A Simple Job (Doc)

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

I simple get in, grab the item and get it out. Only made difficult by the fact the item was guarded. A book, ancient Egyptian, powerful and expensive. Not that the worth was what I was after. No it was the power that concerned me. In the wrong hands it was a great tool to bring forth the end of everything normal. My employer wanted it away from their grasp, a goal I rather agreed with.

The biggest problem was the little ball which was being held, a party which would mean many people would be there, a chance to be noticed but also a chance to disappear. It was a gamble but access was much easier than the alternative.

Dressed in a loose black evening dress, simple but flattering and best of all easy to maneuver in should the worst happen. A few simple weapons placed inconspicuously placed upon my person as defenseless was not ideal for going against guards, regardless of my own abilities and strengths. For once I was putting in extra thought... well alright not the first time but it was a nice change.

Matt would be impressed. Of course he would never put himself in this kind of situation to get hurt, but I could hardly disagree with his reasoning, he did not have the training I had.

With a sigh I stepped up the stairs, holding a small clutch purse not enjoying the unusualness of this situation, we well as the lack of proper attire for a job.

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

I wasn't dressed for a ball. Hell, I never was. Jeans, leather and a button up shirt. Then again, balls were for spies and people who were willing to go through the front door. People with class and style. People with money and contacts.

That wasn't me.

The only class I had were the gardening courses I was taking for a cover. My style was Mixed Martial Arts, I sure as hell wasn't James Bond, the only contacts I had were underground and money? Well, I wouldn't do things like this if I had money. Not that I was doing this job for the money. This job was a little more... end of the world, I guess. One of those contacts I had heard about this book with this spell that had some rather nasty connotations. I also knew some people that could be sending their personal slav... I mean 'agents' to retrieve it. And since I really, REALLY didn't trust them, here I was, sneaking up a fire escape to go in the back way, retrieve the book and destroy it if possible, lock it away where no one woudl find it if I couldn't.

Such a fun life I lead.

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

The crowd was fairly easy to slip through, most people wanting to mingle with the more well known and powerful people invited. A lone woman was not exactly a high priority in this kind of crowd. Power play was not something that interested me in the slightest, helps that I could take on most of them in a fair fight, but that implied I would play fair which wasn't exactly in my nature being a vampire and all.

The book was in the backroom, my contact was able to tell me that much at least, well, backroom down the hall pass the impressively large crowd and through the kitchens. All of which was easily passable with the excitement in the main room. Small mercies. Not knowing the security systems in place... well security systems in general the easiest route was through the front door, as much as I would have preferred the less dressy route. The perils of not catching up with technology.

The back ways were deserted, not a single soul, living or dead that could be seen. Unfortunately there were plenty of artifacts here but at least the low lighting was not a bother.

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

Security system was kind of lax. I guess with the party downstairs, they didn't think anyone would try the back door; that many bodies, it's be easy to just sneak in. I wasn't too interesting in mingling though. I never got on to things like manners and etiquette. Too busy learning how to blow shit up. Which, come to think of it, would have been so much easier to get to the book if I just blew out a wall. Not very subtle though, or quiet.

Neither of those are my best qualities anyway.

Quietly and carefully, I made my way to the back door, acquiring a few smaller items for later sale. Hey, the book wasn't going to be sold, but I need to make some money off this heist somehow. I had expenses. There was this sweet knife I had my eye on.

I moved into the back room finally, narrowing my eyes. Damn, someone was there. "I think the party's back thataway," I said, thumbing at the door.

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

Someone else... peachy. Slowly I looked over my shoulder at him. Street clothes. Not an invited quest then.

"Yes it is. Observant aren't you?" I watched him boredly. "Now go jump out a window would you? Quietly would be great." For the moment I didn't dare reach for any weapons but I didn't dare take my eyes off this new individual.

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

"Oh, I would love to," I said with a winning smile. "Really, i would. But i can't, sorry. Private security. I need you to head on back with the rest of the guests," Okay, there was no way she was going to buy that, but it gave me a chance to figure out who she was. Which wasn't going to be easy. Ball gown suggested someone with a hell of a lot more patience than I did. also meant she was low on weapons. Wouldn't be able to hide much in THAT dress. "Unless you're looking for a little bit more fun than those stiffs," I added. Women usually reacted with disgust and a walk out. Let's see what we have under that dress, shall we?

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

A smile tugged at my lips. "Private security huh? I doubt that. The owner of this building is far too showy to have a street clothed security guard and you'd be dressed nicer if you were protecting a guest." His heart beat was strong but had only a slight increase in rhythm. This was far from being his first time. I moved to keep him better in my sights but made no movement to my weapons. He wasn't a were from what I could smell, nor a demon, and had no smell of herbs to indicate a witch(not that all witches dealt with herbs but most of them did).

"Unless you're looking for a little bit more fun than those stiffs,"

I laughed lightly. "Oh you couldn't handle me luv."

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

I smirked, a small pull of my lips to one side. "Oh, believe me, sweetie, I could handle plenty," I said, my shoulders relaxed. "I'm more worried about you. Little thing you are, I might snap you in half and that would be such a disappointing end," I began circling around the edge of the room carefully. "so, it seems we have a bit of a stalemate. I'm going to guess we're after the same thing here; a book of Ancient Egyptian origin full of spells that would make 'The Mummy' movies seem like a nice walk in the park."

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

"Oh you would be surprised at the things I could handle." I gave only a sweet smile, let him wonder. No malice in my voice, only amusement. He was in for a surprise wasn't he.

"Last chance luv, leave now and no harm shall befall you from me but please stay. You sound as if you could be fun."

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

"Oh, such a tempting offer," he said. "But I'm afraid I have to take that book. It needs to be destroyed or hidden, and I'd rather not leave it in the hands of the people I have a feeling you work for," because there was only one organization that I know of that would send a young woman like that in with minimal weapons and no escape plan other than 'pray security doesn't find you'.

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

"I work for my own interests thank you." Maybe not so fun... maybe. "I well not let you have the book. So you may as well take your exit now luv. You don't want to dance with me. It'll be your last, which would be a shame."

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

"Ah, my dear girl," I said with a bow. "i like fights i can't win. It makes things all the more enjoyable when i do. and the faces on thos that underestimate me," I smirked again with a sweeping bow. "It's like a fine wine: never gets old."

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

"Oh you do tempt me don't you luv?" I had to suppress the urge to respond that I don't age either. No I'll keep that up my sleeve for right now. "Then please educate me on your 'skills'." They had to at least be decent with his confidence level. With a smile I took a few steps towards him, slow and easy, calm and cool. "I think I'll enjoy our dance then."

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

Okay, so to review: possibly a Slayer, which means I can cheat. I smirked as I moved slowly, hand wrapping around a short sword as I walked past it. "I should probably warn you before we start," I said, bringing the sword in fronto f my face. "i tend to fight dirty."

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

My grin widened for two reasons. He thought I was only a slayer. Oh poor boy. Two, I was close enough and his opening was just so perfect.

"Oh good, so do I." With one quick movement I pulled a small object out of my small clutch purse, an accessory I wouldn't have normally added but it hid a small little object that I had decided to carry, and sprayed it in the stranger's face. Mace.