Part 4

Sherry was briefing the group. "Okay, the profile is set. Davenport and I are First Team. We begin this afternoon. They don’t know where we are today, so we don’t expect any attempts on us. Tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, Curlly will still monitor from the van. Joann and Brenna will shadow the team Section sends after us. If Davenport and I are taken or killed, you three have to finish this. You must succeed. Now, get some rest. We leave in two hours. Weapons will be distributed then." Sherry finished the briefing and went outside. She walked a short distance to the cliff and sat down on a rock overlooking the ocean.

Her mind was crowded with too many thoughts. She needed to sort it all out so she could focus. She was worried about her team. She was worried about her friends at CLHQ and Section. She felt that there was something wrong with her profile. She sighed and dropped her head to her knees. She sat that way for a while when she heard footsteps approaching. She tensed until she recognized that it was Davenport.

"Want some company?" he inquired as he sat down beside her. "Sure," she answered. She stared out across the ocean and Davenport studied her face.

"Don’t do this to yourself," he advised. Sherry grinned. "And just what is it that am I doing to myself?"

Davenport was serious. "You’re second guessing yourself. You’re wondering about Section and CLHQ. You’re worrying about us. You’re worrying about Michael. Did I miss anything?"

Sherry sighed. "No, I guess not. But that’s my job. I’m team leader, I have to worry."

Davenport nodded. "Yeah, you’re team leader. But stop second guessing yourself. You were obviously chosen for this job because you were the best person for it. You’re doing everything possible. It’s not like this is the first time you’ve led a team."

Sherry turned to him. "No it’s not. But this is so important. What if I miss something? What if we’re not doing the right thing?"

Davenport put an arm around her and pulled her close for a moment. "We are. We’re doing the only thing we can. At least for now."

"But..."

He put his finger on her lips. "No buts. The profile is set and it will work. We go in a few hours. You’ve got to stop doubting yourself. If you do, so will the rest of the team. You need to focus."

Sherry nodded and kissed his cheek. "Thanks Davenport. I guess I needed that little pep talk."

"My pleasure," he answered as he got up to go.

"Davenport," she called after him. He stopped and turned back to her. "Kathy and Kit are lucky ladies."

He blushed and smiled. "Thanks. I’ll have to remember to tell them you said so. Now, go get some rest." Sherry laughed as he walked away. She was actually beginning to feel a little more relaxed. She was glad she had chosen him for her team. He would keep her grounded.

A few minutes later she returned to the house. Curlly had been watching out the window.

"Hey Sher. Anything you want to tell me?" she asked curiously.

Sherry didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. "No, why?"

Curlly laughed. "Well, let’s just say you and Davenport looked awfully cozy out there. Should Michael be worried?"

"No, there’s nothing to tell. I needed to focus and Davenport was helping me do that."

"Yeah, uh huh, if that’s what you call it." Curlly laughed. Sherry picked up a pillow and threw it at her. "Curlly," Sherry threatened and headed in her direction. Curlly held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, I give. You were focusing. Got it."

Sherry smiled. "That’s right. Although, if I had never met Michael, I might have to give Kathy and Kit a run for their money!" she called over her shoulder as she headed to her room to get some rest.

Two hours later they assembled in the dining room again. Joann, Brenna and Curlly were dressed in mission gear. Davenport and Sherry were clad in casual, everyday clothes. Sherry took a deep breath and looked around the room again. It was time to get underway.

"Any questions?" she asked before going over the details one last time. No one spoke up, so she nodded. "Okay then, let’s go. We know that DragonLady visits her gym three times a week when she can. Curlly hacked into her personal schedule and she is supposed to be there today. It’s up to Davenport and me to get her attention. The rest of you stay in the van unless we get into trouble. Since this is our first contact, there shouldn’t be anyone after us."

They headed out and Davenport helped Sherry into a flashy sports car then ran around to the driver’s side and got in. Curlly, Bren and Joann followed them in a modified mission van. An hour later they neared the gym that DL frequented. Curlly called the gym from the van asking to speak with DL. She told them she was from DL’s office and that she was needed. She was told that DL was in the shower but that she would be leaving shortly. Parking the car close, but not too close, Davenport assisted Sherry out of the car. Putting their arms around each other, they began what appeared to be an afternoon of shopping. Joann parked the van behind the gym and Curlly tracked DL, Sherry and Davenport on the computer.

There were quite a few people wandering up and down the street, which was to the mission’s advantage. There weren’t too many, though, so DL should recognize the couple when she saw them. Davenport pulled Sherry close and whispered in her ear. "Ready?"

Sherry looked lovingly up into his eyes and slid her finger down his cheek. "Yeah, I’m ready." They walked slowly down the street across from the gym and Davenport kept his eyes peeled for DL. A few moments later she came out the door.

"Okay, it’s show time," he whispered to Sherry. Pulling her even closer, Sherry laid her head on his shoulder. He pointed out something in the jewelry store window and they stopped. They appeared to discuss something for a bit and then Sherry nodded. Laughing, she leaned over to kiss him. Pulling her close for a lingering kiss, Davenport glanced around and saw that DL was staring in their direction. Pulling back, he turned Sherry around and they headed in the opposite direction. Sherry was pretty sure that DL had spotted them. They continued the role of lovers until they were in the car and on their way.

Once they were in the clear, Curlly told Joann to move and they headed back to the mansion.