His fingers flew over the keys, pausing only to reach for an energy drink. Lifting it to his lips with one hand, the other busy manipulating the mouse, he poured the last few drops onto his tongue. "Where's my refill?" he barked out, not so much as bothering a glance over his shoulder.
Alicia stared at the back of Birkhoff's head, taking in his shaggy brown hair. He was too busy typing away to realize that his Command Center was no longer as empty as it had been. In fact, he was so absorbed in his work he had no idea who was now standing behind him. If he had, he probably wouldn't have crushed the can against the table, slamming it under his fist as one of the startled technicians tried desperately to get his attention. "Uh sir-"
"Genius doesn't fuel itself," he cut the man off. Eyes still locked on his screen, he pointed deftly towards where the refrigerator rested against the far wall.
Amanda flashed Percy a dry smile before striding forwards. Her heels clicked with every step, the sound filling the Command Center. It echoed off the walls as the room fell silent. The poor technician who had been tasked with getting Birkhoff's drink stood frozen, his eyes wide as he turned to catch sight of Amanda. "Birkhoff," her pointed tone took hold on the room as well as the man in question, "can you tell me why I'm here?"
He spun in his chair, quickly scanning over the four that stood before him. His eyes danced over Alicia and her fellow recruit, Samson, to take in Percy for a brief second. One look at the impeccably dressed man and the humorless smirk he donned was enough to send his eyes darting to Amanda in worry. Just what I needed, he thought dryly, the dragon lady herself. Trying to keep a straight face he shrugged, raking one of his hands through his shaggy hair to keep it from falling in his eyes. "No, I can't," he answered honestly. When it came to Amanda he didn't even bother with his usual games. She was all business, and he had no interest in the type of business she was oh-so famous for. "I've been in virtual hell, trying to find the semantics behind that encrypted call we intercepted," Birkhoff muttered.
It wasn't hard for Alicia to see the man was shaken by his higher-ups appearing out of nowhere. Whatever he'd been so submerged in only moments ago was now forgotten as he stared up into Amanda's piercing gaze. She couldn't blame him, and the slight jittering of his hand was something she could easily relate to. The woman had the same effect on nearly everyone at Division, even the insanely handsome Michael who stalked the halls like some brooding creature. Word in the halls was that an Agent had gone rogue, and the name behind it held just as much mystery as the woman herself. Nikita; the woman who had single handedly pushed all of Division into Amanda's finely tuned sights.
"I sent for you an hour ago, Birkhoff," she informed him, taking a small step forward. Her hands were clasped together behind her back, a clearly false smile playing on her burgundy lips. It didn't take a genius to see that she had a bone to pick with the man, and Alicia felt sorry for him.
I'm glad I'm not him, Alicia silently thanked the gods as she watched the man stiffen. Normally she wouldn't have paid any attention to the guy at the computer desk. Division was her second chance, and the only reason she ought to be sizing a man up should relate to the job and nothing more. Yet she found her eyes taking in his face, filing every little detail away for safe keeping. So this is Birkhoff in his natural habitat, her heart picked up as she realized he was in the middle of working on something. She'd often wondered what he'd be like outside of class. As a recruit she'd only ever handled simulations during her training.
He was too focused on Amanda's cool gaze to notice his favorite recruit was taking note on how his lip twitched as he tried to refrain from a biting comment. "How much longer?" Percy spoke up, his tone clearly curious.
"Something like this can take hours-"
"How much longer Birkhoff?" Percy repeated himself, cutting Birkhoff short with a pointed stare.
He pursed his lips for a second before glancing back towards his screen. "I can have it done in ten," he admitted, finally letting his eyes flicker to Alicia. He hadn't noticed her until then, and already he could feel himself relaxing. If the Inquisitor was being followed by a newbie then she wasn't about to drag him off for more interrogation time, or so he hoped. Nikita going AWOL had really put him in a tough spot. It hadn't made it past Amanda that the two had developed a friendship, albeit maybe even a crush on his end. He was questioned the moment she was discovered compromised, second in Amanda's and Percy's sights only to Michael.
Alicia had to hold in a smile as he flexed his fingers, eyes flickering back to the keyboard he'd been neglecting. The man was truly at home when it came to technology and was endearingly cocky when it came to his computer skills. She couldn't help but find him oddly cute with his slightly boyish face, and somewhat skater-boy meets nerd apparel. Though he was the head IT guy and resident IT Professor, he too was an active Agent and therefore in good shape.
"Good," Amanda nodded briskly, "then you can brief Samson and Alicia here on Operation Paulter." She motioned for the two recruits to step forward and they obeyed.
Birkhoff eyed Alicia skeptically. His navy eyes danced over her small, slender frame. Though she had a disarmingly sweet face he knew that every inch of her was a trained killer. He didn't doubt Michael had trained her well, but he'd also had a hand in her training. Compared to the other recruits she was surprisingly quick with all of the information he threw at her, and was an ideal student. "Isn't that the one where-"
"After you finish here Birkhoff," she tsked her teeth, flashing a look towards Percy.
It was impossible not to notice Percy's self satisfied smile. He had this look about him, having a lot to do with his intense blue eyes, which made a shiver run down Alicia's spine. "This will be a test run," he informed the head IT.
Birkhoff had guessed that much. "Where's Michael?" he asked, noting his friend's absence. "Shouldn't he be here for the newbs?"
"He's on another mission," Amanda spoke up, tilting her head as she gave him another one of her painted on smiles. "I will be doing the active prep work," she let him know in an offhand manner.
He felt a twinge of jealousy at that information. He gets to go play James Bond and I'm the babysitter? His eyes traced over the young man who stood smugly taking in the Command Center. Michael was the one who had been Nikita's favorite, but that didn't change the fact that he was still number one in Percy's eyes. Unless Birkhoff happened to be introduced to a challenge worthy of him, there were few times that the boss paid attention to the prodigy he had running the technology end of everything at Division. "Decode the secret call and give the newbs the 411," he nodded, a hint of his usual sarcasm in his voice, "all in time for dinner."
"The Op is a go tonight," Percy deftly crushed his hopes of an early night.
"I'll expect them in an hour," she let him know before turning her attention to the recruits. With upturned lips she scanned the pair with appreciation. They'd both shown considerable promise, which was exactly what Amanda was thirsting for. She needed success right now and if anyone could offer it, it was these two. Though Alicia was no Nikita, she was definitely something special.
Knowing there was little else he could do Birkhoff nodded. "Roger that."
Satisfied, Percy turned and started from the room, Amanda faithfully at his side. They both paused a step from the exit, looking over their shoulders as they cast a pointed look over the room. The hint was instantly picked up on, and the hum of everyone going back to work quickly filled the silence. "One hour," she warned, meeting his eyes, "and they better be on time."
It wasn't until the door closed behind the pair that life actually returned to the room and the stiffness seemed to lift from the air. Alicia watched as Birkhoff ran one hand through his shaggy hair, turning his seat back towards the screen in front of him. He muttered under his breath, something or another about how ungrateful everyone was, before the typing resumed once more. It was hard for her not to smile as she watched him hunched over his work. She desperately wanted to see him in action. It sounded like whatever it was he was working on had him stressed, and she closed the distanced to the refrigerator without thinking.
Birkhoff rubbed his temples, focusing on the scrolling print of the screen. One hour, he thought sourly, mimicking Amanda's voice in his mind, as if I were just finishing a hand of solitaire! With an angry click he switched screens, expanding the reaches of his search as his fingers flew over the keys. Nikita leaves and the place is like a live grenade. If I left Division would be in a scramble! He grinned thinking about it, knowing he could never actually leave. After all; he quite liked being alive.
Reaching out absentmindedly his hand swept at empty air before he realized that he'd never solved the problem of his need for caffeine. "Looking for this?" Alicia smiled shyly down into his surprised expression as he looked up at her. For a second he looked confused, and she popped open the tab on the energy drink as if to explain herself.
He happily accepted the cool drink, slamming down a few gulps of the sweet acidic beverage before shooting her a grin. "About time," he tried to tease her, forgetting momentarily his place in things, "service around here sucks."
"I don't think getting drinks was in my job description," she laughed, surprised at his lighthearted manner. He'd always been quirky, but usually her teacher was much more guarded than this. In fact he seemed slightly broody most days.
It took him a second to realize he'd never heard her laugh before, and he turned his eyes quickly towards the screen. She's not Niki, he had to remind himself. Working with anyone other than her had proven tough. The way she'd called him 'Nerd' and teased him so openly had made him feel more accepted than he'd ever felt at Division. Everyone looked up to him as the brains of the place, but they'd never considered him a part of their group. After all, he was and always would be a computer nerd. Those that aimed for the IT department were usually too square to even be worth his time. They didn't understand his humor one bit.
"I haven't given you your job description yet," he pointed out, keeping his eyes trained on the screen.
"That's true," she couldn't help but step up to his side, peering over his shoulder at the screen before him, "for all I know I'm supposed to be waitress."
Birkhoff could feel her standing close beside him, too close. Any closer and her arm would be pressing up against his. He glanced over at her as she stooped towards the screen, the white of her tanktop clinging to her curves. "I wouldn't count on it," he shook his head.
Samson grinned, stepping up behind Alicia as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. "It's no kill order, but it's a step towards graduation." His eyes scanned over Alicia quickly; glad that she was his partner on whatever task they were needed for. Unlike some of the other female recruits she definitely had the seduction techniques down. If how well she performed in class said anything, then he had a hunch her feminine wiles were going to play a big part in this mission. "Why do you think they picked us?" Samson asked her, trying to gain her attention.
It worked, and she peeled her eyes away from the screen. "You mean instead of using active Agents?" she asked, quirking a brow. It was a question she'd been wanting to ask too. "I don't know. Percy said it was some sort of test run. Probably to judge our progress."
"But on an active mission?" Samson pushed, noting that Birkhoff was being uncharacteristically quiet. "Don't they usually put us through simulations first?"
"Why, are you nervous?" Alicia teased, a smile playing on her lips as she nudged him. It wasn't like Samson to second guess an order. Especially not when it had come from the mouth of Amanda herself; she'd handpicked the two for whatever Operation they'd be going on tonight.
"More like anxious," he shot back with a grin of his own, "I just want to get out on the field as soon as possible."
As much as Birkhoff understood their enthusiasm he didn't like the way the young man was gazing at Alicia. He knew firsthand how disarming that soft smile of hers was, and it didn't come as a surprise that it wasn't reserved just for him. In fact, it was those perfect lips of hers that had probably landed her this mission. "Slow your roll there cowboy," he scoffed, "you don't even know what you'll be doing yet."
"What will we be doing Birkhoff?" she couldn't help but question, looking down at the man.
His gaze flickered up to meet hers for a moment. Leave it to Amanda to give him the task of briefing her on the mission in question. If he didn't know better he was being punished for Nikita yet again. Had the woman possibly guessed his slight attachment to this particular recruit? "How about you let me finish my job," he pushed out between clenched teeth, "and then I can brief you for yours?"
Taking the hint Alicia drew away quickly, guiltily giving up her curiosity on the text flying across his screen. From his frantic typing she'd known that he was in the middle of something but she hadn't been able to keep from asking. Don't get in his way, she scolded herself, pushing her auburn locks over her shoulder. Samson flashed her a slightly amused look at having been scolded, and she returned it with a rolling of her eyes. "Think it's just us two?" she asked, lowering her voice to a whisper as he followed her to one of the empty computers.
"Not a chance," he dismissed the possibility, pulling out the rolling chair for her with a seedy smile. Relationships were strictly forbidden when it came to Division, but Amanda had made it clear that there was nothing wrong with an occasional romp. As long as there weren't any feelings attached to cause weakness then it was only natural to find a physical release. "They wouldn't risk sending us in unless we have a team to back us up."
She took the seat, looking up into his hazel eyes as he propped himself against the desk near her. "Well we know it's no kill job," she shrugged, spinning the rolling chair slowly. "If we're not on the team then it might have to do with infiltration."
"Or a distraction," he offered up.
"Could just be gathering Intel," Alicia nodded, spinning again slowly, aware of his eyes on her.
"Maybe we're just part of a cover story," Samson shrugged. "It wouldn't be the first time they sent a recruit in as some Agent's date."
Birkhoff couldn't hear what the pair was saying, but his eyes flickered to them with irritation. Here he was decoding a call in a hundredth of the time it would take any other dimwit at this place, and no one so much as gave him a pat on the back. Still, it didn't mean he couldn't be proud of himself. "Take that!" he exclaimed, leaning towards the screen with eyes wide as his fingers flew. "Check and mate," he typed in the final command, relaxing back in his chair with a triumphant smile. On the screen he watched the wavelengths of the call being translated into a handful of languages as it was saved into the databank.
He reached for the energy drink and nearly jumped in surprise when it was placed in his hand. Alicia was already at his side, peering at the screen with interest. "Ten minutes," she mused, "more like six!"
"Yeah, well they didn't count on me," he bragged, lacing his fingers and cracking them great satisfaction.
"Isn't that a twelve stage encryption?" she questioned, her attention drawn to one of the three screens of his command center. Before he could answer she was leaning over him, peering though her curved lashes at the information on the screen. "How'd you narrow the field so quickly?"
Proud that his student was aware of what he'd just been working on, he downed a few gulps of his energy drink as he took in her interested expression. "There's nothing Shadownet can't do in the right hands."
Her eyes scanned over the information, stunned by the complexity of it all. And I thought I was good for completing assignments with ease, she couldn't help but think ever more highly of the IT guy. This is way out of my league, a little panic took hold on her as she straightened back up, nearly blushing as she realized she'd been in such close proximity to his face. "Is it always this complex?" Alicia wondered out loud, second guessing her pride in being given an active assignment so early on.
"Only the things that cross my path, sweetheart," he couldn't help but flash her a prideful grin. It was about time someone paid attention to the work he was doing. It was easily dismissed when he was the only one who laid eyes on the actual complexity of what his work really entailed. "The real work is always left up to me."
"What about our work?" Samson questioned, trying to refrain from glaring. He'd been mid sentence when Alicia had clambered to her feet to rush to the nerd's side.
Birkhoff shot him an annoyed glare before turning back to his screen and pulling up the Operation in question. "Operation Paulter," he read off, relaxing back in his seat as he scanned the face of the recruit at his side. He watched as her eyes scanned over the information, taking in every detail she could get before he could get started on the details. If she had any thoughts about what the mission entailed her expression gave away nothing. "You'll be going undercover to plant a bug on a suspected connection to one of our targets."
"A simple in and out?" Samson asked, disappointment lacing his voice. He'd been hoping for action.
"Not exactly," Birkhoff sighed, manipulating the mouse to pull up a picture of their target for tonight. "He's not your regular scumbag who can be won over with a pretty face and a bug slipped in the pocket. This guy has some pretty particular tastes." With a quick glance to Alicia he tried to ready himself for being the bearer of some rather distasteful information. This should be Michael's job, not mine.
Alicia held her breath as she listened to the Intel they had on the target. "He's only interested in obtaining things that are already owned. You'll be going in as a couple to get his attention," Birkhoff's navy eyes were trained on the information he was bringing up. "Once he has Alicia in his sights he'll approach you, placing an offer to take her off your hands for an hour or two. You'll have to play your part and haggle out a price that makes him feel like he's accomplished something," his gaze flickered to Samson with a hint of distaste. The man made no attempt to hide the fact he didn't like the details.
"Once you're in you'll have a small window to place the bug," he informed Alicia , not able to look at her face. The missions where girls were used as bait usually didn't bother him so much. He couldn't help but let this one get to him, seeing so much more potential in Alicia back in the Command Center than being drooled over by a well known psychopath. "He'll suspect something if you're too cooperative, so you'll need to let him win you over. Mr. Paulter here may be a sleaze who buys taken women for sport, but he still takes pride in the hunt."
Samson nodded, chancing his own look at Alicia. One quick scan of her figure and he knew that he'd been right when he'd assumed Amanda had chosen her for her appearance as well as acting skills. "So I get the role of possessive auctioneer," a toothy grin took over his face, his hazel eyes sparkling in humor, "this is going to be a breeze."
Birkhoff watched from Operations as Samson and Alicia made their way through the nightclub. It'd been childsplay to hack into the club's many security cameras and he had an all seeing eye on the layout of the busy joint. The lemon yellow dress that Amanda had dressed Alicia up in helped to make her stick out among all the other dolled up girls that littered every inch of the crowd. Samson and his obvious enjoyment in the assignment was easy to pick up on as well as Birkhoff zoomed in on the young man's face. He was playing his part well, maybe a little too well all things considered. His eyes were trained on the girl on his arm and hadn't once scanned the perimeter of the club to find their target for the night.
"Eyes?" Alicia whispered into her headset, covering the question with a well placed laugh.
Glad that at least she seemed to be focused on the task at hand Birkhoff scanned through the security feeds. "None from up here," he informed her before switching frequencies. "Anyone have eyes on the target?"
"His vehicle hasn't arrived yet."
He sighed, shaking his head as he finished off the rest of his energy drink. The night was still young and already Seymour was wishing he was back at his house. "Keep your eyes open and inform me the moment we have a visual," he sighed into the headset. "We need to see him before he sees us."
Down in the club Alicia was feeling just as eager to be done with the entire thing. Being bait wasn't exactly what she'd hoped her second chance at life would entail. If I wanted to be pawned off like some cheap whore I would have gone back to my old life, she thought sourly, expertly masking her frustrated thoughts with a charming smile. "Where is he?" she whispered into Samson's ear, resting her hand on his knee as though flirting.
"The night is still young," he answered with a wry smile. Being away from the muted colors of Division was doing wonders for his mood. With a clearly appreciative glitter in his eyes he scanned the length of her tight yellow dress before meeting her eyes. "A drink for my beautiful better half," he crooned, flashing a prideful smile up at the bartender who had approached.
The man's eyes flashed to the stunning young woman who sat perched on one of the retro barstools. "A dry martini," she ordered, tucking a rogue strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Coming right up," the man nodded, ducking behind the counter to prepare the drink in question.
"Take the drink and move to the eastern corner," Birkhoff's voice filled her ear. She couldn't help but smile at the comfort that his voice brought her. Knowing that he was the all seeing eyes in the sky gave her a sense of security. If anything happened then he'd be the first to know, and that could mean the difference between a successful mission or not. Failing on a trial run was not something that she could risk doing. "We've got him arriving through the back doors."
Picking up the drink that had been placed before her she took a tentative sip, glancing over the brim of the brightly colored glass towards the entrance in question. Samson had already slipped the payment to the bartender by the time she lowered the glass, and his arm was quickly around her waist. "It's go time," he breathed into her ear, burying his mouth against the curve of her neck to give her what appeared to be a little lovebite.
With a dazzling smile they made their way to the corner that held the couches. They'd barely sat down before Birkhoff's voice was once more in her ear. "He's already spotted you," he marveled, watching as the man in question stared steadily in their direction. "We can't let him make a move too soon."
Picking up on the hint Alicia laughed at some imaginary joke, her soft voice dancing in the air. She sipped on her drink, placing a hand on her chest the moment she drew it away from her lips. "I need the powder room," she giggled, batting her lashes at the two men who sat on the couch across from her.
Samson deftly plucked the glass from her hand, sliding the hand he'd had resting on her thigh down towards her knee to give it a squeeze. "Let me escort you-"
"Don't be silly," she cut him off with a hand on his chest, leaning forward to place a peck on his lips. The moment she drew back she gave a placating smile as she ran her fingers over his short cut brown hair. "I'm perfectly capable of finding it on my own. I haven't had that much to drink."
The men chuckled as she got up, putting on an air of determined independence as she smoothed out the short cotton dress. "Careful," Birkhoff warned as he zoomed the camera in on her position, "you've got an audience and our man likes to obtain the unobtainable."
In a smooth move Samson snatched Alicia's hand in his free one. He brought it to his lips, kissing the soft skin. "You'll find your way back as well?"
"Of course," she dismissed him, leaning forward to place another soft peck on his lips.
Samson had other plans, and in a flash his hand went from holding hers to tangle instead in her auburn curls, holding her head still as he kissed her deeply. Birkhoff choked on his energy drink, eyes narrowing as he watched the scene unfold. Changing over to Alicia's private channel he opened his mouth to say something before stopping. Why does it matter? He wondered, shaking the snide comment that he'd been about to say from thought. Instead he cleared his throat to get her attention, "Make your way to the bathrooms," he instructed.
She peeled herself away from her fellow recruit, striding towards the back of the club. "Does he still have eyes on me?" she asked, scanning the crowd secretively as she made her way to the restrooms.
"Hasn't blinked once," Birkhoff acknowledged, "you better stick close to the wall to avoid him."
Alicia obeyed, trusting that he knew what was best. The timing for this op was specific, and getting too close to the target before the time was right could prove disastrous. "Am I clear?" she asked, eyes flickering over the crowd before stepping into the crowded hall.
"Crystal," he smiled, watching over her as she slipped into the bathroom. With a few strokes on the keyboard he brought up her image, muting communications to bark out commands. "Keep an eye on Paulter and Samson, I want every breath monitored," he spun in his chair, running his hands through his hair. He didn't like this; he didn't like this one bit. "And someone get me another drink."
After being handed another can he turned back to his screen, flashing a glance over his shoulder to deem the coast was clear before pulling up the close up of Alicia on his screen. He switched back onto her private channel. "You're doing fine," he assured her, taking note of the way her eyes closed as she leaned her head against the bathroom stall.
"Hard not to when all I have to do is bare some skin," she muttered, unable to stop the words from slipping out. The second she did her eyes shot open, a worried look flashing over her face. "I mean-"
"Relax," he smiled as he zoomed the camera in closer, "it's a private channel."
She nodded in relief, evidently unaware that he had eyes on her even though she was in the restroom. The swag club had them installed literally everywhere, and while Birkhoff had originally grimaced in disgust when he'd found the circuit that was linked up to the bathrooms, he was thankful for them now. "I feel like a poorly wrapped present," she admitted, letting out a little breath. The tension in her shoulders relaxed the slightest bit. Having Birkhoff on the other end of the line was oddly comforting. It reminded her of being back in class, his all knowing voice giving such sure directions she knew that he wouldn't steer her wrong.
"If only it was my birthday."
The only thing that kept him from biting his tongue was the smile that played across her lips. "I'd hope you have better taste," Alicia breathed, keeping her voice quiet as she whispered into her headset.
"Lucky for you I like lemon drops," Birkhoff teased openly, relaxing back in his seat to drink another big gulp of the caffeine he needed to make it through the night.
She groaned, running a hand through her hair as she tried to keep from laughing. Last thing she needed right now was to have the women chattering at the sinks to accuse her of being crazy or worse; offering her some of the drugs they were taking. "Are there any sweets you don't like?"
"You know about my sweet tooth?"
Alicia grinned, smoothing out her dress as she listened to the women leaving the restroom. I can't hide in here forever, she reminded herself before adjusting her hair around her shoulders. It was hard not to fiddle with the tiny earpiece as she spoke. "We're spies," she reminded him, "everyone knows about your obsession with sugar."
Before he could make a comment, one of the techies brought him back to planet earth. "Samson just turned down his second girl and Paulter is in position," the woman informed Birkhoff. "We have a visual at table three."
"Get everyone in place," he informed the room with a dismissive wave of his hand. Turning his eyes back to the empty bathroom stall he adjusted the camera to find her in front of the mirror, carefully applying a new layer of lipstick. "All right doll, its play time."
One more look in the mirror and she worked her way back into the busy club. Chatter filed in over her headset as Birkhoff returned her to the main channel. As much as he enjoyed having her all to himself he wasn't about to send her in blind. "Eyes on our guy," one of the Agents informed everyone, "he's going for the bait."
"I almost thought you weren't coming back," Samson teased, tucking Alicia into his side as she rejoined him on the couch.
Giving him a smile, and trying to ignore the twisting in her gut, she accepted the drink he handed back to her. "I always come back," she brushed him off, taking a timid sip of her alcoholic beverage. It was all a part of her cover, but she didn't like the way it burnt a path down her throat.
"Approaching on your ten," a voice warned in Samson's ear and he tightened his hold on Alicia. All his role consisted of was playing possessive and he was going to do it so well that no one would doubt his potential. Not that it was difficult to do to begin with. The way she fit against his body, her scantily clad body radiating heat into him, he was thankful once more for his partner choice. This is a piece of cake, he smiled, satisfied as he watched Alicia down some more of her drink.
Just as planned the man approached, flanked by his two body guards. They swiftly commandeered the couch across from the two attractive young recruits, starting up a conversation without any delay. It didn't take long for Mr. Paulter, or Chase as he'd insisted they call him, to order another dry martini for Alicia to sip on. He engaged them in conversation, almost salivating at how much attention Samson paid his 'fiance.'
Birkhoff watched with narrow eyes as the events unfolded perfectly. Negotiations were underway and everything was going off without a problem. It wasn't until he'd once more filled his screen with Alicia's lithe figure that he noticed the crushed can in his grip. She's just doing her job, he reminded himself as he watched her whisked away into one of the private rooms. Yet the disgruntled look on her face seemed to hold a ring of truth behind it.
He flashed another look around Command Center, pleased to find everyone was busy with their own tasks. A few keystrokes and he had a hotline direct to Alicia open once more. "You know," he gave a weak smile, "I'm not as big of a fan of lemon drops as I thought I'd be."
Though she couldn't answer, the little twitch in her lips was all he needed to know that she'd heard him. "They're actually kind of overrated," he continued, adjusting the camera closer in on her face. Having the bastard out of the picture helped his concentration as he examined her face. He'd never noticed how startlingly green her eyes were before. Amanda had done an amazing job of bringing them out, the black mascara commanding attention to her eyes without being overpowering. Only he was more interested in the determined sheen they held than the makeup that consisted of her mask. That was all it was after all; a mask.
"They sound good, but I'm more of a twizzler's man myself."
Is that a smile? He watched as she worked, slowly letting the man talk her out of her shell. As convincing as she was, he couldn't stop his voice from helping on his end as well. "The pull and peels are the best," he leaned towards the screen, lowering his voice even though she was the only one could hear him, "I can never resist pulling them apart before eating one strand at a time."
Her eyes scanned the room the second Chase Paulter had his back turned, quickly finding the camera in the corner. Her eyes stared straight into the camera as she flashed a small smile for Birkhoff. If it hadn't been for the techie informing him, "Operative is in position," he probably would have continued on his impromptu candy discussion. He wasn't even sure what had compelled him to start it in the first place.
Keeping her line empty of the chatter that would only distract her, he eased the camera back to take in the big picture. It was one thing to calm her down, but it was another to get in the way of the mission. Clearing his throat he relaxed back in his seat, raking his hands through his tousled hair. "Okay, everything is in place. You know what to do," he informed her, feeling a small sense of guilt. Just because her smiles made him feel a twinge of pleasure didn't mean he could let it get to his head.
Watching her slip the pill into the man's drink, shyly offering it to him as she allowed herself to be pulled onto his lap, Birkhoff let out a slow breath. She's a recruit, he had to remind himself, and she's not Niki.