23

These beds in Dr. Palmer's house are nice. And she's got a nice house, too. She should. She's a surgeon.

Alas, her career hasn't been the same without...a certain ex-lover of hers. But that's just life; and these beds are SO much better than him.

It's peaceful here. Alas, neither Wong nor Clea expect that to stay that way.

In the night, Wong feels himself. (NOT that way.) At long last, his ant bites have healed. Keeping his eyes closed as often has he can, he gets up for some tea.

Thompson's asleep in the other room. She can't seem to roll over in bed without irritating her broken arm. Wong would love to know how her victims stay under her mind control when she's asleep... Alas, he yawns, and it'll have to wait.

He's in so much Zen. He doesn't realize that Black Ant's within the carpet threads, stalking him...

Wong finds the kitchen. He finds the hot water. He finds the tea. He finds the means of combining them. He does. He barely blinks as he works.

He hears a noise. He pauses, but doesn't react. He grins, and goes back to his brewing. He recalls from which direction Black Ant attacked him the first time. He knows how to do this. He foresees him, and...

Black Ant leaps. Wong sighs, and opens a portal. Black Ant tries to alter course in midair, but it's too late. He falls in, and his entire army falls in with him.

The water in the measuring cup boils. Wong closes the portal.

His tea is ready. He smiles, and heads back to his room...

"Hmm, impressive counter-maneuver. I am impressed!"

Wong stops. Batroc's sitting in the dark in the sitting room. He lumbers in, and faces Batroc. He sits, and sets his tea on the table next to the chair.

"Have," Wong asks, "we met?"

"Non," he replies. "But we serve the same cause. I must speak to you of something, Master Wong. There has been a lot happening, and I am just here to sort some of the confusion."

"That's a nice accent," Wong admits. "French?"

"Algerian," Batroc says...again. "No cause to be embarrassed; everyone gets it wrong."

Black Ant falls through the portal. He lands on a woman's midriff.

He looks around. He sees her legs. He sees her thigh gap. Far away, he sees her mountainous boobs. To him, this is a majestic sight. All of her is so far away...and even better, at his disposal.

He makes contact with Mordo, and tells him that he has a hostage. Mordo thanks him, and tells him and Batroc to make sure she doesn't escape.