{"id":280,"date":"2014-12-30T04:55:41","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T04:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=280"},"modified":"2021-11-08T20:39:54","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T02:39:54","slug":"part2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode5\/part2\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 5: \u00a0Bunnies in Black<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 2<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

A solemn mood filled the air in K\u2019s office as he sat behind his desk and leaned on his laced fingers. For a moment, he glanced at Jay, who briefly lowered his sunglasses and shook his head as he surveyed the all-female staff gathered in front of them. Red and Pearl sat in the padded chairs in front of K\u2019s desk. Emerald leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed. Diamond furiously texted on her phone as she sat on the edge of K\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope this isn\u2019t about the machine gun bra\u2026\u201d Pearl rested her chin on her hand. \u201cIt\u2019s still got a few kinks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing like that.\u201d Jay leaned against K\u2019s desk and frowned, scanning the women again before handing each of them a folder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s a new mission?\u201d Pearl scowled. \u201cCouldn\u2019t I just stay in my lab? I have to work out the kinks in the bra, and then there are a few other projects I\u2019m behind on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Jay pushed his shades back up the bridge of his nose slowly. \u201cNo, we need you on the team. Unless you want an assistant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I\u2019ve said a hundred times, I don\u2019t need an assistant or secretary. They\u2019re a total waste of time.\u201d Pearl crossed her arms and turned to Red. \u201cIt\u2019s been a while since you\u2019ve been on a mission, too, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Red stared at the folder on her lap. \u201cThe last time I was here, someone was trying to poison the water supply.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl loosened her arms slightly. \u201cThe microbes, right?\u201d She turned back to Emerald. \u201cWhere were you then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I supposed to memorize your missions and mine?\u201d Emerald shook her head. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding me. If I wasn\u2019t there, I don\u2019t remember it.\u201d She glanced at Diamond and rolled her eyes. \u201cWe\u2019re over here, Barbie. The sooner you pay attention, the sooner we can go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamond glanced up from her phone. \u201cI asked Nick about his mission, and there\u2019s a lot, but at the end, he asked me to summarize it for you, K. He and\u2026 Yokel Tim McGraw?\u201d She frowned, then cringed at K\u2019s increasingly furrowed brow. \u201c…Whoever he\u2019s with that you obviously know\u2026 are back at McMurdo Station waiting for their flight. The laser was a piece of shit\u2026 he has a folder you\u2019ll want to see\u2026 and Backwoods Blake Shelton\u2026\u201d She sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s the same person again… I\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t know who this is. He should have had Lancy update you. Anyway, he\u2019s a virgin who can\u2019t drive a boat\u2026 okay\u2026\u201d Diamond paused for a moment to type. \u201cHang on, I\u2019m asking him for only the important details minus the insults.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDiamond, this really isn\u2019t–\u201d K started.<\/p>\n

Her phone dinged loudly. \u201cOh, cute, he saw a penguin doing the moonwalk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe saw what?!\u201d Pearl practically jumped from her chair as a devilish gleam filled her eyes. \u201cI want one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPearl! A lab in Nevada is a horrible place for a penguin.\u201d Red held her hand against her forehead, shaking her head, then set her hands in her lap and turned back to K. \u201cI have a lot to do in the infirmary. The drug closet is a disaster. Can we–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe folder is really important,\u201d Diamond repeated. \u201cAnd\u2026 oh…\u201d She knitted her brows and stared at her phone for a moment before looking up with a smile. \u201cDid you know you can use a penguin as a toboggan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs 008 high?\u201d Emerald snorted. \u201cK, this is ridiculous. Just tell us the mission already.\u201d<\/p>\n

After typing a quick message, Diamond\u2019s phone dinged again. She read aloud, \u201cSkater Boi is still waiting for you in Canada if you hurry, Avril.\u201d After a third ding, her smile brightened. \u201cOh! Lancy invited me to lunch. Can we make this meeting quick, pretty please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLA was made for beach bums like you and 008,\u201d Emerald grumbled under her breath.<\/p>\n

K cleared his throat, and all eyes in the room focused on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, great segue. Speaking of LA\u2026\u201d Jay chuckled. He pressed a button on top of K\u2019s nameplate. The upper edge flipped open, and a small metal arm popped up, then slowly unfolded, eventually unfurling a small projection screen. A second metal arm unfolded from the first, releasing a palm-sized presentation remote. Next, a tiny projector popped up from the arm of Red\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n

Momentarily startled, the folder in Red\u2019s lap fell to the ground. She chuckled as she picked it up. \u201cYou really did put all sorts of technology in this office, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl smirked. \u201cYou should see what the ceiling fan does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShoots missiles, Pearl?\u201d Emerald asked with a wry grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wish. Actually–\u201d<\/p>\n

K cleared his throat again. When all eyes turned back to him, he leaned back in his chair. \u201cSo\u2026 you all heard about the situation yesterday. Jay typed up a summary of the\u2026 incident<\/em>… for each of you, which you will find inside your folder and on the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

A summarized version of K\u2019s previous debriefing flashed across the projector screen as Jay clicked the remote.<\/p>\n

\u201cRed–\u201d Pearl started as she leaned toward Red\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019ve had a day,\u201d Red interrupted, closing the folder in her lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but–\u201d Pearl pressed.<\/p>\n

K raised his hand, silencing the conversation. \u201cWhat\u2019s more important is that this hasn\u2019t gotten out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald uncrossed her arms. \u201cThe wife is dead, and the husband thinks she never existed. How could it get out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s bigger than this one incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, like Vegas strip clubs?\u201d Emerald smirked. \u201cInvasion of the one-night stands?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re on the right track,\u201d K answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in LA?\u201d Red frowned with her gaze fixed on the closed folder, imagining repeats of her nightmare scenario in hundreds of hospitals.<\/p>\n

\u201c008 and Barbie at a beach shack.\u201d Emerald smirked with a shrug. \u201cJust spill already, K.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeach commerce is really important.\u201d As Diamond spoke, she continued texting. \u201cAnd besides, there\u2019s lots of great things in LA. Rodeo Drive, the walk of fame, Michelin star restaurants, swanky resorts, Grauman\u2019s Chinese Theatre, the Playboy Mansion\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly you would think the Playboy Mansion is great.\u201d Emerald rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

Jay glanced at K again, but both men remained silent.<\/p>\n

Diamond\u2019s phone dinged. \u201cNick said he wants to come. Anything to get him out of that puffy white coat after Labor Day and into something more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m impressed you sleep with that fashion faux pas.\u201d Emerald laughed. \u201cHow could he even consider wearing white after Labor Day, especially when he\u2019s in Antarctica!\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamond rolled her eyes and turned to Pearl. \u201cCan we possibly get me a phone with a QWERTY keypad? I\u2019ll find something cute in LA you can fix.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I finish the machine gun bra.\u201d Pearl laughed, then turned back to K. \u201cSo do you really need me for this beach mission if Blondie wants to come? I\u2019m not interested in prancing around in a bikini.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not really a 008-friendly mission.\u201d Jay grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t Nick be a good fit for an LA mission? He has the right look.\u201d Red frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure does!\u201d Diamond grinned. \u201cSo many fun missions with Nick. I\u2019m so lucky!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything, the rest of us are lucky you took blond Keanu Reeves off our hands.\u201d Emerald laughed.<\/p>\n

K cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

Pearl crossed her arms and furrowed her brow. \u201cIf Nick can\u2019t go and we\u2019re not supposed to like it, then it\u2019s probably something misogynistic where it has to be female employees\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not dressing up as a wannabe heiress, K! Make 008 dress in drag if he wants to go so badly!\u201d Emerald stormed toward K\u2019s desk and slammed her hand against it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. You\u2019re just undercover bunnies.\u201d Jay clicked through to the next slide.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike full-body mascot suits?\u201d Diamond asked. \u201cIt\u2019s September, K\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore like lingerie.\u201d K laced his fingers together. \u201cJay will be donating you as prospects to the Playboy Mansion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRepeat that.\u201d Emerald leaned toward K until she was inches from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve gotta be kidding me, K!\u201d Pearl leaped to her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I going through shock?\u201d Red asked. \u201cI swore K just said Jay would donate us to the Playboy Mansion while we\u2019re wearing lingerie\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow undercover is this?\u201d Diamond asked. \u201cAre we trying to be Hef\u2019s next girlfriend squad or just dressing up for a few days?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald slammed her fist into the desk. \u201cJay, I\u2019m not touching no nasty ass! And if you think I\u2019m gonna take shit, I\u2019ll tell you right now, I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, you\u2019ll probably never see him.\u201d Jay shrugged. \u201cWe just need to investigate Jim\u2019s claim, among other things\u2026\u201d He clicked the remote, and a new slide popped up on the projection screen featuring headlines like \u201cI Gave Birth to an Alien Baby\u201d and \u201cAbducted by Seductresses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cK, these are just tabloids. The stories are crazy all the time.\u201d Red frowned. \u201cWhat does this have to do with medicine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possibly a mutated gene or virus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would take months to figure out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr weird nanobots.\u201d Jay shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding!\u201d Pearl exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be dangerous.\u201d Jay winked at Emerald.<\/p>\n

Though she remained silent, Emerald rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we need a pop culture expert.\u201d K motioned to Diamond.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m totally in as long as no one gives me this weird nanobot STD.\u201d Diamond flipped her phone closed. \u201cWe can all get ready to go together! I\u2019ll help you all pack!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you\u2019re on board.\u201d Jay chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m only on board if you\u2019re our sex slave, Jay. We can donate you as a pool boy.\u201d Emerald sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone has to run surveillance outside.\u201d Jay shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we at least take the jet? To get this over with?\u201d Red asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still under construction. The helicopter is available.\u201d K handed Jay an envelope, then motioned toward the door. \u201cThe sooner you go, the sooner you\u2019ll return. Jay has your orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone pack light. I need room for my big weapons.\u201d Pearl gritted her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re undercover, why would you need big weapons?\u201d Jay asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor killing things.\u201d Pearl stared at K and Jay intently, then exited the room in a huff.<\/p>\n

While Red remained silent, Emerald glared as well. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky I\u2019m the best brawn you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how to pack light!\u201d Diamond tabbed through outfit options on her phone. \u201cCan you all just borrow my clothes so I have options?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat went better than I expected.\u201d Jay laughed once the women had all exited the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may not be the case once you get to LA with them.\u201d K chuckled quietly. \u201cGood luck, Rico Suav\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jay laughed harder as he handed K the projector remote. \u201cSave some of those jokes for the mission. I\u2019m gonna need \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

K wordlessly motioned toward the door, but the smile remained on his face. It was better to take a mission like this light-heartedly.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Agent Carter stepped out of the airport, his signature Ray-Bans already in place, and smiled a smile that could stop the hearts of women around the world when he saw his decked-out Hornet, ready and waiting for him in the parking lot. He blared the music over the noise of the rolled-down windows instead of the comforts of air conditioning because triple-digit heat was better than double-digit cold any day.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, it\u2019s good to be home,\u201d he said to himself as he passed through the front doors of the HimTak agency headquarters.<\/p>\n

And it was good to be back. Good to be back where no one was trying to kill him. Good to be back where there weren\u2019t any penguins, however cool moonwalking ones may be. Good to finally be free of the damned CIA and their dim-witted, pushy, whiny officers trying to tell him what to do. Good to be back where his co-workers loved and respected him. (Well, most of them.) And it was especially good to be back where the women preferred to make out with him as opposed to each other.<\/p>\n

With that last thought in mind, Nick walked into the main sector of the HimTak offices and yelled at the top of his lungs, \u201cLADIES! I\u2019M HOME! 00Carter\u2019s back, and he\u2019s saved the world, yet again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick held out his arms as wide as he could, waiting for the greeting that always followed a long mission, but was only met with an unnerving silence. \u201cLadies? Angels?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick frowned at the empty office until a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind and greeted him with a high-pitched squeal. \u201cNIIIIIIICKYYYYY!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLancy?\u201d he questioned when he recognized the voice that was not nearly feminine enough to be so close to him. \u201cUgh, get off me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick struggled to release himself from his affectionate secretary\u2019s grip as Agent 006 entered the hall in workout gear. \u201cExcuse me, ladies, some of us have important missions to train for.\u201d JC laughed as he passed the other two men. \u201cCarter, I always knew you were a little desperate, but the girls haven\u2019t even been gone a day, and you\u2019re already putting the moves on poor Lancy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick glanced at the man who still had his arms around him, surprised to see him blushing, and glared at Lancy until he jumped a safe distance back. Then he turned his attention back to his fellow agent. \u201cFuck off, ShamWow. What do you mean the girls are gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cK sent them on a mission to Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like he sent them without you, too, dumbass. I was off saving the world; what\u2019s your excuse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaving the world? I heard you actually almost got yourself killed and blew up half of Antarctica. Emerald said the CIA guy saved your ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said what!? That bitch!\u201d Nick yelled and then turned his attention to Lancybassy. \u201cIs that what you heard?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lancy hated to upset his favorite HimTak agent, but the version he\u2019d heard wasn\u2019t really that far off, so he just shrugged as he glanced at his feet. \u201cBut Pearl told me you almost got Drums this time,\u201d he added optimistically.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, way to drop the ball there too, 008,\u201d JC laughed. \u201cIs that twice now, or three times you let him get away? Maybe we should just call you Butterfingers from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lancy\u2019s eyes widened in horror at the comment about Drums, and he stepped to the side just in time to escape getting pounded as Nick grabbed JC and threw him against the wall. So angry he couldn\u2019t speak, Nick raised his fist, deciding a beating was the best option at the moment. Just before he could throw his fist into JC\u2019s face, a hand cupped his, forcing it to his side.<\/p>\n

Nick turned with a huff to see the soft, soothing smile of his superior, the ever-wise Grasshopper, meet his rage head-on. \u201cCareful, young grasshopper,\u201d he advised, pulling him away from his scared co-worker. \u201cIn times of crisis, it is better for a man to think like a fish and build himself a nest of bubbles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick, JC, and Lancy all exchanged confused looks, but no matter whether they understood his words or not, they knew his meaning, and both Nick and JC gained control of their tempers. Grasshopper smiled proudly and threw his arm over JC\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCome, my son, we must make sure you are prepared before you meet your next mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick glared at JC as he walked away, unable to pull his attention away until another hand grabbed his shoulder. \u201cLancy!\u201d he yelled again. \u201cI told you to get the fuck off–\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick whirled around to see Agent K looking at him with critical eyes. \u201cAre you alright, 008?\u201d K questioned, sternly yet sincerely. \u201cWas the last mission too stressful?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, sir. It\u2019s just that jackass, 006.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good agent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still a jackass.\u201d<\/p>\n

K looked at the young man with disapproval, covering the fact that he wanted to agree, and quickly turned the focus of the conversation back to Carter. \u201cHave you been to the medic yet? Until you\u2019ve been back in the field for a while, I want you to have a routine psych evaluation after each mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust taking precautions, 008. You\u2019re one of my better agents; I can\u2019t afford to take any chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick grumbled but then thought of the stunning redhead who was normally in charge of his \u201cevaluations\u201d and smirked at the memory of his last one. \u201cNo sir,\u201d he finally grinned, \u201cI haven\u2019t been to medical yet, but I promise to let Red evaluate me quite thoroughly just as soon as you get me to Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice try, 008, but the only place you\u2019re going is Pearl\u2019s lab, after a visit to the medic, of course. I need you to be my eyes back home this time. I hear you have a folder for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re benching me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust giving you a break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need a break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI consider your last mission a success, if for no other reason than you and The Rok didn\u2019t kill each other, but you\u2019re a little high-strung now, and there\u2019s no way I\u2019m putting you on a case that has anything to do with Los Angeles, let alone the Playboy Mansion, and expect you to actually concentrate on the mission…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlayboy Mansion?! But!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts, Carter. You\u2019re not going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not fair!\u201d<\/p>\n

Agent K sighed but then smiled at Nick. He respected the young man\u2019s enthusiasm and willingness to work hard, but the kid had a lot to learn about patience. \u201cI needed the girls on this one, Nick. I didn\u2019t have a choice. Believe me, they would all rather trade places with you if they could, but I need you to be their eyes and ears this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick rolled his eyes, pouting that he wouldn\u2019t be getting his way, but at least it wasn\u2019t because K didn\u2019t think he could handle it. After handing K the folder and sitting through an excruciating psych evaluation, he eventually made his way to Pearl\u2019s lab, already feeling the boredom of the next few days creeping up on him.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 3<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 5: \u00a0Bunnies in Black Part 2   A solemn mood filled the air in K\u2019s office as he sat behind his desk and leaned on his laced fingers. For a moment, he glanced at Jay, who briefly lowered his sunglasses and shook his head as he surveyed the all-female\u2026<\/p>\n

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