Battleground Of Dreams

The ride back down to the Dream Ward solidified Morpheus’ plan of action in his head.  He had to get into the Ward, no matter what it took.  So, when he exited the elevator back on the Dream Ward floor, he didn’t even slow as he approached the guard that was between him and the actual ward where agents went into the semi-sleep that allowed them to enter the dreams of mortals.   The male stepped in front of him, telling him once more to stop and the instructions that no one was to enter the Ward were repeated; they were ignored as was the declaration that he was not authorized to be on the floor or the Ward.  

He knew what he was about to do was most likely going to end his career.  However, from what he’d just heard from Agent Rua, he wasn’t sure that Melinoe was going to be able to handle things alone, and get Agent Lorien out of whatever dream he’d been stuck in.  It had been his wounded pride and ego earlier in the day that got her into this mess, now he would do whatever was required to get her out of it.  Then he’d take the time to apologize properly and hope that she’d still agree to team up with him.  What happened with Krios and Andromeda, well that would be left to be seen and handled at some other time.  As far as he was concerned, they were bothbureaucrats that could fuck off and stay out of the way of the agents who did the real work of the bureau. 

When Morpheus reached a few feet from the automatic door into the Ward, the guard fully blocked his path.  One hand came up into the middle of Morpheus’ chest to stop his forward movement, and the other to his weapon; it was clear that he had been warned that Morpheus did not accept “no” as an answer often. This was one of those times, and the guard should have drawn his weapon if he really wanted to stop Morpheus.  The agent had three inches on the guard, and was far more trained heavily in hand-to-hand combat.  Morpheus hardly even paused his stride before slamming his fist into the side of the guard’s head so hard there was an audible crunch as something broke.  The first impact sent the guard stumbling sideways, but it was the second one that had him completely unconscious and crumpling to the ground with a definitive thud. Morpheus did naught but give him a firm kick ot make sure that he wasn’t going to have to deal with him again before he ascertained what the fuck was going on inside those doors.. 

When the doors before him opened, Morpheus strode through with a determined look firmly in place on his face and his hand shaking to try to get the sting out of his knuckles.  The guard might not have been the smartest, but his head was still hard. Upon taking in all that was before him, Morpheus came to a complete stop.  What he saw was unlike anything he’d seen on the Ward before.   The only active agents in the room were Melinoe and Lorien.  The dream monitoring beds they lay on were shoved right next to each other, their hands joined with fingers intertwined.  Around them were more than normal medical staff, additional security staff, Krios, Andromeda, and far too many of the dream walking staff he knew were trained to pull agents out of dreams when things went ass over tits and they couldn’t get themselves out.  Other than the quiet beeping and whirring of the monitors for Melinoe and Lorien, the Ward was completely silent.  Too silent.  It was never this silent.

The sound of the doors sliding open had caught Krios’ attention.  At first he assumed it was a changing of guard, but when no one approached him or Andromeda, he started to suspect there was another reason for the sound that had breached the mandated quiet of the room. Barely making a move to turn his head, his eyes slid to the side, and there he spied Morpheus in a state that he had never seen the other male in before: stunned into silence.  There was a mild amusement at that, and a slight worry for the state the guard outside the Ward had been left in.  No doubt the guard was not conscious out in the hallway, hopefully he was still breathing.  Covering up a death in addition to whatever was going to happen to Melinoe and Lorien might be more than the agency was prepared to handle at the current.  

As he contemplated the current situation that they all found themselves in, Krios was actually surprised it had taken Morpheus so long to get onto the Ward.  He had to wonder what else the agent had been up to and where else he had been.  That was something that would have to be looked into, who else needing medical aid, other than the guard?

Lightly nudging Andromeda, Krios barely tipped his head to clue her in that Morpheus had finally arrived. They had known he would, but neither had been sure what he would do when he found out that they had two agents that the could not pull out of a dream.  It had not happened before, and after the way that things had gone earlier in the day, neither of them felt that was going to be something he accepted lightly.

Krios decided that there was no reason to delay the inevitable. Time to go and try not to provoke an outburst from Morpheus.  Judging from the expression on the agent’s face, he already felt some guilt, but there was anger too.  Explaining all that was transpiring without causing Morpheus to lash out in either of those two emotions was going to be a delicate balancing act, and one that Krios was not sure he was up to with the woman that he loved currently stuck in what sounded to be the most extremely violent dreamscape that anyone had encountered.

Frustrated at being stopped from going inside the Dream Ward, Morpheus pulled his communicator out from the inside pocket of his jacket and tried to get ahold of Melinoe.  There was no answer.  He did not leave a message.  He tried sending her a text communication, and kept his communicator in his hand as he paced the hallway waiting for an answer.  The only issue was, there was no answer coming.  After what felt like too long to Morpheus, he tried calling her again.  When he once more got her voicemail, this time he left a message asking her to call him immediately.  Then once more sent her a text communication.  The longer it went without hearing from her, the more he was convinced she was on the Dream Ward, and that the only way he was going to get answers was to get past that guard, one way or another.  He just had to figure out how.

One hour, two, three…the time stretched on with messages left for Melinoe, Krios, and Andromeda.  None of them were returned.  This only served to cause Morpheus’ anger level to rise and his teeth to grind.  The guard at the door seemed to be keeping his hand on his weapon more when Morpheus was on the leg of his pacing where he was stalking down towards that end of the hallway.  Morpheus couldn’t really blame him, he really did want to bounce him off the walls and strangle him until he got answers.

Sometime in hour four, Morpheus had an idea.  Slapping his badge against the pad outside the elevator, he called one and went to the Medical Ward.  If he couldn’t get an answer from the Dream Ward, there was one other person who might have an idea what was going on with Melinoe on the Dream Ward.  While the Dream Assassin that they had on the gurney had been badly injured, nothing had looked fatal.  Hopefully she would be awake and able to give him some answers.  His rank and years on in should get him some answers before anyone started answering questions.

*****

“Agent Morpheus,” he flashed his badge, “I need to speak to the young female agent who was brought up here from the Dream Ward, where is she?”  The look he was giving the nurse was making her shift uncomfortably as she looked up the information.  This was not a friendly request, he was certainly making it look like business.  Good, she wouldn’t feel the need to inform anyone he’d been here either.

“She’s down in room six, sir.  She should be awake now.”  The nurse gave him a nervous smile after conveying the information.  He nodded and headed down the hall.  Hopefully he could at least get some kind of answer now.  If not, things down on the Dream Ward were about to get very damn ugly.

Taking a deep breath, Morpheus rapped his knuckles against the door to the room.  There was a small female voice from inside that told him to enter.  Here went nothing.

The female agent in the bed looked even smaller than when she had been wheeled by.  There were dark circles under her eyes, multiple IV lines, and monitors were hooked up.  She couldn’t have been more than a year out of the Academy, and something had worked her over hard.  She had an angelic face, and looked far too innocent to face some of the things he’d seen over the years.  Morpheus was thankful to the gods that he had not been paired up with an agent like her.  

“Ma’am, I’m Agent Morpheus.  I came to check on you, and see what you could remember about what happened on the Dream Ward that landed you here.  Do you feel well enough to talk?”  He instantly saw the signs of recognition at his name, that was positive.  At least he didn’t have to explain that, which meant his name alone would get him somewhere with her.  This at least was a positive step.

“Yes, sir.  I’m Agent Rua.  I assume my partner, Agent Lorien, is still down on the Ward?  I remember them saying something about Agent Melinoe was going to have to go help him?”  Her eyes scrunched up, brows coming together as she tried to remember.  Everything after coming out of the realm of dreams was hazy.  “I don’t remember much from being on the Ward before they brought me up here, I’m sorry.”  She sighed heavily.

“Ma’am, please relax.  Do not stress yourself out.  There is no need to remember everything at once.”  She’d already told him enough, he now knew where his partner was, but he wanted just a little more information. The poor girl had been through enough, he wasn’t there to put her through more.  He kept being struck how with her big grey eyes and angelic face she looked more like a doll than an agent who should be fighting Nightmares. “Do you remember what happened in the dream where you got hurt?  You came out of the dream, but Lorien didn’t.”  That was the only thing that he could figure out for why Melinoe would have to go in and help him.  That was an unusual case, something he’d only heard murmurings of.  It didn’t give Morpheus a good feeling.

“Yes,sir.  There had been a warning that the pair of Nightmare Assassins that Agent Melinoe had faced on her last mission, the ones that so badly injured her, those…one of them was thought to have survived.  I don’t know how she ever took on two by herself, let alone did enough damage they thought both were dead, but they had. We were told what to look for, Lorien and I even trained for it.  We went through the Academy together and were even friends before that.”  There was a smile and a blush that told Morpheus that at least on Rua’s side there was more than a friendly attraction to Lorien.  It wasn’t his business, but he hoped it didn’t get one of them killed.  Romance was risky in their profession, especially if you were teamed up together.  “But what we faced, sir, it was so intense.  There were demons and dragons all around us.  It was like some fairytale dungeon coming to life and attacking all at once.  Lorien and I were doing good at fending them off, but we weren’t making any headway.  I thought we were going to die.  Then, all of a sudden, I could tell I was out of the dream and there was yelling and screaming,” Rua started to get upset, tears forming in her eyes as she spoke. It was clear that whatever they had faced was terrifying.  Then a sort of calm came over her, “then I felt this comforting presence next to me and heard this calm female voice telling me to relax, that my part of the battle was done.  She would finish the fight.”  She looked up at him, a different type oe tears brimming in her eyes, “she was so calm, sir.  It made me feel relaxed and like it would all work out alright.  She took charge, said she was going to go help Lorien. Then it all got confusing and they wheeled me out.” 

“Thank you, Agent Rua.”  Morpheus inclined his head.  “Please rest and do not worry about your partner.  He is in the very best hands he could be.”  With that he exited the room and headed back to the elevator.  He was going back down to the Dream Ward and he was getting in there if he had to shoot the guard and kick Krios’ ass personally.  What kind of monstrosity were Melinoe and some rookie up against?  He had to agree with Rua, if that is what one of them was like, how in the bloody hell did she come close to defeating two of them on her own?  Her illusions must be damn powerful in dreams.  Hopefully they’d keep her alive till he could get to her.

Morpheus sat at the bar across the street from DAHQ, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. It was his third and the burn of the amber liquid was just starting to calm him down. The problem with calming down, though, was that as he did, his mind replayed the entire scene in Krios’ office. He was still enraged at both Krios and Andromeda, and would not ever apologize to them. However, Melinoe was another matter completely

Normally he didn’t let anyone get under his skin. Being outright insulted, slighted, and having things hidden from him by higher-ups had caused him to lose his temper in a way that was not normal. Not only had he lashed out at them, he’d done so at Melinoe, and she hadn’t done anything to him to deserve it. No one ever defended or stood up for him, most hated him; but she had. His thanks for it had been to insult her, and hit her with the same smack he aimed at the bosses. It made him hate the bosses all the more.

Finishing the tumbler in one last swallow, it landed hard on the bar. Time to do something that he rarely did, and hated more than just about anything: go apologize to Melinoe. Letting things continue to be tense between them would suit no one, and only lead to someone getting hurt. He gave not one fuck about the threat at the end of the meeting, what he did care about was the fact that he had started to respect Melinoe during their training and that was rare. After this was all over, he was going to have to work with her, and after what he’d said, that was going to be hard if he didn’t make things right, or at least how others tended to see things as “right”.

“Agent Morpheus,” he flipped his badge so the guard at the front desk could see, “I need to know where the current location of Agent Melinoe is.”

Now to find out where she’d gone after she’d left Krios’ office and make his apology. He could only go she'd listen and accept. As mad as she was, it was even odds either way.

“Sir, she’s been up on the Dream Ward level for several hours now. I don’t show she’s left. That ward is restricted access at the moment.” The guard informed Morpheus, which made him wonder what was going on that would restrict access to the ward.

“Restricted to who?” Morpheus’ head tilted as he looked down at the guard with concern. If Melinoe was in trouble, Krios was going to have his ass.

“No one, currently, sir.” The guard answered with a slight tremble to his voice, which didn’t make Morpheus happy at all.

“Any reason as to why?” There was a slight edge to Morpheus’ voice that had the guard looking a little uneasy.

“No, sir. They have not entered that information. I don’t know. They have medical on stand-by and we have been advised that it is off limits until the Prime notifies all stations.” The guard swallowed. Even though he'd never met Morpheus, the agent's reputation proceeded him.

Morpheus nodded and headed to the elevators, tapping his badge against the plate between them. He’d see how “off limits” they were. His partner was on that floor, in that ward. Keeping him out would require the Prime himself to step in. Since Krios had threatened him, he doubted that he’d keep Morpheus from helping Melinoe if she was in trouble.

As the elevator ascended floors, different scenarios regarding what could have gone wrong to have the whole floor considered off limits went through his mind. There had been many times here agents were put in danger during missions, but never the whole ward was put off limits. Even if something dire had happened, he hoped that the reason that Melinoe still showed on the floor was due to her leaving her badge there by accident when she returned to her apartment.

The elevator dinging to alert him that it had arrived at the Dream Ward floor, brought Morpheus out of his thoughts. As he stood in front of the doors, waiting for them to open, he couldn't anticipate what was about to happen. Normally, he had just placed himself in the perfect position to exit the elevator; however, he had now put himself in the perfect position to almost be knocked over by a gurney that was being pushed on by a medical team. Thankfully they were able to hold up, and avoid knocking him down in their hurry to get onto the elevator.

As he quickly slipped around them, to exit the elevator, and allow them to get their patient on to get her to the medical ward, he noticed that she was young, far too young to have the wounds that she seemed to be bearing. Whatever was going on in the Dream Ward, it did appear to be dire. There was no time for him to ask questions of the medical team that was whisking her away, he would have to find someone on the Dream Ward that would answer his questions.

Once the doors had once more closed on the elevator, he turned and headed towards the entrance to the ward. He tapped his badge against the reader, which opened the doors and he started to step through. This is when a guard stepped in front of him.

“I'm sorry Agent Morpheus, no admittance is allowed to the ward tonight. This is by order of Prime Krios.” The guard looked none too pleased to have to tell Morpheus this, and that matched the displeasure that Morpheus felt on hearing it.

“What is the reasoning for the closing of the ward?” Morpheus inquired.

“There has been some serious activity within the dream realms, and the dreamers cannot be disturbed. Prime Krios is on the ward. Andromeda is with him. No one is to be admitted.” The guard looks disturbed, which did not give Morpheus a good feeling. Never had this happened before, and Morpheus had been an agent for many years.

“Is agent Melinoe on the Ward?” Morpheus asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied the reaction of the Guard. He knew the answer before it came, the real answer. The one the guard gave was evasive and only served to annoy Morpheus more.

“She did enter the award, yes. I cannot answer if she is still there. I cannot answer if she is within the Dream Realm. All answers must come from Prime Krios, or Andromeda. And neither are available to speak at the moment.” Clearly, ranks were closing due to something very important and, most likely, very bad. Morpheus was confused as to why he was being locked out since Melinoe was his partner.

“Can you give a message to Krios or Andromeda? Please let them know that agent Morpheus is on the Ward and would like to speak with one of them. I am here to assist agent Melinoe in any way possible.” Morpheus looked anything but pleased. There was something about this whole situation that was sitting with him about as well as a buffett’s worth of plates on upside down bowls.

“I will let them know, agent Morpheus. However, I do not think that you will hear from them anytime soon.” Again, the guard looked uneasy and as if he had been put in a bad position. What the fuck was going on in that ward?

An hour later, and after both getting cleaned up after training, Morpheus and Melinoe headed up to Krios’ office.  Both were dressed fully in black and looked like a matching pair, and in time they would be; however, at the moment, Morpheus was still trying to figure out the enigma that was the woman walking next to him.  To be called to the office of the Prime, to have a messenger treat her as if she was an officer in the corps, the name the messenger had called her, there were questions that he wanted answers to, and if they didn’t come in the Krios’ office, he’d find out later.

There was no wait once they had arrived at the office. Krios’ assistant had been waiting for them and showed them in immediately.  The auburn haired Prime had his back to them when they entered, but his posture left no donut that he was unhappy.  Surely soon he would be letting them both know his thoughts on the matter that had called them up.

“Andromeda will be joining us.”  The Prime’s deep voice echoed around his office as they took seats across from his desk.  He still had not turned from the window.  He was expecting problems with Morpheus, and was preparing to reign in his temper to keep from losing one of his best agents.  It was no secret that the agent didn’t want a partner, and now to have a case so soon after being assigned, it was sure to cause issues.

Morpheus and Melinoe looked at one another.  Not only was the Prime meeting with them but also the Adjutrix, even with what was in the scroll, it didn’t seem a serious enough situation to require that.  For the first time since she received the scroll, Melinoe became nervous.  Not killing a nightmare on the first attempt was hardly a rare occurrence, let alone when there had been more than one and she had been alone.  Morpheus couldn’t miss the trepidation he now saw in her eyes.  

“I apologize for my delay,” Andromeda entered the office and closed the door.  There was little doubt in either her or Krios’ mind that this would get loud and messy.  Morpheus was known for his temper just about as much as his ego.

“EMA (eema) Melinoe, to be honest we're not sure that this nightmare is part of that team you took on, but if not then he's duplicating their methods.” Krios turned from the window, his heavily tattooed forearms crossed over his broad chest.  They were a testament to the battles he had fought as an agent.  “We've had two more agents almost taken out by him. They're not getting even close to him.  This is why we need you.”

Now what the messenger had said made sense to Morpheus.  He'd pronounced the acronym wrong, Melinoe was an Elite Master Assassin.  That was a rank he hadn't even achieved.  It added to his respect for her, but also brought up new questions. 

“Agent Morpheus and I will be ready tomorrow to start tracking, sir.” Melinoe answered, still not sure why they had been called up to the office for a routine thing.  “We spent today practicing and training, I have no doubt we'll make a good team.  His reputation, as I'm sure you know, is well earned.” She turned her head slightly towards Morpheus and gave him a small smile.  She was honest . 

“EMA Melinoe, we are not worried about your abilities.  We want to ensure we do not have another agent down to injuries that could be avoided if one were to use caution, patience, and check their ego at the door.” Andromeda was frank, and the look she cast towards Morpheus made her disdain clear.  Now everyone knew why they were there, and none looked happy about it.

“I can assure you..” Melinoe started trying to head off the fight she could almost feel coming.  As Andromeda has spoken, Morpheus has straightened and his hands had balled to fists.  She couldn’t blame him, the Adjutrix hadn't even attempted to be delicate . 

“You're worried about ME getting her injured or killed?  Come out and say it if you have the balls.” Morpheus interrupted.  “You heard my partner, we function well together and be fine. Can you both fuck off now?”

“Until she steps on your toes or says something you don't like, right Morpheus?” Now Krios was going to take him head on.  “Then what? You'll leave her in the dream alone? Tell her to fuck off now? Make her carry your weight? I need both of you back, and I don't care if your ego has to be sacrificed for it.” He leaned over the desk after Morpheus, his hands going flat on it.  His muscles could be seen flexing under his dress shirt. Obviously the Prime was ready for a fight.

Unfortunately Morpheus wasn’t looking to disappoint, “you really think that I would do that?”  He was now on his feet, quickly followed by Melinoe who was going to try to keep the two powerful men from destroying each other and the office.

“Check my ego and temper, but I'm not the only one with either of those, am I?  I get it, she's higher rank, but I have earned respect.” He looked between Krios and Andromeda, obviously enraged.  “I would never abandon another agent, or endanger them, because of my ego.  I know where to find Mel if I have a score to settle.”

“Morpheus, I don't think that's what they..” once more Melinoe started trying to defuse the situation. 

“No, he understood me.” Andromeda cut her off this time. “You're reckless, Morpheus.  You take risks. Only now it won't be just you.  You'll have one of the best with you and…”

“And who is another of those bests? ME! So I'm pretty damn sure we have this…” Morpheus took a step towards Andromeda, Melinoe gently touching his arm to try and calm him.

“AGENT MORPHEUS!” Krios’ hands slammed down on his desk to get everyone's attention.  “You will respect the chain of command in my office or…”

“Or what? You'll take me off the case and send Mel in with someone inferior?  You are actually standing there and threatening me?”

Melinoe felt like she was watching the beginning of another World War and she had no interest in it.  “Sir, I trust Morpheus and that should be enough.  No one is going to be left behind or not protected.  I think we all need to think about what we're saying.  Morpheus is right, you're both being insulting to his abilities.”

Her hand tightened on Morpheus’ arm.  She didn't want a full on fight.  If she was going to have to go back up against one of those nightmares, she wanted him as her backup. “Morpheus, it's fine.  Don't take their bait.” She kept her voice low and hoped they'd built enough of a report that he'd listen . 

“You should listen to your partner Morpheus. It seems at least one of you…” Andromeda started, before being cut off.

“If she's so fucking perfect, what do you need me for? Clean up duty? Someone to take the blame if it goes sideways?” Morpheus didn't ever let her get started before raging.  “I've never had to clean up someone’s messes before and I'm not liking it now. It’s not my fault your apparent darling isn’t capable of doing it on her own and needs someone to come in and save it for her.  People don’t die on my watch, but I guess now I have to make sure they don’t die on hers too.  What exactly am I getting out of this whole arrangement?”

“ENOUGH!!”  Now it was Melinoe that had everyone’s attention, and none looked sure what she was going to say.  

“Fine, you don't want to, how'd you say it? Clean up my mess?  Fine. I'll figure it out myself, and do it without you.  I didn't ask for your help, or to be your partner in the first place.  Now, if you'll all excuse me, I'm going to go prepare for tomorrow.  I’m sure Krios and Andromeda can find something to keep you busy while I work.”  She gave no one a chance to answer, she strode from the room, slamming the door behind her so hard it rattled.

For a moment no one left in the office moved.   Up until then, Melinoe had been the most calm in the room.   It was clear she was now, however, seriously pissed.  Krios and Andromeda had never seen her anywhere near that emotional regarding anything, let alone that enraged.  It was clear that the meeting had gone in a direction that they had not anticipated and now they might have created a problem that could not be rectified easily.

The next several hours were spent practicing different fighting styles and learning how to work together.  Much to Morpheus’ surprise, Melinoe was a very skilled fighter and far stronger than he would have given her credit for based on looks alone.   In the end Melinoe was having to admit to herself that Morpheus might have earned some of his reputation honestly, and that, while she still wasn’t going to put up with his ego, he was that good.  She’d almost say he was as good as she was.  

Then it came time for weapons training, and neither of them truly trusted the other to engage with actual bladed weapons, so they did agree that for the time being, they would use practice weapons.  Trust, after all, was earned through working together.  Until they were used to one another, there was the possibility of accidents, and neither of them particularly wanted to lose their head or a limb due to a slip.  Once they were more comfortable, then the real weapons could come out.

Again, to his surprise, Melinoe not only held her own but bested him more than once.  If he was going to have to have a partner, then she was definitely someone he would pick to fill that position.  For her part, Melinoe was getting through that ego and exterior of Morpheus and finding him easier to stand than she had anticipated.  Whether it was because they weren’t as unevenly matched as he had anticipated or there was something else at play, she wasn’t sure, but she was glad for whatever it was.  

“Before we move on to actual weapons, I have to admit that I’ve been holding back on something.”  Melinoe had been trying to gauge when the right time to reveal her secret weapon was, and this seemed as good a time as any.  While she was skilled, there was one other thing that helped her when hunting nightmares.  Stowing a dagger inconspicuously, she once more faced off against Morpheus.  “See if you can take me down this time.”  With a wink, the fight was on again.

“Really?  Is this where you take off clothing and flirt?” Morpheus highly doubted it was, but he had now been up close and personal with the svelte brunette enough that he wouldn’t have complained too loudly if she had.  His brow was raised as he waited for her to answer.  She was giving him a run for his money, so what more she could have unleashed, yet hadn’t, did interest him.  

Her eyes rolled, and she scoffed, “in your dreams, Morpheus.  And, only there, is that going to happen, might I add.”  She shook her head and laughed.  “No, I have a nifty little trick.  See, I was born while my mother was in a dream due to the battle she was engaged in.  The dreamer, they left me with this.”  A smirk forming on her lips, she raised one hand and snapped.  

At first Morpheus wasn’t sure if he was supposed to notice something and then his eyes went wide as he did.  “How are you doing that?”  His eyes again looked around the room that now matched the inside of his living room.  It had taken him a moment to realize what she’d done because he’d been so focused on her.  Now he wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or disturbed.

“When you are born within a dream, the dreamer can give you extra powers apparently.  Mine is to cast illusions.  The dreamer bestowed it so that the nightmare wouldn’t see me.  I was born within the nightmare of a six year old, I can’t really complain with her choice of gifts.  Kept her and I safe till my parents defeated the nightmare monster.”  Melinoe let the illusion fall.  “It’s also what has allowed me to go after nightmares far more powerful than I am.  You can see I can hold my own even without it, but it has helped when on my own.”

Morpheus had to hand it to her, Melinoe could have kept that ace up her sleeve, but she had revealed it to him.  It was the first sign of trust and he knew better than to throw it in her face or belittle it.  Since there was no way for them to get out of the partnership, he might as well be thankful that she was on his side than able to use that trick against him.

“I have a feeling that may come in useful in the future for us.  Even with two of us, distraction and misdirection is never a bad thing when your life is on the line.  Thank you for trusting me with that knowledge.”  He inclined his head towards her.

“If we’re going to keep one another alive, always good to know one another’s strengths.  And that is one that I won’t factor into our sparring.  I don’t see the benefit in it, unless you do.”  Melinoe had considered surprising him with it, but decided that might be one surprise not to be revealed in the middle of sparring or battle.  Sometimes pissing off your partner was the absolute last thing you wanted to do.  Knowing Morpheus’ temperament already, with him it was definitely better to not keep anything back from him.

“I take it you’re Melinoe?” Morpheus sounded as thrilled as he felt when he walked into the training room the next morning to meet the woman who would be his partner, or at least until he could find a way to get rid of her.  At least she wasn’t bad to look at, and from her outfit she was there to do serious work.  At least they hadn’t put him with one of the females that was more concerned about her appearances than whether they got the job done; that was at least a bonus.  However as his eyes swept her body from her long coffee colored hair that was pulled up in a plait, across her curves, and down to her long legs that were toned from workouts and the rigors of their job, Morpheus had to admit that at least the scenery would be enjoyable while he was forced into this position.

“I am.  That would make you Morpheus.  I’d say it’s a pleasure, but your reputation does proceed you.  I’ve already been warned, you’re not going to scare me off or get rid of me.  We’re stuck together, so let’s see if the other part of your reputation is correct.  Hand to hand first, then we can do weapons. Let’s see what you got.” Melinoe gave him a wink as she smirked over at him.  She was prepared for anything he could throw at her.  Overnight she’d done some research on the assassin she’d now be paired up with, and had gotten a good feel for who he was and how he operated.  To say he was generally disliked would be a significant understatement, even amongst their superiors.  While he was adept and lethal, he had an attitude that few could stomach.  The number of reprimands in his file was impressive for him still to be in the service.  He’d impressed someone along the line, or maybe slept his way into keeping his job.  She couldn’t deny that he was nice to look at - tall, dark hair, and grey eyes that seemed to be scrutinizing her, chiseled jaw and cheekbones, and he didn’t have to wear tight clothes to see his musculature.  Yes, sleeping his way to keeping on the force was a possibility. 

“I guess I won’t have to wonder where I stand with you.”  Morpheus was actually impressed, not even one single attempt to flirt, and she was direct.  He had to respect that, even if it slightly amused him.  The tall female was attractive, which normally meant flirtatious.  Now he had a good idea why he’d been paired up with her, maybe he wouldn’t hate this quite as much as he’d anticipated.  The thought made him smirk as he considered exactly how to put her to the test.

“Not at all, killer.  And don’t think that the nice cheekbones, strong jaw, and ability to smolder are going to get you anywhere.  I’ve been told I’m immune.”  She gave him a tight smile and another wink as she pulled on her training gloves: tight leather fingerless gloves that had padding in the palm.  “Don’t take it easy on me, and I will do the same.  I want to see what you’ve got, and how much of your weight I’m going to have to carry.”  Now it was she that was smirking as she kept from looking at him, something she was sure he was not used to.

“Excuse me?  MY weight that YOU are going to have to carry?”  Now Morpheus had to scoff as his eyes rolled.  There was no way she’d be carrying any of his weight.  More than likely, he’d be carrying her weight, and although she was far from fat, he imagined he’d be tired from carrying her weight on every mission.  There were few in the service that could keep up with him, let alone fight to his level.  He dropped his equipment bag to the side of the area that they were going to be using and began to pull on his own gloves, keeping an eye on her as well.

“I believe that IS what I said.” Melinoe was glad she didn’t have to hide her smile at the indignation in his voice as she dug more of her gear out of her own bag.  “I won’t play nice to save your ego.  I’ve heard it gets enough puffing up off the job, I don’t plan to do any more of it while we’re on the job.” She tossed a few things to the side and then turned to stand and face him.

Before Melinoe could come to full standing, Morpheus had her by the bicep and shoved up against the wall, with his body against hers, keeping her there.  Those grey eyes of his seemed to have gone ice cold and his expression was dead serious; she had to hand it to him that he was intimidating when angered.  “I don’t know just who you think you are, but commenting on what I do off the job is none of your business.  And my ego doesn’t need to be puffed up any, by you or anyone else, my performance speaks for itself.” She’d hit a sore spot without even meaning to, but he wasn’t going to let it slide either way.  This is why he preferred working alone. No asshole coworker to annoy you, or get you injured or killed.

Her green eyes met his evenly and with a hint of amusement in them.  “Is that so?  And yet, you lose your cool so easily over the statement.  Hiding something, Morpheus?”  Her eyes dropped to where their bodies met and then back to his eyes.  “Or compensating for something?  I don’t care, but don’t you ever grab me that way again if you want all your body parts to remain in their original and current positions.”  Melinoe’s chin lifted defiantly and her eyes narrowed.  “Now back the fuck up and let me go, or I will make you.”  The coldness in her voice made ice feel like the tropics and the set of her jaw made it clear she was not in a joking mood.  He too had taken a step too far.

“Fine!” He took one step back, releasing her as his fingers splayed wide on both hands, his head tipping to the side, and his own eyes narrowing.  “Don’t start a war you can’t finish.  As you said, Melinoe, we are stuck together.  We can fight each other and the nightmares, or we can fight together.  You choose.”  He was fighting grinding his teeth as he stood there staring at her.

“You made the first move, Morpheus.  I’d say it’s up to you if there’s a truce, or hostilities continue.  I’m not going to back down if challenged, and I won’t pull punches.  Don’t think you can steam roll over me because others cower at you.  They picked me for a reason.”  The corners of her mouth ticked up, he’d have to call the truce between them and apologize. She wasn’t going to be made to apologize or back down, that wasn’t her style.

It was at that moment a messenger came into the room.  “Ema!  Ema!  I have a message from Krios.  It is in regards to your last mission.  Something’s happened.  He is going to need to speak with you after training!.”  The messenger held out a scroll to her, bowing deeply as she reached for it.  “I’m sorry to interrupt, ma’am.  I was told it could not wait and was of the utmost importance.”  Morpheus’s eyes narrowed as he watched, something was off about the interaction, and what had he called her?

“Right!  Well, then it is best that you didn’t.”  Her tone was clipped, but Melinoe was not chastising or upset sounding.  It was clear on her face that something about what the messenger had just said was troubling, and she was not wanting to reveal more in front of him.  “Thank you for delivering it to me.  Morpheus and I will be in to see the Prime as soon as training is completed.  Let him know that it was delivered.  Thank You.”  She inclined her head and waited until the messenger had exited the room before breaking the seal on the scroll.  As she read, a feeling of dread filled her.  It seemed that she and Morpheus were not going to get much of a period to get acquainted. 

Morpheus waited for Melinoe to share what was within the scroll.  As he did, he went back over what the messenger had said.  He’d called her “Ema”.  The name sounded familiar, but he was having a problem placing it.  There was also that the messenger had shown a reverence to her that he didn’t even receive.  And why would Krios contact her directly, the Prime rarely spoke to agents.  Who had he been paired up with?  What had the Dream Gods done?

“It looks like we aren’t going to get much time to get to know one another before we are going to have to undertake our first mission.  A pair of nightmares that have been preying on dreamers and brutally killing them from within has resurfaced, or one of them has.  I killed the other one in my last mission. I had hoped both were dead, but apparently the one was just badly wounded and laying low for the last couple weeks.”  Frustration bled through her voice as she filled Morpheus in.  Having to admit to not defeating the one nightmare was not something she liked doing, but she wanted it all out on the table. “Apparently the remaining one struck someone just taking a nap, not even someone asleep for the night.  So, since it was my last solo mission, it has become our first joint mission.”

Morpheus craned his neck, listening to the vertebrae pop.  The battle had been bloody, warriors lost, but in the end the wave of nightmare demons that had been plaguing the city had been defeated.  Normally the dream walkers battled in teams and walked in single dreams, but recent upticks in activity had necessitated the change.  After this battle though, things would return to normal.  For Morpheus, that would mean solo fighting.  He was a lone assassin, preferring not to have to depend or defend anyone else.  That was the way that it always had been, and he would keep it that way.  Not that the Dream Gods hadn’t tried to pair him up, he just refused to follow orders when they did, and eventually they just gave up.

As he approached his house he saw a message waiting for him.  What could the almighty Dream Gods want with him now?  Hadn’t he just given and done enough?  He grabbed the scroll from its holder as he unlocked the door and entered.  His home was not huge, but it was comfortable.  After he stowed his weapons, bathed, and got comfortable, he’d see what they had in store for him.  Hopefully it was some time off or an assignment in a remote destination.  It was doubtful, but an assassin could always hope, after all.

After he’d gotten comfortable, he broke the seal and unrolled the seal.  It took a moment for everything to sink in as he read what was written.  In all his years as an assassin of nightmares, never had a partner been an absolute requirement of the job, yet that is what was transpiring now.  If he thought it would do any good, he would have gone directly to his superiors and demanded that they reassign whomever they were giving him somewhere else, but it was included within the verbiage of the scroll that it was not going to happen.  He could either accept it or leave the force.  Apparently they had anticipated his displeasure with their decision, probably not the level of it, but at least that he would be displeased.

Setting the scroll aside he pinched the bridge of his nose.  How was he going to get out of this?  He hated working with other people.  It was one thing when there were large groups, like in the battle that day.  With one other person was a completely different thing and not something that he was interested in at all.  He had a feeling his best option was to try and convince whomever he was assigned with that they did not want to work with him.  Morpheus knew how to make a royal asshole out of himself when he wanted to, and he definitely wanted to at the moment.  He knew the other person was innocent and had done nothing wrong, but it was the best and fastest way to make sure that they didn’t hang around long.

*****

Melinoe had just finished training with another assassin.  A light sheen of sweat was across her brow and her breathing hard when she saw her commanding officer headed towards her.  Unlike normal, his face was displeased, which didn’t give her a good feeling for whatever their discussion was going to be.  Since she was unaware of any issues on her last mission, this must mean that whatever she was about to be assigned to was not going to be pleasant.  Hopefully it would be quick and over so he could go back to being normal.  Or at least as normal as he always was.

“Mel, I have some bad news.”  Well, at least he wasn’t going to beat around the bush.  That was a step in the right direction.  Make it direct and get it over with.

“I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be good from the look on your face.  So, how bad is it?”  Might as well find out.  Once she knew, she could start dealing with the fallout and making a plan of attack. “It has been decided that no one goes out alone.  All agents are to be given partners.  I tried to get you reassigned, but I wasn’t listened to.”  Her commander sighed heavily and it made Melinoe wonder exactly who it could be that she would be paired up with that could be that bad.  They were all dream agents, assassins who kept nightmares from hurting humans.  It wasn’t like any of them were actually bad.  “Tomorrow morning, you’ll meet up with Morpheus for your first training with your new partner.  I’m sorry, Mel.”

For a moment, Melinoe felt like the wind had been completely knocked out of her.  Of all the names that had been rattling around in her head, his had not been one of them.  Morpheus was an asshole and the last person she would have thought they’d pair anyone up with.  He was notorious for making everyone’s life hell when he was on a mission.  Why would they make someone work with him?  There had to be some kind of mistake.

“They have to know that Morpheus is not going to work with me.  He’s not going to work with anyone.  What am I supposed to do when he refuses?”  The frustration, and resignation, were clear in her voice.  She knew that no matter what she did, things were going to be a fight with him.  She just hoped that the higher ups had given some kind of guidance.

“You must find a way to work together.  If you cannot, there will be repercussions, for both of you.  He will have been made aware of this.  There is no way out for either of you.”  It was clear her commander was no more happy about this than she was.  “You were selected because you are his equal.  They are hoping he will recognize that and you’ll be able to form some kind of team.”  His expression showed the regret he felt.

“Being the sacrificial lamb to someone’s ego sucks, you know that?” Her eyes rolled skyward as her head shook.  How anyone thought that Morpheus would agree to be a team with someone was beyond her.  He was truly a skilled assassin, one of the best, the problem was that he knew it.  Melinoe wasn’t intimidated by him, but she found him insufferable.  She had to wonder if she injured him so bad he couldn’t go on missions if she’d be in trouble.  Probably.