Life on the Edge

Chapter Eleven

Galway had been an easy mission compared to Elisabeth's first mission. It had been just over a year since that mission and the entire time the brunette assassin had been kept on her toes. Between training Steffen, going on her regular missions and keeping track of the thirteen members of her group left there was rarely time for 'Elisabeth Time'. Edwin constantly scolded her during their daily spars together for it. He said that she needed to time to herself or her head would explode.

But it wasn't that easy. Elisabeth had to be careful about who she asked when trying to get details on the other rookies. If she didn't ask the right question to the right person it would instantly go back to that agent. And Elisabeth had enough on her plate at the moment without an angry childhood friend breathing down her neck. Yeah, she had to call them that since the others really didn't want anything to do with a murder.

Today she'd be leaving the apartment for the fifth time that month, something that wasn't uncommon for Elisabeth. She called a lot more for her services now that most of the older assassins were retiring. Soon it would be just her and Steffen. Speaking on her friend, he'd finished his training the week before. This would be his first mission as an official assassin. They'd grown closer over the year, closer than even before. Steffen understood why she had accepted the position and now he helped her. He was her support beam, her partner and her brother in everything but blood.

Elisabeth sat on her bed, her hand lazily stroking the thin black and white cat lying in her lap. Both Sofie and she had given in after the fourth mission apart. The apartment was lonely without some other life inside. So they went to the local animal shelter and asked to see the younger cats. After seeing only a few the two women came across a tiny kitten with black fur and white splotches painted over the midnight fur. They'd both fell in love with the animal and brought it home.

"You'll take care of Sofie while I'm gone, won't you Chance?" Elisabeth murmured to the feline.

Big green eyes blinked up at her and the brunette laughed quietly. It was still morning, not even six yet and she was packed up and ready to go. The alarm wouldn't go off for another half hour and the car wouldn't arrive for another forty minutes. So, with nothing else to do Elisabeth began humming the tune of an old Dutch song that used to play on the radio all the time when she was a kid.

Now that she thought about it, she used to ponder over her family a lot as a child. She hadn't been able to wrap her little mind around the fact that all of them looked different. Elisabeth was as different from Edwin and Steffen as a bird was to a moose. Both men had been born on the very soil they lived on. They both towered over the others and their complexions were a tad bit darker. Elisabeth was from American soil, as she learned later. Her biological mother was American, Irish and Italian decent. Elisabeth had inherited the pale skin from her Irish roots and dark hair from the Italian side. But no one ever spoke of her biological father.

The song ended in her mind and her voice carried out the last few notes. Her voice wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. Elisabeth just liked humming for some reason. Maybe it was the way it calmed her nerves? The brunette always felt a bit more relaxed when she could hear music, even if it was just a simple children's song.

Sofie's head suddenly poked into her room, a wide smile on the woman's face. Elisabeth cringed back. She felt suddenly very suspicious as to why the blond was even awake.

"G-Good morning, Sofie."

"Morning Elisabeth! Today's the day you leave with Steffen, right?"

Elisabeth nodded slowly, her hand stilling on Chance's back. The cat gave a quiet grumble and pushed himself against her hand.

"Well, I made you some breakfast since you'll be gone a bit longer this time."

Oh.

Now Elisabeth knew why she had felt so uneasy. Sofie in the kitchen for anything other than a snack was hazardous.

"Oh, you don't have to do that Sofie. I can just the fruit in the fridge."

"But you always have fruit! It's like you're stuck in a giant rut! So, I'm going to make us something."

"What are you planning?"

"Omelets!"

Blue-green eyes widened in fear. The last time Sofie had tried to make omelets she almost burnt down the entire apartment building. Elisabeth had to explain in a very long report as to why she needed the money to get renovations done for the building. It just hadn't been fun.

"How about you let me help."

"It's like you don't trust me, Elisabeth."

The brunette gave a hesitant laugh and shook her head.

"Of course that's not it. You know I'd trust you with my life… Just not with an oven."

And with that the brunette was on her feet, Chance cuddled in her arms.

When Elisabeth arrived at Headquarters Steffen was waiting for her in the cafeteria. He was sitting at their normal table with a tray of breakfast food in front of him. The brunette walked over and plopped into her chair before dropping her head onto the table.

"Sofie went through with it?" he asked, chuckling softly.

"Yes, she did. And no matter how much I begged and cried she wouldn't stop."

"You make it sound like she was raping you."

Elisabeth snorted and tilted her head up. Her chin rested uncomfortably on the cold table as she glared at her partner.

"It's not funny Steffen. You try cleaning the dishes after Sofie starts cooking and then you'll know my pain."

"No thanks. Antoine and I have a pretty good thing working out for us. That and both of us can cook."

"Stop rubbing it in," Elisabeth whined.

The two sat in silence for a while until Steffen finished his breakfast. Once the dishes were placed with the others and the tray was put away the two left the cafe. They had already been briefed the day before and now just had to wait for their ride.

Their bags were packed up and weapons were hidden within their clothes. They would arrive at the airport and go through a specific metal detector. It was the one every agent used to get through. Bureau workers were stationed there to let agents and assassins through without any hindrance. It was actually quite useful and meant that most agents wouldn't have to use the private jets owned by their employers.

Once the car picked Elisabeth and Steffen up it dropped them off at Brussels airport. They got onto their plane and immediately relaxed in their seats. It was normal for them now to just take the time before a mission to adjust to each other's company. It made the process much easier. Elisabeth dug around in her leather messenger bag, tugging out the rather large file inside. Most of the file contained the files of people their target had already killed. Their main target was named Leandro Barone. One of Italy's best mercenaries.

The brunette's eyes sailed down the list of names Barone had killed. They stopped when a familiar name caught her eye. She nudged Steffen and pointed down to said name.

"Recognize him?" she whispered.

Steffen's eyes flickered over and she felt him tense up.

"Doctor Andies," he muttered under his breath.

Elisabeth nodded her head and ran a hand through her hair.

"This is the reason we're after him. He's been killing doctors, scientists, and soldiers. You name it, he's killed it. He was off the radar for a little while until he killed Andies. Apparently that upset some pretty high up people."

"And now we're here."

The brunette nodded her head slowly.

"And now we're here," she echoed.

They both went quiet until the rumble of an engine caught the attention of the plane's passengers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off in a few short moments. Please fasten your seatbelts. Turn any electronic devices off. And please, enjoy your trip."

Elisabeth sighed and leaned back into her chair.

"There has to be a better mode of transportation. Public planes suck," she whispered, leaning closer to her partner.

Steffen chuckled and nodded his head. Elisabeth smiled and leaned back into her original position.

Steffen definitely had grown since the day they had left the Houtem Mansion. Instead of being the impulsive brute that he used to be, Steffen was a comfortable companion with the loyalty of a Golden Retriever. He was fairly noticeable, being one of the tallest in their 'family'. His hair was a dark blond. Almost a deep honey colour. He'd grown it out and now had to tie it back to keep it out of his way. His skin was darker than Elisabeth's but it was clear of any noticeable blemishes. Handsome liquid brown eyes were normally hidden by his bangs.

Elisabeth sighed and dropped her head to the side, letting it land on her partner's shoulder.

"I'm gunna be tired when we get there. So I say we nap as soon as we get to the hotel," she said quietly as the plane's engine started up.

Steffen nodded his head before resting it on top of her head. She felt a soft sigh from him ruffle her bangs. The plane started moving and a voice came over the intercom but Elisabeth simply closed her eyes and turned her head from the window.

Okay, I am SO sorry for the delay. Which is why I didn't send this to the beta. Cause I was in a panic. Which is why there are so many mistakes.

I PROMISE TO COME BACK AND FIX IT!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel characters. Though, the Dutch spies are all mine and I am proud of my babies.

So I will do my best to get chapter 12 out. Maybe Clint and Natasha will be in that one? I dunno yet XD

LOVE YA!