015. Hatred

Title: Dark Shadows
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Characters: Fallon Christopher (Fran), Nathan Davis, Kristian Evanovich, Mystery Man
Prompt: 015. Hatred
Word Count: 1,005
Rating: PG-13
Type: Series: 28 of 33
Summary: Fran's undercover mission is put into action and stirs up someone's inner hatred.
Warnings: Language


Fran tried not to squirm as a female officer placed a wire tap in some very private places. As she finished, Fran glanced at herself in the mirror of the ladies restroom, she had tried to find as provocative an outfit she could without completely losing all her standards. She had settled on a black bra top and leather skirt, the trashy look complete with heavy makeup. She sighed, she was utterly embarrassed to even leave the room like this much less be seen in public by complete strangers, the things they would think of her.
She sucked in a breath and left the safety of the restroom to meet the undercover team that was waiting. Nathan and Kristian were standing together, along with a few other officers that had changed from their regular uniforms into plainclothes. To her surprise, no one whistled or made any snide comments, it was almost as if they admired her, a silent salute that respected what she was about to do.

She could barely meet Nathan’s eyes as she walked over to him, her hands unconsciously fidgeted at her bare waist, never could she remember feeling so vulnerable and exposed.
Nathan grabbed one of her hands instinctively, emotion bottled up inside him ready to explode at any second, “There’s still time, we can send in one of ours, you don’t have to do this Frannie.”

She took a deep breath and calmed at the feel of his hand on hers, “No, I’ll be fine,” she blew out a long, much needed sigh, “I’m ready.”

Nathan crossed his brows, he couldn’t believe he was about to watch her attempt to catch a serial killer, “Okay, let’s do this.”

*~*~*
Nathan had dropped her off two blocks away from the club and she watched him vanish into the night to his post, along with the other officers. They were out there watching somewhere but Fran still couldn’t seem to stop her heart from pounding in her chest. Despite knowing he was only a minute away, the sights and sounds of the late night city were still frightening for a woman who was very much alone. She started walking, wondering why these girls would do it in the first place, she would much rather be curled up safely at home with a good book and a glass of red wine.
She came around the corner, the loud pulse of music vibrating from the walls of the club, the neon lights glowing softly onto the sidewalk. She panicked for a moment and leaned up against the wall, “Nathan?” she breathed into the small microphone in her chest.

She instantly heard his voice through the small piece they had placed in her ear, “I’m here Frannie, what’s wrong? You remember the code word, don’t you?”

She calmed down, even though she couldn’t see him, she knew he would be there in a second if something happened, he was always there for her no matter what, “Yes, I remember. I’m okay, just having a mild panic attack. I’m going to head inside now.”

“Okay, just remember to take deep breaths, we’re right with you every step of the way.”
She headed up the steps to the club, ready to do something great and make a true difference, what she knew she was truly destined for. As she stepped inside, a pair of eyes watched her from the street as she disappeared through the door.

What the fuck is she doing here?

He felt his head pound furiously as he realized she was undeserving; a hollow, vain, empty shell like the rest of them.

Dressed like a common whore, how could you do this to me! Look what I did for you and this is how you repay me!

*~*~*
Fran sat down at the bar, trying not to observe the room so obviously. There were a few people dancing, a couple of men chatting, pointing at some pretty girls. Nothing out of the ordinary. It occurred to her however, that this killer had to be just that, ordinary. He was probably handsome, charismatic, a regular guy that would blend right in…
“Hi there. May I join you?” A deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts like whiplash, she turned around and looked up at just such a handsome, ordinary looking man.

Fran shivered slightly, she didn’t expect it to happen so soon, she nearly faltered on a reply, “Um, of course.” she flashed him her fakest smile and tried to be charming despite her stomach lurching at the thought of what this guy could be thinking of doing to her.
Nathan’s blood boiled as he listened in on the conversation, the guy offered to buy her a drink, she accepted. He could hear in her voice that she was nervous, why did he agree to let her do this? He started to breathe rapidly, his anger stewing just below boiling.

“Hey, you okay?” Kristian stared at him from the passenger’s seat, “She’s all right Nate, nothing’s happening.”

Nathan sighed, “You’re right. I just had no idea it would feel like this. Just hearing this bastard…if he lays one fucking hand on her…”

“He won’t, that’s why we’re here, remember? She knows what she’s doing. As soon as he makes a move, she’ll let us know.”

Nathan bit his fingernail as he heard Fran say the one sentence he never wanted to hear-
“How about going back to your place?”

The man perked up his eyebrows and a wolf-like grin spread across his face, “All right then, nothing like a direct woman.”
He paid for their drinks and bowed slightly to her to go in front of him. She complied and prayed to her legs to stop shaking so she could actually walk outside. The man hailed a cab and they got inside, leaving the club and the rest of the world in the dark night behind them.
Nathan grabbed his police radio, “Let’s move people, if anyone loses this son of a bitch, they’re fucking fired.”

Part 29