Shelby's expression turned puzzled. "What will you do? What do you want to do?"

Kris shrugged. "I don't know. I like electronics and computers, and I've always been amazed at how easy it is to crack any security system I've come up against. I've often entertained the idea of developing one that can't be easily breached and then marketing it. It would be a lucrative business because I know the weaknesses of most of the others on the market."



*  *  *

Gregor sat in the car indecisively, weighing the risks. Sighing, he decided that although the odds were not favorable, the only alternative was death. So, ignoring his apprehension, he opened the door and began walking across the street to the apartment complex.

He paused at the bottom of the steps, squared his shoulders, and began the short climb to the second floor, rehearsing his approach one final time. Rapping on the door, he waited impatiently for it to be answered, not wanting to remain exposed any longer than necessary.

Shelby stopped mid-sentence when the knocking occurred, and shook her head when Kris looked at her questioningly. Watching Kris stand and pick up her gun in one fluid movement, she was once again amazed that the tall woman could react so quickly and instinctively. The analyst tracked her partner's movements to the door, curious about who could be visiting so late, but apprehensive, too.

Blue stood to one side of the door and raised her voice loudly enough to carry beyond the barrier. "Who is it?"

"Bear."

She narrowed her eyes at the familiar voice and glanced quickly through the peephole. "Why are you here?"

"Let me in. I can tell you where your mother is."

Blue thought rapidly, refusing to get her hopes up. She had no idea what Gregor was up to, but felt she had little choice except to play along. The operative unlocked the bolt, leaving the chain in place. Keeping her gun aimed at the opening, she ordered, "Throw your guns in here. Both of them."

She watched a 44 Magnum slide across the floor, followed by a 38 Special. Keeping her eyes trained on the opening, she waved to Shelby and pointed to the weapons, smiling her thanks when the analyst picked up both guns and set them on the dining room table.

She released the chain, kicked the door open, and aimed her gun at Gregor's chest. Once he crossed the threshold, she said, "Close and lock the door."

Gregor followed her instructions with slow deliberate movements. At her command, he faced the wall and placed his hands against it. The cold steel of her gun against his neck brought home the harsh reality of just how precarious his situation was.

When her frisk revealed no other weapons, Blue told Gregor to turn around. "Start talking."

Gregor shook his head. "I want to make a deal. I will tell you where she is in exchange for political asylum."

Blue snorted derisively. "Don't you think you're coming to the wrong person for that?"

"No. Your superiors do not know of our connection."

"Why now?"

The Russian thought over his words carefully. He hadn't expected instant cooperation, and what he related now would be the deciding factor. Knowing she hated the man he knew as Dimitri, he decided to be honest. "Dimitri will kill you and your mother once he has what he wants. He is also planning my termination at the end of this mission."

Blue wasn't surprised at Sergei's plans for her and her mother. She'd already figured that, and it was one of the primary reasons she was having so much trouble coming up with a feasible plan not only to save her mother, but to ensure their and Shelby's safety afterwards. What did surprise her was that Gregor had been included in the execution order.

"Why has your death been ordered?"

The Russian looked at Shelby. "I knew how valuable she was. I failed to relay that information. Dimitri found out."

Blue laughed coldly as the puzzle fell into place. "You're a fool. Thought you'd go over his head, and it backfired." She knew Sergei would never tolerate disloyalty. "You tell me where my mother is, then I'll talk to my boss about your request."

Gregor looked at Blue angrily. "I am not stupid! I have no guarantee that you will help me once your mother is released."

"What about the risk I'm taking by approaching my superiors about you? You know who I am. The only risk you're taking is losing your bargaining chip for my help. I arrange a meet between you and my superiors, I risk my life and freedom."

The Russian had not anticipated her coldly logical assessment. He shrugged his shoulders. "As you wish. I will contact the CIA directly."

Blue snorted. "And by the time you get through the layers of bureaucracy, Sergei's informants will have already notified him." She nodded towards the door, indicating the conversation was over.

Shelby sat on the couch watching the exchange intently. Kris was playing a dangerous game by even considering the Russian's offer, but it was the closest they'd come to getting a lead on her partner's mother's whereabouts without contacting Sergei. It would greatly increase the chances for a safe rescue, but Sergei was, by far, the best bargaining chip her partner had. If Gregor made good on his threat to contact the CIA, Kris' own plans could go up in smoke and she could lose her mother and her freedom.

The operative's countenance revealed none of her qualms as she watched Gregor unlock and open the door. She breathed an inward sigh of relief when the Russian closed the door and turned to face her.

Gregor inwardly cursed, hating the woman that had brought about his fall from grace. "I agree to tell you where your mother is only if you arrange my transfer at the time of her rescue."

Blue nodded. "Deal."



*  *  *

Michael waited until the parking lot was dark and quiet. He had no intentions of sitting on the roof another night. It would only take him a few minutes to reset the detonator to go off at 35mph. He cursed Blue's good luck at never having attained a speed of 53mph that day, and decided to end this once and for all. He finished a short time later and departed.

Gregor was in his car, ready to start it when he spotted a tall man stand up next to the rental car Blue had been driving. There was something familiar about the man, but it was too dark for Gregor to see him clearly. Suspicious, he watched until the figure disappeared from sight.

Starting the car, he began driving around aimlessly, debating what to do. An hour later, he made his decision. He didn't care if anything happened to Blue, but the fact remained that, right now, he needed her. Sighing, he picked up the phone and dialed her number.

The shrill ring of the cell phone woke both women.

Kris reached over Shelby to the nightstand and grabbed it. "Yeah."

"Check your car very carefully in the morning."

Kris narrowed her eyes at the sound of Gregor's voice. "You want to explain that."

"I saw someone suspicious near your car when I left."

Kris snorted. "And you just realized you still needed me, right?"

"Something like that." Gregor disconnected the call.

Shelby turned tired eyes to Kris. "What's going on?"

"That was the guy that was here tonight. He thinks someone may have been tampering with the car. Someone just refuses to give up."

Shelby sighed audibly. "Great. At least he told us."

"Yeah, but only because he needs us." Kris returned to her warm spot next to Shelby and fleetingly kissed her partner. "Don't worry. I'll check it out in the morning. It's too dark to do anything about it now." Kissing Shelby again, she said, "We'd better get some sleep."

Shelby relaxed against her companion, and fell asleep, the long day taking its toll. Her dreams were full of love and a lifetime of happiness with the woman at her side, where danger didn't lurk around every corner and no one was trying to kill them.



*  *  *

Kris hugged Shelby. "Would you quit worrying? I haven't found a bomb yet I couldn't disarm."

"Yeah, because if you had, you wouldn't be here now." Shelby had spoken the words lightly, but meant what she'd said.

"Oh, ye of little faith." Kris kissed Shelby, then released her and picked up the wire cutters, screwdriver, pliers and flashlight her partner had provided her with. "Be back in a few."

"Be careful."

Kris smiled reassuringly and left the apartment. She thoroughly checked out the parking lot before sliding under the car and shinning the light upwards almost immediately spotting the hole that had been created in the metal. Aiming the flashlight into the opening, she saw the telltale red blinking light and began the tedious job of disarming the explosive device.

Shelby stood out of sight at the balcony window, her eyes trained on the rental car. She couldn't see Kris, and her emotions fluctuated wildly between hope that it would be easily disarmed, to terror for her partner's safety.

When she finally saw Kris appear next to the car, she sank down onto the couch, her knees weak at the visceral relief that washed over her. A few minutes later, she greeted Kris at the door with a bear hug, which her partner enthusiastically returned.



*  *  *

The analyst sat in the rental car across the street from the outdoor café, carefully studying Kris and Earl, trying to assess the director's reaction to her partner's revelations.

Shelby sighed. She couldn't tell anything from either countenance, and wondered if all wet operatives protected themselves by remaining so outwardly unaffected.