RPG The Genesis Corporation

[Gavin]

[SIZE="1"]New York's streetlights seemed to pulse passed them as the car tore through the city streets. Gabriel sighed quietly to himself, he'd gotten there in time and now she was safe, that was the most important thing. Dana was watching him, trying to catch a few stray glances at him while he was driving and didn't appear to be paying attention to her. He arched his head slightly in her direction to get a better look at her condition, there was a cut across the top of her left hand, and a couple of minor scrapes on her face.

"[b]There's antiseptic wipes in the glove-compartment. You should clean those cuts just to be sure.[/b]" He didn't want to sound too indifferent, but at the same time, she was probably ready to panic.

Nodding, she withdrew a few wipes and began to dab her wounds, her eyes were suddenly drawn to his midsection, and the soaking red patch on his stomach that flowed into the seat beneath him.

"[b]Oh my God, you've been shot !![/b]" Way to state the obvious.

"[b]I'll be fine. I recover from injuries a lot faster than normal people. Trust me, in a few minutes, there won't even be a scar.[/b]"

She seemed somewhat reassured, giving him a weak smile and offering a wipe. Gabriel took it gingerly and rubbed his stomach. He winced, the pain from a gunshot wound to the stomach was one of the worst pains a person could experience. His left hand which he was currently using to steer the car clenched hard, causing the rubber of the wheel to squeak slightly.

Gabriel tried to gauge how many times he'd been shot escaping with her, acting as a human shield. Aside from the deep one in his stomach, he counted one that had just clipped his left shoulder, and another in his calf which hurt like hell as well. Six shots in one day, that was a new record, and not a good thing. He'd already lost a good bit of blood from the earlier incident in Ritter's apartment building, now with his stomach, his was going to lose blood fast. Gabriel could already feel his responses getting sluggish, and he was certain his skin was starting to pale.

"[b]Dana, I need you to take over driving the car. Just follow the navigator and we'll be fine.[/b]" He hoped she'd be still level-headed enough to do the job.

"[b]O...OK.[/b]"

Pulling the car up to the sidewalk, he opened his door as quickly as he could and staggered towards the opposite side of the vehicle. Dana had already swung into the driver's seat as Gabriel collapsed into the passenger's seat beside her. His quickly brought up the directions to Genesis Corporations HQ, before Dana started the car again and they were on their way.

His vision started to blur after a few minutes, his wounds were healing, the one on his shoulder completely, but he wasn't going to be able to stay conscious much longer. His breathing was kept as quiet as he possibly could, but it was becoming ragged. By the time he lost consciousness completely, they had only about three kilometres to go from headquarters.

"[b]Gabe, Gabe wake up.[/b]"

His eyes opened lazily, meeting Adam's, a look of concern on the latter's face.

"[b]What's my prognosis doc ?[/b]" The field op commander's face relaxed into a smile.

"[b]Well you've been out about two hours, medical staff said that of the six wounds you took, two should have killed you outright, and you lost enough blood to die twice over. Now they're complaining you just wasted bandages seeing as you're pretty much 100% again.[/b]" Gabriel sighed melodramatically.

"[b]Fuckers always have some complaint.[/b]" Sitting up, he looked around the room. "[b]Where's Dana ?[/b]"

"[b]She's fine Gabriel, thanks to you. Staff had a look at both of you when you came in, she's fine and has been sitting out in the waiting room to hear if you're OK. Seems you made quite an impression.[/b]" Gabriel shrugged his shoulders.

"[b]It's what I do.[/b]"[/SIZE]

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1]Just a short post so no one forgets we exist =p have limited time too.

----

Jake finished making all the calls and exactly what Adam said. Acacia and himself had left the body, taking all the information they thought would be useful - ID cards, train tickets, and even a short diary from the man that they hadn't read yet. They stood outside the subway, Jake fiddling with his PDA for awhile.

[B]"What now?"[/B] Acacia breathed.

Jake was immersed in his PDA, looking underneath his sunglasses to get a clearer view.

[B]"Check your PDA."[/B] He waited for a moment while Acacia checked it, before snapping his own in his pocket. [B]"Smartie pants has cross referenced the location of the nearest superhuman to us. And although I never need directions, driving with a PDA in my hand is pretty fucking hard..."[/B]

[B]"Let me guess, for protection?"[/B]

[B]"I don't normally need to protect myself in my own car..."[/B]

Acacia rolled her eyes. [B]"No, I mean, calling in all the superhumans."[/B]

Jake shoved his hands in his pocket with a sigh and started up the steps, Acacia following beside him. The two came to the car which was slightly jammed in place by two cars behind and in front, much to Jake's fast raising annoyance. He jumped in the driver's seat and started up the car, continuing what he was saying.

[B]"I reckon so. I think a little bit og you're professional approach comes in handy now - we better do this right before someone else dies."[/B] He twisted the stirring wheel hard to the right with a frown on his face.

[B]"Right."[/B] Acacia agreed pulling up the information on her own PDA. Suddenly, the car jolted violently, causing her to almost drop it. [B]"Jake!"[/B]

Jake looked behind him, the car at the back moving slowly backwards from Jake's impatience driving skills and lack of a handbrake. Jake shrugged.

[B]"I said we'll do this right for a change, I didn't say we'd do it nicely! I'll leave my fucking insurance details!"[/B]

He drove the car forward as quickly as possible, effectively getting out of the tight parking space but grazing the second car as well.[/SIZE]

[Frankie]

Upon arriving and meeting several other people who looked just as confused as she was she decided to find who she needed to find. After asking several people who knew nothing she was pointed in the right direction. After someone moved she found this man who she was told to find earlier.

After some conversation she was in a very small room with a small single bed, a bedside table and a lamp. The drawer had a note pad with paper and a pen. A small light buzzed in the ceiling above her. She didnt even remember most of her conversation in the other area of the building. She was so tired from all this stress she sat on the edge of the bed and scooted back against the wall and curled up into a little ball. Crunch sat next to the lamp on the bedside table and it was the closest thing to home for her.

Slowly her eyes fell and everything was dark.

----
ooc: Didnt know how to go with that so i just threw her into a small room for the time being.

[Cyriel]

[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"][COLOR="SlateGray"]Dana sat on the bench alone, watching others pass to and fro. Since she had arrived with Gabriel it seemed that activity had increased even more, if that was even possible. It all seemed so hectic and crowded, although less so here in the medical wing. At least, that was where she guessed she was. She could never have imagined that something like the Genesis Corporation existed. It all still seemed so unreal. Even after discovering her powers, Dana had never thought to think that others like her existed; she had never questioned why she had been given powers. And now, finding that a place such as this existed?it was almost too good to be true.

But how long had she been waiting? She started growing worried, absentmindedly fiddling with the gauze bandages that had been placed on her hands. Could it be that Gabriel was?? No, he couldn?t be. But all the blood kept coming to her mind ? it had soaked through almost all of his clothes and into the seat by the time Dana finally drove into the Genesis Corporation. The last she had seen of him was when he was being wheeled on a stretcher into another wing. She had been led elsewhere, where the small cuts on her hands and forehead had been treated. Later it had been offered to show her to areas where she could rest, but Dana had opted to remain and wait on Gabriel?s condition. Even though she had been assured that ?he would be fine,? she had to confirm it with her own eyes. But now it had to have been a couple hours at least, right? Had something gone wrong?

Just then a pair of doors opened, and Dana saw Gabriel walk out with another man she hadn?t seen before. She couldn?t stop herself from jumping out of her seat and running over at once, unable to believe that he was walking already.
[b]?Are you?alright??[/b] her eyes grew a little puzzled in seeing that Gabriel had no evidence of being wounded at all. There weren't even bandages around minor wounds, and not a scratch could be seen.

Gabriel shrugged, [b]?I told you before didn?t I? I recover more quickly than normal.?[/b]

Dana nodded slowly, [b]?I guess I was still a little out of it when you told me. I didn?t expect it to be your special ability, though.?[/b] She looked up at the man standing beside Gabriel, [b]?And you are...??[/b]

[b]?This is Adam Jacobs, the head of our Field Ops,?[/b] Gabriel said, gesturing.

Adam extended his hand, [b]?Nice to meet you, Dana.?[/b]

[b]?You know my name already??[/b] Dana asked. Despite the man?s appearance, his grip was strong and firm. She felt a little intimidated, wondering what his ability might be. She thought he must be quite dangerous if he was at such a position at a young age, even if his exterior seemed friendly and laid back.

[b]?Let?s just say that we?re not really strangers,?[/b] Adam replied, his blue eyes smiling.

[b]?You can?t mean to say that this corporation tracks everyone, do you??[/b] Dana said, her eyes widening. Was a logistical operation of that size even possible?

[b]?Well, our operatives like Gabriel do a good job, although we are constantly recruiting.?[/b]

Dana hesitated for a moment, [b]?I couldn?t believe it at first, but then at the gallery, when Gabriel and I were attacked... Why are we all being brought here right now? What kind of danger is this??[/b]

The two men glanced at each other.
Then Adam smiled again, putting his hand on her shoulder, [b]?Dana, it will all be explained, but for now it would be better if you got cleaned up and rested a little. You look exhausted, and there?s still some of Gabriel?s blood on your clothes. I?ll leave it to you then, Gabe.?[/b][/COLOR][/FONT]

[P.J. McKrafty]

[SIZE="1"]Felix sat in the infirmary as the medical officer looked him over, his left arm now in a sling and a piece of gause shoved up his right nostril to stop the bleeding. The doctor ran the flashlight over his eye. Then clicked it shoving it into her jacket pocket and quickly wrote something down on her clipboard.

[B]"Surprisingly not as much damage as I would have thought it was, you can take the sling off anytime, moving it is probably the best thing for it, and your black eye isnt that-"[/B] She started before Felix interrupted her.

[B]"Black eye!?"[/B] Felix blurted jumping up and looking in a mirror on the wall.

[B]"I'm sorry,"[/B] Emma said in one of the most apologetic tones Felix has heard. [B]"I just thought you could have hurt us."[/B] She wrapped her arms around her little brother and let out a deep sigh.

[B]"It's fine, I'm alright, no permanent damage done... right?"[/B] Felix turned to the doctor and she nodded. [B]"Here is the key to the room you two will be in, it ain't the Hilton hotel but it will work for now."[/B] Felix handed Emma the room key with the number clearly printed on it and she took her brother and left. Felix ran his finger over his eye for a couple more moments before he left.

Felix crossed the complex to where the rooms were being prepared. Workers were moving from room to room getting the accommodations just right. A red haired woman with a frantic expression ran up to Felix waving a clipboard.

[B]"Mr. Marsh, we have almost everything ready but there is a woman who wants to see you."[/B] She said blatantly.

[B]"Ummm, okay, I wasn't expecting anyone but... where is she?"[/B]

[B]"She is right over there."[/B] The woman pointed to a woman sitting in a chair with a potted plant and a rather content expression on her face. [B]"Her name is Shaylin Durant, she said she was 'referred' to you."[/B] Felix nodded and let the woman get back to work. He approached the woman and kneeled next to her.

[B]"Excuse me, Shaylin?"[/B] Felix asked she turned first smiling then noticing his condition she gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. [B]"I'm Felix, I apologize for my current state, it comes with the job now how can I help you?"[/B]

[B]"Adam said that you could help me get settled in." [/B]She said as her smile returned.

[B]"Well, its a little hectic right now but any of these people can help you and your plant get settled in, I'll check in on you as soon as I can."[/B] He replied giving her a smile. She smiled back and got up giving him a nod and walking off toward one of the workers. Felix got up and started to look for Adam to see what was going on.[/SIZE]

[Blayze]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Adam left Gabriel to look after Dana, and walked out of the medical wing. He felt Dana was a little taken with Gabriel - it was understandable, really. He ran a hand through his hair and opened a door into the open area of the headquarters. He was stopped in his tracks by the sheer number of people inside. He saw Felix and immediately headed over to him.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Felix!" [/B]he shouted, jogging over, [B]"What's the situation?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"We've got around forty people in here alone. About sixteen more in the medical wing - we're stretched to capacity already, and Jake, Acacia, Vincent and Adrian haven't even gotten back yet."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Are Hiroshi and Brannigan back yet?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"They just got in. Brannigan's in the medical wing, says he got concussion or something. Hiroshi's checking people in, just over there."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"What about Jules and Catherine?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Catherine's back, but Jules...Jules is dead."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"...how?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Murdered. Some guy in a hood managed to throw him off the top of building, and Catherine couldn't catch him. His body's in the medical wing - we're trying to get time to do an autopsy, but we're totally swamped."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"It's fine," [/B]said Adam, clapping a hand on Felix's shoulder, [B]"We've got more important things to worry about right now. I'm going to go check in with Brannigan - I'll be back in a little while. In the meantime, if you see a girl called Shaylin, let me know."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Oh, she was just looking for you. She's...over there, with the potted plant."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Alright, I'll just go and talk to her, and then I need to see Brannigan. Ill see you later, Felix." [/B]Adam walked over to Shaylin and knelt down next to her.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Adam!" [/B]she said, [B]"Thank God. I've been waiting here for ages, and no-one seems to know what to do."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Listen, I'm really sorry - this is a really busy time for us, more so than usual. Do you need anything?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"No, I'm fine. I could really do with having something to do, though. All this waiting is killing me."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Well, we need as many hands on deck as possible. Could you help Felix check people in?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Sure!"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Thank you, Shaylin, you're a lifesaver. Felix is just over there, tell him I sent you to help." [/B]Adam got to his feet and helped Shaylin to hers. He sent her over to Felix, watching as she went, and then headed off to the medical wing.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Kitson!" [/B]Adam called over to a young doctor coming out of a patient's room, [B]"Where's Brannigan?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Ummm...room 14," [/B]the doctor replied, [B]"He's a little woozy, but he's gonna be ok."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Thanks," [/B]said Adam, and rushed past the doctor into Brannigan's room. The slightly older, dark-haired Irishman was lying on the bed, an ice-pack on his forehead.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Brannigan?" [/B]said Adam softly, [B]"How you doing?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"It's like the worst hangover I've ever had. Some kid managed to throw me through a window - cut me up pretty bad, and I hit a table in some girl's apartment. Knocked me out for a while."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Wait..." [/B]said Adam, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him, [B]"Someone threw you through a window? And knocked you out?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Yeah. It was too dark, I couldn't see a damn thing, couldn't identify who it was."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Brannigan," [/B]said Adam coldly, [B]"Don't. Fucking. Move."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"What is this, Adam?" [/B]asked Brannigan, sitting up, [B]"Are you accusing me of something?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Yes," [/B]said Adam, pulling his handgun out of his holster and aiming it at the Irishman, [B]"You tried to kill Shaylin Durant. You were the hooded man. Now stay down, or I will shoot you."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"You're not gonna shoot me, Adam, you don't have the guts," [/B]the Irishman got to his feet, [B]"And yes, I did try and kill that plant girl. And I broke Gabe's nose just to get away after I killed that other girl. And, I'm sorry, Adam, but you're gonna let me get away this time, too." [/B]As he spoke this last sentence, his voice grew deep and raspy, just as it had on the fire escape of Shaylin's apartment. Adam felt compelled to step aside and let Brannigan out of the door, and he couldn't explain why.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"See you later, Adam," [/B]said Brannigan with a grin, and slammed to door on Adam, who sank to the ground, unable to do anything else...[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Ozymandius Jones]

[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Sienna"][[COLOR="Sienna"][COLOR="DarkOrange"]Sorry for the late post, guys, but better late than never, yea?[/COLOR][/COLOR]]

Washington Williams - known hereafter as Wash - skidded his old ten-speed around a corner, narrowly avoiding a small flock of pigeons that had taken up residence on the sidewalk. They fluttered to the sides, and he gently thought an impression of flapping [I]back[/I] down. He turned the next corner with the image - both mental and physical - of the flock resettling to coo to one another in annoyance. But that was good, really - he just didn't want them getting hit.

He could smell the bread in the basket behind his seat - fresh baked garlic bread, probably for someone's lunch - and it only reminded him that he'd forgotten to eat yet this morning. He shrugged to himself, making a mental note to stop for donuts on the way back.

People waved to him every now and then, people with regular schedules, just like him; people he was used to seeing at a certain time and, well, vice versa. It was nice, the feeling that people knew him, that people knew of him, that-

[i]No bad no bad no badbadbadbadbad....[/i]

The wave of thought pierced his brain like a knife through butter, and he squawked, his front wheel slamming into the back of a parked taxi, flipping him up over the handle bars to land on the curb in an ungainly heap. He struggled to his knees, trying to shake off a wave of pain and fear that wasnt his own.

Something was scaring a...well....[i]something[/i] nearby; the repetition and relative intelligence seemed to indicate "dog," but Wash couldn't see any dog, though the whine continued to the point where he couldn't hear his own thoughts. He managed to reclaim his bike, but the bread was a lost cause, out of its wrapper and two lanes of traffic away. Not that he was worried about his delivery for once. That 'voice' had spooked him bad enough that he just wanted to get out of the area; he could explain about the bread later.

He righted the bike, still shaking, and threw his leg over it, pushing off from the curb and weaving unsteadily, hands convulsing on the handlebars. Animals were good judges of character. Anyone that had an animal that frightened was no-one Wash wanted to meet.

He'd only made it a quarter-block, still fighting off the instinctive [i]bad bad bad[/i] when there came a strange sound - almost a snap - and the mental whining stopped. Abruptly. He almost ran into a telephone pole at the sudden silence, gripping the handlebars tighter and screaming around the corner, making like a bat-out-of-hell for the bakery. He was going to lock himself in the back office with a cup of coffee - or ten - and never come out again.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[OMNOMNOMALY]

[FONT="Georgia"][B]“Goddamnit.” [/B]Acacia clicked her phone shut again, clearly annoyed.

[B]“Still no answer? That’s really not like Adam…”[/B] her partner, Jake, replied.

[B]“I know… that’s why I’m getting worried.”[/B] She exhaled slowly and brushed her hair out of her face.

[B]“I’m not exactly free of concern myself… let’s get this done as fast as possible and get back to headquarters.” [/B]Acacia nodded and Jake floored the gas pedal. The car flew down the street, dodging in and out of other vehicles.[B] “Something else is bugging you. I recognize that. What’s wrong?” [/B]Jake pressed her, they may not have been close but he knew her well enough to know when something was up.

[B]“I’m just worried… about the whole thing, in general. I think we made a rash decision.”[/B] Acacia responded, sighing.

[B]“About which part, exactly?”[/B]
[B]
“We’re trying to get everyone with powers, right?”

“Yes. . .”

“And the person who’s been killing people would have to have powers too, right?”

“Uh huh.”

“So what if they’re posing as someone normal? What if we end up bringing them in and they kill us all? In the place we thought was the safest?”

“Fuck. Acacia. You can’t just go thinking shit like that. We’re doing what we think is the best course of action.” [/B]Jake narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. He hated feeling concerned, it undermined the way he reacted with his instincts.

[B]“Jake, I’m just trying to be logical. I know that this is a scary situation, for all of us… But we should look out for ourselves, first.”[/B]

[B]“Fuck your logic. What would you propose we do instead?”[/B]

[B]“I… I don’t know.” [/B]She replied.

[B]“Exactly. We’ll deal with this shit when we get back, alright? For now, just keep your mind on the objective directly ahead. Which is what?”[/B] He prompted her, trying to change the topic.

[B]“Hmm… “[/B] Acacia tapped away on her PDA, looking for the email she had received a few minutes ago. [B]“Ah, here. Washington Williams. Goes by Wash. He has Animal Empathy. He works for a bakery, delivering things.” [/B]Acacia listed a few more details off and then told Jake the address.

[B]“We’re almost there.”[/B] Jake said, after a few minutes. [B]“You should probably handle this,”[/B] he added [B]“people and I just don’t seem to get along, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.” [/B]Acacia smiled a little bit.

“Now that you mention it, I did notice.” She laughed.

[B]“Smartass.” [/B]He muttered gruffly, though he too smiled a little. They pulled up in front of a tidy looking little building with a giant front window where all the baked goods were on display.[B] “I’ll wait out here for you. If you need any back up, call.” Acacia nodded as she stepped out of the car. [/B]

[B]“Don’t worry. I’m a people person.”[/B] She grinned and shut the door behind her.

The street was eerily empty. Aside from a few parked cars, there was nothing but the road and other buildings. No people, not even a bird. The only sound that could be heard was the click of Acacia’s heels as she walked up the short sidewalk. Acacia fixed her hair in the reflection of the window of the door one more time before pulling it open and walking in. She adopted her business stance, and clutched her PDA in her hand tightly, other hand on her bag. She approached the counter, where a man was standing, facing the other way putting a few things into the window display. Acacia cleared her throat.

[B]“Excuse me sir, I’m looking for a Mr. Washington Williams…?”[/B][/FONT]

[Frankie]

She didnt have much of a clue as to what she was doing but she caught on quickly. The process of gettng everyone checked in or whatever was continuous and repetative. Once she snapped at this one very rude man and he made a comment about how roses have thorns. She couldnt help but laugh. She once had a boyfriend who said that to her and both men knew nothing of her powers... She did have a bite to her. That is how she got the nickname Thorn when she was with her ex, he knew nothing of her powers but mad eit because of her sharp side when she had it. She found it slightly ironic now.

She dealt with this for what seemed like ages when things seemed to quite down in her mind. She wondered what was going to happen to her and all the other many people who were drug here in the middle of the night. She still wasnt over the incident at her own home. She was in danger but from who?

She felt so out of place and alone that she wanted to find a corner to curl up into.


--
ooc_ my filler to A keep this up and to B keep my character busy somewhat. where is everyone anyways

[Gavin]

[SIZE="1"]Gabriel watched silently as Adam strode back out of the infirmary towards the elevator, there always seemed to be something troubling on the younger man's mind, must have been the "blessings" of being a psychic. Gabriel didn't relish having to explain the situation to Dana, it was an ugly thing, but she's already proven herself to be surprisingly resilient, it was certainly an attractive trait to a man pretty much immune to injury.

"[b]Let's get you out of those bloody clothes and into something more comfortable.[/b]"

He gave her a half-cocky, half-joking grin that only Irish men seemed to be able to pull off without seeming like complete perverts. Dana elbowed him in the ribs with a chuckle.

"[b]I could say the same thing to you, a hot shower might have you smelling nice too.[/b]"

Extending his hand, Gabriel offered to lead the way to a room where Dana could relax before finding out the truth of the background to their encounter, that and Gabriel really hated the smell of an infirmary. She took it and the pair gingerly walked down the marble hallway towards the elevators Adam had so recently used. Everything about Genesis Corporation's headquarters was supposed to be self-sufficient for it's agents, clothes, cars, gear and weapons were all available in-house and many of it's agents chose to live there permanently for the sake of convenience.

The thirtieth floor housed Gabriel's own company-issued apartment, though given the amount of time he spent out in the field, he only rarely used it. The lift ride was surprisingly quiet, Dana seemed to be interested in taking everything in around her, only murmuring her appreciation of the building's ridiculously expensive and artistic design. Removing a key from within his jacket, he unlocked the door in front of him and entered into his spacious home.

"[b]No place like it.[/b]" He sighed with a pent-up relief. Gabriel kicked off his shoes and collapsed on the couch about ten feet away.

"[b]Gabriel, this place is huge.[/b]" The wide-eyed surprise in her voice caused him to chuckle softly.

"[b]The bathroom is over that way, you'll find some women's clothes in the closet to your left, pick out something you like.[/b]"

"[b]You treat all the women who come to your apartment to this ?[/b]"

"[b]Nahh, just the special ones. It was Adam who arranged for the clothes, you'll be staying here for the next while until everything is sorted.[/b]"

She looked away for a moment, Gabriel had a feeling it wasn't everyday that she was told she'd be staying in a secret-agent's home for the foreseeable future due to her being in mortal peril. He wondered if this was how James Bond felt.

"[b]Don't worry about me, I'm just going to change and make my report to Adam. I should be back in about thirty minutes.[/b]"

Dana's cheeks were red when she looked back at him.

"[B]Thank you Gabriel, for everything. I wouldn't be here now without you.[/b]"

He hesitated before simply nodding as she walked off towards the bathroom. After the door was closed he blew out another sigh of relief, he just hated those really awkward moments. Shuffling into his own bedroom, stripped off, unwrapping the bandages around his chest and opened his closet doors... then he realised Dana was in the doorway. He really hated those awkward moments.

"[b]Oh...sorry....I...uh... sorry.[/b]" If her cheeks had been red before, they were some new shade he'd never seen before now.

Usually it was a while before women saw him naked, he fought the urge of his own cheeks to burn, he might have been standing there completely nude, but he wasn't going to let her know he was bothered by it.

"[b]You need something from me Dana ?[/b] NICE FUCKING PHRASING GABE !! He thought to himself a nanosecond later.

"[B]No...nothing. really...I was just going to ask where you if you wanted me to come along.[/b]"

Her eyes were thankfully on his face, and from what he had seen, they hadn't gone lower yet.

"[b]No... you're fine...[/b]" More nice phrasing he thought ruefully.

"[b]Oh, OK, I'll see you when you get back then.[/b]"

She walked back outside and he grabbed a pair of trousers and pulled them on quicker than he had ever done before. The door to the bathroom had just closed again by the time he finished dressing, it was definitely a new record. Exiting the room, he returned to the elevator and pushed the button for the foyer, he could find out where Adam was there. Thirty floors passed down before he was greeted by the huge entrance to the Genesis Corporation's building. Twelve huge marble columns stood guard, it was always an inspiring thing.

Gabriel crossed the floor, then saw James Brannigan coming towards him. The only other Irishman in the field, Gabriel got on pretty well with him... That was until he got the flash message from Adam, he hated those things, it was like having an ice-pick driven into your temple, but it told him everything he needed to know. Pulling his gun from his holster, he pointed it directly at the other agent.

"[b]Get down on the ground James ![/b]" He watched as the other man sighed.

"[b]Not this again. Gabriel get out of the way, you can't stop me either.[/b]"

"[b]Maybe not, but I do owe you for my nose earlier and all those gunshot wounds. They fucking hurt.[/b]"

"[b]Move. Out. Of. The. Way.[/b]"

Grabbing his skull, Gabriel fought to try and control his body, but it was unlike anything he'd ever felt before, his eyes rolled up into his head, and once again he lost consciousness.

"[b]Gabe, Gabe wake up.[/b]"

"[b]Oh fuck, not again.[/b]"

He looked into Adam's eyes and dropped his head in irritation.

"[b]Sorry Adam, I just couldn't stop him.[/b]"[/SIZE]

[Blayze]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"How could Brannigan do this?" [/B]asked Gabriel as he and Adam stepped out of the hospital room, [B]"I mean, we've known him for years, I just don't understand how he could betray us. Makes me sick."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"We need to speak to Matthews," [/B]Adam said, striding ahead of Gabriel towards the office belonging to the head of the Corporation, [B]"Right now."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"We can't let Matthews know about this. He'll go absolutely spare, and you know he's gonna make this whole fucking thing our fault."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"That doesn't matter. We need to let him know what Brannigan's done, otherwise the whole Corporation could be compromised before long."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"How do you mean?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"I mean that this could go deeper than either of us expect. We don't know if Brannigan was acting independently, or if he was part of a larger group of moles. There's no way of telling which we're dealing with."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"And if it turns out there are more moles..."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Then how didn't we notice them until now? They've been hidden far too well. There could be dozens of people killing innocent civilians right under our noses, and we'd never know because we never suspect our own."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Adam knocked on the door, and then pushed it open, walking into the plushly furnished office. There was a man sitting behind the desk, his dark hair short and flecked with grey at the temples, and a pair of large spectacles rested on the bridge of his nose. He smiled at Adam, and ignored Gabriel.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Adam," [/B]he said, his voice clear and sharp, [B]"How are you? Terrible incident with Brannigan, terrible."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Sir, we need to run extensive checks on every member of staff at the Corporation. Brannigan might not have been the only one: there might be dozens more moles inside the Corporation itself."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Adam, please," [/B]said Matthews, leaning back in his leather chair, [B]"There's no need to overreact. We have extensive measures in place to...remove...any rogue elements in the Corporation. There is absolutely nothing to worry about?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Nothing to worry about?" [/B]yelled Adam, sweeping his arms out and hurling everything that sat on Matthews' desk across the room, [B]"Brannigan killed people. He killed people and removed every trace of psychic energy from them. Do you understand how dangerous he could be?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Brannigan has no ability to remove psychic energy, Adam, you know that better than me. It's impossible."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Then he was working with someone else! Can't you see, Matthews?This organisation has been corrupted to its very core! You need to find out how deep this goes!"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"I know just how deep it goes, Adam," [/B]said a voice from behind him. He turned around and saw Gabriel pointing his gun directly at Adam's head.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Gabe..."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"I've seen the records of all your communications, Adam. You contacted Brannigan as he was killing those people, and you're the only one in the Corporation who has even the slightest of an ability to remove psychic energy. You've been working with him all along, haven't you, Adam?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"He's given me all the information, Adam," [/B]said Matthews, [B]"It adds up against you, Adam. We're going to have to take you in."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"No," [/B]said Adam, turning to Gabriel, his eyes blanking out as they had done in the apartment building earlier that evening, and he channelled every ounce of his psychic energy and blasted it at Gabriel, hurling him through the doors and into the wall opposite, the weight of his body smashing through the plasterboard and slamming him to the floor. Then Adam ran through the corridors to escape.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Adam!" [/B]said Shaylin as he ran into her, [B]"Where are you going?" [/B]Adam didn't answer, moving her out of the way as a bullet slammed into his shoulderblade, sending him spinning to the floor in a shower of blood. He groaned and got to his feet as Gabriel pursued him with his handgun drawn, his clothes and hair covered in plaster dust.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Stop it!" [/B]yelled Shaylin, stretching her hands out towards Gabriel and watching as vines and creepers cracked through the the concrete floor and lashed around Gabriel, pulling him to the floor.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Adam ran, hurling himself into the crowd of newcomers, his hand clamped over the bullethole in his shoulder, blood pouring out in thick rivulets between his fingers. He reached the doors, then concentrated and disappeared from thin air.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]He rematerialised outside the front of the Empire State Building, below which lay the headquarters of the Genesis Corporation. He pressed harder down onto his wound and headed towards the nearest safehouse, just a few blocks away...[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Ozymandius Jones]

[COLOR="Sienna"][SIZE="1"]?Excuse me sir, I?m looking for a Mr. Washington Williams???

"Oh?" Jonah - the owner - turned to look at the woman who had just entered, crossing his arms. She looked respectable enough, so he jerked his head at the back room.

"Wash's in the back." He turned back to his display. "Came in 'bout twenty minutes ago, looked like he'd seen a ghost..." The display looked alright, so he shoved his hands in his apron pocket and headed off towards the back, only checking once to make sure the woman was following him.

"If you're, like, a bill collector or somethin' I didn't show you where he was, yea?" He waited for her to nod before her pushed the door open,

Wash sat in the corner on the floor, legs crossed, hands clenched around his coffee mug. His fingers were twitching. He blinked up at Jonah, looking back at the woman.

"Who's she?"

Jonah shrugged.

"She's lookin' for you."

Washington backed further into the corner, blinking.

"Did you hurt the dog?"

The woman looked at Jonah. Jonah just shrugged, shaking his head.

"No?"

Washington eyed her again, before finally standing to sweep an armload of magazines and newspapers off one of the two chairs. "Uh." He sat on the other, dropping the mixed papers onto the floor. "Have a seat." He fidgeted with his coffee cup. "What can I do for you, miss...?"[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Gavin]

[SIZE="1"]Gabriel tore at the vines holding him to the floor, as he holstered his gun. He hadn't intended to actually hit Adam with his shot, but unfortunately Shaylin had moved into the intended flight path of the bullet and Gabe had been forced to improvise. Two of the floor agents were already around him cutting at the foliage, evidently Matthews the clever bastard had called first to inform them of the chase, otherwise chances are they'd have been shooting at him.

?[b]Agent Fullbrook sir, Director Matthews has requested to speak to you immediately.[/b]?

Standing up slowly, Gabriel brushed off the remainder of the restricting plant, and walked slowly over to Shaylin, he was being held by another pair of Genesis Corp agents. He motioned his hand for the two to let her go, thankfully she stood up and said nothing, he couldn?t let her in on what he and Adam were doing, but it would be better if he could make her trust him.

?[b]I?m sorry you had to see that Shaylin, but we?ve just learned Adam is a traitor working with the people who attacked you. That?s why I was chasing him.[/b]?

Her face blanched, and her shoulders sagged as she looked down towards the floor.

?[b]That can?t be...[/b]?

Good, she was at least willing to hear him out.

?[b]I know this is hard for you to hear, but you have to trust me.[/b]?

She looked back up at him, she didn?t say anything, but her eyes seemed to ask why she should trust Gabriel. Even if she wasn?t, it would look good for Matthews, who was undoubtedly watching all of this, for Gabriel to try and convince someone his partner?s betrayal hit him hardest of all.

?[b]Adam was my partner in the field for a long time... so believe me when I say I expected this least out of anyone.[/b]?

?[b]But do you have any proof ?[/b]? Shaylin blurted it out, but it was exactly what he needed for more creditability.

?[b]We tapped his phone contacting Brannigan, another traitor as he attacked the other victims... and what was done to them was something only Adam could do.[/b]?

Her mouth opened but no words came, it was enough for him to end the conversation and report back to Matthews. He looked to the two agents who?d been holding her.

?[b]She was only trying to help under misguided belief, there?s no crime in that. Assign her a room here in the building, make sure she gets whatever she needs. And keep a guard outside her door, I want to make sure she?s safe.[/b]?

He walked away with a quick nod from both agents and Shaylin, heading back towards the elevator, after a few minutes he was back in Matthew?s office, staring at director of Genesis Corporation.

?[b]You?ve done well Gabriel. After your previous partner, I?d have expected another betrayal might have been a bit much to deal with.[/b]? His friendly smile was entirely false.

?[b]That was a long time ago... Edward.[/b]? The director clasped his hands together and rested his chin on his intertwined fingers.

?[b]Indeed it was, about twenty years and you don?t look a day older.[/b]? Matthew?s smile became even wider. ?[b]You know, I don?t even know how old you are.[/b]? The question went completely unmasked, Edward Matthews was a calculating creature, and always had been.

?[b]Not for a lack of investigation I imagine. But with respect, we have great concerns than the number of candles on my next cake.[/b]? Matthew?s smile faded as he realised he wasn?t going to get an answer.

?[b]Yes of course you?re right, we need to track down Adam immediately. I?ve already assigned ...a special team for it. I want you instead to oversee the processing of all our new guests, seeing as you did so well with Adam?s and your own target.[/b]?

Damn it, keeping Gabriel in the building meant that he couldn?t warn Adam about the team Matthews had sent after him, undoubtedly meant to eliminate him rather than bring him in. Gabriel was left with the only option of walking out of the office, going back to his room, and taking the long hot shower he?d wanted more and more for the last hour.[/SIZE]

[Orcus]

[SIZE="1"]Edel had just about passed out when finally something happened. Laertes began barking and howling furiously, dragging Edel out of his half fallen asleep state. Edel quickly shook himself to alertness, waiting for whatever may be coming for him. After a few seconds of Laertes barking, someone knocked on the door. Edel stood up warily and walked towards the door, looking through the peephole. The man on the other side spoke urgently.

[B]"Edel! Edel Dietrich! If you're in there, you need to come out now! Your life could be in danger!"[/B] Edel froze. [i]Danger?[/i] The man behind the door looked honest enough, so Edel undid the bolts and locks and threw the door open. The man opened his mouth to speak, but was, quite expectedly, frozen with shock.

[B]"Oh my..."[/B] No one had ever been into Edel's apartment before, so it was no surprise that the first one to do so would be shocked by it's appearance. Icicles hung from the cieling, the windows were covered in frost, and the room itself could have only been 30 degrees. The man pulled his eyes away from the sight and extended his hand to Edel.

[B]"Edel, yes? My name is Adrian. I'm going to have to give you a brief synopsis of what's goin gon, because we really don't have much time. I'm from the Genesis Organization, where other gifted people like us reside. Currently we're trying to gather as many of you together from the city as possible, because there's a maniac on the loose attempting to kill us and remove our eyes. Nice, huh?"[/B] Edel's head was spinning from the information he had just gotten, but he understood it all none-the-less. He nodded to Adrian to show him that he understood. Adrian spoke again.

[B]"Alright, now, we should really get going..."[/B] he looked down at Laertes who was licking his hand and attacking it with his paws, and couldn't help but smile. Edel nodded and turned around, grabbing his cell phone and his keys. He quickly wrote a note and left it on his table, then quickly text-message his girlfriend, giving her directions to his house. He smiled nervously. [i]She'd find out sooner or later.[/i] He turned back to Adrian.

[B]"I'm ready."[/B] Adrian nodded and began walking towards the elevator. Edel walked to the front door and kneeled down to pet Laertes as he licked his face.

[B]"You be good, buddy. Take good care of yourself and my girl, ya here?"[/B] Laertes barked in approval, and Edel kissed him on the nose before locking the door and accompaying Adrian to his car.

[I][U]A Few Moments Later...[/U][/I]

[B]"Here it is."[/B] Adrian and Edel stepped out of the car, in front of the massive building. Edel took a moment to look it over, and felt a cold chill pass up his spine, somwthing he hadn't felt in ages. It exhillarated him and frightened him all at one. He knew that from here on in his life would change. Hopefully it would change for the best. He and Adrian entered the building, and Edel was ready for whatever may come.[/SIZE]

[OMNOMNOMALY]

[FONT="Georgia"][B]"Sir, I'm sorry to be such a burden, but could I talk to Mr. Williams alone, please?"[/B]

The man shrugged and looked at Wash, making sure he agreed. Wash nodded and Jonah walked out of the backroom, the door clicking shut.

Acacia smiled as warmly as she could, trying to put him at ease. She sat down.

[B]"Mr. Williams, my name is Acacia Perras. And I believe you could be in quite a bit of trouble."[/B]

Wash stared into his coffee cup. He had known something was going on... his fears were being confirmed, now.

[B]"What kind of trouble, exactly?"[/B] He asked, trying not to let his nerves get the better of him. He was still royally spooked from the incident earlier.

[B]"Big trouble. Life threatening trouble." [/B]Acacia's voice softened. [B]"I know about your abilities, Mr. Williams. . . And there is someone out there right now who is preying on people like you and I. None of us are safe unless we stick together. I can't tell you all that much more until we're somewhere more secure. . . but believe me, the threat is very real."[/B]

Wash gaped at her. She knew? How could she know? He'd always been so careful. . .

[B]"If I'm reading you correctly, you're wondering how I know about your special ability, right?"[/B]

He nodded.

[B]"I'm part of a corporation. A large and fairly old corporation. It's my job to know. We have a database of other people like you, particularly for such emergencies as this. And no, I'm not telepathic. Your look just gave you away."[/B] she laughed. Wash smiled slightly, and drained his coffee cup. He spoke again, after a moment.

[B]"So... there are others?"[/B]

[B]"Yes. Quite a few, actually. Many of them regular people like yourself. Nobody suspects otherwise." [/B]She let it sink in, before continuing.It was always a little tough to swallow, going from thinking you were the only one, to one of many with unique talents. [B]"I am here to help. We want to protect you, if you'll allow us. We're housing people in one of our buildings, until we can figure out our next move. We can move you immediately. My partner is waiting outside, in his car. We can go now, if you wish. What do you say...?"[/B][/FONT]

[Blayze]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Adam stumbled into the safehouse, slamming the front door behind him, and almost collapsing onto the hall carpet. An icy cold ran through his body, and yet he was soaked through with sweat. He kept one pale hand clamped over the bullethole in his shoulderblade, and although he continued to apply pressure to it, blood was beginning to trickle between his fingers in sticky rivulets.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]He staggered into the kitchen, grabbing a tea towel and ripping his shirt off, throwing the bloody garment onto the floor, and wrapping the towel around his shoulder as a makeshift bandage. Then he ran the sink full of hot water, and grabbed another towel from the rack, ripping it up into shreds and soaking them in the water. He pulled back the bandage gingerly, and pressed one of the pieces of cloth against the wound, trying to clean the blood away.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]Then there was a sound of a key being forced into a lock, and the jiggling that came with it, before the door was pushed open, and a middle-aged woman stepped inside the house, her arms full of shopping. She stopped as she heard the taps running, dropped the shopping and opened a drawer, pulling out a revolver and sneaking towards the kitchen. She pushed the door open, and swung the revolver in Adam's direction, before realising who he was and lowering it.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Adam," [/B]she sighed, relief showing in her voice, [B]"What have you gotten yourself into this time?" [/B]She walked over to him, and saw the bloody towels.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"You've been shot again, haven't you? And you've ruined my best towels. Whatever am I going to do with you boys?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Please, Angela," [/B]Adam gasped, his legs becoming weak, [B]"Help me..."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"You'd better come through and lie on the couch," [/B]she said, helping him into the living room, where she laid him down on the couch, and knelt in front of him, her hands hovering over his chest.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"It's a nasty one this time. Who did it?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Gabriel..."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Gabriel Fullbrook? I knew that boy would be trouble, ever since the day I met him."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Boy? Gabe's older than most people in the Corporation. He's probably older than you, Angela."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Don't sound so surprised! I'm not that old, am I?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Sorry, Angela..."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Never mind. Let's get you sorted out." [/B]She placed her hands on Adam's chest, approximately opposite the bullet wound, and closed her eyes. When she opened them, a sort of serene peace had washed over her, almost as if she was in a trance, and she closed her hands slowly until they were balled up into fists on his chest. All of a sudden, Adam gasped, and his eyes snapped open again, and he felt something metallic in his mouth. He raised his hand and spat the mouthful out into it, and saw a small, battered bullet laying in his palm.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Thanks, Angela," [/B]he said with a smile, [B]"You're a lifesaver. Quite literally, actually."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Well, it's what I'm here to do. Now we need to find you a shirt - can't have you running around like that, you'll catch your death." [/B]She got to her feet and left the room, leaving Adam to sit up in his own time. Angela used to be the chief medic at the Corporation, mostly because she had the power to heal other organic life - that's why her house was always full of flowers - they never died on her. She retired a few years ago, but allowed the Corporation to use her home as a safehouse from time to time. And that's why Adam had to get out as quickly as possible.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]A few moments later, Angela came back in, a long-sleeved black shirt in her hands.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"I just found this in the spare room - it looks about your size. In fact, I think Gabriel left it here last time he came to see me." [/B]She handed Adam the shirt, and he pulled it on.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Thanks, Angela," [/B]he said again, buttoning the shirt up and heading for the door.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Oh no, Adam," [/B]she said, stopping him in his tracks, [B]"Don't think you're getting out of here without telling me why Gabriel shot you."[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"It's a long story, Angela, and the longer I stay here..."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"The more danger I'm in, yes Adam I've heard all the lines before. I can handle myself fine, I just want you to tell me what's going on. In all my time at the Corporation I've never known one agent to shoot another, so tell me what's happening or I won't heal you next time."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Alright," [/B]said Adam, sitting her down, and he told her everything as quickly and succinctly as he could.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"You've come up with a good plan, Adam," [/B]she said, leaning back, [B]"But was it really necessary to get yourself shot?"[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"That wasn't really part of the plan - someone got in the way and Gabe had to improvise."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Ah, yes. He usually forgets that other people aren't quite as invincible as he feels sometimes."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"Exactly. So now you know why I have to go, Angela. They'll know I'm here, and they're going to send someone round to find me and kill me. I've got to get somewhere they'll never find me, at least until I can figure out what's going on."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Then you'd better go," [/B]she said, [B]"And take this with you." [/B]She held out her revolver to him.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"No, Angela, you need that to protect yourself. I'll be fine, I can handle myself."[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]"I insist, Adam. I've never liked the things, anyway - they're not going to hurt an innocent, unarmed woman, now, are they?"[/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"I wouldn't put it past them," [/B]said Adam, grudgingly taking the weapon and heading to the door.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"Good luck, Adam," [/B]Angela said, waving him off and closing the door.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][B]"I think I might need it," [/B]said Adam to himself, striding across the street...[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Cyriel]

[COLOR="SlateGray"][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]A sigh of relief came out as she quickly shut the bathroom door and leaned against it. The first thing Dana had thought when she opened the door to Gabriel?s bedroom had been that she wanted to pick up a pencil and sketch him ? she had never seen shoulders that looked so perfectly sculpted, as if an artist had chiseled him out of a piece of stone. Then two seconds later she had realized that he had no clothes on whatsoever. Her brain had completely shut down as she trained her eyes on his face; she couldn?t even remember what she had said at this point, or what his replies had been. [i]For the love of God, why didn?t you knock?[/i] She shook her head, feeling her cheeks burn red again as the clean lines of Gabriel?s back popped into her head. Almost ripping the shower door off its hinges as she yanked it open, Dana stepped into the steaming water as quickly as she could, eager to scald her brain clean?if she could.

Ten minutes later she was cleaning the last of the soap out of her hair, and feeling a little dizzy from staying in the hot water for so long. A whoosh of cold air alerted her. [i]Did someone just come in?[/i] Dana turned the water off, and then froze as she felt what could only be the tip of a knife in her back.

[b]?Hmm?you?re not Gabriel,?[/b] a feminine voice said. Dana swallowed, feeling fear creep up her spine just as the knife did. The voice spoke again [b]?Now turn around slowly.?[/b]

Dana did as she was told, turning slightly around so she could see the intruder standing in the shower with her. She kept her arms folded across her chest, trying to keep some measure of decency. The trespasser had to be one of the most beautiful women that Dana had ever seen, with waves of chestnut curls and a body that would tempt a saint; only the knife that she held had the hint of malice about it.

[b]?You?re not really Gabriel?s type,?[/b] the woman said with a brilliant smile. Dana said nothing, but felt her face go slightly pink; she hoped it went unnoticed. The woman, dressed only in lingerie, stepped out of the shower, and then gestured for Dana to follow her. Dana felt herself being assessed, and blushed instantly again. The woman shook her head, [b]?[i]Definitely[/i] not his type, and a virgin nonetheless. Still?I can?t have him thinking you?re cute.?[/b]

At the first opportunity Dana grabbed a bathrobe and wrapped it around herself, tying it tightly around herself. She ventured her first words, [b]?And you would be???[/b]

The woman smiled again, [b]?I?m Violet. I?m?a [i]friend[/i] of Gabe?s, although I?m rather disappointed he isn?t here. Instead I find some little girl using his shower?and find myself slightly jealous. You?d be his new charge? How interesting??[/b] By this time there was a strange look in her eyes that Dana didn?t find comforting at all. Despite all her beauty, Violet definitely had a threatening air about her, and Dana didn?t doubt that the woman could be lethal if she wanted to. [b]?You?re so small and thin?so I doubt Gabe would notice if you went missing.?[/b]

[i]Is this lady insane?[/i] This was definitely not what Dana had been expecting to do ? dodging ex-girlfriends of agents. And being caught in his shower? It probably didn?t put Violet in the best of moods?especially with a knife in her hands. Dana?s heart and mind were racing. She traced a slender rectangle into the steam-drenched door, and then placed her hand over it, concentrating hard on a dose that would be effective but not fatal. When she felt the needle surface into her hand, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Violet, who had been busy putting on Gabriel?s robe around herself, now turned to Dana, gesturing with the knife, [b]?Let?s get going, shall we? I?d rather you were situated elsewhere when Gabe gets back.?[/b] Dana obediently walked out of the bathroom, the needle concealed in the sleeve of her robe. Violet led her to the elevator, where they waited for a minute or two. The knife she held with a comfortable familiarity, sometimes flipping it in her hand.

Suddenly a small communicator around Violet?s wrist beeped, [b]?All available agents report to the ground level; there is a breach in security. Target: Adam Jacobs ? all agents are given clearance to shoot on sight. Repeat, all agents report to??[/b] Violet?s brow furrowed, [b]?What, Adam???[/b]

Dana didn?t hesitate; using that second of distraction, she sank the needle perfectly into the taller woman?s neck, shooting the muscle relaxant into Violet?s bloodstream. Violet slowly sank to the ground, her eyes wide and infuriated. She resisted, and managed to draw a line of blood from Dana?s collarbone to sternum, but then lost the grip on the knife as the drugs took over.

[i]I should have used a stronger dose[/i], Dana thought, as she touched her blood with her finger. The cut wasn?t deep at all, but it still stung and was getting blood all over the white bathrobe. Violet?s communicator went off again as Dana dragged the agent to the couch. [i]What do I do now? I have an agent that will be paralyzed for only so long, and now Adam is being targeted?What in the world is going on?[/i] Then a thought entered her mind that froze her to her core: [i]Could Adam?be a part in the deaths? And then?Gabriel could be as well ? he and Adam seemed close.[/i]

Changing quickly into another loose pair of jeans and a baggy long-sleeve shirt (all the clothes in the closet were too large for her), Dana quickly bound Violet?s hands and legs together with duct tape. She couldn?t say for sure why she felt so frightened, and she wasn?t going to assume that Gabriel was involved in anything; but Dana knew that something definitely wasn?t right. Hearing that Adam was supposed to be shot on sight?chills went through her. It was evident now that even within this corporation that was supposed to keep her safe, there was something wrong, and she was no longer trusting of it or its members.
[i]It?s safer to get away than to stay here right now. Not only that, but then I?d have to explain Violet?and if she?s really Gabe?s girlfriend, then there?s no way they?ll believe me. I need to leave.[/i]

She felt a little sorry?but then the elevator dinged, and the doors started to slide open? Dana bolted out into the hallway and then into the stairwell, running down the stairs as quickly as she could, not even noticing the blood beginning to show through the front of her shirt.[/FONT] [/COLOR]

[SIZE="1"]So I left a hot girl drugged and tied up in your apartment ^_^;;[/SIZE]

[Gavin]

[SIZE="1"]As the elevator doors pinged open, Gabriel could sense something out of place, after so many years, the closest word he could describe it as would be instinct, but even then it went beyond that feeling.

"[b]Dana...[/b]"

He murmured his charge's name softly as he dashed towards the open door of his apartment. When he saw the familiar brown mass of curls lying prostrate on the ground, he was literally shaking with anger. He knew her of course, Violet Delacroix, his one time lover, years beforehand, and possibly one of the deadliest agents in all of Genesis, he knew this of course, because he'd been the one to train her.

Dana was nowhere in sight, maybe it was better that way, if Violet had been sent to try to extract information from her, then Matthews had evidently been making moves he wasn't letting Gabriel in on. He'd already told the guards to give her their full co-operation, and hopefully the keys were still in his Golf. If she could lay low long enough, he'd come and get her. First though, he needed to deal with his former student, withdrawing the wakazashi from it's display stand on his mantel, he simply stared at her.

It was a while before Violent awoke, in some ways he missed her, she had been perfect in so many ways, but flawed in so many more. When she stirred, her mood was immediately foul, she cursed grabbing at her carotid where the needle had been jabbed. She didn't even seem to realise Gabriel was there until he had lashed out his right foot into her midsection and driven her rolling several feet back. It took her a moment to recognise her assailant.

"[b]...GABRIEL ?![/b]" The venom practically dripped from her melodic voice.

"[b]Why were you here Violet ?[/b]" She flinched slightly at the iciness of his voice. Chances were he was more than capable of killing her. Gabriel had already removed the wakazashi from it's saya and was holding it out to her threateningly.

"[b]I'm on Director Matthew's orders. I don't have to answer you.[/b]"

"[B]You do, if you want to live.[/b]" In what seemed like a second, he'd materialised next to her, pressing the blade of the short-sword to her throat.

"[b]...I was to bring the girl down to our interrogation unit...you weren't to know until afterwards.[/b]" She couldn't even meet his eyes at this point. Gabriel allowed the blade to relax away from her throat.

"[b]Get out, now.[/b]"

Gabriel watched Violet slowly shuffle out of the room, he'd pay for that at some stage, that he could be certain of.[/SIZE]