Mandatory Refusal - Cut Short


By Shadoe


CLHQ was quiet as Trace, Aly, and North met in Operations office for a secret briefing on their new assignment. This one had been kept quiet, even the three women had no clue what it entailed. Birkoff wasn't talking period, and Walter seemed extremely worried over the whole affair.

"What do you think is up?" Aly asked as Trace as they neared the office. Trace could only shake her head in confusion. She had no clue what was going on, but by Norths demeanor, she had a sneaky suspicion that the other woman knew exactly what was going on, and it wasn't pleasant. North had been quiet, though she could tell she was upset after a private meeting with Operations the night before.

Trace wondered what Shadoe was going to think of this development when she returned from Mandatory Refusal. That is if she ever decided to return from Mandatory Refusal.

She had been sent out over a month ago to track down an especially elusive Red Cell agent, and learn the assignment he had been sent on against CLHQ. When the agent had managed to escape the trap she had set for him, she had decided that enough was enough and began tracking him alone.

Trace worried about her cousin, sometimes Shadoe became much too intense when she was thwarted in such cases.

They paused outside Operations door, and North knocked briskly, and expression of subdued anger crossing her face.

"Enter." Operations voice called out quietly, and North opened the door, precedeing the other two women into the room. As Trace closed the door behind her, she glimpsed the worried look in the mans face as he glanced at North. "Thank you all for being so prompt." he sighed as they all took their seats and watched him expectantly. "I guess you are wondering why you have been called in her today?"

"Yes we are, Sir." Trace spoke up. " I was looking forward to a day or two of rest, after the last mission."

"Sorry about this Trace." he did not seem real sorry to her, she thought. "But this is a situation that I feel that only the three of you could handle."

Norths rude snort caused Traces brows to raise in surprise, and Operations to flash her a frustrated look. " I gather we have a problem?" she asked slowly.

"Yes we do." Operations leaned back in his chair and watched them all with a closed expression now. "It would seem that Shadoes Mandatory Refusal, has been called into question. " he pushed a file of photographs towards the women. "We recieved these photos several nights ago, and as much as I hate to admit it, they seem pretty incriminating."

Incriminating was not the word for it. Trace grimaced as she perused the pictures. There was Shadoe, that charming smile on her face as she lounged in the arms of the very agent she had been sent after. She had to admit though, that she should have expected it. The agent was just her type. Tall, dark haired, rough looking with a devil may care grin, and a darkly handsome face. Trace had had a bad feeling about this assignment when her cousin had left for, and now she knew why. The agent just looked way too much like the imaginary figure Shadoe often wrote about. Joshua.

"I want Shadoe back here, if possible with the agent." Operations ordered them. "I want to know what the hell is going on with her."

Trace sighed. "She's just got sidetracked." she assured him. "Shadoe isn't a traitor, she's just easily........sidetracked.......by certain things."

Another rude snort from North caused Trace to flash her a warning look. Now she knew why her friend was angry. She didn't want Shadoe messing with Operations again, now that her own relationship with him was cementing.

"I am aware of that Trace, but the situation is beginning to look suspicious. We need to get Shadoe back here before she gets into serious trouble. We have information that she has booked passage on a passenger Train," he handed them the information they needed. "Find her and bring her back, and you girls try not to get sidetracked yourselves if you don't mind." his wry tone caused her to smile briefly.

"Of course Sir." she nodded, reading the information quickly.

"Thats all then." he sighed. "You leave in an hour. Good luck."

They would need their luck in tracking down Shadoe if she didn't want to be found. She could be amazingly stubborn at the best of times.

"North, " as the girls reach the door, Operations voice stopped the woman in question. She paused briefly. "Could you stay for a moment. I would like to discuss another matter with you."

She shrugged. "Sure." then turned to Trace. " I'll meet you in Walters office in about twenty minutes." she informed the other two girls. They nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind them.

*****

"Whew, this is bad Trace." Aly muttered as they walked down the hall. "Shadoe may have went too far this time."

"Shadoes fine." Trace bit out, "They should have expected this when they sent her out. I say Operations did expect it, and thats why he sent her instead of a more level headed agent."

There were days, she could cheerfully strangle Shadoe for the messes she managed to get herself into, and in the bargain, she usually managed to drag her into it as well. Damn she thought, she really needed to rest, not track her cousin down and drag her back from one of her little rendezvous. How did she manage these little vacations, when Trace could barely get a full nights sleep? This was definitely getting out of hand.

************

The hypnotic dip and sway of the train caused Shadoe to yawn slowly as she sat inside the janitors closet listening intently to the conversation, or one could say arguement that was ensuing in the hall. Sitting trapped inside the deodorized cubicle was not in the least comfortable, but since it had already been checked, she knew it was the last place the three women sent to find her, would think of looking. "I'm telling you, I'm getting tired of this. " Norths querlous voice was pitched low, but Shadoe could hear the anger vibrating in it. "I am tired of literally chasing a shadow. What the hell did ops think he was doing, sending someone after her. He should know by now she will come back when she gets damned good and ready."

Not like North really cared if she came back, Shadoe thought to herself, then laughed silently. She hoped her friend was having nightmares about her return. Served her right for the slight betrayal she had dealt her during her absence.She did not even consider that she herself had betrayed Ops though. It was fun and games, but no one else had known that. Just as the past weeks had been fun and games, despite her mission and the Mandatory Refusal.

"She's here." Trace said dryly, and Shadoe could almost imagine her cousins narrowed eyes, and thoughtful expression. "Its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time when she slinks out of her little hole."

Shadoe winced at the analogy. Wow, what a poor opinion her loving cuz seemed to have of her, she thought. Then she grinned once again, she should have been used to it by now.

"I agree with North though, Cat." Aly spoke up. "I say we just bag that Redcell agent we glimpsed yesterday, and head home. Ops would be more than pleased to see him, as well."

Shadoes eyes narrowed and her lips compressed at the mention of the agent. "I don't understand why we didn't take him when we saw him." North snapped. "What were you thinking Trace, to just let him go like that. He could have seen us as well. If so he is surely not on the train any longer."

"Oh he's here." the assurance in Traces voice caused Shadoe to grimace. "trust me, girls. Quinlan Teague is most definitely on board this train. Like Shadoe we just have to find him."

"What are you up to Cat?" Alys voice lowered, and Shadoe could hear the suspicion within it. "What do you know that we don't"

There was a silence, a rustle of clothing, then Traces voice fell softly through the door. "Never mind just yet. Wait until I am sure of my suspicions then I will tell you. Until then, we continue the search of Shadoe. We don't have much longer to find her, and I myself am getting tired of wasting time.

*****

Shadoe slipped back into her sleeping compartment, and breathed a sigh of relief as she locked the door behind her. A frown marred her forehead, and she was becoming distinctly worried about those three women ruining the plans she had already set into motion. She would not be pleased she thought, if they interferred in any manner.

She quickly undressed, then donned the long silk and french lace gown she had purchased several days before. Night was coming, and with it, hopefully, the fruition of her own plans. She laid down on the bed to await the apporpriate time, sighing with satisfaction that so far everything was proceeding relatively smoothly. If she could just manage to keep Trace, Aly and North off her back while she was finishing this little project..............

The key grating in the lock caused a smile to cross her face, and her eyes to light with excitement. She turned over, propping herself against the corner of the bunk, her hazel eyes watching the door open slowly. "Hurry, before the they see you." she urged quickly, "Just what I need, for them to realize...............Oh Hell............."

Trace, Aly and North stepped quickly into the small room, closing the door behind them as they watched Shadoe with stern expressions. "Great!" Shadoe rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms under her scantily covered breasts. "I was really hoping to avoid the three of you for a while longer."

"I bet you were!" Trace smiled as she took in the gown, and a few burnt candles within the little room. "Been having fun have you cuz ?"

"Of course. " Shadoe arched her brows a bit mockingly. "Don't I always." She glanced at the other two women then, seeing Alys ruefull smile, and Norths disapproving expression. "Hey there Momma Bear." she grinned rakishly as the irritation snapping in the other womans eyes. "Hows things going at CLHQ. Tell me all the gossip, but do hurry because I have a date."

"NOt any more you don't." she was told firmly. "get dressed, we have a Redcell agent to catch, then we're getting the hell out of here."

"ahhhh Momma Bear. " she saw Trace wince at the grating tone in her voice. "What happened to you? You're getting so stuffy all of a sudden. Too much time in Ops company evidently. It will do that do you. " She then smiled innocently at the suspicion in the other womans eyes.

"North is right, Shadoe. " Trace told her as she supressed her laughter. "Quinlan Teague is onboard. I think we should grab him, then head for home."

"Quinlan Teague." Shadoes brows arched. "You must be mistaken, I have been onboard for three days now, were he here I would have surely known it."

"I am sure you would have ." Trace said drolly. "Which brings up the question of just what the hell you are doing here, and why CLHQ was sent compromising pictures of you in Quinlans company."

Shadoes brow arched, her lips thinning as she fought a smile. The smile quickly disappeared though as the door began to open. The women moved aside quickly, assuming fighting stances, with Aly being closest.

"Hey there Sugar Plum, " the Irish brogue came first, then the tall, extremely fit male body walked into the room wearing nothing but tight fitting boxer shorts with a VERY distinct bulge in the front.

He had no sooner cleared the room, and seen the three women before he decided to make a quick retreat. Unfortunatley, Aly was quicker. Shadoe gasped, the winced as the the Monkey Girl kicked out with one long leg, planting her feet squarely into the most impressive male portion that it had ever been shadoes pleasure to view.

Brilliant blue eyes widened in agony, a gasp issuing from his opened mouth before his eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed across Shadoes knees.

"Oh Aly. " she raised pain ridden eyes to her friend. "It will be months before it works again now. How could you?"

************

"My GAWD, Shadoe. Just what are you up to anyway?" Trace slammed the door shut on the small room, and faced her cousin angrily. "Do you have ANY clue at all just what type of man he is?"

"He was a hell of a lover." she groused. "Until Aly decided to try her Tae Bo on him. Damn Aly, couldn't you have aimed a little higher, or a little lower or something."

Aly flushed, then frowned. "Trace is right. " she bit out. "He deserved it? And just what are you up to?"

"I was bringing him in......" Shadoe wiggled her legs out from under her fallen warrior, and looked down at him sadly. "Poor guy, he may decide to be difficult about it all now."

"What do you mean, bring him in?" North demanded as she propped her hands on her hips and gave Shadoe a stern glare. "Do you have any idea just how deceptive this man could be. He's using you Shadoe."

Shadoe cast North a rakish look. "And used me well too......." she laughed. Then laughed harder at the outraged expressions of her three friends. "Oh chill out. He's just a man. An impressive one, but a man all the same." she rose to her feet, and stepped over to the small refridgerator set into the wall and pulled out a beer. She lifted the chilled bottle in invitation, but the looks on her friends faces assured her that they didn't really want any. She shrugged, popped the top with a small opening and took a long drink. She really needed something to settle her nerves she thought. Damn, she hated it when her well laid plans were,........ .well........unlayable.

And Quinlan was definitely unlayable for a while, it seemed. She sighed morosely, then pasted on a cheery smile as she faced her friends once again. "Well, looks like we get to continue on together. Do you have your own rooms?"

"We aint leaving yours." Trace crossed her arms firmly, but she was fighting the laughter welling up inside. Gawd this was great, she thought. Shadoe had brought in one of Red Cells best agents, and she knew that would really pinchs Ops ass. He had sent his best valentine ops after the guy time and again, and they had failed everytime. The only reason Shadoe had been on that last mission was because she had been complaining of being bored while he had her stuck at CLHQ doing belly dances for him every night. It had been meant as a punishment, Trace thought that perhaps Shadoe had missed the point somewhere.

"Come on Trace." she sighed, sitting down on the bed. "I was coming back in."

"Why haven't you even contacted us, Shadoe?" North bit out. "we were worried you know."

"Hmmm" Shadoe muttered noncommentally as she glanced over at her friend.

"Well we were." North frowned. "And those pictures that were sent to us did not look good."

Surprise washed over Shadoes face. "Was my makeup wrong or something?" she frowned. "I thought I looked pretty good in them."

The three women frowned. "You sent the pictures?" Trace asked her, wondering just what the hell Shadoe had really been up to.

"Of course I did." she shrugged. "I didn't think he would actually send you three though. I was expecting..............."

"Ops to come after you?" North asked angrily. "Don't you think he has better things to do?"

"Actually, ........." Shadoe said with polite emphasis. " I was expecting Jurgen and Trace. I thought Ops had better sense than to send all of you."

"So now your questioning his decisions?" North bit out.

"I always question his decisions. He is totally anal about some things North and you know it. Chill out, just because your sleeping with him doesn't mean you have to wear blinders for the man."

There was complete silence in the room. "Uhhh, how did you find out about this?" Trace was the one to break the silence that seemed to hold the three motionless.

"Uhhh, maybe we oughta all go back to our rooms. I don't think Shadoe needs a babysitter right now. " Aly tried to be diplomatic.

"Might as well stay Monkey Girl. " Shadoe grinned. "My fun has been ruined for the night, might as well harass the three of you instead."

"How did you find out Shadoe?" Trace questioned her again.

"A little bird told me." she shrugged with a smile. "Whats the big deal, was everyone gonna try to hide it from me?"

The looks on their faces said they were.

"Kinda hard to do with North being so defensive." she gave her friend a sad look. " You didn't have to be mad at me North. I didn't care."

"I wasn't mad Shadoe."

"Yeah you were." she grinned "You thought I was after Ops still and wanted to nip it in the bud so to speak."

At that moment, a weak grin emenated from the large male body stretched across the bed.

"Quinlan?" tender concern marked Shadoes face as she bent over her wounded warriors nearly nude body. "Quinlan, dumplin' you okay?"

"Dumplin?" North looked to Trace with an expression of comical disbelief

"Shadoe........ahhh, I think she killed it."

"Mean ole Monkey Girl. " Shadoe cooed against the bare shoulder of her hand patted his bad tenderly. "Shadoe will take care of you as soon as we reach CLHQ. I promise."

Trace, Aly, and North glanced at each other. "Dumplin"" they mouthed silently, fighting to hold back howls of laughter.

Teague moved slowly until he was able to cuddle against Shadoes ample bosom, his face snuggled in securely as she soothed him.

"Boy this one is definitely one of the books.........." North suddenly chuckled as they watched the big, muscular agent whimper against Shadoes breast. "Shadoe I swear, if I hadn't seen it for myself, I would have never believed it."

"Yeah you would have." Shadoe grinned over at her. "Shadoe never does the expected, and you know it."

The End

This story ©copyright, Shadoe, 1999


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