the secretaries?" James asked. The rest of the crew was gathered around the phone in the kitchen of the brownstone.

"Nothing useful. Not unless you're interested that TV show 'Bachelor'."

"Its 'The Bachelor', darling," Cake corrected, "And you should keep trying with secretaries. They'll know more then they let on."

"That's just it though. They do know more then they'll say. I've overheard them talking. They know who Uncle Hale has dated, what sort of car he drives, what he got his mother for mother's day but nothing about the company itself."

"Okay, it may be a dead end but keep pushing it just incase," James said, "In the mean time we need a new strategy. It was stupid to assume that he would divulge everything to you as soon as you took the job."

Mac turned to Natalie, "Care to give us a business perspective?"

Natalie chewed at the inside of her lip as she considered what she knew of CEOs. It struck her that this should be easier for her, considering she herself was now the leader of a fortune 500 company, "Its not unusual that the heads of companies keep things under wraps, but its not as if Hale is on an island. He would have to share things with the board. But then again he's not just a regular CEO, he was once one of the best con artists in the business."

"You said earlier that every company like this one has dirty laundry, right?" Siena asked.

"Without exception," Natalie confirmed.

"So where does West Inc. hides its skeletons? It might give us a hint as to where Uncle Hale stashes his," Siena suggested.

"As far as I know Mr. Kalt's, one of our board members, lawyers are responsible for burring ours in piles of legal documents," Natalie answered, "It doesn't matter how tight lipped Hale keeps his company, there should be a legal paper trail that incriminates every member of the board. That's how you kept them in check. Tie everyone to the mast to ensure the best chances of keeping the ship afloat."

"I've been through every document Siena could get her hands on," Cake added, "I couldn't find a single incriminating thing. And I've combed through the entire digital system, every cyber corner of it, and nothing's come up. I'm sorry to say it my darlings but if I can't find it, it may not exist."

James ran his hand through the tips of his hair like he always did when mulling something over in his mind, "I don't know maybe Cake's right. Maybe there is nothing for us to find."

Natalie leaned towards him, "Jay, I know you want to believe your uncle runs a good operation, but I am telling you, no company is this squeaky clean," she insisted.

"She's right, Jay." Mac spoke up, "His relationship to our family, this entire situation, is proof that Uncle Hale has something to hide. We all want to be able to turn around and tell Teller that there is nothing to be found but he knows the business world as well as Nat does. He won't believe us."

James gave in, "Okay, alright, so we keep looking."

"I'll keep trying but I'm telling you guys I've exhausted all the leads in the office and I can't exactly get to the board members," Siena was clearly frustrated.

"We'll figure something out, lov – I mean, Siena." Mac stumbled over his words but James was too preoccupied to notice. Natalie however raised a brow as the colour of Mac's cheeks rose to match that of his hair.

"She needs to get closer to Hale," James announced.

"Easier said then done," Siena answered, "He's barely talked to me since I got here. At the most he nods at me in the hallway. I don't know why, something, about not showing favoritism maybe."

"I don't see the point in that," Cake critiqued, "Everyone there already knows you're being groomed to take his place."

"Cake's right. I've been sitting in on board meetings since I was nine. If he is serious about making you his heir it doesn't make sense that he would put off your training, especially considering you didn't exactly grow up in the business world," Natalie added.

"Maybe he thinks she's the one that's not serious," James proposed.

"How so?" Siena frowned.

"It is a little far fetched that you would abandon your crew like that," Jay provided.

"Not that far fetched," Siena spat, obviously thinking of Dmitri.

The air took on a bad taste as the crew tried to suppress the thought of Dmitri's betrayal once again.

"We can't get into that right now. We need to focus," James pushed aside the bitter feelings, "Think about it. Why would Hale trust you if he doesn't know you're committed? And why would you be? You've been a thief all your life. Something would have had to happen to make you reconsider your life like this."

Natalie nodded in agreement, "She needs a motive. Something big enough that he would believe it would change her mind."

"Maybe she just wanted a normal life?" Mac offered.

"Not deep enough," James shook his head.

"Post traumatic stress?" Natalie suggested, "We've been in a lot of stressful situations. Maybe it became too much for her to handle and her panic attacks and episodes were endangering the crew while on heists."

"I don't know if I could pull off mentally disturbed," Siena cut in. "I've never been a very good actress."

"We'll keep brainstorming but you need to get back to work, Siena. Your supervisor will be looking for you. Cake have you finished with those files?"

While Siena was focused on extracting information from every possible human source, Cake had been doing Siena's work for her. In fact she had been doing the work faster then all the other interns combined. "Finished them an hour ago. I've sent them to the printer on that floor, Siena, along with some extra work that might help to butter up your supervisors."

"Thanks, Cake. I wish you were the one doing all of this, you're a natural," Siena hung up the phone and switched to the comms. unit in her ear.

Cake laughed, "Pffs, no, I'm just- well, who are we kidding, I am pretty amazing."

Siena reached for the door handle, "Alright, I'm heading out again. Wish me luck."

"No need. You're doing great, S," Natalie assured her.

A startled sound came through the radio.

"Siena?" Mac called, worried, "Siena what is it? What's wrong?"

Cake answered for her, bringing up footage from the security cameras, "Its Hale. He's just down the hall from her."

"Did he see her leave the closet?" James tensed.

"No, I checked the coast was clear before she left," Cake responded.

The crew watched as Siena strode down the hall towards the cluster of men in thousand dollar suits.

"What is she doing?," James demanded, "Siena, what are you doing?"

"This is the first time I've seen him in days. I may not get another chance to talk to him for weeks," she whispered.

"But we haven't come up with a motive for you yet," Natalie protested.

"Then talk me through it," Siena hissed before plastering on a wide smile and calling out, "Uncle Hale!"

The group of men turned towards her, startled that an intern would have the gall to flag down the CEO. Hale himself seemed surprised, though he covered it well.

She clicked confidently toward him in her stilettos, "I haven't had the chance to thank you for the job opportunity yet. Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Mr. Hale the 5th is a very busy man, Miss," one of the board members present tried to dismiss her, "You can't expect him to-"

"I'm never to busy for my favourite niece," Hale smiled at her uncharacteristic boldness, "Gentlemen, this is Siena Antokov. She is one of our new interns. If you'll excuse us," Hale swept his arm out in a motion that made it clear he would like the men to continue on without him.

Once the suits had reluctantly waddled down the hall Hale broke down into his signature grin that made Siena think of those long summer night car rides of her childhood. Sometimes when the night was too humid to sleep in the city Hale would take the children out onto deserted stretches of highway and roll back the hood of his vintage convertible so they could feel the wind rushing past their adoring faces as he raced down the roads at 200 km per hour.

Siena thought she might burst into tears were it not for James' voice in her ear, "You've got this, S. We're right here with you."

"Come with me, there's something I've been meaning to show you," Hale placed a warm hand on her back and led Siena through the maze of offices to the 74th floor, and into his vast office.

Hale nodded toward the window, "Go ahead, pull back the blinds."

Siena couldn't help but smile as the blinds revealed a stunning view of New York city.

Hale watched her face as she took it the view, "Do you remember what you said when I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? All the boys said a thief, but not you."

Siena's lips settled into a sad smile, " A bird. I wanted to be a bird."

Hale nodded as he joined her at the window, "A hawk to be specific."

She laughed to herself, "They teased me about that for weeks. Dmitri and Mac would hide around corners and squawk at me until I chased them. They even got James doing it."

James turned to Mac, confused, "Why don't I remember this?"

Mac shrugged, "You were only three."

"The point is you were always a little different," Hale continued, "Sometimes I worried you were only becoming a thief because it was the family business."

"There. Right there. He's giving you a motive for leaving the crew. Run with it," James advised.

Hale carried on, "But then I saw you grow into the roll and I thought I was wrong. Yet here you are."

Siena pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and avoided eye contact, "Yup. Here I am."

"How did they take it when you told them your were leaving the crew?"

"As well as can be expected, I guess. Natalie was understanding but the boys seemed a little hurt."

Hale sighed and put his hands in his pockets, "Siena, I need to know that you're committed to this path. This company is more then just a cover. It will be the center of your world. I know it may seem like the right choice, but it isn't easy to separate yourself from the world of thieves. There will always be a part of you that misses it."

"Do you miss it?" Siena turned to face him.

"Not so much the heists. But the family," Hale met her gaze, "Everyday."

"You never lost the family," Siena assured him.

"And neither will you," he replied, "but the separation is harder then it seems. I want you to understand what you're getting into."

"I do," Siena nodded vigorously, "I'm committed to this. I promise you."

Maybe he saw the heartbreak in her lying eyes, or maybe he didn't, but Hale eyed her for a moment longer before disappearing back to his desk. "Why did you leave the crew, Siena? Honestly."

"Stall, S, we'll come up with something," Natalie spoke into the microphone in James' hand.

"James." Siena said aloud.

"What did she say?" James looked at the others for confirmation.

"James? What about him?" Hale asked.

"I left because of James," Siena clarified.

"Anyone know where she is going with this?" Cake asked. It was a rare occasion when Cake was as confused as the rest of them.

Siena pushed her hair back to give herself a minute to think before speaking again, "I think I finally understand why you couldn't be in the crew anymore. Why you pulled back."

Hale coughed, "Well, you'll find running a company takes up a lot of time-"

"I'm not talking about the bullsh*t reason you give everyone else, Uncle Hale. I'm talking about Aunt Kat."

Hale froze for a second before catching his cool again but that instant of hesitation told the crew Siena had struck a cord, "I don't understand-"

She ignored his denial, "Sometimes it becomes impossible to stand back and watch the one person you love more then life itself become obsessed with something that just might get them killed. And all the while knowing that it was you that supported their crazy heists and suicidal missions. I went along with it because I thought maybe, just maybe, one day he could love me as much as he loves his heists," Siena looked out over the city, as if she had lost herself in her pain.

"James?" Hale gazed at the young woman as if she were changed in his eyes.

"Of course, its Jay. It's always been him," her laugh was bitter.

Hale leaned against the wall as he considered this confession, "And does he-"

"Feel the same? Would I be here if he did?"

Hale rocked on his feet, clearly uncomfortable, "Your Aunt Kat seemed to think he might care for Natalie West."

"Jay cares about Natalie like he cares about everyone else in the crew, the difference is he is obsessed with her. Well, not her necessarily, but how she pushes him."

Natalie was afraid to move, lest it attract the boys attention and she make eye contact with either of them. Siena was really digging deep for this cover. And not every hole can be filled again.

Hale nodded in understanding, "She enables his obsession. That's a dangerous relationship. I've seen the type before. James was always so much like his mother, I should have seen that coming."

"She's using his past against him," James realized aloud, "That's- that's"

"Brilliant." Mac finished.

Siena folded her arms against her chest, "I know I'm running away from my problem, but, well you did the same thing and-"

Hale put a hand up to cut her off, "You don't have to explain, Siena. I understand."

Siena turned her large, green eyes up at him, "Does it get easier?"

"You'll never cease to love him. But you'll learn to live with the pain."

"How?"

"Distract yourself. You start tomorrow at 8 am sharp. Come to my office. You'll be shadowing me. You work until you forget how to do anything but else."

"Then what?" She asked innocently.

"Then you start to build a life of your own. Where are you staying?"

"At the brownstone, why?"

"You'll want a place where you won't have to be confronted with the memories. I'll have one of my people rent you a place on the upper east side. They'll find an apartment not far from mine. If you need anything just come by my place, got it?" Hale checked his watch, "Damn it, I have a meeting in five. But if you need to talk or just a place to get out of the fray you can come here, alright?"

Siena nodded.

"And start brainstorming some ideas for the board. They'll want to know you're serious about running this company some day and that you're capable."

"Okay," Siena sniffled.

"Hey," Hale brushed away a tear from her cheek, "You'll be alright. I promise."

As he headed toward the door Siena almost broke, "Uncle Hale," she called.

"Yes?" Hale looked back over his shoulder.

"Thank you," Siena tried her best to smile.

The crew had to wait several more hours before Siena got off work to discuss the day's events. Three young thieves sat in the back corner of a terrible Italian restaurant in a forgotten corner of Manhattan. This place also happened to be their favourite Italian restaurant as there was almost never any other customers beside themselves. Perfect for discussions

Siena stormed in through the door and passed the napping waitress to take her place at the table. Everyone ignored the vacant fifth chair in the corner.

"That was … " James struggled for the words, "…effective."

Siena threw off her coat, "It was cruel. That's what that was. Cruel. What is he going to think of me when he finds out I used his relationship with Aunt Kat against him? He'll hate me."

"He won't hate you, Siena," Natalie squeezed her shoulder for support, "Okay maybe he'll hate you for a little while, but in a few decades he'll realize how brilliant of a move it was and he just might appreciate the fact that you've grown into a skilled and quick thinking con artist."

"That is if he doesn't murder us all before then," Siena shot back.

"I won't let him," Mac promised.

"Right, we need to focus on the positive," James tried to steer the conversation, "Now that you're shadowing Hale you'll have constant access to his office. Siena, I want you to scour the place top to bottom. If there are hidden files we need to know about them. In the mean time, Cake are you there?" James placed his phone on the table.

"Always, darling." Cake chimed.

"Good, Cake, Siena's going to be taking in a lot more work, are you up for the task," James asked.

"Pfft, do you really need to ask?"

James chuckled, "Just checking."

"Cake," Natalie cut in, "Hale mentioned that Siena will have to prove herself to the board. I think that might be the key to getting her firmly through the door. Got any ideas?"

"As a matter of fact, honey, I've been going over some of the product plans stored in Hale Industries files and I think some of these would fit right into the Chinese market."

"Expansion into the Chinese market?" Mac raised his brows, "That's bound to turn some heads."

"Think you can pull something together?" James called into the speaker.

Cake looked at her computer clock and sighed inwardly, "Sure, why not?"

"You're the best, Cake." Siena's voice came over the speaker.

"Don't I know it," Cake tried to sound upbeat, "You kids enjoy your meal, the adults have some work to do. I'll text you when its ready, Jay." Cake ended the connection without bothering to hear their goodbyes.

She sighed audibly this time, "Sure, I'll just slapped together a company wide expansion into a foreign market, its not like its 3 am or anything. Oh, would you look at that! It is 3 am."

The hacker's rant was cut off by a sound from the garden. She knew Teller out front had paid off the guards but she didn't think they would be so foolish as to try an break inside. For the past week the little sleep she managed had been plagued by dreams of this moment, when a silent order would be given to end her life. It would be the perfect motivation for the crew, a reminder of what the cost was if they betrayed him. Kill off one of the members so the other would know he meant business. Its exactly what Cake herself would do. She was, after all, the perfect target. Practically a sitting duck.

The small girl slipped off her stilettos and reached for the gun taped to the back of her external hard drive. Kai Collins was not going down without a fight. She fully intended to chip a nail before she let one of these goons take her out.

Another crunching sound came from the green house as someone made their way across the gravel path, toward the open French doors.

Cake stood her ground and raised the gun to eye level. She briefly considered what he might do if she lost. Would she shoot herself to avoid whatever torture they might inflict before slaughtering her themselves?

As her racing heart rose up through her throat, the young woman thought back to all those childhood movies and all her favourite myths. She always seemed to think that if she died young, she would go out like a hero. In a glorious moment of triumph, winning the battle with the last blow of her sword, and speaking wisdom to her loved ones with that dying breath. But in that moment, standing with her bare feet planted on the cold floors, gun pointed into the darkness, she came to realize that between all her heroines, and idols and comic characters not one of them had ever died alone.

But there Cake was standing off against shadows, cold, afraid, and worst of all, alone.

The intruder no longer tried to hide their footsteps as they stepped into the doorway, nothing but a silhouette against the moonlight.

Cake let her shoulders slump and clicked the safety on before tossing the gun onto the couch. With an exasperated sigh her called out, "Must you always be so dramatic?"

"I need your help," the silhouette replied.

"I figured as much," Cake turned back to her computer, "Come inside, darling, and close the doors behind you. We've got work to do."

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