Dragon Fist then went to the rooftops with Mirage.

"I'm not entirely sure he's gone. He has a knack for showing up when I least expect it."

Helena took a moment to review the state of her clothing.  It was a good thing that she wasn't wearing any hose or they would have been torn.

"He likes to play a long game then.  That could be tricky, but at least we drew him out.  I guess you'll just have to take me out more."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:05, Wed 23 June 2010.

"Heh. Maybe you're right..." Dragon Fist replied with a slight chuckle.

He then looked over the side of the building to see if the smoke had dispersed...or if there was any sign of his "friend."

Dragon Fist then heard a beep on his phone. Looking at the message, he then sent one back to Hunter...

"Sounds like Hunter has a kidnapping case going on," Dragon Fist said after he composed a text to Hunter. "I...I don't want this date to stop before it stops, Mirage....but it may not be a bad idea to check headquarters. Besides, I don't think you've seen the new digs, haven't you?"

"I haven't seen the new lair yet." Mirage said, a hint of exasperation in her voice.  "If Hunter needs us then I suppose that we should be going."

She gave a small shake of her head.  So much for an evening of fun.  She'd been looking forward to spending some time with Lucas but apparently fate had other plans.

"...and I spent so much time dressing to impress you and I never got to use it.  It took me longer to pretty myself up for you than I actually spent doing so.  You owe me a raincheque, Mr. Martinez."

"I wouldn't worry none about that," Dragon Fist replied. "You did impress...I hope that I was able to do the same. And..I am grateful for the effort....you do look very beautiful..."

Looking off to the distance, he then said, "Follow me...I'll show you the way..."

And it was a good thing she couldn't see the blush under his helmet...

>>>>>>>>>>To Legacy's New Digs>>>>>>>>>>

Helena smiled at the compliment.  "What a waste of such a lovely dress.  I hope that it doesn't get torn or ripped too badly."

She gave Lucas a smile a top a very feminine pose, hip cocked to the side with a hand resting upon it and a shapely leg forward, as she was enveloped in a thick crimson smoke.

When the smoke cleared, Helena was gone and Mirage was standing in her place.  She gave a deep sigh and checked to make sure that her dress was fitting her in all the right places, before running after Dragon Fist.

>>>>> To Legacy HQ

>>>>>>>>>>Timeskip>>>>>>>>>>

Grateful to have assisted with Eleanor's rescue, Dragon Fist then devoted all of his energies to finding the Dark Champion.

Lucas went through the next two days of his routine: teaching the afternoon class, checking with Flip on the business side of things for the dojo, and then staying after hours in the dojo...meditating...centering himself...for he knew that the battle with the Dark Champion was coming to a head. He had no idea of what happened to Meg...and not knowing ate at his soul. He did have some good heart to heart talks with Mirage....and Lucas was thankful that he could depend on her as an ear to listen...and a friend to support.

Perhaps...she was...MORE than a friend...

He'd also spent the nights looking for Meg...turning upside down every underworld connection...every street thug he could find...ripping into the criminal element like he never had before.

But still his Dark opponent eluded him. Only for now...

>>>>> From First National Bank <<<<

Mirage reappeared at the Dragon and Tiger dojo in a cloud of crimson smoke, and promptly fell to her knees.  She knew that Lucas and Flip had a first aid kit around here somewhere and she started to stumble about the office looking for it.

She just need to stop the bleeding.

Lucas heard a noise in the office which brought him out of his meditation. He was prepared for anything as he made his way to the office.

PM

Mirage, making a bit of a mess, managed to find the first aid kit.  She dropped the kit onto the desk and opened it with one hand.  Her side was burning and she was bleeding all over the floor.  She'd have to make it up to Lucas, later.

She stopped and glanced at the floor.  There was a rose on the floor, a red rose.  She hadn't noticed that before but she'd been a little distracted.  Why was there a rose in Lucas' office?  Had some other woman given it to him or had he bought it and planned to give it to someone?

She blinked and the rose was gone, just as the door to the office opened.

Lucas saw Helena in the office. She definitely didn't look like her usual self.

"Helena...Helena....you're hurt....hold on a sec...let me get the first aid kit..."

"Got it." Mirage said curtly, wincing slightly.  She started to tear away her dress, exposing the raw and bloody flesh.  She really hated guns, shotguns especially.  They made a mess of everything.

"Need you to...do my a favour...pull out the shot..." she fumbled through the kit and pulled out what looked like a small pair of pliers.

"I've got you covered," Lucas replied softly, taking the pliers.

"All right....I'm gonna make this as easy as I can...you might want something to bite on though..."

"Just...just do it." Mirage said curtly.  She'd screwed up and hated feeling this vulnerable.  She tore off the top of her dress and readied herself for more hurt.

"All right..."

Lucas then used the pliers to pull out the bullet. Knowing the pain she was in made him wince. Although he'd felt his own special brand of pain before.

"OK...it's out..."

Mirage winced, grinding her teeth as Lucas pulled the buckshot from her.  She could feel each intrusion of the pliers into her skin and it hurt like hell.

"...thanks..." she said softly, pressing handfuls of gauze against her wounds.  She awkwardly bound up her wounds wishing that there was a supply of morphine around.  "...sorry about the mess...couldn't get anywhere...else...I'll clean it up...promise.  Just need to...rest...a bit..."

Her voice was weakened by the loss of blood and the pain, and Mirage simply collapsed on the desk.

"Helena....HELENA!" Lucas exclaimed as his close friend and teammate collapsed on the desk.

"C'mon...I'll get you to my room..."

He took up her up gently in his strong arms and carried her to the spare bedroom that he used that was in the back of the dojo. Laying her gently on his bed, and did what he could to make her comfortable.

He checked her to see how her injuries were. Hoping that she didn't need a doctor. Once he established that, he pulled up a chair next to her and watched over her.

Lucas heard Meg's phone ringing...

Mirage went limp in Lucas' arms, her strength gone.

"...m'okay.." she murmured, half conscious.  Her side was bloody and bandaged up from where the shotgun had hit her.  "...no...doc...be fine... ina...bit..."

She hated guns.  By all rights Mirage should be dead.  It was a miracle that she had made it this far.  With the lead shot removed from her, she just needed some time to heal, time to give her body and chance to repair the damage that she'd taken.

Mirage reached out and took Lucas' hand.  "Thank you...sorry bout the mess..."

Lucas put his hand around Mirage's.

"Hey...don't worry about it. This can be cleaned up. I was more worried about you..."

"...I'm a tough...chick...worry about...your carpets.  Have I told...you how much...I hate the colour...of your carpets?" Mirage said with a small laugh that turned into a wincing cough.