The Athena Projects

Ch. 5

'. . .And the plot thickens. . .'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Elliot*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As I watched through the windows I saw her come in. Farrell, my twin sister. I hadn't seen her in so long and she had changed so much, yet it was definitely she. I shifted a little to my right to get a good look at Dimitri's face. His expression was raw with emotion - happiness, relief, amazement - and, as I had expected, love.

No matter what either of them said, I knew he loved my sister, and I knew she loved him in return. It had been one of the reasons I had kept such a close eye on Dimitri when we had thought Farrell had been recaptured.

I knew he had wanted to go after her - not that I hadn't - and I didn't think it would do her - or us - any good if we were to both barge into the lab and get ourselves killed.

The Lab had their priorities straight and would gladly sacrifice two pawns for their queen.

I moved my gaze back through the window as Farrell moved with her usual cat- like grace down to the little pen of toddlers and small children. They sat around - and on - her as she began to read a book to them. Before long everyone, including Farrell, had began to doze.

Carefully, we went around to the front of the building to check the papers in the front desk. After much deliberation everyone had agreed that if the papers indicated that Dr. White had adopted Farrell then this mission could *not* turn into a rescue mission. This was because we couldn't risk being discovered while trying to conceal her power.

Dimtri had argued fervently but in the end he had seen the necessity for discretion. Barley.

None of us (except maybe Dimitri) had any delusions about what the raiding party would find. We had already heard that he had, in fact, signed the papers the question was only 'who?'. This question was easily answered by a quick look into the filing cabinet.

After much quiet arguing we convinced Dimitri to wait until tomorrow night to come and get Farrell as Dr. White might be watching her. Silently and regretfully we left the Orphanage the way we had come in and headed back to the base.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~Quinn~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Later That Night*

Stealing through the darkness, slinking from shadow to unforgiving shadow I moved like a ghost that's lost it's way. I moved towards the place they called 'the Center' aware of every living thing in the darkness.

I could feel the sleeping minds of the people in their city homes and those of the children inside the small orphanage. There, among the babbling minds of the incompetent human race, was my beloved Farrell.

I could see her from where I now stood and I felt like I could stay there forever, content to just stare into her face for all eternity. But I had a mission to accomplish and *nothing* would deter me from my objective.

I had almost lost her two times already and I didn't want to risk loosing her again. Both times the despicable prick, Dimitri, had taken her away from me. He had filled her head with ridiculous notions of rebellion and altruism - almost gotten her killed.

I would get her to see what Dimitri was really about by exposing him for what he truly is. Then Farrell would come back to me and together there was no telling what we could accomplish.

I could feel the smile spread across my face as I moved closer to the building - I couldn't wait to have that fool, Dimitri's heart stop beating in my hands. That would teach him not to take what was mine. *No one* takes what's mine.

Swiftly, like a dark bird I flew into the building, melding with the shadows and becoming one with the darkness. It was what I was trained to do, therefore I did it well. No one could see me if I did not wish them too.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Farrell~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I awoke to the sound of someone breathing right above me and a couple seconds later I realized small children no longer surrounded me. My eyes shot open and in front of me was yet another familiar face.

"Farrell?" it asked worriedly

"-Where are they - Who are you?" My mind stumbled over itself trying to get my priorities in order.

"Sh h h h - you'll wake them. Don't you recognize me, Farrell? It's Quinn. . . are you okay?" he asked, leaning in closer. I wiggled out from under him and quickly made my way over to the little bedroom the munchkins shared. They were all slumbering quietly away in their respective cribs and beds, unaware of the intruder.

That thought brought me back to the stranger - no not stranger - *person* in the middle of the room. It no longer surprised me that I knew this individual; I seemed to know a lot of people these days.

By now I was so used to trying to piece together broken memories of my past that it seemed like second nature.

"I'm sorry. . . Quinn? I remember you but. . . why are you here?" I asked as politely as possible.

"Oh, Farrell, Farrell, Farrell. . ." and he repeated my name a couple more times as he put his arms around me. For some reason I mistrusted him. Maybe it was the paranoia involving the Whites but something about him was just not right. Nevertheless he held on to me until I relaxed in his arms. Then he held me at arms length.

"What has Dimitri done to you?" he asked, obviously more to himself then to me, as if he thought I wasn't capable of answering.

"Dimitri didn't do anything to me. . . really I'm alright. . .But why are you here?" I repeated my question, wondering if he was going to grace it with an answer this time.

"You know him? Have you seen him? Where is he? That rat -" He said the last with such venom that I involuntarily took a step back.

"I-I don't know where he is. . . I haven't seen him for a long time. . . Why?" Quinn took a hold of my shoulders and shook me gently.

"If you ever, *ever* see him again call the police, call someone! DON'T let him get away! Farrell, he's a bad person, I know you won't believe me but please . . . Just do as I ask." Then he kissed me on the lips so hard I thought I would bruise if he didn't let go soon.

Despite its force, Quinn's kiss had none of the magic that Dimirti's kiss had possessed and I was left wondering why as I watched Quinn's back retreat though the shadows.

I stood there for a moment watching the spot where I had last seen him when suddenly a voice came from behind me.

"What was THAT all about?!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/n: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! ! ! !

O o o how I love a good cliffhanger!! But there is a reason for this one so you cant really blame me . . . well I suppose *technically* you could blame me . . . but anyway I hope you liked it and if you have any suggestions for the story line please let me know!

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters: interesting name you have there. . . pray tell, how did you come by it? (That's Emily speak for 'how did you get your name?') I updated but your going to hate me for the gigantic cliffy at the end! o_0;; what do you suggest should happen? It would help me update faster!

Talyra: updated again! This time I did the grammar check myself again so hopefully its not riddled with crappy grammatical errors.

Funfact: I was going to name Quinn 'Harlequin' but I decided that it was too much of a mouthful. What do you think?

Enjoy!

-Em