Spy Down!
And now…ducks.
Nope, just messing around, there will be Spies. And crazy scientists. And a hot lady. The plot will be there too…somewhere. If you squint.
Either way, it's Chapter 13 of Spy Down! That is late…I'm sorry.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programme.
Chapter 13.
The Spy found himself in Medic's office once again, seated anxiously in a chair facing the man of medicine as he placed the tips of his digits together, scanning the shy Spy through the square frames of his glasses.
Spy shifted under the scrutiny.
"Herr Spy, your behaviour is…concerning to say the least. You are a constant downer upon yourself und vhile you are excellent at your job, this downward spiral is affecting your performance. Zhe technicalities are there, but your heart isn't."
Guilt created Spy's expression.
"I have been patient with you…but I'm afraid I must now properly intervene. You VILL stay in this room with me until we figure zhe diagnosis behind your behaviour, for zhe good of yourself and zhis team."
Felix chanced a quick, frantic look around and saw locks on the doors and the one window near the centre of the Medic's ward. It shone white light behind the stern German's head as he continued to stare calmly at Spy, already inching a hand towards pen and paper to jot down notes on his comrade's behaviour so far.
"Am I clear?"
Spy knew he had finally been cornered.
"Oui."
He would tell him everything.
"You can lie down on zhis sofa, Herr Spy. I will listen to every word and talk to you only vhen needed. Take your time."
Breathing in and out, Spy pushed himself out of the wooden chair and down on a cracked leather recliner/sofa. Staring at the swirling dust motes in the afternoon sun to distract himself, Spy began his tale.
"I suppose I should start at ze beginning."
"Sehr gut."
"I was born in France…"
Sniper happened to stumble over Scout listening intently at the door to Jasper's hospice.
"Um…beth?"
"Oh jeeze!" pippin scrambled up as quietly as he could, one hand shushing the Welshman. "I'm listening to what's happenin' in dere, so shh!"
Bryn raised an eyebrow at Pippin's loud whisperings.
"So, who told you to do that, numpty?"
Pippin shuffled his cleated shoes, looking like a child caught with his hand in the candy jar.
"Well…nobody. But I wanna hear how Spook's is doin' in dere! I didn't mean no harm or nuthin'! Honest!"
Sniper couldn't help but quirk a grin as he leant a hand against the wood of the walls surrounding them. The Scout could win over the Administrator with those baby blues peeking out from under his baseball cap and shoulders hunched a little – if she had a better heart, that is.
"Listening into privacy isn't the way to go about it, boyo."
Pippin's face fell dejectedly and Sniper rubbed the bridge of his nose with a sigh.
"C'mon. I'll get you some ice cream, ydw?" he offered kindly and Pippin brightened considerably.
"Sure! It's boring here anyway."
They walked away; the elder placing a hand on Pippin's left shoulder.
"I see, I see. Zhat vas fascinating, Herr Spy."
Spy felt a bit sick.
"A family of four and you vere the only child." Medic said aloud as he jolted notes for Spy's health file.
"Oui."
"When did you say your grandmother died?"
Spy rubbed the tips of his thumbs together.
"Last year." He whispered.
"I'm sorry, Herr Spy." Medic looked sympathetic.
"Non, merci."
Medic stopped writing to check over what he had written so far and frowned. The Spy had done well to release just a basic overview of his childhood and adult years before arriving here, but he was still hiding, refusing to discuss what hurt his heart so much.
Medic peered over his glasses at Spy.
"Herr Spy…is zhere anything else you need to say before adjourn for today?"
Spy's ocean eyes drew the curtains over his memories and his thin lips clamped together. Jasper wouldn't push the issue any further. They'd already seen a breakthrough and the German couldn't bear to spoil it.
"…Alright. You may go now, RED Spy."
The medical prodigy began to stand, stretching aching limbs. However, the espionage expert just lay there, biting his bottom lip and he appeared to be battling internally with himself. Pretending not to notice, Medic continued moving, tucking in his shirt and adjusting his red tie before taking a step towards his desk.
"…Medic?"
Jasper prevented himself from whirling around excitedly.
"Ja?"
"I…I feel zat I do not know who I am anymore."
Jasper stared intensely, forgetting himself as he shared a fragile moment with the most reserved member of RED.
"I forget about my past self; I don't remember how he behaved, what he looked like, whether he smiled or not. Was I happy? Did I enjoy my life and explore all the world had to give moi? I think I did…but zat blurs too much with the reality of now until I feel dizzy."
Medic was at a loss for words. This was more than he'd expected, no, hoped for.
"Doctor…do you know where he is now?"
Jasper Hans jolted and shook his head.
"Neither do I. I threw away ze key and I do not remember where I put 'im."
Jasper's heart felt like it would snap with the intense emotion. Spy looked up from his palms.
"I've buried him so deeply…he'll never come back." Felix curled up on the couch and placed a hand over his mouth as he tried to breathe. "Ze may disagree, but my work 'as been affected. I am not ze best Spy, despite my hard exterior in battle. I used my job to hide who I once was…but even ZAT is breaking now."
His voice soft, Spy uncurled and held out a hand for him to shake, signalling that the psychological session was finally over.
"Zank you Doctor, for today."
Spy vanished in front of RED Medic's wide eyes (he numbly let him out) and the older man collapsed on the couch. One rubber hand went to balance his broad chin and Jasper stared into deep space, hoping to find the secret to his problems.
Other eyes watched and waited.
A short but hopefully sweet chapter. My god, I drained my emotional bucket a little writing Felix's lines. I deeply apologise for the lateness, but my exams came first. The explosion will happen next chapter.
Please review.