Cruz walked down the hall, well, more limped, anyway. She took the elevator to the 18th floor, where her team was located. She turned corridor after corridor, regretting each and every step. She finally entered a room, where all her teammates looked up at her. Then she was bumrushed by them. Her teammates were very worried, as word got around that she'd been out for the day because of her little accident. She looked at each of her friends. There was Yao, Ludwig, Matthew, Lovino, and Vash.
Yao was there tech savvy, who could quite possbly hack a brain. Ludwig and Matthew were special field agents, like Cruz, and Vash was a sharpshooter they trusted with a sniper. Lovino was great with long distance weapons, and consequently, was a coward in hand-to-hand combat. If ever needed, he and his brother were back-up, or he held their base down with Yao, whether it be their van or in a building. It wasn't like Yao couldn't fight, he was excellent in hand to hand combat, like most agents, and was skilled with many types of knives, daggers, and swords.
"Maria, stop scaring us like that with all your close calls, It took everyone to restrain Ludwig from trying to catch your attacker," Yao said. Cruz just rolled her eyes.
"Idiota! Do you know how worried we were?" Lovino yelled. Cruz eyeballed him. "As soon as Feliciano found out, he talked a mile a minute. My god damned ears felt like they were going to fall off." Cruz nodded, knowing Lovino's cold-hearted nature, with kindness buried in the mix.
After recieving a scolding from almost everyone, except Vash-the usual quiet one, she countered them. "I don't know why you're all are so worried, this happenes all the time, we should be used to it."
"Exactly," stared Vash. they all looked at him, and took a moment to decipher what he said.
"See, Vash agrees-"
"But that doesn't mean we don't worry, or will ever stop worrying. How many times will you have these 'close calls' before you finally kick the bucket? You need to stop being so reckless."
"I-"
"There are other ways to please your father."
That stopped Cruz in her tracks. She didn't know how to counter that. That's what Vash was good for. He was top sharpshooter. He was quiet. He stayed out of people's way. But he was also attentive. He observed a situation, processed it, and spat out words that could hurt, help, or confuse. Cruz may have been the face of the team, but Vash was a glue.
"I- I'm sorry, I know you all worry and what not, but a job is a job, no matter what the danger."
Cruz woke up the next day, with a note on her nightstand.
I'm still expecting that report, and the arrest. Also, I'm sending your brother with you so things go smoother. Don't screw up.
"Thanks, dad. So considerate." All the sudden, a towel was thrown at her face.
"Hurry up and get ready. Dad's making me go with you. I'll stay out of your way if you promise not to tell dad I crashed his car."
"You crashed his car!"
"Hey, I know dad left already, but your gonna let him and the whole block know that I did!"
Cruz giggled. "Looks lke dad's perfect son isn't as perfect as he thought. Where'd you hide it?"
"Not important, we have a mission." Cruz smiled as her brother exited her room. They always shared secrets and covered for each other and made deals behind their dad's back. Of course, they didn't always get along. As most siblings do, they had their quarrels. In physical fights, Cruz had the upper hand to her brother, but that doesn't stop him from winning a few. After a shower and some breakfast, she went outside to see her brother conversating with a mechanic. She looked a little to the left to see a horribly damaged car, way past help.
"Give up Mark, just get a new one." Mark glared as his sister walked past him, then followed her to her silver Toyota Prius.
"Shut up. You know that's one of his favorites. He could tell the difference no matter what. Do you know how many miles are on that thing and what the hell is in your hair?" Cruz had zoned out on her brother's rambling, and came back at that moment.
"Black hair dye. It's washable."
"Why?"
"Disguise. Why not?"
"No one knows you there."
"Better safe than sorry. Also, refer to me as Irene, k?"
"So unnecessary." Mark retorted, while pinching the bridge of his nose. Sadly, one tiny fact had blown over Cruz's head.
Cruz walked into her psychology class with the same confidence as yesterday. Irene looked like a introvert/loser, but came out of left field with how easy she talked to people. Cruz looked around to find her seat in the sea of people now flooding the classroom. She felt her blood run as cold as the icy blue eyes she met with.
"Fuck."
