Hey Everyone! In case you missed the announcement, I am writing a sequel to Kidnapped Hearts! I am working on the first chapter but I wanted to write a Christmas story! This year I decided to write a story featuring Finn. Next year I will write a story featuring Holley. But since it's Finn's turn, we will get to see a little bit of his past along with some Finn and Holley fluff! And there will be funny Sid moments!
Without further ado, I give you, Merry Christmas Finn!
Chapter 1: Another Day at C.H.R.O.M.E
"Why do I have to do it now?" Finn protested, "Why can't I take it before the new year?! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I promised I would take Holley out to finish her Christmas shopping!"
"But Finn, all agents are required to take these exercises! I've let you skip all the other ones, " Nathan said, "You have to take this one!"
"Fine!" he relented, "I'll do it! When does it need to happen!"
"Today at eleven, you need to show up at least fifteen minutes early."
Finn was arguing with the C.H.R.O.M.E director about a training exercise that would take place that afternoon. It was December 23 and Finn was busy making plans for the holiday with Holley when Nathan informed him that he had to attend a training exercise that afternoon. With another searing look at Nathan, Finn stomped out the office, slamming the door behind him. Still in a rage, he stormed through the main office room, passing Holley's desk without even a glance at her. The other agents looked at each other, shell-shocked expressions on their faces. They knew an angry Finn McMissile was a dangerous Finn McMissile.
"What's up with him?" Sid came sauntering over and sat on the corner of Holley's desk.
"No clue, but I think it has something to do with the exercise that is happening this afternoon."
"Really?" Sid crossed his arms casually, "They still make you guys do that?"
"Yeah it's a way for us to learn new techniques and stay sharp."
Sid nodded, "And Finn has a problem with that? I mean, the guy got out of all the other ones!"
She shrugged, "Apparently. Now if you don't mind I'm trying to get this work done before I'm due at the training grounds."
Sid hopped her desk, hands raised, "I can take a hint, I'll see you later. Good luck with Dracula!" he called over his shoulder.
"Thanks Sid!" Holly laughed, as a mental image of the famous villain came to mind.
A gentle snow was falling as Holley and Finn pulled up to the training grounds that afternoon. Holley parked her Jaguar near a small building and the two agents went inside.
A group of thirteen other agents were sitting in metal chairs, listening as a director was explaining the exercise while pointe to a diagram on a blackboard.
"Ah. Miss Shiftwell and Mr. McMissile, it's a pleasure that you could join us." The man stopped lecturing for a moment. Every pair of eyes turned to stare at the two standing awkwardly in the rear of the room.
"Go and grab your gear and join us back here," the man smiled and pointed to a door leading to an adjacent room.
"Yes sir." Holley said, pulling a still resistant Finn along with her. The room was filled with tall cubbies with a hook mounted in each cubby. All but two of the cubbies were empty and Holley and Finn made their way toward them. They each contained a set of uniforms and a bulletproof vest and a handgun along with several magazines. "I still don't see why we have to do this," Finn muttered under his breath as he pulled on his vest, "Heaven knows we do this enough of this in the field."
"Come on, it won't be too bad. Now let's listen to that lecture." Holley slipped the handgun into a holster at her side. Resentfully, Finn followed his partner into the other room and took a seat near the back.
"Now," the director continued, "Your mission is this: There is an obstacle course inside the building next door. There is a small red box inside and you must retrieve it. Several directors and other agents will be lurking inside that will jump out and try to stop you. You will shoot them with your handgun." When a startled murmur spread throughout the agents, the director raised his hand for silence.
"I forgot you all are used to real guns. These guns are specially designed to fire electrical signals at the vests that your attackers will be wearing. The vests will track how accurate your shots are and they will count toward your grade to pass the test." The man gave a wicked smile, "Just so you won't take all day, there is a bomb planted inside that has a timer for five minute. It isn't real, but if the timer counts down and you are still inside your mission has failed. You all have two attempts to pass the test. Now we will go one at a time. Follow me everyone."
The man led the agents outside to another larger building. The man pulled open the door to allow the agents a glimpse into the dimly lit interior. There were several wood pallets stacked six feet high in the middle of the room and several other items were around the building, making for difficult maneuvering. The director pulled a list from his pocket and read off the first name, "Fitz! You're up first." A young man made his way to the front of the group. On the signal, he dashed inside. The grouped waited tensely, when, thirty seconds before the bomb was to go off he emerged. The agents applauded.
"Shiftwell!" you're next!"
Holley ran the course and came out a minute before the deadline. She walked over to Finn panting for breath, "If I can do it, it will be a cinch for you!" she clapped a hand on his shoulder.
Just then a radio squawked from the director's pocket.
"Yeah?" he said into the radio.
"There is s problem with the bomb sir, the timer is five seconds slow."
"Very well, go get another one."
There were a few minutes before the director called Finn to the front of the group and gave him last minute directions for the course. Just a Finn went sprinting in, a small group of people came running out the side door of the building. They were the directors who were supposed to attack Finn.
"Sir!" a woman cried, "Stop the tests! There is a live ordnance in there!"
"What do you mean?!" the director yelled.
"Someone put a live ordnance inside instead of the fake one!"
The director went sprinting toward the door, "McMissile! Get out of there!"
When there was no answer he turned to the crown and started to order them back a safe distance while still yelling for Finn. Holley broke free from the crowd and sprinted toward the door. Taking a deep breath, she screamed Finn's name, sending it echoing into the building.
Meanwhile, Finn had his gun drawn and was running through the obstacle course with ease. Every fiber in his being was taut as he waited for the assailants to attack him. Suddenly he heard his name screamed. His head whipped toward the door as he recognized the voice. Aborting the mission, he was sprinting toward the door and was only feet from safety when there was a blinding flash of light and a sound louder then thunder. He felt himself being thrown forward, twisting in mid-air before landing heavily on the ground. As the world swirled around him, he felt the coolness of the snowflakes falling on his face as he lay on the ground. Suddenly, he felt two fingers pressed gingerly to his neck.
"I've got a pulse!" he heard Holley cry, "Someone call 999!"
The voice sounded faint to Finn and it reverberated in his head. He tried to smile; he knew he was in good hands as long as she was there. He felt several pairs of hands feeling down his arms and legs checking for broken bones as Holley gently ran her hands over his chest pressing gently on each rib to check for breaks. As she reached his fourth rib, white hot pain erupted from his side, making him clutch at the sliver of consciousness he already clung to. The last thing he remembered was Holley, dear, sweet Holley, brushing locks of hair out of his face, murmuring, "Hang on Finn, hang on."
All right! Well I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I hope you all have a great day and if you could find time to drop me a review I would be very grateful!