Chapter Text
Dana Mosier was not someone who was scared easily. She never had been, even in the situations she should have. Instead she had a tendency to approach problems calmly. But now after having heard the employer of the man who was currently stalking her, she was terrified. In the past few days she had barely gotten any sleep and the effects of that were truly showing now. She was tired, it was affecting her decision making, and ability to think clearly. In spite of her better judgment, Dana glances over her shoulder and gets a good look at the man. He was dressed normally and if he hadn’t been in Dana’s sights for the past few days she would think that he was an ordinary man. She sincerely hoped he hadn’t noticed her glance but she figured that she wouldn’t get that lucky.
Dana looked subtly in a car mirror hoping to spot her stalker without him realizing it. Unfortunately she only managed to catch a glimpse of him in the mirror which wasn’t enough to get a genuine look at him. Once again the urge to check over her shoulder came over her but this time she managed to resist. The lack of a look only served to make her more anxious. Without even realizing it Dana had begun to clench and unclench her hands, knowing she needed to remain calm she took a deep breath to steady herself. If she was going to attempt an escape she needed to be the personification of calm. The moment her shadow’s back was turned she needed to get a warning out preferably without him noticing.
Dana reaches into her bag, her hand twitching over the burner phone she had obtained earlier without notice (she hoped). She needed to be more proactive, Dana decided. Instead of waiting she decided to begin to actively look for a place to lose her stalker even if it was just temporary. Dana was no idiot, she knew that if he’d been hired by exactly who she thought he was there was no way to permanently get away. This may be a game to Catalina but there was no way she would ever employ someone incompetant. Which is why she needed to find a place to distract her shadow long enough so she could warn Katrin before Catalina could get to her. Katrin shouldn’t have to pay for Dana’s mistake. Now where was somewhere she could lose her follower? As if a higher power had answered her prayers she came across a restaurant she occasionally frequented.
It wouldn’t be unusual for Dana to step inside. Not to mention the fact that it was rush hour. There would be a whole lot more people there which would allow for her distraction to be ten times more chaotic. Making up her mind, Dana constructed a plan and sent silent apologies to the owners. Opening up the door she walked in with what she hoped was her normal confident smile.
“Ms. Mosier, I assume you would like your usual seat.” A familiar hostess greets her.
“If you don’t mind.” Dana allowed herself a brief look over her shoulder. The man was acting like he was casually scrolling through his phone. Although she would have preferred to keep her attention on him, Dana turned back to the hostess.
“If you’ll just follow me.” The hostess leads Dana to her usual spot and hands her a menu.
Dana orders a glass of red wine and pretends to read the menu while really looking at the man. A few seconds later he joins her in the restaurant and manages to obtain a seat in the back despite the packed room. Dana considers taking out the phone now but she can’t risk him seeing it. She finds it likely that they know the identities of the other agents on the case but if they don’t know where the others are located, she’s not going to lead Catalina straight to them. Dana is broken from her thoughts when the server comes back with a glass of wine. Dana however does not take the glass.
“A friend of mine is sitting over there. Would you mind bringing this glass over to him?” Dana asks sweetly as she points discreetly at the man.
“Not at all.” The server turns towards the man and begins to walk over.
Dana cautiously gets up from her table hoping not to be noticed as she follows behind the server. When the server is within a foot of the man, Dana pretends to trip and falls into the platter carrying the glass of wine. Just as she planned the wine spills directly onto her stalker and it takes everything in Dana’s willpower not to smirk.
“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going and I must have tripped.” Dana forces out a sugary sweet voice. “How clumsy of me.”
“It’s fine.” The man practically growls. Even though his voice is barely audible, Dana catches his Russian accent.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” Dana repeats. “Stay right here, I'll go grab some towels.”
“It’s fi-” The man starts.
“No it’s not.” Dana insists. “I’ll get some towels.”
Before the man can protest again, Dana walks calmly towards the bathroom. Just like she remembers the fire alarm is right near the ladies’ room. Without a second thought, Dana pulls it but she doesn’t wait to hear the alarms sound. As soon as the lever is down she is off into the back alleyway hoping she’s bought herself enough time. She throws a quick look behind her back before fishing out the phone from her purse. Her hands fly over the screen as she begins to tap in the number of her old friend. Dana begins walking as she presses the phone to her ear.
“Yes?” The soothing German accent of her friend comes over the line.
“You need to get to safety, Katrin.” Dana doesn’t bother with pleasantries. “She’s already found me.”
“Dana?” Katrin Jaeger’s voice questions her old friend. “What are you talking about? Who is she?”
“Catalina.” Dana whispers as she hurries down the alleyway.
“How is that possible?” Katrin’s worry is evident. “I thought Starkova was locked away.”
“I have no idea.” Dana glances back and finds no one following her but she can’t shake the feeling she’s being followed. “I can’t talk. She’s after me and it’s only a matter of time before I’m found. You need to get to safety.”
“Dana please tell me what is going on?” Katrin pleads.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. Take care of yourself.” Dana spots a trashcan a few feet away. She wishes that she could give Katrin more information but the truth is she doesn’t have any.
She opens the trash can and unceremoniously dumps the cell inside. The exit to the alleyway is up ahead and Dana tries to find a way to exit without being noticed. Unfortunately for her, her wine-stained friend is waiting against a black town car. It’s not obvious to the untrained eye but Dana notices the outline of a gun at his belt. Before she can head back the way she came she hears the click of a gun and a muzzle pointed up against her back. To avoid trouble she raises her hands and moves forward when the gun wielder pushes her out into the open. The man moves from the hood of the car closer to Dana in order to speak with her.
“Come with me.” The man’s voice is deep and accented.
“I don’t really have a choice.” Dana motions to the gun against her back.
The man chuckled as he opened the car door for her, “I appreciate the humor but I would advise against using it when you meet my boss.”
“I’m aware of that.” Dana takes a seat in the back.
“Yes, I am sure you are.” The man gets in and takes the seat next to Dana. “Where is your gun?”
For a brief moment Dana considers not answering but as she thinks back to the last time she saw Catalina and she realizes that she’ll need to save her energy, “My bag.”
“The more you cooperate the less pain you’ll be in.” The man warns her.
Dana sincerely doubted that but she knew snark would get her nowhere. Instead she knew that she needed to approach the situation sensibly if she hoped to have her questions answered, “Who are you?”
“Now is not the time for questions.” The man answered gruffly. “Now is the time for some rest which you have thoroughly lacked the past few days.”
He must have known that she knew, Dana realized. Before another question can pop from her mouth the man pulls a syringe from his pocket. She flinches away from it but it’s no use when the man grabs her arms and holds her still enough to plunge the needle into her arm. It’s not too painful but Dana has never liked needles. The darkness isn't instant. It takes a minute before she starts to feel drowsy and before she can so much as attempt to pinch herself awake she slumps back against her seat. Slowly her limbs begin to feel heavier, still Dana attempts to resist but the struggle is fruitless, and finds the darkness enveloping her anyway. She barely has time to hear the accented whisper of the mysterious man but it still sends shivers down her spine, "Catalina Starkova has plans for you."