Emma felt confined.
She had been put on suspension after her last assignment in Pairs went south. She almost blew her cover that day. She allowed herself to be distracted. Falling for a pair of beautiful violet eyes with an alluring French accent. She put her team in jeopardy. She took am unnecessary risk and almost got herself killed.
Her distraction wasn't so lucky. She died that day at the hands of another agent. The agent reminding Emma that he had to do what she couldn't. He had to clean up her mess. When she punched him, she was told maybe the field wasn't the best place for her right now.
She was lucky that suspension was all she received.
She punched the hanging bag harder as the music blasted in her ears. The sweat poured from her head, stinging her eyes, but she didn't care. The harder she hit the bag, the better she felt. All of the tension from being stuck behind a desk for two months melted away with each slam of her fist.
A hand came down on her shoulder, jolting her out of her focus. On instinct, she grabbed the wrist of the person touching her and flipped them over her shoulder. A loud shriek cut through her music and she looked down to see Aurora laying on her back, her face scrunched with pain.
Emma pulled the earphones out quickly. "Christ, Aurora!" she exclaimed, taking a step closer. "You know better than to walk up on me like that."
Aurora propped herself up on her elbows. A small hiss escaped her lips with every movement. "You need a drink or sex or something because you are way too tense." she groaned, accepting the hand Emma extended to help her up. She moved her neck from side to side trying to work out the pain. "Man, I think you broke something."
Emma rolled her eyes. "You'll live." She walked over to a bench and grabbed a towel. She wiped some of the sweat from her forehead before tossing it over her shoulder. "What are you doing down here anyway? Nolan give you some more shit ass paperwork for me?" She picked up her water bottle and took a large drink.
Aurora shook her head as a small smirk formed on her lips. "We have an assignment."
Emma choked on her drink. "Seriously?" she muttered, wiping her mouth with her hand.
Aurora nodded. "Seriously." She made a face as she looked her up and down. "You should shower. Be in the conference room in twenty." With that, she was gone.
Emma watched her go and couldn't stop the smile that formed on her lips. Finally she would be free from her hell of paperwork and directing phone calls. Her punishment was lifted. She could go back into the field and do what she does best.
Eliminate the threat.
Emma sat at the conference table waiting patiently for everyone to arrive. She turned her head, reacting more calmly at the hand resting on her shoulder. Belle French smiled down at her. Emma smiled back as Belle took the seat next to her.
She nudged Emma lightly. "Welcome back."
"It's good to be back." Emma responded, returning her nudge.
Aurora came rushing into the room and quickly took the other seat next to Emma. "Nolan is not in a good mood." she whispered.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Is he ever?"
At that moment, David Nolan, Agency Director, stomped into the conference room. "Good afternoon, ladies." he barked as he removed his jacket and tossed it to the secretary scurring in behind him.
"Good afternoon, Director Nolan." Aurora and Belle greeted clearly.
Emma mumbled her greeting with a quick eye roll. She wasn't exactly a fan of the Director. When he was just an Agent, he was arrogant enough. Now that he had "power", his arrogance had jumped up a notch. It also didn't help that it was him that Emma chose to punch that day.
"Okay, so, here's what we have going on." He rolled his sleeves as he spoke. His hands then rested on his hips as he motioned his head toward his secretary. "Mary Margret, the lights."
The woman nodded quickly. "Yes, Director." she responded as she hurried to turn them off.
Emma huffed. "The word please just escapes you, doesn't it, Nolan?"
He crossed his arms against his chest as he glared at her. "You shoulder consider being a little more courteous yourself, Swan." he shot back. "If I didn't request you for this assignment, your ass would still be behind a desk pulling staples out of file folders."
Emma's eyes narrowed as she and David locked stares. Knowing he had requested her made her uncomfortable. There must be something more to this. He had to be testing her. He always tested her.
"As I was saying." he continued, finally breaking their stare. He turned his attention to Mary Margret. "Lights…." He glanced at Emma, dropping his head for a moment with a sigh. "Please."
Mary Margret smiled at his change in tone. "Yes, Director Nolan." She gave Emma a small smile, silently thanking her.
Emma nodded as the room darkened. Three photos appeared on the wall behind David. The woman straightened in their chairs as they focused on the photos. Three mugshots. Three different women. The words national threat written under each photo.
"The photos you see before you are three of the most dangerous women in the world." He stepped to the first photo. He placed his finger on her face. "This is Mulan. Last name unknown. She is known as the Warrior. She's the protector of the woman you will be infiltrating. Mulan is a trained swordmen and assassin." He took a step to the left and pointed to the next woman. "This is Ruby Lucas aka The Wolf."
Belle huffed a small laugh. "The wolf?" she questioned, crossing one leg over the other. "Why would such a pretty girl have such a horrid nickname?"
David leaned forward, pressing his palms into the table. "Intel says she ripped out the throat of an informant with her teeth."
Belle's eyes widened. Aurora reached around Emma and tapped Belle's shoulder. She pointed toward the wall. "She's yours." Aurora whispered as Belle shot her a dirty look and Emma chuckled.
"Ladies, if I could continue?" He waited impatiently as they returned their attention to him. He cleared his throat and continued. "They are both constantly at the side of this woman." He pointed to the next photo. "Regina Mills aka The Queen."
Emma shifted in her seat. She squinted slightly taking in the features of the woman on the wall. Short dark hair, chestnut brown eyes and a smile that boardered adorable with a splash of evil. Her jaw twitched as she processed the photo to memory.
This woman was the real threat. Not her two little guard dogs. This was where the danger laid. Emma grinned. Her body was tingling with anticipation. She couldn't wait to take this woman down.
"Intel tells us they are planning an arms deal with this man." Another photo flashed on the wall. "Robert Gold." He leaned into the table again. "You are to work your way into their organization and neutralize the threat…" He turned his attention to Emma. "By any means necessary."
Emma narrowed her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He crossed his arms against his chest. "They want her dead, Emma." He raised an eyebrow. "When you are given the order, will you actually pull the trigger this time?"
Emma felt her jaw clench. It was taking everything in her power not to lunge across the table and punch him in the throat. She felt Belle's hand rest on her thigh, patting lightly in an attempt to calm her down. Emma pressed her tongue against her teeth.
"It won't be a problem.." She forced a smile. "Director."
David smirked, blowing out a small breath. "Very well." He motioned his hand for Mary Margret to return his jacket. "Tonight, you ladies will dress your best and attend a private club opening." He slipped his jacket back on. "Mingle, flirt, whatever you have to do to become part of that family. Most importantly, be safe and don't blow your cover." His gaze shifted to Emma again. "Understood?"
Emma shook her head and released a sarcastic chuckle. "Sure thing."
He nodded. "Very good." He started walking toward the door. "I expect a full report in the morning." He stomped out of the room with Mary Margret trailing behind.
Aurora stood excitedly, clutching her notebook to her chest. "I can't wait to find something sexy to wear." she giggled, scrunching her nose as she headed toward the door.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Please don't embarrass me tonight." she requested, following behind.
A worried expression covered Belle's face as she stood. "Are you really going to stick me with the Wolf?" she questioned as she hurried after them….