Ever wonder about the events leading up to Amanda's kidnapping during "Nightcrawler"? What made Mara become Nightcrawler? Don't you think Billy knew more than he let on about Lee and Amanda's relationship?

This is just my take on things leading up to the episode and during - things we didn't get to see. As always I don't own SMK and the amazing characters...just borrowing them to get all of this jumbled mess out of my head!

I will post a new chapter every chance I get while I am at work. There will be around 12 chapters plus a tag. Hope everyone likes this one! This year I will be finishing the ones I haven't and I have lots more in the books! Happy Reading Peeps!

Annie (HelloMrsBowman)

Anticipating His Every Move…

MARA

She knew what she was doing was wrong. She was a traitor. She couldn't pinpoint the moment she realized being with him was wrong. He could be so charming….sweet even. There was just something about him. She couldn't resist him. Her sister even tried to warn her to walk away, but it was too late.

She sighed as she pulled the truck into the driveway of the two story brick home in Maryland that they were using. She turned the truck off and sat there staring at the house. She knew she had to do something. The Agency was closing in on them. They put together a new task force to come after them. Their information was pretty reliable. They even had the famous Scarecrow leading the ATAC team. She closed her eyes as she remembered his reaction to the news. At that moment Adi Birol made it his mission to bring down the Agency and more importantly Lee Stetson.

Mara Petrak opened the truck door and jumped out. She reached over the seat and gathered the bags of greasy burgers and fries from Marvelous Marvin's. She carried the food and drinks into the house and into the main space. She always imagined what the house would look like if she decorated it. Beautiful leather couches, plush carpets and exquisite artwork draping the walls. It was like a house she dreamed about all of her life. Especially since her sister brought her to the United States from Hungary. Four years had gone by and she wanted her life to be different. Adi charmed his way into her heart, head and eventually bed. She knew he was just using her at first…because of Magda. Her sister. He had been Magda's lover for years before when she worked in the Hungarian Embassy. That's why Adi needed her. She knew many contacts. Adi would use anyone he could to build his dream regime, Karbala, into something all Americans would fear. Now it looked like Lee Stetson was the only person stopping him.

For the past few months Adi set up different safe houses in the DC area. She lost count at six, but she knew he probably had more. Adi was very careful about who he trusted. He had a select few that were his lieutenants. Mara knew she was slowly becoming one of them….Probably even the one Adi trusted the most. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.

She dropped the bags of food onto the table as the others walked into the room. Adi followed behind barking orders to Phyllis, a small woman with dark brown hair. She nodded to what he said and walked back out of the room. Adi approached Mara and took her hand.

Adi Birol was a commanding force. He was pleasantly attractive with his dark skin and piercing deep brown eyes. At times Mara would even swear they were black. Mara hated herself for ever getting involved with him. She knew he was trouble. He was dangerous. Adi leaned close to her and kissed her. If he could genuinely smile she imagined he would have. She knew he was angry. Scarecrow and his ATAC team busted another one of their operations two days before. Adi was trying to smuggle in weapons but somehow Scarecrow found out about it. Mara signed as she thought about how close Lee Stetson was in catching Adi that day. Adi managed to slip through Stetson's fingers once again.

Adi squeezed her hand and said "Did you watch the airport? Will we be able to get in quickly and plant the bomb?"

Mara smiled at him and nodded "Yes, Everything will be set. Nothing will get in your way this time." Adi chuckled to himself "I will make sure the world will know Karbala is here! And I plan to make Lee Stetson look like a fool!" He gave her another small kiss and walked out of the room.

Mara knew she needed to act. She walked out the side door of the house and made her way towards the truck. She got in and started it up. She headed towards Alexandria and her sister's shop. Magda owned a ladies boutique. Magda would know what to do. Mara just hoped that her sister wouldn't give her another lecture about being involved with Adi. After driving for a little while, she pulled up to the front of the shop and got out. She walked into the small building. It smelled like fresh flowers. It reminded Mara of their mothers garden in Hungary. She looked around the shop for her sister when she heard a voice behind her.

"What brings you here Mara?"

She turned around and there stood her older sister, Magda. As far as sisters go, they were complete opposites. While she had blonde hair and blue eyes like their father, Magda had dark hair and eyes. She was a carbon copy of their mother.

Magda walked around the desk and dropped a gown on the counter. Mara sighed and quietly said "You were right. Adi is dangerous."

Magda rolled her eyes. She was about to say something to her sister when Mara continued.

"I need you to get in touch with Lee Stetson. He needs to stop Adi Birol."