Tim Beckinsdale was just finishing his morning patrol. A few speeders, an odd midday drunk, oh, and a couple of domestic disputes. Not much of a day so far. When he walked into the field office, the desk attendant approached him. "Beckinsdale, heads up. Chief wants a
word with you."
Tim sighed as he walked into the office. The chief, a Fennec femme who was dwarfed by him, greeted him warmly. She took the time to look over the officer. At 6'2", Tim was one of the tallest members of the force. He was a hybrid, hyena/African Wild Dog, in this case. His black hair was in its usual unkempt fashion, blown about by the wind blowing into his cruiser. He served in the Marines for a couple of tours, and has been a wonderful cop here. I am going to miss him.
"Beckinsdale, come in!"
"You wanted to see me, Chief Fulton?"
Chief Mina Fulton showed him to a chair. "Yes, I did. Well, I want to congratulate you. Me and some other higher-ups made a wager, and well, you won it for me. You won it with that meth bust you made last month. Some people abroad were very impressed with how you handled it. You are to pack your bags. You are going to Paris. You will be taking the redeye from here, to NYC, and then to Paris. Once you arrive in Paris, look out for a guide. All I can tell you is that he will be someone you know. For now, turn in your gun and badge. You won't have any arrest power where you are going."
Tim nodded, unloading his service pistol and turning it in with his badge. "Don't worry, you will get them back when you return. Go home, and pack. And Timmy?"
"Yes?"
"Take your guitars. Both of them."
"The green, red, and pink one is for a friend I haven't seen in a while."
"Take it anyway. Maybe you will see her. I heard New Zealand is sending someone from their old BAU unit. Someone you know. Good luck at the lecture, Timmy. Dismissed."
Tim saluted and walked out. And once he was out of earshot, she added to herself, "I am going to miss him." She then hit a phone number. "Hello, Alice? Yes, he will be on the redeye tonight. He should be at Charles de Gaulle International tomorrow. So, he will be working in this task force?"
"You wanted to see me, Chief Fulton?"
Chief Mina Fulton showed him to a chair. "Yes, I did. Well, I want to congratulate you. Me and some other higher-ups made a wager, and well, you won it for me. You won it with that meth bust you made last month. Some people abroad were very impressed with how you handled it. You are to pack your bags. You are going to Paris. You will be taking the redeye from here, to NYC, and then to Paris. Once you arrive in Paris, look out for a guide. All I can tell you is that he will be someone you know. For now, turn in your gun and badge. You won't have any arrest power where you are going."
Tim nodded, unloading his service pistol and turning it in with his badge. "Don't worry, you will get them back when you return. Go home, and pack. And Timmy?"
"Yes?"
"Take your guitars. Both of them."
"The green, red, and pink one is for a friend I haven't seen in a while."
"Take it anyway. Maybe you will see her. I heard New Zealand is sending someone from their old BAU unit. Someone you know. Good luck at the lecture, Timmy. Dismissed."
Tim saluted and walked out. And once he was out of earshot, she added to herself, "I am going to miss him." She then hit a phone number. "Hello, Alice? Yes, he will be on the redeye tonight. He should be at Charles de Gaulle International tomorrow. So, he will be working in this task force?"
She nodded as she heard the answer from the other line. "I see...well, I hope he does well. I couldn't refuse the request, especially given where it came from, and from someone who helped me so long ago. I take it the other transfer will be waiting? Good. I need to go, a cop's job is never done."
~~~
(At a candy store in New Zealand)
"Excuse me?" The shopkeeper got up, and saw a cougar femme, in her mid-20's and barely five feet tall, with green eyes, and medium-length hair that was a quart pink, a quart green, and the rest strawberry blonde. He noted her torn jeans, sleeveless t-shirt and the boots she wore. "Yes, miss?"
"I was wondering how much for the taffy here?" The man smiled, "Ah, how much would you like?" The woman smiled. "Quite a bit, actually. At least 100 pieces." He began to shovel out some taffy from one of the containers. "Anything else?"
"It'd be easier to say what I wouldn't want to get."
"So, miss.."
"Leah. Leah Bennington."
"Leah." Just then, a woman walked in. A white-scaled dragoness, with a body that looked like it had been chiseled in ancient Greece. She stood at 5'8", her light blue eyes, and long silver-white hair adding to her beauty. "I will have the passionfruit taffy, and I need some more for a party."
"Of course, Miss Swiftsea, I get the order once I am done getting hers ready." Swiftsea smiled when she saw Leah getting her bag. "Hmm...tell me, miss, are you aware of a contest that is held here?"
"A contest?"
"Yes, it is something I have tried to win, and never have. Maybe you will succeed. The grand prize, from my understanding, is a trip to Paris. And I think you are about to win it." Leah sighed, as she muttered under her breath. "I could use a getaway myself."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I think I might be getting stalked." Swiftsea's eyes scanned the outside. Well, well, looks like she is right. Looks like her old "friends" are wanting to play. Swiftsea looked around. "I will take care of it. Any idea who is stalking you?"
"Some former coworkers of mine."
"..is that so? Honey, listen to me." She took out a manilla folder. "You have been a very hard one to find. There's some cash in US currency in here, and a plane ticket. Get back home, and pack your bags. You will learn more when you get to Paris. Congratulations, you won."
"Can I at least get my candy first?"
"Of course. In fact, ask Frankie at the counter to let you out the back door." Once she had gotten her candy and was about to leave, Swiftsea got her cellphone out. "Alpha and Charlie, three would-be stalkers outside, each driving a black SUV with tinted windows and police lighting. Slow 'em down for us with a nice nudge."
"Copy. We know exactly what you mean."
~~~
(In one of the SUVs)
"Bennington is nowhere to be seen. She might be headed out the back door, let's go." Just then, the sounds of tires screeching were heard, before a massive jolt rocked each car. "Alton, this is Seamus. Damnit, I just got rear-ended!"
"You too?!"
That was when the ringleader, Dalton, realized something. "It was coordinated! Everyone out, NOW!!" They scrambled out of their cars, eager to deal with whoever had hit them, only to find no drivers in the vehicles. Further inspection also showed that the cars had no license plates and no ID inside the vehicles. A second call came in to the leader. "We lost her. She slipped out the back way, and we can't find her. She could be anywhere now."
Dalton slammed his fist against the trunk of one of the cars. "...FUCK!"
~~~
(Charles de Gaulle International Airport, 24 hours later)
Timothy had let out a sigh as he got off the plane. He had to take a layover in New York, and from there. flew to Paris. He went to get his luggage, worn out from the earlier events. He looked around, and saw someone holding up a sign, his name plastered on it. "Mr. Beckinsdale, welcome to Paris." The voice was female, but her disguise was such that he couldn't tell her species, or anything else about her. "Glad to be here."
The woman then added, "You won't be here alone, Tim. Did you bring your gift?"
"I did. I am not sure I will see her, but I di-"
Tim was cut off when a cougar femme ran out and jumped on him. Tim kept his balance only for a second, before falling over. "TIM, YOU RUDDY BASTARD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"Leah?!" The woman grinned, and chuckled. "Good, our second guest is here. Get your luggage and let's be off." Tim got the two guitar cases, and his own suitcase, before joining Leah, who only had a couple of suitcases herself. The woman smiled again. "Good, you packed light. I hope you two didn't have any plans back home."
"Why is that? I did find it odd that someone would let me lecture in Paris about meth busts."
~~~
(At a candy store in New Zealand)
"Excuse me?" The shopkeeper got up, and saw a cougar femme, in her mid-20's and barely five feet tall, with green eyes, and medium-length hair that was a quart pink, a quart green, and the rest strawberry blonde. He noted her torn jeans, sleeveless t-shirt and the boots she wore. "Yes, miss?"
"I was wondering how much for the taffy here?" The man smiled, "Ah, how much would you like?" The woman smiled. "Quite a bit, actually. At least 100 pieces." He began to shovel out some taffy from one of the containers. "Anything else?"
"It'd be easier to say what I wouldn't want to get."
"So, miss.."
"Leah. Leah Bennington."
"Leah." Just then, a woman walked in. A white-scaled dragoness, with a body that looked like it had been chiseled in ancient Greece. She stood at 5'8", her light blue eyes, and long silver-white hair adding to her beauty. "I will have the passionfruit taffy, and I need some more for a party."
"Of course, Miss Swiftsea, I get the order once I am done getting hers ready." Swiftsea smiled when she saw Leah getting her bag. "Hmm...tell me, miss, are you aware of a contest that is held here?"
"A contest?"
"Yes, it is something I have tried to win, and never have. Maybe you will succeed. The grand prize, from my understanding, is a trip to Paris. And I think you are about to win it." Leah sighed, as she muttered under her breath. "I could use a getaway myself."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I think I might be getting stalked." Swiftsea's eyes scanned the outside. Well, well, looks like she is right. Looks like her old "friends" are wanting to play. Swiftsea looked around. "I will take care of it. Any idea who is stalking you?"
"Some former coworkers of mine."
"..is that so? Honey, listen to me." She took out a manilla folder. "You have been a very hard one to find. There's some cash in US currency in here, and a plane ticket. Get back home, and pack your bags. You will learn more when you get to Paris. Congratulations, you won."
"Can I at least get my candy first?"
"Of course. In fact, ask Frankie at the counter to let you out the back door." Once she had gotten her candy and was about to leave, Swiftsea got her cellphone out. "Alpha and Charlie, three would-be stalkers outside, each driving a black SUV with tinted windows and police lighting. Slow 'em down for us with a nice nudge."
"Copy. We know exactly what you mean."
~~~
(In one of the SUVs)
"Bennington is nowhere to be seen. She might be headed out the back door, let's go." Just then, the sounds of tires screeching were heard, before a massive jolt rocked each car. "Alton, this is Seamus. Damnit, I just got rear-ended!"
"You too?!"
That was when the ringleader, Dalton, realized something. "It was coordinated! Everyone out, NOW!!" They scrambled out of their cars, eager to deal with whoever had hit them, only to find no drivers in the vehicles. Further inspection also showed that the cars had no license plates and no ID inside the vehicles. A second call came in to the leader. "We lost her. She slipped out the back way, and we can't find her. She could be anywhere now."
Dalton slammed his fist against the trunk of one of the cars. "...FUCK!"
~~~
(Charles de Gaulle International Airport, 24 hours later)
Timothy had let out a sigh as he got off the plane. He had to take a layover in New York, and from there. flew to Paris. He went to get his luggage, worn out from the earlier events. He looked around, and saw someone holding up a sign, his name plastered on it. "Mr. Beckinsdale, welcome to Paris." The voice was female, but her disguise was such that he couldn't tell her species, or anything else about her. "Glad to be here."
The woman then added, "You won't be here alone, Tim. Did you bring your gift?"
"I did. I am not sure I will see her, but I di-"
Tim was cut off when a cougar femme ran out and jumped on him. Tim kept his balance only for a second, before falling over. "TIM, YOU RUDDY BASTARD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"Leah?!" The woman grinned, and chuckled. "Good, our second guest is here. Get your luggage and let's be off." Tim got the two guitar cases, and his own suitcase, before joining Leah, who only had a couple of suitcases herself. The woman smiled again. "Good, you packed light. I hope you two didn't have any plans back home."
"Why is that? I did find it odd that someone would let me lecture in Paris about meth busts."
Leah then chimed in. "Not to mention that the tickets were one way."
"Well...your work will be more, shall we say, hands-on. The walls here have too many ears. You have another friend waiting for you. This way. We can continue this in the car."
After escorting them to the car, the woman began to turn away. "The man in the front can take it from here. I can't stay." Tim and Leah put their bags in the trunk, and then got in the back seat.
"Hello, Tim, Leah." Tim paused in recognition. "...I know that voice. Is that you, Yarrington?" The man in the front grinned, as he looked up. "Like you have to ask. Yeah, it is me. Leah, you remember me too. Farley Yarrington, it has been a while. Last time we met, I was on a stretcher in an evac chopper in Afghanistan."
"How can we forget? Is Alice...?"
"Oh no, she is at a public event. Where I am due in about thirty minutes." Once they were situated, he began to drive. "First of all, welcome to Task Force Moebius. You two have been brought in to assist a squad comprised of four people in a battle with a terrorist group called the Blood Moon. I have to warn you, your new boss might be a little cranky."
"What happened?"
"Well, they recruited someone without the boss lady's consent. A guy named Drake Gaillard LaGuerre. That wouldn't be so bad were he not a civilian AND the son of a crime lord." Both winced.
"I will intro you to the rest as best I can without you two meeting them in person. Samantha L'Renne, snow leopard, former Israeli soldier who deserted because she hated the desert and wasn't keen on the idea of shooting civilians. Mikaela "Mikera" D'Williams, Cheshire-calico, computer hacker who fled prosecution in Russia and joined TFM. Josephine Miranda Jules, cougar, fled an arranged marriage, and a cloistered life, not to mention the IRA. Everyone is going to have some kind of baggage, and you may as well be prepared."
Leah had to ask. "Did they go on a mission already?"
"Oh yes. They busted a slave ring run by a man named Bertrand St.Quinn. Thing is, we got some unwanted backup from Jean-Michael LaGuerre, the French crime lord, and also Drake's daddy. That woman damn near threw a fit. I don't know why, but she is carrying a grudge with Jean-Michael. She was even angrier that they didn't try to make an arrest. Like it was their fault Jean had the advantage. Still, he and his women got us the info we needed to shut down similar slave rings all over Europe."
On top of that, Drake and the others managed to round up a lot of Blood Moon types. Leah, you will it all on the laptop behind my seat. It is yours now, so take it. You both will find some custom 10mm handguns I made with you both in mind. In time, I will make similar guns for the others. Mikera will handle any gadgets you might need. Also, think of this task as a favor: I need you to find out what kind of axe 'that woman' is grinding against Jean. I want to know what the hell pissed her off."
"Well...your work will be more, shall we say, hands-on. The walls here have too many ears. You have another friend waiting for you. This way. We can continue this in the car."
After escorting them to the car, the woman began to turn away. "The man in the front can take it from here. I can't stay." Tim and Leah put their bags in the trunk, and then got in the back seat.
"Hello, Tim, Leah." Tim paused in recognition. "...I know that voice. Is that you, Yarrington?" The man in the front grinned, as he looked up. "Like you have to ask. Yeah, it is me. Leah, you remember me too. Farley Yarrington, it has been a while. Last time we met, I was on a stretcher in an evac chopper in Afghanistan."
"How can we forget? Is Alice...?"
"Oh no, she is at a public event. Where I am due in about thirty minutes." Once they were situated, he began to drive. "First of all, welcome to Task Force Moebius. You two have been brought in to assist a squad comprised of four people in a battle with a terrorist group called the Blood Moon. I have to warn you, your new boss might be a little cranky."
"What happened?"
"Well, they recruited someone without the boss lady's consent. A guy named Drake Gaillard LaGuerre. That wouldn't be so bad were he not a civilian AND the son of a crime lord." Both winced.
"I will intro you to the rest as best I can without you two meeting them in person. Samantha L'Renne, snow leopard, former Israeli soldier who deserted because she hated the desert and wasn't keen on the idea of shooting civilians. Mikaela "Mikera" D'Williams, Cheshire-calico, computer hacker who fled prosecution in Russia and joined TFM. Josephine Miranda Jules, cougar, fled an arranged marriage, and a cloistered life, not to mention the IRA. Everyone is going to have some kind of baggage, and you may as well be prepared."
Leah had to ask. "Did they go on a mission already?"
"Oh yes. They busted a slave ring run by a man named Bertrand St.Quinn. Thing is, we got some unwanted backup from Jean-Michael LaGuerre, the French crime lord, and also Drake's daddy. That woman damn near threw a fit. I don't know why, but she is carrying a grudge with Jean-Michael. She was even angrier that they didn't try to make an arrest. Like it was their fault Jean had the advantage. Still, he and his women got us the info we needed to shut down similar slave rings all over Europe."
On top of that, Drake and the others managed to round up a lot of Blood Moon types. Leah, you will it all on the laptop behind my seat. It is yours now, so take it. You both will find some custom 10mm handguns I made with you both in mind. In time, I will make similar guns for the others. Mikera will handle any gadgets you might need. Also, think of this task as a favor: I need you to find out what kind of axe 'that woman' is grinding against Jean. I want to know what the hell pissed her off."
"We will as soon as we know who she is."
"Oh, you guys know her, considering she is the head of the executive branch of your home country, Tim."
"...the Madame President? SHE is running this?!"
"Like I said, I need you to find out what happened that has her nursing a grudge against Jean. I will meet you again in due time."
"Like I said, I need you to find out what happened that has her nursing a grudge against Jean. I will meet you again in due time."
"Okay, you have yourself a deal. So where are we headed?"
"A hotel called the L'Hotel Charla, in downtown Paris. Drake and the girls will be there in a bit. They will be on a lower floor, so you two can have rooms to yourselves, if you wish. Or would you rather have a room together?" He grinned as he saw them blush on the rearview mirror. "No need to be shy. I didn't forget what the Dingo did to you two."
"No need to remind us. We still owe him some pain tax for that."
"Just because he sugared up you and Tim, and had the both of you going at it like wild rabbits so hard it caused the shower tent to collapse."
"I SAID DON'T REMIND US!!" Leah, at that point, had her face turning a deep shade of red."Okay, okay, sorry. Also, there are badges, and licenses to aid local law enforcement. It goes without saying that you keep those on you at all times. You are to meet with the others later tonight, in the restaurant. We're here. You both have your own manila folder, with info on your squadmates, and on a new adversary. It also has the team's latest briefing. Good luck, both of you."
"Wait.." Tim had to ask. "Look, I am glad to be out of West Virginia, but what are we going to do for clothes? Leah and I both packed light."
Farley grinned. "First of all, your things you left behind are already secured back home. The seamstress from Hell has agreed to make your new wardrobe. Your new clothes will be custom-fitted. Oh, and she insists anyone to be fitted wear swimsuits to make things easier for her. Plan accordingly, and good luck. Regina's gonna have a BALL with you two."
Leah's ears pinned back. "R-Regina Dufresne, that Seamstress from Hell?" Farley gave a Cheshire grin. "Yep. Her. At least she and the Dingo aren't in the same room together, or we'd have a Code Fabulous." He grinned as Leah looked horrified. "I am going to leave you two to it. I am going to be late, but at least it will be fashionably so."
Once they unloaded the vehicle, Farley drove off, leaving them to the task at hand. Tim and Leah brought their luggage in. "Mr. Beckinsdale, Ms. Bennington, bonjour et welcome to Paris. Your room is room number 619, here is your key, we'll help you bring up your luggage.Enjoy your stay."
Tim and Leah accompanied the bellhop to their room, and after paying a tip to him, walked in. It was a three-room suite, with bathroom, bedroom, and small kitchen, with a minifridge. Tim put his luggage beside the bed, and laid down a moment, letting out a huff. "What a trip."
"Tell me about it," Leah sighed."So we're basically secret agents now, right?"
"More or less. And we haven't met the rest of the team yet. I think my boss knew, Leah. She knew I wouldn't be back. Now I know why she had me turn in my badge and gun." Leah stretched out, as she walked around the room, looking outside the windows. "Well, we have a good room, a nice place to stay, and well, we have it all to ourselves." Tim sat up, before Leah sat on his lap, pressing herself against him. She sighed as she felt strong hands knead her shoulders.
"It is a good thing. I was in a real bad spot there, Timmy. You remember my old BAU job?"
"Yeah? Are they still after you for what happened?"
"They were. I did the right thing, and they still condemn me. They disbanded the team last week. Because of the meltdown. Naturally, I got the blame because of what happened to the lead investigator."
"Leah, you and I both know that wasn't your fault. Your leader couldn't handle it, and his teammates wanted to pretend it was going away." Leah leaned against his touch. "Yeah, but it still hurts."
"Leah, look at me." She tilted her head up, her green eyes staring into his blue ones, as his arms wrapped around her stomach. "You did all you could, Leah. You saved his life. That was the best anyone could do in that situation." Leah nodded, with a wry smile, "Yeah, I guess I did. Thanks, Tim." She let out a sigh of relief. "I am over here, and they are over there. Not much they can do about it now."
Her eyes kept looking around the room as he continued working on her shoulders and back, noting that the shower was already stocked with clean towels and shampoo and conditioner. She saw phone numbers with restaurant and grocery store listings, and groceries also stocked, and smiled. "Well, looks like we're well-stocked at least. And the phone numbers suggest that we can have our groceries delivered if nothing else." She curled up againt Tim. "It has been way too long, Tim. With just the two of us alone."
"It has, Leah. It really has. And now, we don't even have to wait on the citizenship papers. We're here, together."
"This is true, and that leads to one simple question."
"Yeah?"
"Shower, kitchen, or bedroom?" She grinned as her tail went straight, and she helped Tim up with one hand as she loosened her shirt with the other. Tim grinned as she dragged him out of the bedroom and into the shower, discarding her shirt on the floor.
Once they unloaded the vehicle, Farley drove off, leaving them to the task at hand. Tim and Leah brought their luggage in. "Mr. Beckinsdale, Ms. Bennington, bonjour et welcome to Paris. Your room is room number 619, here is your key, we'll help you bring up your luggage.Enjoy your stay."
Tim and Leah accompanied the bellhop to their room, and after paying a tip to him, walked in. It was a three-room suite, with bathroom, bedroom, and small kitchen, with a minifridge. Tim put his luggage beside the bed, and laid down a moment, letting out a huff. "What a trip."
"Tell me about it," Leah sighed."So we're basically secret agents now, right?"
"More or less. And we haven't met the rest of the team yet. I think my boss knew, Leah. She knew I wouldn't be back. Now I know why she had me turn in my badge and gun." Leah stretched out, as she walked around the room, looking outside the windows. "Well, we have a good room, a nice place to stay, and well, we have it all to ourselves." Tim sat up, before Leah sat on his lap, pressing herself against him. She sighed as she felt strong hands knead her shoulders.
"It is a good thing. I was in a real bad spot there, Timmy. You remember my old BAU job?"
"Yeah? Are they still after you for what happened?"
"They were. I did the right thing, and they still condemn me. They disbanded the team last week. Because of the meltdown. Naturally, I got the blame because of what happened to the lead investigator."
"Leah, you and I both know that wasn't your fault. Your leader couldn't handle it, and his teammates wanted to pretend it was going away." Leah leaned against his touch. "Yeah, but it still hurts."
"Leah, look at me." She tilted her head up, her green eyes staring into his blue ones, as his arms wrapped around her stomach. "You did all you could, Leah. You saved his life. That was the best anyone could do in that situation." Leah nodded, with a wry smile, "Yeah, I guess I did. Thanks, Tim." She let out a sigh of relief. "I am over here, and they are over there. Not much they can do about it now."
Her eyes kept looking around the room as he continued working on her shoulders and back, noting that the shower was already stocked with clean towels and shampoo and conditioner. She saw phone numbers with restaurant and grocery store listings, and groceries also stocked, and smiled. "Well, looks like we're well-stocked at least. And the phone numbers suggest that we can have our groceries delivered if nothing else." She curled up againt Tim. "It has been way too long, Tim. With just the two of us alone."
"It has, Leah. It really has. And now, we don't even have to wait on the citizenship papers. We're here, together."
"This is true, and that leads to one simple question."
"Yeah?"
"Shower, kitchen, or bedroom?" She grinned as her tail went straight, and she helped Tim up with one hand as she loosened her shirt with the other. Tim grinned as she dragged him out of the bedroom and into the shower, discarding her shirt on the floor.
I can get used to this. I can get very used to this, he thought to himself as he closed the shower door.
END INTERLUDE
