Chapter 24: The Mirage, Part 1

"Okay," I said to Rick-who had his arms crossed, wearing a smirk-as I walked into the door. "Go ahead. Say what you must."

Rick said nothing, but just stood in the hallway, eyeing me.

"Okay," I said in reply. "Don't say it."

Rick burst into laughter.

"Go ahead," I replied, placing my backpack on the small wooden bench Rick must have placed in the foyer this afternoon. "Have your fun."

"The great Star!" Rick said, laughing as he backed out of my way. I stormed past him to the kitchen, knowing he would follow. "Falling in love! And with an assignment, no doubt!"

I pulled a Mountain Dew out of the fridge and opened the top, sighing as I took a swig. "I know. I know!" I said, walking around the counter. "What was I thinking?"

Then Rick's expression changed to one of concern. "You really do have feelings for him?"

"Yes, damn it!" I replied, unable to believe what was happening. "I don't want to risk the mission and I sure as hell can't lose focus! Not now with Zac's life on the line! What the hell?"

Seeing I was upset, Rick crossed the room at lightning speed and took me into his arms. "Abigail, it's okay," Rick cooed. "It happens to the best of us. And when you least expect it. There's no reason behind it. It just happens." Then Rick pulled back to look me in the eye, concerned. "I was only joking when you came in just now."

I sighed, exasperated, backing away, then took another swig of the soda. "I know, Rick. I'm just a little upset with myself right now."

"Why?" Rick asked, dragging me to the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair for me. I took it, then he sat down next to me. Rick knew me well enough that when I started cursing, I was really upset. "Star, talk to me."

I sighed, playing with the label on the soda bottle. "I mean, what was I thinking, Rick? Why now?"

"Hey!" Rick countered, reaching for my hand, then patted it. "You're lucky it even happened at all! Just go with it."

"Just go with it?" I replied, my green eyes flaring. "That's your big advice? And what if something happens to Zac because I 'just go with it' and lose focus?"

"You're not going to lose focus, Star!" Rick countered, leaning back in the chair. "And nothing is going to happen to Zac! Believe me!" Then he took a deep breath and looked into my eyes. "Star, out of all the CIA agents I know-and believe me I know a lot-you are by far the best and most focused. You fear nothing. And if Zac's life is on the line, I think you'll focus even more."

"But what if ..."

"But nothing, Star!" Rick cut me off, leaning forward. "You've waited a long time for this to happen, so just go with the flow and see what happens."

I smirked, sitting back, looking into Rick's eyes. "Did you just say 'go with the flow,' Rick?"

"Yeah, what of it?" Rick said, not catching on.

"Go with the flow?" I repeated.

"Okay, okay," Rick finally caught on that I was teasing him, but I could see that he was happy that my mood had changed. "Alright, that's enough."

"Go with the flow," I repeated again, smiling at him impishly.

"Okay," Rick countered, getting up. "See if I help you again!"

I burst into laughter. "Rick, I'm just teasing you!" I grabbed his hand, stopping him as he passed. "Thanks for the talk."

"So you're okay, then?" Rick asked, looking into my eyes, still concerned.

"Yeah," I nodded seriously, then smiled mischievously. "I'll just go with the flow."

"Okay, okay," Rick replied, leaving the room as I followed. "Go ahead! Laugh it up!"

"Hey!" I teased, following him down the hallway toward the door. "You even said I was the best! I'll remember that for later!"

"See if I'm nice to you anymore!" Rick yelled down the hall at me, a bit miffed. "I was worried ..."

"Who's the best?" a familiar voice said as she came through the front door without knocking. It was Annie.

"Don't you knock?" Rick said, slipping into a leather jacket.

"Rick!" Annie countered, ignoring what he said. "I haven't seen you in so long? How've you been?"

"Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you, Annie?" I said, smiling.

"No," Annie said with an innocent grin. "Not in the slightest."

"It's good to see you, Annie," Rick said politely. "Are you going with us?"

"That's why I'm here," Annie replied, smiling, then looked at Rick seductively. "Haven't had any action for a while!"

Rick rolled his eyes. "Here we go!"

I laughed, then said to Rick. "She hasn't changed a bit, has she?"

"Don't remind me," Rick replied as Annie gave me a wink. I think a lot of it was for show, but if Rick ever took her up on it ...

"Star," Rick interrupted my meanderings. "Go get ready. We have to go."

"Yeah, I have a lot of shopping to do, too!" I said, bolting for the stairs.

"Oh, goodie!" Annie clapped her hands, doing another happy dance. Annie is the original shopaholic.

"We won't have time for a lot of shopping!" Rick said loud enough for me to hear upstairs. "We're going to The Mirage, remember?"

"I hear you!" I yelled down the stairs. In my room, I quickly stripped off my school uniform, and crossed the room at vamp speed in my lacy white bra and underwear, then grabbed the duffle bag with my clothes. "You forgot to pack my black leather pants!" I yelled down the stairs.

"What is it with you and leather?" Rick yelled back. "Get some later! Let's go!"

So, I settled for a pair of black skinny jeans, still wearing just my white bra. Looking through the bag of clothes, I knew I was going to have to do some serious shopping later. I quickly pulled on my leather boots with a low heel, then reached for one of the huge black cases, quickly plopping one onto the bed and unzipped it. Inside were many of my old friends, weapons of which I was very familiar. My babies. Searching for what I wanted, I lifted a hidden panel and pulled out a military issue Ballistics knife in a black leather case-illegal, but who would know? I expertly tied it just above my right ankle with a black leather strap. Searching again, I found my Glock 9mm handgun and shoved it into my tight jeans in the small of my back. Then, I slipped into a clean white T-shirt and covered it all with a waist-length black leather jacket. At least Rick packed that. Then, I grabbed a few extra clips for the Glock just in case and shoved them into my pants pockets. For good measure, I pulled on one of my favorite belts with throwing stars for the buckle, but that was mainly a toy.