Part 5

DL thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but the longer she watched them, the more convinced she was. Jumping into her car, she headed back to CLHQ as fast as she could. She needed to report this immediately. Rushing into CLHQ she went straight to North’s office. Not bothering to knock, she barged in, interrupting North and Michael in mid-conversation.

Looking up, North spoke. "DragonLady, we’re in the middle of a meeting. What is it?" Taking a deep breath, DragonLady answered.

"I saw them," she announced, and then took another deep breath.

Michael straightened. "Who?" he asked.

DL was a little uncomfortable telling Michael, but he was leading the team. "Sherry and Davenport."

North jumped up. "Where? Are they okay? Were the others with them? We need to send a team right away."

DL shook her head. "They were in town near my gym. They were alone. Before I could do anything they jumped into a car and left. I wanted to follow them, but they got a bit of a head start and I knew I had to get back here and tell you."

North nodded. Michael was curious. "What were they doing?"

DL shuffled back and forth on her feet for a few seconds. "Um, they were ... well ... they were, uh ... window shopping."

"What?" North exclaimed. "Window shopping? What do you mean?"

Michael knew she was holding back something. "Just tell us, DL. We have to know."

Nodding, she finally admitted, "They were picking out jewelry in a shop window. And, uh, well, if I didn’t know better, I’d say they were lovers."

Taken by surprise by the statement, North and Michael both remained silent. A few moments later, Michael asked, "What do you mean?"

DL sighed. Why did it have to be her? "I’m sorry, Michael. They were all over each other. Kissing, hugging, laughing, touching. They looked very much in love."

North was shocked. "Are you sure it was them, DL? I mean, Sherry is engaged to Michael. She wouldn’t do that. Not to mention the fact that she wouldn’t go behind Kit’s back, or Kathy’s for that matter. And Davenport is a stand up guy. I can’t imagine him doing that to Kit and Kathy, or to Michael, for that matter."

"Well, I can only tell you what I saw. It looked pretty real to me," DL shrugged. Michael thanked DL for the information and then dismissed her with an order that she not mention this to anyone yet.

North turned to Michael, studying his face, not that it told her anything. "So, what do you think? What’s going on?"

Michael remained silent for a few moments. "I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. Not in conjunction with the communiqué we received. Unless it’s a mission, or..."

North prodded him. "Or what?"

Michael stared her right in the eyes. "Or they’ve been brainwashed. Sherry’s been gone long enough to have done a thorough job. Davenport hasn’t been gone very long, but depending on what they used, it’s possible. Or they could be threatening the others if he doesn’t cooperate. We need to get a team out and bring them in. We’ll stake out that area and wait for them to return. When they do, we’ll grab them."

North nodded. "But Michael ... I mean, I know it’s not probable, but, what if what DL saw is just what it looked like? What if they’ve simply escaped? What if they really do want to be together? I know it doesn’t make any sense, but we have to consider the possibility."

"I have." Michael’s reply was emotionless. "If they did escape, they wouldn’t stick around so close, they know that we would be after them and they would be canceled. If they were kidnapped and altered, we’ll deal with it. If it’s something else and they truly want to be together, that’s their decision."

North understood why Michael was the best at this job. He didn’t let his personal feelings interfere ... well, almost never. There have been occasions. She knew his feelings were being bottled up now. She wanted to help him.

"Michael, sit." He didn’t want to, but complied for politeness’ sake. "Talk to me, Michael. What are you feeling?" North asked.

Michael glanced around the room and then spoke. "My feelings don’t matter. I’m focusing on the mission. How do we get them back? Who to put on the team. Trying to figure out where the others are."

North listened politely and then shook her head. "Fine, Michael. But if you want to talk, I’m available. I know this is bothering you."

Michael nodded. "Thank you, but we’ve got work to do. We need to come up with a profile. I want to go tomorrow. I have a feeling they’ll be back."