Author's Note: Contrary to popular belief, this story has not been abandoned. . .I've just been sucked into another fandom, kicking and screaming all the way (Captain Jack Harkness has that effect, it would seem). It's another abbreviated update, but I felt it was better than nothing, and I think this will move the story along faster. So, without further ado. . .here we have chapter seventeen.

Chapter Seventeen

The Man Behind the Curtain

Her head was starting to clear, which was a good thing. Ian was slumped against her, his head resting against her shoulder and his breath soft on her skin. Which was. . .well, not a bad thing, but certainly not a good thing for her resolution to stay focused on her child. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as the case may be), she was tired, her head ached, and all she wanted to do was curl up beside Ian and sleep. Maybe it was just as well that Ian's cousin was in the taxi with them. . .and that he was a priest. She was just tired enough and just sick enough not to care about whatever came next.

"I do hope that nice Israeli couple has no trouble finding my hotel," that priest said now, and Jocelyn barely raised her head to look at him inquiringly. Philip smiled at her apologetically, and explained, "The young couple whose children you helped to evacuate from the hotel. . .they're from Israel, and they'll be staying at my hotel." Israeli. Oh. Okay. Jocelyn closed her eyes and allowed her cheek to settle against Ian's hair once more. Philip added gently, "Just relax now, we'll be at the house fairly soon, and you and Ian can rest properly. Have you decided about room arrangements yet?"

"Danae and I are sharing a room, as are Ian and Tiny. Figured it was safest, since Tiny was assigned to protect Ian before this part of the drama got started," Jocelyn said, keeping her eyes closed. She found, over the last few minutes, that she had to alternate between keeping her eyes closed and open. If she kept them closed too long, she started getting dizzy. If she kept them open too long, the headlights from the other cars started hurting her head. S'pose it's too much to ask for it to be one or the other, instead a' both, she thought sluggishly. As it was, it was reminding her of one of her migraines.

"Probably for the best. I have a feelin' that you and Ian in th' same room would make your hosts nervous. . .even more nervous than you and Danae in th' same room," Philip observed dryly, and Jocelyn couldn't help her smile. Yeah, she and Danae had that effect on people, and Shaw always used to tell her that the same was true of her and Ian. She ignored the now-familiar ache when she thought of her late friend, instead focusing on Ben Gates' wariness of her best friend. Was so strange. . .almost as if she knew something that he didn't want to be told.

"With Riley, that wouldn't take much," Ian mumbled. She would have to take his word for it, as she hadn't met Ben Gates' sidekick, as of yet. Jocelyn didn't remember verbalizing that, but she must have, as Ian told her, "Count yourself fortunate, Jos. He is three times more annoying than Nathaniel ever dreamed of being." Jocelyn cringed, remembering an associate of Ian's whom she avoided like the plague, because he was so dad-blasted annoying. She had assistance from the others, once they realized he annoyed her, but ever so often, he would slip through the cracks. Ew. She shuddered.

"That wasn't very nice, Ian. . .now she'll be reactin' t' this boy as if he was Nathaniel," Philip reprimanded gently. Ian said something that she couldn't understand, but Philip evidently could. He growled something back. Since Philip was normally such a gentle person, and that growl didn't sound particularly friendly, she could only guess that Ian's initial comment was equally unfriendly. Jocelyn sighed, having the distinct impression that she was currently in between two overgrown children. . .and playing referee for these two was at the bottom of her to-do list right now.

"Behave, you two. . .don't make me separate you," Jocelyn sighed wearily. She felt like she was mediating for the boys again, only this time she didn't have Derek to back her up. Or even worse, no Danae. A faint smile touched her mouth, as she thought about her best friend. Yes, Danae could help her keep these two in line. Naturally, under normal circumstances, she could handle them both. Right now, however? Uh. . .no. However, for the first time that night, she actually caught a break. . .they pulled up in front of the Gates. . .manor? Holy moly. . .wow!

"Is that. . .?" Jos began, staring in shock. Holy freaking hell. She saw some gorgeous houses down in North Carolina, especially when she took the train from Raleigh or Cary to DC for a conference. But that was. . .wow. Just. . .wow. Philip cast a grin at her, and for a few, lovely minutes, her head cleared enough for her to appreciate the Gates' home. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were holding something back from her, and that Danae knew about it, but as long as it didn't have something to do with Annie's kidnapping, it could wait. But once Annie was home, there would be a reckoning.

The taxi made its way up the long driveway, the driver murmuring to Philip in an undertone. He really was a nice man. . . Philip, that is, although the taxi driver was nice, too. Didn't freak her out like that one guy in Vegas who kept flirting with her rather heavy-handedly, when she and one of her few high school friends, Nicole, went to the Western adult playground right after graduating from high school. That guy was just. . .creepy.

Then they were under the portcullis, and Abigail Chase Gates was beaming at her, saying, "Welcome to our home! Father Callaghan, do you need any help with getting Ian inside? Riley will take care of the luggage, and I'll help Dr. Ramsey." Jos started to say that she would be fine to get herself inside, but a wave of dizziness swamped over her and she shut her eyes firmly. No. . .no, she'd accept that help. It was preferable to finding herself doing a face plant. Oh yeah. She opened her eyes, accepted Abigail's cool hand and allowed herself to lean against the blonde woman, who whispered, "I'll get you upstairs to your room, then let you rest. Who is rooming with you?"

"Danae, when she gets here. Not sure how much longer I'll be coherent, but I wanted to say thank you for this, Dr. Gates," Jos replied. The other woman gave her a brief, one-armed hug and Jos looked over her shoulder as Philip eased Ian from the car. Her former lover gave her a weak smile, which worried her, but right now, her head was hurting so badly, she couldn't focus on that. A dark-haired young man brushed past them (maybe the annoying Riley?), but Jos ignored him. She had to put one foot in front of the other.

NTNTNTNTNT

Riley didn't look happy about being volunteered, but he annoyed her so badly during the return to the house, she really didn't care. Carolan and Jade were tucked into bed, and Patrick remained in his own room. Right now, the sisters needed each other more than anything else. Ben was with Betsy. . .he did that every time they encountered Jocelyn Ramsey, as if he needed a reminder that their little girl really was all right. Abigail could relate. After she got Jocelyn settled and checked on Ian, she'd peek in on her daughter as well. And then she'd let Ben handle Danae and Agent Masters. Why yes, as a matter of fact, that was revenge for telling Riley about their unexpected guests while they were in the air. Ben should be grateful that was all she was doing.

She guided the exhausted and still somewhat sick Jocelyn to the bedroom she would inhabit during the search for her daughter. The other young woman collapsed gratefully onto the bed, rubbing her forehead wearily. Abigail said not a word as she knelt in front of Jocelyn and eased her shoes off. Jocelyn looked up, startled, but was evidently too tired to protest. Abigail offered her a small smile as she helped the brunette undress. Before their guests arrived, Abigail put a nightgown out, since Jocelyn's belongings were liable to smell to high heaven. It was that nightgown that she now eased over Jocelyn's pale, slight, shivering body, before helping her under the covers. Abigail allowed herself to lightly caress the dark hair, before slipping out of the room. Danae would be arriving in a few short minutes.

She poked her head into her daughter's nursery, to find her husband sitting in the rocking chair, cradling Betsy against his chest protectively. Ben's eyes were closed, and Abigail smiled softly, blowing a kiss to the two most important people in her life. She closed the door lightly behind her, and then headed downstairs to meet the two FBI agents. Riley shot her a dirty look as he lugged Jocelyn's case toward the laundry room, but she simply stared him down, especially after she noticed Father Callaghan carrying Ian's bag. Riley wasn't doing this on his own, so he had no business complaining. Oh wait. It was connected to Ian, so of course Riley was complaining. She still hadn't truly forgiven Riley for calling the worried mother of a missing child, 'Lady Macbeth.'

As Father Callaghan passed her, he said softly, "Ian's asleep in his room. . .don't think he'll stir again until sometime tomorrow afternoon. Jos is the same?" Abigail nodded and the priest murmured, "Good. I wanted t' let you know on what's truly happenin' wi' regards t' Tiny Masters. He's an FBI agent who was assigned t' protect Ian in prison." Assigned to protect Ian? Philip said softly, "There's far more to the search for the Templar Treasure that you realize, Dr. Gates, far more than anyone realizes. Ian knows most of the full truth, but for her own safety, Jocelyn cannot know. Not yet. She cannot afford any distractions from Annie, for her own safety and for her own sanity."

Abigail's blood ran cold and she asked softly, "Can you tell me what this something more is, Father Callaghan?" The priest glanced over his shoulder, biting down on his lower lip, and Abigail put her hand on his arm. He was obviously worried about being overheard, though she didn't know why he was worried. It didn't matter, the why of it, but she wanted him to feel more comfortable about telling her. She murmured, "Come with me to the laundry room, I don't think this conversation should be held out in the open." He inclined his head in agreement, and Abigail found herself on the receiving end of yet another Riley-glare. However, she wasn't concerned with him right now.

Once they were inside the laundry room and the bags were deposited in a nice, neat row (Philip's doing, more than likely), the priest said softly, "I'm limited in what I can tell you. And this part, Jocelyn does know. . .not about your part, though. However, there was a reason the Templar Treasure remained hidden for so long, and it wasn't simply because no one put t'gether the clues before then or ran out of patience. Those artifacts were never meant t' be found, Dr. Gates, because they are dangerous. Think about it. . .they were sealed underground for several hundred years. Think of the bacteria. . .think of the people who died after openin' the tomb of King Tut back in th' nineteen twenties. Ian's job was t' protect th' treasure from bein' found and protect th' general public."

"Everyone involved was very careful when the items were removed," Abigail said softly, her mind whirling as she struggled to process this new information. Philip's mouth quirked a little, and Abigail realized what he wasn't saying. She murmured, "But that was after the vault was open, and we were exposed to whatever bacteria or contagion when we first opened the vault, thus exposing others. My God. And Ian was being protected in prison because he failed?" Philip shook his head, carefully looking past her, evidently to make sure they weren't being watched.

"Yes, but not from our employers. . .from other people. It's a long story. Everyone has little pieces of the story, Dr. Gates. Not even Ian has the full story, though he has more pieces than nearly anyone else. The point I'm trying to make, Dr. Gates, is that you and your husband only know part of the story. I'm not tryin' to make my cousin int' some kind of hero or victim. But there is far more to the Templar Treasure than you realize and it is far more dangerous than you can imagine," Father Callaghan said softly.

Abigail swallowed hard, wondering what exactly she had stepped into, with her impulsive invitation to the Howe group. And then she realized she was part of this long before tonight. . .that she was involved with something that was put into motion a very long time ago. For the first time, she began to appreciate just how big this was. She whispered, "This is far beyond my family and even Jocelyn's, isn't it? Far beyond anything that I could have imagined. There's a part of me that wants to know why your employers think they have the right to keep the Templar Treasure away from people, but a larger part knows the reason and fears it."

"Technically speakin,' I no longer work for them, but I still have ties to th' group. There is far more t' heaven and earth, Dr. Gates," the priest observed quietly and Abigail felt chills run down her spine. Father Callaghan said gently, "I've frightened you, and it wasn't m' intention. I just wanted you t' be aware that there is far more t' this situation than you understand. And you have nothin' t' fear from our group. . .unless, of course, Riley decides t' start annoyin' m' cousin, which is entirely possible." Abigail laughed at that, as she was meant to.

"Thank you, Father Callaghan. And you didn't frighten me, but. . .all right, I'm a terrible liar. I am frightened. But what frightens me is that I've been part of this all along, and never knew it," Abigail admitted. The priest offered her a sympathetic smile and she sighed, "We should head back to the front door. Agent Marini will probably here in the next few minutes with Agent Masters, and I need to show Agent Marini to the room she's sharing with Dr. Ramsey. Can you do the same with Agent Masters and Ian's room?"

"Of course. And Dr. Gates? Everythin' will work out. I promise," Father Callaghan said gently, offering his arm to Abigail. She smiled and slipped her hand inside the crook of his elbow. And excellent timing, too, as the two FBI agents were pulling up in front of the house. Abigail pasted a bland smile on her face, knowing that Danae wouldn't be impressed, no matter what she did. And given what Philip Callaghan just told her, Abigail couldn't blame her, not if Danae knew even a third of this. She knew far more than most people, and that was bad enough.

An arched eyebrow and, "Nice place," was far more than she was anticipating, then Danae Marini's dark eyes came to rest on her. The agent asked quietly, "Where are Josie and Ian? Oh, I don't believe you've hurt them. Philip would never allow that, for one thing." Abigail wasn't entirely sure if she should be pleased by that comment, and so, she made no comment in response. Besides, the agent asked her another, far more important question.

"They're both in their respective rooms. . .Dr. Ramsey is asleep, and Ian is most likely very close to it. Father Philip, can you escort Agent Masters to the room he's sharing with Ian before you leave?" she asked. The priest inclined his head and she smiled up at him, trying not to blink at the size discrepancy between the priest and the agent. Philip Callaghan was almost six feet tall, but Agent Masters had him dwarfed. Easily. She turned to Agent Marini and said, "If you could follow me?" The other woman nodded and the pair started up the stairs to the bedroom where Jocelyn Ramsey was already sleeping. . .and hopefully, not having nightmares about her missing child.

NTNTNTNTNT

On the other side of the Potomac, near Arlington, in a darkened store front, there was a small group of people. . .no more than ten, when all were put together. Some of these 'residents' were there unwillingly. Chief among this last group was an exhausted man and a frightened little girl. The child was curled up in a far corner of the abandoned business office, to avoid drawing attention to herself while her uncle slept. She only hoped that this hiding place would be enough to protect herself until her uncle woke up.

Not for the first time, Annie Ramsey wanted to go home. But ever since she and her uncle were torn out of her home, there were so many things the little girl wanted. She wanted to go home, she wanted her mother, and she wanted her doll, the one that her father made for her. She wanted her uncle to stop hurting, she wanted Mr. Derek to come back, she wanted the bad men who took Annie and her uncle to go away, she wanted Aunt Danae. She just wanted.

Right now, Uncle Cam was asleep. . .not unconscious, but asleep. He stayed awake as long as he could, not wanting Annie to be alone and afraid, but eventually, he couldn't stay awake any more. Annie knew that he had to sleep if he wanted to stay well. . .her mother had told her many times that people needed to sleep to stay well. . .but she kinda wished he was still awake. But, as she had been from the beginning, Annie stayed brave. She let herself cry, when she and Uncle Cam were first taken, but that only made her head hurt, and no one cared when she cried. . .no one except Uncle Cam. Mr. Derek cared, too, but he was a ghost, and. . .

"Oh, you are so much like your mother. . .think if you make yourself small enough and quiet enough, you won't be noticed. She thought she faded into the background. She didn't, though. Even quiet and pretending to study, I noticed her. . .and I knew she was the reason your father beat me up," an unfamiliar voice said. Annie thought privately that she hoped Daddy had beaten him up really, really badly, especially if it was because he wanted to hurt Mommy.

However, she didn't say this. Instead, Annie swallowed hard, burrowing deeper into the corner, and drew her knees closer to her chest. This wasn't one of the men she saw when she and her uncle were taken, or since. Even more frightening, she didn't notice his footsteps, which meant he was really, really quiet, like her mom and Aunt Danae were when they thought that Annie was still asleep. But it wasn't the same. This made her feel anything but safe. She shrank in on herself, trying to make herself smaller.

"Oh, that's a really big man. . .beating up the uncle was one thing, but it doesn't take a lot of guts to scare a little girl. Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Oh, that's right, you can't. . .that's why Howe kicked you out of his gang. Not warning you again, you go near the kid, and what I'll do to you will make Howe's beating look like nothing," a second voice scoffed, and he kinda sounded like Daddy and Mr. Derek. There was a long silence, and then the newcomer added, sounding like he was only barely fighting back his laughter, "Besides, you're looking in the wrong place. Idiot."

"Get this. I'm the boss, not you," the owner of the first voice said. There was a scuffling sound, the sound of flesh striking flesh, a cry of pain, and then someone hitting the ground. The really bad man (as Annie was coming to think of him) said in a funny-sounding voice, kinda like Uncle Cam sounded when Annie's foot landed between his legs while she was trying to climb over him once, "You'll pay for that, you little rat-bastard. And when you're not looking. . ."

There was a movement, the man made another pained sound, and the second man hissed, "You lay a hand on that child, and I'll hold you while Howe beats the shit out of you, and don't think I won't. I wanna pay Howe back, too, but his kid has nothing to do with that. Got it? You leave that child alone. She wasn't even supposed to be home. . .was supposed to just be her uncle. . .unless you lied about that as well?" Annie froze. What? The newcomer said slowly, "You did. You planned to take the little girl all along, and her mother along with her. You IDIOT! Did you miss the part where my father told you that the kid's mother is best friends with an FBI agent?"

"Don't yell at me, you berk!" the really bad man snarled and Annie cringed. She knew enough from Uncle Cam that it was a really, really, REALLY bad word. And it was, because the man whom Annie was starting to think of as her protector moved suddenly, and the really bad man made that noise again. Annie wondered if she was a bad little girl for liking the new man, then decided to worry about it later. He wasn't hurting her, he wasn't hurting Uncle Cam (right now), so he couldn't be very bad. (Could he?)

"I'll do a helluva lot worse than yell at you. Don't make the mistake of thinking me soft because I won't hurt kids. Now, I'm gonna stay here until you drag your arse up those steps, and away from that girl. And if I ever see you near her again, I'll make a private call to her mum, tell her exactly where to find her little girl. This whole operation has been a massive cock-up and has been ever since my father brought you in. Now get out!" the protector said. There were several moments, where the only things Annie heard were the really bad man's pained noises and the scrapings of movement across the floor, and then there was silence again.

Annie swallowed hard, and the new man said gently, "I won't ask you to come out of your hiding place, luv, or to trust that I won't hurt you. I won't, of course, but you got no reason to trust me. I got reason to hate your da, but that's between me and him, it's got nothin' to do with you and nothing to do with your mum. But as long as there's breath in me, I won't let that arse hurt you. Can't protect your uncle as much, but I won't let any of them hurt you. And if they try, I'll find your mum and let her know where you are. I swear it. Go to sleep, luv."

Then there were footsteps, and the door opening and closing once more. Annie buried her face in her arms, feeling tired and confused. Mr. Derek whispered, "You can trust him, lass, trust him not to hurt you. Rest, baby girl. If he's involved in this, you'll be back in your mother's arms before too much longer." Mr. Derek said it was okay, so the frightened little girl shifted until she lay on her side and tucked her hands under her head, just as she did when she was a very little girl, taking a nap. She didn't understand any of this, but until she was back with her mother and Uncle Cam was safe, Mr. Derek was the next best thing.

She just hoped her daddy and mommy didn't get hurt.