Chapter Ten

Oscar looked solemnly at the three people sitting across from him: two operatives who were like family to him and one very nervous potential operative, all of them deserving a lot more than he was about to give them. "So," he began sternly, "where do I start? Jaime, it's great to see you up and around again. I hope you used those six days in the hospital to reflect on how much worse it could've been."

"I -" Jaime began.

Oscar stopped her. "I'm not done yet. I am nowhere near done. If you are issued a piece of equipment - I don't care if it's a bullet-proof vest or a damned suit of armor - you are expected to wear it. You could easily have been killed, and your husband would've had to live the rest of his life feeling guilty for firing that shot. Unnecessary guilt, I might add, since it would've been your own action - or lack of action - that would've been the true cause."

Jaime lowered her head, speechless, and grateful for Steve's empathetic squeeze of her hand. She squeezed back (her eyes never leaving Oscar's), correctly sensing that her husband's turn was next.

Oscar did have more to say. "As for you, Colonel Austin, you've worked for me long enough to be familiar with our procedures, have you not?" He gave Steve no chance to answer the rhetorical question. "The minute you were out of that cell, and you saw an entire evac team down, what would the appropriate procedure have been?" Once again, Oscar kept going; he was on a definite roll. "Since you've obviously forgotten, I'll tell you. You would call in to let me know, so I could send additional teams to help get your butts out of there safely! Granted, in this case that wouldn't have helped much, since you got things wrapped up fairly quickly - congratulations for that, by the way - but even so, procedures are procedures, and I expect you - all of you - to follow them.

"Which brings me to my next point. The OSI has a Director - who happens to be me, if you've forgotten - for a reason. I am in charge here! I call the shots! I don't just talk for the sake of hearing my own voice. You might remember that in the future! You were working with a brand-new operative; you might both have tried to set a little better example. And Buffy,"

"I'm sorry, Mister Goldman," she said quickly, in a very meek voice.

"Not necessary," Oscar assured her. "You made a mistake, as I've just made clear, but you also showed a lot of initiative and courage, both extremely admirable traits, and you were a huge part of what made this assignment ultimately successful.

"I do, however, have a few things I need to say to you. First, in terms of knowledge, ability and determination, these two people sitting next to you are the best in the business. They can teach you virtually anything you need to know. However, in terms of insubordination, do not follow their example. Please.

"Second thing is, while 'Mister Goldman' is flattering, and quite a pleasant change from the respect I normally get around here," Oscar raised an eyebrow at Jaime and Steve, "it also makes me feel about 102 years old. 'Oscar' is just fine," he said, smiling at Buffy. "I know I've been called a lot of other things when I'm not listening, and sometimes even to my face."

"Who would do that?" Jaime asked innocently.

"Us?" Steve added.

"Not us!" Jaime chimed in once more.

"Third, and most definitely not least, I want to apologize to you, Buffy. You didn't have a very pleasant introduction to government service. We normally like to give our new operatives at least some training before we throw them into a blazing inferno. You performed admirably under extremely adverse conditions. If the last two days haven't completely scared you off, and if you're still interested, I'd like to welcome you to the OSI, as a full-fledged Security Six operative. Swords and car fenders optional."

"I am!" Buffy enthused. "Thank you so much, Mister...I mean, Oscar."

"If I were you," Steve joked, "I'd hold out for some serious salary negotiations first."

"Don't help," Oscar said, smiling all the same.

"Security Six?" Jaime asked.

"That's right," Oscar confirmed. "I know that means there are a few things you'll be wanting to fill her in on, and you've all got some major catching up to do."

"She's had a few questions we weren't able to answer," Jaime agreed.

"However...I do have one more, very firm, non-negotiable directive - for all three of you." Steve and Jaime groaned, and Oscar grinned. "I am taking you all to lunch."

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