"I don't have to know what happened to know that something did happen which is why I am asking why it happened." – Jade, trying to make a complete thought.

Jay checked his phone, quickly pulling it out of his pocket after it buzzed. He read the messages that flashed on his lock screen and put it back in his pocket. He was quick but apparently not quick enough.

"I'm sorry, do you have something better to be doing?" Thalla asked in a tone that said he better not.

Jay looked back up. "No, but I have two teams in rifts at the moment and they do have a certain amount of priority."

Thalla arched an eyebrow while Casitor sighed heavily, and face palmed. "More priority than meeting with me? The VP of ops for the Order?"

"More priority than a meeting discussing oversight and job duties." Jay said, clearly stating that he was putting his people over his career.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Thalla's lips. "Good enough for me." She said then turned to Casitor. "Now, what were you saying about expanding the scope of Jay's experimental teams?"

Casitor rustled his wing tips together as he picked up the sheets of paper he was reading from. "Ah, yes. Jay's operations are running into a slight problem. It would seem that he is surpassing the scope of our charter agreement with the country he operates in."

"How so?" Thalla asked. "I thought we had a pretty free hand when it came to North America."

"Well, yes but that was only for the inclusion of three field offices to be fully staffed at six with five agents and their handler." Casitor slid his copies over for them each to read from. "The charter states that our field offices would be allowed to exist under these situations as long as they remained under the scope of the Order's Earth Operations division."

They read through the highlights of the agreement individually for a couple minutes. Casitor naturally didn't need to read it since he was presenting the material, but he did make a couple notes. What the other two didn't know was that Jay also didn't need to read it because he was there when the terms were negotiated.

"This is a serious problem that could leave your people in jeopardy if we ever lost the favor of the local governments." Thalla said after setting down her papers. "Judging by how calmly you are sitting there I will assume you have a plan?"

Jay chose to ignore the irritation in her voice and answered her question. "Yes, part of a plan that I had made when the agreement was signed." He answered, getting raised eyebrows ridges from Casitor and a judgmental squint from the elf.

"Please, do tell." She said with a hard edge to her voice.

"Well, I knew that we would quickly outgrow our limit on field offices and negotiated additional clauses and responsibilities. If you would please reference these." He passed out some packets of his own, these being copies of the full contract. "And turn to page twenty-three, paragraph two."

They both flipped to the page in question as he continued. "If you will note, the secondary use clause, you will see where we have plenty of room to operate and even expand my division's operations."

"… Property and personnel under the direction of The Order Stabilitas (and it's agents) may operate to any extent and without limit provided the following requirements are met: Acts in the best interests of the country and its citizens. Works with and supports the efforts of local law enforcement to counter monsters and other entities that may prey on humans. Uses the property owned withing the nation's borders as its bases of operations. Provides relevant intelligence reports to appropriate channels upon request…"

Thalla looked up after pausing in her narration. "How in all the heavens and hells did you manage to secure these terms? I have never seen such an open-ended contract before."

"That would be the taxes we had to give to them for the commercial properties we use for local operations and logistics. Those are technically not owned so much as leased." Jay explained. "It seems between that and the promise to share information, we had a lot of leeway in the negotiations."

"Why didn't I know about this?" Casitor said after reading a little farther in the document. "I knew we had a loose military and intelligence alliance, but this is a blank check to do as we please."

Jay nodded, feeling smug about how much he was able to take in the deal. "Yup and they can't touch our people unless they want to pay massive fines and be blacklisted while making us an enemy to them and friends to a country they don't like."

"What kind of fines?" Thanna wondered aloud and flipped through the contract.

"Several trillion dollars' worth of money and assets if we push the full terms of the contract." Casitor said after he found the page in question. "It might actually be a part of the nation with how its worded. Like a significant chunk of their land could likely become ours."

"There wasn't a limit set on the compensation?" Thalla asked while trying to flip to the next page.

Jay rolled his eyes at how they had been so easily distracted. "The only limit was that the compensation could not be more than twenty-five percent physical cash. But that isn't the point here."

Casitor hesitated for a moment before neatly folding up his copy and looking back to Jay. "Ahem, yes we were discussing your divisions recent expansion."

"Yes, what is your plan here?"

"Well, I would actually like to expand a bit." Jay said while sliding over a couple of packets with his latest data. "We have had several instances of local groups approaching us for assistance in paranormal matters along with the ever-increasing rifts. That isn't even mentioning the issues we now face with the guild."

"What did you have in mind?" Thalla asked after opening her packet.

Jay spent the next hour detailing his plan for expansion. He had a line on a few more Earth born hybrids who would fit the bill for team leaders and even more team members. Then there was his plan to expand the support squads. He wanted to double the number of them due to the ever-increasing complexity of the new tasks they were taking on.

His other support team, the one with Senal'Ra and Anna, was also starting to come together but wouldn't be ready for at least a few more weeks. He had plans for how that team would function after his latest issues involving intelligence. Having a bunch of field offices was great and all but he needed some off worlders to skulk around in other realms.

"It seems that you have a well thought out plan, Jay." Thalla said. "But how do you expect to pay for all of this?"

Jay smiled, the money was actually the easy part. "Simple, we have the core bounties from rifts rolling in which covers nearly ninety percent of our projected operating costs. Then we have the spoils that we have taken, namely from the covens and the guild which set us ahead for three years' worth of budget. If we suddenly fully expanded, which we can't, and had the workload to match, which we would, my division would actually turn about a fifteen percent profit."

"And what if the rifts dry up?" Casitor asked, clearly seeing the main source of his funds being a liability.

"Well, I haven't paid out any of those funds." Jay said. "All of that is invested and returning a rather lovely rate. After another ten or so cores, that account will cover operating costs just on interest."

After seeing the dumbstruck look on both his bosses' faces, Jay began explaining how he had invested the money and how he was actually funding things within the budget of the Order. It was another hour before his 'quick touch-base' of a meeting finally ended and he began making his way back to his office.

By the time the meeting had ended, Jay had provisional approval to not only continue his division's operation and expansion, but he had gotten a promotion. It seemed that running such a large enterprise warranted a bump in paygrade and the title 'Director of North American Field Operations' which was essentially the same as his previous role but now he was being recognized and paid for the work.

Jay smiled to himself as he walked. Perhaps this little bump up would help him convince his wives to purchase another home in the States. Maybe a couple since they could easily travel via the portal network. Just as he began wondering if he should contact his realtor, he noticed the group of people standing in front of his office.

There were several people standing along the wall outside his office door. All of whom he recognized as members of his support squads. All six of the lycan members of his support squads.

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"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Jay asked as Kevin walked over from where he had been sitting with the werewolves.

"It would seem that some of our occasionally furry soldiers would like to have a word with you about their current roles in the division." Kevin answered.

Jade, ever the leader, stood up and spoke for the gathered wolves. "We aren't looking to leave the squads, but we were hoping that we might work more directly with a certain someone."

"Kurt?" Jay asked, knowing full well that he was the reason.

Nodding once, Jade confirmed his suspicion. "Yes, and we wanted to talk to you about if it would be possible and maybe get some more information."

Jay sighed, looked at his watch and thought for a moment. He didn't have anything pressing on his calendar, only one little meeting about some support for a mage's coven. He could spare the teams some extra time that day. "Ok, Let's talk." He motioned them to the empty conference room nearby. "Kevin please cater in some lunch for all of us, this might take a while."

*****

"Thanks, Ra." Anna said and waved goodbye.

"No problem. Want me to swing by tomorrow morning and we can walk together?" The werewolf called back over his shoulder, slowing until she answered.

"Yes please! See you tomorrow morning." She confirmed, keeping a friendly smile on her face. Ra had been nice and especially understanding of her situation. Apparently, he and Kurt had a history of some sort, though he didn't elaborate beyond saying he was familiar with the man.

Anna walked back into Penny's office in a slight daze. She had been onboarding all day with Ra and several others. Still, she hadn't expected to be so drained from just classroom training.

Sure, that training is very important, and the information being provided was very detailed and heavy, but why did she feel so tired? She wasn't looking forward to the mid-week physical training that she was scheduled for.

"Hey! How did it go today?" Penny asked from behind her desk on Kurt's side of the portal after she crossed over. She pushed a second office chair her way and motioned for her to sit.

"Umm, good." She said and took the proffered chair, trying not to groan as she sat down.

"Lot to take in?" Penny guessed while looking at Anna's slouching form.

The fey nodded. "How is learning in a classroom so tiring?"

Penny shrugged. "Mental exhaustion is a thing too. Don't worry too much, once you get used to the routine, it will get better."

They sat in silence for a few minutes while Penny charted and logged some of the information that was being collected in the rifts. After she checked the team cameras, she continued on with the conversation.

"How is apartment hunting going?"

Anna shrugged. "I think I have a place but I'm not sure. It's actually in the building where Kurt and them play that story game with the dice. Where do you live?"

"I have a place in the Order. It's a tiny studio apartment but it was the only affordable option, and I didn't want to live in the barracks." She answered. "I would love to find somewhere else to go but haven't had the time to look. Why aren't you sure about the apartment?"

"It's just that I don't really feel comfortable." Anna admitted. "It's a strange world and I don't really know anyone. Sure, I met the guy that owns it, but I just don't know about being on my own yet."

"Why?"

"I don't know. As much as I hate to beg and take advantage of Kurt's hospitality, there is something to be said about not being alone after what happened." Anna freely admitted she wasn't quite ready to be alone with her thoughts for too long.

Penny paused halfway through copying information into her report. "Would you like a roommate?" She was suddenly getting an idea about how to solve her personal budget problems, housing and distance from Jamie all in one fell swoop.

"Umm, sure?" Anna said, a little taken aback. Who would she trust to be a roommate that didn't already have a place to live? Then she caught on. "Wait, you?"

Penny nodded, turning to face Anna and completely ignoring the data coming in on her computer. "I would very much like to be out of the Order and closer to my boyfriend." She blushed, finally admitting that her and Jamie were a serious couple. She also hated that, even with the portals, it took a long time for her to get from her apartment to work. Using the portals in town, it would cut half an hour off her commute.

"Then yes, I would be happy to have you as a roommate." Anna replied before sighing and sagging even more in her chair, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted off her chest. She didn't know she had been so stressed about the idea. After being rescued from the guild, she didn't even notice how much it was bugging her.

Anna chatted a while with Penny about the various details of them getting the apartment. It seemed that the handler was comfortable with not being the primary renter and would be secondary on the lease. They then talked a little about some ground rules for living together but didn't set anything in stone, agreeing to talk more about it another time.

Just as the conversation switched to more work-related topics, Penny suddenly looked up and into the portal room. Anna leaned over to see through the doorway just in time to catch the team emerging through the monochrome barrier.

"… miserable hell hole like that. Seriously, it's the gods damned kitchen all over again." Val was ranting about something while trying to squeegee the water off herself with her hands. It wasn't working.

Kurt and Kristi followed right after her and immediately began stripping down to get out of their soaked clothing. "And I was wrong, it was slightly salty too so all this needs to be cleaned." Kurt said while storing all his stuff in his ring to stand there in only his underwear.

"Absolutely shitty place." Kristi agreed while following Kurt's example and stripping down to her panties. "Now let's go and sho…" She suddenly looked up and noticed that they had an audience. She made a strange squeaking noise before summoning a towel and wrapping it around herself before scurrying through the door.

Val, it seemed, had no such inhibitions and disrobed without any hesitation before walking through the breezeway completely nude. Kurt shared a look with Penny and just shrugged when she arched an eyebrow. "Cold and wet the entire way." He handed the bag with the core to her as he passed the desk.

"Need anything?" The handler asked while holding the dripping wet bag away from herself and the papers on the desk.

"Can you text Sam and let them know that I have some alchemy shit to take a look at?" Kurt asked. "I think they would be the best to figure out what we got."

Penny nodded and pulled out her phone. "Can do. I will wrap up here and head home for the day. See you tomorrow?"

Kurt was nearly out the door when he responded. "Sound good, Breakfast at seven-thirty." And with that, he shut the door behind them.

"Is it always like that?" Anna asked after the team had cleared out.

Nodding, Penny stored the rift core in her ring before entering the commands to detach and collapse the rift itself. "For the most part. The only time it's really different is when they have taken injuries."

"So, they just drop the core and go… what exactly?" Anna was curious about the routine the agents had developed. If she was going to fit in, she would need to adapt to their habits.

"Mostly they go sit in the shower and relax before they take care of their gear." Penny explained. "That had been the routine for the last couple anyway."

"You mentioned the shower before. What is so special about it?"

Anna was not prepared for the enthusiasm Penny displayed when talking about Kurt's shower and sauna. Apparently the naga was a big fan of the built in features that it had to offer. Features that Anna didn't even know about since she didn't dare touch the switches on the wall.

"Wait, so that's what the rock is for?" She asked, surprised at the real reason there was a large stone sitting in the shower stall. "I thought it was a door stop or something."

Penny shook her head. "Nope, Kurt made that when Val complained about how long it took to dry her fur."

"That's another thing I was curious about." Anna said after the mention of fur. "Why do they shift out of their human shapes?" Since Kurt had given her the amulet, she hadn't changed back to her natural state for more than a couple minutes to bathe or when she stopped channeling mana into it while she slept.

"I think it's a comfort thing." Penny said after a few moments' consideration. "I know Val always liked to be in the open, when possible, but I was surprised when Kristi started too. I think they just don't feel the need to hide it when around the property."

"Is that why you show your scales?"

Penny nodded, her fingers going up to brush the brown and tan scales on her neck. "Yeah, Val and Kurt, both encouraged it early on and I will admit, it's nice to relax a little. Not that I am under any strain like you and Kristi with the amulets, since my shapeshifting is inherent."

While Anna considered that information, Penny stood up, packing away her things. "Well, I have to get going. I will see you tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah, sound good." Anna said while tucking her own chair away. "See you tomorrow."

They parted ways then. Penny went back through the portal to the Order while Anna went into the house. She was thinking about what she heard about not concealing her identity. It was a very enticing idea.

She didn't exactly need the break from keeping the amulet active since its power draw was so minimal compared to how much mana it took for her summons to manifest. But just the thought of not having to strain was…

Anna just decided to commit and dropped the enchantment, reverting back to her natural state. In an instant, her fur reemerged, and her pupils returned to their cat-like appearance while her ears and horns once more poked through her hair.

Sighing, she ran her hands over her fuzz like fur, basking in the feeling as her palms passed over it. She even purred slightly as she sprawled on the couch, letting her toe claws extend for a moment as she rolled and scratched at her back. She did have to pause in her luxuriating long enough to allow her tail over the top of her waistband but that was a minor distraction.

After thoroughly stretching and scratching, she sprawled at the end of the couch closest to the fireplace. The heat that radiated off it was so soothing to her. She wasn't cold but something about it just relaxed her and eased the nerves.

A sudden movement caused her eyes to snap open and she panicked as Kurt settled onto the far end of the couch. He didn't seem to care about her at all other than a brief nod to acknowledge her. She was about to get up and leave when Kristi entered the living room a moment later and sat on the arm chair across from her.

"So, what did you want to do for dinner?" She asked, looking between Kurt and Anna.

"Ugh something warm and filling." Kurt groaned. "I didn't realize how cold it was in that rift until we left it."

"Well since it was Anna's first day, how about she picks?" Kristi offered. "Also, you were covered in fur for most of it, so I don't want to hear about it being cold."

Val walked in a moment later and flopped down next to Kurt, nearly sitting on Anna's paws. "Sorry, didn't mean to sit on you." She looked over and apologized. "But yeah, how about you pick and tell us about how it went?"

"Umm…" Anna was glad she wasn't looking human at the moment because the attention was almost too much and she felt she would be flushing red. "W-what are the options?" she asked in a small voice, suddenly regretting her decision to drop the enchantment.

"I could cook something, or we can do carry-out." Kurt said while wrapping an arm around Val as she leaned against him. Kurt's cooking had her intrigued. She liked what he had made so far.

"OH! You liked those chicken wings when we went out for lunch right?" Kristi asked.

Anna nodded. She really liked them and the variety of spices and flavors. "Yeah, those were good. The spices and sauce were unlike anything I had before."

Val perked up. "Johnny's?"

"Johnny's" Kurt confirmed and pulled out his phone. "I'll place the order. And I will get a lot."

As Kurt began typing in his phone, the other two began chatting, talking about the rift and how it had gone while asking Anna about how her first day was. The conversation was so natural and unassuming that she wondered why she was ever worried about concealing her nature in the first place.

She then wondered what else she could show them. That line of thought lead to her wondering how they would react to her familiar. She supposed that perhaps she would introduce them some time… after she got to know them a bit better that is. Afterall, her contracted familiar was not exactly ordinary.

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