The secret organization that Regina was apart of was known as Le Ombre, which was Italian for The Shadows. The organization was formed in 1949, two years after the Cold War started. Even though the group is not owned my the Italian government, it was an elite group of government officials that created it. Italy was on the front lines during the war, and were in need of a force that would propel them forward. Italy wasn't the only country with a secret organization that trained men and women to kill. The Russians and Americans were the first. Le Ombre was female based, other then the group of male guards and trainers. Back in the fifties and sixties, a woman wasn't seen as an obvious threat, which allowed undercover missions to work more efficiently.

Young girls were taken from orphanages all over Italy and neighboring countries. They also broadcasted as an all girls academy for the poor who could no longer support both themselves and their children. Once the parents sent their daughters away they never saw them again. Relationships outside the academy's walls were forbidden. You were now an individual, a soldier.

New York held one of the extended offices, and was the largest stationed in the states. Regina was to report there since her mission had been completed. The agent in charge of this sector was a woman named Mal Drake. She was forty six, ten years older than Regina, and one of the few people she cared about. She was tall, with thick blonde hair that was always either in a bun, or in waves down past her shoulders. Mal had a very cold, hard exterior with piercing blue eyes. Many feared her, but she was held in high respect. She was from Switzerland. Was recruited into the academy when she was six. When she was five she was the sole survivor of a house fire. Her mother and father, and sister all died inside unable to escape. The Le Ombre plucked her from her orphanage a year later.

Mal had already graduated when Regina was in training. However, when Regina was graduating herself, Mal was looking for a small group of women to accompany her on a high profile mission. Most of the women she chose were experienced, but Regina had been top of her class, and spoken as the greatest agent the academy had seen in the last decade. Mal took her under her wing, and soon found out the rumors had indeed been true. Together they were unstoppable. After a few years the two's relationship developed into something more intimate. Originally it was just for pleasure. They respected each other, learned from each other, and craved the attention of another person. In a way they thought they were cheating the system. The rule had always been, no outside relationships. They were both products of the academy, so there was nothing outside about their relationship. Unfortunately, once budding feelings began to effect the efficiency of their missions, Mal put an immediate stop to it. They had orders. Many agents knew of the sexual aspect of their relationship, but that's all they knew it to be. If any had an inkling that they were forming an emotional bond it would be reported to the headmistress. No one wanted to be summoned into her office.

Mal ending things didn't mean there work together ended, even though its frequency dwindled. Mal was put in charge of the New York office, and Regina went off on her own.

Regina entered the large office building and approached the front desk. All she was prepared to do was sign in and file a report. If she were to get an new assignment, great, but she didn't plan on sticking around. She was one of the most successful agents, but she wasn't the most popular. She didn't care, but it made her visits to the office a bit irritable.

"Regina, Mal wants to see you in her office."

Regina turned around surprised at the voice she heard. "Tink," Regina greeted with a quirk in her brow. That was all that was said. Regina gave her a nod and just walked right past. Tink, who's real name was Tinka, shook her head in dislike and returned to her work. Tinka was a few years younger than Regina. Petite with blonde hair. She seemed shy during first introduction, but later proved to be quite eccentric. About four years ago she and Regina were given an assignment in Rome. Towards the end of the mission things went south. A few major decisions made by Regina put Tinka's life in danger. What Regina did almost got her killed. Regina saved the mission, but in the process disregarded Tinka completely. She made it out, but only on her own accord. She never forgave Regina, and they haven't worked together since.

Regina knocked once before letting herself into Mal's office. If she was expecting her she didn't need permission. "Regina," Mal greeted standing from her desk. "Have a seat," she offered holding her hand out to the chair in front.

"Mal," she smiled. "You wanted to see me?" Taking a seat in the square leather chair, Regina crossed her legs and folded her hands at the knee. "Was there an issue with my performance regarding the Holloman case?"

"No," she assured her sitting back down. "Would I have done it so publicly? No, but-"

"You know I like to add a little flare," she smiled.

"I do. On a serious note, I called you here because you've been given a new assignment." Mal pulled a manilla folder out from the right drawer in her desk. Regina leaned forward and took if from her hand. She opened the front of the folder, and began flipping through the many pages inside. It was clear a couple of the the documents had previously been redacted. It took a few minutes for her to read enough to get the gist of the mission. The corner of her mouth twitched as she folded it closed and tossed it back onto the desk.

Brushing her hair behind her ear, Regina shook her head. "That's a two person job. You know I work alone."

"I am aware. You didn't used to," she pointed out."

"Emphasis on the words used to."

"I didn't just decide to give this to you. You were chosen specifically."

"Well, she too is aware of my strict request of working without a partner." Regina said with her tone dropping at the mention of the headmistress.

"You know she honestly doesn't care about what you want when it comes down to the seriousness of the job. What if I told you I was able to convince her to let me assign your partner?"

"I'd say you had to be on your knees begging for that request."

"Maybe, but she allowed it."

Regina looked at her with a raised brow. "You're joking."

"You know I never joke."

This was very true. Mal was an intensely honest person. Kidding around prolonged getting to the truth. "So tell me, who is my partner on this? It better not be Tinker Bell out there." Regina was extremely curious. Mal knew her best so she was expecting the best.

"Me."

"You?"

"Yes Regina me. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, just surprised," she said masking her delight.

"Just like old times."

"And its just me and you, no one else?"

"No one else," she assured.

"Alright then," she said agreeing to the mission. Pressing both hands down her thighs she sat up straight. "So when do we leave?"

"Tonight."

Again Regina shook her head and laughed. "Paris."

"Paris."

.x.

The Paris mission was to infiltrate the mansion of a millionaire Frenchman by the name of Basile Aguillard. His men stole a priceless tea set and threatened a woman named Belle, who was the wife of Aguillard's business competitor, Mr. Gold. Aguillard and Gold were high profile antiquarians who were always competing for a buy and sell. This wasn't the first time things escalated between the two men. Threats were always made, deals were always rigged, and clients were stolen. Gold was always happy to engage in the childish activities, he quite enjoyed a well played game, but this time Aguillard took it too far. The tea set was one of his most prized possessions. It was priceless in his eyes, just like Belle. Gold was twenty years older than she, and everybody knew she could do better, but they were in love. She was a beautiful and intellectual woman, and he was a clever businessman with no mercy. Although he loved her, it was all about money and power. She typically came third in the line up. Belle knew this, but she stayed anyway.

As of late, Aguillard's line of work was bringing in the majority of the business between the two. There was nothing that stopped him from rubbing it in Gold's displeased face. He stole the tea set as a final slap in the face. It was indeed quite valuable, but no where near a great many of his other pieces. He wasn't looking to sell it, just the satisfaction of it being in his possession.

In the past Mr. Gold had done plenty of dirty work himself, but some battles were better left for others to fight for him. This wasn't the first time he'd hired Le Ombre. He happened to be old friends with Cora, the academies headmistress. Whenever he needed a job done, Cora made sure he received the best.

When the two of them arrived in Paris, they immediately went to a condo owned by the organization. If agents were in Paris the condo was most likely the place were they'd be stationed. Once they arrived it was all work and no play. This was predicted to be a week long mission, and neither of them wanted it to last any longer.

After spreading out the information their intelligence had gathered, Regina sat down and began to read it in full. "So we're basically stealing back this tea set."

"Yes, but the location of the tea set is unknown. Right now it's thought to be in Aguillard's mansion, but not on display. Most likely locked away for his eyes only. It's a nineteenth century Belleek Thron tea set, and is worth almost eight thousand dollars. The price is quite insignificant compared to the majority of Gold's collection, so I suppose it is of some sentimental significance."

"Doesn't specifically say whether or not we're to take care of Aguillard."

"No, so let's not worry about that. We need to focus on infiltration and location." Mal also had a lay out of the mansion and map of the surrounding grounds. She took notes along the paper's edges while Regina made a list of weapons and strategies. "Aguillard is hosting an event tomorrow for high end buyers," Mal informed biting the end of the pencil.

"And I take it I will be one of those connoisseurs?"

"Yes," she confirmed not looking up from the map. "While you're casing the inside, I'll be scaling the perimeter. Memorizing all entrances and exits, and the number of guards at each. There will also be high level security with each piece of art and other objects. What you're going to need to do is-"

"Blend in, but stand out just enough to where I catch Aguillard's eye. I'll need to get close to him, and by close you mean seduce him. Keep him on his toes long enough to where he'll want to keep me around and not take what he needs and go. And after I have him under my spell, I will get him to show me the set with strategic persuasion, and my irresistible promises of sex." Mal looked up to see Regina with a hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips. "Mal have you suddenly forgotten I've done this job a hundred times?"