Prologue: This is just a story that Sherry started one day on the list as it had been a quiet few days. Others added onto it and this is how this story came about. Enjoy
Part One - Sherry
A black-clad figure made its way stealthily through CLHQ, making sure no one was watching. All surveillance cameras in CLHQ had been completely disabled. Ever vigilant, the figure continued slipping envelopes under the door of each room. It shouldn't take long before there would be some reaction. At least, they hoped not.
Moving quickly from Rita's room, to Curlly's room, to Aly's Room, to North's Room, to Kit's room, to Trace's room, to Nabiki's room, to Sylvia's room, to Grace's room, to Sophie's room, to each room along each hallway, an envelope was placed under every door. The final delivery was slipped under Sherry's door. Having one envelope left, the black-clad figure opened it up and read over it once again.
"Please meet me in the Conference room as soon as possible. We need to talk. Michael."
The delivery person had quite a smile on their face after reading the message. That should certainly get some reaction ... bring them out of the woodwork.
Slipping off into the darkness, the figure disappeared and disposed of the black clothing, then headed back to their room as if they were just returning to CLHQ. Now, just wait to see what reaction we get....
************
Part Two - Rita
The haunting sounds of the Moonlight Sonata played in the background. It allowed her to concentrate better. Rita was sitting at her desk scrutinizing the profile to her next mission. She was looking for any holes or anything that may have escaped her notice.
When she heard the sound of paper being brushed against the floor. Looking up she saw that an envelope had been slipped under her door. Welcoming the distraction she arose and picked up the mysterious envelope.
Thinking how strange this was actual written communication instead of email or pad communication. As she slipped her fingernail under the envelope's opening. Pulling the paper out she read what it said:
Well any summons from Michael takes precedence of course. But why would he want to meet in the conference room. He could have just called or come over to the room if he wanted a meeting. Rita shut off her computer and headed out the door towards the conference room.
She was wondering what Michael could be up too. When she arrived at the conference room the person she expected to see was not there to her surprise.
"What are you doing here? Have you seen Michael?"
************
Part Three - Trace
Moving about her room, Trace picked up first one outfit, then another. She had only recently returned from a very long, very grueling mission, and had big plans for her first night back. Walking over to her bed, she took in the mounds of clothing. *How come I have a whole closet full of clothes, and not a thing to wear* she moaned, plopping down amongst the mess.
Wiping her hand across her forehead, and on the verge of screaming, she heard the slight rustle of paper. Standing, and moving to her door, she looked down, finding a small, white envelope. Picking it up, she turned it over in her hand. Printed on the front, was the single letter *T*.
Raising her eyebrow in curiosity, she flipped the envelope back over, and ran her finger slowly along the edge of the sealed flap. Peeling it open, she removed the note inside. Opening it, she read...
Chuckling to herself, and smiling, Trace placed the note carefully back into the envelope, and walked to her kitchenette. Stopping by the wastebasket, she dropped the envelope. As she watched the envelope drift slowly into the basket, she wiped her hands together.
'Yeah...right. Like I am going to waste my first night back listening to Michael. Nopers...this girl has her a long overdue night of fun with one Gray Wellman.'
Walking back across her room, she removed the only article of clothing left in her closet. When she did, her eyes lit up, and she smiled broadly. Closing the closet door, and holding the dress up under her chin, she shook her head.
'This is perfect!!' she exclaimed, 'wait till her gets a load of me in this. Eat your heart out Gray.'
Trace then moved across the room, making her final preparations for her meeting with Gray.
************
Part Four - Sylvia
Just as Sylvia was finally getting close to finishing some retrieval from the files to work on a mission profile she noticed an envelope on the floor by the door.
She got up from the computer and picked it up, turned it over in her hands and all that was on it was her name. She opened it and inside was a message from Michael to get to the CLHQ conference room right now.
Well she thought, it's just a good thing that I'm finishing up here. Will there never be a time when a person can just be alone or do anything without being summoned? She chuckled to herself at the futility of the question.
Okay I better get on down there. She pulled on some cloths and wondered down to the conference room to see what all the hoopla was about.
As she walked she saw Nabiki, Trace and Sherry already there. "So what's up?"
Sherry said "we all got notes from Michael to be here."
"Okay, I wonder what this is all about" Sylvia inquired. Just then in walked.....
************
Part Five - Nabiki
Nabiki had come back from a two-week mission that had been pure hell. After been kidnapped and no one knowing were she was. So she got free and destroyed all the evidence of her ever been there.
Operations wanted a full report and she had given him it, and now she was going to get her deserved rest at last. She was going to take a shower and sleep until Thanksgiving... well at least 24 hours and then take it from there.
As she walked through the halls of the CLHQ's she didn't see anyone. That was weird. As she entered her room, she couldn't see anything but her bed and her shower. Her bag fell from her shoulder to the floor. As she picked it up, she found a note. "Ok, here we go again. The girls are probably getting into trouble and wanted my input on it", she thought as she picked up the note but ready for anything they wanted.
"Well, here goes my deserved rest for now", Nabiki said to herself as she walked through the halls of the Headquarters in direction to the Conference room. She walked in and she couldn't believe her eyes.
"OK, I know need my rest".......
************
Part Six - Sophie
Sophie sat in her room, staring at all the intel she needed to put into a "comprehensive" something!. It covered the bed, desk, tacked on most of the walls, and had begun its descent to the floor.
A soft rustling is heard and an envelope slides beneath Sophie's door.
"Oh, Christ, just what i need, more info!"
As she reads, her eyes light up as she realizes something is up!
Sophie, puts on her lucky slippers and races out the door, she wants front row seats!
************
Part Seven - Black Clad Figure
The invitation deliverer stood in the background watching the arrivals. So far there was a smattering of operatives present. Rita was there as was Nabiki. This was a good start. Now, if the rest would just show up. And as for Trace, well, she had a shock coming. It had been quite a stroke of genius to insist that Gray, Petrosian, Jurgen, Roy and Bauer attend this little gathering as well. That should certainly get those "less than enthusiastic" persons to attend. The furtive figure smiled at the image of what Trace's face would look like once Gray called to inform her he couldn't make it because he was meeting with Michael! Holding a hand over their mouth so as not to laugh aloud and give away their position, the hidden figure surveyed the group once more. The look on Rita's face was priceless once she realized that Michael wasn't here yet and that others were to be present as well. The figure did feel sorry for dragging Nabiki out after such a grueling missing, but some things just couldn't be helped. Now if the rest of the group would soon show up....
************
Part Eight - Trace
Running from the bathroom, wrapped in a large, white, terry towel, and her hair leaving a drippy trail behind her, Trace skidded to a stop next to her phone. Slightly out of breath, and a little more than irritated, she picked up the receiver in mid ring, and spoke.
'Yeah...and this better be good!!' she yelled, the irritation more than showing in her voice.
The voice on the other end, laced with humor, replied. 'Gotcha outta the shower again huh?'
Trace smiled, and laughed in spite of herself. 'I am telling you Gray, this had better be good!!'
There was slight pause, as a foreboding traveled over the silent connection. 'Gray,' she asked, concern in her tone, 'is everything okay?'
Gray exhaled slowly, not sure of how to break it to Trace that their date was gonna have to wait. 'Listen sweetness (LOL!! AS IF!! LOL!!), we are gonna have to put the date on hold. Seems we have been summoned by the almighty and all-knowing Michael, to some meeting or some such.'
Trace hung her head, and nodded. Then, realizing that Gray could not see her response spoke. 'Yeah...got the note today. Oh well, guess I will see ya there.'
'Yeah, guess so. But, we WILL have that date...mark my words.' Gray reassured her. The sound of his voice, even over a phone line, touched something deep inside her, and made her feel safe, and secure.
'Yeah, I know. See ya later. Bye.' There was a moments pause, then a reply 'Bye' then, the connection was severed, and Trace hung up the phone.
Looking over to the dress she had laid out on the bed, she sighed. Figuring there was no use in putting off the inevitable, she put on her favorite pair of sweatpants, her favorite Marshall sweatshirt, and her fuzzy doggy slippers, and walked out the door, and down the hall.
Descending the steps, she took her time. Reaching the bottom, she turned the corner, and found Gray standing at the doorway access. He had a sly smile on his face, and his eyes twinkled.
'How...where...when?' Trace stammered. But, in the next moment, Gray took her into his arms, and lightly brushed a kiss across her lips. Trace brought her hands up, and ran her fingers through what little bit of hair Gray had. 'Have I ever told you that you need to let this stuff grow a little?' she teased.
Gray chuckled, causing the dimples in his cheeks to deepen. 'Yeah, I seem to recall you mentioning it.' Kissing her again, he drew back, and cleared his throat. 'How bought we get to this meeting, before I change my mind, and take you back upstairs.'
Trace smiled, and opening the door to the hallway, glanced back over her shoulder. 'Oh yeah, think you are tough enough?' she teased. Gray's expression became mockingly serious, as he moved after her. Quickening her pace, Trace was in a dead run, when she rounded the corner and entered the conference room. Stopping in her tracks, when all eyes turned to her, she forgot that Gray was following. Gray rounded the corner just then, and reaching out, grabbed her around the waist. As he did, he exclaimed, 'I'll show you how tough I am.'
Traces face turned beet red, as most everyone in the room watched the scene, and most were smiling. 'Uh, hey you all. So, what is the big secret meeting about anyway?' she asked, trying to divert the attention somewhere else.
Sherry, stepping out from the crowd, walked up to Trace, and with a failed attempt to appear serious, spoke. 'You too want to see about maybe keeping it curbed will AFTER the meeting?'
With that, Trace, Gray, Sherry, and the entire room burst out in laughter.
'Come on in,' Sherry said, 'the meeting should be starting soon.'
************
Part Nine - Northstar
North stepped out of the shower and toweled herself off. She was going to make herself a quick meal and then settle down with a nice book and get some reading in for a change. It had been a while since she had cosied up to a good book.
Throwing on a pair of sweats she was about to make her way down to the kitchen when she noticed the paper sticking out from under her door. Stooping over to pick it up she wondered what it was.
Meeting?? now??? North wondered what was up. Well if whoever wanted to call a meeting then they would have to be content with what she was wearing. She wasn't in the mood to get changed. Closing the door behind her she made her way downstairs.
Walking into the room she noticed that some of the others had already arrived. Walking over to Nabiki she said hello. "Hey Nabiki! Haven't seen you for a few weeks."
"Hey North. Yeah I've been out on a mission that took longer than I expected. I had hoped to get some rest tonight but it looks as though that is not to be." Nabiki sighed.
"Yeah I was going to do the same thing. Oh well, let's hope that this is over quickly and we can get to our rooms."
"Yes, one can only hope."