"Damn these are some good noodles."

Baines just looked on in amazement as his partner wolfed down his food. "I know you just got back, but slow down. The food is not going anywhere."

Stevens kept shoveling food into his mouth. "Next time you get sent to some hell-hole in the middle of nowhere for two years, where you can't even get a decent plate of spaghetti,

remind me to send a postcard of food."

"I'll do that." Baines took another swing of his beer and slumped back in his chair. "I tell you what; it is good to be back."

"I hear you there. So how was the newbie they stuck you with?"

"Heh, she turned out all right. Pretty smart, just needed some experience to back it up."

"What happened to her?"

"She had a baby, then got reassigned somewhere closer to home. Good agent. It's a damn shame she'll probably be working a desk from now on." Stevens stopped eating and looked

around the restaurant. The restaurant was mostly empty, except for two men sitting in the back being served by a waitress. The waitress started walking toward the table.

"Find everything alright?"

Stevens grinned at the waitress. "This is great, my compliments to the chef."

The waitress smiled. "Here's your check. If you need anything else just let me know."

As she walked off, Baines chuckled. "God damn, Stevens. Not even in the country for three days and you're already looking."

Stevens took a second look at the waitress and then turned back to Baines. "Shit man, I haven't seen anything that good looking since that going-away party we had before I left."

Baines chuckled again, folded his hands, and looked around the restaurant. One of the men sitting in back got up, placed a card on the table, and headed for the door. Baines noticed the

other man still seated. He was wearing a blue suit with a gold shirt, and as he got up to leave he picked up the card. Baines turned back to Stevens. "I think I've seen that guy before."

Stevens looked over at the man. "Maybe he was in a file you read?"

"I don't know, but I know I've seen him somewhere." The man passed by the table on his way to the register. Baines jumped when his pocket started to vibrate. He pulled a cell phone

out of his pocket. "It's the boss." As both men got up to leave, Stevens grabbed the check. "I'll pay today, might even get lucky."

"You have a one track mind, you know that?" Stevens just laughed as he walked toward the register.

Baines shook his head and walked out the door. He stood outside for a moment before he flipped the cell phone open and pressed the receive button. "Hello sir."

"Agent Baines, I've got an assignment for you. I want you and Agent Stevens back in Washington and in my office by 0900 hours tomorrow.""Yes sir, can I ask what this is about sir?"

"You will be informed when you get here, suffice it to say it is of the utmost importance that the two of you take a short vacation in the Philippines.""Yes sir, we'll be there tomorrow, goodbye."

Stevens walked out of the restaurant as Baines closed the phone. "What did the boss want?"

"He wants us back in Washington. Apparently we're going to take a vacation in the Pacific."

Stevens let out a sigh as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. He lit it up and took a drag before continuing. "Fuck. Well, best not to keep the boss waiting." Baines and Stevens walked
toward their car, and got in. Baines turned on the engine and started to back the car up. "So how did you make out with the waitress?"

Stevens took another drag of his cigarette and then smiled as he held it out the car window. "Guess I won't be using this number she gave me anytime soon." Baines just laughed as he

pulled the car out of the parking lot and onto the road.