Forsaken of Federal Hill

The night is total chaos for the Red Scorpion's gang as well as their patron spirit. Many of their members were arrested, a few more lay dead and soon the remaining members begin to question their faith. The once invincible gang is hemorrhaging and the rats begin to flee the sinking ship.
Painful Release of Ecstasy and the wolf-blood Xavier remain, and Be Defeated Nevermore warns it's pack that if they escape Father Wolf's justice it is likely they will rebuild and return.

Rashid walked out of the adjoining bathroom in nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, toweling himself off, a fierce grin plastered on his face. He didn't realize that everyone had decided to stay over, not after last night. Near all of them were awake and moving before him, so with a shrug, he wrapped the towel around his waist and headed to him room. Almost closing the door behind him, he began to get dressed for the day.

"I didn't see Rose in there, anyone hear from her yet? We have to move on that info today, before we lose the opportunity." They were hosting someone they wanted to keep in the dark, so he couldn't be out in the open about everything, but Rashid needed the pack focused today.

Helen noticed Rashid wake up and started to make him a plate. SHe put the food in the microwave to reheat it. It wasn't like him to sleep in, but she had an idea as to why. It was good for him, to rest up and unwind. They'd need him in fighting form soon.
"Breakfast first, business later." she said, passing him the plate as he started asking about Rose.

"Sounds good, what'd we got this morning?" He was starving after yesterday. His stomach rumbled in agreement.

"Can I at least ask if everyone made it back ok? That's not too much, is it ma'am?" He was in a playful mood right off the bat, and he was more than happy to let it show.

Luke eventually stumbled out of the room in only his plaid fleece pajama bottoms and golden hair flopping around his face. It seemed like no one ended up where they should have the night before but it certainly seemed to have worked out for some of them. He didn’t fault anyone, they all needed something for comfort even if it was just curling up in Urhan form. Helen’s disquiet as she slept worried him but it wasn’t a subject he was about to approach around everyone else.

One look at Rashid’s grin made Luke roll his eyes dramatically but still playfully. ”Where’s Mr. Growly? Helen, I think Rashid has been possessed by a spirit. Better get Rory here fast..” he joked, inching around his pack leader like he was contagious.

Luke was lucky he stepped so far out when he came up. A backhand flew just out of reach as Rashid shoveled the first couple bites of eggs and ham into his mouth, mock indignation on the boxer's face. He chased the food down with milk that was just handed to him and turned on his flatmate. "What, a guy can't be in a decent mood? You know what we get to do today. I'm stoked." So that wasn't the only reason he was in a good mood for right now. He dared anyone to try and ruin it for him this early.

Helen laughed as Cho and Riley joined in on Luke's teasing of Rashid, getting up dramatically and making cross signs with their fingers.
"I haven't heard much from Rose. Echo was staying at a friends, but she's supposed to have the... medicine we needed." she said, realizing almost too late about their guests.
Helen noticed May looked up when Luke said Rashid was possessed. Something was going on with the girl. Helen needed find time to get her alone. May wasn't good about opening up, especially not in a group setting.
"But I'm so ready to get this behind me." she said catching Luke's hand and pulling him away from Rashid and closer to her.

At everyone laughing, Rashid turned and flipped the bird to the room in general as he dug his phone out of his pocket. Setting his fork down he put a hand up to quiet it down as he dialed Rose's number. "Hey girl, your brother's been looking for ya. Apparently you didn't come home last night? Call him when you get this."

A puzzled look crossed his face as he set the phone down. Something wasn't right. He didn't expect the one person not there to bring him down, but she did. "Voicemail. Anyone have her partner's number, or do I have to call the precinct for that shit?"

Rory woke up in a dark room sitting slumped over in a chair with an aweful crick in his neck. Well, the nice thing at least is that it would be gone in a minute as opposed to an ache for half the day. He had got to reading last night after finishing the bottle and never really made it out of the chair despite his intentions to head home. He pushed tossed the copy of "The Search for FOXP5" onto the office desk, and trugged up the stairs. He didn't have a toothbrush so perhaps some breakfast would at least cut the morning taste out of his mouth.

As he made his way through the background toward the cereal, he heard Rashid ask for a number. 555-8764 goes to his desk. Rory didn't expect Price would want calls to his personal cell from a stranger.

"cool, thanks. morning by the way, nice of you to stick around for the night." Sometimes this O'Keefe was just hard to read, Rose wanted to stick around, so Rashid wanted he brother to feel at least a little welcome, even if they never saw eye to eye.

He pounded the number into his cell and waited for the line to connect, "Detective Price? Hi, I'm calling from Mosley's Outreach Center where Detective O'Keefe volunteers her time? Yeah. I have her brother here saying that she never checked in at home, and isn't answering her cell. She had mentioned something about increased violence towards officers this week, so we just wanted to make sure that she is ok."

Rose stood outside the center gasping for air. Her early morning jog had done little to clear her head. They still had a long way to go before this business with the scorpions was concluded and she wanted it done. As she entered the building the sounds of excited chatter could be heard but she made her way to the women's locker room to get cleaned up first. A long, hot 20 minute shower went a long way to making her feel better and she quickly threw on some spare clothes she kept in a locker. As she entered the room with everyone else she noticed that Rashid was on the phone. And it sounded like he was asking about her? Rose waved her arms to get his attention and he saw her and smiled. Well, that caught her up short. She actually couldn't remember seeing one of those on his face before. In fact, she hadn't been convinced he knew how to do it. "Hey, guys. What's happening?"

Helen immediately began to heat up another plate and Rose waved her off. "Nothing heavy for me. I'll just have some fruit." At that Rose grabbed an apple and a banana and found a seat. Rashid was still on the phone and Rose motioned for him to hang up now that he knew she was fine. "Was I worrying you guys? I always go for a morning run, Rory knows that. Of course I usually run near the house...anyway, I'm here. Brother can quit panicking, sister's fine!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

Rory stuck his tongue back at her Saying that I am the worried one sounds a lot less creepy than: I'm a complete stranger and worried. By the way we have some guests. Rory gestured over That's Lola then gestured over to Rashid's bedroom door The other one's in there. Haven't met her, but between Rashid being out here and the smell of cooking I would expect her to make an appearance soon. Rory still couldn't get the nagging feeling that he knew he scent from somewhere, but didn't have any face to match it up with.

Rashid was just finishing up when the person of interest walked right in with everyone there. He hurried wrapped up the call, letting her partner know that he needn't bother, they found her.

"Woman, you know we waited here all night for you, right? Not even a text when you finished? The fuck." He walked around the the couch, taking a seat away from the table.

"I hope you found out something interesting that you're going to share with the class." Rashid gave a pointed look at their guest, trying to warn Rose about saying too much openly.

"Well, jeez, I'm sorry, DAD. I didn't know it was past my curfew." Rose grinned at Rashid to take out any sting her words may have had and then turned to the outsider. "Lola, hi! Rose. Lovely to meet you." Her eyes slid towards Rashid's bedroom door and then Rashid himself. "Oh. Oh. Ohhhhh." Realizing why Rashid had been all smiles when she showed up made her fight the impulse to start giggling. You are a grown ass woman, Rose. She told herself sternly. Be an adult here. Casting about for something to take her mind off the topic, she remembered what she needed to share. "Well, my raid was a success. Mostly, anyway. Caught lots of bad guys and got a TON of that shit off the street. I also have a lead on the guy who makes it. Pretty sure I know his location. He spends a great deal of time with a girl he supposedly loves. My source seemed pretty confident I'd find him there. So, all in all not a bad night's work. I'll take my cookie now."

Rashid snatched the note with the details out of her hand. "Cookies later, job's not done. Also, yes, I expect contact, Especially after we went through that ordeal finding Valentine. When you don't check in, we all feel it. Especially right now." He waved off the whole thing. "Don't bother apologizing, shit's been done, we don't have that sort of time."

He read through the info before passing around to anyone who cared to look at it. "Our team needs to get to this Midas before we sick the local enforcement on him, we want Xavier's hang out. Leave this guy alone when we're done, Rose already did the digging to get the blue out after him."

This is where things were going to start getting difficult, he had to figure out how to get the guy to talk without getting them all recognized or in the line of sight of the cops. Then it hit him. And it was gold. He had to go see if she was ready for the ordeal he was about to set up.

He came back with Trixie under his arm, the girl wearing one of the boxer's shirts as a nightgown, and a devilish smirk crossed his face. This would work.
"Valentine, I'm counting on you for this one. This is Trixie. She's been stuck in the middle of this whole thing, so I'm counting on you to watch after her for me. Her ex ran into some trouble yesterday, she and her friend or coworker, you, 'need' a place to hole up. Midas will be our ticket, I'm betting that Lex talked to Xavier directly. She's offered to help us out in at least getting the man's attention so we can talk to him." He looked around for any questions. "Luke and I are too high visibility for this first run, and Rory, bud, I doubt anyone would believe that this wildcat would walk around with you. I'm betting he's a paranoid sort, so too many people showing up would set him off. Who's he to deny two of Lex's girls their safe haven when he went into hiding?"

Rory's brain itched. Even with a face and the scent he couldn't place where he'd seen that girl before. Meh, not like it mattered. Well, fuck you too. Rory said good naturedly. He didn't doubt what he said at all, Rory would stick out. But that didn't mean he had to like being constantly belittled. It never changed, it just wasn't enough for these Alpha male types to rely on their own merits. Cool. that frees me up to get some other work done. Just a, if Lex is in hiding, make sure your on the lookout in case this Midas character directs you to the same little hidey hole.

Helen was a little shocked at what she was hearing.
"Uhm... while I'm flattered, are you sure Trixie's ready for that? I might have to do some things that she can't unsee." she stressed the last word, hoping Rashid would realize that immunity to the Lunacy didn't mean she wouldn't freak the hell out at an angry Helen in Dalu.
"And I may need some more muscle, going in to a situation I don't have many details on. Rory could pose as my wealthy white collar boyfriend, willing to pay good money for a safe place to hide." she said, putting a gentle hand on her packmate's shoulder. She trusted him, Rashid needed to as well.

Luke had been content to harass the cook, eating most of his breakfast by stealing stuff right out of the pan just to tease Helen. ”What do you mean cookies later?” He looked very taken back but it was merely a show. Luke considered making a taunting joke about getting cookies to Rashid but besides that was something for when it was guys-only time.

It was hard not to stare at the woman Rashid brought out under his arm. The big dog had more game than he thought, even as tired as the woman looked she was definitely hot. He gave his friend and approving glance before turning his attention back to rescuing more bacon from Helen while he listened.

”If this guy has a girl he’s seeing, you don’t think he brings an entire army to her house just to visit? Instead of some crazy charade, why do we just make use of May’s kidnap van and actually kidnap someone with it.”

Riley shook his head.
"Nah nigga, if he keepin' a girl that young he ain't got a crew. That's somethin' they tease the nigga about, but steer clear of." Riley said, a little ashamed to know things like that from experience.
"'Cept his niggas keep droppin'. Might be he hires a crew to watch the front door now. Probly won't be too loyal though." O-Trained followed up.
"It is not a kidnapper van!" May said, not taking her eyes of Rashid's "friend".
"K-kinda is May." Cho teased.
"O-Train and me could ride with May, check who all's there, see if we know any one." Riley offered.
"And the white girl. She knows people too." May piped up. Riley eyed her curiously and shrugged.

Rashid glared over at May for a moment before getting back to his plan. "She ain't going on the recon run. If she's made during that, the second round won't work at all." This was getting a little too helpful. Too many ideas, he was sure there would be some clashing here.
"As Riley said, most street crews stay away from the pervs. Bad wrap. You're welcome to bring Rory if you want more show, but the plan has a flaw. If he's paying well to have you hide, no way he'd send you to a major contact, you could have warrants, tails, you could have a green light for all he knows. I'd prefer he be here so I can work with him on the next step if I could. You want him with, fine, but it needs to get us to the right man, not some stophole.

And her," he looked down, almost proud. "She's walked past my mess and didn't bat an eye. After talking some last night..." Rashid waited for the snickers to die down.

"She's a little more aware of our situation.