Shinji Steel 72

Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

(Tokyo-2; NERV; Section-2; Sychola's Office; same time)

"Well, Miss Ugatinoga, it took time and doing, but we finally got you combat ready. Sort of." Smiling softly, yet uneasily, at Machiko, he adds, "I especially like your methodology of shot placement." Machiko's face can't help but go beet red as Sychola starts chuckling softly. "Nut shots are, while not exactly used procedure wise, a good way to dissuade an opponent from further action. Although kill shots will do just as well. We'll work on that down the road when you're ready, though."

"Yes, sir." Her face beet red still, yet with a smile on her face, Machiko asks, "Have you ever given tutorials before, sir?"

"If you mean instructing raw recruits, I may have, but my memory's still kinda foggy. Bits and pieces come and go, of course." Machiko nods at that before Sychola grins. "Just what made you pick that region on your targets? Other than not liking the thought of killing, that is."

"I just pictured someone that should not be able to spread his genes around."

"Well, that'll certainly do it. Who was it that you were picturing, anyway?"

"Chief Interpol Inspector Frederick Cochrane."

"He sounds like a piece of work." Machiko can't help but snort at that.

"He was a douchebag of an asshole, sir."

"So that's what you were muttering when you shot the target." His grin becoming a smirk, he adds, "I can't believe you went Pacino on the target, laughing like a hyena." Machiko softly giggles at that while Sychola guffaws as he looks over his itinerary. As his laughter tapers off, he nods and presses on the intercom. "Lt Hisnokasu, my office if you please."

"Right away, sir." Two minutes later, Hisnokasu walks into the open doorway. "Captain, Miss Ugatinoga."

"Hello, Lt." Machiko's soft reply gets Hisnokasu to nod before looking toward Sychola.

"Yes, sir."

"How long have Sakamoto and Henderson been in the brig now?"

"About a month, month and a half. Something like that, sir." Sychola nods at that.

"I want them in my office in ten minutes. I want to hear why they forced the 3rd Child's intended into Unit-01's entry plug. Medium guard detail only. Clear?"

"Crystal, sir." Sychola nods again, dismissing him. As Hisnokasu exits the office, Sychola looks over the itinerary again.

"Okay, Machiko, I want you to call Captain Toronaga at the Tokyo-3 PD and arrange another collaborative exercise."

"Yes, sir. Any time frame or situation in mind?"

"Yeah. I want it to happen in three weeks time. The situation we're going for is a hostage situation. Be sure he's advised there will be potential for gunfire, so Sim-rounds are required." Machiko dutifully nods at that while writing it down. Sychola can't help but marvel at her proficiency. "I find it hard to believe you've a black mark when you're good with your task."

"Yeah, well, Chief Inspector Cochrane told me I'd be blacklisted and unable to be employed anywhere else. In any field. Hence him being a douchebag of an asshole."

"I guess it's a good thing I didn't call him then. These days, I make it a point not to speak with douchebags or assholes. But certainly there was someone he was afraid to antagonize back at the Tokyo-2 Interpol Office."

"Well, there was one person." At the sight of Sychola's right eyebrow arching in interest, Machiko adds, "Interpol Inspector Ray Blunt. Apparently, he scares the shit out of Cochrane."

"Fascinating. What was their work relationship like before you left there?"

"Cochrane kept Ray at arm's length, not willing to be near him unless he absolutely had to. Ray, well, he tried getting along with Cochrane. I mean, he really tried."

"How so?"

"He'd always feel that Cochrane was always wound up too tightly, unable to let himself loosen up. Downtown bars for beer and darts, a strip joint or two, a football game… it didn't matter. Cochrane would always wave it off. Citing that he has no time for socializing. Ray would then shrug and tell him, 'Your loss. But you're missing out on prime fun time'. His words, sir." Sychola can't help but grin at that.

"I gotta meet that guy sometime. Sounds like he'd be a lot of fun." Machiko can't help but smile widely at that either.

"Oh he is, sir. In fact, the times Cochrane would pass up on it, Ray would invite me and I'd accept. But only as friends that are more like siblings. Even though we came from different lineages." Sychola's eyebrows can't help but arch at that.

"Even the strip joints?" Machiko nods at that before giggling. "What?"

"Our first time there, together, the manager offered me a dancing audition for the night. I was so flabbergasted, I couldn't reply. But Ray pushed me forward, telling him to go easy on me as I had to work the next day."

"What happened then?"

"I danced and Ray watched over me like a hawk. Ready to protect me if some guy got fresh."

"Ah. Did anyone…"

"Get fresh? Oh yes. Four of them tried grabbing me off the stage and Ray pulled them off of me. He told them they were committing sexual assault on an Interpol employee and were under arrest." Starting to chuckle now, she adds, "Later that night, we found out they'd been committing rapes and sexual assaults against those in the adult entertainment industry. Of course, they'd been staking out the businesses in the area for suitable targets."

"So why'd they try 'attacking' you that night?" Machiko can't help but shrug at that.

"Dunno. Guess I was too irresistible for them to handle."

"Ah." Tentatively, he then asks, "Did you ever do it again?"

"Dance? Oh yes sir. Of course, Ray did apologize for using me as bait without my knowledge to begin with the next morning. When I asked him when I can do it again, he smirked and said, 'When the rapists are busiest again is when we go again, Machiko'."

"How many times, Machiko?"

"I went six times, sir. Of course, their lawyers would always try getting the case dropped because of entrapment. But at no time, except after arrest, was my being a C.A. for Interpol made known to them." Lightly shivering, she adds, "Ten of them were even sex slave traders. If Ray hadn't been there for me or even gotten me involved, they'd still be in business. And I have no regrets at all, sir. I'm glad I did what part I can." Sychola can only nod as Machiko rises from her seat. "I'll go make that call now, sir."

"Thank you, Machiko." Before Machiko exits, he adds, "I may not have liked how you got mixed up in it, but remember this. You've got guts to stand up to that kind of scum, kiddo. Never lose them."

"I won't, sir." As Machiko exits, she turns back and says, "Two Agents under Guard to see you, sir."

"Thank you, Machiko." Once the two Agents, and their 3-man Guard, are in his office, Sychola eyes them intently. A slender Caucasian woman in her twenties with long brown hair and an equally-slender Japanese man in his thirties with short-cut black hair. Both still wearing their black suits, creases and all.

"Sakamoto, Henderson, you've each got five minutes to plead your case to me before I decide if termination of service as members of Section-2 is warranted. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir." At their unified reply, Sychola nods.

"Grace Henderson, you're first. Why did you grab the future Mrs Ikari and have a hand in her being put into Unit-01's entry plug?"

"I have no excuse, sir. Anything I say will likely sound like an excuse to you, sir."

"Try me, Henderson. I'm not Chiron, after all." Henderson's lips twitch in a light smile before going flat again.

"No sir. You're not." Taking a tentative breath, she says, "I was blackmailed, sir, for having a moment of weakness, sir."

"What kind of moment, Henderson?" A minute passes before Sychola asks, "What kind of moment, Henderson?"

"Crying in the staff lounge, sir, while watching 'General Hospital; LA', sir. I was on break when the episode caught my eye. Before I knew it, sir…" Sychola nods in understanding.

"Nothing you can do about that. Who blackmailed you to begin with, anyway?"

"Your predecessor, sir."

"I see. What were you before you became Section-2?"

"I worked in the Financial Office for NERV, Tokyo-3 branch, sir. When Chiron caught me, he took me right to Rokubungi's office and told him what I'd been doing. As a result, to 'toughen me up' as he put it, Rokubungi had me posted as a 'personal Section-2 Agent' for him to use as he saw fit, sir."

"Including an expendable abductor." At Henderson's nod, Sychola looks over at Sakamoto. "Renji Sakamoto, you're up. Same question I'd posed to Agent Henderson."

"Same as Henderson said, sir. A moment of weakness. But no involvement of television took place, sir." When Sakamoto doesn't say anything more, Sychola feels his aggravation rising.

"I'm waiting, Sakamoto." He doesn't say anything, but simply reaches for Henderson's hand. With Henderson doing the same with hers. Once they've gotten each other's hands together, Sychola sighs. "I see. When you saw her, your heart kicked up a notch or two." When Sakamoto nods, he looks back over at Henderson. "As did yours." Their faces are both a soft red before Sychola concludes. "Rokubungi caught you two eyeballing each other and used it leverage against you, correct, Sakamoto?"

"Correct, sir." Sychola smiles softly at that before clearing his throat.

"Due to the fact extenuating circumstances are present, I'm putting you both on light duty. Two weeks consecutively. During which time, you're to do your job to the utmost of your abilities. However, for crying out loud, please do keep it out of the office." Sakamoto and Henderson both nod, with their three guards smiling widely behind their backs. "Other than that, though, congratulations and take care of each other. Clear?"

"Clear, sir." At their again unified reply, Sychola smirks madly at them.

"Go to your homes, get showered, eaten, slept and changed. Your light duty starts tomorrow. Sakamoto, you're to aid Dr Akagi as needed in the Medical wing. Henderson, you'll work in the Financial Office. Your background there will be of use to you." Henderson can't help but blink at that.

"Am I looking for anything in particular, sir?"

"Yeah. Sakamoto, can you and the others step out?" Sakamoto looks at Henderson and gets a nod from her before nodding back. As they exit, Sakamoto closes the door, leaving Sychola and Henderson alone. "For the past three weeks, I've noticed a significant reduction in NERV's budget. I addressed that concern with Colonel Katsuragi and she agreed that something's amiss. I want you to work closely with her as the reduction's coming from outside of NERV itself."

"Outside embezzlement, sir? But by who?"

"That, Henderson, is a very good question. One that I'm sure you can find the answer to." Henderson nods before saluting him. Getting a groan from him. "Please don't salute me."

(Tokisona/Uramishi safe house; same time)

"Hmm." Peering intently at the game board before him, Myers looks his opponent over before speaking. "B-4."

"Hit. Destroyer sunk." Dr Tokisona can't help but grin softly at him. "Are you sure you don't have anyone looking over my shoulder, Calvin?"

"I'm sure, Doc. I gotta admit though. For your first time playing 'Battleship', you're doing pretty good. I only got two of yours so far."

"Yes, and I have yet to land a single hit on you." Myers can't help but smile softly at him. Tokisona then looks outside and frowns. "I hope Shizuka and Scott are okay out there."

"They'll be fine, Doc. Scott knows better than to drive in total darkness. Even if he's got headlights on his Stingray. They're likely holed up in a nice cozy inn and will be on the way here by sun up." Dr Tokisona nods at Myers' assessment and turns back to his game board before grimacing. With Myers noticing the grimace. "Doc? You okay?" Tokisona starts to nod, only to collapse.

"DOC!" Going to his side, Myers puts his fingers to Tokisona's neck and finds a rapid pulse. "Gillespie, Higgins, come quick! Doc's having a heart attack!" When the two Marshal-guised Agents get to the common room, Myers goes to the cabin's medicine cabinet. "See if you can get his mouth open! I'm getting the Bayer!"

"Right. Gillespie, get an Interceptor ready. We may have to take him to the nearest Hospital." Gillespie nods at that and rushes outside. When Myers gets back to Dr Tokisona's side, Bayer bottle in hand, Higgins nods for him to tap out the dosage.

"Doc, can you open your mouth?" When Tokisona's mouth opens, Myers drops them into it, helping his mouth to close. "Okay Doc, chew and swallow." Once he's done so, Myers and Higgins both heft the man up. "Okay, Doc, we're taking you to the Hospital to get you checked out. Okay?"

"O… Okay, Calvin." As they walk Tokisona out to the cars, they see Gillespie in the driver's seat of the Interceptor nearest to the cabin, its' emergency lights flashing and engine running. Once Tokisona's in the back seat, he can faintly hear Higgins speaking.

"When Scott and Shizuka get back, I'll let them know what happened. Call me with any updates, Myers."

"You got it, Higgins." Myers then gets into the Interceptor, seating himself beside Gillespie before closing the door. At that, Gillespie bleats the siren as he pulls the sedan away from the cabin. Within five minutes, the sedan's out of sight, its siren wailing as the car's V-8 engine roars away.

(Puget Sound, OR; UN General Hospital; fifteen minutes)

As the Interceptor roars up to the Emergency entrance, the right front door starts opening. Once the car stops, its' door is flung open and a man wearing a business suit steps out.

"UN Marshals! Need some help out here!" Going to the right rear door, he opens it as three orderlies and a Doctor on staff come out. "Japanese male, mid-sixties to early seventies. Possible heart attack."

"Okay, sir." As the Doctor brings out a penlight, she checks pupil response before asking, "How long ago and has medication been given him?"

"About sixteen, seventeen minutes ago. Yeah. Bayer aspirin." The Doctor nods thoughtfully as they wheel the gentleman into the Emergency Section.

"Okay, get him into Exam Room 5 and hooked up to the ECGs. Call Dr Tuttle at his home and have him come in for a cardiac event. Only he can determine if surgery's needed."

"Yes, Doctor Loxley." As the orderlies wheel the gentleman into the needed room, Loxley looks toward the Marshal that came inside. "Thank you, Marshal, for knowing protocol ahead of time. Now for some info."

"Sure."

"Is the gentleman a Marshal as well, or a retired Marshal?"

"No ma'am." Taking her aside, he softly speaks into her ear. "Fact of the matter is, Doctor Loxley, the man is a protected witness. A fellow Doctor. OB-GYN. So I'd really appreciate it if you'd list him as a 'John Doe' or any term you can use to classify a living patient." Doctor Loxley gives the Marshal a nod of understanding.

"Alright. Does the man have any family to contact?"

"Yes. A daughter and granddaughter. Living in Atsugi City and Tokyo-3 Japan, respectively."

"Very well. Contact them and let them know the situation in brief. And let them know he's in good hands."

"I will, Doctor Loxley. Thank you."

"You can thank me by calling me Amy, Marshal…"

"Myers. Calvin Myers."

"Calvin." With that, Amy walks away, intent on helping the patient until the cardiologist arrives. But Myers doesn't take notice as he's too busy bringing his phone out as he exits toward the Interceptor. With Gillespie still in the driver's seat. "This is UNCM-296. Get me a secure line to Old Osaka Ops."

"Wait one, UNCM-296." A minute later, the voice comes back with, "Connected, UNCM-296."

"Jefferson. Go ahead, Myers."

"Sir, witness Tokisona may have had a heart attack and is undergoing treatment at the UN Medical Center in Puget Sound, OR."

"What about witness Uramishi? What's her status?"

"She and UNCM-876 are currently elsewhere sir. They're expected to be back by tomorrow, sir."

"Understood. I gather you feel the daughter and granddaughter both should be informed?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright. I'll take care of things on my end. What was the name of the Physician onsite when you arrived?"

"Loxley, Amy. Caucasian, mid-twenties, slender with short-cut red hair and brown eyes."

"Did you give her any details?"

"Just the basics, sir. The patient's a witness and has a daughter and granddaughter."

"I see. Keep monitoring the situation as best you can." Out the corner of his left eye, Myers can see a red pickup pull up into the lot and pull into a staff slot.

"I will, sir." Ending the call, Myers looks over at Gillespie. "What do you think, Gillespie?"

"We should take shifts inside and outside in the car. Rest inside the car and waiting awake inside for news on the Doc. You take 1st shift. Wake me in five hours."

"You got it."

Exiting the car and closing the door, he walks back inside as the Interceptor pulls away from the Emergency entrance. Once he's back inside, he sees a man in a white overcoat talking with Loxley.

"Okay, let's get him checked out, Doctor Loxley. Incidentally, is the one that brought him in still around?"

"Yes, Dr Tuttle. He's right behind you." The Doctor turns around and grins softly.

"Calvin. Calvin Myers."

"Adam." Walking toward the Doctor, Myers breaks into a grin. "Haven't seen you since high school, man!" Wrapping each other into a brotherly hug, they thump each other on their backs. Ending the hug, Myers looks him over. "Don't you ever eat anymore?"

"I still eat. But healthier." Looking him over, he then frowns, asking, "When's the last time you had a check-up, Calvin?"

"Six months ago. Policy." Tuttle nods thoughtfully at that before looking over the notes Loxley had written down.

"The event happened about twenty minutes ago, right?"

"Yeah. We were on the outskirts and this was the nearest Emergency facility to us." Tuttle nods again before sighing.

"It's good you got him here when you did. So if you'll wait here…"

"Got nowhere else to be, Adam." Giving Myers a nod, Dr Tuttle walks into the room while Myers has a seat.

(Atsugi City; Mariko Tokisona's residence; five minutes later)

As she reads over a script for a role she's interested in, a lounging Mariko can't help but be amused at the lines her character has.

"The screenwriter's been reading Shakespeare, hasn't she?" Next thing she knows, the phone beside her rings. Without thinking twice, she answers. "Mariko Tokisona here."

"Ms Tokisona, this is UN Marshal Smith." Mariko's attention is quickly grabbed as she straightens her form up.

"How can I help you, Marshal Smith?"

"Ms Tokisona, I've some bad news. Your Father may have had a heart attack earlier today."

"May have had? You mean you don't know for sure?"

"I'm only going by what the Marshal at the Medical Center told me, Ms Tokisona."

"I see. My apologies. When will something definitive be known?"

"He's being evaluated right now. If he's treated soon enough, if it was a heart attack, his prognosis may be good. I'm waiting for updates while I'm making the necessary calls." Mariko nods at that before sighing.

"Can you tell me where he's being treated so I can be with him?"

"Sorry, Ms Tokisona. I can't as this line's not secure. But I will keep you up to date when I know something definitive. Then, and only then, can we discuss visitation on a secure line."

"Very well. I thank you for your call, Marshal Smith."

"You're welcome, Ms Tokisona." With that, the call ends. Mariko's eyes slowly dripping tears before she wipes them away.

"Don't think like that, Mariko. He's going to be okay. He has to be. He just has to be." For the first time since the death of her brother and his wife, however, Mariko Tokisona weeps.

(Tokyo-3; Ikari apartment; same time)

Smiling contentedly as she watches Yachiru nap on the sofa in the living room, Rits gently strokes her belly. Next thing she knows, Jefferson's voice comes up over her comm.

"Rits, is it safe for you to talk?"

"Not really, Jefferson." Keeping her voice low enough to not disturb a sleeping Yachiru, she adds, "I'm watching over a napping Yachiru Suzuhara right now."

"Then I'll be as brief as possible. Rits, your Grandfather may have had a heart attack." Rits' gasp of shock gets a sigh from Jefferson as he goes on. "Right now, he's at the UN Medical Center at Puget Sound in OR. The Agents tasked to his and Miss Uramishi's protection rushed him to the Medical Center."

"What of Shizuka? Is she okay?"

"Status unknown at the moment. It seems one of the Agents had left with her from the safe house earlier in the evening." Rits sighs at that before nodding.

"I thank you, Jefferson. Any chance you can get a message to my Grandfather for me?"

"Of course." Rits smiles at that before gently rubbing her belly again.

"Please let him know he's going to be a Great-Grandfather and I can't bear the thought of him missing out on fussing over a baby again."

"I'll pass the message to him, Rits. And congratulations to you."

"Thank you, Jefferson."

"You're welcome, Rits." With that, comm. ends. When Rits gazes upon Yachiru again, she sees the sleeping girl hadn't awakened at all.

'You were tuckered out today, weren't you, Yachiru?' Next thing Rits knows, a knock is heard on the door. 'Must be Touji and Hikari.' Going to the door and looking out the peephole, she smiles at seeing Touji and Hikari both. Opening the door, she says, "I was just thinking about you two." Touji smiles softly at the sight of Yachiru sleeping while Hikari giggles softly.

"Good thoughts, I hope." Rits' nod gets a nod right back from Hikari before she looks around. "So where's Shinji at?"

"He had an errand to run. One he couldn't exactly get out of if you get my drift." Giving Hikari a wink, Rits giggles when Hikari rolls her eyes in amusement.

"I do, Rits." Watching as Touji gently lifts his sleeping sister into his arms, Hikari then asks, "So what'd you guys and Yachiru do today?"

"We took her to NERV to swim in one of the pools." Wincing, she adds, "Sorry we didn't ask you about that."

"It's fine, Rits. Yach has missed swimming in pools ever since we got here to Tokyo-3 and since the school pool is closed on the weekends…" Touji's words get an understanding nod from Rits before Touji frowns. "But I think she left her swimsuit at home, though."

"Not to worry, Touji. I let her borrow one of my old suits from when I was her age and it fit her quite well." Touji nods at that before looking down at his sleeping sister. Next thing he knows, she blearily blinks her eyes open before smiling and snuggling into Touji.

"Touji nii-chan." Touji's face breaks into a warm grin before looking over at Rits and seeing unshed tears in her eyes. Getting him to frown.

"You okay, Rits?" Rits considers nodding, but then decides against it.

"Not really. I just heard Grandfather may have had a heart attack and is undergoing treatment right now." Hikari's gasp at that gets Rits to sigh as well. "That's how I reacted as well, Hikari."

"Do you know where he is? So we can send him 'Get Well Soon' cards to aid his recovery." Rits can't help but smile warmly at Hikari before shaking her head in the negative.

"I'm afraid not, Hikari. After all, Grandfather's under UN protection, so his location's kept secret. Even from family. It's in the rules."

"That's a sucky rule, Rits. How can we wish your Gramps well if we don't know where he is?"

"Well, you can relay your well-wishes to him through the UN Marshal's office, Touji. They can get them to him then." Shrugging, Rits adds, "I think that's the way it goes, anyway." Touji ponders it before nodding.

"Okay. You want we should spread the word around school? Or maybe keep it quiet?"

"Just keep it quiet, Touji, please. The less people that know of Grandfather's condition…"

"The less likely someone can use you to get to him." At Rits' blink, Hikari smirks at her. "Think about it, Rits. You, your unborn baby and your Mom are out here unprotected while your Grandfather and his assistant are in hiding." The next thing Hikari knows, Rits smirks wickedly.

"If they want to harm me, my baby and my Mom, Hikari, they better have their burial plot picked out ahead of time. We're not exactly unprotected ourselves, after all." Hikari can only nod silently as Rits rubs her belly. A soft smile quickly replacing the wicked smirk.

(Atsugi City; same time)

"Here we are, Doctor Roilson. Your 'home' until we get the situation resolved." Max's words as Dr Roilson looks around the small dwelling gets him to look toward the young Agents that brought him here. "I know it's not quite what you're used to, but I figure at least this way, you can get yourself some legitimacy as a Doctor."

"No, no, it's fine. I just wish that I could've found more info on that madman's work. Without having had to pay such a horrid price."

"How could you have known, though? It's not your fault! It's the fault of the nutjob that dreamed up the insanely cruel idea to begin with!" Agent Langley's retort gets Roilson to sigh before nodding.

"You're right, Agent Langley. It's the fault of the nutjob." At her nod, he sighs again before asking, "Can you ensure Henri's burial will be quiet and dignified?"

"Yes, we can, Doctor. As we speak, his remains are on their way to South Africa. He'll be buried with a tracking chip that only you and we know about. You'll get the receiver when the heat dies down so you can see where it is when you go there. Our Mortuary Affairs office will pick a nice, anonymous spot for his burial." Roilson can't help but shiver at that.

"I don't know what's more disturbing. You guys having a Mortuary Affairs office or the fact you established one to begin with." Max can only shrug haplessly at that.

"In our line of work, there'll always be casualties. While we do what we can to prevent them from happening, there're some people we won't be able to save." Roilson nods at that before taking it up.

"So it's prudent for you to be ready for that kind of eventuality." Max and Agent Langley's shared nods prompt him to ask, "How long has it been active, anyway?"

"On the outside, about two months." Agent Langley's reply gets an arched eyebrow from him before she adds, "Red tape always getting in the way. You know how it is." Roilson can't help but chuckle softly at that before nodding.

"Ah yes. The 'evil red tape' that keeps things from being done until it's either too late or those holding the tape's ends stop fucking around." The eye-roll at the end renders Langley into a helplessly giggling wreck again. With Max snickering his agreement before bringing out Roilson's new identity. His eyebrow can't help but arch upward at the name. "Interesting choice, Agent Steel." Max can't help but shrug at that.

"Best we can come up with on the fly, Doc. You may want to practice introducing yourself with your new name in front of the mirror when alone to acclimate yourself to it. You start at the Atsugi Clinic tomorrow evening. Night shift." Roilson gives the Agents a nod as they both then leave him alone. Once they're alone, he looks toward a nearby mirror and smiles warmly.

"No better time than the present."

(WA; Wheeler cabin; five hours later)

"Mmm." Stretching her form gently, Shizuka looks at Scott and smiles softly at how asleep he is. Upon not feeling nauseous, she smiles in relief before softly pecking his cheek and rising out of bed. Quietly getting dressed, she then exits the room and quickly smells breakfast being made. Following the smell, she soon sees Jamie at the stove.

"Good morning, Jamie." Shizuka's soft voice gets Jamie to look back at her and smile softly.

"Morning, Shizuka. Sleep well?"

"Oh yes. And, with no sign of morning sickness either. At least for the time being." Jamie nods her understanding at that before returning her attention to the stove. While she resumes cooking, Shizuka looks around before asking, "Are Mark and Alex up yet?"

"Oh yes. They're both out there doing their tai chi exercises." Shizuka blinks at that. Even though she doesn't see the blink, Jamie adds, "Ever since she was five, Alex would be outside with her Father. Replicating his exercises with him. Even without knowing what he was doing at the time."

"When did she figure it out?" When Jamie doesn't answer right away, Shizuka gets nervous. "Jamie?"

"When Alex turned six, there was an incident." Jamie's voice is quiet, yet has Shizuka's undivided attention as she goes on. "I don't know if you heard of the Rand Davis Corporation or not, Shizuka, but the incident involved a merc unit they'd hired to replace the unit they'd previously utilized."

"I heard bits and pieces, but I was so young back then." Jamie nods at that as Shizuka asks, "What happened to the unit they'd used before and in the incident?"

"They were all wiped out by Mark. Every single member, save for one which was already dead before Mark even begun in his first fight against them." Shuddering slightly, Jamie murmurs, "If Mark hadn't gone into town when he did, and saw his former comrade's body, it's quite likely we wouldn't be talking now, Shizuka."

"He was one of them?" At Jamie's nod, she asks, "What happened?"

"From what Jim could determine, his former comrade had hoped to link up with Mark so they can face off against their former comrades together. Only…"

"Someone got to him first." Mark's voice from the doorway gets a start from Shizuka before he goes on. "When I saw the people milling around the front of an SUV in town, I had an uneasy feeling in my gut. When I got around to the front, I saw him. His eyes open and unseeing. I then called the Sheriff's Office to let Jim know what'd happened."

"Only Jim already had an idea from when I called the Sheriff's Office, reporting I was being followed." Jamie lightly shivers before adding, "My call was cut short, Jim was shot and I was a hostage. When we got to Mark's home, one of them told me what he'd done with them. How many people he'd killed as a member of the 'TNT' before he left them."

"It mustn't have been easy for either of you. To be put in that kind of situation, I mean."

"It wasn't, Shizuka. But if they were trying to get me to turn Mark away from my life, they failed miserably. Even after telling me his real name, it didn't shake how I felt about him then." Shizuka blinks at that, getting Jamie to softly smirk. "Alex was named after her Father. Thinking of, Mark?"

"Alex is outside right now, readying the shooting area. Would you care to join us in shooting, Shizuka?" Shizuka can't help but nod eagerly, getting Mark to grin. "Okay. I think I've got a gun you can borrow that'll be small enough to fit your hand. We'll shoot after breakfast. Okay?"

"Okay. I better wake Scott up first so he doesn't miss breakfast, though." Mark gives her a nod while Jamie smirks as Shizuka goes toward the guest bedroom. Only to stop and ask, "What happened in the incident, though?"

"That, Shizuka, is a story for another time." Mark's reply gets a nod from Shizuka as she goes on. Mark sighs audibly before noticing Alex out of the corner of his left eye. "Everything ready, Alex?"

"Yeah, Dad. But, why didn't you tell her about…"

"When you were abducted when you were six? Alex, that memory, along with the memory of what happened to your Mom when the 'TNT' grabbed her, gives me chills." Crossing to her and taking her into his arms, he murmurs, "I don't ever want to revisit that. Under any circumstance." Alex nods against his chest as he holds his daughter close. "I still can't believe I let you talk me into giving you those lessons in self-defense."

"Who better to learn from than a guy that fought other people's battles or dirty fights? Even when that guy's my Daddy." Mark gives a soft chuckle before kissing the top of Alex's head. With Alex giggling softly and Jamie rolling her eyes while smiling softly at the sight before her.

"Now if only we can find you a guy that can't be scared off by me or your skills."

"Are you trying to tell me something, Dad?"

"Well, your Mother and I aren't getting any younger." Alex's face can't help but go beet red at that.

"DADDY!"

(One hour later)

Shizuka smiles softly at the feeling of the pistol in her hand. Scott notices her smile and smiles at her.

"Been a while for you to hold a gun, huh?"

"It has, Scott." Her smile then fades slightly as she adds, "The last time I held a gun was…"

"The day of your last date with Tsukune." At her nod, Scott nods back at her before saying, "Picture the one that was responsible for him dying. Do the world a favor and blow his worthless ass away."

"Yeah." Sighting down the sights of the Sig-Sauer, Shizuka fires through the magazine rapidly. Hitting all fifteen cans without missing. Scott can't help but feel impressed.

(NYC; JFK Airport; departure wing; two hours later)

"Okay. We're just about ready to take-off. All we gotta wait for now is Ms Brantley to arrive and we can take off." Looking down at a wheelchair-bound Cochrane with disdain, Brian adds, "Even if we have excess luggage with us."

"Well, you could always leave without me or let me go free." Brian snorts at that.

"Not on your life, jackass." Turning toward Lisa, Danny and Jenk, he adds, "We take four hour shifts, one at a time so no one gets fatigued during the flight. Jenk, your shift will be last before I relieve you." Held up by crutches, Jenk nods at that.

"What of me, Brian?" Nikita's sweet voice gets Brian to look back at her. "I want to help you any way I can."

"You've already done so much, Nikita. It wouldn't be right for you to have to watch the prisoner as well."

"It's going to be hard to avoid since he'll be in the middle of the cabin, sweetie." Giving him a sultry pout, she murmurs, "If anything, I want to watch him squirm with envy when he sees me drive your hormones crazy." Her lips fluttering lightly against his neck gets him to sigh before nodding.

"Okay. You can take my shift if I'm not up to it. And I mean 'if'. Okay?" Nikita's sinister smirk gets him to gulp as his face goes beet red. Next thing he knows, a male voice calls her name.

"Nikita?! Is that you?!" Nikita's face takes on an overjoyed look before she looks around and sees the voice's source.

"Uncle Jelly!" A short, stout man ambles up to her and wraps her in a hug. With Nikita returning the hug. "Oh it's so good to see you!"

"Same here, kiddo!" Looking up at her face, he smiles and says, "You look radiant as ever, Nikita."

"And you look well-fed as usual, Uncle Jelly." Looking around, she asks, "Where're Uncles Paul and Ben at?"

"Mr Vitti and Dr Sobel are currently in the lounge. Waiting for Dr Sobel's son to arrive from Texas. Do you have time for a quick visit with them while they wait for his flight to arrive?"

"Oh, if I could I would, Uncle Jelly. But I'm waiting for one other person to arrive before we take off."

"Ah. Wait. I'll be right back."

Ambling quickly away from her, he leaves behind a grinning Nikita and a perplexed Brian, Danny, Lisa and Jenk. With Cochrane trying to make sense of what'd just happened. But before he can say anything, however…

"Nikita!" Nikita's smile goes even wider when she sees two men following Jelly. Equally-wide smiles on their faces. "Jelly told me you were here and that you were waiting for someone to arrive before you left."

"Hi, Uncle Paul." Wrapping her arms around him, she feels him pecking her on both her cheeks and giggles. "Careful, Uncle Paul. My boyfriend's standing right beside me." Paul Vitti ends the hug and looks over at Brian as Nikita greets Jelly's other companion. "Uncle Ben."

"Hey there, kiddo." Gently hugging her, Ben Sobel smiles softly up at her. "How've you been?"

"I've been well, Uncle Ben. How's your practice going?" Ben shrugs at that, getting Nikita to giggle. "It's good to see you're consistent, Uncle Ben." Meanwhile, Jelly's looking her entourage over before squinting.

"Nikita, why are you hanging around Police?" Nikita can't help but giggle at that again.

"They're in civvies, Uncle Jelly, meaning they're off-duty." Smiling softly, she tugs on Brian's arm. "My boyfriend, Brian Dyson, Section-2 Agent for UN Agency NERV." Paul's face takes on a ponderous frown as he places the name.

"Dyson? Any relation to Tom Dyson, the late FBI Agent?"

"Yes, Mr Vitti. My Father." Paul's face takes on a scowl before he shakes his finger at Brian.

"It's Uncle Paul to you, Brian. Got that?" Brian nods at that, getting Paul to smile as Nikita goes on.

"Brian's adopted sister, Lisa, and her husband, Danny. Officers for UNP-NY." Paul gives them a warm smile and nod, with Jelly and Ben doing the same as Nikita goes on.

"Their friend and colleague on the force, Roland Jenkins." Another warm smile and nod before Paul looks toward Cochrane.

"What about the guy in the wheelchair? What's his story?" Next thing Paul knows, Nikita's face darkens with a harsh frown.

"Former Interpol Chief Inspector Frederick Earl Cochrane. A worthless vermin that killed homeless children in the wake of 2nd Impact and organized the murder of Brian and Lisa's Father." Jelly's eyes shoot wide open before narrowing.

"You mean the 'Candyman Slayer', Nikita?" At her silent nod, Jelly and Paul look at each other and nod. Ignoring Ben's exasperated sigh as he looks back toward Nikita, Jelly asks, "You want we should take Cochrane up to the roof and offer him a different perspective of his life, Nikita?"

"It's tempting, Uncle Jelly. But I can't possibly let you put yourself to any trouble."

"It'll be no trouble at all, Nikita. We'll just take him up to the roof, have a nice little chat with him and offer him a different view of his life to date." Nikita checks her watch and sees the time is 10:30 AM.

"Well, we still have a little time before the last member of our party shows up. She should be here at any time. Okay, but please, Uncles, don't take long and no scary stuff. I don't want to have to fly a corpse to Japan."

"You got it, Nikita." At her stern look, Paul's statement to her is bolstered with, "You have our word that he won't be scared to death." Upon seeing her smile, Paul and Jelly wheel Cochrane away. Ben following along behind the two. Once they're out of sight, Brian looks at Nikita and grins.

"Your 'Uncles' are pretty interesting, Nikita."

"They are, Brian."

(JFK Control Tower; five minutes later)

"Hey, Kyle."

"Yeah, Sarah?"

"Get a look at the roof of the departure wing."

Kyle goes to Sarah's side and is softly handed the field glasses before he looks through them. The sight he sees startles him to no end. A man in a wheelchair, being tilted backwards. Seemingly screaming his head off. With two men holding his wheelchair backwards while another man is shaking his head against his hand, seemingly in exasperation. Next thing Kyle knows, the two men holding the wheelchair backwards gives him a greeting wave. Numbly, he can only wave right back at them before they bring the wheelchair-bound man back up again. As they wheel the man back toward the rooftop access, the other man with them gives him a shrug, as if asking, 'What can I do?'. Lowering the field glasses, Kyle can only sigh.

"I'm gettin' too old for this crazy shit."

(Departure wing; five minutes later)

"Here he is, Nikita. Still alive as you wanted." Jelly's voice breaks the tense atmosphere as a catatonically-shocked Cochrane twitches. "Of course, he did scream for a bit. And we did get an audience in the Control Tower."

"I see." Looking Cochrane over, she then shrugs and adds, "At least no one important got hurt."

"Sorry I'm late!" The feminine voice gets their attention as Brian and Danny nod to each other. "I had to wait for the cab to get to my home and traffic on the way here was utterly dreadful! I mean, honestly, where do these people get their driver's licenses from?! A cereal box?!" Rolling her baggage behind her, Gertrude pants before adding, "Plus I had to ask what gate to come to for private outbound flights!"

"It's quite alright, Ms Brantley." Danny sees her bag and says, "Let me get your bag for you so you can get your breath, ma'am."

"Oh, why thank you, Officer O'Malley. I almost didn't recognize you without your uniform on." Danny can only grin at that.

"I'm off-duty now, Ms Brantley. Going on vacation with my wife, brother-in-law, his girlfriend and a fellow Officer." Gertrude nods at that before looking toward a still-catatonic Cochrane.

"What about him? What's his story?"

"He's bad news, Gertie." At the short-form of her name, Gertrude turns and smiles at Paul. "Been a long time, Gertie."

"Too long, Paul far too long." Giving him an appraising look, she asks, "You're not still involved with the mob, are you?"

"Nah. I'm working as a consultant for a TV series that relates to the mob, though." Shrugging, he then asks, "After all, who better to consult with?" Gertrude can only snort in amusement at that before sighing.

"We'll have to do lunch sometime, Paul. A week after I get back, perhaps?"

"I'd like nothing better, Gertie. But, where are you going?" Next thing he knows, Gertrude's eyes well with tears.

"To bring back Joseph's body from Japan." Paul and Jelly's eyes can't help but shoot open in shock.

"He's dead? When?"

"About four months ago." Brian's voice is somber as he goes on. "The previous Commander ordered that his death be kept secret and he be buried in a pauper's grave."

Paul and Jelly's faces go ominously dark at that, with Paul taking it up.

"Where is the previous Commander now?"

"He's currently in the brig on charges, Mr Vitti." Before Paul can remind Brian about how to address him, Brian goes on. "Sorry, Mr Vitti. But when it comes to matters like NERV Security, formality is needed."

"Well, if it's needed, it's needed. But, you want we should whack him for you? Save the Court's time and everything." Jelly's offer is tempting, but Brian can only shake his head in the 'negative'.

"Sorry, Mr Jelly. But things have to be done the right way."

"Okay. But, if he walks…" Jelly draws his finger along his neck before adding, "He dies." Looking down at Cochrane, he smirks. "Him too."

"I can work with that." Getting a nod from Jelly, Brian then cracks his neck, saying, "Might as well board up. Sooner we get the bird in the air, the sooner Section-2 can interrogate Cochrane."

"I'll help load Cochrane up, Brian." Brian nods at Jelly's thoughtful gesture. As they exit the departure wing, Jelly leans forward into Cochrane's ear before speaking. "You'd better hope they convict you and the former Commander of NERV. If not, it's arrivederci for you both, turkey." Jelly then sees Brian dig through his carry-on bag and frowns. "What're you looking for, Brian?"

"A file of my Dad's. I thought I'd look it over during the flight."

"Oh? What's it about?"

"Dunno. From what I could tell though, from the label on it, that it was a joint FBI-NCIS investigation. Off the record, of course."

"You mean you haven't even opened it yet?"

"That's right, Lisa. I swore to myself I wouldn't dare open the file folder until the one most responsible for Dad's death was caught."

Lisa nods her understanding as Jelly follows them up into the Kamenev Cessna. Wheeling a now-recovering Cochrane onto the plane along the quickly-improvised ramps. Once Cochrane's in the middle of the plane, he then helps Brian secure the wheelchair to the hard-points in the floor. Seeing Cochrane's wrists and ankles are thoroughly secured, Jelly can't help but wince.

"Secure enough for you, Brian?"

"Not taking any chances, Jelly. Until this piece of oath-breaking trash is in Section-2's brig, he's to be manacled to the extremes." Cochrane snarls out at him, his wits fully recovered now.

"I shall have your credentials for this outrage, Agent Dyson! Reckless endangerment of a prisoner, consorting with known criminals, unlawful detainment, jurisdictional conflicts… need I go on?"

"Cochrane, Cochrane, Cochrane… do you really think you're in any position to make any kind of threats when we'll be more than happy to silence you where you sit? Do you?" At Brian's tone, Cochrane audibly gulps as Brian goes on. "Matter of fact, the generous offer Mr Vitti made to whack you is looking quite attractive right now. Jelly, how much would Mr Vitti charge for a whack? Just out of curiosity, of course."

"Of course. Normally, in the old days, about five grand. But, given the circumstances of how Cochrane had deprived you and your sister of your Father for all that time, it'd be on the house. Mr Vitti had been there, after all. So he understands what it's like to lose a Father."

"But, I didn't even pull the trigger! It was Vladimir Karpovskiva! He should be the one that's whacked! Not me!" Lisa can't help but snort in outrage.

"And who lied to Vladimir about Dad not being a family man, Cochrane? Hmm? Oh that's right. It was you!" Patting her right side, she adds, "I may regret not having put you down like the rabid dog you are, but at least I'm better than you are. Much like Dad was." Cochrane snorts at that.

"Who cares if I lied about a worthless Fed being a family man or not? That kind of detail's not really important. If anything, you should have let it go."

"No son ever could."

"Neither could a daughter."

"Nor can a daughter of the one that pulled the trigger." Nikita's green eyes burn with fury as she looks forward and barks out in Russian. "Piotr, how long until wheels up?!"

"Five minutes, Lady Kamenev."

"Very good, Piotr." Looking back toward Jelly, she fondly smirks. "Unless you want to fly to Japan with us, Uncle Jelly…"

"I would, but I don't think Mr Vitti would like it very much if I left with you without his say so." Giving her a gentle hug, he murmurs, "Have a safe flight, Nikita."

"I will, Uncle Jelly." Giving the others a nod, and thumbing his nose at Cochrane, Jelly ambles off of the Cessna, with Brian closing and securing the hatch once he's cleared it. Up in the cockpit, Piotr switches to English.

"This is Kilo-Delta-Foxtrot-5-8-7 to JFK Control, requesting clearance for take-off."

"JFK Control to Kilo-Delta-Foxtrot-5-8-7, clearance granted. Proceed to runway 4-5 and commence your run."

"Kilo-Delta-Foxtrot-5-8-7 to JFK Control, proceeding to runway 4-5 for take-off. Thank you and have a nice day."

"JFK Control to Kilo-Delta-Foxtrot-5-8-7, good luck and Godspeed to you on your flight."

"Kilo-Delta-Foxtrot-5-8-7 to JFK Control, good luck to you as well." Ending communication, Piotr pushes the throttle forward upon reaching runway 45. Within minutes, the Cessna's in the air.

Back in the passenger cabin, Brian resumes digging through his bag before grinning in triumph.

"Here it is!" Bringing it out, he cracks the seal tape on the file folder before opening it. Only to utter, "You gotta be kidding me." Looking over the notes, he then notices a disturbing item on the notes. Looking toward Cochrane, he gets an uneasy feeling in his gut. Cochrane notices the attention and scoffs.

"What is it, Section-2 nobody?"

"Quick question, shit for brains. When you had Dad killed, was it to cover your secret as a sadistic child killer up or was it because someone didn't want Dad to kick over a carefully planted rock?" Cochrane scoffs again at that.

"And why should I answer that?"

"Because either way, you're facing an additional charge of hindering a Federal Investigation by the FBI and NCIS both into the abduction of a US Marine, disguised as a murder of said Marine." Bringing out his Baby Eagle and switching the magazine filled with FMJ rounds to frangible rounds, he then racks the slide. Ejecting the round already chambered from the pistol's barrel. "Or do I have to shoot it out of you?"

"Well, since you asked so nicely…" Seeing Brian aim the Baby Eagle at him, Cochrane sighs. "While it did provide me with the boon of covering my tracks, it was the latter. Your foolish Father was absurdly close to tracking down what'd happened to a Marine that nobody, quite frankly, gives a shit about. My client wanted your Father's investigation stopped. By any means."

"Your client wouldn't have happened to have been 'Mr Cyclops', would it?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." Brian silently drops the folder onto the floor before re-holstering the BE, rising from his seat and stalking toward Cochrane. "What're you going to do? Cry over something you can't do a thing about? The trail's gone cold. There's no way you'll find the worthless Marine your idiotic Father was looking for."

"Wrong, asshole." Clenching his fists, Brian starts slugging Cochrane left and right. As he punches Cochrane viciously, Nikita warily looks into the open folder and gasps at the picture within the folder.

The picture of Gunnery Sergeant Peter Sychola.