Risico
Chapter 10: The Boss
Beta-ed by Trumpet-Geek! :)
Ah yes, I feel great still being in the swing of writing! I've missed this story! A LOT!
Alright, relatively not so actiony chapter. Still introducing and setting things up, but I did add some foreshadowing. ;)
Reviews:
denise134: No worries. ;)
Trumpet-Geek: Speaking of Beta, I sent you up to ch 4. ;)
Lady Skorpio: Yep, she does! And no, she's mine. Back off grandma thieves. ;) Mattie will be here soon. I don't think we'll be seeing dear Francis though. ;)
aerrow4eva: yay for Nordics! :D
Blackcat: Lol, he was just agonizing over his baby. ;) Ahhh, an agent and his car! :P Classic!
ilovesmilingfools: (I love your name) Everyone ought to fear the Americans. :3 Bwuahahaha
Kay: You'll have to pretend with your double agent. I could write a whole other fic if I added any more stuff to this bloated plot line xD
Kraut: Drama here we come~! :D
Arthur woke to a soft noise. He blinked his sleep heavy eyes and sat up, only to meet Alfred's bright, glass-blue orbs peering at him from the doorway.
"American?" The Brit grumbled, still lethargic.
"I really prefer 'Alfred,' or 'Hero,' or 'Awesome,' but sure, 'American' works."
"Oh shut up!" Arthur groaned and lazily tossed a pillow at the intruder. It missed by a mile, but made Alfred chuckle. The taller walked over to the big mattress and crawled over to Arthur's side, wearing a sunny grin.
Arthur glared up at him.
"It's too early to be happy." He complained and buried his face into another pillow.
The CIA agent shrugged and lay down on his belly beside the Brit.
"Why are you in here, Jones? Didn't I tell you to stay in the main room?" The pillow muffled Arthur's words, but the agitation was clear in his tone.
"You did, but I couldn't sleep out there. Your couch is really lumpy and just plain uncomfortable."
"I rather like that couch."
"I like this bed more."
Arthur rolled on to his side to glare death at the American splayed lazily on his belly.
"Get out of my bed. I didn't invite you up here anyway."
"Oh c'mon! Please, Artie?"
"No! Get the bloody fuck out of my bed, you twit!"
"I'll make it worth your while…" Alfred offered, a seductive smile splitting his face. He rose up on his hands and knees, hovering over Arthur. The Brit swallowed and shook his head. Damn that stupid, cheeky, sexy grin. He'd be strong and resist though.
"No! Get out! I don't like you in my bed, or my room or even my flat for that matter!"
"Oh, you shouldn't mind." The American agent responded huskily, leaning to bring his lips to the Brit's.
The shorter shuddered at the feel of his partner's lips barely brushing his skin, but kissed back readily.
"Awfully earlier for this, wouldn't you say?" Arthur inquired with a smug grin on his lips after the slow kiss.
"No such thing as bad timing for this." Alfred countered then licked the Brit's jaw line.
"What the Hell do they feed you CIA lads for this kind of libido?" Arthur rolled his eyes, but didn't object to Alfred's hands as they began roam down his throat, teasing down to his collar.
"That's classified." The blue-eyed blond loomed over Arthur, and winked down at him. The Englishman scoffed.
His face turned a burning red as the man above him moved to straddle his hips, pressing the shorter to the mattress.
"I wasn't being serious, you git! Get off! I'm not having sex with you at-" He glanced at his digital clock, then glared back to Alfred, "at two 'o clock in the morning! I have to go to work and so do you! I need sleep!"
"Sex? Maybe I just wanted to make out! But don't worry, doll, I can be quick if you want."
"Call me that again, and I will put a bullet in your head, agent Jones." Arthur growled back and tried to wriggle from under Alfred.
The American pressed his superior weight down, pinning Arthur. He put his lips to the Brit's ear, enjoying the shiver that overtook his partner's body when he breathed hotly against the pliable skin.
"I'm sorry, Artie." He whispered low, not really meaning it.
"That one as well! My name is Arthur!"
"Well then, Arthur," He over enunciated each syllable of his companion's name, "how about we get back to business?" Alfred kissed his temple gently, continuing down to his throat.
"Alfred…" The Brit trailed off, finding his resistance weakening with every butterfly kiss the American place down his jaw and neck. He shut his eyes, sighing lightly.
"Like I said, I can be quick and-"
"No." Arthur interjected, grabbing Alfred's collar and pulling him down into a long, heated kiss.
Alfred cocked a brow when they finally broke apart.
"I thought you said no?"
"No to the sex. I'm not in the mood."
"But you don't mind making-out?"
"It's agreeable, for now."
"I knew you wouldn't mind." He beamed cockily.
Arthur rolled his eyes as a terrible scarlet blush further deepened the color on his cheeks.
"What in the world possessed you to come in here and seduce me anyway?" The Brit asked and looped his arms around Alfred's neck, pulling him down to press their clothed bodies together.
The CIA agent didn't respond other than a soft growl. He returned to attacking the Brit's throat and chest, tugging the smaller's shirt off.
Arthur furrowed his brows.
"Alfred, I said no."
Still the blue-eyed blond refused to speak: instead he licked, kissed and caressed his way down Arthur's body.
Growing frustrated, Arthur bucked up, throwing his weight to roll them both onto their sides. He grabbed the American's upper arm, meeting the other's eyes thoughtfully. Alfred diverted his gaze, further annoying Arthur.
"Why aren't you answering me, git?"
Alfred made a soft noise in the back of his throat and shrugged.
The Englishman sighed in exasperation. He leaned a little closer to the brooding American and kissed his cheek softly. Alfred's eyes went wide and finally met the emerald orbs beside him.
"What's wrong? You've not been yourself since we went to the Port."
"How would you know? You've known me for what, two days?"
"Your point? You certainly haven't been shy about your personality. Besides, it's part of my job to know people."
Alfred huffed and didn't respond to that.
"What's eating you?" Arthur prodded again, cupping the American's cheek. His thumb traced the smooth, heated skin. Vaguely, he wondered why he was being so abnormally gentle with Alfred. Normally, he would have been agitated and harsh, but something about the perky boy's current demeanor had tamed his typical bad mood. Or maybe he was just too tired from being awoken at two in the morning to be bitter?
"I don't know. I just…" Alfred trailed off and shrugged again.
"You what?"
"I have this really bad feeling. Like something terrible is going to happen."
"And you thought seducing me would make it go away?" Arthur inquired with a cocked brow.
"I don't know… I guess I figured, if something bad were to happen you or me, then…" He cut off and rose up on his arm, pushing away from Arthur.
"Sorry, Artie. I didn't mean to wake you." He said and went to the door.
"Alfred, wait. Come back." Arthur tried, sitting up and beckoning the American back to him.
"I know my gut, Artie. Something bad's gonna go down. Don't try to tell me otherwise, 'cause-"
"I believe you." Arthur said, crossing his legs.
Alfred paused, knitting his brows in suspicion.
"You do?"
The Brit simply nodded and patted the space beside him on the bed. Reluctantly, the blue-eyed agent sat back down on the bed.
"Why?"
"Your instincts are just as valuable as your knowledge. Knowledge takes time, but your instincts are always sharp and ready. They've saved my life many times in this line of work. Going against them doesn't usually end well for us."
Alfred chuckled.
"Could you convince my boss of that? I wish he'd get off my case about me being 'rash' and 'impulsive.'"
"Well now, those are completely separate. I'm sure you've done rather stupid things before."
"'Cause my gut told me to."
"And it's all worked out in the end, hasn't it?"
"Well, yeah..."
"So there you have it. Follow your instincts, Alfred. Tomorrow, or today rather, Evie, my boss, is going to talk with us about the Port. You might want to bring up your 'bad feeling' to her. She was an excellent agent in her younger days. She'll understand."
The CIA agent nodded.
"Okay," He sighed, leaning his head on Arthur's shoulder, "thanks."
The Brit sighed, bringing his arm around the American's broad shoulders in a comforting gesture. He wondered just how he'd gone from bored, partner-less agent, to intimate lover, to personal therapist in less than forty-eight hours.
"Alright. I've coddled you, now go back to sleep." The Brit teased in good nature, to which Alfred laughed and nuzzled his companion's shoulder.
"Alright, fine." He lay himself down on the bed, smiling lightly up at Arthur. The Englishman gave a half-hearted glare.
"I didn't mean in my bed."
"Please? I wasn't lying, that couch really is terrible!" He pleaded.
Arthur looked up to the ceiling, and grumbled something before lying down on the bed beside his partner. He was too tired to argue now and Alfred really wasn't doing any harm just lying there, was he?
Alfred grinned hugely and looped his arm around the emerald-eyed man's waist, pressing close to him.
"Oh, and sorry for teasing you earlier. We could still…"
"Alfred, shut up and go to sleep. There will be no shagging at this ungodly hour. I still don't understand your actions at all anyway."
"It's pretty easy to forget a bad feeling when you can forget it with someone."
"If you mean that like I think you do, then that is a terrible way of thinking!"
"Maybe, but it works."
"But for how long?"
"Well-"
"Oh, never mind! Just go to sleep! We'll talk about this rubbish later."
The American giggled softly, then plucked his glasses from his face, leaning over Arthur to set them on the nightstand before settling in to sleep the last few hours of the morning away with his partner.
~^Risico^~
When morning came, Arthur found himself alone. He furrowed his brows, reaching his hand over to pat the cooling pillow beside him.
"Alfred?"
"I was wondering when you were going to wake up."
The SIS agent rolled over, propping on his elbows to be greeted by his partner standing at the foot of his bed with nothing but a pale green towel about his waist. The taller's hair was still dripping water on to his shoulders.
"I don't recall giving you permission to use my shower."
"I figured it was a given, y'know, since I'm only living here too. Besides, I realized I still smelled like booze and sex. I don't think that's the best way to walk into work."
Arthur merely nodded as he rose off the bed.
"So long as you left some hot water, I suppose I'll over-look it."
"Actually, I did. Just for you." The American chimed, sidestepping to allow his companion into the steam-fogged bathroom.
"Go dress into something appropriate." Arthur ordered before shutting the bathroom door to shower in privacy.
Alfred rolled his eyes, mumbling under his breath.
"Like I'd walk into the MI6 building in a towel!" He groaned to skyward in exasperation before going out to the main room to rummage through his duffel bag to find his good clothes.
~^Risico^~
Checking in with Scott the guard, Alfred once again surrendered his gun. They took the elevator to the sixth floor: both were showered and dressed crisply.
"Now since Evie wants to speak directly to you about this I can only assume she has taken your suspicion seriously." Arthur started.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"That depends."
"On?"
"If she plans on getting any of the higher ups involved."
"Why? You have trouble with your bosses too?"
"Doesn't everyone?" Arthur retorted as the door of the elevator slid opened.
They crossed the floor to Mrs. Ashdown's office. The sly former agent was just locking her office when the blonds approached.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
"Hey there, Arthur's boss!" Alfred chimed.
The woman chuckled.
"It's Ashdown, Evie Ashdown."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ashdown." Alfred extended his hand and shook Evie's.
"Yes, a pleasure. Now then, I hope you both read that today would be your first scheduled meeting to discuss the case. Everyone has already assembled in the third auditorium. They're just waiting on us and the Director."
Alfred glanced sidelong at Arthur. He didn't recall having a meeting scheduled today. The Brit could only offer an apologetic shrug. Obviously he hadn't known either.
"Neither of you read the meeting schedules in your assignment folders, did you?" Evie asked, starting to walk towards the elevators. The agents followed with guilty looks on their visages. They didn't need to answer, it was all very clear to the sly woman.
"Well, I certainly hope you shed off this shaky start and tighten up. Even if this is only a trial case, the CIA and the higher ups are taking it very seriously." She glared sternly at them both as they entered the elevator.
"Do not mess this up, lads."
"Yes, ma'am." They both mumbled in unison, still glancing at each other.
Evie continued to speak as the elevator took them a few floors up.
"I don't recommend bringing up what I spoke on the phone to Arthur about. No need to alarm them just yet. We'll speak on it privately." She said to Alfred.
He merely nodded to confirm. When the elevator doors slid open, they exited, following Evie to the heavy panic doors that marked the entrance to the auditorium.
Alfred walked ahead, pushing the door open with the intent to politely hold it open for Evie, and maybe Arthur, too, if he was feeling generous.
When the door swung open, he heard a solid thump and a pained yelp.
"Shit! I'm so sorry about that!" Alfred exclaimed, seeing that he'd hit a sharply dressed man standing on the other side of the door.
"Bloody Hell, man! Be careful with that!" The victim said rubbing his forehead where the door had struck him. He wore a grin though, and his words held no resentment, much to Alfred's relief.
The American looked over the man. He was average height and build, in a blue suit and he had extremely prominent eyebrows. He looked a lot like Arthur, actually. He looked to Arthur when the Brit coughed obviously.
"Congratulations, you twit, you just managed to assault Director Peter with the door." Arthur sneered out bitterly.
"Director?" Alfred rounded on the other man.
"Yes, Director. I just so happen to be in charge of our relationship with the American intelligence agencies, and other intelligences branches around the world." He held out his hand, which Alfred shook numbly. He'd really just whacked his new boss with the door. This morning just wasn't working out.
"You must be agent Jones?"
"That's me. I'm really sorry about the door, by the way."
Peter waved it off casually.
"Think nothing of it, mate. Now then, I think it's best if we got this meeting started, wouldn't you agree?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." Alfred nodded, wearing a quirky grin. Evie chuckled and walked past her agents to stand beside Peter.
"Come along, lads." She beckoned, walking beside the Director to assimilate with the other officials waiting in the auditorium.
"You're are the luckiest bustard alive, American." Arthur muttered as he walked beside Alfred. "If I had done that, Evie would have had me doing entry-level paperwork for a week."
"She likes me. It's the Jones charm at work. No man or woman is immune." Alfred flaunted, grinning hugely at his emerald-eyed partner.
"Shut it! Let's just get this over with." Arthur grumbled as they melded into the crowd and waited for Peter to call the meeting to order.
Adult!Sealand, anybody? xD
Ahh, sorry to tease you all in the beginning. No smexy times yet. Official agent business comes first. :P