To Sushi: my writing pales in comparison to your own. This being said, if you don't update soon I will not hesitate to get you. I still have my toothpicks.

'No way. No. Bloody. Way. This cannot be happening. This. Cannot. Be. Bloody. Happening!'

That was the phrase that was repeatedly shouted by Cammie to her best friend and the 'bearer of bad news' Bex Baxter. The phrase that reverberated off every wall in the CIA office building, located somewhere in America.

The phrase that, no matter how many times Cammie screamed it, refused to be obeyed.

The reason for this outburst should be relatively simple to understand, but that didn't make it any easier to be accepted by Cammie. The reason was that Cammie's mother had decided to combine the annual reunion for the Gallagher Academy and the Blackthorne Institute. Now this- in the eyes of a normal civilian- would seem perfectly fine, but if they were to know the true relationship that occurred, everything would be clearer. No, the tension was not between the Gallagher Academy and the Blackthorne Institute.

It was rather between the CIA and the FBI.

It was a long standing feud that lasted more than the few years that they had worked there. It went back centuries- working in the organisation was more hereditary than anything else and if you were a normal civilian entering that business… Well, either option resulted in a lot more enemies. Cammie and all the girls in her year had promised not to fall into the same pattern as the other years, but a few drunken slurs, condescending jokes, misconstrued statements and rejections had ultimately pushed them on the same path.

Their friendships – broken.

Their communication – non-existent.

Their respect - … that was lost on the first day of the job.

'Saying the word "bloody" repeatedly and using a British accent is not going to convince me of anything Cammie. And even if it did I am not the person that you need to convince.' Bex smirked at the distressed friend in front of her. 'But I highly doubt that you will be able to change anything it scheduled for tomorrow and according to your mum it will be more economic.'

'Who cares about the bloody economy. We're spies for goodness sake, have they seen our pay-checks.'

'Okay,' said Bex taking a firm stance 'I know you were on an undercover mission in England for three months, and I know you just arrived back in the good ol' US of A three hours ago but if you do not drop the British accent and stop saying the word bloody I swear I'm going to bloody rip you limb from limb, got that.' Cammie was rooted in the spot mouth agape. 'Sorry it was getting bloody ridiculous.'

'Nah its fine,' said Cammie shaking her head 'I really needed that, to you know snap me out of the daze. So' started Cammie 'what else did she say?'

'It would be easier to do that since most Gallagher graduates are dating Blackthorne graduates-'

'That work in the same agency.'

'-and the Gallagher Academy's primary purpose is not really a secret around here it would be more simple and eco-'

'-nomic yeah, I get it. But honestly, no sane person in the CIA can stand the FBI agents.'

'There's Grant.'

~HZ~

It was one of the most strangest ideas that her mother had come up with. Combining the Gallagher and Blackthorne Academy reunions was certainly bizarre to say the least, the rivalry between the FBI and CIA was torturous enough- already destroying most relationships that had been built throughout the numerous years that the girls and boys spent in those schools. The fact that they would combine the two meant hell on earth for any girl who met a boy from the other school and vice versa. So, yes, this was one of the most strangest idea's that her mother had come up with (even stranger still is that the CIA and the FBI didn't have any arguments for the proposal).

The only person who didn't have any objections was Grant Newman. This being said, he did feel inclined to give some new, unsuspecting girl from the other agency a taste of his flirtatious, Grant- trademarked charms. He was the exception to any rule and unspoken oath between the two rival groups – that and he refused to limit himself to the restricted amount of fine, young ladies that worked in the CIA.

With a track record like his, people usually suspect there would be an even longer list of heart breaks.

They were all wrong.

He could boast none.

This is due to his amazing, incomprehensible ways of letting the girls go. The subtle ingenious plans he had were not limited in creativity or success – there was a large portion of girls that actually blamed themselves for the break up that occurred between the two. He could come crying one day saying that he was not good enough for her, that she should be with someone who was at her level, that she shouldn't drag herself down for him. Or there was the 'I know you're inevitably going to break up with me once you get bored, so I'm going to do it now before I get too attached.' There was the 'I'm going on a mission and might not return so I don't want you to wait for me' and the 'I don't want this relationship to affect our friendship because although it will hurt me to not be with you, it will kill me if I can't call you my friend.'

Even the 'it is for the best' speech brought tears to the ladies eyes; along with promises to move on to other men (Grant was never able to say better, more deserving men without laughing).

The other section had other reasons.

~HZ~

Cammie had tried everything that she possibly could; the meeting with her CIA director had not gone as planned. The fact that she was his best employee was irrelevant; her disgust of those pigs could not get her out of the situation. He had, in short, told her that her mother's seniority and influence in the spy industry meant that his hands were tried behind his back. He could not object without causing unnecessary hassles and seeming like a sore thumb (that was constantly bitten). In fact, her meeting had made it worse; her mum was now alerted to the fact that she didn't want to go and was willing to try anything to get out of it – and that meant come hell or high water she would be attending the ball. The reunion. The torture.

Fine,' said Cammie, still seething 'I can handle the Gallagher graduates but if anyone gives my identity to any of the FBI Blackthorne b******* than I'm going to kick some serious butt.' Within a few hours word had spread about Cammie's promise and all knew to take her seriously – with the CIA's two top female agents vowing to destroy any individual that dares to even utter her name within a 200 metre radius of her positioning at the ball– it would be suicide to defy her.

The next day came all too quickly for Cammie, having just come from a mission her night was dedicated to writing a report, sadly leaving all her make-up, accessories, shoes AND dress in the all-to-capable hands of Rebecca 'Bex' Baxter. The one who decided that the best way to irritate the FBI girls is to outshine them, the FBI boys… to seduce them. Cammie was too tired to look at, let alone complain about the outfit chosen until 3 hours beforehand. Her mother's generous donation of a credit card helping the frenzy that Cammie was eager to avoid. It however, helped Bex pick out the perfect dress.

Adding to that, Bex and Liz (both worked for the CIA along with Cammie) had taken the day off to prepare for the night's extravaganza. By the time Cammie had finished her extensive report on the illicit drug trafficking the South American nations were doing in England – under the noses of the officials – she was tired, grumpy, tired and not expecting Bex to be knocking on the door, dragging her and forcing her to endure all the different types of treatment known to man-kind. And she was tired. Lifeless and tired.

'Bex' she started exclaiming once she saw the dress. The red, strapless, utterly adorable dress. 'I cannot wear that! I don't want to go so why bother putting in the effort.'

'Tsk, Tsk Cammie. You are wearing this tonight, you will look stunning and Liz will do your hair no matter how uncomfortable you are.'

'What? That was not agreed to.'

'Damn, I was hoping to just slide it in.' in a louder and more intimidating tone she added 'Don't make me threaten you like Mace-' a deathly silence suddenly occurred. The mentioning of her name brought back unwanted memories, both thankful that Liz hadn't arrived because her exuberant attitude shouldn't be dampened because of her.

'Fine' at long last Cammie replied, breaking the silence, 'just not too painful.'

'When aren't we?' Bex playfully retorted.

'That was the reaction I didn't want.' And Cammie, accepting her fate, allowed Bex to attack her with makeup, using chemicals that weren't exactly legal in America let alone discovered by "scientists". When Liz arrived just half an hour later her hair was completed and the same process was done to Liz and finally Bex.

'Well, don't we look fine?' Cammie couldn't help but agree.

'We are travelling via limo right?' Liz squeaked, enjoying the feeling of being a princess.

'Of course. And what an entrance we will make.'

And although that was true, it was what happened after their entrance that was life-changing… or rather life ending.

~HZ~

Zachary Goode, spy-extraordinaire, the FBI finest was starting to regret not accepting the short routine mission the FBI offered. If he did he wouldn't be attending this ball.

If he did he wouldn't be in an irritating suit.

If he did he wouldn't be sitting in a limo, driving to the "unknown" location, next to Grant.

If he did he wouldn't be hounded by aforementioned guy about his love life. Or lack of it.

'So… how many chicks are you going to get. 1… 100.'

'Grant eww, I am not like that. What type of guy do you think I am? Anyway, I know how to pick up ladies, I actually have good taste.'

'I was kidding, there will only be 79 ladies there anywhere so that would be impossible. As for you taste…' Zach raised his eyebrows daring Grant to finish that sentence. He did. 'Eva Alarvez was forced to date you by her friends, Anna Fetterman was a double agent using you for information and Courtney Bauer ended up dying 3 weeks after you started going out. You sure know how to pick them Goode.'

'The problem is I didn't, you did.'

'Details.' Said Grant, waving his hand as if that would be able to brush that fact away. 'That is irrelevant, what is important is that the best you did was get 3 dates.'

'Every single girl believed that I was the reason that their relationship with you ended. Some hated me. I still have bruises and rather hurtful voicemail messages to prove it.'

One of the main reasons why Grant was successful in the ladies department is that he was able to let them down gently – sometimes involving the help of some of his best friends. With Jonas in the CIA and Zach in the FBI there was always an excuse close by. Because the one thing that the women seemed to like more than Grant was his "caring" heart, the fact that he would leave his girlfriend in an instant because his best friend had a crush on the same woman and he didn't want a strain on the close friendship that they had. This inevitably lead to the girl's dating said best friend to "comfort" them and fix the friendship they broke. This couldn't be used lightly as to gain suspicion and had to be planned to perfection – it would be difficult convincing the girl of that reasoning if the man was already dating someone.

But not all girls accepted it so kindly as Zach and Jonas found out.

'Woo violent voicemail. You must have been terrified.'

'Some of it was from you, my advice is don't get wasted after a breakup-' Grant was going to interrupt but Zach rose his hand, silencing him '-even if you broke it off yourself because you were bored or they were too clingy. You are so lucky I got the messages and not those girls.' Grant was going to object but once put him off it. He simply nodded and kept silent. Had it been anyone else Zach would have been calm, but as it was Grant… he was definitely suspicious.

'What do you want Grant?'

'Nothing.' Grant sounded appalled to say the least. 'What are you implying Goode, that I only act in a nice manner want I want something. Is that what you expect?' Hurt and pain were written across all his features.

'Grant.' The tone Zach used told Grant that he wasn't buying any of the façade, and so Grant quickly dropped it.

'Zach my man, I want to hook up with some lovely FBI females.'

'And…'

'Your help may be required.'

'What about the NSA or some part time MI9 employee's. Why do you need to pick on the FBI ladies.' Grant looked like a little kid on Christmas morning; his face was almost glowing in delight. Zach immediately knew his mistake but it was too late, plans were already forming in the brain of the playboy.

'Zach, you're a genius. I totally forgot that those agencies exist, and just imagine those cute little British accents, just saying my name over and over.' Grant just drifted off into a daze, his million dollar smile evident on his face.

'You're thinking about your "British Bombshell" aren't you?' said Zach accusingly.

'What? No. Pfft, what gives you that idea.' Grant was sputtering out words and he didn't know if they made sense.

'You were whispering her name.'

'Damn.' Cursed Grant, knowing that it was probably true and if it wasn't… well he already gave the game away.

'So wait, why have you gotten every girl in the CIA except her?'

'A) I have not "gotten" every girl in the CIA as you so eloquently put it. B) I had a plan and C) it was Jonas' fault.'

'Who? The nerd? What on earth could he have possibly done to put you in the bad books of Bex "British Bombshell" Baxter.' (Alliteration right there.)

'It's a long story.' Sighed Grant.

'We have 23.47 minutes until we arrive at the location. Shoot.'

'Well, you know Macey, the vice-president's daughter. Of course you do, she works for the FBI and you've done like 3 missions with her. Which reminds me-has she broken up with Preston because if she ever needs a shoul-'

'Grant, stop rambling I need details and now.'

'Fine, well there is a lady in the CIA called Liz Sutton, one of her "now" ex-best friends. She had a crush on Preston, but she couldn't tell anyone because he was her best friend's boyfriend when they were…you know best friends. It started long before Macey ever told her friends that they were dating and it's hard losing your first crush, so she avoided him like the plague whenever they met. For her, the crush never left and so she wanted to distract herself and so logically she turned to moi. Being the gentleman I am, I couldn't refuse her and so we dated for a while.'

'So how is this Jonas' fault?'

'I'm getting there. Well anyway, Jonas had a major crush on Liz, some sort of nerdy attraction thing. So he asked me if I could do the routine "my best friend like's you so we need to break up…it would help his broken heart if you dated him… he's a good guy" whatever. I must have gotten rusty or something because 2 weeks later she arrives at my apartment and says it's not working. I wanted details because no lady dumps the Newman and I got them. I still asked her if she would date Jonas but she declined.'

'So wait, why does Bex hate you.'

'Patience my good man. The twist of fate is that the day I announced that I'm back on the market Bex walks into a room with Liz crying in it. She blamed me and now hates me… the truth is that Liz had been working on a cure for cancer and got really close. She found a rat that had it and dedicated a lot of her time trying to cure the rat without the use of harmful radiation. The day I announced it the rat died. She was heartbroken and Bex still thinks it was me who did that.'

'So the ladies' man is having lady troubles, I'm loving the irony.' Zach laughed

'Shut up,' Grant mumbled, punching Zach in the arm.

'So how is this Jonas' fault exactly?'

'Had he seduced her earlier she would never have turned to me and then all that crap would not have happened. The funny thing is though I didn't tell Jonas she said no so he…'

'He didn't.'

'Oh he did. Which was bad because Cammie got suspicious and I needed to prove my innocence.'

'Wait, who is Cammie?' Confusion was written across Zach's facial expression and Grant's face when deadly serious.

'Cammie is like my dear little sister, you can screw up the life of any single person in that room, but you dare touch a hair on her precious little head I will kill you.'

'Grant, chill. I don't even know what she looks like so how am I supposed to purposely ruin her life.'

'She looks like… damn, don't worry dude. I'm not allowed to tell you or any other FBI agent what she looks like. Just… don't go after any good looking one's.'

'Wow Grant, you really know how to narrow it down.' Replied Zach sarcastically. The limo had stopped by then and Grant started to get out of the car, but a thought made him pause and turn his head around.

'Actually, go for the most attractive lady you can see. The Chameleon definitely knows how to blend.' They both then proceeded to get out of the car, before Zach said

'So her codename is the Chameleon, nice. Any other top secret information that you can't give me.' Grant, realising his mistake attempted to walk faster, to distance himself from his best friend. 'Isn't she the top CIA agent, you know I'm gonna like meeting her.'

'Just go follow Tiny-'

'Tina.'

'-around like a love-struck puppy.'

'Hey' started Zach slightly offended 'I am a remorseful cute puppy. Love struck is too clingy. And I don't love her, I just want her to accept my apology and will continue to gaze lost and love-struck in her direction- if need be - until she realises that it would be easier to accept my apology and be my friend.' Grant stopped walking and looked at Zach.

'You're joking right?'

'Of course.' Zach looked shocked, the mask staying firm. 'I wouldn't do something like that.'

'Good, because if you weren't kidding I'd give you another lesson on the fine art of womanising.' Zach immediately went 5 shades whiter.

'I, under no circumstances, will endure that again. You can't make me.'

'What makes you think I want too?' Zach ran up to Grant and ruffled up his hair laughing. Grant muttered insults and attempted to neaten it. Both had no clue that today would mark a change in their lives. A deadly change.

~HZ~

The fact that it was at the Gallagher Academy didn't shock him, he had already hacked the Gallagher Academy's files. Zach's plan was to immediately look around the room for Tina, but the moment he got there his eyes were attracted to one thing only. The angel that disguised herself in a cute red strapless dress. Zach, never being one who would shy away from what he wanted, almost robotically walked up to the lady and surprisingly didn't smirk. He simply bowed gracefully and took her hand in his, brushing his lips lightly against her knuckles. She looked away bashfully and Zach couldn't help but notice that red was definitely her colour… then again he was starting to think that all colours would suit her.

'It's an honour to meet such a stunning young lady. May I have the privilege of knowing your name and possibly a dance? It would be such a gift.' She looked at him flustered. Then she smiled widely and replied.

'No.' He simply smirked, something Cammie wasn't expecting. She planned to go along with him before crushing his pride and arrogance... but she was pretty sure when that occurs people don't smirk.

'It was worth a shot though.' Cammie was shocked at the sudden change of character and a thought of just how many masks this man owns fluttered through her head. Zach who had sworn to attempt acting in a gentleman manner muttered to himself 'and they told us there was a purpose in learning good manners.' Cammie looked at him quizzically.

'They have a culture and assimilation's class in Blackthorne?'

'What? No. It was "be a gentleman" and that's it.' He tilted his head at her 'you had one here Gallagher Girl? And I thought the curriculum was tough.' Cammie was amused to say the least.

'Gallagher Girl? Original.'

'What? You refuse to give me your name and I do have to refer to you by something… and as you attended Gallagher Academy I thought that Gallagher Girl would be suitable.'

'What makes you think I was a Gallagher student? I could simply be someone's date, or an enemy agent in disguise or even a Blackthorne grad. who had major surgery.' Zach continued to smirk, something that was irritating Cammie.

'Okay, firstly, they had a DNA sample to make sure there were no imposters. Secondly, no dates allowed – unless they are from the opposing school. And lastly Gallagher Girl I know every Blackthorne guy and you' he scanned her with his eyes 'are certainly not one of them.'

'Fine Blackthorne Boy -' Zach just raised his eyebrows 'but as irritating as that nickname is, you still won't find out my name.'

'Oh we'll see.' And with that, he simply walked away.

Hello y'all. I believe thanks are due, so 'A Runner At Heart' and 'topXsecret' thank you for your reviews; I must admit I did squeal after reading them. And to all of you who didn't flame my writing I thank you too. It is nice to know that my writing didn't deserve the wrath of its readers (if there were other readers).

I did leave a month in case there were any complaints, but thankfully there were none. So that means more updates will come (don't you wish you flamed now?)

PS. I don't own Gallagher Girls or the incredible mind that is Ally Carter.