Afternoon Fic: Dragon Rescue

It was fitting today to start back up Afternoon Fic as it is Dragons Appreciation Day!

So yes – I’m working on the next story for the Dragons of Interest series … if you have no idea what I’m talking about Go Here.  You probably should read the previous stories (if you haven’t – before starting here)

Reese wasn’t happy, and everyone in that warehouse knew it.  His tale fidget, much like a cat when it was pissed off, and his ears were laid back flat.  If anyone got to close, he snarled low and deep, most ran quickly, a few taunted him.

Michael Westen, sat far from the dragon, but watched him closely.

He hated the assignment the moment he received it.  His job was to protect the country from terrorists, not help them.  Greer wrapped the assignment so beautifully in a patriotic bouquet, that this Machine needed to work under their parameters to save good Americans in the field.  They could destroy all terrorism and the world would be at peace.

Michael wasn’t that stupid, and he never drank the Kool-Aid.

He knew if the government had that much information, they would become even more corrupt than they already are.  They wouldn’t care about agents in the field, just how to manipulate the public in giving up more rights. Oh they would take down a real threat here and there, but a good bombing on US soil kept the horde just where they wanted them … scared.

Instead they would hunt down those they deemed as threats to their power.  Or if someone had enough money, help them stay or take power.

Because terrorism was all about power.

And those who had the power would do anything to keep it.

Including kidnapping dragons.

Now that he had to admit was the strangest part of this whole assignment, discovering that there are actually dragons in the world, and they lived among humans.  Michael had read up on Reese, the man had been an excellent CIA Agent, the fact it wasn’t until recently they discovered he was a dragon showed how good he was at hiding.

“Ah is the poor baby dragon upset?”

Michael rolled his eyes.  If there was going to be one person that was going to get eaten at the end of this, it was Root.  “You know what they say about letting sleeping dragons lie.”

She gave him an exasperated look.  “He’s not going to hurt me, not while we have his precious Harold.”

“Except you don’t actually have his ‘precious Harold’.” He stood, moving cautiously closer to the dragon.  

He was beautiful, black and silver, sharp lines with an elegance to him.  When he had seen him transform, it was amazing and scary as hell. Reese was huge and could step on any of them with ease.  “He’s already plotted your death at least dozen or so times.”

“Be careful Mr. Westen.  I can have you killed.” She straightened her back, arms crossed across her chest, to show him who was in charge.  

Westen bit back the snort, what she and Greer didn’t seem to understand was that they weren’t in charge.  It was this mysterious Harold.

“That’s not really a threat.”  Michael stood in front of the dragon, watching him intently.  “I’m still not sure what your plans are here. Hold the dragon hostage to catch this Harold, who will just give you some supercomputer?”

“I don’t expect you to understand.”  She patted Reese on the nose, earning a snarl. “All you grunts are the same. It’s a shame, Harry took up with this lug he’s worth so much more.”

“What makes you think, he is just going to walk in here?”  He asked. He had been curious, and tried to look up anything on this Harold.  The only thing he could find, was a connection to IMF and Nathan Ingram. If this was the Harold they were looking for, no wonder the only way they could find him was by grabbing Reese, the man was practically a ghost.  He admired his skills, would’ve made a great agent, very old school. Reminded him of George Smiley from those Le Carre books he read on down time.

“Because he actually loves him.”  Root rolled her eyes at the very thought.  “And if there is one thing that is predictable is how love makes you stupid.”  She stalked off, ending the conversation.

Michael watched her for a few moments, then looked back at Reese.  “Love also makes you stronger.” He sighed, running a hand over his face.  “As one agent to another, I’m sorry. I read your file, you were a damn good agent and don’t deserve this.”

Reese snorted.

“Irony coming from the man who helped capture you, actually the dragon I was going after jumped off one of the high rises, it was amazing to watch.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Do me one favor.”  He shifted until he got, closer to the dragon’s ear.  “When you get loose, eat the bitch.”

The chuckle was deep and wicked.

Westen moved around the body, and gave into temptation.  He was softer than expected, and the scales were smooth yet strong.  He felt the dragon tense, then relax into the touch.

Decision made, he pulled the knife from his boot and took advantage that they didn’t have any cameras in the warehouse, sliced criss cross across the duct tape that covered his tail.  He slipped the knife back into his boot and made his way to his perch.

Reese smirked.