"Yeah, basically."
He nodded. "This will be dangerous, and it could sabotage whatever IPI is doing."
I knew they'd argue this, but I couldn't back down. "Luke and Lucy are missing. Almost everyone in this room has powers that would help." I pointed to each of them in turn. "Darren is telekinetic. Greg can infiltrate surveillance equipment. Gary has control over metal. Des can dream walk and send nightmares to people. I can read and control minds. Norm can fly. Robyn can take on the shape of anyone. And Drake has accessed his powers as well: strength and mind control. We would be an asset, not a liability."
Bernard entwined his fingers in a way that let me know he was at least considering my idea. When he disagreed, he made small fists. "What's your plan?"
"First, we find Luke and Lucy, and work with them to take down the clinic and rescue the kids. If we can't find them, we rescue the kids ourselves."
"We?" Bernard arched a brow.
I stood and paced the room. "Yes. That's why I'm asking for your help. By myself, this is a long shot. But together, we can do it. We each bring a valuable power or skill to the table. It would be like our old assignments, only we'd be working together. Who's with me?"
Drake twitched, ready to get up, but Darren beat him to it. "I am." He walked over and stood by me.
Uh-oh. I so did not need the male pissing contest now, but by the look on Drake's face, one was coming soon.
Drake walked over and put his arm around me, as if claiming me, like a dog marking his territory. "We'll bring our baby back."
I appreciated his sentiment, but not the possessiveness. I shrugged his arm off and moved away.
Gary stood. "Whatever the plan, you've got me."
"Me too," Greg said as he stood next to his boyfriend.
Brad jumped up. "You know you can count on me." He didn't look at his best friend, but Drake was trying to catch his eye. Drake had a lot of people to mend fences with.
Desirai grabbed his arm. "No, Brad, don't go. You don't have any powers."
Bernard nodded. "I have to agree, Brad. Besides, I need you here. I can't run this place alone, especially if everyone else is leaving."
Des rubbed his arm. "I'll stay with you." She looked to me. "I hope that's okay, Sam."
I had assumed as much, anyway. "Of course. You can check up on us in your dreams."
Brad sat back down, though he didn't look happy. "Just be careful, guys."
Robyn stood, with Norm right behind her. "We're coming too."
No one else knew about the pregnancy, so I couldn't say anything, but I slipped into her mind. 'Sam, if you're listening, and I'm pretty sure you are, you have to let us come. Our para-powers can be really helpful. I'll be fine. I'm not that far along, and honestly, we need to take care of those kids and your baby first.'
I didn't argue with her because, as selfish as it was, I agreed; they were too powerful to lose.
We had a strong group together, and I was just about to start talking about a plan, when someone knocked on the door. "Let me in."
I sighed. "It's a private meeting, Mary. Go away." She may not have been guilty of anything, but I still didn't like her.
She didn't listen. Shocking. "I know what you're doing in there, Sam. Let me in." She knocked more aggressively.
Drake turned to the door. "Want me to get rid of her?"
"No, I'll handle it." It seemed everything he did irritated me today. I walked to the door and opened it. "Mary—"
She shoved her way in and interrupted. "I know why you're having a meeting. You're going to go track down the sick bastard that stole your baby. I want in."
I hadn't expected that at all. "Mary, you don't have to."
She showed me the burn scars running up her neck. They weren't nearly as bad as they were in her own mind, but I still had to stop myself from flinching. "Those bastards did this to me. Let me come. I can help."
I wanted to say no, but even Mary deserved to take down the people who'd hurt her. And as much as I hated to admit it, she was one of the best field agents we had.
"Okay."
She smiled and followed me back to the group. A few eyebrows rose in shock, but no one said anything.
"She's coming too. Mary can be very useful, when she wants to be." I felt a little bad for that last part, but whatever. She'd done so much worse.
Norm, who preferred to fly everywhere these days, raised his hand again. "How are we getting there?"
Father Patrick stood and walked over. "I can help with that. During my younger years, I had a fascination with flying. Naturally, I procured a pilot's license. And I may know of a friend with a plane."
The old priest was just full of surprises, even for me, and I'd spent considerable time in his mind. "Thank you."