Title: The Kate Spy Chronicles #3
Author: WistfulGuy
Fandom: Pan Am
Rating: PG
Cast: Kate Cameron
Disclaimer: I do not own Pan Am the company or the TV series. I am not associated with ABC TV in any way. I am just a huge fan of the show and like to write. Also, please don't sue me…I don't do well in jail and I have no money. Void where prohibited.
Kate had been in Berlin for several days. She'd checked into a local hotel under an alias, and was in the process of tailing her target, Marc Rogetson, US Government Contractor suspected of pilfering nuclear secrets from the US. She felt herself becoming acclimated to her new life. It truly felt like that, beyond just a line of work.
She'd said goodbye to much of her previous existence. Pan Am was still there, but just in the distance. Her contact with the girls dropped off almost completely, except for Laura, who she spoke occasionally with. Even her sister had to be kept unaware of her new work.
The pain and regret with leaving so much behind was soothed by her belief that the work she was doing was important. She truly believed she was making an enormous contribution to US National Security. More importantly, she was making a difference. That's really all she ever wanted to do.
The agency's profile of Mr. Rogetson was quite helpful, and seemed to be spot on. With little deviation, Mr. Rogetson could be found at one of several pubs around Berlin in the evening. She decided it would be best to use his desire for wine, women and song to her advantage.
"So this man likes his women? I'll give him one he can't resist!" Kate thought. She went to a local dress shop to pick up the flashiest outfit she could find. Luckily she had some funds from the agency for this task. Gotta love the per diem, she mused to herself. She headed back to her hotel room to get ready.
The dress was classic 60's chic. Low cut in the front, form fitting and emerald green, not unlike the dress she wore in Monte Carlo when she hit the town with Niko. She readied herself, pulling on a garter belt holster with a 32 caliber pistol with silencer.
She pulled the dress on and fixed her hair and makeup. She began to get a tight feeling in her stomach. Was she ready for this? Ready for what she may have to do? The time in London, killing that agent was a gut reaction to that particular situation, where Anderson's life was in danger. Would she be able to follow through if this turned out in a similar way? She reached for her purse and took out a photo she had of Niko. Just seeing his face helped give her strength. She thought about the kind of man he is, the way he agreed to place his life in great danger just for a cause. "If he can do that, I can make it through this," she thought.
It was Wednesday evening, and based on Kate's observation she knew Mr. Rogetson would be at the Prost pub. She hailed a cab from the hotel. After several minutes, she arrived at Prost. After paying the driver, she stepped onto the sidewalk and entered the pub.
The Prost pub was a medium sized establishment that appeared to be frequented by upper middle class types. Kate saw many women dressed fairly well, and she was happy that her outfit choice seemed to blend in well with the average female there. Looking around the room, her gaze came to the bar, where she noticed Mr. Rogetson sitting on a barstool.
Kate approached him from behind. When she got to the bar, she placed one hand on the bar next to Mr. Rogetson. Glancing at the bartender, she waited to get their attention for a drink. All the while, she sensed Mr. Rogetson checking her out. Have a good look, I hope you like what you see, she mused.
"Good evening miss," Mr. Rogetson said to her.
Glancing back to him, Kate replied, "And good evening to you, sir. Care to buy a lady a cabernet?"
"Only if they're as beautiful and charming as you." Leaning forward to get the attention of the bartender, he said, "Gustav, a cabernet for the lady." He then motioned to an empty barstool next to Kate. "Please, join me."
She eased onto the chair. He continued to take in her appearance. Taking a sip from his drink, he asked, "So what brings you here this evening?"
"Oh, just looking for a night out and some fun. I love meeting people."
"Well you're in the right place. The name is Marc. Pleased to meet you."
"Likewise, my name is Lydia."
"So what do you do, Lydia?"
"I'm a fashion buyer. I work for Macy's, but currently I'm on vacation."
"You're American!"
"Yes, that's right. And how about you?"
"I work for the US Government. I'm a contractor. You know, it's really not too interesting and it certainly sounds a lot less glamorous that your job sounds."
"Well, at least you get to make a difference."
"Yeah, right. We'll see."
At that moment the bartender returned with a glass of Cabernet for Kate. She took the glass and sipped it slowly as she looked around the bar.
Marc continued studying Kate in her outfit. Trying to keep it from being too obvious, he quickly asked, "So how's the Cabernet?"
"Very nice, a great bouquet and not a lot of aftertaste." As she heard herself speak the words, she realized how Pan Am had taught her the finer points of wine appreciation. That couldn't have been handier than it was at this moment.
Leaning forward, Marc focused his gaze on Kate's eyes. "So, Lydia. What do you want to do in life?"
Laughing softly, Kate commented, "My, this conversation has taken a quick turn for the profound! You know, a lot of my friends have been settling down, getting married and starting families. They're buying the nice suburban houses and setting up their lives there. I look at that and just feel that isn't for me. I want travel, I want adventure."
Nodding with her statement, Marc replied, "I know what you mean. I married early and divorced not long afterward. I once thought I'd be Joe Family with kids, the picket fence and all that. Now I just want to have fun. I work hard, and I just have to believe it is for something more than a cozy, mundane existence.
Kate's gaze expressed interest. She was full on into her act now. She was playing the carefree beauty seeking the life he was willing to lead. All she knew about him from the CIA Intel was dead right. She imagined their conversation as a kind of dance, where she was keeping notice of things he said, his body language and was gradually leading him to where she wanted.
"Are you ready for another round, Lydia?"
"Sure!"
Marc motioned to the bartender for another order of drinks. He commented to Kate, "This really is a great place. I come here often. They have great whiskey here and the crowd is usually pretty good looking, like yourself."
Smiling, Kate replied, "Thanks."
"So, you're looking for adventure. If you often dress like that I imagine you have plenty of takers offering to show you around."
"I have my share of takers."
"You know, Lydia. There's nothing like a drive through the countryside to free the mind to different possibilities. Care to take a spin with me?"
"Hmmm, that is tempting. But wouldn't that be better in the daylight, where we can see more?"
"That is true. How about we just have a nightcap for now, at my place?"
Sipping the last of her wine, Kate placed the glass back on the bar. Glancing seductively back at Marc, she replied, "Why not?"