Another update! I was going to do it last night, but FF was being silly and wouldn't let me. Glad to hear that everyone is enjoying the story so far ^^

Once again, reminder that underlined speech means it is spoken in English.

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Chapter Six – The Start

"A moment of your time. I need to speak with you."

Misaki shrank back a little as she had just entered the building with April and July to be approached by Jacob. Whatever it was, he didn't look happy as his brows were pinched together in a frown. He was a big man, as most Americans seemed to be she had noticed, and something about him intimidated her.

He was taller than anyone she had seen before at six-foot-five with shoulders that reminded her of a truck. She had seen him once more after the initial meeting and it seemed like his features were stuck in an angry scowl. His attitude even reminded her of Eric Nishijima as he was impatient and condescending. It made her feel like April's words would come true at any moment.

"Amelia can look after her. I only need to speak to you Ms. April."

"Whatever needs to be said can be said in front of her. We're a team," April replied calmly, not threatened by him.

He seemed ready to argue the point, but finally decided to let it drop. Misaki was pushed along by April's hand at her back as they followed him to his office. With a wave of his hand, he motioned for them to sit. April and Misaki sat in the chairs in front of his desk while July stood quietly in the middle.

"Well, what is it?" April inquired as Jacob didn't speak, angrily pacing behind his desk. "We would really like to get started."

"You... It must have been you," he finally turned to snap at her. "We didn't ask you to come here for a good time. I hope you'll remember who's paying for your expenses the next time you decided to have a drinking party. We have a no-alcohol policy and I won't have you wasting our time while you get drunk."

"I'm far from drunk. Besides, it's my obeisance."

"You weren't even active last night," he retorted, narrowing his eyes at her. "This better be the last because you'll be sent packing along with your little friend the next time. If you can't help us, we'll just have to make do with assistance from Foreign Affairs. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now scram. I want results by the end of the day."

April nodded her head slightly and stood. Sensing that the heated conversation was over, Misaki stood with her. She wasn't sure what it was about, but she could make an educated guess after last night's activities. Even so, April didn't seem fazed by the large man. Misaki had to say that she was impressed.

"What was that about?" she asked when they were walking away.

"I'm sure you can guess. He was peeved by the alcohol bill I rang up on their behalf when they have a no-alcohol policy."

"I thought so," Misaki replied. "How is it that he doesn't scare you?"

"I'm a Contractor. But I won't do it again since he threatened to sack me if I did. I won't leave you here by yourself. Something is going on and I don't like it one bit."

"Thank you," Misaki replied with a small smile.

"Okay. So let's get started! I suppose I have documents to translate for you."

"I guess so."

***

Staring at the papers in front of them, Misaki sighed. They had been here all day! All she had eaten were a couple sandwiches as that was what they had provided. She wasn't full at all. She missed those bowls of ramen she had eaten back home. April didn't complain since she seemed to drink more than eat and July had eaten a small piece.

"Ugh! I'm so hungry!" Misaki complained. "Don't they have anything decent to eat around here? Like last night's meal or even burgers and fries?"

"Let me go ask. How many do you want?"

"I don't know... Four at least with extra large fries. From McDonness. They should have those here too."

"If you were a Contractor, I would think that was your obeisance," she replied with a laugh. "July, keep her company."

"Have you tried tracking him here?" Misaki asked him.

"Yes. Nothing."

"Hm... Is it because you don't know the area that well?"

He stared at her blankly and she took it as he didn't know. In Tokyo, they were able to find him, so why couldn't he do that over here? She didn't really understand how his powers worked. She realized Yin, Hei's partner, must have the same power as July. That was why he was always able to find her.

"How does it work?"

"Glass," July answered, making the motions of touching something.

"I see."

She turned her attention back to the papers in front of her. They had spent all morning and the afternoon translating their documentation. Since Amelia had translated some already, they decided to translate the rest first. Upon hearing that, April had given her a look, but Misaki ignored it. For the CIA, she wasn't like the others with their wooden expressions.

"They're getting it for you now," April stated when she returned.

"Finally! I can't concentrate on an empty stomach."

"Between the two of us, I think we'd run a hefty bill for them at the end of this. Unfortunately, I don't get free reign."

"I suppose we would," Misaki replied with a grin. "Kanami, my friend in the Astronomy department, always wondered where I kept all the food – especially since I love greasy stuff."

"Oh, well if that's your thing you'd fit in really well here. Speaking of them, did you check to see if they received the package yet? Jacob said it would be sent out first thing."

"Hm... Not yet. I haven't had a chance to check yet."

"Might as well do that now."

Nodding in reply, Misaki took out her cell phone. It was a nuisance to carry around two of them, but she figured it would be rude not to when they provided it. Walking to the corner of the data library they were in, Misaki punched in the number for Kanami. It was the morning back home, so it should be alright.

"Hello?"

"Hi Kanami," Misaki said as she picked up after the second ring.

"Misaki! Why haven't you called sooner?"

"I haven't had the chance to do so. They've been keeping us busy. Geez, they can't even feed me a decent meal without my asking."

"Your idea of a decent meal isn't normal," her friend replied with a chuckle. "How are you holding up?"

"Decently so far. And the others?"

"Ah well... For now, they seem lost without their dependable and capable boss lady, but they'll adapt. So what's up?"

"I requested that they send out the program software for tracking. Did you receive it yet? It should be addressed to you," explained Misaki.

"Oh, no. I haven't seen anything. I'm sure it's on its way."

"Okay, but let me know the moment you receive it, even if it's only by text message. July isn't having any luck in tracking him."

"Sure thing. Take care of yourself," Kanami said.

"I will. You too."

Misaki smiled as she hung up the phone. It was only her third day away, but it was good to hear the voice of someone close to her. Though they were miles away, they were still only a phone call away. Despite being sent off first thing, she figured it would take a day or two to get there. Even so, it was good to give them the heads up that it was on its way.

"Not there yet," April stated when Misaki retook her seat.

"Not yet, but they know it's on its way. Did you notice anything?"

"Nope. Did I miss something?"

"No," Misaki replied with a sigh. "I was just hoping we'd be a little closer to an answer with this work we're putting in."

"Come in," April called out as there was a knock on the door.

Misaki turned around at the smell of fresh burgers wafting towards her. Her stomach growled and she blushed as the man turned to stare at her. Well, what did they expect when they only gave her enough to last for an hour? He placed the brown paper bag on the table and Misaki snatched it to see what was inside.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed as she pushed aside the papers and laid out the feast in front of her.

"I think that will be all for now, Ryan," April said, amused by the shock in his eyes. "If we need anything else, we'll let you know."

"Y – Yes ma'am."

"One thing's for sure. It'll never get boring with you here," April commented when he was gone. "The look on his face was priceless."

"I can't help it! I'm starving. Want one?"

"No... I'm scared to know what your reaction would be if I ate your food."

"You're not scared," Misaki retorted, but shrugged her shoulders.

Now if they treated her to something like this every day, she just might be able to get accustomed to it. She smiled as July picked at a fry and slowly placed it in his mouth. For an emotionless boy, it was amusing to both her and April when his features slightly changed into a look of disgust.