Authors Note: Hi, here's chapter 14. Enjoy.

He touched the wall and made the turn. Propelling him forward, Sam prepared to break the surface. He kicked his legs as he moved his left hand forward. He took a breath and continued his way. Sam had almost completed the first 800 meters of the 3000 he had to finish by the end of the day. Luckily he still had the entire day to finish as it was five o'clock in the morning.

Dana smiled as Sam touched the wall and immediately turned back around, doing length number 17. She was standing by the side of the pool, watching his progress. It hadn't amazed her, Kerry and Rose that the boys had figured out how to plan their respective punishments in their schedules. It had been nearly three weeks since they had started and both agents finally started adjusting to the amount of exercise they had to do each day.

'How's he doing?' asked Rose. 'Rick is finally used to running a mile before breakfast.' She handed Dana a cup of coffee.

'He's doing better than a week ago, but there is still room for improvement. At least he isn't taking a break every two hundred meters. Looks like he's done for now.' Both women walked towards the starting block, where the cherub took off his cap and goggles.

'So, how was it?' Sam asked.

'I've seen better, but it'll do.'

'I could focus more on the movements if I didn't have to breathe every two or three strokes.' Sam shot Dana a look.

'Nice try, but I'm not going to allow you the use of a snorkel. You could be a bit more grateful for letting you use a wetsuit in the evening.' The handler grinned. Rose smiled slightly. Sam rolled his eyes as Dana helped him back on his feet. He walked to the dressing room and got changed before he had to be in the kitchen by five thirty. He thanked Marco that he had told them they could come in late.

'Sam,' said Dana. 'Don't forget that we've got an appointment at four. Don't worry it'll be nothing but some stretching.'

'Thanks,' said Sam before he scurried off to the kitchen.

The CHERUB kitchen was responsible for the everyday meals of the Cherubs. This means that they had to prepare for four hundred hungry kids each morning, for lunch and evening. Friday nights where often less stressful as a handful of agents left the campus to eat less ideal food. For breakfast they prepared everything such as omelettes, both vegetarian and otherwise, French toast, regular toast, fruit salads and much more. For lunch they made three dishes that could be chosen from, with two vegetarian dishes as well. The evening was roughly the same. The kitchen itself was manned by eighteen cooks. These cooks had all been part of the intelligence services before joining the campus. Only Marco wasn't but he had chosen to join them after he had been thoroughly screened. Apparently his cover was that he cooked a private school, which wasn't exactly a lie neither.

Sam met Rick in front of the entrance. Both still had wet hair. They could hear the clattering of metal and Marco's voice shouting orders; With a final grin to each other, they entered the kitchen. The noise of clattering pans and shouts got louder as the boys grabbed their aprons and awaited orders. Marco, an Italian born chef with black hair, olive green eyes and tanned skin gave one of the junior chefs an order and turned at the boys.

'I hope you had time to relax, as you will have to work full time for the next three hours. You're responsible for the omelettes for today. We have the regular, bacon and ham and the vegetarian version with tomato and red peppers. You think you can handle it?'

'I don't know, but I'm tired of doing the dishes all day, so bring it,' said Rick. Sam nodded in agreement.

Marco laughed. 'Spoken like a true chef. Off you go. You'll need about four eggs a person and you're making it for around hundred and fifty plus fifty people. And you have two hours to do it, so get started.'

They nodded and moved to their stations. Unloading the eggs by the pallet and breaking each egg before dropping it in the large bowl, the two friends worked their way through the first two hundred eggs in half an hour. They dropped in the first pieces of ham and bacon, before moving on to the next two hundred. After an hour they were close to returning to the dishes as they had aching arms from breaking the eggs and carefully dropping the eggs in the second bowl. While the other cooks where finishing their duties, the agents were still cracking eggs for the vegetarian version. Marco walked over and grinned.

'Not so easy eh?'

'The hell with this,' said Sam. 'I never knew cooking was so much work.'

'To be honest, we gave you the shittiest job beside the dishes. The other dishes are much less work, if the necessary preparations are made. But for fresh omelettes you cannot do that much beforehand.' Marco started cracking the eggs, while Sam and Rick sliced the red bell pepper into fine slices. After another half an hour, they tipped the bowls with the bacon and ham into a large serving tray that was sitting on the fire. They did the same for the vegetarian and watched the eggs being baked. After another twenty minutes they moved each tray to the buffet and dropped it next to the desserts. Marco congratulated them with their accomplishment.

'So, you interested in cooking?' asked Marco. 'Tonight we're making lasagne. You'll need to come in at five to start with the preparations.'

'If we're going to learn how to cook, we might just learn from the master himself,' said Sam with a smile as he discarded the apron. Marco laughed and hung their aprons with the others.

'Now, scram and taste your own cooking. And don't steal any of the crispy bacon. You're not supposed to eat that outside of breakfast or dinner.'

Rick and Sam stared at him innocently.

'Oh please. I know you took it. Just ask me next time. We'll feed you some scraps. Now get out, before I keep you to do the dishes.'

The agents bolted before he could take another look.

Later that day, both agents were lying on their beds listening to some music coming from a portable speaker that Rick had taken with him. They were studying for the history test that was coming up. They had learned more about the Vietnam War.

'So, basically the American lost the war because they got their asses served in the jungle?' asked Rick.

'The jungle does crazy things to a man.'

The door flew open and two people casually strolled in. They were both wearing blue scrubs and backpacks. Cat and Emily stared at their boyfriends. 'So you're actually studying for a change,' said Emily, directing her question to Rick.

'Hey, I've been studying ever since we got banished to this room. It's not because you don't see it that it doesn't happen.'

'Yeah,' said Sam.

'You shush,' said Cat. 'You better pass this test, your average score needs some lifting.' Sam stuck out his tongue. Cat scowled.

'What's up with the scrubs? Jumped in the lake and they gave you this to wear instead?'

'We helped out at the medical block. Since we're both opting to go to medical school in a couple of years, this could help to get a spot,' said Cat. 'But it's kind of annoying that those red shirts only have grazed knees and elbows after some paintball session.'

'So you've been playing motherly nurses all afternoon?'

'Yes,' said Emily. 'And then we decided to take a look at the poor boys on the top floor. And here we are.'

'You came to gloat or something?' asked Sam. 'We're stuck here for another four months, we don't get to eat any snacks and we have to eat healthy because of these things.' Sam tapped the watch like bracelets they had received after their medical check-ups. It was a chip that identified them as agents who had to go on a diet. Since they were punished, Zara thought that they were the best candidates for the trial run, since they weren't contributing to the organization through missions, as they had been barred from those for another two months.

'Jeez, Sam we're only messing around,' said Cat.

'I know, 'he replied regretfully. 'It's just so annoying that we are stuck in this routine and it's slowly killing me on the inside.'

'Second that,' said Rick. 'We haven't been off the campus for weeks, I haven't stayed up past eleven since we started the punishment and I'm seriously starting to like broccoli. And we all know I hate vegetables.'

The girls looked at each other and grinned. They pulled their respective boyfriends off of the bed and dragged them with them to their rooms. When Sam asked Cat what she was doing, she only replied: 'Getting you out of the routine.'

That evening the boys returned to their rooms after their personal punishments and kitchen duty. Sam threw himself on the bed and buried his face in his pillow. Rick took off his t-shirt to take a shower.

'How did it go with Cat?'

'I won't be doing anything stupid anytime soon. She still had some rage inside of her. Emily?'

'You know the test we have like the day after tomorrow?' Sam grunted. 'I wouldn't want to fail it.'

'Women can be wicked if they want to,' said Sam lifting his head from the pillow.

'True that. 'And with that Rick Crew closed the lockless bathroom door and Sam Cross fell asleep in his uniform, even his painful butt couldn't stop that from happening.

Three weeks later, both agents got dressed after they had received a message from their handlers. They got dressed in black cargo shorts and regular shoes. Sam finished his outfit with a green Ben Sherman t-shirt and a dark grey hoodie. Rick wore a red T-shirt and a black shirt on top. Summer had finally arrived on campus and England was soaked in beautiful weather. This meant that most of the Cherubs were on the island, but since they got punished, Sam and Rick didn't get to go. At least they could organize late night game nights as there was no one to tell them not to. They grabbed their packs as instructed and joined their handlers in an empty office. Dana and Rose were standing, while Kerry was sitting down behind the desk. She was now eight months pregnant and it showed.

'You may wonder why we have called you,' said Kerry. 'Well we have some good news for you. Since you have meticulously followed the parameters of your punishments, we have allowed for you to join us and Zara to London.'

'Seriously?'

'Yes. But there are some rules. You don't get out of our sight, no mischief, no mayhem and you'll behave like angels. Got it?'

'Yes ma'am,' they replied in unison.

'Zara will also meet with the PM about the future of Cherub. We'll be there as well, the two of you as the representatives of the agents. And yes we get the irony of that,' said Rose. 'When this happens, you'll behave even better. Capiche?'

'Yes ma'am.'

'Good, then you can go the main entrance and board the car. We'll be there in five minutes,' said Dana.

A couple of hours later, the agents found themselves sitting in a car opposite to Zara and the PM. The man was about thirty five, Labour president and he was a former Navy Lieutenant. Shannon McShard was still the Intelligence Minister. They were looking at the PM when the first explosion roared through the air. The driver braked so hard, the seat belts dug themselves into the agents torsos. Sam felt a surge in temperature. The first bullets only hit seconds later. The bulletproof windows held them out of the car.

'Down' yelled Zara as she pulled the PM onto the floor and directed Sam and Rick to do the same. The security detail returned fire on the unknown assailants. 'I counted at least four, military trained,' said Zara.

'Automatics, I'm guessing AR's,' said Rick.

'The others, are they okay?'

'I'm sure they are. It was the first car that got blown up. The third car is untouched.' She hadn't even finished her sentence or a second bang could be heard on the outside. Suddenly their door was opened by a guard who took out a weapon from a secret compartment and wanted to hand it to Zara. He never managed as he was gunned down from behind. Bullets ripped the leather seating of the car to bits. Rick lunged for the falling weapon and aimed it at the assailant before discharging two shots. The man fell down.

'I'm going to check on the others,' he said. He climbed out of the car, while staying behind cover. Sam wanted to follow him, but Zara grabbed his leg.

'Stay safe.'

'Always.'

Sam followed Rick out and grabbed the AR-15 that was still being clutched by the attacker. He loaded it and started shooting.

The first explosion brought the convoy to a halt. The guards inside their vehicle armed themselves and gave Dana a spare semi-automatic handgun. The first one out of the car shot some rounds before being gunned down by automated fire. The second and third guard took cover. The three women looked at each other with tense faces. Years of training kicked back in as they patiently waited for an opportunity. The shadow appeared out of nowhere. It stuck something to the door.

'Get out!' screamed Rose as she pulled Kerry out with her. Dana followed suite. The explosion threw them to the ground. After a couple of seconds, Dana regained her orientation. She saw Rose holding Kerry, who grimaced. Covered in cuts and lacerations, Dana sprinted to them. When crouching beside Kerry, she saw a growing bloodstain on the dress. Kerry grimaced again.

'It's coming.'

'What?'

'The baby is coming,' said Kerry between breaths.

Dana nodded and assessed the wound. It wasn't deep, but it still bled profoundly. 'Keep some pressure on the wound.' Rose nodded and ignored Kerry's grunt as she pushed down on the cut. Dana loaded a bullet in the chamber and peeked from behind her cover. She saw three masked people aiming some automatics, they were reloading. She went in the open and shot one of them right between the eyes. One of them reloaded and unleashed a string of shots.

'Dana, are the boys okay?' asked Rose, while Dana checked her ammunition.

'Don't know, let me go and …'

Automated fire cut off her remark. One of the attackers got hit in the chest. She turned around and saw Sam retreating behind the vehicle. Rick grinned, jumped in the open and kneecapped one of the others. Sirens were coming closer. The remaining attackers retreated in plate-less cars. Screeching tires got mixed with sirens as Sam fired his final rounds at one of two escaping cars.

'Are you okay,' he asked Dana. 'Kerry?' He threw the gun away.

'I'm okay, Kerry got hit and the baby is on the way. Rose got some scratches.' Both Rick and Sam looked at her in disbelief. As the first police cars and ambulances arrived, Sam and Rick looked at each other. They knew each other like no one else: the looks in their eyes said one thing: "We're getting those bastards."

The vending machine in the waiting area was buzzing slightly. Sam and Rick sat on plastic seats sipping orange juice from the machine. Rose had a slight concussion and Kerry was in labor with the baby well on its way. James was with her. The agents awaited further news. Dana, with several bandages on her, and Zara were talking to some doctors. Suddenly two people walked onto the ward. It took Sam several moments to recognize Mia and Paul through the semi blinded windows. Mia was wearing green scrubs, while Paul was dressed in a pair of jeans and grey sweater.

'Is she okay?' asked Paul.

'She's currently in labor. She's fine otherwise,' said Zara.

'And you?' asked Mia.

'We're fine, just some scratches and bruises,' replied Dana. 'We got Sam and Rick to thank for that. They handled the situation well.' She turned and looked Sam straight in the eyes.

'That reminds me, have you…' said Zara.

'Francis got rid of every piece of footage that showed them using the weapons. As far as everyone thinks, the assailants got killed by the security agents or you guys,' said Paul. Mia left the group and sat herself across of Rick.

'Hi. How's it going?'

'Fine,' said rick. 'The first time we get off of campus in months and we get shot at, so same as always.'

Sam chuckled and shook his head. 'Nice to see you again Mia. Wish it were under better circumstances.'

'Me too.' Paul waved as he walked in and sat himself next to Mia.

'Heard you took out some of the bad guys. You did great.'

Mia stomped him. 'Jezus Paul, they're kids. They killed people today. Are you alright?'

'I'm fine. I just feel so angry,' said Sam.

'I feel as if I could do a marathon,' replied Rick.

'That's the adrenaline talking,' replied Mia with a smile.

Paul's phone started buzzing, he picked up. 'Yeah Francis? Okay that's great. Yeah. See you in twenty.' Paul stood up. 'Francis found a lead.' He went to tell Zara.

Sam and Rick finished their drinks.

Half an hour later, the remaining Delta's walked into the ward. Sarah had joined Francis. They all greeted each other and took a seat in the waiting area. Chloë teased Francis with his goatee.

'It's the only place where there's hair growing, so bite me.'

'Language!' Sarah squeezed his hand. 'The children.'

'He can bloody swear like he fucking wants to,' replied Rick with a smile. 'We've heard worse.' Sam only grinned while nodding.

'What's the lead you found?' asked Dana.

'The kneecapped attacker got a tattoo that is linked to a shady group called The Fawkes. They're something of a political activist group.'

'Remember, remember,' muttered John. 'So they wanted the PM?'

'Most likely. The MI branches are digging more into the lead. All we know is that they often hang out in a bar called the Red Wolf on the East End.' Rick and Sam looked at each other and signalled at each other. One of the treating doctors came in to the waiting area and almost everyone jumped up to hear what he had to say. After he had spoken they stared at each other and let the news sink in. Dana was the first to say something: 'Where are the boys?'

The others looked around, but only saw two crushed cans of fruit juice.

Rick picked the second bike lock, just when Sam walked out of the hospital. He had taken his backpack with him and now there was a handle sticking out of the side. 'Thank god for the construction worker's lousy attention. I just walked in and left with a sledge hammer. I also grabbed some plastic bags and a box of gloves.'

'I'll take this chain as a weapon. You got the address?'

'You still want to do this?' said Sam. 'I have no idea what's going to happen.'

'They touched our family. Those who harm my family get pain in return. Does that answer your question?'

Sam opened his pack to let Rick put the chain in. Rick got out some gloves and slipped them on. Sam did the same.

'You think Dana knows I can ride a bike?' asked Sam. 'We haven't really tried it anymore after last time.'

'You mean that time you crashed in the lake?'

Sam flipped him off and started pedalling. They had the address stored on their phones. The MI branches had to work around some rules. Rules that didn't apply to a couple of angry teenage boys with a vengeance. Together, the friends rode into the dark.

The bell rang as the two hooded figures walked in. All heads turned to them. Some even raised their eyebrows. It wasn't every day that you saw two masked boys with a hammer and chain walking into a bar.

'Is there anyone from the Fawkes in here?' asked one of them.

'Maybe,' replied one of the men sitting at the bar.

The boy with the hammer walked over to the man. 'What do you know about the attack on the PM this afternoon?' The man took another gulp from his beer. He smiled.

'He got it good didn't he? The bloody fuck up. Heard a rumour that some civilians got hurt as well. Collateral damage happens in every war.' He hadn't spoken those words or the boy pulled him off the chair and placed the hammer head on his throat.

'Let me ask you again: Who is behind the attack? I know some of that collateral damage.'

'Now you listen,' said the barkeep while reaching under the bar.

The second boy unleashed the chain and hit the barkeep on the arm. He walked behind the bar while spinning the chain round and round. He grabbed the shotgun the barkeep was reaching for. 'Nice piece. I'll think I'll keep it. Now, will someone please answer my partner's question? This thing is loaded.' He chambered a round and aimed at the clients.

'They're not here,' muttered the breathless man. 'They come here often to have a pint and to rant on the government, but they don't have a base here.'

'Where can I find them? Give me a name as well. Or I'll crack your knee.'

'One of them is called King, I heard they have a second bar where they hang out. It's known for being a hole of anarchists and gangs.' The man sighed after the head was lifted off. He only screamed louder when it crushed his left hand.

'What's the name?' asked the shotgun kid.

'The Gilded Crown,' said one of the other clients. 'It's not too far from here.'

The hammer got withdrawn. 'Keep them calm. I'm checking out the back. This bar cannot survive on beer alone.'

The boy disappeared to the back of the bar. The barkeep poured himself a drink. After five tense minutes the boys returned with a ledger and a plastic bag filled with pills. 'Forged meds, xtc, and some other shit. Didn't know you were a bookie as well. You wouldn't have a license for those bets, would you?' The boys placed the ledger in a plastic bag and tied it off. He did the same with the drugs. He took a picture with his phone and put everything in his backpack. The shotgun kid put the chain in his own pack and together they left.

'Jerry, pour me another,' said one of the clients.

Sam and Rick stood across the street, the bikes were hidden in a nearby alley. The bar was filled with mean looking people. Rick had spotted some impressive tattoo's. He had also spotted a group of men, of which one had his arm in a sling, most probably from a gunshot wound.

'You ready?' asked Rick

'Always,' said Sam as he pulled up his hood.

They walked in the bar. Rick released a shot in the ceiling. In an instant the crowd went silent. Sam walked over to a table and swung the hammer will all his strength. The table broke in two and glasses of beer and spirits crashed on the ground.

'Anyone here know the Fawkes? Remember, my partner has a loaded shotgun.' Sam casually walked over to the bar and sat himself on a stool.

'Most of them are dead,' said someone. 'Got their asses wacked.'

'Where are the others?' asked Rick.

'Here,' said someone in the back. They pulled three people from the booth. The men and lady in question eyed Sam.

'Are we taking orders from little punks now?' said the man with the sling. 'We have them outnumbered ten to one.'

Suddenly Rick kneecapped someone at close range, while Sam punched a man square in the face. Blood sprayed from his nose. Shouts and sobs resonated in the bar. 'Make that nine to one,' said Rick. 'Want to go any lower?'

'You know we are dead serious. You touched our family. Now we are touching you.'

'Fuck your family,' spat the woman.

'Fuck and family in the same sentence. Is that what you stand for? You disgust me,' said Sam.

'What do you want?' asked the man with the sling.

'The man who organized the attack, the man they call King.'

The older man from the trio grinned. 'That would be me, who are you?'

'Your worst nightmare,' said Sam. He jumped from the stool and charged at the man. He thrust the hammer forward and struck him in the gut. Sam punched him in the face and dragged him to the floor. He kicked the man towards the door. The man breathed heavily. While the man wanted to lift himself back up, Sam struck him in the back of the knee. King fell sprawling on the floor. Sam aimed the hammer head at King's head and lifted the hammer in full length. Gasps. Rick looked at Sam. Suddenly Sam dropped the hammer on the floor. The tile got crushed.

'While you're in custody, remember, remember that the Blacksmith let you live.' Sam hogtied King and eyed the other people in the bar. 'Tie the other two as well and get out. But before you go, tell me. Is there any gambling and drug trafficking going on in this bar?'

The door opened and Sam and Rick walked in the room where Kerry was lying in a hospital bed. Rose was lying in the bed beside Kerry's. The others were sitting on chairs or the spare beds.

'Where have you two been?' asked Dana.

'Getting some fresh air,' said Rick.

'For three hours?' asked Paul.

'Blame the circumstances,' said Sam.

'Cut the BS,' said Zara. 'You think we don't get any news from the police? MI5 raided the Red Wolf, only to find a couple of scared old drunks. One of them having a broken hand. There was also a pile of drugs lying on a table, next to what seemed to be an illegal gambling ledger. The man with the broken hand remembers two teenage boys, dressed in the same fashion as you two, wielding a sledge hammer and a chain. They left with an additional shotgun.'

Rick and Sam only stared at their feet.

'Second location that got raided had three people tied up, with a lot of damage and injured people. The tied up people have all confessed to being part of the attackers from this afternoon. The main attacker said to King that he had to remember that he got caught by the Blacksmith and partner. And again there was a pile of illegal money, drugs and a weapon stash to be found. Got anything to say for yourselves?'

Sam and Rick looked at each other. 'The weapons are something new,' said Rick. 'We only asked if they had drugs.'

'So you admit you did these things?'

'Yes,' said Sam.

'Thank you for your honesty,' said Zara. 'We'll deal with you punishment later.'

Sam had a dumbfounded look on his face. 'Wait, we're not getting kicked out of Cherub?'

Kerry sighed. 'For someone who has a high IQ, you can be a bit dim, Cross. No, you're not getting kicked out. The both of you have shown exceptional skill this afternoon, and since you did manage to find the perps before any of the MI branches, or Team Delta for that matter, we can assume that you and Rick can handle more dangerous and demanding missions.'

'Oh okay,' said Rick. 'By the way, how's the baby doing?'

'Thanks for asking Rick, at least someone has some brain cells left. She was born two hours ago, she was born six weeks early, but she's doing fine at the moment.'

'Yeah, that's one record I'll keep to myself,' said Sam.

'Who said you're doing fine? I mean, defying authority, doing drugs on campus, going after bad guys on your own, spending more time doing punishments than otherwise,' said Dana jokingly. Chuckles went round, as Dana grabbed Sam by the shoulders and gave him a hug. Sam stuck out his tongue.

'What's the name?' asked Rick.

'We were thinking about calling her Anna Samantha Choke,' said James with a smile as he held Kerry's hand.

'As in Anna Sam Choke?' said Paul.

Kerry nodded. 'We decided to make Sam her godfather, if he wants to of course.'

'Me, I don't know if I'm godfather material.'

Kerry nodded. 'Only one way to find out. And besides, it's not that hard.'

Sam stared at his handler and her fiancée. They seemed genuinely happy with the baby. 'I'll do it.'

'Thank you,' said James. 'I'm sure you'll do fine.'

'If he doesn't, we'll have his arse,' said Chloë with a little smile.

Sam laughed with the others.

Next chapter will feature a new mission for Sam and others, stay tuned!