A Time To Learn (Brennan, Cole)(Part 2)

A Time To Learn (Brennan, Cole)(Part 2) (Everywhere Else 2013
(combined threads from old site)


Richard Greene
Richard had just walked out into his Herbology Garden when an elf walked up to him, held out a small pot for him to take, and he found himself ported to… As he looked around he went into fighting stance. He knew where he was, back on Fixers Island of Perdition. The dozen or so men who had taken up a position of a ring around him were not moving. They just stood there watching. It did not take Richard long to realize they knew he had no place to go. The island was sealed tight. The Caretakers had used every possible Wizard ability and even used some of the Muggle satellites and Muggle military (who thought they were on training exercises) to try and find the island. It did not exist according to all the reports, but he was again standing on it.

Slowly Richard turned, not letting down his guard and looked at the Elf standing behind him. As the elf held his eyes, he raised his small hand pointed it at Richard and Richard went to his knees, arms bound to his side. His head dropped to his chest. It happened again. He was determined not to let anyone make him drink anything this time. Max Sinclair had just given Ari the all clear to let him return to his full duties. The people in the detox center, had even joked they were going to assign him a room, if he did not stay out of trouble and not let people push him off the preverbal wagon.

The elf walked up to him and said, "Master Frank wishes to talk with you, that is why you are here." Then the elf nodded to two of the men in the circle and Richard was easily stood up and walked to the barracks area. Richards body automatically started to fight, but he soon got it under control. He was being taken some place different and he had to try and remember details so he could report them later.

As he entered the building a blindfold was placed around his eyes…. So much for remembering details. He was walked a long way, up some stairs, down some stairs, turned corners and was even made to duck down once to walk through what must have been a hall with a very low ceiling. Finally they stopped … a door was opened and Richard realized he was in a large room. When the blindfold was removed he tried to straighten his shoulders and not show the feeling of disperse which was threatening to over take him.

Fixer sat behind a large desk with a very smug look on his face. Richard was pushed into a chair and his arms were unbound. Looking over his shoulder at the two thugs in uniform, it was plain he had no way of getting out. He crossed his legs, put his elbows on the chair and interlaced his fingers in front of him, "So why have I been brought back here, Fixer?"

(OOC: For more information on how Richard knew where he was read: Archived Jan-June 2013 Heating Up the Trail Part 2)

COLE
Cole sat back in his office chair, as Richard was brought into the office. He had watched his men and Punta, walk Richard around the halls of the Barracks and even take him into the special corridor, Cole had built for the elves, in order to disorient him. He had watched Richard's face as the blindfold had been removed. The man was not happy. Now Richard sat as nonchalantly in the chair in front of him, as the Caretaker (which was his codename in the Caretaker Group) could gather around him. Cole smiled. "Welcome back Richard. I would offer you a drink, but I think I promised the last time you were here, that I would stop using that method of persuasion on you. In fact, I need you cold sober this time. You are here to help me solve a small problem."

"That statement did not sound good," Richard thought to himself, trying not to let his expression change. He wasn't going anywhere at the moment so he may as well play along. "Go on Fixer, how do you think I can or will help you?"

Cole waved the two soldiers away. They smartly saluted and left. Richard noticed the elf had stayed and was not far from his chair. Cole leaned forward and folded his arms on the large dark wood desk. "I have several guests here at the moment besides you. One of them is who I understand is your partner, Brennan Dawson."

Richard could not keep the cringe under control. "He does not need to be here Cole. The boy has been through hell and back lately. We have just gotten him to the point where he can function again and not thinking of ending his life prematurely. He is still learning.Send him away and deal with me." Richard did not have high hopes of this happening but he had to try."

"Sorry Caretaker, cannot do that … you see I need him to profile some people for me. You are getting better at profiling, but the kid is a real expert already … look at it as more training for him." Cole could not come right out and say he was attempting to help Brennan hone his Profiling abilities, but he tried to hint at it. "The Profiler had been very good with several of my suggested names but he has decided to be stubborn with others. I have tried several forms of persuasion, but so far the key names will not break down the wall he has erected. Oh you might be interested to know, we have broken the Dark One's hold on him. He is no longer a walking time bomb . The elves I have with me ran Brennan through a Circle of Protection ceremony and the link was broken." Cole smiled because that bit of news had gotten a reaction from Richard.

Richard felt a sense of relief, wash over his body. He closed his eyes and said a prayer of thanks. Looking over his shoulder he mouthed a silent thank you to the elf standing just off to his right. The elf nodded."Thank you for that, Cole. But you still have not said how I can help you."

"I think Brennan looks up to you and you could help me get him to profile the remaining three people I need profiled." Cole caught Richard's eyes and held them. "Unfortunately I know it is going to be painful on your part. It will not be like the Hog's Head. All the pain will be internal… in fact it will only be in your mind, but your body will react as if it is real. I need him to keep going with his profiling. It needs to be worked and worked hard. I would love to work on the almost nonexistant self esteme of the young man, but I think I will have to leave that up to you and the rest of the Caretakers. I will tell you one thing Richard, the information I am getting from Brennan and others will not leave this island if I can help it. The information is for my use only. In addition, you now make the fifth Caretaker who I am been able to bring to this island. Maybe someone should figure out how to stop that ability." Cole chuckled and added, "Not too soon though I hope, because I am enjoying the company."

Richard closed his eyes for a second then looked back at Cole and asked, "And what if I refuse to help you train Brennan? As I said before the Profiler has been through a lot lately."

"But you have no choice in this, Caretaker. You are going to help me. I just thought I would give you a heads-up on what was going to happen so you could prepare at least psychologically for the discomfort. I am hoping there will not be much, because Brennan is stubborn, but he is also smart and knows most of the time when the fight is over." Cole sat back in his seat and relaxed a little. Richard was grudgingly accepting the idea, he had no say so in how the rest of the afternoon was going to play out. "I am hoping to have both you and Brennan returned to Hogwarts or anywhere else you want to go, by tonight … early morning at the latest. This has to be done, Richard."

Richard rubbed the back of his neck and sat forward in the chair. "I am going to take your word for the information needed by you only, Cole. The boy is worth many others but together. He has a great gift and it needs to stay stable." Richard rubbed the back of his neck again, and added, "When do we start?"

"Now," Cole said as he signaled Punta to again bind Richard's arms and helped him to stand up. As Cole stood and started toward the door, he added, "I won't blindfold you, because we are only going across the hall, and there is not much for you to see. Maybe someday I can really show you around, my little island paradise, but not now." Cole reached the door and opened it, standing back so Punta could lead Richard through the door. Getting to the other side of the hall he turned on the small view screen to check on what Brennan was doing.

(OOC: Both Cole and Richard are my characters so I combined their conversation in this post)

Brennan
Bren had been nervous since they took Neo away. He was also worried about Franco. Fixer had gotten rid of the Dark One's programming but now that Bren thought about it, he wondered. Fixer had gained his trust only to ask for profiles that could hurt those it was on. Bren shook his head as he so much wanted to believe in Frank Cole and yet something told him to be leery. What if Fixer was being played or worse what if Fixer was the one doing the playing? Profiler could not take that chance, not with so much riding on the line. Brennan realized that he had paced for almost an hour and was no closer to a solution then when he first came here. He heard the door and went to stand behind it. He prayed he could sneak out after whoever was on the other side entered.

Cole only shook his head. Brennan had still not figured out there was no place for him to go. Moving Richard over to in front of the door, he put his finger to his lips, letting Richard know he was not supposed to make a sound. Reaching in front of the Caretaker, he turned the handle, opened the door about an inch and shoved Richard through it. Richard went to the floor and rolled a couple of times. He had taken the fall well. Before Cole entered he said, "You can come out from behind the door Brennan. Give Richard a hand please. With his arms bound, he is going to need help getting up."

Richard laid on the floor, taking a mental inventory on if anything was broken on his body. He had half anticipated the shove, but he still could not retain his balance when it happened. He was staring toward the underneath area of what looked like a hospital bed. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Brennan standing behind the opened door and Cole leaning against the door jam. When Cole said he was going to need help. H weakly nodded.

Bren slammed his fist into the door as hard as he could. Then went to help Richard as he said, "Sorry partner, I think you are here because either Fixer is sure I will give him more on Tarik or he wants me to profile Lance." He was about to tell him about Neo and Franco but they were interrupted.

Cole was glad he had not stepped through the door immediately. When Brennan hit it, the door slammed closed. Cole reached down and opened it, then walked into the room, just as Brennan had Richard on his feet. "Well let's get started." Two things happened simultaniously. One Richard was pulled out of Brennan's grasp and shackled to the wall in the manical which would hold him spread eagle looking out. The second thing which happed was Tarka pulled Brennan to the chair at the table, sat him down and bound his feet to the chair.

Cole slowly made his way to his own turned around chair, without looking at what was going on around him. As he straddled the chair and made himself comfortable, he waited for the struggles of the two men to stop. "Now, we are ready," he said to the seated Brennan. "You were right in what you said to Richard a couple of moments ago, Brennan. He is here for one reason, to help convince you to tell me the rest of the information I need." Looking over his shoulder at Richard, who was trying to take in his surroundings, Cole turned back to Brennan. "Punta will continue to work the persuasion part and Richard will receive the punishment for you not answering my questions. Nothing has changed. You know what I want to know …. First name Lance Kildare." Cole waved at Brennan to continue.

When Richard had felt his arms loosen his body automatically tried to fight. Within moments he was tied to the wall, spread eagle looking out. He fought the panic building in side of him. This was too soon after the Hog's Head for his body to not make the connection. Closing his eyes for a second he took two deep breaths. Opening them, he started to look around the room, trying to take his mind off of what was going to happen. One thing he did notice, was the Elf who had taken him to Cole and then followed them here, was standing about four feet away, staring at him. Richard gave him a tentative smile, which was not returned.

Cole's voice brought his attention back to the table. Richard swallowed hard, hoping his fear did not appear to those in the room. He had suffered pain before, but that never made it easier when it finally happened.

Bren cringed as he remembered when Shadow had used him and Richard against each other. As the memories came flooding back he felt weak as he realized that once again Richard was going to be hurt badly because of him. The room started to spin out of control. He tried to get Richard's eye contact, as all he could see was what he heard those hours that Chameleon had Richard and Shadow had him.

Richard struggled with his bonds, "Cole he is sinking…. You need to bring him back to the present, before he gets too far away." Richard struggled some more, saying "Brennan, we are not there anymore …. We are not there…."

Cole half stood up and reached over the table. With his closed fist he hit Brennan in the jaw hard enough to get his attention but not hard enough to break anything. "Stay focused on the present, Profiler, or Richard is going to suffer more than if you were outright refusing to answer me." Brennan's eyes slowing regained focus. "Now I said profile Lance Kildare. Richard is waiting for your answer." Cole raised his hand about to give a signal Brennan would know… the signal for Punta to create pain in Richards mind. Punta half raised his hand.

The pain in Bren jaw hurt and Bren rubbed it as he looked at Richard thinking, "What do I do Rich? It is a choice between you and Lance. How can I choose?" He knew Fixer expected and answer but either answer meant pain for one of his best friends. Both with the help of a few other had saved him from the downward spiral that almost lead to his death.

Cole looked out of the corner of his eye at Richard, then nodded at Punta, saying, "Legs." The elf raised his hands and Richards legs started to shake. The Caretaker's head went back hard against the wall and he gritted his teeth. A grown escaped his throat. Cole made a cutting movement and Punta lowered his hand. Richard's head fell forward and he was breathing heavily. Slowly Richard raised his head and looked at Brennan, trying to give him a weak smile with an added small shake of his head.

Cole had seen the signal which was telling Brennan to keep his mouth shut. He wondered how long it would take Brennan to not be able to hold out. Staring at the Profiler he said, "Profile Lance Kildare." Slowly Cole raised his hand into the signaling position again.

Bren saw the pain that Richard was in. He was close to doing whatever it took to stop what Fixer was putting his partner through. Profiler opened his mouth to yell Stop. Then he saw Richard's signal and shut his mouth. The signal was not one that they used as partners as only the leaders of the teams made that signal. Caretaker was ordering him to put Lance before him. Bren cringed as he shut his eyes as he realized that Caretaker had just made a judgment call. Profiler just prayed that he could obey that order.

Cole again looked over his shoulder. Dropped his hand and said, "Waist down." Punta raised his hand and Richard legs again began to shake and his back arched out. He full strength of the yell which came from Richard was blocked only by the man's clinched teeth. Cole allowed the pain to last about five seconds longer than the last time, before he signaled the cutoff. When Punta dropped his hand, Richards head had dropped forward again, and his whole body sagged. If he had not been bound by his wrist, he would have dropped to the floor. Cole stood up and stood in front of Richard, blocking Brennan's view of his partner. Leaning on the table he said, "Profile Lance Kildare. The pain is only going to get worse for your partner and he will not be allowed to faint or stay unconscious." Cole added a sarcastic lilt to his voice, "You are causing this Brennan, only you… I want to stop…"

Bren would not open his eyes as he told Fixer with regret, "It is not my call." The images battling for front row seats in his mind were taking their total. He knew if it had not been for Richard's order, he would have given Lance up. Richard had reminded him of the oath they had all took except, Bren. The Caretakers soul mission was to protect the Andreas line and Richard was honor bound to keep that oath. Both were his friends but one was an Andreas by blood. Bren wanted so much to save Richard but he now understood why Air called his partner the Caretaker. He would not dishonor his partner by hiding. He opened his eyes and looked in the direction he knew his mentor was. Bren just hoped he had just a tenth of the mental strength that Caretaker was showing.

Cole spun on his heels and looked at Richard who was barely recovered from the last jolt. "You really want it this way, Caretaker?" he asked in a loud whisper. "You were worried about what I would put him through, now look what you are doing. Lance is a big boy… he knows how to take care of himself."

Through clinched teeth, Richard quietly said, so only Cole could hear, "You said you wanted him to learn and gain strength." Adding a weak smile he said, "Thought I would help."

"Have it your way Richard… I can keep this up for a while." Cole turned back to Brennan, watched him for a moment, and then straddled his chair. "I won't block your view of your partner again Profiler. I want you to see and thoroughly appreciate what your refusal is doing to your friend. Cole raised his hand and said in a deadpan voice, to Brennan, "Profile Lance Kildare, Now!"

Bren was scared that he would not be able to watch his friend and not want his pain to end. Saying aloud his thoughts, "Richard, this is why Martin is better suited for Head of Security of the Caretakers then me. He can make the hard calls. I think with my gut and most of the time it is not the right call."

Richard struggled to stand up straighter. Every muscle in his lower half ached and throbbed. His legs felt like jelly and he could still feel a strong twinge at scattered intervals running the full lengh of the leg muscles. Looking first at Cole and then at Brennan, he said with a breathless tone to his voice, "You are doing fine, Profiler. A gut feeling is great to have but you have to figure out what is forming that gut feeling. With time you will be able to add up all the small pieces which help you to know what the right call is…. Follow your oaths and hold to your honor." Richard shifted on his feet and groaned as new spasms took over his legs. Catching his breath again, he continued "Even when you take everything in consideration you know to be true, there is always going to be one fact you do not know about or which happens because of something else taking place." Richard again looked at Cole and gave him a weak smile.

Cole had to agree with Richard's assessment of Brennan. The boy was a fighter. With time, he would be a lot worse as an adversary. Now he had no self-confidence, and Richard was willing to accept the pain, being dished out to help build that confidence. Cole also knew he could not lose this battle, or he would end up losing others. "I repeat one time only Profiler, Profile Lance Kildare!" Punta had raised his hand and was waiting for the signal. The elves fingers were spread wide, because the elf knew this would be a total body jolt if given.

Bren thought about everything that Richard had said. His partner knew about a lot of small pieces that already were confusing his picture of who Fixer should be. Fixer had been having his talks with them for a while and yet none of the information given had actually come back to bite them. Then there was the first profile case, Fixer had asked for his help. His gut was telling him that Fixer really wanted to help that family. His mind started piecing things together and he knew what was the real problem. Bren feared that the info would be used by The Dark One.

He looked at Fixer and realized that he had trusted Fixer but not Khalid. He said very calmly still entering pieces into his puzzle, "Fixer, if you ever were to find out that Khalid handed what he gave you to the Number. What actions would you take?"

Cole rubbed his chin. It was time for him to be at least partially honest with the Profiler. "I keep the information for me, Profiler… it is for my personal use. No one gets it but me. The elves and I are the only ones who can even get to it."

As he waited for Fixer's reply, he looked at Richard and asked, "Richard, why did Air make me, the newest member, the Head of Security for the Caretaker? Especially since unlike the rest of you, I have yet to take the oath?"

Richard tried to smile. Profiler was thinking again not just reacting. "I know she made you Head of Security because of your profiling ability. You are still a little raw on making decisions, because you over annalize what you gut is telling you. Your gut reads you head so to speak and gives you some ideas on what to do. If you think about it too long…. The feelings go away because your mind tells your gut you must be wrong." Richard again tried to straighten up more. His muscles were not hurting as much, but enough to make it uncomfortable to be in the spread eagle position, where he could not stretch and loosen up. "Your eyes see things instantly, others of us miss. As for why you have not been made to take the oath, I think she has realized, the oath ties our hands in some situations. You are experienced enough Bren to realize the world is not black and white, there are more gray areas than can be counted. In security, you need to think outside the preverbal box and she has given you that ability."

These pieces would allow him to make a judgment call of his own. He had always wondered why Air had never had him take the wand oath like the rest. Though she had named him Head of Security. He was always breaking his own rules and yet the worse he ever got was a lecture and more studying. It had never made sense unless Air had a reason that she needed him to not be bound by the oath. He would wait for their replies and then hopefully make the right call.

Bren smiled as he said, "I might always second guess myself but I will always own up to my mistakes. I have only one more piece of information needed. Fixer, whoever is your head elf I need to ask him one question. He needs to understand there will be no backlash from you about his answer. Fixer, you wanted to understand my gift. Now you are witnessing it at its clearest. Maybe afterwards I will explain but first I need this puzzle solved."

Cole looked at Brennan and nodded. "Punta, is highest ranking in his clan and he is the oldest. None of the elves are Head Elf because they are all equal on this island." Cole looked at Punta and nodded, "Punta you have my permission to talk with Master Brennan. You are to tell him the truth." Punta looked back and nodded, "Yes Master Frank, I understand." The look in the elfs eyes told Cole he really did understand that he was could trust the young human.

Punta walked over to the human and bowed slightly. "How may I assist you Master Brennan?"

Once the elf was in front of him, Profile leaned over to his level and said, "You are sure the Dark One's programming has been stopped? …"

"Yes, Master Brennan. The link has been broken. It cannot be reconnected because we have also added a block."

" … Thank you guys again for that. Now this question would be hard for a normal house-elf to answer. I have a feeling none of the elves here are house-elves. Now for my most important question, just who has this team of elves allegiance?"

Punta did not look at Master Frank, because he knew the human would take them as asking permission to answer, instead he looked to Tarka. The other elf nodded so Punta said, "We answer to no one but ourselves, Master Brennan. If you are asking whom we help, then it would be Master Frank. We have agreed to help him in his search for information."

Bren let out a sigh as he said, "Maybe I asked it the wrong way?" He wished his mother was here as Cassandra had a way of understanding. He looked to Tarka as he said, "What I need to know is if Khalid asked for things, would you guys give it to him? Even if Fixer did not want Khalid knowing the info? I guess what I am asking is do you guys trust Khalid or Fixer in regards to the Princess' line? The person that Fixer has asked me about is of the Princess' line. He is her second cousin in fact. And were as I trust Fixer mostly, I am sorry as it stands I can't trust Khalid. I need to know if there is any possibility of Khalid getting the info?"

Tarka stepped forward and looked at Cole. Cole nodded, letting Tarka he could also talk if he wished. Tarka turned back to the young human and said, "Any information we gather will be given only to Master Frank. The only other one who could possibly have the information is Tocoferty Darik, who was kind enough to train us on how to live among the humans." Tarka looked at Punta, hoping he had not gone too far with what he had said. Punta nodded to him, so Tarka turned back to the human and smiled.

Bren smiled as he once again thanked them. He got a sly look on his face as he said, "If Darik is allow Fixer to find out this information in this fashion when all he had to do was give Fixer what he needed. Then there is a reason other than the info. Since Fixer has been targeted our weak points my guess..." He stopped and looked at the elves as he finished, "Darik must believe our training is lacking. My guess my little friends is that regular detailed reports are being given to Darik. Which explains all the extra training as of late."

Cole smiled and nodded. He crossed his arms on the back of the chair."I am impressed, Profiler. Looks like you have put me out of business as far as most of the Caretakers are concerned." . "The reason most of the things have been done here is because I can block this island from the Dark One and from Wizard Magic. My men are trained without the use of magic most of the time. When I do not have visitors I will turn off some of the blocks and allow some of say up to 7th year school magic." Looking up at Richard he said, "Maybe things are going to be a little easier on you."

Richard wondered if Brennan was about to give in since he found out it was only Fixer looking for the information. It still was dangerous. Richard trusted the man in some ways, but Frank had always been one for having his own itinerary and would use whatever or whoever he needed to follow what he thought should happen. The papers, Fixer had given Richard had shown him Cole knew a lot more than he should about several different situations that were slowly entwining themselves together. The man was an information junkie and had the ability to rearrange the information so that a bigger picture emerged. Richard was not sure why Fixer wanted the information about Lance. If it was for information sake, then that would not be bad, but if Cole had an end result in mind then Richard wanted to know what it was before they reached that point. Looking at Bren he said, "This bit of profiling does not change anything, does it Profiler, Lance is still not part of the talk."
Bren smiled as he realized that Richard was doing what made them a great team. His partner was a great Devil's Advocate. The process helped keep Bren on track and focused on what was important. In this case, Richard was asking if knowing this information was enough to risk Lance. Bren was unsure and welcomed Richard's challenge. He had been so pleased with putting the puzzle together that he had forgotten why he had started it to begin with. Profiler started to wonder if this new knowledge had indeed changed whether he could profile Lance for Fixer or not.

Richard smiled. Brennan was still going to hang tough. He did not know how long the newest and youngest member of the Caretakers could go without breaking, but he was proud of him for hanging in this long. Richard tried to put a smile on his face. He looked at the elves who were wondering what was going to happen next. Straightening his back as much as he could, he waited for the inevitable to happen.

Cole shot Richard a digger filled glance over his shoulder. He waved Punta back into position in front of Richard. Turning back to Brennan he said, "Richard is right in one respect, Profiler, knowing what you know does not change anything. I still need several people profiled, Richard is still on the wall and Punta is still ready to deliver whatever persuasion I think necessary. We were discussing Lance Kildare. You may continue NOW!" Cole leaned back and gripped the back of the straight-back chair. Richard had issued a challenge to Brennan to keep his mouth shut no matter what happened to him. Cole had hoped it would not go this far, but Brennan had to learn that even though you showed strength in not giving in, sometimes the price was too high.

Bren had been doubting whether his profile was complete enough for him to override Richard's judgment. He started thinking about the pieces of information in relationship to whether he could really tell Fixer about Lance. Richard had challenged that the information was not enough to risk Lance. That meant that Bren needed to weigh the risk to Lance.

Brennan heard what Fixer said and cringed. He needed to analyze the data and now it looked like he was out of time. He looked at Richard as he realized that he could not go against his order until he was sure of his decision.

Cole again looked over his shoulder and back to Brennan. Holding Brennan's eyes he slowly raised his hand and let it drop with a load thump on the table, adding, "Back and Legs, 10 second duration." Cole did not look away from Brennan, catching the Profilers look toward Richard. The boy was scared for his friend… he was also trying to apologize. Brennan started to shake and Cole was not sure if it was because he was watching his partner going through or because of anger. Cole was surprised at how the young Caretaker was holding it together. Cole continued to watch as he could hear the pain Richard was in, behind him.

Richard cringed before the pain even hit. He knew it was coming. Cole had made a great show of taking his time in ordering Punta to deliver the pain. Richard watched Punta raise his hand and point it at him. At the last moment, he looked at Brennan and tried to smile. Then the pain hit and he was lost in a sea of red. His back tightened as if it was in a crushing grip, his legs violently shook threatening to tear the manacle out of the wall, his chest hurt and he could not find his breath, his head pounded sending small white lights traveling into the distance somewhere. Ten seconds was not normally a long time, but to Richard it was hours. Even when Richard was able to focus through the red haze, on the fact that Punta had put down his hand, his body refused to stop with the almost continuous spasms. Richard felt sick and light headed. He realized he was on the verge of passing out and tried to fight it, to no avail. The peaceful darkness enveloped him.

Cole turned and looked at the limp body hanging on the wall. He said to Punta, "Wake him and do it again, same procedure." Punta looked at him with questions in his eyes, but Cole shook his head and nodded toward Richard. The Elf did as he was told. He walked over and slapped Richard on the face several times. When he was sure the human was awake and could focus, Punta stepped back and raised his hand.

Bren watched, as his friend was tortured. As he fought inwardly to hold the panic down, his body started to shake as he remembered. His blood magic was quiet and he had hoped and prayed for his mother's guidance. When his partner passed out, Bren screamed.

Once Richard was revived, Bren wanted to stop this but how could he disobey a direct order.

"It doesn't have to be this way Brennan." Cole waited a couple of seconds and dropped his hand again. Punta nodded and hit Richard again with a ten second burst. The elf knew the man was going to pass out again, but Master Frank knew what he was doing. The young Master Brennan had to learn that sometimes circumstances changed orders, which were given. He hated to see humans in pain, but the pain was mental so it could be healed quicker than if it was physical pain.

As Punta revived Richard after the second shock, he looked at Brennan and calmly said, "We all have to make our own decisions, Profiler, based on what is happening at the time. You found out some information about me, now give me the information I want." Cole raised his hand and started to slowly lower it. Punta had taken a step back from Richard, who was breathing heavy and could not hold himself up straight. The man's feet were still on the ground and his shaking legs were attempting to hold him up, but his upper body was limp in the wrist manacle.

Bren listened to Fixer and nodded as he said, "You are right in what you have said Fixer. The thing is Richard gave me a direct order in regards to Lance. He is not the only one I will be answering to should I make the decision to disobey it. I will also have to explain my actions to Air. At this moment, I have to admit that I can't face our leader and be sure she will accept my reasons."

When Richard was tortured again, Bren started shaking badly as he asked, "How long are you going to keep torturing him? If this does not work, what else do you have in mind for us Fixer? How far are you willing to take this? I told you why I can't override a direct order and answer you about Lance. So why continue?" Bren wanted so badly to give in and save his partner but he feared facing Air.

"Right now, Profiler the pain is mental; I could always make it physical. Even Air gave in when she had to stop physical pain. The duration can be forever." Cole looked over his shoulder and saw Richard looking at him. The man's eyes were red-rimmed and tears were escaping from the corners of both eyes. Richard was barely alert to what was going on. Cole turned more and said, "Tell him Richard. Tell him to give in."

In a raspy voice, they could hardly hear Richard said, "No he has to make the decision himself. He has to be the one to know Lances strengths as well as weaknesses." With that, Richard hung his head and tried to get his feet to continue to hold him. He also made a valiant effort to stand back up, only partially succeeding.

Bren listened and though he was shaking from what his partner was going through, he shook his head. Richard was not cancelling the order and Bren was not sure that he could override the order. He was terrified that Air would never forgive him for endangering her grandson. Lance was strong mentally but like any Hufflepuff he had too kind of a heart. Bren dropped his head onto the table as the choice seemed to hard for him to make. Profiler wanted with all his heart to save his partner but how could he without giving Fixer, Lance. He felt defeated and unsure without his mother's blood magic to guide him. He knew now with the programming no longer a problem, there was other ways that Fixer could use. Bren chanced a glance at Richard knowing that soon or later Fixer would get the information but how much of a price would both he and Richard pay before Fixer finally broke Bren into giving it.

Cole looked at Richard and then at Brennan. This was getting out of hand. He could do one more thing, but it could back fire on him if he tried it. Frank did not want to hurt any of the children at the school. He knew the boy Luke could take some punishment; he had proven that at the hands of Shadow, which he had gotten a report about through channels. Tia was out of the question, the girl needed to stay focused on just getting stronger through, friendships and what others were teaching her. There was a girl named Starling, who Luke appeared to like and then there were Tarik's kids, Mika and Silvia and his grandson Marshall.

Cole sat back in the chair and said, "You know Profiler, Richard has been taking a real beating and maybe it is time for him to rest a bit. I feel we need some entrainment. I have been hearing there are some children at the school, who can be very entraining under the right circumstances. How about if we have a party, while you decide if Lance would like the idea of you putting others in jeopardy, because of him? What do you think he would do, Brennan?" Cole motioned for Tarka to come over and whispered in his ear, then told him to wait a moment.

Looking back at Brennan, paying no attention to Richards shaking head and attempts to fight the restraints, he said, "Tarka has my permission to invite some of our young friends to the island for a small get together where we are going to play some interesting although rather rough games. I will of course make sure Lance gets pictures of the games. Do you think he will like them Brennan?" Cole waited. Brennan would protect the children with his life, so would Lance.

Richard was breathing hard, and Frank knew it was not from the pain. The man's adrenalin had taken over. "Cole you promised you would not hurt the children. Leave them out of this. This is adult business."

Cole slid his chair around so he would not have to look at Richard over his shoulder. "I have not said I was going to hurt the children, just show them some games. If they get hurt during the games it will be Brennan's fault for allowing me to bring them here. As far as being adult business, maybe it is time some of the young ones at the school, learn how the real world works." Cole turned back to Brennan and waited.

Brennan's mind was working a mile a minute. Fixer was saying he intended to bring children here. Profiler thought of all the protection surrounding the students at the school. Smiling as he tried to calm Richard down by saying, "Rich relax, those students don't leave that school. You know what protection those kids have now that Sasha is in charge. Fixer is just trying to get his way. They are not coming here so relax." Bren inwardly cringed at the thought though. He knew if Fixer could bring the members of the Core then several he and the rest of the Caretakers protected would be endanger. Thinking, "And Lance would be the first to say those kids always preceded any orders." Bren chanced a glance at Fixer as he realized that if Fixer had access to the Core then that changed everything.

Cole chuckled and waved Tarka out the door with a nod. "All right, I figure we have about a half hour to wait. Anyone have any suggestions on how we can fill the time up?" Cole laughed as he looked back and forth between Brennan and Richard. Not receiving a reply he got up and headed for the door. "I will be back gentlemen in about half an hour our a little more maybe." Stopping he turned to Punta and said, "You may get Master Richard down from the wall and sit him in one of the seats. His legs are to be bound, like Master Brennan's." Half turning the table he said, "If you want some refreshment Punta will get if for you. Tarka will be back in a few moments." With that Cole left the room laughing.

Bren saw Richard shake his head. As he watched Richard come off the wall, he realized that they would have only thirty minutes. Profiler knew it was not much but it should be enough to find out just how to play this. His partner was hurt and Bren was confused on just what he should do. Fixer had almost broken his resolve but now he would talk with Richard and hopefully learn why Richard was still standing by his order. Bren watched as Fixer left and prayed that he was right about the Core being well out of Fixer's grasp. Saying a little aloud, "Because if I am wrong..."

(OOC: For background on Shadow's involvement with Richard and Brennan read: Archived Jan-June 2013 Enemy's Forever, Maybe)

Richard
Every muscle in Richards body hurt. If Punta hadn't held him up when he let his wrists go, he would have fallen to the floor. As it was he barely made it to the chair at the end of the table where is back would be facing the door. He felt his legs being bound to the chair legs. Crossing his arms on the table he put his head down on top of them. Punta walked up behind him and said, "Please sit up Master Richard." Richard did not want to move but he had no idea if it was an order which would require further restraints so he forced his head up and his back against the back of the straight-backed chair. It surprised him when Punta, put a finger to his right temple, pushed and the headache went away. Richard turned and said, "Thank you." The elf only nodded and stepped back. Richard again crossed his arms on the table but this time he stayed upright.

… Saying a little aloud, "Because if I am wrong..."

Taking a moment to first rub his eyes, Richard looked at Brennan and said, "You know, Fixer never bluffs. I don't know how he is going to do it, but I would expect at least some of the children very shortly." Looking around the room he turned partially to Punta and asked, "Can we have some Pumpkin Juice, please Punta?" The elf nodded and went to the small refrigerator built into the wall at the head of the bed and took out two ice-cold mugs of Pumpkin juice. Putting them on the table he stepped back. Richard smiled and said, "Thank you and don't worry we are not going to try and escape at the moment. We know when we are outnumbered."

Bren heard what Richard said about Fixer and his head dropped as he said, "Then why stand by your order Richard? He could have..." Bren was shaking as he had just endangered at least one or more of the very ones that he would lay down his life to protect.

Richard finally felt like he could move a little. Stretching his arms as far as he could he wind-milled them in the air a few times. Then he stretched some more. Putting the arms back down on the table he said, "I took a wand oath, Bren, to never put any of Tia's bloodline in danger. I have no choice but to stick to my oath and give the order. I do not have the luxuary of telling you to do anything else."

Bren was still shaking as he said, "And what do we do now? I profiled the situation and to my understanding Lance is in no real danger from Fixer. None of us are, especially if Darik is the one that train these elves? Darik is allowing Fixer to play it this way and for a different reason then the information, since Darik could have given him all that. So what else could this be about? The only answer is Darik thinks our training is lacking and has hired Fixer to test us? Possibly even help with training us?"

"Seems logical to me Bren. He has already shown me some large gaps in our security. Look at how many of us he has brought to his island, against our will. He definitely knows more than he should, so his communication lines are hot and probably growing. His recourses are worldwide, which is show by the fact he can hide this island, and I have been on two teams now trying to find it. He is like the Grand Devil's Advocate for the Caretakers and the Ministry although I don't think they know it." Richard rubbed the back of his neck. "When not if he brings any of the Core here, it is going to have to be another break we are going to have to plug without worrying the kids. I don’t think he would hurt any of them, Bren. They probably figure they are here on a lark or something."

"Partner you are going to have to make the choice on giving him the information he wants about Lance and whoever else…. And I do not think Lance is the only one he is going to ask you about."

Brennan nodded and said, "This is going to destroy my place on the Caretakers, when Air finds out. I will have to face her with the fact that I disobeyed a direct order and gave information concerning her grandson. I am already on probation until the twenty-second. It is a mind wipe for sure this time. I will tell her the truth but..." Bren put his head down so sure that in this case no reasoning would be good enough to save him.

Richard had no idea what to say to his partner. He was reasonably sure Air would not dismiss him. She had even followed Fixer's directions when they were at the Hog's Head, and Richard would never forget that blood-curdling scream she had been forced to give. She had told very few people how Fixer had gotten her to do what she did. Richard grimaced because he had probably saved his life with that scream. "She will either understand or not understand… but you partner must do what you think is right. We all have times when we are put in a position of two or more choices existing, none of them good. You have to make a decision and hope for the best… it is all you can do."

As Richard finished the door opened and Tarka walked in. He headed straight for the window at the back of the room and wiped his hand from the top to the bottom on both of the window jams. Turning he said to Punta, "Master Frank, wants both men at the window now." Punta nodded and released the bonds on both mens legs and motioned toward the window.

Richard pushed himself slowly to a standing position. Punta walked up to offer assistance, but Richard waved him away. He had to get his mussels moving again. Being supported by the elf would not help. It might make it hurt less but it would not help. Slowly he started toward the back wall. "Look's like we are about to get some answers and open up a whole lot of questions."

Bren shook his head even as he felt the bonds release his legs. All he could think about was soon he would disobey a direct order and endanger one of his best friends. He knew that even Lance would understand but Air was a by the book kind of lady and he was already on probation for breaking his own rules and endangering Seth. He saw no way that Air would forgive him for a second betrayal.

Punta looked at the young master and said, "Master Frank said now, Master Brennan. If you need help I will assist you, but I must insist you follow directions." Punta walked up to Brennan and started to grab his arm to help him up.

Bren knew that sooner or later the elves would force him to the window. Once he saw the children there was no turning back. Sherlock knew that he would have no choice but to disobey a direct order in order to protect the Core. He pulled his arm away as he said, "As long as I can pretend that they are still safe...I still have a chance at saving this situation. I just have to stay strong."

Richard had almost made it to the window, when he realized Brennan was not behind him. Turning he said, "Bren, sitting there is not going to stop what happens. The elves have been told we have to go to the window. Are you going to force Punta to bring you here or walk under your own power." Richard knew this was hard for his partner, but it had to be done.

Punta grabbed Brennan's arm and with un-apparent strength he picked up the young human, set him down on his feet and shoved him toward the window.

Bren felt himself walking towards the window and said terrified, "But Richard, once I see those kids? There will be no turning back. As long as I don't see them, I can remind strong. I won't have to choose between disobeying a direct order or risking the Core. Richard I am scared that I will choose the Core? I know that I am on probation already for breaking the rules and risking Seth. This is Air's grandson that I will be giving information about. He is an Andreas and one of our best friends. But Richard to protect the Core, I will give him up in a heartbeat. How do I face Air knowing that I will always choose to protect the Core before protecting the Caretakers? They are just kids that didn't ask for this war but they been fighting it. They will always be first!"

Richard nodded. "You will make the right decision Partner. Believe in youself. As Richard reached the window, Tarka said, "You may see out, but from the outside the window does not exist. Look at what Master Frank wishes you to see." Brennan had been shoved up to the window, but Richard noticed his eyes were closed. "Open your eyes Sherlock, or they will open them for you," he whispered to his partner.

Looking out the window, Richard saw Cole standing there in fatigues in the small shaded clearing outside the window. Watching a small group of troops marching toward him. The closer the group got the more Richard thought there was something strange about the group. The group was not marching in step, in fact several of them were almost dancing toward the Fixer. Cole was smiling at them. They all finally made it to in front of him and stood at what resembled attention. One of the troop members turned around and hit one of the others on the arm. Richard's breath caught. It was Starling MacStone. Richard looked closer and saw the person she hit was Landon Russo. Richard cringed, the group of nine troops were actually all children from the school, and from what Richard could tell they were all Core members.

Frank gently saluted the troops back and started to do some bending exercises. The children follow suit. Then he did some running in place and the children also followed what he did. They were laughing and not taking the exercices seriously. Soon Cole stopped and waved them toward him. They eagerly advanced. Richard caught something move in the trees behind them. He saw two men standing there holding rifles pointed at the children. All of them could have been killed in an instant, but they had no clue. A couple of them were jumping up and down and clapping their hands. Cole pointed toward the mountain, just visible over the tree tops and nodded. The two men holding the guns, came forward and the children smiled in greeting. They attempted to line up and followed the two men into the woods. Cole turned toward the window and waved. Then the window went dark. "You will now return to your seats, Master Richard and Master Brennan. Master Frank will be here in a moment. The children are headed to the mountain for some free climbing. They love to do it. When one of them almost fell the last time they were here, it seemed to make them more determined as a group to make sure it did not happen again. They sure do work well together." Punta turned and motioned toward the chairs, "but now you must sit down again please."

Bren heart dropped as he watched the children. He turned to Richard as he said, "Richard, I have no choice as I recognize all nine as Core and three are related to Tarik, one is Rosa which means a Councilman's daughter is at risk." Turning to Punta, he said, "Get Fixer, I want to talk to him as I am not risking those kids."

Punta nodded and said, "He is on his way Master Brennan. You must sit down though."

Richard had already started toward the chairs. "Come on Brennan. I know you do not like to sit, but it is going to make it easier to talk with Fixer when he gets here." Richard could see Brennan was still having a hard problem with his decision, but as far as he was concerned he had made the right one. He knew Lance would agree. Protecting the children was the first rule.

As Richard found his seat, the door opened and Fixer walked through. The man stopped at the door and looked quizzically at Brennan who was still standing by the now clouded window. He had not checked the little mini-screen outside this time first, because there were two elves in the room to handle any problems. Richard watched, Cole walk slowly toward the table and straddle the seat he always choose. Then he turned to Brennan again and asked with his eyes if he was going to sit. Richard looked at Brennan and then down at the table. The boy needed to fight his own battles, and this one of compliance was not easy for him.

Bren looked at the window, shook his head sadly and then walked over to the table as he said, "They should not be here Fixer. Where were they taken? I want them returned to the school unharmed. Sasha is going to want your head for this as will several others. The Core are off limits!" He knew that Fixer had him. Sherlock just wasn't sure how high of a price he would have to pay. All he did know was with the Core here and at risk, Brennan would pay it. Those kids would always come first to him.

Cole folded his arms on the back of the chair. "If you want to talk about the children then you have to sit down." Cole fastened his eyes to Brennan and silently dared him to stay standing.

Richard would not look up. This had to be between the two men.

Brennan looked from Cole's stare to Richard who would not look him in the eye. He shook his head, figuring his partner was ashamed of him for giving in, but the children could not protect themselves. Slowly and stiffly he sat in the chair, glaring at Cole sitting across from him. "Ok, I'm sitting. Now answer my questions."

Cole smiled and nodded. "Now that was not so hard was it Profiler? The children are fine, I have sent them off to do a little free-hand rock climbing. Several of them are very good at it and they really work well as a team." Cole looked at his watch. "It is almost 4:00 pm and being a Saturday, eating dinner in the Great Hall is optional. Therefore, when they are done I will give them a picnic and then send them back."

Cole looked at Richard, who still had not looked up, saying, "Caretaker, you know it is not your fault they are here, so look at me. At the moment the children are safe … I do not war on children … the school has not given them the experiences they need now and will need in the future. Tell Sasha, or Raven as she is known by in the Caretakers, I am not going to hurt them and hope to let them come and go on the same schedule as they have been for the past almost two months. Tell her also, that if she tries to forbid them from coming there will be ramification. The children trust me. "

Looking back to Brennan he said, "So we were talking about Lance Kildare I think. Do I need to repeat the questions Profiler or have you decided my way is the best and only way, for you to get out of here?"

Richard looked up slowly. First looking at Brennan and then at Cole, "I will give her you message, Fixer, but I cannot promise she will abide by it. It worries me and I know it is going to worry her that the children can leave without someone knowing they are gone. At least two of them are not even third-years yet. Whatever method you are using, we need to block, so no one else can us it. Mind telling me how you get them out of the school as a group?" Richard did not have much hope of finding out how, but it was a security breach which needed to be boarded up fast. He knew Brennan would work on it as soon as they got back, but at the moment his partner was still dealing with what he was going through here.

Cole shook his head. "There is no need for you all to worry about how I am getting them here. The method is blocked, except for my use. No one but those I signify can even use it and it cannot be directed to any other place. Look all you want when you get back to the school. Question the children if you like because, and I know this is not going to make any sense to you, but they cannot even tell you how they are transported to my island. I have an agreement with them on this. They really are a great group of kids and I hope to not introduce them to a scary part of this world. I hope I am making myself clear on that fact, Caretaker." Cole received a nod for Richard and the man looked out the now clear window.

Bren shook his head as he tried to get Fixer to see it from their side, "Fixer, it is not just that you have been able for two months to bring them here that is a security issue. It is the fact that nobody has even known they were gone that is a major security breach! Sure, your way might just bring them here but if you can then others like Shadow or worse Zia can trick them. Can you understand why Raven is going to throw a fit? Two of those kids that can't even go to Hogsmeade yet, are hers and Tarik's twins. We need to insure that nobody else can use a similar method to trick the Core."

The whole time Brennan was talking Richard nodded. "He has a valid point, Cole. I know you are good at security, one of the best, but are you sure about this one?"

Cole nodded at Richard and said to Brennan, "I understand your concern Brennan. I will tell you, at least five things need to be in place for my method to be used, and there are checks and balances at every step. It is impossible for Shadow to use my method. The children understand the dangers if they believe in others. My method did not happen overnight." Cole leaned forward a little and added, "You are stalling Profiler, Lance Kildare is the subject at the moment."

Bren said, "I am not stalling Fixer but as Head of Security at that school..." He stopped for a moment as he fought to get his emotion in check. Then calmer he said, "For this to be happening on my watch, heads will roll. I plugged every possible breach, which means that I have traitors in my ranks. You can believe I will find them and deal with them. Now as for the children, I want them returned to the school now and unharmed. How do we make that happen?"

"That is easy, Profile Lance Kildare." Cole just sat and looked at Brennan. "Or put Richard back on the wall and then profile Lance Kildare."

Bren smiled as he looked at Richard as he said, "Return the children to the school now Fixer. I promise I will profile Lance." He was relieved that Fixer seemed unaware of how big a chip he had. There were things about Lance that the Dark One already knew and so that information could be freely given. Sherlock realized that he had dodged a major bullet if he could get the children to Hogwarts before Fixer realized just how much those children were worth to him and others.

"No, Profiler, the children stay until I have my information." Cole motioned for Tarka to bring him the remote for the view screen. "Shall we see what they are up too?" Pushing a few buttons, the view screen lite up and showed the side of the extinct volcano of the island. As he zoomed in, several of the children became visible. "Looks like Starling and Silvia are doing very good in this climb. But where is…. Ah there he is…. Mika has been told before not to try that part of the climb, but he won't listen. Looks like he is stuck." Mika was hanging by his finger tips with no where to put his feet. "I wonder how long he can hang there." Fixer was not showing that there was actually a net, ten feet below the boy. Mika and Marshall both had proven to be daredevils, which Fixer had encouraged, because it showed they were willing to take chances and that was a trait at least some of the Core was going to need in the future." Cole turned to Brennan and said, "Lance Kildare." Then he turned back to the screen.

Richard had turned to look at the screen, "Cole, put me back on the wall. Don't do this to the children, please." He was unable to keep the panic out of his voice.

"Shut up Richard this is Profilers call." Cole did not look at Bren, but kept his eyes on the screen.

Bren watch the children and his heart sank as he said, "Lance is one of few that the Dark One truly fears. He is the only one that the Dark One cannot sense or find unless Lance chooses to be found. The Dark One calls Lance a term that might give you a better idea of why. He is called The Hidden Andreas. As for his weakness, the Dark One used me to get Lance to reveal himself. Now you have your information send Richard and the children back to Hogwarts."

Cole smiled. By the time Brennan had finished talking, Mika had found his foothold. Cole had not been worried, the boy was a natural and could scamper up parts of the mountain, even goats would have a hard time with. "Very good Brennan. The children are almost at the top, so I think I will let them finish. Richard does not really want to go back to Hogwarts, do you Richard?" Cole chuckled when Richard had turned back from the screen and was staring out the window across the room. "I thought so…. Now Brennan I want you to know I am glad you are starting to see things my way, but I have some reports already on Lance and the information you have given me is already included in them, so how about you fill me in on some of Lances stronger points with a good mixture of weaknesses also, of course." Cole pushed the button on the remote and the screen went black. "I think we will not watch that anymore. If something happens, they will let me know." Cole knew the children were within feet of the top of the mountain, where a picnic dinner had been set up. He had made sure his men understood it should seem like one big party to the children and they were to be praised on their accomplishments. Cole had even come up with a set of badges for them to earn and display on their fatigues. He was really proud of their accomplishments over the past two months. Hopefully he could keep it from ending, but if not he had set a solid platform of teamwork with the kids. Tia and Miley were in the hospital unit. He would have them checked on later and send flowers and goodies to them.

Bren cringed when he heard Fixer. The man had no intention of releasing any of his aces anytime soon. Bren thought and then said, "Okay Fixer what exactly do you want to know about Lance?" As long as Fixer only was going to ask about Lance in exchange for the Core safety, Bren was sure that he could fix the damage.

"Since you have decided to have a conversation with me, Brennan. Let's work on some definite things … Tell me Lance Kildare's schedule, and do not try and tell me you don't know it, because I know doctors work strange hours, but if you needed to know where you could find him at a certain time tell me the times and where you would check…. I also want to know the real reason he is at the school."

Richard tried not to cringe, but it ran through him before he could control it. "Why Lance was really spending so much time at the school, was only known to a very select few. The man was there to train Tia, in some of the mind-control abilities she was going to need later in life. Controlling Lance would just about insure Tia would be taught whatever the controller decided was important. Richard let his eyes shift to Fixer and to Brennan, and then he concentrated on one of the trees outside the window. He knew the information Brennan was about to be forced to give, and because of the oath he had taken, he would be expected to give up his life to protect that information. He did not want to die. Brennan had never been made to take the oath.

Cole caught the cringe and the eye shift from Richard. He got up out of his chair and walked to the other side of the table. Standing inches behind Brennan he said, as he held the man's shoulders in an iron grip, his thumbs placed where pressure points could disable the Profiler in a blink of an eye, "I need you to understand some important facts, Mr. Dawson." He smiled and continued, "Profiler, I think your partner may have figured out something which you are either denying to yourself or have not fully come to terms with. I control the children… I can bring them here at my will … whether they realize they are here or not…. You will answer all my questions about Lance, Maxwell Sinclair, Martin Kildare and anyone else I know you have knowledge about. You are also going to give me some information about the school security. I do hope you understand this … because the children's happiness is at stake." Cole stopped talking, and squeezed Brennan's shoulders a little harder, then released the pressure but did not remove his hands.

Bren cringed as his worse fear was now in the open. Cole had been playing with him. Now Bren knew that Cole understood the full value of the children as a weapon against Bren. Sherlock needed to know if this was a onetime thing, which he doubted or was he now at Fixer's beck and call like Sherlock was with Shadow. Trying not to show defeat in his face, Bren said, "Is this a one time deal, Fixer?"

"I do not ever make one time deals, Profiler. I keep my sources close and use them when necessary. As long as you are available when I need to talk then the children will live happy lives. If you can stop them from coming here, then I will not open a new way, but it will be interesting if you can figure out the puzzle pieces." Cole patted Brennan on the cheek and then returned to straddle his chair. "Shall we get started?" Cole looked at Richard, who had not moved a mussel, "Looks like you are off the hook, excuse the pun, Richard. Relax and if you wish to add anything to the conversation feel free." Setting his eyes back on Brennan he said, "Lances schedule and real reason to be at the school, now Profiler, or we will see what other things the children have learned… I have never sent them on night maneuvers before." Cole chuckled and waited.

Bren head dropped as he heard Fixer crush his last hope. It was Shadow all over again. He would come when either he was told to or the Core would pay the price. He said in barely a whisper, "I will need quill and a scroll for his schedule. Lance's reason for being at the school is simple, Tia. He is her Blood-Guardian appointed by her father William. He is training her. Now please get those children off that mountain?"

Cole motioned for Punta to come over. So Brennan and Richard could hear he said, "Tell the children it is getting late, and I do not want them to get in trouble. Make sure Mika gets two badges this time one for completing the Level three climb and one for keeping a cool head on his shoulders." Punta nodded and bowed slightly, then left.

"The children will be returning as soon as they have cleaned up from the picnic they were having. I truly enjoy having them here, Brennan. It will be a disappointment if you block their way of coming from the school." Cole had more than one way of bringing some of the children to the island. The school was not the only starting point. Signaling Tarka to being Brennan, parchment and quill, Cole turned to Richard, whose shoulders had slumped. "I told you Richard everything would work out." As he watched Brennan, scribble the schedule on the sheet of parchment Cole said "The elves will have some time with Brennan before he leaves here, which will probably be tomorrow morning." When Brennan looked up, Cole waved him back to his work. "I cannot control Shadow, but I do have the ability to argue about his use of Brennan. Talk to Air and to Raven on his behalf Caretaker."

Richard nodded. He was not sure what he was going to say to his superiors, but Brennan had just made another deal he was going to have to live with. The last one had almost killed him, or forced Brennan to think about tactical suicide as the only way out. Now this on top of that was going to be an added strain. Richard knew Brennan had the ability to get through all this as long as they could keep him from giving up. Darik was going to have to be questioned and Air would probably be the one to do it. A small smile escaped Richard's lips as the thought of Air and Darik sitting having a talk, ran through his head. It sure would be something to listen to. Glancing at Brennan and then back to Cole he said, "Can I stay until Brennan leaves? I do not want to leave him alone until I can get him back to the hospital wing of the school."

Cole nodded and took the piece of parchment Brennan was holding out. Scanning it he said, "Very good Brennan, excellent work. Since I need to go and talk with Neo and Franco I will let you give me a written report on Maxwell Sinclair and Martin Kildare, you know the information I need. As you heard, you will be going home tomorrow. Before then though, I want you to write down your schedule and the code words for getting into the files in Lance's office and any of the other offices that are not blood locked. Before you leave, the elves will have a talk with you, you are to do everything they tell you to do in the order they tell you. It will be a while I think before we will see each other again here on the island. If you see me somewhere else, you can either pretend you don't know me or if we are introduced, be polite. Do not come looking for me Brennan or cause trouble for me out in the world… there would be too many repercussions."

Bren looked at Richard and knew his partner was concerned about a repeat of his tactical suicide attempt. When he heard what Fixer wanted, Bren cringed as he asked, "This not just me giving you information about the Caretakers. What you are asking is a total betrayal as those files are concerning the students, all of them. If I do this I will not only be answering to Air but I could be pulled in and face trial for treason? If I refuse?" He knew he dare not refuse but he was praying that Fixer would recant. Sherlock looked at Richard and then waited to see just how bad Fixer wanted the code words that would override almost every lock in Hogwarts.

Richard had to say something, the man could not want what he was asking for. He had to know the consequences. "Cole you can't be serious…. Brennan is correct that he could be pulled in on treason charges and there would not be a thing Air or any of the Caretakers could do about it. Air has a very good rapport with the ministry but even she does not go into areas, the Caretakers have nothing to do with."

Cole steepled his fingers on the back of the chair. Resting his chin on the point he looked at Brennan. He did not want the boy pulled in to the ministry for treason. "I usually do not back off on my request Brennan but…" Cole paused trying to figure how far back on what he needed he could go, "write down the information I need on Sinclair and Martin Kildare. If I need information from Lance's files or other information from the school, I will contact you and you will get the information for me. What I said about what happens when we are out in public still holds. Do you think that would keep the treason charges off you, Mr. Dawson? I told you I would not put the children at risk if it could be avoided. "

Bren relaxed some but realized that if Fixer wanted something then Fixer intended that Bren be the one to get it. Sadly shaking his head as he asked, "And if I refuse to give you information from any of those files? I will profile Max as he is a Caretaker. But if I refuse to give you anything on Martin? The children are back at the school. Also what if I was to insure that you went down the next time we meet? Not that I would do any of what I just ask. I just want to know how tight your hold over me is going to be."

Richard had gone back to looking out the window. Brennan was trying to find loop holes in Fixers orders and what he wanted from him. It was a good mind exercise for the Head of Security and Richard wondered if he would find one of those loop holes.

"Interesting questions, Brennan. First the files, you are not the only one I can get information from Brennan. I have found most people have a duplicate of information somewhere. Not getting the information from you would not prevent me from eventually getting the information, but it would make me think you do not care enough about the young ones to prevent their happy lives from being interrupted. Martin is a first class blocker, so any information normal daytime and night time activities and schedules he keeps would be adequate there. If he does not keep to the schedule I will not blame you." Cole smiled as he added, "As far as taking me down if we meet … you are never going to be sure it is actually me … the occupants of this island know where I go when I leave and the general time I am expected back. There is also a well-rehearsed scenario for several of the places I would be taken and held. I would not be there long. Again when I returned to the island, I would have to consider what you had done and carry out what I have promised. Any more questions Mr. Dawson?"

Bren smiled as he said, "You forgot one Cole. Just how tight is your hold over me going to be? And what happens should I refuse any of your requests in the future? Or would you even double check anything I give you?" Bren had found a couple of loop holes. He was hoping to find more but he doubted it. Smiling as he realized that Cole had not requested anymore on Tarik or Sasha.

Cole put his hands flat on the table. He was getting a little bit upset. It had been a long day and he still had to talk with Neo and Franco. "You want to know how tight my hold is on you Profiler, watch…. "Cole got up and went to the cabinet. Before he opened it he signaled Tarka to bind both Brennan and Richard, which happened in the blink of an eye. He opened the cabinet and took out a small vial and a syringe. Filling the needle as he walked back to the table he jammed it into Brennan's upper arm and then punched the spot to spread it more quickly. "What I just gave you Brennan is a drug that Franco knows about, because he was a user at another time. The effects are interesting." Cole checked Brennan's eyes, which had become dilated. "You are going to know and remember everything you are about to do Brennan. The drug will last for about half an hour. Stand up, Brennan." Brennan found himself standing even though he fought it with all the will power he could. "Go over and stand by Richard." Brennan only had to take three steps, but he could not keep his legs from moving. "Take you fist and hit Richard in the face as hard as you can."

Brennan yelled, "No I won't. You can't…." as his fist pulled back and he layed a hit to Richards jaw which could have broken it."

"Do it again with the other fist."

"Please, Cole don't…. Richard I can't stop…" Brennan's left fist jammed into Richards jaw.

"Lay Richard on the floor, Brennan and kick him." By this time Brennan was crying, but he couldn't stop. "Kick him again, Brennan." Again, Brennan's foot met with Richards side. Cole pushed a button on the counsol he had walked to and said, "Jenny in her now."

After a couple of seconds, a beautiful girl who looked like she was barely 18, entered the room and stood at attention in front of Cole. Her eyes shifting to the others in the room. Cole leaned over and whispered in her ear. She violently shook her head no and pleaded with her eyes. Cole nodded and pointed to Brennan. Slowly the girl walked toward him and stood about two feet away, her eyes shifting from Richard withering on the floor, to Cole and back to Brennan. "Brennan I want you to very slowly undress the young lady." Brennan shook his head no but his hands had gone to the buttons on the girls fatigue blouse. "I'm sorry….. I'm sorry…." He kept repeating as he undid the first, second and third button. The forth, fifth and sixth buttons follow. Brennan's hand were shaking. Cole looked at his watch…. "There is still about 15 minutes left Brennan. Keep going…" Brennan had the girls shirt pulled out of her slacks and he was sliding it off of her. He screamed, "Stop Cole…. Please…. I understand the hold you have… don't make me do this." He had her army belt undone and was pulling it out of the loops. He undid the button at the top of her fatigues. When he reached for the zipper Cole said, "Stop Brennan." And signalled the girl to leave. When she was out of the room he said, "Pick Richard up and put him back in the chair then come and stand in front of me." Brennan did what he was told. "Kneel profiler and bow your head." Cole grabbed a handfull of Brennan's hair and forced his head back. "I can administer this to you or any of the Core, when I want too, Profiler. It does not have to be by needle… it can be by the prick of a finger or in a piece of fruit or candy. Now go and sit back in your chair, the demonstration is over.

Cole raked his hands through his hair and followed Brennan back to the table. He checked Richards face and signaled Punta to do some first aid. "Sorry about that Richard, the boy needed a demonstration on the full affects of the drug and you were the best choice at the moment."

Bren was shaking as he realized that Cole had delivered a crushing blow. Cole had not just told him but Cole had shown him. He prayed the drug wore off soon and that he could handle being that tightly controlled. He said with tears in his eyes, "Why do it that way? All you had to do was say it would be absolute." Bren was terrified of how Cole was going to answer the rest.

Cole had returned to his seat. "I believe in showing people what will happen Brennan. Refusing my request would get you back here along with maybe a friend or two. Once I had three members of my troops who could not stop bickering among themselves. I gave all three of them the drug and then told them to fight and not stop. It was interesting. I wonder what would happen if you and maybe one of the young ones were given the drug at the same time and I told you to say make-out or worse. I told you Brennan, I can always get to you and to the children at the school. I will promise you that I will not call on your services if I can get what I need another way, but you have no choice. As far as double checking, there are going to be times you may be used to double-check other information I have received or I will have someone double-check your information. I recommend you not be wrong in what you inform me of. Any other questions, Mr. Dawson?"

Bren shook his head as he said, "You won't have to worry, I got your message. I won't double cross you. Just please never give that to the Core? What all do you want by the time Me and Richard leave?" Bren was shaking as he realized that to save the Core from a similar fate; Sherlock would have to do whatever Fixer requested. Bren's head dropped on the table as he realized that Core had just insured that Bren had no loopholes.

Cole stood up and turned his chair around pushing it under the table. Leaning on the table he said, "I want information about Maxwell Sinclair, strengths, weaknesses, and whatever part of the his schedule you know. I want as much of Martin's schedule as you know and what he likes to do, during his days. Then I want you both to get some rest." Turning to Richard he said, "I will have a cot brought in here for you Richard. It is almost dinner time so I will have trays also brought in. I will be back before you leave in the morning to make sure there are no questions. If you need me tonight just ask Tarka, who will stay the night with you."

Cole started for the door, looking over his shoulder only once. "See you gentlemen in the morning." He then left.

Richard stood and stretched. He patted Brennan on the back and said, "You did as well as you can be expected Brennan. I will go to bat for you with Air and Sasha. I'm sure they will understand."

Bren just kept his head down as he was still shaking said in barely a whisper, "Richard, I could have killed you and what he had me...that girl was maybe if I am lucky 18. His control is going to be absolute. He insured I knew that. If he requests something, I will have no choice. Unless I want the Core to get that ride I just was on? There are no loop holes...no way I can see as a way out...."

Richard stood close to Brennan. "Bren, I have some past experience with the man, in fact and you are must try and keep this bit of news to yourself. Fixer at one time was married to my adopted-sister. She and his unborn son were killed by members of the Dark Sect right in front of him. I know you are worried partner, but let's take this one day at a time. Remember you profiled him as a teacher trying to strengthen the Caretakers and others. Come on partner, we are going to work on this together."

Bren just shook his head sadly as he wondered how he could be so wrong about the man. He did what was requested and then dropped his head back on the table.

Richard could only pat his partner on the back again, and then he went and looked out the window. Brennan would have to pull himself out some of the way by himself. He would take him directly to the Hospital Wing when they got back tomorrow. Max could be there quickly.

COLE
It was 7:45 am and Cole was sitting in the chair outside the tent in large yard outside the Baricks. He was waiting for Brennan and Richard to be brought out so he could get them on their way home. Watching the front of the building, while he sipped his coffee, he wondered what he was going to say to Brennan. He had put the young man through the preverbal ringer but he could not let him know how proud he was of the Profiler. Smiling and chuckling he realized he would ruin his reputation, if he let on he might be nice.

Brennan and Richard were just coming out of the main door. As they were held on the front porch their blindfolds were removed. He knew exactly when they saw him, because of the expression on their faces. They were leery and wondering what he had planned. Cole beckened the men to bring the men to him.

When they stood in front of him, he stood and watched them for a moment before saying, "Good morning gentlemen. Are you ready to leave my marvelous island retreat?"

Brennan cringed as he realized that it would just be him and Richard. He looked around as he said, "What about Neo and Franco? Fixer, please Franco needs help. He needs to get back to where his brothers can help him. Let them go please..."

Cole shook his head and said, "I am sorry Brennan, but Franco will be staying a bit longer. For now Neo has agreed to stay with him. I agree Franco does need help. His gift has gotten out of hand and if he does not get the training he needs, it will take over his body. I am going to give him that training. I am allowing Neo to stay to give him some family support although it is his family who has put him in this situation."

Turning to Richard he said, "Do you want to go to St. Mungo's or to the school? I will leave it up to you. I had a report a little while ago that Lance is at the school, watching out for Tia and Miley who are both in the Hospital Wing."

Richard looked first to Brennan and then to Cole, saying, "I think we will go to the school Hospital Wing. I need to talk with Lance."

"All right then," he said turning back to Brennan, "Brennan are you ready?"

All Bren could think about was what he had already given Fixer and that he was leaving two friends to the mercy of this man. Bren shook his head as he said, "I am not leaving without Neo and Franco. Richard, we can't just leave them here." He knew it could mean another show of just how much control Fixer had over his life now, but he had to find his friends. He turned quickly and headed for the place where they held him. Bren was sure Franco and Neo were not held far from where he had been.

Cole looked at Richard as Brennan took off running toward the barracks. "Richard please have a seat, while I bring Brennan back." Cole started to walk quickly toward the Barracks. He was not going to be able to catch up with the young man, so he sent Punta ahead. The elf could travel faster. "Don't stop him, but keep an eye on him. If the men get in his way, they can fight but not hurt him badly." Punta nodded, and Cole kept walking. Brennan had disappeared into the building and he could hear some angry voices.

As he entered, he caught sight of Brennan running down the hall to the right. At least he was going in the right direction. Scattered around the room was some broken chairs, at least one man had a bloody nose and another was picking himself up off the floor. Cole headed down the hall, saying loudly, "Brennan if you stop, I will take you too them and let you say your good-bys." Brennan stopped just around the first corner and slowly turned. He was breathing hard and in a fighting stance. "Relax Bren and I will take you too them."

Bren was inwardly shaking as he said knowing he would never win against Cole, "I can't let you turn Franco against his brothers. It is not their fault he didn't learn to control his gift. Their father made them promise...as long as they believe he is still alive they will honor that promise. Fixer, do you have copies of every one of the photos I was sent?"


Standing not far from Brennan, Cole leaned against the wall. "I am not trying to turn Saint against the others, I am actually trying to bring them together. And yes Brennan I have copies. What's your point?"

Bren cringed as he said, "It might be nothing. It is just that the day Seth pulled in to the Caretakers I got an Owl package. In the package was a photo. The message was on the back was weird. It said, Hand this to them and sign their deaths.... Don't and I will be in touch. It was never signed and the person has yet to get back in touch. Fixer, I can't even be sure that it was the Quints he was referring to as I have never seen the man that is the victim in that photo."

"I will take a look at the photo later, after you have left." Cole stood up straight and motioned down the hall. Shall we?" He would take them to see Franco and Neo. It would be interesting to see what Franco did when he was told Brennan had a chance to leave but wouldn't unless he did, and Cole had told both the brothers the night before they were not leaving any time soon.

Bren was scared that Fixer was playing with his head again but nodded as he said, "okay Fixer, but I am not leaving them here. Where's Richard? I ran, not him..." He still wondered how Fixer planned to deal with his stunt and defiance.

"Richard is sitting out on the lawn, waiting for you. He is under guard but he is not being harmed. Now, shall we go? I have some island work to do and I would love to get it done this morning. Their room is down the hall three doors on your left. Care to led the way. Oh and Brennan do not try anything please. I would hate to have Tarka to have to bind you." Cole lifted his arm and swept it again toward the hall.

Bren looked puzzle at how easy Fixer had given in to him seeing Neo and Franco. Thinking a little out loud, "What is Fixer planning? It is almost as if he expected me to do this? Plus just how if not through Richard is he going to deal with what I did to his men?"

Then it hit him as he said, "Franco is still holding his own against you. And now I have given you the perfect weapon to use against him. You plan on dealing with what I did in front of him? It won't work Fixer. He won't give in just to save me some pain. Your plan will backfire."

Cole did not say a word. He just gave Brennan a shove toward the door. Unlocking it, he pushed Sherlock through the door; almost hoping one of the brothers was on the otherside to attack him as he cam through.

Franco was the first to see Bren and told Neo to catch Bren. Neo caught Bren just inches from
Brennan hitting the floor hard. Bren heard both ask if he was okay. Sherlock nodded as he said, "Richard is out on the lawn. He is fine but I have a feeling we are not going to be. I sort of took out a few of Fixer's men while looking for you guys. Fixer is right behind me."

Neo nodded as he said, "How close behind was he?" Bren never got to answer as Fixer answered instead.

"Good morning gentlemen. I told you I would be back right about this time. Please sit," Cole waited. All three men just stood there. "I said sit and asked nicely. We can do this the hard way or the easy way." Turning slightly toward Tarka and nodded. The Elf quickly raised his hand as did Mecum and Kimtu.

All the men grudgingly sat at the table. Cole signaled to bind their legs, which was done. Walking up behind Brennan, Cole put his hands on the man's shoulders and squeezed hard. Turning to Franco he said, "Sherlock here has said he is not going to leave the island until the two of you, can go with him. He and Richard, who is patiently waiting at the leaving site, were within five minutes of leaving." Cole squeezed harder and was rewarded with a grunt from Brennan. "In his need to get here to tell you, he has destroyed my property and put at least one man of mine in the hospital unit. I do not appreciate his haste."

Cole let go of Brennan's shoulders and said to all three men. "Please put your palms flat on the table and spread your fingers, now." When they hesitated he nodded to Kimtu who walked up to the table, put his palm over the table about a foot above the surface and closed his eyes. All six hands were forced to the table, plams down and fingers uncomfortably spread. "Thank you Kimtu. Now I will let you keep your hands there in a little more comfort if you agree to not move them." Cole nodded and Kimtu took his hand away. All six hands stayed where they were, but the fingers were not spread so far apart.

Cole walked over and stood behind Neo, who sat opposite Brennan, and put his hands on the man's shoulders. Instead of squeezing, he positioned his thumbs on two presure points at the back of Neo's neck, saying, "Twice Neo told me he was going to do damage to me and my life, I also did not appreciate this." Cole pushed on the two spots, receiving a grown from Neo as his head fell forward and hit the table hard. Cole reached down and grabbed Neo's hair, pulling the head back up. Leaning forward so his mouth was opposite Neo's ear he said so all could hear, "I also know pressure points Cooler. Would you like me to demonstrate some of them for you on say Brennan or even your brother?

Neo smiled as he said, "Glad to know you heard me. There is one move though that you will never learn Fixer. You know how to get me to back down. Give your word that yesterday's guests won't ever make a return trip. You do that and you will have no worry about me using that move on you. Don't and well I don't make idle threats."

"I will tell you what I will do Neo. I will sit down with them and talk, explaining you concern and then it will be up to them if they return or not." Cole knew how that would work out. He had talks with the children before about the possibilities of them not being able to return. He had told them if he thought it was dangerous he would tell them. Also, he had told them otherwise it would be up to them. "Talk to them yourselves. Nothing is scheduled until next week. I will abide by their decision, not yours or anyone else, only theirs." Cole stepped back and walked over to where Franco was sitting, between Neo and Brennan. Putting his hands on Franco's shoulders he said, "So what have you decided, Saint. Which of the possibilites have you agreed upon?"

When Franco had heard that children were on the island yesterday, Neo saw and felt his fury before either Neo or Bren was able to calm him down, Franco demanded, "What children? What have you done with them? You wonder why I refuse to trust you? This is the reason! You will do anything to achieve your goal, including using children. No wonder Neo threatened you."

Cole patted Franco's shoulders. "I do not force them to come, Franco. They come on their own to be out in the fresh air and learn survival skills. When you get trained and are allowed to leave, then you can talk to them on your own, like I am sure Brennan is going to do, if he ever decides to leave." Cole looked at Brennan and smiled, then turned his attention back to Franco. "You still have not answered my question Franco. Which of your two choices have you chosen? And what should we do about Brennan there, not wanting to leave until you and Neo do?" Cool rubbed Franco's shoulders hard waiting for an answer.

Franco asked, "What are you planning Fixer? I have to agree with Bren that you plan on teaching either Bren a lesson as you said once where Bren said that he took out a few. Before I answer you, I want to know what you have in store for Neo and Bren."

"Franco, put your palms back flat on the table, please and spread your finger." Franco had clinched his hands. "If you cannot keep them that ways I will have Kimtu make sure they stay there." Cole looked around the table. He had to come up with something that would make Franco decide to get trained, Neo to stop thinking about taking him down or at least not be able too, and Brennan to leave. Slowly he made his way to the one empty chair, across from Franco and between Brennan and Neo. Turning it around, he straddled it while saying, "I have decided to let you three provide a little entrainment." Cole circled his hand around in front of him, and all three men became arm and leg bound in their chairs. Cole smiled, "Sorry about the binding, but I do not think any of you are going to like what I have planned and I need time to set it up, without you three creating a disturbance." Folding his arms on the back of the chair, he continued looking toward Franco first, "The way I see it, Franco you need to get help, and I am your only choice, but unless I want to fill you with more drugs which you would become very dependant on, I need to get you to agree to the treatment."

Turning to Brennan he said, "Brennan you need to leave along with Richard who is taking a nap, it seems. It is totally his idea, Brennan," he quickly added when he saw the look on Brennan's face. The man thought he had something to do with Richard going to sleep. "I need either you to agree to go on your own, or maybe Franco convinces you to go."

Shifting his eyes to Neo he said, "And Neo, I need you to calm down and stop threatening me. The children are all right when they are here, and I would not hurt them. The worst I would do is make them believe they needed to stay a little longer than normal. But they would be having a good time while they did, this I can promise you. I also need to get you past the idea of hunting me down, when we are both in the Wizarding or Muggle worlds."

Looking generally around the table he finished with, "I need to solve all of these problems and need to do it soon. Would any of you gentlemen care to solve one or more of the problems on your own?"

Neo watched as the other two shook their heads. He had calmed down enough to really listen to what Fixer had said about the children. He was still upset about Fixer using the children but no longer was he furious. He smiled as he asked, "Fixer, how easy would it be for anybody forcibly take the children off the island? Answer that question honestly and we might not have a problem between me and you. As for any other arrangements, there won't be any."

Cole smiled. At least he had gotten some response. Concentrating on Neo he said, "One of the very first things I made clear to the children was they were never to leave the island unless I gave them a direct order to. Even if their time was up, they had to hear it from me, or they stayed. They also are not only under the buddy system, where they are never alone, but the agreement is between us, that three is better than two, and they are to try and always know where the others are. If they get worried, they are to blow their whistles or yell the word red , which is a code word meaning they need help. If someone is stupid enough to try and get past these facts then I guarantee you, my little army will be on it immediately."

Neo smiled as he nodded and said, "As long as nobody like Shadow can use this as an easy way to get at the children. In fact, it might be a safe place if the school in attacked. I will not have a problem as long as both Sasha and Seth approve. Bren sees if you can schedule a meeting between Fixer, Sasha, Seth, yourself and young Tia of course when you get back."

Nodding in agreement, Cole said, "Well I am glad we got that out of the way." Cole looked at Brennan and Franco and his smile grew bigger at the look of disbelief on both their faces concerning what Neo had just said. "That leaves us with only two problems left. Neo, with the agreement you just partially made…" Neo still had not agreed to hunt him down, "I do regret you will be required to participate in the rest of my attempts to get Franco and Brennan to see reason. You have put yourself up as surety for both of them. To be absolutely fair in this, Franco and Brennan you have one more chance to agree to your parts of the problems"

Neo shook his head as he said, "Fixer, all I said is that if Sasha and Seth agree with this, then I will back down. Me and You will never come to another agreement or deal."

"I heard you Neo and I understand what you are trying to say. At the moment I am waiting to hear from Brennan and Franco." Looking at both men he said, "Gentlemen, do you have anything else to say." Cole chuckled, because all he received was two strong glares. "Then gentlemen I think we will have to proceed with my idea."Cole walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a small bottle. Blocking the view with his body he filled two syringes half full, put them in his pockect, locked the cabinet and walked back to the table. Standing behind Brennan, he said, "I regret having to do this." Pulling one of the syringes out of his pocket he jamed Brennan in the arm with it and then punched the spot to disperse the medicine. As he walked to where Neo was, he said, "It will only take about three minutes for the sirum to take effect."

When he reached the spot directly behind Neo he said, "Sorry about this Cooler, but your brother needs help." Cole took the other syringe out and jammed the struggling Cooler in the arm, then punched the spot to disperse the drug. Looking at Franco he said, "Remember Franco you were the one to cause this and you are the only one who can stop it." Looking at Brennan who was trying to shake off the effects of the drug, Cole said, "Brennan sit still and do not move until I say." Brennan became instantly still. "You and Neo have been given the same drug you had before and Franco has had. Until I give them the antidote, they will do everything I tell them to do. Brennan and Neo, you will know what is happening and you will be able to talk, but you will not be able to refuse what I tell you to do." Looking at the three elves he said, "Take your charges to the basement, we are going to have a little fun, I think."

All three men had their legs unbound and the elves helped them to stand. None of them went quietly, but the elves were strong and unforgiving. Cole followed them out of the room.

Franco cringed as Fixer's words took full meaning. Fixer had just placed a deadly weapon under his control. He looked from Neo to Brennan and then to Fixer. He had to stop this and there was only one way. He hung his head as he pleaded with Fixer, "Please Fixer, you have taken my brother's ability to stop himself away. Please, he could kill Bren. I will accept for offer to train me just don't do this, Please."

Neo smiled inwardly knowing how hard that had been for his brother. Bren just stared straight ahead and prayed that it was not going to be another girl.

Cole stopped all of them at the top of the stairs leading to the Training room below. Turning Franco around he asked, "Then I have your full agreement to go through the training I will prescribe and not give me any problems, when I tell you that you must do something, no matter how crazy or wrong it may seem. It is not a fun process Franco. It can be terrifying and exhausting, but once we start you must continue until I say you are done. Do I have your agreement on all of the training?"

Franco looked at Neo as he said, "Yes, anything...Just don't do this to Neo. Please..."

Turning toward Brennan, who was standing behind Franco, he pushed Franco up against the wall, and motioned Mecum to do the same with Neo. "Ok, Sherlock it looks like it is up to you. The only problem I seem to have left is getting you to agree to leave without Neo and Franco in tow." Cole stepped directly in front of Brennan and backed him up against the wall.

Bren said confused, "How can I Fixer? Franco already had to go through the works thanks to the last time he was in your care. You are breaking them down. By the time you release them, how much of the true them will be left? I want them released now before you can break them down any further. If that is not possible then I need to insure that they have somebody that can keep them grounded to their true ideals and beliefs."

Cole took a half step closer, he was right in Brennan's face now. "That person is not going to be you Brennan. You see one of the effects of the drug I have given you is that I now contol what you do. So, guess what, you are leaving." Turning to Mecum and Kimtu he said, "Take Neo and Franco back to their room. They are to be set in the chairs and arms and legs bound. I will be a long shortly."

To Tarka he said, "Take Brennan out onto the front lawn. It is time for him to leave."

Cole followed Brennan and Tarka down the hall and outside. When they reached the staging area, Cole said, "Brennan, don't forget to see if you can set up that meeting which was discussed. And good luck on keeping the children away from here." Turning to Richard who had gotten up out of his seat as soon as Brennan and Cole came out of the barracks, he said, "Brennan is leaving with you. He was given some medication which will wear off in about," Cole looked at his watch, "…. Two or three minutes. I will be sending you to the front gate of the school, where you can decide what you want to do."

Turning back to Brennan, Cole realized Sherlock had just figured out if he had held out for another ten minutes the drug would have disappeared and he could have fought to stay. "I will be seeing you soon, Sherlock, I promise." Richard and Brennan were placed on a small platform. Cole waived his hand and nodded and they disappeared. Cole smiled. Two down and two to go. He would go back and talk with the brothers for a moment. But training would not start until tomorrow. Franco still had three or four shots to take of the conditioning serum. Taking a deep breath of clean, fresh air, Cole headed bake inside.

(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane, Hope you enjoy. Part of this post will also appear in Elsewhere, Two Brothers In Trouble, since they are both happening at the same time....)
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