I13DT - When a body meets a body...

[Samantha McManus]

Samantha frowns, looking at her e-mail. A short bit of research later, she picks up her phone and dials Nailah.

[Nailah Weaver]

Nailah picks up quickly as usual.

"I'm not sure i recall when was the last time you actually called me on the phone."

[Samantha McManus]

"I've gotten an e-mail that traces to a cafe in London."

"I think it's her."

[Nailah Weaver]

"And you're considering going after her? What did the mail say?"

[Samantha McManus]

"A location, a song, and the words 'Lost, come set me free.' The song is... obviously directed at me."

"I'm simply... I'm calling you because I know I'm not rational and objective about this."

[Nailah Weaver]

"And you'd rather not let her lure you into a trap."

[Samantha McManus]

"I don't know if she'll actually be there, I don't know if this is one of her nasty little 'presents,' or really anything."

[Nailah Weaver]

Nailah sounds vaguely distracted on the other end. "It doesn't feel like there' immediate danger for you, but you also haven't made up your mind yet, which makes it hard to tell..."

[Samantha McManus]

"You don't... you don't need to tell the future here, love. I'm just... I know I need a head-check sometimes."

[Nailah Weaver]

"And I'm not going to let you run into a trap if I can help it, head-check or not. And you probably shouldn't give her the attention she clearly wants, but I'm not sure how you'll catch her if you don't. If she gets bored of this she'll probably just disappear to Madripoor or Goddess knows where."

[Samantha McManus]

"So you're... okay with me doing this," she says cautiously.

[Nailah Weaver]

"I'm not happy about it, but I don't think that's what you're asking."

[Samantha McManus]

"I just know what happened when she escaped. I know you worry about me."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I do, but who else can we expect to catch her?" she sighs.

[Samantha McManus]

"I didn't... I didn't mean it that way, love."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I know. I'm just trying not to be selfish and tell you to stay away."

[Samantha McManus]

"I wouldn't have called if 'yes' was all I'd accept."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I don't know what the right answer here is, Sam. If it was just about you and her and what I want I'd tell you no, just ignore her and don't play along with whatever it is she's doing. But that disregards everyone she has and will hurt."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'll come back, love. I promise."

[Nailah Weaver]

"You better." she jokes weakly.

[Samantha McManus]

"There'll be a cutoff where, if I'm not heard from, X-Corporation and the police will be notified."

[Nailah Weaver]

"There better be."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm not going to be stupid about this, love. Believe me."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I know that, but neither is she."