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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 2:43:37 GMT -5
Daws emerged from cover in time to catch Vance's sudden near-collapse, and she frowned in concern -- but then she turned away and raised her voice to address the other resistance fighters, most of whom were swapping muttered congratulations and subdued but jubilant grins.
"Okay, people, we're not in the clear yet -- we best be for putting some distance between us and this place quick, before the cops show up. Everyone to the vehicles, and get outta here. Those of ya from Our Lady, we'll meet up back at my office -- take the haul from the lab with you. Let's move it, guys!"
Once the resistance had begun dispersing in a scramble of bodies, Daws turned and made her way to where Vance was still leaning heavily on Handy.
"Not a bad shindig, if I say so myself." She said quietly. Then she glanced sideways, letting concern creep into her voice. "You okay, Vance?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 2:51:08 GMT -5
"Yeah." Vance drew in a breath through his clenched teeth and straightened a little more. "Putting out as much energy as I have tonight just brings me down. I'll be fine once I rest."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 2:55:54 GMT -5
Daws nodded, still frowning in concern. "I figure takin' all that stuff out to Caddy's place can wait until tomorrow -- after Tiernan's had a chance to chew the furniture at me. It all oughtta be safe enough in my office until tomorrow afternoon."
She cleared her throat. "You need a place to crash for the night, I've got a spare couch at the office. It ain't much, but it's close."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 16:01:10 GMT -5
Vance smiled wearily. "Well, that's a hard invitation to resist. Just lemme warn ya, I'll probably sleep until tomorrow evening, and be ravenous when I wake up."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 21:53:01 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "There's a diner not far from there where ya can eat when you finally wake up -- and if anyone comes by, I'll just tell 'em you're evidence I'm storing for a case." She grinned lopsidedly. "Just try not to drool on the upholstery, and we'll call it square."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 22:05:26 GMT -5
Vance grinned and reached out to pat Daws' shoulder lightly. "You got a deal." He pushed away from Handy and stood on his own, just a little unsteadily.
"You want I should come with ya, Jerod?" Handy asked anxiously.
"No. I need you to get our people squared away." The Major smiled at his sidekick. "You're in charge until I get back around tomorrow night."
Handy gulped.
"What, you're draggin' this guy home with ya?" Sid remarked, sauntering up with Alex and Miriam behind him. He raised an eyebrow at Daws and grinned.
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 22:16:06 GMT -5
Daws shrugged good-naturedly. "As far as the office, anyhow. What can I say? You're not the only one around here with a soft spot for strays -- no offense meant, Major."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 22:20:04 GMT -5
"None taken," Vance replied.
Sid glanced back and forth between the two with a devious smirk. "If ya ask me, at least one of ya's gettin' a thing for the other--but I dunno which."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 22:28:16 GMT -5
Daws' eyebrows shot up at that. She said nothing for a moment, then chuckled wryly and shook her head. "Sid, I refuse to even contemplate going into that particular conversation at two a.m. in the middle of the warehouse district with an arson fire that we just set blazing merrily in the background and the cops on their way. Maybe some other time."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 22:32:07 GMT -5
Sid grinned and gave Daws a cheeky salute. "Makes sense ta me. We gotta get home. I'll call ya tomorrow--find out if ya need any help movin' the loot ta Caddy's or anything."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 22:38:01 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "If you don't get through right away it's probably 'cause I'm at Tiernan's place, listening to him rant. Just leave a message and I'll call ya when I get in." She squeezed Sid's shoulder. "Take care of yourselves, willya?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 22:42:05 GMT -5
"Sure, Daws. You too." Sid nodded, then turned and began to walk away. Miriam and Alex said goodbye and followed him, leaving Daws and Vance alone.
Vance smiled wryly. "That Enforcer can certainly talk."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 22:49:40 GMT -5
Daws grinned. "Yeah, he's got that habit." She shrugged and changed the subject. "I'd best be for taking my own advice -- the cops would just love to collar me at the scene of an arson, and it'll do you no good to suddenly turn up alive. We'd best be for getting back to my office and getting this night wrapped up."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 22:55:59 GMT -5
Vance nodded. "Since I sent Handy with the others, he should have left the van." He paused, eyeing Daws doubtfully. "You don't drive, do you?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 23:00:25 GMT -5
Daws shrugged apologetically. "Don't know how. It's on that list of things I haven't needed to do bad enough to learn them." She raised an eyebrow at Vance. "You gonna be okay to drive?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 23:10:13 GMT -5
Vance nodded. "Yeah. And the idea of crashing when I get where we're going is plenty enough motivation."
They walked down the block to where the van was hidden. By the time they reached it, the sirens of the fire department were sounding loudly behind them. Vance hauled himself into the driver's seat, rubbed his face wearily, and started the engine.
"Everything's got its price," he mused to Daws as they pulled away from the curb. "I'm told I could kill myself if I gave out too much power at once. Took a while to learn how far I could push it."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 23:23:43 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "I've known some energy-casters with the same problem. The lucky ones're born with built-in shutoffs: once they give too much, they just quit. The unlucky ones . . ." she shrugged. "Just don't push it too far one of these days, Vance -- there's a lot of people need you around, y'know."
She glanced sideways at him. "Tonight wouldn't have gone off half so well without your people involved. Thanks for that."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 23:30:19 GMT -5
Glancing sideways at Daws, Vance half-smiled. "Thanks for having the idea. A project of ours couldn't go off much better'n this one did--and as you say, we cost the bat plenty."
He sighed. "I guess we owe some of the thanks to Cole, too. You can tell him that from me."
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Post by skybright on Aug 8, 2006 23:34:20 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "I will. Y'know, if Cole can keep on getting us intelligence as solid as what he got us for this job, then I may just have to revise my feelings on the usefulness of politicians. Or of one politician, anyhow."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 8, 2006 23:43:20 GMT -5
"Same here," Vance agreed. "Just remember it isn't his politics that are useful to us--it's his mutation. He could still decide any time that his career goals are more important than doing the right thing."
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