by Delma Martinez
Disclaimer: All characters herein are the property of
Roddenberry/Kirschner et al.
This text is copyright 1999 by Delma Martinez. For
permission to reprint, please contact the author at
derema@hotmail.com
Da'an's Office
"Agent Sandoval, Lt. Beckett, I would like you to meet Edana Martinez. She was presently a new Companion Agent. The Synod finds her to be a valuable asset and has appointed her my attache. Maj. Kincaid shall be her assistant. She shall be implanted at the nearest possible moment. Go and show her to her office." Da'an said as he motioned toward the entrance and gestured for dismissal. The Taelon watched as the three Companion Agents left his office and headed for the main building.
"Why are you working for the Companions?" Beckett asked coolly. She was already suspicious of Agent Martinez.
"That's classified information, Lt. Beckett." Edana repliesd with a smirk.
"If your work was classified, who has clearance on that level?" Sandoval asked sounding somewhat perplexed.
"As of yet . . . no one." Edana replied. They walked into the office intended for Agent Martinez. She walked around the office admiring the alien architecture.
"Lt. Beckett would you mind summoning Captain Marquette and Major Kincaid?" Sandoval ordered, without so much as alook in her direction.
"Right away," Beckett answered, giving Edana a warning look with her green eyes. She stepped outside the office to use her globallink.
"How are you and Lt. Beckett involved? The two of you don't seem like a match for partners. Clearly, there's some sort of interest there but it's one-sided . . . " Edana trailed, realizing she had hit a nerve.
"Agent Beckett and I have been working together for the past several months in the protection of the Companions. There was nothing but respect between us." Sandoval said sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than the strange woman in front of him.
"I'm just calling it the way I see it." Edana said, being a nuisance.
"What are you doing here?" Sandoval asked impatiently.
"I can prove the interest on her part." Edana, standing close to him, looked up into his face. They stood so that Sandoval's back was to the virtual glass window and Edana couldn't be seen by Beckett, who looked into the office over her global. She didn't look too happy.
"Lt. Beckett will ask you what went on in here while she was outside . . . before the week's end. I guarantee it." Edana said backing up slowly with a mischievous smile on her face. With an impatient look on his face, it's apparent that he was completely aggravated by this person and her actions. Lt. Beckett walked in slowly as if she's wondering if she might be interrupting something.
"They're on their way." Beckett said loudly as she walks into the room.
"Thank you. Agent Martinez, this will be your office for as long as you are working here with the companions," Sandoval said turning around to face Beckett. He straightened his tie very mechanically. Much to his relief, he saw Major Liam Kincaid and Captain Lili Marquette walking down the corridor toward Martinez's office. Liam was tall, about 6'2" and thin, but not by any means, weak. Lili was about 5'10" and her petite stature was misleading, this woman was an ex-Marine. Sandoval adjusted the button on his jacket and turns to face the women as Liam and Lili walked in the door.
"Agent Martinez, may I introduce Maj. Kincaid and Capt. Marquette. This is Agent Martinez, Da'an's new attache. Maj. Kincaid will be your assistant and shuttle pilot, he will help you get familiar with your surroundings . . . " Sandoval said as his global went off. He stepped to the side to answer it.
"Agent Martinez, when will you be undergoing implantation?" Beckett said acquiescently.
"Implantation?" Liam asked in wonder. He looked over this new Agent. Her black hair was pulled back much like Beckett's. Her dark face had little make-up but then she didn't need it.
"Agent Beckett was just reminding me that I am to be implanted as soon as possible." Martinez seemed somewhat bored with the idea of implantation. She was slightly annoyed at Beckett for making the comment. She looked over at Liam and thought he looked nice. The Taelons sure knew how to pick them.
"You are being implanted so soon?" Lili obviously surprised at this information. She walked up to the other women to discuss the pros and cons of being implanted. Liam watched while Sandoval talked earnestly into his global. Sandoval snapped his global shut and looked at Liam with a look that said 'What do you want?' Sandoval pulled out his pocket-watch, glanced at it momentarily, then replaced it in his pocket.
"Please excuse me, but I must be going. I hope you will adjust well to your new surroundings." Sandoval said as he left the office.
"Capt., are you sure you won't reconsider my offer to help you become a Companion Agent?" Beckett said insistently.
"I've told you before that I do not wish to become a Companion Agent." Lili said rather agitated.
"Why do you refuse? Are you afraid you can't handle it?" Beckett said challenging Lili. She stepped up to Lili as if threatening her. Liam snaps to attention as the tension in the room began to rise.
"Beckett's right. Companions Agents have an advantage over all other humans. Enhanced memory and physical prowess, all things that humans want anyway." Edana said almost as if she cared about whether or not Lili was implanted.
"What would Agent Sandoval say if he knew that you refused any effort of mine to help you further your career?"
"Actually, Agent Sandoval would prefer that I wasn't implanted at the present time." Lili gathered her things to leave the office and Liam followed her suit.
The Bridge"You wished to speak with me Zo'or." Sandoval said somewhat apprehensively.
"I will be leaving Earth soon to give counsel in other areas of Taelon existence. I believe you will stay and serve Da'an in my absence. A new Agent has been added to our ranks, I believe you have met her. Agent Martinez was added without my consent, but she was approved by the others in the Synod. I will be in contact with you in the future and I will require a report from you about her activities." Zo'or said with his usual disdain for anyone not Taelon.
"Yes, Zo'or. Why has she come to work for the Companions?" Sandoval trying not to say or ask too much, that would raise the powerful Taelon's suspicions.
"That was what you must ascertain." Zo'or said with no further explanation. He gestured for Sandoval to accompany him away from the bridge. They left the bridge for the shuttle bay.
Martinez's office"Well that was not the best way to start off here, but what can I do?" Martinez rather sarcastically. Beckett picked this up right away.
"What are you? You seem to have no feelings for anything." Beckett was exasperated by Edana's attitude.
"Focus. That's what it was. Don't mistake that for a lack of concern. It was a gift from my family. It has served us well." Edana in an emotionless tone. Her facial expression mirrors the one Sandoval usually wears.
"You know Agent Sandoval very well. That much was evident. How do you know him?" Beckett with a jealous edge to her voice.
"You might do better to ask him that question yourself. Now if you excuse me, I need to get better acquainted with this new equipment." Edana made it obvious that she wanted Beckett to leave. Beckett left knowing that she was no longer welcome. Edana sat at her desk and her videolink went off. She answered it.
"Agent Martinez, please meet me in my office. Bring Maj. Kincaid with you." Da'an then he signed off. Edana called Liam on his global.
"Kincaid, Liam." She said to the videolink. He answered, curious about what his boss could possibly want after a few hours on the job.
"Maj. Kincaid, Da'an wants to see us in his office immediately, come to my office first." Edana said before she signed off abruptly. Kincaid looked at Lili who's global went off at about the same time. She looked back at him as she snapped her global shut.
"What do you think was going on?" Liam asked. They started walking out of Lili's office and down the hall toward the other Agent offices.
"I don't know but Sandoval ordered me to Da'an's office immediately." Lili as she stops at an intersection in the hallway.
"I am to report to Martinez first. I don't know what she wants to say to me. She doesn't seem like the type of person who likes to talk." Liam said humorously. Lili gives him a look that said to be careful.
"How 'bout I go with you? I don't think she likes anybody. Anyway I wouldn't want you going up against her alone." Lili looked mischievous. Liam shrugged and walked down the hall to Edana's office. They walked into her office where she sat at her desk staring into the screen. She looked up and was surprised to see Lili with Liam. She stood up and walked toward them.
"I'll talk to you after the meeting. We're running late. We shouldn't keep Da'an waiting." Martinez said rather indifferently. They all left her office and walked down the corridor to Da'an's office.
Da'an's office"I am your leader. It is the very same beings that voted me in that keep secrets from me. I do not believe this is how things have been governed in the past." Zo'or said with a haughty gesture.
"I seem to recall that Katya Petrenko was murdered by your order. Your fear of her abilities, your pettiness ruined what could've been a beneficial opportunity to understand what humans are capable of. You could have saved us if you had let her remain alive." Da'an said making an impact on the Synod.
"Katya Petrenko was a threat to the Commonality and to our race." Zo'or said before he was cut off by Da'an.
"We will never know if that was actually the case." Da'an, his voice full of sorrow.
"What does this have to do with Edana Martinez?" Zo'or said trying to get to the point. Sandoval glanced upward at this comment. Zo'or walked nervously around the room.
"We believe that keeping you out of this particular case will help us to understand why you fear humanity so much." A Taelon in its natural state said from the datastream.
"Yes, Edana Martinez came to us willingly and offered herself to the Taelons. What she has to offer intrigues us and we plan to study her as long as possible. You may get in the way of the plans we have for her. This was to ensure that we get every possible chance to study every particle of her being without contamination." Another translucent Taelon said from the datastream.
"This was unacceptable. I will not allow it." Zo'or said firmly.
"What you will allow was irrelevant. You must accept it. Not one being will tell you anything until we all feel the time was right." Da'an said equally as firm. Edana, Lili, and Liam walked into the office. Da'an waved away the datastream. The humans all gathered around Da'an's chair. Zo'or continued to walk about.
"Thank you all for being here to hear this." Da'an as he welcomed everyone to this rather unusual meeting.
"What was going on, Da'an?" Liam asked curiously and he ignored the look that Sandoval gave him.
"I am leaving Earth. That was what this was all about." Zo'or said as if that was all that needed to be said to these mere Humans.
"Zo'or will be out of reach and I will retain command on Earth while Zo'or was away." Da'an explained to the Humans. They all looked at each other, each wonded what the others were thinking.
"When will you be leaving, Zo'or?" Sandoval asked complacently.
"Immediately." Zo'or said curtly. "You will all be needed here to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Da'an shall the be leader of the Taelons on Earth while I am away. You will all serve Da'an in the same way you would serve me." Zo'or said that last bit in sarcasm and a smirk on his face. He gave Edana a once-over, then he walked to the portal and was transported to the Mothership, where he would travel elsewhere.
"You are all dismissed to your duties. Make the necessary changes to your schedules. I shall spend more time aboard the Mothership in Zo'or's absence." Da'an said seeming slightly satisfied with his new position. They all left Da'an's office. They walked down toward their offices.
"Wow. I wonder what's going on," Lili said to break the silence.
"I'm sure if we were meant to know, we would have been informed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to see about an appointment. Maj., would you please show me to Dr. Belman's lab?" Edana said as she walked away and Liam followed her. Lili raised her eyebrows, surprised at Edana's authoritative attitude. Sandoval and Lili watched as Edana and Liam walked off toward Dr. Belman's lab.
"So . . . what do you think about our newest recruit?" Lili asked Sandoval.
"I don't." Sandoval said walking away leaving Lili to stand alone in the corridor.
Dr. Belman's Laboratory"Hello Liam. Who do we have here?" Dr. Belman inquired.
"Dr. Belman, this is Companion Agent Edana Martinez. She is Da'an's new attache." Liam said.
"Hello Agent Martinez, welcome to our side." Dr. Belman said ambiguously. She gave Edana a once-over, then she turned to cover what she had been working on.
"Agent Martinez is expected to be implanted as soon as is humanly possible." Liam raised an eyebrow at Dr. Belman.
"Follow me." Dr. Belman led them to a small room off to the side of the lab. "This is where you will undergo the procedure. Please make yourself comfortable." Dr. Belman left to speak to Da'an.
"You sure are anxious to get this procedure over with." Liam commented.
"I'm sure you felt the same way just before you were implanted." Edana said warily.
"Actually, I have not been implanted." Liam said smirking.
"I don't understand. How can you effectively protect Da'an if you are not implanted?" Edana said disconcerted.
"My skills allow me to protect Da'an by never putting him in a situation of danger. In the event of an emergency, I can competently rescue Da'an from harm." Liam said defensively.
"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you . . . it's just that my defenses are up. This is a new place for me, and I adjust by picking everyone and everything apart." Edana said apologizing.
"That's okay. It's alright. I understand." Liam trying to hide a smile.
"This whole procedure is a little scary. Do you know anything about it?" Edana asked nervously.
"From what I understand . . . a 'needle' will enter under your chin and curl around inside your brain to hit a few key points. Then it releases the cyber-virus into your brain at those specific points. The effect is an enhanced mind to match newly enhanced capabilities." Liam said drawing on his father's memories.
"Does it hurt?" Edana asked warily, jumping up to sit on the table.
"Um . . . yeah. I believe it does." Liam said. He turned to see Dr. Belman as she walked in carrying the receptacle containing the CVI.
"Dr. Belman can answer any more questions about the procedure." Liam gratefully turned the conversation over to Dr. Belman.
"Lay down here and let me strap you in. What is it you want to know about the implantation?" Dr. Belman asked Edana. Edana nodded and they began to discuss the procedure in detail. Liam walked away to use his global. He called Lili.
"Marquette, Lili."
"Where are you?" Lili said as soon as she answered.
"Dr. Belman's lab. Agent Martinez insisted I stay and answer her questions." Liam exaggerated slightly.
"She made you stay?" Lili asked uncertainly.
"At first, she made it seem that way. Now, I know she was just scared and needed someone here while she was being implanted." Liam said sounding almost concerned for Edana. Lili noticed.
"Why Liam, it seems you have a crush." Lili said teasing him. He just looked confused.
"A crush?" Liam asked.
"Augur can explain it later . . . what's going on now?" Lili almost laughing.
"They're ready to begin implantation. Lili, I'll see you at Augur's later." Liam snapped his global shut. He walked over to the table where Edana was strapped down. Dr. Belman walked over to meet him.
"What's the story?" Belman asked in a whisper.
"Da'an appointed her this morning. I don't know if we can trust her yet, I don't think we'll ever know. We haven't had the time to approach her yet, but it seems to me she might have turned us in if we tried." Liam whispered back, then he walked over to Edana.
"How are you doing?" he asked Edana.
"Are these restraints really necessary?" Edana asked tugging at an arm restraint.
"You'll find out soon enough. Dr. Belman told you about the whole implantation process, right?" Liam said gently as if he was talking to an old friend. She would have nodded but the restraints held her head in place.
"Yes, Dr. Belman explained everything to me." Edana said nervously.
"Don't worry. You have the most qualified doctor working on you." Liam reassured her and stepped aside as Belman moves the implantation device over her.
The apparatus flexed its arm and then the organic needle coiled and flexed itself. Edana stared at it with wide eyes and thought, 'That needle was going in to my head.' She shuddered. The needle straightened out and entered Edana's brain just under the mandible. Edana's body tenseed as the needle made its way through her brain. She would have screamed but she was afraid she might damage something. Tears streamed down her face. The monitor denoted the path of the needle through the brain and displayed the areas of the brain affected by the cyber-virus. The needle felt like it was burning in her brain. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and let out a shrill scream that sounded as if her whole body was begging for release. The needle quickly withdrew from her brain. Dr. Belman pulled the apparatus out of the way and began checking vital signs. She had to make sure her patient took to the implant.
"How are you feeling Agent Martinez?" Dr. Belman asked softly. She began unfastening the restraints.
"Try to sit up." Liam said anxiously. It was becoming evident that Liam liked this new person, that he saw something in Edana.
"Agent Martinez, please sit up and try to focus on me." Dr. Belman said. Edana tried to sit up and was overwhelmed by vertigo.
She looked at Dr. Belman and then saw her mother as she was six years ago, she saw her mother walking through a garden. It almost as if she was there all over again. Edana shook her head and put her hands on her temples. She couldn't control the memories she was seeing or how vividly she saw them. The next image was of her best friend, they were young. They were running in the grass in his backyard. The images are flashing rapidly before her eyes making it hard to determine what was real and what was a memory.
"That's alright, what you are seeing is natural. Soon you will be able to control it. For now just let your mind wander with the thoughts until you feel you can control them." Dr. Belman said sympathetically. She moved Liam to the side to talk to him.
"What are you thinking?" Liam asked her curiously.
"Da'an's instruction for the CVI seemed a little odd. She has the motivational imperative to protect the Taelons, specifically Da'an . . . but she is not to receive a skrill." Dr. Belman sounding concerned.
"That is odd. Why give someone the absolute desire to protect you and yet deny them the only means to do so effectively?" he pondered aloud.
"I guess we will find out in time . . . one question . . . Why are you here with her and not another implant?" Belman asked, it was her turn to be curious.
"She instructed me to accompany her. She was brought in over my head." Liam explained. They both looked over at Edana. Dr. Belman was surprised to see that Edana had already taken control of her newly enhanced mind. She sat there looking at them as if she had been waiting for them to notice her.
Augur's Place"Comfy?" Augur raised his eyebrows at her. He's carried a plant.
"Oh, yeah." Lili from the chair.
"Shouldn't you be at work? You know chauffeuring Sandoval somewhere." Augur said suspiciously. He put the plant down on a table and arranged it to his liking.
"Geez. You sound as if you don't want me here." Lili pretending to be put out. Augur gave her a look that said 'Cut the crap.'
"What's the deal?" Augur determined to get something out of this woman that intrigued him so.
"Nothing. I'm on a break. There's a whole other person who doesn't like me and so I'm taking a break." Lili said not offering any other explanation.
"Someone new on the frontier, huh?" Augur watched her carefully. Maiya walked in and looked at the two of them. Then deciding she wasn't interrupting anything important, she took a seat near Lili.
"What's going on?" Maiya asked wondering why Augur was looking at Lili expectantly.
"Lili was about to tell me why she's here instead of at work."Augur said pointedly.
"Okay, alright. There's a new Companion Agent, just brought in today. She looked very familiar . . . but I can't place her. Anyway, I would have asked her if only she and Beckett hadn't ganged up on me with the whole implantation issue." Lili said sounding very agitated.
"Who was this new Agent?" Maiya inquired.
"Her name is Edana Martinez. She's being fitted with a CVI as we speak. Liam is supposed to meet us here as soon as he gets a free moment." Lili said indifferently.
"What do you know about this new Agent?" Maiya trying to sound innocent.
"What are you asking, Maiya?" Lili said suspiciously, she narrowed her eyes.
"It was just a question." Maiya trying to cover the thoughts going through her mind.
"No, Maiya. I don't know if she is connected to Sandoval in any way." Lili exasperated.
A few days later"Good evening, Lt." Sandoval said switching off the screen.
"Good evening." Beckett said smiling enigmatically.
"What brings you here at this time?" Sandoval asked as he looked at his pocket-watch.
"I came to ask you about Agent Martinez. How do you know her?" Beckett asked bluntly.
"What did she tell you?" Sandoval countered with a wary glance at the open door.
"She told me to ask you." Beckett. She seemed to be jealous.
"Then it's better you didn't know." Sandoval said standing up and walked over to the door.
"What's going on?" Beckett probed.
"I don't know." Sandoval answers solemnly. His videolink beeped. He glanced over but couldn't see the screen.
"I have work to attend to as I believe you also do." Sandoval said practically pushing Beckett out the door. He shuts the door behind her and rushed around the desk to answer the videolink.
"Sandoval here. Oh, it's you." Sandoval said very displeased.
"What kind of greeting is that?" Edana said acting hurt.
"What do you want?" Sandoval said agitated.
"Why don't you show me around the city?"
"When are you supposed to be implanted?"
"We'll talk about it over dinner. Sounds good, huh?" Sandoval didn't answer, he just gave her a look. The smile melted off her face.
"Fine. I'll see you around then." She signed off very disappointed. Sandoval signed off too, he hated to see that look in her dark brown eyes. Then he signed back on.
"Beckett, Siobhan." He said to the videolink.
"Agent Sandoval, what can I do for you?" Beckett's assistant answered. She was obviously very afraid of the Agent.
"I was looking for the Lt."
"I'm sorry . . . Lt. Beckett has gone rock climbing, I don't when to expect her back."
"Do you know where she went?"
"No, she doesn't like to be bothered when she's climbing. I'm sorry. If you wanted to lea-" Sandoval signed off abruptly. He sat back and sighed.
Augur's Place"Hi." Lili said.
"Hey, Liam. Heard you were Agent-sitting the other day." Augur said with a smirk. Liam gives Lili a *look*.
"We haven't seen much of you lately." Maiya commented.
"Well, I've been busy." Liam replied.
"Yeah, I'll bet." Lili muttered under her breath. Augur looked at her with a confused glance.
"Where have you been these last few days?" Maiya asked.
"Working . . . Martinez is learning how to use the Taelon technology with her CVI. Which reminds me . . . Lili, how long does it normally take to recover from implantation?"
"Somewhere between three and four hours . . . why?"
"Well we have a winner. Edana Martinez recovered in 15 minutes. She was functioning like a normal person in less than half an hour."
"What does that mean?" Maiya asked curiously.
"It means . . . that we have an unusual woman on our hands." Augur said suspiciously.
Some time later"Hello." Edana said without looking up from the screen.
"Good morning, Agent Martinez." Liam said trying to sound cheerful.
"Please, call me Edana. It'll make things a little easier . . . especially since we spend practically all day together." Edana said.
"Alright, Edana. Call me Liam." He said as he sat.
"Okay, Liam, you know you don't have to spend every moment here, I was joking when I said that." She said leaning on the desk, she grinned at her tall assistant.
"Well, what else am I supposed to do? I am your assistant, so give me something to assist you in." Liam said as if he was bored. He really spent all day in her office because he liked looking at her. She was wearing her hair half up and it shone as she moved her head. Her hair was long and trailed halfway down her back.
"Well . . . if you're that eager to work . . . you can get me all the dossiers on every person who has ever worked for the Companions that includes deceased as well." She watched him carefully. There was something about this man that drew her toward him, but he was always looking at her. Not that it was a bad thing, but it gave her little chance to study him.
"Wow, and you're just getting started." Liam as he flashed his breathtaking smile.
"Yes, sir . . . " Edana trying not to lose herself.
"I'll get right on it." He stood up to leave.
"Oh, uh, by the way, what level of clearance do you have?"
"Level five."
"Really?" Edana in disbelief.
"I was Da'an's only protector for a long period of time. I have access to everything any other Companion Agent does." Liam stated as he left the office. She stared at him as he left, her eyes wandered downward, and then she shook herself and turned back to her screen.
Resistance HQ"Hey Liam, what's up?"
"Nothin' much."
"Then what are you doing here during work hours?" the computer genius asked suspiciously.
"Alright. Lili said something the other day that has me confused." Liam said hopefully.
"Shoot."
"Lili said that I might have a crush on Edana. What's a crush?"
"Eh. It's one of those things Humans learn as teenagers, believe me you didn't miss much. Um . . . no. Uh . . . wait. Can you access the memories of Beckett and Sandoval?" Liam nodded uncertainly.
"Okay, I remember Lili saying something about Beckett having a thing for Sandoval. From what I gather . . . it was not returned. Do you understand?" Augur looked at Liam expectantly, Liam concentrated and tried to reach into his parents memories. (Flashback: Beckett's hotel room the night she came on to Sandoval.)
"I think I understand now." Liam said then walked out of HQ leaving Augur somewhat confused. He shrugged it off and went back to work.
Later that week"Hard at work I see." Edana said with an enigmatic grin on her face.
"What do you want?" Sandoval asked regaining his composure.
"Come to dinner with me this weekend."
"I have work to do."
"No, you don't."
"What are you talking about?" he gave her a look that said 'What have you done?'
"Da'an has just come to realize that you have not had one single day to yourself in the past three years. He has decided to give you the weekend off from your duties." Edana said as she picked a piece of lint off her sleeve.
"Why has he not told me this?"
"I told him I would tell you. And I have . . . so you have no excuses." Edana said triumphantly with a dazzling smile.
"Fine. Saturday night." Sandoval said giving in. Edana smiled at him, and Sandoval rolled his eyes.
Liam's Apartment"What are you doing? You've been sitting at that desk for hours." Lili said demanding to know what was so important that her friend ignored her.
"I am working. I've been putting this off for almost a week now. I promised to get this in as soon as possible, and Edana is expecting it soon." Lili raised her eyebrows.
"When did she become Edana?" Liam stopped typing momentarily.
"She said it would be easier on the both of us. Alright."
"Ah-huh, sure. Whatever you say." Lili said spreading the sarcasm on thick.
"Come on, Lili. Let me work. I have to get together dossiers on everyone who has ever worked for the Taelons." He said frustrated.
"You know what I've got a bunch of those in my files... wait." she pulled out her global. She punched in a few keys then uploaded the files into Liam's computer.
"There, now how many more do you have left now?"
"Wow. Did you do all of these?" he said going through the dossiers.
"Combination of the dossiers I came up with while working for Boone and for Sandoval."
"You know what? I'm done." he downloaded the dossiers into his global. He put on his leather jacket and they left for the embassy.
Edana's Office"Hello, Liam." Edana said cheerfully. Lili looked at Liam and was surprised to see him grinning at Edana. Lili thought, 'Liam never smiles like that.'
"Edana, here are the dossiers you asked for." Liam said handing her his global to transfer the dossiers into her computer. They stood very close together sneaking glances at each other. Lili couldn't stand the way they looked at each other and left in disgust. Edana saw Lili leave and made her move.
"Um... Liam. Are you busy Friday night?" Liam looked at her in surprise.
"No, not really."
"You know... I haven't really gotten to see much of the city... and I thought maybe you wouldn't mind showing me around."
"Sure, my pleasure... How bout I pick you up around 8?" Liam said full of enthusiasm. He wears a big smile on his face.
"Great. I'll see you then." Edana smiled back at him. Liam backed out of the office, still grinning. Lili was waiting outside for him, and he gave her a sheepish grin.
"What the hell was that?!" Lili demanded as they walked away from Edana's office.
"What was what?" Liam said blushing slightly.
"Back there. 'Hello Liam.'" Lili mocked Edana.
"What's your problem, Lili? You jealous or somethin." he said teasing her.
"Hey, wait a minute. This is about you and her, not me." Lili countered. Liam shrugged her off and kept walking and Lili walked after him.
The Next Evening"Will you stop that?!" Augur shouted. Lili looked at him with an apologetic glance.
"You'd swear it was you going out on your first date and not Liam." Augur said exasperated.
Flat Planet Cafe"How do you like D.C. so far?" Liam asked her.
"It's alright but work keeps me from going out. You know how it was working for the Companions." Edana said.
"Yes, I know how that goes." He looked around for a moment then made a decision.
"Would you like to dance?" Liam asked rising from his seat. She stood up and followed him onto the dance floor. They danced in perfect rhythm with each other. Maiya watched from the bar. The videolink went off next to her. It's Lili.
"Maiya, I'm looking for Liam. Is he there?" Lili said anxiously.
"Maiya, don't tell her. She's in a jealous rage." Augur said from behind her. Lili shoved him out of the way.
"Why do you want to know if Liam's here?" Maiya asked casually, her accent throwing a perfect imitation of innocence.
"Liam's out with Agent Martinez and I don't trust her. She reminds me of somebody but I can't place her face. It'll come to me eventually. If he shows up let me know."
"Alright, talk to you later." Maiya said trying not to laugh at Augur's antics behind Lili's back. She shut the link off and turned to look at Liam and Edana. A slow song was playing, they looked perfect for each other. They held each other close and then Liam whispered something in Edana's ear. She nodded and he led her to his place above the cafe.
Liam's Apartment"Would you like a drink?" he asked getting up from the couch.
"Uh . . . sure. Whatever, it doesn't matter much to me." She said smiling at him. He smiled back and went for the drinks. Edana looked around his apartment. She looked up at the staircase curiously. Liam returned with the drinks and sat next to her.
"What's up there?" as she sipped from her glass.
"Uh . . . that's the bedroom." Liam answered trying to sound cool but he was nervous.
"Oh." Edana said blushing slightly but it was hard to tell on her dark skin. They continued to talk about all kinds of things, music, work, etc. Then there was a lull in the conversation. Edana used this opportunity to kiss him. It surprised him but he kissed her back.
Flat Planet Cafe"Lili, what's wrong?" Maiya asked. Lili snapped to attention.
"What?" Lili hadn't heard her.
"This was what I'm talking about, you have been distant all evening. This was about Liam and that woman isn't it?"
"Why did you see them?"
"What worries you so much about this person?" Maiya asked ducking the question.
"I see her and I know that I can't trust her. Something in me said that she is not right." Lili said frustrated.
Meanwhile . . ."I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean to . . . " Liam said sitting up. Edana sat up and smiled at him.
"Don't be." Edana said and then took his hand and led him up the staircase. He went willingly.
The Next Day . . . around noonLili walked into his apartment.
"Hey Liam!" she called out. She looked around and spotted the glasses on the table and took notice of the lipstick on one of them.
"Liam!" she yelled up the stairs. He leaned over the rail, dripping wet from his shower.
"Lili. I didn't hear you come in. Hold on a minute." Then Liam disappeared back over the rail. A few moments later, he came down the stairs buttoning his shirt.
"So what's up?" he asked
"So you had fun last night?"
"Yeah." He said smiling, again remembering last night. She just stared at him. "What?"
"Nothing."
"What's wrong?"
"What could be wrong?"
"You have been down about Edana from the beginning. Why?" Lili didn't respond. Liam grabbed his jacket and left Lili stood in the middle of the apartment. She looked upset, she was really mad at herself.
Later . . . That Evening"So, what do you want?" he asked as he observed his surroundings.
"Wow. Direct. Nice to know you haven't changed much." She commented with a grin.
"You didn't answer my question."
"I think you know what I want."
"When are you supposed to be implanted?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Ha! Ron . . . I was implanted the first day I was in D.C." Edana wore a big smile, laughing at the expression on her companions face.
"Then how are you able to still act this way."
"If you can override your CVI, then so can I. Anyway, I was always the smarter one, I mean like minds . . . and everything."
Elsewhere"I saw a difference in the way you addressed the country. Actually, Mom noticed it first, she pointed it out to me."
"Edana, Mom's been gone four years."
"I have the gift. It helped me to override my CVI quicker."
"The gift." He snorted. "That's all stuff Mom made up." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself rather than his childhood friend and sweetheart. Mom was a very special woman, Sandoval's grandmother, everyone called her Mom, even if they were in no way related.
"I see a great many things. If I had been assigned to aid in the search for Beckett, I would have found her in time." She said firmly, then immediately she regretted what she had said. "I'm sorry, it wasn't your fault."
She reached over and held his hand and rubbed it with her other hand. About this time Lili staggered onto their street. She glanced across the road and saw Sandoval and Edana. 'Martinez was holding Sandoval's hand!' she screamed inside. Lili quickly sobered up and walked off down an alleyway, before she could be seen. She thought 'What am I gonna tell Liam?'
Edana had done her job in comforting her friend. They talked more about living at home via their CVIs. They remembered growing up together, their spouses and the grief they felt after they were gone.
"Ron. You should have told me when Deedee died."
"I was not in control and my CVI . . . it helped me to take control." He said firmly. "What about when Mark died?"
"That was different. Mark died in the SI war. It was all over the news." Edana said fighting back tears. "I'm glad Mom was still around, or else I wouldn't have made it through."
She looked around. Her eyes glistened with the unshed tears. She made a decision.
"Come on. I know a place with a brilliant atmosphere. Let's go lose ourselves." She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him out of his seat. He didn't even notice where they were going until she pulled him through a door. She had taken him to the Flat Planet Cafe!
"Whoa! Wait a minute." Sandoval stopped just inside the door.
"What?"
"I'm not exactly welcome here."
"Come on. Anyone with a cash card was welcome here."
"No. I'm really not welcome here." He said giving her a meaningful look.
"Okay, fine. We'll stay long enough for me to talk to a few people and then we'll leave." They walked in and looked around. Maiya had spotted them the moment they walked in the door. She waved to Angie to take over for her. She slipped out the back door and went up to Liam's apartment. When she walked in Liam and Augur are playing with some program on the computer.
"Hey Maiya! Hey, aren't you supposed to be working?" Augur said as she plopped down on the couch.
"Sandoval was here." She said sounding tired. "I don't feel up to it tonight."
Liam looked up. He had noticed her acting differently lately. She was tired alot.
"What's that implant doing here?"
"I don't know." Liam answered.
Back inside the Cafe"What people could you possibly have to talk to? You haven't been in D.C. long enough to have people." Sandoval said watching her as she blushed. He could always tell, even though most people couldn't. She just smiled and looked around. He shook his head . . . 'it must be a guy.'
Liam's Apartment"Hi, Lili." Maiya said weakly from the couch.
"Hi." Lili said uncertainly. Liam nodded at her, he had forgiven her earlier.
"So . . . what's up?" Lili asked.
"We were about to spy on Sandoval. He's downstairs." Augur said.
"But I just saw him at a restaurant with . . . "
"With who?"
"No one."
"Who?"
"Let's see what he's up to." Lili said and she thought, 'Well, Liam can see for himself.' Liam switched on the screen which gave them a close view of the Flat Planet Cafe. The picture moved around the room until it picked up Sandoval leaning against the bar talking to a woman with long black hair.
"Mm. Sandoval looked like he got himself a girlfriend." Augur laughed. Maiya and Lili snorted, then looked at each other in surprise. Liam watched as the woman turned and kissed Sandoval on the cheek. Then she turned and faced the crowd . . . Edana! Liam was clearly shocked. Lili closed her eyes to spare herself the look on Liam's face. Maiya just looked at everyone, she tried to read their expressions.
"Whoa-ho! Sandoval has good taste." Augur said then turned to read the expression on Liam's face.
"What's wrong?" Augur asked.
"That woman with Sandoval . . . that's Edana." Liam said while trying to keep his cool. He was trying not to seem angry. Realization crossed Augur's face. Liam grabbed his jacket and left.
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