A Simple Fix.

[trinn]

Even in the coolness of fall, the Greenroom was sweltering. Looking at the tulip she had just deposited on a shelf, Henrietta touched a petal, murmuring, "Bon chance." She smiled, feeling its gratitude. Letting her hand fall away, she quietly left the green room, returning to the front room of La Petit Boutique, moving to the window that was letting in a draft. Hands on hips, she studied the long crack in the glass, wondering what to do. Or maybe more importantly, how had it gotten there? Sighing, Etta walked to the counter at the back, retrieving a towel and duck tape. Ripping off four pieces of tape, she stuck them to the corners of the towel. Taking the contraption back to the window, she taped it over the crack. A simple fix, for now. Cool air touched her hand, and she realized her simple fix wasn't fixing anything. Etta stared at the window, defeated. Maybe more tape? Grabbing the roll of duct tape, she started taping the remaing loose ends of the rag, hoping to seal away the crack. In her concentration, she didn't hear the doorbell clatter as someone walked in.

[Max452]

Sam held out his phone as he watched the text message appear on his screen.
Get to La Pete Boutique NOW!!! The urgency in the message was unquestionable, so faking an excuse, Sam managed to escape from his partner as he grabbed a taxi to the desired location.

***
OOC: hehe time for the temporary bad guys! hehehe

The Agent entered the small flower shop with a stoic expression on his face. Glancing around, he tried to figure out where the store owner went. He had checked his coordinates and it seemed like he was in the right place. The ear piece in his ear confirmed his destination.
Target is to the right, near the window. Confirmed shot.
Don't take it. The Agent muttered to his ear as he spotted the alleged "freak" near the window. I'll handle this.

Pulling out a tranquilizer gun, the Agent aimed it at Henrietta.

***
Sam stared at the small sign of La Petit Boutique with some paranoia. Looking around, he spotted a sniper huddled on the building next door. He even spotted some other people looking too interested in various activities. This place has been marked. He thought as he lowered his head a bit, so that his face couldn't be seen. He entered the shop just as a man in black was raising a gun at an employee.

Thinking quickly, Sam banged a flower pot next to him. The agent whirled around, finding that this place wasn't as alone as he thought. He quickly slipped his gun hand under the folds of his suit jacket.

"Excuse! So sorry!!!" Sam purposely boomed! "Uh, I'll pay for that!" He smiled quickly as he tried to formulate a plan.

[trinn]

Just as she was placing the last strip of duct tape to the window, there was a sudden smash and the unmistakable sound of breaking pottery. Startled, Etta twisted around, eyes wide as she took in the two men who now stood in her small boutique. Her gaze traveled to the loose soil and the bunch of daisies that had been rooted there. A disturbing sight for her, but she new the other flowers would be terrified. Realizing that the man, a tall figure whose bulk seemed too big for the store, was apologizing. Etta waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing, really." Moving a bit hastily, she squeezed her way in between the two men, kneeling next to the disturbed daisies. Scooping the flowers up, holding them tenderly, she stood and swept back her bangs. "I'll be with you both in a second." she said, glancing at them both, trying to smile. The daisies in her hand seemed to be screaming in fright, affecting the rest of the flowers. There seemed to be a low wind in Henrietta's mind, a constant disturbed thrumming resonating from the flowers.

As she made her way to the counter at the back, where she kept extra bags of soil, Etta spoke soothingly to the plants, the french smooth and languine. Setting the dasies on the counter, she grabbed a pot and poured soil into it, working the daisies back in. A humored smile touched her lips as the flowers seemed to sigh in content. Only when she was sure the rest of the flora was settled did she take her hand away from one of the daisies, cutting the connection between her and them.

Dusting off her hands, she made her way back to the two men, smiling pleasantly. "See, no big deal." she said first to the man who had knocked over the pot. Then, "So, is there anything particular I can help you with?"

[Max452]

As the shop owner went to fix the mess he made, Sam eyed the Agent, who seemed entranced by some purple flowers. When the Agent took a peek over, Sam pretended to look abashed at the fallen daises.
"I am so sorry. I..I didn't see them." He quickly sad and out of the corner of his eye, saw the man move across a row and out of his view. When he reappeared after a few seconds, Sam noticed the man's sudden free hands, and that one of them casually brushed his ear.

As Etta went to the back, Sam stood awkwardly near the entrance. One she returned, he smiled at her comment. The man in black stood idly by, staring down some white flowers. "Well, I'm glad, and I would still like to pay for the damage." Sam told her when she offered her assistance. He gestured towards the back, where the cash register was located. And trying to seem like he belonged, Sam held out his hands and aired his hands to gesture he wanted a flower. "Uh, and a flower would be good...uh..." He glanced around, trying to figure out what was a good cover. Spotting some roses in the back, he pointed. "OH! Those! Those look good." He sputtered out.

[trinn]

Henrietta shrugged. If he really wanted to pay for it, she wasn't going to argue. As he moved his hands about, Henrietta held her breath, afraid yet another pot would be disembowled. When he asked for roses, she turned to look at the ones he was pointing at. They were the yellow floibunda roses, newly bloomed. "Excellent." She swept a casual glance at his hand, noted the lack of a ring. "They are really lovely little fellows." Turning, Etta went to the designated roses, picking them up gently. With a keen eye, she inspected each flower, satisfied they had grown so well. Holding them out to the man, she said casually, "You have good taste. Your girlfriend will love them."

[Max452]

"Yeah." Sam said, not really looking at the flowers, but trying to get a vantage point on the Agent. Seeing that the Agent moved around another row, Sam took his chance. Placing a hand to grab the flowers, but another to grasp her wrist, Sam whispered low. "Look, I'm not here to harm you, okay? and I know I may sound remotely crazy, but that man," He took a hesitated look over his shoulder. "was sent to capture you or even kill you." He sighed, knowing that he probably sounded like a crazy person.

***
The Agent was starting to get annoyed with the customer that had walked in earlier. He had managed to holster his traq gun without being seen and was now communicating with his sniper.
"He's just buying roses. You want to take them both out? We can just have him look like he was mugged."
"No. I can handle this. Once the guy leaves..." The Agent lost sight of his target as the duo moved to the back of the shop. Maneuvering, he slowly made his way towards the back. He stopped short when he heard the customer say: "was sent to capture you or even kill you." He gave a mental groan. "We've been blown. Take them out, on my mark." The agent whispered and quickly drew out his traq gun.
"I don't know who you are, but I'm gonna find out." The Agent said as he pointed his gun at both the man and the target.
"Affirmative. I have a confirmed shot on the target. Negative on the bystander...you're in the way..."
"Hands up, both of you...very slowly..."

Sam stared at the Agent as he popped up. Eying the gun, he asked casually. "Is that made out of metal or is it synthetic?" He asked in a conversational tone.
"What? Metal, I think...shut up. I'll be the one asking questions." The Agent responded, surprised at Sam's inquiry. "Who are you?!" He asked Sam.
"Oh, no one in particular." He flashed his eyes up towards the window, where he knew the sniper was located. The agent followed his eyes, astounded that Sam seemed to know. "Are you...one of them?" The agent asked as he glanced at Etta. Sam raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

[trinn]

Before Henrietta could let go of the roses, the man had her wrist in his hand. Automatically she tried to pull away, but couldn't resist his surprising strength. Was he seriously going to mug a flower shop? However, his frightning words proved otherwise. Why on earth would anyone want to kill her!? What would be the point in capturing her? Again she tried to pull away, but as before was unable to. "Look, I said you didn't have to pay for the pot." she said, close to panic. In her periferial vision Henrietta saw motion, and second later the other man was standing there, holding a gun at her. So, rose-man wasn't kidding. As the two men spoke, Etta looked around at all her flowers, fearing for their wellbeing. If there was a shoot-out many of them would take a bullet. "I'll give you whatever you want." she said then, looking at the man with the gun. "Money, and the flowers if you don't hurt them."

[Max452]

The Agent blinked at Etta's plea for the flowers. "What? Why would..."

As the agent was distracted, Sam flicked a finger, sending the traq gun into his open palm. Surprised and wide-eyed, the agent stared at Sam. Sam smirked, shot a traq dart at the Agent, and then threw the gun out the window that had misbehaved earlier. He then pushed Etta towards the back counter as shots rang out from the sniper's weapon.
"Man down, man down! all units intercept the target!" the sniper voiced through his earpiece as he lost sight of Etta and Sam.

Sam threw himself around the counter as the shots shattered some pots and other merchandise. The bell in the front door rang loudly as two men rushed in from the front.
"I don't suppose you have a back exit?" Sam asked as he peeked over at the front door, only to hide his face again when shots were fired in his direction. "I really, really, really hope you have a back exit!" Sam said as he tried to hide behind the counter.

[trinn]

As the gun landed in the rose-man's hand, Etta stared in disbelief. How had he done that? Her wonder was shattered when he used the gun, sending a bullet into the would-be attacker. Etta's free hand came up to cover her mouth and to stifle a small scream. She hadn't thought she would ever have to deal with death again. Now everything was shattering around her. Litterally and metaphorically. She cried out again as the windows fell apart in time with the sound of gunfire. Pushed to the counter, Etta fell to her knees behind it, covering her head, trying to get a grip on her racing heart and panicked mind. The roses were on the ground beside her, the best she could do.

The words back exit echoed in her mind, giving her something to focus on. Etta moved her head, nodding stiffly. "In the Greenroom." she managed to say, pointing to the door along the backwall. A film of tears covered her eyes as she heard the sound of smashing pots.

[Max452]

Sam stared at the direction that Etta's slim finger indicated. "All right, then." He muttered as he drew out his own gun. "Okay, when i say go, I need you to run in there, all right? I'll be right behind you." He told her as he popped out behind the counter. "RUN!" He told Etta as he used his training to take down the Agents. He heard an "oof" escape one of them as his bullets hit the Kevlar of their bulletproof vests. "Crap." He said as he hurried after Etta. "Let's go." He ordered her as he turned half way to fire more consecutive shots.
"Where next?" He shouted over the gunfire once they entered the greenhouse.

[trinn]

As soon as she got the word, Etta pushed herself to her feet and bolted for the Greenhouse. Already hot from the adrenaline of the situation, the greenhouse was almost torturous. "Mes petit cheries." she said sadly, touching the tulip she had placed here earlier, sending her message to the rest of her plants. Her goodbye was shortlived, as the man was right behind her, ready to go. Brushing away a tear, Etta grabed the tulip pot on a whim, then trotted down an aisle of bushes and ferns, to the exit at the back of the greenhouse. Pushing open the door, she practically stumbed out into the alley. Whether or not this man was truly trying to help her, Etta was too scared to stay with him and find out. Turning to the left, she dashed down the ally, her flowerpot clutched to her chest.

[Max452]

Sam took some more shots at the agents before running towards the back exit. "Are you serious?!" He shouted as he spotted Etta grab a flower pot. "We're being shot at and that's what you pick up?!" He felt a twinge in his back and knew he was hit. Knocking against some ferns, he staggered up to take a shot at the man behind him. Finding his mark, he quickly followed after Etta, only to find her running down the alley, where, other agents were heading after her.

Grunting out of frustration, Sam picked up a burst of speed as he chased after Etta, happy to know that he was only suffering from a grazed bullet.

The agents yelled at Etta to stop, guns drawn, as Sam, with an empty clip, grabbed the closest agent. Using his martial arts skills, Sam incapacitated the three agents that had been chasing Etta; he even used a trash can lid to knock one of the out. Smirking, he glanced up the alleyway at the escaping Etta.

Sam soon heard a rumbling motor and turned around sharply. An group of agents on motorcycles had decided to join the chase. "Who are these guys? and why send a whole tactical unit after ONE girl?!" He yelled as one of the motorists sped towards him, intending to shot. Grabbing the trash can lid he had used earlier, Sam threw it long and hard at him.

The motorist flew off the bike as if he was pulled off of it. Letting himself snicker a bit, Sam quickly got onto the bike as the other two motorists sped near him. Cranking the bike to life, Sam sped off towards Etta, with two very angry agents behind him.

The wind ruffled his hair as he quickly zoomed by Etta. Swerving in front of her, he stopped the bike as the other two were gaining quickly. "Get on!" He yelled at her, not knowing that she was actually trying to run from him too.

[trinn]

The sound of motor's sped Etta on. Her legs were burning now, not used any extended running. The sound of a motorcylce drew close, and she thought for sure this was the end. But it sped by, coming instead to a halt before her. Part of her was relieved to find the rose-man and not a random shooter. However, outrunning him would be impossible now. Moving the flower pot to the crook of one arm, Etta clumsily got on behind him, wrapping her free arm around his waist and praying she was not making a mistake. A sudden warm wetness touched her stomach, soaking through her shirt. Looking down, she thought for a frantic moment she had been shot, but realized it was his blood. "My God, you're bleeding!"

[Max452]

"Its nothing." He told her as he rammed the clutch into gear and sped off into the alleyway, spotting the bustling city streets ahead. "We can lose them, we can lose them." He muttered to himself as he cranked up the bike, accelerating it as he tried to figure out whether he wanted to zip through the traffic or go into the street.

Shots were fired behind him as the motorists began to gain speed after his little stop. Finally deciding, he jammed his left foot down, making it metallic as he did, so that the bike would swerve left and against the incoming traffic. Sam nearly collided with a taxi with his little stunt, and was thankful to find that one of the motorists was sent flying as they tried to make the turn, but collided with a Toyota instead. The other, made the turn, but nicked a car's mirror before speeding after them again.

Grinding his teeth, Sam concentrated on swerving in and out of traffic as cars honked at them as they flew in between cars.
"Where to go, where to go?" He muttered now, frantically trying to figure out a place to hide.

[trinn]

Henrietta had never rode a motorcylce before, and was thus far not enjoying the experience. The speed was bad enough, but when they entered into the heavy flow of New York traffic, she almost dropped her tulip. As they nearly collided with a taxi, she was reminded unpleasantly of her young brother. Was this how he had felt as the yellow cab bore down on him? Heart beating hard enough to break bones, the whole world forgotten except for this one moment in time? Closing her eyes, she tried to keep from having an emotional breakdown. That was the past, and no matter how much it hurt, she had to stay in the present. Looking over her shoulder at the chaser, she saw the metalic glint of a gun in a holster. They had to lose this guy. Turning back around, she said to Rose-man, "Go to central park." The immense park was actually close by her little boutique. It was a place she frequently visited.

[Max452]

Sam's eyes darted towards the rearview mirror and he spotted the motorist gaining on them. He cursed quietly, eyes flickering and searching for a detour and to avoid the on coming cars. He then heard Etta's voice dictating him to go to Central Park. "The park?" He asked, but obeyed as he zipped to their right quickly, avoiding a bus. Hurrying towards the park, he had hoped the florist had a plan, because he sure as heck didn't.

Sam found himself revving into the park, yelling at bystanders to get out of the way. He turned his head. The motorist was quick on their heels, but wasn't firing, for which he was grateful. He probably doesn't want to shoot the bystanders on accident, Sam thought as drove the bike into the park. "Now what?!" He asked Etta, wondering if she wanted him to drive them bike into the trees and hope that they lose the biker.

[trinn]

When they were well into Central Park, surrounded by trees, Etta touched the tulip to her chin. The connection opened her mind to the rest of the flora around her, to the mutterings of trees and grass and all other plants. "Help us." she said, sending the message to all. There was a sudden deep tearing. Looking over her shoulder, Etta watched wide eyed as thick roots tore free of the ground, lashing out at the man who was chasing them. The roots struck the man in the chest, throwing him from his bike and onto the ground. The motorcycle wavered, then crashed to the ground, sparks flying. Their job done, the burly roots sank back into the earth. The citizens who had been witness were now screaming in terror, running frantically away. Thank you. Etta managed to say, then broke the connection by taking her chin off the soft petals of the tulip. "Now, you can slow down." she said to the man, having to raise her voice to be heard over the roaring of the motorcycle's engine.

[Max452]

Sam furrowed his brow as Etta asked for help. He was about to ask to whom she was talking about, but one look behind him answered his questions. She can talk to plants?! "You can talk to plants!?" He gaped at her momentarily, before hearing the screams. Glancing out of his shock, he slowed the bike down, but only by so much. "We can't stay here. The faster we get out of here, the better." He told her as he felt his pocket vibrate. Fiddling with pocket he pulled out his cell phone.
Maine and 4th. Papers are waiting. The text read.
"Well, I'm glad he knows how to do something right." Sam said. "I think i know somewhere safe." He glanced backwards and told Etta.

Veering west, he headed towards the safehouse that Rebel had seemlingly laid out for them.

***
20 Minutes later, Sam stopped the bike at a small residential neighborhood. "Come on, I think its that one." He pointed to a small typical house.

[trinn]

At the man's outburst, Etta felt a little self-concious. She simply nodded and shrugged. What did he think of her now? That he was helping a freak? But she would refuse to think of her ability as freakish. No, it was a gift, however unusual it may be. As they continued speeding on, to wherever safe was, Henrietta felt the weight of the past hour fall on her. La Petit Boutique was now in shambles, a dozen of her flowers had been killed, her own life was in danger, she had just survived a high speed chase, and she was now riding away with a man who's name she didn't even know. What would happen next?
~~

The skyscrapers of the city faded into smaller, homier buildings. It was here they finally stopped. Looking at the home which Rose-man had indicated, Etta scooted off the motorcycle. Her legs felt unsteady beneath her, unused to the long ride on the motorcycle. The ground still seemed to be vibrating beneath her feet. Looking down, she checked the tulip, finding some solace in it's relative healthiness. Returning her gaze to the man, she asked bluntly, "Who are you?"

[Max452]

After Etta got off, Sam parked the bike with a grimaced as his bike ached from the grazed bullet. He stared at the house and then back at Etta when she asked his name. "Sam. Sam Cale." He said as he glanced around, noting that nobody was watching the house.
"I work for Rebel." He said, wondering if that made any sense to her. "Come on, inside, I'll explain what I know." He told her as he walked towards the house, found the keys under the mat and walked in.