Creation of Francesca.
Part 13: Dorm Days, Storm Daze.
As Chief Lorenzo meets with the adults on the mission just done, Francesca remains upstairs in her dorm room.
"I must say, given the circumstance, the job was done. Various factions of the mafia are pointing their fingers at each other and a mob war is about to start. We will continue to fan those flames wherever possible. But..." Chief Lorenzo stated as he throws a news paper onto the desk, showing a disguised Francesca taking aim to Vincent's forehead, "we can't be caught by the press like this ever again."
"I'm sure they will never find out who that girl is.", Priscilla started to say, "We worked hard on changing her appearance. Coloring her hair, changing her eye color with contacts, padding up her bra to make her look..."
"Older.", Ferro finished.
Priscilla turns to Ferro for a moment.
"Yeah..." Priscilla then added.
"I have been on the phone with the Prime Minister earlier this morning. He is angry that this was allowed to be published. Thusly, he has begun to take further steps against unwanted media attention. He wants Italy to shine as a free and productive nation, not a nation of wonton crimes and destruction. Therefore, adding to his further control of the media, there will be a department within our section that is to be in contact with various media outlets, and we will confer with them on whether or not in disseminating information that we may be involved with. Ferro, your department of Support and Logistics will handle that," Lorenzo explained.
"Sir?" Ferro asks.
"Your department will have an added responsibility of communicating with the news media outlets on what stories can go to print and what stories to hold that involves missions we are on. If you get any back talk about freedom of the press, remind them that national security supersedes any and all such freedoms, and can be reason for arrest and detentions," Lorenzo states.
"I see," Ferro replies.
Lorenzo turns to Felix.
"You, Felix, we will have a few more missions for Francesca to prove herself, and when she does them successfully, the agency will be thinking of promoting you to Cyborg and Handler Training Specialist and Fratello Team Supervisor. You would be responsible for making sure that the Termination Squads will be able to function as a team as well as separate units. Currently, there are be 12 cyborgs slated for construction, and will be released once they are built and handlers found for them. The handlers will have the same responsibilities you have in caring, teaching and mission supervision of their cyborgs like you do with Francesca, but you will oversee what and how they do with them.", Lorenzo explains.
"Uhm... I don't know what to say," Felix started to say.
"Don't say anything at all..." Jean said in a low tone.
"Jean, how many handlers have you acquired thus far?" Lorenzo asks.
"4 are currently undergoing background checks," Jean answers.
"When do you think any of them can be hired?" Lorenzo asks.
"6 months at best. You know how long these things can take," Jean explains.
"And possible cases for the cyborg process have not been selected yet," Lorenzo says almost to himself. Then he nods before stroking his chin. "For now, this meeting is over; but no one is to leave the compound without permission, as I will be seeking you out for individual conferences during the day."
All in attendance agree. Folders were closed and chairs pushed under the conference table, as people start to leave one at a time. Lorenzo orders Tee to clean up the conference table before returning to his office. Ferro waits for Felix outside in the hall.
"Congrats are in order," Ferro started to tell him.
"What for?" Felix asks.
"The promotion..." Ferro started to say.
Jean approaches from the conference room, interjecting himself into the conversation. "Lucky stiff... someone more qualified should be taking that position other than you," Jean started to say.
"Take it up with the chief. He was the one that decided. Not me. I'm just following his orders," Felix tries to explain himself.
"You just better watch yourself around here, Spaniard," Jean say as he started to leave.
"What's up with him?" Felix asks.
"That's Jean Croche," Ferro started to explain. "He started out in Section One and thought transferring to Section Two would earn him promotions he's seeking before he gets married. That was before the Croche Incident... HMPH... I swear, I don't know what she saw in him."
"I'm not one to judge. I too had made mistakes in my relationships," Felix explains.
"Well, maybe we could discuss about that one day," Ferro says coyly.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Felix asks.
"You can't be that dense. Can't you tell when a woman has an interest in you?" Ferro asks.
"A woman?" Felix asks.
"Yes..." Ferro answers annoyed.
"Uh... OH! YOU! Shit... I'm sorry... Uhm," Felix started to say. "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry? What for?", Ferro asks.
"You throwing hints and I never saw them!" Felix stated. "Uhm... I don't know what to say... But... Uhm.. This... Uhm... I'm don't like office relationships. It brings up too much gossip and rumor mongering."
"Well..." Ferro started to say in a defeated tone. "I did not think about that, seriously. I was, you know, subconsciously looking at you, seeing how you work and how you carry yourself professionally, and I found myself attracted to you."
"Nothing against you, Ferro. You have plenty to offer for some man out there. But this is not the time or the place, though we can still be friends and see how far that goes. Lord knows I need some help with this job," Felix started to say.
"Help?" Ferro asks.
"Francesca is a girl. I don't know everything a girl needs- I'm not a girl!" Felix explains.
"Oh! I can do that for you if you like," Ferro almost volunteers. "Just let me know what you need!"
"Thanks for the help," Felix replies.
A moment of uncomfortable silence passes, lasting 2 or 3 seconds.
"Would you mind having lunch later at the cafeteria?" Ferro asks.
"Uhm... sure. Why not? Lunch.. about what time?" Felix responds and then asks.
"About 12:30 or so. Just get something to eat. I should be at the table by then. If not, we'll find each other," Ferro explains.
"Alright, I'll see you then," Felix replies to her offer.
Ferro takes Felix's hand and tries to make it look like a professional handshake. She then let's go and head off to her office. Felix watches her walk away, semi hypnotized at the swaying of her rear end in every step she took. When she disappears into the cubical complex area, he snaps out of this trance, and starts to go back to his dorm room/office.
Felix thinks to himself, 'She sure is lovely. I just don't like being pushed into a relationship like that. Whatever happened to being a man and calling all the shots in these situations?' He unlocks his door and walks inside his room. He drops his work folder onto his desk, and then throws himself onto the bed to stare at the ceiling above, taking off his glasses. He lets out a sigh as he thinks. 'Francesca is a handful and she already stated that she does not like Ferro or any other woman. But she has to listen to what I tell her. Then there is that, damn... unnatural desire for me. I need to find the root of that and deal with it.'
Francesca walks out of her dorm in just her pink panties, carrying a towel, wash cloth, a folded change of underwear, and a small plastic soap box which contains her bar of soap. With practically no one in this section of the dorm section, she thinks that she can strut about the hallways 1/2 naked to go to the bathroom and showers area. Only ones who would share in this area are Tee and on occasion Alpha.
Alpha is a young boy around 10 years of age, Francesca believes though he could be younger though she was not sure. He came in at about the same time she did, through a different program she knows nothing about. Rumor has it that his handler was killed in their last mission, and thus he stays in the complex awaiting his fate. But Francesca does not worry about such things, as she day dreams about having time alone with her handler, preferably with as little clothing as possible, showing him how much she would want to express her feelings to him as freely as possible.
In having the maze of hallways practically memorized, she could walk them blindfolded, and as such in times when she daydreams, she is not watching where she is going, but walks in a programmed route as far as she cares.
Alpha steps out of his room, not seeing that Francesca was walking to the showers with what little she had on, not watching where she was going. They both bump into each other rather hard, making the both of them fall back on their asses, and Francesca dropping everything she was carrying. She snaps out of her trance as her bottom hits the floor, shaking off the 1/2 sleepy effects of her day dream. She finds Alpha perpendicular to her path in the same position she was in, in the doorway of his room- between the room and the hallway.
"WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA, BUMPING INTO ME LIKE THAT?!!" Francesca yells at him.
"I didn't see you there and besides, why the hell are you walking naked through the halls again?!" Alpha exclaims back.
"For your information, I was going to the showers! What business do you have being out of your cage?!" Francesca argues her point loudly. "Wait, why are you here anyway?!"
"I was going to get some lunch and I live here now!" Alpha yells back.
"Lunch? Ain't it a bit early for lunch? It's not even 10:30 yet!" Francesca tries to point out.
"Well, I'm hungry and I get hungry often. So sue me or get out of my way!" Alpha says.
"Enjoy your meal for now; Felix will have you back at the pit you call home in no time. Besides, you keep eating like that and you're gonna get fat; and then what? You're gonna roll on your belly and crush your targets during your missions?" Francesca points out in a cold manner.
"Well, at least I'm a boy!" as Alpha points to her chest, "I don't have to worry about things like those getting swollen and getting fat and preggers like you!"
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Francesca yells at him.
"Make Me!" Alpha yells in return.
"WHY YOU LITTLE CREEP!" Francesca started to yell back at him.
"Better A Little Creep Than a Naked Bubble Headed Floozy, LIKE YOU!" Alpha yells as he was getting up. He closes his door and runs for the stairs in a single move; Francesca throws the bar of soap at him missing by barely inches, shattering into little pieces as it impacts the wall.
"Oooo! That Was My Last Bar Of Soap!" Francesca yells at Alpha.
"Not my fault you still suck!" Alpha yelled as he disappears down the stairs.
"One of these days, me and Felix are going to have to rescue your stupid ass and we're gonna say no!!"
Francesca sits on the floor for a while, angered and confused as to what to do about not having a bar of soap for a while. She then gathers her stuff and trots over to Felix's room on the other side of the dorm section, hoping he was there. As her footsteps fade down the hall, the door to Alpha's room opens slowly as Tee peeks her head out, wondering about the recent commotion.
Francesca gingerly knocks on his door. Felix took his time to answer, making Francesca wonder if he was in his room at all. He opens the door, only to have a squealing Francesca almost pounce on him.
"FELIX!!!" as Francesca drops everything and grabs him in a tight embrace.
He tries to push her off without offending her, "Francesca, what's going on?!!"
"I'm So Happy That You're Here!" Francesca starts to say.
"Yeah, me too, but please, I need to breathe..." Felix complains.
Francesca freezes and then slowly lets him go and steps back. He looks down at her, noticing that she was wearing nothing more on than her panties and flip flop sandals.
"Uhm... Is there a reason why you don't have anything else on?" he asks her.
For a moment she bites on her lower lip before explaining, "I was going to the showers when that stupid Alpha bumped into me and broke my soap into little pieces."
"I see. So why are you here?" Felix asks.
"That was my last bar of soap. Do you have one I can use?" Francesca asks.
He bends down at the knees and helps pick up her things, handing them to her. "Come inside," he tells her.
She does as she was told, closing the door behind her. She tries to keep her smile to a minimum as she walks over to his bed and puts her stuff down on it. He walks to his private bathroom, bringing back with him a bar of his soap and his robe.
"Look. You can wash up in my private bathroom, but put on my robe when you are done and return it to me when you get dressed in your room. I don't want you walking about the halls 1/2 naked," Felix tells her.
"I'm sorry. It's that I don't have my own robe like you have," she says.
"You don't?" he asks.
"No..." as she puts her face to his terry cloth robe and takes sniff of his scent from it.
"Alright, I'll get you one by the end of the day. Maybe we can go do some shopping for doing such a great job yesterday," he tells her.
Francesca smile grows larger as she listens to his words.
"A pink one maybe?" he continues.
"I like yours..." she answers.
"Well, you can barrow it for today," he tells her. After a bit of silence as they stare at each other, he takes her by the hand and escorts her to his bathroom. "There's the shower stall, the soap is in the wall dish. There is my towel; you can use it of you like. That's there is the wash sink and you know that's the toilet. I would not rely too much on that mirror above the sink. I can't get the scratches off it and the dirt can't seem to come off."
He looks at her hair more closely. Though much of the dye has been washed off, there was still traces of it on her scalp and hard to reach areas behind her ears. He opens the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and pulls out a bottle of shampoo and conditioner for her to use.
"You still got dye in your hair. I want you to take a long shower and wash your hair as much as you can to get all of that dye out. OK?" Felix tells her.
"OK!" Francesca tells him.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get in there and wash up!" he tells her.
She looks at him puzzled and amused at the same time. She places her things on the wash sink, before grabbing hold of it and pulling down her panties while holding on for balance.
"It's best if I wait outside until you are done," Felix stated.
Francesca bit her lower lip momentarily, wanting Felix to stay. In fact she wanted him to shower with her, but that was not going to happen. After taking the panties off, she gets his attention before he could leave the bathroom and hands them over to him, nodding for him to take them. He gives her a tiny smile and a kiss on the forehead as he accepted her 'gift' before stepping out of the bathroom. Closing the door behind him, he walks over to the bed where he places the panties on the furthest corner. He could hear the water running as Francesca started her shower.
Felix sat by his desk, looking over maps and pictures of various places in Italy, drawing out scenario in his head as to how a termination mission would follow. Notes on paper show his progress. Felix was not the best in this type of thinking, but he was using what he knows if he were to lead an attack.
Another knock on the door interrupts Felix from his work. He walks over to the door and opens it. It was Tee. He looks at her, unsure what to say, but eventually comes up with something.
"Yes?" Felix asks.
Tee hands him an envelope. Felix opens and reads it.
Creation of Francesca.
Part 14: Fratello.
Another knock on the door interrupts Felix from his work. He walks over to the door and opens it. It was Tee. He looks at her, unsure what to say, but eventually comes up with something.
"Yes?" Felix asks.
Tee hands him an envelope. Felix opens and reads it.
"I need to discuss various matters of urgency as soon as you can arrive at my office.
-Chief Lorenzo"
"I see..." Felix says for the moment. He then turns to face Tee, "Thank you."
He expects her to leave, but she does not. He puts away a few things, and turn towards Tee.
"You waiting for me?" Felix asks.
Tee only nods.
"OK then, let me deal with a couple of quick things and then we can go," he tells her
She nods again.
Felix then goes to the bathroom, closing the door behind him and leans against it. Francesca pops her head out from shower stall and looks at him.
"Hello..." Francesca says.
"Yeah... Francesca. I have to go. Chief Lorenzo wants to meet with me about something. So when you finish, put on the robe, go to your room, get dressed, and I will call you when I return. Until then, you have the day off," he explains to her.
"Hmmm...?" Francesca tries not be upset at the news.
"I'll call you when I am done. OK?" Felix tells her again.
She nods. He slowly steps out of the door back into his room. Gathering up his folder, he leaves the room, following Tee to Lorenzo's office. She opens the door for him but does not enter the room herself.
"Have a seat, Felix.", as Lorenzo slowly turns about on his chair. There was only one chair in front of the desk, all the other seats were moved to the perimeter of the walls of the room. Felix takes the seat in front of the desk.
"Good morning, sir. To what do I owe this meeting too?" Felix asks.
"Several things," Lorenzo says without looking at him. Instead he looks at various paperwork on his desk.
"Then can I please have an explanation why I wasn't informed when Alpha arrived? I thought I had made that request clear.", Felix asks.
"...One matter at a time, Felix.", Lorenzo replies.
"Anyplace you would like to start?" Felix asks.
Lorenzo straightens up and folds his hand on his desk, leaning slightly towards Felix's direction.
"Verify something for me..." Lorenzo started to say. Felix nods. "Did you have Francesca go out at night to kill people within the past 2 weeks?"
"Uhm... Just once," Felix answers, holding back his nervousness.
"Explain," Lorenzo responds.
Felix explains about the test Francesca was put through, and how it was Support Staff's idea to put her through the test. He agreed to the test to see if she pass or fail. Lorenzo sighs at the end of the explanation. Then he leans back on his chair.
"Why was I not informed of this test or of its outcome?", Lorenzo asks.
"I don't know. I thought the others would have, but at the same time I did not wanted to implicate you on an unauthorized hit against a bunch of punks.", Felix answers.
"Who else knows? I want names," Lorenzo says.
"Uhm..." Felix then sighs before stating them. "Ferro, Priscilla, Amedeo, Nihal, Georgio, Alfonzo... there were a couple of others but I don't know their names yet. I do know that they were all part of the Support and Logistics team."
"And I assume that Ferro was the one who planned it?" Lorenzo asks.
"It was Alfonzo who thought up of the idea, but Jean almost put it to a challenge before he left," Felix answers.
"How so?" Lorenzo asks.
"Jean asked if Francesca was up to the task of killing someone for the agency. I told him that she will follow orders that are given. He doubted it and stated that 'This is not some camera picture taking date.' Then he left the room. This brought doubt on others that were there about Francesca's abilities, and then Alfonzo stated that we should test those abilities. Shortly afterwards it was decided that we send Francesca through the park at night where she would be attacked by some gang punks. She was ordered to kill in self defense, taking down those who attacked her. No one else was to be hurt. Look, it's my fault for accepting such a test. I could have said no.", Felix explains.
Lorenzo sits there quietly with his folded hands to his chin, staring back at Felix. The few moments before he spoke seemed like a nervous eternity. He slowly puts down his hands.
"Good," Lorenzo says.
"Huh?" Felix asks.
"If there is doubt on a cyborg's abilities, then it should be tested. But next time, I would have conferred with the police about such activities as to not let them answer the panicked calls of scared citizens. That will be Support and Logistics task in future tests. Your job as Handler and Cyborg supervisor is to make sure that all cyborgs who have completed their training, as per their handler's abilities, to undergo such tests. If they pass, they are to be considered mission ready. If they fail..." Lorenzo suddenly stops in mid-sentence.
"If they fail, sir?" Felix asks.
"You are to decide on their fate. Retraining and reprogramming will be an option. But you will need to deal with the bad apples of the barrel. And I don't want you to be squeamish on throwing away bad apples," Lorenzo says to him.
"I see. So, you are giving me powers of terminating handlers?" Felix asks.
"Yes," Lorenzo says in a cold tone.
"I find no problem with that then," Felix says.
"Good," Lorenzo says. "Now, I am going to have to drop a case on you... A few weeks ago, the Alpha/Omega teams went onto a mission with SISDE, where they were to capture or assassinate a major Padania leader. They failed in that mission. Furthermore, the cyborg handler and agency operative, Omega, was killed in action. Jean now has custody, control and authority over the Alpha cyborg, but he has not been successful in the few minor training missions with the Alpha cyborg. This is why we had Francesca deal with the Coleon Mission."
"Sorry, Director; but I thought that those missions were completed successfully.", Felix stated.
"Successfully isn't the same as satisfactory. I have begun withdrawing Alpha from future missions until Jean can have him on a more desirable level of operation. Francesca, under your supervision, will be taking over those missions. But, as Jean's supervisor, I want you to rate his work and decide on both his and his cyborg's fate if they are not successful in future training missions," Lorenzo says to him in a very cold tone. "Do I Make Myself Clear?"
Felix nods his head. Lorenzo sighs. Then he presses a button on his desk.
"Tee, can you come in?" Lorenzo asks.
In a couple of seconds, Tee walks into the room. Lorenzo continues to talk with Felix.
"I want you to confer with Ferro about this, since you are both department supervisors. Then I want you to take Francesca and Tee out for a field day trip. Go anywhere with them- the museum, movies, shopping... where ever," Lorenzo says.
"Sir?" Felix asks.
"Francesca did well, despite the mess the press left behind to clean up. Tee has been too cooped up in this place and needs a bit of a time out away from here. They both need a reward for a job well done. So give it to them," Lorenzo explain.
"Alright, no problem then..." Felix starts to say.
Lorenzo hands him a credit card that just has numbers on it, but no name embossed on its face, along to a set of keys with the Mercedes emblem on it, along with a couple of papers to sign.
"Sign the back of that card and these papers. That is for you to spend agency money on the girls, and not any of your own money, and take the Mercedes 500SEL. I doubt your little Alfa can fit the 4 of you," Lorenzo says.
"Four, sir?" Felix asks.
"Take Ferro with you. Just in case the girls have to go to a personal private place like a fitting room or the bathroom. Besides, you two can discuss work matters in a more private setting... outside of the walls of the office," Lorenzo explains.
Felix nods.
"Tee, wash up and get dressed. Felix is going to take you out, and take your gun with you," Lorenzo says.
"Gun?" Felix asks.
"Just like you go out armed, even on small errands, I want the girls to be armed as well. They are to protect you in case anything was to happen," Lorenzo explains.
"But... I don't have Francesca armed when we go out," Felix replies.
"Do so, for now on," Lorenzo says.
"Francesca does not have a personal or mission gun..." Felix tried to explain.
Lorenzo shakes his head at this statement.
"Then what guns have you had her working with?" Lorenzo asks.
"Recycled evidence guns that are no longer being used because their court cases have ended, In case they need to be thrown away," Felix explains.
"Alright... change of policy here. We will no longer going to use evidence or throw away guns. Each handler and cyborg will have their own personal weapons that will double as their mission weapons," Lorenzo begins to explain. He then pulls a card from his desk and slides it to Felix. "I will call Giovanni for an appointment for you later today. Pick up what you like for Francesca or have Giovanni recommend something for her. Then put it on the agency card."
"Will do sir..." Felix says.
"You seem apprehensive about this," Lorenzo states.
"I'm just thinking about 'What If' cases. Bullets, casings and if captured, even the guns can be connected to other missions..." Felix tries to explain.
"That is why we are a government agency, operating at the level we are, do have some control over other agencies. Right now you are just carrying an identification card, but soon you will have a badge to go with the card. While you are out with the cyborgs, I will be meeting with local police chiefs from all over, explaining to them who we are and what we do, in order to establish some cooperation between departments. The Forensics and Pathology Investigation boards will be privy to the gun's finger prints, when they run up against our gun's fingerprints, will be switched with another set," Lorenzo explains in detail. "This is why there will be a cleanup crew with you as well... to keep the level of evidence to a minimum. But... remember, we will be dealing with criminals who would fight than get caught and die in doing so."
Felix sighs.
"I'm sorry. I just... you know- lost track of what it is we do here," Felix replies.
"If you need some time off, I could give you a couple of days," Lorenzo says. "In fact, take a couple days off. I will add that into policy- after every completed mission, handlers and their cyborgs are to be given days off to recover."
"I'm not finished with the reports..." Felix try to say.
"When you are finished- take a few days off. Take Francesca with you," Lorenzo says.
"Thanks," Felix says.
"No- thank you. Your hard work ensured that this mission was successful," Lorenzo says.
Felix nods slightly. For a while nothing was said between the two.
"Oh. Before I forget... I have something for you," Lorenzo said as he searched the lower drawer of his desk. He pulls out an expanding self wrapping folder, and slides it across the desk to Felix. On the closing flap was a large label with the word "Fratellos" on it. Felix takes it, opens it and finds several empty folders inside, and 3 stuffed with papers in them, with names written across the top tabs: Felix/Francesca, Omega/Alpha, Jean/Alpha. "Put that in a safe place for now, and read them when you return. Since you are going to be Handler and Cyborg Operations Supervisor, you are going to need to know who you are supervising. Furthermore, it has been decided that the handler and cyborg teams will be known as 'Fratellos'. Siblings..."
"I understand sir," Felix answers.
"Now, if you don't have any questions, you can leave," Lorenzo almost orders.
"Thank you sir..." Felix says as he slowly gets up.
Felix starts to walk to the door, when Lorenzo asks a question.
"When would you want to pick up Tee?" Lorenzo asks.
"Uhm... 12 o'clock is good. Have her come to my room and we can leave after that," Felix answers.
"12 o'clock? Good. She will be there," Lorenzo says.
Felix nods before stepping outside. There he closes the door to the office and lets out a sigh.
Creation of Francesca.
Part 15: Lunch, Date, Love, Hate.
Felix walks over to Ferro's office, which is nothing more than a double sized cubical in the cubical section. She was doing some paper work when he approached her.
"Hello, Ferro", Felix says to her.
"Oh, hi. Everything OK?" Ferro asks.
"Sorta, yeah. I need to change some plans," Felix tries to explain.
"You need to cancel?" Ferro asks.
"Oh, no; but, the chief wants me and you to take Francesca and Tee out on the town," Felix answers.
"Huh?" Ferro asks.
"Did you hear what I said?" Felix asks.
"Yes, I did. I just wanted to make sure that it was what you said, and not something else," Ferro explains herself.
"Apparently it's Lorenzo's decision that Francesca should be rewarded for her work, although I had plans in doing just that but I did not tell him of them. But in that, he made my decision official," Felix replies.
"And where does Tee fit into all this?" Ferro asks.
"Lorenzo wants Tee to have some outdoor time as well, so why not do both at the same time- was his comment," Felix answers.
"So... what does have to do with our lunch date?" Ferro asks.
"We are either going to have to set it forward by an hour or cancel it and have it with the girls," Felix answers.
"I wanted some alone time with you, if at least in public," Ferro stated to him.
"I don't know what you see in me, Ferro; but I can assure you that I see you in a professional manner when working within these walls," Felix started to tell her.
"And what about non-working hours, not within these walls?" Ferro asks.
"Well, you are a lovely looking lady, who has a lot to offer to that special guy," Felix explains. "But I am not special..."
"Let me decide that for myself," Ferro tells him.
"I'm just an ordinary guy..." Felix starts to explain.
"Who is from Spain. Not many Spanish guys here, I think you are the only one. As for the rest of them, 98% are from Italy- like No Duh there. A bunch of skirt chasers I might add too... and from what I know of the medical staff: 1 is from France though he says he's Russian, 2 are German, and who knows where Dr. Frankenstein came from? That old guy gives me the creeps!"
"Ha! I see your point," Felix adds.
"And it's not like I'm asking you out on a date kind of date. I just want to know you better now that you're an equal to me as a department supervisor. If we are going to work together and share secret intimate knowledge of our work, I need to see if I can trust you," Ferro explains.
"So, all this... it not about romance?" Felix asks.
"Felix!" Ferro gasps. "You dare think that I would be so unprofessional in having an interoffice affair with one of my co-workers?"
"Well... uhm... I... I... aye... aye... I'm sorry Ferro. I think I got the signals confused," Felix apologizes.
"I accept your apology," Ferro tells him. "Now you have that report on Francesca's performance rating done?"
"Uhm... what performance rating report?" Felix asks.
"Francesca's performance rating on the mission as per your scoring of her abilities. I need it for my staff to recognize her strengths and weaknesses when on the field," Ferro explains.
"I was not told to..." Felix started to say.
"Well, I'm telling you now. I need that report," Ferro states to him. "The sooner the better."
"Alright... I'll write one up for you right now. But, uhm...what about lunch?" Felix tries to change the subject.
"We can go eat with the girls when we leave," Ferro answers.
"Alright. I'll see you at around 12 o'clock, with the girls in tow," Felix says.
"12 o'clock it is," Ferro responds.
Felix starts to away out of the cubical complex and back to his room. Francesca had already left, having taken her things with her. His robe was also missing, which she probably took as ordered to do so, or so he hoped, but he does not pay attention to her pink panties that were still in the far corner of the bed. He thinks to himself that he would retrieve it later as he fires up his agency laptop, activating the word processor. A simple cover page and a spreadsheet format was all he required to put together a rating system for Francesca.
As he formatted how the spreadsheet should look like, with its data columns and row entries, there was a knock on the door. Felix puts the laptop on the desk to answer the door.
"Ferro... Uhm... what are you doing here?" Felix ask as he sees her when he opens the door.
Ferro walks into the room, giving it an inspector's eye of the place.
"Oh, uhm, nothing. You done with the report yet?" she asks.
"I just started," Felix says as he stands by the door.
Ferro grabs the doorknob and closes the door slowly and quietly, before stepping up to Felix, placing a hand on his chest.
"You don't have to worry about that report, Felix," Ferro says to him softly.
"What do you mean?" Felix asks almost nervously.
As she steps back from him, "It was just a ploy to get you back into your room, so I can drop by and check on you."
"Check on me, what for?" Felix asks.
"Look, I did not want any of those busy bodies from downstairs listening in on us and spreading gossip about either one of us, or of the relationship that we have. As far as I am concerned, that is between me and you," Ferro tells him as she puts a finger to his chest and slides it down just a couple of inches.
Felix sighs.
"I see..." he says as she steps in a little closer.
"Nervous?" she asks as she puts her other hand unto his side and slowly slides it down from his ribs to his hips.
"I don't want anybody walking in on us," he tells her, not being able to step back away from her as the wall suddenly got in his way..
"Isn't this your private room? Isn't it locked? I thought it was," Ferro asks.
"Yes, and yes, but this is a dorm room. And if you remember your college days, though dorm rooms maybe private, they are not 100% private," he explains to her.
"I'll take that chance..." she says.
"What if Francesca knocks? She's been wanting more and more attention from me as of late," he explains.
She steps back and lightly covers her lips, "Oh!" She turns to face away from him, looking for a place to sit but the closest thing was the bed, so she takes it. "She's been wanting attention from you?"
"It seems that she wants more and more attention from me everyday..." Felix explains. "I know girls go through crushes, but this is a bit unnatural..."
Ferro sees the pink panties at the end of the bed, and picks them up, looking at them with a wide eyed expression. "Felix?", as she holds them up to him, "You need to do some explaining..."
Felix steps up to Ferro and takes the panties from her hands, and put them onto a dirty clothes hamper he has in the end of the room, "What is there to explain?"
"Are you and Francesca uhm...coupling?" Ferro asks as she crosses her arms.
"No!" Felix says. "Is that what you think?!!"
"Then explain why her panties are on your bed," Ferro asks.
"She needed to use my bathroom to wash up and change into a pair of fresh clean underwear," Felix explains in an annoyed tone.
"Why didn't she use the public bathroom set aside for the cyborgs?" Ferro asks.
"She had some kind of altercation with Alpha. She won't explain what it was but she would not go to their bathroom because of it. So I let her use my facility," Felix explains.
"And she left her panties here when she was done?" Ferro asks.
"Francesca can be forgetful at times. That is another issue I need to talk to Dr. Frankenstein about," Felix says. "Speaking of which, I thought that I was to be informed when Alpha set foot on the grounds?"
"Oh...that," Ferro said in a hushed tone as she looked away slightly. "That call came from the Director. Apparently, Lorenzo wants to keep a closer eye on the boy. Have you seen the photos from his latest assignment?"
"Not yet.", Felix answers.
"You will, and you might not want to do so after you've had a meal.", Ferro stated.
"So, he still has problems showing restraint?", Felix asks.
"In a manner of speaking, I trust you've seen this.", Ferro answers.
"Firsthand," Felix said in anger. "I tried using him as a training partner in order to teach Francesca a few moves."
"And...?", Ferro asks.
"And the boy pokes holes in every basic I try to teach her and then damn near gives Francesca a concussion. Francesca may be better built, but boys are still boys and they should not treat girls that way.", Felix explains.
"You care about her a lot, don't you?", Ferro asks.
"...Yes.", Felix begins to answer.
"So, you've noticed that she has a crush on you?" Ferro asks in a more calm and subtle tone as she changes the subject.
"Yeah... her and I have talked about the limits of our relationship. But I do not think she is taking what I said into consideration," Felix replies.
"What do you mean by that?" Ferro asks.
"How can I say it in the proper words?" Felix asks himself.
"Just say it as they are," Ferro states.
"She has stated to me that she wanted to have a sexual relationship with me," Felix lets the words come out.
"I see. She has said something similar to Priscilla and I," Ferro adds.
"Look, I see her as a younger first cousin whose care I am entrusted," Felix tries to defend his position, "Wait... when and what did she say?"
"It happened a couple of times in the recent weeks, latest maybe less than a month ago," Ferro stated. "In her words, you belong to her. But you know what bothers me most?"
"No, what?" Felix asks.
"Priscilla and I went to Chief Lorenzo about this, and he had Tee strip down in front of us and lay naked on the conference table, going through and explaining every bit of technology that Tee and Francesca shares, and how the drug is supposed to help the technologies and the girl act as one, while also conditioning the girl's mind to be loyal, in this case- to you. In all seriousness, I thought he was going to boff her right then and there in front of us!"
"I don't understand- what part bothers you?", Felix asks.
"That he has such control over that girl that she would strip in front of strangers upon command! Plus another thing, he said that the conditioning medication can be used on anyone to make us more cooperative with the agency's task! And in his words about you, 'As long as Francesca follows orders and completes her termination missions, then I hope he is doing her well'... ", Ferro explained.
Felix sighs, unsure of what to say.
"I'm sorry..." Ferro started to say.
"Sorry for what?" Felix asks.
"No, it's that... Uhm, I came here with my own agenda to fulfill and here we are discussing Francesca- who has similar motives to fulfill although she is being forced to think so by those very pills she needs to stay alive," Ferro answers.
"I'm still confused," Felix says.
Ferro just sighs.
"All this frustrates me at times," Felix says to himself, but loud enough for Ferro to hear.
"Same here," Ferro comments to herself but loud enough for Felix to hear.
"What can we do?" Felix asks.
"I don't know," Ferro answers.
"What do you want to do?" Felix asks.
"Huh?" as she look up at Felix.
"You came here for a reason," Felix stated.
"Oh... the mood is over..." Ferro says quietly, bowing her head down.
Felix takes a seat on the bed by Ferro. He takes her hands and holds them in his.
"Look... uhm... I'm just going to say this," Felix begins, trying not to stutter or trip over his words.
"What do you want to tell me?" Ferro asks.
"Uhm... no disrespect to you, Ferro. You are a lovely lady and all that. But..." Felix started to say.
"You don't like me?" Ferro asks.
"No... I do like you... but... I'm a man, and where and I grew up, I was taught that as the man, I should be doing the chasing. Its... discerning and even more confusing to me that you are chasing me," Felix finishes what he had to say.
"Uhm... I don't know what to say..." Ferro started to say.
"I'm sorry...?" Felix added.
"It's not your fault..." Ferro tried to continue what she wanted to say.
"No. You should apologize to me for momentarily turning my world upside down," Felix says it without being too demanding of it.
"Oh! Uhm... I'm sorry... for chasing you," Ferro says.
"I forgive you," Felix replies.
"Ok, now where does that leave us?" Ferro asks.
Felix leans over to her slightly more with every word he says until their noses are almost touching, "I don't know. Just you, and me, here, in my room, on my bed, but we have to be professionals about this..."
"Yes, we have to be profess..." Ferro started to say before their lips made contact.
For a second, they were frozen in lip contact, waiting for the other to respond. Then suddenly, they embraced holding and touching each other, beginning to unbutton buttons and unzip zippers like teenagers in a parked car. But before they could further their intimate moment, Ferro's blackberry rings, disrupting the moment. They both freeze in place before Ferro pushes Felix away from her to answer her phone. She was annoyed to see Priscilla's number flashing on the screen, but the 'Urgent' flag was flashing next to the little ringing bell icon.
"What is it? What? When? Now? Uhm... Tell them I'm in the lady's room.... I don't know- tell them it's a woman's thing- yeah... Cover for me... I'm on my way..." Ferro says before hanging up the call.
"Should I ask?" Felix asks.
"The chief wants a meeting with all of the logistics and support supervisors... Damn it..." Ferro answers and then says to herself.
"You better go. We can do this some other time," Felix tells her calmly.
"Yeah... I should," Ferro says before getting up.
"Don't forget too..." Felix started to say as he points to her partially opened blouse and totally opened suit jacket.
Ferro takes a second to recompose herself before leaving the room. She walks the empty halls of the dormitory, to the other side of the building, to make it look like she was coming from the bathroom when she goes to the administrative level.
Felix drops to the bed and chuckles to himself, and then starts cursing, "Damn you Felix, What have you done?"
[Two hours later]
Tee arrives at Felix's room, looking something from a Japanese Lolita-Goth Magazine, and not her usual Maid outfit. Felix opens the door, finding Tee looking like Candy Floss from Penthouse Magazine's Wicked Wanda comics.
"Oh god..." Felix says to himself. Tee looks at him confused.
"This can't do! Don't you have any regular clothing?" Felix says and then asks.
Tee shakes her head.
"Can't you talk?" Felix asks.
Tee nods.
"Then, can you say something?" Felix asks.
Tee shakes her head. Felix sighs before putting his hand to his face, and shakes his head lightly for a second.
"You're ordered not to speak..." Felix started to say.
Tee nods. Felix sighs, shaking his head at a cyborg who's taking her orders of silence more than she should have. He carefully thinks out the words that he has to say to Tee, trying to make sure that he does not accidentally orders her to something Francesca would- if she would take his orders.
"Tee..." he started to say, "We need you into more normal clothing. Don't you have something like a jumpsuit, play clothes, jeans, blouse or a simple skirt?"
Tee shakes her head in slow, small motions.
"Sneakers? Flat soled shoes?" he continues to ask.
Tee shakes her head again.
Felix says to himself, "At least you have normal bras and panties..."
Tee nods as she reaches down to her skirt and starts lifting them up to show him what she had on, though Felix stop her midway. "That will not be necessary..." he says to her. He then gently pushes her hands down until she drops her skirt, and holds her hands.
"Can you at least tell me your measurements, and other personal information? You don't have to tell me any agency secrets that you know- I do not care for them but we need to get you some clothes that fit you properly," Felix explains.
Tee walks into his room, almost pushing Felix out of the way, walking to his desk where she takes a pad of paper and a pen. She draws on the pad a figure of herself and adds numbers next to the figure. She basically gave more information than she should have, as the basics would have sufficed and not detailed information like the lengths of each finger. But as he suspected, Tee was almost the same in size and shape as Francesca was, though just a bit thinner and shorter than her cyborg sister. This was apparent visually, but by how much was a bit hard to discern, the numbers gave exactness to her construction as compared to Francesca- whose detailed measurements he knew by heart.
"Good. Hope Francesca doesn't mind lending you a couple of things... I can't have you looking like a little nymphet moppet in public," Felix says to himself as he places the pad of paper on his desk.
Tee did not understand what he just said, but follows him as he takes her wrist and leads her out of the room. They walk through the maze of hallways from the Handler's side to the dormitory to the Cyborg's side. In just a short time, they were in front of Francesca's door. Felix knocks on it. Francesca slowly opens the door to see who it was, showing just her head in the space of the open door. She only sees Felix, not Tee who was beside him on her blind side. She opens the door all the same and pounces on him, almost wearing nothing at all again, like before.
"FELIX!!!" she squeals with glee.
"Francesca, I need a favor from you," he says.
"Anything!" she says, then she slowly steps back and realizes Tee was next to him. "Uhm...why is she here?"
"That's the favor I need you to do for me," Felix says.
"Why?" Francesca asks.
"Look at her!" Felix answers. "I can't have her looking like that in public..."
"Out in public?" Francesca asks.
"Chief Lorenzo authorized our little trip this afternoon if I take Tee with us. Ferro will be joining us too."
"Nooooo!!!!" Francesca almost howled.
"Francesca, calm yourself down, now!" Felix says loudly to her.
Francesca quickly quiets down, despite what she is feeling at the moment. Felix sighs as he crosses his arms.
"Now, I'm asking you if you could share a bit of your clothing for Tee to wear. I cannot have her dressed like this," Felix tells her.
"I don't know what to wear myself," Francesca says as she walks to the bed, looking over the items she had put out.
Felix walks over to the bed and sits on a corner, "Don't make it any more complicated that it actually is. I just want you to dress up nice and presentable but not over dressed in fancy gowns. Look- this yellow turtle neck would look nice on you."
"I don't like it.", Francesca stated. "It makes me itchy when I wear it."
"Then you should put on one of the camisoles I gave you underneath," Felix stated.
"What's a camisole?" Francesca asks.
"Those like silk-like t-shirts I bought you..." Felix asks.
Francesca runs to her dresser and takes out one of them and stands in front of him holding it up. "One of these things?" she then asks.
"Yes. That is what they are for," as Felix takes it and puts her head through it. He then hesitates for a moment before taking it off. "You need to put on a bra."
Francesca just smiles that he noticed her in that way that he would comment on her body. She reaches over to the bed and takes a bra she had laying there, putting it on in front of him. She leans forward slightly and takes in a deep breath to give him a closer look at her young small firm breasts as she puts on the bra. He pushes her away from him.
"Francesca- we're not alone, and that's not necessary for you to do," Felix tells her.
"It's alright- Tee does it all the time in front of her handler. And he touches her back- she told me so!" Francesca tells him.
"First of all, Tee is here watching, and our relationship does not include such activities. Don't forget that," Felix reminds her again.
"But..." as Francesca bites her lower lip, "her handler touches her all the time- even in front of others. A couple of weeks ago, he was touching her in front of Ms. Ferro and Ms. Priscilla! She said so! Right Tee?"
Tee remains silent although she was blushing bright red at the moment.
"Enough, Francesca. You are going to behave or you can stay here alone and I can take Tee out with Ferro," Felix tells her in a very cold tone.
All Francesca can do is bite on the inside of her cheek and hold her tears in to remain as silent as possible. Felix slowly gets up and walks over to Francesca's closet. He pulls out a pair of jeans, and a white blouse before going to the dresser and takes out a t-shirt for Tee. He hands over the items to her. Tee places them on the table in the middle of the room and walks over to Felix, turning around and pointing to the back of her neck. At first Felix was not sure what Tee wanted and then realizes the zipper in the back of her dress. He takes the zipper and pulls it down for her. He then turns his attention to Francesca as Tee takes off the dress and neatly folds it on the table.
"Come here, girl," Felix tells Francesca. He quickly helps her put on her bra, then throws the camisole over it. He then takes the yellow sweater and puts it on her, though she was being a stubborn little girl as she can be. He gives her a good swat to her rear end and then points a finger to her face along with a mean stare. Francesca becomes more cooperative at this point, putting on a greenish grey knee high skirt. He takes her by the waist and turns her around, making adjustments to her appearance where ever he can. He then tells her to clean up the bed, before looking over Tee.
He takes her by the shoulders and turns her around to face him. Only adjustment, unbuttoning the top button of the blouse, which Tee was rather apprehensive about. Another spin of looking her over, Felix tells her the next set of directions.
"Tee, take your dress to your room and leave it on the table. You can put it away when we return. Also put on the black shoes you have, and meet us outside of the cubical compound. Francesca will be waiting outside with you as I get Ferro, then we will all be on our way," Felix tells her
Tee nods, gathers her dress off the table and heads off to follow the given directions. Felix turns to Francesca.
"Put on your shoes so we can leave," he tells her.
Francesca gives him the silent treatment for the moment. He walks over to the bed and sits next to her.
"Don't give me any guff, girl..." he tells her. "I expect you to act in a certain way when people are around, and when we are alone."
"But This Is My Room!" Francesca almost yells at him.
"Look- I'm sorry that I need to enforce a few things on you. But these things were needed," Felix tells her. "I don't need you to tell me what I should be doing. If anything, I am the man in this relationship...", he continues but then comes to a abrupt stop at the end.
He sighs. Then he takes Francesca's hand and pulls her towards him and for a moment holds her.
"Francesca, I'm sorry. I should not be getting angry at you, and you have every right to be angry at me," he tells her.
For a moment Francesca does not answer as she leans clenched up in a tight ball against him.
"This was unexpected turn of events. But we have to be cooperative with each other, and be able to share resources that we have. You've seen what Tee looked like. We could not have her looking like that in public. You have every right to be angry, but be angry at me," Felix tries to explain. "I'm the one who is deciding what has to be done."
"But it's unfair!" Francesca sits up and yells out. "What about the things I want!"
"I told you, in time, if all goes in a certain way, you can have what it is you want from me," Felix answers.
"I want you! And I want you now!" Francesca stated. "I wanted you a long time ago! Since The Beginning Almost!"
"You have me now, with restrictions. We are a team; we are more than a team. You are someone who I care about, and it's not because of this job or that we are a team or of this agency and its orders. I care about you a lot, Francesca, since the beginning- whether you know it or not," Felix explains.
"But..." Francesca started to say.
"But what?" Felix asks.
"Never mind," Francesca says.
"No, tell me.", Felix says.
"I don't know how to deal with these feelings," Francesca says.
"What feelings?" Felix asks.
"Those feelings of wanting to have you...in me... You understand?" Francesca asks.
"I'm not a girl to know of such feelings and I am going to need you to talk to a woman about this. I know you are not going to like it, but talk to Ferro about how to deal with those feelings because she is a grown woman and she had learned how to deal with them when she was growing up, and she can teach you how to deal with them as well," Felix explains.
Francesca just sighs, the sadness in her face saying everything that was on her mind. Felix inches up to her, putting an arm behind her waist as he sat next to her, before giving her a kiss on the forehead. He then moves over to her ear.
"Look, Francesca. I care for you, and I do love you, but we cannot act on this love we may have right now. We have a lot to learn and a lot to do. When all is said and done, then we can act on our feelings. But as for right now, nothing can take you away from me. Alright?" Felix whispers in her ear.
Francesca closes her eyes and smiles a tiny smile, letting out a sigh. Felix separates away from her.
"Let's go. We need to get Tee and Ferro," Felix says to her as he gets off the bed.
In a couple of minutes, they were downstairs. Felix tells Francesca to wait outside of the cubical complex while he goes for Ferro. Tee was already waiting by the door for them to arrive. After a few seconds of waiting, Felix step out of the cubical section with Ferro next to him. They gather together and leave to for the parking lot. Felix finds a sliver Mercedes 500SEL at the far end of the parking lot. The remote on the set of keys disarmed the alarm and unlocked the doors. After about of minute of seat assignments, Felix drives away in the Mercedes with the others inside.
Though they discuss as to where to conduct their activities, Felix had already had something in mind. He parks the car blocks within the Plaza di Espana. They all step out of the car, looking at Felix.
"Where are we?" Francesca asks.
"I know where we are at. Why are we here?" Ferro says and then asks.
"You'll see," Felix says as he starts to step away from the car.
The others quickly gather about him and continue onward in his direction. Soon they were stepping into a cafe with an outdoor eating area. Upon request, the waiter sits the group at the table with the best view of grand stair case of the plaza. As they sit, the waiter puts a small plate of gelato for Tee and Francesca. Coffee and pastry were given to Ferro and Felix.
"Eat up, girls. There is more where that came from because you two deserve it," Felix tells them. "And we have a long day ahead of us."
"A long day?" Ferro asks.
"Besides shopping for things for Tee and Francesca, there is dinner later on and a movie. Also Francesca has an appointment with Giovanni," Felix explains.
"Giovanni, the gunsmith?" Ferro asks.
"Yes. The chief no longer wants Francesca or any other future... uhm..." Felix started to say.
"Cyborg?..." Ferro adds.
"I was thinking agent," Felix says. "Anyways, the chief wants all current and future agents to no longer use recycled evidence guns, and to have their own set of firearms. Each fire arm will be finger printed, and when law enforcement runs up against one of our registered weapons, the case would be turned over to us. You will be in charge of that."
"So I will be in charge of covering up," Ferro says.
"Among other things," Felix stated.
"Hmph... You know you will be involved with covering up, now that the chief has given you a promotion," Ferro stated.
"I will do my job as I see fit," Felix stated.
For the next 1/2 hour, they had their fill of gelato, pastry and drink. Small talk was kept to a minimum and to business only topics. Soon they were on their way to the theater, seeing the newly released Star Wars movie. Allowing travel time after the movie, they get to Giovanni's Gun Store and Smith Shop. Though children are not usually allowed into Giovanni's, arrangements were made for Tee and Francesca to enter. Felix and Francesca are taken to a rear room while Ferro walked with Tee, looking over holsters and other gun accessories. After about a 1/2 hour, Felix leaves with Francesca in tow, carrying a brown paper bag with a brown paper wrapped box inside. Ferro buys a few items, as Tee and Francesca walk to the door. Felix steps up behind Ferro.
"So, what did you got her?" Ferro asked.
"A 9mm Walther, like the one I use. In fact, that was what she said she wanted," Felix stated with some discomfort.
"Not bad. Maintenance would be simple for you in teaching her, and she can take your gun in an emergency and would be familiar with it," Ferro stated.
"That's not the issue," Felix started to say.
"Then what is it?" Ferro asks.
"I just don't know," Felix stated.
"Well, I think shopping for other girl items was on the list," Ferro said as she started to walk away.
Felix follows to catch up with Ferro.
Another 2 hours fly by as the girls spend their time looking and shopping about in the various stores. Another hour spent in putting things bought away in the car as it was too much to carry all at once. Dinner follows at the Attoria, a fine establishment with fine foods and a bit of excellent house wine.