By Gunjan L. Shah
 
 
 

                                            To My Friends
 
 

Please remember that this story is just for fun.
It is to keep our good memories alive.
Whatever happens in the �future� of the story is purely for amusement.
It is not necessarily what I want to happen, what I think should happen, what I think will happen, etc�
One more thing:
If we are thirty-five years old before I talk to you again, I will be very upset with you!
 
 

Chapter I

A woman of 35 years, dressed in khaki shorts and a blue denim shirt with a cream round neck tee shirt inside, sat on a round wall that separated the sand from the ocean.  White sea gulls encircled her head and the blue green waves crashed upon the sharp, jagged rocks, spraying the icy water up at her.  Her long dark brown hair that fell in the middle of her back blew in the crisp sea air and her large, piercing, brown eyes lay focused on the wind driven sea.  It was a chilly day, as the sun could not penetrate the blanket of clouds, but it didn�t matter.  As a matter of fact, none of the elements bothered her as she sat quietly away from the world.  A sudden piercing tone broke the calming silence.  It was her cell phone.  The woman reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.  She answered, �This is Ivy��
 The voice on the other line sounded vaguely familiar.  The man spoke, �Ivy Fox�at last I have the pleasure of speaking with you.�
 The man knew her name!  Who was he?  How did he get her private number?  Questions floated around her head, but she spoke calmly, �Who are you?  What do you want?�
 The man on the other end chuckled and answered, �Such unimportant questions with disturbing answers.  I bet you are also wondering how I got your number�� The man paused, waiting for Ivy to speak.  When she did not, the man continued, �I am at the Castle, your Castle.  That�s right, something�s wrong!  Can�t put your finger on it?  That�s ok.  I�ll tell you.  I infiltrated your system, and I�ve got a gun pointed to your leader, Gerald Powe�s, head.  You know, I�ve heard that you are intelligent, but can you be in two places at once?  You might want to hurry back from where ever you are�just in case my finger accidentally pulls the trigger�.�
 In the background, Ivy heard Gerald Powe�s voice, �Let go of me!  Fox, do not listen to him!  It�s a trap.  Stay where you are.  I can handle this!�
 Fox spoke, �Whoever you are, I�m on my way.  Just don�t shoot him!�  Out of frustration, she added, �Who are you?  What do you want?�
 Again, the man laughed.  �You don�t need to know who I am.  Just know I�m not with the Orders of Council.�  There was a pause.  Then, Fox heard a loud thump.  �Oops, my finger slipped�Goodbye.�
 Ivy fox quickly dialed the team headquarters in the basement of the Castle, three floors below where the leader had just been shot.  Lauren Worth, a senior team member, picked up.  �Ivy what�s going on?�
 With urgency in her voice, Ivy spoke as she ran to the castle.  �Lauren, someone got in!  He shot Gerald!!�
 Lauren was skeptical.  �Fox, what are you talking about?  I just came from seeing him 15 minutes ago.�
 Fox was exasperated.  �Lauren, I don�t care where you just came from.  Get up to that office right now�Be careful!  I�m on my way!�
 Ten minutes later, Fox reached the parking lot.  There were police cars surrounding the building.  An ambulance pulled in just as Ivy arrived.  Fox reached the building just as the paramedics brought Gerald Powe down from his office.  Lauren Worth ran out of the building and almost ran into Fox.  �Oh, Ivy�I�m so glad you�re here!  You were right�I�m sorry I doubted you.�  The speed, at which she spoke increased, � I ran up to the office as soon as you called, and I walked in and he was lying on the ground.  There was so much blood, but there was no one in the room�The window was shattered I think��
 Ivy Fox looked at the shaken team member and answered, �Shh�It�ll be okay.  Go with Gerald to the hospital.  I�ll be right there��
 That had been three days ago, but the scene kept replaying in Fox�s head.  The 5�4� woman, with and oval face, small nose, naturally thin reddish lips, and dark brown hair that curled at her shoulders, had left her car at their old office and now walked coolly and confidently down the busy city street to the temporary office.  In her bright yellow suit and with her hair flowing in the wind, Ivy Fox looked around herself and sighed.  Gerald Powe, a man of only 35 years and their beloved leader, had been declared dead as soon as they had arrived at the hospital.  Yesterday, the group had given him a funeral, and today, life was supposed to go back to normal, but for her, it could not.  In his will, Gerald Powe left their organization to all of the team members, but there had been a catch.  Their new leader was to be a man named Blaine Lyndon.  None of the team had met him before today, and according to Powe�s will, Blaine Lyndon was new to their organization.
 Ivy Fox thought about all of this as she walked down the street to the temporary office Blaine had set up in a building he owned.  As she walked down the street, Fox�s thoughts were temporarily distracted by the delighted laughter of the children playing in the park on her right.  On her left, she saw many people running in and out of the tiny boutiques and stores.  Fox took a deep breath and smelled peanuts roasting in a vender�s cart.  Ivy went over to the vender and bought some peanuts.  The vender was a talkative old man of about 70 years.  He was dressed in a red patterned sweater with a white collared shirt inside and blue jeans.  His hair was white and circled a large central bald spot.  As he was scooping the nuts off the grill, he went on to talk about everything from his children to politics to the weather.  Then he said, � I wonder what happened to Gerald Powe��
 Up until now, Fox had not been paying much attention to what the old man had been saying.  Upon hearing the leader�s name, Fox became cautious and asked, �Why?  Did you know him?  What did you hear?�
 The old man looked taken aback.  �I didn�t mean anything,� he said.  �I just heard on the news that he died.  Anyway, your peanuts are ready.�  Fox thanked the man and continued walking down the street.  As soon as she was about a block away, the old man turned the cart and disappeared into a small alley.  He touched his ear and said, �She bought �em.�  Suddenly, all the peanut venders turned and disappeared, but Ivy didn�t notice.
 The comments of the old man had shaken the usually strong Ivy Fox.  She no longer walked in her refined nonchalant style; but rather, she dragged her feet as she walked slowly down the street.  Her walk was not a peaceful one; instead, her thoughts returned to how much she was not looking forward to meeting the new leader.  Then, the old leader became the center of her thoughts.  She cringed as she called Gerald that.  Gerald had been her good friend since he had created their organization five years earlier.  The 5�10� man was full of opposites.  He did not like the dark or windows; yet, his office was a large room with poor lighting and had a large window that was covered and could not allow much light to enter the room.  For the little time he spent in his office, Fox remembered it was one of the messiest she had ever seen.  Gerald always attributed this to being an amateur inventor.  She laughed as she thought of what the chief had been trying to make the last time they had spoken.  He had been all tied up in the wire because he was trying to make a coffee machine that would bring him a cup.  He never succeeded in making things, but he had fun.
The sound of a horn brought her back from her thoughts.  She looked across the street and saw a building that looked more like a deserted warehouse than an office.  From where she stood, the building looked as if it was made of smooth grayish-green concrete, and ivy covered all the edges.
 Fox crossed the road and climbed up the steps of the building.  She did not notice the two men who were watching from either side of the building.  Maybe the ivy hid them, or maybe she just did not feel like doing anything about them.  Either way, it would cost her later.
 She opened one of the large double glass doors and stepped into a large receiving area in an outer office.  As Fox was in no hurry to meet the new leader, she meandered around the room looking at the decorations.  The room was circular and lined with Christmas trees.  She went over to the first tree and gazed at the decorations.  She proceeded to look at all the trees.  The trees alternated the colors of red, gold, green, and silver.  The center tree was white.  Looking at all of the trees had begun to make Ivy feel better.  The inner peacefulness of the season had begun to infiltrate her somber mood.  Suddenly, a female voice spoke, �Excuse me, can I help you?�
 Fox spun around surprised.  She was even more surprised when she realized who had spoken to her.  �I haven�t been gone that long, Julia!�
 �Ivy, I didn�t realize it was you.�  Julia Hope was excited to see her.
 �Expecting someone else?�  Fox asked jokingly.  The woman standing in front of her was about her height.  Julia Hope, another team member, had blond hair that curled at her chin.  Her blue eyes radiated with happiness as she looked at Ivy.  Ivy held out her hands as if she was ready to be handcuffed.  She spoke to the team member she had not seen in a long time.  �I guess you�ll have to take me in.�
 Julia�s eyes sparkled with laughter.  �Cut it out, Ivy,� she said while pushing Fox�s arms away to give her friend a hug.  Julia then continued, �Come on�Let�s go�Blaine�s waiting for you.�
 Ivy and Julia walked though another set if double glass doors and into the inner lobby.  The entire room was filled with corridors and desks.  Fox looked around and remarked, �How could anyone work like this?�
 Julia looked at her friend and smiled before answering.  �You know Ivy, not everyone gets to work in large, spacious rooms filled with the latest technology.  It�s not too bad, and we�ve gotten use to it.�
 �You�ve gotten use to it?  You�ve only worked here a day!  And who�s this we?  I haven�t seen anyone else from the team.�  Ivy looked at her friend suspiciously.  This new boss had worked magic on her friend.  The team members did not like change, and never got use to it without a fight.  Julia was no exception.
 Julia laughed once more.  �I knew you were going to ask that!  This new chief is different, but I think he�ll be a good guy.�
 The rest of Julia�s response was cut off by a voice speaking from behind a desk.  �Fine Julia!  Just walk past me.  Don�t even let ME say hi to Ivy.�
Ivy recognized the voice of another member of the team and quickly walked over to the desk where the sound came from.  Ivy peered around the desk and said, �James?�  She thought the voice was that of fellow team member and her partner on many cases, James Durbin.  But, there was no one there.  She looked over to Julia, who just shrugged her shoulders.  Ivy�s spirit had been lifted for a second, but as she gazed around the room her somber mood drifted back.
 Suddenly, Ivy felt arms around her waist and laughter in her ear.  Ivy turned her head sideways and saw it was James.  �Hello Ivy!  I think you might need your hearing checked�� Ivy looked back at the cubicle she thought the sound had come from, and then she turned around in James� arms and looked at him questioningly.  James laughed once more.
 �It�s not your hearing.  It�s this new device.  You speak into it, and it sounds as if you are talking from a completely different place.�  James paused and then continued, �Anyway, how are you doing?�  Fox answered that she was fine, and surveyed the other member of the group that she had not seen in awhile.  He was James Durbin, a 30-year-old field agent who often worked as her partner.  He had short brownish-blond hair that he combed back, and grayish green eyes that could look in the face of danger and not even blink.
 Ivy spoke again, �So what are you doing for the new boss besides playing with toys?�
 James looked at her and said, �Don�t you know?  I have to find a way to make these computers compatible with the ones in the castle in case we ever need to.  It�s taking forever.�
 Fox�s eyes gleamed as she teased him.  �Is somebody complaining about his job?�
 James knew he was being teased, but he also knew how to get back at her.  �Oh, and who is avoiding going upstairs?�
 All three of them laughed.  Ivy asked, �Is it that obvious?�
 Now it was James�s turn.  �Well, I don�t know, but with my skill, I picked it up right away.�
 Julia joined in.  �Skill?  Is he saying he has skill?�  Again they all laughed.
 Ivy replied, �Hey, it was nice to see you James.  I�ll probably be down after�� At this point, her voice slowed and had a tone of dread.  ��I go see Mr. Lyndon.�
 James chuckled, shook his head, and waved goodbye.  �Ok.  I�ll see you.�  He watched her walk away.  He sighed and silently wished she was in town more often.
 Julia and Fox continued walking and reached some stairs.  Ivy turned to Julia as they walked down the stairs.  �Since when do people have offices in basements?�  It was kind of a silly question since they were in the Castle�s basement all the time.
Julia just shook her head.  �Well, I didn�t think you would mind if we went the long way.  You don�t mind, do you?�
Fox laughed.  �Thanks�hey, can I ask you a question?�
�Sure, what�s up?�  Julia said continuing to walk.
Fox thought for a moment and then said, �Tell me about Blaine Lyndon.  Is he really such a nice guy?�
Julia looked at her and said, �Well, do you want to know what I think, or what the others think?�
Ivy shrugged her shoulders, �Both, I guess.�  They had finished the stairs and entered a hallway lines with palm trees and pictures of various dignitaries and presidents.  As she looked at the wall, she remembered the times when she had met some of them, but she listened to Julia putting those memories aside.
�Well, everyone around here seems to love him.  All the women think he�s cute and all the men respect him.�
�But not you?�  Fox asked.
�Well, I�ve only known him for a day.  He is good looking, but the respect part�I don�t know.�
Fox�s suspicious mind was aroused, �Why?  Did he do something suspicious and who are �all� the men and women?  There aren�t that many people on our team.�
�No, not really.  It�s just odd.  From what I gather, he is not related to the chief, and he is not really sure of what we do.  I mean, if he was related to the chief, then picking him might make some sense.�  Her voice ended in a low whisper, as if someone could hear her disloyalty to the new boss.  She continued, �Blaine brought in some new people.  I guess he�ll tell you more when you go up there.  He said he wanted to meet everyone before explaining the changes.�
�Oh�� Fox thought about that, opened her mouth to say something, and then changed her mind.
They had just about come to the end of the hallway lined with palm trees and pictures.  In front of them, there stood an elevator.  Julia pushed the up arrow and they waited for the elevator to come.  Julia reached unto her pocket and pulled out a card.  She gave it to Ivy.  �When the light turns green, swipe this through and punch in the number on back.�
�Thanks,� Ivy said taking the card.  With that, Ivy walked to the keypad.  When the light turned green, Ivy swiped the card and punched in the security number 43134.  The doors opened.  Ivy and Julia stepped inside and watched the doors close.  Julia pushed the button for the 7th floor, the top floor.  As the doors closed and the elevator jerked upward, Ivy wondered why anyone would make a building with seven floors.  Since she could think of no reason, Ivy stopped talking to herself, and settled against the back of the elevator, and looked around.  Above and on all four sides, there were mirrors.  On three sides, there was a metal bar 3 feet from the ground.  Then, Ivy saw another palm tree.  She had begun to think that this office was crazy for palm trees.  Ivy turned to Julia and asked, �Julia, can Blaine really add new people?�
Julia thought for a second and replied, �I guess so�He is the boss.�  At that moment, the elevator stopped, the doors opened, and Julia spoke.  �Just go straight down the hallway, there is only room on the floor.�
Ivy stepped out and walked down the hallway.  This hallway was also lined with palm trees.  Ivy shook her head.  These palm trees were getting a little annoying.  She walked to the end of hallway, passing no doors as she went.  The space of double doors was in front of her, but there were no doors.  Two lush velvet curtains took up the space.  They looked very heavy.  �This leader is definitely an odd guy,� Ivy thought as she pushed aside the curtains.  Though she was still not looking forward to meeting Blaine, Ivy went over to the secretary.
Without looking up, the secretary said, �Good morning.  I�m sorry but Mr. Lyndon is busy.  He is waiting for someone.  Would you like to make an appointment to see him later?�
Ivy smiled and said, �Is he too busy for me?�
The secretary looked up and blushed.  �Sorry.  You must be Miss Fox.  I didn�t realize it was you.  How are you?�
The twenty-five year old woman smiled as she waited for an answer.  She had blonde hair down to her shoulders and brown eyes.  She was 5�4� but looked much smaller.  Ivy answered, �I�m doing well.  How about you?�
With a slight English accent, the secretary replied, �Good, thanks.  You better go in there; He is getting a little angry.�
�Oh, we don�t want that to happen!�  Ivy turned to walk into the office.  She knocked on the door and entered.  Fox looked around the office as she stepped inside.  There was a big window behind the chief�s desk.  It had heavy green draperies.  The rest of the room was ill lit and had many bookcases.  There was a couch and a green rug on the floor.  There was no one sitting behind the desk, so Ivy sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
Blaine entered the office and cleared his throat.  Fox turned toward him and stood up.  Blaine motioned for her to sit and went over to his mini bar.  �Hello.  Can I get you something to drink?�
Fox looked at him in disbelief.  �No.  I don�t drink.�  She continued to survey him before speaking.  He was about 35 years old, just like her.  He was probably about 5�10� and had short brown hair.  He had blue-green eyes and wore a sweater that matched his eyes.  Fox continued in a cold voice, �I am Ivy Fox.  I presume you must be the new chief.�
Blaine still starred at her, but began to speak.  �Yes.  I am Blaine Lyndon.  It is a pleasure to meet you.�  Fox nodded to acknowledge him.  Blaine continued, �Well, you are the last member of the old team, so let�s move this along, shall we?�
Ivy looked him straight in the eye and said, �Mr. Lyndon, why don�t we start with you, shall we?�
Blaine glared at Ivy, who was glaring back at him.  He then coughed to clear the air and fake smiled.  �Ok.  What would you like to know?�  Blaine said as he sat down.
Ivy sat back in her chair smiling mysteriously.  She knew she had gotten to him and that she was in control.  �So, tell me about yourself.�
�Uh, well, I am 35 years old.  I own this company and this building.  And, I am willing to give it all up to lead the organization.�  He ended with an icy glare in his eyes, as if to challenge her.
�I see.  Well, what makes you think you are qualified to run our organization?�
�Listen up young lady.  I don�t care what you think.  I don�t think it even matters if you think that I am qualified.  Gerald left me in charge and if you can't deal with it, maybe you should leave!�
�Mr. Lyndon, I am a senior member on this team and you will address me as Fox or Ivy.  You�re right.  Gerald left you in charge, but he never told me.�  Ivy paused and then continued, �We�ll continue this at the castle.  Tell James, Julia, and the rest of the group to bring you to the castle.  This is no place for this discussion.�
�Ms. Fox, I don�t known where you get the idea that you are above me, but we will continue this at the Castle at 3:00 this afternoon.  Be there.�
Fox nodded and walked out of the office.  She walked past the secretary and went down in the elevator.  Julia came up to her as she got out of the elevator.  Fox spoke to her in a hard, demanding voice.  �Julia, I am going to the castle.  Bring Blaine and everyone on the team.�
Julia looked at her confused.  �What went on up there?�
Ivy glanced back and replied in a hurried manner that she and Blaine had a little disagreement.  They would be continuing the meeting at the Castle at 3:00.
�Ivy, I know you liked Gerald, but please give Blaine a chance.  I don�t have to tell you the good this organization does.�
�I am perfectly willing to give him a chance.  I just think it would be better to have these discussions at the castle.�
�If you think so��
�Umm, Julia�Have you see James?�
�No, not since we saw him before.  Why?�
�I need to talk to him.  I�m going to the Castle.  Please find him and tell him to meet me in my office.�
�Sure, Ivy.  I�ll see you at the Castle.  Ivy nodded, turned, and walked out of the building.
 
 
 

Chapter II

 Ivy stepped outside and sighed heavily.  She had a bad feeling about Blaine and just wanted to get away from everything.  As that was not possible, Ivy wanted to go to her office and lie down.  She walked quickly through the town.  The happiness and laughter surrounding her made her feel worse, not better.
 The little boutiques sat side by side on the street with little alleys leading to parking lots behind the park.  There were people in the windows decorating the stores in the holiday colors.  Artists painted pictures of Santa and Rudolph in the window.  Some of the stores had little awnings protecting their doorways.  Others had only cute shaped signs hanging above their doors.  Bells jingled and jangled as the townspeople hurried in and out trying to finish their shopping.  Parking meters poked out of snow piles along the edges of the road as cars sped by barely glancing at the American flags sticking out of the meters.  Yet, none of these observations brightened Ivy�s day.
Soon, Ivy had reached the outskirts of the small Virginia town.  There was no formal end to the town; the buildings just tapered off.  The last glimpse of civilization was the sign thanking people for visiting the town of Silver Oaks.  The black newly paved road provided a stark contrast to the rolling hills of the countryside, which were now covered in the powdery white snow.  As Ivy walked along, she shuddered in the cold breeze and wondered why she had left her coat in her office.  The chilly weather portrayed her mood accurately.  Her depressed mood was beginning to bother her.  Ivy closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.  She attempted a smile, but it lasted only a moment.  A chuckle leapt from her mouth.  Why couldn�t she just move on?  How bad could a new leader be?
Ivy continued walking and reached the top of a hill.  She looked over the hill and saw the valley below.  The paved road continued winding through the countryside.  An unpaved road broke off from the main road at a curve in the road.  This unpaved dirt road led into a densely wooded area.  From the top of this hill, Ivy gazed at the golden tipped gates leading into the Castle compound.  Behind the Castle, Ivy saw the sea-blue ocean blocked off by the rock wall.  The majestic view took away Ivy�s breath every time she saw it.  Ivy continued down the hill towards the Castle.
The Castle was the headquarters of their organization.  It had belonged to an old well-to-do family.  Gerald Powe had been a descendent of this family.  By the time the Castle had passed into his hands, the family was living in another house, so he used the old family possession as the headquarters for his new mission.  Powe had gathered together a group of young experts from the technological and medical fields.  The objective of this group was to prevent and control epidemiological problems around the world using the latest technology.  The group was made up of five senior members: Ivy Fox, Julia Hope, James Durbin, Gerald Powe, and Davis Whitten.  There were also operatives around the world.  Their organization wasn�t a secret, but most of the world didn�t know that it existed.
Ivy had reached the gates of the Castle.  The 15ft bars were a smooth black cast iron and had gold painted spiked tips at the top.  On the side of the pathway, the gates connected to a rock wall that enclosed the entire compound.  A guard station was just inside the bars.  When the guard saw Ivy, he said hi and waved her through.  Ivy smiled and continued through the gates.  The path was a lightly colored dirt path and was lined with barren maple trees.  As Ivy climbed a small hill, the top of the castle became visible.  The dark gray blocks of the Castle provided a stark contrast with the light gray sky above.  The four towers rose into the sky and the upper terrace looked like it was in the clouds.  Ivy reached the top of the hill and saw the wooden drawbridge that made the Castle special.  A few feet of deep blue water filled the surrounding moat.  Ivy pressed a button on the pillar, which scanned her fingerprint and compared it to the databank, causing the 200-year-old drawbridge to come down.  An iron chain link rope formed a handrail along the edge of the bridge.
Ivy crossed the bridge and entered the Castle.  The drawbridge rose up behind her and the door to the castle closed.  The inside of the Castle was as majestic as its outside.  The richness of the decoration was shown in the red velvet curtains and carpets.  Lanterns hung along the walls lit the hallways, and a large crystal chandelier enlivened the foyer.  Two sets of cream-colored marble curved staircases led to an upper level.  The main floor extended out either side of the foyer and contained numerous offices and research rooms.  There was a kitchen and other rooms used to entertain guests.  The upper offices contained more research areas.  Another stairway led down to the basement, where numerous database computers and filing systems were kept.  Ivy climbed the right side staircase and continued to her right.  She stopped at the second office on the left.
Ivy used her key and opened the door to her office.  The office consisted of numerous cherry bookshelves and a desk in the middle of the office.  Instead of windows, Ivy had French doors that opened onto a balcony faced towards the back of the Castle property and had a magnificent view of the sea.  On the balcony, Ivy had white colored desk and a comfortable white leather sofa.  Ivy took a deep breath, took off her jacket, and placed it on the leather chair for her desk.  She then collapsed onto the sofa and lay face upward to the sky with her left-hand palm upward over her eyes�
�Ivy was walking along a concrete sidewalk down the street with her husband Gregory.  She was wearing an off-white skirt that came to a few inches above her knees, a matching off-white jacket, with a dark green, light green, and orange striped knitted sweater.  Her arm was linked with her 5�8� husband, who was wearing an off-white suit with a green turtle neck inside.  The trees lining the street had changed to bright oranges and reds marking the high point of the fall season.  The 29-year-olds were on their way home from a luncheon and were searching through the little new boutiques to find the newest fall fashions.  Ivy turned her head and saw an outfit she liked in the window.  At the same time, Gregory turned and saw something across the street.  He turned and walked into the street.  Ivy heard a loud horn and turned, but it was too late.  She saw the bus strike her husband.  Gregory fell to the floor�
�Nooo!�  Ivy screamed and sat up straight.  She looked around confused.  Where was she?  What had just happened?  James came running into her office, but Ivy was still hysterical.
�Ivy?  Ivy, are you O.K.?�  James called out to her.  He raced through her office and came out onto the porch.  �Ivy, what happened?�  Ivy was still in a daze and very confused.  She trashed her head about from side to side and flung her arms wildly.  James had knelt beside the sofa and tried to calm her.  He laid her back onto the sofa.  �Hey, calm down�everything will be alright.�  He tried to calm her down, but to no avail.
Another team member entered the office upon hearing Ivy�s screams.  It was Claudia White, one of the researchers.  She was 5�9� tall and had blond silky hair to her shoulders.  Her bright blue eyes sparkled with concern.  Upon seeing her, however, Ivy became even more frantic than before.  James quickly shoed her away before Ivy became even more upset.  �Claudia, go tell Dr. Benton that we�ll need a bed and some tests, � James whispered while getting Claudia out of the room.  Claudia turned and ran out of the room towards the doctor who took care of the team members.
James ran quickly back to Ivy, who was still thrashing about.  Suddenly, she stopped and did not move.  James became worried.  �Ivy, Ivy?�
Ivy opened her eyes.  �Gregory?�  When Ivy looked around and saw a face that was not her husbands, she freaked out once more.  This time her whole body shook.  James was afraid she was having convulsions.  He carefully picked her up and walked back through the office and into the hallway.  Dr. Benton�s office was on the floor above.  James climbed the stairs and knocked on Dr. Benton�s door.
�Come in.  Come in.  Lay her down here,� Dr. Marc Benton said with concern in his voice.  Br. Benton was an older man of about 60 years.  He had been a good friend of Gerald.  He was balding, but whatever hair he had left was a silvery white.  The 5�10� man had light brown eyes and a pleasant demeanor. James laid Ivy down on the bed, and Dr. Benton began to examine her.  By this time, Ivy had developed a fever and was alternating between a sweat and chills.  After taking her temperature, Dr. Benton turned to James.  �James, do you know where Ivy was today?  She seems to have been poisoned.�
James thought carefully, �As far as I know, she was at the Castle all morning and only went to Blaine�s office.  Besides, I think Ivy would know if something was poisoned.�
Dr. Benton chuckled. �Yeah, under normal conditions, but Ivy�s been a little depressed lately.  Maybe she isn�t thinking clearly.  I mean, it is understandable considering everything that had gone on in the last few days.�
James sighed.  If something was bothering Ivy so much that she could not think straight, then something serious was going on.  �What should I do doctor?�
  �Well, I need to run to the basement to get an anecdote, why don�t you sit here with her.�
�OK.�  Dr. Benton wrung his hands and then placed them in his pockets.  He walked slowly out the door, shifting his weight from side to side.  James pulled over the doctor�s leather chair and sat next to Ivy.  He sighed and placed his hand on her head.  While stroking her hair, James whispered, �Gees, Ivy.  What�s going on?  Why didn�t you tell me what was wrong?  What do you want me to do?�  He gazed around the room.  The cozy office was filled with bookshelves and medical supplies.  A skeleton hung in the corner to make the office have more of a doctor�s office feeling.
Shortly after, Dr. Benton returned with the anecdote.  He placed the correct amount in a syringe and gave Ivy a shot in the arm.  Marc and James peered over Ivy, carefully watching to see if she stirred from her deep sleep.  The clock on the wall ticked away the ever changing seconds.  Still, Ivy did not move.  Her still body began to scare James.  �Doctor?�
�Shh�The medicine just takes a little time.  She�ll wake up soon.�  Dr. Benton spoke calming to James.  He didn�t want to scare James, but he too was getting worried.  Ivy had been unconscious a long time.  Suddenly, Ivy twitched.  James and Marc quickly turned to her.  �Ivy?� Marc called to her softly.
Ivy just moaned quietly.  She tried to sit up, but before she could Dr. Benton pushed her back down onto the bed.  �No.  You need your rest.�  Ivy didn�t complain.  She lay back against the bed and closed her eyes.
James smiled and chuckled.  �Ivy, just because you were a little tired was no reason to scare everyone.�
Ivy opened her eyes and half smiled.  �I�m sorry.  Next time I�ll ask you before I get poisoned.�
Dr. Benton just smiled.   �Ivy, why doesn�t James help you to your room, and you get some sleep.�  At this, James tried to help Ivy sit up, but she pushed away his arm.  She twisted her legs of the bed and paused for a moment.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  Then, she straightened her arms and pushed herself off the bed.  Ivy then steadied herself and began walking out of the office.  She thanked Dr. Benton and allowed James to walk with her to her room.
Ivy and James lumbered slowly down the hallway.  Ivy was still a little out of sorts, and it took a long time to get to her room.  The Castle was divided into a living area and a working area.  The front of the Castle contained the offices for the team.  The rest of the Castle was divided into living quarters for the team.  Ivy�s room was on the left wall of the Castle and faced into the forest.  To get there, Ivy and James had to walk through most of the Castle.  The red velvet carpets continued to cover the floor, while lanterns lined the hallways.  The two teammates finally reached Ivy�s room.  James opened the dark solid wood door with only a creak.  He helped Ivy to her bed and after making sure she didn�t need anything, left the room.
Ivy�s room was an ultimate culmination of her personality.  Little trinkets from the various places she had been to sparkled throughout the room.  The furniture consisted of a full size four-post bed, a dresser, a desk, and a chest of drawers.  All were made of a dark cherry colored wood.  Forest green decorations illuminated the room.  A mirror sat upon the sparsely decorated dresser, while the bed was covered in matching green and silver ivy patterned sheets.  A single window in the room looked out into a densely wooded forest.  The scene outside the window seemed to flow into the room.  The walls were sponge painted with a lighter version of the dark green and an ivy border encircled the room.
The recovering Ivy lay facing upward in her bed.  She turned her head and glanced at the clock.  It would soon be time for the meeting with Blaine.  Ivy turned onto her right side and peered out the window.  She couldn�t take resting.  She had too much on her mind to just sit in a bed.  Ivy, therefore, decided to take a walk on the beach. Slowly, she sat up in her bed.  After sitting for a few moments, Ivy rubbed her eyes and stood up.  She then walked to the door and opened it quietly.  So as not to let anyone know she was going outside, Ivy snuck though the hallway and out the nearest exit.
Once outside, Ivy ambled along the paths until she reached the stonewall separating the Castle grounds from the sandy beach.  Ivy climbed up and over the 10-foot wall and jumped down onto the sand below.   She then began walking in the direction away from the Castle. Her pace was slow and thoughtful.  Who had poisoned her?  Why?  These were some of the questions that floated through Ivy�s head as she sauntered along side the water.  The pale tan sand rippled under the waves of the blue green water.  Ivy�s distracted footprints were the only things to harm the peaceful path of the sand.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ivy felt that she was no longer alone.  She looked behind her to see who was there.  Instead of a person, Ivy was surprised to see a navy blue full-length GMC van speeding towards her.  Ivy�s confused expression told so much.  She instinctively began to run away.  For the first few moments, she continued down the beach, but then, she turned into the forest.  However, it was too late.  Ivy�s poisoning had taken away a lot of her energy and in this short span of time, the van caught up to her.  The side door opened, an arm reached out, and then, quickly pulled Ivy into the van.  Ivy hollered for help and tried to escape her captors.  However, she had no luck, as the men in the van soon drugged her.
 
 
 

Chapter III

 Ivy sat up and looked around.  Where was she?  This was not her room.  As she looked around and saw the lush furnishing she became more concerned.  This was not the Castle.  The bed she lay in was a king size cream colored metal bed.  There were tinges of gold and black chipped into the metal.  The whole room flooded with light from two gigantic windows on either side of the bed.  The bed covers were off-white sheets with a feather filled comforter.  Two night tables stood under the windows and a slight breeze provoked the embroidered curtains into blowing high into the room.  A closet and some decorative plants took up one wall.  A door to the hallway lay in another wall.  Ivy swung her legs of her bed so she could look out the window.  First, however, she looked down at herself.  She was no longer wearing the yellow pantsuit from before.  Now, she was dressed simply in a cream-colored, satin, dress-style nightgown with thin straps.  As she came in front of the window, Ivy shivered.  She proceeded closer to the window and looked outside.  The view took her breath away.  The morning sun shown upon her face.  Waves crashed onto the beach and the rock hills that stood a few hundred feet from this room.
 Ivy heard a rustling at the door and turned around.  An older lady of about 60 entered the room and gazed at Ivy.  This 5�3� lady spoke to Ivy with a very soft voice.  �I see you are up.  Get dressed quickly as the master would like to see you.�
 Confused, Ivy did not move.  Instead, in a calm voice, she asked, �Where am I?  How long have I been here?�
 The woman simply replied that the master would tell her everything and that she should get ready soon.  She then turned and walked out of the room.  Ivy took the clothes that were laid out for her and stepped into the bathroom.  A spectacle of great beauty lay before her eyes.  Everything in the bathroom was made of a cream-colored marble that sparkled in the sunrays.  Gold faucets and pale cream-colored walls surrounded her.  She took a quick shower and stepped into the new clothes.  Ivy wore a brilliant white cotton tank top with matching white flowing pants.  As Ivy stepped back into her room, she blended into the general scheme of the room.  Unsure of what to do next, Ivy went to the door and opened it.
 The sights she beheld made her gasp.  White marble columns lined the hallway and white, cream, and black designed tiles covered the floors.  The elegance of the place was something that Ivy had never seen before.  Outside of the room, on the right and left of the door, stood two men.  As they saw Ivy peer out of the door, they quickly called their boss.  In a moment, the same old woman appeared before Ivy.  �Come with me.  The master will see you now.�  Silently and in awe, Ivy flowed the woman through this palace.  She wondered again and again where she was.
 The woman led Ivy through numerous halls and finally arrived at a set of large white French doors.  The guards outside these doors opened them and allowed the two women to pass.  Guided by this silent woman, Ivy entered a grand ballroom and wondered if she was still alive.  The wooden floor in the room glistened with a new coat of wax and curtains fluttered in the cool breeze.  In the center of the room against one wall, Ivy saw a man dressed in a white suit.  He did not look much older than her, and in fact, he wasn�t.  This medium built 5�11� man with dark black spiked hair and piercing eyes sat patiently waiting for her to approach.  In a moment, Ivy stood before this man.
 He waited a few moments and then spoke, �Hello Ivy.  I am Gregory Austin.  What do you think of my palace?�
 Ivy peered into the man�s eyes.  �It is lovely, but where am I?  Do I know you?�
 A grin tugged at the side of this fellow�s mouth.  �My dear doctor, you are in the Elephant Castle in Barcelona.  I�m sure you have heard of me?�  He paused for an answer, but Ivy only shook her head.  He shrugged his shoulders and resumed, �That is too bad, but you will soon know me better than anyone.  Do you know why I have brought you here?�  This time, he did not pause for an answer, but instead continued, �Of course not�Well, anyway, I have brought you here because I want you to do something for me.  I trust you at least remember what it is you do?�  Ivy waited silently perplexed as to what this man was talking about.  �I want you to help me make a lot of money.  You see, I have a virus, as well as its anecdote.  However, the problem is that no one has this virus.  It was created in my research labs while looking for a cure to the common cold.  While that cure is still in development, I plan to make billions off of this cure.�
 Here, Ivy interrupted.  His voice sounded familiar and she was still very confused.  �I don�t understand why you are telling me this.  What would I do to help you, and why would I help?�
 The man smiled softly.  Ivy�s memory may be sleeping, but her brain definitely was not.  �In time my dear you will understand all of this.  As I was saying, I need someway to infect the people of the world with this virus.  You are going to help with that.�  Ivy looked at him incredulously, but the man paid no attention.  �As a respected doctor, no one will suspect that you will be spreading my disease.�
 �What if I do not want to?�
 This time, Gregory just laughed.  �Unfortunately for you my darling, it is not exactly your choice.  You see, I have something that you want.  Guards!�  At Gregory�s calling, two men dressed all in black brought in Lauren Worth.  Ivy sighed and closed her eyes.  She shook her head and looked at Lauren.
 Lauren called out to Ivy.  �I�m sorry.  I�m sorry.  Don�t help him.�
 Ivy walked towards Lauren and pushed Gregory aside when he tried to stop her.  �Lauren, are you okay?  Did he hurt you.�
 �I�m fine really�Please don�t listen to him.  I�m not worth it.�
 Ivy slowly turned around and looked towards Gregory.  �What do I have to do?�
 Gregory answered her question calmly, �Well, as soon as you release the virus, I will place Lauren on a plane back to the United States.�  Ivy looked skeptical.  �You don�t believe me?  Well, have I ever steered you wrong?�  Ivy rolled her eyes.  �Okay, fine.  To prove I�m serious, I�ll even show you how the virus is made.�  Gregory laughed.  �You know, I always used to laugh at the villains in movies when they explained their great plans.  I use to think they were so stupid.  Now, I understand.�
 Ivy looked at him incredulously.  �So you like being compared to evil villains?�
 Gregory didn�t answer.  Instead, he led Ivy out of the ballroom and through various hallways. Ivy had to run to keep from falling to the floor.  Finally, they stopped at a wooden door.  Gregory opened it with a silver skeleton key and shoved her inside.  He followed her and closed the door behind him.
Ivy looked around with wonder.  This room was so different from all the rest of the palace.  The flowing whiteness had ceased at the door and was replaced by a deep sapphire blue.  The walls were all painted this color and the only light in the room came from an illuminated lamp on a desk in the middle of the room.  Along side the desk stood numerous long wooden tables.  These tables were covered with all sorts of scientific equipment.  Long winding glass tubes were filled with solutions of various colors.  Greens, purples, red, yellows, and blues flowed through creating a magical experience.
Gregory tugged Ivy closer to the table.  Ivy gazed in wonder as the solution curled through the tubes and changed color.  Gregory explained the process.  Ivy was confused about a certain part of the process and asked how it worked.  Gregory told her and then watched as Ivy walked around inspecting the whole process. He saw that Ivy was about to ask another question.  Gregory was tired of these questions, and so he pulled a syringe out of his pocket and gave Ivy a shot.  Instantly, Ivy grew limp.  Gregory dialed a number on his phone, and instantly, two men came into the room and picked up the unconscious Ivy.
When Ivy woke up, she looked around.  She couldn�t remember how she had gotten here.  For that matter, she wasn�t really sure where here was.  Ivy�s white cotton pants blew in the wind, as her silky brown hair played in the air rushing past.  Because she lay face down in the sand, Ivy was forced to use her arms to push herself up.  Waves crashed against the beach just a few inches in front of her and on the rocks to her left.  Ivy stood up slowly and looked around.  The warm sun shimmered off her skin and the bright blue sky elevated her spirit.  Ivy walked towards the rocks.  She climbed almost to the top of the five-foot high hill and gazed far into the sea.  Where was she?
Suddenly, she felt someone behind her and soft hands on her shoulders.  Ivy did not turn back.  Instead, she continued to gaze out to sea.  The hands ran themselves down her smooth arms and wrapped themselves around her waist.  Still, Ivy stood motionless.  Gregory�s voice whispered in her ear.  �This isn�t too bad, is it?�  Ivy did not respond, but Gregory didn�t care.  He stood there with his arms around her and stared at the sapphire waters.
After several minutes, Ivy spoke.  �Gregory, where am I?�
His voice whispered into her ear, so as if not to run the stillness of the surrounding nature.  �You are standing in front of the Mediterranean Sea.  We are a few miles of the coast of Barcelona.  If you look over there, you can see the city.�  Gregory pointed to their left.  The city of Barcelona did indeed peak up from the sea.
Ivy then asked calmly, �What do you want me to do?�
This was what Gregory had been waiting for.  He then whispered the plan into Ivy�s ear.  One of his boats would drop her at the bottom of the Ramblas, the main market street of Barcelona.  The virus was extremely potent and only a few drops would contaminate the whole world.  As per these calculations, only a few drops of the solution existed.  Gregory�s planning had also shown that Barcelona was the ideal place to let the virus loose, as the world would be contaminated the fastest from this point.  To prevent her, him, and the rest of his staff from the disease, they would take some of the anecdote before Ivy set out on her mission.
 It was settled that Ivy would leave the next day.  He brushed his lips against Ivy�s cheek and then led her back to his private dining hall.  It was as magnificent as the rest of the house.  Open windows allowed the rays of the setting sun to illuminated the room.  Gold painted accented the whole room.  The glass-topped table was a white metal with gold speckles.  There were 12 chairs situated around the table.
Gregory made a telephone call, and one of his men brought around a powerboat.  He pulled two syringes out of his pocket.  He gave Ivy one shot and gave himself the other.  From his other pocket, Gregory pulled out what looked like a perfume bottle.   He told Ivy to walk along the Ramblas until she was past the statue of Christopher Columbus.
Ivy stepped into the shimmering white boat and sped off towards the city.  Gregory still stood upon the rocks and watched her go.  He would soon be a few billion dollars richer.  Yet, his mind was not completely focused on the money.  He wondered how Ivy could have been so calm the whole time.
As the boat sped through the water, Ivy stood holding onto the front windshield.  The ride was a short one, and soon they arrived in the port.  Thousands of people could be seen walking up and down the street and along the wave-like bridge.  The driver stopped the boat and let it coast to the shore.  He told Ivy he would be waiting about fifty feet back.  Ivy stepped out of the boat and onto the land.  All she carried was the bottle that would make the whole world sick.
Ivy walked slowly up the street, trying to fit in with the other tourists.  She passed group of Spanish school children learning under a tree and many buildings built years before.  Ivy then crossed a street and saw the statue.  It was about a seventy-five feet tall.  The bronze figure shimmered in the sun.  Ivy smiled as she saw many tourists taking pictures.  She remembered when she had been one of those tourists.
She had been 17-year-old.  A group of friends consisting of Abigail Carols, her sister Erin Carols, Katherine Eden, Hillary May, and herself, along with Eddie Arrons, and their Spanish teacher, Mrs. Healey and her daughter had taken a twelve day trip to Barcelona, Bilbao, and Paris.  They had come as part of a tour group with students from New Jersey and Indiana.  Ivy smiled as she thought of their attempt at the Spanish language, how they had gone to the beach by themselves, seeing the Park Güell with Gaudi�s architecture, the dance club, and the flamenco show.   She remembered pretending Abigail liked Eddie and how they had hated the New Jersey girls and their teacher.  The girls from Indiana had been nice.  Katherine and Abigail had stayed up all night on the plane over to watch the sunrise, but the sun rose on the other side of the plane.  They were so upset.  Finally, she laughed as she thought of the list of top phrases for the summer.  There had been fifteen phrases that encompassed their whole trip:
1. Shut Up, Eddie!
2. God Bless America.
3. Smelly Europeans
4. Yeah, and your daughter�s ugly
5. Where�s the magnum?
6. No unnecessary comments.
7. Where�s Healey Junior?
8. Go use the toilet.
9. Tell them I�m rude.
10. Katherine, look�a dog!
11. I came only for the Guggenheim.
12. I�ll just wait here.
13. Erin, stop falling down the stairs.
14. Short walks of 2½ hours
15. Wait, let me get my bearings.
By this time, Ivy had reached the spot where she was to let the virus loose.  She had been walking along the side of the street, but now she turned and admired the Ramblas.  They were basically the same as when she had last seen them.  Tall green leaved trees lined the middle, walking portion of the street.  A lane for cars lined each side and finally, a sidewalk lined these car lanes.  Just as Ivy was about to walk towards the center of the street, she had an idea.  She needed to get the virus into her blood stream.  The problem was that it was in a perfume bottle.  Ivy slipped into a souvenir shop and looked for a syringe.  Shop after shop went by, but there as no syringe.  She was running out of time.
Suddenly, Fox felt a heavy hand pull her into an alleyway.  Ivy was surprised.  One hand covered her eyes and another her mouth.  A familiar voice whispered in her ear, but she could not tell who it was.  The voice told her not to speak.  Ivy pulled the relaxed hands away from her eyes and mouth and turned around.  Much to her surprise, the man standing in front of her was James Durbin.    Even if Ivy had wanted to speak, she wouldn�t have known what to say.  Ivy gazed into his gray green eyes and hoped he had a plan.
�Funny meeting you here,� James said smiling.  Ivy just rolled her eyes and asked if he had a plan.  �Where does Gregory keep the anecdote?�
�In a vial around his neck, but I have a better idea.  He injected me with the anecdote before I left.  All I need is a syringe so that I can get this virus into my system.  I�ve been looking in all of these stores, but I can't find one anywhere.�  James tried to contain his laughter and Ivy looked at him confused.  �What?�
�First of all, why would souvenir shops carry syringes, and second, your big plan is to inject yourself with a deadly virus?�
�You know what?  I have not heard any ideas from you.  Besides, I was running out of time and some doctor might want a souvenir syringe.  Anyway, what should we do now?�  Without waiting for an answer, Ivy enclosed the spray of the perfume bottle with her mouth and shot the virus into her mouth.   Her eyes closed, her knees buckled, and she sunk to the ground.
James fell beside her, �Ivy?  Ivy?�  He looked around helplessly.  It wasn�t like he could just take her to a local hospital.  James pulled out his cell phone and called the Castle.  Before the call went through, Ivy�s body began to shudder.  James put away the phone and looked down at her.
�James?�  Ivy whispered faintly.
�I�m here Ivy.  Are you okay?�
�I�m fine.�  Ivy struggled to sit up.  She sat on the sidewalk for a while.  Then, she stood up and looked at her watch.  �Oh, no.  The boat captain will be waiting for me.�
�Don�t worry, I can take care of that.�
�What are you going to do?  I mean, we want to capture Gregory.�
�Well,� James said slowly, very sur