Chapter 14: Melody

“Thank you.” Brooklyn called out absently as she waved yet another employee out of her little makeshift office on the first floor. She took a moment to finished the notes on the employee's file then put it into the 'finished' category. She sighed as she looked at the files left.

Really, she was so close to being done after felt like forever in this steel colored hell of a building. Though, in reality, it had only been two weeks, no days had ever dragged by so slowly in her life.

And, in all that time, the only thing she had accomplished were the employee interviews. Every time she tried to explore the building, as if he had her bugged, Robert would show up, quite happy to take her around. When she asked to interview either him or Melody, he found some excuse not to do it that, often, was flimsy but he stuck to it adamantly. Brooklyn was sure that interviewing Mrs. Cohen herself wouldn't be so hard, she had just ordered her assistants not to talk to her as much as possible.

Things would have progressed so much easier and faster if Victor had been around but, unfortunately, he had a lot of work to do and he hadn't been able to come back since their first day inspecting. Three times in the last two weeks, Brooklyn and Warren had had to take a full day off just to follow him where ever he was going to keep up appearances.

Not to mention, Brooklyn hadn't even gotten to see the files Mrs. Cohen kept stashed on the fourth floor. Warren needed access to those files, the official records for the division, but Robert hadn't taken her to the fourth floor since their first day and none but the executive elevator reached that floor.

“I've got food.” Warren called out as he walked through the door, a bag of fast food in his hand. “How's it going?”

“Slowly.” Brooklyn sighed. “I swear everyone here is giving some variation of the exact same answer for every question I ask.”

“Yeah.” Warren sat on the opposite side of her desk and set the food between them. “I think something is in the water around here. That's the only thing I can think of to explain the drones.”

“I can think of another reason.” Brooklyn said as he unpacked the food.

“Mrs. Cohen.” Warren said with a grin. “She's a piece of work, huh? I only ever see her coming and going and she never even looks at me.”

“She tries not to notice people she considers 'beneath' her.” Brooklyn smiled at him. “And you do such a good job of blending in.” Warren, she smiled at the memories, had a magical talent to just make himself blend in with the wall behind him. He was still big, she still couldn't help but notice him in every room he stood, but most people walked by him like he was furniture. Like her, he was good at observing the world by separating himself from it.

He winked at her as he grabbed a fry and tossed it into his mouth. “How close are you to finishing the interviews?”

“I've only got ten people left.” Brooklyn smiled triumphantly. “Not including Robert or Melody or Mrs. Cohen herself.”

“Saving the best for last?” Warren grinned.

“Putting off the inevitable.” Brooklyn corrected with a grimace. “I know you don't like these interviews, but will you please be there when I talk to her? I don't want to do it by myself.”

“Are you kidding?” Warren took her hand in his. “I wouldn't miss that show for the world. I'm thinking about selling tickets.”

Brooklyn laughed, as he knew she would, and he stroked her palm with his fingers making her hand tingle.

“Have you thought of how we're going to get to the files?” she asked as she watched his fingers move.

“I have.” Warren said simply. However, he didn't elaborate as he lifted her hand and began kissing her palm, the inside of her wrist, working his way as far up her arm as the desk between them allowed.

“Warren...” Brooklyn tried to say his name as a chastisement, to make him stop, but it came out more like a plea for him not to stop. She tried again, “W-we have work...”

Warren made a sound in his throat that could have been an agreement but he didn't stop.

“My n-next ap-ppointment is in t-ten minutes.” Brooklyn tried to take her hand back but only succeeded in trailing Warren's lips up her own arm making her shiver.

“A lot can be done in ten minutes.” Warren reached up and grabbed her by the face then leaned her across the desk to kiss her.

“What is this?”

Brooklyn jumped back with a squeak at the sound of Victor's mildly amused voice.

“You couldn't have waited a few more seconds?” Warren grumbled at his boss but he sat back.

Victor laughed and walked into the room.

“I d-didn't hear you op-pen the d-door.” Brooklyn stuttered nervously as she started randomly grabbing and re-arranging the stuff on her desk to keep her hands busy. Her face felt hot as she blushed and she couldn't help but wonder how Warren could look so calm.

“I had some time off so I came to check on you.” Victor laughed. “I'm glad to see you two getting along so well but, perhaps, we can focus on the task at hand?”

“I'm so sorry.” Brooklyn felt her blush deepen, if that was possible. “We just kind of got carried away. It wont happen again.”

“Don't let me stop you.” Victor winked. “We could use more human/mythic relationships in this world. It makes my job so much easier.”

“Victor!” Brooklyn hid her face in her hands as he laughed.

“Then, judging by how easy you two are taking it, I'm not needed here?” Victor asked.

“Actually,” Warren smiled at Brooklyn, he loved how embarrassed she got, “we could use your help with something.”

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The sound of grunts filled the room as Crispin and Kai took turns landing and dodging punches at each other.

“Kai, you aren't in water, watch your feet placement!” Jack called out to them as the two men sparred. The only one grunting was Kai. Crispin, with a lifetime of practicing silence, was keeping any extraneous sounds out of the fight. Jack was actually quite pleased with how much his assistant had learned since he had started training him.

Kai adjusted his stance as he blocked a sudden jab from his opponent. Kai was a water creature, his hints were very powerful when they landed because of the extra force required to damage something when submerged. Unfortunately, that also meant his attacks were rather direct and obvious. They were fast and strong, but mostly unimaginative and predictable to someone who knew how to fight.

“Crispin, lift your guard on your right, it's falling!” Jack ordered the siren. He had begun training the siren to fight the day after he had made him his assistant. Crispin, in Jack's opinion, relied too much on his voice to defend himself. While very powerful, Jack was certain that if he knew how to fight the siren wouldn't have been in the situation he had been in in the Atlantic.

Crispin, in direct contrast to Kai, was more of a slick fighter. He darted here and there, feinting and constantly moving. He didn't seem to tire, in fact with every move it was like he got faster. And, Kai noticed, the longer he watched him, the more hypnotic the moves seemed to be. He found it harder and harder to concentrate, he wondered if that was part of Crispin's mythic power or just part of Crispin himself.

Jack grinned with pardonable pride. His assistant continued to please him at every turn, there was no longer an ordinary sparring partner Jack could send at him. He had taken advantage of Kai's presence to see how well Crispin did with different styles of fighting and, so far, he was not at all disappointed in what he saw.

“Are they still going at it?” Joe asked disbelievingly as she walked into the gym.

“They're doing very well.” Jack praised them as she stood beside him and watched the two men battle it out.

“Jack, what have you done to poor Crispin?” Joe shook her head. Watching the match before her, seeing the two powerful men duck and roll with each punch, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. She had no where near the physical capabilities to do that. “He used to be so sweet and innocent.”

Jack made no response to that.

Joe watched the battle carefully, her eyes trained to be able to appreciate the steps of the deadly dance even if she couldn't replicate it herself.

It seemed, to Joe, that Kai had Crispin on the ropes. The siren was slowly but steadily backing away from Kai's hits. Nothing was really landing, but Crispin was definitely on the defensive.

“Crispin wins.” Jack said softly catching her attention.

“Kai totally has him on the run.” Joe started to protest.

No sooner had the words escaped her lips than Crispin made his move. Kai threw a good punch, right to where it seemed Crispin had let his guard drop. Crispin ducked, swerved, hooked Kai's leg with his foot then yanked.

Kai fell, hard and Crispin turned to face his opponent his expression completely unchanged from it's usual calm smile.

Kai glared up at Crispin and got to his feet. “Again!” he declared.

“That's enough.” Jack cut him off, stopping both men. “Go shower and change, you two are done for the day.”

“Nice fight, guys.” Joe congratulated them both, a little disappointed Kai had lost but not willing to take it out on the victor.

Crispin exited the ring and went right to the locker room to follow orders but Kai climbed out and came to stand next to Jack and Joe.

“Good job, agapi.” Joe told him, taking his hand. “You were holding your own up until that last move.”

“Crispin had you eating out of his hand that entire fight.” Jack said mercilessly. “You're blinded by the flash and flourish. I expect you to see to it that you learn how to defend yourself against his style properly.”

“Yes, Jack.” Kai said simply. His boss was, of course, right. He had let Crispin's moves hypnotize him, let the extra fluff the siren put in distract him. Normally, in a fight, that kind of excess movement was a disadvantage to the one doing it. It showed a lack of understanding that fighting wasn't about flashy Hollywood moves that made you look cool but about staying alive and emerging the victor.

Normally.

Crispin used those moves, that embellishment, to distract and divert the attention of his opponent. It wasted a great deal of energy in doing so but the siren didn't tire easily and the results couldn't be argued with.

“So, can we get back to work now?” Joe asked, unhappy that Jack had been so blunt. She knew he was right but she didn't like Kai being spoken that way. “Ray just called. The last piece of the base is finally in and we have work to do.”

“Have you made any progress yet?” Jack asked as Kai turned to go to the locker room himself.

Joe shook her head. “The place was picked clean, Jack. The only papers we've found so far were completely destroyed by the water and the base itself hasn't given us any clues. You'd think there would be a serial number or something somewhere but...” Joe trailed off and shrugged.

“Keep looking.” Jack ordered. “There must be something.”

“Jack?” Joe started to speak then hesitated.

“What?” he asked. “Joe, What?”

“Just...” Joe shook her head. “The fight just now? Where Crispin had Kai moving just as he wanted him to?”

“It's a good fight tactic.” Jack said. “And, no, I won't teach it to you. You still haven't learned to throw a decent punch.”

“It's not that.” Joe bit her lip. “It's just...sometimes I feel like Kai. Like we think we know what we're doing, like we think we're winning, but we're just waiting for that last hit. That last move that will knock us out.”

“Crispin's attack strategy was good.” Jack said immediately. “But it's not indefensible. We won't go down, Joe. I won't let us.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“As predicted,” Brooklyn said looking over the papers in her hands, “Mrs. Cohen's financials are not only spotless but remarkably well organized. I think I'm jealous.”

“Say what you want about the psycho,” Warren shrugged, “she's very thorough and very neat.”

They were in Brooklyn's makeshift office on the fourth floor going through the financial report that Ilia had finally e-mailed them. Jack had been getting angry about how slowly she was working, knowing she was doing it on purpose, but Brooklyn told him that at least Ilia got it to them in time and not late. Brooklyn was sitting behind her desk, doing her best not to touch it. The metal was cold and every time she leaned against it she almost jumped back from the chill. How she missed the warm wood of her own office.

Warren was sitting in a chair he had stolen from the lobby just behind her, flipping idly through a book he had taken from her room that morning claiming he couldn't spend another day in monotony.

Brooklyn looked at him and couldn't help but smile.

How was it, she wondered, her life had ever seemed complete without him in it? She knew there was a time before him but just imagining going through her life without him just behind her, usually being silent but for the occasional snicker, was physically painful. Like a fist that was crushing her heart, the air stilling her her lungs, the very blood in her veins holding still until she remembered that he was there and, knowing him, he wasn't likely to go anywhere soon.

“Warren, I want a baby.” she said suddenly.

“Okay.” he answered immediately without looking up.

The room fell silent.

“Wait, what?” Brooklyn said, confused.

Warren finally looked up. “I said okay.”

“Just like that?” Brooklyn asked, her brow furrowing. “Did you not hear what I said?”

“I heard you.” he smiled. “I said 'okay'.”

They looked at each other, Brooklyn disbelieving and Warren smiling.

“Why?” she couldn't help but ask.

“Why do I want a baby?” Warren asked.

“Why did you say yes?” Brooklyn clarified, getting angry at how calm he was acting.

“Because I love you.” he shrugged as if it meant nothing. “If you want a baby, I'll be happy to give you one.”

“Is this some kind of haltija thing?” Brooklyn asked suddenly. He wasn't supposed to agree that easily. She hadn't even meant to ask, the words had just come out but now that they were out she was prepared to fight for what she wanted. But she hadn't excepted him to just agree with no fight. “If I have a baby, you would be the father.”

“Of course I would.” Warren's brow raised. “I don't think I would like you having another man's baby.”

“You can't just be this...blase about it!” Brooklyn practically shouted. “Having a baby is a huge deal, it requires a great deal of preparation, mental and physical endurance, and a lifelong commitment. It isn't just something you can say 'okay' to so casually!”

“One could argue that it isn't something you should just ask for so casually.” Warren spoke so calmly, Brooklyn wanted to shake him.

“Warren!” Brooklyn cried, exasperated.

“What's wrong? I said 'okay'.” Warren looked confused.

Brooklyn opened and closed her mouth like a fish, trying to find the right thing to say. He hadn't denied her, so there was no reason to fight, but she felt like there was something more that should be said. She just wasn't sure how to voice that.

“Brook, do you want to have a baby with me?” Warren asked, smiling happily.

Brooklyn paused, looking him over as if waiting for him to yell 'not!' and laugh. Then, quietly, she whispered, “Yes...”

“Brook, will you have a baby with me?” Warren asked.

Brooklyn smiled at the words, said so sincerely she wondered how she ever doubted him. “Yes. I love you, Warren.”

“You are my everything, Brook.” Warren went to reach for her.

The door opened, they turned their attention to those who walked inside; Victor, followed by Robert and Melody.

“...how thankful I am that you are cooperating fully.” Victor was saying to Robert who was nodding at the words.

“It's not a problem, Mr. Ozera.” Robert said easily. “This inspection is a great opportunity for you to check on how well your people are doing.”

“I'm glad you understand.” Victor beamed, putting his arm around Robert's shoulders like they were old friends. “So, Brooklyn, who would you like to speak to first?”

Brooklyn smiled at Victor in thanks as she turned back to her desk and Warren returned to his book, still beaming from his and Brooklyn's conversation. “I think I would like to speak with-” Brooklyn cut herself off as she looked the two assistants over.

Robert White, who she had originally intended to speak to first, was smiling at her but his expression was guarded like he was ready to fight her. However, Melody Lewis was turning her head away, trying to make herself as small as possible, and trembling like she was afraid. Brooklyn could practically hear Jack in her ear telling her to go for the weak spot.

“-Ms. Lewis.” Brooklyn finished smoothly, smiling pleasantly.

Melody jumped a little in surprise but Victor smiled down at her, not noticing. “Of course. Melody?”

“Oh, y-yes...of c-course.” Melody said obviously trying to smile but only managing to look like she had a toothache.

“Come on in, Melody.” Brooklyn waved her forward. “Robert, you can wait outside.”

“Are you sure you wouldn't like to speak to us together?” Robert asked. “It could save time.”

“This interviews are completely confidential.” Brooklyn smiled, unable to not feel as if she was finally winning against Mrs. Cohen. “I'm afraid you'll have to wait outside.”

“Come, Robert.” Victor turned him around. “You must tell me about yourself, I feel as if I don't know you at all.”

The door shut firmly behind him leaving the room plunged suddenly into silence with Melody standing awkwardly by the door.

“Sit, please.” Brooklyn smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. “It's really easy, it'll be over before you know it.”

Melody didn't move.

Brooklyn's smile faded a bit as she considered the woman before her. She knew Melody was treated badly by Mrs. Cohen. She didn't know how to respond to that. For all her ability to recognize emotions in others, she was never sure of how to respond to them.

She was about to repeat the command, maybe a bit more forcefully, when she felt Warren's hand on her shoulder.

He smiled at her, telling her without words to let him handle it, and Brooklyn nodded once giving her permission.

“Ms. Lewis.” he spoke up, his voice soothing and low. “I'm Warren, this is Brook. Why don't you take a seat?”

Melody looked over at him, blinked a few times as if unsure of what was happening, but walked forward and cautiously lowered herself down into the chair.

“Thank you.” Warren very subtly moved Brooklyn out of the way and took her spot. “I'm glad you've agreed to this interview.”

“I-it's okay...” Melody said softly, looking anywhere but at them.

“Let's start off really easy. Your full name please?” he picked up Brooklyn's pen as she took the seat he had abandoned.

She watched him carefully, the way he laughed, joked, talked to Melody. She was sure she could have done that, she didn't know why he had taken over.