GrayHuntress

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I love a good wrestle. Kheldarn is a bear.

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That sounds kinky, if not a little strange.

Alex looked up at Mabel's street-side window and didn't see the woman there. Good, she's probably gnawing on someone's ear at the moment. Carefully, she walked up the steps of the stoop and peered in behind the door...entrance was clear and looked like a straight shot to her apartment door.

"Soo, uh," Alex talked back to Blake, "I'll catch ya later...wanna meet at your place or mine?"

Meaghan had to restrain herself from slamming Jones into the ground after pushing her brother and ordering him back to the interrogation room; after all, a move like that would have most of the DPSA on her back. Instead, she slightly frowned at her brother as he walked away and the elevator doors began to close.

"I'll catch you at your apartment," She waved goodbye to him, "Take care okay. And Jones...behave yourself." And with that, the doors closed and she disappeared to who knows where.

But I just did.

But this is.

((Alex is a bit in limbo too, she waves))

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"Well, it seems we're waiting here then," Hunter remarked.

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"Perhaps..." Meaghan quirked a smile, "I don't like to be caged, I get claustrophobic when I'm restrained." She stood and picked up the metal chair, then walked over to the doorway and propped the leg against the handle. With a few strong, quick tugs, the handle popped off with the lock and the door slowly swung ajar.

"Stay here if you want," She turned to Hunter with a smile, "But they need to learn to play by my rules; I'm leaving." And with that she walked out into the hallway toward the elevators.

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"Should I even be here?" he wondered aloud. "Look, we're trying to help you as much as take down this organization. We're on the same side."

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"We're on the same side, Smith," She responded, "But we're heading in three different directions; I'm willing to work with my brother on the same level, but you do need me in order to fulfill your goal."

"Is there anything you need at the moment, Agent Smith? I don't have any more information on the Defenders' plan currently since all the parties that are going to be involved have yet to arrive...so nothing will be solid yet. In fact, things could change in a completely different direction."

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"As 'one of them,' I give you my word we will work with whoever is willing to work with us," he stated. "If this Chen is one of the good guys as you seem to think, then I'm sure we can arrange something."

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"Actually," Meaghan continued to explain to Hunter, "I don't believe these people would give him the chance; they're too stupid for that. But I trust Chen is experienced and crafty enough to avoid their feeble attempts, in fact, we could help him without the DPSA."

"Ms. Black," Smith spoke up, "I know our arrangement is under your terms, but I will stress that you shouldn't attempt to deceive us."

"Of course not," She responded submissively, the slight popping of her wrist could be heard as she rolled it...something Hunter would recognize as her telling a lie, "I'll keep my word that I won't use the DPSA as a tool, but treat them as allies."

((Heh, Dev! You're not in this scenario though, Alex, Blake, and lizard-guy are somewhere else :P))

Meaghan stiffened when she felt Hunter's eyes on her, then turned around to face him. "Don't get me wrong, brother," She assured, "I don't want people to die, but I do believe the Defenders need to taken down. Chen could easily be the one to lead it to its eventual rebirth, to guide it into a better future for the sake of mankind, super or otherwise."

"They need to be villified," She continued, "Because their actions are villainous by nature." Meaghan hid her hands underneath the table subconsciously, "They have the blood of thousands on their hands over the years, most of them are corrupt beyond hope...Chen can change that, to put a new face on the few that are redeemable."

She ignored Smith, "Because he's still lobbying trust with the other two Golds. As far as blatant tactics, not really...it's a different kind of subtlety. After all, in a 'City of Heroes,' who would suspect foul play in the murder of a villain?" Then to respond to Smith, "The unlucky target is Dr. Vahzilok, not the most popular man in Paragon. I want the Defenders to get caught with their pants down."

Meaghan took the seat that Hunter offered her before she kicked him across the table and started shuffling through the photos the DPSA took of Chen. She stifled a small laugh when she saw that one photo managed to capture a shot of her...she'd have to be more careful next time.

"You have good surveillance, Smith," 'Sarah' remarked, "Too bad you couldn't catch any audio and you'd already have your answer... I'll need to get the negatives to these however, in accordance with our agreement."

If she was going to keep her secret safe in Paragon, she had to be sure nothing was going to potentially leak to her father. Communication between the Defenders was mainly in code over long distance, and most important information was discussed face to face...they didn't trust traceable forms of communication. Chen was fooled that her father sent her over to help him.

"And to answer your question, the word is assassination."

"Not at all," She spoke confidently, "He currently thinks I'm in Sicily, learning new combat techniques. Heh, the one minute I'm not under his guidance, I split and run." She pushed off the table and stood tall. After a brief pause, Meaghan gave Hunter a strong hug. "Nope, Sarah Black is a runaway now too." She made sure to drop her soubriquet to her brother, the DPSA didn't know her real identity...which would cause too much trouble.

"Then tell me what happened," Meaghan insisted, "What kept you from me? Heh, no, nevermind. That's a story for later."

She sighed, "You know, I wish my life could have turned out differently as well. I was unable to choose where I was headed...father trained me so closely, more so since you ran away. He loved us, Hunter; just he didn't know how to show it...and trust wasn't something he wanted to give. I wonder what I would have become, if he didn't mold me into the woman I am today." She looked upon her hands at the invisible blood that remained in her mind.

She turned around and leaned against the table with her back to him, and she ducked her head down in thought. Meaghan turned her head and waited a moment.

"I thought you were dead for so long," Her voice struggled between breaking down or remaining clear, "...a sign, anything at all, would have been enough to let me know to keep an eye out...rather than chasing phantoms in my dreams."

She was already rounding the table when he said he was sorry, but hearing him say it a second time broke her fury. "Well, ya know, you didn't try hard enough..."

Meaghan shifted her weight on one leg and crossed her arms, looking down at Hunter then looked away and pulled a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "...sorry."

Meaghan ignored the chair he offered and stood directly in front of him, the clinching of her jaw and the rising anger behind her eyes were the only warning Hunter had before she clocked him squarely with her fist across the cheek; which she followed up with a kick directly in his chest with her high-heel boot.

"Why the hell did you leave me behind, you massive screw-up!?" She screamed at Hunter, tears finally breaking loose from her eyes.

Meaghan gave a slight laugh at her brother's comment, "Only because you knew no guy was going to touch me with those things on."

She began to walk towards him around the table, her eyes were moist with unspent tears and her smile quivered slightly. "You seem to be doing well? I mean you're still alive."

"Why so glum...Hunter?" A tall, slender woman with long, sable hair that reached past her shoulders and piercing steel gray eyes closed the door behind her. It didn't make a sound opening, but at closing a distinct click could be heard.

Her face was a bit saddened, she hadn't seen him in such a long time; he really had grown into a different person from what she remembered...but part of him was still in there that was like home.

"Heh," Agent Smith continued, "We already have someone inside and has proven to be an incredibly valuable source. Wave at the mirror if you wish."

He nodded his head in the direction of the observation room. Meanwhile, the observer walked up to the barrier and placed her hand on it. She missed him.

Castle stood before me in all his glory and flew me out of the forest. He took me back home and flew out into the night sky like a knight in shining armor...then I realized my powers were gone. And then...

Agent Smith's forehead wrinkled with distress and disappointment at what was said on the other side, "Thank you for the information."

He hung up the phone and turned towards Hunter, "You're lying to me, Hunter. You know you shouldn't play that game with me as you will be the only one hurt. That man's name is Chen...and you were once good friends with him. What else can you tell me? And I warn you, don't play me again." His nostrils flared in disappointment as he leaned against the table, looking Hunter directly in the eyes.

From behind the mirror, the observer stood with her hands on her hips, patiently waiting for her brother to make his next move.

I stole it from you.

Alex didn't understand how Blake could be so trusting of a bloody lizard that came out of nowhere. Sure, they were in a city infested with crimefighters...but blood was never a good sign especially if it was from someone else. As soon as the creature disappeared, she started walking quickly toward the apartments...they were so close.

"Come on, Blake!" Alex prodded, "You may 'trust' him, but I don't."
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Meanwhile in the DSPA interrogation room, the phone set in the wall beside the mirror began to buzz slightly and a small red light flickered on it, signaling that someone wanted to talk to Agent Smith from the observation room.