Conspiracy LoveThe

[Gaias_child]

The foundation rose above all the other buildings in the city,crisp and flawless against the skyline. The foundation worked on many highly classified research jobs,clearance to work there is the strictest around. An employee must go through a battery of health tests,screenings,and mental evaluations. They have to be some of the most knowledgable people around the country. Tonight,several women worked closely together in the small white lab room. Standing close to gether as they worked. Hands easily mixing chemicals from one beeker to another,the smaller of the two added the data to a laptop computer in front of her.

They were dressed from head to toe in bio-suits,goggles covering their eyes,concealing their true looks. The older of the the Dr. Gina Grey turned to her assisstant and smiled. Her hand going up to remove the goggles to reveal sparkling green eyes. "Well,It would seem we have figured out the bio work up of the poisons. We now have enough data to either expose the company for the nuclear acts they are doing,or we can stay quiet and let them continue to build theses bombs."She said to the smaller girl next to her.

Taylor Harrison smiled up at her mentor and friend,nodding as she finished up with the computer. She pulled the external hard drive free and put it in her pocket. "You know we cant expose anything,security is way too tight. Maybe we can get this out to the FFs."She said softly looking around the room as if someone was going to hear them.

Dr. Grey laughed softly and shook her head. "You know the Freedom Fighters are just a bunch of no-good thieves. They would use this for their own advantage over the Foundation."She moved across the room as the intercom buzzed. "Dr. Grey..Please come to my office."Came the voice of the Administrator of the company. Dr. Grey looked over her shoulder at Taylor and frowned slightly at the odd request. "Take the memory card,keep it safe,we have enough dummy data to keep them satified."She watched the worried expression come over Taylor's face. "Don't worry if anything happens you know the plan and what to say."Dr. Grey gave her a quick hug as she moved out of the room.

Taylor watched her leave before closing down the computers and heading out of the room. She walked down the stark white hallways towards her room,looking over her shoulder once more before she entered it. Finally letting out the pent up breath she had been holding. Things were getting thick here now and she hoped she could keep it together until they got out of there. She pulled the suit from her body and stood in front of a full length mirror in her shorts and tank top.


She was a small woman standing about 5 foot,her shoulder length blonde haircurled at the nape of her neck slighlty. Her deep blue eyes were large on her pixie face. Her mouth was small but her lips were full. Sighing she moved away from the mirror and stepped into a small alcove. They didnt have normal showers but powerful air cleansing units. She closed her eyes as the air burst around her.Moving from the unit she got the feeling once more she was being watched and looked around her room,then out of the window. She could see nothing but the run down warehouses across the street that had been abandoned for years. Blinking she thought she saw someone running in the shadows. For several minutes she stood there looking into the shadows beefore a loud buzzing caught her attention.


She turned and lifted the phone from the table. "Taylor Harrison."She said simply into the phone. Her body went cold as the Administrators voice came on the line. "Miss Harrison,please come to my office."Was all he said and the line went dead. She looked at the phone in her hand for several seconds before pulling on a pair of blue scrubs. She opened her door to see several security personal waiting. She frowned. "What is the meaning of this?"She asked hearing the catch in her voice.

"Maam..you are to come with us."Was all the guard said as each one flanked her sides. They began down the hallway and she looked from each of them the back in front of her. The walk down the hallway then up the elevator to the top floor seemed to take forever. She quickly felt for the small object hidden in her pocket. It was a dummy pocket with the real pocket slightly lower,if one felt it would just feel like an empty pocket. She kept the small hard drive on her at all times. She looked up as the door slide open into the Administrators office.

The guards stood at the elevator doors while she slowlly walked over to stand before his desk. "You wanted to see me ,Sir?"She asked softly as she kept her eye from his face. He was am imposing man,evil was sitting deep in his gaze.The administraotr leaned back in his chair and let his gaze travel over her small form,the hunger there was evident and she shifted slightly. "As you know,I just had a conversation with Dr. Grey,she has now left our employement. She has been doing some things that..lets say would topple this company."he watched Taylor's face for any reaction.

Taylor was floored by the statement that Gins was gone,he had fired her. But something didnt feel right,she would have said goodbye to her. Taylor kept her reactions to a minimum as he continued."Do you have all the documented data of the work you was helping her on."He asked her leaning forward in his chair to stare hard at her. Taylor slid easily into the cover up lies she had been told to use. She nodded her head slowly trying to look scared and innocent.

"Yes,sir. I recorded everything thing we found,each little piece of information no matter how useless it seemed."She said lifting her chin and folding her hands in front of her. She felt the bead of sweat run down her back. He stood and walked around the desk to stop before her. He towered over her and his hand reached out to run along her cheek before grabbing her neck tightly. He squeezed haed enough to make her struggle. "If you are hiding anything from me,it will not be pleasnat for you."He said matter of factly as he released her just as quickly. "Bring me the laptop."He told one of the guards before turning back to her.

She heard the elevator close as the guard left,she knew the data they had faked would satisfy him for now,but not for long. She had to think of a way to get out of there and fast. He looked her up and down slowly before he turned away from her. "Leave the passcode on my desk and leave. Remember if I find anything wrong.."he let those words hang in the air. She moved quickly to the desk and wrote down the passcode to the laptop and hurried to the elevator. The guard didnt follow this time as she let out a big breath as she descended to her floor.

She emerged onto her hallway just as the guard with her laptop stepped into the elevator. The look he gave her made her stop,something wasnt right. He gave her a look that made her wonder if he knew what she was doing. She watched him as the doors closed taking him upwards. She stood there for several minutes before going into her room. She stopped feeling those eyes on her once more. She turned and looked out the window again. This was crazy she must be loosing it with nerves.

She moved to sit down on her bed,lying back she slid one hand up under her pillow,she froze. She pulled her hand back from under it and saw the folded piece of paper. She unfolded it and was shocked at the 2 words. BE READY
She looked around to see if anything else was strange but saw nothing,the guard,it had to have been him. But why,who was he. She sat up on the edge of the bed,her hands feeling for the small hard drive,sighing when she felt it.What happened next sent her falling to the floor hard.

The explosion that ripped through the building sent her across the floor,her forehead hitting the table edge hard and she saw stars. She pulled herself to her feet as one hand brushed the blood from her eyes. Staggering to the door she stepped out into the hallway to see the chaos that was occuring. Doctors and scientists rushing here and there. Guards yelling for more help,the cries of the wounded met her ears. She was pushed hard against the wall as a guard rushed by towards the lab at the end of the hallway. Smoke billowed from it,flames licked at the walls. She could hear the wuto extinguishers kicking on to put out the fires.

One guard grabbed her arm roughly and spun her around against the wall,pressing her tight to it. "Don't move!"He hissed into her ear,pulling out the shackle ties to bind her wrists. "Your under arrest for conspiracy against the Foundation."He growled as he yanked her around and towards the elevator. She knew where he was leading her and she couldnt go there. That would mean death for sure. She struggled against the hand holding onto her arm. Her small feet kicked out against his legs,hard enough for him to grunt and shake her like a rag doll. Her head swam from the shake and she reacted quickly..she headbutted him..hard. His grip released slightly and she tore from it.

She could feel the blood from the gash on her forehead now running down her face,the explosion of the window beside her sent her into the wall. She slid to the floor dazed as the man that swung in through the ruined window and dropped down in front of her. He looked at her,then twisted to the guard following her,his gun fired quickly and she felt the splatter of his blood and tissue fall onto her body. The guard fell lifeless next to her,the man who was dressed in head to foot black even his eyes were covered reached down and lifted her to her feet,sicing through her bindings. "Your coming with me."

 

[Gaias_child]

((( looking for a guy to place the Freedom fighter merc who will have to take her across country to his bosss,along the way they will run into all sorts of troubles..he will not have much feelings towward her at first then as they travel along he will try and fight his feelings for her. Send me an IM and a intro bio if it works for me then we will go from there..thanks. Also the title should just be Conspiracy Love..dont know where the word the came in at the end..lol)))

 

[Ikely]

Character Appearance: http://modelmayhm-1.vo.llnwd.net/d1/photos/070329/22/460c7042c3bdf.jpg



“Sheppard, Black sheep 1 Actual, I’m in position.”

Clay Sabo had just finished tying on his rappelling gear and stood at the edge of the building. He hated rappelling but it was part of the job.

Clay was waiting on his signal to begin his part in this operation.

The explosion rocked the building. That was his signal. He pushed out with his legs and the line went flying through D ring. Just as he was swinging in, he tossed the small chunk of explosive at the window. The impact of the explosive with the glass detonated the charge. It was a small enough explosion to remove the window glass but not do real damage to people on the other side. The safety of the principle came first.

With the glass out of the way, Clay swung into the room. He landed, and then dropped into a combat firing crouch. Next, he began swinging his body around for target acquisition.

In that instant, he recognized the principle, the blonde female. He also recognized a threat. The guard was turning to address him, with his gun up. The guard actually had good tactics. He was trying to drop and move to cover. Unfortunately, he was slow to react.

Clay fired 3 times in rapid succession. The first 2 rounds struck the guard center mass. Just as Clay had thought, he was wearing soft body armour, a bullet proof vest. That was why Clays 3rd round was fired at the guard’s nose. The 9mm round actually struck the guard under the right eye and the guard was turned off, like a light switch.

Clay continued to scan the environment. Seeing no other threats he turned to the principle.
He helped her to her feet, and then cut the tie wraps binding her wrists with his Tanto, Cold Steel combat knife. “You’re coming with me.”

She had a dazed and frightened look on her face. Clay snatched the balaclava off of his head. The black, cotton mask looked like a ski mask, but was lighter. Now she could see his face, his blond hair and icy blue eyes, and his 5 oclock shadow.

Clay adjusted the ear piece in his right ear, then the throat mike around his Adam’s apple.

“Sheppard, Black sheep 1 Actual, package in hand, we are moving to the exfil location at this time.”
“Black sheep 1 Actual, Sheppard, be advised you have multiple targets moving to your location, advise you take route Violet.”
“Sheppard, black sheep 1 actual, solid copy.”

Clay looked at the woman, scared and bloody.

“If you want to live through the next few minutes, you will do exactly what I tell you.”

Clay then moved her behind him and did a quick peek into the hall way.
“Follow me.” Clay said

“Black sheep 1 Actual, you have multiple contacts behind and above you.”

The bad guys were trying to bracket them. They were going to have to shoot their way out. Clay reholstered the Glock into its thigh rig and switched to the H&K MP-5. The submachine gun was silenced, but that wouldn’t matter now.

Checking to make sure the principle was with him, he pushed out towards the elevators. He pried the doors open. The security force was following the typical plan. They had locked down the elevators and their forces were using the stairs.

As Clay was putting together a dual harness for them to ride down the elevator cables to the bottom, the stairway door at the far end of the hall burst open and 4 guards, dressed in tactical gear bounded in to the hall.

Clay maneuvered to the corner, placing the principle behind him. He fired off a 3 shot burst, which made the guards duck and dive for cover, then Clay started aiming and he picked the guards off. The first one took a round in the ear as he tried to get back through the door way. The next 2 died while trying to put fire down on Clay, a burst of rounds stitched across their necks and head. The last one stood and made a valiant charge. A single round blew the top of the brave man’s head off.

“Get up!” Clay yelled as he snatched the woman to her feet.

The harness and the carrier were prepared. The carrier was in place on the cable. The breaking handle jutted out to the left side of the carrier.

Clay grabbed the woman and hugged her tight.

“Put your legs around my waist.”
She hesitated.
“DO IT!”

The woman jumped and grabbed around Clay’s neck while wrapping her legs around his waist.

Clay leaned out and grabbed the cable. Using the D ring clasp on his riggers belt, Clay locked in to the carrier, which took a lot of the load off of his straining arm muscles.

“Don’t let go of me!” Clay said as he released the braking mechanism.

They fell like they had been shot out of a gun. The cable making a high pitched singing sound.

Clay had been counting off seconds in his head. When he reached 0, he applied the brake. Sparks flew; the woman placed her face down into Clay’s chest.

When they stopped, Clay released the D ring and they dropped another 8 feet. Clay, holding the woman’s head to his chest, fell sideways, along his calves, and then thighs then butt.

He jumped up and set the woman on the ground then pulled her behind him.

They reached the parking garage just as a patrol of guards appeared. The fight was on. As Clay was firing he was moving, dragging the woman along behind him. When the firing stopped and the patrol was dead, Clay found the red Audi R8, right where it was supposed to be.

Clay opened the passenger door and shoved the woman inside, then ran around to the driver side and fired the sports car up.

As the approached the exit, the gate guard approached saying “You can’t leave, I’m sorry but we are in a security lock down.”

Clay shot him between the eyes as he accelerated out of the garage and into the street.

As he drove at a normal speed, he looked over at the principle.

In spite of the wounds and the dirty grimy face, she was a very beautiful woman.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor was stunned as the man finally showed his face to her,her body frozen in place until he barked at her to move. She felt his hand tight around her wrist as he pulled her after him. Several times he spoke into his earpiece,she knelt down in front of the elevator. The bullets rang around her haed,the steel clanks of them hitting the walls. She felt her breath hitch when he ordered her towrap her body around his,his forceful order made her wrap herself around him. She buried her face into his neck as she felt the bottom fall out from under her.

The rush of air coming up around her made her wrap her arms tighter around him. Finally he lowered her to stand on firm ground once more,no time to catch her breath before he was pulling her off once more. The car waited for them and she treid not to think about the guard he shot right between the eyes as they drove out of the Basement garage.She trembled from the shock of everything that had just happened,could feel his eyes looking at her at different times. She lifted a hand up to touch the gash on her forehead and winced slightly from the pain. Finally getting up the nerve to look over at him for the first time.

He was rugged and handsome,his face chisled with hardened features,but something told her he was not one to fuck with. "Who are you and where are we going?" She managed to say as the curver he took had her grasping the doorhandle to keep from falling over against him.""Im just an assisstant I dont know anything."She continued to speak while trying to feel for the small item hidden in her pants. She tried to sound like a weak woman but she actually had had training in martial arts and some weapon training. Dr. Grey made sure she knew how to handle herself if trouble came calling."They will follow us."Was all she said at that moment as she turned to look ou of the window.

 

[Ikely]

Clay drove normally. He made a few turns and maneuvers to determine if they were being trailed by anyone. Their 6 was clear.

Clay drove around until they turned into an alley. In the middle of the alley was a well worn out old pick-up truck. Clay parked behind the truck, then said, “Go get in the passenger side of that truck. Walk normally and act like you own the place.”

She hesitated an instant, and then got out of the sports car. She walked with a purpose and opened the passenger side door then got in.

Clay cinched his equipment up tight, sliding the submachine gun so that it was tight in the small of his back. Clay reached under the steering column and toggled a device attached there. It was an explosive, a booby trap for if, rather when the corporation thugs found the car.

Clay smoothly exited the car and moved calmly to the truck.

Once inside, he told the woman to buckle her seat belt then started the truck and drove away.
After some more evasive maneuvers the truck finally eased into what appeared to be a self storage building. It was not.

Indicating the woman should go through a door in the main building, Clay followed her. The pair entered what looked like an office. Clay went to another door and then entered a code into the number pad next to the door. They went through the door.

It was the tactical command center for the security company that Clay was working with.

Clay was greeted first by another operator, Kane Amaro. He was not happy and began yelling at Clay.

“You fucked up big! You didn’t need to use that exfil plan...that was supposed to be for an emergency!
They are all over us now….you know the capabilities of the corporation. Damn!”

Clay stared for an instant, then in a calm voice said, “Kane, I understand you are still pissed I got the assignment and you didn’t, but you have to get over it. Just do your job, man.”

Clay then motioned for the woman to follow him. They went into a room where the program manager was on the phone. The manager, Robert Chavez, said into the phone, “Let me call you back…Clay, what the fuck man? That sure didn’t go the way I had hoped.”

“I know Bob, but it’s over. The package is safe.”

Chavez looked at the woman, and then said, “Ok, get her prepped. I want you 2 on the road and headed out in half an hour.” Clay shook the man’s hand then motioned for the woman to go out of the room.

They next stopped at the medical station. The nurse started treating the woman’s injuries. The nurse was a good looking older female.

“At least she doesn’t have any broken bones, well done Clay.” It was a smart ass remark, but Clay wasn’t really listening. He was taking off his tactical load bearing vest and armour. He took off his 5.11 tactical blouse, then turned wearing his UnderArmour t-shirt. The shirt pulled extremely tight, highlighting the muscles in his chest and abs.

“Are you done yet, Desiree?” He said to the nurse. Desiree Thurman finished putting on a butterfly bandage on the cut on the woman’s head. “Ok, she will be fine…if you don’t get her shot up.”

As Clay and his principle walked out, Clay was shuffling through a file that someone had handed him.
“Ok….Ms. Harrison. We have been hired to get you safely to the East coast. You have some information that our client wants to see. Don’t say anything yet. I don’t know nor do I care if you have anything or not. If you do have that information, I don’t want to know about it. Do not tell anyone. Trust no one, with that information. Dr. Gina Grey was in on our being contracted. You should know her, and know that we are trying to keep you safe.

“All you have to do is exactly what I say and do it exactly when I say to do it. We are going to be driving cross country and the corporation will be after us. Believe that, and they will kill you if they get a hold of you. Do you understand?”

They next moved into a room which was lined with various sorts of clothing. A tech came up to Clay. She was a nerdy little woman. Her hair was pulled into a pony tail. The dumpy little woman wore ugly eye glasses, but they only highlighted the look of desire she had when she looked at Clay.

“Hi Clayton,” Phyllis Comstock said with a smile on her face.
“Hey Phyllis, what do you have for me.” Clay was still sifting through the file.

The look on Phyllis’s’ face turned sour.

“Here are 2 passports, with fake names for you and…..and her.” The woman’s voice dripped with disgust. “You also get 2 unlimited credit cards,” she set the cards on the table, “and $10,000 in cash.” Phyllis placed a box on the table next to the credit cards. Phyllis also placed 2 cell phones on the table.
“Thanks Phyllis.” Was all Clay said, not even looking at Phyllis. She left the room. Clay put all of it into a black, 3 day assault pack.

Clay then turned to Taylor Harrison and pulled off his t-shirt. He shook out his arms and said, “Take off your clothes.” The look on Taylor’s face was priceless.

“We have to put on different clothes. You know, sort of like a disguise.”

Clay made an attempt at hiding his view, as she stripped out of her clothes down to her underwear. He still had to look at the beautiful woman. Her body was dynamite, for sure, Clay thought.
Clay, wearing only white boxer briefs, selected some coyote colored tactical pants with cargo pockets, a pair of Nike trainers, a University of Southern California t-shirt, and topped it off with a Dodgers baseball cap.

Taylor was fitted with an Xtreme soft body armour vest.

When she was dressed, they went to the armoury.

Clay selected 2 Glock 22’s, an M-4 with EO Tech optics. He also selected an M-9 Beretta 9mm that he would be giving to Taylor at some point. He took 7 flash bang grenades and 7 fragmentation grenades. Last, he drew a Remington 870, 12 gauge shotgun. Clay asked the armourer for 1000 rounds for the M-4, and another 500 rounds for the pistols. He then requested that he place it all in the vehicle.

The vehicle was a brand new blue, Ford Mustang. It was in one of the self storage lockers in the complex.

When everything was set, he shook hands with Robert Chavez, who said, “Good Luck, Clay…be safe.”
Clay said nothing, he just nodded.

“Ms. Harrison, if you please.” Clay indicated towards the car. She got in. Clay climbed into the driver side and fired the car up. They pulled out, turned onto the street, and accelerated away.

===================================================================================

The subject watched them leave. The subject went around a corner away from the others, and pulled out the cell phone the corporation had given them. They hit the speed dial.
“They just left….no, there was no discussion as to what their final location is. Clayton Sabo is very good, so he kept the file close to him…..no, she didn’t....yes, they are heavily armed…..Yes, they are driving a blue mustang, and the license plate is…..”
The subject disconnected and returned to work.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor tried to not seem flustered as she was first ushered into one room then another,from the medic clinic to have her cuts tended and cleaned up,to another room where he ordered her to strip. She stared at him for several seconds before she complied,sliding into a pair of jeans,and button up shirt and comfortable shoes. Finally they had been shown there new car and given new phones and money.

She frowned when he mentioned Dr. Grey and felt herself relax..somewhat. Something still told her something wasnt right and she looked over her shoulder,peering out of all the cars windows. She looked over at Clay as they left the building. "My Name is Taylor,Dr. Grey is the closest Ive had to family in a long time. They told me she left the foundation,but I dont think she did."Taylor spoke feeling her heart lurch at the thought of her friend and mentor dead. She had removed the small hardrive from her ruined clothes and slid it into her bra while she dressed.

"I gave them a fake laptop and information like I was told too. I even planted a bug that once they used the passcode I gave them it would crash and corrupt every file on it."She continued to talk. "Also,If you have one,may I get a gun to keep on me or a knife. I feel helpless without one."She said watching him. She knew she didnt look like one who could fight but she could hold her own if needed.

 

[Ikely]

Climbing in to the car and driving away, the beautiful Ms. Harrison explained what she had done to delay the corporation. Then she asked if she could have a gun or a knife. Clay grinned at her. She didn’t look like the gun shooting type of girl. “I mean, she is a scientist, right? Sort of a nerd“, thought Clay.

Clay asked, “You do know which end the fire comes out of, right?” Clay asked with a straight face. The glare she shot him was icey. Clay now smiled big. He was getting tired. He started to get goofy when he got tired, and he had been awake for 27 hours.

“The black pack in the back seat, there is a 9mm with a full magazine and 2 more mags in there, grab that.” Clay made a motion with his head.

When she took retrieved the pistol, she held it and she seemed to relax.

Clay drove at a quick pace. He had conducted a few maneuvers to check they were not followed.

When they were on highway 395 Clay tended to relax.

The sun had set 4 hours ago.

They arrived in the town of Bishop. The town was beside the Inyo National Forrest, which would be their escape route if they should need to run on foot.

Clay wheeled the sports car into a Best Western. He parked in a space away from the main entrance.
Before getting out, he told her to get the pistol in the small of her back, and get it concealed.

The pair walked together across the parking lot, Clay’s eyes in a constant scan.

Once inside, he asked for a room, preferably a corner room on the ground floor, for him and….his wife. Clay didn’t flinch or hesitate when he said it. He produced a fake driver’s license with the name he had given. He gave Taylor’s name as “Robin”

Clay was delighted to hear they had a ground floor, corner room. They went back to the car and moved it closer to the room.

“Taylor, you grab the black pack.” Clay went to the trunk and pulled out the large, black canvass gear bag, with a shoulder strap. It contained the rifles. Clay then set the alarm on the Mustang and the pair went to the room.

Once inside the room, which contained only one bed, Clay set the bag down.

“Taylor, if you want, you can grab a shower or whatever. I am going to grab us some chow. Remember, there is no one who knows where we are. If anyone approaches the door, and says they are here to help or that you should go with them, you need to aim center mass and shoot them, do you understand?” Clay asked. She acknowledged him; he then asked how she liked her steak cooked.

Clay then slipped out the door.

It took about 30 minutes. Clay found a steak place and ordered the food. On his drive back to the room, he realized that he was not concentrating on the task; he was imagining Taylor Harrison, naked and wet, in the shower…

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor looked at him as he scanned the room,the gun cold against the small of her back. The small dragon tattoo was hidden by the gun nestled there. "Rare" Was all she said at his mention of steaks<the mention of a shower held her attention. She listened to his instructions before he left the room,giving him a drool look. "Listen,I'm not some little girl who needs to been told everything to do."She said in her soft voice as she pulled her shirt up and over her head,dropping it onto the bed.

She wore a simple white bra,the dragon tattoo wasn't the only one she had. Turning to head to the bathroom,the entwined dragons on her shoulder was visible. She stopped with her hand on the doorknob as she listened for him to leave. She let out a deep breath when she heard the click of the lock falling into place as he left. She walked into the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was tired,the dark circles under her eyes told that. Her forehead was covered with a simple bandage,blood had stained it but not ran free. She walked over and turned the bath facets on,opting for a long hot bath.She pulled the rest of her clothes off and slowly sank into the hot water,sighing softly as she leaned back against the tub.

Her head rested on the back of the tub,her eyes closed,steam rose from the water steaming up the room. She began to relax slightly,the heat from the water making her doze. She didnt hear the faint click as the door in the other room slid open,nor did she heard the footsteps stop before the bathroom. She did here the faint clink but thought it was Clay coming back. She kept her eyes shut as she called out.

"Clay,Ill be out in a minute."She said to let him know she was almost done. Sighing she sat up to wash and rinse off. She looked up as the doorknob turned. "Clay,damnit..I said Im almost....."Her words stopped as the door swung open. The large man grinned at her as he advanced on her. Her eyes went to the gun resting on the sink and she made a scramble for it. Her feet slid on the wet tub and she fell forward cracking her knees on the edge of the tub.

The man growled and rushed her,grabbing her arm before she could get the gun and yanked her from the tub. He slammed her up against the wall hard,stars danced in front of her eyes as her breath was cut off."The data...give me the data."He growled and shook her with each word. Her knee came up and connected hard with his groin,his howl of pain filled her ears. His grip relaxed slightly and she took advantage of it to grab his arm at the wrist and elbow,yanking upward hard she felt the joints and bones give. His good fist slammed into the side of her head,knocking her across the small room.

She shook her head,grabbing the edge of the sink to pull herself up. She saw the gun..reaching for it she didnt think. She turned the gun and aimed dead center of his chest. Her finger pulled the trigger. The loud bang seemed louder than what it was in her ears. The man looked surprised as he looked down at the front of his chest,the spot of red growing larger as he fell forward. Blood splattered across her body and face and she watched the man fall dead at her feet. She slowly slid down the wall between the sink and toilet and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her eyes wide and staring at the first man she had ever killed. The gun still gripped tightly in her hand as she began to rock back and forth slightly.

 

[Ikely]

Clay found a restaurant and got them food. Next he gassed up the Mustang then drove back to the hotel.

As he approached the hotel parking lot, he noticed 2 things that made him continue driving by.

First, there was a Lincoln, backed in, across the lot from the door to their room. There was 1 subject sitting in the drivers seat.

The other, and most serious thing he saw was that the door to the room was partially open.

Lance parked a short distance away from the hotel parking lot. He made his way on foot to the parking lot, using cars and other buildings and the darkness of night to hide his movement.

He reached the Lincoln, and staying crouched down, on the right side, he eased up and checked the door locks. They appeared to be unlocked. He worked his way back around, staying low, below the line of sight in the mirrors and reached the left rear passenger door.

In one quick movement, he snatched the door open, slid in, grabbed the drivers head, tilted it up and laid the Cold Steel, Tanto combat knife on the drivers adam's apple. The driver tensed up, wiggled a bit and felt the razor sharp blade slice a small cut in his throat. He stopped moving, then raised his hands in surrender.

"Who are you?" Clay said in a whisper, his voice as cold as the night air.
"Fuck you...you first!" the driver hissed.

Clay used the knife to turn the man's head to the right, so that they were looking eye to eye.
"I'm the grim reaper.....now you." Clay said calmly.

The drivers eyes made a quick movement down and to the right. Clay caught the outline of a pistol about the same time as the driver made his move for it.

There is a place at the base of the human skull, to the left of the spinal column that the Chinese call the "Wind Gate" A blade shoved in that location turns a human into instant rag doll. The driver died.

Clay pulled his Glock and approached the partially opened door, from the left side, never exposing himself to the open portion, also known as the fatal funnel.

Clay, out of habit moved the slide back on the pistol to check there was a round chambered. Then he kicked the door all the way in, and moved quickly into the room, dropping low, and to the right. A quick scan showed no threats.

"Taylor? Taylor, it's Clay!"

The only location she could be was in the bathroom.

Moving to the door, he eased it open. He saw the dead body of the man first. Then he saw Taylor, naked and shivering. She held the pistol pointed at the body.

"Taylor, it's me. You're ok now. Taylor, can you put the gun down?"
Clay eased in, sticking his own pistol into the small of his back.
"Taylor....Taylor, can I hold the gun?" Clay moved slowly towards her, his eyes never leaving the gun she held.

He squatted down, so that he was on the same level as her. "Taylor...can I have the gun please?"
Clay's right hand moved slowly until he gripped the pistol. "Taylor, let me have the gun. He is dead. He can't hurt you. Taylor, give me the gun." Clay slowly started to remove the gun from her hand. There was an instant where she gasped, and clinched the gun, her blue eyes flicked to look at Clay. Then she let go of the gun.

Clay put the safety on, and stuck the gun in a back pocket. He then grabbed her hand and lifted her up to her feet. She was naked, and wet, and trembling. Clay pulled her close, and hugged her.
"It's ok. You are safe now. Its ok."

She began to weep, and Clay hugged her tighter, her naked breasts against his chest.

"Taylor, I need you to go get dressed. We don't have a lot of time." Clay lead her out into the room.

She started to respond, and began dressing.

Clay went back into the bathroom and began to search the body. He was a big dude. He had no identification. But he did have an encrypted radio. That may come in handie at some point. Clay put the radio on his belt. He also removed the man's 9 mm pistol and a lock blade knife.

He got Taylor in the car, and they drove away, to the east.

On the drive, he stopped once and got a Monster energy drink to help stay awake. He thought that Taylor might be sleeping.

He saw the sign that read, "Welcome to Nevada", just as the sun was starting to penetrate the dark of night.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor stared at the dead man,certain he would rise in her mond. She huddle,shaking,there in the corner. Her hand gripped tightly around the gun,vaguely hearing Clay coming into the room. His words finally broke through her daze and she let loose of the gun. She felt him lift her and her tears began to flow,hard sobs wracked her body as they stood there in the bathroom for several minutes. She finally got herself under control and followed his oorders to get dressed. She was exhausted and dressed mechanically.

She didnt remember climbing into the car,or them driving away from the Motel. Sleep drug her down hard,her dreams eluded her this time. She slumped in the seat next to CLay,one handresting on her lap and the other on the console between them. She had no idea when they passed across the state line,no him stopping long enough to get something to drink. Her mind had blissfully shut down,sleep taking her away from her current situation for the moment.She jerked upright,the seatbelt holding into her seat as she looked frantically around.

Her eyes darted around them quickly disoriented. Taking a deep shuddering breath she leaned back in the seat as she looked over at Clay. "Sorry..startled myself."She said flatly as she looked out of the window as they drove. The rising sun made her squint slightly. Her eyes felt like sand was embedded in them. She looked back over at Clay,he looked like he was about to drop over from lack of sleep,but his eyess held a fierce glint in them still. "I can drive for awhile if you want."She said softly touching his arm.

"I'm sorry about back at the Motel,I thought it was you coming in."She tried to explain as the images returned to her. "I..I never killed anyone before."She said quickly,noticing the catch in her own voice. She couldnt get the man's last look at her out of her head no matter what she tried to think of. She shifted slightly,feeling the call of mother nature pulling at her bladder. She squeezed her thighs tightly together as she tried to concentrate on something else. She reached down to feel the small item in her pocket that had people out trying to kill her.

She almost wished she had never agreed to this,but she knew she was doing the right thing. She groaned softly as the pain increased. "Can we pull over...I..I..Umm..need to use the bathroom."She said as she felt the flush of red start up her neck and into her cheeks. She bit her bottom lip as she looked over at him,noticing the quick look he gave her. She couldn't help it,she had to go. "I can drive after that..you need to rest sometime."She added quickly as she tried to look away from him.

 

[Ikely]

They were close to 60 miles outside of Tonopah Nevada, on Highway 6, when Taylor woke up....well, it was more like she came to. She clearly was disoriented. But shortly, she was clear headed and talking. That was good.

When she apologized for the incident back at the hotel, Clay just nodded. He said, "That wasn't your fault." Clay had been racking his brain to find out whose fault it was.

Those shitbags had driven right to them. Something had tipped them off. It couldn't have been that they knew where they were going to be. Clay had picked the town and hotel totally at random. So it had been the car. They knew the car. But how? They had to have spotted it, then when he left they made their move. That theory only made Clay more nervous. Had he got all of them? If not, then they were following now. Clay watched the mirror...again.

"I Never killed anyone before" she said.

He looked into her eyes. "You had to do it. If you had not, you would be dead right now." Clay said

Taking sideways glances at her, Clay was admiring her. She had stepped up when it was most needed. Clay liked her....as a person. And, she was not hard to look at....in fact, she was devestatingly beautiful.

She said she had to go. Clay thought about it and decided he could go too. The offer to nap also sounded awesome. He pulled to the side of the highway, east of the Monte Cristo range.

Before getting out he said, "Go at least 20 metres out. Get some distance. If something happens you are to go south and get lost in the mountains over there..." Clay pointed to the mountains. "I will find you. Make sure you have your pistol, also.....with bullets."

Clay watched her moving out. Her ass, moving in the jeans was a wonderful sight. Clay went to the opposite side of the road and relieved himself. He then went into the trunk, pulled the map out. He studied it, made his decision about which way they were going to head, then looked over at Taylor. He pulled out some Oakley sunglasses with orange lens and put them on, and returned to looking at Taylor. He saw her squat down.

When she returned, he handed her the keys and said, "I want you to follow Highway 6. Wake me in exactly 3 hours or if something happens." With that he climbed in the passenger seat.

Clay was fast asleep before Taylor had her seat belt fastened.

=======================================================

"Goddamnit!!! I knew those idiots would fuck it up!" Victor Nash was the director of corporate security. He had been tasked with finding the little bitch and the data she had. He didn't know what it was but the bosses wanted it at all costs. An advance team had located the car with the license plate information he had received from his informant inside RECCOS Security. But they had fucked it up by not waiting for more personel. Now the bitch and her fucking body guard were on the run.

Victor dialed the number for the informant.

When they answered they said, "I can't talk right now."
"I don't give a fuck, we pay you a lot of money, you will talk when I decide." Victor barked
"What do you want?"
"Tell me about this guard she has."
"Clayton Sabo was special forces, part of the combat applications group. His job in Afghanistan was to dispose of enemy personel. Sabo was a natural at it. You better bring a lot of back up if you are going after him."
"Where is he going?"
"I already told you, know one knows the destination or the route."

Victor was growing more angry

"How do we stop him?"
There was a long pause, then "You will have to put a bullet in his head. He is on a mission, and nothing will prevent him from accomplishing that mission."

Victor hung up.

As he was moving out of his office, his entourage following, he yelled, "Get those fucking drones up now!"

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor nodded at his words as she slid into the car,she looked over to say something to him,he was already sleeping. She decided against waking him as she put the car into gear. She shifted and soon they were out on the highway once more. Not many cars passed then and the ones that did she caught herself watching in the mirror until they had vanished from sight. She had to redirect herself as the car drifted across the center line once. Taking a deep breath to calm herself,Taylor couldnt help but wonder what lay ahead of them,or who.

She drove for a couple hours,her neck ached from the sitting position,she would glance over at Clay often. He was not bad to look at and asleep he seemed not as hard or rough as when awake.She wondered what his life story was,where he came from. She chided herself at the thoughts,this wasnt a time to get friendly her own life hung in the balance. She let one hand slide down to double check the drive was still in her pocket. When she had a chance she needed to hide it better. Somewhere noone would think to look. She yawned,still not much sleep since her small nap in the car.

An hour later she pulled the car into a motel,one that looked like it had seen better days. She pulled to the side of the building,throwing the car into park. It seemed they were the only ones there. It sat back far enough from the road you couldnt see whole parking lot.The rooms were set back a bit further. She saw the light over the office flashing VACANCY and had a quick flashback to the movie PSYCHO. She sat there for a few more minutes before reaching over to touch Clays arm. his reaction startled her as his quick movement had her jumping back against the driver side door.

She didnt speak as she watched him seeming to try and get his bearings. Finally she spoke softly,almost a whisper. "It's been three hours,I stopped here because doesnt look like uch else around."She said as her eyes looked around them.She let herself out of the car and placed her hands on the small of her back,arching to stretch the kinks out. She leaned agains tthe car as she waited for Clay to get out and more awake.

 

[Ikely]

~~~~ The environment was in total darkness...absolute, polar darkness, except for a single light bulb dangling down. Under the light, Taylor was naked, strapped to a chair. The black mass behind her had evil red eyes, and a 12 inch, cerrated knife at her throat.

"YOU CAN NOT SAVE HER." the mass said to Clay.

Clay snapped his pistol up and sighted into where the head should be on the evil black mass.

The black mass started to saw the knife into her throat, her screams turning into a gurgling sound as blood began to pour down her chest.

Clay began squeezing the trigger, pulling it back. Then the trigger stopped coming back. As hard as he tried, he could not get the trigger back far enough to get the gun to fire. Clay roared an angry sound and continued to pull, putting every ounce of strength into it, but the gun would not fire.

Taylor's head was partially seperated from her body....the black mass was laughing.

"NNNOOOOOOO!!!" Clay screamed....... ~~~~

The pressure on his arm brought Clay to consciousness. He flinched as his eyes flew open. Clay looked around as he got control of his breathing.

"It's been three hours,I stopped here because doesnt look like much else around."

"Alright." Clay said. He watched her get out of the car.

After stretching and walking around for a bit, Clay told Taylor to come with him to the office of the motel.

The fat, bearded man behind the counter did not even look up at them when they entered. He was thumbing through a copy of Barely Legal magazine.

"Can we get a room?" Clay said after a moment.

The man started scribbling on a piece of paper, then asked for some identification.
Clay pulled out a knot of cash, then peeled off $200, and set it down in front of the man.

"What do you say, we just skip that part." Clay said

The man looked at Clay a moment, then took the money. He placed a room key on the counter, then went back to reading his magazine.

Clay gave the key, to Taylor as they walked back to the car.

Clay drove the car to the backside of the building, out of view of the highway.

Taylor unlocked the door and they walked in. The room smelled musty. The beat up TV was on a dresser in front of a bed with ancient sheets.

After putting his pack with clothes on the floor, he sat on the bed, Clay looked at her. "We can't split up for any reason. I need to shower off," indicating the blood stains on his shirt, "... then you can if you need it. We will sleep, then move out after the sun goes down." Taylor said she understood.

"Taylor, I'm serious. You can not leave this room with out me...for any reason." Clay stood and went toward the bathroom saying, "Anyone comes to the door...you have to shoot them."

Clay went into the bathroom, but fatique was setting in. He failed to close the door behind him.

Clay peeled his shirt off, then the pants. He stood in front of the mirror and looked at his reflection. He was tired for sure, but he needed to stay alert. This mission was growing more dangerous, and there had to be a rat somewhere giving the corporation information. That made Clay very angry. He would find the rat, and deal with them in his special way.

The shower had no shower curtain, Clay saw as he peeled his briefs off and turned on the water. When he saw steam, he got into the shower. The hot water was glorious as it washed over his naked body. He used soaped up his chest and abs, then went to his armpits. He used his soapy hands to wash his crotch. The hot water, and the soapy hands sliding over his cock made it swell slightly. Suddenly, he thought of Taylor, naked, and on the bed...

No time for that right now, he thought.

He rinsed off and turned the shower off. As he toweled off, he noticed that he had left the door open. He heard the sounds of the TV on. He also realized that he had left his clean clothes out in the room.

He wrapped the towel around his waist, and walked out into the room.

"Sorry...I left the pack out here." Clay did not look at her. He walked over, got his pack and walked back to the bathroom.

This time he remembered to close the door.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor followed Clay into the room, his words falling onto her ears. She had to be careful, not to go anywhere without him. He had even told her to shoot anyone that she didnt know that came to the door. She dropped down onto the bed, her head dropping forward for a minute. Raising her eyes she watched him enter the bathroom from under the fall of her hair.

"I understand. I will stay right here."She said softly as she felt her breath quicken as she watched him strip down in the bathroom. The door ajar anough to give her a good view of his body. She could see the scars and the rippling muscles as he moved. She looked away as he stepped into the shower,no door or curtain to hide him from her view.

She watched him,washing,could not help but notice he had an erection as he lathered himself up. Her throat grew dry,wanting to run her hands over the solid back,tracing the scars and feeling the firmness of the muscles. Her heartbeat raced as he turned in the shower,his wet hair plastered to his head,his eyes closed as he rinsed the soap from his hair. She licked her own lips as she watched his mouth,firm but thinking of the things he could do with that mouth.

She shook herself and looked away as he stepped from the shower,the heat from her flushed cheeks evident to her. He said he had left his pack in the room with her,moving to get it. She tried not to look at him as he turned and walked back into the bathroom. This time he shut the door. She could not get the image of those hips hugged tight by the small towel. The way it draped over the front of his body. She had to focus she told herself as she moved quickly to kneel next to his jacket.

She quickly cut a tiny hole into the inner liner,big enough she had to force the small memory card into the inside of his jacket. it took a bit longer to jiggle it into the lining,the hole small enough that unless you were looking for it,wouldnt see it. She quickly looked back at the bathroom door,hearing Clay turning the knob. She stumbled over a shoe and fell onto the bed,raising her eyes to look up at him as he pulled open the bathrrom door.

 

[Ikely]

As he was drying, Clay decided they would sleep during the day and move at night. He also thought that, instead of turning south and going for Texas, they would go north and hide in the Rockies. It would be more advantageous for them.

The idea of a traitor giving information to the corporation made his stomach hurt. They were out gunned and out manned already. He came up with a plan that may buy them some time.

Clay put on some clean clothes. He wore a hoodie sweat shirt over a clean t-shirt and some green 5.11 tactical pants.

Clay opened the bathroom door and walked out.

Taylor was laying on the bed looking right at him. The image of this beautiful woman draped over the only bed was so sexual. But she did not have "bedroom eyes". There was something else there. Something like, "Did he just catch me?"

"Is everything alright?" Clay asked

Taylor stared at him a moment then nodded her head up and down.
"Ok" Clay then went to his back and pulled out a shaped charge. The explosive was shaped in such a way that when detonated, the force would blow in a particular direction.

Clay went to the door to the motel room and placed it about stomach in the center of the door. He toggled a switch and it was armed. Next he moved the only table in the to infront of the door then turned it on its side. Depending on the types of weapons any bad guys may have the little table would act as some cover. Clay moved the gear bag with the weapons and ammo to the side of the bed away from the door.

"Taylor, you sleep on that side of the bed. I will sleep on the side towards the door. I suggest you get done whatever you need to get done then get some rest. As soon as the sun goes down we will be on the move."

Clay picked up his jacket and positioned it near the gear. If they had to bug out quickly, he didn't want to leave it. It would get cold in the Rockies.

When he felt that everything was in order, he stretched out on the bed and turned on the TV. He found a 24 hour cable news channel. It was a news alert. Federal authorities were looking for a pair of terror suspects. A picture of Taylor flashed on the screen.

".....this suspect, it is believed, has stolen a memory card with very sensitive information. Authorites are also trying to gather information on the male subject, who they are saying murdered close to 20 employees of the corporation as well as 2 Federal Agents. Authorities are saying they are considered armed and very dangerous. If you see these individuals you are to notify the FBI or the corporation security office..."

That is going to increase the difficulty level, Clay thought. He turned off the TV.

That was when Clay realized Taylor was laying beside him. Her body was giving off heat that he felt.
Her back was to him. Her ass was poked out towards him. He studied the seam of her pants as it ran between the 2 tightly curved buttcheeks. Her shirt had been drawn up and he saw the flesh of the small of her back. He saw her fingers as she hugged herself. Her blond hair seemed warm in the light of the dreary motel room.

Clay moved slightly, trying not to bounce the bed. He drew closer to her body. He inhaled through his nose to catch her scent.

He felt the stirring in his crotch.

He repositioned himself so that he was staring at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, and for a brief moment fantasized about Taylor, naked on a brillantly white bed.

Then sleep came.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor shifted in her sleep,her body automatically seeking out the warmth next to her. Her body curled around Clay's,one leg sliding over his,her hand resting on his chest. Her breath softly moving over the hair on his chest,soft murmurs slid from her lips as she dreamed. Her body moved as the dream turned from pleasurable to images from the man she had killed.

She could see the blood on her body,her hands. Rubbing furiously trying to clean it from her skin. His eyes glazed as he moved closer to her. She tried to escape him but there seemed nowhere to run. She backed up until her body touched an unseen obstacle,arms wrapped around her tightly. Turning her head she looked into the cold eyes of the man who had been in front of her. His breath against her ear,his hands rough on her body.

She felt the cool edge of the knife as it touched her throat,the coolness then the burn as it slid across her skin. She could feel the blood beginning to flow,her life draining from her. She opened her mouth in a silent scream...

Taylor jerked upright on the bed,her scream still ringing in her own ears. Her hands running over her body,checking for injury or blood. Scrambling across the bed,knowing she had to get away,still half in the dream. She fell hard to the floor and curled up in a tight ball,crying.

 

[Ikely]

It wasn't really sleep. It was what is commonly refered to as a "combat nap". The brain powers down, muscles relax, heart rate slows, but all of the things needed to stay alert are working.

Taylor wrapped a leg around on of his, and placed a hand on his chest. Clay was fully alert.

She was dreaming. It must have been terrifiying for her.

She came out of the sleep and she shot from the bed.

"Taylor...wake up...you're ok" Clay spoke in a loud voice, trying to bring her to full consciousness.

She was on the floor weeping. He picked her up and sat on the bed holding her. He hugged her, brushing her hair away from her face.

Clay did not know why he was doing this. He was not a supposed to be emotionally attached to a principle. This sort of thing is bad for the mission. But he could not help it.

He hugged her and said, "It's okay...you are alright, now...it was just a dream."

She seemed to calm down, then she looked up at him.

Her face was so close to his, her tear streaked eyes looked into his, their lips were so close.

For an instant, Clay thought about kissing the delicate lips, but the thought slipped away when the sound of a car driving into the gravel lot made the distinct popping sounds.

Clay, brushed the hair off of her brow, ran his thumbs under her left eye and wiped away a tear streak.

"Its time to get your head back in the game....it sounds like we have company."

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor finally became aware of Clay holding her,trying to comfort her. She shook in his arms as the nightmare faded. She could feel his breath close to her face,his face close to hers. His touch along her cheek sent a tremor through her chest. He seemed so different at that moment,tender even. Then the sounds form outside invaded her thoughts. His words brought her back to their situation. She blinked and then nodded.

"I'm ok now."She managed to get out as she stood with his help. His hands felt gentle on her skin but she had seen what they could do in a blink of an eye. She knew there was only one way out of the room and thatwas the door they had come in.She watched as Clay loaded his gun,flipping off the safety,motioning for her to stand next to the door so she would be hidden when it swung open.

She moved to stand close against the wall,her own hand held the gun he had given her earlier. She stood ready trying to stop the trembling that threatened to take over. The doorknob turned,a soft click told her someone had unlocked the door. Maybe the desk clerk paid off or something else. She held her breath as the door opened and two men rushed in. One diving straight for Clay,a shot rang out and she felt the heat miss her cheek and imbed into the wall. She gasped but reacted just as quickly.

She was too close to fire at the second man so she swung the gun in her hand. The cold steel connecting with the side of his head as she moved from behind the door. He went down hard,no sound. She looked up to see CLay wrestling with the first man,the man was much larger than Clay. One of the mans hand held Clays gun hand up and away making aiming or shooting useless. She watched the to men struggle as she tried to aim at the man. They moved too much as she was afraid of hitting Clay.She yelped as a heavy hand clamped onto her ankle and yanked hard.

She fell to the floor hard,her gun spinning from her grasp,the man she had hit now stared at her. Blood running down his face as he rose to his feet.Kicking her feet at him,trying to break his grip. She looked aorund for her gun but saw it was out of reach. She could still hear Clay fighting with the other man behind her. The roar of a gunshot filled her head,then she heard the grunt. She couldnt tell if it was Clay or the other man as she finaly kicked her foot free from her attacker.she twisted and as she rose to her kness kicked back with her foot. Satisfied when she felt the softness of his stomach give as her foot made contact. The whoosh of air from him gave her alll the time she needed to crawl away from him and grab her gun.


"Stop!"She called at him as she leveled the gun on him. He stopped looking up at her,the hate in his eyes almost made her cringe. She held the gun trained on his forehead daring him to move. "I will do it."She hissed as she heard movement from behind her. Hoping it was Clay and not the other guy. She got careless and chanced a glance to her left. She saw Clay push the body of the guy off of his own,struggle to his feet. She also noticed the blood that had began to soak the sleeve of his shirt. She cried out as the man she had stopped slammed into her midsection in a breath stealing tackle. His hand fighting for her gun. She felt as if he had broken a rib or two as she tried to suck air into her lungs,her grip on the gun still remained tight.

 

[Ikely]

Clay took a position to the left of the door, down and away from the threshold.
The plan was that when they subjects opened the door, the shaped charged on the door would detonate, killing the first few people on the other side of the door. Then Clay would push out, and eliminate any other threats outside.

But Clay was experienced enough to know that no plan survives first contact.

In this case, the explosive failed to function. There was no explosion. Instead, the first thug through the door came in and immediately turned for Clay. Clay was sighting in, but the bad guy was able to knock the pistol of target and the round that Clay fired went into the wall, mere inches from Taylors head.

Clay and the man were locked in a death struggle. The man was grabbing and pulling Clays gun hand. Clay did not pull back against the force. He, instead followed the momentum, and drove his shoulder into the man, causing him to stumble and fall. Clay landed on top, but the crash to the floor caused him to lose the pistol. It skidded across the floor away from them. The man was strong as a horse and easily rolled until he was on top of Clay.

That was when the thug made a fatal error.

With one hand still holding Clays wrist and the other wrapped around Clays throat, the thug released Clay’s throat and started digging in his suit coat for his pistol.

Clay was able to draw his Tanto combat knife with his free hand. When the bad guy pulled his pistol and leveled at Clays head, Clay drove the knife through his right ear. The force of the killing blow made the man sag to the left as he pulled his trigger. Clay felt the intense burning sensation of a grazing wound in his left bicep.

Clay then pressed the 250lbs of dead weight off of him.
Clay turned to find the other thug on top of Taylor.

She was fighting for her life.

Clay pounced on the thug, the Tanto knife sliding between the second and third ribs of the thug, killing him.

“Taylor, on your feet, now!” Clay ordered in command voice.

He grabbed the M-4 assault rifles. He checked that one was locked and loaded, then took the safety off and gave it to Taylor.

“Lay down by the far wall. Sight in on the door way. If any one comes through that door, focus on the front sight, and squeeze the trigger. I am going to clear the parking lot. Before I come back I will yell “Texas Rangers” twice. If you do not hear that, kill whoever comes through the door. Do you understand?”

“Yes…” Taylor did not sound as shaken up as before.

“Taylor…keep it together. I need you.”

Clay ready his assault rifle, paused at the door, then charged outside.

He cleared the new car in the lot. The rest of the parking lot was empty.

Clay kicked in the door to the office and found the clerk laying on the floor under his desk talking on a cell phone.

“….I don’t know…I heard gunfire…OH GOD ONE OF THEM IS HERE!!”

Clay grabbed the cell phone and crushed it under his boot as he leveled the barrel of the rifle at the man’s head.

“You dimed us out.” Clay said in a calm voice

“Oh God no…I didn’t say anything….they just drove up…I swear to God. Please don’t kill me man…” the man began to sob loudly. Clay smelled the odor of warm urine.

Clay found some duct tape and restrained the man to a chair in a broom closet. As he was about to put tape on the man’s mouth, the clerk sputtered, “There was a helicopter flying around a little bit ago…”

Clay nodded, the taped the man’s mouth.

Clay approached the room door, yelled “TEXAS RANGERS” twice, then ducked down and moved in the doorway and to the right. Taylor did not fire.

“Get your shit.” Clay grabbed the gear bag.
He grabbed his back pack with clothes, but left his jacket on the floor….he could always get another one later.

Then he checked the explosive on the door. Why had it not detonated? A close inspection of the trigger showed that a critical pin was missing from the trigger. The trigger was tampered with. That had to have been done from the inside. The rat had struck again.

Taylor and Clay made it out to the car. They jumped in and he fired it up.

The night air was almost cold…maybe he should get the jacket. No…no time for that, they needed to get out of Dodge…
======================================================
Victor Nash had switched to his tactical uniform which consisted of black denim jeans, a lilac Charles Tyrwhitt dress shirt, a narrow black tie, some Ralph Lauren dress shoes and a black leather jacket.

He was making his way across the flight line to the waiting corporate helicopter.

“You let me know when you get there and have the body of that bitch.”

They had the pair of corporate traitors cornered in a hotel near Tippet, Nevada. He had ordered the lead team to go ahead and terminate the scientist and the bodyguard.

He was going to personally take the memory card back to the CEO of the corporation.

He snapped his phone shut, and climbed into the luxury interior of the helicopter for the flight out to the little Podunk cowboy town.

He had known that in the end he would win. The body guard was supposed to be this high speed operator….yeah…right….

Victor Nash was going to cut his ears off and make a necklace out of them. The guy just didn’t know…you don’t mess Vic Nash..

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor jumped as he ordered her to collect her gear,she didnt need to be told twice as she rushed around the room grabbing the things they would need. She ran behind him out to the car,barely having time to slide into the front seat before he was driving out of the parking lot. She tossed the duffle into the backseat and hooked her seat belt.

She didnt really have to think twice as she dropped the empty clips and slid fully loaded ones back into the butt of the guns. She handed two guns to Clay as she reloaded her won,her hands steady. SHe quickly checked herself over for injury and didnt find much other than bruises. Her ankle throbbed as she moved it but didnt think it was broken. Turning she looked at Clay and then gasped at how much blood stained his shirt and ran down his arm.

"We need to get that bleeding stopped."Taylor said as she unbuckled and leaned over the backseat. She pulled a teeshirt from the bag and tore it quickly into strips. She looked out of the window and then the mirrors before looking at him. "Pull over so I can dress your wound temporarily."She said,the doctor in her showing through. She didnt seem disoriented or scared at that minute but more concerned for his health and safety.

She didnt give him much time to put the car in park before she was out of her door and around to his side. She opened the driver door and knelt down beside him,tearing the rest of the sleeve from his shirt loose. Using her teeth she held several strips of cloth and then used one to wrap tightly around his wound. It was a graze but deep enough to bleed alot,it would need stitches but she couldnt do that here or now. She tied the cloth tight and quickly apologised when she felt him tense up. She added the other two strips quickly and looked up at him.

She gave him a small smile and then a soft shove."Move over...Im driving from her. You need to rest a bit."She said waiting for him to scoot over and slid into the drivers seat. She put the car into gear and tore back out onto the road. Her eyes on the road as she spoke."Where do I go from here? Do you know of anywhere up here in these mountains we can go to. I need to stitch that arm of yours and soon."

 

[Ikely]

As Taylor was loading the gear in the car, she suddenly stop and stood up, "Clay, where is your jacket?"
"What?!" Clay was stunned.

"Your jacket, where is it....you need it." She seemed scared more now then during the fight.

"It's in the room, what the fuck?" Clay shouted

Taylor turned and ran back into the room. She came out running at a full sprint, his jacket in her hand.

She climbed in the car, and was checking her self for injuries when Clay said, "Have you lost your freakin mind!"

She ignored him. Clay was speeding away from the scene, when she looked at his arm. She gasped and demanded he pull over so she could dress the wound.

Clay didn't want to but knew that he needed to stop the bleeding.

As Taylor was tearing strips of cloth, Clay told her to just do a quick fix, there was a "Blow out" kit in the trunk and they could apply a more substanial dressing later.

The doctor in her was definitely coming out.

"I don't know what you were thinking back there, but that was stupid...going back for a jacket."

Taylor cinched the cloth tight on the wound causing pain to shoot through his arm. He tensed up and gritted his teeth. Taylor apologised then told him she was driving.

Clay didn't argue. Once in the passenger seat, he told her to head to the moutains. They would find a cabin or something and hole up in there.

The moutains were distant and gray images on the horizion.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor took over driving,her gaze going over to Clay often. Asleep he looked so..normal. He looked more controled and hard when he was awake. She swallowed a sshe thought of the look he had given her for going back to get his jacket. Yeah, she could have left it...she knew all the information that was on it. She could repeat all of it word for word if needed...or if the chip was damaged or stolen.

Dr. Grey had made her memorize all of it just in case. She drove,looking at the mountain range as they grew larger in front of her. The sun had begun to sit high in the sky..it was late afternoon from what she could tell. Her back ached from driving tensed up and she lifted one hand to rub the back of her neck. She let out a soft moan as she rub the stiff muscles,glancing over at the still sleeping Clay. At least he appeared to be sleeping. She twisted her neck and fastened her eyes back onto the road,her mind wandering.

She tried to recall a time when she wasnt buried deep into something computerized or scientific. Growing up she had been school by her father who had no patience for failure,her mother left when she was very young. Her young adult life was more of the same until the FOundation had hired her and Dr. Grey took her under her wing.She had come to think of Dr. Grey as the closest thing to a mother she had and now she didn't know for sure if she was alive or dead.

She gasped and let out a cry as the deer sprang from the dense covering beside the road,she reacted and twisted the steeering wheel as she hit the brakes. The car skidded and spun in a half circle before coming to a stalled stop,her heart hammered as she watched the deer hop in the bushes on the other side of the road and out of sight. Her hand clenched around the steering wheel as she looked over to see Clay staring at her... " A deer..." She managed to finally say in a low whisper.

 

[Ikely]

Clay was instantly alert and reaching for the pistol. He looked at Taylor and she whispered softly, “a deer.”

“It’s okay. The car is still operational. But it’s your turn to crash…Sorry…I meant snooze.” Clay chuckled

They switched seats and Clay drove.

He was feeling good since he got some rest. He drove through Utah and then north into Wyoming.

The Rocky Mountains were breathtaking to look at.

After driving for some time, Clay stopped at a store and bought supplies and food stores.
The plan was to find a cabin that was not being used and break in if need be. They would hole up there for a few days.

This would buy them some time. It might also give him a chance to make contact with command and advise them that they were still alive and making progress. Under no circumstances would he tell them where they were.

They drove into the Rockies.

After some time, Clay located a cabin that appeared deserted. He got out and went up to the door and knocked. After some time without an answer, Clay picked the lock and went in. He checked the interior and found some mail that was post marked from the previous month. The refrigerator was empty and turned off. The main power supply was turned off as well. It appeared that the owners were gone for the season. Perfect, as far as Clay was concerned.
http://www.redsunfineart.com/files/buchwitz-rocky-mtn2.jpg

Clay went back out and signaled Taylor to come inside.

Together they brought in their weapons and supplies. Next, Clay went back out and hiked about a mile down the one lane gravel road and rigged some booby traps to signal anyone’s approach.

The sun had gone down and a light snow flurry began to fall.

Clay turned on the power, mainly to get the hot water heater going so they could shower. Next, Clay grabbed some wood from a pile outside and in short order had a roaring fire going in the fireplace.

Clay stripped down to his t-shirt and his tactical pants.

He looked at Taylor. Damn, she was hot, he thought. He was now going to be cooped up in this isolated cabin, on the west side of a small mountain somewhere in Wyoming.

He felt like he would have to find some private time and work out some issues he was having, all while imaging a naked Taylor….
===========================================================

Victor Nash felt a migraine coming on. They had let them slip away again!!

“The next time anyone let’s these two get away again, you best just go out back, make your peace with whatever god you worship and put a bullet in your head…I WILL NOT TOLERATE FAILURE AGAIN!!” he screamed.

He kicked the dead body in the mouth, then walked to the office where his men had the clerk handcuffed. One of the security guards was yelling at the man about how much trouble he would be in if he did not tell them which way the pair had left.

“I swear to God, I don’t know!” The man was pleading.

Victor walked up to the man and slapped him.

“Are you telling the truth? You don’t know anything about the pair?”
“I told him everything I know, I swear.”
“That’s too bad, because now, I have no reason to keep you alive.”

Victor pulled his pistol and shot the man in the temple.

He then looked at his second in command.

“Find them…” he hissed, then stormed out.

 

[Gaias_child]

Taylor moved around the cabini,actually feeling a bit more relaxed. She helped unpack the supplies while Clay got the generator going. Her head lifted when the lights flickered then blazed on. She stood and brushed her hands off on her jeans and walked into the living room. Clay hadnt returned yet and she knelt before the large fireplace,some wood had been left and she tossed it into the space.

Lifting the lighter she had found she struck the kindling and soon had a fire going. Her head turned and looked out of the window,snow had begun falling and it made the room more cozy. Letting her gaze go back to the flames she became lost in their dance. She let her mind zone out for several minutes until she heard Clay coming back inside. She turned her head and stood in front of the now roaring fire.

"Though we could use it.."She said with a soft smile as she moved and took his jacket from him. She frowned slightly as she felt the tension falling off of him. He even seemed to pull away from her simple touch. She frowned but turned away from him after hanging his jacket up.

"I have some water on for coffee,it should be ready soon." She added as she dropped down on the dusty couch and coughed slightly. "How long do you think we will be safe here? Seems like a storm coming in."She said as she looked back out the window and the increasing fall of the snow.

She got no answer and turned around to look at Clay,he had left the room silently. She sighed then remembered his arm,sliding from the couch she grabbed the first aid kit and walked down the cold hallway. She found him in one of the bedrooms. She tried not to think of him sitting there with no shirt on as she dropped down beside him. She pulled open the kit and opened the peroxide bottle. "We need to get this stitched up."She said quietly as she poured the peroxide over the now scabbed over wound. She watched as it foamed for several seconds,he still had not said a word.

"Clay..."She started to speak as she lifted the needle and fine thread she found. " What is wrong,you havent spoken since we got here."She asked him as she focused on beginning to sew his injury. Her breath falling softly over his arm as she stitched,he didnt flinch as she drew the needle through his skin. Finally she was done and covered it with a clean bandage. Her eyes raised to meet his as she sat back from him slightly.

 

[Ikely]

Clay was trying to maintain his bearing.

The first rule of executive protection was to not get involved in any personal relationship with the principle. But Taylor was starting to affect him.

First, she was absolutely gorgeous. She was exquisitely beautiful. Clay had been snatching quick glances of her body when he could.

Second, she was tough as nails. She was dealing with circumstances like a trooper. She had responded to his commands and executed exactly as was needed. It was because of her physical as well as mental toughness that they had survived this long.

That brought up the other thing that made Clay weary. The idea of a spy among the members of his company was unsettling. It was also infuriating.

Clay made a decision to separate himself from Taylor. She was the principle that was all.

She was being polite and friendly, but he could not fall into that trap and he felt like an asshole by not speaking and getting up and going into the bedroom but he had to maintain the discipline.

In the bedroom, Clay peeled off his shirt. He felt the gunshot wound start to throb. It was a dull, never ending pain. Clay had had worse in his career though.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed when she came in. She appeared to be glowing. He locked on to her blue eyes.

She sat beside him and broke out a first aid kit. She said quietly that he needed stitches and she pulled out a needle and thread.

Her hands were soft and warm as she began to work the wound. Clay stared at her delicate hands. The feeling of her warm hands on his bicep was arousing in spite of the feel of a needle puncturing his flesh.

Taylor spoke, asking him what was wrong.

Clay turned and moved his head closer to hers as she focused on her work. The wonderful feeling of her warm breath on his arm caused a stirring in his groin.

Come on dude, hold it together! He screamed at himself.

When she finished, she looked up at him and sat back slightly.

Her pouty, succulent lips were highlighted by the pearly white teeth.

Focus, dumbass, don’t do this. His inner voice was desperately trying to keep Clay online.

Clay looked her in the blue eyes.
“Taylor, I don’t know what you have that they want, but they are willing to kill lots of people to get you. They will kill you if they catch you. I can only do so much. We are in a very dangerous position and…and I am not sure how this is going to end. There is a spy in my company who is giving us away. The corporation is exploiting them to get to you. They already cost Dr. Grey her life. I am just trying to get my head right for this fight, because it’s going to get much bloodier.”

Clay saw the change in her face. It was as though he had just slapped her.

“Taylor, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

She still had a stunned look on her face.
“Taylor, are you alright?”