AN - First story. R/R if you like. Let me know things and what you think

Bo POV

It has been two days since I received the cryptic email from Tamsin demanding that I go dark and return to DC. Years ago Tamsin and I set up a system of communication involving encoded and encrypted email correspondence sent to dummy accounts in case we ever needed to reach each other outside of official channels or prying eyes and ears. We never had to use it. Not until now and because of this I knew it was serious.

It has been two days since I abandoned my assignment here in Beirut to start my journey home. I was all too aware that my absence has by now raised red flags all over the Intelligence community and I was being sought out. I couldn't use any of my various aliases that the agency assigned to me since those would most likely be flagged since I have dropped off the grid. Flagged in hopes that I would try to skirt by using one of my identities and the CIA could then ascertain my location or at the very least pick up on my trail.

I was sitting in an abandoned one room building on the outskirts of Beirut listening to the rain slam against the tin roof above my head. The building was run down and dirty and only had a table with two chairs. I picked this particular spot because it was desolate and had limited access to both the building and the area it was located. These things afforded me more control over my environment which allowed for less surprises. Yesterday I had called on Fayaz, one of my local back channel contacts to forge me all new papers with a clean name that I could use once I arrived state side and I was expecting him to deliver any minute. I checked my watch again and as if on cue I heard a knock on the wooden door.

I placed my right hand on my P110 but did not lift it from the table and called out for the visitor to enter.

Fayaz opened the door and rushed in while turning and closing the door in one swift motion as he tried to keep the rain out.

"Do you have what I need?" I asked him once he saw me sitting behind the table and headed my direction.

"I do. Everything you need is in here." He stated as he placed a manila envelope on the table in front of me as he eyed my gun before sitting in the chair across from me.

I looked at the envelope but I didn't open it. Fayaz had done some amazing forgery work for me in the past and I had no doubt he produced the same quality work for me now. I sensed that I was making him nervous and that he wanted to conclude business as quickly as possible. I had no problem with this as I was on a strict time table. Tamsin arranged for a local contact at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport to escort me around customs and check points in order to keep the picture and name on my new passport from being run through the system until I arrived state side and we could assess the depth at which the Intelligence services were trying to track me. Tamsin just didn't have the reach to find out if my agency aliases and my picture where tagged to throw up an alert. I would have to get Kenzi to look into this but it would have to wait for now. At this point I was assuming the worst and would act accordingly. As cliché was it sounded, since I read Tamsin's email I have worn my favorite hat in public in attempts to hide my face and I would not allow any of my names or my photo to be run through any type of computer system. I also knew Tamsin would have someone at Dulles International Airport to bypass me through customs when I landed to be on the safe side until we had a better grasp on how my disappearance would rain hell down on us. I would have preferred a private flight out from one of the air fields in the area but the fewer people that could potentially identify me that knew where I was and where I was going the better off I would be.

Fayaz's eyes landed on my duffel bag and I could see his demeanor change from one of nervousness to excitement. The bag contained my clothes, shoes, files and some other things but I could tell Fayaz believed it contained his payment for services rendered.

"You know that getting those papers done was a rush job and will cost you twice the usual payment?" He asked as his eyes flicked back up to meet mine.

"I understand Fayaz. Did anyone help you get these papers together? Did you bring anyone else in on this job?" I questioned as I tried to get a read on him. Determine if he was about to lie or tell me the truth.

Fayaz squinted his eyes and tilted his head to the side and answered, "No of course not. This was done exclusively by me as requested. That is why you pay me as much as you do."

I believed him and the fact that he was being honest mattered to me greatly but it still didn't change the outcome. Without saying another word I lifted my P110 and shot Fayaz twice in the chest. I picked up the envelope and stuffed it into my duffle bag. I disassembled my gun and collected the pieces along with my bag and headed out the door after searching Fayaz to ensure there was nothing on his person that could tie him to me.

I left the car behind that I had driven to the abandoned little building and after wiping it down I loaded my bag into Fayaz's Jeep instead and headed to the airport. As I drove I tossed the individual parts of my weapon out into the rainy night, spacing it out every few miles. As I continued to drive to the airport I thought about Fayaz. Taking a life was not new to me but I regretted taking his and while I regretted it, I would not have changed it had I been given the chance. He wasn't my enemy. He had done nothing wrong but he created my new identify which meant he knew too much. Left alive – Fayaz could spill this information to the wrong people and I couldn't have that. The old saying the ends justify the means flashed through my thoughts and I shook my head. If I really started to believe that, to live like that – it scared me. When the time came that death caught up with me, I wanted to go with at least a shred of dignity and pride in my actions and to know that I wasn't willing to stoop to the very bottom to see my goals achieved. I hoped I hadn't already crossed that line and if I hadn't, I prayed whatever Tamsin was pulling me into wouldn't drag me past it.

I arrived at the airport with a little over an hour before my flight. I zipped up my hoodie and put my USMC hat on as I parked the Jeep in what would be considered long term parking and grabbed my duffel and headed inside the main terminal. I had purchased my ticket the day I read Tamsin's email and replied back to her with the flight information. She then proceeded to arrange for my shortcut around all the usual stops one must take to board an International flight. I had no idea what this person looked like but Tamsin's encoded email ensured they would find me.

I only had to walk a little further into the airport when I was approached by a gentleman asking me to follow him. I was cautious because while this man had on a standard security uniform, this didn't guarantee he was Tamsin's guy. I could be potentially following an agent from any number of Intelligence agencies and I would be none the wiser until it was too late. I had no weapon. I had to get rid of that before arriving here and I had no assurances that the precautions that I did take the last two days were not in vain.

I walked two steps behind the gentleman who identified himself as Rajesh. So far my gut didn't raise any red flags or give my any pause but a split second of lost focus could cost me my life and I wasn't ready for that. Tamsin needed my help and I wouldn't let her down because I got complacent.

Rajesh led me through a side door which took me down a narrow hallway with doors on each side. It appeared to be some sort of employee section with offices on each side. We walked for another 10 minutes until we were at another door that appeared would take me right to the gate I required for my flight. Rajesh opened the door for me and motioned for me to walk through. I thanked him and he nodded his response and walked back down the hallway.

I approached the gate and gave the attendant my ticket. It appeared my bag was a little bigger than the required carry on size but they didn't hassle me. I boarded the plane and walked to the very back and sat down. I sat in coach and at the back of the plane. From here I could see everyone and everything. Coach was average. No one noticed people in coach. To me, first class might put a target on my back. No matter how nice it would have been to have some space. I would not deviate from any precaution that was afforded to me.

Twenty minutes later and we were in the air and I sat and I watched and I would continue to do so until Tamsin filled me in on what she found and Kenzi analyzed and assessed how deep the US government was searching for me.