Dedicated to @dancingintherain750 for reading so diligently. Thank you for your support!

Tuesday March, 2029

Through the picturesque window of Ella's loft, the sun cast a orange glow over the hardwood floor. She woke with a start, her knife pulled from the drawer of the nightstand and held out in front of her, the hilt in her right hand and the blade pointing to the left. Her dark eyes darted about the studio layout of her loft and she saw no one. Releasing a exasperated sigh, she fell back into the pillows, the knife clattering on the top of her grey wood night table.

Her eyes fluttered against the bright, morning sun and she brought her hand up to her forehead. Groaning against the pounding in her head, she rolled away from the sunlight, turning her back to the window to get a full view of the kitchenette. The growling sound of her stomach gained her attention and she dropped her hand from her head to her stomach and moaned in response to the constant growl.

Reluctantly, stiffly, she stood from her bed and shuffled to the kitchen, holding her hand to her sore shoulder. Still applying pressure to her shoulder, she stopped in front of the bread box and sighed in her unwillingness to move. 

When he stomach growled again, she dropped her hand and opened the breadbox sitting atop the marble countertops. She sliced a piece of bread off and ate it quickly before grabbing at another slice and ate it absently as she walked to the clothing rack to the far end of the room, standing in front of an old brick wall.

Pulling off a pair of jeans and a navy blue long sleeve shirt, she bit down on her bread but did not break it off, holding it in her mouth as she pulled on her clothes. When she was dressed she tore off the piece of bread with her teeth and swallowed. She looked around the loft as she finished eating, looking for her white shell jacket before remembering she'd left it at the office.

Mouthing a string of profane utterances, she grabbed at a sweatshirt and pulled it on begrudgedly and made a mental note to grab it first thing. Quickly, she ducked into the bathroom to comb through her hair and she smiled slightly when she didn't look quite as ghastly as the night before- her eyes were less swollen and dark.

Satisfied, she left her house in a rush, barely remembering to replace the lantern in its place at the foyer table.

Still pulling on her boots as she left the loft, closing the door hurriedly and locking it clumsily while standing on one foot. She heard footsteps and watched the stairwell expectantly, seeing a familiar face she nodded curtly. "Morning, Billy."

A soft featured man rounded the corner and paused, a surprised look on his face. "Ella, good afternoon. Can't remember when I last saw you at home."

She furrowed her brows and replied distractedly, "Yeah, I've been busy- what time is it?"

"Around two." He shrugged.

Wincing, she sighed and nodded gratefully before running down the stairs as fast as she could without falling.

"Okay, then... have a good day..." He called after her.

She burst through the front doors of the building into the bustling street, apologizing absently when her door nearly busted a passerby's nose. He grumbled but she paid little mind. Stepping out into the street, holding out a thankful hand when a cabbie brought his cab horses to a stop so she could cross the road, Ella barely watched who she was running past. Safe on the sidewalk, she looked to the left of the intersection and could see Syndicate but she kept walking straight.

The city bustled around her, people's voices and shouts in the streets filled her ears. The whinnies and snorts of horses were commonplace now and she barely responded to them unless she was crossing the street. She sidestepped when a shop door opened into the sidewalk, a small bell jingling their patrons exit.

Breaking into a jog, careful of the ice, she dodged passed Sanctuary citizens and made her way through the city. She slowed as she neared the building she was looking for, turning right towards a garage. Opening the side door and stepping in, she called out, "Michael?"

A faint sound of music met her ears as she continued to the back of the shop, following the Beastie Boys.

"Michael," she called again as she entered the work area, sidestepping a creeper in front of the entrance. The place looked as though it had been looted but she knew better. It was how he worked. "Michael!" She looked around the frames of scrapped, totaled cars in search of him.

Sighing, she walked to the right of the garage, visible through the viewing area for customers, where the modern day carriages were. She located the wind up phonograph and pulled the needle away from the Beastie Boys record.

"Oi!" Michael's voice echoed from somewhere within the repair shop. "No one touches the records!"

"Michael!" She called for the last time.

"Ella?" His tone changed and he revealed himself by rolling out from under one of the scrapped cars. Most of them were nothing more than frames or half pieces. The one he was working on was put more together, despite it's frankenstein-esk appearance. Multiple different color frames welded together to make one. Much of the car appeared to have been forced and pounded to fit into place. It was a disaster but it was his baby. 

She walked up to him and waited for him to stand before greeting him properly, "Hey, I-"

"Wait- wait..." He held up a single finger in the air and bent over the front of the car, hiding himself within the engine. "Will you try the ignition?" His accent clipped words slightly.

"Michael I really-"

"Two seconds," he cut her off, his voice muffled. "Please?"

Ella sighed but complied, falling into the driver seat of the filthy, sleek automobile. "Now?"

"Yeah, sure... go ahead."

She turned the key but nothing happened, not so much as a click. "Uh, Mike?"

"Yeah, yeah." He came away from the engine and slammed the hood shut, wiping his hands on a greasy towel then on his dirty, navy-blue jumpsuit.

"Why don't you start smaller?"

"Any smaller and it would be like a weed wacker... maybe a push mower." He pushed his hands into his pockets and leaned up against one of the many cluttered tables. "The hardest part is finding the fuel for these old time engines. The Ousia and their clean energy ruined any chance of finding fossil fuel... and that's the only think I can think of that can make a magneto power- do you even know what I'm saying?" He paused and smirked, touching the tip of his tongue to the corner of his upper lip.

Standing out of the seat, she leaned against the car, opposite of him, and crossed against her chest. "Not really, no."

He laughed wryly and tilted his head to the side. Running his dirty fingers through his black hair, wet with perspiration, he nodded at her. "Wha'd you turn off my Boys for?" He digressed and gestured with an elbow in the direction of his record player.

"I, uh, have a headache..." She offered her best sheepish look before wincing slightly as she told the truth. "I need a favor." 

"A favor?" He unzipped the jumpsuit and pulled his arms out of the sleeve, revealing his sweaty, muscular arms. Pulling the top half of his suit down to his waist, he tied it securely with the empty sleeves.

Ella nodded, "Yeah, Tall-Dark-and-Handsome... a favor..."

"I see what you did there, Beautiful." He winked, but sighed in mock annoyance. "Whatcha need?"

"Horses."

He scoffed and leaned forward slightly, his head tilting to the other side, a cocky smile flitting across his chiseled features. "Horses. Plural."

"Yeah, I'm going to need two. I need them by the front gate and saddlebags loaded."

"Hey, El', look... there was a time, uh, a time where I wouldn't have hesitated to, you know... go with you... But I'm talkin' to this girl and..."

Ella furrowed her brows and diverted her gaze in deep thought before her eyes went wide and she held out her hand to him in a stopping motion. "No, no, no... Mike. This isn't about- no." She released a forced, nervous chuckle.

"Okay, well... then-" He exhaled sharply through his nose, "That's a big favor there, El'..." he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand as he placed the other on the table for balance. "What's this about?"

Hesitating, she twisted her hand in the air as she chose her words carefully. "It's about Daniel."

"Daniel." He echoed humorlessly. "That pendejo we jailed last night?"

She bit her lip from the inside, narrowing her eyes slightly, "Yep."

"El', what is going on?"

"There's more going on here... and Daniel knows a way to get to the bottom of it. I need him."

"Okay," he laughed bitterly, slighted. "I've never heard you say that you need anyone." He turned his back on her and fidgeted with objects on the table.

Ella scratched at her head agitatedly, "Listen, Mikey, I need your help on this... please. I just need some horses, you don't need to get involved past that."

"That's some serious involvement," his hands stilled but he refused to turn back to face her. "Does Ari know-"

"Ari doesn't know anything..." She flinched and looked around the garage in search of words and a convincing argument she didn't seem to have. "and I'm hoping it will stay that way?"

"Why is this so important?" He rubbed at his close, protruding eyes exhaustively with the tips of his oil stained fingers.

"This guy, that Daniel is after, killed our people. He's our best lead at tracking this guy down because he's been doing it for years. This... this Carver could be the cause of a lot of pain for a lot of people, not just now but in the future. We need to catch this guy."

"Our priority is the Huijari." He countered and turned to look her in the eye, his dark blue eyes peering into her soul and she felt exposed enough to re-cross her arms.

"I know, Mike." She replied hurriedly then released a calming breath and lowered her voice, "I know... but I think this is worth pursuing."

"And you want to go alone. With a guy that claims there's a bigger threat? What if he's Carver? Or he's taking you on a goose hunt... or it's a trap?"

Ella listened as he continued with all the different, negative possibilities and outcomes. Her mind registering that some of them were legitimate concerns but she couldn't be stopped, she'd made up her mind.

"Mike, listen, I appreciate it. I do. But will you please- please do this for me?"

He paused and she bated her breath in anticipation of his response, "Carajo." He muttered, "fine." He conceded with a heavy sigh, slumped shoulders and a tired gesture.

Releasing an audible sigh of relief she uncrossed her arms, her eyes fluttering. "Thank you, Mike... thank you." She stepped up close to him and put a gentle hand on his forearm.

Michael sighed gently at her touch, his eyes shuttered. "He's not at City anymore." He called to her before she departed through the exit.

"What?" She stepped back, confounded.

"He's being held in Syndicate." He informed, crossing his arms against his chest, his black t-shirt folding under his touch.

She pulled her lips between her teeth and closed her eyes, muttering a curse under her breath. "Alright, thanks."

"Yeah, I'll have the horses by five tonight."

"Thank you, Michael. Really."

"Yeah, well, I owed you one I guess."

"I owe you ten now."

Michael chuckled, a genuine smile lifting his lips. "Yep." She started for the door again when he stopped her, "Hey,"

"Yeah, Mike?" She leaned against the door jam, looking at him expectantly.

"Good luck."

She quirked a brow, "Yeah, you too."

O.o.O.o

Ella stood at the bottom of the steps to Syndicate, people passing her by and greeting her quietly- some with a hearty pat on her shoulder. Her eyes steely, she took a deep breath and began to ascend to the front door. As she walked through the main entrance she nodded to the security guard who sat behind the rounded reception desk.

The main doors to the bullpen, buzzing with movement and voices of Syndicate agents, were closed to keep in heat from body warmth and what small fireplace they had built in. No one paid much mind to her entrance, busy with paperwork or leads, running files from desk to desk or conversing with others.

Her eyes shifted around the room before she broke to the left, heading for the offices. She stayed close to the far wall to keep from intruding or walking into doors of the offices. When she got to hers she opened it quickly and whirled around to shut it quietly. When she finally released the handle she turned only to jump back and hit the door, gasping audibly. "Ari! What in the hell are you doing in my office?!"

"Ella, what are you doing here?" He deflected, putting his hands on his hips and staring her down from behind her desk.

"It's my office!" She justified and took a step away from the door, narrowing her eyes at him, her brow furrowed.

He shook his head, "No, why are you here and not at home."

Fluttering her eyes she threw up her arms, flabbergasted. "I left my coat here," she indicated to it where it rested on the back of her office chair. Her eyes flicked down to her backpack that rested on the seat, it was opened and gutted with it's contents sitting on her desk. "You went through my bag?" She couldn't hide the disdain in her voice. "What is going on?"

Ari took a deep breath and dipped his brow, his eyes downcast. "Ella, to be completely honest... I'm concerned." His accent gave his words a tone of honesty but she wasn't to be fooled.

"Again with you being 'concerned'?" She leaned forward as though she had a hard time hearing him but it was more in disbelief. "About what- you know what, I don't have to listen to this." She stalked up to her desk and threw her belongings into her backpack, zipping it closed and throwing it over her shoulder.

"Ella..." Ari began but paused when she whipped her jacket away from the chair and it made a snapping sound. "Where are you going?" He diverted his line of question.

"Why? You going to have me followed or did you already send someone to raid my house?" Her tone accusatory.

He sighed in exasperation, "What is going on with you, Ella."

Ella paused by the door and looked at him but had nothing to say, she settled for a glare.

"When's the last time you were checked?" He implied conspicuously.

"What about you?" Ella reviled before nodding her head at her desk, "Have fun in there, let me know if you find anything." She pivoted out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

As she walked down the hall she kept an eye on her door, making sure it remained closed. Stepping back into the bullpen she pushed through the chaos to get to the other side, to the interview rooms. She checked each room, all vacant. The tables in each room clear and the chairs empty. When she checked the last room, finding it available, she allowed the door to shut and stood outside with a perturbed expression- her face hurt with such a deep frown.

In her confusion and frustration, she ran her fingers through her hair and clenched her fist around her tresses, pulling slightly. Bowing her head, she considered where he could be held- she should have asked Michael.

A door opened to her right and a man stepped out and quietly closed the door behind him. The door, leading to the basement and not one of the interview rooms, squeaked slightly and the man visibly flinched. When he turned away from the door he stopped in his tracks, frozen, his eyes wide. "Ah- uh, good, uh afternoon, Ms.- agent Bishop...?" His voice fluctuated with each hesitation.

"Cooper." She greeted, arching her brow in a wiley manner.

He stepped closer and twisted his body to squeeze between her and the wall in order to get by, his shoulder brushing against hers. When he disappeared around the bend and the doors to the bullpen slammed closed behind him, she lunged for the door to the basement.

The stairs winded in a downward spiral, tall candles flickered against damp bricks. In another life she would have been reminded of medieval times but it was mundane now. The stone steps felt slick under her boots and despite her hurried canter she took care in her footfall placement.

Rounding the end of the staircase, she slowed to a creep, her eyes flicking to the only room in the large cellar- it was as large as the above-structure. Ella kept vigilant, looking to each stack of crates or moldy, old cardboard boxes, looking for any guards or people who may be lingering in the dark corners. She chewed the inside of her lower lip, her eyes now set on the door at the other end of the basement.

She'd known about the existence of the basement but there had never been a reason for her to go down, the dank crypt made her nose run. Forgotten habits made themselves known as she checked over her shoulder and brushed at her face self-consciously, she felt as though she wasn't alone despite knowing that she indeed was. When she realized she was fearing imaginary creatures or figures she steeled her nerve and jogged up to the door, placing a gentle hand on the knob.

Her eye twitched as she turned the brass handle and pushed the door open.

The room was even darker than the basement which, despite the dankness, was very well lit. Ella blinked rapidly in order to adjust the change. Holding the door open in fear it might lock when closed, she stepped further in and looked around the small room until her eyes fell upon a figure sitting, slumped in a chair.

Ella shuddered and dropped her bag into the door jam so the door wouldn't shut and walked up timidly to the figure, "Daniel?" She called, her eyes straining in the darkness to make out any distinctive features that would confirm who he was. Knowing her voice was strained, she called out louder, still walking up slowly. "Daniel...?"

There was a sudden intake of breath from the figure and he sat up straighter, his chin rising from his chest. "Hmm..." His lips were parted slightly, his breathing ragged.

Confirming that it was him, she knelt down in front of him and put her fingers under his chin to get a good look at his face. She clicked her tongue quietly at his appearance. He was soaking wet and shaking slightly. His eyes were closed tight and swollen. "Daniel." She pushed his back straight in the chair as she stood, holding the back of his head gently. "Wake up..." Her eyes darted across his face, taking in his pale skin and bruised cheekbone.

When he didn't react, she gently released his head to fall to rest against the back of the rusting, steel chair so she could start at the leather restraints around his wrists. As she unshackled his left wrist she paused. Her hands hovered over his arm slightly before taking it in her hands. Observing the fresh brand in his skin her lip curled and her eyes fluttered as she brushed a gentle touch of her thumb over the hot wound and the furious chapped skin where the leather had cut into his wrists.

Daniel flinched and woke with a start to her touch and instinctively moved away from her, his eyes wide and icy as they stared through her.

"Daniel, relax!" She stepped back as his free arm lashed out.

His eyes were unfocused, his lips parted as he looked to her.

"Hey..." She stepped closer, one hand raised in surrender, the other resting at her hip holster over the hilt of her Ruger. "I'm here to get you out."

He breathed heavily, panting, as he shook his head in an attempt to shake off the grogginess. His eyes focused and he looked her in the eye, the glow of the candles shining against his glassy gaze. "Bishop."

When he identified her, she nodded and walked back up to him to release him completely from the chair. "Yeah, you alright?"

Grunting, he shifted awkwardly in the chair, "No." He groaned as he pulled his hand away from the arm of the chair, rubbing his discolored wrist.

"I'm here to get you out," her voice became strained with unveiled emotion and she offered him a hand up by grabbing his right forearm.

Daniel took her help but shook her off the moment he was on his feet. "Well, what the hell took you so long?" He grumbled and straightened out his clothes, wiping the perspiration away from his eyes, and walked to the corner of the room to reclaim his discarded jacket which was bundled in a ball.

"I've got a guy who'll get us out of the city."

He laughed dryly, "Oh, you've 'got a guy'..." he replied mockingly and stretched his back by leaning back slightly before pulling his jacket over his blue t-shirt.

Ignoring his bitterness, only because she felt she deserved it, she led the way back out to the basement, grabbing her packs strap as she walked by and securing it on her back. Daniel attempted to pass her and lead the way to the stairs but, now in the light, she stopped him. "Daniel..."

Though he paused he shied away from her when she stepped closer. "What?"

Ella stood directly before him, her chin raised so she could look into his eyes and she frowned deeply. Despite the overall darkness of the basement, Daniel's eyes were extremely dilated. "What did they want?" She asked, realizing he'd been tortured.

"What does it matter," he narrowed his eyes and his face contorted in dismissal as he tried to step away from her.

She grabbed his arm but he wrenched it free. "Ari doesn't give OB to just anyone. He wanted information..." Ella pressed for the reason.

"Yeah, and who's fault is that?" He rebuked.

"Daniel-"

"Just get me out of here, Bishop!" He shouted.

Pushing her tongue against her teeth, she diverted her gaze. "Fine, just... keep your head- and your voice- down."

He rolled his eyes and sidestepped to let her go up first.

Once they reached the top of the stairs, she held up a hand for him to stay put while she opened the door slowly and peeked around to the empty hall. Satisfied, she beckoned him to follow and they walked towards the bullpen.

She opened the bullpen doors just as slowly as the basement door before closing them silently to look back at him. "Look like you belong but don't stand out." She instructed, her voice low.

Daniel raised his brows, creasing his forehead, "Yeah, right." His narrowed eyes twitched continuously, involuntarily, and Ella couldn't help the twinge of guilt in her stomach.

Keeping her comments to herself she dropped an arm to allow the pack strap to slide off, the bag swinging to her side where she could unzip it and feel around the contents.

"What are you doin', we need to get out of here." Daniel whispered harshly.

"Will you shut up?" She shot back, producing a pair of sunglasses and forcing them into his hand. "Put these on."

"Oh, like, uh, Clark Kent?" He held them like they were on fire, looking at her as though she was nuts. "These supposed to keep someone from recognizing me?"

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply through her nose, "Will you put them on? Please? I'd like to go, now." She lifted her brow in expectation.

Sighing, he complied and put the aviator glasses on, smacking his lips slightly in annoyance. "Happy?" He spread his arms out before letting them drop and slap against his legs.

"Yes, thank you." She replied, her tone forced and clipped.

"You're welcome," he mimicked her tone. "Can we go, please?"

"With pleasure." Ella continued their bitter, false pleasantries before opening the door, holding it open for him to take as she led the way through the bullpen.

The agents were still running around, papers shuffling, typewriters clicking, and voices shouting from one end of the room to the other.

"Damn." Daniel muttered.

Ella turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder to shush him but skid to a stop, her boots catching on the carpet, she nearly tripped into the figure she was trying to avoid. Her sudden stop was effective enough to prevent a collision until Daniel crashed into her. His chest pushed into her backpack and shoved her forward enough to slightly bump the slender woman.

"Oh, excuse- Ella." Olivia's high pitched voice cut through the noise of the hectic office. "I wasn't expected to see you in today." She smiled sweetly, "how are you feeling?"

Ella resisted the urge to look over her shoulder to look to Daniel in hopes that Olivia hadn't noticed him. "Olivia," she greeted, swallowing thickly. "I'm fine... I was exhausted. Nothing like a good night sleep and-" behind Olivia the doors swung open and Ella watched as Daniel slipped between the opening and disappeared into the foyer. "-and... a good breakfast couldn't help." She rushed, "I really need to get going, 'Liv. I'll catch up with you later." She sidestepped the dress clad woman and made a break for the door, chasing after Daniel.

In her haste she missed the suspicious look Olivia watched after her with before turning to the offices, her brow raised into a high arch and lips turned up in a small grin.

Bursting through the foyer doors, she scanned the room immediately. No sign of Daniel. "Shit..." She pushed her hair out of her face and tucked the long pieces behind her ear, though they didn't stay.

"Agent Bishop, are you alright?" The security guard was beside her before she realized and she ducked his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine, thank you. I'm just..." Her eye twitched, "-I have a headache." She omitted and walked away before he could respond, pushing through the glass doors to the outside. "Dammit, Daniel." She muttered and looked around the courtyard, seeing only oblivious citizens or agents out for a smoke break.

Her eyes fluttered and she considered where he could have gone, zipping her jacket up over her hoodie. Looking to her left, she searched for his brown jacket but saw nothing. She walked down the stairs and watched the street to the right, looking for a single guy in the crowd. Daniel was nowhere to be seen.