Chapter 9 - Landing On Her Feet: Final Chapter

                                                 Landing On Her Feet

                                                       by Volpone

                                           Chapter Nine (Final chapter)

          A short time later, Selina was emptying the drawers in her room, packing with an eye to what would have to be shipped back to Gotham, since she would be traveling directly to Ochoguay from here.
           As she emptied one drawer, she felt something hard and relatively heavy among the fabric of her clothing.  Turning back the top layers, there lay the figure of Bastet, a gift bow tied around its slender throat like a collar.  The card read simply, "Good Luck.  Love, Quinn".  She smiled, retrieved a shopping bag from the trash, and wrapped the figurine in it.
           In just a few moments, she had completed her preparations, and rang for a bellboy.
           When he arrived, she indicated the bags for him to take, carefully retaining possession of Quinn's gift and the case he had given her their first night together.  Among several other things, it also contained another suit of her "work clothes" which she would be needing on this trip.
           As he rang for the elevator, the bellboy inquired, "The Señorita enjoyed her stay at the hotel?"
 Selina briefly replayed the last few days in her mind, then smiled and said honestly, "Yes, I enjoyed myself very much, thank you."
           The hotel manager was most solicitous when she handed him her room key.  He hoped everything had been to the Señorita's satisfaction.  Yes, Señor Quinn had already checked out, and they were sorry to see such a guest go... and would the Señorita be so kind as to extend their thanks again to the Señor if she should perhaps see him again?  No, her bill had already been paid by the Señor.  Yes, he knew of a very reputable shipping service to the States, one where his cousin worked.  Perhaps they should step into his office while he made the needed calls?  Ah, yes, the cat statue was quite beautiful.  No, there should be no problems with Mexican customs since the object was so obviously not of Mexican origin.  Perhaps it would be best if the American Federales were told it was a replica?
           In less than a half hour, her belongings had been marked for shipment, and the man from the shipping company had taken her cases, promising her that they would be waiting for her in Gotham when she arrived.  Selina now traveled with only her purse and the small case.
           The manager himself escorted her out, holding the door for her, the taxi he had summoned waiting at the curb to take her wherever she wished.  She thanked him again, and the gratuity she gave him disappeared with practiced grace.  (It was a much larger tip than gringos normally gave, but still only a tenth the amount he had received from Señor Quinn, who was the soul of generosity, and more than a little loco tambien, but he would be happy to have more such crazy Nortes come to the hotel.)
           As the taxi pulled away from the curb, all thoughts of Quinn quietly slipped into her subconscious, and her mind focused on the job at hand.
           Now, she had maps and money, but would need something to help her find her way in case she could not find transportation directly to Esperanza.  And how would one go about contacting local smugglers?

           Quinn and Tiara appeared on the bridge, and he was immediately in action.  He crossed to a console.
           "Thanks, Collie.  Everything all right?"
           "All systems perfect, Quinn.  Ready to go when you are.  Glad to have you back."
           "Good to be back again, dear.  Is the tracker working?"
           The small console screen lit to show a representation of the hotel and its surroundings.  A single blinking dot showed in Selina's room.
           Columbina replied.  "Looks good to me.  Loud and clear, signature unmistakable.  I can find her from a cold start anywhere on the face of the globe in under a second.  With periodic updates, I can reduce it to under a millisecond."
           As she spoke, the dot that was Selina was moving across the lobby, and as she left the hotel and entered the cab, Quinn asked for a macroscopic view.  The front screen came to life and put him almost in the seat next to her.
           "Wonderful job, Smart Girl.  We'll keep her under surveillance until she's safely back in Gotham."  He settled into his chair, and Tiara found herself a comfortable spot nearby.
           "However, we should return Tiara to Anton.  Would you be so kind as to mark the time tick, and then transfer us to Starfast... say, the day after we left, and announce to Sarah that we're back for a brief visit."
           "Good.  Someone who thinks at my speed again.  I love you dearly, boss, and you're the smartest person I know, but you're slow!  It'll be nice to talk to another computer who's almost as fast as I am."
           "I know, dear.  We'll solve the problem some day.  But in the mean time, how about getting us there?"
           "Presto!"  The screen jumped, and they were again in a non-animated continua, the Earth full and lovely in all three dimensions below.  "Service with a smile.  Hailing Starfast Control... connecting directly through to Sarah."  A moments pause.  "She's letting them know right now... Anton isn't available at the moment... neither is Heavenor... ahh... makes sense."
           "I take it they are enjoying being mutually unavailable."
           "We can only hope they are."
           "Good.  Who's there then?"
           "It seems that Valla is in, and Teryl has requested to be told as soon as you're down.  Looks like they're lining up, boss."
           "Were you aware that you have a prurient streak in you?"
           "I have to enjoy myself vicariously, since I can't enjoy myself directly.  Care if I tune in?  You won't even know I'm there.  I can get audio via your link, and can macroscope the proceedings.  Purely for educational purposes?  Maybe someone can figure why you have this affect on women."
           He thought for several seconds.  "Sweet girl, how about if we conduct a little experiment?  Since you've been so good, how about if we see if we can let you in on the golden moment by the link?  Interested in riding along?"
           There was a perceptible hesitation.  It must have been intentional, since Collie's normal hesitation would be unnoticeable to humans.
           "Are you sure, boss?"  She definitely did not sound sure.
           "It's okay, sweetheart.  You know I love you.  This could be a way to show you.  And we don't even know if it'll work."
           "I accept anyway.  Thank you, Quinn.  Sarah says Valla's waiting in her suite, and assures me no one can witness your arrival but her."
           He stood.  "Come on, Tiara."  The big cat stretched as she stood.  "Time to go home."
           They beamed down to the coordinates provided by Sarah, though Columbina had a complete layout of Starfast and the Ducal Complex stored in her perms.  Computers had to be polite to each other, just as people did.
           As he appeared, an exquisitely attractive young Oriental woman threw herself into Quinn's arms and kissed him very soundly.  She tasted slightly sweet and spicy.
           "Oh, Quinn!  We missed you!"
           He would have asked about a mouse in her pocket, but she quite obviously was wearing no pockets.  Or anything else, for that matter.
           She proceeded to give him a wonderful welcome.  Shortly after, he received a similar welcome from Teryl.  And soon after that, they both welcomed him at once.
           Columbina later informed Quinn that they had quite successfully given the term "cyber-sex" new meaning.

           After saying goodbye to everyone, and thanking Anton again for the loan of Tiara, he beamed back aboard Columbina.  She greeted him with obvious delight.
           "Oooh!  Boss, I love you!  Thank you so much!  I had so much fun!  I'm glad you're back.  What next?"
 He had to laugh at her exuberance.  "I'm glad to be back, dear.  Just remember... only when you're invited."
           "I promise!"  She continued with enthusiasm.  "Now I understand why protein people are so involved in sex.  It's so much fun!  I really can't experience that kind of thing on my own, you know.  Not that intensely.  Did you know I can actually feel your emotions at that moment?  All of your slower thoughts seem to get out of the way, and you just feel.  That comes over the link wonderfully."
           He interrupted her.  "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.  You deserve to enjoy yourself when you can.  But we're in the middle of something.  Remember Selina?"
           Collie shifted gears instantly.  She was suddenly all business.  "Of course, boss.  Sorry.  Ready to return?"
           "Whenever you're ready."  He sat.
           The universe around them went two-dimensional.  "Transition complete."
           "Thank you, sweetheart."
           He sensed, or maybe heard, the smile in her voice.  "You're welcome, Quinn.  Time tick confirmed.  Tracker located.  Macroscope activated."
           Once again, he was in the cab with Selina, just as she had been (to him) the day before.  The cab started into motion, but Collie compensated beautifully, giving them a smooth ride relative to Selina.
           "Perfect.  Smart Girl, you're the best."
           "That's what the women say about you, boss.  And now I can, too."
           "Collie, no telling tales, or I won't invite you again."
           "Spoil-sport."  It was back to things as normal.
           "Okay," he said, "here's the plan.  We're going to track her in fast-forward... let's say, one-hundred to one.  She's going to pick up some gear she needs and arrange some transportation.  She'll manage to convince some smugglers to fly her with them to Ochoguay.  However, they will decide they only want to take her part way, and will ask her to get out... while they're still airborne, and without a parachute.  The episode is documented."
           "Quinn!  Shouldn't you tell her?"
           "She's a big girl who can take care of herself."  He continued.  "They'll argue, and some idiot will start waving a gun around.  This will result in the pilot being accidentally shot, and the plane going down.  We'll drop back to full time for this.  We'll hit the plane with a tractor beam just enough to prevent it from disintegrating on impact.  It'll still hit very hard.  The smugglers will not survive.  We'll check her vitals, and if she's all right, we'll go back to observing.  If not, we render first aid without her knowing.  
          “Then back to fast forward.  She'll slowly make her way to Esperanza.  On the way, she'll have a run in with some local revolutionaries... again, nothing she can't handle.  She'll get the confession from our geriatric Nazi, and get back out, accompanied by a modicum of gunfire.  Our job is to be on the lookout for anything major, such as might be sent by Galiant's organization.  They might decide that a scorched-earth policy is better than letting their secrets escape.  So, we watch for helicopters, major troop movements, drones, other things she might not be able to handle.  Then, once she's safely back in Gotham, we make a little side trip.      
          “After we're done with that, then we come back to pick her up.  All clear?"
           "Perfectly.  Ready when you are."

           It all went exactly as he had outlined until the crash.  The plane hit hard, and when Columbina scanned the wreck, she reported, "Trouble, boss.  Selina's hurt, worst than you anticipated.  Vital signs show major trauma.  She needs help, fast."
           "Okay."  He stood.  "Beam me down to the crash.  I'll check it out, and call if I need help."
           In seconds, he was in the midst of the jungle, the bodies of the smugglers strewn about, obviously beyond help.  
           He did a quick reconnoiter, discovered no immediate danger, and went directly to Selina's unconscious form.  Kneeling by her side, he placed his hands on her, one on her head, the other on her abdomen, and closed his eyes.  He found what he feared pretty quickly.  He had learned Thuryn healing, but he'd never attempted anything of this order and didn't trust his talent to anything so vital when he might screw up.  He was too emotionally invested to trust his largely untested abilities in such an important matter.
           "It's no good, Collie.  She busted up worse than I can fix on my own.  Beam us up directly to sick-bay."
           They reappeared on the ship.
           "Quick, we need a stasis field, then bounce us back home, tell the staff at the Clinic we've got a priority case and need a Lethe field immediately.  She can't know she's been anywhere else."

           The procedure went much as Quinn had laid out.  The unconscious Selina was brought aboard and enclosed in a time-irrelevant field until she could be turned over to the experts back at the Clinic.  So long as she had a pulse when she arrived, there was no chance they'd lose her.  They were the best... period.
           The Clinic staff brushed him aside and spirited Selina off, telling him to come back in forty-eight hours.
           He got back aboard Columbina, bounced forward the two-day waiting period, and retrieved his now repaired charge.  Ten minutes subjective time, and she was back in the jungles of Ochoguay.
           He re-stabilized back aboard, and as he fell back into his chair he told her, "She should be fine, now.  What time is it, local?"
           "About half past eleven."
           "Good.  She'll sleep for another half hour or so.  After that, we go back to fast forward.  In the mean time, I need to catch some sleep of my own.  Wake me when she comes around."    
          He sagged back in the chair, and Collie dimmed the lights and brought up some gentle music to help him relax.  Some times Quinn worked himself too hard.  She could keep watch until Selina awoke.

           The rest of the job went exactly as he'd foretold.  Selina got her confession, and there was no sign that Galiant or his organization had the slightest knowledge of her actions.
           She returned to Gotham, had several reproductions of the confession dubbed off, and set them up to go public if anything should happen to her.
           In the mean time, Quinn was briefing Collie on the next step of his plan.  He had her plant some information on “Phoenix Group” deep in the files of several government organizations so if anyone went looking in the right places, his story would check out.
           He dressed in black military garb, complete with beret and boots, highly official-looking insignia on cap and at shoulder.  The place where name and rank insignia usually were placed were conspicuously vacant.
           "Take us to about ten thousand feet over Galiant's hideout, please."  The view jumped, and they were over the snow-capped mountains of a remote area of the Rockies.
          "Do you have the entrance located?"
           "Got it pegged.  Next?"
           "We're going to first deliver a message, and then pick up an item, in that order.  The item is a painting, Renaissance era, in frame.  Probably in a vault somewhere.  I'll need you to find it for me, smart girl."
           Collie went to work.  "Scanning... several potential matches... checking for proper trace elements."  Two more seconds passed.  "Got it... appropriate esoteric materials indicate an original painting with canvas and pigments of proper composition and age.  If it's down there, that's got to be it.  And you're right... it looks to be inside a vault."
           "How much room inside?"
           "Clear space of just over one meter by two point five.  Tight, but plenty for a beam in from this distance."
           "Security?"
           "Electronic lock with palm key on the door.  Motion detectors inside.  Sleep gas.  Nothing lethal.  Guess they didn't want to risk the contents.  Just enough to make an intruder feel unloved."
           "Good.  Can you get a view inside?"
           The forward screen formed a view of the interior of the chamber.  There, amidst the other items, was the Boccatoria.  It rested among several other objets d'art, including several small exquisite bronzes and sculptures of similar vintage.  There were bundles of cash of many national origins in the room, as well as several trays of jewels and unset gems, several of which he recognized, and a rack of bags which Columbina informed Quinn contained about five kilos of gold coins each.  There were over fifty bags.
           "My, my.  Someone has quite the retirement account built up here.  Oops... what's this?"  He noted several sealed containers in special refrigerated cabinets with the distinctive "Bio-Hazard" label blazoned across them.  "Seems our friends have some nasty little bugs, designed to reduce the surplus population.  That's why there's no lethal surprises in there.  They wouldn't want to risk those containers being breached.  Well, we'll just have to solve that problem for them, won't we?  Collie, how close would you have to be to sweep that vault, and that vault alone, with a Ledbetter projector set for antibiotic sterilization?  I need 100% assurance that room will be clean before I remove anything from it."
           "With the new focal system Tinker and Cobbler devised, I can guarantee absolute sterility from 2500 feet."
           "That's my girl.  I want you to beam me down just out of sight of their entry surveillance, then sterilize that vault.  Then, after I deliver my message to ol' 'Dave', I'll give you the signal and you beam me back here just long enough to change and grab my breathing apparatus, and as soon as I'm set, you beam me directly into the vault.  After I have the painting, I'll have you bring me out, to be followed by all the contents except the bio-containers.  All right?"
           "Roger.  Boss, do you have to deliver this message of yours face to face?  I can tap into a line of theirs and you could do it from here, or I could go on-line and plant it directly into their system."
           "Collie, this is something that needs to be done in person.  Please, trust me on this."
           The computer-female sounded frustrated, but gave in.
           "Quinn, if you didn't have inside information about this, I'd tell you 'no' just to see what you'd do."
           "I'm safe from anything this guy is capable of."
           She hmmphed her disapproval, but said nothing.
           "Can you find a room with our three conspirators?  They should just about be watching the tape by now."
           "Scanning...  I think I've got them.  There are only forty-seven individuals in the compound, so there aren't that many to eliminate.  Three people gathered close around a video monitor.  Here's the view."  The screen shifted to show a silent view of Galiant and his two associates watching something intently on the monitor.  Quinn recognized them from printed reproductions.
           "Can you get me a view of the monitor, sweetheart?"
           The view shifted slightly, and there was Selina with Herr Klosc.
           "Bingo!  That's it."  He waited for the tape to end, and watched the reactions of dismay on the assembled faces.
           "Okay.  It's show time!  Beam me down, Collie."
           "Be careful, Quinn."  And he disappeared.

           He walked down the slope carefully, since his arriving in a snowy heap would hardly help the affect he was trying to achieve.  He came around the corner and stopped in front of the security door.
           Looking up above the door, but not at the security pick-up to his right, he announced, "Somebody want to tell Galiant he's got a visitor.  Or if that name doesn't ring any bells, she said I should ask for Dave.  You got a 'Dave' working here?"  His voice carried a tone of command, and the last sentence fairly dripped sarcasm.
           Inside the complex, he could imagine the hurried consultation going on.
           "Security channel one!  We've got an intruder at the mountain-side entrance.  He asked for Galiant by name.  Also said we should ask for 'Dave'.  You got him?"
           The man known as Galiant shifted the video monitor he was watching to the appropriate setting and swore under his breath.  "Dammit, I don't recognize him!  Get me an ID on him, now!  Who he is, who he works for, everything.  You got about one minute.  Move!"  He keyed a mike to allow him to speak to the stranger.  
           The stranger was already calling out again.  "Hey, Dave!  You gonna talk to me, or you gonna make me go through official channels?  So far, this is just a social call, but if you make me go official on you, the next sound you hear will be that of your sorry ass bein' dragged before a Senate sub-committee.  Now, are you gonna talk to me, or what?"
           Galiant keyed a mike to allow him to talk to the stranger.  "I hear you.  You've got about a second to identify yourself, or you're dead."
           "Let's just say I'm someone who intercepted a copy of Miss Kyle's tape.  Interesting viewing.  You've been a naughty boy, Dave.  And you shouldn't threaten people.  I tends to make them angry.  You don't want to do that, do you, Dave?"
           "The name's Galiant, and you're in a security area.  Identify yourself."
           "That's on a need-to-know basis, Dave.  You really need to know that?  If I identify myself, then I'm here in an official capacity.  You really don't want that.  Let's just say I'm with a clean-up crew, and I'm extending you the courtesy of a friendly visit so maybe things don't have to get cleaned-up.  Okay.?"
           Galiant looked at his computer people, and keyed off the mike.  "What've you got?  I can't stall much longer without committing us too far."
           One subordinate answered.  "The patch is a phoenix on an American shield.  No match in the open files, but I've got an unofficial reference to 'Phoenix'.  Mainly rumor.  No official existence, very secret, very select.  Answerable to the President, Secretary of State and just a couple of others with slit-your-throat-before-reading clearance.  Strictly top level.  I'd say he's legit.  How else would he know we're here?"
           That damned Cat-bitch!  It was her fault!  All of Galiant's anger at being out-maneuvered by a single woman came to the surface.  His knee still ached from where she'd kicked him.  And here was a convenient focus for his anger.  Every time this jerk used the name "Dave" reminded him of his humiliation.
           "Dammit!  I'm going to get some answers from this joker, or he's not getting off this mountain."  He pulled the pistol from his shoulder holster.
           The female agent who had voiced her objection earlier protested again.  "You can't just blow him away!  You can't justify it!  You heard him.  He's not here officially.  He's on our side!"
           "All I see is an intruder in a uniform I don't recognize that has refused to identify himself when requested.  That's all the justification I need.  He's breached security.  It's my duty to see to the security of this installation."  And he headed for the corridor leading to the mountainside entrance.
           He heard the voice over the intercom.  "Dave, I'll give you one minute to make this little conference face-to-face, then I'm gone and you become a clean-up problem.  So, what's it gonna be?  Huh?"
           Galiant was almost to the door when he heard the stranger's voice again.  "Last chance, Dave!"
           The angry director threw open the door and stalked out, drawing aim on the chest of the stranger.  "I'm here," he spat.  "Now talk."
           The man in black didn't react normally.  He didn't step back, didn't raise his hands, didn't even claim to be unarmed.  He just looked him in the eye and said coolly, "You're even stupider than I assumed, Dave.  You better put that thing away, or your gonna get a high-caliber suppository."
           "I.D.  Now!  Or I shoot."
           The stranger made no move.  "I'm disappointed, Dave.  I really am."
           The use of the nick-name Selina Kyle had sarcastically bestowed on him this time caused Galiant's anger to overflow.
           He ground out the words.  "And don't call me 'Dave'!"
           The gun spat once.
           A small hole appeared in the black uniform, and the stranger reacted to the impact slightly, but nothing like Galliant expected.  No blood came from the hole.  
           The stranger's next words were far from what Galiant expected.
           "Now that was really stupid."
           Suddenly, the stranger moved with blurring speed, and pain lanced through Galiant's wrist as the impact of the roundhouse kick cracked bone and tore the .50 caliber pistol from his hand, sending it spinning out to disappear into the snow.   
          The stranger continued. "That was down-right unfriendly."
           He stepped closer as Galiant cradled his throbbing wrist, staring in disbelief.  The black-uniformed man should have had a hole the size of fist in his chest, or even with kevlar he'd have several broken ribs, but he stood there unhurt.
           "Dave, you're an embarrassment.  You don't blackmail private citizens into doing you dirty work.  You don't force them into life-threatening jobs by playing judge and jury.  And you don't hit women, especially when they can no longer hit back."
           And with that, the stranger back-handed Galiant across the face,  knocking the agent off his feet.
 Galiant felt as if someone had tried to remove his head.  The stranger's voice filtered through the cloud of pain.
           "Get out of the business, Dave.  And Miss Kyle will be under my personal protection from now on.  She's no longer of interest to you in any way.  And if anything accidental should happen to her, I'll make you wish I'd killed you right here.  End of message."
           Galiant heard the stranger's footsteps receding through the snow.
           His split lip throbbed when he called out, "Security alert!  Post One!  Intruder escaping!  Scramble!"  He slowly tried to rise to his feet as alarms sounded and half-a-dozen uniformed guards poured out the entrance, arms at the ready.
           "Go!  Get him!  He attacked me.  And watch out... he must be wearing body armor."  When they didn't move out immediately, he yelled, "What are you waiting for?!  Move!"
           One baffled guard asked, "Where, sir?"
           "Follow his tracks, idiot!"
           They walked out, traced the tracks in the snow for a few yards, then looked around at the sky to see if the intruder had been picked up by helicopter, because the tracks simply stopped... without a trace of the man who made them.

           Quinn reappeared on the bridge, skinned off the suit in a flash, pulled on the grey body stocking and head-mask he had laid out for himself, donned the miniature breathing apparatus he had used on his swim with Selina, and was done in less than sixty seconds.
           He looked at the silent screen to see the searchers casting about fruitlessly for some sign of where he had gone, Galiant yelling orders and grimacing when it hurt his wounds.
           "One day, boss, you are going to get yourself killed."
           "Not over something this paltry, sweetheart.  Ready to beam down."
           Collie knew better than to delay when this would only increase Quinn's risk.
           "Beaming."
           He materialized in the vault, exactly as planned.  The motion detectors determined an unauthorized presence and released the sleep gas.  Unfortunately, the gas was clear and needed to be inhaled to be effective, so Quinn was able to ignore it completely.  With his p.a. web, he was likely immune anyway but he didn't want it to show if they somehow got a video of him.
           Security monitors displaying the floor plan for the complex showed an intruder alert in the vault, but with the alarms already going off, no one noticed the small light blinking for the vault.  They all assumed the intruder was outside, not in.
           Quinn gently picked up the Boccatoria from its easel and said, "Got it.  Let's go."  And with that, he vanished.
           Back aboard Columbina, Quinn carefully set the painting aside, stripped off his breather, then said, "Beam everything else to cargo.  Can you leave the bio-containers successfully?"
           "No problem, boss.  Easy to isolate.  Commencing transport."  About five seconds passed.  "Transport complete.  You may need to go down and store some of the loose items.  My cargo handling waldos aren't delicate enough for loose gems and such."
           "Good.  I'll take the Boccatoria with me to stow."  He turned to leave for the cargo bay, then stopped.
           "Collie, are there facilities that look like biology labs down there?"
           "Sure.  I assume it's where they created their bugs.  They have the equipment for it."
           "How about if you sweep the entire complex, top to bottom with the Ledbetter projector, making sure it will only kill off bacterial and viral life forms.  Make sure you get the searchers outside, too."
           "But Quinn," she informed him, "that will kill not only any bio-weapons they may be breeding, and all contagions, but the intestinal flora in the personnel as well.  It'll cure any colds or flu germs they may be incubating, but they'll all get a terrible case of diarrhea as well."
           "I know," he smiled, "and it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people."
           "Boss, you're awful sometimes."
           He replied proudly, "I do occasionally have my moments."
           "Decontamination complete."
           "Good.  Let me get this little pretty stowed, and then let's go find Selina."

           Catwoman had just evaded the police, and was admiring the pearl necklace she had just "liberated", when the scene around her slowly altered and she found herself seated in a strange place.  Well, it was strange, yet it was somehow familiar, as if she had been here once in a dream.  
           Before she could even react, a very pleasant male voice said, "Welcome back, Selina."
           She sprang to her feet to face this unknown person, but the moment her eyes met his, a smile of joy bloomed across her features, and she almost ran across the intervening space to throw herself into Quinn's waiting arms.  Their lips met, and it was most of a minute before either one could say another word.
           She finally replied to his greeting.  "God, I missed you."  Then a thought crossed her mind.  "Or rather, I didn't miss you, but I did."  Then recognition dawned, and she pushed him to arm's length.  "Wait a minute!  You hypnotized me!  You made me forget you, you rotten..."
           "I didn't do anything but make you focus on the job you had to do.  All of your memories would have started to come back the moment you unpacked Bastet.
           "And by the way, congratulations on your new freedom.  That was quite the adventure."
 She was less confused with his saying this than if it were someone else.
          "If you saw the whole thing, then where were you?  I sure could have used your help a couple of times there."
           "Other than needing a little first aid after the crash, you could have gotten by quite well without me."
           Selina had to stop and consider what he'd said carefully, since it was open to several possible interpretations.
           "Hold on.  Does that mean I needed help but managed without, or you actually rendered help, or am I missing some other interpretation?"
           "I made sure you were all right while you were still unconscious.  The plane's crew were all dead before I got there."
           "You watched the whole thing?"
           He nodded.  "Yes.  But as I said originally, you needed to do this yourself.  I kept my contact to behind the scenes.  And you did magnificently."
           Suddenly, suspicion bloomed and she addressed the room.  "Columbina, did he set this whole thing up?"
           The computer answered immediately and truthfully.  "No.  Not in the least.  He knew what to expect, but I can promise you he neither set any part of it up, nor did he interfere beyond what he stated."
           Selina considered for a moment, then asked, "Could he have set it up without your knowledge?"  Quinn knew enough to remained silent.
           Columbina considered the possibility for a moment.  "No.  Even though he demonstrated remarkable insight into what would happen, I see no possible way he could have caused any significant portion to have happened as it did without my aid and assistance.  And he certainly wouldn't have put you at such extreme risk to manipulate you.  I know how Quinn thinks... literally.  We're occasionally in direct link, mind-to-mind, and while he might evade, misdirect, or refuse to answer, I have never known him to lie in order to avoid responsibility.  That doesn't mean he never lies, but he dislikes lying so intensely that he would much rather tell the truth and suffer the consequences.  And if he does lie, I have never... ever... known him to do so solely for his own benefit."
           She turned back to face Quinn, who was patiently waiting for her to finish her interrogation.
           "Okay.  Just how badly was I hurt?"
           He replied completely and in a matter-of-fact manner.  "There was some damage to your spleen and left kidney... some internal bleeding... fractures of the clavicle, ulna, and two ribs, again on the left side... some muscle and tendon damage... several lacerations that were bleeding and might have scarred without treatment... concussion.  You would probably have recovered with hospital care and rest.  But alone, in the jungle..."  He let the statement trail off, and gave a small shake to his head.
           She considered this information very briefly.  "Then I guess I owe you some thanks."  
           And with that, she kissed him.  It was, all in all, a very nice kiss.
           When they finally broke from the kiss, she was ready to pick up where they left off in Mexico.  Her nipples were tight and crinkled, she was well lubricated, ready for action.  He was stiff as a poker and just as ready.  But he managed to control himself for just a moment.
           "Before we go any further, I have another gift for you."
           She ran her nails very gently up his erection and smiled suggestively.  "You mean in addition to this one?"
           "Yes."  He took her wrists and held her claws away.  "Would you please follow me?"
           He led her to the cargo hold and directed her to the painting he had so recently taken from Galiant and his crew.
           "I believe you earned this."
           She instantly recognized the Boccatoria, and exclaimed, "I thought Galiant's people had this!"
           "He seems to have misplaced it, along with the rest of the contents of the company's vault.  He'll have some serious explaining to do to his superiors."
           "This is perfect!"  She laughed and turned to Quinn.  "And I didn't know you were a thief!"
           "I'm usually not.  I just felt that this was a special case, and Galiant needed to reimburse you for your services."  He walked over and picked up an item, then tossed it to her.  She caught the golden circlet easily.  It was the Swan Crown.
           "Another memento of the occasion."
           She looked at him expectantly.  "And anything else?"
           He pointed to a tray in a rack behind her.  In it lay the Mongol Dagger.
           As she ran one nail along its handle, she commented, "You're even better than I am, and I thought I was the best."
           "No, I'm not as good as you.  I just have the advantage of some very sophisticated help.  Anyone with a transporter and sensors can become a rather expert burglar.
           "And no, I don't do this normally.  Only when it's appropriate.  And with Galiant, it was very, very appropriate."
           She turned and swayed across the space separating them.
           "This is all very nice, but what about the other gift I noticed?", and again she drew her nails very lightly over his crotch.
           He smiled and said, "I guess you can unwrap that one now."
           "Oh, I plan of wrapping things around that one myself... several times."  And she proceeded to demonstrate what she intended.

           Some time later, Quinn cradled Selina against his side and asked, "Did you consider my offer to accompany me?"
           The answer came from somewhere in the back of her mind. "Yes."  And she realized that it was true, even though she hadn't thought about it consciously.  Apparently her subconscious had decided for her without consulting her higher brian centers.
           "And what have you decided?"
           She decided she had to tease him somewhat before answering.  "Let me just see if I have this right.  You're offering me a place in your life, love, great sex, eternal youth," (she had deduced that one without his spelling it out in so many words), "a purpose, family, friends, wealth, interesting people, adventure, enough danger for spice... anything I've overlooked?"
           "A beautiful planet to live on with no over-crowding, no pollution, respect for privacy, no bureaucracy, some other minor perks I may have overlooked.  That's just for being part of Phoenix.
           “But if the family falls for you as much as I have, then you may be presented with the option of marring into the family, which is a mixed blessing.  I can't think of not being part of them, but it makes you part of a growing family with children, which means sharing baby duties... including cleaning baby-dooty... three a.m. feedings... all the joys of motherhood, even if none of the children are your own.  It's part of the commitment we make when we enter the family.  The raising and protection of the children is the only vow asked to belong.  Temporary dispensation during field assignments, which for me are most of the time so I'm very seldom there to enjoy it."
           "But I'll have to be passed by the other family members," she observed.
           "Yes, but you'll have to pass on the family as well.  But there's no pressure.  You can still be part of Phoenix Group and have all the perks, know and grow close to the same people, and not have the family duties.  The choice is entirely yours.  Or you can observe for a few years and decide if it's something you want them.  What do you think?"
           She considered a moment before answering.
          "It's a wonderful offer, and you've given me more happiness during this last week than I thought was possible. I'd love to be a part of any caper you dream up. But," she sighed, "Gotham is home." She grinned suddenly. "I didn't know how much I loved the dirty, smelly, overcrowded place until I thought about leaving it."  Then she looked at Quinn and added, "At least not now."
           "I thought that might be the case," he said resignedly. "But my offer still stands."
           "I like that." Then, timidly, "And what about us?"
           "My god, I thought that went without saying!", and he pulled her down for a long, lingering kiss.
           When they broke, she said, "Why don't you keep the loot you got from Galiant? I didn't really earn it, and his having it was a lot of why I wanted it in the first place. Just so long as 'Dave' doesn't have them..."
           "I thought of them as compensation for a job well done."
           She shook her head. "I'd probably have trouble fencing them anyway. I prefer having Bastet instead. She'll have a place of honor in my collection."
           "I'm glad. But since you won't take the loot, I've arranged for something special.."
           He disappeared out the door for a moment, when he returned he was pushing an elegant hotel serving cart. On it rested a large silver dome covering a plate, a red rose, two champagne flutes and, resting in a bed of crushed ice, a bottle of the very best bubbly.
           "What have we here?" she asked curiously.
           "I thought it would be nice to celebrate." Quinn's voice was teasing. "Besides, I found a special 'dish' for you. I think you'll like it"
           "Mmmm, caviar?" Selina had a feline penchant for fishy delights.
           "Something I think you'll appreciate even more" With a great flourish, he swept off the dome.
           Golden green eyes stared into hers. The green of Selina's eyes softened, involuntarily she reached to touch the silken head. "Prrriiiitttt," the tiny back arched into the woman's hand, then it jumped into her lap and began to purr loudly. Selina stroked the parti-colored fur, silently noting the cat was dressed in motley, much as was Quinn's namesake.
           "Ohhhh! She's adorable!"
           "He... and his name is Cartier. I figured he can keep you company during my absence."
           "Along with the other couple of dozen I have already."
           "Good. Then you won't be lonesome."
           She suddenly registered what he had said. "Uh, Quinn... calico cats are always female.  Genetically linked coloration."
           Quinn grinned mischievously. "Cartier is definitely male. I think you'll find he has some other... um... unusual aspects to his character, too."  
          Cartier was the offspring of Pixel, the Long-Burroughs family cat (meaning of course that they belonged to him and not the reverse) who had the disconcerting ability to walk through walls because he seemingly didn't know he couldn't.  Cartier had almost certainly picked up this curious habit, but Quinn thought it would be much more fun for Selina to discover this on her own.
           Selina looked at him questioningly for a moment, but he just grinned at her. A cold, tri-colored nose pushed her hand, demanding attention, and she returned to tickling the kitten.
           Quinn mused a moment. "You know, I think that it might be fitting if the proceeds of Galiant's ill-gotten gains became a bequest for the Gotham City No-Kill Cat Shelter."
           Selina threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, please be sure it's done in his name and he hears about it! Oh, that's just too purr-fect! Come here and get your reward for such a devious, wicked, wonderful idea."
           He was more than happy to.
           She warned him, "Just watch the kitten." 

                                                 End

