Fanfic: The 4400 - More about Matthew, Part 1
Title: More about Matthew, Part 1
Author: eboniorchid
Gen/Het/Slash: Gen (implied canon Het)
Pairing: None (implied canon Shawn/Isabelle)
Rating: PG-13 (implied knowledge of intimacy)
Spoilers: Everything through Season 3, Episode 3, "Being Tom Baldwin."
Summary: Matthew speaks with important people, including Shawn.
Author's Notes: I want to explore the enigmatic character that is Matthew Ross. I have some "what if" ideas for his character and the Grand Plan, but I don't consider them theories about how the actual 4400 storyline will go. So, this fic series will most likely be AU, splitting from canon after S03.E03, "Being Tom Baldwin." This has not been betaed.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Length: 786 words.
Disclaimer: The 4400, all of its characters and related junk belong to American Zoetrope and their appropriate business associates. No copyright infringement is intended. This is only my creative expression inspired by their amazing show and I receive no financial or material gain from this project.
"Listen, everything is under control here. She may not be eating out of my hand, but she believes in the purpose that I have laid out for her. Even Shawn trusts me. Yes, yes, I know. I can assure you that everything is right on schedule."
Matthew Ross sat at his desk, his jaw set with tension from his exasperating phone call with the Council. He knew that his efforts were incredibly important to the Council's plan, but he wished that they would stop nagging him as if he was some eight-year old with dish duty. If they didn't think he could handle the situation, then why hadn't they sent someone else? Oh wait, he was the most capable agent they had, and yet, they still insisted that he contact them at least once a day. It was tedious and he felt that it wasted valuable time that could be better spent shaping his charges.
"Of course. I will make sure there is no interference … from anyone. Jordan Collier may be back, but by the time my associates allow him to resurface, each target will be playing for the right team."
Closing pleasantries were exchanged and, finally, the call was over. He was glad the Council preferred the anonymity of modulated audio-only phones, because he would have had a difficult time using video-capable communications, since he could never control his eye-rolling when the Council was hounding him for no good reason.
He set about working through some of the files on his desk, but in only a few moments, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, trying not to seem overly annoyed by the interruption to his work.
"Matthew," Shawn said, closing the door behind him, "can we speak freely here?"
"Of course, Shawn." Matthew set down his pen, sitting up straighter in his chair. "You know I have these offices swept for devices of espionage on a regular basis. What do you need to speak with me about?"
"The NOVA Group," said Shawn, sitting in the armchair across from Matthew's desk.
"Oh, yes, our dear vigilante cousins," Matthew said with a sneer. "What in particular requires discussion?"
"I supported them, then I not only turned my back on them, but I gave them up to the authorities, and now I fear that I'm on their hit list."
"Are you suggesting that we increase security around you or around the Center? As soon as the first NOVA strike became public we started expanding our security ranks and putting everyone through a more rigorous screening process. I can't imagine what more we could do, Shawn."
"It's not me that I'm so worried about, Matthew," Shawn swallowed hard, giving Matthew a look that said he should know exactly who he was worried about.
"I understand your concerns about Isabelle being converted to the NOVA group's ideology and we can certainly take steps to prevent her from joining them, but," Matthew smiled tightly, relishing his ability to point out a contradiction in Shawn's code of ethics, "she is a human being, an adult at that, with free will, 'the right to choose,' as you say. Short of killing her, it is highly unlikely that there is anything we could do to keep someone so powerful from pursuing a path that they have freely chosen." Shaking his head, Matthew scoffed, "Indeed, it would be folly to even try to stop her."
Shawn gave an irritated sigh, "I'm not suggesting that we force her to do anything, but she's still learning and she might be taken in by the rhetoric of 'revolutionary change in an unjust world.' "
"And yet you believe her judgment is not so impaired by ignorance that she is unable to freely choose a lover," Matthew challenged.
"I didn't come here for a lecture, Matthew -"
"And I'm not giving you one -"
"I'm just worried about what NOVA's discontent with me will mean for Isabelle."
"Look," Matthew said, gesturing a frustrated surrender, "I will do everything in my power to protect you, Isabelle, and this Center. You know that, Shawn."
"I know," Shawn sighed, his anger deflated. There was a lengthy pause as the two considered each other. Then Shawn rose, striding towards the door. "Well, I'll leave you to your work, then." Reaching for the door, Matthew's voice stopped him and he turned to look over his shoulder.
"We may not see eye to eye on everything, Shawn, but I am not your enemy." There was sincerity and concern in Matthew's eyes and Shawn nodded, acknowledging his loyalty and exiting the room.
Matthew watched the door close and, hearing it click shut, said, "But I may not be your friend."
Author: eboniorchid
Gen/Het/Slash: Gen (implied canon Het)
Pairing: None (implied canon Shawn/Isabelle)
Rating: PG-13 (implied knowledge of intimacy)
Spoilers: Everything through Season 3, Episode 3, "Being Tom Baldwin."
Summary: Matthew speaks with important people, including Shawn.
Author's Notes: I want to explore the enigmatic character that is Matthew Ross. I have some "what if" ideas for his character and the Grand Plan, but I don't consider them theories about how the actual 4400 storyline will go. So, this fic series will most likely be AU, splitting from canon after S03.E03, "Being Tom Baldwin." This has not been betaed.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Length: 786 words.
Disclaimer: The 4400, all of its characters and related junk belong to American Zoetrope and their appropriate business associates. No copyright infringement is intended. This is only my creative expression inspired by their amazing show and I receive no financial or material gain from this project.
"Listen, everything is under control here. She may not be eating out of my hand, but she believes in the purpose that I have laid out for her. Even Shawn trusts me. Yes, yes, I know. I can assure you that everything is right on schedule."
Matthew Ross sat at his desk, his jaw set with tension from his exasperating phone call with the Council. He knew that his efforts were incredibly important to the Council's plan, but he wished that they would stop nagging him as if he was some eight-year old with dish duty. If they didn't think he could handle the situation, then why hadn't they sent someone else? Oh wait, he was the most capable agent they had, and yet, they still insisted that he contact them at least once a day. It was tedious and he felt that it wasted valuable time that could be better spent shaping his charges.
"Of course. I will make sure there is no interference … from anyone. Jordan Collier may be back, but by the time my associates allow him to resurface, each target will be playing for the right team."
Closing pleasantries were exchanged and, finally, the call was over. He was glad the Council preferred the anonymity of modulated audio-only phones, because he would have had a difficult time using video-capable communications, since he could never control his eye-rolling when the Council was hounding him for no good reason.
He set about working through some of the files on his desk, but in only a few moments, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, trying not to seem overly annoyed by the interruption to his work.
"Matthew," Shawn said, closing the door behind him, "can we speak freely here?"
"Of course, Shawn." Matthew set down his pen, sitting up straighter in his chair. "You know I have these offices swept for devices of espionage on a regular basis. What do you need to speak with me about?"
"The NOVA Group," said Shawn, sitting in the armchair across from Matthew's desk.
"Oh, yes, our dear vigilante cousins," Matthew said with a sneer. "What in particular requires discussion?"
"I supported them, then I not only turned my back on them, but I gave them up to the authorities, and now I fear that I'm on their hit list."
"Are you suggesting that we increase security around you or around the Center? As soon as the first NOVA strike became public we started expanding our security ranks and putting everyone through a more rigorous screening process. I can't imagine what more we could do, Shawn."
"It's not me that I'm so worried about, Matthew," Shawn swallowed hard, giving Matthew a look that said he should know exactly who he was worried about.
"I understand your concerns about Isabelle being converted to the NOVA group's ideology and we can certainly take steps to prevent her from joining them, but," Matthew smiled tightly, relishing his ability to point out a contradiction in Shawn's code of ethics, "she is a human being, an adult at that, with free will, 'the right to choose,' as you say. Short of killing her, it is highly unlikely that there is anything we could do to keep someone so powerful from pursuing a path that they have freely chosen." Shaking his head, Matthew scoffed, "Indeed, it would be folly to even try to stop her."
Shawn gave an irritated sigh, "I'm not suggesting that we force her to do anything, but she's still learning and she might be taken in by the rhetoric of 'revolutionary change in an unjust world.' "
"And yet you believe her judgment is not so impaired by ignorance that she is unable to freely choose a lover," Matthew challenged.
"I didn't come here for a lecture, Matthew -"
"And I'm not giving you one -"
"I'm just worried about what NOVA's discontent with me will mean for Isabelle."
"Look," Matthew said, gesturing a frustrated surrender, "I will do everything in my power to protect you, Isabelle, and this Center. You know that, Shawn."
"I know," Shawn sighed, his anger deflated. There was a lengthy pause as the two considered each other. Then Shawn rose, striding towards the door. "Well, I'll leave you to your work, then." Reaching for the door, Matthew's voice stopped him and he turned to look over his shoulder.
"We may not see eye to eye on everything, Shawn, but I am not your enemy." There was sincerity and concern in Matthew's eyes and Shawn nodded, acknowledging his loyalty and exiting the room.
Matthew watched the door close and, hearing it click shut, said, "But I may not be your friend."