Three Become One?
20 years ago
"Mr Jackson, meet the newest MI5 recruits".
Edward clapped his hands together, to get everyone's attention. "Everyone, this is Sergeant Blaine Jackson, of the US Armed Forces, and an agent in the FBI. He is joining the team, and will assist me and your trainers in helping you to become the best agents you can be. He will call you into this room here, to chat to you all. Have your wits about you, this won't be a walk in the park, or a run-of-the-mill interview, okay? Everyone, wait in the reception area, and wait for your name to be called. Dismissed".
Four hours later, it was Hadley's turn to be interviewed. She'd chosen to wear a pencil skirt, which she shouldn't have, as she could barely move in the bloody thing. And a white blouse, which she hoped wasn't see-through.
She walked into the room, and handed Blaine her file. He looked at her, took it, and opened it.
"Hadley Groves, eighteen, White British. Mother, Sarah Groves. Father, Jonathan Groves. So, Miss Groves. What brings you to MI5?"
Hadley fiddled with her fingers, and had to link them, to stop her hands from shaking too much. She had to get this interview right. If she didn't, that would be her first bad mark, the first tarnish, and she couldn't, no, wouldn't allow that.
"Well Sir, I came here for several reasons. One, because I am tired of being walked all over. Two, my friends were murdered, and I couldn't help them. And three? Well, I'd say my test scores should speak for themselves there. I have proven that I will work hard, I will study, I will listen, and I will do whatever it takes".
Blaine shook his head, and groaned. "Such generic answers. Why are you really here, hmm? You think it's all like the movies, huh. All Black-Ops stuff, sneaking around, picking people off with guns, acting like a fucking ninja, and feeling like a bad ass? No, it isn't. There is a lot more at stake then all of that nonsense. You will risk your life, every single day, and risk the lives of the people you love the most. You're friends, family, hell, even mere acquaintances may become targets, for the enemies you will make".
Hadley started to get angry, and reigning it in, well, she wasn't very good at that. "Excuse me? This is rather unorthodox. And who the hell do you think you are? Just because you are a 'Sergeant' in the US Armed Forces, that does not mean that you have any power over me. You think just because you wear the fatigues, and the dog tags that it makes you awesome? Makes you better than 'little old me'? It doesn't. You aren't some special person, who gets to treat others like dirt. Surely the army taught you better than that. Why am I here? Because I am one of the people that actually wants to make a difference in the world. I am not one of those people who claims they do, and then sits there, doing nothing, whilst the world passes them by, okay? That a good enough answer, or is that too 'generic' for you too? Asshole".
Blaine looked at the now seething agent, and started clapping. "Finally, someone with gall. Everyone else sucked up to me, virtually kissed my ass, some of them. Just reign in the language, and I believe you'll do well here".
Hadley stood up, shook his hand, and smirked. "Well, I'm no ass kisser. Nor am I cock sucker, so yeah. See you later, Sergeant Fucker".
All she heard was him move towards her, in the corner of her eye. He stopped her from leaving the room. "Say that again".
Hadley feigned innocence. "What? You said reign it in, so I am doing, Sir".
She mockingly saluted, which did not amuse him. "Say. That. Again".
The young woman just shook her head, and moved his hand away from the door.
She left the room, and Blaine had to take several deep breaths, before his comm pinged in his ear.
It was his wife, and her voice calmed him considerably.
"Hey sweetheart. I should be home soon".
"When? We have a honeymoon to complete, remember? You had to leave".
Blaine sighed. A mission, a vitally important one made him have to cut his honeymoon drastically short. "I'm really sorry Chantelle, really. I will be training the new recruits for three months, then, I'll tell you what. I'm taking six months paid leave. I'll make it up to you, I promise".
Chantelle squealed with joy. "Brazil, here we come. Carnival celebrations, parties, fruity cocktails, other stuff, hehe. It's going to be bliss. Listen, I've been thinking".
Blaine laughed. "Oh god, now I'm worried. Do I need to be?"
His wife laughed. "No. On our honeymoon, since it'll be six months, I was wondering. We've been together for a long time, right? Blaine, honey, I want to try for a baby. It'd be perfect, complete us, you know?"
Truth be told, Blaine was ready, and had thought about becoming a Father for a while now. He just wasn't sure if she was ready, so he didn't broach the subject. "I'd love to try. God, Chantelle, you've no idea how happy I am right now".
Chantelle giggled. "Such a soppy bastard, aren't you?"
He agreed. "I can be. And, I have to go back to being tough. Sorry sweetheart".
His wife sighed. "I want those three months to fly by. I miss you, a lot. I knew you'd be busy, and I accept that. But, it's still tough, you know?"
"I know babe, I know. I'll be in touch, and I'm always here if you need to talk, okay? I love you".
Chantelle blew an exaggerated kiss down the comm. "Love you too, ya big teddy bear".
Her husband groaned and rubbed the back of his head. "Really? Do you have to call me that? Haha. See you soon".
She hung up, and Blaine went back into the interview room.
Present day
Hadley woke up almost an hour after she had gone for a nap. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and felt a little better, though her eyes were still red, and the skin around them puffed up. She stretched a few times, rolled over, and got up.
Walking back into the living room, a familiar smell hit her.
Gun fluid. Come to think of it, my guns need cleaning too.
"Evening Adam. You still on for drinks?"
Adam turned around and nodded curtly. "Now? I need a shower. Give me a few minutes".
Hadley nodded, and smiled as she headed for the front door. "I need one too. You should have told me, I stink".
Adam tapped his nose and stood up. "I don't think that's wise. And it's just a bit rude, don't you think?"
The agent snorted and stood in the doorway. "I assure you, that wasn't me baiting you. But yes, you are right. Give me, hmm...half an hour to get changed and shower".
Now he snorted. That made her put a hand on her hip. "You need half an hour to change clothes, and get a shower? The hell do you do in there?"
Hadley turned away from him and smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know? Guess you did take the bait, huh?"
Her teasing tone and laughing as she walked away made Adam growl. But, he could do with a drink, and to get out for a bit, so he shut his door, then went into his bathroom.
Upon arrival back at her apartment, Hadley stripped and got into the shower. The warm water relaxed her immediately. But, in the quiet space, all alone, her thoughts started to drift back to today's terrible events.
She'd have to help pick up the pieces tomorrow. Ron...by now, his family would have informed of his death, and the pain they'd be feeling would be intolerable.
If only Valentin had told her sooner, she may have been able to protect him.
Save him.
Saving people had become if's now. And that was unacceptable.
Human life should never be an if. Never an afterthought.
But Hadley was losing people, when she was supposed to look after them. Ron had looked after her, and yet, she had let him down. Now, he was dead, murdered, and she felt like it was her fault.
The agent turned the temperature up, and felt the water start to sooth her aches and pains.
She needed to get out too, just take some time out, and actually enjoy it.
Ron would want that. He wouldn't want me, moping around after him.
Hadley dried herself, and threw her towel into the wash basket. She got changed, and decided to keep it simple. No fuss, no frills. Just a white blouse, straight cut, dark denim jeans, black boots and a black blazer, with the buttons undone.
When she was finished drying her hair, the agent sprayed some hairspray on it, to tame the flyaway strands.
When she was done, she grabbed her key card, a credit chip, and then left her apartment.
Hadley took Adam to her favourite pub, but only ordered half a pint of lager, due to taking painkillers, earlier that day.
When they sat down, Hadley took a sip of her pint, and smiled. "American versus British beer. Bottoms up, old chap".
Adam found himself chuckling at that. He took a drink of the beer, and thought on it for a while. Honestly? The beers he was used to tasted the same as the one he was drinking now.
Hadley lent back on her chair and hummed. "Can we breathe now, or is shit going hit the fan, again?" She caught Adam looking at her, and stuck her tongue out at him, like a petulant child. "What? You're an enigma, you know that?"
"I prefer that. Being easy to read isn't a good thing".
Hadley shrugged. "If you're a bad guy, I want to be able to read you. Good guy? I want you to be mysterious. That keeps my interest. And yes, that means you do, mister".
Adam scoffed. "Me? Good? Good is overrated. I don't want to stand by, as the world falls to pieces, simply because I'm good. Good people often do that, they don't want to get involved. It foes against their beliefs. I want to fight, if that means acting badly, then I'll act badly".
The female agent looked away and grimaced.
Well this is awkward...
She suddenly stood up, and walked back over to the bar.
"Shots, lots of them. I'm flailing around here".
The bartender laughed. "You look like you've never been on a date before".
Hadley waved her hands. "Oh no. This isn't a date. And, well...".
The bartender finished her sentence. "You've never been on a date, have you?"
Hadley looked down, and groaned. "No, I haven't. I don't know how these things work, truth be told".
"So, this is a date?"
"NO!" The agent looked around, and shook her head slowly. "No, it's not. Just give me booze, please. Take my credit chip dammit".
As she walked back to her table, with several shots on a tray, in her hands, Hadley's brain tried desperately to search for an answer as to why she was acting like an inexperienced idiot.
Since when was I so shy, introverted even? That isn't me. Christ. I am leaving after these drinks.
When she sat down, she had to make up some excuse, as to why she just got up, and walked away, in the middle of a conversation.
"Honestly? I'm not used to actually going out with someone, other than Blaine. And as you two are very, very different people, I don't really know how to handle a conversation with you".
Adam felt a smirk coming on. "You weren't having any trouble before. What changed?"
Hadley lost her train of thought, and wanted to go and hide in the corner, and drink herself into oblivion. Instead of replying, she threw down shot after colourful shot, and refused to look at the man she was sure was smirking right about now...
17 years ago
Blaine was back in London, after retiring from the US Army, and transferring from the FBI, to MI5. Edward was awaiting his arrival, in his office.
When he arrived, the older man smiled, stood up, and shook his hand. "Blaine, good to have you on board. There are three candidates that I have put forward to work with you". He handed the other man a few files.
"Ah, Hadley. She is a challenge. Could I put up with her? She's uncouth, rude, impulsive, but". He continued reading her file. "A damn good agent, it seems". He put her file down, and began reading the second one, then the third.
After interviews with all three candidates, Edward and Blaine rendezvoused in his office.
"Neil and Amelia will take on agent posts, with our other tech advisers. Oh, something you should know about Hadley. She has a tendency to start using big words, if she feels she is losing an argument, to try and confuse you".
Blaine smirked. "Oh really now?"
Edward nodded and moved forward. "Are you sure you are fit to work? With everything that happened?"
The other man sighed. "Honestly? No, I'm not. I'm still out of it".
"As long as you are able to cope. You can take more time off, if need be".
Blaine shook his head. "Sir, if I take any more time off, feeling sorry for myself, I'll go crazy. The workload will help take my mind off, I'm sure of it. Right, shall I go and tell Hadley the news?"
His boss nodded, so Blaine left the office.
Hadley sat in her new office and felt happier than she had in a long while. All of her hard work, the tricky situations, the bruises, the fights, all of it had lead to her, now, being a top agent. She would travel, all over the globe, and take on extremely sensitive missions, and end up in many tough situations.
Blaine opened the door, and she turned to him.
"Well then. I suppose this means I have to be nice to you now, hmm?"
Blaine shook his head, and laughed. "Not at all. I know you dislike me. You want to ask what happened, right? Just ask it".
"Hate you? Nah, you're alright. Just alright though. So, what happened?"
"My wife left me, two years ago. I couldn't knock her up. I got home one day, found out that she had left. All of her stuff was gone. No note, nothing. Got divorce papers through the mail. I couldn't believe it. She refused to speak to me too. I just found out that she now has two kids, with a guy she met, only a week after leaving me. A fucking week! I trusted her. I gave her everything, at least, I thought I did".
"Honestly? She's a fucking bitch. Yes, she wanted a baby, but there are other ways to conceive. Hell, maybe adopt a kid. What she did was harsh".
"One of the reasons stated, why she wanted a divorce was because she got our test results back, from the hospital. We got those done as it was obvious we were having problems conceiving. She took the results with her, so I didn't know what the they were. Turns out I can't have kids, at all. Not even IVF would have helped us. My sperm is dead, it didn't even move once. Doc said she's never seen a sample that bad before. I feel like a fucking failure right now".
"Sir, you aren't the failure here. She is. She gave up on you, didn't even have the guts to speak to you about it, and she walked out. You did all of the right things. It's her fault, not yours. I'm sorry if I'm being too bold, or nasty Sir, but that's just my opinion. And I don't sugarcoat things".
Blaine looked down and sighed. "I'm glad you don't. Sick of people sucking up to me. Don't ever do that, okay?"
Hadley smirked. "So you want me to be mean? Fine, I can do that. Oh, I definitely can, trust me. Want to go out? Grab some drinks, and just forget about life for a bit?"
He nodded. "Lets".
The two stood up, and left the building.
If their boss saw them, he'd be mortified. Both ended up drunk, and acting like utter fools.
But was having fun every now and again, and allowing themselves to forget the bad things in life really so bad?