<em>"I worked for them, they are power-hungry, perverse bastards... I know exactly what you mean... They almost dropped a virus in me, <strong>on accident</strong>..."</em>He gave her a look that said, 'don't ask', and sighed.<br/><br/><em>"I don't want to over-complicate your life, but you know for sure, those children will not be safe with SpECTRe around. I care..."</em>He rarely used those words, because he never felt he was worthy,<em>"too much about you. So, all I am willing to insist on is that you help Sami. Not that I'd even insist upon you, but it's a pretty safe endeavor, so I didn't doubt you would help."</em><br/><br/><em>"Other than that, tell no one you saw me. If you must tell James something, fine, but until you can sort out things with him, please don't tell him who I am. Just tell him I'm an old friend, or lie if you feel you must."</em>He walked over and sat next to her and took her hand. She knew he would never go too far, unless she asked for it. The kiss was friendly, the touch was reassuring, and she would note he never touched her with his right hand if he could help it. He had, of course, she had touched every part of him. She knew, though, that his left arm was more, Eric, it had less cybernetics in it.<br/><br/>Cassie knew everything about him, he was part machine, and her ability to read objects worked on him. Eric had always believed that it had something to do with how close they were, but now, he seemed to send her images. Neither of them would really know if Eric did it on purpose, but something in him wanted her to know everything. He always felt a bit unburdened when he touched her, and felt that someone knew his guilt. She would see him fumble with Sami, shoot the SpECTRe agent in the mall (three times, cold and remorseless), and various images from the past few years. Eric didn't know what she actually saw, but he clutched her hand to comfort her, even if she didn't need it.<br/><br/><em>"She's pretty... Don't you think?"</em>Those words would likely tell Cassie that he had feelings for this girl. They also likely told her how stupid he felt having feelings for a girl he knew for a day who had done nothing but berate him.<br/><br/><em>"Please, send for the invitation,"</em>he had a bad habit of stopping her before she could speak. He looked in her eyes, this time he had stopped her on purpose. He kissed her cheek.<br/><br/><em>"Take what you saw, what I said... Think it over... If you want to help a little, your visions alone could be enough. I could set up a way to communicate with me safely, and you tell me about your visions. If you want more... We'll figure it out, but you don't have to decide now..."</em>He stood and smiled at her.<br/><br/><em>"For now, I'll just get Sami, I found a dress already. I am a trained disguise artist,"</em>he winked.<br/><br/><em>"Oh, and if you do decide to help, I'll give you some ways that you can leave me openings in your security without compromising it. I'll even help you make it better,"</em>he was gone, back through the wall. He left her to change and think.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.45em;">Phantom returns to Sami</span></span></strong><br/><br/>He stepped into the restaurant, his hair red, his eyes green, behind a pair of lightly shaded glasses he had brought along. He stepped to the Maitre d' and looked over to Sami and silently gestured to her. He didn't wait for the man's response before walking past and sitting across from her putting the purse on table.<br/><br/><em>"Here's your bag, dear."</em>There was a slight sarcastic edge to his voice, but anyone nearby would simply assume it to be a husband or boyfriend irritated at having to carry his girl's bag.<br/><br/><em>"You've got a date at the mansion. You'll be able to get through,"</em>he smiled before lowering his voice.<br/><br/><em>"Avoid looking to any cameras, just in case,"</em>he grinned as he placed some lipstick, a compact, and eyeshadow on the table. He hadn't mentioned grabbing those, but he'd put them back before she even noticed. Sami would have to look dressed up, and she hadn't likely had make-up in quite some time.<br/><br/><em>"You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached,"</em>he chuckled in his little cliche. He was teasing her, and no one in the restaurant seemed to care except that neither was dressed up, but he was a good actor. He had been hiding for quite some time, so he wasn't so foolish as to exaggerate, just put on a little show. Playing at being her boyfriend was one of those jokes that hit close to home. If she didn't know what he felt, she wouldn't here either, but if she did, it was that much more obvious he was being a child. He teased her like a little boy much pinch a girl he had a crush on.