Scott's question met with silence. He tried again, "So, is either of you going to answer me then?"

Silence still

Hannah and Zeke stared at each other, their eyes wildly trying to convey unspoken messages. Scott saved Hannah yesterday, but he was an Agent, Brigg's Agent. Yet neither of them could think of an excuse quick enough. Whatever they said now would risk everything and more importantly put Cecily and Hannah's parents in even greater danger.

Hannah looked towards the front of the car and caught Scott looking at her in the rear view mirror. His gaze was surprisingly kind, almost urging her to talk. Hannah broke away first and looked down, now feeling strangely guilty as well as scared.

"Okay, let's go back to headquarters and you can fill me in there once under caution." Scott said, his voice taught with frustration.

"Scott, don't do anything rash. Now is not the right time to talk. Hannah has a meeting with Briggs. She has to be there. I will tell you everything, but understand this has nothing to do with Hannah. It is not her fault!" Zeke responded.

"You think I am going to let her, the girl who is conspiring with our enemies or you for that matter, anywhere near Briggs? Scott blasted back.

"You have no idea of what's going on and you know nothing of Hannah. Mention any of this to Briggs and you will regret it" Zeke said to Scott, unable to hide his anger.

Scott pulled the car over to the side of the road and they slammed to a stop. He threw his door open and jumped out. Pain seared up his leg into his back and made him tremble slightly. Scott hated weakness in anyone, but most of all in himself.

"Seems that I know enough already. Don't threaten me, Matheson," he shouted as Zeke got out of the car and faced up to him.

"Or you will do what?" Zeke replied and moved forward till there was barely any distance between the two men. Both were equal in height, similarly well trained, well matched and both men knew it. Scott was relying on the fact that Zeke was a good twenty or so years older him, hoping it would make him slower. Zeke, on the other hand was banking on his experience, Scott was still a babe in arms when it came to experience. They glared at each other, nostrils flared slightly, fingers began to curl into fists as both men seemed to pull themselves up taller, chests puffing out.

"For god's sake stop this" cried Hannah, running around the side of the car. With a hand on each chest she pushed backwards, trying to move the two men away from each other. Neither man moved, both so focused on each other, barely aware of her interventions.

"Zeke, Scott, please," she all but begged. "I have to get to Briggs. I have to help my parents." She dropped her hands, lowered her head and began to walk away.

The desperate tone in her voice cut through the fog of anger and both men turned towards the Hannah.

"Hannah, we will get you back there now. He won't do anything to them yet. We have time," Zeke called after her. Hannah kept walking.

"What about her parents? Hannah, stop. Dammit Hannah what is going on?" Scott shouted to her.

Hannah turned and pointed at Scott. "Was it you that shot my elderly neighbour? Did you pull my Mum and Dad from their bed and drag them to a cell? Are you going to interrogate them?"

Scott stood gaping at her.

"See, you can't even admit it. You are just as bad as the rest of the Perfect scum. In fact you are worse. The others are rotten because of their indifference. Scott, you're just like Briggs. You're rotten because you take pleasure in ruining our lives, crushing us like bugs on a footpath." She felt the urge to slap his face and wondered how it was she was now standing in front of him. She hadn't noticed herself even walking towards him. "I know exactly what you are, Scott," her words dripping with hate.

Something flashed across Scott's eyes. Hurt maybe or was it guilt. Oh yes guilt thought Hannah. Good.

"Hannah, I have heard nothing about your parents. I was in hospital for most of the night and I haven't seen Briggs at all. He has asked me to come in later to question suspects. But I had no idea they are your parents."

"So why were you following us then," asked Zeke. "Why did you even go to the trouble of helping us escape? In fact, you just lied to our men, why?"

Hannah looked up at Scott. He seemed to shrink a little at the question. His feet shifted and he winced a little. Hannah briefly glanced down at his leg, remembering how she much blood seemed to pour out from the wound.

"Scott, why are you even here? You should be hospital?" Hannah voice betrayed her by sounding a concerned.

"I need to sit down," Scott replied, the ache in his leg now a constant throb. He opened the car door fully, turned and carefully dropped onto the black seat. He sucked in air through his teeth as his wound smarted in pain. Looking up at Hannah and Zeke, he realised he would have to provide answers before they ever would.

"I got out of hospital a few hours back. I stopped by the Offices to get an automatic because I can't drive a manual having been shot trying to save your neck. Then I came to look for you," Scott answered directly to Hannah, trying to sound as if it was no big deal, nothing out of the ordinary.

"But why?" she pushed.

"Because after last night, I was concerned for your safety." Scott looked a little embarrassed.

Hanna's face betrayed no such emotion. Scott stole a glance at Zeke, who returned it with steely glare, although he thought he saw the slight twitch of a smirk on his lips.

"I didn't take your parents, Hannah." He turned to Zeke. "Why have they taken them into custody?"

"They think Hannah's father had something to do with last night as he was seen outside in the crowd before it all kicked off," Zeke replied.

"Was he involved in this Hannah?" Scott asked carefully.

"No. Never! My father heard something might happen and came to warn me, to take me home. That's what I tried to tell you last night. My Dad isn't involved in any of this."

"It seems he is now."

Scott said nothing further and watched Hannah and Zeke. She seemed very upset, terrified even. Zeke 's concern for her was most interesting, almost fatherly in his manner towards her. What did this young woman and trusted member of the security forces have in common and what did they have to hide? Who was the real threat here- Hannah and Zeke, the unnamed assassins the night before, Briggs? Scott had no answers, a situation he was unfamiliar with.

"So I will ask you again, what were you doing visiting with Martin? She is at the top of Briggs' list. He has been after her for years but we have never even got close. How on earth do you know her?" he asked to both of them.

Hannah looked back and forth between Scott and Briggs. "Martin, I don't know a Martin. I only met Mary and Ceci..."

"Hannah, enough" Zeke interrupted, glaring at her.

"Good heavens Zeke, what have you got this girl mixed up with?" It was clear Hannah wasn't well informed, although clearly she was not as innocent as she might like him to think. But Zeke knew much, much more.

Zeke looked at Hannah. The girl and her family were now in it up to their neck, but he was buried far deeper. He looked back at Scott and realised that he didn't know him all that well. He had worked with him on many occasions but he wasn't what you would call the social kind. But Scott was close to Briggs, his right hand man whose job was a dirty, brutal one, or so he had heard. If he wasn't sat there, wounded and in pain, Zeke was well aware that things wouldn't be going so well right now. But Scott is injured and frail he thought. Zeke's concealed weapon seemed to be calling him, telling him to eliminate this new problem? A swift movement, one well aimed shot and this new problem could be eliminated; for the greater good of course. Hannah would never forgive him, but he had sworn to protect her and Cecily above all else.

Hannah looked up at Zeke and saw a flash of something in his eyes that scared her. She saw the way he was looking at Scott and Scott seemed to sense something too and looked up at him. Scott looked tired and defenceless and nothing like the cold, efficient man who had been sent to break the news of Shane's death to her all those weeks ago. Then she hated him, now she wasn't so sure. So she jumped in the gap between the two men, her body shielding them both.

"Zeke, don't even think about it or so help me I will shoot you myself," she shouted menacingly and she meant it. "Scott, I have never heard of this Martin? I visited a wonderful woman by the name of Cecily Waring. She was not responsible for the attacks last night. But, with my help, she will lead a rebellion. I will tell you everything, but first you have to get me back to meet Briggs."

"Hannah we can't trust him, he is one of them." Zeke tried to argue with her.

"Shut up Zeke. Scott has quite possibly saved my life twice in the last twenty-four hours. He could have arrested us, left us at the cottage and handed us over at the road block back there. But he didn't. I am sick of these secrets. Zeke, we need friends, powerful friends. Stop moaning and let's get back in the car and go."

Just as the car pulled off, Zeke received a call. He spoke in a hushed voice.

"What now?" Hannah asked seeing the despondency in Zeke's face, when he ended the call.

"I have to take you to Screening and Genetics first."

"Why?" she asked angrily.

"Professor Clairbourne is going to do your SPR test today."

"But my parents..." replied Hannah.

"I will see to it Hannah. No harm will come to them I can assure you," Scott said quietly. "But be careful of Clairbourne. Don't sign anything without reading it first and do not agree to extra samples being taken. Be careful Hannah, he is not what you think he is. Zeke, go back to Headquarters. Call off the search; find out who made the call, who tipped them off to the car and Martin's presence. We will meet later and discuss this in detail. You have put me in an impossible position, but for now I am going to go with my instincts. Don't make me regret my decision," he said.

A little later, Scott pulled the car over and Hannah and Zeke got out. He drove off quickly. What on earth had he got himself involved with? More importantly, he had to check out a name- Cecily Waring. It had been a long time since he had thought of that name. It couldn't be the same woman surely?