#16

2.8 years ago

Grace had just arrived in town, thankfully Hetty had set Grace up in a boarding house to stay in for a few weeks, just 'till she could find something more suitable.

Grace didn't have much stuff with her, Just a duffel bag of clothes, her cell and tablet, not to mention a few copies of a CV, it had made travelling a lot easier than it could have otherwise been. She was more than a little nervous, having never lived on her own, never had a job… and this town was a good bit away from her 'family'

She had spent the last few days searching online for jobs that allowed her time to keep an eye on her dad, but allowing her enough access to the community to keep an eye on any potential threats to herself or her dad.

She had found one job that checked all the boxes. Perhaps luckily she had an interview for a job in a local coffee bar. Grace looked forward to a challenge, but save for a brief 'interview' (if you could call it that) with Hetty, Grace had never been for an interview… well, never been for a job interview.

The interview with the agents from the London field office would be the closest she had personally experienced.

….

"…Do you have any experience?"

"I have experience with computers…."

"But for this, no?"

Grace pressed her lips together and tried to think how to salvage this

"Give her a chance, Jim. I can show her what to do… besides, she's cute" one of the workers said, pausing as she passed by the open office door and winked at Grace

….

Why was she so unsettled. She got the job… But it was the wink that had her stomach twisted in knots. She desperately needed someone to talk to … but after everything over the last few months… who could she trust.

"Hey"

Grace turned and saw the girl from the coffee bar

"Hi?" Grace replied, sounding more confused than anything else

"Hear you're joining our merry band"

"Yeah. Start tomorrow" Grace replied, cautiously "I'm Grace"

"My friends call me Vic"

….

Present Day

"You know, I don't think we should tell your aunt about that little visit"

"Does she see mom?"

"Honestly, I don't know. She tried visiting early on. But if she has seen her, she hasn't told me"

"But you guys are okay, right?. I mean… you two are the closest thing I have to parents, and.."

"Hey…. We're not your parents. But I'd be proud if I was… I AM proud, and your dad would be too. You've turned into a great kid. Shame the same can't be said for your brother. But thankfully you don't have any Beale DNA in you" Mike replied full of pride

They carried on down the road in silence for a couple of miles, before Mike broke the silence

"So… when d'ya have to be back home?"

Grace looked ahead at the rolling road infront of the SUV, deep in thought

"Hadn't really meant to be here as long as I have…."

"You're really making me feel loved, shortie" Mike laughed after interrupting Grace "Seriously, though. You're always welcome…and you don't need to worry about 'Vic'… she's welcome too"

Grace had wondered how much Mike knew about her life up north, she already knew he had known about her assignment, for how long was still a mystery. But till now she thought he had been in the dark as to the romance in her life

"I told you, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I just don't know why you never told us…"

"How long have you known?" Grace asked, interrupting Mike, sounding more than a bit worried

Mike pulled over at the side of the road, put the car in park and cut the engine

….

3 Years ago

"…I'll give up my badge first" Mike could be heard shouting.

The passing staff slowed, hoping to hear some little piece of gossip to pass around in the bullpen

"Look, I know this isn't your decision… but I won't let Grace go to jail. After what she went through… I think what she did was understandable. Hell, if I had my way, I would have choked him to death with my own two hands, you know that" Mike offered, speaking to hetty and trying to ignore the other gentleman sat at the far end of the room, quietly flipping through case reports

"No offence Special Agent Renko. But you're too close to her… you can't be impartial"

"What the FUCK has this got to do with you… huh?"

"SECNAV is of the opinion that you and your team have been compromised. You simply failed to deliver Eric Beale and Nell Jones until the events in Belfast. Even that wasn't your doing, was it. If it hadn't been for your test subject, they would still be at large with classified Navy intel. Now… I suggest you give some serious consideration to your priorities" the other guy said, as he gathered the files and left the conference room with Mike and Hetty still seated

"Hetty… you can't let this happen… I'll do whatever it takes!"