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Post by Jordanna on Jan 19, 2009 23:48:02 GMT -5
"About all we can do is ask Cole about the guy." Vance frowned and glanced at Proteus. "Can you give us a description?"
"Better than that. I can show you what he looked like." The shapeshifter shrugged. "If you've got a camera around here, you can give Cole a look at him."
He nodded to the pile of papers on the table in front of him. "And there's that, Major. I don't know if any of it will help, but Doctor Ollivard might be able to figure it out."
Vance eagerly moved forward to pick up the papers and shuffle through them. Then he glanced at Proteus again, and frowned. "You don't look so good. You need to see the Doc yourself?"
"No." Proteus smiled wanly. "I just need about a day's sleep. I heal fast--but only when I'm resting."
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Post by skybright on Jan 19, 2009 23:57:38 GMT -5
Daws rose and moved towards her private office. "I've got Jack's old Polaroid in my desk," she said over her shoulder, "Let me grab it and we'll get that snapshot."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 20, 2009 23:16:47 GMT -5
When Daws returned with the camera, Nate offered to take it, and Proteus stood up with a sigh. "Okay, then..."
"Are you okay to do this?" Handy asked him in polite concern.
The shapeshifter smiled faintly at him. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Keeping this form or any other is the same amount of effort." He glanced at Nate. "Alright, Lieutenant--here's your creep."
So saying, he took the form of the small man among the Health Department agents who had planted the bomb.
Having never heard the man speak, he spoke in his own voice. "I didn't notice him much til the last minute, so I may not be exact in some little things, but this is close enough to recognize."
"That's all we need," Nate replied. He took the picture, and Proteus reverted to his usual form, sinking down again onto the couch.
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Post by skybright on Jan 20, 2009 23:29:04 GMT -5
Daws sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Well, I guess that's more of a lead than the police have got, anyway." Her expression darkened. "Of course, if any of the real clinic staff got enough of a glimpse of him to ID him, we're not gonna be the only ones on the lookout for him."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 20, 2009 23:36:43 GMT -5
"If we can beat the cops to his ID, though, maybe we can search his place." Vance shrugged. "It's a long shot, but anything is worth a try."
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Post by skybright on Jan 20, 2009 23:45:04 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "If Cole's no help, we can try hitting up Bell at the NYPD. It's been long enough since I pestered him that he ought to be good for a little information."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 20, 2009 23:53:09 GMT -5
"Great. Then there's just one thing to deal with first." Vance shot a glance toward Steph. "Proteus, just what did you have in mind when you brought the lady here?"
"Keeping her safe," Proteus replied firmly. "The mad scientists are gonna wonder why she and Beaudry have gone missing, but that couldn't be helped... not the way things happened, anyway."
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Post by skybright on Jan 20, 2009 23:59:56 GMT -5
Steph glanced up with a fretful expression. "I don't mean to be a nuisance." She said quietly.
"I just . . . well, we were gone for an awful long time while --" she faltered for a moment, glancing at Proteus "While Proteus was unconscious. And after that, going back to the clinic would have seemed . . . kind of strange, I guess."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 21, 2009 0:25:10 GMT -5
Vance raised an eyebrow at the mention that Proteus had been unconscious. "I see." He paused, glancing at Proteus' averted gaze, and added words that might have been meant for both of them: "You did the right thing."
Then he shrugged. "As far as the nutcases at the clinic are concerned, I'd say the damage is probably done--but there are still plenty of chances. We're not quite sure what we're sitting on yet, between the bomber and this intel Proteus picked up. We might at least have enough leverage to put you and Beaudry in the clear, one way or another..." He smiled crookedly. "And failing that, we've got an ally with connections in Hollywood. I'm guessing there'd be worse places for you and Beaudry to make a fresh start."
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Post by skybright on Jan 21, 2009 0:32:32 GMT -5
Steph's eyes widened slightly at that. "Oh, um . . . well, yes, I guess there would."
She smiled thinly. "I . . . whatever happens, I appreciate your trying, anyway."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 21, 2009 23:23:31 GMT -5
Vance made a rough attempt at a smile. "And we apreciate your understanding. We didn't want to get anybody like you involved in this."
He frowned. "For what it's worth... if we hadn't shown up, the odds are better than even those scientists would've killed you and the other actors, when your job was done. They're not the type to leave any loose ends."
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Post by skybright on Jan 21, 2009 23:36:22 GMT -5
"I guess that doesn't really surprise me." Steph murmured, glancing at her hands. "I just . . . still can't believe they can get away with something like that in the middle of the City."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 21, 2009 23:46:36 GMT -5
"People can get away with a lot of things where mutants are concerned," Vance muttered grimly. Then he gave Steph another half-hearted smile. "Anyway, for now we'll take you to the place where we've got Beaudry... Our new safe house is with one of the folks from the Padre's parish," he added over his shoulder to Daws.
Then he turned to Nate. "You take her. Regina and Handy and I will--uh, borrow another car for those other errands."
Nate nodded. "Sure."
Vance turned to Proteus. "Anyplace we can take you, old man?"
Proteus smiled thinly. "No thank you, Major--but if Miss Dawson doesn't mind, I'd like to stay here alone. If I can have a little nap in her office, I'll be rested enough to make it to my usual place."
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Post by skybright on Jan 22, 2009 0:03:34 GMT -5
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like." Daws replied. "I'll leave the spare key -- just lock up when you leave, if you don't mind."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 22, 2009 23:27:15 GMT -5
"Thank you, Miss Dawson. I will," Proteus answered. Then he turned to Steph.
"I'm sorry... I can't go any farther with you for a little while. But I'll come to see you and Beaudry as soon as I'm up to it." He hesitated slightly, then gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "My word of honor, Steph--these folks will take care of you. Will you trust them?"
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Post by skybright on Jan 24, 2009 0:39:03 GMT -5
"Yes." Steph smiled thinly and gave Proteus' hand an answering squeeze. "I trust your word."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 24, 2009 23:19:49 GMT -5
"You'll never know how much that means to me." Proteus squeezed Steph's hand in return. "Okay... I'll see you soon. Be brave."
He stepped back, and Vance gestured to his son. "Lieutenant, go on with the lady. Regina, Handy and I will head out in a few minutes."
"Uh... sure. Sir." Nate tried to stifle an awkward, boyish grin as he turned to Steph, offering her his arm. "Right this way, Miss..."
Proteus watched Nate escort Steph out the door, then turned his unreadable silver eyes to Vance. "Remember I gave her my word, Major--and you know what that means to me."
Vance sobered. "Yeah. I know--and I'm not forgetting we owe you plenty. Nothing'll happen to the girl on our watch. You've got my word on that." He paused, then shrugged. "Call my cell when you feel up to it, and I'll give you directions to visit her and Beaudry."
The shapeshifter nodded, and Vance turned to Daws. "You ready to run those other errands of ours?"
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Post by skybright on Jan 24, 2009 23:25:52 GMT -5
"Just let me get my hat." Daws said with a faint grin.
She ducked into the inner office and re-emerged a moment later with hat and spare key in hand. She set the key on the coffee table and settled the fedora on her head. "Okay. Ready when you are."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 24, 2009 23:39:08 GMT -5
"Handy, go pick us out a car to borrow," Vance instructed his follower. "We'll walk out along the sidewalk in a minute. You can pick us up."
"Right," Handy chirped, and hurried out.
Proteus smiled thinly. "I'll be taking that nap in your inner office, Miss Dawson. If the door's still closed when you get back, it'll mean I'm still here, so... I'd appreciate your knocking before you go in, if you wouldn't mind."
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Post by skybright on Jan 24, 2009 23:44:52 GMT -5
"Sure thing." Daws replied. "There's a spare blanket and a throw pillow on the top shelf of the closet in there, if you like."
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