It was early the next day; the sun had not quite risen. Shaking off jet lag, Lady Jaye selected a simple silk blouse and skirt from her closet and dressed carefully. Then, seated before the mirror, she meticulously applied her make up. She was going for professional, not glamorous. A touch here and a touch there and she smiled into the mirror. Perfect. Even her mother would have to take a second look to recognise her. Now for the final exam.

"Okay, Flint, I'm ready," she called, exiting her room gracefully.

Flint's mouth dropped open. She had transformed into a modest receptionist.

"Jaye…," he stammered…"It's amazing…You're you…but you're not…" he looked her up and down in wonder.

"That's what you call covert, Flint," she smirked.

"I know," he smiled gruffly. "You're good."

She smiled at the compliment.

His eyes drank in her image. Her hair was a couple shades darker than her natural color and she was wearing more makeup than usual. But, it was her eyes where his gaze finally settled, her eyes that were unchanged. They were the same warm brown eyes that Flint loved, eyes that were Lady Jaye. He could get lost in those eyes.

Flint pulled her into a hug and softly kissed her on the top of her head. "You're perfect. Keep your com open and don't forget to punch in the code 889 for privacy. According to Breaker, it should block any unwanted listeners. I will be there later, since my shift doesn't start until 3:00. If you run into trouble, hit your tracer. Remember, we're here on our own. Be careful."

He held her at arms length and gazed into her eyes, again.

"Always," she smiled, drawing a hand lightly down his cheek.

She kissed him gently and then pulled away. Grabbing her bag and slinging her purse over her shoulder, she headed out the door. The train station was only a short five minute walk away. Once she was on the right train, she began to prepare mentally, drawing on training she learned when she was acting. She immersed herself in her role. Closing her eyes, she visualised herself anew. With each new breath, she became more her character. She was Sarah Weaver, a professional, Secretary at Heidaina Corporation. Her posture became relaxed, her face patient and kind. She adopted an "I'd be happy to help you," tone. She was ready.

Lady Jaye walked into the immaculate, multi-storied sky rise and up to the information desk. Taking out her paperwork, she was directed to the personnel department. Since her hiring had been entirely online, she still needed to get her ID badge. It turned out that she also needed to fill out some additional paperwork before officially starting work. The man handed her several pieces of paper attached to a clipboard and pointed her in right direction.

She mumbled her thanks and flashed a nervous smile, just as Sarah Weaver would have done.

She entered a small plain room, painted a simple white. It was empty. Several uncomfortable gray office chairs lined one wall. She took a seat and looked carefully around. On the side of the room, directly in front of her, sat a large imposing wooden desk. To the left she noticed smaller makeshift rooms sectioned off by portable walls. It surprised her. In contrast to the opulence and flaunting of the building, this room was strikingly plain.

She turned her attention to the papers in hand, barely glancing up as a woman in a navy business suit appeared from a side door and beelined it to the leather office chair behind the desk. Lady Jaye was just completing the forms when she heard her name called.

"Sarah Weaver."

"Yes."

She stood up immediately and headed toward the large woman behind the enormous desk. Immediately, she felt something was not right. She had always trusted these gut instincts; they had never failed her. She studied the woman cautiously, a little fearfully, her muscles tensed with readiness. Something about the woman was off. She was sitting calmly, but her eyes glittered dangerously. Her mouth was pursed into a forced smile.

"Paperwork." She said coldly, stretching out her hand.

Lady Jaye passed the clipboard to her.

The woman shuffled through the pages, but seemed uninterested. She then directed Lady Jaye to one of the side rooms for a photograph as she positioned herself behind the camera. Lady Jaye sat carefully on the offered stool and fought the sudden urge to run.

"I am just having my photo taken," She tried to reassure herself, taking several deep calming breaths.

She faced the camera as directed and was suddenly blinded by a bright light and vaguely noticed an odd smell. Her body relaxed instantly and her worries disappeared. A smile formed on her lips. She was so happy to be be woking here. What an honour to have been hired for this job, she thought. She couldn't wait to get started, to work alongside all the amazing employees in this company.

Flint arrived at Heidaina Corporation a little before 3:00. He was impressed by the size, the stylish lobby, the white glove test cleanliness. It had an almost sterile, hospital-like atmosphere. He handed his paperwork to the man at the information desk and was directed to the personnel department where he was to have his photo taken for an ID badge.

He began to worry as he sat uncomfortably on the little stool, waiting for his picture to be taken. Why was it taking so long? The stern woman behind the camera was muttering complaints under her breath.

He waited a little longer.

Finally she stepped out from behind the camera, a scowl on her face.

"There seems to be a problem with the …camera," She scribbled something on her clipboard and then handed him a temporary ID. "Come back again tomorrow."

Once he had his temporary ID badge in hand, he was led to the basement where he was introduced to his supervisor, Bryant.

"Welcome to Heidana, young man. I'm sure you will find your work here, …pleasant," he smiled happily.

Flint drew his eyebrows together as he was handed a clipboard with a requisition for new lights for the main office on the 36th floor.

"Here's your first assignment," Bryant's smile broadened. "Off you go, now, lad. Have fun!,"

Flint was dismissed with a chortle and waved in the direction of the ladders, to the right, and light bulbs, to the left.

Standing in the middle of the basement, suddenly alone, Flint muttered to himself, "That was odd. I wonder if that guy always smiles like that." Shaking his head he realized, unfortunately, he didn't have an answer for that one. Sighing, he looked around the room. "So I'm to change light bulbs…I think I can handle that," he begrudgingly went to find and gather his supplies.

Stepping into the basement elevator a few minutes later, he pushed the button for the 36th floor. He immediately noticed the elevator panel had two unmarked floors above 36.

"Looks like I might have found where those snakes are hiding," he mused.

The elevator dinged as he reached his floor. He handed his clipboard and requisition to a striking, raven haired secretary.

"I haven't seen you before," she smiled, looking him up and down.

"No. I'm new," he said in surprise. He was slightly taken aback as she spoke to him in perfect English.

This must be the English section of the company, where Lady Jaye was supposed to work, he thought. He glanced around the room, hoping he might catch a glimpse of her.

"The lights are over there," she smiled again as she pointed to a section of long fluorescent light was darkened.

"Uh, Thanks."

Flint carried in the tall ladder he had found as well as several long bulbs, different sizes. He wasn't sure which would be the right fit. He placed the ladder directly under the light and climbed several steps. Then, reaching up, he grabbed the plastic cover and began pulling. It was tight. He pulled harder. With a loud pop, it broke free, sending a shower of dust on him. The ladder rocked, nearly sending him to the ground.

"Ugh. Yuck!," he coughed and wiped his eyes.

From the other side of the room, he noticed the secretary watching him humorously. He grumbled. Climbing back up, he twisted the nonworking bulb and removed it. He then selected the correctly sized replacement, inserted it, and reattached the cover.

He gathered his supplies and stacked them near the elevator. As he pressed the down arrow, the pretty secretary spoke again with a broad smile, "Not so fast, pretty boy"

Flint turned quickly, muscles tensed, his hand resting lightly on his hidden weapon. He expected to see her holding a gun but she merely smiled once more and pointed to the vacuum cleaner she had pulled from the closet. Sighing, he relaxed, letting his hand drop to his side.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

He grabbed the vacuum, plugged it in, and cleaned up the dust.

He kept his eyes open all day. No sign of Lady Jaye, though he had not really expected to see her. No sign of those exasperating twins, either, but that was not such a bad thing. In fact, nothing suspicious at all, except those two unmarked floors. He wondered if he should ride the elevator just to see what was up there but decided to wait. He wasn't willing to engage just yet and didn't want to risk blowing his cover. He was planning to follow up with Lady Jaye later, anyway.

He had gone from job to job all day, everything from changing light bulbs to unstopping clogged sinks to moving furniture. He now had a pretty good mental map of the multi- floored sky scraper. Main offices were on the 30th-36th floors. Minor businesses and offices below.

One floor, entirely devoted to employees on break, sported a small gym with light weights, tread mills, a gymnastic mat and a stretching bar. Surprisingly, there were showers available and locker rooms, fully stocked with soaps, shampoos and even fresh, high quality, towels.

That was where Flint had repaired the stopped sink. He pushed aside his disgust as he recalled the events. A plunger had pushed whatever was blocking the sink down but then it had backed up and overflowed, all over his shoes. They were still damp from the filthy water.

He sighed, running his hand through his dark hair. This had definitely not been his day. He sincerely hoped Lady Jaye was having a better time.

In addition to the gym, he counted two different coffee shops, several sandwich shops, a pastry shop and a nondescript Italian restaurant. Almost hidden in a back corner, Flint even discovered a small smoking room, complete with air purifiers installed on opposite walls.

The floor was filled with employees, from all over the company, taking their breaks. They collected in little groups with their co workers. He had been impressed by how many different languages he heard. Flint had to grudgingly admit to himself that the company worked very hard to keep their employees happy…and that's exactly what they seemed, happy, almost too happy.

At the end of his shift, he returned his supplies to the basement and then manually inputed his ID number to clock out.

Once outside, he took a breath of fresh air, quickly taking in how how dark it was. He was on the train in minutes.

Finding an empty seat, he sat back and closed his eyes. He was exhausted and jet lag was quickly catching up with him. He couldn't wait to get back to the small apartment he was sharing with Lady Jaye. He could definitely use a shower.

Lady Jaye was sleeping in her room when he arrived. He showered quickly and then tossed together a salad as he heated up the rice and pork ginger he had bought at the local Family Mart. When it was nearly ready, he called Lady Jaye. She emerged a few minutes later.

"So, what did you find out?" he eyed her sitting across from him, wrapped in a robe, eyes still heavy with sleep.

She took a sip of her water. "Not much. Seems like a really great place to work," she smiled and took a bite of rice.

Flint grinned and rolled his eyes, "Right. So, I've heard. What did you end up having to do?"

Her eyes lit up excitedly, "I was so happy the whole day. I did whatever they gave me. I made phone calls, filed papers, I even made coffee," she said, smiling brightly.

"Jaye…" his eyes narrowed.

"Yes?," her smile widened.

"Are you okay?"

"Sure Flint, why wouldn't I be? I've never never been happier," she turned her attention back to her meal and began eating with an appetite.

Flint studied her closely. He was sure she was Lady Jaye, even if she didn't sound like her. What was with all the 'happy' talk and 'smiling'? It was just like the…Oh no….cold crept down his spine. Just like the employees at Heidana…

Then he remembered what Lifeline had given them, just before they left. "In case you get into chemical trouble," he had said, "This should neutralise it."

It couldn't be that, could it?

"Excuse me," Flint said suddenly, rising from the table.

"Sure Flint," Lady Jaye had not stopped shovelling mouthfuls of food into her mouth.

He returned a few minutes later with what looked like a spray perfume bottle.

"Lady Jaye?," he tensed.

"What is it, Flint?" she looked up, smiling broadly.

I hope this works… Flint quickly sprayed her with the perfume.

Jaye coughed and sputtered, her face reddening in anger. "Flint! You imbecile! What was that for? Why I ought to….," and then her face softened and relaxed. "Why I…I…, What happened?" she asked in confusion, shaking her head to clear it.

Flint sat back in his seat and sighed, "I think you were exposed to some chemical."

Jaye's eyes widened. "What! But…"

"Remember that perfume Lifeline gave us?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"It worked. That's what I sprayed on you."

"Oh," she was beginning to remember bits and pieces. "And you think I was…" her voice drifted off, "So, the company is not so innocent as it would have one think."

"No, it's certainly beginning to look that way."

"So how do they…"

"Expose the employees?"

She nodded. Like me.

"I've been thinking about that, too, and I have a theory."

She looked at him curiously.

"The ID badges."

"The what?"

"Think about it…You saw a bright light and smelled something funny. The camera didn't work for me. I was never exposed."

She nodded slowly, "Yes, that actually makes a lot of sense. So now what?"

Flint got up and retrieved her badge. Holding it carefully with a wash towel and away from his face, he dropped it into a ziplock bag and quickly sealed it. "We send this to Lifeline to run some tests…But in the meantime," he took a picture of the badge and quickly downloaded it onto his computer.

"Think you can help me make you duplicate one?" he grinned slyly.

"Oh, I may have a trick or two up my sleeves," she laughed, sliding over next to him.