She wondered where Marina was. Normally her cool and collected person would have made several appearances by now, wether for a brief chat or just to refill her cup as Tina drained it over and over. But there was no sign of her. Normally Tina would have written it off but now she could trust nothing. She flirted with the idea of calling Marina. Yeah Kennard that would be a great conversation she thought to herself Marina was probably taking a day off and wouldnt appreciate: Hey Marina, I know its 0600 but I was just wondering if Dana had tried to kill you lately?

Tina shook her head and drained another cup. Noticing that her right leg wouldnt stop twitching she decided she had probably had enough.

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Dana paced the room like a caged panther. Nona she said to the old woman sitting by the empty fireplace.

The figure didnt stir. She didnt have to. The power that radiated from her mere presence was unquestionable. Nona I have made my apology. I made my decision and Im willing to stand by it … Nona? The aged lady lifted her eyes to survey the young one before her. Dana had a temper but she was smart. Possibly more intelligent than herself. However instead of allowing Dana to know the secrets of the business. She had tucked her away in a corner. Telling her they needed someone like her in that position. But no longer would she be contained. Dana knew that she was worth more than a deep cover representative who occasionally got to pull a trigger when the need arose.

She had told Dana the needed an expert assassin positioned in L.A. Celebrities could pull big money. ***** the family had made well over a million from Kurt Cobain. But Dana was sick of the life, sick of the cover story. She wanted more. Still the old woman believed that she was right. Dana still needed refinement. By putting her out of the way but still in an active role Dana had learned what she physically needed to survive this life but she still had yet to learn how to mentally survive. She was not ready to handle the constant power struggle; she did not have the strength of mind to find solutions where there were none. Maybe her love for Dana had clouded her judgment. Part of her wanted the baby that she had held in her arms, the holy water still damp on her forehead, to remain safe.

Yet there was no questioning Danas talent. Perhaps this was the perfect test. Dana had made a mess now she should clean it up.

The lined face of Danas god mother did not seem old, instead it carried a certain type of nobility, and it certainly showed no sign of the internal conflict that was taking place in her mind. The woman stood. Though there was no blood relation the similarities between her and Dana was astounding.

Dana, she said her voice sounding tired I am not angry, Im just disappointed

Dana hung her head. She knew that killing Alice was rash. She had other options available. Alice hadnt even known her secret.

However I am hoping that from the ashes of my disappointment a phoenix will arise

Dana lifted her head and saw the fire in the womans eyes. Metaphors of fire had always been strong between them. These were the most powerful words Danas godmother could have used to convey her true meaning. Dana I am trusting you, do not ***** this up

Dana moved forward and kissed the old lady on both cheeks. As she stepped back. The old woman opened her arms and Dana graciously stepped forward once more. The embrace between generations, the old and the new.

Dana turned to leave. The woman turned once again to the empty fireplace. Thinking before saying Oh and you should know that there is somehow an agent involved. Her voice bit through the air. Dana paused in her stride realising the challenge of the cleanup had just gotten a lot tougher. But to her credit she merely nodded and continued out of the door.

Dana knew that her God mother wanted her to reach another level of thinking. Dana considered it very carefully. Softly softly.

First things first. She had to remain Miss Dana Fairbanks So off for her usual morning coffee ritual it was.