Make the Grade

Prologue

It was a bright Wednesday morning in Georgetown as the Alkaev twins walked into their typical restaurant. Dressed for success in their part-time job, the sisters clocked in, grabbed the waist-tied apron and waltz out in unison. The blonde girls smiled and parted when they hit the bar. They had tables to wait and four hours of serving, chatting and smiling to complete. They were ready to take everything on that went on in the restaurant- including the bar fights.

Though average height, the two could take grown men. Some of them were over twice their weight, but that didn't stop them. They got applause and the like, sometimes a few whistles, especially when a good crowd was in. They were the fantasy of man men, but no one dared touch them, even when they extended a hand to shake. The ones who accepted were a bit shaky in their grip.

Midway through their short shift, a huge bar fight broke out. Eight guys were throwing beer bottles and flinging chairs and fancy glasses. Some were beyond drunk, beyond wasted… Nothing really covered it. Kokoro jumped into action first, after she set down her tray and apron, that is. Kanon took notice as their voices increased in volume. She looked over her shoulder and noticed her sister take down a rather tall guy who somehow happened to be shirtless.

Excusing herself from her customers, she too set her items down and almost jumped in- one of the drunks fell back and landed at her feet.

"How charming," Kanon mumbled.

She stepped over him and pushed her way through to the bar where she hopped over it and cut off all of the alcohol. First part of the plan complete. As she stood, a bottle flew past her and hit the glass cabinet behind her. She shook her head and reached for the phone. She dialed the usual- 911- explained the situation and hung up. They knew the drill by now. Part two complete- now for the finale: to have some fun.

She joined the party and began to flip and trip guys. All but three were down and they weren't like the other five. Not only were they drunk but they must have been on something since their eyes were extremely bloodshot, more so than normal.

"Kokoro, what's your plan? I'm out," whispered Kanon.

"Wait for the cops?" she nervously stated.

Kanon scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Can we make it that long?"

Both of the girls looked at each other and then to the door their eyes wandered. They nodded and bolted. As planned, the three drunks left wobbling followed them to the door. The two girls bolted out and hit a figurative wall. Landing on the ground on their butts, they abruptly flung their heads up to see six people. Well, four standing and two on the ground near them, both of which were male.

The three goons tripped on their on two feet and fell, half of their bodies outside of the restaurant and half in, give or take some. Kanon and Kokoro looked over to them and within a few seconds of the glance, the cops came around the corner and took care of their problem. As the outside mess was cleaned up, the girls apologized for the literal running into the two they hit.

Kanon tended to the newcomers and Kokoro dealt with the bar mess. She had help with that so it went much faster.

"Hello!" Kanon began. "May I take your drink order?"

She got the typical beer and pop, but there was one odd request- Caf-Pow.

"I'm sorry, what's a Caf-Pow? Is it legal in this country?" she asked the pale, black haired girl.

That girl pouted a little and decided on a Shirley Temple with extra cherries, though she didn't seem like that kind of person. Off with a smile, she passed her sister and dragged her to the back.

"Hey, I got a text from Jonathan to pick him up. Cover for me, okay?"

"Yeah, no problem."

Kokoro walked out and got the drinks as Kanon grabbed the keys and headed to the nearby high school. When she arrived, she was directed to the lab where detention was being held. Walking in got everyone's attention, mainly for two reasons: detention had five minutes left and she was in her uniform.

Out of not wanting to be there anymore, the teacher released the students. Kanon's kid step-brother was relieved momentarily until he walked up to her- his expression changed fast.

"It's not what you think," he began his pathetic, on the spot excuse.

"Chotto matte, otouto," Kanon stated as he held her finger out nearly touching his nose.

BEEP. BEEP BEEP. BEEP. BEEEEEEP. BEEP.

The teacher looked around and asked the two if they had heard the noise. Both nodded their heads, but couldn't associate it with anything in the room. The trio looked around and searched the room. Kanon texted Kokoro in the process.

DING DONG.

Kokoro just smiled at the group of six as she took her phone out of her apron. "Sorry about that. It's my sister."

One head at the table shot up. "Wait," he stated, "you're not the same one from earlier."

The other five looked at him.

"Did you just notice, DiNozzo?" asked the older man with the short graying hair.

Kokoro just smiled as she took the plates. While in the kitchen, she checked the text and she wasn't comfortable, but she went on with work. She printed off the check and grabbed the black fold. Swinging by the table, Kokoro made sure there was nothing else they wanted before dropping off the bill.

DING DONG.

She looked at it and began to spaz. She frantically dialed the number and tried to remain calm, though she pretty much failed.

"Jonathan, what happened?" she demanded.

"The beeps were a bomb. She's being transported to the hospital. You gotta get down there!"

"Might help to tell me which hospital, kid."

"We'll take you there," said one of the voices behind her. Kokoro turned around to see four badge- four NCIS badges.