hey ya'll!!! I decided to post my fic in here as well... many of u already know it, and I hope others will have give me a chance readin this. Thanks!

Disclaimer: as you can guess from the level of my frustration and idiot babbling, I do not own Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd or Viggo Mortensen. They have nothing to deal with this and every reference is casual.
The girls starring in this fic gave me the permission to use their names or fictional names, and once again, this is a work of fantasy that has nothing to deal with them.
Songs, locations and situations don't belong to me. I don't mean to steal anything, right?
Some of the robberies you'll find here are the result of an inspiration I took from different books, so don't get surprised if you recognize some parts, although I'll try to make of this a unique work.
Don't steal my ideas, I have a really small brain and it's hard for me to come up to something good, so pliz let me be praised for my own work.
Please, please, please read and support this. Im not the kind that begins a fic and then lets it down, but I am busy as you are. Writing, and showing your writing means to show a part of yourself, and it is extremely shaming and disappointing when no one notices you.
If you joined the cast call and never post a comment, I'll reserve the right to kill your character. Sorry… I don't ask too much, just a small comment when u r around. I know life is out there, but if u r reading this it means u can also reply, ok?
Rating: I think there will be sex scenes and strong language, even if I won't put em everywhere just to spice up the thing. I won't say "don't read if you are under 17!" coz I got friends here who are under 17, and anyway I think you are all smart enough to judge what you can read and what bothers you.
Not all characters will come up immediately, so if u signed up, be patient.
Every constructive critique is welcome.

Characters:
Thieves:
Billy Boyd
Orlando Bloom
Mena Boyd (Mena…erm…me!)
Charlotte Anne Logan (J-e-s-s-i-c-a)
Mackenzie Greer (Frodozfan)
Christina Estrandez ( Glitter)
Shye "Litefingers" Thibodeaux (Ambrosia)

Cops, detectives etc…
Viggo Mortensen--- Fbi agent
Elijah Wood --- Fbi agent
Dominic Monaghan --- Chicago police dept. cop
Laura Sandoval (Leggy LuLu)--- Chicago police dept. cop and Dom's work mate
Jayna Marlin (Firestar) --- Scotland Yard agent
Andrea Basan (White Magnolia) ---inspector of National Treasury Insurance in Mexico

Quameos:
Ipek Madden (witch) --- Chicago police dept. weaponry expert
Irina Martova (Arini) --- daughter of officer of Government agent Aleks Martov
Eve Mortensen (Eve) --- Viggo's wife

and now, the first chapter!!

Chapter 1, Eyes.

London.
The girl frowns, staring strictly in the dirty mirror. A pair of grey eyes stares at her back. She looks so pale in the neon lights… a lock of thick, brown hair falls to hide her left eye. She frowns again, placing it behind her ear.
The air moves behind her, and suddenly there's another girl framed in the reflection. The new girl smiles, putting an arm around her friend's waist and her chin on her shoulder. Her curly copper hair melt for a moment with her friend's brown ones.
- Eyes, mirrors of soul…- the red headed girl says softly, staring into her friend's eyes. - Hope they don't show too much, or we should always keep 'em glued to the ground, am I right, Charlotte?-
Charlotte's grey eyes shine sadly.
- Not the kind of thing you have to worry about, Mena. You have too much in your eyes: blue of sea, green of forests, grey of city. An endless world to hide in.-
Mena gulps, standing up. Placing her hands on Charlotte's shoulders, she forces her friend to turn over and face her.
- You are pure, and real.- she says softly, putting a hand under her chin. - Looking into your eyes, I can really see your soul. Maybe not it all, but enough of it to guess what you are thinking. And this is very dangerous.-
Her hands fall from Charlotte's shoulders and she steps aback. She smiles softly, like wanting to apologize.
- I'll wait outside. This place is cool, but toilets are simply horrible. Orlando and my bro will be wondering where the Hell we've gone.-
Charlotte nods and the satin light inside her grey eyes fades away. Mena cringes to herself: when she's really happy, or sad or worried, when she really feels something, her friend's eyes turn to a velvet silver, delicate and fresh. But she is too vulnerable, and they cannot afford it. She hates to scold her, but she has no other choice.
Charlotte smiles, turning away to face the mirror again.
- Let them wait.-
Mena laughs walking to the door.
- This is my girl! I'll order you a beer ok?- she says cheerfully walking out the bleak toilet room.
- Sure.- Charlotte says, staring again into her reflected eyes. Suddenly, here it comes again, that silver light of innocence.
- Fuck off!- she utters angrily and the light fades away, scared.

teehee! Guess who's going to read it again from the beginning for she loves it so???? ;-)

thanks Amber!! :love:

Chapter 2. Smells like teen cops.

Jayna Marlin curses to herself, trying to escape the pouring rain pushing the door and entering the old pub. Smoke fills the air, turning the lights into a dim bronze fog, and the air smells of smoke and beer.
The place is quite famous, even if it's located in one of the worse zones of London, and tonight is Friday, so it will be extremely hard to find a spot to sit down.
But Jayna doesn't care: she has grown up in this city and now she has the duty to protect it. It doesn't matter if she is a beautiful girl and she is alone in a dangerous quarter, she's a Scotland Yard agent and she doesn't need to be protected. And tonight she has decided to take a look around, who knows, maybe she could be lucky and hear something interesting…
Two men sitting at the bench get up and walk away. Moving through the crowd she reaches a stool and sits down. Her long, wavy golden hair shine in the dim light, and lot of men turn to stare at her.
- Excuse me.- a voice calls her.
A man is sitting on the stool next to her, leaning with his elbow on the bench.
- May I offer you something to drink?-
Jayna looks at him: apparently quite tall, chocolate brown eyes and hair, a slightly soft British accent.
- Why not? I'll take a beer, thanks.- she says, ignoring her mother's voice echoing in her mind: "Jayna, don't accept things from people you don't know!" what the Hell, she's an agent, she knows karate and… come on, it's just a pint of beer!
- What's your name?- the man asks.
- Jayna. And yours?-
- Orlando. You are from London it seems to hear…-
She smiles slightly.
- Born and grown up here. Like you… it seems to hear.-
He smiles too, a smashing smile illuminating his face.
- Born and grown up here too. And what do you do, beautiful blonde Jayna from London?-
- I'm a…- she pauses. - a secretary. I've started a new job this week.-
- Interesting…- he drinks a sip of beer.
- What about you? What do you do?- she asks nervously. This man is so strange… too gorgeous, and too aware of it.
- A little of this… a little of that… I keep myself busy.- he answers shrugging his shoulders.
Jayna grins.
- You are not the first one to answer like this. It's not that original.-
He smiles again.
- But it's true. What about all those poor men who gave you the same answer, what did they do as you scolded them for their lack of creativity?- his eyes shine. - It seems you appreciate creativity…- he licks his lips.
Jayna blushes. Maybe it was not a good idea to come here… after all, she's been an agent just from Monday morning.
- It's not that…-
- What it is then, Jayna from London?- he asks softly.
She stares into his eyes.
- It's just that every time a man told me he worked with " a little of this and a little of that" he turned out to be a criminal or something like that.- she glares at him. - Are you a criminal too, Orlando from London?-
He drinks another sip and dries his lips with his hand.
- Actually, I am.-
Jayna gasps. Sure! Something inside her tells her he's not lying. She's got an inner sense for this kind of things.
- Don't you believe me?- he asks softly.
She scrolls her head.
- If you were a true criminal you won't go around and tell. I could be… a Scotland Yard agent or something.- she says calmly, avoiding his eyes.
He shrugs.
- I'm not afraid of cops. I can sense 'em coming you know.-
Jayna grins.
- Do you?-
- Sure. Like a red alarm… I can look into a person's eyes and guess if I can trust him, or her, or not.-
Jayna plays with her glass.
- Cool theory…-
Orlando stares at her.
- I'm serious! For example… I did not realize you were a Scotland Yard agent at first, maybe because you started recently with it…-
Jayna gasps, turning to look at him, shocked. Orlando smiles weakly, leaning in to whisper in her ear.
- But I eventually guessed right, didn't I?… Agent Jayna from London…?-
Jayna jumps on her feet. Unable to reply, she quickly walks out the room, followed by Orlando's irreverent laughter.

o.O I didn't get to read this over at EWFN but whoa... Nice fic, and how did Orlando figure that out? :blink:

lol! he's got a sixth sense.... :fairy:

Chapter 3. Talking round the billiard table.

Billy lifts his eyes from the billiard table and leans in on his cue. He stares at the blonde girl walking quickly out the crowded pub. Orlando scrolls his head, walking back to the table and handing a cue.
- Why did you scare Hell out of this one? She was cute.- he asks as Orlando leans on the table to aim at the balls.
- Scotland Yard.- Orlando mumbles, letting his cue hitting hardly the balls on the table. - But run after her if you want.-
- Scotland Yard? - Billy repeats amazed, raising an eyebrow. - No thanks. By the way she was not my kind. I prefer brunettes you know.-
Billy looks at the balls rolling on the billiard table. He would never confess it, but Orlando's sixth sense about authority always shocks him. It never happened to his friend to misjudge someone, and Billy trusts him.
His cue hits the balls, making three of them falling into the right holes.
- Nice shoot.- a girl behind him says cheerfully.
He turns over and smiles to his sister, who walks to sit on the edge of the billiard table. She lifts a hand to play with her copper curls and she smiles at him back.
- Wanna give a try?- Billy asks handing her his cue.
- Why not? - she shrugs.
Orlando walks closer.
- No way! Last time I played against Mena, she won me forty pounds. If you wanna give her a try, do it when I'm not around.-
Billy grins.
- Sorry mate, but you cannot ask me to choose between my little sister and you! She's far more cute and smart… you'd have no choice.- he laughs. - You better remind of it if we were in one of those "one boat two people" situation.-
Orlando rolls his eyes.
- You'd let me drown to save this red head?- he asks.
Billy smirks.
- Do you really want to know?-
- Sure.-
- Yes I would.-
Orlando bursts into laughter.
- What a friend! Well, do what you want. I'll leave you and your little sister ruin each other's fortune… play then! I'll go to sleep.-
Mena smiles.
- You cannot leave yet mate,- she calls him sweetly. - We are waiting for that friend of Charlotte's to come, do you remember?-
Orlando frowns.
- A friend of Charlotte's? Why? And, most of all, does Charlotte have friends?-
Billy bursts into laughter but Mena steps on with her hands on her hips.
- Charlotte is such a sweet girl! Don't…-
- Hush, red head!- Orlando raises his hands. - I've been knowing Char for almost all our lives, I could never say something wrong about her. She's just… shy. You have to admit she does not go round with a writing on her forehead like "I wanna meet new friends"… she's more the kind of "get out my way!"-
Orlando pauses and looks at Mena and Billy, who are looking at him back with a weird smile on their faces.
- What's up?- Orlando asks, then freezes. - She's behind me isn't she?-
- Yes Orli, I am.- Charlotte says coldly, but her eyes shine of an amused light. - And by the way, I have to agree with you. What you said about me is absolutely right.-
- Really?-
- Sure. It's nature you know. I've never been the "happy go-lucky" one, like you.-
Orlando blushes.
- And I thank God for this,- Charlotte goes on. - because I don't have your sixth sense and you must confess that it's just because of it you've never been caught.-
Orlando bites his lower lip.
- Knock out!- Billy whispers. then, seeing his friend seeking help, he changes the subject. - Anyway Orli, like we were saying before the "to risk or not to risk" discussion, I asked Charlotte to introduce us a friend of hers, a friend who could help us out, do you know what I mean?-
- But why? I mean, it's already the four of us!- Orlando says.
Mena sits on the edge of the table again.
- That's what I thought at first too, but Billy is right: four is good if we plan to stay in London, but London is getting too small…- they all giggle. - and anyway you already know we cannot do everything alone. Do I need to remind you my lovely brother's motto?…-
- "Every piece has its own place in the puzzle.- they all say out loud.
- So,- Billy goes on. - you know I prefer to remain out of action. And despite your talent with cars, Char's gift of invisibility and Mena's talent as a pretender, when it comes to computers, technical support and heavy weapons we need someone else to cover our shoulders.-
Orlando scrolls his head.
- Mena knows almost everything about weapons, and I can hack almost every system of the world…-
- You said that.- Mena replies. - Almost every one. We need someone who does not put the "almost" word in his sentences. And by the way, I know enough about guns and blades, but if it comes to heavier things I'm a complete ignorant.-
- I'm afraid to ask you…- Orlando whispers. - but what do you mean with "heavier things"?-
- Explosions.- Charlotte says calmly. - Dynamite, nitre, that kind of stuff… did you see the Italian job?-
Orlando's eyes spread open.
- And you know somebody who can deal with this kind of things?-

*sing song voice* Elijah?

Heh :P

ehe not yet :whistling:

Chapter 4. The fifth element.

Charlotte shrugs, smiling mysteriously. She turns over, clearly ignoring Orlando and his curiosity.
- So,- she says cheerfully. - what about a two-vs-two billiard match?- she picks up a cue.
Billy smiles.
- Yeah! What about the Boyd bros versus the rest of the world?-
- Or girls versus men.- Charlotte replies.
- No to both!- Orlando utters. - I told you before I'm not going to play against Mena again. I'd like to come back home with my shirt on, thanks.-
Mena grins.
- I know it's hard for you to accept it, but none of us really longs to see a shirtless Orlando babbling around. A babbling Orlando with his shirt on is already more than I can take. So I'll play with you.-
Orlando smirks.
- The truth is that you love me and you can't confess it.-
Mena glares at him.
- Oh yeah baby, I love you! That's why I'm so kind with you… guess what you'd go through if I'd hate you?-
Orlando gulps. Scrolling his head, he starts to play.
***
Hours pass by and the pub gets slowly empty. At late midnight, Billy yawns.
- Ok, I give up! Two good players like Charlotte and I can do nothing against an exceptional one… even if her mate sucks.-
Orlando blushes.
- Errr… whatever. But Char, that friend of yours, when is he supposed to arrive?-
Charlotte looks behind Orlando's back.
- She was supposed to arrive at midnight. It's midnight on the dot, and she is behind you right now.-
Orlando turns over and his eyes land on an athletic girl, who is smiling at him. Her green eyes sparkle and her short, red hair make her look like a cunning sprite.
- Hello Bloom.- she says cheerfully.
Orlando looks shocked.
- Mac! You here!- he utters as the girl steps on to embrace Charlotte, who gestures at Billy and Mena.
- Billy and Mena Boyd, meet Mackenzie Greer.-
Mackenzie smiles.
- The Boyd brothers… you are celebrities around here. Nice to meet you.-
Mena nods, but Billy frowns.
- Did you and Orlando already know?- he asks susceptibly but his sister elbows him.
- C'mon Billy! Charlotte and Orlando met ten years ago, and she and Mac were childhood friends… stop seeing complots everywhere! Forgive him, Mac. Now, why don't we sit and drink something and introduce ourselves properly?-
Mackenzie nods, apparently not bothered at all.

Squeals,

Man ! I'm reading it all over again ! LOL. I'm a born-again obsessed fan with this story. It kicks ass Mena. :yay:

I didn't reply? :blush:

Ok, mehh... Just realized that unless Elijah is an undercover agent, he can't possibly be the one lol *pats ownself*

How I absolutely adore this story!!! Ah, Billy steals my heart in it so very easily. :love: It's great! But, then, you already know how much I love your story. :yes:

Hi Mena! This is a great enjoy to read this story here also! I LLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE it!!! :love:

hey Iri!! ;)2

Chapter 5. Backgrounds.

- Mena was right,- Mackenzie starts as they all sit at a corner table. - I met Charlotte when I was ten years old and she was seven. We used to live both over Camden town… do you remember that place, Char?-
Charlotte frowns in disgust.
- My mother died when I was three years old. My father and I we moved and started again… in his youth he had worked on ships, travelling almost everywhere: Caribbean, Africa, Polynesia… but after my mother's death something broke inside him…he started to steal for living and when I grow up he taught me.- she smiles. - I'm not telling you because you pity me, he was a good father and a smart man. I owe him if I'm so strong and independent. I'm telling you because if we have to work together, I guess you want to know who I really am. You cannot trust an elusive person.-
Billy nods.
- My father died when I was twelve, and I disappeared to avoid the orphanage. I survived with small robberies, hangin out with a gang, but I had time to study… I discovered I liked chemistry and physics and during all these years I learned everything I could on how to build all those little objects so helpful for our… job. And everything about explosives.- she grins. - I've always liked fireworks.-
Billy looks at her.
- So, you are… what, 23 now?- she nods. - and have you ever being caught?-
Mackenzie blushes.
- Forgive me,- Billy says softly. - but I need to know.-
She nods slowly.
- Borstal, when I was fifteen. 18 months. Is it a problem?-
Billy scrolls his head.
- What else you can do?-
- I know karate and have a good shooting aim.-
- How good?-
- I never waste a bullet.-
Billy smiles.
- For us is enough. Now I guess you wanna know something about us…-
- Yes please.- Mackenzie turns to Charlotte. - What have you done in these years Char?-
Charlotte shrugs.
- My parents divorced when I was 16… dad now lives with a girl who was with me in elementary school, that pig. Mum has been hospitalized… I go and see her at the asylum sometimes… anyway, I got my specialization too…-
- Charlotte can flip over a camera without even moving the air around. She's our invisible girl.- Orlando says softly.
Mackenzie smiles.
- Cool! Not bad for a kid who used to be afraid of heights! What about the other dream of yours? Did you learn to play the piano?-
Charlotte nods solemnly and for a moment they stare at each other, lost inside a secret of childhood they silently share.
Mackenzie turns to Orlando.
- What about you Bloom? When we met you were just a dirty little thief who could hardly steal a wallet… you used to hide in the dark alleys for fear of being taken back to the orphanage.-
Orlando laughs, but his face gets pale.
- Well, I discovered that stealing cars was much more fun than stealing wallets… and when I turned 16 I realized I was getting too old for the orphanage, so I came back to the real world and attended a couple of courses… I also won a scholarship!-
- No! I cannot believe it!-
- Damn true! So I went to this hot college and there I met mister smartass Billy Boyd here… and we started to hang out together… your turn now mate.-
- I was born in Edinburg.- Billy begins. - My parents were ordinary people, but had the tendency to quarrel a little too much…-
- And this turned little Billy to a stony-heart who runs from serious relations…- Orlando laughs.
- Anyway… when I was eleven or twelve my mother ran away… she came back after some years, but in that period I was left almost alone… I started to… erm… hang out with the bad guys… but when my mother came back she forced me to turn into a good kid again… I went to college… I took a degree on Maths and Criminal Psychology…- he laughs. - and believe me, there's nothing better than Maths if you gotta plan a robbery!-
Mackenzie laughs.
- Now I start to get your roles… you are the mind, Billy, the creator. Being the elder you are the one who decides here, right? You make plans, calculate times and distances… Orlando is into cars and runaways and how to make things happen, Charlotte is the action girl… and what about you, Mena?- she ends, turning to the girl who is playing with her curls.
Mena smiles.
- Billy forgot to tell that when his mother ran away she was pregnant, with me… don't know why she did, anyway I spent the first six-seven years of my life travelling around Europe… that's why Billy has an accent and I don't. Anyway, one morning my mum woke up and decided we had to come back to Edinburg… Billy was nineteen at that time… but it was love at first sight wasn't it, bro? Well, I fell completely in love with him, he was my elder and flawless big brother… it was a natural thing to me, when he used to tell me about what he and his friends used to do, to judge em as heroes and not as dolts… when I was a teen, I used to dream of becoming the greatest thief of history. When I grew up I discovered that it was not really the most proper future to plan, so I went on studying… travelling all my childhood long helped me a lot, and I had this gift for languages… I can speak different languages and got this thing with accents… when I was fifteen I moved to London, coz I missed my big bro… he used to hang out with Orlando. They were proper thieves, and I would have joined them, but Billy wanted me to have an ordinary life. I studied a little of this and of that… I graduated at the Drama Academy and traveled around Europe a couple of years… When I came back, last year, I persuaded these boys here to accept me. Can you guess my role now?-
Mackenzie nods.
- Accents, languages, graduated as an actress… you are the Pretender, right? The one who is sent to investigate on the spot… the master of disguise. And what else you can do?-
- Not much. I know a little of martial arts and weapons, but just the essential to survive.-
- Not bad… really not bad at all!- Mackenzie wonders.
Mena smiles.
- So, did we charm you enough to persuade you to join us?-
The girl smiles, her eyes scanning the faces of the four of them. She quickly blinks to Charlotte, then nods.
- Want to know a secret? I cannot wait!-


the next is 4 my girl Laura!! :yay:

Chapter 6. Smoker.

Chicago.
A cold breeze is blowing from the lake, tossing the top of trees and scrolling down their colored leaves. It seems to Laura that the blow of wind among the branches sounds like a soft weep, like all those trees were begging the cruel wind to quietly pass them by, crying yellow, red and brown tears that fall twisting at her feet.
She walks faster, her left hand in her pocket and her right one to close up her collar, not to let the breeze bite her neck like an invisible vampire.
She sees herself reflected on a window, a nearly running young woman with long, dark brown hair moving in the wind, brown eyes and that beauty mark that makes her face so unforgettable… Laura abruptly stops in front of a heavy door, and her right hand runs to take a plastic card our of her wallet. She slides the card into a small machine next to the entering, and the door opens.
Laura walks quickly in, diving into the warm, artificial light, where the wild wind cannot reach her. Leaves twist behind her, falling against the bronze writing straight up the heavy door: "Chicago Police Department".
Walking along the corridor to her office, she hears a door slamming and a male voice yelling inside the room. She frowns: she cannot distinguish a word, but knows the owner of the voice.
She opens calmly the door.
A young man turns angrily to face her. His face is handsome, but rage is distorting his expression and in this very moment, he does not look that cute.
- Here you are then!- he nearly yells. - Where the Hell were you? Hello? People work in here!-
- Hi Dom.- Laura says cheerfully, plopping on her seat like she didn't hear. She throws her coat aside and takes out a packet of cigarettes from her purse.
- Aren't you going to smoke in here are you?- Dominic asks harshly.
Laura doesn't reply. She picks up a lighter from her desk and lights up a cigarette. Smoke starts to spiral high, turning blue and grey in the neon lights.
- Put that shit down!- Dom hisses. - You know I hate smoke.-
Finally Laura answers, lifting her brown eyes to face her partner.
- I cannot start up my working day without a cigarette,- she says calmly. - you know I usually smoke it outside as I come here, but today is too windy.-
Dom slams a fist on his desk.
- I don't give a damn! I cannot stand smokers, and seeing a woman smoking is just… disgusting.-
Laura's eyes shine coldly.
- Seeing a woman working is disgusting too, ain't it, agent Monaghan? And it's so humiliating to be forced to work with a female, in the same room, on the same car! Women should stay at home, right? Don't look at me like that, everybody here knows about your sexist ideas.-
Dom's face turns red.
- Yes!- he utters. - I've asked for another partner for ages… one who does not smoke, who I can talk to without being considered a sexist jerk, one of the right race…- he abruptly stops.
Laura bursts into laughter. She is not going to let her partner unnerve her. She wants to keep her chill blood for criminals, not to waste it with this kid.
- Oh, right, I forgot this detail! It doesn't matter if my father was one of the greatest agents of this district, or that we have been working together for nearly two years now! I'm nothing but a dirty Mexican, right?- she scrolls her head, lifting her left hand like wanting to count on her fingers. On her right one she's still handing her cigarette, tracing rings of smoke as her hands move.
- So, I am totally wrong for you! I'm a woman and I work, I'm a Mexican, and I smoke… poor little Dominic Monaghan, your life is really bad!-
Dominic jumps on his feet.
- Listen carefully, you…-
The door abruptly opens and their boss walks in.
- Agent Monaghan, Agent Sandoval.- he calls, throwing a pile of sheets on Laura's desk. She hurries to grab them before Dominic, who glares at her.
- Detective Johnson.- Dominic mumbles.
But the man is already walking out.
- Read it carefully,- he says turning away. - And pack up your things. You leave tomorrow.-
- Leave? To go where?- Dominic asks widening his eyes.
- To New York. Two guys from Fbi will be waiting for you.-

Oh, I'm in love with detectives, expecially this one!
The chapter was just as good as a good chapter should be!

Mexican Dom???

Mexican?!!!

I'm mexican :P

:wink:

And i'm cool as well as Laura!!

You've got to deal with that Dommie boy!!

LoL

I love this story MEna!!

Keep going!

:fairy:
Andie!

Laura and Dom, fighting as always. LOL!!! I love those two.

Chapter 7. Pale sunrise.

London.
It is late at night, when the five of them eventually walk out the pub.
- Where do you live?- Mackenzie ask.
Billy gestures towards Orlando and Mena.
- Orli and I share a small place over Camden, and for the last six months my little sister has been sleeping on our couch… Charlotte lives not very far.- and waving to her, the three of them walk away in the blue light.
Charlotte turns to her friend, biting her lower lip. For a moment she seems on the verge of saying something, then pauses. In her eyes shine that weird light.
- Mac…- she calls hesitantly. - I know it's late and all that, but I'm not tired. What about a walk around?-
Mackenzie looks at her childhood friend.
- I'd love to, little Charlotte. So we'll talk a little bit.-
***
- So… - Mackenzie says after some time.- Your friends told me about their roles and backgrounds, but anything about your past actions…-
Charlotte grins.
- I was the last one to join. Orlando called me up about two weeks after Mena came back from Europe. I still don't know how he managed to… but I guess he's got his sources. Anyway, we started with small things, like all those great houses in Kensington Park… then we started to move out of London, small museums and private galleries… then it was up to greater places. We never tried with the British Museum or that kind of things, because they are too close to where we live…-
- Never had problems?-
- At the beginning. Every one of us was used to work on his own, so it happened to mess things up. Once in New York Orlando risked to be caught…-
- New York?- Mackenzie repeats amazed.
Charlotte nods.
- We frequently cross the ocean. Here in Europe there are lots of interesting targets, but they are too well guarded. Americans are very naive in this kind of things.- she grins.
- Now tell me about them. Billy seemed to be the pure scientist… cold and punctual…-
Charlotte laughs.
- He is, but just when he has to plan something. When he gets mad he looses his temper, and believe me, he's scaring! He apparently has no weakness, but one maybe…-
- Let me guess: Mena.-
- Yes! He's so protective! The two of them are so bound… Mena sometimes gets angry with him, she says he should live his life and remember she is not a little kid anymore… she gets angry much more often than Billy, but she's not that scaring.-
- Do she and Orlando… well, you know…-
Charlotte scrolls her head.
- I think that Orlando wouldn't be that upset if she decided to… well, to give him a try… but she is not the kind that mixes up work and pleasure. Once we talked about it. She said "Orlando is cute but he's too superficial to be my kind, and by the way my brother would kill him…"-
Mackenzie laughs.
- What about you, Char? You don't have a big brother…-
Charlotte shrugs.
- He's not my kind either. None of them. Orlando is energy and enthusiasm, Billy is safety, but they both lack of something…- she lowers her eyes.
- Warmth?- Mackenzie whispers.
Charlotte gulps.
- Don't be embarrassed, dear. You may have grown up, but you are still the little girl who dreamt of princes and dragons when you were seven years old… I see it in your eyes.-
Charlotte smiles bitterly.
- You see a light in my eyes, right? A light leading straight to my soul?-
Mackenzie turns to stare at her, shocked by her bitter tone.
- What's the problem?-
Charlotte scrolls her head.
- Nothing. Let’s go home, I’m tired.-

Chapter 8 . Not the proper guide.

New York.
Out of the taxi window the city gleams tiredly, yawning in the grey morning. Elijah's eyes wander on the people walking quickly on the sidewalk, scanning their faces, and eventually land on the only familiar face out there, the face of his partner, the older agent who should teach him his work…
Elijah clenches his fists. Now this great agent is walking up and down on the sidewalk, hissing inside his mobile. When it started ringing five minutes before, he made the taxi stop and he went off talking. Work? Family? Probably family. Elijah sighs. When he arrived to the Fbi central of Quantico, six months before, he had been told he had to follow his partner's instructions, but now, after six months spent working side by side, it seems to Elijah that this man is not the right one to be his guide.
Ok, he is one of the best. He has friends everywhere, he's deeply estimated by his colleagues, but…
"But he doesn't give a damn about what we do. Not, it's not this: he does his job great. But he does not believe in it."
Yes, this is the problem. Every time he looks into his eyes, Elijah sees a sort of cold, tired resignation. The look of a man who ceased to trust.
Suddenly the taxi door opens and the man plops in.
- A… agent Mortensen!- Elijah gulps.
The man blinks at him.
- Viggo.- he says kindly.
Elijah blushes.
- Yeah, right… Viggo. Shall we go now?-
Viggo frowns.
- Yes, sure.-
The taxi starts to move in the slow traffic, and Viggo peeks down at the pile of sheets on Elijah's lap.
- What's that?-
Elijah hands him the folder.
- Stuff on the guys that lead us here. You know, those who stole the portray of Kennedy in Washington and some other stuff in San Fran, Baltimora…- he reads out loud. - Seattle, Dallas and Phoenix.-
Viggo nods.
- Professionals. Yes I remember them. They came to New York once too. We almost caught them. Almost.- for a moment, in his eyes shines the look of the haunter. - I asked for some help, did you receive some kind of communication?-
Elijah nods.
- Apparently these guys did not unnerve just us. The Police Department of Chicago will send two agents here, well actually they should be here for lunch… but this is not enough.-
Viggo grins.
- You are right boy. We'll need much more help, and from different places.-
- What do you mean?-
- Do you remember what was their biggest shot?- Viggo asks.
Elijah picks up a sheet from his folder.
- Uhm… they stole a gold chalice from a private collection in Monterrey, eight months ago.-
Viggo nods.
- And we also received different calls… what did I teach you boy? Thieves always start with small deals. What do you have to do then?-
- You have to look in your archives for small robberies that have a style that is similar to which of those you already know. We did. And we found out two-three goals, all in the same city, about a year ago.-
Viggo smiles proudly.
- And which city was it?-
- London. But Viggo, what are you trying to tell me?-
The taxi stops. Elijah looks out the window and sees the high structure of a modern hotel, a place he has never been in.
Viggo recollects all the papers and puts them inside the folder.
- Those two agents from Chicago, they are supposed to arrive here in two hours. And I also called that private collection in Monterrey: the agent who investigated there will join us here tonite, and tomorrow somebody else will come too: I have a friend in Scotland Yard, I talked to him and he will send us an agent as well.-
Elijah's eyes spread open.
- Gosh! But Viggo… are you really sure we cannot make it on our own? I mean, we shouldn't paint the devil uglier than he is…-
Viggo opens the taxi door, then turns over to stare at his young partner.
- Elijah, these are masters, I've told you. We'll need all the possible help to catch them.-

They're masters ... and we'll caught them!!

Muhhhaaahaaaaaa

*evil laugh*


Luv
:fairy:
ANdie!

Dude. You never will catch us. As you said, we're MASTERS!!! We're the best!

I'm here! ^_^ Oh, and Mena: I sent your card today. :yay:

thanku!!!!! :love:

argh, don't argue girls!!! :lol: ok ur standing for opposites sides, but don't get too much involved!!! :laugh:

this chap is for my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa Andie!! :yes:

Chapter 9. The fairy-carved gun.

Monterrey, Mexico.
- …and I also cannot understand why they cannot send someone else… Dios, New York! It's such a dangerous city, and it's so cold in this part of the year… milk, querida?-
Andrea rolls her eyes but cannot help but smiling. She nods handing her cup of coffee, staring at the old woman in front of her.
- Granny, I've told you. It's my job, and anyway I can perfectly make it on my own…-
The old woman cuts her off with a gesture, sitting in front of her granddaughter. Her strong features are incredibly similar to Andrea's face, same dark, proud eyes and smooth skin. Andrea starts to play with her dark hair and repeats softly.
- Try to understand me, granny: I'm nearly 24, I'm the youngest agent working for the National Treasure Institute… I've tried so hard to get so far and if I manage to catch these thieves I'll become an Inspector before turning 25…- she pauses to breath and ends up quickly. - It's a great opportunity for me, also because I'll set up my first contacts with the Fbi and Scotland Yard… see granny… Scotland Yard!-
Her grandmother scrolls her head, clutching her hands on her cup.
- But do you really need to go to New York?- her eyes scan her granddaughter's face. - Why is this case so important to you, querida?-
Andrea lowers her eyes.
- Andie… you are too young to hold the weight of past on your shoulders.- the old woman whispers kindly.
Andrea abruptly lifts her eyes.
- Call things with their names, I'm not afraid of hearing them.- she says coldly.
The old woman drinks a sip of coffee and then stares at her with sad resignation.
- Bueno. Do you really think that catching these criminals will help you to forget about Ana's death?-
Andrea gulps, but she does not lower her eyes.
- Want to hear the truth?- she says. - No, I think all the criminals of the world won't be enough to make me get rid of that. But, I did not become an agent because of Ana. When she was killed I was too young… I suffered, she was my elder and beautiful sister, but I know her killers have been caught and there's nothing more I can do.-
- Andie, it was an accident.-
Andrea slams a fist on the table.
- Those two men were running away from a robbery! That's why they didn't pay attention to their way! She was just crossing the street and that car…- her voice breaks. - Sometimes I see it in my dreams. I'm five years old again and I'm standing there, paralyzed on the sidewalk, and I see my sister's body hit by that car, over and over again…-
Her hands begin to shake, and she closes them on her cup.
- My sister is dead, and I know there's nothing I can do about it. But I can make something to prevent this kind of things from happening again.-
- But why this case? Why New York?-
- Because… I can sense…- she bites her lower lip. - I was the first to investigate when they came here to Monterrey. It was my work that helped to find out they were the same people who went to all those cities in the US. I feel like… they belong to me. I'm their haunter and for me it's unbearable that someone else runs after them while I stay here with nothing to do.-
Her grandmother sighs.
- It seems I can do nothing to persuade you not to go, and I won't. I know that look in your eyes. I used to see it in mines, so much time ago.-
Andrea smiles getting up from her chair.
- Now excuse me granny, I have a couple of things left to do.-
She walks into her bedroom, turning on the lights. There's a bag on the middle of her bed, opened and half filled with clothes. Andrea throws a jumper and a jacket inside, then grabs up her mobile and composes a number. Sitting on the edge of her bed she lets it ring and eventually an unknown voice answers.
- Elijah Wood here.-
- Agent Wood? Andrea Basan, I just called to inform you I'll leave from Monterrey this evening, I should arrive to New York at about ten tonight.-
- Perfect, agent Basan. We'll send someone to pick you up at the airport.- he pauses. - Sorry, it's not very professional to say it, but I cannot wait to start this collaboration…-
Andrea smiles.
- Actually, I cannot wait too… I've been told your partner is one of your best agents. What about those two agents from Chicago, did you see them?-
- Not yet.- Elijah says. - I just heard something about them. They have a very good work reputation… even if I was told she is stubborn like Hell and he's a racist wasp kid, and they argue like cat and dog.-
Andrea bites her lower lip. This could be a problem, but maybe it's just a voice.
- We'll have to give them a common enemy then.- she says softly.
She hears him breathing of relief. Is he smiling?
- Maybe you are right. We'll wait for you then, Agent Basan.-
- Ok, Agent Wood. If I get to know something else before leaving, you'll hear from me again.-
- Thank you.-
- Any time.-
Andrea puts her mobile inside her purse and closes her bag. She just has to say goodbye to her granny, and then she'll leave for the airport. Just one more thing…
She takes something from under her pillow and stares at it: a small, silver gun, with the small image of a fairy engraved on its handle. Tracing its borders with a fingertip, Andrea's eyes narrow.
- Ana, darling, I'll catch them. I promise you.- she whispers softly, holding her gun.

Chapter 10. New people, same goal.

The Arlington Hotel on the 147th Avenue is one of those huge buildings with dark mirrors on the walls, where people dress casually and rarely talk out loud.
Elijah looks nervously around, sitting on a chair in the dim, crowded bar at the 25th floor.
Viggo smiles.
- Relax, boy. I know this kind of place can make you feel weird, but anyway we’re here for work.-
Elijah breathes deeply, playing with his collar. He shoots his collegue a look and sighs: Viggo seems so relaxed and self confident, while he feels so out of place! And now he’s going to meet those two agents from Chicago...
***
Dominic and Laura walk into the hall of the Arlington hotel. He urges for the elevator, quickly sneaking in as the doors are near to close, and pulls Laura’s arm to let her in.
- Ouch! Keep your hands where I can see them!- she utters.
- If you would have hurried up a little more, we would not be late and I should not drag you on!- Dom hisses back rolling his eyes.
- Are you gonna lecture me all nite long? Try to be a little more tolerant, Jesus! What do you think these FBI guys will think if you cannot stop complaining for five damn minutes?- Laura says with her hands on her hips.
Dom opens his mouth to reply, but in that very moment the elevator doors open up on the 25th floor.
Breathing of relief, Laura walks out, her brown eyes scanning the crowded room.
Dom walks by her side and she turns to smile at him.
- Here they are.- she says, pointing at two men sitting at a corner table.
Dom stares at them. One looks in his forties, with longish brown hair and a calm and controlled look. The other is a nervous young man in his twenties. He mentally smiles to himself. Two white men. Thanks God.
He turns to his collegue.
- Why are you so sure it’s them?- he asks, but Laura is already walking up to the table. She stops before the two of them, an amazing smile illuminting her face.
- Viggo Mortensen and Elijah Wood?- she calls.
The two of them look confused for an instant, then the older one nods.
- Agent Laura Sandoval, from Chicago.- she says and the two of them smile. – And this is my partner, agent Dominic Monaghan.-
The younger agent shakes her hand.
- Nice to meet you. Sit down.-
Dom smiles at the two men.
- So, everybody is here...- he starts cheerfully, and Laura feels the great urge to scratch his face: “I know why he’s so happy! They are men... dammit! But at least they seem nice people, and this agent Wood has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen!”But in that very moment Viggo cuts Dom off, kindly.
- Actually, there’s still someone missing. A Scotland Yard agent is supposed to arrive tomorrow morning... and another one will be here in two hours.-
- Another Scotland Yard agent?- Dom asks caresslessly.
- No.- Elijah says. – An inspector from the National Treasure Institute of Mexico.-
Dom gulps.
- Me...Mexico?- he chokes.
Elijah nods.
- Yes. She should be here at ten tonight.-
Laura’s eyes sparkle with malignant satisfaction. A Mexican girl!
She cannot help but glaring at Dom, who is biting his lips. He’s not smiling anymore.

Uh! Dangerous moment!

:love:

That is great! Really, I'm happy rereading this story - familiar chapters sound a littlwe bit different, but the same great! :love:

*does a new page dance* :angel2:

I luv your fic so far Mena! I didn't get a chance to read it on EWFN, so I'm really glad you decided to post it here too.

Post More Soon??!!!

:(

:unsure:

:blink:

Hehe (emoticons).

sure girls, there you go!!! :love:

Chapter 11. You only see what you want to see.

London.
Jayna quickens her step, urging for the one vacant teller in front of her.
- Excuse me,- she pants. – that flight for New York, when does it take off?-
The woman smiles at her.
- In forty minutes, ma’am. Did you already book your seat?-
She nods.
- Yes. Marlin, Jayna Marlin.-
She is given a plane ticket.
- Seat 3b, non-smokers area. Have a nice trip ma’am.-
Jayna smiles and goes to plop on a chair close to the gate. She sighs. She hates to make things in a hurry, but this time she had no other choice. Her mind goes back to that very morning, when she had entered her boss’ office.
- Agent Marlin.- he had called her. – did you receive the file I sent you about that band of thieves who realised several robberies here and across the ocean?-
She had nodded.
- Well,- her boss had said without looking at her. – We need someone to start a collaboration with the Americans to catch these blokes. You have very good references, but not much of an experience on the spot. This would be the perfect case to start with. If you want to, the case is yours. But I have to warn you, it’s a hard one. If you’ll accept, you’ll have to go to New York to meet two Fbi agents and other people working on this case. What do you...-
- Boss!- she had cut him off. – I’ve been waiting for an occasion like this for years, and you know it. So yes, I accept the case.-
His eyes had glimpsed.
- Fine, fine. So, are you willing to leave?-
Jayna had shrugged.
- Of course.-
- Well done. I think you’d better hurry up then. Your flight takes off in two hours.-
Jayna’s eyelids flick. After all, she had managed to get there on time.
New York, I’m coming! She thinks to herself.
***
- Orlando, mate, can’t this bin go faster?- Billy utters, glaring at Orlando from the passenger side.
Orlando breathes deeply, making the car speed up.
- Erm, not to complain...- Mena calls from the backseat. – But I’d prefer not to die as a virgin, thanks! So it would be a problem for you not to go so bloody fast?-
Orlando grins.
- If you are a virgin, I am the Queen of England. And anyway baby, blame it on your big brother: if he would have bothered telling us we had to catch a plane today, we would have left earlier!-
- What’s that Queen of England thing?- Billy hisses.
Charlotte, sitting on the backseat between Mena and Mackenzie, starts to giggle.
- Whatever Billy... and anyway, why didn’t you tell us we were leaving today? Mac and I went to sleep at five this morning... and three hours later you call us up and make us pack up our things... where are we going? And most of all, why?-
Billy starts to count on his fingers.
- First: I didn’t tell you before cause I didn’t know it. Well actually I knew it, but had to be sure. Second, we are going to New York. And third, Charlie dear, what the Hell do you think five thieves could do in New York?-
- Whoa!- Mackenzie says. – Our first job together!-
Billy grins.
- Sorry to upset you Mac, but it’s not gonnabe that big deal. It’s more that, there is a really good target there in New York, but to reach it we’ll need some instruments we don’t have yet. And to buy them, we’ll need the money we’ll gain with this next, smaller deal. Do you understand?-
Mackenzie nods.
- So there’s this smaller target, and than a bigger one...-
- What are we gonna...erm...borrow this time Billy?- Charlotte asks.
Billy grins.
- Well...-
***
“Attention please, passengers of the flight number 665423 with destination New York City, please go to the gate number 14c. Take off in ten minutes.”
- Hurry up, dammit!- Orlando utters running to the gate. – Do you all have your tickets?-
They all nod.
- Hey!- Mackenzie utters. – Smokers area? Who the Hell booked these seats? I’m not going to spend all those hours in a hole filled with disgusting smoke!-
Orlando sticks out his tongue, keeping on walking.
- Sorry Mac, you’re minority. Charlotte and you don’t smoke, but Billy, Mena and me do. So you’ll have to be patient.-
- It’s not fair!- Mackenzie mumbles. – Mena, was it so necessary? Hey, where are you going?-
she ends, seeing Mena running in another direction.
- Restroom!- she yells. – We’ll meet on board.-
The four of them wave to her, almost running through the gate and disappearing outside.
***
Jayna walks up the plane stairs, handing her ticket to the hostess.
- Smokers or non-smokers area?- the hostess asks politely.
- Non-smok...- Jayna begins, when suddenly someone bumps into her.
- Dammit! Oh, sorry!- a voice behind her apologizes.
Jayna overturns and sees a young woman with copper curls panting, her hand showing a plane ticket.
- I was afraid to miss it.- she explains smiling.
Jayna nods.
- It’s ok.- she replies waliking to her seat.
Mena smiles to the hostess.
- Smokers area please.- she says.

Chapter 12. A question of priorities.

New York.
Andrea’s eyes scan the crowded room. Her muscles hurt after hours spent on the plane... the only thing she longs for is a hot shower and a bed, instead she’s here, in a luscious New York hotel, looking for people she never met before.
Suddenly, she realises someone is staring at her: an young man sitting at a corner table. In the distance his eyes seem blue or grey, she cannot see well. Beside him, another young man, a girl with dark hair and another, older man...
The boy gestures towards her and Andie feels her own feet moving on.
The boy gets up and she notices that, yes, he’s got blue eyes...
- Agent Basan?- he calls coyly and she smiles recognizing his voice.
- Nice to meet you, Agent Wood.-
The others smile and she sits down.
***
Dominic plays nervously with his tie. If only Laura would cease glaring at him that way! He wishes he could punch her... everytime he looks into her direction, her eyes say “you see Dom? Not one, but two Mexican girls!” He swallows down bitterly. This new agent, this Andrea... come on! She’s too young, and too cute... he can bet it was her pretty face that made her get this case... perfect, another stupid doll... thanks God these guys here seem to know their job...
Viggo turns to him.
- And what do you think, Dom? May I call you Dom?-
He nods.
- I think we should look for offers of sale: I mean, all the stuff these guys took... they must have sold it somewhere.-
Andrea scrolls her head.
- This will bring us nowhere.- she says calmly.
Dom gulps.
- Why?- he hisses.
Andrea looks deep into his eyes.
- The chalice in Monterrey, a portray in San Fran, that emerald in Phoenix... probably they had a buyer who asked for a detailed target before planning the robbery. They already knew what to do with it. There are hundreds of private collections just in New York, and more than one turned to criminals, at least once. We cannot control them all.-
Viggo smiles to her.
- So, what do you think we should do then?- he asks kindly.
Andrea looks at them.
- Well, you said there’s another agent coming up didn’t you? From Scotland Yard... well, he’s supposed to know a little more than us about these guys so, it’s perfectly useless that we stay here and mumble all night long, when tomorrow morning we could decide better what to do. So, want to know my opinion? Have a drink, a shower and go to sleep. We are all tired and we cannot think with lucidity.-
Elijah and Laura smile, Viggo nods.
- A good agent can measure her strength. You are right Andrea... so, Dom, boy, call that waitress over there. I think we all need a drink.-
Laura gets up.
- Excuse me, I’ll be back in a second.-
Andrea gets up as well.
- Me too.-
They walk out the room and Elijah sighs.
- I’ll never understand why women go to the restroom in pairs.-
***
Laura smiles to her reflection, passing the gloss stick on her lips. She blinks at Andie.
- You scared my partner, chica.- she says.
Andie smiles.
- For what I’ve said or just because I can speak?-
Laura shrugs.
- Probably both of them. You know... you got three unbearable flaws to his eyes.-
- What?-
- You are a woman, you have a job and you are a Mexican.- she turns and stare at Andie. – Do you smoke?-
Andrea scrolls her head, and Laura laughs.
- Well, I’m still number one then. Anyway, don’t worry. He’s not that stubborn after all.-
Andrea grins.
- Do you know what Elijah told me? That the two of you argue like cat and dog.-
Laura bursts into laughter.
- True! Well, in this case, I’m definitely the cat: I’m far more elegant and silent, and I only scratch when I’m in need.-
- I cannot figure out Dom as a dog.- Andie frowns.
- I do instead. Stubborn, noisy, and when he sees someone he doesn’t like, he barks.-
***
Viggo plays with his glass, sensing the sharp taste of whisky inside his mouth. He stares at his four collegues: Laura and Andrea are talking, and so are doing Dom and Elijah.
And I, what am I doing here? These kids are so happy and enthusiastic... and I should be their guide? What for? I’m so tired...
Viggo sighs. The last thing he wants is to babysit four younger agents who play hide and seek with a gang of criminals all around the world.
But it’s my job, he thinks bitterly, it’s all I have.

*jumps up and down* Guess what??? White Lies is my fav. story ever!!! Yes, I could read it over and over. Billy being overprotective...love it! Dom freaking out.....love it! Viggo just being Viggo.....love it!!!!!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Keep posting, dear. I :love: it.

Yayyayyay!!!

*does new post dance...err...something ^_^ *

I absolutely luv your fic Mena!

*goes back to read chappies again*

:drool: Luv Orli, Lij, Viggo, Billy... aw heck... LUV EM ALL!!!!!

:wub: :wub: :wub:

ok girls, here's some more... hope someone will have the chance to read this...

Chapter 13. Six minds for a play.

When the plane lands in New York, it's eight in the morning.
Jayna yawns massaging her head. Miles and timelines are not properly the best, unless you actually love headaches and marks under your eyes.
Dragging slowly her bag she walks to the taxis lined near the sidewalk. She sighs, seeing a long queue of people waiting for their turn to get on and leave the airport.
She looks around her, yawning again.
- But you see, it's not that I get mad,- a voice behind her says in an irritated tone. - but it's quite annoying to be considered a four year old all your life long.-
Jayna turns over and sees a familiar face: the girl with copper curls who bumped into her the previous day on the plane, it's her who is speaking. She's leaning against the wall, carelessly holding a cigarette. She frowns to the girl she is speaking to. The girl, with long brown hair, scrolls her head.
- He just wants to protect you…- she replies tiredly.
- But Char!- the girl rolls her eyes. - I didn't ask for it!-
Jayna tries not to smile, after all, it's not her business. An old couple gets on a taxi and leave. Jayna shoots the two girls a look and clears her throat.
- Excuse me… it's your turn!- she calls, and the copper haired girl smiles to her.
- Nevermind, go first. We're waiting for our snail friends to come.-
Jayna laughs, getting on the taxi. She leans in to the driver.
- Arlington hotel, 147th street.- she says.
***
Later that evening.
Viggo leans in to rinse his face. Closing the faucet he walks into the hotel bedroom and picks up a pair of dark pants and a jacket. As he's looking for his shoes, someone knocks hesitantly at the door.
- Come in, Elijah.- he says.
Elijah comes in.
- How did you guess it was me?- he asks cheerfully, then blushes. It's still weird to him, to treat this forty year old like a friend of his. - Anyway… are you ready? Dom and the girls are already waiting downstairs.-
They walk to the elevator. Inside, Elijah cleans his throat.
- That new Agent, that Jayna…- he starts coyly. - What do you think about her? I mean, on the working side…-
- She seems enough motivated.- Viggo says slowly and Elijah frowns.
- Motivated?- he repeats.
Viggo blinks at him.
- There's not much left to guess in a few hours… the better I'll know her the more I'll tell you. Anyway, you shouldn't rely only on my opinion, Elijah. You are an agent yourself.-
The elevator doors open on the hotel restaurant, and the two of them walk in. Elijah smiles, spotting his colleagues. The three girls are talking and laughing, and Dominic is sitting by himself, glaring at them. He looks in a really bad mood but when he sees Elijah and Viggo approaching, a smile illuminates his face.
- They came and save you from the Amazons, boy!- Laura cannot help but whispering at him.
***
Andrea looks out the window, where the city lights gleam in the darkness. She smiles to herself. She would have never confessed it, but this trip to New York was really scaring to her. Thanks God, her colleagues are really nice: Laura is strong, Viggo has the wisdom of experience, Elijah has enthusiasm, the same enthusiasm she sees in Jayna's eyes, where it melts with a sort of calm peace of mind… since that morning when they met, Jayna has shown out this peace maker attitude… and now she is smartly sitting between Laura and Dom and is acting like a sort of moderator, to prevent the two of them from stabbing each other with their forks during the dinner. Andrea frowns, as her eyes eventually land on Dominic. No doubt he is a great agent… cold, sharp and stubborn enough to never let his prey run away. But the sleepy rage she sees in his eyes makes her shiver, every time they stare. Laura told her he has grown up in a very conservative family. His father was in the army… "I bet little Dom did not receive a lot of affection from him… but is this enough to explain his behavior?"
She is so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't realize she's still looking at him. Suddenly Dom turns to face her, catching her in staring at him.
- Any problem?- he hisses. Andrea blushes, quickly turning her head.
Elijah looks quickly at the two of them and smartly turns to Andrea.
- So, Andie… about that gold chalice…-
Viggo's eyes follow Elijah's, then he leans in to whisper in Dom's ear.
- I'm not going to make you change your mind about how the world goes. It's not my business. But…- his whispering grows cold. - we are all mates here. And if two mates cannot work together, this affects everybody's work. And then, this becomes my business. Do you understand me?-
Dom gulps, lowering his eyes.
- Yes… I understand.- he whispers as well.
Elijah tells something to the girls and they all burst into laughter. Andrea cannot help but shooting Dom a coy look. He breathes deeply and smiles at her. Andrea frowns, but then smiles back at him, a smashing smile fireworking on her face.
Dom's eyelids flick.
"Gosh!" he thinks to himself. "She's cute, this girl… for a Mexican, obviously…"

Chapter 14. The Pretender's show.

There is a gallery, down at the end of the 147th street in New York. Not a very known and huge place, but if you deal well with famous paintings, it's a good place to visit.
Elijah walks down the street, back to the Arlington hotel. Passing by the illuminated gallery, he peers inside and notices two men in black suit arguing with each other.
He walks in.
- But John, the auction will take place on Thursday morning! It's already Tuesday… we cannot afford to buy that painting! We should leave that American have it…- he ends up, his thick British accent showing all his disappointment.
The other man rolls his eyes, uttering in a Scottish- resembling tone.
- I'll die before seeing a painting like that in the hands of an American! And actually, I don't trust that woman…- he freezes seeing Elijah walking in. - Good morning Sir, may I help you?-
Elijah thinks quickly, eventually deciding not to reveal himself as an agent… after all Andrea was right, private collection don't like cops that much.
- That… erm… auction you were talking about… could you please tell me something more about it?-
The Scot's eyes shine.
- Sure, Sir! It's an auction starring basically European paintings of the early 1900…-
In that very moment, he turns his head to the main door and smiles again, seeing a couple walking in. They look both in their forties, not properly the upper class, but the Scotsman urges for shaking their hands, completely forgetting about Elijah.
- Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Mendez! Welcome, welcome… I was just discussing with my colleague, Mr. Snelling here, about your offer…-
- So, Mr. Dodds,- the man called Mr. Mendez says in a thick Spanish accent. - did you decide to buy our painting or not?-
- Erm… we… - Dodds says, stumbling in his Scots words.
Elijah turns over, walking to the door. There's nothing for him there, just an ordinary auction.
Behind him, Mr. Mendez asks sharply:
- That American woman, is she still willing to buy it? Because if you don't…-
- Yes Mr. Mendez, I am.- a woman's voice says clearly.
Elijah lifts his eyes and he misses a breath. Before him on the doorway he sees a beautiful young woman, with a curvy figure wrapped up in a tight grey dress, and a magnificent pair of grey-blue eyes, where a glimpse of green shines as well. She's got short, platinum blonde hair and the typical upper class attitude.
She walks in.
- If those gentlemen here don't trust you enough to but that painting of yours, I'll do it.- she repeats, and this time Elijah can distinguish a slight L.A. accent.
Mr. Mendez smiles nervously.
- Forgive me Miss…?-
- Whiterspoon, Hannah Whiterspoon.-
- Ms Whiterspoon, as I told you yesterday, this painting remained in the house of my family for such a long time… an old uncle of mines sent it to us almost a hundred years ago from Spain. I don't actually know if it has a value or not. But actually, I'd prefer a gallery to have it… it has remained in the shadows so long, now it deserves to be shown out.-
The other gallery owner, who stayed silent so far, steps closer.
- Forgive me, Mr. Mendez… you said this painting could not have a true value, right? But, what do you exactly mean?-
The man scrolls his shoulders.
- We live in Santa Fe, in this old house that belongs to my family for ages… it was a coincidence… we found out this old painting in the attic, still wrapped up in its paper… and there was this letter of my grandfather's uncle… it said that was a painting he had bought from a young artist in the heart of Spain. This young artist claimed a friend of his had died, but before dying he had painted this picture… he didn't want to sell it away, but he was in need of money. So my old uncle bought it and sent it to us… I wasn't born at that time, and so… well, as I've said before, it was a coincidence.-
The gallery owner frowns.
- Did you make some experts see it?- he asks. Mr. Mendez nods.
- They said it's not the work of any famous painter… but…- he turns to the blonde woman again. - I don't mean to be rude, Ms Whiterspoon… but… I heard there's an auction here in two days. Would it be a problem to sell it out there? So you Sirs could decide to buy it for your gallery… if you don't, Ms Whiterspoon could make her offer…-
The blonde woman frowns.
- Why should we make things so complicated? What's the problem, money? I'll give you ten thousand dollars then…-
The British gallery owner gulps.
- Ten thou…! But, Miss, did you see the painting? Wh… why do you care so much about it?-
They all stare at her. The girl's eyes meet Elijah's and she smiles seductively.
- I just like it… is that bad to love arts?-
The British man glares at her.
- John, is the painting here? Sorry, Mr. Menderz, Ms Witherspoon… but I'd like to see it now.-
They all walk in the other room. Elijah walks past them, without being noticed.
The picture is there, on a table, and beside it there's the old letter and another small sheet of worn out paper. Wearing his glasses, Mr. Snelling turns to Mr. Mendez.
- Your uncle's letter?- he asks and the man nods, pointing at the small sheet.
- That paper was with the picture. The man who sold it to my uncle wrote it to him to thank him.- he grabs the sheet, showing it. It simply says in a confused handwriting: "thank you so much for your mercy, Señor. I wish you all the best, P.P." - You see, nothing great.-
The British man takes a deep breath.
- Ms Whiterspoon, this painting has no value. Are you sure it is worth a ten thousand dollars?-
The young woman grins.
- Believe me sir, I'd do anything to have that painting.- she says matter-of-factly.
They stare for a few seconds, than the gallery owner smiles coldly.
- Mr. Mendez, we'll host your painting in our auction. Ms Whiterspoon, we'll meet there. If you really want this picture, you'll have a chance to make your offer.-
The young woman clenches her fists, but then smiles.
- All right then. Sirs, I'll see you at the auction.- she turns over and leaves.
When the noise of her heels is not hearable anymore, the two gallery owners and Mr. Mendez share a look.
- Personally,- the Scotsman says softly. - I don't trust that woman.-
- Nor do I.- his colleague says. - we should keep our eyes open.-
- Excuse me…- Elijah steps in. - But I couldn't help but listening. Maybe I can help you. I'm an F.B.I. Agent…-
***
Mena walks out the elevator and knocks at a door of the cheap hotel they are staying in.
- It's open, come in!- Billy's voice says cheerfully.
She steps in, closing the door behind her.
- So, how was it?- Billy asks with a sly grin on his face.
Mena blinks at him. Looking at the mirror, she carefully takes off the platinum-blonde wig, and scrolls her head to release her copper curls.
- It was perfect, absolutely and definitely perfect.- she replies sweetly.

And these chapters were perfect, absolutely and defenetly perfect!

LOL! Spasibo (sp?) Iri!!! :hug:



Chapter 15. The trap.

Later that night, the Snelling&Dodds Art Gallery on the 147th street, New York city, closes up.
But behind the shut up door, down a small corridor, there's a small room illuminated by the neon lights. Four men are sitting around a table. It's the two gallery owners, and two Fbi agents.
- If what my colleague told me is right, a possibility exist that someone tries to steal that painting.- Viggo says.
The Scotsman pulls up his glasses.
- So, what are we going to do, agent Mortensen? Should we delay the auction?-
Viggo and Elijah share a look, then the younger man smiles.
- Don't worry, Mr. Dodds.- he says. - The auction will take place. We'll think about it.-
***
Wednesday, noon.
- So, is everything clear to you guys?- Billy asks.
They are walking through Central Park, their feet brushing the warm soil covered with golden leaves.
Orlando rolls his eyes.
- Yes, mate! You have been drilling us all the bloody morning, I couldn’t remember it better even if I’d tattoo it on my right arm!-
They stop walking and sit on two opposite benches, under a giant oak.
Billy sticks out his tongue.
- My job is to set up things, mate. So let me be the paranoid one, and repeat it all another time, do you mind?-
Orlando plops on the bench between Mackenzie and Charlotte and smirks.
- Tonight, I walk to the closest station and steal a car. I drive back to the Gallery...-
- While Charlotte and me go straight to the gallery.- Mackenzie goes on. – I’ll use one of my nitro baby bottles to open up the strong room...-
- While she opens it up, I’ll shut down the alarm.- Charlotte ends up. – I’ll enter the strong room and take what we want, and then we’ll run off and get on Orlando’s car.-
Billy smiles.
- Perfect! And remember, you won’t have much time. Five, ten minutes... Mena and I will be waiting for you in the other hotel I’ve told you about. Anything else?-
- Lunch?- Orlando asks hesitantly and they all laugh.
***
Later, that evening.
- And this is the strong room.- the British gallery owner says proudly, looking at the two agents behind him. – The central alarm is here, here and here...-
Dominic and Elijah share a look, then eventually Elijah asks:
- Do you only have a central alarm?-
The Englishman’s eyes shine.
- Of course not! Under every painting there’s a special alarm that works with the pressure. If you lift the painting without shutting it down, it rings.-
Dom smiles.
- Very interesting...-
***
Elijah and Dom walk out the Art Gallery to the Arlington hotel.
- That second alarm...- Dom says happily. – It’s not a very common thing is it?-
Elijah scrolls his shoulders.
- Common or not, the only thing that matters is that they don’t know about it.- he smiles. – Let’s have a coffee, mate. We have a long night before us.-
***
Night falls abruptly on New York city. A solitary figure walks silently down the 147th street, a shadow among shadows. A young man moving with quick, silent steps, his hand pulling up his collar. He turns the corner and walks on...
Laura opens the window of her hotel bedroom, breathing the air of night. She peers down on the empty street: there’s no one around, only a small silhouette walking quickly past the walls on the opposite sidewalk. Laura yawns. She turns over to take a cigarette and her lighter.
“I need it to stay awake.” She thinks to herself. When she turns over again, the person on the street has already disappeared.
***
Orlando turns the corner and walks into a parking lot. Approaching a silver jaguar, he grins.
“ Ok baby, up to you now...”
***
Mena and Billy get off th taxi on the 87th street. He walks into the hotel hall, dragging his luggage. Frowning, he turns over to face his younger sisster, who is still outside. Mena lifts her head and closes up her eyes, then opens them again. For an instant, it seems to Billy she is ashy pale. Then Mena scrolls her head and walks in. He puts a hand on her arms, asking worried:
- What’s the matter darling?-
She smiles weakly.
- I had the feeling that...- she pauses. – No, nothing.-
***
Mackenzie and Charlotte enter the Art gallery, slightly panting.
- That fucking door!- Mackenzie utters. – It took nearly two minutes to open it up! I’m getting old...-
Charlotte smirks, walking quickly to the alarm panel. She opens it up while Mac walks past her to the strong room. She takes out her pocket a small cylinder, smaller than a birthday candle.
Charlotte frowns.
- Will it be enough?- she asks while cutting the alarm wires.
Mackenzie doesn’t answer. She takes a block of soft wax out of her bag, and warms it up with a lighter. When the wax begins to soft up, she puts it on the armoured door. In the middle of the wax block she puts the small cylinder, almost covering it up with wax. Then she lights it up.
Charlotte closes her eyes, expecting to hear it booming, but she only hears a soft, suffocate thud. Opening her eyes again, she looks coyly at her friend.
- What happened? It didn’t work!-
Mackenzie grins.
- It worked, little Charlotte.- she says softly. She removes the squeezed wax with caution, smiling. – Blessed wax hides noise.-
Charlotte gulps: on the thick armoured door, under the wax block, there’s a huge hole.
***
Jayna sits down at a corner table, in the Arlington hotel bar. She cannot stop biting her nails for the tension. Andrea smiles to her.
- Chill down, chica. Elijah and Dom are down in the hall, Viggo and Laura are coming over. There’s no need to worry.-
Jayna nods weakly. “Why then, I got the feeling we won’t make it?” she thinks nervously.
***
Charlotte walks into the strong room. Her beautiful grey eyes scan the darkness, eventually landing on their precious target. She turns over to look at Mac, who nods to her, smiling.
Charlotte moves a step on...
***
Orlando drives fast down his way back to the Art Gallery. He peers down at the car clock. A couple on minutes left...
***
Viggo walks out the Arlington hotel. He’s too nervous to sit down and wait with his colleagues.
“It’s in moment like this that I regret giving up smoking.” He thinks. Lifting his eyes, he sees Elijah and Dom walking down the hotel hall to the exit. In the distance, Elijah’s eyes land on him. He opens his mouth to say something, anything, when, in that very instant, he hears an alarm ringing.
***
Mena leans in on the balcony of her room. Why, why that unpleasant feeling doesn’t cease to pulse down her spine? She lights up a cigarette, breathing deeply. “Calm down, girl!” she mentally scolds herself. “there’s nothing to worry about.”
***
Viggo’s feet rush down on the sidewalk. He runs to the Art gallery door, and sees it’s open. His hand urges for his gun and he moves a step in. Behind him, Elijah and Dom come too, panting.
- God! Look at that armoured door!- Dom utters.
They all share a look, walking silently down the small corridor. They stop before the barely opened door. Elijah nods. Kicking the door open, he bumps in.
- Stick ‘em up!- he yells.
***
Jayna sighs, massaging her head. A cold, heavy pressure is beating down on her, clutching her head on a iron vice. “If only I could calm down...”
***
“...maybe this fear will fade away...” Mena wonders trembling.
***
Viggo enters the strong room. His eyes land on the painting laying on the floor. Dom runs a hand through his hair.
- Dammit!- he utters. – There’s no one here.-


lol... this was one of my fav chappies... :yes: ok, more?

Chapter 16. Truth and pride never get along.

Andrea and Laura walk into the strong room of the Art Gallery. Dom and Jayna follow them.
The British gallery owner walks in, with a radiant smile plastered on his face.
- The armored door has to be fixed, but they didn't steal anything…- he says cheerfully. Dom smiles proudly, but Andie and Jayna share a look.
- Mr. Snelling, forgive me,- Andie asks kindly. - but would you mind leaving us alone in the strong room for five minutes? Even if they didn't steal anything, it's always a crime scene.-
The English man gulps, then walks away.
Dominic turns to glare at Andie.
- What's wrong with you? Did you need to be so rude? He was right after all, they did not take anything!-
Jayna steps on.
- This is the problem.- she says.
Dom frowns.
- What do you mean? Ah, I forgot! Here we've got a Scotland yard agent who's also half a damn shrink! So, I bet you can read those thieves' minds to get to know their plans…-
Laura punches him.
- Oh, shut up man! Jayna has a degree in Criminal Psychology, if you cannot stand a woman saying something smart then you can leave!-
Jayna smiles.
- I was just wondering: they came here for the painting, right? And when the alarm rang, they weren't expecting it. But why did they leave the painting on the ground? All they had to do was to take it and run away…- she turns towards Andie. - You thought about it too, didn't you?- Andie nods.
- Laura,- she says. - you are specialized in taking evidences on crime scenes, right? Do you mind taking a look around? Something tells me there's still something missing.-
Laura walks to knee before the painting.
- Sure, chica.-
Dominic moans.
- This is a waste of time! They tried to steal a painting, the alarm rang and they ran away! What else do you think we could fin…-
- I've found something.- Laura calls.
She gets up, showing something: a small piece of wax, not bigger than a peanut.
- It was on the bottom of the painting.- she says.
- What is it?- Jayna asks.
- Soft wax. Used for… for keeping small charges of explosive glued to surfaces.-
- Explosive?- Jayna repeats.
Andrea quickly walks out the room, calling:
- Mr. Dodds! Could you come here please?- the Scotsman runs in, and Andrea asks. - Mr. Dodds, I have something to ask you…-
***
Viggo and Elijah walk into the hall of the Art gallery. Dominic is there, walking nervously up and down.
- Hey!- Elijah says. - Your call seemed urgent. What there is of so important to make us run here again?-
Dominic looks embarrassed.
- Well… erm… they, I mean the females… I mean the girls… they think…- he pauses. - Come with me.- he ends up, then turns over and leads them to a small room.
Inside, Laura, Andrea, Jayna and the Scottish gallery owner are sitting around a table. A pile of sheets shuffle in the man's hands. Andrea smiles to her colleagues.
- Viggo, Elijah. Sit down please.-
- What's wrong?- Elijah asks. Laura smiles weakly.
- They mocked us.- she says. - It was not the painting they wanted.-
- Wh.. what?- Elijah asks. - But… that woman…-
- That's what they wanted us to believe.- Jayna says. - I couldn't understand why, if they came here for the painting, they didn't take it away. So, Laura went looking for something, anything weird…-
- I found some wax under the painting. - Laura says. - Someone placed a very small explosive under it. Not enough to ruin it, but enough to make it fall from its pedestal and make the alarm ring. And, before you ask me why they did so, I'll tell you that this kind of explosive can be set with a remote control.-
Viggo nods.
- So, they took what they wanted to take and ran away. When they were far enough, they set up the explosive, the painting fell down and the alarm rang, right?- Elijah and Dom stare amazed at him, Laura grins, nodding proudly.
Viggo turns to Andrea.
- So, I guess you are the one who found out what their true target was.-
Andrea smirks.
- I'll make a long story short: Mr. Dodds, here, told me that the man who sold them the painting brought something else with it: an old letter and a small, handwritten paper. When we went looking for them, we did find the letter, but not the paper. The man claimed that paper had been written by the man who sold his uncle that painting, which a close friend had given him: just two mere lines to thank him for buying that useless painting, for he was in need of money. Mr. Dodds here has shown me a photocopy of that small paper. Here it is.-
Viggo takes the sheet from her hands and reads out loud:
- "Thank you so much for your mercy, Señor. I wish you all the best, P.P."- He frowns. - P.P.?-
Andrea's eyes shine.
- Never heard of Pablo Picasso?- Andrea asks softly.
- Pablo Picasso? The greatest Spanish painter? Oh my God!- Elijah bursts out, choking on his words.
Andrea nods.
- Same country, same time. The painting had no value, because it was from a friend of his. But that small piece of paper did.-
- How… how much, Mr. Dodds?- Dominic asks trembling.
The Scotsman seems on the verge of crying.
- From three to five thousand dollars.- he whispers.
They all stare at each other sadly. Then, eventually, Viggo gets up.
- Well, it seems we have nothing left to do here. Mr. Dodds…- he shakes the sad man's hand and walks out the Gallery, followed by his five colleagues.
Outside, the sun is shining.
Viggo turns over and smiles.
- Girls, my compliments. You did a great job.- Then he gets serious. - We learnt a hard lesson today: never underestimate your opponent. To catch these guys, we'll have to work hard, harder than we ever had.-

The letter of Pablo Picasso is one of my favorite parts of this fic. That was so creative of you, Mena!

Very creative, Mena, as always!

I luv your story; I don't know how you do it, but you are a terrific writer!

B)

awww... THANKYOU everyone!! *hugz*

Chapter 17. Revelations.

Elijah leans with his elbows on his desk. Carefully holding the pencil in his hand, he presses it on the paper. A face is molding on the blank space.
Viggo enters the room.
- Dom is checking out the data you gave him. There's only one Hannah Witherspoon in L.A., but she is seventy-five years old. We'll look throughout the whole California then. You said she had a L.A. accent?-
Elijah nods tiredly, letting the drawing block falling on the desk. Viggo peeks in.
- That's her?- he stares at the face on the sheet: platinum blonde hair, shining blue-grey eyes, cunning smile. - Cute.-
Elijah glares at him, and Viggo smiles.
- C'mon boy, I'm a married man!- he says cheerfully and Elijah smiles.
Viggo walks to the door and opens it, when he bumps into Jayna who's on the doorway.
- Yup, sorry Viggo!- she says walking in. - Elijah, Dom has sent me to tell you the data don't match.- She walks closer, shooting the identikit an absent-minded look. She half turns, then freezes up.
- Who's this girl?- she asks. Elijah scrolls his shoulders.
- That Hannah Whiterspoon, the one whose data don't match.-
Jayna leans in, quickly grabbing a red pencil and drawing something on the identikit.
- Hey! What are you doing!- Elijah utters. Looking at the girl of the identikit, he sees Jayna has drawn a head of red curls around her face.
- I know this girl.- She says softly.
***

She is dreaming, she knows it. The same old dream of her haunted childhood years, the ghost running after her down the corridors of her mind.
In the dream, some details are identical to reality. She can see her father, he's strong and clean again. He's kneeing down to look into her eyes, she can feel his strong arms holding her gently.
- Mum has gone, little Mac. Now it's you and me.-
But at this point, things get blurred, and walls turn into smoke and those strong arms protecting her suddenly disappear…
Why
am
I
forgetting
it
all?
Words melt in her brain, people whisper but she cannot hear what they say… and here they come again, her precious walls…
Hide
me
from
me…
She's older now… twelve, thirteen… she is walking down a dark room when suddenly she hits a box in a corner and it falls down, pictures fall on her feet. She leans in and picks up one, and she sees her father, he's young and happy, and he's holding a young woman's hand. She stares at her, at her blue eyes, her blonde hair.
She looks like a princess, this woman in the picture. Mackenzie, instead, she knows she could never look like a princess…
I
am
not
like
you
but
we
are
so
close…
Whispers fill her ears again, she scrolls her head to make them go away, but they buzz like bees into her brain, and another voice creeps within, her voice, so sweet and desperate…
Darling… darling…
Her face lingers before her closed eyes, staring at her in a mutual recrimination…- No!- Mackenzie yells, abruptly waking up.
***

She gets up from her bed, massaging her head. She takes a look at the clock, it's only ten in the night. She can hear voices in the other room, Charlotte's room: probably everybody is here. Mackenzie frowns, staring at the marks under her eyes; the mirror reflects a pale, tired face. She bets they let her sleep to recover from the adventure of the previous night… a sly smirk peeks from her face. Then, suddenly, Orlando's voice comes clear from the other room:
- Hey! We're on tv!-
She quickly walks in the other room.
They are all sitting there, watching tv in a religious silence.
- …and, despite of the lack of evidences, the Police still believe to catch these thieves…- the reporter says.
- Yeah baby, believe it!- Billy laughs, as the reporter shows the entrance of the art gallery. Two cops are talking to the gallery owner, while, on the background, a young man is involved to quarrel with a girl.
Charlotte grins.
- I cannot hear what they say, but I bet she'll kick his ass!- she says. The girl, with a beauty mark on her face, turns abruptly towards the man, probably because of something he said.
- Anyway, investigators are sure it is an isolated case…- the reporter goes on. The girl on background lifts a hand, clenching her fist, but suddenly another young man with baby blue eyes steps in, quickly grabbing her hand. He solemnly scrolls his hand and the other two lower their eyes, like guilty children.
- Geez! Why did he stop her?- Orlando says as a cop approaches the three of them and they walk together inside the gallery.
- Wait a minute!- Mena shrieks out. - I know that man!-
They all turn and stare at her, shocked.
- He… he was in the Gallery that morning I went there.- she ends trembling.
Charlotte shoots her a worried look.
- They walked in with the cops… this means they are involved in the investigations…-
- Mena, are you sure it was the same man?- Billy asks hesitantly.
The girl jumps on her feet, running a trembling hand through her curls.
- I'm fucking sure! Oh God!-
- Calm down!- Orlando utters. - They have no clue to find out who you really are. We made a perfect job.-
- The perfect job doesn't exist, Orli.- Mac says calmly. - We made a really good job, but we must not underestimate them.- she turns towards Billy. - What shall we do now?-
Billy frowns.
- We could run away, but if they find out something, it's just a matter of time. We should try to find a way to cancel our traces.-
- But how?- Charlotte asks.
Mena sits down, breathing deeply. She seems to have retaken her full self-control.
- Erasing our past movements,- she says coldly. - travels, appearances, everything.-
For a moment, she looks lost in her thoughts.
After some minutes of silence, Billy speaks hesitantly.
- We'd need half a hundred persons to help us finding a bloody rug big enough and to sweep under everything!-
Mena scrolls her head.
- We need just one. An hacker. And I know where we can find her.-

Chapter 18. The roommate.

The following day Mena Boyd takes a plane from New York City. Destination: Milan, Italy.
As the plane takes off, she closes up her eyes, wondering if she's doing the right thing.
"How much time passed?" she asks herself. "Yesterday, when I called her up she sounded happy to hear from me again. But can I trust her?… in the end I don't know her…"
~Flashback.~
Milan is the second biggest Italian city, but it doesn't remind much of the great fields and solemn buildings of this sunny land: it's the city of fashion, of industries, a greedy giant of grey cement where times flows too fast.
The cops had taken her straight to the Police station, but they had not treated her that bad. And thanks God, she was travelling with a fake Italian ID, so that her record wouldn't have been bothered by that small accident.
" If Billy knew it! Caught in stealing a shitty wallet! But it was an emergency… and by the way, I don't have light fingers right for this kind of jobs…"
They had condemned her to spend a night in jail, more a punishment than a true condemn.
- Stay here and keep quiet, bella.- they had mocked her. - and tomorrow morning you'll go home. And, since you are such a sweet girl, we'll put you in the cell of a quiet one.-
She had smiled to herself. The last thing she was afraid of was to find out some kind of rude Amazon, as she could perfectly defend herself.
When she entered the cell, the girl in there tiredly lifted her head.
- A roommate!- she said in a bored tone. - What did you do, red head?- She had golden brown hair and hazel eyes, and a magnificent smile.
Mena scrolled her head.
- I needed a wallet… anyway don't worry, I'll leave tomorrow morning and you'll have your room for yourself again.-
The girl burst into laughter.
- What's your name, girl?- she asked.
- Valentina Vitale.- Mena said staring into the girl's eyes.- Yours?-
- Christina Estradez. It's my true name anyway… and I hope you'll tell me your true one before leaving, Valentina.-
Mena gulped, then smiled. Staring at the girl, she asked.
- You are Italian? You have a weird name…- she paused. - and anyway, what did you do to be here?-
Christina started to count on her fingers.
- I've been living in Sicily for the most of my life, but my parents are Aussies. I went to Milan cause it's bigger and it offered more possibilities for my job…- she noticed Mena's inquiry look and added. - Let's say that… uhm… I work with banks… not for them… it's… kinda complicated.-
Mena smiled, finally understanding.
- You are an hacker!- she said. Christina shrugged her shoulders.
- If you wanna put it that way…- she lifted her eyes on Mena. - you don't look that shocked… you know, girl, something tells me you are far more used to this kind of things than how you want people to believe.-
Mena raised an eyebrow.
- I have a friend whose brother and best friend feel rather comfortable with this subject.-
- And I bet you are really close friends, ain't you, girl? Like, you know her like you were in her mind?…like you were one?…-
Mena laughed.
- Yeah, something like that…-
Christina plopped on her folding bed.
- Tell me something more about her brother and friends…-
***
The next morning, the cop walked to their cell.
- Vitale Valentina, time to go! C'mon bella, lift your pretty ass and leave!-
Mena embraced Chrissy.
- How can I find you back?- she whispered in her ear.
Chrissy rolled her eyes, seeing her approaching the cell door.
- Deep from heart.- she said, lifting her hand like it was a mobile phone. Mena nodded: it was an old technique: to every alphabet letter corresponded a number on the mobile keyboard: Chrissy had just given her hers.
She turned over and started to walk down the dim corridor. Then, suddenly, an idea ran through her mind. She quickly ran back to the cell and pressed her face on the iron bars.
- Christina!- she called whispering. -One more thing! My name is Mena Boyd.-
~End flashback.~
- Ladies and gentlemen, please fast your belts. We'll land in Malpensa airport of Milan in five minutes.- The cracking loudspeaker voice wakes Mena up. She stirs, yawning. She looks impatiently out the window. She knows that, as soon as she'll get to Milan, she'll find Christina Estradez waiting for her.

Chapter 19. Focusing.

Viggo sits down, playing with his own hands. Hands of a man who has not much time for himself, who doesn’t sleep enough and when he does, it’s not the sweet sleep he’d need. He stares at his wedding ring; “Sometimes I wonder why do I still wear it...”
He scrolls his head to drive that thought out and looks at Jayna, who’s sitting nervously in front of him.
- So, Jayna.- he says kindly. – We’ll need your help to discover the identity of that woman. As we know she was on your same plane, we’ll take a list of passengers and scroll down their names one by one. We’ll look for their age and most of all, if they have a record.- he pauses.
- Now go and find Dom, and start the research.-
Jayna nods and gets up, without saying a word. Viggo frowns.
- Jayna?- she looks at him. – Why did they choose you for this mission?-
To his great surprise, she smiles weakly.
- Because I was told I got a sixth sense.- she says, and he frowns.
- Do you?- he asks, and she blushes. – What do you see through me, Jayna?- he asks hesitantly.
She bites her lower lip.
- I don’t think you’d like to know.- she whispers. Then, seeing his pleading glance, she adds. – I see illusions in the dust.-
Viggo gasps, shocked, and Jayna walks quickly out the room, not daring to look into his eyes.
***
Mena walks through the gate, looking around her to spot a familiar face. Suddenly, she sees Christina waving into her direction. She’s wearing an apricot and red shirt and blue jeans, with a thick chain attached.
Mena smiles, running to hug her.
- Chick! I’ve seen your red head flashing in the distance!- Christina utters and they laugh.
- You look great...- Mena says. – What have you done in this year?-
Chrissy smirks.
- I moved a lot... let’s say I’m becoming a celebrity around here. But, as we usually work in the shadows, being a celebrity is not much of help. Actually, I was thinking of moving on, and then you called me up!-
Mena gets serious.
- Talking about this...- she pauses.- Wait, let’s talk in front of a coffee: ten hours by plane could kill everyone.-
***
Dom switches his computer on, and sits down massaging his head. He is tired, but he’s glad Jayna recognized that girl in the identikit. “It was a damn good luck! Looking among eighty people instead of... well... instead of not looking at all!”
The door opens up and Laura walks in. Dom doesn’t speak: he doesn’t feel like arguing again.
Laura picks up the lighter she had left on her desk and turns away.
- Don’t worry, I’ll leave in a minute. – she says. Dom cannot help but smiling. He knows their colleagues call them “the cat and the dog”, and suddenly it sounds really funny.
- No problem.- he says kindly. Laura stares at him, shocked, then smiles.
- You know mate, when you don’t act like a fucking jerk, you are not that bad.- she says.
Dom blushes, opening his mouth to reply, but Laura adds:
- Try to remember it, if you’ll ask Andie out.-
Dom gulps and Laura bursts into laughter, quickly leaving the room.
***
The following day.
Andrea knocks at the door and walks in. Jayna and Dom are sitting there, staring tiredly at the flashing screen.
- Did you find anything?- Andie asks.
Dom yawns.
- We eliminated all those passengers who were not in their twenties or thirties, and now we are looking for those who have a record. We found just one, a girl from London. But we were not able to find a picture of her, so we don’t know if she’s the one we are looking for. And now this damn system refuses to go on!-
Jayna gets slowly up.
- Anyway, I don’t think I could go on another minute without a break. Excuse me...- she says and leaves.
Andrea sits next to Dom.
- Jayna is right, maybe you should take five. Let’s go and have a coffee.-
Dom shoots her a weird look and she mentally scolds herself.
“Why the Hell did I invite him? I know he cannot stand me!”
But to her great surprise Dom smiles warmly.
- Maybe you are right. Let’s go!-
Following him out the door, Andrea asks:
- What was the name of the girl you found? The one who has a record?-
- Mackenzie Greer.- Dom replies.
***
Christina switches off her computer and turns smiling to Mena.
- This will stop them for a while.- she says, pointing at the screen.
- What did you do?-
Chrissy shrugs.
- I went looking for their signal among all those making researches about that flight you told me of. There was a signal of a computer coming from the Fbi central of New York... I blocked it.-
Mena’s eyes wide.
- You blocked it? In five minutes?-
Chrissy gulps.
- Five minutes! Man, too slow! I usually do it in three!- then she gets serious. – Anyway chick, this is just a temporary adjustment. We slightly have the time to leave, and then I’ll need to find out something else.-
Mena nods.
- Our flight takes off in two hours. And, as we are on the plane I’ll tell you something more about my... no, our mates.-
Christina smirks.
- I really cannot wait ‘til I know ‘em!-


sorry I know its a long post but Im trying to catch up my writing... :blush:

Hey, Mena, long posts are good posts. Long posts are our friend. lol

Yayyayyay!!! Three chappies (one yay for each, of course ;-) )!

I don't know how you do it Mena: Your ideas are fantastic and your writing is incredible... Anyway, keep it up! (you always do)

B)

awww!! thankyou thankyou darlin!! Im tryin to speed up coz Ill leave in two days :cry2:...

Chapter 20. Backgrounds, part two.

- No, chica! I will never believe it in a thousand years!- Laura rolls her eyes. - You actually had a coffee with Dominic Monaghan? I mean, the same Dominic Monaghan who menaced me to make me swallow the head of my cigarette yesterday night?-
Andrea nods smiling.
- You were right, he's not that bad after all.- she pauses, placing a lock of dark hair behind her ear. Her brown eyes scan the barely empty cocktail room. Eventually she turns to Laura.
- Let's sit down and wait for Jayna.-
Laura smirks.
- And let's have a drink! I wanna celebrate the conversion of Dom into a human being!-
***
Jayna walks to the elevator. As the doors are closing up a man squeezes panting in. Lifting her eyes, she sees it's Elijah.
- Hey, blonde.- he calls cheerfully. - Where are you going?-
- Laura and Andrea are waiting for me in the cocktail room. Join us!- she ends and he smiles. Something breathes inside Jayna and she cringes: she knows that sensation, it's her inner eye opening. She stares at Elijah. What she told Viggo is true: she has got some kind of inner sense, and now this sense is telling her something about this boy with blue eyes… but what? She cannot focus on the message, it's still too blurred… but she can sense Elijah and her have a connection. "Not a love connection," she thinks. "I almost can see a laser ray enlacing the two of us. But it's not one ray… there's someone else connected to us… but who?"
Suddenly Elijah looks at her in the eye.
- You ok?- he asks. Jayna nods, walking quickly out the elevator.
***
- Ok people, do you all have your glasses?- Laura asks. Elijah, Andrea and Jayna nod.
- Allrite so…- Laura lifts her one. - to our hot team!-
- …and to our mission!- Jayna says.
- …and to our thieves to stop for a second!- Elijah adds.
- …and to magic and fortune and God and His buddies, cause we are gonna need em all!- Andrea ends and they all laugh.
- …and, last but not least…- Laura says. - to Andrea Basan, the Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa who is taming Dominic Monaghan, which I never managed to do in two years!-
Andrea elbows her.
- ¡Venga, chieva! He's not a Jack the Ripper!-
Laura sticks out her tongue.
- I know! It's just that I've spent two hellish years because of that guy, and now I'm seeing the end of the tunnel, and I owe you!-
- Laura, how did you end up working together?- Elijah asks.
She shrugs.
- Dom joined the Police cause his father was in the Army: you know, home values and find out the bad guys and protect your race…- she makes a face. - I became a cop cause my father was as well. He's retired now, but he's been working for the Chicago Department for like forty years. I remember him coming home at night and telling me about thieves and murders and justice and all that stuff… I've always dreamed of becoming a good agent like him. We arrived at the Dept. together, and so we became partners, that's all.- She looks at her colleagues. Eventually, her eyes land on Elijah.
- What about you boy? I mean, Dom and I are the same age, but how did you end up working with Viggo?-
Elijah rolls his eyes.
- I was born in Iowa, but after my parents' divorce I moved to L.A. I was quite an ordinary kid, no big deal… yeah, I guess I joined the Fbi cause I needed to do something of my life. You know, playing the brave one and stuff.-
- Viggo must be really a great agent,- Jayna says. - even if he always looks so sad…-
Elijah bites his lower lip.
- You are right. I mean, he's one of the best, he worked with so many people in so many missions… when some old agent asks me who my partner is, and I mention Viggo, I'm always told how great he is… but… hearing their compliments, I cannot help but wondering if they're talking about the same man I'm thinking of.-
- But why?- Andrea asks.
Elijah scrolls his head.
- I'm not sure, he's not the kind who tells his business around. I know he's been having difficulties with his wife… they are on the verge of breaking up, but I think he still loves her. And then there's this… don't know… I have the sensation that he used to be like us, you know, willing to make justice spread, but now after so many years I'm afraid he gave up.-
- Sometimes he's got that face, like an innocent kid who has just been told that Santa Claus does not exist.- Laura says bitterly, and Elijah nods.
- But you know girls… since we started up this investigation, he's getting better and better… I really think it was exactly what he needed.- he smiles, turning to a cheerful tone. - But enough about Viggo… Jayna, why did you become a Scotland Yard agent?-
Jayna lowers her eyes smiling weakly.
- I was born in London. My father ran away before my birth… I guess he didn't want children around, and my mum never ceased to remind me… she gave me her name and we never had financial problems, but almost every day of my life I've been hearing her saying: "that's your fault if he ran away…" well, my mum was not completely sane actually. When she died a couple of years ago, leaving me alone, I started looking for my dad. This is the selfish reason why I joined Scotland Yard. Of course it's not the only one, I love my job, it's all I have at the moment.- for an instant, her eyes wet.- You know mates, I'm so glad we met…- her voice breaks. Andrea squeezes her hand, smiling warmly.
- What about you, Andie?- Elijah asks kindly.
Andrea freezes. Her hand is still in Jayna's, and the blonde girl shoots her an inquiry look.
"What's wrong with her?" Jayna wonders. Her inner eye opens again, looking right through Andie. "So much pain and rage… revenge, childhood tears and a fairy-carved gun."
Andrea places a lock of hair behind her ear. He hand leaves Jayna's.
- I… I've always been dreaming about justice and truth. Where I live, people die for so many silly reasons…- she pauses.- I've never accepted it so I took the decision to do something. That's all.-
She smiles, but Jayna frowns. "That's not all…"
They all stare at each other in silence, feeling a new bound tying them together, a bound of trust and friendship, far stronger than a work collaboration.
Suddenly, a mobile phone rings.
Laura grabs her one.
- Hello? Dom? Yeah, what's up?- she rolls her eyes. - Ok, I'll "lift my Mexican ass and go there", like you just said. Yeah, I'll tell 'em.- she puts down the phone. - Dom and Viggo managed to unblock the computer system, and they want us there. Maybe they've found something.-

Chapter 21. Chains and backdoors.

- So Dom, what there was of so urgent to make us all run over here?- Elijah asks cheerfully walking into Dominic's office with the girls.
Dom and Viggo share a look.
- This,- Viggo says proudly handing him a folder. - is the list of passengers on Jayna's flight. We put all their features in the W.D.S…-
- W.D.S.?- Elijah asks.
- Worldwide Database Search.- Viggo explains. - In a few hours we'll get to know everything about them all: nationality, features, record and most of all, appearance.-
- I never heard of this program.- Jayna wonders. - Is it… I mean, legal? I didn't know all private citizens could be filed like this…-
Viggo shrugs.
- This is not important at the moment.- he shoots his colleagues a proud look. - What it matters right now is that we will have the chance to identify that woman.-
- How long will this program take to find out them all?- Andie asks.
- A twelve hours.-
***
Billy leans in against the wall, breathing the air of the night. Inhaling from his cigarette, he smiles to his sister.
- I like her.- he says and Mena makes a face.
- It's such a compliment from you, brother. But you are right: there are not many people like her around.-
- Who are you talking about?- Orlando asks, walking out the hotel backdoor and putting a cigarette between his lips, gesturing to Billy to light it up.
- Christina.- Mena answers. - Billy likes her, Mac likes her, Charlotte likes her, and of course I love her. What's your rating Bloom?-
Orlando grins.
- Ask me tomorrow morning.- he says.
- No way!- Billy bursts out. - Don't even dare to touch her! It's the only hacker we have, and if you unnerve her or break her heart, we are doomed.-
Mena bursts into laughter.
- C'mon Billy! She goes around with a chain attached to her jeans, do you seriously think she needs to be protected? And by the way, they are free to do what they want, unless it bothers our plans.-
Orlando glares at Mena.
- You are definitely not jealous of me, are you baby?- he asks in a cold tone.
Billy shrugs.
- I really cannot understand this need for human interactions. Food and sleep are necessary for living, but it's all.- He throws the head of his cigarette away. - I'll see you later.- he mumbles walking inside the hotel.
Mena scrolls her head.
- He's too much of a stone-heart.- she says watching Billy walking away.
Orlando stares at her.
- Same brother, same sister.- he says under his breath but Mena hears him.
- What the fuck do you mean Bloom?- she asks rudely.
Orlando abruptly leans in, placing both hands on the wall beside her head. Mena shoots him a shocked look.
- You don't seem to enjoy boys' company much more than how your brother likes girls'.- his eyes pierce hers and he smiles coldly. - You criticize his cold attitude, but you ain't that better, red head.- he caresses her neck with a fingertip, slowly. - maybe you should warm up a little…-
Mena watches him coming closer, and she quickly pulls him away, moving a step to the door.
- Just because I cannot wait to screw you it doesn't mean I'm a freak!- she utters. - Do you know what my problem is, Bloom? That I want a real man.- she looks into his eyes and, to her great surprise, she notices how sad he looks.
- I'm sorry.- he whispers. - I didn't mean to be so rude… Mena… I like you.-
She bites her lower lip. No way. Maybe Billy is right after all… why should she open herself, show herself to someone else? What for?
She looks at Orlando in the eye.
- It's your problem.- she says coldly, then walks away.
***
Charlotte walks out the room she shares with Mac and enters Chrissy's.
The girl is leaning on the keyboard of her computer, so that Charlotte sees only her golden brown hair and not her face.
- What's up, Char?- Chrissy asks without lifting her head. - It's 2 am. Mena is out arguing with Orlando, I can hear them from the second floor here. Billy just went to bed… do you guys ever sleep?-
Charlotte smiles.
- You are not sleeping as well…- she plops on Mena's empty bed. - I tried to, but Mac talks in her sleep.-
- What does she say?-
Charlotte frowns.
- Just "mum".- she leans in to watch up Chrissy's shoulder. - Hey what are you doing?-
- Making sure our buddies didn't unblock their system… the block was supposed to last for about a twelve hours, and fourteen hours passed. I want to keep an eye on them so that I'll find out their next move right when they'll do it.-
Charlotte smiles.
- You have been with us for three hours and you already protect us.- she grins. - So, what did Mena told you about us?-
Chrissy smirks.
- Nothing more than what I have seen with my own eyes, but one thing maybe…-
Charlotte frowns.
- What?-
Chrissy rolls her eyes.
- She did not tell me that Orlando was so hot! Girl, I really…- a sudden beep alarm from her computer cuts her off.
- What's up?- Charlotte questions.
A writing pops up on the computer screen:
"Attention: user accessing to W.D.S. program."
- W.D.S.?- Chrissy squeals. -Oh, damn it!- she quickly turns over to Charlotte. - Wake Mac up, pull Billy off his bed, call Orlando and Mena and come back here. I think we have a problem.-

Nooo!!! *sobs* :cry2: :cry2: I can not allow you to leave, Mena!! What am I going to do??? grrrrrrrr to college. Oh well, I leave in two weeks, so I guess I can't hold you back and make you write nonstop. But it'd be nice! :yes: :laugh:

boo!!! I wish you could... :cry: don't want to go!! Lol Amber, I have to mail you soon... got to tell u a couple of things before goin... :lalala:

more later!!! :love: :love:

Oooohhhh... Great chappies, Mena, as always!

You're leaving?! :eek: In two days?! :eek: :eek: :eek:

:cry2: :cry2: :cry2: :cry2: :cry2:

I'm like Ambrosia: I've still got two weeks left. *sigh* ;-)

Where are you leaving for? Or, I suppose: Where is college?

B)

too sweet, too sweet!!1 :love: :cry: :love:

Chapter 22. The plan.

- So baby, you say that with this... W.D.S. program they could find us out?- Orlando asks Chrissy.
She glares at him, ignoring the “baby” he put in his sentence: she heard him arguing with Mena, and she doesn’t like men who keep their foot in two shoes.
- Not only find you out: they could find everything about you, even if you don’t have a record. Well, right now they could be reading your information...-
They all stare at each other, pale and worried, with the sensation that maybe, this time they pushed themselves a little too further...
Charlotte turns to Billy.
- What should we do now?-
They all stare at him: Billy has always been taking decisions, and they blindly turn to him to light up their path.
- We must refrain them from reading it...- he begins, but Chrissy cuts him off.
- They already have it.- she says, pressing some keys on her keyboard. – Unless you want to sneak in the Fbi headquarters...- she pauses.
Billy looks at her in the eye.
Chrissy turns over.
- What?- she squeals. – Are you insane? Billy, look at me! They could never do it!-
Billy takes a deep breath.
- I’ve always been out of action, so I cannot decide for you guys. But before putting up a real plan, I need to know if you feel like doing it.-
Orlando leans in.
- I’m game, mate.- he says.
Mena nods.
- I don’t think you’ll need a Pretender for this, but whenever you’ll need, I’ll do it.- she turns to Mac and Charlotte, who are sitting on the opposite bed, holding each other's hands. – Girls, you and Orlando will have the hardest part. If you don’t think you can handle it we’ll find another way, but you have to tell now.-
Mackenzie nods without smiling.
- I can do it.- she whispers.
Mena looks into Charlotte’s eyes, and there it is, that dangerous, silver light. “Oh God!” Mena thinks. “She’s so scared... and fear is our worst enemy.”
- Char?- Billy demands.
Charlotte takes a deep breath.
- Of course Billy.- she says cheerfully, but as she realizes Mena is watching her, she grows pale and lowers her eyes.
***
- It’s two and half am.- Billy says in a practical tone. – No need to tell you we have to do it tonight. The Fbi section opens up at half past seven. This means, we have... 5 hours. Now, listen carefully to me, cause I don’t have time to repeat myself.-
They all nod. Billy’s mind is starting to build up the plan, they all can see it in his eyes.
- Chrissy, you’ll access the database and, through your computer you’ll guide the guys inside the headquarter to the right room. Charlotte, you have the hardest part, as you are the best here being light and silent. Anyway, as you cannot go alone, Mac will come with you. Mena and Orlando will wait outside and help you out. I’ll stay here with Chrissy, keeping in touch to guide you. Everything ok?-
Mac clears her throat.
- Erm... Billy... not to complain, but I don’t think I’m the best to accompany Charlotte inside. I feel confortable making things explode... I’m too noisy for that part.-
- And, Billy...- Mena adds. – I can deal with computers better than you, maybe I should stay here with Chrissy.-
- Let’s split in two.- Orlando proposes. – I’ll stay out to help Charlotte, and Chrissy will guide us through. You three will do the same separately from us, so we’ll have the double of chances.-
Billy nods.
-