LONDON CALLING

Jess handed Jack and Ruby first aid kits as they ported out . Jack and Jess appeared together Ruby appeard on her own and dove to teh bathroom returning a few minets later. " Robert could you make a slight change in the potion to take in apperating please" she asked with a teasing tone. But she as glad she had brought the potion , just incase they didn't get home by dark. but she was more impressed by Angus organisation of teh task at hand.

Jess chuckled and moved to her handing her some tea and an arrowroot busicut to eat. " helped for me, try it" she said and Ruby smiled as she ate teh bucuits she'd been given. Jess turned to face the others " so whats the plan?" she asked Ruby nodded too.

"It's already in there, Ruby," Robert told her, "but you could take a dose of nausea medication if you need it. If you're going to find you're sensitive to porting or apparating, you might want to stay behind at headquarters rather than going out in the field. Just a suggestion. I have some nausea medication in my bag, and I know there are some very basic potions in the kitchen, in the cabinet, first cabinet to the left of the sink. Help yourself. Standard dose should do it, and it supposed to be marked on the bottle.

"Ruby," Edward called to her, "there are a couple people you should meet." He took Sergio and Ana over to meet her. "These are two of the newest members of the organization. These are our friends from Romania--This is Sergio and his wife Ana. You remember, Angus and the others stayed at their waystation when they were in Romania last month."

"So this is the Ruby we heard so much about from Angus," Sergio smiled. "How very nice to meet you so we could put a face to the name. Ana and Angus and I have been friends since childhood."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Ana said. "You and Angus should come and stay with us and see the countryside next summer when it is so beautiful, but, of course, you're both always welcome anytime."

"We'll get with Angus and get our instruction," Robert said. "Most often, we've paired up and gone out within earshot of each other, but let's see what Angus has found out. I'll go see if he's able to break free for a moment." Robert went back to the captains office to see Angus.

"Just so you know," Edward told Sergio and Ana, "Angus is recovering from a serious injury to his magical system. He's going to be fine, but he is temporarily confined to a wheelchair until his magical system fully regenerates. I thought you both should know so it doesn't come as a shock."

"I have seen such injuries," Ana said, concerned. The ones she had seen had resulted in the wizards never getting their mobility back at all. "But you say his system can be regenerated? How?"

"Robert found a specialist who works in New York, and the specialist is working on healing Angus. It just takes time and much patience. He is clearly getting better, though. As of today, he is able to stand on his own for about a minute before he starts getting tired. That is definite progress."

"I would like to meet this miracle man. There is a young boy in our village. He had such an injury a year ago, and he has not been able to stand or walk since. And he's only twelve. He was not able to travel to Beauxbatons this year, and because of that, he has fallen into a deep, deep depression. His parents are very worried about him."

"We'll introduce you as soon as our work today is over," Edward told her. She nodded.

"Thank you, Edward," Ana said. Robert came out of the captain's office with the large map floating in the air in front of him, with the pushpins and papers and strings all still attached. Andrew brought Angus out in his chair. When Angus saw Sergio and Ana, his face lit up at seeing his old friends. Sergio gave him a big hug.

"My brother," Sergio smiled. "Short circuited yourself?"

"Something like that," Angus laughed. Ana gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.

"Edward told us a little of your accident. Tell us the story later, yes?" Ana asked.

"It'll bore you," Angus laughed. "Ruby? Have you met our old family friends yet?"

Ruby listened to Robert and frowned " Im not staying behind so I'll check out those potions, might have just been a blip" she said and was about to head to teh kitchen when Edward introduced her to Sergio and Anna. " ANA, Romanian Ana!" She said in almost a scream as she moved to hug her back " this is wonderful, you can tell me all about what Angus was like when Edward wasn't around" she said smiling " I've been wanting to meet you, since that day, look Im sorry about my bat brained brother." she said with a chuckle as they walked towards where Angus stood.

She heard him ask her if she had been introduced " oh yes, and she's promise to tell me all about when you were together" she teased him " got to have some stories to tell our son or daughter right" she said and chuckled but then looked at the board "Thats some impressive work" she said scanning the lines and pictures that were laid out on it.

Ana was delighted that Ruby didn't appear to be suspicious. She was relieved. When Ruby asked Ana to tell her stories, Ana and Sergio both laughed.

"There are many, many stories to tell," Sergio said, looking at Ruby and then glaring mischievously at Angus.

"Oh, lord, I shouldn't have let you three meet," Angus laughed.

"Well, if they don't tell her, I will," Edward said. "I was there, remember?"

"I'm in serious trouble now," Angus said. Andrew continued to stand behind Angus and headquarter staff continued to deliver messages to Andrew.

"Tell us about the map so far," Robert told Angus.

"Alright, so here is what I've done. I've marked on the map the places where Gelding has taken children on more than one occassion. Those are the silver pushpins. As you see they are scattered all around the Paris area. The large gold pushpins are the large warehouse types of locations where he has put children on several occasions. Those are places I've ordered some of our intel lads to keep a sharp eye on. You'll see three large copper pushpins. I've sent intel agents there too because I've been able to establish that Gelding has just purchased those warehouses in the last couple of days. I rather expect to see movement there. And, look here. Here is an interesting bit. This large red pushpin that I've put a gold star sticker on--this one particularly interests me. This is an event venue--the sort of place people rent out for weddings and conventions and the like. He booked this place two days ago--and the rental doesn't expire for another 48 hours."

"Ah ha," Robert nodded. "This could be his auction site."

"That's exactly what I think--especially since it is an upscale venue close to the Champ Elysees. It's also less then two blocks from the bank that one of his shell corporations has been using."

"You've done your homework," Robert told him.

"He's got a good memory," Edward said.

"Now, here's some of the little things we know," Angus continued. "Each of these little map pins represents a location from where we know a child was taken since the last known activity Gelding had before he was jailed. And I see a pattern. That's what the strings are for. If you look, the abductions seem to be clustered in various regions around the Paris area. So, I could well be wrong, but this is what I think. I think Gelding is short on cash because we snagged his Paris accounts. He needs French accounts built up fast, so he's hitting Paris hard this time. I think he's going to hit the area extra hard this morning and then later today, I think we're going to see him moving them off to the muggles as fast as he can for the highest amount of muggle money he can get for them.

"It looks to me like he's got teams dispersed through the Paris area to hit various neighborhoods hard to do a big roundup for tonight's activity," Robert said.

"That's exactly what I think," Angus nodded. "If we're right, then I bet we'll find that the warehouses closest to each of these clusters are where the children are being taken after they're removed from their homes. And it is probably where they're being held until they're moved to one of these bigger central warehouses. That will probably happen later this afternoon, and then they'll be brought to the event center, one bus load at a time."

"God, i didn't realize it was this large scale," Ana said, the mother in her sharply affected by seeing the scale of Gelding's operation.

"Normally, it isn't this large," Angus said. "The last time he did anything this size was 5 or 6 years ago. But he's desperate for money right now. Now, one last thing you should know from the map. You'll see the little sneaker shaped map pins. Those are our intel people. I have them scattered through those neighborhoods where I'm seeing action. I'll be moving all of these as the action changes today. What I suggest is that you all go out in twos or threes, keep as low key as you can. We want to know where these kids are being taken. Do not interfere yet until we know for sure where they are. Once we know that, I will pull in every single agent we have, and we will coordinate a massive, simultaneous strike at the warehouses and the event venue, and we'll get these kids back. We are not going to lose one, do you hear me? Not a one. We're going to bring them all here. In the meantime, I'm bringing in crew members to ready this place for one of the largest influxes we've ever had. So, what do you think? Anyone have a better idea?"

Jack and Jess walked over as Angus was talking Ruby just stood with her arms folded. " Jack and Ruby can go , I'll stay her and ready a make shift sickbay." Jess said " Im of more use here than out tehre this time." she said Jack looked at Ruby then to Angus " you okay Ruby and I teaming up, she is a probationary after all." Ruby looked at Him her face curled in a look of disaproval.

"we need all hands remember besides if I'm paired with you , you can teach me and I trained in these alleys and walk ways" Ruby said " but your desishion is final, you are the boss." she said looking to Angus not seeing Angus the man she loved but now Angus her boss whom she had to follow his word by the letter.

"Yes," Angus said, "if she's alright with going, then yes. She's had a lot of training, and right now, we need field people. We're not rescuing just yet. We're gathering information. She can certainly handle that. She has to be given the chance to prove herself sometime, and she'll be a lot less recognized than you will be, Jack. You've been with us long enough that if Gelding has the same fighters, they'll know some of our long timers like you. You know, if you don't want them picking you out so fast, you could use a charm and add yourself some hair or a beard or something. The bald thing makes you stick out a bit.

"Ruby," Angus told her, "be careful of getting too cocky about where you've trained in Paris or how. Remember, you got your training, for the most part, under one of Gelding's shapeshifters that only pretended to look like Owens. That information about what he knew about you, what your strengths were, what your weaknesses were, all of that information could very well be in Gelding's hands right now. You have to assume that they will know far more about you than you are aware of. Jacks' size and looks makes him easily recognizable. But, you--they may pick you out easily because you got some of your training from one of their operatives. I have no problem with you going, but you and Jack don't separate. Hear me? You two stay together, or I'll get someone to cast a sticking charm on you both so that you're glued together until I say otherwise."

"Mira, Jess and Simone might need a hand for a little bit. I want you to know this building inside and out. I want you to help Jess set up a sickbay and then lend some help in the kitchen. Those kids, when they get here, are always hungry and dirty and tired. They'll need fed. Our operatives have all worked weird hours, and they'll be straggling in at different times wanting a bite of something. I don't care if its sandwiches and coffee. Let's keep all our operatives fed. We might use you in the field closer to the real action tonight."

"I'll give you a hand in setting up a sickbay," Nigel told Jess. "I think I'm qualified."

"I'll go out with Kate," Michael said.

"And Lee and I will go together," Robert said.

"Gabe? Shall we?" Edward asked.

"Absolutely," Gabe said. Angus assigned them areas to go scout and told them to check in frequently and update them so they could keep things current and moving.

"It sounds like we're ready. Stay safe, Everyone, and stay in touch with Angus. Let's go," Robert told everyone. "Good luck."

Jack looked at Ruby who looked at him " no, no hair" he said to her and saw her pout. " but I agree best I stay here until needed. Ruby listened to Angus and noddd couldn't defalt his thoughts " okay, feild kitchen it is" she said " theres an empty room off to the right I'll set up in there.

Jess heard Nigel and nodded " more hands make light work" she asid smiling " Jack your heavy lifting" she said and head him graon " stop that or I'll give you hair and you and go out." she saw him smile and move to her side whisperin something she turned and looekd at him " do not tempt me." she said and patted his cheek. Ruby chuckled and listened more to Angus talk about her trainning.

"Shit I forgot about that that, but your right, which means they know our trainning styles too, that means we'll have to change our trainning too " she said but then focused " but right now feild kitchen" she said and quckly headed to the empty room. Setting up several tables she hooked up some stoves and began to cook large batches of food and palce them in heated food warmes she had enlarged to hold almost twice the amout they should.

"Ruby, this house has a massive kitchen and an equally massive pantry and dining room. Feel free to use it. I'm sure Simone will be there too. There is also a huge vegetable and herb garden out back. Jess, if they need it, take them on the tour so they know their way around, please?"

Robert floated the map back to the captain's office and put it back up on the wall before he and Lee went out. Sergio and Ana went out to the neighborhood that Angus had assigned them, feeling confident in their knowledge of Paris enough that they weren't going to get lost. Then Angus and Andrew went back to work. Every scrap of paper was passed to Andrew who posted the changes on the map, and it was Angus's job to stay sharp and try to move intel agents and field agents as the changes occurred.

Andrew tried to keep Angus's coffee mug filled with fresh, hot coffee, but even so, Angus dozed off midmorning from sheer fatigue. Andrew kept marking the map while Angus slept. Angus had tried to get Andrew to go to the kitchen potions cabinet and bring him an energy potion, but Andrew did not believe that either Nigel or Robert would approve. So he hadn't gotten it for Angus, and without it, Angus dozed. Andrew didn't believe Angus would sleep long because over these last days, the uncontrollable sleeping had become short catnaps rather than long siestas--providing Angus didn't get overtired.

Sergio saw a blatant crime right in front of him and Ana. A man stopped a woman with a pram and told her she had dropped some money behind her. The woman turned to look, and the man had taken the sleeping baby right out of the pram and had apparated away with the baby. The young mother was hysterical and panic stricken. Ana had rushed in to comfort her, and she told the young mother that she had seen who had taken her baby and that she would try to help her get her baby back. She took the mother's information and got a photo of the baby. Sergio searched the area for any other clues as to the identity of the thug who had done the deed.

Andrew was also getting scattered reports of babies being taken. Angus had told him the generally, the children were usually age 5 or 6 and up, but the reports they were getting were of missing wizarding children of any age. Andrew was abhorred and outraged. There seemed to be no bounds to Gelding's treachery. Ana sent a paper bird back to HQ to Andrew of the missing baby.

Andrew and Angus were trying to keep track of roughly how many kids they thought were involved this time. The number was already one of the highest Angus had ever seen. Angus wanted to grab ahold of Gelding and pummel him into dust.

Robert and Lee had sent in reports they had gathered of two children. Michael and Kate had heard of one. Gabe and Edward had heard of four. The other field agents were sending in similar reports.

Angus had Andrew sent up a paper bird to Jess, telling Jess that they were going to need to put some cribs in the top floor nursery room and that they were getting reports that this time there were some babies involved as well, something that was exceptionally rare. Angus knew Jess wasn't going to be any happier than he was to hear babies were involved this time.

Ruby nodded and moved everything to the large kitchen to keep the food hot for every one who wanted some. She nodded when Edward said there was a large garden and so she grabbed a basket and walked out the back door into the garden to pick veg she could prepare. She piked carrots and cabage to cook up but she wanted to be out searching not stuck behind a cooker or counter. But as much as she wanted to do those things she couldn't Angus was the boss and as such she had to obay his orders.

Jack walked around the grounds not that it was large and saw her picking veg in the grounds " hey those should be snough unless your replanting the whole garden" he said seing her basket over flowing with veg.

"Sorry , lost in thought, was hoping I' be out there not , kept here." she said motioning to the kitchen.

"hey we go where we're needed , sometimes that means being stuck doing things we don't like, all part of the job besides when the big time happens you'll be part of that and its more fun." he said as he picked up the basket " come on I'll peel, you chop" he said and she smiled.

"all right" she stood up and walked back into the kitchen.

Angus happened to look outside and saw Ruby picking vegetables. He could see the anger just in how she seemed to be harvesting anything that had roots. he wasn't sure why she was angry. He felt a need to try to make whatever it was right for her somehow. And because of this chair--this damnable chair--she was so close and yet so far. Angus put the brakes on his chair and pulled himself to his feet. Andrew tossed the uncharted notices on the desk and rushed to him.

"What do you need? Where are you going?" Andrew asked him, bracing him up under his shoulders.

"I cannot just spend the rest of my life in this damned chair," Angus said, frustrated at how useless he was as a man. This was not what Ruby deserved. He couldn't help her. He saw she was angry, and he couldn't do one single thing about it from where he was.

"Angus," Andrew began.

"I have to walk, Andrew. It has to happen today. I can't just sit here anymore," Angus was insistent. He tried to force himself to take a couple of steps, but it didn't work. He fell, falling out of Andrew's grasp, falling to the floor. He had tried to catch himself but all he had managed to do was to pull his cup of hot coffee down over his hand. He cussed and punched the side of the desk, causing a loud banging noise, bruising his hand in the process.