"I guess this is it, the real test." Carly notes from
the door.
Dara applies her make up one handed still grimacing a she looks
at her
plastered wrist. She looks at Carly's reflection in the mirror.
"What
do you mean?"
"You needed to take down Moreno-- he was as big a threat to
you as he
was to Jason-- maybe more. It's decision time, Dara. I stay out
of
Jason's business...." Dara gives Carly a 'yeah right' look
as she tucks
a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Okay-- I mostly stay
out of
Jason's business. But now I need to know what you're going to do--
stay
or go? You could go back to the DA's office pretend nothin'
happened or
go back to the WSB.
Dara shakes her head. "Carly, neither is an option. The DA's
office
was a WSB assignment. Something I was ordered to do. It was a
lie,
especially what they wanted me to do-- free Moreno. I've had
Jason's
back and he mine-- There's no way I could work to put him behind
bars
and no way I can go back to being an ADA and not."
"You have a place here, you know that."
"There's something you need to know before you make that
offer."
"Tony."
"Right. I know Alexis told Jason and Justus what happened
but I need to
be the one to tell you. Alexis had info on me, what it was now is
irrelevent. I could have lived it down or reccused myself and
Tony
would have gone to prison, but I didn't. I plead him out with
that
farce. Because I had to be in position when Moreno came to trial.
I
was so furious with myself-- when you shot him I drew a hard line
and
you suffered for it. I'm sorry."
Carly has moved from the doorway to the bed where she sits.
"It's been
interesting having the three of you here... and believe me I
remembered
your 'hard line stance' when I was knocking you on your ass with
those
defensive tactics. You, Alexis and Robin. I don't remember doing
it,
you know. I remember him smiling, smirking, at me. The plea
hadn't
even sunk in yet. The next thing I know Jason is wrestling
something
from my hands."
"It was a good shot, if Monica and Bobbie hadn't been there
he'd have
died." Dara admits.
"And the stakes would have been raised-- think you would've
gone for the
needle?" Carly jokes her eyes serious.
Dara shrugs and shakes her head. "I'm glad I didn't have to
find out."
"How weird is it? I don't blame you. I don't even blame
Alexis. It
wasn't personal except when you were coming after Jason."
"But you blame Robin."
Carly doesn't answer but instead asks, "What would you do
now... I mean
if Tony came after Michael or anyone else?"
"Stop him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
V walks along the waterfront to clear her head. Ever since Munson
told
her about Connery's connection to Moreno she'd felt at loose ends.
There was still too much that she didn't know so she'd been
spending her
time thinking back on her years with the WSB. Was there some sign
she'd
missed? Try as she might, she just couldn't pinpoint where it had
all
gone wrong. V wipes a tear away. As she approaches Kelley's she
hears
her name being called. Turning toward the sound, V sees Felicia
signaling her to wait up a minute. V sighs and points toward an
open
table outside the restaurant. She sits down and a moment later
Felicia
joins her. "V! Where have you been? I've been trying to
reach you for
days! I was worried sick! Mac said not to worry about you, but I
couldn't help it." Felicia takes a moment to catch her
breath and look
at her friend, "Are you okay?"
V gives Felicia a wry smile, "I'm sorry to have worried you
Felicia. I'm
okay, I'm um...,well I guess you could say I'm on an assignment."
"Oh, I see," Felicia folds her arms across her chest,
leans back in her
chair and searches V's face, her eyes squinting as they always do
when
she thinks someone is lying to her. "So V, what's going on?
You don't
look so good. In fact, you like you've lost your best friend.
Does it
have something to do with this assignment? You know, if it's too
rough
I can talk to Mac and have him pull you off the case."
"Felicia, really. There's no need. It's almost wrapped up
and besides.
This isn't official PCPD business."
"Well then what is it? You said assignment. What kind of
assignment
would Mac give you if it wasn't official PCPD business?",
Felicia asks
suspiciously.
"Felicia, I really appreciate your concern but it's really
okay. It's a
personal favor for Mac. You can ask him okay? Now please, no more
questions."
Felicia purses her lips together, looks at V a little harder and
shakes
her head. "No. I can't let this go. The only other time I've
seen you
this sad was when Jax broke your heart." Felicia gasps
"Oh God! No!
V...please tell me that its really about an assignment and not
that
you've fallen for him again! Please not that! He's worse than
ever! The
man's turning into a real slut, you know? Oh! oh...V, I'm so
sorry, I
shouldn't be telling you about his escapades, should I? I think I
better
shut up now."
V smiled a genuine smile at her friend, "Felicia, it's okay.
It's not
Jax. It really is an assignment, just ask Mac about it, okay?
It's
almost over and I'll be home and more available within the next
few
weeks."
"Hmmm, I see. Must be something to do with Robin's
disappearance. I take
it you've found her and she's okay because Mac actually got a
full
night's sleep the last few nights."
"Yeah, I found her and she's safe. I emailed Mac."
"Then why are you so bummed?"
V weighs how much to tell her friend. Always a tricky decision
because
for all her ditzyness about some things, Felicia's really an
incredibly
sharp detective. A little eccentric in her approach but VERY
resourceful, persistent and creative. If there's something she
wants to
know, she'll stop at nothing to find out the information. V takes
a deep
breath and dives in, "Felicia, have you ever idolized
someone? I mean
really looked up to them and tried to pattern yourself after
them? You
just knew that they could do no wrong ever, and then one day...WHAM!",
V
slams her hand down on the table with such force the noise makes
Felicia
jump, "You find out that it was all a lie and that this
person was
nothing like what you'd thought?"
Felicia takes V's hand and gives it a squeeze, "Yeah, sort
of. It can
turn your whole world around? Who was it, V? Did Mac do
something? or
Alex?"
V shook her head, "I can't really tell you now, Felicia, but
I promise I
will. Someday. Anyway, enough about that. How's business? Any
interesting cases?"
Felicia's eyes light up, "That's why I was trying to call
you! I'm
swamped! Now that Mac went back to being commissioner, he can't
work the
PI jobs-- Conflict of interest. Anyway, I have so much work I was
hoping
you could help me out."
"Felicia, it's just as much a conflict of interest for me. I
also work
for the PCPD, remember?"
"I know, but I was really hoping that you'd consider
quitting and buying
Mac out. V, I'd like you to become my partner in the detective
agency.
I've talked to Mac about it and he'd hate losing you but he says
its up
to you."
V's jaw drops and she stares at Felicia for a minute. "Are
you serious?"
Felicia nods, "Look, you don't have to answer me right now
but I really
do need know soon. I'm very close to having to turn work away."
"I understand. Let me talk to Mac and think about this. Can
you wait a
little longer? Just a week or two?"
Felicia smiles, "Sure thing, V! A couple more weeks is do-able."
Felicia
looks at her watch, "I have to go pick up Maxie and Georgie;
V, if you
need anything...if you need to vent or cry or talk, call me okay?"
The two women get up and hug. As Felicia crosses the street to
her car
she yells out "Hey! How does V. Jones Detective Agency
sound? See ya!"
Before V can answer, Felicia is in her car and pulling away.
"I think it's time for Dara and I finally have our little
talk." V
thinks, "It's time to stop ignoring the elephant in the
middle of the
room." V takes out her cell phone and calls the penthouse,
"Hello,
Carly? It's V. Could you send a car for me? I'm at Kelly's. And
Carly?
Tell Dara that I'd like her to come along for the ride. Thanks."
V
flips the phone shut and sits back down to wait.
A short time later, the car pulls up and Johnny gets out to open
the
door for V. He waits until V gets right to the door so that no
one will
see Dara in the backseat. As the car pulls away V turns to Dara,
"Okay
Dara, what's going on? I've got a puzzle here with more than a
few
pieces missing... pieces I think that you have. What are you
trying to
protect me from?"
Dara heaves a sigh and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Dara
had been dreading this conversation but knew it was coming. V
deserved
the truth, always had, but V was going to be so hurt... just as
she had
been. "V, I'm so sorry. When I found out it rocked me to the
core too.
The only thing that helped was time... time to process the
information.
Munson is full of it but he didn't lie. He just knew that finding
out
like that would hurt you." Dara proceeds to tell V all that
she'd
learned about Connery's connection to Moreno. She finishes as
they
pulled into the garage. Both women just sit there quietly for a
minute.
V looks both pale and sick. Dara reaches out to her, squeezing
V's
shoulder in silent support. Johnny, not wanting to disturb them,
gets
out of the car and waits by the door.
"Dara, what are you going to do? Are you going to take
Connery down?
What happens after that? What happens to the bureau?"
"I don't know V. I just don't know. I'm having a tough time
caring;
what is going on now with the agency is a bastardization of what
we
signed up for and I want no part of it. How about you?"
V shrugs, "I don't know. Dara, we're supposed to be the good
guys! God!
Why is this happening? Do you think Jerry knows?"
"I couldn't tell you. Jerry and I haven't really been in
touch for
years. I tried to call him before Jason came through for me but
we
never connected. Why don't you feel it out?"
"Because I'm afraid of what I might find out. But, you're
right Dara. We
need to know. I'll email him tonight and see what I can find out."
The
two get out of the car and head to the door.
" You won't have to email him... he's already in town. Jason
is just
waiting for Connery to get here to set the meeting. Jerry is
staying at
Jax's penthouse."
V bites her lip and changing the subject to something that has
been
running through her mind since Munson's revelations. "Dara,
have you
ever thought about leaving? I mean, what would you do if you
weren't
working for the bureau?"
"Carly was asking me the same thing when I left the
penthouse to meet
you. It looks like we are both at the crossroad, V."
Outside the Port Charles Hotel
"I want your word, Jerry," Connery presses, checking
his watch for the
umpteenth time.
"C'mon, James--I said I would," Jerry sighs.
"Your WORD, Jerry," as Connery takes him by the arm.
"Okay, okay," Jerry relents. "I give you MY WORD."
"That.... " Connery prompts.
"That you'll do the talking," Jerry mutters. "Happy
now--satisfied?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. Trust me, Jerry. It's better this
way."
"Fine by me," Jerry scowls, still smarting somewhat
from his
conversation with Jason. "The less I have to talk with that
arrogant
bastard, the better."
Eyeing his friend, Connery begins to chuckle. "What's wrong,
Jerry--someone finally give you a taste of your own medicine?
Have you
finally run across someone you CAN'T stare down?
"Yeah. Right. Whatever. Just keep the Pup outta my face, and
all will
go smoothly." Jerry hails a cab, then begins cracking his
knuckles--a
telltale sign to the few who know him that something's weighing
heavily
on his mind. The act does not go unnoticed by Connery.
"You wouldn't be a tad ANXIOUS about this meeting, would
you, Jerry?"
Connery cracks.
"Like you're NOT," Jerry shoots back. "You damn
near wore a hole in the
carpeting with all the blasted pacing you did last night."
Now working
on the left hand, Jerry finds his mind still stuck on the notion
that
the "inside source" Jason Morgan has may be none other
than Dara.
Ever since Connery had approached him back in Australia, Jerry
had been
wrestling with the possibility of Dara having joined forces with
Morgan.
And while he knew Connery suspected V may have been Morgan's
source,
Jerry dismissed the idea on the basis that, one, V wasn't the
type to
look at things in "shades of gray," and thus would have
serious qualms
trying to justify forming an unholy alliance with Morgan--and
two, the
info being leaked to the Press was regarding WSB operations were
in
place prior to V's joining the Bureau; she'd have no knowledge of
the
events. Besides, his gut was telling him not to rule out the
possibility of Dara having sought sanctuary within Morgan's world.
True, it went against everything he knew about Dara, character-wise.
But, when push came to shove - in particular, trying to stay one
step
ahead of the WSB, and thus stay alive - he told himself if Dara
HAD
joined up with Morgan, it was a brilliant move. He would be the
LAST
person the Bureau would suspect Dara to turn to. But all Jerry
had was
his gut to go on. And although it rarely proved to be wrong, in
light
of having no concrete proof to present to Connery, Jerry decided
to keep
his suspicions to himself.
As the taxi arrives, Connery turns to Jerry. "Well, let's
get this
thing underway, shall we?" as he motions for Jerry to get
in, then
enters behind him. As the taxi speeds away, neither is aware of
the
figure across the way who's been watching them since they exited
the
Hotel.
"It's me," as she cradles the cell phone against her
shoulder, while
starting the car. "Yep. They're on their way. Got it."
V clicks off,
then pulls away from the curb following Jerry and Connery at a
safe
distance back to the penthouse.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Renegade Penthouse
Dara emerges from her room, securing the clip-on earring as best
she can
with her left hand. As she makes her way to the living room,
she's
greeted by a chorus of cat-calls and whistles from Liz, Emily,
and
Alexis.
"Oh, stop it, you guys!" Dara blushes.
"Hey, we're just trying to tell you that you look hot, Dara!"
Liz
laughs.
"You got a date or something?" Emily teases. "'Cause
you MUST-- wearing
a dress like that," referring to the sarong styled floor-length
Versace
number Dara's wearing.
"Elizabeth's right, Dara," Alexis agrees. "You
look stunning. You're
just missing," as she absently smoothes back a stray strand
of Dara's
hair, "one thing." Dara shoots her a quizzical look.
"This," as Alexis
produces a choker-styled necklace from behind her back.
"OH My," Dara replies, somewhat breathlessly, "it's
gorgeous. Is it
yours?"
"No. Although I have one similar to it--as does Carly. It's
from
Jason."
"Gee does this mean we're going steady?" Dara cracks
but secretly
touched.
"Turn around, woman!" Alexis laughs, playfully swatting
Dara s arm. Once
the choker is secured, she turns Dara to face her. "C'est
magnifique,"
Alexis praises.
"I agree," a voice from the stairwell concurs.
"Rinaldo," Dara replies in a surprised voice, as she
turns around.
"Dara," he nods.
"What are you doing here? I thought that you were suppose to
be
resting." Dara chides.
Rinaldo looks around the room-- all eyes were on him and he had
to
wonder how much they all know about his dalliances with both Dara
and
Brenda especially Liz and Emily. Liz's eyes were devouring him
and
Emily was giggling and ogling him as well. Alexis was even giving
him
the once over. "Dara, Can I see you in the kitchen, please?"
She looks at him quizzically. "Sure, c'mon." Dara lead
the way into the
kitchen shutting the door behind them. She turns and looks at the
man
who took a bullet meant for her, who'd held and soothed her
during those
nights when her dreams woke her in terror and pain. The man who'd
become not only her lover but her friend. "I'm not going
like this, am
I?" She asks.
"Dara, we both know that what you and I have is not the
"happily ever
after" stuff. Your heart's still with Jerry, that much is
obvious from
all those nights you cried out his name in your dreams, and you
know
that I was with Brenda before you. While I can't say that I'm in
love
with her or anything, I've grown fond of Brenda and I'm afraid
that with
the recent events going on around here and our time together...
I've
ignored her."
Dara crosses her arms in front of her and smiles. "Is this
where I'm
supposed to feel dumped?"
Rinaldo takes her in his arms in a hug and kisses her softly.
"I hope
not. You can't "dump" someone you never had. I'll
always, always, be
there for you: emotionally... physically, but I don't want to
ignore
Brenda any longer. She needs me...."
Just then they hear a throat clearing. "Excuse me? Do I have
a say in
this? Rinaldo, I don't *need* you. I will never need another man
for
as long as I live. You got that?! I'm my own person and I'm never
going back to being someone's weak link."
Rinaldo releases Dara and turns to see Brenda standing there. She
was a
vision except for her eyes which were clouding up with hurt,
anger and
sadness.
"Brenda..."
Brenda holds her hand up. "Stop. Rinaldo, I care for you...
more than
I'd like to in fact. I know we don't have an exclusive
relationship.
I've known about you and Dara for awhile but when you were shot I
realized what you meant to me. It was more important to me to
have you
in my life and share you than to not have you at all. But that
doesn't
mean that I NEED you! It means that I WANT you. Do not confuse
the
two. You see, you didn't treat me as someone weak... at least you
didn't-- until now."
"Brenda, he didn't mean it like that!" Dara protests.
Brenda turns her gave to Dara. "I know you don't like me,
Dara. Do you
really think that I don't hear what you guys say behind my back?"
Brenda laughs. "God, the stuff you say to my face is clue
enough. I
may have been institutionalized but I'm not crazy and I've never
been
stupid. I'm not the same Brenda you knew before so just stop
trying to
condescend or pacify me, okay?" She turns and walks over to
Rinaldo
gently caressing his face. "I'm not so naive these days. We
have no
secrets, I know exactly what you do for Jason so it's not like it
was
with Sonny. And while I enjoy how you pamper me and give into
some of
my indulgences I don't need you to take care of me like it was
with
Jax. I'm strong enough now that I can handle what you have with
Dara
but I will not be treated like an afterthought and I will not
stand
around waiting to be tossed out on my butt on your whim. Do NOT
play
me, Rinaldo. I deserve better."
Rinaldo turns to Dara. They share unspoken words. Then Dara tells
Rinaldo, "Do what you have to. I understand and know that
you'll always
be there for me as I will be for you... both of you." Dara
leaves
Brenda and Rinaldo to finish working things out.
Rinaldo reaches out to Brenda and draw her into his embrace.
"Brenda,
I'm sorry; you do mean a lot to me too. I know we started out a
little
unconventionally but we're more than just about sex and you do
deserve
to be treated better than that."
Brenda looks up into his eyes and sees that he is sincere. She
takes
her face into his hands and begins to kiss him lightly at first
and then
more passionately.
Rinaldo breaks from the kiss first. "Gawd woman, what you do
to me is a
sin. Why don't we skip dinner and just order in?" Brenda
nods
breathlessly. "Let's go." they walk out of the kitchen
hand in hand
stopping short when they see Carly and Dara talking quietly but
very
animatedly. Both have hard looks on their faces.
Carly sees them. "You guys look like you were planning on
going out.
I hope that you didn't have any big plans."
Brenda smiles smugly at Carly. "Hi Carly, we actually did
have some
plans... what's up?"
"I'm afraid you're going to have to change them." Carly
informs them.
"I'm sorry." She locks eyes with Rinaldo, then replies,
"Jason said to
tell you it's time. V called and they're on their way."
Rinaldo nods and looks reassuringly at Dara, "You-you're not
gonna be
sitting in on the meeting, are you, Rinaldo?" Dara asks, her
chest
momentarily tightening at the thought of having all three men in
the
same room. And she didn't t EVEN want to go there regarding her
"relationships" - past or present - with ANY of the men.
"No. Let's just say, I'll be--shall we say, on the "welcoming
committee" when the guests of honor arrive," he replies
cryptically, a
twisted smile briefly crossing his face.
"Uh, good fine," Dara mutters, suddenly breathing a bit
easier.
"Rinaldo? I thought you were out of commission?"
"I'm sorry Brenda, I have to do this."
"I know." She says quietly. "Just be extra careful
okay? I fully
expect a raincheck and I want everything intact. I'll be waiting."
That said, Brenda bolsters herself up and gives him one of her
brilliant
smiles and a wink hoping that she appears more confident than she
feels.
Rinaldo gives her another deep kiss, and then chucks her under
the
chin. "Don't worry about a thing, that's more than enough
incentive for
me to not exert myself. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Brenda shoos him out of the penthouse. "Great. Now go on.
Get out of
here. Standing around and looking that good is raising the
temperature
in here to an uncomfortable level."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Service Entrance, Harborview Towers
"What in the hell are we doing down here?" Jerry fumes,
as he makes his
way towards the service elevator.
"This is the way Morgan wanted it," Connery shrugs,
jamming his finger
against the button. "Believe me, I'm no happier about it
than you are."
"Evening, Gentlemen," comes a voice from the shadows,
causing both men
to spin with lightning-like speed.
"What the--" Jerry mutters. Before he can complete the
sentence, he'
grabbed roughly from behind as the elevator doors open. Connery
quickly
suffers the same fate. "Get your hands off me!" as
Jerry struggles
against the vice-like hold he now finds himself in.
"I take it Morgan sent you?" Connery inquires coolly,
secretly
impressed. Before he can get a response, Jerry manages to execute
a
reverse headbutt of sorts, by ramming the back of his head into
the
guard's forehead. Although the move sends both him and the guard
crashing to the floor, Jerry manages to extract himself from the
guards
grasp and goes for his gun.
"Ah ah AH!" Rinaldo intones, his gun leveled at Jerry s
head. "I would
NOT make a move for that piece if I were you. It'd prove to be
unwise." He releases the safety. "VERY unwise."
Motioning for Jerry
to rise to his feet, Rinaldo enters the cab of the elevator.
"You okay,
Mario?" he asks, never taking his eyes off Jerry.
"Yeah," Mario mutters, clutching his forehead, still
slightly woozy from
the impact.
"Well I'm sure you boys didn't come all this way just to
feel us up,"
Jerry sneers, as Johnny and Mario pat him and Connery down,
respectively.
"Nope. We didn't," as Rinaldo grabs Jerry by the back
of his collar,
slamming him against the wall. "But seeing as you Secret
Agent types
are known for being pretty crafty, I don't think we should take
any
chances, right, Johnny?" he calls out over his shoulder.
"Yep," Johnny replies, all the while staring down
Connery.
"Look, we don't have time to waste," Jerry hisses.
"So STOP jerking us
around and take us up to see Morgan."
"Sure thing," Rinaldo replies, releasing his hold on
Jerry's collar.
"AFTER you strip."
"WHAT?!" Jerry and Connery roar in unison.
"Do I stutter?" Rinaldo asks. "You heard me,"
he replies flatly. "Drop
em."
"Why, that arrogant, twisted sonofa...."
"Let it go, Jerry," Connery cautions his hotheaded
friend. "I should've
known to expect this," he mutters, unbuckling his belt.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Main Penthouse
Dara's at the window, staring absently out at the city below.
She's
only shaken from her reverie when she hears Jason s voice from
the
stairwell.
"Don't even think about trying to bail out the window,"
Jason cracks.
"The glass is bulletproof."
"Damn. You're cracking jokes-- do I look that tense?"
"A little."
"Well, it's not every day you come face to face with the
head of an
organization - that you gave over 10 years of your life to - that
tried
to snuff you out," she replies bitterly.
"Yeah. And it's not every day you find yourself in that very
same room
with an ex-lover you haven't seen or spoken to in nearly five
years," he
adds.
"Gee, Jason. THANKS for reminding me of that little tidbit,"
as she
rolls her eyes.
"You okay with all of this?" he asks softly. "Look,
I know you're still
worried about V, and I'm sure Munson s little "revelation"
brought back
some painful memories.... "
"You don't know the half of it," she snorts. "Just
when I think the
nightmares were over, after the interrogation, they started back
up
again." Turning back to the window, she looks out at the
lights below
once again. "I am SO ready for this to be over, Jason,"
she says
softly.
"Yeah," as he places a hand lightly atop her shoulder,
"I know you are.
Just a little while longer." He says quietly, giving her
shoulder a
reassuring squeeze. "Just a little longer, and it'll all be
over." The
two stand at the window, staring out in silence. When the door to
the
Penthouse opens, neither turns away.
"They're here, Jason," V says. "I followed them to
the service entrance
then came around to the keyed elevator. Mario, Johnny and Rinaldo
are
searching them right now. They should be coming up the business
elevator any minute."
Turning to face each other, Dara and Jason reply in unison,
"Let's do
this."
Dara goes over to V giving her a one armed hug. "You were
the only one
that could have ID'd them both. But your part is done for now.
Jase
and I will keep you out of this until you decide what you want to
do."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Connery rises, slowly strolling about the office. "You know,
I didn't
want to mention this to you before, because I know how fond you
are of
V, " as Connery pensively strokes his chin. "I'm
beginning to think SHE
may have had something to do with Morgan finding out all the
information
that was leaked to the press."
"VENUS?!" Jerry laughs, incredulous. "That's
insane, Connery. You need
to stop grasping at straws, mate. Remember, most of the stuff
that was
leaked was underway LONG before V became an Agent."
"Okay okay," Connery shrugs. "So my theory has a
few holes in it but
nothing that couldn't really be explained by V's computer skills.
V had
a way of finding patterns that others wouldn't have noticed and
putting
them together. It was a headache to listen to her but damn if she
didn't came up with scenarios that were too close to what I knew
to be
fact. And you can't deny Morgan's getting his info from SOMEONE
on the
inside. I don't know how he did it somehow he's managed to buy
himself
a snitch--"
"A "snitch"? Now, now, Director," a familiar
voice chides from across
they way, as the door adjacent to a back room in the office opens.
"Is
that any way to refer to a fellow Agent?"
"Good LORD...it can't be!" Connery stammers, slowly
rising to his feet.
"Oh, yes it can!" Jerry offers up a smug smile, nodding
his head
sagely.
Jason steps into the room first. "I'd introduce the lady to
you," he
smirks, extending his hand to the lady in question, drawing her
into the
room, "but I do believe you all know each other already."
"Hello, Director Connery. Jerry."
"MY GOD...YOU'RE ALIVE!" Is all Connery can manage.
"Hello, Dara," Jerry replies, all the while taking in
the sight of her.
"How does the quote go--'reports of your demise were a bit
premature,'
no?" Although his face, like Jason's, registers no emotion,
there's the
faintest hint of a smile dancing in his eyes.
"Well, you know what they say..." She crosses the room,
taking a seat
next to Jason. "'Seeing IS believing,'" as she locks
eyes with Jerry.
Then, just as quickly, she breaks the gaze. "But enough of
that," as
she eyes Connery. Dara then turns to Jason. "I do believe
the
gentlemen came here to do business with you, Mr. Morgan"
"Ms. Jensens IS correct, isn't she, gentlemen?" Jason
replies, returning
Jerry's stare, dagger for dagger. Connery slowly regaining his
composure merely nods. "Well, then...let's get started,
shall we?"