A/N: So... I really don't have an explanation for this other than I was watching a movie and then this happened. Enjoy!

Nobody saw it coming... except Finn.

Disclaimer: Disney/Pixar owns all recognizable characters.

The only one who ever saw the exhaustion slowly creeping up on him, was Finn himself. He felt his young body slowly falling apart with each mission he and Ethan were sent on. Each time he gave his all, and Ethan couldn't tell that he hurt with every movement. That he was slowly falling apart and wearing down because he never got a break.

It wasn't Ethan's fault, no. It was Jake's. He was the one that sent them on those missions. It was Jake's fault for not paying attention to Finn's health, and how much the seven year old could physically take. He didn't pay attention to Finn's health, only the missions he 'couldn't let younger and inexperienced spies' go on.

When he got back from one mission, he was immediately sent on the next. He tried to act energetic like he normally was, for Ethan's sake. He was somewhat sure Ethan was doing the same for him, but Finn didn't see or feel Ethan's energy dwindling. Only his.

He knew it was only a matter of time before something happened.

It was after a mission that was almost all running. Finn carried Ethan through the gunfire, lead Holley and Rod into it. Into all out hellfire. As soon as the gunshots had sounded, flying from all directions he'd lead them straight towards it.

Running away, running back, all while attempting to dodge the bullets and fight whoever got close. Finn could feel himself begin to tire out within the first hour, but he continued to fight.

No one seemed to notice as he worked up a sweat, his muscles ached. He kept fighting, because that's how he was taught. That's how he ran. That's what he did for a living. Fight until he dropped.

And that's exactly what happened.

The battle had gone for hours. Finally, Ethan had put an end to the nonsense and had blown up the enemies rally point. It had killed almost all of them in the process, leaving the survivors severely injured.

With the immediate threat gone, Finn felt the exhaustion slowly creeping through him. The adrenaline from the explosion quickly vanished and he was left feeling extremely weak. His muscles felt like they were on fire, he couldn't breathe right. His nostrils flared but his breaths were ragged and uneven.

That's when Ethan finally realized something was wrong.

"Finn? Are yo-"

He was cut off by Finn's loud groan. His forelegs buckled and he fell to the ground with a soft thud. His eyes were closed before he even hit the ground entirely.

Holley was by his side in an instant, looking to Ethan for help while nudging Finn's neck. Ethan however, didn't know how to help. He had no bullet wounds, no major cuts and not enough blood loss to cause this.

It was from exhaustion. He could tell.

So alone they stood in the battlefield. Ethan's anger slowly building up. At himself for not noticing his partner slowly breaking down from exhaustion and at Jake for sending them on missions nonstop.

He would have a word with Jake as soon as they got back.

xxxxxxxxxx

He left Finn, Holley and Samantha in the jet while Rod, Blake and himself walked towards the office. He didn't even knock on the door, he just shoved it open.

Ethan met Jake's shocked expression. He was about to say something when he was met with Jake's careless, "We need you and Finn on another mission. Be ready by tomorrow morning please."

Ethan felt more anger flare up inside him, and with a deathly quiet voice he managed, "no."

"Wh-what did you just say to me?"

"I said no. I do not accept this mission."

"You don't have the right to!"

"Actually, with your best agent unable to stand I think I do!"

"Finn isn't able to stand?" There was no worry in his voice, only doubt.

"Yes! He collapsed at the end of our last mission from exhaustion. He's been worked far to hard."

"... so what are you saying Ethan."

"I'm saying," Ethan's voice quickly changed from a snarl into a quieter, angrier-sounding tone. "Finn, Holley, Samantha and I will not be accepting anymore missions unless it's run through by us. We will not be seen by anyone... we aren't coming into this building anymore."

"So you're going into hiding? But still taking on missions? And only the ones you want to?"

With a nod of his head, Ethan replied simply, "Yes."

A/N: Forgive me for that non fluent time skip. I don't know how I would've skipped it otherwise. And just to clarify, they didn't quit. Ethan is just taking them all to a place more secluded. They are only to be contacted in life threatening emergencies. Only Rod and Blake know where they went.