So, a positive response to the first chapter! Thank you! Anyway, enjoy chapter two! :)

I trudged into the large, open meeting room, and took my place at the seventh seat along the rightside. I was nursing another cup of coffee. Other members of the Federal team started filing in, each one patting my shoulder and saying how sorry they were that Jake had died. I stifled my sobs. No doubt I'd have another partner by the time this was over. Great.

Webster was the last one in, and he smiled sympathetically at me, his blue eyes shimmering, as he took his seat in front of the large screen. I sighed.

''Ahem, well, we know that we're here for debriefing. But can I just first mention the bravery, and courage, of Agents Swan, and Black. Unfortunately, during the seige, Black was shot and fatally wounded. He died shortly before three AM. He was a wonderful agent, and he always had a smile. He will be sorely missed, by the team, and his partner. May he rest in peace'' He bowed his head for a moment, before resuming his de-brief.

''Well, I can say that Vetas-One of New Yorks, and Americas' biggest drugs baron- was successfully detained by Swan yesterday, before eight PM. He is so far in hospital, being treated for GSW's, but the doctors say that he will make a full recovery. He will most likely live out the next few decades of his life behind bars after his sentencing'' A round of applause, and a few whoops of joy, before Webster settled his team.

''Swan. See me once the room is empty'' Silence fell after that, as Webster continued his talk, and mentioning the figures, and what we have acheived. I rolled my eyes as everyone wished me well as they emptied the room. I took in a breath of air, as Webster told me to wait, and re-appeared a few minutes later followed by a bronze-haired, green-eyed boy. Oh, great. A pretty boy. I rolled my sleeves up, as I was feeling warm. Too warm.

''Swan, this is Cullen'' Bronzey extended his hand, and I gripped it for a nano-second, his eyes silently raking my arm''He's just been promoted, from Office rat, to Federal. He will be your new partner after re-training. Oh, come now, don't roll your eyes. We both know you'll pass with more than flying colours'' He took me to the side as Cullen stared out of the large window, completely oblivious.

''Be nice, Swan. You do have a tendancy to...Run your mouth, and he is somewhat sensitive, and I'm not trying to replace Black, so don't think that for a second. You just function better with a partner. Be nice'' I was warned. I nodded my head, and Webster, satisfied, left the room. No doubt to let me talk to my new partner.

''So, Cullen. You got a first name?'' He gaze, once again landed on my bare, scarred arms. I saw him gulp. I held in a chuckle. Poor guy.

''E...Edward, Ma'am''

''Call me Swan. My first name is Isabella, but I get known as Bella to friends, and Swan to colleagues. Got it?'' He merely nodded.

''You always wanted to be in Federal?''

''Um, y...Yes, I have. I wanted to be a Doctor, but I trained for Office instead. It seemed like adventure''

''Hm, sounds good'' He noted my disinterest, and I saw beads of sweat break on his brow.

''Hey, listen, I don't bite. I may be battle-scarred, but I don't mistreat colleagues, or partners. Got it?''

''Yes, Swan'' Good, the boy paid attention. I sighed wearily.

''Right, lets get you to the desk, pick up on any cases that need following up on, then we'll head down to re-training.'' I strode to the door, yanking the silver handle, silently waiting for Cullen to follow me. I sighed impatiently as he realised I was waiting. He looked at me apologetically as he headed through the door. He stopped in front of me, his eyes taking in the bustling, noisy office.

''Different, huh?''

''I'll say'' I motioned to my left, and let him follow me. As we rounded the corner, Newton- The greasy, annoying swamp rat- appeared in front of me.

''So, Swan'' He sounded like he had a sore throat ''I heard about Black...If you want any...Consoling, you know, just between us. You know where I am'' He winked, and I landed a solid punch to his stodgy gut, and felt a strange sense of satisfaction as the air rushed out of him.

''Just between us, right?'' He nodded breathlessly as I walked away. Cullen was wide-eyed in my wake.

''Is he always like that?''

''Yeah. Unfortunately, the desperate idiot just doesn't get it. I wish he did'' I huffed, and saw my flower-filled desk come into view. I groaned. Cullen saw why, and I swear I heard him laugh lowly. I was right.

''Not a flower girl, huh?''

''Not much'' I said through clenched teeth, searching through the mess of leaves and perfumed flower heads, to reach my paper work. I mumbled through the cases to Cullen, passing him the sheets as I did, to give him a heads up. I proceeded to hand him photos of suspects, when my work phone buzzed. I held my finger up, and he silently flipped through the pages.

''Swan''

''Ah, good. Its just you and the newbie in RT today'' The nasally voice of Jessica came through. She was, somehow, in charge of re-training. Whoever let her be in charge must've been high the day they promoted her.

''Okay. When are we due?''

''Five minutes''

''Okay'' I closed the phone, and motioned to my new partner.

''Downstairs. Five.'' He nodded and placed the brown folders on a clear part of my desk. I scowled, and started walking to the elevator.

The door pinged open, and Jessicas' head appeared, bowed as she filed through her work. She looked up as we walked toward her, and I saw all rational thought leave her as she saw Cullen next to me, and she stammered about uselessly, flapping her arms as she passed us the relevant forms, and a pen. I saw her fluster, and her face reddened as she said words wrong. She then showed us to the exam room, and gave us fifteen minutes. I sighed as she finally left the room, and I took a seat at one of the tables, and whizzed through my paper, and sat and watched ten minutes tick by.

''Um, I...Papers...Please?'' Jessica stumbled through her words, and I stifled my laughter. She looked like a tomatoe once she left the room. Cullen just looked perplexed.

''You'll get used to it, trust me. Laurens worse'' I said to him, and watch his eyes grow wide with fear.

Oh, I was so going to enjoy this rookie.

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