Naomi, Raye... and a special guest.

[americanagent]

[It's been years since Naomi last saw this particular penitentiary. Or any penitentiary for that matter. Prisons had become a thing of her past when she had retired from the FBI. Still, there is something familiar in the air that never quite leaves her system - the old way of seeing things, and the old way of thinking. She feels more at home now, walking toward the barbed wire fencing, than she has in years of shopping along the LA streets, carrying bags of groceries, and winter clothes, or summer clothes.]

[She's still thinking as she walks - one step, and she's thinking of London, two and she's thinking of the areas surrounding it - especially Essex. Three, and she's thinking of poisons, delivery systems...]

[And she's counting her steps as she walks, waiting for Raye to ask her again if she's sure she wants to do this, and remind her that she's no longer an agent, and that England is outside their reach anyway. But there's a thought in her head, lodged hard, and she can't shake it lose. So she holds her packet of photographs under her arm and she walks on.]

Comments

[backupcorrupted.livejournal.com]

[Beyond leans fully against the door, his forehead pressed against the bars, and completely fails to register surprise, or satisfaction, or any other sort of reaction. Except for maybe a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, which leads to nothing.]

I thought you might say that. You are a very honorable person, Naomi Penbar. Your determination will be rewarded by the end of this.

However, reaching the end will be extremely difficult, as you are no doubt aware. I'm in no position to retract my earlier offer. And... I suppose it won't be hard to locate me, if you should need my assistance.

If you find it to your liking, of course.

[americanagent]

[Naomi sets her jaw.]

"Liking" is a strong word. But...

[she nods.]

I'm sure I'll be back even so.

[It would be... interesting trying to explain that to Raye. If she's honest with herself, she isn't sure how she can.]

[Naomi draws a deep breath, steeling herself in advance for the storm that's sure to come as soon as she mentions it.]

I should go. Do you want to keep the photos?

[backupcorrupted.livejournal.com]

[lifts the envelope a little, but doesn't move to look at it]

Yes, I would like to keep them here for now. If you have any other potential victims, you may bring those in as well.

...ah, that reminds me. Based on what you've told me about the rate of deaths, it's very possible that you may find that the number of victims will increase by one shortly. If it hasn't already.

[Beyond chews on his thumbnail again and raises his head a little against the bars. She seemed confident enough in her promise to return, but there was no reason not to give her an extra little push. It wasn't as if she could accuse him of being anything other than absurdly intuitive... which was the reason she'd come in the first place.]

[As he bites on his nail, the knuckles of his hand obscure his mouth, muffling his voice slightly.]

It will be interesting working with you again, Naomi.

[americanagent]

[Interesting was definitely more appropriate than Liking had been, but Naomi frowns even so - another victim, so soon? If that's the case, then the number dead in a single day will have increased yet again. She feels a little ill, as she steps back from the cell.]

I hope you're wrong.

[She bows her head slightly in... respect(or something like it) before she turns on her heel and heads for the door.]

[backupcorrupted.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't move, but his eyes follow her as she turns and passes out of sight. Strange. He had always thought that seeing her again would be infuriating, or humiliating, or something along those lines, but the reality had been quite the opposite.]

[She had offered him a gift, though to her it was merely a plea for help. Where L failed her in the most basic of ways, he had been there, gracious and understanding. A new case for both of them, though neither had any cause to be working on it. And now?]

[Well. It may have taken seven years of waiting, but this could be the second chance he'd been hoping for.]

[It isn't until Naomi's footsteps have almost completely receded into the dark of the hallway that he drops his fingers from his lips, and responds in a low, hollow voice.]

I'm not going to be wrong anymore.

[With a soft laugh, he pushes himself away from the bars.]