There had been a myriad of rules to follow. As high-ranking MI9 agents, Frank and Stella were forbidden to visit any country that was mildly at odds with the UK. They were to carry emergency communicators at all times and had had to undergo additional interrogation training in the event of capture by enemy agents.

Nevertheless, here they were, strolling along the coast of southern France in the gentle evening light. To any onlooker, they were simply a couple enjoying some times together. No one would have guessed that they were senior intelligence staff.

Stella had dressed comfortable in a red dress with a black belt, her hair loose and flowing in the wind. Frank wore track pants and a light coat. Neither of them looked remotely like a spy.

They walked along in silence, swinging their joined hands as they enjoyed the scent of salt and cool sea breeze. It was almost as if they were in another world, so far away from the offices and computers and politicians back at home. If only this could last forever.

Climbing a gentle slope, they came to a lookout. The view was beautiful, overlooking the ocean and the cliffs. The waves crashed on the rocks with almost a lyrical sounds, and the sky was a deep crimson blending into the blue, as if painted by an artist's brush.

"It's beautiful," Stella said as she stepped forward to the rail. Frank came up behind her and reached around her to place his hands on the rail as well.

They stood there for a while, admiring the view and wondering why they'd never taken time out before to enjoy life as they were now.

It was pure instinct that caused both of them to turn sharply, tearing their eyes from the sunset to face the two dark figures that had appeared behind them. Frank groaned inwardly. He recalled that this was why they'd never had the chance to relax before. Their jobs.

"Frank." Stella's eyes had noticed what Frank's had not. The intruders wore KORPS insignia on their shoulders.

"How low can KORPS get?" Frank said as he stepped in front of Stella, effectively shielding her from the attackers. "This is our honeymoon!"

Before he finished his sentence, Frank lashed out at the nearest attacker and engaged him in combat, while Stella took on the other one.

Frank and Stella weren't idiots. They knew that the situation was dire when the attackers turned up, cornering them at the rail that led to a 50-metre drop. So as they fought, they circled their attackers to get as far away from the edge as possible.

But KORPS wasn't stupid either, and wouldn't send two unarmed men to capture two of Britain's best agents. Both the KORPS agents had stun guns on them.

Frank managed to disarm his opponent fairly quickly. Frank pushed the KORPS agent closer and closer to the rail, and eventually the KORPS agent turned and ran. Picking up the dropped stun gun from the ground, Frank turned to the other KORPS agent.

Stella was doing an excellent job of dodging the attacks, letting her opponent hurt his fist by continuously punching a tree or a rock. Eventually her opponent decided that enough was enough, and pulled out his stun gun. Stella's eyes widened as she saw it.

Frank chose that moment to zap the remaining KORPS agent with his comrade's stun gun, and pull Stella out of harm's way. They ran down the hill back towards the village, where they slipped into a cafe and blended in with the other customers.

"Are you okay?" they both asked at the same time, breathing rapidly from the run.

Relieved that they were both unharmed, they hugged briefly and sat down at a table.

Frank ordered two coffees, and as the waitress walked away, looked at Stella as if awaiting orders. Their honeymoon was over, that much was for sure, and they had both instinctively slipped back into spy mode.

"I'll get us a pick-up," Stella said with a sigh. "We can't stay here any longer."

Frank sighed too. Trust KORPS to ruin everything.

"Frank, I'm so sorry - " Stella began, but Frank leaned forward and placed a finger on her lips.

"Not your fault. Not mine either. I don't want to hear it."

To Frank's relief, Stella smiled and relaxed. The waitress turned up with two steaming mugs of coffee.

They took their drinks and enjoyed them in silence, savouring the last moments of exclusive company.