Disclaimer: I do not owned anything that is related to the game. All credits goes to the respective owners.

Outside the white HQ building, Dan sat on the bench outside, staring up to the sky. The streets were empty and there were less people walking around. The silence was over when James came out from the building. "So, how did it go?" he asked. Dan frowned at that. He didn't want to answer. James sighed softly and sat beside Dan. "It didn't go well?"

"You didn't notice the silence in the main office room?" Dan said, looking elsewhere. James was right about one thing. There were more things to fear than speed. Disappointing his cousin who is one of the top agents in AMS was one of those fears. Dan didn't want to see disappointment on his face.

"I noticed." James answered. "...Dan." he called. "Dan, look at me when I'm talking to you.". Dan didn't budge. "Dan...it's not the end of the world. You still have-". "Five years, James. Five years. I trained myself so hard to get this far. I always wanted to get here to be an agent ever since you joined them and did great things for the society. I...I wanted to do the same. I wanted to do something right and not screwing things up. I just..." Dan paused. "I...just wanted to...make at least someone proud of me." he dropped his face on his hands. "...at least make you proud, James.".

It was a long silence before James spoke to Dan. "You already made me proud, Dan.". "...huh?". "You always make me proud.". Dan turned to James. There was no hint of disappoint on his face. In fact, he was smiling. "But...but I...I didn't become an agent." Dan whimpered. James spoke. "You know what will disappoint me?" Dan shook his head. "Giving up. That's not going to take anyone anywhere. You..." he pointed to Dan, "You never give up. You didn't know this. I watched you from afar. You trained hard almost every day. You learned and improved yourself better than before. At first I thought that you would stop using a gun when you accidentally shot your neighbor's car." Dan laughed nervously. "It was a very expensive car.". "At least your aiming skills are better now so you won't shoot the car again." James added with a smirk.

"Look, the point is...you made it this far. All those hard five years weren't a total waste. Other agents did approve you, didn't they? Just because Agent Crystal disapproved you, it doesn't mean that your skills are all gone. Don't let that get to you. She is strict...real strict. But one day, she might change her mind." Dan was silent. "You might not be an agent today but someday you'll be. I know it.". James stood up. "There's always next time for this kind of thing. Just don't give up hope." he ruffled Dan's hair. "Hey, stop that. I combed this morning!" Dan laughed. "Ha ha...well, I'll see you again soon after this trip." James walked to his car.

"W-wait! Where are you going?" Dan followed James. "I thought you'll leave for your next mission next month.". "There's...something I need to check in Venice, Dan. Agent Kate Green will be with me there.". Venice? Dan heard that report before. Goldman's incident, they called. It took the government several months to calm things down. James was there with his other partner, Gary Stewart. "But why would you go back there? There's nothing left to worry about." Dan asked. James simply answered, "I'll tell you everything when I come back, Dan. See ya."

James drove away. Dan waved at him. "Yeah, see ya soon."


Author's note: No action...but it's coming soon...the foreshadowing is quite obvious that this will not end with ponies and rainbows...(yeah...)

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