Cronin made his way through the rushing agents, his colleagues, many of which he wasn't fond of. They hustling to their tasks, some nodding his way or giving him a mere 'hello' in recognition of his presence. Many of them were with whom he used to have lunch with or had gone out for drinks at nights. It was strange that he had now second thoughts about their values. Some had stayed true to Landy, knowing that what had occurred to her was not right. Others merely turned their backs on her, not believing her word.

After years of working in the CIA, he had seen more than what many would ever have or hoped to. Quite frankly, it wasn't until they fired Landy that he really was filled with disgust. Right under his nose, there were many operations being operated by the CIA members but not beneficiary to everyone. The majority of operations run were due to agents pulling scamming the board director's themselves. It was a shame that he didn't recognize it before.

While working with Landy, he had realized what Treadstone had caused but even then, he continued to work in the same base of operation but not for them. He didn't follow anyone's orders except Landy's. Although there were many of them who made money by pulling scams and building their lives in lies, Landy was not one of them. She was different. She believed in doing what was right. There was only a limited few now who did not. Landy used her knowledge in doing good and working to make things better. It was somewhat ironic that having principles and values was what had made her a target for Taylor. He was relieved however, that he had merely let her walk away without hurting her.

He was making his way to his desk, and even though he was early that morning it was clear he was not the only one. He glanced around hoping to see Taylor although the reason behind that was not at all clear. Perhaps he was expecting to find something new today. Everyone walked around with their features a scowl or impassiveness, much like Jason. The last thought made him chuckle which sent a few odd or annoyed glances his way. At least it got a reaction from them.

"Yeah but we need to act soon."

He heard a voice a couple of feet away that sounded like a loud whisper followed by a soft murmur. He couldn't distinguish the first voice and although he could barely hear the second one, he knew with great certainty that it belonged to none other than Taylor, the devil himself. He hated the man beyond what anyone, even Nicky or Jason would ever figure. He had framed Landy, an innocent and fair woman. Her leaving had been a great blow to him. He had grown attached to her somehow although no one knew that. She was only his boss in everyone's eyes and he was only his right-hand man to them as well, including herself.

He heard Taylor's and the stranger's voice growing near and forced the melancholy thoughts of Landy aside. He needed to concentrate on what was important at the moment. If all went well, Landy would soon return to her rightful place and he would have a second chance.

"...Marshall...they'll never figure it out."

"I understand that, but who will-"

"Landy. It's perfect, don't you think?"

There a silence in the hallway as Taylor and the other came to a halt a few feet on the other side of him. Cronin was standing close to the adjoining the other, hoping to not be discovered otherwise, he would be in deep...

"Fine, but we need to..."

Cronin heard them advancing and he hurried to his office, hoping to get as far from the two men as possible and make them believe he was much too far away to have heard a thing. He felt a drop of sweat trail down the side of his face and he realized just how nervous the whole situation had made him.

"Cronin!"

Damn! They knew! He felt his heart race as he slowly turned to face them. Act casual, remain calm. There was no reason for things to get out of hand if he knew how to play along.

"Sir!" his voice came out strong but somewhat of a squeak.

It was indeed Taylor with another fellow who had been conversing. The man was young, perhaps Jason's age, with dark hair and hazel piercing eyes. His features resembled Jason's as well but it was perhaps only his impassiveness that did the trick. Taylor however merely shot him an intriguing look.

"Are you ok, Cronin?" he said, drawling his name at the end.

He cleared his throat and merely gave Taylor a convincing look.

"Yes sir, I think I may be catching a cold that's all." he said reassuringly, waving it off to make it convincing.

Taylor on the other hand merely gave him a look of disgust for a moment before he simply shook his head.

"Well, I expect you to get better, wouldn't want the everyone else sick as well."

Typical. The damn fool wouldn't care about anyone else's well being unless there wasn't something in it for him. As if his hate towards the man wasn't strong enough, he felt it grow a tinge more at the moment.

"Andrews, this is Cronin as you've probably figured. Cronin, this here is Andrews, my new assistant."

Cronin took Andrews' hand and shook it slightly, giving him a fake smile. Andrews however, merely smirked. No doubt now that he too was one of Taylor's kind.

"Andrews will be working with me in the-err-operations now."

Cronin nodded in understanding. Well, had brought in a new assistant. Did that mean that Mann had been replaced? Had he been fired perhaps? He was only hoping and in doing so as well as wishing never did any wrong to anyone.

"Mann will continue to work for me however." he added afterwards, crushing any hope he had left.

"By the way, how are things with Bourne's whereabouts?" he continued after a pause.

At this, Cronin felt his pulse, who had already returned to it's normal pace, once again race. He suddenly felt hot and the suit he worn, very uncomfortable. Both subjects merely gazed at him expectantly.

"Still no luck sir." he finally said.

"Well then, continue on. We mustn't let Bourne outsmart us so come on now, let's get back to work." he said.

"Very well sir." Cronin said, nodding as he did so. He turned on his heel and left the two now partners to continue with their discussion. He hated having to call Taylor sir or having to talk to him for that matter. He hated the fact that everything he thought the CIA to be had turned out to be everything but that. Hated the fact that Landy was not at his side like she used to all because of the man he now had to call 'sir'. He hated even more the fact that he still continued to work for criminals in disguise.

As Cronin turned the hallway to go to his office, the two men who continued with their discussion.

"You think he suspects anything?" Andrews asked Taylor.

"I doubt it but just to be safe, we'll keep an eye out." Taylor replied.

"You don't suppose he was lying about Bourne's search?" Andrews said inquisitively.

"I don't know Andrews but I wouldn't be surprised if he did, after all, he has always been loyal to Landy, wouldn't doubt he was planning something." he said slightly above a whisper, chuckling at the thought.

"Well then, I'd say we keep a closer eye..." Andrews added.

"What are you implying?" Taylor asked now interested.

"I mean to say that we should guard his house, check who goes in and who goes out. Wouldn't hurt to do so and of course, we would be cautious." Andrews finished,

Taylor pondered on Andrews suggestion for a moment. It was a highly good idea and there would be no harm in doing so. He would put Andrews in charge of it. Who knew? Perhaps he would gather some pretty interesting information indeed.

"Do it. Now how about a cup of coffee?"

A/N: This may have seemed an unnecessary chapter but I think it's good to see it through Cronin's eyes, after all, he is one of the main characters. Please R&R!