A Clearer Head (Combined Copy)

A Clearer Head (Combined Copy)

(OCC: All the threads from the original have been combined into one story)

(OCC: NOTE: Antonio hired Frank to keep Chameleon from killing Greene. Shadow and Khalid do not know Antonio hired him. Antonio drinks Southern Comfort. Frank cannot let on Antonio hired him.)

Taking a few deep breathes he (Richard) said in halting speech, “You keep threatening to bring Rosa into dark situations. Let me give you a bit of advice. Threatening Rosa will only send her deeper into herself and could make her submerge her magic farther than any of us would be able to help her retrieve it. Do you really want her to lose her magic?”

Chameleon gave a sly grin as he said with a snicker, “I could care less whether the councilman's daughter keeps her magic...but...now Councilman Fairmont might...Yes, and the councilman might be willing to...Thank You Greene! Uncle and Grandfather will be very pleased with this piece of information...Yes, very pleased!”

Richard thought for a moment, and realized it was not a real big threat. He knew from experience Shadow and even Khalid had plans for Rosa when she got older and her special talents emerged. They may threaten but Chameleon’s threat was useless. The threat did show Richard, Chameleon had a hard time thinking very far into the future and fathoming possibilities. In addition, it showed Khalid and Shadow probably did not take Chameleon into their confidence very often. Richard tried to add a defeated look to his misshaped face because it would be what Chameleon would expect.

Richard said, “You deal with me Chameleon …. Someday you will be gone …. Anthony will take charge and bury you deep or just absorb you. …”

While Frank Cole sat and watched the two men he took another leisurely drink from the glass in front of him watching Greene as he thought, “The man has nerve. Too bad he was in his present job assignment …. Greene may be someone interesting to talk with.” He was also giving Frank some much information about Chameleon. Apparently, there were those who wanted him gone, including his other personalities. Now all he had to do was learn how to get Chameleon into the background.

Chameleon slammed his drink and signaled Hank for another saying, “Hank, make it a double Jack and Vodka.” Greene had just signed his death warrant. There was no way, he, the Chameleon was expendable and he planned on proving to the others who was the strongest. Chameleon smiled as he realized that nobody even remembered Antonio anymore except maybe Grandfather and Uncle.

“Now that was not a good sign,” Richard thought to himself. The stranger was going to be in trouble also if he did not know Jack and Vodka was what Chameleon drank when he was planning on killing. It was the one drink combination which thoroughly wiped his other selves out of his mind, and gave him the ability to not think of anyone else, only his need to cause pain and kill. Richard had no idea how to let the stranger know.

Hearing Chameleon order the Double Jack and Vodka was a strong drink Frank glanced at Richard and saw the man was worried. This meant the drink had something to do with Chameleon’s power to exist. If it was that easy, it would not be hard to get the man to allow one of his other personalities to surface

Richard said, adding venom to his voice, “I promise you someday I will show you what your future is personally… the ones you talk about have more courage than you can ever hope of having.”

Chameleon got furious as he said with venom, “You, Greene won't live that long...As for Rosa and your partner, neither of them are worth the wands they carry, especially that cry-baby of a girl Rosa...courage...she runs from a rose like a baby...no her only use is as insurance against her father!”

If nothing else came out of this, Richard had just had confirmation Chameleon was the one who had sent Rosa the black roses she loved so much. If … no when he got out of here, he would have to have a talk with Darik, the Elf, about telling Julius, the head of the Minotaur Clan, in the forbidden Forest, not to let this man back into the Black Rose Garden.

Frank filed the name Rosa away in his brain. As for Richard’s partner, it made him think. Richard had not come across as someone who would have a partner. Frank would not have one because that would make him responsible for someone else and make him have to trust someone else to back him up …. and that was never going to happen.

Richard looked over at the new comer. Trying his hardest to talk and be understood, “Welcome stranger, I do hope you enjoy the immature behavior of our friend here.” Richard was pushing Chameleon, but for some reason he felt, Chameleon’s death wish for him had been just been pushed farther into the future. It may be painful but the new person seemed to want to help keep him alive.

Saluting Greene with his glass, Frank gave him a small smile. The man was purposely baiting Chameleon. He either had a reason to want to die or he could gauge the man’s nature from past experiences. Frank waited to see how far Chameleon could be pushed, ready to stop any threat of Greene’s immediate death. From the way Chameleon was opening and closing his hands and fidgeting, it was apparent he wanted to kill Greene immediately, but he was hesitating. He was not used to having to hold back and obtain information. This was a large button anyone could use to make him react ….. not good.

Chameleon was itching to kill Greene but he first wanted to have the man to respect him. He equaled Respect to fear as when people feared his uncle they showed Shadow respect. None of his other selves respected him as the three thought that just because Antonio created him to kill, he was expendable afterwards. That was their mistake as Chameleon saw no difference between himself and Anthony or Tony. In fact, if any was expendable it was Tony, not him.

Richard watched as the Double Jack and Vodka started to take effect on the Chameleon. He wondered how far this whole thing would go before he died …. Because if the new comer could not control the Chameleon …. Richard was dead and not quickly. His concentration was now on what the new comer was doing.

Chuckling not totally to himself, Frank mentioned, “You are really very interesting to watch. At least I can learn what not to do from you. …. Tell me have you been doing this long, or have you just gone out and gotten some bad Muggle Thug books to read?” Frank was getting bored.

Chameleon glared at the man as he said furious, “You know nothing about Me, least of all just what I am! Though a piece of Advice, You don't want to!”

Richard tried to smile but it caused too much pain twisting facial muscles that were not in their normal position. There was a small chance the way Chameleon was slamming down the double Jack and Vodka’s he may pass out. The other fifty present would only mean Richard would either die slowly or die quickly if Chameleon became uncontrollably furious.

Frank only shook his head …. The man was losing control of his temper … He would have to watch him or he might be in trouble himself. When Chameleon asked him if he knew how powerful the Onaris family was, Frank thought for a moment wondering how far he could push the man.

“Yes I do know the name. They are an old family who need to hire others to do their dirty work. There is an old man who is trying to hold onto power …. There are a couple of people in the family who hold my interest in obtaining work from, but I have not decided on more than one of them being worth enough. You are part of that group, I take it …. Well maybe you will be good enough to hire me someday. …. For now why not let the man down and stop playing these childish games.”

Chameleon glared at the man who had just not only insulted him but Uncle as well. Before this man died, Chameleon was going to put this problem in his place as he said, “The old man as you call him, might be head of the family but not for long...and only he believes that his old contacts are worth anything...Me on the other hand know who to support and that is Uncle...The Shadow...”

Richard’s head jerked up from where he was letting it relax as much as possible hanging upside down. Chameleon had just let it slip that Shadow was getting ready to take over the Onaris family business of cultivating Dark Wizards. Arianna would be extremely interested in this fact as would the Ministry. That bit of information would change the focus of a few areas of law enforcement and some to the Caretaker Group’s research. Richard wondered what Tarik would think when he heard the news. Tarik was Khalid’s half-brother and at one time was on the hunt for his half-brother, but now seemed to not be pushing for the capture. All kinds of possibilities had just opened up.

Richard had relaxed his muscles as much as possible so when he jerked at Chameleons thoughts about Rosa, Frank deposited the information in his head. One other very important fact, which came out in Chameleons ranting, was the fact Shadow was serious about trying for a takeover of the family. Frank smiled because he was sure Shadow did not want that piece of information made public. The knowledge could have its uses later

Richard had caught the signal Chameleon had given his men. He took a deep breath and glared at Chameleon the best he could, plastering a smile on his face. He did not want to die, but he was not going to give the maniac inhabiting his friends body the satisfaction of breaking him. Richards’s main thought at that moment was of Arianna and the regret he would not see her again and be able to confess how he really felt about her.

Frank caught the signal and realized so had Richard as he saw the man’s jaw set as much as possible. Greene thought he was dead and accepted the fact. Frank put the glass down he ….let his left hand drop into his lap allowing his wand to drop into his hand. …. reached for his Bowie Knife and threw it toward the two men coming toward him from the front door. The knife clipped the wand shoulder of the first one, who spun under the impact and knocked the man behind him to the floor. Frank turned quickly and with his wand took out the two by the back door with a simple push and binding spell….Hank and Ned stayed where they were. ….Chameleon saw the speed of this guy and realized that he had misjudged this newcomer's talent. …

Magically recalling his knife into his hand he threw it at Chameleon, just missing his head but knocking Chameleon’s wand out of his hand…While recalling the knife the second time he did a binding spell on the two near the front door.

Chameleon shook his head as he realized for the first time Greene had baited him into losing his focus. …..Chameleon was worried that this mess-up was all Grandfather would need to encourage Uncle into focusing more on getting a hold over Antonio and then destroying Chameleon. ….

Giving a quick glance at Chameleon as he replaced his Bouie knife in the sheath, he saw the man had just realized he had been baited. This man was definitely not anything but a thug with family connections. To Frank this was the most dangerous type of man to have around because they acted and did not think.

Richard would have clapped if he could have. From his upside down position, he had not been able to keep track of everything, which had happened very quickly. He had felt the slight breeze as the knife flew by very close to his head after it had knocked Chameleons wand out of his hand without cutting the man's hand. Whoever this stranger was he was good. The only other person he had seen which would rival this man’s skill was Neo, his friend and Cooler at the Shadow Lounge in Diagon Alley.

Frank casually replaced the Bowie knife into it sheath and pointed his wand at Chameleon saying, “That was not a good idea …. I think we would all agree. If you are careful you may pick up your wand.” Frank picked up his glass and took another sip, while watching the Chameleon over the rim. His wand was ready in his hand.

Chameleon smiled …… Watching the man as he reached down and slowly retrieved his wand. …. “Uncle won't be pleased that the newbie’s got their rears handed to them. I will be the first to agree that I misjudged you. My job for the family is not usually this. If I might show my specialty?”

With that he released the bound men … .“Grandfather hates men that are useless as does Uncle!” With his inbred skill and speed, Chameleon made sure that the newbie’s never reached the door. Turning to Hank, he said, “Hank change my drink to just straight Jack and clean up this mess.”
Richard watched as the newcomer took control of Chameleon, who was trying to impress him. It made Richard jump slightly and the shiver caused his body to turn slightly allowing him to see the two people behind the bar. Neither of them had moved. Hank had backed up a little which was a normal reaction even though he was behind the bar, but the man known as Ned never seemed to move a mussel, until Chameleon killed the “newbie’s”. Ned still did not move off the stool, but he became very angry. The man had to be used to Shadow coming in all the time, so he was also used to murders in front of his eyes, but by his reaction if was like he had a vested interest in the now deceased young men. Richard hoped he had not been related to one of them. On second thought though it might bode good if he had been related. Shadow’s welcome in the place just might take a hit.

Chameleon’s dangerous nature had just been proven to Frank. For no reason the man had taken two lives. Frank looked at Ned and Hank who had not moved, which was strange. Hank had a look of madness on his face. He may have been related to one of the dead men

Smiling as he hoped that he had adequately shown just what he was used for, he said, “I can assure you that I am never going to misjudge you again!” He was a killer but he wished that grandfather and the others could see that he watched and then adapted a person's style until it became instinct. Looking at Greene as he smiled as he said, “They call me Chameleon!”

Frank nodded at the introduction. Chameleon had not been threatening in his tone, he had actually let Frank know he was going to try to learn from him. This could be good because it would let Frank handle Chameleon, and it could be bad, because Chameleon might think he had the right to interfere with Frank’s jobs.

Richard saw the man nod, but as of yet he did not introduce himself. If Chameleon took this as an affront, Richard might be in for another show. At the moment though he needed to see if he could convince Chameleon he could not hold Brennan’s good health and possibly Rosa’s over his head, or under his head the way he was hanging.

Taking as deep a breath as his body would allow he said to Chameleon, “Thank you, Chameleon, I welcome having Sherlock here. Brennan will be able to assist me in getting Anthony in charge again. The young man has learned a few things about both your other alter egos. Maybe we will bring Tony to the party. So you write your note and send it off, I insist.”

Chameleon laughed as he said, “Greene, you just signed that kid's death warrant!”

Thinking like Greene as he called the man's owl and placed the note. Then smiling, he said, “Brennan!”

Richard tried desperately to whistle, but his lips were swollen past the point of being able to form so he could do anything with them. If he had to do a lot of talking now he would have been in trouble. The owl would not return with a verbal command only with a whistle. If he could not recall the Owl, his only hope was that Chameleon had not know the codeword’s to add to the message to signify he was the one who had sent the request. Brennan would at a minimum be leery and if he followed procedure, he would not come alone or without some type of plan and backup.

Frank watched as Richard attempted unsuccessfully to recall the Owl. This created a problem, because if the Owl bought others to their little party then he could be in trouble. Frank had an exit plan but it would mean he would have to return part of his payment and that was an inconvenience, which he did not like. Looking at Chameleon he said sarcastically, “Nice, why don’t you invite the members of the Ministry also. You just may have made it necessary for me to speed up my plans and loose some of my payment.” Frank shook his head.

Chameleon looked puzzled as he whistled. Once the owl was back he tried to explain saying, “Caretakers never involve Ministry if they can help it, at least Grandfather has never heard from his people of them joining forces. No harm though as I have seen and heard Greene call for his bird when he forgot something. It is just that Hit Wizard must die if what Greene says is true. The man is a Profiler as the Muggles would say. I Won't Have Him Profiling Me...I Won't Have Him Find Out About...” Chameleon stopped as he realized that he also gave Greene the name of the body's true personality.

He was still thinking of the possibilities when Chameleon asked Frank who he was.

Smiling Frank just stared for a moment, “Me I am just someone who was commissioned to come here tonight and help where I could with whatever situation presented itself. I was told to make any suggestions I thought appropriate and give a general report of my findings to my employer. I do not mean to change your idea of fun, but you really do in my opinion need to put your subject back together and bring him down so we can talk.” Frank sat back and twirled his wand between his fingers. It would be interesting to see what Chameleon would come up with.

Chameleon heard the man and then said, “I am a killer! Uncle only calls me when somebody needs to die...Not to get information! I take care of Threats! He is a Threat!”
The man was trying to get Richard down from where he was dangling, every bone and muscle in his body yelling for relief. If he could get Chameleon to at least release the contortion spell it would be a great help. As long as he had been hanging with his body bent out of shape, it would probably take hours before he could even reasonably defend himself. Richard admitted to himself even in the best shape he had been able to accomplish, he could not have had any great success against the newcomer. The man would have been a great asset to the Caretaker Group, if Air checked him out and agreed.



Even if Chameleon did not realize it, Frank knew Greene would be no threat for quite a while. He had been hanging upside down with a contorted body for too long. The man would be lucky even if he could sit in a chair. Frank wanted him down so he could talk with him. His employer had sent him to make sure Greene did not die. Chameleon supposedly had questions to ask as but Frank had no idea.

Hank signaled Frank over. Handing him a package as he said, “The man said to hand this to you. I was also to inform you that Chameleon only knows the curses not their counters. He is just what you saw a killer with no control. Shadow usually doesn't allow him this type of freedom and that is worrying your client. He is hoping that things are fixable as if not then your client might have no course but to abandon the assignment. He prays that the weapon can be gotten back focused.”
Richard watched the bartender hand the stranger a packet and whisper something to him. Even though he was dangling from the ceiling, and in as much pain as he could barely handle all he could think about was how to get his hands on that packet. There was always hope.

“Thank you Hank. Why was he ever allowed to use the curses and not taught how to undo them.” Frank waved Hank’s perplexed look away. He had not really expected an answer.

Frank leaned his hip up against the bar, half turned away from Hank, and looked at Chameleon who was staring at Richard still trying to intimidate him. “I cannot promise the weapon will come out of this in one piece, but I will try. He never should have been given the job in the first place, but I have no right to question the wisdom of my employers.”

At the moment all Richard had the energy for was to listen and try and retain any information he could. His body had stopped rebelling on the way it was twisted and misshaped. It had gone numb over about eighty percent of it and Richard could feel himself slipping in to unconsciousness. If he did not get cut down soon he would be in dire need of medical attention. He picked up on the word “weapon” and something to the effect the stranger was going to try and keep it in one piece. Also it seemed the stranger was being employed by someone to be there.

Hank had been listening and realized why Chameleon feared Brennan Dawson. Most had forgotten Antonio, but not Hank. Watching Fixer, he wondered if Frank Cole remembered or if he thought Anthony had hired him. The last time before earlier today that I had seen Antonio Onaris was the day the weapon was created. A pact was made that night and tonight I honor my part if Fixer thinks there is no hope for the weapon. Tonight I kill my friend or help the Fixer to get the pact back on track; I wonder which my friend’s fate is?

Looking at Fixer as he said, “When the weapon was conceived the counters were not needed. One job was all he was required for. Your client never thought the weapon's target even knew of him. He never dreamed of what happened. Your client has no idea of his Blood Magic and there are some that won't let the few of us, that know, tell him. It will be your call as my part can go one of two ways.”

Hank smiled as he said, “Your client was not involved in this and won't allow the weapon to take any life but who it was meant to. If you believe the weapon cannot be refocus then signal me as the top note suggests and my part will be known. If you believe that the weapon can become part of the pact again, then whatever you need done to fulfill your job...just let me or Marco know and if we can't do it we will find somebody who can. Agreed? Your client likes sweet, if you understand? Like Southern Comfort. Shadow wanted this meeting, though the Dark Medjai most likely approved it? Neither know of you being hired and the client wants it kept that way as several people will be marked for death.”

Richard listened but half the conversation did not make any sense. Richard knew the body Chameleon inhabited, held four distinct personalities. Anthony a respected Auror, Tony a laid back woman chaser and the weakest of the four, Antonio Richard’s friend and pretty close to a double agent and Chameleon a cold blooded killer and someone who enjoyed torturing those he considered weaker than him. Chameleon was the one Shadow a dark wizard wanted out, because he would do Shadow’s dirty work and not ask questions. Chameleon had actually been created.
by the other three entities, to kill, but with Shadow’s help had become strong and able to emerge almost at will.

One other thing Richard was able to barely pick up on was Hank the bartender, knew the other three entities and also trusted Marco Spellman.

Opening the edge of the packet, Frank quickly looked inside. It contained what was promised, Franks records from the Ministry files and some other information, which would have been important for the legal departments to have. Frank was basically a non person again. People still knew he existed, but they could not prove he had been somewhere special at any certain time. He had learned long ago, if you could get three or four people to try to remember something, the stories would be different. Now he could travel in places he had recently been worried about visiting. Frank smiled closed the packet and stood up straight. It was a good day.

Hank took Chameleon's glass and finished, “What drink on that list is he to have? As you saw what Jack and Vodka does to him.”

Hank smiled as he knew the package had files from the Ministry in it, files that would most likely be destroyed. The note at the top was just a list of the personalities and their drinks. The rest was information that his friend thought might be useful to the Fixer.
When Richard saw the bartender pick up Chameleon’s glass and look at the stranger for what looked like instructions on what should go in it, Richards spirits climbed. He hoped he was not getting hope, which would be dashed very quickly. He did not know what to expect from this new person.

Looking at the list of drinks Frank considered his options. He had not been told to shut down Chameleon. And he had no idea what questions his employer needed answered. If Greene was not released, the man would either pass out soon or possible die in his present position from added torture from Chameleon. Chameleon was bound to break something and Frank was worried it would be the man’s neck. “Give him the Jack, but water it. I need to find out what the employer needs Chameleon to find out before I send him back into himself.”

Hank was worried as Fixer was acting as if Khalid had hired him but it was too late to take back his words. He wondered if Khalid might realize what he had joined up for. To himself, “If this gets back to Shadow then I might need to take a vacation and warn Marcus Spellman that the target knows. Marcus was playing a hunch and the pact was riding on Fixer. Hank didn't like that the man had never picked a side and prayed that one day he picked the right one. Hank just nodded and filled the glass. He looked around for Ned and could not see him.

Frank walked back over to where Greene was hanging and said the words, which would change Richard, back to his normal self.

Richard felt his body go limp. He did not even have the strength to pick up his arms from where they now hung limply. If the man cut him down without catching him, there would be no way of saving himself from injury. As the numbness started to leave his muscles and bones, pain started to return and he had to grit his teeth from yelling.

Chameleon watched and listened to what the newcomer said. He saw the results and wondered why the man had undone the magic. Smiling as he realized that he had learned a new spell and really wanted to try it. He looked at Greene and wondered what would happen if he practiced the two spells one after another back to back quickly several times.

Frank took the half conscious man down and propped him in a chair. He was not worried about restraining him at the moment, but he would watch for signs of recovery. The man could hardly move.

Richard opened his eyes, when he felt himself being lowered into and upright position and set in a chair. He tried to say “Thank you,” but was not sure if he had been heard. It took him a few moments but he realized he had not been restrained. This did not give him false hope though because the condition he was in would not allow him to overpower a rabbit let alone a man.

The barely audible thank you had surprised Frank as he lowered Greene into the chair. “Do not be too quick to thank me. I can get you down, but I am not so sure I can control the man. Sit here. Get your strength back, because the only thing I can do is try to keep you alive. Anything else your captor does I have no control over.” Frank had been hired to not let Chameleon kill anyone. He had also been told not to interfere otherwise

Hank looked at Richard and wondered if the man remembered him. He had first met Richard at William's and Tamika's wedding at the same time he had met Marco and his brothers.

Chameleon was shocked that Greene was not restrained at least. Smiling as he shook his head saying, “Grandfather said never to second guess the Saygar. My new teacher wants the man not restrained so for now he is not. I need to show Grandfather I can learn and be useful.” He thought of Charles Dalton Spellman. He had been practicing control and as yet had not scared the kid. Chameleon liked the kid's mom who was a waitress at the Shadow Lounge. He was able to relax with her and try new places. He wondered if Hank had the drink that Dalton liked or even Kat.

As Frank was putting Greene into the chair, he could hear every word Chameleon said. Apparently he thought of him as a Saygar which was a teacher in the ancient Egyptian world. He was not sure if he was listening to a simpleton who talked like a five year old trying to convince himself he had to be good, or if he was talking to a man who was pretending to be a simpleton. At least if he had a habit of discussing things aloud, Frank would have a way of knowing what the man was thinking.

Hank brought a glass of water and handed it to Fixer. Chameleon knew that Hank hated him but had no idea why. He decided to ask as he said, “Hank, you hate me but you answer to the Shadow too?”
Frank also put a glass of water to Greene’s lips and gave him a drink.

Richard would have gulped the water and made himself sick if Frank had not made him sip it.
Hank smiled as that was the first time the weapon had shown that he was inquisitive. He chose to answer at least partly saying, “I do so because he would wipe out my family if I don't. I don't hate you Chameleon; I hate what through you they have been able to make my friend do.”

Chameleon had a puzzled look on his face.

The first thing Frank realized was Hank was friends with one of the other personalities inhabiting the same body as Chameleon. Hank also knew Shadow had control over his life because of his family. Frank had vowed when he was young no one would have control over his life but himself, which was why he had always been a loner and had no plans to change the situation. The second thing he realized was the Chameleon was asking questions, which meant he wanted to learn and understand. This was a good sign. Frank wondered if he explained things to the Chameleon, it would make it easier to keep Greene alive.

“My friend,” he started, “you seem to be worried about what I am doing. Let me explain so you can help things go better as much as possible. You were torturing Greene because if I am right you were told to get information from him and you figured pain was the best way.”

Chameleon nodded as he said, “Uncle always says pain is an excellent motivator. He only gets involved with the talks with the special cases. Greene should be glad that Uncle has not consider him a special case yet?” Chameleon smiled as nobody lived after talking to Shadow except the Princess.

Hank watched and smiled. Chameleon was interacting with Fixer. Hank cringed at the mention of Shadow's special cases. Nobody that Shadow chose to question personally survived. He would need to let Fixer in on that. Hank would wait though as he didn't want to interrupt as it seemed Frank Cole was actually getting through to the weapon. Smiling as he put his wand away, glad that for now his friend would live.

Frank smiled at the Chameleon. “Under some circumstances this if the correct thing to do…"

Chameleon looked puzzled as he said, “Not All?”

Frank shook his head. "… Your problem here is Greene has been trained to resist torture and would probably be willing to die before giving you any information. Does this make sense?” Frank felt a little foolish but if this worked, it would save him many headaches, carrying out his job.

Chameleon thought and then looked at Greene. He had to succeed in his orders. Looking at the Newcomer, he said terrified, “If I fail then Uncle won't be pleased...Nobody fails Uncle...He is already upset with me...I can't fail him again...” Uncle didn't give third chances and rarely gave second ones.

“You would lose all chance of finding out what you need to know. You have to start off slow and build up to causing pain as needed.” Frank looked at Richard and saw he was still very weak, but his color was better and he was gaining strength.

Chameleon smiled as he knew a lot of painful curses. His new teacher seemed to want him to start off with a curse that got worse the more times the target was hit with it. Chameleon said with a sly grin, “I know just the one. I can put it on him now and then if he doesn't answer...use it at certain places on his body?” He hoped he had understood the Newcomer right, as he didn't want the man thinking he could not learn.

The eye that Chameleon had removed the lid from was stubbornly swollen shut, but Richard was starting to be able to focus on details around the room. He looked at Chameleon’s face and saw a look that resembled wonder. Chameleon seemed to be thinking which a change from the past was interesting. Chameleon was also intently watching what the stranger was doing. He was trying to learn. This opened up a new avenue, which may allow Chameleon to be changed from reacting to thinking about consequences. Richard tried to smile through his swollen lips. He was certain Khalid and Shadow did not want Chameleon thinking.

Frank chuckled to himself. He was actually giving lessons to someone who was supposed to be mean and uncontrollable, on how to question another individual and find out information. He was not sure if Chameleon could carry it out, or if Frank could convince Chameleon to let Greene live without having to interfere. Frank knew nothing about Greene other than he was a professor at the school and was considered dangerous. He had not been allowed time to do any research on the man. There were no notes on what Greene cared enough about to threaten either to take the item or person away or to talk to keep the other person from getting hurt. He was flying blind, and he did not like it.

Looking back at Chameleon, he asked, “Have you thought of first just asking Greene the questions you have and see what kind of answer you get? If you do not like the answer you can start slow and build to all out torture like you were doing. There are more ways to make a man talk than hanging him from the ceiling and pealing his skin away. That should always be a very last result of your questioning."

Chameleon said quizzically, “I tried that one time. It was a doctor that had learned about me. He tried to lie and stall. I had no choice though I made it a quick death. He shouldn't have lied. I don't make mistakes twice...” The doctor that had given them medicine had tried to help the others destroy him. When Chameleon confronted him about the meds, the doctor lied and said that the others just wanted him to focus better. He knew that was a lie as the others wanted him destroyed.

Chameleon asked, “Maybe in the doctor's case I should not have killed him in his office as Grandfather was extremely upset with me and took my knife?”

Then he stepped back and looked at Chameleon saying, “Ok ask your questions. Oh and no more torture unless Greene continues to defy the both of us.” Looking at Greene he asked him with his eyes, if he understood what he was saying.

Richard nodded. He knew it would depend on what Chameleon asked on if he could answer, but he had hope he would not die. His strength was starting to return also, but he tried not to let on. Richard knew he could fool Chameleon, but he figured trying to fool the stranger would be much more difficult.

Frank picked up the look in Greene’s eyes. The man was gaining strength at a greater rate of speed and he was weighing his options. He was hoping Greene would not try escape because he would have to prevent it. Greene’s escape my cause his employer or even others with an invested interest in information Greene was being asked for, accusing Frank of taking sides. Since Frank was paid by a various diverse group of people, he could not afford to even give the hint he could be pulled into one side of the other of a dispute.

He tried to take jobs where no one was going to be needlessly killed, but he also did not question his instructions if he took the job. A couple of times he had asked for more money, because of an instruction which changed his contract but most of the time, he completed the job, collected his money and walked away, not thinking back on what had been done. The only time he would review a job was if he needed to figure out what he could have done better or if the job had gone sour and he needed to figure out why.

Chameleon said as he handed the Newcomer the note Shadow had left him, “This is my instructions.”

Note from Shadow: Find Out What He Knows!

Richard moved his head slowly and looked at the stranger. His neck was hurting all the way down the spine. He was about to find out what he was going to have to tell Chameleon in order to satisfy him.

Frank took the note from Chameleon, read it and then re-read it. Rolling his eyes, he thought to himself, “What kind of question is this to give someone to find an answer too. All it did was open up the door, for Chameleon to torture Greene until he was dead. The Chameleon would never know he had gotten an answer, which would let him stop asking, what? ….. Tell me Greene what do you know?” Looking over at Greene, he shook his head saying more to himself than anyone else, “This is ridiculous.”

Hank watched as Fixer read the note. He comment hinted what Hank suspected. Signaling Fixer, he said low, “I gather Shadow made sure Greene died? Most likely he wanted a message sent, especially when that man's code name is Caretaker? Your client was afraid that was the case. It was the reason he put something together that he thought might help. Though Fixer, this other package does not leave with you, understand?”

After receiving Fixer's answer, Hank reached under the counter and got the package that he had hoped never to hand over. On the top of the package was “Caretakers”. It was everything the Family knew about the group. They were risking everything and if Fixer betrayed them by returning the package to Khalid, they were dead. It had a lot of stuff that dealt with weaknesses and strengths. Hank planned on burning it afterwards.

The Chameleon had walked away so Frank stood between the Chameleon and Greene so he would not be seen, pretending to check Greene’s position and muscles, saying in a very low whisper. “Do not do anything which the idiot over there may take as a threat. I can get you out of this alive, like my employer wants, if you do not give him a reason to kill you. Understand?”

Richard nodded hoping this was not a trick.

Frank had no idea what he was going to do yet, but he was going to figure out something.

Chameleon walked over to Hank and said, “Since my new teacher says no torture, maybe you have Butterbeer or Cherry-syrup with Soda?” Chameleon was worried that the other would think him silly for liking a kid's drink. Shaking his head as he said, “Never mind I was just kidding.”

Instead of Hank laughing he realized that it was two drinks not on the list. Smiling he looked at Fixer and asked, “Is it cool?” He did know that Marco needed this new drink info.

Frank nodded; maybe the ability to get Greene out alive had just presented itself. If he had this figured out right the Cherry Syrup with Soda would be sweet enough to bring out one of the other personalities co-residing in Chameleon’s body. Frank had to make sure the Chameleon drank it all though and it may require more than one drink. He had no past experience with this situation.

“Hank I think I will join him. Make both of them with a double shot of Cherry Syrup. They should hit the spot.” After getting their drinks, Frank walked back over with Chameleon to where Greene was sitting.

Hank nodded as he made the drinks.

Frank realized Greene was now recovered enough to put up a fight so with his drink in one hand he held his wand in the other. Saluting Chameleon he said, “My friend, bottoms up and took a good healthy swig of the soda.” When he had made sure Chameleon had done the same, he motioned for him to ask his questions. It took all Franks will power not to laugh as Chameleon contemplated what question he should ask.

Chameleon said, “I do know uncle and Grandfather are wondering why the Caretakers are here in Britain. So maybe that is what the note refers to?" Chameleon saw the Newcomer's wand out and pulled his. He smiled as he drank the soda. Looking at Greene, he said, “Should we see if he wants one?”

Richard looked at Chameleon in amazement. That was an opened ended question, which could be answered with just a few words. Richard wondered how he should answer it though, a simple answer or a more complex. Looking at the stranger he tried to raise one eye brow. He was not sure how much the stranger was going to involve himself in the questioning. If this was the type of question he was going to be asked, Richard would be able to convince Chameleon he should let him go. If the stranger was going to get involved then the questions would be more in depth and Richard would have problems.

Richard decided not to say anything and see how the situation played out.

Frank sighed. Richard was baiting the man and had just opened the door for Chameleon to stay mad. Giving Greene a glare, he turned his attention to the Chameleon, taking another large swig of the soda. This caused Chameleon to do the same thing because he was watching Frank for clues on what he should do. Frank was going to have to let him get one hit at least in on Greene. Hopefully Chameleon would remember he needed to start slow with the pain level.

As the door opened and a lady dressed as an Auror stepped in, Hank got worried. Going over he said, “I don't have time to answer your questions right now. Please leave as we are closed.”

Tara smiled as she said, "Hank, I hate these house calls as much as you. It is just this was the last place they were seen. Now give me something and I will go! Don't and well..." She stepped in and headed for a table in plain view of the whole pub, "...I can become a regular!"

Frank was watching Chameleon closely for signs of what the man might be planning, when the door opened and a very pretty woman walked in to the Hog's Head. Hank immediately went over to tell her the place was closed. Considering Frank was sure the bartender had locked the door when Chameleon started in on Richard, it was interesting the woman, an Auror by the way she was dressed, was able to just walk in unannounced.

Chameleon took a swig of his drink he noticed Tara Friedmann. Tapping his teacher he whispered, “We have company, maybe usable?”

Frank nodded and quickly glanced at Greene, who was trying to hide the fact he recognized the woman. The woman had made no similar identification of Greene, which meant either she was very good at her job or the identification only went one direction. Frank had the idea she was just good at her job. Greene was trying too hard not to show recognition. Frank smiled because the harder the man tried to hide the knowledge of who the woman was, the louder it was written on his face.

Richard was trying desperately to school his face so it gave no indication of how he felt about Tara Friedmann, but he was still weak and his feelings could not be buried as deep as he needed them to go. The woman was a top Auror, but she was still young, and he was not sure she could handle the two men holding him. She was also a contact for Alexia, one of his Caretaker Group friends and one Arianna, his Caretaker Group boss would be very upset if she was hurt. His head would roll if he let anything happen to her, and Arianna was good at rolling it and making it hurt, physically and mentally.

Hank cringed, as this was what he had tried to avoid. Walking behind Tara, he said in a whisper, afraid the others would pick up on his nervousness at having the Auror there, “Tara, I told you that neither I nor Tom saw Adal or Alwart here that night. Maybe the wizard that told you that information was mistaken. Come on girl, if I knew anything I'd tell you. In fact, have you checked with your aunt Alexia? She might have heard from them.”

Tara smiled as she realized that she was making Hank nervous and worried. Getting a good look around as she said, “Hank, what your guests want? Then give me a starting point or I might just talk with my aunt? I doubt if you would be able to railroad her as you have tried with me. The Gypsies don't call her Huntress for nothing. Give me something or do I need to ask your guests?”

Richard tried to take some deep breaths, because he was going to need all his strength. Hopefully he wouldn't get bound before he could help. Tara was not taking the hint she should leave, although it was what Richard expected her to do. Her mistake was over confidence and that would be her downfall, like times before. Arianna did not want to make her part of the Caretaker Group, because she was still too untried in the world, but Richard was still trying to get Arianna to allow him to use some of the special Caretaker training techniques with her.

Frank turned to Chameleon and said, "Stay here and guard Greene. I think I will have a talk with our newcomer." Looking at Greene he said, "Be good. I will say hello to the lady for you." Frank smiled as the emotions of denial, fear and anger, flickered across Richards face. Patting Richard on the shoulder, he walked to where the woman sat at a table in the middle of the room. She was brave or stupid to be sitting out in the open with not even her back protected. From her eyes she did not look stupid.

Chameleon smiled as he nodded. He said, “Her name is Tara Friedmann. Grandfather might be interested in what she investigating now? She can be stubborn and single-minded. Her twins are at the school, Ellery and Emily.”

Frank realized too late he made a slight pause in his step. The name Friedmann sounded very familiar, but he could not place it. It was important if the Chameleon was warning him the woman had information Khalid, his employer might like to have. Knowing about the twins could be information he could use later.

Richard tried to inch up in the chair so he was sitting up straighter, and so he could place his feet to give him some leverage if he had to move quickly. He shot Chameleon a hard stare. The man had just given the other man, a vital piece of information, which could be used to control either Tara or one of her family in the future. Richard would have to make sure Arianna and the rest of the Caretakers were informed of this development.

Chameleon stared back at Richard and added a big smile. He had made the man mad which meant he had said something important. Richard did not want his Saygar to know the information. Chameleon made a mental note to keep the information in his mind for the future.

Leaning up against the pillar, which was close to the chair, Greene was sitting in, Chameleon listened to see if he could notice any other information, which he could remember or add to for the Saygar.

Trying to get Tara's attention while the man walked toward her, Richard hoped he could warn her to not egg the man on. He was dangerous, but the man's body blocked her view of him.

Frank turned one of the chairs around at the same table and straddled the seat it, looking at the woman. "Perhaps you did not understand the bartender, but this is a private party."

Tara sat back in her chair and added a small smile complete with smirk to her face as she said, “Oh Hank knows how to get me to leave…"

The woman was looking for information from the nice bartender. Chameleon looked in his direction to see if he could tell if the man had the information the Auror needed. He could not read the man's face. Chameleon wished he could read people like the Saygar or Shadow. It was a great ability to have.

Raising his eyebrows, Frank looked at Hank. The man was almost squirming; he was definitely shuffling his feet. With no answer coming from that direction, Frank turned back to Tara and asked, "Can I help you with something? I am always looking for a lady in distress." Frank added his most charming smile, and winked.

Tara stared at the man for a moment and figured there was so problem asking. " … But maybe you know where these two wizards are, Mister...” She would check into this person as soon as she got back to the Ministry, committing his features to memory as she showed him the photo of Adal and Alwart Friedmann.

Frank looked at the picture and shook his head. There was a resemblance to Tara, but he could not remember running across them. "Sorry, haven't crossed their paths. If I do I will be sure to let you know." Frank said with a genuine smile. The girl looked disappointed. He had almost lied to her to find out why she needed to find the people, but if he needed that information, he had ways of getting it later.

Chameleon watched the Saygar and realized his teacher did not have the information the woman needed. Maybe if he could get a look at the picture he would be able to help everyone. Later he would ask the Saygar for the privilege of seeing the photo.

Tara gave a small smile as she put the photo away. Trying not to show her suspicions in her face, she just looked at the man, as something was off. The room had a tightly shut feel that did not sit well with the young half Native American. Especially this stranger, though Tara could not pinpoint why.

He saw her eyes flicker to Greene.

"Too bad the lady did not have some more experience under her belt. She was cool under pressure, but her eyes gave her away, he thought to himself. Maybe someday he would tell her about the flaw. For now, he planned to use it to his advantage.

Richard put all the expression in his eyes he could. The few moves he had made to sit up straighter had but the Chameleon on alert. The man was staring at him almost begging him to make a wrong move. He wanted to cause Richard pain, and was fighting doing it because of the man sitting at the table with Tara.

Greene kept moving around and this made Chameleon angry, because he could not pay attention, guard the man, and still pay attention to his teacher, so he could help if needed. His teacher had told him he was not allowed to torture the man, but if he did not sit still and stop interrupting his concentration he was going to cause a lot of pain; enough so he would have to sit still. Chameleon wished the Saygar would allow him to bind the man at least.

Frank smile broadened on his face. "Professor Greene has had an accident and we are taking care of it … I have some medical background so you mustn't worry about your friend." Frank had very little medical background but his job was to keep Greene alive during Chameleon's questioning, not exactly very healthy. He needed this woman gone and the sooner the better. He was not sure if there was a price on his head at the moment, although his employer had assured him all that type of paperwork had been taken care of, if there was any which existed. Still it was dangerous to have the woman here. Frank could feel Chameleon becoming impatient, to keep asking Greene questions.

Tara showed her wand as she called forth her protronus saying, “Then maybe it is good that I came? I could call some assistance for the Professor.” It would not be medical help that Tara would call but a team of Aurors. Tara's instincts were on overload and Tara always paid attention to her gut.

"The Saygar had medical training … he is a very powerful man." Chameleon thought to himself. Chameleon was determined to be great and learn all he could from this great man. He was hoping the teacher would let him continue to question Greene, because he had come up with some interesting things he could do, and he wanted to find out from the Saygar if they were acceptable, for the beginning of the questing process.

Frank had his own wand ready, but he could handle this Auror with non-verbal's. He wanted to see how far she would go and was using the time to read her abilities. Watching as the beautiful Wolf floated into view, he smiled. It was perfect for her.

Chameleon watched as the Wolf floated to over the woman's head. It was beautiful. Trying to watch it and his teacher was hard. He wondered how long the teacher was going to let the wolf stay. …

Richard had to take the chance and say something. He hoped Tara was faster than the other man, because Chameleon was probably going to react which would start a chain reaction. "Tara, you need to leave now… I am all right, but you need to go about your business." Richard knew he had given her the words to tell her to contact some of the other group and let them know what was happening, but to do it away from the Hog's Head.

Tara smiled as she heard her aunt's friend's words. The young Auror had been right and he was in trouble. Pulling her bone knife from its hiding place as she thought about using her wand.

"Maybe you should listen to the man, Tara. By the way that is a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." Frank figured adding a little praise in there may help or it could set the lady off. Either way it would tell a lot about her.

Tara grinned as she realized that just maybe this stranger might be fooled into thinking Tara was weak. Lowering her eyes, so she was looking out from underneath her long lashes she said in a soft tone she had not used for a long time, “It means Earth or Goddess of the Sea. Though I am sorry that I cannot act as if I am falling for your hitting on me...I am on duty after all. Nice try though but I would ask your friend over there how he got the scar.” Laughing only on the inside, but smiling brightly on the outside, she thought, “Why did guys always think pretty words would make women forget their heads?”

He glanced at Richard over his shoulder, then returned his eyes to Tara. "From what I have been able to discover from our limited conversations, he generally has a good reason for saying something." Frank knew Richard was warning her and telling her to go get help, but if he was reading the lady correctly she was not going to take the advice. She had a strong mistaken sense of her abilities.

Tara sat up straighter trying to get her hand in a position she could throw the knife. The only problem was she had two possible targets, Chameleon and the other man. Holding the smile on her face she said as she gently shook her head negatively, “Sorry no can do unless Hank will be kind of enough to tell me something about who was here the night those two wizards disappeared?”

The woman just refused to take hints. She was going to make it very hard to keep her alive. Frank knew Chameleon did not care if the person he was questioning was male or female. If he wanted answers, he would ask the questions in any way he could to get the answers.

Something about the way the woman moved caught Chameleon's attention. He could not put his finger on it, but he had the feeling she was hiding something. The teacher was right there and did not appear to notice anything, so he relaxed again against the pole.

Hank shook his head slowly never loosing eye contact with Tara as he said where Fixer could hear, “Tara, I told you! They weren't here that night. However, I will check around but I think somebody has sent you on a wild vision quest. Now let me see you out so you can go have a chat with whoever told you they were here.”

Frank did not outwardly react to Hank's hint that Tara was a Shaman. He had great respect for the abilities of the American Indian Priests and Priestess. Adding magical abilities to their other talents of perception made them very valuable people to know. He wondered if she was on her own vision quest or one someone else had sent her on. Hank seemed to think she had been started on the path by someone else. It would be interesting to find out whom.

Chameleon knew the bartender was lying, but he had talked to his teacher before the lady had arrived and the teacher and the bartender had acted as friends, so he figured if the bartender thought it was important enough for the Saygar to know he would tell him. The Chameleon had enough, the man Greene would not sit still and keep his mouth shut so he could learn. He hoped the Saygar understood his actions … if not he would accept his punishment like a man.

When Tara's eyes lite up, Frank turned to see what she was watching.

Just as Richard thought, Chameleon reacted to him saying anything, and gave him a solid right cross across his chin. Richard toppled out of the chair and tried to use the momentum to roll out of the way and stand up to fight, but the other man was too quick. Before he hit the floor, his arms were bound to his side and all he did was roll, trying to keep his head from hitting the floor.

Tara cringed as she saw what Richard got for his warning. Her bone-knife was is her hand as she headed to help Richard. Standing as tall as possible and trying to square her shoulders, Tara tried to bluff, not something she was good at, by saying, “Not as Sorry as you will be! As you weren't as quick as you thought darling...The Braves are on their way!”

Frank was just in time to see Chameleon's first right cross to Richards chin, as the man spun out of his chair. "The man is going to never learn …. I have to do something about that temper of his." he thought to himself as he turned back to Tara and said a non-verbal causing her to lose the hold on her wand, her protronus to disappear and her arms to be bound to her side.


Fixer pulled out her wand from his pocket and quietly said, "Prior Incantato" and then laughed. The incantation had given him a reading of the last spell she had done with her wand. To Tara he said, "Good try Auror, but that was not the last spell you used with your wand and your Protronus did not have time to be instructed and to leave. I will give you credit for a good bluff though, although a word of warning, I do not think the man over there would understand your tactics …. So do not use them again." Frank hoped he had made himself clear.

Richard heard Tara scream and then struggle.

As he stopped rolling, a boot connected with his side giving him a sharp pain. He was lifted back into the chair, his hair was grabbed and a punch was delivered to his gut. He would have bent over in two but his hair was still being held. All he could do was try to breathe.

Finally, Chameleon stopped punishing Greene. He took a couple deep breaths and slowly looked toward his teacher. He noticed his teacher had bound the woman as well as binding Greene as he hit the floor. Realizing this was an important step he made a mental note to bind his victims before punishing. The Saygar did not look too mad, so Chameleon removed his hand from the hold on Greene's hair and took one-step to the side; smiling but still intent on watching the man. The teacher did not have a problem with the Chameleon using his fist. Since the other three entities, sharing his body, had all worked hard keeping the body in good shape. Chameleon enjoyed bare-knuckle boxing, causing some problems with his other lives, when they came to the top and their hands were bloody and bruised. It had only been recently any of them had communicated with him. Antonio was still the only one.

Richard could feel the blood trickling from an open cut in his lip. The lips were starting to get puffy and would soon be swollen making talking difficult. His jaw hurt, but moving it showed it was not broken. At least he was not hanging upside down from the ceiling and having his skin removed one flake at a time. So far he had not received anything from Chameleon, he had not received during a training exercise with the Caretaker Group, which was supposed to introduce them to the pain which came from a beating. He had been bound then also and it had been his fellow members who had delivered the multi-variations of hits, but they had not been allowed by Arianna to hold back. If she thought they were, they would go through the training process twice to show them what she expected.

Following Chameleons look toward the man called the Fixer, Richard saw he was going to be no help stopping Chameleon. The only thing the man had promised him earlier was he would try to keep him alive. Richard hoped the man kept his promises.

Frank rose and walked around the table, carefully helping the struggling Tara to her feet, "Don't fight so much … the more you fight the stronger the bounds become… stop fighting and they go back to the gentle hold I originally set them at"

Involuntarily her body started to shake as Tara panicked as her mind slipped back to fourteen years ago in Texas. Somebody had packaged her then too just before the darkness hit her. It was not going to happen again as she had missed eleven years of her life because on that attack.

As the woman got closer, the feeling she was hiding something got stronger. Chameleon watched her closely.

When they were about half way over to where Richard had been placed back in his chair, Tara stopped struggling. Frank pulled a chair to within three feet of Richards's position and sat Tara down in it.

As the Fixer walked the bound Tara closer to where he was sitting, Richard caught sight of the bone-knife in her hand. He looked into her eyes and shifted his eyes from left to right hoping to signal her not to try using it. Tara was a good Auror and had completed all her training, but she still needed more training to bring her up to the caliber of where the Fixer was or even Chameleon. She would not be fast enough and he would not be able to help.

Chameleon watched the Saygar walk Tara over and put her in a chair. Greene was watching her face. The feeling kept getting stronger … he was missing something important. It was something about the woman's movements. He started to look at her very closely.

Pulling another chair over Frank turned it around and sat with his arms resting on the back of the chair and momentarily placing his chin on his arms, before sitting back up straight he said, "Now what are we going to do… "Looking at Chameleon, he waited to see what the man could come up with.

Chameleon was not sure the question was directed at him, but the Saygar had been patient with him so far. He knew the question would be repeated if he were supposed to answer

Tara took a breath and looked pointedly into Franks eyes. “Release us and find out...”

Richard cringed. The young Auror was trying to purposely madden the men in front of her. … "Tara?" was all Richard dared to say.

Frank heard Richard's coded plea for the Auror to be quiet, but he was not sure she would catch on. She did not have enough experience under her belt to know when to keep quiet and listen for an opening to either escape, or turn the situation around. She had also not been able to read Chameleon well enough to realize how much pain, the man wanted to dole out to Greene. Frank would not let her be physically hurt. She reminded him of his wife who had been killed along with his unborn son, when he was just a few years younger than Tara. The child had been a present from above even though his wife had been told she could not conceive.

The Auror answered so he figured he had not missed anything the Saygar wanted to know. Chameleon smiled. Walking over to stand in front of Tara, he lifted her chin with two fingers and would not let her lower her eyes. He wanted to make sure she saw how serious he was. He enjoyed this power; when he was able to have someone packaged in his control. He knew Frank was not going to let him hurt her, but that did not mean he could not try to scare her. “Tara, you had your chance to leave. Now you behave or maybe you forget where I work?”

Tara tried not to laugh in the man's face, because she was still not sure how much Frank would back him up, but she could not help saying, "Oh no! How could I have forgotten something like that...?"

Smiling Tara said, " … At least I know where to have you arrested..." In her thoughts she said, "Touch my kids and it becomes personal" .

Richard saw the signs in the Chameleons face and body. The man was getting ready to lash out. He looked at the Fixer and begged him with his eyes to stop Chameleon, before he took a hit at Tara. He only received a smile and then he felt the full force of Chameleon's anger.

Inwardly Frank cringed, he had guessed right, the woman did not know when to close her mouth. Now Richard was going to suffer. The only thing he could do was smile and try and let Richard know he had gotten his plea and was going to take it to heart. Tara would not be hurt.

Chameleon was becoming mad. The woman was using a tone of voice he did not like and his hands were starting to itch. Looking down he fought for control. His eyes caught a small glint of ivory in her hand. He reached down and checked her hand finding a small deadly bone knife. Retrieving it he raised it higher, so the Saygar could see. The Saygar lowered his eyes in a long nod. When the teacher looked back up, Chameleon closed his hand into a fist and back-handed Richard across the face, never taking his eyes away from Tara. "You will be more respectful of me and the teacher. You will not be the one to suffer, of course, unless I am given permission, but he has already given me permission to lesson Greene for stubbornness."

With a glance to the Saygar, to make sure he had no objections and then Chameleon took the two steps to stand in front of Richard. He looked back to Tara and said, "Sit and do not interfere, Auror. I have questions for Greene and I will get my answers. Remember he will for now receive all of your punishment."

Frank realized the Chameleon was learning how to use one person against another. It was a very useful method and tended to get information quickly. He would cause pain if necessary, but it was so much easier to get the person to volunteer the information. From the reactions of Greene up to this point, Frank realized the man was well trained in reacting, or not-reacting to pain. It would be interesting to find out what training had been used to bring the Caretaker to this point in time.

This was good news and bad news. Tara would not be hurt for the present, but if she could not start keeping her comments unvoiced, Richard was in for a world of hurt. The Fixer may have promised to keep him alive, but there was a long painful distance between now and when an injury would kill him.

Turning back to Greene, Chameleon stared at the man for a moment, trying to get his thoughts in order. "You knew about the knife, didn't you Greene? You did not say anything?" Chameleon fired off the questions. Not waiting for a response he bare-knuckled Greene in his right jaw with a powerful jab saying at the same time, "You will tell me and the Saygar of any danger you know about..." Following the first jab with a right upper cut to his chin, he continued to talk, "You will tell us immediately, because if you don’t you will receive more of this…" The statement was punctuated with a hard hit to Greens solar pollex mussels.

The knife had been a surprise to Frank. He was usually not that sloppy about things like hidden weapons, but he had missed the movement of her retrieval. He was going to have to be more careful around the woman. He did not normally babysit others. His jobs usually consisted, of finding information, retrieving the information or as the sole bodyguard for someone from point A to point B. Watching to make sure someone did not kill someone else, while going through the questioning process was not his normal venue.

Chameleon stepped back to examine his work. The Saygar just sat still in the chair watching… he had not said stop or corrected his actions in anyway. Chameleon knew he had found a way of questioning the man and probably other men, which would be acceptable. Greene was bleeding from a cut in his lip and bruises were starting to appear on his jaw lines. Chameleon bent down so his eyes were level with the man in the chair. "I hope we can come to a quick understanding. I have the ability to use my hands in this fashion for a long period of time. You will answer my questions or you will receive further punishment. Question: I know you are a Professor so you like writing things down… where are your writings concerning Khalid, Shadow and their family being kept?" Only receiving a stare from Greene, Chameleon hit him twice in both sides of his rib cage and once more across the face. Then he stepped back and waited.

Frank gave Chameleon credit for coming up with a viable question. All the note from Shadow had said, was find out what he knows. There were no subjects mentioned to work on, but the Chameleon had taken Greene's profession as a Professor, and fashioned a question with possible answers. Frank looked at the Chameleon and praised him with, "Very good question Chameleon … you used a lot of reason coming up with it."

Good question or not, though Richard did not answer and took the hard hits. Frank watched for signs of over the edge weakness. Greene, although breathing heavily and in pain, was still showing signs of strong strength.

Richard ran his tongue over his broken and parched lips. "Water" he croaked. He needed time to think. He could not give up his notes. Even if he told them where they were, Darik had put blood locks on all his hiding places. He had to figure out some information, which would not get anyone killed.

Frank motioned for Hank to bring a drink. Pointing to the sink he let the man know the cup better only contain water, and nothing else.

Hank stared at Frank as he watched the man point to the sink. Hank shook his head slowly, “Keeping her here could bring down heat none of us need. Believe me her family is one that none of us want breathing down our necks.” He knew what would happen to him and the Hog's Head if things went bad for the young Auror.

Seeing the puzzled and then angry look that Chameleon had given at these words, Hank clarified his statement as he brought over a tray of glasses and a pitcher of water, “I won't be a part of hurting or whatever Chameleon's look says he plans for the Auror. You guys can disappear but I am the one that her aunt will visit if she was to disappear...” Signaling Frank to the folder of Caretaker information, Hank continued trying not to cringe and keep his hands steady, “And believe me the Huntress is one lady that you never want to get on the wrong side of!”

Tara's eyes darted between Chameleon and Hank. She was unsure just which side Hank was on. She did notice that Hank had retrieved his wand from behind the bar after seeing Chameleon's look. Hank did not like pulling his wand because it meant he was expecting trouble, and if someone in the Hog's Head took exception to him having it in the open, they would start trouble.

When he had received the drink of water from Hank, who had been allowed to deliver it, he thanked the man adding in a barely audible whisper two words, "Southern Comfort." He knew Hank would understand he was asking for help by giving Chameleon Southern Comfort to drink so Antonio would come out. Richard figured they had a better chance with the Auror turned supposed traitor. Richard and very few others knew Antonio was a double agent and was walking a very fine line at the moment.

Hank smiled as he heard the two words as it meant that Richard Greene knew about the personalities and that he was hoping to have better luck with Antonio. As he headed back to behind the bar, Hank could only hope Antonio had not truly turned to the other side. The man had been living undercover so long, Hank was worried he may have forgotten which side he originally wanted to help.

Looking toward Fixer, Richard saw a man totally relaxed leaning on the back of the reversed chair, with his chin relaxing on his arms.

Tara smiled as she tried something that she had seen her mother do. If it worked she would be free in moments. She had to do this in the right order or she knew it would not work. First thing was to expand her chest and arms so it created a larger pocket in the magical bonds; then she had to let the air out fast and wiggle out of the bonds before the area closed back up. Tara had never asked her mother to explain how it worked and she had no knowledge of whether her mother had ever done it with magical bonds but she was about to see if it worked.

Frank watched out of the corner of his eye, trying to figure out what the Auror was up too. She showed concentration on her face, so he knew she either was trying something or was trying to work out a problem. He had to give her credit for tenacity. When she took the slow deep breath then let it out all in one whoosh, then started to struggle with the bonds, he smiled and even let out a chuckle. Frank could not resist patting her on the head and saying, "There, there now… I could have told you that would not work. Magical bonds correct themselves extremely fast, but it shows spunk that you tried."

Tara could barely breathe and was close to passing out as she failed in tricking the bonds, as her mother was extremely good at doing. When her captor patted her on the head as if she was a child, the Apache/German woman glared and said with venom, “Try that when I am lose and we will see how far you get! Maybe I will teach you some my people's ways of teaching lessons. We see if you like receiving the lesson as much as teaching. I doubt you would last ten minutes in my world!” Tara smiled, as she knew that most thought the Apache vicious but they really treated their enemies with respect and never did most of what they were accused of. She just prayed that her captor did not know that and thought the worst.

As he walked back to his original spot, about two feet away, Chameleon stepped up to the Auror, and backhanded her across the face. "You have made the Saygar mad, do not do it again." Then the Chameleon, without a second look in Tara's direction, to see the results of his backhand, returned to stand in front of Richard. For good measure, he backhanded Richard also and added a shot to his stomach. The Saygar had agreed Richard would receive the punishment if the Auror did anything wrong. He had not put his full force into her backhand, so it was not any harder than he had received countless times from his Uncle and his grandfather. It would sting, but would not hurt for long, and as it had been explained to him each time he had received the backhand slap, it would give her something to think about.

Richard tried to come out of his chair, but his legs would not support him. He kept trying until Chameleon was in front of him and had backhanded him with his total force and added a punch to his stomach. His lips were swollen, but he was able to get out, "You do that again and I will show you what it means to hit a woman."

Frank had closed the short distance between himself and Chameleon within seconds.

Tara glared at the man saying through gritted teeth, “I would like to see you try that with me free... I might just give you a matching set!”

As Chameleon punched Richard in the stomach, Frank shoved the man hard. Chameleon staggered and looked at the Saygar, balling his hands into fists. If Frank had not been a teacher, he would have decked him, but you did not hit those trying to teach you. You took their lessons and learned from them. "You will not hit the woman again unless I give you permission … Greene you can hit, but not the woman. Understand?"

Chameleon nodded and said with bent head, "I am sorry Saygar … forgive me please." He looked up to make sure the teacher knew he really was sorry for going against the rules. Chameleon had learned a long time ago you may not know the rules, but they were still there, so you better listen when someone explains one to you.

Tara hated when men thought she was weak because she was a female. Especially after what she had went through the last fourteen years. Apache women were worst than the men as they had to learn early on how to stand on their own. Turning to face her captor she said, “I deal with my own problems as both you and that traitor will find out and believe me...I can be patient when it is needed! Payback will come and then...”

Frank couldn't help but smile at the young Auror. She was trying so hard to be mean and foreboding but she was not quite pulling it off. Maybe after a few more years under her preverbal belt, she might have a chance. He was sure she was adequate at what she did, but she did not have the edge yet she needed. He would not turn his back on her though, because she just may get in a lucky shot. He did smile at her when he said, "I will wait with great anticipation, Auror, for you to teach me a lesson."

Tara's body was telling her to fight the bonds and put her hands around the man's neck, but she knew the move would be futile. She mentally attempted to use some to the techniques her mother had taught her, to try to relax. She was making progress, but it was hard. “The name is not Auror! It's Tara...Tara Friedmann!” Allowing a small smile to curve the corners of her mouth, she tried to add the feeling to her words. “I will be happy to give that lesson anytime Mister.... sorry, I did not catch your name? Tell you what I won't even use my wand. Or have you never fought with an Apache before?” She could only hope he would take her up on her dare. That fight she was sure she could win. She had proved it to herself on the reservation more than once in the wrestling games.

Franks eyes were shifting between Chameleon and Richard and he had a slight smile on his face. Richard knew he was not enjoying what was going on, but he also knew the man had to be a mercenary of sorts, because he was also glad the time was progressing and he was doing his job.

Tara glared at the man that had bound her saying, “You do know that kidnapping carries a life sentence in Azkaban? I plan to see both you and the traitor there. Now if you were to release both me and The Professor...Well I could ask that the Council to go easy on you?”

Frank looked at Tara, "Maybe if I gag her, she will shut up?" was a thought, which ran through his mind more times than he could count. "Tara, first we have not kidnapped you. You were the one to come here, we did not bring you. All we are doing is detaining you for a short period of time… And do not take me for a fool, because I have been a gentleman, you have no say with the Council and they would not even let you in the same room to listen to you… so why don't you just sit there and not cause Richard anymore pain." Frank raised his eyebrows to see if she understood his statement.

Tara gave a sly grin as she said, “Who said the kidnapping was me? You are holding the Professor against his will...that is Kidnapping! They will call me to testify against you and you might be surprised at how much certain members will listen to me?” She would never lie on the stand and she never used her friendship with certain members of Wizengamot to change a vote but her captor did not need to know that as her whole thought was to get the professor freed and if that meant giving the man an impression that she might have the councils support then so be it. If she gave her word then she honored it, which was why she hardly ever gave her word.

"I am sorry to disappoint you, Auror, but Greene there," he hooked his thumb toward Richard, "came here of his own free will with your friend. It was only after he got here he found, my boss had some questions for him." Frank looked over at Richard and added, "I was sent to make sure things did not get, shall we say out of hand . Think of me as a referee of sorts, whose job it is to keep Greene alive and assist in getting some much-needed information."

Tara looked at Frank and adding a sidelong glance at Richard to see if he was listening. “If that is the case than he can walk away anytime he chooses...Like Now?" She did not have a confident feeling Richard was going to get loose, but she had to try. "As for Mirabeau being my friend, he was until I saw Him for the Traitor he is!”

Looking at Chameleon with scorn, Tara spit out, “And to think I went to bat for the man... I told the Ministry that the informant had to be wrong... That Anthony would never...And here he is torturing a professor before my very eyes.” She had held out until the last possible minute, believing Anthony would never be like the reports she was getting at the Ministry. The man had been a gentleman for the most part, especially when she had sliced his face with her nails, and let him know in no uncertain terms, she was not going to be touched when she did not want to be. She thought he had learned, because a half hour after it had happened, he came to her apologizing and promising to never under estimate her again.

Later she would talk with Hank and find out how he had gotten involved with these dark wizards. Tara would go against her training, and let Mirabeau and the Stranger go if it meant protecting Hank. Family was always the first consideration even with many of her superiors … Also if they did not like it, they could fire her and she had several very nice prospects already in the works. At the moment she only pursued them in her time off but they could become primary in her life very easily

The Fixer straightens up and rose from his chair, walking over to the bar. He leaned against it and signaled Hank for a drink.

Out of necessity, Franks hearing had become very acute over the years. His hearing abilities had saved his life and others more than once. He had heard Richard's whispered plea to Hank. Waiting a short time, he went to the bar, ordered a drink and added in a whisper, "Chameleon gets nothing but Soda and Cherry juice unless I order it. Do not cross me on this one Hank. I may not have Shadow's resources, but both of us know I will not be double-crossed." Frank waited for Hanks nod then turned around to watch Chameleon continue to work.

Even though his head was still reeling and the buzzing had not left, his ears Richard had been able to pick up the fact, Frank had countermanded his order and Chameleon was going to stay on top. The man was a hard one to figure out. He took his job seriously and tried to stay detached from taking sides. His only job appeared to be to see that Richard and now hopefully Tara stayed alive, and let Chameleon find out what he could. Shadow had made it blatantly possible for Chameleon to take out all of his pent up hatred against Richard for trying to help Antonio and the rest of his personalities, bury Chameleon very deep and possibly destroy him totally. Chameleon had been created by the other three personalities to handle the rough part of their job. They wanted to destroy a dark wizard. Unfortunately, for Anthony, Tony and Antonio, the Chameleon took on a life of his own, and wanted to survive.

Hank leaned closer to Frank, so only he could hear, “Frank, I won't allow Chameleon to hurt her and not just cause I don't want to face Huntress. That young girl is just now doing fieldwork again after eleven years of being in a coma and then a year of bed confinement and finally a year and a half of desk duty with the use of braces. Now two wizards that mean the world to her are missing, and somehow she knows I am lying to her about them not being here. Tara is on the warpath. I won't double-cross you Fixer but I have no intention of letting Chameleon take her out of this building to maybe her death.” He was not about to tell Frank Cole that the young Auror was family as were the ones in the photo she carried. Hank had made that mistake once and it now had him and his place at the Onaris family's disposal.

Frank looked at Hank, over the bar and took a couple of sips of his drink. The man was definitely not telling him everything. Looking over at Tara, and really studying her, a small thought started to take root in his brain. The possibility existed Hank and Tara were related somehow, but he would have to do some research to find out for sure. He did not want to open that line of thinking now. It was getting to the point, all he wanted to do was get Chameleon some information he could take back to his employer, which would shut the door on Shadow's license to hurt Richard.

"I will include here in the protection agreement I have with my employer, but Hank I need to find a way to get her to either not remember today or agree not to ever mention it. If you have any ideas on the subject let me know."

Hank listened then whispered, “I might know of a way but since she hardly ever does it...” Hank looked carefully over at Tara pretending he was cleaning the counter. He had to protect her even if she believed she did not need it. Hank knew that Tara always considered herself more Apache then German and as such his cousin's grand-daughter's word and honor was the one thing that she valued more than even the Ministry. The problem was whether Frank would use the information to insure Tara's safety or would Frank use it to get her to work for him, that made Hank worry. Marco might fully trust The Fixer but Hank was unsure of how much in Khalid's pocket he really was.

After warring with himself quite a while, he realized that he really had no choice if he wanted Tara to be held prisoner like his cousin Alwart and used to force Adal to reveal what she knew.
Signaling Fixer over then Hank said in a quiet voice keeping it as steady as possible, with the nervous feelings jumping around in the pit of his stomach, “If I give you what I know about her Frank, you swear it insures that she leaves here safe and not a prisoner?”

"If you can give me a way to get her out of her without having to wipe her mind, I will agree to take her someplace and drop her off." Frank almost had to laugh at the mistrust in Hank's face, "I will drop her off where she is safe, around people, but will have a very hard time explaining how she got there…. If you don't tell me even a possibility, then there are methods which can be used… not all of them Wizarding. I have studied several Muggle possibilities, which would keep her from knowing she was hear … but I do not want to use them because of the side effects."

After Frank's answer, Hank looked one more time at Tara knowing the man was right, Hank had no choice but to tell what he knew and trust that Fixer did the right thing. Taking a deep breath, allowing himself to talk he said, “Her word! Her beliefs and honor won't let her break her word. The thing is she rarely gives it for that exact reason. As you see she is headstrong and trying to reprove herself which is why I am sure the Ministry knows nothing of this personal hunt she is on, Frank.”

Frank made a quick glance in Tara's direction. He had believed once before in a woman's honor and had come away from the experience, believing woman had their own definition of what honorable was and it had nothing to do with whether she thought the man would agree. He would like to believe Tara was different, but he had his doubts… now though those doubts outweighed the possibility of letting her go. "I will consider what you have said, Hank only because I know you to be honorable in your own way. We shall see though if I can trust in your evaluation."

Hank was getting exceedingly worried. Frank was different than he had been during the years prior to this. The man had withdrawn into himself almost. He was still relaxed on the outside, but there was a tension inside of him, which did not bid well for what was happening. “You're not releasing her, are you Fixer? She has children that need her Frank. Please, if Chameleon takes her when he leaves...I won't let him harm her...or take her to him...”

With this being said, Frank walked back over to where the group sat, arriving just as Richard decided to push Chameleon that much more.

Hank watched Frank walk back to the group and tried to convince himself he was doing the right thing. He realized it all depended on who was checking on him. He hated walking the tightrope the Hog's Head sometimes strung across the world, but he loved working in the place, so he kept walling the thin line.

Richards eyes shot back to Chameleon because the man was shuffling and stepping closer. "What notes? I keep everything in my head. Let me tell you a story about notes, Once upon a time…" but he did not get any farther, before Chameleons fists slammed into his head and kidney. Richard let out a moan and doubled-over in the chair, barely holding his seat. Shaking his head and forcing himself to take deep breaths he straightened up in the chair, adding a smile he did not feel to his face. He knew he was asking for more punishment, but he had to force Fixer or Hank to take action to keep him alive. He was still relying on the words of Fixer.

Frank hid the cringe only because of past practice. He glared at Richard, trying to get the man to understand what he was doing. By the look in Richards's eyes, he knew exactly what he was doing. Frank had to give the man credit for hanging tough. He wished he were not so dependent on staying alive because Frank was there. Chameleon could be handled but if Shadow showed up or one of several of his employers other questioners, Frank was going to be in deep trouble keeping his promise. In his opinion, his employer did not really care whether Richard lived or not, he had only sent Frank, because he had plans for the Professor and did not want to change his plans

Tara fought her bonds only making them tighter as she said trying not to clinch her teeth, “You don't want answers cause if you did you would have let him finish. You just want to torture him maybe to death? Why, is it because of that scar I gave you or is it that I refused your advances? Why are you so intent on killing him?” It made no sense to Tara on why Richard was being beaten so severely. It was as if Mirabeau did it just to inflict the pain. “Leave him alone or I swear that you will get paid back in kind Traitor!”

Frank looked at the Auror. She was a completely different story, which changed his job dramatically. This was supposed to be a simple mercenary babysitting job. Now he had someone else he needed to keep track of and protect to a certain extent … and who he needed to either get on his side, clear her mind of what was happening, or make sure she could not report anything. He had figured out she did not know Chameleon had more than one personality and she was blaming everything on Anthony, the Auror of the group.

"You will have to do better than that Antonio." Richard had used the name Antonio for two reasons, one the Chameleon would not like being ignored and two he was not sure if Tara knew about the other personalities inhabiting the same body.

Chameleon's face turned red, and Richard received six solid punches to his body. Chameleon was getting tired of not getting the credit he thought he deserved. It had taken him a long time to get strong enough to be able to send his other three personalities to the back, so he could live. The only thing stopping him from telling the Auror about his many lives was the fact, she thought Anthony was a traitor. This for some reason made him feel he was getting back at the "always perfect" part of him. Chameleon wished he could do to the other personalities, what they were trying to do to him; bury them deep or wipe them out completely.

Tara started trying to come up with something she could say which would turn the attention of the men in her direction until she watched as Mirabeau beat Richard until he passed out, then giving no thought of her own preservation she screamed, “Stop you're Killing him!”

Frank dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head slowly. Greene was making it very difficult to keep him alive. Motioning to Hank to give Greene another drink, this time something a little stronger than water, he walked over to the man and slapped his face hard enough to bring him around.

Richard realized he must have momentarily passed out, because he felt his face being slapped not so gently and Hank's voice saying "drink"

Hank had been about ready to shake his head as he knew that the Professor was not a normal drinker then he remembered Frank's words and said feeling the first bit of a possible chance they were going to get out of this alive, “The strongest thing that professor drinks is an Egyptian Herbal Tea, I will see if I have some.”

Frank walked back over to the bar, and stood in front of Hank with his hands fisted and resting on the counter. Leaning closer to the man, so only he could hear to ordered, "Herbal Tea is not what I meant. How about if we try whiskey or any other hard liquor you may have handy? I want Greene totally relaxed and cooperative. Once you have him drinking it I want it given to him at very small intervals. It should not take much to get the man to the point I require … but he will continue to get the drink, until I say stop. Am I being understood, Hank?" With his finger Fixer wrote the word Family on the counter top, then looked into Hanks eyes.

Hank stared at the word written on the bar top with liquid. After seeing what Fixer wrote, “You know and would still go there? Marco's wrong...You've changed Frank...And not in a good way. I still don't like this.”

"Hank I have learned, the world does not play by the same rules we thought were important … what now seems like decades ago. I work for money now … I work for the highest bidder. I try not to kill anyone, unless they have the intention of killing me first. I have worked as a finder, as a protector and a retriever. I have no allegiances anymore, although I have been known to look the other way for friends. You should know, by working here, disillusionment is around every corner, and you better be prepared to find it."

Hank shook his head. He did not want to lose this friend he had been through so much with already, but he did not know how to talk to the person standing in front of him. “Just cause the world has changed Fixer, it doesn't mean we have to. The man I remember would believe in making things better and not just caring about money. You fixed problems but you also turned down jobs when you didn't believe in the cause. I can't believe you changed that much?”

After listening to Fixer's reply, Hank said with a sick feeling churning in the pit of his stomach, “You better know what you are doing cause that man and the Spellman's are like brothers? Marco might trust you but you are about to cause that man to face something that took years for that man to overcome before...And I for one don't want to be near you when Marco finds out!” Hank had been on standing orders from Marco never again to give Richard anything that could bring back the man's addiction.

Hank listened to Frank Cole and then looking at Tara with sadness in his eyes, nodded as he whispered only to himself, “I promised my cousin I would protect his grand-daughter at all cost. Frank has given me no choice. It is obey Frank or he removes the protection on Tara...I just hope Richard and Marco forgive me, cause this is the first whiskey, that man has tasted in two years?”

"He will be fine Hank… if I have to, I will personally bring him back from the edge I am sending him too… but it is either the drink or Chameleon pounding on him or whipping him to within an inch of his life. What do you want?" Frank was not expecting an answer, but he knew he had gotten his point across.

“Can I say neither? You just better pray that we can ... Cause if we don't it will be Marco that we both will answer to...When he finds out! I don't know about you but I want to stay on that man's good side?” Hank had seen Richard when he was being detoxed before. It was not a pretty sight. It had taken everything the Professor had in him to survive the detox. When Richard had finally come back into the world of the non-drinker, he still had to stay strong and it was not easy for him. Now Frank was sending him back into that hole. If Richard was thinking, Hank knew he would be scared out of his mind, and begging not to go back there. But Frank had snuck up on him and tricked him into the downhill run.

After Fixer talked to him, Hank hung his head, looked at Tara and then did as Fixer ordered.
Tara gave into her emotions. She was tired of holding back, although she realized Hank was the only one who know she was not letting herself go. Taking a deep breath she gave both men a piece of her mind.

Then he stepped back and allowed Hank to administer the drink.

Richard tried to hold his head up, but he was only partially successful. His neck was being difficult in doing its job. Slowly he was able to raise his head so he was looking straight ahead. He felt Hank putting a cup to his lips and took a few swallows. It did not taste like is special tea, it had a strong burning sensation to it. Richard knew Chameleon had hit him in the head several times, so he chalked up the strangeness of the drink to his face being damaged. Looking into Hank's eyes he said thank you. Hank gave him a couple more swallows then put the cup down on the table.

Richard tried to straight up in the chair a little more, stretching his back as much as possible. Every mussel on his left side, where he had taken most of the beatings, felt like it was on fire. A couple of the pinches he felt as he made the mussels work, forced involuntary grunts from his lungs.

Placing his hand on Chameleon's chest, Frank gently held the man back, saying, "Remember, we do not want him dead. Give him a few moments to come around." Looking at the man in the eyes, he thought quickly. Richard was not going to give up the notes, and considering the man's training, they were probably locked away very securely, with a possible Blood lock on them. He had to come up with another subject for the Chameleon to ask about. As he thought his eyes wondered to the packet on the Caretaker Group. "I have a suggestion… I know your Uncle would be very interested in the Caretaker Group, why not try for information on them. We can always come back to the notes."

Chameleon looked at the Saygar and weighed his words. He had heard his Uncle and his Grandfather talk about the Caretaker Group. He had even heard both of them say it would be nice to have more information. The Professor must belong to the group. Chameleon smiled broadly. The Saygar did not mind him using his fists to find out information, maybe his would not mind a whip. Chameleon had learned of one item called a "riding crop" which was used to persuade horses to go faster and to turn. It resembled a small whip, but could be very painful. His Grandfather had wanted him to know how painful so he had shown in buy using it on the Chameleon. It was a lesson he had learned about quickly. There was one behind the bar, in a long dark alcove of the bar housing.

Frank needed to have a talk with Greene and maybe Tara; although with her he was starting out thinking it was a lost cause. He looked down at Chameleon's hands and saw they were bruised and bloody. From the look of Richard's face, he knew not much of the blood was Chameleon's, "You need a refill on your drink and I want you to go behind the bar, clean your hands and put some ice on your knuckles." Chameleon looked like he was going to object, so Frank added, "I know you are not finished here, but I will not have one of my students hurt also especially when they are doing exceptional work." Frank had read the man correctly. He was beaming and walking proudly to behind the bar.

Richard was having trouble understanding what Frank was saying and the man's movements had slowed down. His mouth also felt dry. Looking at the cup Hank had placed on the table, Richard asked Fixer with his eyes if he could have some more, to which Fixer smiled and carefully let Richard drink all he wanted to. Richard realized the tea went down easier, figuring it must be working to help kill the pain in his face. It was also helping to make him feel better, actually stronger.

When the Chameleon was out of earshot, and Hank had moved away, Frank stepped close to Richard, "I know you realize, you are making it exceedingly difficult to keep you and the lady alive …"

Richard nodded his head and even tried for a small smile. Through swollen lips he said, "I want to make sure your employer gets his monies worth." Richard tried to focus on the man's face.

While Chameleon did what he was told by the Saygar and washed his hand, being careful not to get blood on the counter of the sink, he listened to how the man was talking to the Professor and the Auror. It was interesting to him how the teacher, used other things besides pain to get information. Chameleon told himself he was going to study this process. He did not like his hands being sore.

Hank handed him a bar towel to dry his hands then handed him another one, which had ice wrapped in the middle of it and had been dampened a little. Chameleon put his right hand, the worse damaged of the two, down on the bar top, laid the ice pack on top of it and accepted the drink Hank handed him. He sure wished he could have some of the same drink the Professor was receiving, but he had promised the Saygar he would stick to the soda and cherry juice for now, so he could learn better.

(Frank) " … I would appreciate it if you would not try so blasted hard to make him angry. You realize eventually he is going to turn on Tara,"

For some reason this statement made Richard frown. He looked over to where Tara was sitting and tried to give her a smile, but she did not look happy. She just stared at him. Looking back at Frank he said, "I will do my best … Tara needs to leave."

"If only it was that easy, I would agree with you, but Tara is being just as disagreeable as you are about the whole thing." Frank reached for the cup and gave Richard a couple more swallows of the liquid, which Richard seemed to be growing more fond of with every taste. Frank hated to do it to the man, but if getting him drunk was going to get the job done faster, he would force a whole bottle down his throat

Frank turned his head to the woman, "And you, need to stop trying to act like you are without fear of what is happening. You could get Richard killed and yourself put in his place. Do you understand?"

Richard started to feel overly protective of the young girl. "You need to not talk to the young lady in that tone of voice, Fixer. She is a lady and needs respect." Richard looked Tara in the eyes and nodded. Then he turned back to where the cup was sitting and just looked at it.

Frank shook his head, reached over got the cup and gave Richard more, draining the cup. "That is all there is at the moment, Professor, but if you are good, I will see about getting you more."

Tara noticed Richard was getting drunk fast. She had seen many of her own people destroyed by the firewater, including her best friend Bina's husband Dahana. She turned and glared at her captor with loathing.

Hank cringed as he leaned close to Frank saying, “Please Fixer don't do this. That stuff nearly destroyed him last time.”

Looking back at the Auror, Frank wondered if she had known people in her past who had been taken over by the craving for alcohol. Frank worked hard on doing background on the people he was going to be involved with. He had little time to research Richard Greene, but he had run across the fact, at one time the man drank heavily. When he discovered his favorite drink was now a strong Egyptian Tea … he had wondered when the drinking had stopped. Now he had his answer. It would be something to definitely file away for the future. "Hank, you will give him what I say … or maybe my friend, you will find other ways I have changed," Frank looked at Hank and raised his eyebrows. The man looked away.

Hank was mad, but there was nothing he could do. He had to trust there was still a part of the friend he remembered, left in the man running the questioning. Hank slowly turned back and leaned on the small counter behind the main bar top. He nodded to Fixer.

After Frank replied, Hank hung his head as he said not giving up on his trying to save his friends, “If you are bent on continuing down this path then at least slow it down on how much he is given?”

At first Frank only stared at Hank, then he turned and leaned against the bar. "Greene is a fighter, Hank. He has been well trained and I have to get past that training before I can get what I need, and convince Chameleon, to go back under. Taking the information to Shadow. I was sent to make sure Greene did not die, so you keep the whiskey coming and let me decide when it stops."

“I still don't have to like it. Why can't we just give Chameleon sweet tea or Southern Comfort? Cause unless you have saw something that shows he can be a part of the solution again...instead of another problem? ... Well he won't be going his boss tonight or ever as my instructions are clear Fixer.” Antonio, one of Chameleon's other selves was a member of The Pact, and he accepted the possibilities, he may have to be taken out someday if the Chameleon got too strong. He had made the other's promise they would do this to protect the Pact. Hank would not like it and he would hold off until the last possible moment, but The Pact had to survive, an agreement by all concerned. Frank knew this also, so Hank was banking on the fact he was very sure of himself he could control the Chameleon persona.

Richard nodded and looked straight ahead.

Tara looked at Richard, shook her head sadly and then glared at the man she had heard Hank call The Fixer. She had to stop this. With hatred in her voice, the Indian woman said, “Stop this...As both of us know very well that is most certainly not tea in that cup! You mister are worse than Mirabeau as at least he is honest about what he is doing though he is still a traitor.”

Frank put his fingers to his lips not hiding the large smile he had on his face. He knew Tara would not pay any attention to the signal. Richard had turned a quizzical eye on Tara and then looked at his empty cup. He looked at Frank with the same look in his eyes. Frank said, "I have made the tea extra special for you Richard. It is my own special blend, on your friend has not seen before. It is good isn't it?" He received a smile and a nod back from the man sitting in the chair. Frank turned back around to the bar for a moment and said in a bare whisper to Hank, "Keep it coming, Hank."

Tara could not believe what she was seeing and hearing. It was as if she had never met the man behind the bar. “Please Hank don't! What would Tom say? You are better than this Hank...I know you are!” She fought to hold the tears back. They were a weakness she knew, but they were a weakness she had never been able to bury, even during her training.

Hank looked over to Tara and fought down the anguish burning in his chest. “You don't understand Tara... I have no choice...” Hank could not explain to Tara why this was happening. It would put her life in more danger, than he could protect her from.

“There is always a choice.” Tara looked at Hank. She was almost in shock, on how he had changed. She was feeling very alone and more scared than she ever had.

Turning back to Tara, with a smile on his face he shot Greene, he said pleasantly, "Maybe you would like me to change the formula of the tea, Tara. I know of several stronger blends." Looking at her face he knew she had received the not so subtle hint to be quiet, or the Professor would get worse than the high quality whiskey he was being served.

Tara looked back and forth from Hank to the one he kept calling Fixer trying to pick up on anything that would tell her what was going on. All she knew was Fixer was a professional; professional what she was not sure of yet. Hank was also more trained than she realized before. He had always acted like the laid back old man, now she was seeing signs of either Auror or military training in the way he acted. “I don't know what hold you guys have over Hank but I intend to find out!”


Tara straightened her shoulder and raised her chin as she said, “I have no intention of just sitting here and letting that Traitor beat a professor to death! I have never been the damsel in distress and I am not about to start now! So Let him go and maybe I can forget your involvement but that Traitor is going to Azkaban!”

Frank moved to where he was standing between Tara and Richard. Neither one of them could make eye contact with the other. Leaning down so he could talk very close to her ear, he said, "One of the things I am good at, Auror, is finding things and especially people. There is the possibility I could help you in your quest. I hope I am making myself clear… I do not work for any one individual. I have ways at my disposal, you cannot use." Frank stood back up and walked to in front of Tara, and smiled. "Azkaban can be a lonely place and it is hard to find items when you are sitting there or your friends are…" Frank did not say anything else. The woman would either get his hint or not.

Tara said as she realized what he was getting at, “I have been looking for them for almost eight months...with nothing. How could you possible find them when even the top Aurors are coming up empty?” Tara never used informants except maybe Hank but he was family. Tara had been lucky to overhear Tom talking to Nathalie about a group being taken from Hog's Head the same night that Minister Coulton was murdered.

"Tara, Tara, Tara, you have just not been asking the right people. The people I will be asking would make you run the other way and probably hide under a desk. Someday maybe, if you are good, and you survive long enough, I will let you meet some of the nicer ones." Frank had met many types of people in his career as a finder of people and information . The girl would not survive half an hour with some of them. At least she would not survive half an hour in one piece.

“Fixer!” Hank yelled as he came out from behind the bar. Fixer had been right, that Tara would not survive very long with even the people Hank knew about and Frank had had time to meet others in his travels. He stopped short when he saw Frank put up his hand. He was becoming too old for this type of intrigue. He had lost his ability to read his friend ... and that was what had him worried the most. He knew the man Frank used to be, and would not give up on him still existing.

Turning back to Richard, he added, "You need to give him something, the both of you or we are going to be here a lot longer than I originally agreed to. He needs something to take back to his employer. I want you to give him something soon, or I will be forced to help him. Understand me well the both of you. I do not want to get involved, but I have other jobs to take care of at the moment."

Richard focused on Fixer who was standing in front of him. It was hard for him to look that far up, but after a couple of tries he managed to make eye contact. "What do you want us to give you?" he asked with a thick voice. Most of the words were slurred and hard to understand. "Although Fixer, you are being very mean and ungentlemanly. I am sure the lady could use something to drink." Richard was hoping this would also get him some more of the special tea , which was making him feel more relaxed by the minute.

“I think not, especially if it is that evil drink.” Tara said not hiding her true hatred for the firewater. Looking at Richard with sadness in her eyes as she said, “And I don't think you need any more either Professor. I know one lady in particular that will not be at all happy that you went back on your word to her.” Tara could only hope she was right about Richard promising Arianna, as she had never known the woman to be a drinker.

Franks eyes shot to Richard who was barely able to sit up in the chair. If he had not been bound, he would be flat on his face by now on the floor. Apparently, there was someone who cared about Greene and maybe the feeling ran both ways. If that was true, he would possibly have another weapon to use against the man. It was more information to tuck away for the future.

Frank knew Richard was ready to answer just about any question asked. It still would not be easy to get answers; the man was a trained professional. But it would be easier to convince him he should say something unless he wanted the Auror harmed. One good yell of pain from her and he would be talking like a canary. Frank had to be careful though because he did not want Richard to give all the secrets of the Caretakers. He just need a small amount of information, so he could convince the Chameleon he had done his job, and send him back to his Grandfather. If Shadow, Chameleon's uncle was not satisfied he could hire Frank, pay him his normal salary and Frank would see if he could get more information.

Tara's silence spoke volumes. The man was talking as he was only there for a visit and not involved in what was happening. She was having major problems reading him …

Fixer had finally gotten the Auror to be quiet, but it made him a little nervous also. She was thinking about something and he was not sure he wanted to know her thoughts. Her silence also made him wonder how much she knew about the Caretakers. She was going to be stubborn and it could mean pain for Richard. Chameleon was not going to be easy to control.

When it looked like the Saygar was finished talking to Greene and the woman, he carefully balanced the icepack on his hand, grabbing the tail ends of the towel so it would stay, and searched under the bar. It took him a minute to find what he was looking for; a Muggle riding crop. This was going to be interesting and he hoped the Saygar would let him use it. Then he headed to where the group was sitting.
Frank wondered what the Chameleon was looking for. When he came out from behind the bar, with a riding crop, Frank cringed on the inside. He was trying to keep weapons out of the Chameleons hands. At least it was not a knife. Maybe it would speed things up a little bit. The crop would sting badly, but both Richard and the Auror were fully dressed so there would be some padding in between the strikes, unless the man went for the head

Chameleon put the icepack down on the table and tapped the side of his leg with the riding crop as he had seen done in a Muggle gangster movie once. It made him feel important, as he formulated his first question. First he looked at Greene, still tapping his leg, the man was drunk, but still had the ability to recognize him and what he was doing with the riding crop. Chameleon inched toward the woman and studied her face for a moment. She was looking straight ahead. Chameleon had seen that look of determination before on others he had questioned. The others were able to be persuaded with stronger techniques though. He was at a disadvantage. He could only use his fists, and possibly the whip; the Saygar saw it and had not said he could not use it. All he had said was he could not hit the woman.

Looking first to the teacher who nodded, he turned to the woman and said, "Give me three names of people who are in the Caretaker group." He waited, again tapping the whip on his leg harder than before. He could feel the start of a sting in the side of his leg even through the slacks he was wearing. Putting his face very close to hers, he added venom to his voice, "Tell me now." Chameleon did not wait for an answer but swung the whip backwards three times in quick succession connecting twice with Richards arm and once with the back of his head.

Tara's eyes became pinned to the movement of the whip as it repeatedly hit Chameleon's leg. She turned to Richard and said. When it arched out and came in contact with Richard three times in rapid succession she screamed in anguish. "Stop please," she cried to Chameleon, not taking her eyes off o Richard. The man was more annoyed than in pain. The firewater had made him almost oblivious to pain. "Professor, look at me… you have to think …. You have to concentrate and not drink anymore of the liquid they are giving you. It is alcohol… do you understand?" Then to her self she said, "Please understand, please hear me…" From the vacant stare on Richard's face as he tried to understand her, she knew her pleading would not have any effect. The man had been an alcoholic at one time and now he was purposely being given the one thing which could kill him.

Watching to see how far Richard had descended in to drunkenness, Frank wondered how long it had been since the man had really had a drink, and how bad it had been for him. He had seen others before like this. The idea came to Frank, that if giving Richard the whiskey did not work, maybe keeping it from him after he had a good portion, would bring on the DT's and he could use that to get Richard to talk.

Chameleon looked at the girl and asked said, "I will add one stroke to every time I hit the professor, every time you do not answer my question… and I am will ask the same question each time until you give me an answer." Chameleon stood up straight and walked to in front of Richard, who swallowed hard. Looking back at Tara, he said, "Give me three names of people who are in the Caretaker group." The whip was held over his head so he could get some momentum on the down swing.

Hank could not help himself, he yelled "No, Chameleon the man is a recovering alcoholic. At this point he does not even understand why you are asking anyone's questions. Look at him." The Chameleon looked at the man sitting in the chair staring up at him. The man's eyes were glassed over and he had a half smile on his face. He was also glancing repeatedly toward the bar. When Chameleon looked at the bartop he noticed a whiskey bottle sitting in plain sight. He smiled. Walking over to the bar, he picked up the bottle and walked back to Richard. Waving the bottle in front of him he asked, "Would you like some Professor? Maybe if you get your beautiful friend over there to answer, my question, I could give you a whole glass full."

Frank did not look at Hank when he yelled. He was more interested in what the Chameleon was doing. The man was a quick study and was learning to use other things besides pain to control people. It was much better to let him use the whiskey to entice Richard or Tara to say something than let the man pummel on Richard or beat him with a whip. Richard had been brought back once from the edge of destruction using the bottle and Frank had confidence in the man's will to be able to be brought back again.

Richard had been swinging his head following the swing of the bottle. When Chameleon told him how he could get more, his gaze shot to Tara, and he said, in a barely autible voice, "You can answer his questions, it is alright… please?" Then his head shot back to the bottle still swinging in front of him, with only a momentary smile going to Chameleon. Chameleon laughed out loud. He looked at the Saygar and winked. He was onto something here. He knew the Saygar wanted him to learn how to get information without inflicting pain and this fit the bill.

Chameleon looked at Tara and raised, his eyebrows. "Give me three names of people who are in the Caretaker group…."

Tara could give only one answer, "No! Even if I knew the answer I won't be responsible for your destruction!" To herself she mumbled "… of theirs." She watched as Richard frowned in her direction then he turned back to Chameleon and shrugged his shoulder, never removing the half smile from his face.

"That is too bad, Professor," Chameleon said as he walked back toward the bar. When he reached it, before he put down the bottle he turned to see what Greene had done after his statement. Richard had turned toward Tara and was begging her with his eyes, to tell him something. He listened as he heard, "You tell him what he needs to know …. You do it now."

Fixer sat back in his chair, "This is getting us nowhere fast," he thought as he watched Chameleon catch on to reverse psychology. When Frank had first arrived he thought he was talking to a child, when he tried to explain things to Chameleon. The person was definitely a man mentally and was picking up on things fast. Frank wondered how much of Chameleons other three enmities which shared his body, was bleeding through to this persona.

Tara was shaking her head no, with sadness in her eyes. As Richard turned toward Chameleon, his eyes were only on the bottle. The man actually licked his lips. "She won't tell you … but…" Richard had stopped as his eyes darted between the occupants of the Hog's Head. He was fighting with himself because his training had gone deep into him and to give information would go against that training, but the bottle was so close and he needed what it contained, to take away the pain in his chest..

The Chameleon looked hopeful, "But what… Professor." Richard only looked at him for a moment then lowered his gaze to the floor and shook his head no. He could not do it…. He could not go there again, where he was totally out of control. That other man had almost died, just because he had refused to give Richard on small glass of whiskey. He wished Marco or any of the Spellman's were here at the moment. They had stopped him before and he was not sure he was strong enough to hold out. Raising his head, he looked straight ahead with determination in his eyes. He could do this … at least he hoped he could.

Frank sat forward in his seat. He had seen the exact instant Richard's training had taken hold to the situation. The man had just tightened his resolve down to not giving information… Frank was getting respect for these people. He was sure, Richard was a Caretaker, and from association, he could probably come up with two or three more, but Shadow wanted names. If he could not get Richard to give him identities, all this would be for nothing. His employer had told him, he would be paid as long as Richard came out of this alive, but the real payoff was if he could get the information needed.

Tara smiled with all the encouragement she could add to it, as she said, "Professor, you don't need what is in that bottle!" She received a smile from Richard, but the man quickly looked back straight ahead.

"Frank, please…. Stop Chameleon … you had a reason to be here today… the Chameleon is throwing that reason out the window." Hank knew Frank had been sent to keep Richard alive, while Chameleon tried to get information for Shadow.

Frank glared at Hank. "Shut up Hank. I know why I am here, to help Chameleon learn." He looked at Chameleon, smiled and nodded. Receiving a nod back, Frank again looked at Hank and said, "If you cannot bar tend like needed, I will bind you in the corner with a gag in your mouth. Understand?" Frank was trying to build a rapport with Chameleon, not as his boss but as his friend and teacher . He would not let that be ruined.

Hank stood perfectly still. He knew he should have not lost his temper but the whole situation had gone farther than he expected. It was just supposed to be a question and answer time. Hank turned into his own thoughts and listened to his inner voice, “I did say that if he believed it possible to bring Chameleon back under control then anything he needed to accomplish that goal, I would do. It seems he is asking me to honor my word.”

Finally, Hank stood up straight and looked at Frank. He had to stay with his word to his friend, “Sorry Fixer...of course I can tend bar. I just worry too much I guess?”

As Tara tried to talk calmly to Richard, she heard Hank plead with the Fixer to stop Chameleon from poisoning Richard. The Professor was barely hanging on; she could see the determination in the set of his jaw… but the pull of the drink was also there, and she had seen too many lose that battle, no matter how hard they fought.

Frank picked up the whiskey bottle and walked to Greene. Pouring a large glass of it he held it too the man's lips. He needed the information and he was tired of waiting. After Greene had gulped down most of the contents of the cup, he pulled the man's head back by the hair and said, "The man wants three names of people in the Caretakers Group. Either tell him or I will move to your friend,"

Tara only stared. She was sinking deeper into shock. Nothing she said or did would stop these men from doing exactly what they wanted. When she heard the last part of the Fixers statement, she gasps. She was so afraid, she started to shake and her eyes pleaded for Richard to give them the information. She was ashamed of the way she was feeling, but her body was betraying her. "Move to your friend" meant her and even with all the bravado she had been spitting out she was not sure she could take the treatment he was threatening.

Out of the corner of his eye, Frank watched Tara. The girl had broken. She was not so sure of herself anymore and that was fine with Frank. Turning slightly in Hank's direction, he saw a look of horror on the man's face. Hank did not trust him anymore. Frank had learned over the past few years not to get his "honor" hurt when he lost trust by others. His whole life at the moment was based on not trusting others and staying alive, so he did not ask that trust in return.

He needed names Shadow would recognize. He would make sure the people knew they needed to add extra protection. Hopefully he could keep the fact that Greene had given him the names out of the mix, he would try.

Chameleon smiled when he heard his Saygar. He knew he could break the girl easily, because woman were always easier to break. He looked at the teacher and with happy hope in his voice he asked, “So her protection has been removed?”

Frank nodded. He was not going to let Chameleon near the girl, but he also did not want the man to think he could do something when there was a protection in place. Frank bent down so his eyes were level with Richard's, not that the man was focusing on anything other than the drink.

(Frank) …..he turned his head toward Tara, then back, "and I will start asking her using methods I think you may not like."

Richard very slowly turned his head away from the whiskey bottle on the table and looked at Frank. His eyes were barely seeing him. In a slurred voice he said, "Y-y-y-ooo-uuu, sss-taa a-www-aaa, ffff-rrr-mmm hh-rrr…" he seemed to want to say something else, but his eyes gravitated back to the bottle.

Frank realized, Richard was ready to give him the name. Just a little more liquid persuasion and he would say anything Frank wanted him too.

It took everything Hank had in him to not run over, tear Tara out of the chair and physically try to throw her out the door. Frank had a plan ... or at least Hank hoped with all his heart he did. Looking at Tara, he knew she could not take much more. She had already lasted longer than he would have given her credit for, even with her fierce Indian blood.

His eyes went to Chameleon, and his heart almost stopped. The man was looking forward to questioning Tara. Hank started to prepare himself for what he may have to do. Antonio would never forgive him, if he did not stop Chameleon from hurting Tara. Hank may be giving up his life, but he knew it would be expected of him, and any of his other Pact members would do the same thing.

Franks head snapped to look at Hank. The man was getting ready to make a move. "Do not even supposed to do. Do not try me … Tank … it would not be wise." Frank purposely used Hank's Pact name, reminding him of where they all stood. Hank had been in charge of procurement for the group and he had been good at it. Frank had been known as the Fixer, because he could get them out of situations. He thought well on his feet.

Hank put both of his hands firmly on the bartop. Taking a deep breath he slowly looked up into Franks eyes. "Fixer, you know my orders as Handler made them very clear… I will carry them out if he breaks from the Pact! I will have No Choice! Are we good? Can I stand down? Or has the Fixer finally found someone he can't Fix?" The look questioning Fixer's abilities hit it's mark in Frank's chest. He knew what was at stake.

Frank exchanged glances with Hank. "Stand down, Hank. I know what is at stake with me being here." Hank had used Antonio's code name. The Pact needed to survive. They all had heard what Antonio had said at one time when he wondered if Chameleon, a creation of all of the other three personalities, inhabiting the same body, would do something to break their resolve to help others stay away or break away from the Dark side of magic. The other three personalities had all decided through messages to Marco Spellman, they would rather not exist than have their selves ingrained in the Dark world with no return. Frank had been put in charge of letting the others know when that point had been reached, and he took the charge very seriously. It was one of the reasons he had taken this job. Controlling Chameleon was a necessity, because the reverse would mean the end of his friend.


Frank kept Richards head back, and poured the remaining contents of the cup, down his throat. Richard licked his lips and even though Frank was holding his head, his eyes shifted to the bottle. Frank just through his head down, causing Richards chin to hit his chest. The Professor never took his eyes off the bottle.

Tara tried to straighten up her spine. She may not be able to stop the tears, but she could try and be brave. “I have no intention of telling you anything.”

Frank stood up straight and took a step back. Crossing his arms across his chest, he rubbed his chin. "This has to end now." he thought to himself. Chameleon was chomping at the bit to hurt Tara, Richard would be passing out soon and he needed him to give three names to Chameleon so he could send the man back to Shadow and satisfy that part of the deal. Tara was getting so scared she may even pass out also. Suddenly he figured out how to use everyone to get the names.

Walking over to stand in front of Tara, he bent down and whispered, "Auror, I have been told your honor and your word can be trusted. You want me to stop giving Richard the drink, and you want to get out of here alive. The only way that is going to happen, is if you do EXACTLY like I say and you give me your word, none of what has happened here today will be repeated anywhere else at any time. Hank says you can be trusted… but I will add you will not be the first or the only one who will suffer if you break your word. So what will it be Auror, do we continue on, escalating I may add, or do you give me your word of silence?"

Tara only stared at the man as he moved his face away from her ear, but not very far from her face. "Why should I? How can I trust that you will keep yours? I know nothing about your ethics except what I have witnessed. I know you seem to know my grandfather's...never mind...You know Hank enough and seem to be able to get him to obey you but I am not him. I don't give my word of honor away unless I believe the one I give it to is honorable...And giving the professor firewater...is not showing honor or trust?"

Frank smiled, "You are a little spit fire, my little Indian Princes." Frank could get to really like this girl. She was smart, brave and beautiful both inside and out. In another time and place it might have been worth seeing how she reacted to other ways, but for now, he just needed to have her give her word. "I assure you Tara, when I give my word something will happen the way it is supposed to, in my opinion, I stick like the Sticking Charm. I will give you my word, Richard will get all the care he needs to fight off what I have done today. Think Tara, what I could have allowed to be done," Frank took a glance over his shoulder to Chameleon, who was standing biting his lower lip. The man could hardly wait to use the whip in his hand on the young girl. I will also give you my word, Cham….," he had almost used the name Antonio had given to his forth enmity, one Tara would not and should not know, "… Antonio will be sent away, before I let you go and before I get Richard the medical treatment he needs. Tara look at Hank you know him well," Frank nodded to let her know he knew of the connection between the two of them, "… he knows me, he knows of my past and my honor."

Hank looked into the girl's frightened eyes. He was not sure what Frank had in mind, but the Pact had learned a long time ago to trust in each other. "Tara, you trust me still right?"

When Tara's eyes met Hank's she saw worry and fear but also determination. In all the time she had known him, he had never steered her wrong, so she said with determination in her own voice, "Of course Hank but you're family."

Hank swallowed hard, because he knew what he had to say to Tara and he was worried about his own past biting him now. "Then trust him Tara and understand that there are things you just can't be told yet...Things that I might never be able to tell you and not because you are an Auror but because..." Only with pure resolution was Hank able to hold Tara's gaze.

Frank looked between the two people. To Tara he asked, "Well Auror, do I have your word of honor, you will do nothing to let anyone know, at anytime what has transpired her today?"

Tara took one last look in Hank's direction then looked Frank dead in the eyes saying, "I will say only this … You have my word that as long as none of what transpires here today gets somebody killed...Then I will keep silent but should one of those named be killed...I will personally see justice be served! … Though if I see Antonio again I will arrest him as a Traitor!"

Frank smiled and shook his head slowly. "You drive a hard bargin, Princess, but I will agree to your terms, as long as you understand, the person has to die as a direct result of what has happened here today… none of us are immortal and circumstances happen." Frank knew there were other jobs in the works, and he did not want the consequences this one to be joined to what may have to be done in the future."As for Antonio, being arrested …" Frank looked over to Chameleon and saw the man was far from happy at her words. The man did not see himself as a traitor. Frank knew he only considered what he was doing as helping his family. He did not see how what he did had ramifications in the larger world. He gave Chameleon a smile and a short wave of forbearance, before finishing his comments to Tara. "…. I think when all this is over, you should have a talk with Hank… maybe he can explain some things about Antonio." Frank glanced at Hank and nodded his head.

Looking at Chameleon he said, "Turn them so they are three feet away from each other and back to back.." Receiving a nod he walked over to the bar and said to Hank, "I need an empty clear glass, a clean bar towel, and…" pointing to the knife on the counter behind the bar, "… that knife." Hank stopped moving when Frank pointed to the knife. He just stood there shaking his head no. "Tank, I said give me the knife. Trust me on this one…." In a bare whisper he added, "I promise she will not feel a thing."

Hank reluctantly handed the items to Frank, who turned around and found the Chameleon had followed his orders. Walking back to the three, Frank took one of the chairs and turned it backwards, at a right angle to Tara and Richard's position. Motioning to the chair, he said "Chameleon sit, and learn. This is a lesson…"

Frank put the knife and glass down on the table which was directly in front of Richard's position. He noticed Richard's eyes shift to the knife, but after a moment they went back to the half full bottle of very expensive Whiskey. Frank only smiled as he took the clean bar towel, and went to Tara saying, "I am sorry I have to do this Tara, but you will see soon why it must be done." With this being said, he gagged Tara with the towel. He could not help but add a couple of pats to her head, which he knew she did not like.

Frank heard some movement behind him. Both Hank and Chameleon had made some type of gesture. Looking at Hank first, he saw extreme worry in a man who was trying desperately to believe Frank had not tricked him into going against the entire Pact held dear. Frank just nodded at him, and tried to pass the silent message that he could be trusted and to stay where he was no matter what.

A glance at Chameleon reminded him of a small boy who was just about to learn something which was exciting and life changing. There was also a touch of bewilderment … so Frank knew he was having trouble comprehending what may be coming next and probably was disappointed Tara had not been at least hit and yelled at by now. Chameleon was disappointed Frank had put him in the chair and he was not going to be able to take part in the lesson . Frank smiled at him and winked. "Your job is to learn at the moment Chameleon. Remember this lesson, and think about it. I will ask you later, what has happened and what you think my reasons are for doing it this way." Frank knew that would keep Chameleon watching and not trying to interfere or question his deeds aloud at the moment.

The look in Tara's eyes was almost heart wrenching. She was trying very hard to hold onto the bravery, which was slipping away but she was terrified about what Frank had in mind. He knew she thought she had fallen into a trap about giving her word of honor, and was not going to have it thrown into her face. She had seen Frank over her shoulder carrying the glass, bar towel and the large sharp knife back in their direction. She had even heard him put the glass and knife on the table, which would be in front of Richard. She tried desperately to calm the shakes, which were involuntarily threatening to rack her body. Frank watched as she started to concentrate on just breathing, her eyes fastening on some unknown object in front of her.

Frank walked back to the table in front of Richard and poured a very full glass of whiskey in the clear tumbler Hank had given him. He made sure Richard watched his every move. Hoping the man would say something before he continued, he said to Richard, "Richard, give me three names of Caretakers and I will let you have as much of the glass of very good whiskey, which I know you want."

Tara, gasped and moaned, which Frank did not acknowledge. Richard's eyes looked at Frank, trying to focus. Frank knew, by the shake of the head of the professor he was not going to give up the names yet. Frank took a deep breath and let it out slowly as Richard's eyes gravitated back to the glass tumbler. "I am sorry you will not give me what I want. As I said before if you do not give me the names, I have no problem with seeing if treatment of Tara might loosen your resolve to be quiet. You have given me no choice.

Frank picked up the knife, holding it in front of Richard, "Richard, see this knife. It is very sharp, isn't it?" Frank took his finger and showed how just a slight pressure on the blade would cause a cut, as blood slowly appeared on his finger. "You sit here and I am going to talk with Tara. If you have anything you want to say, I will happily listen." Frank stood up straight and walked around to stand in front of Tara, showing the blade to Chameleon as he walked in front of the man.

Tara's eyes went directly to the knife. The terror had gotten worse. Leaning down so only she would be able to hear he whispered, "Tara, you are now going to help me keep my promise I made earlier. When I pinch you, you will scream and moan as if your life depended on it, understand?" Not taking her eyes off the knife, Tara nodded. "Good than we will begin."

Frank stood up straight and showed the knife to Chameleon then he took the point and made a small slash in his own palm. Grabbing the blade of the knife, he made sure it was well covered with blood, then reached down and pinched Tara's arm very hard.

Tara played her part to perfection. Frank could not have asked for a more convincing scream. With the gag in place, it would have sounded like pain to Richard and that was what he was aiming for. There were questions in her eyes along with the hint of tears threatening to be shed. Squeezing his cut hand into a fist to impede the bleeding, Frank walked back around to stand in front of Richard. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chameleon trying very hard to fathom why Frank had done what he did, and Hank nodded. The man understood finally, what Frank was trying to do.

Frank had also noticed Richard jump when Tara had screamed. The man's head had come up and his eyes had tried to look over his shoulder. Frank stood in front of Greene, waiting for him to move his eyes his way. When he had his attention, he showed him the bloody blade. Leaning down close to the man, he said, "Look Richard, because of your stubbornness. Tara has been hurt. She does not like being hurt, but I need three names of Caretakers, so it is up to you on whether she feels more from the blade. It would be a shame to damage that pretty face of hers, don't you think?"

It took a moment for Richard's brain to process what he was seeing and what had just happened. When it did, the man started to fight his bonds with all the strength, his whiskey soaked body would let him use. Soon he stopped struggling and was gasping for air. Richard looked at Frank as the bonds started to loosen back to their original strength. Slowly he shook his head no as a tear escaped his left eye. Frank brandished the blade in front of him again saying, "Are you absolutely sure you want to hold out. It can be any three names, but make sure they are part of the group, because they will be checked against what is already known . Frank desperately hoped, Richard was not too far-gone and would take the hint, some of the names were known and those he could give. It would be up to Richard to figure out which the most logical ones were, and that was the problem. Frank was depending on Richard's training to think under pressure and come up with the names of the ones who could protect themselves the most.

Frank again stood up straight and started back toward Tara's position. He had not gone three steps before Richard mumbled something. Stopping and turning around, Frank retraced his steps and stood in front of Richard. "You said something Professor?" Frank could hear Tara through the gag, trying to say something behind Richard, but he did not want to break the eye connection Richard was making. He smiled as Richard nodded.

"I wi…ll k-k-kill you… f-f-f-xer w-w-w-n t-t--tis is d-d-d-one." Frank nodded and said, "Ah Professor that was not what I hoped you would say, but I believe you… maybe we should…" He started to stand up straight but was stopped by Richards next words, "N-n-n-o," Richard broke the eye contact, looking first at the floor and then at the glass of whiskey. He took his tongue and slowing wetting his bottom lip. Without looking back at Frank he said, "T-t-the, n-n-n-n-ames y-o-o-o-u want are.." Richard gulped but continued, "m-m-mysel-l-l-le, Arr-ee-on-na and M-m-m-art-t-t-tin K-k-k-illd-d-d-d-ar-r." Richard looked at Frank and then back to the glass several times in quick succession.

Frank stood up straight, picked up the glass and held it to the man's lips allowing him to drink. "Very good Richard, that wasn't so hard… here enjoy your reward." While he was letting Richard drink, Frank looked at Hank, who just mouthed "Marco's trick works every time." Frank just gave him a short nod. Hank held up another mug… but Frank shook his head no.

Hank was determined to help Richard, so he mouthed, "Why? We need to get him sober?" But Frank just gave him a "I will explain later look, be quiet for now.." look. Frank needed Richard unable to fight and needed him calm, or Chameleon would press the need to use the whip he still had clutched in his hand and was itching to use.

Then he looked to the perplexed Chameleon, who looked toward Tara, Frank realized, wondering if he was still going to get a chance to question her. Frank said to him, "Antonio, we are done now. You have your names. You will return to your Uncle and let him know what you have found out."

Chameleon was not ready to give up so quickly. When he thought about it his Uncle had asked for more information than just the names. "Grandfather and Uncle both have wondered why they are here? Who are they hunting? They are after somebody and Grandfather wants to know who! He will give me the answers or he will make Shadow's special list!"

Franks brain was working fast as he held Chameleon's eyes. Frank had forgotten the man had an uncomplicated mind and would hold to what his original instructions had been. "You take them the list of the names you have gotten today. If either of them have any questions, you tell them I said Greene is not in charge, and it will take finding the higher ups to get the information. They know where to contact me if they need any further explanation. Your lesson is done for now." Frank did not like putting Khalid and Shadow off, but Richard was in no condition to give them any accurate information…. Tara did not know anything …. and Frank did not want to put Hank any farther in the spotlight.

Chameleon was shaking his head almost violently from side to side; the man was showing fear as he thought about what Frank had just told him to do. "If uncle is unhappy with the info ... I will feel his wrath not you Saygar...I am already on notice"

Frank put the glass down he was still holding to Richard's lips, watching the Professor follow his every move. Leaving the man staring at half-empty glass, Frank walked over to where Chameleon was sitting and pulled up a chair. Facing it backwards so he was sitting in the same manner as his quasi-student, he said, "I answer to Shadow's boss, to your grandfather. He is the one I am employed by. I understand your misgivings on what Shadow may threaten to do to you, but when you leave here you are going to give me four hours to report to your Grandfather before you report to your Uncle. If your Uncle has anything to say and threatens you, you will tell him to check with your Grandfather… I will take the wrath of Shadow."

To try and get Chameleon's mind off of Shadow, Frank reached into his back pocket and whispered a spell. The item he pulled out enlarged to a pair of extremely ornate set of numb chucks with a highly polished chain. Handing them to Chameleon he said, "I made these with my own hands… You have learned much today and have listened to what was important. You have also shown me you wish to learn more. Everyone should have a weapons specialty and I have decided to let these be your specialty. You must practice every day. Set up a straw dummy somewhere and practice on it. From time to time, I will check on your progress with their use and eventually give you a human target to try your skill on… Would you like to try and learn how to use them?" Frank had worked a long time in making the weapon, but he could make another set. Now they would be useful to get the Chameleon to look at him as a friend.

Frank followed Chameleons gaze as he looked at Richard. He would have laughed if he had not wanted to keep the seriousness in his voice. He could see it in his eyes, man was thinking of how it would feel to try his new toys on the Professor. "No, you can not practice on humans until you get more proficient at their use. These are not toys, and it takes skill to use them. I see that skill in you, which is why I have given them to you as a gift.

The Chameleon looked heart fallen, but he eventually turned back to Frank, took a breath and said, "I can get lost at the school fixing things until Grandfather calls for the report."

Frank again tried not to smile. He hid the small snicker, which escaped with a cough behind his hand. "That is a very good idea. It is good to see you thinking." Frank added, guessing one thing as Chameleon tentivly played with the weapon, "Try not to damage too much of the school properly with these."

Chameleon only nodded, taking it for granted the Saygar always knew what he was thinking. Somehow, he felt that the numchucks were familiar, maybe one of his other personalities, knew something about them.

Frank casually looked over to Hank who had a very worried look on his face. He like Frank knew Antonio, the main personality within Chameleon's body was an expert with the weapon. He would have liked to be there when Shadow found out how good Antonio was with the numchucks. The man could put on a show, which was worth watching.

"Now I think we need to get everyone home and end this… Chameleon," Frank stood up and watched as Chameleon had also stood up the same time he did. "… you will take your leave now and go where you need to. Remember you need to give me a minimum of four hours before you report to your Grandfather." Frank watched as the Chameleon nodded and slowly walked out the door, looking back only one time.

Frank let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding. That was the first problem gone. He knew Chameleon would go and "hide" at the school as Anthony Mirabeau, the Caretaker at the school . Turning to Tara next, he removed her gag and said, calmly, "Now it is your turn to leave Tara. Remember what you have promised here today."

Tara got that adorable stubborn look on her face, which Frank had come to expect when she was told she had to do something. He was beginning to wonder if it was just him she gave it too or whether she showed it to all her superiors. "No, I will stay as I still need Hank to help with a personal issue. I will keep my word though I wish I never saw Anthony here. I will have no choice but to arrest him should I see him again. I was hoping the reports were to hide the truth, I guess even I can be fooled?" Thinking to herself she wondered, "I was hoping he was undercover and hunting his partner's true killer." .

Frank looked at Hank to see if it would be alright for her to stay. Receiving a nod he turned back to Tara and said, "All right. Hank agrees to let you stay. When you are talking to him though, ask about Anthony." Looking back at Hank but talking to Tara, Frank added, "I think it is time you knew about the man. And Princess," Frank looked back directly at Tara, "If you have any questions he knows how to find me. I will let you know the time and the place you may ask your questions, and I will try to answer them as long as it does not put others in danger. Now I will take Richard and leave. You are to wait two hours, then you will be able to find him at St. Mango's Hospital under the care of Lance Kildare. When you do go though, try and have a good excuse why you are there… remember Tara you are not supposed to know Richard is drunk. I will be checking in on him and help with his recovery… but if you see me you do not know me. Understood?"

Tara knew what they would do at the hospital and she knew she had a better and faster way of clearing out Richard's system. Looking at Frank she asked, "You want him sober?" Frank nodded and listened, "… Hank is my medicine bag here still?"

Hank allowed a smile to take over his face, he had forgotten about the medicine bag, "Yes Tara, I just finished adding what you asked me." Frank could almost see Hank's eyes light up as he realized what Tara was planning to do "You want to give him the special root? He is going to get deathly ill but yes, it might cure him of the problem? Especially if he drinks whiskey while eating it" Turning to Frank he added, seeing the questioning look on the man's face, "Don't worry it won't kill him but it will make him think twice before having another drink Frank."

Frank removed the bonds around Tara, giving her a look, which could only mean he would be watching if she tried anything. Then he took a seat and watched Hank and Tara mixed some ingredients. He could smell it even from where he sat, and the smell did not bode well for what the taste would be.

While they mixed, they talked. "Hank, I know my grandparents and Jackson were here that night. Please give me something? I know you did not set them up but you didn't stop them from being taken either. Give me something as grandfather is the only family you have left except me and Alexia by blood. Please Hank?"

Casual glances at the two chemist told Frank that Hank was fearful of telling Tara what he knew of the night her grandparents disappeared. He knows her and is terrified she would go after Khalid thus letting the man know he was suspect in their disappearance. This would definitely bring Shadow into the mix and probably cause her death, because the only way Shadow had of dealing with things was to wipe them out literally. Frank used part of his brain to try and figure out what he could do to help his friend and in that way help his cousin stay safe. It would not be easy no matter what he came up with. The real possibility also existed Shadow was using this very thing to blackmail Hank into helping. Frank had two new personal problems to add to the ever growing list. It was so much easier when he did not get involved, just did the job, was paid and walked away, but he was slowly being pulled into a tight web of intrigue and protection.

Frank made out most of what they said. He was concentrating on watching Richard and mentally wishing he had not had to do this to the man who was part of the family who had taken care of his deceased wife when she was little and orphaned. He would someday try to make it up to him, but he knew Richard realized there was light and dark in this world and sometimes the two sides collided into gray areas. That gray area is where Frank balanced his life.

Tara walked over and handed Frank the mug with the brew in it. Looking into the mug, Frank's stomach twisted but he wanted to see what this was going to do, so he tried not to breath in the fumes and turned to face Richard who was only looking at the half empty glass of whiskey on the table. Frank said, "Richard I have a very special brew for you. If you do not like it then you can have some more of the whiskey, here you go." Frank held the mug to Richards lips and clamped the Professors nose shut. Richard opened his mouth and started to drink but it did not take him long for his taste buds to realize the drink was unpleasant. Using his elbow and keeping Richards nose shut so he would swallow to be able to drink, Frank got as much of the drink down him as possible without drowning the man. Then he quickly grabbed the glass of whiskey and put it to the Professors lips. Richard immediately started to drink the alcohol. After a few seconds, he stopped and started to look green around the gills. Tara handed Richard a brown paper bag saying only, "Here, you are about to need this," She was telling the truth.

It took several minutes for Richard to empty his stomach completely, before the dry heaves started. Frank looked at Tara and asked, "Is it safe to take him to the hospital now? I want him medically looked at to make sure he is alright." Frank wanted the doctors to take a look at Richard. He also wanted him somewhere he could check up on him to make sure he had come back from his trip to the gutter. He owed him that much for putting him through what he did, even though the alternative of the Chameleon physically punishing the man's body would have been much worse. Richard was strong and very well trained. He knew someday he was going to have to use physical force on the man, and it would hurt, but it was how he lived now that he had no one.

"Not yet as he might be the stubborn type. I want him to know what will happen if he even looks at another bottle. Give it about thirty and then show him a bottle of whiskey.." Frank wanted to get this whole business over with, but he owed it to Richard to make sure he was at least most of the way back before he left. He nodded to Tara, looked at Hank and sat down in his backward turned chair, crossing his arms to rest on the back of it. He waved for Tara to continue, while he concentrated on watching Richard fighting to not be sick and staring to realize where he was again and possibly, what had happened to him.

Tara nodded to Frank and turned to Hank. "While we are awaiting Hank can answer my questions as I know they were here. So tell me where they were taken, as my source did not know. Please Hank; let me get to them before they are killed?"

From his seat, Frank's attention was drawn to Hank's words, to Tara. "Please Tara, I can't...Please just let me handle this. Tara...Please stop your hunt...before..." When his friend turned to him and said, "You know what he will do if he even suspect she knows...I can't allow that Fixer...Fix this Please!" he knew he could not totally stay out of the conversation. There were only two or three people Hank could possibly be talking about and all of them would kill Tara before she even got close enough to be in a position to find out anything.

Clearing his throat and taking his eyes off Richard, he looked at Tara who had moved to in front of the bar and tried to reason with her, "Tara, Hank is right in this. If I am thinking of who he is talking about, their skills are far beyond anything you are capable of handling." He held up his hand when she was about to speak, "I know you are very capable, Princess, but these people have had years to practice their methods of persuasion and solving problems, mostly by removing the problems." He paused to make sure she was really listening to him. After visually checking on Richard's progress, he continued from his chair, "Because Hank is a friend and because I in a way owe him, although he would never collect on the debt, as I would never collect on one from my friend, I will look into your grandparent's disappearance." Frank cringed inside, because he was again adding to his list of personal need to do's . If I do this, though you will again have to give me your word of honor to stay out of it…" again he held up his hand, "let me finish … if I have to worry about you barging into a situation which I think I have under control, you could get both of us killed. Even though you may think of that possibility as not a great loss I happen to like being alive. So what do you say?"

Frank could almost see the wheels turning in Tara's head, and he knew when they stopped she was going to complicate matters. "But if you are right then they might already be dead...cause they are all part of a group of Senior Undersecretary Seth Wright that help guard the Egyptian Princess Tia Andreas. That is why Nathalie talked to Tom. Cause it might mean that those that took them might want Tia." One of the people Frank had done some research on was Seth Wright. He tried to keep up on all the government officials. The man had his hand in a lot of pies and Frank had run across more than one reference to the special group Tara was mentioning. He had not made a firm connection yet, but it looked like it was the same group everyone else seemed to be interested in … the Caretaker Group. There was another group who was possibly being talked about though.. TOE, The Order of Eight . From what he had been able to find out the group was a protection team for the school. Tara could be right though, in what she was saying. Somehow, Frank's life and these groups' existences were slowly being entwined together and he was not sure he liked the idea.

Frank could not help but grown when he heard Hank blurt out, "No Tara, they are not dead...I was assured that they..." Frank put his chin down on his folded arms and watched Tara's reaction. She did not disappoint him.

Tara bounced on what Hank had let drop with the speed of a gazelle. She was close to climbing over the top of the bar and throttling the information out of him. "Hank who has them and where, Tell Me Now! I told Nathalie that you would never endanger Tia...Hank, you knew her father William...You and Grandfather promised Him...Now Tell Me before They Get Tia too!"

Hank's eyes went to Fixer and locked on. "Fixer…."

It was more of a plea for help than just saying asking him to come into the conversation. Frank closed his eyes for a moment trying to gather his thoughts. Richard was starting to come out of the fog he had been put in with the Whiskey. Tara was treading on vary dangerous ground and was very close to telling them all she was heading out to find her grandparents on her own. Hank was caught in-between protecting Tara and not giving away information; Frank was sure he was being blackmailed to keep quiet about, and all Frank wanted to do was leave, collect his payment and move on, hopefully as far away from Hogsmeade and the school with its people and problems, as possible.

Lifting his chin off his arms and unfolding them off the back of the chair, he grabbed hold of each side of the back. "Tara, listen to Hank, really listen." Frank looked over to Hank then continued in Tara's direction, "I would be willing to bet he is forced to keep quiet.. You do not know the ways of the dark world Tara. Many times it is not brute strength which rules what happens and what does not happen … raw information can control what people are forced to do and what they are prevented from doing. The people who hold the information, either through holding a certain person or just the knowledge, which can be manipulated to fit their needs, control how people act. Look at Hank, Tara and ask yourself why he cannot tell you… ask yourself who may have information, which can control him. Hank is a brave man for himself, but with others involved, he is not so brave." Frank raised his eyebrows, emphasizing his point, daring Tara to really look at the situation.

Tara had stood up straighter and took on a persona of a Auror. Frank had seen it before… it was the look of all business, not taking into account who they were talking too. He wondered how long she would be able to hold the posture. "Hank that is why Shadow can do his dealing here...He knows where they are... However, Hank if he's got them then he will use them to get Tia... Hank... He can't be trusted...You have got to know that?"

Frank noticed Richard's head come up a little and saw his eyes focus with some recognition. It would not be long before he was fully with them. He was also surprised Tara had mentioned Shadow's name. He had not realized she knew enough about the man to pull him in as a reasonable suspect on who had her grandparents.

Hank was not buying into the change though. He looked at Frank instead of answering Tara's questions. "Fixer, you know who runs The Shadow. It was not even all of them he wanted just Adal... I trust his word... Fixer but if he gets wind that Nathalie Lupin was told then...well Nat knows Tarik...and I don't want this … He said he just needed to talk to her about some prophecies..He swore."

"You have more faith in the man than I do Hank. He has changed since Marsden was killed and not a good change. Like you though I trust his word at least for the present …" Looking at Tara he said, "Tara, as I have said before you are getting into areas you cannot handle with the expertise you presently posses." There was that stubborn look again. "Tara part of being an Auror who stays alive, is being an Auror who knows her limitations and works toward correcting them or trying to get help, and trusting in the help she chooses to find the information or correct the situation she is worried about. What type of Auror are you Tara?"

Frank watched as Hank reached in his pocket and pulled out a scrap of parchment. It was crumpled but floated over to him easily. As he looked at the note, Hank said, "Frank, I have already said too much and Tom has a big mouth for involving his cousin the lady vampire...Fixer please fix this as you know how he has gotten?" The note was from Khalid reminding Hank of what was expected of him. Frank crumpled it put it on the table and lite it, destroying the message before Tara got a hold of it.

"I am an Auror that does not rest until an assignment is done, whether it is personal or Ministry related..." Tara was leaning against the bar, trying to give the appearance of being relaxed, but Frank had been watching her close enough to know it was an act. She was still scared but trying to play the part of an Auror who had the situation under control. Frank was finding it hard to keep a straight face.

"Frank, she is like Alwart..." Hanks comment caused the mask she was trying to hold firmly in place to flicker for a second, but she quickly had it back up. Tara was proud of her grandparents and she was trying to act as she had probably seen her grandfather act in stressful situations. Frank was going to enjoy meeting the man… that was if he was still alive.

Tara ran over to the table to try and put out the parchment before it burnt to a crisp, but she was too late. She put her hands on her hips and staring at Frank, demanded, "Why did you burn that? It could have led me to them..."

Frank returned her stare and said, "Exactly Princess… you are not going to find them … you need more preparation. I told you I would look into it, and Tara you are just going to have to trust me. After all we are friends now, right?" Frank put a large smile on his face, just as Richard said, "Who are friends …. And why does my mouth feel like someone poured a gallon of garbage into it?" Richards's eyes slowly roamed between the three people in the room with him. When they fastened on Frank, his temper elevated fast and he started to fight his bonds. "You are still here … let me loose Dark Wizard and make this an equal fight so I can pound you into the ground."

As they all looked at him, Frank was the first one to say anything, "Ah Richard welcome back… would you like a drink." Frank picked up the Whiskey bottle and put the top of it close to Richards's nose. What happened next, gave Frank a better understanding of the cure Tara had used.

Richard could not help but breath in the fumes from the bottle. He stopped fighting his bonds and pushed himself as far back in the chair as possible, his face became red and he turned his head to wretch. It was more of a dry heave because there was nothing left in his stomach. As he took some breaths he stared first at the floor, then at Tara with a burning question in his eyes, "You gave me something?" When Tara only nodded, he again looked straight ahead and saw the Whiskey bottle and a partially filled glass of whiskey. Fear entered his eyes as the realization of what had happened hit him hard. He changed his stare to Frank asking, "You gave me whiskey knowing what it would do to me?" Before Frank could say anything Richard remembered what he had told the Fixer, and he cringed. Shaking his head no, trying to convince himself he had not given information, he dropped his chin to his chest, when the whole story hit him.

Frank pulled his chair up closer to Richard, sat down and said, "It is all right Professor, you only gave information I am sure my employer either already had or had guessed a long time ago. You did not give away any secrets. Chameleon has left with the three names and nothing more. It will be my job to give a full report, and I am still debating how much I should say."

Richard was still trying to clear his head, when he lifted his eyes to Frank, "You do not know anything else for sure." It was more of a question than a statement, but Richard needed to find out where the man stood. "I can guess who your employer is, and false information in his eyes is worse than no information at all."

Frank nodded. "Agreed, Caretaker… that is why the report will most likely be very short. I have Tara's word of honor she will not say anything about what has happened here today." Frank glanced over to Tara, before continuing. "She knows if even a little bit comes out, then all the information about the Group and several other Groups will be open to scrutiny and none of us want that." Again, Frank looked at Tara, for a longer period. He hoped she understood what he was trying to get across. Richard's nod told him the Professor understood.

Hank had stood silent, watching the by-play between the others. Tara's methods of making Richard sober, at least sober enough to understand what was going on, had worked. He would still need care at St. Mungo's and probably at least one more treatment by Tara, but he would be all right. Another of Tara's treatments would need to be given by Lance Kildare, but he was a member of the Caretaker Group, so he would not ask too many questions. Hank's biggest worry was the wrath of the Spellman brothers. He was not looking forward to their visit, which he knew would come when what happened today, made its way along the pipeline.

Hank mixed a strong cup of Sailor's coffee, bitter but still none alcoholic and walked over to where Richard was. He nodded at the expression of distrust on the man's face, as he put the mug up to his lips and let Richard sample it. When he knew what it was, Hank held the cup up to the Professors lips again and let, or actually made him take more. "You need to drink this Richard. The alternative is another dose of Tara's cure," he added with raised eyebrows. Richard cringed, nodded and took a couple large gulps of the bitter coffee. "While you were under the influence, Tara expressed her need and determination to find her grandparents, whoever has them. We have been trying to convince her she needs to wait," Hank said, while continuing to give Richard sips of the coffee.

Richard moved his head back from the rim of the cup and looked at Tara. In a choked voice he said, "That is very good advice Tara. If you go looking in areas where you are not prepared to find and search you will be at a disadvantage … and you are a good enough Auror to know you always play on your advantages until you can add to them." Richard turned to Frank and said, "You think your employer knows where they are?" Receiving a nod from Frank and knowing who had sent Frank which had not been hard to deduce, he continued to Tara, "Alone you cannot hope to save them … hold off Auror and let me see if I can get you some help. You are going to have to trust me when I say, I have friends who are already working on the problem." Richard looked at Frank, who would not meet his eyes.

Tara, still leaning against the bar, decided to add information she knew about. She wanted to show them she knew more than they were giving her credit for. "And if he uses them to grab the Princess? We can't afford an International Incident, especially with Fox on that errand, can we?"Tara stood up and looked at each of the men in turn. She was relishing the idea of having their undivided attention. In the firmest voice she could use, the tone of which she had heard her grandfather use many times when he was trying to get his point across, she continued, "Professor, If the Senior Undersecretary gets wind of this disappearance, heads will roll...she is his goddaughter after all. He did not pull his Old Crew back together including My Grandparents for them to fail. His orders were clear...Shadow goes Down before what happen to Marcus happens to Tia. And I doubt Seth meant a trip to Azkaban." Tara leaned back against the bar and picked up the glass of sweet-tea Hank had put there. Taking a sip, she watched over the rim of the glass to see any reaction she would get.

All the occupants of the room looked at the young Auror. Hank was smiling because he was proud of her; Frank looked at her perplexed, because he never would have thought she would know half of what she seemed to know; Richard nodded agreement to her statement. Richard was the first to say anything, "And that Tara is why we need to keep what happened to day within this room. News, good, bad, and ugly travels fast, along Pipelines sometimes built as it travels. You have to learn when to shut up, listen and help." Richard glanced at Frank, because Tara had just given him information on what was going on behind the scenes at the Ministry and other information he could put together to make an educated guess to what was happening at the school and within the different protection groups. Richard was still weighing in on what side Frank was on… His senses told him the man knew a lot more than he was letting on.

Hank offered Tara a refill, which she accepted with a smiling thank you. He returned her smile then looked at Frank. "Fixer, now you see what worries me? Tara has the ability to pick up info even when the person giving it has no idea she can." He watched as Tara nodded, as her smile, which was now turned toward the general room, grew bigger. " … I doubt her grandparents are aware that she heard even half of their private talks do you." Tara would most likely be grounded to a desk at the Ministry. Her Grandfather would think nothing of having the desk moved to a far corner, removing phones, computers and anything else she could communicate with. The man might even put up a sound barrier. That thought made Hank smile, but he soon became serious again and stated, "If he finds out or even suspects …" The he , as Frank and Richard knew was Shadow. "Fixer, I can't allow what you read to happen...but Tara is so stubborn sometimes?" Tara had turned her head toward Hank, at the last part of his comment and gave him a genuine pout. Hank only nodded and patted the hand, which had been reaching for her glass.

"Fixer, Please do something before her stubbornness gets him to see her as a problem...cause you know how he deals with problems?" Frank just watched Tara for a long moment, not saying a word. He paused long enough to take a sip of his own drink, and see Tara start to fidget slightly under his staring eyes. "Tara, we have been discussing what you should and should not do, for the past half-hour or so, but no one has asked you if you can figure out what we are trying to get you to realize. So …. out with it!" Frank gave her a go-head wave and waited. The girl was not dumb. She was stubborn but if she could not judge when to be stubborn and when to just do something without weighing the consequences to herself and others the situation would have to be corrected. He figured he was going to have to see if he could pull some strings at the Ministry, using people who had hired him in the past, and get her buried, in some desk, deep in the Ministry vaults… the security guard for the evidence vaults just might be a good place for her.

"I can't help if I have verrry goood hearing, including knowing that your real name is Frank...sorry, I am Apache. It is useful in my line of work."

"Hank, I know you think I am being stubborn but I trusted my fellow Aurors before and by the time they showed...well I spent eleven years in a coma, my husband was killed, my best friend's husband accused of having something to do with what happened, half if not three-fourths of my tribe in either Azkaban, prison or buried and the nobody seems to have a clue to what caused the attack in the first place. Now my grandparents and several others are missing and nobody at the Ministry seems to even realize they are gone? I am sorry if I can't just sit on my hands and do nothing, I am a field Auror and it is about time I get back in the field."

Hank could see Fixer was getting tired of dealing with Tara. The man had never been the big brother type. They had all been surprised he had married Maggie because he had always been one to never settle on just one woman, even for a whole night. When she had been murdered by the Dark Sect along with his unborn son, he had gone on a week drinking binge and had taken jobs the others had to cover his backside for, which with a couple it wasn't easy. He was looking at Tara as if all he wanted to do was tie her up and gag her, until he could find somewhere safe to store her away. Hank had to come up with something fast, so he throughout the one thing Fixer would notice with what he knew about her abilities to find information. It would be a gamble but with the proper precautions, Tara could be protected. "Tara, I trust Fixer. He fixes problems. So since this fact might just get a certain Dark Medjai to back off...I will give one piece of the info that Chameleon asked for." Turning quickly to Richard, because he could feel the knife edged stare from the man who thought he was about to give up a secret, he added, "Richard, he would figure it out anyways and at least now you can know it was not him."

Tara had been following the conversation, shown by the look in her eyes as she thought he was going to say something, which would give her an edge. "Tara, The Caretakers are here to handle the problem of just what you have noticed. You want to help them, stay where you were placed as there is a leak that needs plugged, can you do that? Let those trained for getting them back do their job. Fixer will keep his word. Please Tara. Oh and concerning Anthony...trust your instincts, okay?"

Fixer sat up a little straighter in the chair. His mind had been wondering, trying to figure out how he was going to get Richard to the hospital, guarantee Tara would not pop up somewhere she shouldn't at the wrong time, and how he was going to word his report to Khalid, when he went to collect his money. He figured he only had about an hour, before Antonio's time was up to stay away. He needed to give the report, subdue any qualms Shadow may have, and leave a smooth landing spot for Antonio, when he reported the names. "Tara, Hank has a very good idea on how you can help… at the moment there are no other people in the main rooms of the Ministry who can be trusted to relay information, no matter how outrageous." He smiled as he saw the stubborn, "I am not going to tell you anything" look flow onto Tara's face. "You do not have to report to me. You can report to Hank and he will get the information to whoever can use it. He may even be able to give you a couple other names to talk to. One thing though, Tara, and I will have you honor bound on this point… if you find any information on your grandparents you report it to Hank or one of the other names he gives you, and wait for instructions on how to act on it." They were giving her an avenue to find information and stubbornly go out on her own to find out the truth about it, this part terrified Frank and by the look on Hanks face he wasn't far behind in the mounting terror.

Tara did not answer right away. Frank had the distinct feeling he was being read and read deep as she focused her eyes on him. "Okay, I swear I will stay at my assigned post. Cause the one thing I think we can all agree on is there is no way that many Ministry personal can just disappear and no one sees anything. I agree there is somebody or more than one working from within." Tara put the mug she had been absent-mindedly playing with down on the bar top with a heavy thud. "Okay I will see about finding the leaks but Fixer, if I am going to trust you than don't fail or betray the faith that my grandfather's cousin has in you...cause if you betray Hank you will answer to me."

Frank nodded and said, "Agreed."

Looking at Hank she said, "Anthony better have left my bone-knife. As for him, my instincts have always told me that he is trying to get his partner's killer and that he is no traitor...so I guess I can give him the benefit of the doubt...depending on what Richard's story is concerning what happened? Realize guys I trust Anthony with a lot of info...if any of that was used to do a crime...I am just as guilty as he." Hank was about to say something but before he could form the words, Tara held up her hand and shook her head. She did not want to hear Hank say how she couldn't possibly be guilty, she knew better.

When she had finished talking, Hank looked over at Frank with a very inquisitive look on his face containing a half smile. Frank held out his hands to ask "What?" and Hank answered with one comment he did not expect to hear. "Hey Fixer, It was Handler that hired you for this one. Thought you knew?"

Frank had been walking toward Richard to start to prep him for the trip to the hospital, because he figured they were done here, when he stopped in mid-stride and pivoted toward Hank. "You have got to be kidding, Tank." Then it hit him, a fact he had not realized. …. Antonio and Chameleon were communicating. On what level he did not know, but if he was hired by one alter ego to watch another alter ego, there was communication there somewhere. He would have to have a talk with Handler and see what the man needed him to do. For now though it was time to end this job.

To Tara he said, "It has been a pleasure meeting you Princess. Maybe next time it can start off under more relaxed circumstances. Listen to Hank when he tells you something… if you need to get in touch with me tell him …. If I need to get in touch with you I will see you at the Ministry." Frank laughed when he saw the look of shock on Tara's face, she was trying to figure out how he could get into the Ministry, find her and get out again without anyone arresting him. He would never tell.

To Hank he said, "I will be in touch Tank. Keep an eye on our little Indian Princess her. Call when you need to get her out of trouble." When Frank heard the huff from Tara he knew she had heard the jab. "If you need help with that little written problem of yours let me know. I may be able to take off some of the pressure."

Reaching Richard, he said, "Come on Professor, you and I are going to take a little trip." Richard blanched and started to fight the bonds. "Professor, settle down, I am only taking you to the hospital to see your good friend Lance Kildare.

Hank had heard Doctor Kildare was spending a lot of time at the school lately and he figured Frank may not be able to find him quickly enough to be able to drop off Richard and leave without be detected. He suggested another person Richard could either safely be dropped off in the care of or who Hank could have meet Fixer somewhere to deliver Richard to the hospital and be able to stay with him. "Richard, it is either him or we can get Marco, your choice?"

Frank stopped and said to Hank, "Good idea Tank have him meet me behind the small café north of the hospital and he can take Richard here to the hospital. Is that alright with you Professor?" Richard tried to nod but the shakes were getting worse and even standing was getting hard.

Hank nodded immediately sending out his protronus with the message needed. "Codebreaker would be happy to show you the names Tank and Gatherer under The Pact heading." Frank nodded.

"Tara's temporary cure is wearing off I can tell and you are about to take a nose dive into the DT's if I do not get you there soon." Richard's stare turned into a nod, as the beginning of the shakes started to rack his body. "Sorry you had to get pushed off the wagon Professor, but it was done to save your life. As soon as I leave you on the door step of the hospital, I will leave…" Frank looked at Richard and decided to leave on the restraints. "Since I do not think you are very happy with me at the moment, I will leave on the restraints … It will make it easier for them to get you strapped into the bed." Richard's face took on the look of terror… he had been through this before and at the time decided never again…. Now he was headed down that road again and it wasn't a pleasant prospect. "I will leave a note in your pocket telling them what is wrong with you, in case you sink to fast … ready." Frank did not wait for an answer, but took a firm grip on Richard's arm, waved to Tara, and Hank, then Apparated to the Café to hand over Richard. He cringe slightly thinking of what Marco was going to say to him …. But it could not have been helped, could it?
CLOSED

(OOC: This is a joint post between Barbie and Jane. For more information about some of the results of this thread, see: Staff Offices, Professor Greene's Office, Enemy's Forever Possibly; Information about Cure used found at www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTabernanthe_iboga&h=PAQEj2eXs )