#section one

 CHAPTER 100

Lost in his thoughts Jonathon Randall returned to the parlour where Karen Yee and Wang Yu were waiting for him glad that they had seen the last of James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp.

These two Section One operatives had been a thorn in their side for months and their demise would see the end of any more interference in triad business. Having caused great havoc and mayhem to the triad hierarchy, it would now be a time to regroup and take stock.  Section One would be on the backfoot as well knowing that the Rising Dragons had eliminated their two operatives and henceforth would think twice about their modus operandi in the future. The triad was resolute and their mantra was ingrained in their ethos.  They were prepared for any contingency that others, including Section One or other triad groups who would try and usurp the power of the Rising Dragons could attempt. Those who dared to test their might would suffer the consequences as these two protagonists had with their lives. There was nothing more that the triad wanted from them. Their death was inevitable; it was now only a matter of time.

The rule of the Triad is absolute To the vanquished death it will bring It triumphs over adversaries Then its greatness loudly will sing The Rising Dragon!

Jonathon smirked as his thoughts correlated with the Rising Dragons’ mantra and he was most pleased with how things had turned out for the triad.  Sun Yee Lok would be so impressed with his abilities and he would certainly be rewarded for his interrogation methods and for the final demise of James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All eyes glanced towards him as he entered the room. "Is everything organised Jonathon?" Karen asked.  Anticipation of the outcome underlined her question.  Had the deed been done and were they free to leave the monastery to report back to Sun Yee Lok of their triumph in dealing with the insurgents? "Yes ... they will be dead within the hour," he gleefully replied. "Excellent! And we got the information we wanted?" Randall was giddy with the result and he couldn’t contain his elation. "Oh yes ... it took a while but Fraser capitulated." Karen raised an eyebrow at his words. "That's surprising ..." "Not really." "... I would have thought that Claire would have given in first." "She may have ... but I didn't give her the choice. Besides ... it gave me great satisfaction to have Fraser tortured." "Yes, I can see why that would please you." Karen replied knowingly. A boastful Jonathon Randall elaborated further to those gathered. "I wanted to see how far I could go without actually killing him ... if he hadn't capitulated then I was going to torture Claire again in front of him." "That would have been interesting ... nonetheless the conclusion would have been the same. Sun Yee Lok will be very pleased," Wang Yu stated looking at Karen. "Let's hope we have put an end to it once and for all and things can get back to normal ... there's been entirely too much externalising of emotion around here lately," she replied. The others nodded in agreement, yet despite the problem of Claire Beauchamp and James Fraser being solved, Karen still had one other urgent problem to resolve. Her thoughts turned to a more personal pressing matter.  She turned to Jonathon Randall.

"Well? ... Do you have it?" A slight, satisfied smile crossed his lips as he placed his hand in his pocket and withdrew a small vial of liquid holding it up in triumph for Karen to see. She sighed; relieved that at last she had the extracting agent that could reverse the isotope that Jamie had placed on her hands. Karen held Jonathon's gaze then without looking at the vial she reached out her hands trying not to show how worried she really was.

"I hope this stuff works," she whispered under her breath. She was not sure if James Fraser had been entirely truthful and she feared the outcome should this have been the scenario. Loosening the top, Karen tipped some of the liquid into her palms coating her exposed skin with the agent. She immediately rubbed them vigorously together until all the liquid was absorbed into her skin.

Jonathon sensed her hesitancy and tried to reassure her. "Don't worry ... it will work." Coating her hands with the reactive agent once again, Karen examined her palms and fingers. Time stood still and every second felt like an eternity as she waited to see if the solution had worked. After a short while she began to feel her skin start to soften and return back to its normal colouring. Relief washed over her at the outcome and she slowly released the breath she’d been holding in check. "Is there any damage?" Raising her head, she briefly looked up at Jonathon then back down at her hands pleased that the liquid had indeed worked. "Nothing permanent ... it's been effective." "That's good." Regaining her composure Karen was back to business once more. "Shall we go then ... the helicopter is ready and waiting and we have a meeting scheduled with my father. He will want to know what has gone on." Jonathon laughed, "Oh we can certainly give him the answer to that!" "Yes ... all in all it has been a most successful outcome. I'm sure he will be delighted. Let's go." As they prepared to leave the room, Jonathon Randall turned to his bodyguard and issued his orders. "Robert ... take care of things." "Certainly sir." "You know what to do. We want no trace of them whatsoever." "I understand. I'll clean up and dispose of the bodies." "Good." Satisfied that everything would be taken care of, Karen and the two men all exited the room for their departure back to Hong Kong and their meeting with the leader of the Rising Dragons. It was a meeting that was long overdue, but one at which there would be much to celebrate. They had eliminated their enemy and solved the mystery of Tony Wong and Madame Cheung's deaths. The Rising Dragons' mantra had been fulfilled. The triad had sought its retribution at long last. "An invincible, powerful brotherhood The Triad rules supreme Don't ever try to obliterate For retribution will be extreme The Rising Dragon!" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Jamie and Claire were taken to another room deep in the monastery that was spartan except for two chairs. As the guards ushered them inside, Claire stumbled on the threshold of the doorway but the guard in front of her kept her from falling. Grabbing hold of their captives, the other guards tightened their grip painfully on the two Section operatives' arms, then pushed them towards the chairs indicating that they sit down. "I guess that this is the somewhere more comfortable," Claire flippantly stated to the guard as they were unceremoniously thrust into the chairs. Ignoring her retort, the guards bound both of their wrists to the arm of the chair, then left them alone closing the door behind them as they left with a decisive but ominous click. Except for the beating of their hearts, eerie silence surrounded them. They sat side by side in what appeared to be some sort of execution chamber. Claire looked around the room evaluating their surroundings and searching for anything that might indicate what the triad had in mind for them here in this dungeon like room. Seeing that there was little hope of escape, she stared straight ahead, her mind filled with thoughts that this may indeed be where she and Jamie finally met their demise. James Fraser also surveyed their surroundings glancing around the room like Claire had done. He too had thoughts ... not of their demise … but of what he could do to secure their survival from this place. As he looked around the room, he saw several gas valve outlets. So that was their plan ... he and Claire were to be asphyxiated.

He was determined that this place of incarceration would not be their death chamber. He didn’t want to alarm Claire to the peril they were in although he already knew that she would have figured it out that they were in dire straits.  Flexing his sore muscles, he clenched his fists pitting them against the restraints on his hands hoping to loosen them. Maybe he would, by some miracle, be able to release himself from the bonds and free them both before the effects of any gas took a hold. Claire could feel Jamie moving his hand next to hers and knew he was trying to escape from his bonds.  She watched her love carefully. Her heart bled for him. She knew he had been tortured repeatedly because of her and she blamed herself for both of them being in this predicament from which there seemed to be no escape. Although she knew that the Team was on its way, would they even arrive in time. Her eyes fixed on his battered face.

"Are you okay?" The sound of her voice cut deep into his thoughts. Jamie looked over to her and met her forlorn eyes. Claire was well aware of the plight they were in, but her compassion also shone through. She felt his suffering. Trying to reassure her of his state of mind, he replied with a voice a little raspy.

"Dinna fash Sassenach ... I'm fine."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Claire knew Jamie wasn't being truthful. His face was covered in welts of congealed blood; a trail of drying blood ran haphazardly down his cheek from the wound on his temple and bruises were evident over his body. He had endured more than anyone should. He must have suffered horrendous torture ... yet James Fraser was not a broken man. Physically he was battle scared but she knew mentally he was as strong as ever and would be trying to find a solution to their dilemma ... even if there was none that she could see. He was Section One's best operative. Jamie would not want her to know he was in pain or was suffering after what he’d gone through.

If he could endure what the triad had meted out then so would she.

Claire let his lie go unchallenged for every moment of this incarceration was too precious. In the scheme of things, it was not important ... their lives were in the balance here ... it was more important that she spend their every last moment conveying her feelings for him. She glanced at the door but when no one seemed to be monitoring them, Claire turned her head towards him. "What's going to happen now Jamie?" Her words brought him back to the reality of their terrible situation. His eyes followed the path of hers to the small glass pane in the door of the chamber before returning to meet her gaze.

"What do ye mean Sassenach?" Claire shifted slightly on her seat. "They've had the opportunity but they haven't killed us yet? Why?" Tension centred in her shoulders. She tried to allay the thought of impending doom in which they found themselves. "I dinna ken," Jamie replied trying to reassure her. "Do you think they are planning something?" He lifted his shoulders slightly. "It's possible mo nighean donn." She grasped at straws at anything that might be a plausible explanation as to why they had been left alone. "Perhaps they're going to trade us off for something from Section One." "Maybe." "You think so?" The inflection in her voice was haunting. "They could use us in exchange for any further Intel Section has about the Rising Dragons," Jamie answered trying to dispel her concerns but knowing that his words rang hollow.

"But you know Operations Jamie ... He won't negotiate. He'll pass on any deal."

Her summation of their leader was on mark.  Dougal Mackenzie never negotiated with terrorists, and in this situation, not even to try and save his two best operatives.  They would be marked off as collateral damage. "Aye ... he will." Jamie lowered his voice echoing the reply that Claire had already announced in her own mind. "Well if that's for real, then we're on our own." He glanced over at her, a telling look in his eyes. "We're going to have to think of something fast if we want to get out of here alive ... or else ..." Claire took a new breath before continuing, "... or else ... we're going to die together aren't we?" she replied softly closing her eyes in despair. Claire’s anguish was breaking his heart. Jamie stretched his fingers out towards her. Opening her eyes, she felt the rough but warm touch of skin on skin. His fingers brushed the very tips of her fingers straining repeatedly until he managed to grasp them. Jamie squeezed her flesh in his and the touch was comforting.

"Is that so bad?" He whispered willing his love to look at him and hear the depth of feeling that his words conveyed. Entwining her fingers with his, Claire turned her head to see his piercing gaze wash over her.

"No." His look filled her heart with emotion for his gaze was open, tender and compassionate. Jamie's eyes pierced her soul and revealed his inner feelings. "No …" she repeated, "... I wouldn't want it any other way." Claire held his gaze for a long moment, then bit her lip and turned her head away from him so that Jamie could not see the tears that welled in her eyes. “Dinna be afraid Sassenach. I will see ye safe," he said resolutely.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Karen, Jonathon Randall and Wang Yu exited the monastery their helicopter was ready and waiting on the tarmac for its passengers for the return trip back to the mainland. The three people boarded the aircraft in a buoyant mood knowing that they had been successful in ridding the Triad of these two protagonists.

Assisting them into the helicopter, the outside security guards reported that all was well and there was no evidence of any other intruders on the premises. They’d done a thorough search of the grounds and surrounds and had come up empty handed. With no further ado, the helicopter took off with a trouble-free departure. Jonathon Randal had complete faith in his bodyguard Robert Ling to carry out his orders implicitly. Therefore, the three triad members left the monastery completely satisfied that everything was under control and that they had finally seen the last of their captives James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp. The helicopter travelled back over the hinterland of Lantau Island before flying across the many islands surrounding Hong Kong Island itself to its secret destination the palatial home of their leader Sun Yee Lok who would be waiting for them to return with their good news.

Meanwhile the teams have gathered …

Back at Section One, Fergus Claudel's monitor showed that the parameters of the rescue Mission profile status were set. "Okay, all teams, you're in. Start the sequence. Everyone to second mark. We're closing in. We have a fix on Jamie and Claire's location." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

First team members dressed in black field attire and balaclavas systematically and stealthily approached and made their way to the inner hallway of the monastery. They waited a moment for their team leader’s signal to move forward while second team took care of business on the perimeter of the building. "Let's move!" Geillis Duncan ordered and with a silent nod to each of the team members, the operatives advanced further into the labyrinth of passageways that would lead them to where Jamie and Claire were being held captive.  However, as they proceeded along two hostiles approached. The triad guards were caught by surprise and ill-prepared for what was waiting for them around the corner. Opening fire, the team managed to take out the men before they knew they were there or could return fire. "Okay, Geillis. There's a door ten metres to your right, down the hallway." Making their way to the location Fergus indicated, the team ran down a stairway then through closed double doors that opened up to another long hallway. "Keep straight ahead. There is a room to your left." Racing along the passageway the team soon approached the entrance. Making sure that they had clear passage they entered and took defensive positions just inside the door. There they stood and waited for the techie’s signal to advance. Watching the monitor, Fergus informed the team when the marks indicated a 'Code Blue.' "Your marks are up. Go!" The Team immediately advanced further into the outpost room.  Jasmine Kwong, one of the team members broke away while the others provided cover ready to open fire at any given moment should any hostile appear, however before she could proceed Fergus' warning alerted the team to a problem. "Take cover ... hostiles approaching." They did as ordered. then from their advantage points watched and observed as several Chinese men entered the antechamber. They went over to what appeared to be several tall cylinders with cables and chemical containers that were stacked up against the wall. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Time meant nothing to the two Section One hostages ... it was now all a waiting game. Would the team arrive to rescue them or would they die together? Despite the dire situation they found themselves in, Jamie and Claire still had faith that the team would arrive. They didn't know how long they had been in the chamber but suddenly they heard some activity outside their cell and wondered what was happening. Something was obviously going on, for there was an increase in movement past the glass window. Although they could hear scraping and rattling noises continuing outside the room, the door didn't open. The two operatives watched as a couple of guards passed by. Then Claire saw Jonathon Randall's bodyguard Robert Ling. He stopped and looked in through the glass pane of the door. For one brief second, Claire thought Operations had agreed to an exchange of Intel and that they were to be freed. But just as quickly as he'd appeared, he moved away from the door. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Randall's bodyguard had glanced into the room where the two hostages were seated and had given the woman a dismissive glance before moving away from the door. He had his orders and he knew what he must do. The guards stood to one side as Robert hooked up gas hoses from the cylinder to the room Jamie and Claire were in. The squeak of the lever echoed in the silence as he turned each value in a clockwise direction until a red light came on indicating that the gas was travelling up through the hoses. The sound of the hissing gas from each cylinder outlet was amplified in the quiet of the room but this was music to his ears. With a satisfied smirk on his face Robert Ling took great satisfaction in having carried out Jonathon Randall’s orders to the letter. He knew that in next to no time he would have closure for his boss. All that remained was to dispose of the man and woman once the deadly noxious gas had done its work. The decomposition of their bodies would systematically start to occur once the gas had fully permeated the room. They had no hope. His eyes cast a look towards the room where the two captives were shackled with no chance of survival. Turning, Robert and the guards then moved away. A raucous laugh echoed in the room as he left Jamie and Claire behind to face their fate. However, what they did not see as they left the room, were the Section One operatives lying in wait. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Jamie and Claire both turned at the same time as the smell of pungent fumes began to flood their surroundings. Realising what had happened they both began to cough a little as inside the room the result of the vapour suddenly became apparent. The invisible gas was starting to take effect and although they both willed themselves not to succumb to it, they began to feel more and more lethargic. Jamie glanced over to his Sassenach. Claire closed her eyes. So, this was it. The team hadn't managed to arrive and now it was inevitable. Operations had finally got what he wanted. The end had justified the means ... he and Madeline would be finally rid of them. She reached for him, just as Jamie reached out for her. Desperately grasping each other's fingers, they joined hands and intently looked at each other. Jamie's hand tightened on hers. Claire could feel his pulse throbbing under her fingertips; his strong beat matched the pounding in her veins. Meanwhile the odour began to fill the room. So, it had come to this. Would this be their fate ... to die here shackled together in this stark room? He would not let them die unnecessarily if he could prevent it. There were too many tomorrows that they had not yet had and not enough yesterdays to remember. There were still too many things left unsaid, too few nights that they had lain in each other's arms; too few times they had felt free to open up to each other about how they felt. Claire kept her eyes wide open fixed on Jamie's. “Dinna be afraid. There's the two of us now.” 

She was not afraid to die. On the contrary she was serene. Claire was never more beautiful to him. Jamie felt himself drowning in the gorgeous blue eyes that held his captive. "Jamie … I love you," Claire whispered as she caressed his features before capturing his eyes once more reluctant to sever her gaze. It was as if she was taking inventory absorbing him into her very pores so that when she took her last breath it would be his name on her lips... his face she saw ... his love she felt. They searched each other's faces for a long time then Claire closed her eyes holding on to the moment any way she could. Was it the grim situation they found themselves in or because of it, that they both felt their emotions rise to the fore? Claire's softly spoken words crashed over him like waves on the shore, just like when they had been on Lamma Island all those months ago and they stayed in the bungalow by the sea. Jamie felt as if he'd been hit in the gut with a sledgehammer. His breath suddenly caught in his throat. Although it was entirely possible that their death was imminent, all he could see was her. The guilt he felt for his manipulation of Claire because of Section One as well as the hurt and misunderstanding between them over the years just evaporated.  All that mattered was this moment in time. Squeezing her hand Jamie tried to reassure her that he understood while Claire retained hold of his hand unable to let him go. He looked to her again. This time Claire's eyes were filled with tears. Her face crumpled tearfully, she looked down, but when Jamie leaned in; Claire raised her face and looked deeply into his eyes. This did him in as he fought to keep his own resolve. Jamie's voice was thick with emotion. He spoke softly in reply, "I love ye a nighean donn. I have loved ye from the moment I saw ye.  I will love ye ‘til time itself is done, and so long as ye are by my side, I am pleased wi’ the world." The tremor in his voice sounded embarrassing to his ears, but Claire didn't seem to notice. Her tears subsided as a shaky smile bowed her mouth. Her eyes scrutinised his to verify the truth of his words. Her gaze was intense, but just saying the words from his heart had been cathartic. Once those words had left his lips Jamie knew that he wanted more time ... his Sassenach deserved more time … they both deserved more time. Jamie closed his eyes, then opened them again abruptly when he felt Claire's warm fingers brush his. She slid the length of her palm sensuously against his. Her short fingernails scraped along his skin backwards and forwards caressing him all too briefly. Sensation after sensation shot through him making his nerve endings tingle. Claire continued to torture him with her sensual touch as she trailed her fingers lingeringly over his, before finally their hands entwined. They held each other tightly not knowing how long they might have until the gas took its fatal effect. He became more resolute. Jamie willed himself to dig deep to his inner strength. They would not die here. There was too much living to do for both of them. Becoming more positive by the minute, he communicated his thoughts to Claire. Mentally he gave her a shake to keep her alert. 

When the day shall come that we do part, if my last words are not, I love you, ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time ... but we’re going to live Sassenach. Today is not the day we die. Hold on my love.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

Outside in the antechamber, Section One operatives were silently moving into a better position. With stealth movement they edged forward moving from one pillar to another. While the triad members were occupied, they advanced covering each other as they moved to another vantage point. Then one by one they came closer and closer.

They watched as the men hustled back and forth around the small room then stood their ground as another man opened the valves on the cylinders. Once this was completed one of the triads' moved away from the group towards where Jasmine Kwong was taking cover. As he passed by, she quickly stepped out of the shadows and felled him with a karate chop to his carotid artery. The sound of his "Oomph!" caused the others to look up. They saw him fall to the ground and with guns at the ready, they approached their fallen comrade to see what had happened.

The triad guards didn't even see the Section operatives who lay in wait. Robert Ling and the other guards had not gone far when the team came out shooting. Appearing from behind their cover each operative stood with feet apart as they let fly with a flurry of rapid fire. The triads were unprepared for any attack and although they tried to engage in return fire it was hopeless. One by one the hostiles fell to the ground.

When all the triads had been eliminated, Rupert Mackenzie and Jasmine Kwong kept guard as Geillis Duncan made her way over to the gas cylinders. Turning the lever anti-clockwise the red light disappeared as she shut off the gas supply to the room.

She just hoped they weren't too late.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ to be continued Friday 21st February

For some light relief from this situation that Jamie and Claire find themselves in and because it is Valentine’s Day, you may like to read my AU Sam/Cait story I wrote some time ago but which is appropriate for this lovers’ special day …

ROSES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY - (6 Chapters)

Sam is working in New York and may not make it home for Valentine’s Day which makes Caitriona feel very melancholy. 

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6 

  CHAPTER 81 Jamie wasn't surprised to discover that he had reached his destination in next to no time. Finding himself in front of Claire's apartment building he parked his car, got out and raced inside the building making his way to her floor in swift haste. The corridor was deserted and his footsteps echoed in the corridor as he quickly made his way to Claire’s apartment. His heartbeats sounded overly loud in his ears as he neared her door hoping that he would find Claire at home and that she would have a good explanation as to why she didn’t rendezvous in the park.  His thoughts then started to play tricks on his mind.

Perhaps she was unconscious and that is why she hadn’t answered his frantic and persistent calls. Had she had an accident of some sort, or a fall and was unable to call for help?  He knew she loved to take baths.  Had she fallen asleep in the bath or had bumped her head on the bathtub? Had she drowned in the bathwater? Please God no!  

These scenarios filtered through his mind at a rate of knots and only managed to increase his apprehension about his Sassenach’s fate.

Should he enter her apartment and find her in any one of these situations his heart would break.  Nothing would ease the desolation of ever losing her.  Claire was his reason for breathing.  She was his everything. She was the one who saw him for the man he was and not the cold, killing, machine operative Section One had moulded him into.  Claire Beauchamp was his life and he had no life if she was gone.

Jamie couldn't let himself believe the other alternative that she may have been kidnapped but braced himself for the worst if not. Looking around surreptitiously he paused for a few seconds as he stood in the hallway outside her apartment before knocking on the door. 

But there was no answer. Inside her apartment, the security monitor showed him standing outside but unbeknownst to Jamie this was the only life in an otherwise eerie quietness. Lifting his hand, he knocked again ... louder this time all the while breathing rapidly and wanting very much to break down the door. There was still no response even though he’d seen her car parked below in the underground parking lot. Agitated he tapped his fingers against his thigh before reaching into his pocket and removing the U-key he’d brought with him. He checked the door then inserted the key into the lock, jiggling it somewhat until he heard a soft click. As the lock snapped open, he twisted the knob and slowly pushed the door slightly open.

Peering around the corner of the door in case it was a trap, he made a split decision that it looked clear. Nonetheless drawing his gun James Fraser quietly entered but still vigilant in case there was somebody hiding inside. Once inside he closed the door behind him and looked around. All seemed to be normal with no indication of anything out of place thus far. Jamie was perplexed and made his way into the apartment to check things out.

The interior of the room was bathed in the early evening glow of the illuminated buildings around the harbour coming to life. He’d become quite familiar with her apartment in the last couple of days and Jamie felt the presence of her touch. Claire had made it a home ... a safe haven for the two of them. Hesitantly, he stepped forward looking around then entered further into her apartment. His eyes scrutinized the room. It was empty ... no Claire. There was no sign of her at home. As he walked through her apartment nothing appeared to be out of place and there were no signs of any struggle or of a disturbance.

Except for the relentless ringing of the phone peeling on the bureau drawer, the apartment was deserted. He moved to answer the phone but the caller had hung up before he reached the handset. He immediately noticed the flashing red button on her answering machine indicating that Claire had been left some messages when people had failed to find her at home too. Jamie checked her message bank. Lifting the receiver he depressed the play button to reclaim the left messages. He listened as the recording listed the amount and time of the messages. You have three new messages. No saved messages. Message received today at 6.15 pm “Hi Claire ... Just letting you know I’ve returned home from my interview at Police Headquarters. Boy was that an eye opener! We’ll have to compare notes. Let me know okay.” Then there was another an hour later... “Hey where are you girl? Getting your hair done hmm? ... Can’t talk long I’m on my way out again ... it’s work. I wanted to wish you luck with your dinner date with Jonathon tonight ... Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! I expect to hear all about it when I get back from my business trip in two or three days. Gotta go ... Bye. Catch you soon.” Although Karen was the last caller one message in particular stood out. “Claire my dear ... I was so looking forward to our dinner date tonight but regretfully I will be unable to make it. I have unexpectedly been called away on business about my nightclub for the next few days and the police also need to interview me before I go. I do apologise but I will contact you as soon as I return to reschedule. Please accept my apologies and my rain check. I’ll be thinking of you ... until next time ... Jonathon.” Jamie closed his eyes in worried concern. Was Jonathon Randall responsible for Claire’s disappearance? Were her neighbour Karen Yee and her boyfriend responsible? If so, they would pay dearly. What if it was Inspector Jiang Ng who had arranged Claire’s disappearance? Dread at that scenario flashed through Jamie’s brain for they would never know if he was party to her vanishing as he’d already met his demise at Section One. With staunch determination he started his search in the living room. Jamie looked around the room then made his way through her apartment looking for any small clues of a struggle or disturbance of any kind to indicate that Claire had been taken, but the room was clean and nothing was disturbed. Seeing that the balcony doors were wide open, swinging in the breeze, he quickly strode toward them. Claire had obviously left them open to have a cup of tea on her balcony and enjoy the view. Although he found a used tea cup on the small table in the alcove there were no other clues on the balcony, but she had probably left that from this morning. Re-entering the apartment Jamie quickly climbed the stairs to Claire's bedroom where he saw her night attire scattered on the bed. He stared at the crumpled remains of the bed linen that lay in a tangle on the floor. Their lovemaking this morning had been playful and intense but they had left the bedroom as they left it when Claire had been called into the OCTB and a while later when Fergus had alerted him to the change in plans for Inspector Ng and his subsequent return to Section for the interrogation. The evidence of their coupling was a poignant reminder that tonight they would have repeated their dalliances now that the dinner date was cancelled. He stepped around them and looked in the closets but found nothing. Her clothes were all there nothing was disturbed. The sexy little red dress Claire had chosen to wear for this evening was hanging on a hanger, but everything was as it should be. Knowing that her dinner date had been cancelled Jamie was surprised that she hadn’t contacted him of Jonathon Randall’s change of plans ... but then again, she may not have been able to do so. She may not have even known that Randall had left a message on her answering machine, Jamie pondered.

There weren’t any clues in the bedroom, so he continued to her bathroom. Claire had not showered as the towels and shower stall were dry. So too was the bath. Next he checked the kitchen and saw that she had placed a rose in a bud vase and had left it on the table where they’d made such explosive love. Jamie couldn’t help but catch his breath.

Memories of their lovemaking here flashed through his mind too ... of his beautiful Sassenach in the throes of passion so responsive to his body, and of their simultaneous capitulation.  Memories of him lying beside her in bed, watching her sleep and then of waking up with her were all so vivid. It was too painful having these thoughts as his Claire was nowhere to be found.

Shaking those reminiscences from his mind, Jamie anxiously made his way back into the lounge room having found no trace of her anywhere in her apartment. He paused, his face thoughtful as he tried to understand what had transpired and where Claire might be.

Surely there would be some evidence of her having come back to her apartment after the Flash Mission? It bothered him that it appeared as though she had not returned at all as she’d planned even though her car was in the parking lot. Had she simply gone out or had something happened to her before she had reached her apartment? 

He took a deep breath fearing the worst.

Something was not right ... there was no sign of forced entry. Nothing was disturbed. Where was she and why hadn’t she made her rendezvous as agreed? A feeling of cold dread coursed through him. Something had happened to her; he could sense it. Something was definitely wrong. The very thing he had feared had eventuated ... Claire was missing and there was nothing to indicate that it had occurred in her apartment or for that matter who was responsible.

Jamie breathed deeply. He felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest. But before he left her apartment, he decided to try once more to contact her on her cell phone. Relief registered on his face when he heard a voice.

“Hello?” “Jos-e-phine.” “Who is this?” a strange voice answered. Standing quietly in the centre of the room, James Fraser pensively closed his eyes allowing the shock and pain to course through his body.

He knew that having these emotions was, and always would be, dangerous, but at that moment it didn't matter. His initial relief at hearing someone answer Claire’s cell phone was now clouded by real concern for her safety. She must have dropped her phone and somebody must have found and tampered with it. 

“Where did ye get this phone?” he demanded, but Jamie was met with stony silence from whoever had her cell phone. The caller had disengaged. He knew for certain now that Claire had indeed been kidnapped. But by who ... who would want to take her and why? Where was she? She could be anywhere in this city of millions. The real concern for Jamie was that people who went missing in China were often never found. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack but he would find her and those who had captured her would regret doing so. If they harmed a single hair on her head, he would not be held responsible for his actions. Digging deep inside himself for the cold, calculating and logical rationalism of his personality Jamie let it take control of his emotions. He could not let sentiment cloud his judgement for he needed to keep a level head if he was going to find her. Opening his eyes slowly a steely determination registered on his face. Placing his gun inside his jacket, James Fraser left and closed the apartment door after him. Having found no trace of Claire, he knew exactly what he would do. Jamie headed to retrieve the security tape of the parking area before returning to Section One to use its facilities to find her. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~

All the way to Section One he had a steely determination to do whatever it took to find his Sassenach and who had taken her captive. Buoyed by his anger, Jamie's blue eyes stared coldly ahead. How had they done it? Why? What did they want from her? 

It was obvious that Claire had been taken soon after the Flash Mission when he had returned to Section for the interrogation of Inspector Ng. He calculated that she had been missing for at least five hours now, more than enough time for her to be taken anywhere within Hong Kong or beyond which was a worry. He was angry at himself for the recall of Abernathy and Wakefield, but their brief was only to keep Karen Yee and her boyfriend Andy Ma under surveillance until he returned. They'd done that and had already returned to Section for their new assignment. Since the Flash Mission on Inspector Ng had been called at short notice, there was little time to organise another back up team for surveillance. Furthermore, as his recall for the interrogation was a direct order from Operations, there had only been a short time span between his recall and imminent return for the Jonathon Randall mission. Obviously, it had been enough time for someone to kidnap her. 

Jamie's heart was pounding with the scenarios coursing through his mind that made sense. His gut feeling told him that she was still here in Hong Kong somewhere ... all it needed was for him to find out her location. He was certain too that it would be someone connected to the Rising Dragons’ triad who was to blame for Claire's kidnapping. In fact, he was certain of it. It was the only thing that made sense. There were several people who were on top of his hit list starting with her neighbour Karen Yee. He just knew that she was responsible in some way either directly or indirectly and he would prove it. But first he would need to elicit Fergus’ help and all the facilities that Section One could provide to track them down. Jamie would do whatever it took; leave no stone unturned until he found who was responsible. If it was the last thing he ever did, he would find a way to rescue Claire. Then when he did find the culprits, they would wish they had never been born. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Returning to Section One, James Fraser strode down the sterile grey corridors and made his way towards the Comm. area. He was intense, his eyes were focused and he walked with a determined gait. Operatives who saw him enter Section noticed that there seemed to be an urgency about him, a tension that was tangible. He seemed more imposing and formidable than usual if that was at all possible. Jamie was resolute and purposeful in his behaviour. He certainly wasn't distracted by any operative going about their duties that he walked by on the way to Comm. Just one look at him told them to veer out of his way. James Fraser missed nothing. Through his peripheral vision he saw the shocked look on their faces as soon as he'd passed. He knew what they were thinking. They wondered why he had returned to Section so soon after leaving ... yet he couldn't care less at the moment. He had more important things to do and he had little time in which to do them. Time was of the essence. As he passed, they respectfully stepped out of his path. Judging by his bearing the operatives knew now was not the time to be in James Fraser's way. He was resolute, unwavering and had the resolve of a man on a mission. Usually nothing this man did revealed anything about his emotional or mental state when he was within the walls of Section One but tonight something was different ... something was wrong ... it was obvious by his manner. There could only be one reason why Jamie appeared as he did ... something must have happened to his partner Claire Beauchamp. Although the other operatives speculated on Jamie's demeanour, his thoughts focused on one thing and one thing only ... the necessity of finding Claire and where she was being held. He would also need to convey to Operations that the Jonathon Randall mission had been aborted and that his Claire was missing. Jamie didn't want to allow himself to think of what kind of circumstances that she would be in. He knew she was capable of looking after herself and would find a way to communicate her whereabouts when she could. But that was little solace when his heart was aching. He felt like a part of him was missing. Jamie's minimalist expressions always gave little away of the man beneath the cold operative veneer, but although he appeared to be in complete control on the surface, his emotions were in absolute turmoil tonight. Unfortunately, his mind wandered to the very thing he was trying to avoid thinking about.

What were her captors doing to her? Was she okay? Had they harmed her in any way? He took a deep breath as the thought he tried to banish to the back of his mind surfaced.

Was she still alive? 

No! ... That was not a possibility he wished to consider. He needed to stay focused. Claire needed him to stay focused. She was okay and would be until he found her ... the alternative was not an acceptable option. The uncertainty of not knowing where she was, or who her captives were, was killing him. This was his worst nightmare, but he would prevail and would find her at any cost. Claire was a well-trained operative and as such could endure whatever her captors might inflict on her. Jamie didn't want to acknowledge the possibility that she could be subjected to torture techniques and reminded himself over and over that his Claire was resourceful, brave, strong and steadfast. It would take a lot to break her ... that is if they could succeed at all. He quickened his stride. He had to find her. Suddenly the gleam in his eyes darkened as his cold operative persona rose to the fore. He would utilise everything and everyone at his disposal to find her and bring those responsible for her kidnapping to their knees. Jamie's footfalls echoed across the floor as he drew nearer to this destination. Rounding the corner, he saw Fergus at his work station but before approaching him, he looked up to the Perch to make sure Operations was concentrating elsewhere for he needed to see Section’s techie first. Meanwhile ...

Kicking open the door the two men dragged Claire inside with her hands handcuffed and bundled her into the room. With eyes that studied the room's interior Steven Bonnet stated. "It's not much, but you'll call it home soon enough." 

Claire surveyed the surroundings that were now her prison. The room and amenities were minimal but not as Spartan as before. There was a bed in one corner and the basic necessities were provided. However, there was no window and the artificial lighting fixed to the ceiling was the only illumination. "You keep guard Will ... I'll be back in a minute. I have to get something from Wang." "Okay." "Watch her and if she tries anything funny ... shoot her in the leg," he stated quickly leaving and closing the door behind him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Claire stumbled and nearly lost her footing but managed to sit down on the bed, knowing that she would need to conserve her energy for whatever lay before her. She felt dreadful. Although the wound to her shoulder was only superficial it was still bleeding and it throbbed painfully. The bruises to her face had darkened and she looked a dishevelled mess. Drawing in a breath, she wondered what these people might have in store for her next. She knew that Jamie, having by now realised what had happened to her, would be at Section One doing everything humanly possible to find her. Now it was up to her not to lose hope. In order to seize an opportunity to help her get away then, she needed to be prepared to take advantage of any situation that became available to her. However, at the moment her captors seemed to have the upper hand. She was weak from loss of blood and her strength was diminished. Her mind however, was as sharp as ever. Claire knew she needed to stay strong and focused and bide her time until a situation arose when she could make an escape or if she was indeed rescued. Jamie will find me. Over and over in her head these words resonated in her brain. Claire knew how focused he was and how determined he would be to locate her. She had utter belief in his ability to do just that and hoped that it would be sooner rather than later. She could hold on for however long it took. She was not afraid. To the contrary ... she was more determined than ever to find out who had kidnapped her and why. She closed her eyes knowing that at some stage she would know but until then she drew on the inner strength of her Section One training to play the waiting game. Patience ... Claire. Have patience. Jamie will find you.

CHAPTER 79 (V)

Claire continued on down the street and finally reached where she had parked her car. Opening the door, she was just about to get in to the driver’s seat when she was approached by a young man wearing a backpack and a camera around his neck. 

Looking forlornly at her he spoke politely, “Oh, excuse me ma’am ... do you think you could help me please? I seem to have lost my way.” The man held a map in his hand and was obviously a tourist who needed directions. “Sure ... where did you want to go?” Claire replied helpfully. “I’m looking for the bus terminal to Stanley Park, but I’m having some trouble reading this map.”

“That’s because you have it upside down,” she laughed giving the young man a side glance.

“Is that right?  I seem to be a bit confused with all of the Chinese writing,” he replied just as jovially but a little embarrassed at the same time.

Claire smiled at his hound dog expression while capitulating to his boyish charm. “Give me a look at your map and I’ll show you how to get there,” she responded taking pity on the young tourist who seemed a little frazzled.

Placing the map on the bonnet of her car, she explained how he could make his way to the terminus he was looking for. As Claire pointed out the direction on his map, the young man held on to her every word. 

“Thank you, ma’am. I couldn’t make head or tails out of it, but you’ve been a great help.” 

“You’re welcome. That shouldn’t be too hard now. Have a good trip ... you’ll be in plenty of time to catch the Stanley night markets. The bus route is very picturesque, so you will get some great photos along the way.” 

“Thanks again ma’am ... I really appreciate your assistance. I hope I haven’t held you up?” He replied taking his map back.  He folded it neatly with the route marked out so it was easy to read and stepped away from the car, so that Claire could leave. The young man then smiled at her and opened her car door civilly. “No not at all ... I’m just on my way home. Good bye and good luck,” she replied in thanks. Claire got into her car and pulled away from the curb into the traffic and once again continued on back to her apartment thinking of the leisurely bath, she still had time to have. 

Meanwhile at Section One ...

Inspector Jiang Ng was strapped to a metal chair in the centre of the White Room. As he slowly began to regain consciousness, he moved in the chair trying to get his circulation back. The Inspector shrugged and attempted to move his hands but feeling some kind of restraint inhibiting their movement, he tentatively glanced down to see what was restraining his hands. To his surprise they were manacled in fetters to the arms of the chair. Twisting his fingers, Jiang stretched them to gain some modicum of feeling back into them but he’d obviously been there a while as the bonds that held him had long since numbed his circulation. He glanced up then around. The chair was in the centre of an empty room. There was nothing in this circular room ... only silence. It was so eerily quiet that Jiang could hear the beating of his heart. The overpowering relentless colour of the white walls was also playing havoc with his senses. He had a pounding headache. Blinking his eyes he tried to adjust to the glaring white lights but closed them quickly again as the glare was too blinding. The metal coldness chilled his body but the eeriness of the room chilled his bones even more. A shiver passed through his body. Where was he? Gradually regaining his faculties Inspector Ng realised he wasn’t alone after all. He felt the presence of someone else in the room with him and out of the corner of his eye he saw an operative standing quietly to the side guarding him in the silent room.

“Who … who are you? What the hell is going on?” However there was no reply to his outburst. 

Inspector Ng became very agitated when he suddenly realised that he couldn’t move his lower limbs. “My legs! ... I can’t move my legs! ... I can’t feel anything! ... What the hell did you do to me?” he asked angrily but frantically trying to disguise the anxiousness he was feeling as well. Once again the man did not respond but merely stood there. He did not say a single word which only exacerbated the frustration Inspector Ng felt. He was not used to such insubordination. At the OCTB he was always the one in control and having to relinquish the sense of power for a subservient role reversal was difficult to take. He felt defenceless, frustrated and was very worried for he could still not feel any movement in his legs. He wondered if he would ever get any answers to why he was here in this place. The only noise Jiang could hear was his breathing and the beating of his heart ... that was until the sound of a door opening caught his attention. The creaking hinges of heavy steel doors opening wide shattered the eeriness of the sterile room. Good, now I’ll get some answers, he thought. Listening he heard the sound of heavy male footsteps echoing across the tiles as someone made their way to where he sat. However, the footsteps stopped behind the chair and he was none the wiser as to who had entered the room. “Where am I?” What is this place?” Jiang demanded brusquely not wanting to give his inquisitor an edge over him first. He heard an authoritative male voice reply, ““Hello, Inspector Ng. Welcome to Section One.” “Section One? What the hell is that?” was his disdainful reply. “You’ll find out soon enough.” “Why am I here?” “You’re dead.” “I beg your pardon?” Jiang asked incredulously. The man was clearly delusional. This was a joke. “I said you’re dead ... you had a heart attack on the steps of the OCTB building.” He laughed out loud, “You’ve got to be joking! I’m not dead ... I’m alive.” Operations signalled to the operative that was standing to the side. He stepped forward with duct tape in his hands to tape Inspector Ng’s mouth shut as Operations came and stood before the target. “For the moment Inspector Ng ... but not for long ... if you don’t give us what we really want.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The young backpacker watched Claire pull away from the kerb. When she was out of sight, he threw the map into the nearby trash can and stood on the pavement waiting. A black sedan soon pulled up beside him and he got in. “She’s headed back to her apartment.” “Good. We’ll take a short cut and be there before she arrives.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Jiang looked at the man and analysed him as he did so.

He appeared to be a very determined person who would not suffer fools gladly. This was a man who meant business and was obviously not one to be reckoned with. Jiang recognised that he had a ruthlessness about him that was threatening, for his facial features attested to this demeanour. This was a man to be feared. He was powerful and may hold the key to his life in his hands. 

Operations nodded to the operative to proceed. Muttering furiously Jiang asked, “Who are you?” However he was unable to request any further answers as tape was unexpectedly placed to his mouth. Caught off guard by the quick action of the operative, his muffled voice echoed heatedly in remonstration. Taking no notice of Inspector Ng’s protests, Operations leisurely circled the target at a slow deliberate pace. Glancing at the man in the chair he began to intimidate him by showing him just who was in control. The calculated slow pacing was meant to be threatening but Jiang was not fearful. Advancing on the chair Operations came closer and closer until he was facing the target eye to eye before stating condescendingly, “I understand your confusion. It’s not important who we are.” Jiang’s eyes filled with fury as he watched a supercilious smirk cross over the face of this imposing older man. Then without preamble or warning the next words out of his mouth were words of concern for his fate. “If you ever want to have the use of your legs again, you’ll listen to me carefully. We need some information from you. Because we knew that you’d be reluctant in advance to give us this information, we’ve had to resort to some rather drastic measures Inspector Ng.” The two men started at each other. No one gave an inch. “You have no feeling below your waist. The reason for this is we’ve injected you with a nerve agent that will permanently paralyse you from the waist down.” Operations glanced at him for a brief moment noting the alarm in his eyes, then held up a syringe and dispersed some of the liquid in the needle. Jiang watched as the liquid squirted out of the top and shot up into the air. He then saw the determined look in Operations’ eyes as he looked back over at him. “You’re close with Sun Yee Lok of the Rising Dragons. In fact we know you are the mole who has been providing information to the triad from the OCTB.” Glancing at the syringe then at the man’s eyes again, Jiang raised an eyebrow in surprise. “We want your leader’s whereabouts Inspector Ng. Are you prepared to give us that information?” His eyes darted to the contents of the syringe not knowing if it was more liquid to paralyse him further or an antidote. “Take your time; I know it’s a difficult decision.” Panicking, Jiang tried to speak but he couldn’t against the tape covering his mouth. He looked at Operations who nodded for the operative to remove the duct tape sensing that he finally wanted to comply. “He’s reclusive ... I don’t know where he is.” “Not good enough Inspector Ng.” “He moves around a lot.” “Where?” “Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai ... Beijing.” Operations took the syringe in his hand, as though he was going to inject it into his arm. “Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Is that right?” he repeated. Panicking as he knew time was running out, Jiang shouted, “Yeah, that’s right. Give me an antidote.” Operations put the syringe down and walked away. Jiang became hysterical. “Recluse Bay ... That’s the truth! Come on! I need an antidote.” At the door, Operations turned back. “Who said there was one?” Inspector Ng writhed in the chair as the paralysis took hold of his body.” “Please ... I’m begging you.” “Very well ... I will give you time to think some more Inspector Ng then you might give us the right answers. Don’t waste the time ... you don’t have much.” “Nooooooo!!!!!!!” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It was evident to Jiang Ng that he may have made the wrong decision with the older man who had spoken to him earlier, for his failure to co-operate had left him in this predicament. He had no feeling whatsoever in his legs. They were paralysed but ... he was still alive. In despair, Jiang sat slumped in the uncomfortable metal chair thinking of what he could do and what would happen next. His thoughts turned to the most plausible scenario open to him, and that if he was going to go down, then he would go down fighting ... for that was the triad way. Jiang also knew he would need his steely resolve for whatever these people had in mind. Trying to psyche himself up for what may transpire next, he recalled the Rising Dragons' mantra and recited it in his head. His mind went into a kind of trance as he sought comfort from the words. "Death with Honour" its way of life With motto "Strength by Dare" Once you yield fear nought … but When it seeks you, beware! The Rising Dragon!

Aware that the door to the White Room had opened once more, Jiang was broken from his trance like reverie. He listened carefully trying to make out if the same man had returned to terminate him. Jiang heard footsteps approach the chair. This time however, they were not the brisk steps of the first man. No! These footfalls were the calculated, unwavering steps of someone much different ... someone more enigmatic ... someone who would be more difficult to fathom. Hence he decided to speak up before he even saw the face of his interrogator. "You're here to turn the screws, if you only knew what a complete waste of time that is for both of us." Jamie's face registered the look of someone who did not give a damn what the target had uttered. With a look of complete indifference on his face, he made his way to the chair in the middle of the room, but instead of immediately stopping in front of Inspector Ng, he walked around the room slowing glancing at the target. Each step he took was resolute. Exact. Determined. Jiang followed Jamie's slow menacing stride with his eyes until the man dressed all in black disappeared behind him where he couldn't see. However, his footsteps still echoed in the stillness of the room as each thud hit the floor. The man finally stopped in front of him with his hands folded in the front. Jiang's eyes scrutinized the man from his spread feet up to his face. His eyes were met with piercing blue eyes as cold as ice and a voice equally as cold. "Inspector Ng." "Who are you?" Jamie ignored his question and continued walking around the room before stopping once more behind his chair. "Where's the other guy? Hmm? I know ... he sent you in here to do his dirty work. Well I don't know anything more ... Do you hear? ... You're wasting your time." Grabbing hold of the side of his neck, Jamie zapped him with an electronic device. "Ye're lying." "Prove it." Although he flinched with the pain of the electricity as it shot through his body Jiang was still as defiant as ever retorting, "I've already told you all I know," he sneered in non-cooperation waiting for a reaction from Jamie but receiving none. "No ... Let's start with the truth this time! Where is Sun Yee Lok?" Another bolt of electricity zapped through his body. "Thank-you!" Jiang replied smirking and turning his head to the side of Jamie while showing no emotion whatsoever. He then added with insolence, "Is that the best you can do? Without saying another word, Jamie stared at the target then turned to leave the room. Walking over to the door he opened it then waited for a moment as Section's torture specialists, came in carrying cases with what they would need to interrogate Inspector Ng. Jamie nodded as they entered the White Room for their task as he in turn exited the room. The sound of the squeaking door ricocheted in the room once again and echoed in Jiang's ears. The torture twins entered with all their paraphernalia in their little bags of tricks. Elizabeth and Henry were called to the White Room frequently in order to acquire information from hostiles swiftly and efficiently. Their deadly techniques using a variety of medical equipment persuaded each victim to relinquish information quickly. They cast a dismissive look the target's way then stopped and set up their kit. Inspector Jiang Ng would also relinquish what Intel he knew too for they seldom if ever, failed in their tasks especially after they had used their signature calling card. Nodding to one another Henry and Elizabeth approached the target without saying a word. They menacingly circled around him, one in the front, the other behind him. Jiang wondered what the third session would be like. However, little did he know but the two people who had just entered the room would make any feeble speculation he had earlier the reality he may not have been expecting. He would soon find out. 

Meanwhile in front of Claire’s apartment ...

Parking her car in her allocated spot Claire got out and locked the Porsche Boxster then vigilantly looked around. Although there were a few residents' cars parked in the bays, the parking lot was deserted. It was eerily quiet and her senses were raised a little. The sound of her footsteps echoed on the concrete floor as she determinedly made her way over to the elevator that led up to her apartment. However, just as she was nearing the elevator the sound of heavier footsteps suddenly echoed along with hers. The quicker she walked the quicker was the sound of the other footsteps following her. Readying her gun, Claire picked up her pace and was nearly at a run. She looked over her shoulder to see if she could see the person following her but as she did so she bumped into a solid chest that had appeared out of nowhere. 

"Hey! Remember me?" said a voice that was vaguely familiar. She turned just in time to make out the face of the young tourist she had helped with directions earlier. Her eyes widened as she realised what was happening, but before she could do anything she was hit on the head from behind while dropping her revolver on the ground. "You didn't have to hit her so hard," another man’s voice berated as Claire fell forward into his arms. "Quick get the car ... we need to get out of here." When his companion returned, the two men placed an unconscious Claire Beauchamp in the trunk of the car. With a last look around to see that there was no evidence left behind, one of the men noticed the revolver that Claire had dropped. Retrieving it he pocketed it in his jacket, then they both got in their vehicle and casually drove away. 

In the White Room ...

The White Room door closed with a resounding click behind James Fraser. Standing on the landing for a moment he began walking down the steps into the austere corridor, but stopped when he heard the sound of an elevator slide open behind him. He turned to see its occupant; Dougal Mackenzie exit. Jamie turned toward him hearing the irritated inflection in his voice. 

"Well?" "We'll know something soon," he replied briefly casting his eyes to the door of the White Room where the torture twins were interrogating Inspector Ng. Continuing down the steps to the bottom Jamie stopped in front of Operations who sternly looked at him. "We've spent too much time on this as it is, we can't spend anymore." Just as he was speaking, the White Room door opened, and the torture twins came out carrying their suitcases. They both stared at Jamie and Operations but Elizabeth shook her head sombrely. Her answer was not what they had wanted to hear. Unfortunately Inspector Jiang Ng had not broken. He was obviously stronger than they'd given him credit for. As the duo passed by, Jamie looked down thinking of another tack they could take with the hostage, however, Operations voiced words that he did not want to hear. "Claire will just have to find out what we need to know from Jonathon Randall." Ignoring the words, he had uttered, Jamie turned towards Operations with another proposal, "Let me try once more." He could see that Dougal was thinking about the effectiveness of trying to break the Inspector again especially after the torture twins had not succeeded. Weighing up the pros and cons of such a decision, Operations looked at him and finally gave him a nod of consent to try once more. Turning on his heel, James Fraser re-entered the White Room as Section One’s leader watched his retreating back. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Jamie approached Jiang Ng strapped in the chair, but he said nothing. The target sat erect with the signature slits under his eyes and watched as the younger man drew nearer while he glared back at him in defiance. Wanting to gain the ascendancy over the other they both shared a look with neither breaking their gaze. Jiang, however, was the first to look away but a smirk crossed his mouth when Jamie came closer. He watched as the man began the insidious walking around him as he had done before. Then he spoke. "Do ye want to live?" "Not especially. I'd rather die with honour ... that is the triad way." "I'm afraid that's not up to you Inspector Ng. I know yer mantra ... What is it again? ... Death with Honour ... Strength by Dare." Jiang refused to look at Jamie but straightened his body some more. "There was no death with honour for Fiona Graham was there Inspector?" Jiang's eyes registered surprise at her name. "She betrayed me." "Did she? Or was she too close to exposing ye and yer treachery?" Approaching the chair until he was face to face with the target, Jamie placed his fingers to the slit under Jiang's eyes and pressed down firmly. "Go to hell!" he spat out, shouting loudly. "I'm already there," was Jamie's dismissive reply. The pain was horrendous and Inspector Ng recoiled back in agony. But the demeanour of the stoic person in face of adversary soon crumbled and he screamed out as Jamie pressed down even harder. "Arrrrgh!" "Ye will give us what we want and ... ye’ll tell us everything. Do ye understand?" "Will I get an antidote if I tell you?" he panted as pain riddled his eye sockets and permeated his brain. "How do I know that I could trust you?" "If ye want to die with honour Inspector Ng, what do ye have to lose? For ye will die regardless." "How will they know I'm telling the truth?" "Give all the details; tell them everything that has happened ... They'll know if it corroborates with what Fiona Graham gave us on disk." Inspector Ng was taken aback by this Intel and knew that his life lay in the balance. He had no choice. "It's all coming back to me now."

   CHAPTER 83

James Fraser hastened down across the common area towards the perch as ordered. He knew what he would need to say when Operations asked what he was doing back at Section One and why he hadn't let them know that the Jonathon Randall mission had been aborted. Casting a quick glance up, he could see Dougal Mackenzie’s ominous face looming above him peering through the glass windows jutting out the front wall of the perch. Operations was not happy to see him back and judging by his expression he had questions that needed answers. 

At the top of the stairs, Jamie's face became stoic as his patented blank stare crossed his features. He quickly but quietly entered the perch as was his style and stood waiting for his leader to acknowledge his presence.

"Ye wanted to see me?" 

Knowing that his Level 5 operative had entered, Operations quickly turned at the sound of his voice snarling, "Yes. Come in!" Then without any preamble he cut straight to the chase. "What are you doing back at Section Fraser?" "Claire's been kidnapped. She's off the board." Dougal Mackenzie raised an eyebrow in shock. "What?" was his flabbergasted reply. "She failed to rendezvous before the Jonathon Randall mission and there was no trace of her at her apartment." "None?" "No ... Claire has been compromised." Jamie’s succinct statement was all that needed to be said. Nodding his head in disbelief at James Fraser’s response, Operations moved away from the ledge he had been sitting on and came up closer to where his Level 5 operative stood.

"Then she can't be found?" 

He studied James Fraser’s face. 

The younger man never showed any sign of his true emotions, he always kept them well hidden from all at Section. The enigmatic man was after all their best cold operative but if what he had said was true, then he knew he had to be concerned. Claire was after all his material ... their bond was very strong. It was only natural that Jamie would feel responsible for her disappearance and possible incarceration. Despite everything he wasn't unaware of the fact that James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp had grown much closer lately because of the Rising Dragons' mission. It had been lengthy. They had endured many obstacles along the way but had prevailed for the Section and they'd been very successful thus far. 

Conceding a point in Jamie's favour, he acknowledged that he envied his Level 5 operative his ability to stay calm, even in the worst situations. But Section was not at the beck and call of one operative no matter how good. He couldn't make allowances for Fraser, as everyone, ... including himself … were dispensable. There was no way that he could sanction a rescue mission for Claire despite what Jamie would say and he anticipated his Level 5 operative’s next words.   "Not without Section's help." Operations was validated in his thoughts when James Fraser replied.  "Do you have any knowledge where she might be or who has kidnapped her?" "Not anything tangible." Jamie watched for any reaction to his statement from his superior but when none was forthcoming, he continued, "Just some vague suspicions but nothing concrete yet." "You must have some idea ... surely?" "I would say it's someone connected with the Rising Dragons," was his laconic evaluation as to Claire’s entrapment. Operations was pragmatic in his reply knowing that his level 5 operative had more than likely stated the obvious.  "Yes ... you're probably right ... but if you're wrong?" "They have Claire." Jamie stated emphatically standing with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. "I'm certain of it ... anyone else doesna make sense." "Do you think Inspector Ng was responsible?" "We'll never know." Uttering these words forced a lump to his throat. 

If only he had asked more questions and demanded answers of the target under interrogation then maybe he may have been able to avoid this very scenario that he was now faced with. His Claire was missing and they had no clues on where to find her and he just knew that Operations would be recalcitrant and disallow any help from Section.

"Yes, that's unfortunate ... but perhaps the kidnappers wish to distract us from our current agenda. Their suspicions have been roused by someone Jamie." "Claire was getting too close." Operations knitted his brow in concentration. "It could be anyone ... even Jonathon Randall himself." "Yes ... Someone was jittery to being exposed but that doesn't explain why she was compromised." "Perhaps Inspector Ng arranged for Claire’s kidnapping without implicating others in the triad," his superior offered as a way of making sense with who may have been responsible for her abduction.  

"That's possible ... Claire may have raised his fears given the position of authority he was in." "True." "If only we knew this was going to happen. I could have delayed his execution." "What's done is done." Jamie remained silent while his superior absorbed what he'd just said before asking the question with the hidden undertones. "What about Claire?"

He was correct. Fraser had certainly made a valid point about the premature cancellation of Inspector Ng.  Pacing inside the Perch thinking of what they could do Operations knew his next answer would not appease his Level 5 operative. "In the law of probability there's a one chance in three that she's alive or preserved.  And even if she is there is only one chance in ten of rescuing her. She'll be missed." 

James Fraser could not believe the cold words Operations was saying. "That's it?" "Yes, that's it."

"I dinna care about the odds. I'll find her," he avowed prepared for the consequences of his actions, knowing that Operations would not sanction this move and he would have to call in some marker. His superior’s next words confirmed his beliefs.

"No Jamie ... I wish I could send you but my orders are to do nothing. Claire can take care of herself." Jamie pressed his point of urgency offering a suggestion. "We could set up a snap profile." "We're not set up for any assault on the triad yet," Operations conceded vetoing this proposal and testing his Level 5 Operative to the limits of his patience.

 James Fraser was nothing but persistent in his arguments. "I'll work up a profile." 

However, everything he suggested was met with a counter action in the negative. "The triad is the target, not Claire. Our best bet is to set a twelve-hour shelf." "Claire might be dead in 12 hours." These words made the urgency more critical.   "It's the best we can do. She'll be a great loss, but we'll have to write her off." Operations’ cold, unemotional and detached words cut like a knife ... Is that all he thought ... she'd be a great loss! Dougal Mackenzie was colder than he thought.

Jamie's blank stare was firmly in place as he replied to his statement. "I see." 

Section One’s leader could only hazard a guess at what James Fraser was thinking. He was long through with trying to decipher what his best field operative would make of his words.

 "You'll be putting yourself at risk to reclaim Claire. I can't justify that. She's expendable ... you're not."

Claire Beauchamp was expendable and the sooner Jamie realised that the better. They had come too far to risk putting the Rising Dragons’ mission in jeopardy.

"You're aware of the procedure Jamie. Did you expect we would make an exception for her?" 

"No. Is that all?" Jamie knew that Operations would not help in his search for Claire and that he would need to find another way of using Section’s facilities without his knowledge. "Yes ... and one more thing.  I wouldn't be thinking of going after her. Your mission is now listed as aborted. We consider the capture of Jonathon Randall unobtainable for the time being. When we've had no contact with Claire for six hours ... per procedure ... she'll be listed as killed in action. Jamie, it would bode well to remember that or suffer the consequences if you disobeyed orders and tried to go after her. You know you have a job to do and you are expected to do it. Is that clear?” Bowing his head James Fraser answered politely, "Perfectly." "Good."

An aloof interest flickered in the back of Operations' eyes as he studied his level five operative obviously waiting to see if his statement had the slightest effect on him. James Fraser remained silent and kept his face expressionless as he looked back at his superior. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dougal Mackenzie knew Jamie was not happy, but he was furious ... there was no way that he could sanction his absence from Section to search for Claire. There was too much at stake. They were so close to capturing Sun Yee Lok's inner circle that this would only be a setback to procedures. He sympathised with Jamie's predicament but his hands were tied. Oversight wanted containment. The loss of an integral operative in the mission was a fact of Section One life. Someone died ... another took their place. Someone else would step up to the mark. Jamie would just have to come to terms with the possibility that Claire had by now been killed. The mission was all that was important. There was the greater picture to look at and he would bode well to remember that. Section One was bigger than the individual and Jamie knew that. They couldn't just lock down to search for Claire Beauchamp when they didn't even have a trace on her. By all accounts she was off the radar. Finding her would be near impossible and even then, she may not be alive and what's more it took time ... time Section didn't have. He watched the determined appearance and the ramrod straight back of James Fraser and he knew he may be in for a tumultuous ride with a recalcitrant operative on his hands. There was also another possibly. Section could very well have more than one problem on their hands if Claire had divulged their whereabouts. If Section had been compromised by her revelations to her captors then all hell would break loose. With a darkened mood, Operations waited for who would make the next move. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As Jamie turned to go, Dougal stopped him. "Jamie." He didn't want to hear anything else his superior had to say but he paused and turned to face him. "Aye?" "I know how you must be feeling but you'll have to get over it." With a totally impassive and deliberately cold look on his face, James Fraser merely stared at Operations without saying a word as if his statement had no effect on him whatsoever.  But his words had been callous and Jamie refused to let Operations have the satisfaction of seeing that he was indeed stunned by his announcement. It took every ounce of his fortitude to keep the disbelief from his voice and face. He stared at his superior blankly his eyes registering no emotion at all. Although Section One’s leader saw a stoic James Fraser, Operations was not privy to the thoughts that repeated over and over in his head ... Damn you to hell Dougal Mackenzie! Jamie's demeanour also made him nervous. He knew by his stance that he was thinking of his options in the face of adversity. Fraser would need to be watched ... it was highly possible that he would disobey orders. He hated that façade of the blank stare he always put on his face. He hated never being able to read what he was thinking. It was a form of insubordination as far as he was concerned and put him at a disadvantage.

Deciding then not to say what he was going to; Operations dismissed his operative offhandedly. "If you have to grieve for her then do it on your own time." 

Jamie was conscious that Dougal Mackenzie would not willingly go along with allowing him to leave Section One to search for Claire. Yet he had no choice. Operations had seen to that ... He'd left him with few options and he would do what had to be done regardless of what he had said. There was still an ace up his sleeve that he hadn't used yet. 

"Ye owe me fifteen days ... For helping yer friend." Jamie quantified tersely. So, it had come to this then. His Level 5 Operative had called in his marker as he knew he would one day.  Obviously today was that day. "Yes, I did promise you that," Operations stated glaring at his operative with a contemptuous look. "I'd like to take them now." The two men shared a  look. Operations knew that this time his Level 5 operative had the upper hand. "All right Fraser. You do what you've got to do but you're on your own. If I find out you employed any Section resources or put a drain on our manpower, I will act accordingly." "I understand." "You may go. I believe our business is finished here." Section One’s elite operative nodded briefly turned on his heel and walked away towards the door as his eyes darkened with the fury he felt towards his leader. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

James Fraser was livid. Without looking back he climbed down the stairs of the perch leaving Operations behind to dwell on his ultimatum. Whenever he came to the perch, Jamie knew that there was always a hidden agenda where his leader was concerned. Anticipating Operations’ disposition over the years in Section One had taught him that anything was possible, nothing was predictable and to expect the worst especially if it involved Claire. Today was no exception. He had virtually wiped her off as being of no consequence. It had been difficult to keep his emotionless demeanour in his presence when all he wanted to do was pummel Operations for his lack of compassion. His clinical summation of Claire’s demise was coldheartedly given with not an iota of concern or help. Damn him ... damn Section too ... Jamie knew he would go against his orders and suffer the consequences later. He headed directly to his office seething at Operations’ blatant disregard for Claire’s welfare. But that was nothing unusual. The man had no compassion for either of them.

“I know how you must be feeling” ... Bullshit! He knew nothing of how he was feeling.

“You’ll have to get over it.” Jamie knew he would never get over it. He never did and anytime that Claire was in danger a little more of him died inside until she was safe again. 

Buttoning his jacket James Fraser walked briskly through the common area, a man on a mission. With eyes fixed and determination written all over his face, he looked straight ahead looking at no one as his footfalls seemed to echo in the quietness of the area. There were now only a few operatives on duty as most had gone home since he’d arrived. Comm. was nearly deserted. Surreptitiously he looked up to see Fergus still at his computer. Jamie nodded at him then turned continuing on his way. The young techie nodded his head back in understanding but judging by his behaviour Jamie knew Fergus hadn’t been able to pinpoint a location for his Claire. Closing his eyes deep in thought and some despondency, he knew he would need to review their files on the mission to see if there was something, he might have missed ... any clue that could lead to knowing where Claire was being held. He would not let his emotions cloud his judgement ... he had a clear vision and purpose of what he would do, but he knew he would need his wits about him if he was to find his Sassenach and bring her back. 

More determined than ever, Jamie rounded the corner then disappeared into the corridor that led to his office. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Operations leaned out over the perch and stood for a long time looking out over Systems and Comm. He watched as those operatives still on duty scurried about carrying out their assignments until the area was practically deserted. Watching from above with narrowed eyes, Dougal Mackenzie glowered down from the perch. He looked across the Common Area watching the retreating back of James Fraser as his Level 5 operative crossed the floor below on his way to his own office. With a scowl on his face, he darkened the perch windows to match the mood he was in. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Murtagh Fitzgibbons was still in Munitions. He never liked to miss out on anything going on and was just hanging around to see what was happening. When he’d come out of his supply room, he had seen Jamie come into Section and knew he was a little off kilter tonight. He didn’t appear to be quite himself and he could only hazard a guess as to why. He’d noticed that Jamie had crept up on Fergus and they’d had their heads together for quite some time before Operations had ordered him to the perch. Since Jamie had only just been in Section earlier tonight for Inspector Ng’s interrogation and now, he was back again ... and without Claire once more ... could only mean one thing.

 He felt it in his old bones, something was very wrong this time. 

Then when he’d seen the level 5 operative make his way to the perch, Murtagh had peered up into Operations' office, trying to see if he could tell whether there was trouble brewing. Obviously, whatever conversation had ensued between the two, something was said that didn’t sit well with James Fraser. The munitions expert glanced up again and saw Operations standing there just looking down at comm. and now Jamie had a thunderous look on his face ... and something else that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. The usual Mr Cool looked anything but tonight. Swallowing a lump that had suddenly formed in his throat, Murtagh just knew something had happened to his Sugar. He watched as Jamie passed through Comm. before leaving his station to make haste over towards Fergus Claudel. Something had been going down between the two of them and with Operations. His curiosity was peaked and he was going to get to the bottom of it. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It was getting late. Section had a deserted air to it except for Comm. where Fergus was racing around trying to do three things at once. Murtagh hurried over to see his friend and found him in an uncustomary dither. Fergus looked frazzled and at a loss to know what to do. “Hey, Amigo ... everything OK with you? You seem distracted. Is something on your mind?” Fergus showed a noticeable displeasure at being disturbed even if it was by his good buddy. His head shot up from the computer. “What do you want Murtagh? ... I’m rather busy.” “I can see that.” Paying no real attention to his friend’s reply and angry at himself, Fergus raised his voice in frustration as his computer was not forthcoming with what he wanted. “You idiot piece of worthless shit! Don't give me that crap again!” Murtagh was shocked by his outburst. “Fergus what’s wrong? What's going on?” “Sorry Murtagh but I’m having some difficulty here.” “Yeah ... You don’t say. It might help to talk about it.” “Talking won't help.” He knew there was something seriously wrong with his young friend. Fergus was never like this. “If you change your mind, I'm here. Perhaps I can help?” “Thank you ... but this is something I need to carry out myself.” Still Murtagh persisted in his questioning of his friend for an answer. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” Realising that Murtagh should know, Fergus solemnly replied looking him in the eye. “Yeah ... there’s one thing ...” “What?” “You can pray.” Taken aback by his reply Murtagh pondered the significance of it, but replied flippantly. “O-kay ... I can do that! ... Why?” Tiredly, Fergus removed his glasses, and sat staring at his monitor. Green walls of place names scrolled all over the screen in a never-ending progression. Looking up at the monitor mounted above him, it showed the same images. The young computer whiz numbly stared at the screen, unable to get a handle on the haywire way the place names were crisscrossing the screen. Restlessly he rubbed his hand over his head knowing he needed a different perspective on what he was seeing. He stared off into space and closed his eyes. Hopefully when he opened them again, he would be able to make sense out of what was happening. They needed a fix on Claire for without one they had little hope of finding her alive. To add to their troubles, her Comm. unit wasn’t functioning as well. They were in a dire situation. Fergus stared up at the ceiling hoping for some divine intervention. Then he focused back on the screen hoping that miraculously things had changed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he thought of another way to attack the situation.

Murtagh Fitzgibbons watched Fergus’ manner closely. “Something’s wrong ... what is it ... are you in abeyance?” “No.” “Well what’s got you all tied up in knots?” He hesitated a moment, then confided in his sage friend. “Claire’s been kidnapped and I can’t find a location on her.” His reply stopped Murtagh in his tracks. “Whoa! ... What? ... By whom?” He faltered taken back ... then the implications of Fergus’ words suddenly hit home. “Www...what are we going to do?” “I don’t know ... I’ve tried everything I can think of and I’ve come up empty handed.” “What about her clock frequency and her implanted caesium crystal?” “We already tried those.” He gave Murtagh a pessimistic look. “I’ve tried them a hundred different ways and still nothing.” “I thought you had all the answers amigo.” “I wish I did ... but this time I don’t.” He watched as the spark completely went out of his buddy’s eyes to be replaced by misery and fear of what might happen next.  Suddenly remembering something else, Murtagh grasped at the last straw. “There is one other thing.” “What?” Fergus asked with a renewed spark in his eyes. “Claire has a tracker in her shoes ... but unless she activates it herself ...” His voice trailed off, “.... we have no way of locating her.” “Does she know that she has one there?” “No ... Operations thought it wasn't necessary to tell her ... and I didn’t say anything ...” The munitions expert’s voice was laced with regret realising the consequences of his actions. Discouraged again, Fergus appealed for his friend’s wise counsel and support. “Murtagh, I need you to do something for me.” “Anything ... just name it.” “Come with me to Jamie’s office.” “Sure thing.” “Thanks, Murtagh ... I don’t think I could face Jamie alone with what I have to tell him.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* James Fraser had spent the last thirty minutes going over any possibility he could think of to help find a clue as to Claire’s whereabouts or to the identity of her kidnappers. It was thoughts of the woman he loved more than anything that gave him the dogged determination to leave no stone upturned. He’d gone over the mission tapes with a fine-tooth comb and now he was previewing the security tapes from her apartment’s parking area. He would find Claire ... something would jump out at him soon.

“I will find you mo ghràidh,” he whispered out loud frantically as his fingers raced across his keyboard checking and cross checking anything and everything that may be a lead to her whereabouts.  He would not rest until he found something no matter how insignificant. He just needed one clue to work on.

“I promise mo nighean donn.  I will leave no stone upturned until I know where you are and who has taken you. If I must endure this anguish without you, then that is my punishment which I have earned for my crimes over the years at Section. For I have lied, and killed; betrayed and broken trust. But rest assured my love, I am coming for you. Do not give up hope for I shall prevail.  In this I promise you.”

His voice dropped until it was nearly inaudible. “There is but one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I stand before God, I will have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest for the man I once was. Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.”

James Fraser looked at the screen then closed his eyes. That’s how they found him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Knocking twice Fergus Claudel and Murtagh Fitzgibbons both walked into Jamie's office and saw him sitting very still in his chair but he spoke before they had finished entering the room. “What have ye got Fergus? Have ye got a location?” Before answering, he glanced toward Murtagh for some Dutch courage. “I’m so sorry Jamie... but I’ve come up empty handed.” “Have you found anything Jamie? Have you found Sugar?” Murtagh enquired, knowing that this man above all would be able to find something no matter how insignificant it may appear to others, but to James Fraser it would be a lead as to where Claire might be.  His intuition was uncanny.  If anybody could find a clue to her whereabouts then it would be him.

When he heard Murtagh speak Jamie opened his eyes, looked up and faced the two men. “I’m working on it now.” 

“Do you have anything to go on?” “Maybe ... I’ve gone over the surveillance tape from Claire’s apartment building and we just may have a lead.” Fitzgibbons gave a sigh of relief. “Thank God.” “What can we do? What do you need Jamie?” they both asked simultaneously. “I need a Dynamic Management View trace.” “Can do ... but not here. I need my computer. I’ll splice off the network and stick a node terminal on the line. No one will even know we were there.” “Good.” “Yep ... leave it with me.”

 Fergus got up to leave and motioned for Jamie and Murtagh to follow him.