The Body Swap (completed)

CHP29

Vanessa tapped her foot impatiently, drinking small amounts of booze at a time.  She watched through the glass window as the sun set by the sea and twilight fell.

She knew she could not just sit around and do nothing while her daughter is held captive by a mad scientist.

A thump in the kitchen made her freeze. She didn't make any sound and listened carefully. Another thump. She was definitely not alone. Someone was in the mansion.

She put down the glass of booze she was holding and reached for anything she could use as a weapon. A book.

She held the book above her head, ready to slam the person that intruded in the mansion. With light footsteps, she slowly walked towards the kitchen and flicked the lights open. Nobody was there. She sighed in relief.

"Vanessa?" The voice behind  startled her and she immediately reacted, whacking the book on the man's face.

"Ow!"She took steps back and was ready to go for another whack.

Wait....Daniel?

She dropped the book and caressed the part of the face that she hit. "Daniel, God....I could've killed you."

"With a book? I don't think so."He smiled, holding her hand that caressed his face.

He kissed her forehead.

"What are you even doing here?"

"Certainly not to get facebooked."He joked. "I wanted to ensure your safety and see how you are doing..."

"I'm fine Danny. It's Alex that's not safe."

His phone rang. "Would you excuse me for a moment."He went to the kitchen and picked up the call. Vanessa followed behind. Curious.

"Dusty, what have you got for me ?.." Daniel asked as he looked over to Vanessa.

"Sir. I know where they are headed."

"Where?"

"Italy sir....  It seems they'll be attending Mr. Luca Ricci's grand party tomorrow night."

"Luca Ricci you say?"

"Affirmative sir."

"Dusty, get busy then and prepare our flight . We are leaving first thing tomorrow."

He ended the call and Vanessa approached him. "What did he say?"

Daniel sighed and looked straight into her eyes. "They took Alex and her friend to Italy. "

Vanessa became silent for a moment. Without thinking she blurted out, "Then I'm coming with you."

Daniel shook his head no."It's too dangerous Vanessa. I can't afford to see you at a life-threatening situation."

"Alex is there...in trouble...in need of somebody to help her and I'm going to be that person."

"My final answer is no. Let me take care of it. Just rest okay?"He held her hand. "And when this is all over, then you'll probably say yes to my proposal."

She froze, completely forgetting about  his proposal. Daniel smiled. "No rush. Rest. I'll be outside in the car."

"No you don't need to watch over me."

"Don't worry------"

"No really."

Daniel thought for a moment. "Alright. Just make sure you lock everything." He gave her one last kiss before going to the door to leave.

Vanessa watched from the window as his car left into the distance. She sat down on the living room couch and closed her eyes.

Alex being held hostage.... Daniel's proposal....Ethan showing up...All these things are messing with her mind. She wanted it to end. All of it.

She was tired of being human. Of having the capability to feel, to have emotions. Anger towards Ethan. Being worried sick towards Alex. She wanted to rest. She needed to rest. But she knew she couldn't. And she knew she had to do something.

With a decisive deep sigh , she knew what she had to do. It was very clear.
She must go to Italy.

Ethan and the others were already aboard a private jet plane. Just after Steel and Hacker landed, they rushed right away to Quin Walter's place. Sonya's childhood friend, a  man who crawled from rags to riches. A man known widely in the business world who happened to have a private jet plane. Good thing Sonya's still in touch with him.

He even offered to be the pilot of the plane himself. They took the offer at once.

Gunman and Steel were taking a nap. The long flight gave them rest they never thought they needed. Sonya was up front with Quin. Playing co-pilot and at the same time catching up with each other.

Hacker was busy on something in his laptop. Nat and Ethan were busy loading guns. Nat looked at his older brother. Trying to get into his head. To see what he was thinking.

She stopped loading and thought to herself that now would be a good time to bring Vanessa up. After all the silence was killing her."So how's it going with you and Vanessa?"

He paused what he was doing."Now is not the time Nat."

"If not now...when? Come on Ethan.."

He put down the gun he was loading and looked at Nat. "What do you want to know?"

"How's it going?"

"Whenever she  looks at my face, it's like she wants to dip my arse on poison, wrap it in barbed wires and let me it eat for breakfast."

Nat chuckled." Okay, if that's the way you describe it."

"Anymore questions?"

"Do you have any intentions getting her back?" He became silent.

"Guys we are here. Your long flight has come to an end." Quin updated which cut off his chat with Nat.

Ethan stood up and faced his team. "Alright you maggots, let's review the plan one last time shall we?"