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It wasn't a vastly big building by any means, nor was it a little hole-in-the-wall-dinky-rink place that no one would notice. Covered behind legit licenses and backed by the higher ups, though which higher ups went unsaid. It was hers. All hers. So long as the taxes were paid on the property every month and the bills covered, it'd always be hers. Mebbe one day she could upgrade to a real big building and turn it into a...shaking her head, dreams weren't good. Hopes and dreams, nothing but an illusion. Doing is what counted.

She fished the keys outta her trench and slowly turned the key in the double bolt lock and stepping inside, she quickly de-alarmed the silent alarm.

She stood there a moment, breathing in the air and she smirked. Hers. All hers. Fingertips flicked the series of switches on as the Office building came to life.

There were plants and flowers, a six foot aquarium full of exotic fishes. Lush chairs and couches for the clientele to rest on while they waited to be seen. Small foot tables with an array of newspapers and magazines. There was a courtesy coffee pot that'd already started brewing and was steaming and ready to go. A water tank and disposable cups, a small table for the array of courtesy snacks she would offer through the day, a soda dispenser was off the side of that area as well, just to finish the look of course.

The receptionist desk stood there, in the back center of the room, beneath the banner that read, "Fordyce Enterprises." She'd eventually find a suitable candidate for that position.

Thank goodness the "other" services offered by her business was cleanly hidden through the legit businesses of being a body guard, bounty hunter and a private investigator. She couldn't very well advertise that she also offered services of killing people, stealing from people, severely beating people up, etc etc. The people she'd be hiring would have to be discreet and they'd have to be...well...kinda like her or something to that affect.

Either or, she shrugged and moved towards the main desk and slid fingers over the smooth mahogany. No expense had been spared when she'd designed and had the office furnished. She smirked to herself. There were five closed doors on the ground floor. Each with empty name plates waiting to be filled. Eventually the Rogue had plans to fill those spots, eventually...when she felt she could trust a partner again, but when would that be? One path led to the left, one to the right. The one to the right held two doors with nameplates and one half open which was the restroom. The other path held three doors with nameplates and a slight opening that held a staircase that wound up to where her private offices were. There were various pictures and hanging plants that adorned the staircase and the wall leading up. Each of the smaller offices downstairs were adequately equipped with the best computer technology available and fully stocked with whatever one could need in an office. She moved then up the stairs where her office was. She stepped inside the office, ice blues moving around the vast office space. She smirked to herself. She'd done well. Lush sapphire blue carpet, huge comfortable sofas and chairs for her private clientele. Four other doors branched off of her office. One was a private bedroom, for those nights when she didn't wanna go home, one was a private bathroom, equipped with a shower. One normal storage room for the office supplies and one was another storage room of a different type...one that not many would ever see or know about. She moved through the spanse of the room towards the ornate oak desk that waited for her, grinning as she ran fingertips over her nameplate. She'd never thought she'd have something like this. Ever. For now though, until she managed to find a suitable receptionist, she'd have to man the desk downstairs herself. It'd have to do. She couldn't just hire anyone, that could be cause for a disaster the Rogue wasn't prepared for. She stretched and nodded to herself, moving back down the stairs and to the main room.

Sliding behind the receptionist's desk, the Rogue kicked her feet up. Just waiting to see what the day would bring.

He'd been wringing his hands in a nervous manner, unbeknownst to him. He looked down to her extended hand, and after a bit of thought extended his hand, gripping hers tightly and shaking it briskly. From behind the safety of the darkened sunglasses did he note the bandages that ran around her wrists and halfway up her forearms, but that was none of his business. He'd been told she was the best for the job, and so he'd been looking for her for nearly six months. "My name's Oscar Randall Morrison and I'm in need of your services." He looked around the waiting area before letting her hand go and unconsciously took out a crisp, white handkerchief and wiped his hands. "Would you have a moment to discuss some kind of an arrangment?"

"Nice to meetcha Mr. Morrison." She tilted her head to the side watching him wipe his hands, and couldn't help herself as she smirked. Crossing her arms over her breasts she nodded. "I gotta few I can spare." She motioned him up the stairs to her private offices, after leaving a sign letting anyone else that might enter know that she was upstairs. She followed him up the stairs, while talking. "What kinda arrangement and services ya be needin Mr. Morrison?" She slipped inside her private offices behind him, closing the door half way as she moved to her desk, motioning him to a chair.

He started up the stairs, keeping aware of his scenery while extending a hand to push the office door open, looking around. He moved to the chair she'd indicated and sat down. He waited for her to get situated before he started. "Eight and a half months ago my fiance was kidnapped and this was left a month later for me at my offices." He slid a piece of well crumpled paper towards her across the desk.

She took the paper and carefully unfolded it letting ice blues scan over the writing...

"Mister Morrison,
I have your precious Miranda. She smells so wonderful too. Got her after she'd just got out of the shower. But that is besides the point. If you ever want to see Miranda alive again, you'll follow my instructions precisely to the measure. She's a beautiful woman and I can only imagine what it would be like to keep her for myself. We want what's ours back and we want it back ten fold. You're gonna pay dearly for your mistakes, and if you don't do as we say, you're precious Miranda will suffer your failures and then we'll come for you. You'll hear from me in exactly a month."

She blinked looking up to the man across the desk from her. Ok...so mebbe it wouldn't be a mundane "Who's Cheatin' Who" investigation after all. She set the note carefully on top of her desk. "Why would ya come to me and not the authorities concernin her disappearance?"

"I have gone to them, they have been trying to find her for the last seven and a half months. They are beginning to give up hope you see." He got up and started to pace her office. "I have met every demand the kidnappers have come to me with. Yet the best I've seen are photographs and live video feed of her to prove she is still alive." He shook his head. "The authorities believe she's dead, so they've practically given up on her." He stopped and looked her dead in the eye. "I need to find Miranda and the people that took her. I don't care about the demands, I'll meet each and every one of them, but it's been almost a year now. How much longer before they kill her?"

She watched him walk out the door. What was he not telling her? There was something he was hiding from her, and she would have to find it out. It wouldn't be hard. He knew she was the best, but she also assumed he didn't realize the extent of her press for knowledge when getting involved in a deal. She smirked to herself, walking over to the window and watching him through it. The sound of the bells downstairs had her turning back to the office door.

Had she realized he was keeping something from her? If she did, she didn't let on. Then again she was supposed to be good at that. He pushed through the glass doors and headed back up the stairs to find her waiting for him. He handed her the rather thick manila folder and stepped back, hands sliding back into his pocket. "In there you'll find everything there is to know about my fiance. Personal, private, every day activities, likes, dislikes and professional venues. All the information from that day and the correspondences thereafter. Now Miss Fordyce, about the price for a job of this magnitude." He removed his sunglasses and looked to her.

She bit back a gasp as she looked from the file folder to the man's eyes. They were like no other eyes she'd ever seen in Rhydin before. They were iridescent. A pale pale golden color that seemed to look right through a person. Quickly recovering she tilted her head to the side. "I usually don't discuss a price til the job is done. Normally a deposit is given and I require reimbursement for any materials needed out of the ordinary. I will have a contract drawn up and ready to be signed in a couple of hours at most."

While Cheyenne was at the office, Lang was at his shop, filling out a few rather simple and mundane orders. A few repair jobs for the local authorities, or a farmer that stopped by for him to shoe their horses. Once they had left it was back to being a rather slow mundane day, before he closed shop for the day.



He had just gotten into his car when his cell started to ring, getting him to quirk a slight brow from a moment, as he picked it up. Upon looking at the number on it, and seeing it was Cheyenne, he'd flicked it open, wondering what she wanted.



" What do you need me for? " Already guessing this wasn't a social call to see how he was doing. Granted. he could be wrong on that end, but Chey wasn't the type that would call during business hours, just to talk about other things.

He was nodding lightly as she spoke, before finally speaking. " Alright...give me a few minutes to pick something up, then I'll be on my way hun. " And once she hung up, he followed suit before firing up his car, letting it purr like a kitten before heading out. He stopped at one of the various food places in Rhy'Din, with him picking up two subs, as well as getting a case of Badsiders, before heading towards Enterprise Office.


Once he got there and parked, he carried their lunch and the beer, up to the main office, as one of her people that worked there showed him the way, as this was his first time here. Anyways, once in he headed towards the desk, with a small grin on his lips.



" You ordered lunch? " He smirked at Cheyenne, as he set the bag and case on the desk, before sitting down in the chair across from her, before slidding one of the subs to her, with a bottle of Badsider following. " Alright...what's going on that you'd call me..and tell me to come here..on such short notice? " A brow quirked, before he took a bite from his sub, then washed it down with a swig.

True..they had been rather...pre occupied, not that either of them were complaining about that. Anyways, he chuckled to her comment about her making the best subs, but nodded to the question. His brows then quirked a bit to her asking him if he wanted to help her on this other business venture that was placed before her.


" Well...fill me in about it, and we'll see if I'll tag along to help you out. " He smirked before taking another bite, followed by another swig. He then blinked to her hopping out of her chair, as well to her words. It took him a moment, before moving to stand up by the time she grabbed his beer hand. Sub was left on the desk, with him snagging his bottle with his free hand.



" Alright...sheesh...settle down hun...Ye act like what ever yer going to show me..is going to run away. " Teasing her a bit, before taking a swig, and would wait for her to lead the way, with him walking a few paces behind her of course, allowing him to return that roaming look over her from behind. It would get a sly grin on his lips..

As the two were up and in Lang's Office...

Troy and Drew were working their way out of the Vette and into the Office. Chey heard the jingle of the chimes and smirked. Oddly enough they were on time.

"Damn she got nice digs here! She's done damn good for herself. I'm damn proud of her." Drew's voice rang out through the silence in the Office building.

She heard the boys trudging up the stair as she called out. "Be right there, get inna Office an relax. Touch muh beer or muh sub and I'll kick ya asses. Touch anything on muh desk and I'll slit ya damn throats."

"Settle down settle down we'll just chill. Hurry up though." Troy was wondering who the man was he'd glimpsed through the crack in the door. The protective side of him coming out, but he went into the office, plopping down on the sofa and kicking his feet up.

"Dude, look at that set up, it's fuckin off the hook!" Drew was pointing to the high tech computer system set up Chey had on her desk while he too followed suit and flopped on the sofa, kicking his feet up.

"Hey Drew, Chey ever tell you lately bout her having a ... male companion?"

"Nah man, haven't talked to her in awhile. I been outta town, just got back coupla days ago actually, why? Sup?"

Troy looked to the desk, pointing out the two subs. "Well she's got someone else here with her and I saw a man in the office with her. Swear I saw bandages around her arms too."

Drew shrugged. "Donno man, like I said, I just got back. I ain't got a damn clue. Why ya worried so much man, she's a grown woman."

She smiled hearing his approval and she tilted her head a moment. 'Am glad ya like it." When he moved to go back, of course after returning that kiss. But she didn't move, instead she tugged his hand back to her, in which case, tugging him back to her and snaked her arm up and around his neck pulling him to her, kissing him much more deeply and letting it linger as she brushed her thigh against him, smirking and pulling back from him, quite breathless. "Now we can get going."

She followed him into the Office, enjoying her own private view of his hindside, smirking to herself. She hit a few numbers on the keypad by the door, locking the downstairs door, therefor preventing anyone else from entering the establishment. She looked over the three men and took a deep breath. "Tony an Drew, this is Lang. Lang, this is Tony an Drew, both are good friends of mine, known em both most of my life. They'll be working with us on this." She made a motion between the two men on the couch and Lang.

Troy and Drew both offered the man a nod. Though Troy glared at Cheyenne a moment and then down to her arms and back to her eyes.

Introductions now done, she'd caught the glare from Troy and knew she'd have to answer to that later but for now it was business time. She slid behind her desk and into her chair, taking another bite of her sub, chewing and swallowing. Letting the men talk if they had anything else to say to one another while she gathered her thoughts.

Troy of course would be the first to speak as he was always the more serious, more cautious and most protective of Chey. "So how long you and Chey known one another?"

She blinked when he took her hand, but she didn't resist him as she let her hand be raised and shown to both men, though she'd visible wince at his words and her cheeks would flush as she looked between Troy and Drew.

"So what's this business about Chey?" Drew smelt trouble brewing and he tried to side step it bringing up why exactly why they were called here today while he looked to Chey.

Troy raised a brow to Lang, smirking. 'A few days huh? That's mighty fine of ya." Eyeing the raised hand. "Did he do that to you Chey? Did he hurt you?" Steely gaze was settled on Chey, at the moment totally dismissing Lang.

She shook her head. "No Troy, not at all, it's um...well...we were um..." She stammered over her words, lowering her eyes and her cheeks flushed even more.

Troy watched her carefully. "Chey don't you go lying for him if he hurt you. You don't have to put up with that crap." He had taken her stammering and her looking down to mean she was covering up for Lang.

She looked up to Troy. "Troy, I'm bein serious, he didn't hurt me, not the way ya thinkin."

"Then explain it Chey." His voice was firm, almost father-like while he watched her.

She blinked a bit to the kiss to the top of her head, while looking at Troy. How in the hell was she supposed to tell him that she'd managed to take his advice and the those bandages were a result of that advice...all in a good way? She blinked more when Lang slipped from her side and towards Troy. She opened her mouth to say something but quickly shut it, taking careful note of his tone.

Troy saw the man walking to him and stood up from the couch.

"Common Troy man, let it alone."

"Shut up Drew." He crossed his arms over his chest leveling his gaze with the man. They held that gaze a long long time, like lovers might have as he listened to Lang's words. He searched the man's eyes and when the man had turned to go back to Cheyenne, he smirked and flopped back down near Drew. He knew the man's words were true, but he wanted him to get mad and he wanted the reaction he'd gotten out of the man. That assured Troy that the man was true to his words. He looked between him and Chey and nodded again. "Alright then, now that that's outta the way, what's goin on Chey?"

It worked out alright she thought as she eyed all three men and moved from Langs side to pick up the file folder that contained the information for the mark, Miranda. "Like I was tellin Lang earlier before I got muh ass distracted with other business. Hada right fine gentlemen come an see me today. At first glance and thought I figured it was another one of those mundane investigations into his lady friend cheatin on him." She then moved back around the desk to lean against Lang. "Anyways if that were the case ya'll wouldn't be'ere." She handed the file to Lang. It was all the basics and the non basics about one, Ms. Miranda Heather Adams. "Look that over Lang an pass it on to the boys. Anyways, Mr. Morrison's fiance was kidnapped round bout eight months ago. The kidnappers evidently have made demands once a month thereafter, since then. Only evidence the mark is alive is live video feeds an pictures of her. As ya can see by the note says that he has somethin that they want back. What that is Mr. Morrison seems oblivious to." She paused a moment looking between the men.

"So what's this man want us to do? Get his fiance back?" Troy's voice was muffled behind the pizza slice.

She leaned into Lang as she shook her head. "Doubt that's possible. He said he'd contact me every Friday of every week, gave me a business card for a specific courier to use if I needed to contact him beforehand." She focused on Troy now. "He wants us to try an get his fiance back, or at least find out if she's dead or not. He wants us to kill the people that took her as well, whether she's alive or dead. No questions, no nothing cold blooded murder. I can't say I blame him. I'd kill a sonofabitch if they ever kidnapped someone I cared for as well, but..." She paused a moment looking between them again, after taking a swig of her beer she continued. "Somethin definately don't sit right with me bout him. That's for sure. I've made my mind up though. I'm gonna do the job with or without ya'll. And I'm gonna get to the bottom of this."

"Eh Chey I'm not so sure this one's clean." Drew's voice was stern but shakey a bit.

"I know it ain't clean Drew. Then again fifty percent of muh work ain't clean either." She eyed him.

"No Chey I mean, this one's beyond dirty. Just feels wrong. Something about it." He shook his head.

"Look Drew, I've handled dirty deals before. This one can't be much dirtier than the job in Cristown. I'll be aight. Promise. Anyways, he refused a contract to be drawn up. Wants no paper trail whatsoevah. Says the authorities are givin up thinkin the mark dead. So he heard that I was the best and came to me to fill in." Pauses a moment and then drops the bomb. "He paid me one and a half large as a deposit. Says there's triple that when the job's done."

Troy snorted. "For fifteen hundred Chey I wouldn't touch that deal."

She leveled ice blues with Troy, shaking her head. "No Troy, not fifteen hundred, one an a half mil."

She looked to the boys as they nodded. She finessed those instructions a bit more. "Drew dig up anything an everything ya can on this man. Dig into his business, his past. Find out if his name is even real eh. Troy I wantcha to find out about Miranda. Anything an everything ya can bout her. Ya'll know how to find us." She looked out the window, the sun had set and she was getting tired. "That's all for now boys. We'll talk soon." She tossed them each a tightly bundled wad of money. "A hundred thousand play money I guess. Dunno what else to do with it. It's a lotta damn money. Enjoy and make sure ya stay under the radars." She nodded to them, leaning her head against Lang's shoulder.

"Alright, we'll be in touch. Ya'll stay under too." Troy's voice was still rough but he nodded to them as he and Drew cleaned up their mess and headed down and out.

Chey heard the boys talking their way out the door and she looked up to Lang. Head tilted to the side. "Ya sure bout this?"

She leaned into him more and sighed as she looked into his eyes. Shivering as she brushed her lips against his as well, her hands roaming up and down his chest. "Ya mind dropping me off at the Annex for a bit? I'll call ya when I'm done an we can have dinner or somethin. I'm inna mood to brawl a bit."

((Author's Note: Some adult language and content included.))

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

She forced tired, ice blues to open. It was still dark. Her hand groped blindly in and around their bed and the nightstand next to it in search of the obtrusive noise bringer. Finally managing to find it, not wanting it to wake Lang up, she flipped it open and managed to mumbled into the phone. "Sup?" God what time was it, it felt like she'd only been asleep no more than a couple of hours, let alone minutes. One hand rubbed at her eyes, as she curled into Lang's warm body next to her.

"It's about time you picked up your phone Tyler. Been trying to call you for the last hour." Drew's voice was tired and gruff on the other end.

The voice on the other end caused her to shift slightly against Lang's form. Her naked body sliding up to a sitting position in their bed, her head leaned back against the wall, while she fought to bring herself out of that half-slumbered state. She kept her voice low, not wanting to wake Lang up. "Eh, damn Drew, I just now heard the phone ringin man. Sorry. What's goin on? What the fuck time is it?" She ran a hand through her tousled golden curls, ice blues sliding over Lang's still sleeping form.

He was silent a few minutes before he shifted slightly on the bed he was on. Tapping a few more keys on his lap top before he spoke again. "It's half past two in the morning. Tyler I need you to get to your computer for me. Some things I need to show you and I don't much think that they can wait cuz it's rather important." More tapping on the keyboard on his end before he shifted the phone to the other ear.

She groaned into the phone, before reluctantly brushing her lips to Lang's cheek, a whisper to him that she'd be back soon. She slipped from the warmth of their bed, not bothering to put the robe around her form. Silently she moved through the house and towards her private offices on the upper floor, most certain that Wolfy was well content in his own room or on the lower floor. "Drew, the fuck is goin on man? Ya might just be freekin me out a bit." She spoke quietly while working her way to her desk, sliding onto the cool leather of the seat and pushing the series of buttons that brought her lap top to life.

He was continuously tapping on the keys of his lap top now while patiently waiting for her to get to her system. Nodding his head where she couldn't see him before speaking. "You at your system yet Tyler?" Impatience cut into his words.

She yawned and stretched. "Yeah yeah I'm'ere, cha got to show me that couldn't wait til morning Drew?" Another few key taps and she was linked to Drew's system.

((Author's Note: Some adult language and content included.))

As soon as Drew had hung up she slipped back upstairs silently and quietly. She noted the change in Lang's position and oddly enough wondered if he'd heard her. She slipped into the black silk robe that laid over the foot board to their bed, moving to stand by his side of the bed. Ice blues watched his sleeping form. After a few moments thought she leaned down, brushing her lips against his brow before slipping from his side and back down toward the office. Already dialing Troy's number en route.

The phone rang two times before Troy snatched it up, dropping his burger on his plate and wiping his hands on his already worn, faded and stained jeans. "Yo girlie." He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

She waited patiently for Troy to pick up the phone and at the sound of his voice, she knew at least that he was alive. She heard the clattering and the chittering in the background. He was at a diner or restaurant eating evidently. "Yo Troy. Ya good to link up or is it a bad time.?" She slid back into her leather chair, already tapping at the keys, bringing her system to life.

He grabbed a look around. Aside from the diner workers, there was only one other couple in the burger joint besides him. He nodded. "Yeah I can do it, gimme a sec. Was gonna give ya a call matter of fact in the morning after some sleep." Holding the phone between his shoulder and cheek, he opened his laptop in the booth beside him. Turning his body and the screen to make sure only his eyes could view the information being sent. "Ya heard from D lately?" Working his laptop to bring it to life and to retrieve the data pool.

She murmured and plucked a pen from the tin on her desk, sticking it behind her ear. "Ya, just got offa the phone with him matter of fact. Woke me up an now I can't get back to sleep. So I figured mine as well see what'cha got concerning her, gotta be good considering what we got on'em." She opened a drawer to her right, drawing out her bluetooth ear piece. She'd be spending most of the day on the phone, and crooking her neck like this was getting to be a pain. Swift motions had the pieces changed and her hands free as she worked the keyboard. She could hear a femme's voice talking to Troy and quirked a brow.

((Author's Note: Some adult language and content included.))

And check it she did. "No." Was all the Rogue could utter. ~March 31, 1982...One Cereda Melissa Sydell, mother of Randall Oscar Sydell and loving wife of Kyle Trey Sydell was found brutally slain in her office.~ She continued to read quickly over the newspaper print. ~After conducting a thorough investigation, an arrest was made. One Eric Michael Adams, husband of Heather Sarah Adams was found guilty in this atrocious killing, though authorities believe that Mister Adams had several accomplices that aided him. He would still give no names to support this theory.~ "Her father killed his mother. Revenge?" The Rogue's mind tried to process everything quickly as the data continued to pour through the screens.

He stretched out a bit. "Seems so."

~September, 1990...Eric Michael Adams...released. December 1990...murdered in his office, the body of his wife Heather Sarah Adams found downstairs in the waiting area, also slain. The only survivor and witness of the attack, their daughter, 8 year old Miranda was found huddled and hiding inside a janitor's closet down the hall. Her clothes had been ripped, there was blood on the insides of her thighs...after doing tests on the child..the data was inconclusive except that she'd been sexually assaulted...there was no usuable DNA left to go by...documented that the child's attacker was the murderer...child confirms the murderer sexually assaulted her before, during and after the brutal slaying of her parents...ligature marks on hands and wrists suggests she was bound and forced to watch the encounter...child confirms...~ "Oh god." Her fist was brought down against the desk again. Furious hitting of the keys, caused the screen to go blank. She hissed. "She saw it all. He raped her. He changed his name, to get..." She swallowed hard. "He...oh god. Fuck Troy, gotta get Lang up. I'll call soon. Call Drew, both of ya back the fuck off. I'll finish this shit. That sonofabitch." Slamming the earpiece down on the desk, she raced up the stairs, she didn't give Troy time to argue as the line went deathly silent.

She burst through the bedroom door, leapt up and onto the bed, roughly shaking Lang awake, screw the nice-ness or the want to not startle him. "Lang, Lang, baby get the fuck up now." She continued to shake him, blabbering on. "Lang! His father killed her mother, she saw the whole thing. Poor kid. The whole thing. He raped her before, during and after. Tied her up." Her body shook with rage as she continued to blabber to his waking form. "He fuckin changed his name to get her back. Sick sonofabitch. She saw it all. Saw it happen, she was only a kid .. how could he that sick fuck. God. I'm gonna kill him after I find her. She couldn't do anythin to help them. He fuckin killed them."

((Author's Note: Some adult language and content included.))

She curled into his arms, nuzzling his neck, shaking her head. Re-composing herself so she could make sense. The rage that burned deep inside the Rogue was blindly taking control of her again. That was definitely not a good thing at this time. The feel of his body near her, his voice...the beating of his heart did little to calm her...but it worked to a semblance of understanding.

"No. No. The man that hired us. Miranda's father killed his mother. Then he killed her mother an father, raped her before, during an after the incident. Tied her up forced her to watch it all. It's there. All there." Shaking her head again. Fury and rage caused her body to tremble in his arms. "All there in black an white on the screens. Downstairs. My system. Look for yaself. Yanno the access codes. Lang, he...oh god. She was a kid Lang. A little girl. An she loved him, they're engaged. That...sick...fucker." And that was the last the Rogue uttered before she fell into that blackness.

The rage and emotions the data influx caused her took a toll on her body...she fell limp and lifeless in Lang's arms as the blackness consumed her.

Slowly her eyes came into focus to the blackness in the bedroom. The only light, the sliver of moonlight that shown through the crack in their bedroom curtains. She stretched a bit. How long had she been sleeping? It felt like it was still morning, yet she felt rested. She ran a hand over her silk covered torso a moment, just enjoying the peacefulness...then it all came back to her.

She blinked as the data influx came racing back to her. One thing she'd always hated being in her line of work and who she was. She could envision those things happening to all the people involved. She could see the child like Miranda huddled in the corner...she could feel her pain and invasion when...she shook her head and she cussed silently into the darkness and emptiness of the room.

Where was Lang? She sat up on the bed, looking around. "Lang?"

She heard him on the phone and looked towards the door, patiently awaiting him. Curiously listening as always before he was inside and near her. She leaned into him. Nuzzling into that gentle caress, before letting out a loud sigh. "Who were ya talkin' to? An yeah. I am. Needa get dressed first, but yeah. Ready to find this fucker an bring hell with me."

((Author's Note: Adult content and language included.))

The calm before the storm was always the most dangerous...

And it always held true with this Rogue. When it was time to "work" she was always at the top of her game...she was often called a Rogue, but the mark's...the mark's when they looked into those eyes...so rarely did they ever change...but they always did, in that moment, that moment before she took them. They saw death, destruction...they saw in her eyes, Hell's Daughter and the chaos she brought with her.

She'd gotten up an hour or so before they'd set the alarms to wake them. It was still dark out, that was the way they'd intended it. She'd wanted to sleep more, but it was never possible to get more than two to four hours of sleep before a job. She moved silently from their bed to pace the span of the bedroom. She was always like this before a job. Always...it didn't matter what kind of job, or the magnitude of it, she was always this...riled. She'd given some thought to leaving him behind and doing this herself...she stopped her pacing at the foot of the bed, letting ice blues slide over his sleeping form, somehow she knew that couldn't be possible. He'd be furious and with all that they'd already been through, she wasn't to sure it was the greatest of ideas. But she had decided that she would leave before him. She'd leave him a note and tell him where to meet her. That would have to suffice.

She'd scout the area that their mark had been seen at. An abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Rhydin...some area called "Dockside." Set a few traps in case things got hectic...she sighed watching him. Smiling, she shook her head and moved into the rather large, walk-in closet to get dressed.

She'd always found that this part was the most soothing of all before the job. She knew even the most simplest of errors here and that alone could mean death. Fingertips ran over the very vast array black leather pants....trench's...she'd have to go shopping one day. Her wardrobe for every day things was bit...hum drum. She frowned a moment and shook her head. Moving to the chest of drawers, she withdrew her undergarments, and laid those out carefully inspecting them. A nod of satisfaction and she slipped the silken garments onto her person. Socks were next and slipped onto her bare feet. She stopped a moment and looked at the brand on her outer right ankle. She hated to resort to magic. Especially as unstable as it was. She'd make a note to seek out Artemus' aide to pursue her magical training...but not now or in the near future. She wasn't sure she was quite ready for that. Had he even noticed the brand in the moments of their heated lovemaking? The explorations of each other's body...if he had, he never said anything to her about it...she shrugged and covered that brand before carefully selecting a pair of black, leather pants, shimmying her body into them. Her body was sore, buttoning and zipping her pants, she crouched to gather her steel toed boots, moaning softly as the leather on her person protested as did the soreness of her body. Carefully she laced them tightly and ice blues slid over selection of shirts, choosing a black leather halter top she slipped that up and over her breasts. She carefully adjusted the chain around her waist...that in itself was a weapon she would use if forced to, though most had always viewed it as a mere decoration. She smirked to that thought. She drew down her most favored trench, caressed it lovingly before shrugging into it. Hands ran over her leather clad body before pressing a button hidden behind all her clothing. The panel rumbled and opened, dim lights flickered on and she'd step inside the hidden alcove and to choose her weapons accordingly.

Stepping out of the walk-in closet, she was an arsenal herself, she smirked as she watched Lang a moment more before writing him a quick letter.

Lang,

Went ahead to scout. Meet me there. Dock 201. Warehouse is three blocks from there. I won't leave without ya. Had a few...presents to display.

Rogue

And she left that letter on her pillow before she headed out of their bedroom and towards Dockside.

((Author's Note: Adult content and language included. NC-17))

He was going to rape her again...she couldn't do a damn thing about it. Gritting her teeth, she moved silently around the building, checking to make sure there were only two other guards posted. Noting their size and build. The way they moved. She'd been on her way back towards the meeting point with Lang when something made her freeze in her spot...she looked carefully into the window on the roof, down at the scened below her.

"Come here you bitch. Don't try to run from me." He'd managed to completely remove his clothing off his lower half of his body, grabbing a fistful of Miranda's hair he dragged her to him and ripped the rest of her clothes off of her body.

"Please no. Oscar why, why are you doing this to me?" She was so weak, she knew there was no use fighting him, he'd just force her. On her knees she looked up to him. Green eyes pleading. "Oscar why? I thought you loved me."

"Shut up you filthy bitch. Now's not the time to explain it to you. I want something else." His voice was hard as steel as he pushed her face to his length, forcing her to take him into her mouth. He grunted feeling her resistance give in as he started to slide in and out of her mouth. Grunting more, his twisted mind decided now would be the prime time to tell her the truth. He gripped her hair tighter to make sure he had a good hold if she decided to try and injure him while he told her the truth. Grunting a bit and moaning he looked down to her, wanting to see her reaction. "You seriously don't know do you?" He kept moving her head back and forth, not allowing her to answer. "Your coward of a father killed my mother before you were even born. I grew up with out my mother. Do you know what that is like Miranda?" A few more pushes and pulls of her head along his hardened and aroused length before he pulled her completely from him. Firmly gripping her head and turning her to look up to him.

Saliva dripping from her mouth, she gagged for breath, blinking to him. "Wh..what are you talking about Oscar?"

Keeping her head like that he bent down to her, pinching and twisting one of her hardened nipples. Grinning at the response of her body. "I killed your mother and father Miranda. Remember that day? You were there, you weren't supposed to be. But you were. I couldn't help myself you see. I tied your parents up. Side by side. Then I tied you up." Spittle dribbled down her ear and neck while he spoke. One hand stroking his hardness, the other still gripping her head tightly. "You were mine when you were only eight years old. I took you then and there. In front of your parents. Spent myself inside you and tossed you to the side while I beat your parents to near death." He used both hands now to hold and control her body forcing her onto her back. With her hands already bound she couldn't have done much. Pinning her beneath him, he shoved his length inside her, roughly beginning to thrust inside her. "I made sure that they were conscious enough to see me take you again. Your mother begged for you Miranda, begged for me to stop. It only encouraged me more you see." His thrusts grew rougher, harder, faster...this was exciting him even more then it had years ago when he'd first had her. He was so close to climaxing inside her one...last time. "As she begged I took your body Miranda, I took your life like your cowardly father took my mothers. I killed them in front of you. And then I took you again. Their blood all over my body I took you again and again. Somehow though, you managed to get away from me. I was going to kill you, but while I was getting dressed you got away and tripped the alarm. You ungrateful bitch. You ran from me. I had no choice but to leave you there. Come for you later. Take you for mine again." Her cries and pleas beneath his body drove him wild with lust, a few more hard thrusts as he roughly bit at her nipple and he emptied himself inside her, forcing her to look into his eyes. "So you see Miranda, now I must kill you, you were the only witness to it all. The only one that can condemn me for my crimes." Shuddering he thrusted a few more times into her depths before pulling away from her, disgustedly.

She wept uncontrollably listening to him. Begged him to stop. How could she have loved him? She wanted to die. She wanted death more than anything in the world right now. Nothing could have been sweeter than to die. She shook her head back and forth. "No...no you fucking bastard." The world was spinning. What was happening?

She turned away as her phone vibrated silently against her thigh...Lang...thank god, they could end this. With a breathless whisper, "Miranda I am so sorry." She was on the move to Lang. They had to hurry before Oscar killed her. "Hold on Miranda, please hold on."

Lang would wake up only a few moments after Cheyenne had left, as he sat up rubbing the back of his neck, as he looked around, not seeing her there. He shook his head slightly, before pausing a moment to stretch, to wake up his body before slipping out of the bed. Once out of the bed, he made a quick search of the bedroom.



" Damn it...she already left... ' This of course was confirmed when he found her note. A nod to himself, before throwing the note away, before moving over to his closet, then looked over his shoulder, before flicking a switch. The inside of the closet switched, revealing a totally different asortment of clothing.



He would then dress more..for stealth..with most of his form covered by very tight form fitting leather, that allowed no sound when he moved, as well as full range of motion. A smirk as he looked into the mirror a moment. Cheyenne would probably gasp to seeing him dressed like this, before shaking his head...No time to think on those matters...They had a job to do.


Once fully dressed, he'd slip out of the room, making sure he grabbed the bag that he had fixed the night before they went to bed, and slug it over his shoulder. Hopefully, Cheyenne's doubts about him being true to her, would be put to rest now.


He would slip into his car, and fired it up, before flipping a switch..making the car as silent as the night, before heading off to the docks. Once he reached the meeting point, he'd park the car in a hidden area, then slipped out..to do a little scouting of his own.

He nodded lightly to her words, as he was stangly mute right now as Chey leaned against him, telling him what he already saw. It only fueled his anger towards Oscar and his men. Once she headed off to take care of her two targets, he grinned faintly.


" Party time. " Murmured to himself, before slipping off into the shadows again. Silent as death as well, as he moved from shadow to shadow, as he slipped into the warehouse. He had spotted a few men inside, and knew if they had to be taken out, before hand..So while Chey handled the men outside, he'd handle these.




He lurked in the shadows a moment, as one of the patroling guards, walked by, before he slipped up behind them. One hand covered the male's mouth, as Lang dragged him into the darkness, before slicing the male's throat, not bothering to say a word. Once that one was out of the way, he'd slowly make his way around the warehouse, picking off each one. Once all three were down, and hidding to keep Oscar for hearing a thing, he'd slip back out again.



" Inside's secure.. " Said softly as he slipped up to Cheyenne's side, before nodding to an open window, in a silent way of say. " Best to use a quiet point of entrance." Once he helped her inside, he'd follow suit, before pointing in the direction of the room, Oscar and Miranda were in, before quietly heading that way. " He's mine. " Said with a faint glance over his shoulder to her, letting her see...it would be hard to convince him otherwise.

((Author's Note: Adult content and language included. Post was co-written by Lang's player and myself.))

His laughter echoed off the empty warehouse. "And who my dear Miranda is going to stop me? You?" He kicked at the ground beside her, sending her cowering into a ball. "You could not hurt a fly my dear Miranda. Who else could save you? Who would care to save a lowly whore like you?"

She'd had enough. She'd take her licks from Lang at a later time. She moved with ease around him and raced across the steel beam above Miranda and Oscar.

He aimed the 9mm at her head now, tilting his to the side. "No one can save you now whore. It's a pity I have to kill you, so many nights of pleasure will be lost, but I'll find another whore and train her like I did you. Maybe even that stupid ass blonde one that is trying to save you but never will because she's to stupid and blinded by the money I gave her." Cold laughter echoed again through the warehouse. "No one can save you!" He was about to pull the trigger but then...

She was directly above Oscar now but facing him. Standing straight up she gripped the pole above her head smirking down to him. Her voice echoing through the warehouse, the dagger already flying from her hand, aiming for the man's gunhand. "No one eh Oscar?" She was already free falling down in front of him, landing in a crouch, looking up to Oscar's bewildered and confused face. She stood up between him and Miranda now. "How bout this piece of shit, whore of Rogue eh Oscar? Ya still thinkin bout tappin this Oscar?" She watched him, smirking as he tried to stop the bleeding in his hand.

Wild eyes looked up to find the voice. He saw her, but only for a second. The pain, what the fuck was in his hand, it burned like hell. The 9mm clattered to the cement floor and he stumbled back. "You whore, what the hell?" He tried to pull the dagger out and couldn't. "You slut, you'll pay for this."

Lang growled faintly, but let Cheyenne handle Oscar, and he dropped down behind her, and scooped Miranda up onto his shoulder. He paused to place a hand to Chey's shoulder, while glaring at the other male, then darted out of the warehouse. He was going to get the girl out of the place first.

She blinked at the woman and then the man, cringing and whimpering when she was hoisted up and onto his shoulder. Where was he taking her, was he another one of Oscar's goons? "Please put me down, leave me alone please go away. Don't hurt me."

((Author's Note: Adult content and language included. Post was co-written by Lang's player and myself.))

Yet just moments before the dagger hit it's mark, Lang dropped down in a blur, catching it between two fingers, before flinging it right back towards Oscar, aiming to catch him off guard, as well as right between the eyes. "No one calls her a whore..and lives."

The dagger hit it's mark, the shot fired from the small .35 caught one of the windows raining glass down and around the couple now. The Rogue didn't even flinch to it as she eyed Lang. Firelight flickering in the depths of her blue eyes. "It's done. Lets get'er outta this hell hole an somewhere safe." She kept walking past him, not bothering to look back. She knew by the groan the man let off that the dagger had hit home. She was making for the front door.

"Aye..let's...and next time I tell you someone's mine..Don't rush off." Said in a soft firm voice to her, before turning to slip out with her. It would be smart to get out of here, before anyone arrived, as well as them needing to get Miranda to a safe haven.

She slipped out the door, breathing in the night air. She shook her head at the two bodies outside, smirking as the firelight was dying in her eyes. "Where'd ya take'er?" Stopping now to look him over. Making sure he'd not been hurt.

"Haven't taken her anywhere's yet.." Now leading her to the car, as he did have a few cuts on his body, nothing to serious. She'd see Miranda, in the backseat, still shaken up..but a bit calmer..once they got to the car..

She nodded to him, a nod offered to Miranda...never get close to your marks. They never needed to know about you. "We're gonna take ya sommere safe darlin'. Ain't nobody gonna hurtcha gain. Least of all those fuckers. Sit back an try an rest darlin'. We'll be there soon." She slipped into the front seat a side long glance to Lang, noting he was upset with her. She gave him directions to the Safe House ran by another one of her boys. Miranda would be welcomed to stay there as long as she needed to to get back on her feet and until the police closed the case. Cheyenne and Lang's name's would remain unknown and indescript.

Lang looked to Cheyenne a moment, and didn't say a word on the whole trip back, pausing long enough to drop Chey off by the Estates, before heading onto the Safe House. Once there, he'd walk Miranda to the door, with a nod to the male that answered the door.

She wasn't comprehending everything yet, but what she did know is that man and that woman had saved her life. She wanted to thank the man and get his name, but she couldn't even speak. She watched him walk out the door, not even a word exchanged between the men as she was left to start her life over.

There was not a moment of pause once he woke from another dream, as he quickly got dressed and moved out into the pouring rain. He didn't even notice the cold that it brought, as he moved as if he would lose the name given to him.

He already knew where he was going , as he found the door to the office he was looking for. Without a word he moved inside, as the chimes singled he was there. When the woman came out, a sigh passed his lips. Just the person he had heard about.

He could tell the woman could handle herself, but he wasn't here to have idle chit chat. So he went right ot the reason he was here. "I'll keep this short and to the point. I want to hire you to find someone for me. I'll pay whatever your price is. About two years ago. I met someone name Chantel, she means a lot to me." A pause to let it sink in.

"However, she disappeared. I tried to look for her myself, but I had my own reasons to disappear. In the last few days. A woman that seems very familar to me, has been visiting my dreams. Part of me feels it is her, yet she looked different...and calls herself Hannah. I need your help to find this woman. The price matters little to me. Will you help me?" It wasn't like him to ask for help, yet he put it to the side. He had to know what was going on.

David moved to sit down as he was asking, with his fingers drumming on the arms of that chair. Watching the woman in front of him, as she spoke on the phone. Putting the name to memory, then a shrug to her question about the offered food. At the moment he was more interested in finding Chantel, and this person named Hannah that had been appearing in his dreams.


On the other side of town.

Kraven would be out getting a few things from one of the shops in town, as he had left out a few minutes before Cheyenne started to close the office. He was just about to meet up with her, before his cell phone rang. It was Cheyenne. "What's up?" He paused as he listened to her for a moment. "Is everything alright?" Touch of concern for a moment.

A faint nod to himself. "Alright..give me about ten minutes and I'll be there." He quickly called her family, telling them they wouldn't be able to make it. He then headed to get the Italian food for the night.

Office

Kraven would arrive a few minutes later than he though, as he moved to the office just as Chey was starting to ask questions. Food and drinks handed out as he moved to sit down. He'd let Cheyenne handle this.

David on the other hand kept his eyes on Cheyenne. "Chantel was a dancer where I used to work. I worked for a man named Trent Roberts, but I was there as an undercover agent. Chantel was given to me as a gift by the man, but as time passed on. We grew closer." He paused for a moment.

"I was sent on a job, and when I got back She was gone, but her stuff was still at my house. I have a feeling he had something to do with it. But at the time I couldn't look for her, because Trent was watching me. As for this Hannah.. I know nothing about her, minus she draws me the same way Chantel." He finally started to eat slowly..letting the information to sink in.

David looked between the two for a moment. " I have an idea.." Said as he moved around the table to her, he moved a hand to her shoulder. In an attempt to link his mind to her's.

Kraven was about to speak, till he'd seen what David was doing. He chose to remain silent. Letting the two do their thing.

She arched a brow towards David and her body tensed automatically as he got up, her hand moved instinctively to grasp a dagger and palm it silently before she felt him probing into her mind. She felt his touch against her shoulder, and even through the trench she shivered. "No, please." She shook her head trying to block his connection into her mind.. if he could give, he could take as well. Her pleas fell silent as the visions took form in her mind.

Which would be sent in to her mind slowly, allowing her to absorb everything. From his past with Chantel to his current dreams of Hannah. Every detail as if she was watching a recording was shared with her. As he was trying to give her as much information that he could.

Slowly she automatically replaced the dagger as she watched the visions. She sighed softly as a smile turned her lips while she was tranced. Her skin warmed as she watched Chantel and David together - there was so much love here. Unspoken, but it was there underneath all the surface emotions. She saw Chantel buying the gold necklace for David, she turned her lips in smile at his approval of her gfit to him. She felt a warmth fill her stomach and spread throughout her body. She felt a strong confusion around the woman, Chantel and this caused the Rogue to shift in her seat. She was lost, so very lost and torn on what was right to do. Who was this Chantel? Images flickered now and the woman that he was showing her was not Chantel, but Hannah. She listened to her in his dreams. She watched the way that the pair looked at one another.. it was quite the same. She tilted her head to the side as Hannah recognized the gift that Chantel had given him. The Rogue herself was confused.. how could one woman look and act so different, but yet be the same? As the visions came to a halt, the one thing that the Rogue could lock onto was the necklace. The one thing that seemed to solidly bind the women together. Her eyes fluttered open, apologetically she glanced up into David's eyes. "I'm..I'm sorry for ya loss."

He lowered his hand, at her words. " Thank you. " He murmured as he moved to sit down. Eyes moving to the floor now. " I want to find her..I need to know what happened to her.."

The Rogues skin was still tingling from the memories that she'd both taken as was given from David. "You must understand I can't see the future beyond your memories David. That's not how my gift works." She glanced towards Kraven a moment before turning back towards David. "There are several things that still confuse me in your memories. This place.. I don't know where it is. It's not in Rhy'din anywhere. I could feel the humid air, smell murky waters I want to say." She shook her head again as she opened her lap top up and pushed the button to turn it on. "Where is this place?"

" I met her in Baton Rogue, Louisiana. It's on a place on Earth. " He murmured to her, closing his eyes as those images again flowed to his mind.

Fingers were already working the keyboard skillfully as she listened to David, blinking in a moment's pause. "Earth?" She looked to Kraven a moment, "How the hell are we supposed to get there?" The computer beeped at her and she continued to click it's neglected keys.

"Just leave that to me. I know a way to get there. " Seems there was more to David than he let on.

Kraven looked to the male a moment, then to Cheyenne. " You have to admire him. He is willing to do anything for this woman. I hope we are able to find her for him. " Murmured in a near quiet tone to the Rogue.

Such devotion was rare, especially in the male species. She only needed to look at David and she knew he was hurting and she knew if she chanced to touch him again.. and to take from him the memories he'd chosen not to share - she was sure she'd find pain. She continued to click the keys as she brought screen after screen to life, murmuring to herself and then she paused once more to look to Kraven, a smile turned her lips as she nodded. "Trent Roberts, alright. Got him. Seems he owns a club in Baton Rouge, Solace." Several more rushed key strokes, and slight movement from her hands had three more nearby screens flickering to life. "And this Hannah, is this her?" She turned one of the screens towards David.

Kraven looked at this Trent for a moment, then back to David. He didn't say anything. As he watched the man's reaction to hearing the name.

David growled to hearing Trent's name, with his hands curling into the arms of the chair. Yet the moment Cheyenne mentioned Hannah's name..He relaxed and looked to the screen. " That is her.."

She closed the distance between them, now standing only a foot apart she could hear her own heart beat in her ears. What would she see? Would she be able to tell him what he so desperately needed to know? What she'd believed the truth was? She extended her right hand towards him, trembling slightly she touched the gold necklace that laid on his neck. Her eyes closed and the images came so quick to her, almost screaming for someone.. anyone to find them and piece them together. "Oh..." She reached with her left hand out to brace the wall now as they continued to flood through her. "Confusion.. pain.. anger.. love.." She shook her head as she tried to make sense of it all. "Chantel Michelle Coag." She bit her lower lip hard for the next few moments as she continued to take... "Texas.. false records." She nodded her head as she drew her hand from the necklace, she couldn't take anymore. She had what she needed, it fit in her mind. Shakily she stepped back from David. "Sit."

He listened to her words, before he slowly sank into the chair at the woman he though he knew turned out to be a lie. He looked to the floor a moment. " She used a fake name to get close to him..Didn't she? "

On shakey legs she managed to flop back into her own chair as she looked to Kraven, "Kraven can ya get us something to drink please?" She turned back to David and fingers flew over the keyboard once more before another screen came to life. "She did. It was the only way she could try to get close to Trent. I don't know what happened to her David, as I said I can't see the future. My gift doesn't allow me to." She paused a moment, rubbing her temple, she was getting a headche, "From the timeline in your visions and your verbal recollection ya last saw Chantel roughly six months ago?"

Kraven nodded as he moved to get them both something to drink. Handing Cheyenne her normal bottle of water first before handing David a glass of water.

With a thankfull nod David took a sip. " That is correct. " He murmured softly as he looked to the image of Hannah still on the screen facing him. The one thing Hannah had feared, was that he would reject her if he knew the truth. Something David knew nothing about. " Do you knwo where she is?"

She took a much needed drink from the bottle of water as she sighed. "I do. But I'm not so sure you'll be pleased with the information." Another drink was taken before fingers continued to fly over the keyboard, a series of murmurs and grunts of approval were the only sounds she made for nearly fifteen full minutes. She needed to be sure that this was the woman before she showed David. She couldn't confirm an ID, but the timeline fit. "Baton Rouge in the last nine months time has had a total of three Jane Does brought into hospitals. However, one Jane Doe was brought in six months ago." She paused as she turned the third screen towards David. "This is a report filed by the Baton Rouge Police Department and the Board of Trustees at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center." She paused again for a drink before continuing. "It's a hospital in Baton Rouge David. This poster," She indicated the second screen now. "Was the one that was circulated through to the public. It was taken no more than minutes after her arrival at the ER." The circular he'd see would be of a woman, barely recognizable, but it did in short resemble the woman Chantel he'd described. "The Doctor's have recently extended her life support for another six months, in which time they'll reassess her current condition. She's been in a coma for the last six months."

He looked to the image, before he closed his eyes. " That is her.." He fell silent for a long moment, as he was pondering on what he should do now. Should he go there and see her? If he did..would she know it was him? He downed the rest of his drink. " Thank you.." He slowly moved to stand up again. It seemed he had the answers he came looking for.." What do I owe you?"

"From the records I can access it's not looking good for her David. She suffered a lot of trauma. I can't even begin to tell ya everything she's been through, only what the Doctor's have written here. Mebbe when ya go there, ya can find out more in depth."

" Perhaps that is true..but I must go to her..and let her know that I understand why she used a fake name..but I know deep down.." He stood as he set the glass on the table. " That she needs me now.."

She clicked a few more buttons on the keyboard, closing down all the screens. "I hope that everything works out alright David. If there's anything else we can do for ya, let us know."

He nodded lightly to Cheyenne and Kraven. " How much do I owe you? " Said softly as the price mattered little to him now.

She glanced to Kraven, a slight shake of her head to him. "Nothing, just.." she paused a moment as his pain, as raw as if she'd been cut moved her. "take care of her David."

He nodded lightly to them both again, before he turned to leave without another word said. Leaving the office as silently as he had arrived.