Sorry about the delay! I had this massive assignment due this week for my Religious Terrorism class for uni *grumble, grumble* I'm basing what Olivia learns at the academy around what I study, because I too am hoping to go into that line of work. I'm in Australia, though, so I'm sure there are differences.
I hope the characters sound right – please let me know if they don't. Trying to write younger versions is a bit tricky, but I'm trying to bring out their ambition as well as their fun sides : ) I had a lot of trouble writing John for this chapter, so please let me know how it went. Thank you!
The Whitehorse was already packed by the time they got there. There were a few people in uniform from the military base, but pretty much everyone else was in casual clothes. Out of the few bars in Quantico, this was apparently a favourite for FBI students. The place had a buzzing atmosphere to it, with mellow rock music just audible over all the conversation. The walls and floor were all brick, and strings of lights hung loosely from the ceiling. Olivia shrugged off her jacket and soaked up the vibe of the room.
Baby's black balloon makes her fly
I almost fell into that hole in your life
And you're not thinking about tomorrow
'Cause you were the same as me
But on your knees…
"Go find a place to sit and I'll get drinks," she said to Charlie. "What do you want?"
"Just a beer's fine."
"Any preference?"
"Surprise me," he said with a smile, and walked off to find a place for them.
Olivia pushed her way through the groups of people that clung to the small, high tables scattered through the room until she finally reached the bar. There was a group of people waiting so it was going to be a while before she was served. She saw that Charlie had gone upstairs on a balcony-like thing that stretched along each of the walls, almost like a second storey with a giant hole in the floor. She had to admit, it was a pretty cool bar.
A thousand other boys could never reach you
How could I have been the one?
I saw the world spin beneath you
And scatter like ice from the spoon…
"Hey," a voice said beside her. She turned to see a young man, just a few years older than her, with blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Hey," she said casually, though she was wary of his motives.
"So, are you at the Academy or the military base?"
"The Academy – Juniors program."
"Me too. It's my first night here, so I figured I'd see what little nightlife there was in Quantico before they unleash hell on us. Plus I thought it might be good to get to know some people. You met anyone interesting yet?"
"Uh, I'm here with my roommate. He's gone upstairs somewhere."
"He?"
"Yeah, there were uneven numbers of men and women so we got roomed together. It's not a big deal. We're in the same program and everything, so it's actually kind of convenient."
"You're lucky. I got stuck with a forensics guy. He's so annoying. Won't stop talking about his dissertation on how awesome blood spatter is."
"That's rough."
"I'm John Scott, by the way – from Baltimore," he said, holding his hand out for her to shake. She gave him a once over and took it.
"Olivia Dunham – Chicago."
"Chicago, huh? I used to live there when I was a kid. Were you always from Illinois?"
"Not originally, no. I was born in Jacksonville, but we moved around a lot. Eventually I went to boarding school in New York and my family settled in Boston. I was only in Chicago to study at Northwestern."
"Oh yeah? What did you major in?"
"Criminology and Forensic psych," Olivia said. "What about you? You seem like the type to have an army background."
He gave her a charming grin. "Marines. Good guess, though."
"Really? I did Marines cadets in college but didn't follow through. My Dad was in the Navy."
"I can see that in you," John said, looking her over slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"You've got that whole protective, gutsy, Soldier's Daughter look about you," he said. "Hey, I may not have done psychology, but I've got some skills. I was a military brat, too - Airforce. When I was growing up, I was with plenty of girls like you."
Olivia smiled wryly, unimpressed by his comment. "Is that so?"
You know the lies they always told you
And the love you never knew
What's the things they never showed you
That swallowed the light from the sun
Inside your room…
"I don't mean anything by that," he said, covering his tracks. "What I mean to say is that I get it – the whole "duty" thing. Practically everyone I've met so far has someone in the family with a police or military background. I think it's just in our blood to serve the country and all that. So the real question is; how did you get sucked into this crazy FBI vortex? Did you choose to join, did they drag you, or did you just get lost on the way to college?"
"No, I've pretty much known I've wanted to do this since I was nine."
"Wow. That's dedication. I think when I was nine I wanted to be a Ghostbuster. Funny how things turn out, huh?"
Comin' down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
And I go on as you get colder
Or are you someone's prayer
"What subjects are you taking?" he asked her as they edged closer to the bar.
"Well, we've got the compulsory ones – you know: physical training, law, counter-terrorism, and psych. For my electives I'm doing Operational Response and Human Trafficking. But I'm considering becoming a military prosecutor for a few years before I get into field work. What about you?"
"International Crime and Intelligence. I've got no idea where that's going to land me in a job this crazy, and with everything that's going on with terrorism these days you never know where they're going to send you. I spent a couple of months fighting in Tikrit but then the FBI made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Hell, anything to get out of a warzone, right?"
They were almost at the bar. "Let me buy you a drink, Dunham," John said casually with another friendly charm smile.
"Thank you, but that's not necessary," she said, unable to stop herself from smiling back. "And why does everyone insist on calling me 'Dunham'?"
"It's just a quintessentially professional law-enforcement name," he said. "Mine just sounds juvenile. Plus, we just met, I wasn't sure if I'd push the whole first-name basis thing. You know, we'll probably end up as colleagues where we'd have to address each other using surnames anyway."
"I don't know about that, John," Olivia replied with playful sarcasm. "For us to be colleagues you'd have to actually pass."
"Ouch," John scoffed lightly. "And what makes you so sure you'll pass, Blondie?"
"Like I said, I've wanted this for a long time," Olivia said. "And call me Blondie one more time, I'd really like that."
John looked her in the eyes, playfully daring her. "Well, I guess we'll see who makes it in the end, won't we?"
"I guess we will," she said as a young man came to serve them. He was only a couple of years older than Olivia, but he seemed to be running the show. She was impressed by how he seemed so on top of everything despite the crowds.
"What can I get you?" asked the bartender.
"Ladies first," John said.
"Alright, then," the bartender said with a friendly smile. "Pick your poison, honey." Olivia cringed slightly at the title he'd given her, but decided he probably meant well by it.
"Uh, can I get a beer and a double whiskey, straight?"
"Sure thing," he said. "What's your label?"
"Dealer's choice."
"I'm guessing the beer's for you, not your roommate?" John asked.
"Wrong again," Olivia said. "What? I'm 22."
"How's your night so far, guys?" the bartender asked as he got the drinks.
"First night in Quantico, last night of freedom before training starts at the Academy... It's all a little crazy. You?"
"Ah, I've had worse. Crowd's annoying but it's good for business, which I guess falls into the category of 'Be careful what you wish for'. You FBI?"
"Trying to be."
"Well, good luck with that. We have a tradition here that if you fail the course all your drinks that night are free."
"I won't fail. He might."
"Gee, thanks."
"I'm sure neither of you will fail," the bartender said reassuringly. "But sorry man, if it comes down to the two of you, I think my money's on her to pass. It's a close call, though."
"Why would you say that?" Olivia asked.
"You look like you've got a genuine personal reason for taking the job. He looks like he's doing it for the thrill. But who knows, maybe I'm just saying that to try to impress a girl," he said with a charming smile. "Anyway, if either of you ever feel like a drink while you're in town, I'm here all night, every night. Feel free to stop by; I'll make you something special."
"Maybe I will. This place is really cool," Olivia said.
"Thanks. My friend owns it but I needed a job so I'm managing it for a while." He handed her the drinks. "There you go."
"Thanks, Peter," she said, handing over her money.
He looked puzzled that she knew his name. "Hold on a second. I'm not wearing a nametag. Crazy FBI ninja skills?"
"It's on that employee of the month photo behind you," she said with a smile, turning back to John. "Well, I'm off to find my roommate. It was good to meet you, John."
"Yeah, you too," John said as she walked away. "Hope to see you again, Blondie."
She simply threw a smile back at him and walked up the stairs to find Charlie. The walls were covered in really cool street-art style paintings – flowers, butterflies, smoky faces, apples… They were amazing. She eventually found Charlie sitting at a table in the corner with some other people.
"Hey, Liv," Charlie said as she approached.
"Sorry I took so long," she replied. "The queue was huge."
"Don't worry about it." He addressed the others sitting at the table. "Guys, this is my roommate Olivia. Liv, this is Astrid, Amy, Kent and Brandon."
"Hi," Olivia said. "Are you all in Junior Agents too?"
"I am," Amy said. "So is Kent. We're next door to each other so we thought we'd come down and see what was around in Quantico."
"I'm doing Forensics," Astrid said.
"Computer Tech for me," said Brandon.
"Cool. So how do you like it all so far?"
"Well, I was fine until Broyles' speech," Kent said. "I mean I don't know about you guys in Forensics and Tech, but our course coordinator wants blood. And he's teaching one of our classes, too. You should see this guy, he's so spooky."
"Really? Wow," Astrid said. "Our CC was really nice. She just kind of talked about how accuracy and attention to detail was paramount because missing the tiniest clue could send the wrong guy to jail."
"Same sort of thing with the Techies," said Brandon. "No pressure."
"I guess it's worse for the Juniors coz we have the threat of being kicked out," Amy said.
"Well, you might be able to get a free beer or two out of it," Olivia replied. "I was just talking to the manager downstairs. He said that anyone who fails the course gets free drinks all night. It's tradition. They had the same thing at a local bar at my college during exam season. You just had to bring in your paper to prove it."
"Well, at least I'll be able to drown my sorrows for free," Charlie muttered.
"Hey," Olivia turned to him. "Nobody's failing. Especially not you. If we all just put the work in and keep our heads low, we'll be fine."
"It's hard, though," said Amy. "50% will fail."
"Yeah, but that means 50% are going to pass, too. It's like a glass half full thing. You don't know what side you're going to fall on. I'm just glad I made it in at all."
"Amen to that," said Kent, raising his glass and taking a giant swig.
The group of them hung out and talked until they were the last ones there. Peter the bartender eventually had to kick them out. It was for their own good, really, seeing as they didn't want to show up to their first day with a hang-over. It had been a great night. She'd made some new friends and settled into her new town. She'd been in Quantico for less than 24 hours, but something strong told Olivia that she was going to find a home here.
Please review!
Btw, the Ghostbusters reference puts John's age at about 25/26. Also, Agent Kent was the guy who got his face covered in skin by touching that mysterious $2 bill in Ability. Amy Jessup and Brandon from Massive Dynamic were thrown in there just for fun.
Songs lyrics are from Black Balloon by the Goo Goo Dolls
The Whitehorse is referenced by Peter as a Thai restaurant in The Transformation, and is loosely based on Belvoir St Theatre's bar in Sydney, here are some pics: ./imgres?imgurl=.&imgrefurl=./events/nsw/sydney&usg=_htCEB1Ex0LnNPlkiNFEbHv3wUAE=&h=280&w=228&sz=14&hl=en&start=0&tbnid=DwYWd2Q1ACB8ZM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbelvoir%2Bst%2Btheatre%2Bbar%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%:en-au:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ACAW%26biw%3D1345%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=129&vpy=216&dur=290&hovh=224&hovw=182&tx=117&ty=96&ei=gwNVTP6rIoqivQOKm50Z&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0
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