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Chapter 10

Four Years Ago

R.E.D. Headquarters

9:22 AM

Casey let out a sigh of exhaustion as she threw her fist into the punching bag dangling from the ceiling one last time and wiped the sweat from her brow. It'd been two days since the incident at the warehouse and not a word from Kluess about whether she and her partner were still on the Potion X case. She was starting to stress, which led to the need of working out, hence why she was in the gym at Headquarters.

"Looking good, McDonald." Benjamin said with a wink as he approached her from the other side of the room where he'd been sparring with another agent.

Casey couldn't help but blush when she noticed his shirtless chest glistening in perspiration, which usually would have turned her off, but now she didn't mind so much. With all those muscles and tight abs, Casey could hardly force herself to look away. He was beautiful.

"You're not looking so bad yourself." She winked back at him. Enjoying the little flirting game they had going on.

"You should take it a little easy on the punching bag though. It never did anything to you." He smirked with amusement.

"Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away."

"You picturing someone specific while hitting so hard?"

"Someone specific would be nice." She sighed and began to remove the large gloves from her hands.

Ben nodded in understanding, giving her a sympathetic look as his eyes wandered to the fading bruise on her chest, suddenly making her uncomfortable in the sports bra she was wearing.

Casey groaned as she ran a hand through her hair that was tied back, "I just... I can't shake the feeling of familiarity when that guy had me pinned down. It was like I knew him but I couldn't figure out from where."

"Don't beat yourself up. We'll catch this guy." He smiled reassuringly, returning his gaze to her eyes.

"Yeah, if we don't get kicked off the case for disobeying orders." Casey scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.

"Highly unlikely considering we're the best agents Kluess has right now. He even said so himself.

"Blake! McDonald!" Sensei Hershey hollered from across the gym. "The Colonel wants the two of you in the Mission Room in ten minutes!"

"I'm not sure whether to be worried or relieved..." Ben said as he nodded to their Sensei and waved to Casey. "See you in ten, Partner."

Casey waved at his retrieving form headed towards the Men's change room before turning towards the Women's.

Please, God, don't let me be fired...

(=)

The Mission Room

9:47 AM

"We've received another note." Colonel Kluess spoke with a grim expression as he took a seat at the head of the table. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

Casey watched silently as her boss clicked the button on the remote and the hologram in the middle of the table flashed to life, revealing the image of the second note printed in red.

YOU MAY THINK YOU HAVE THE UPPER HAND WITH YOUR FANCY TECHNOLOGIES, BUT THERE IS NO STOPPING ME, SO WATCH YOUR BACKS. I HAVE EYES EVERYWHERE.

Casey was appalled as she finished reading the note and continued to stare at it in shock. Who did this guy think he was?

"So what are we supposed to do now?" Ben spoke up from beside her. "This guy obviously means business."

"And so do we." Kluess replied with a firm jaw. His eyes were blazing with anger. "I want this man captured before any more lives are at stake. He needs to be found!"

"And how do you expect us to find him when he seems to know our every move?"

"That's where you two come in." He gestured to Casey and Ben.

Casey's eyes widened in surprise, "You mean we're not off the case?"

"You may have messed up on the last mission, but it was your first... Plus I need good spies like the two of you. You're honestly my only hope right now."

"We understand, Sir."

"I want the two of you on a private jet to L.A. in three hours. Agent Richmond Carlson from the NSA, whom you've already met, will meet you there to discuss more on the topic of Potion X and our mystery creator."

Both agents nodded as their boss stood to his feet and left the room without another word.

(=)

NSA Headquarters

Los Angeles, CA

5:00 PM

Casey was still on a high of amazement and bewilderment as she and her partner stepped out of the yellow cab parked in front of the NSA building with wide eyes. She couldn't believe this was all happening to her. She, Casey McDonald, was a government spy, who had just flown in a private jet to meet up with the NSA. And not to mention the fact that her partner was a major hottie.

"This is all so surreal." Casey spoke as she waited for Ben to finish paying the cab driver with agency money they'd been given.

"Believe it, Bluebird, because it's happening." Ben grinned as the cab pulled away and left the two agents with their luggage on the side of the street.

"Should we just go in or wait out here?" Casey asked as she surveyed their surroundings with wary eyes.

"I'm not sure." Ben shrugged.

Casey was about to open her mouth when a young woman with dark, wavy brown hair, and a slim figure stepped out of the large glass doors of the building and waved to them.

"Hello, you must be the agents from Canada." She said as she held her hand for them to shake. "My name is Kathy St. Francis. It is very nice to meet you."

Casey noticed how Kathy's hand lingered in Ben's longer than it had in hers and the woman gazed into his eyes, obviously liking what she saw.

"I'm Casey McDonald and this is my partner Benjamin Blake." Casey spoke, causing the woman's eyes to glance her way, removing her from the trance she was in. "We're supposed to be meeting Agent Carlson."

"Yes." Kathy nodded, replacing her hand by her side with a slight blush in Ben's direction. "I was sent to welcome you and take you to him. You may follow me." She said and turned around to head back inside the building.

Casey and Ben followed close behind as Kathy led them through the main lobby where they had to undergo a thorough security check before entering the rest of the building.

"I prefer Chip scanning me than security officers putting their hands where they don't belong." Casey mumbled after they were clear to proceed and stood in an elevator.

Ben laughed, "I was waiting for you to suddenly hit the one guy."

"I would've if it didn't cost me my job."

"That's what I like about you, you're feisty." Ben grinned as the elevator dinged and they stepped out into a dimly lit hallway.

Casey caught Kathy giving her an odd look and averted her gaze as they continued down the hall. They finally stopped at a metal door on the right and Kathy knocked lightly.

"Sir, Agents: Benjamin Blake and Casey McDonald are here to see you from Kingston, Ontario." She spoke through the door.

"Proceed." Carlson's voice replied.

There was a click before Kathy turned the knob of the door and walked inside, gesturing for the two agents to follow her lead.

"Well if it isn't the Canadian agents sent to help us Americans out." Richmond Carlson spoke from behind his large wooden desk that sat in front of a wide window over looking the city streets.

Casey wasn't sure whether he was using witty humour or sarcasm, but she was offended by his comment either way.

"Hello, Agent Carlson. It's nice to see you again." Ben said as he shook the man's hand with a smile.

Casey did the same, deciding to keep her comments to herself.

"I assume you have heard about the second note?" Carlson asked as he folded his hands on his desk top.

Ben nodded. "Yes. Do you have any leads yet?"

The man shook his head, "No, but we have a strong feeling that he is working among us."

"Yes, you've already stated that in our last meeting." Casey pointed out.

"I'm not just talking about the NSA, my dear, I'm talking about all of the secret government agencies."

"And why would you think that?"

"Because more of the blasted poison has been found."

"Where?"

"All over the world. Where ever there's a covert operation, there's a warehouse filled with the stuff."

"So why haven't you confiscated it?"

"As you've experienced, it's harder than it looks. More of our agents have been contaminated because of that red liquid. There's no way to remove it without the risk of exposure."

"And what does that have to do with there being rogue agents in our headquarters?"

"The notes." The man raised his voice. "There is no way those red lettered notes could make it past our security unless there was someone on the inside who knew how to bypass it."

Ben and Casey didn't reply.

"I believe that they're planning another attack." The man's expression turned grim as he stared into their eyes. "These people mean business."

"But what is the motive?" Ben asked.

"Just like the first letter said," Casey spoke with wide eyes, "they're out to rid the world of secret agents. 'Goodbye Spies. Hello world'." She quoted. "They want to get rid of us, so that they can do whatever they want with the world and not worry about us interfering."

"Makes sense. Good work, Casey." Ben smiled as he clapped her on the back.

"If that's the case, then we're in even more danger than we initially perceived." Carlson said as he stood from his desk with a look of terror and determination. "We need to get to work immediately. These people must be stopped at any cost!"

(=)

R.E.D. Headquarters

1:16 AM

Just a few more sentences and Casey's report on their work in L.A. would be finished. Not that they did much work there... She and Ben spent two days in Los Angeles with the NSA doing research and investigating but came up with nothing. The only thing they were positive about was the motive for the red potion and its deadly infection.

They still had no idea who was behind Potion X, if they planned on using their red infection again, and how they would be able to transport the potions without becoming the next victim of their demise.

The Agency Jet landed two hours ago and Casey went straight to her office to finish her report. She couldn't help it if the keener side of her still existed once in a while. It was who she was.

As she was about to type the last word of the last sentence, there was a noise down the hall and Casey's fingers froze on the keyboard.

I thought I was the only one here so late... The young agent thought as she slowly stood to her feet and crept towards the half open door.

Another noise down the hall made the hairs on the back of Casey's neck stand to attention as she eased the door open and peeked into the hallway.

It was empty.

"I don't want to do this. I'm done." She heard the hushed voice of a man speak down the next hall.

Casey cautiously made her way down the narrow hallway, past the other offices, and peered around the corner into the adjacent hall.

A tall man stood with his back to her. He was wearing dark clothing and a blue baseball hat. He was also talking on the phone.

"I don't care what you say, I can't do this anymore." The voice was familiar as it spoke harshly into the cell, but Casey couldn't quite recognize it in the hushed tones it was speaking.

Should I say something? Do something? What if it's just another agent at the office late...? But what if it's an intruder...? Wait... How would an intruder have gotten past Chip?

Casey knew there was no way that anyone could get past their security system unless they were an agent as well. She let out a sigh at the realization and decided to confront the person.

"Hello?" Casey said as she walked into the open hall.

The man spun around to face her with wide, panic stricken eyes and that's when Casey knew who it was.

"Phil?"

"C-Casey!" He stuttered in surprise as he quickly hung up the phone and placed it back in his pocket. "Um... What are you doing here?"

"Are you alright? You seem anxious about something...?"

"No, sorry, you just startled me is all. I didn't know anyone else was here."

"I just got back from an assignment in L.A. and wanted to finish my report before tomorrow."

"Wow," he chuckled. "You really are a keener."

Casey shrugged with a slight smile, "I can't help it."

She was still confused as to why he was here and who he'd been talking to.

"Who was on the phone, if you don't mind me asking?" She voiced her thoughts.

"Uh... just an old friend..." He averted her gaze.

"It sounded like you were upset..." She speculated with a frown.

"Yeah, they just... uh... wanted help with something but I don't have the time for it. You know how it is."

Casey nodded, forcing a smile, "Sure."

"Well... I guess I should be getting home." He said as he looked at the watch on his wrist.

"Yeah, same here."

"I heard you and Blake got promoted to head agents." He suddenly smiled proudly at her.

Casey nodded, "Yes, but only because Breims and Larson are no longer available."

"Hey, you're still a great agent and I know you'll do great out there."

"Thanks." Casey couldn't help but smile at her former Handler. He truly did believe in her as an agent.

"Just be careful though, Casey. It's dangerous work."

"I know."

"Good night." He smiled and Casey noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes as he turned away.

Why are you suddenly so mysterious, Phillip Greenwood?

(=)

Present Time.

TD Garden Arena

Boston, MA

8:13 PM

Casey cursed silently under her breath as the sound of running water surrounded the locker room. She was sure Haldega's men could hear it from the hallway and knew they'd be coming through that doorway any minute to investigate.

She pulled out a pair of what looked like ordinary reading glasses and put them over her eyes. The glasses were another one of Marz's inventions; they were designed to see through solid objects. He still had a few kinks to work out in them since they only allowed the viewer to see in heat vision form, but it was good enough in Casey's opinion.

She peered at the door to the change room and could make out the figures of two large men standing over a figure on the ground that was slowly fading out of sight, considering it was no longer alive and its body heat was decreasing.

The men were arguing. One pointed to the body while the other pointed to the door. Obviously discussing whether they should check out who was having a shower and if they'd seen anything, or wrap up the body and go before anyone else showed up.

She pressed her ear to the thick door and listened.

"They could have seen what happened. The boss would kill us if we let a witness go." One of the men spoke.

"Someone else might show up and find the body. We need to get rid of it now."

"Then you wrap up the body and I will take care of whoever is in the locker room."

"Of course you leave me with the boring job." The other man grumbled.

"Just shut it and hurry up."

She heard the click of a silencer being put into place and hurriedly removed the glasses from her face and stepped back.

The sound of the shower turning off, forced Casey's gaze away from the door and she knew that she had to do something fast. Knowing Haldega's men, they'd kill the innocent man in the locker room just for the kick of it.

Footsteps were approaching from the shower stalls and Casey turned her attention back to the door just as it swung open and a large, burly man walked inside, gun in hand. His eyes settled on her and widened in surprise, obviously not expecting to see a woman inside the men's change room. Before he could even open his mouth or aim the weapon at her, Casey jumped up, spun around and kicked the man in the head, forcing him to lose balance and topple to the cement floor below. She then pulled out her tranquilizer gun from its holster on the inside of her right thigh and shot him in the chest, surrendering him unconscious.

"What's going on here?" A startled voice shouted from behind her.

Casey's heart rate increased drastically. She knew that voice.

"Who are you?" The man behind her demanded to know.

Casey sucked in a deep breath. There was nothing she could do as she slowly turned around, removed the red wig from her head and locked eyes with her stepbrother.

"Hey, Derek..."

I know... I am a horrible person! I left you on another cliff-hanger! Aaahh! I'm so sorry! I promise that the next chapter is Awesome though!

Leave a review and I'll post the next chapter once I have at least eight...

Thanks for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it! You guys rock and I hope I still do too in your opinion...