Prologue

Alexandria „Lexa" Woods

It wasn't sunny nor was it a gray day in DC. It was more like a day that couldn't be more normal than any other day. It wasn't the first of anything, it wasn't a Friday but most of all, it wasn't sunny.

I always imagined this day as a sunny day. Bright, full of color and warm. But it wasn't, it was ordinary, I got up, took a shower had breakfast, filled my to go cup with coffee and locked the door behind me. I got into my car and fought my way through DC traffic. At the office I greeted Joseph, the guard on duty. I had a short talk with Denis, the intern this year and then vanished into my office, painfully aware of all the left over papers I had to fill out because of the shooting during my last case. I didn't fire one bullet, but still, paperwork for me, for I was the lead Agent of the unit. I cursed inwards, nobody got killed, sure, but it would be less work if they did. Less paperwork. I pinched the bridge of my nose, did I really just thought that? Not for the first time since I took the position in the DC field office was I asking myself what happened to me. I believe in the system, there is a reason it was worked out the way it was by people much smarter than me and I honer the rules we got 99% of the time, but from time to time my mind wonders, what for? I pushed the folder to the side and leaned back. My eyes wandered through the small office, just enough space for a table, my chair and two visitor chairs, a bookshelf at the side and the three boxes of files. The small window to my left catches my attention, soft light falls through it and tells me it's about time for a checkup. I take a deep breath and my eyes focus shifts from the outside to the reflection in the window. A women, medium height, blond hair and blue eyes stares back. God I am looking tired. The makeup covers the dark circles under my eyes well, but my hair falls flat and without much care on my back, my cheeks seem hollow and my mouth is pinched in a small line, without me doing anything. I really need some free days. Another deep breath, paperwork will have to wait a few minutes, such a shame. I push myself up, adjust my gun on the side so it sits comfortable again and close my jacket button. I am about to walk towards the door when it knocks. I check my watch, I am not late for the meeting. I sit back down, straighten my shoulders and call.

"Yes?"

The door opens and Denis looks at me with big eyes.

"I am sorry Ma'am, but there is a Special Agent Marcus Kane here to see you?"

I never heard the name, even though I am thinking hard. I nod towards Denis and close up the open folders in front of me. Denis takes a step back and a quite tall man with brown hair, nice cut face and calm eyes enters my office.

"Agent Griffin?" he asks politely

"Special Agent." I correct him and gesture towards a chair in front of me.

He simply nods in acknowledgment but does not sit down. He simply stands in the door and stares at me, like he was trying to find something out.

"How may I help you SA Kane?" I ask raising my brows slightly, he smiles.

"SSA Kane, SA Griffin and I must ask you to accompany me."

"May I ask where to?"

"You may, but I am not at liberty to tell." A smooth talker, I think to myself, but get my ass out of my chair anyway. It was not the first time I was asked to follow someone without knowing where to. Part of the job you might say, but I would argue part of being me. The point is I speak 16 languages, and most of the quite fluently.

"May I ask to what purpose I shall accompany you SSA Kane?" I check my pockets if I got everything I need.

"No SA Griffin, you may not, I am really sorry." He actually looks sorry with his half smile and hauled eyebrows. Now I am confused. If they needed me for my language abilities then they would have told me, no secret there. I straight my Jacket and walk towards the door while my brain starts running in overtime. Why should a SSA outside from the DC field office, for I know every SSA in the DC field office, need my presence somewhere he can't say? What for? I wrecked my brain if I did anything in the last months that might have been taken as against the law but nothing pops up.

Kane steps outside and walks towards the elevator, I follow and do not miss the second agent lining up behind me. He is not as tall as Kane, but he is sturdy for sure. His hair is cut really short which only emphasizes his receding hairline and he doesn't even bother trying to hide that he carry's two guns under his Jacket.

Message received.

The elevator arrives with a unusually loud ping and I turn back towards the office just in time to see SA Blake, my partner on most of my cases being pushed into his office by our supervisor. My eyes find Denis.

"Would you mind telling everybody that I will probably not be able to attend today's meeting?"

He nods, I turn and enter the elevator.

Downstairs my eyebrows shoot up, a complete SWAT Team, in full gear is awaiting us, securing the entry is another team. They do not raise their weapons at me, but I really don't feel comfortable right now. Kane starts walking and on auto pilot I follow. What the hell have I done to get such a treatment? They lead me to one of three cars parked outside, black SUV's just like my own. Kane gets in the back with me, while the other one takes a seat in the front.

"I am sorry SA Griffin, but I have to cover your head now." Kane informs me and holds a black hood in my face. I just nod, after all I am already in the car, getting away wont be possible anymore.

The drive isn't short. About three hours, though I have to admit my sense of time gets worse the longer I am wearing this stupid hood. Then we stop, I hear car doors open, I can feel how Kane moves and his hand on my arm as he helps me out of the car. I am lead a few steps, then a pair of metal doors close and someone removes the hood. I am taking a deep breath of fresh air and look around. I am in an elevator, a big one, and we are going down.

"Welcome to Blackside Nr. 7 SA Griffin." That voice is new, I turn around. A black man, neatly cut beard and kind eyes smiles at me.

"It is an honor, Sir?" I ask still unsure why the hell I am here in the first place.

"I am Jaha Wells, Director of this facility-" He answers at least one of my questions. "And you are here on special wish of Miss Woods, so I would not see it as an honor."

My eyebrows go up again.

"Miss Woods, Sir? I do not know any Miss Woods."

"Well, she seems to know you." Jaha answers, the elevator stops and the doors open. He steps out in front of me, Kane and the other one waiting for me to follow. I stay where I am, my eyes fixed on the wide space in front of me, about 20 People walk or run from left to right, people yell at each other, monitors are lighting the scenery, showing satellite images, the picture of a little girl and dozen other people I have never seen before. I feel a hand on my back and look back to see Kane gently pushing me to follow the Director and so I do. I follow the man in an office at the end of the room, where he and the other guy wait outside while Jaha takes a seat at his desk.

"Sit down Agent." he says while seemingly looking for something in his papers. I comply, hell what else should I do? I am god knows where in an, possibly, underground facility with at least two armed Agents and 20 plus I don't know many other People between me and the exit.

"Well what can you tell me about Miss Woods?" Jaha asks, a very thin folder in his hands.

"I have no idea who this Miss Woods is you are referring to, Sir." I answer honestly.

"You want me to believe that you have no Idea who Alexandria Woods is?" Jaha opens the folder in his hands.

"Alexandria Woods?" I ask "THE Alexandria Woods?" Jaha nods.

"My apologies Sir, I did not know you were referring to one of the most wanted criminals in the whole US. But I believe I do not understand your question."

"As I said, what can you tell me about her, SA Griffin?"

I clear my throat, something is really wrong here, why should I know anything beside common knowledge about this woman?

"I know that Alexandria Woods is a traitor to this country, she was in the Military Intelligence before she vanished and sold some very sensitive Information to the highest bidder. Ever since she has been on the wanted list." Jaha nodded and watched me attentive, but as I kept silent he turned his eyes towards his computer screen, typing and clicking away.

"Is that all you know?" he asks.

"Yes Sir, that is all the knowledge I posses about Miss Woods."

Jaha nods again. "Then tell me about yourself Agent."

"My name is Clark Elizabeth Griffin, I am 28..."

"I am absolutely capable of reading Agent, I did not ask for a resume."

"Then Sir, with due respect, what the hell are you asking for?"

Jaha looks at me again, a mixture of surprise and anger in his features.

"Well, when we are blunt, I am asking you why one of the most wanted criminals is giving herself up and then refuses to talk to anyone but you Agent."

My jaw falls open.

"I am sorry, what?" I ask.

"Exactly Agent." Is the only answer Jaha gives me before he turns his screen.

There in a cell like no other I have ever seen, chained to a chair with arms and legs sits a woman in a well tailored suit, long brown hair falling in waves down her shoulder, a few braids taming them. She looks straight in the camera with pricing green eyes and a content smile on her face.

I absolutely thought I would meet the love of my life on a sunny day.