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Date Posted: 18:33:00 03/18/08 Tue
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: cpe-69-135-186-204.woh.res.rr.com / 69.135.186.204
Subject: Re: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 45
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 19:35:52 03/09/08 Sun

Chapter 45

The argument had been taking place for a while.

“…there is no choice while there is still a threat to her and she has to be protected.”

“But we can do that without her knowing….”

“She already knows too much. She knows what Fanning was. She just needs to understand that while there continues to be a threat she needs to be protected. I will not have her lied to anymore.”

“Of course.” Jasmine knew better than to question orders. Especially from someone as high powered in the organization as Phillip, she turned to leave slightly irritated at herself for the discussion.

Realizing that he was handling this badly and that he needed to represent a better precedent he called her back, “Jasmine.” He paused to gather his thoughts carefully as she waited, “This division will be changing now that Adrian is gone. Her ways, particularly recently, did not reflect what we are really about. We are here to protect the innocent. Nikita is an innocent in this whole vile affair.”

He sat and continued, “I also realize that you have been trained under Adrian and her style. But I have read your files very carefully and I know that you have the characteristics that we really want in a leader. You did not always agree with Adrian’s approach, you felt that she put too many innocents in harm’s way on some missions. You have empathy. You will be a great asset to Mr. O’Brien if he returns here. I thought you should know that.”

*****

Marco was not a happy man. Not only did he hate to be shot, and he hated to be in the hospital but he never expected nor did he want to still be alive at this moment. He was sore, pissed off, hungry, and god help the next person that came through that door and wanted to stick him with anything.

Why the hell was he still alive? David wasn’t a great shot but he had made it pretty easy for the jerk to take him out. The first time he had woken up had been the worst and he knew the nurses all hated him for that. Now he had had some time to lay here and feel sorry for himself for a while.

Another thought had been running through his mind. He had been left was alone thus far. Where was Adrian or one of her lackeys to make sure he didn’t say something inappropriate while drug-induced. She was fairly anal-retentive about these things. He would have chuckled but he hurt too damn much to take that deep a breath. Damn he really hated getting shot.

Then a moment that he would always remember happened. The door opened and while he expected another blood-sucking nurse with a needle instead there stood one of the most beautiful young women Marco had ever seen. She was petite, long dark hair but there was fierceness to her eyes, a strength buried in the dark eyes that stared back at him. Then she almost smiled and he felt like he had been stricken. She was even more stunning when she smiled.

“…names Jasmine. I’m with the agency.”

He instantly raised his guard and she saw it happen, “Hey I’m not the enemy.” Then she did it again, she smiled and he was completely disarmed. It’s gotta’ be the drugs he thought to himself.

“I suppose Adrian sent you.” He said dryly and with extreme distaste. He could imagine what his future held with Adrian after this.

“No actually. Things have changed quite a bit the last day or so.”

“How’s that?”

She sat down beside him, “Adrian retired, at least that is the official story, effective immediately. She’s just gone. Once the Fanning mission was over she was called to committee and that was it.”

Marco swallowed as he took that in. What did any of this mean, especially since he wasn’t dead? He was still in big trouble and he knew it. “Who’s in charge now?”

“At the moment Phillip Jones from committee has taken over the day-to-day operations and he is who ordered me to come see you.”

“Phillip? That doesn’t make any sense. He’s not tactical.”

“It’s only temporary, until you recover.”

“Until I recover?”

“Yes. I’m here to congratulate you and let you know that you will be taking over Adrian’s position. Phillip offers his personal congratulations and sends his regrets that he can’t tell you in person. But he was sure you would understand with the security risks and all.”

Marco was speechless and he wasn’t sure that he believed this Jasmine that sat in front of him at the moment.

She continued, “He also said that he will perform full briefings himself once you are ready to take over your new position. In the meantime you are to focus on recovering.”

Marco shook his head, “Is this real? Is it the drugs…” he asked pointing to the IV.
Jasmine laughed at Marco and he thought it was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard. “I’m here for another reason too.”

“What’s that?”

“To update you on the Nikita Wirth situation.” She told him taking on a more serious tone.

“Is Nikita all right?” Marco asked with deep concern in his voice.

Jasmine was almost disappointed to hear such a level of concern from the handsome man for the beautiful blonde. Perhaps the initial interest she thought he might have shown was her imagination. Masking any disappointment she told him, “Nikita is recovering fine from the viral strain toxin. But there is another complication that you need to know about.”

“What?”

“One of David’s men, fairly high in the organization, Suba, has escaped. Evidently he has been quietly building his own organization for some time and we are unable to locate him now.”

“Great, just great, Suba. He’s a lunatic. You know that don’t you?” Sarcasm dripped from his tone and he didn’t care, he was pissed.

“We know. He knows who Nikita is, based on that she may still be in danger. We don’t know for sure.”

“Brilliant. Where is Suba getting his funding for this?”

“Let me tell you about Paul Wolfe then we have other work to do.”

*****

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