Here is the next Chapter! Thanks for the Reviews and follows!
This chapter is extra long. Enjoy!
CHAPTER
7
The Blue Zebra Bar
Washington, DC
7:20 PM
"Bartender, can I get another cold one over here?" Derek Venturi hollered over the live band performing on the stage behind him as he sat on a stool at the bar while ordering his third drink.
The music was actually quite entertaining and was doing a good job at calming his nerves, along with the alcohol of course. He had no idea who the band was or even what they looked like since he'd had his back to the stage most of the night, groveling in his misery.
Almost two weeks had gone by since he'd left Casey and The Swan Agency behind. He regretted not going back the minute he walked out but convinced himself that it was already too late. Casey didn't want him around. She'd said so herself.
She didn't mean it. The voice in his head told him everyday. She was just upset because you were being an ass. Why couldn't you have just stuck by her side and supported her? What kind of boyfriend are you?
"She was right to dump me. In fact, she's better off without me." He mumbled under his breath with a heavy sigh and let his head drop into his hands.
"You might want to slow down on the drinks, Mr. Venturi." A gruff voice spoke from his right and Derek lifted his head to see a well built middle-aged man dressed in a dark business suit with short-cropped grey hair staring back at him.
"How do you know my name?" He frowned at the stranger.
"You didn't think we'd let you leave and not keep tabs on you, did you?" The man smirked as he took a sip of the drink in front of him; it looked like coke.
"You're an agent?"
"Well don't look so surprised, kid."
"Look, I already promised I wouldn't tell anybody about the agency."
"We know, because if you did, we'd have to erase your memory and of those you told."
"So then why are you still following me?"
The man took another sip as he stared ahead, "Inez wants you to reconsider your resignation."
Derek snorted in disbelief, "I highly doubt that. She probably jumped for joy when I left."
The band behind them started playing a really loud song as the lead singer screamed into the mic and the crowd cheered them on. Derek bopped his head to the music and took a drink of the cold beer placed in front of him. The bitter taste was growing on him.
"Can we go somewhere quieter to speak?" The Swan agent asked while raising his voice and gesturing outside.
"Nah," Derek shook his head, "I like the music."
"What about Agent McDonald?" The man said as he moved a bit closer and spoke into Derek's ear.
The young man's heart sped up at the mention of her name and he glanced at the agent with concern, "What about her? Is she alright?"
"Her mission starts in three days. She could use your support."
Derek shook his head with a grimace, "I can't go back."
"This won't be an easy mission."
"Why do you think I didn't want her to go?" He snapped at the agent.
"She needs you, Venturi." The man narrowed his eyes.
"Does Casey know Inez sent you to me?"
"Of course not. She's been training non-stop and getting prepared."
"Why does Inez care so much anyway? I thought she wanted me gone." Derek scowled as he stared down into the half empty cup in his hand.
"You only think what you want to hear."
"I think what I know. She kicked me off the case because I wasn't good enough."
The agent let out a sigh as he finished off his drink and stood up, his hazel eyes boring into Derek's.
"Do you truly love Agent McDonald?" The man asked as he leaned forward with his fist clenched on the counter.
"Of course I do."
"Then it shouldn't matter what anyone else says. You should want to be there for her. End of Story."
"She doesn't want me there. She told me herself."
"And you actually believe her?" He gave him a pointed look before pulling out a couple bills from his wallet. "You have three days, Venturi. I suggest you quit being an ass and support the woman you love before it's too late." He said as he placed the bills on the counter and walked away.
"Wait!" Derek called and spun around on the stool, but the agent was already gone, engulfed by the crowd surrounding the stage.
He cursed under his breath and was about to turn back to his drink when something caught his eye on the stage, or rather someone.
"Sam?"
(=)
The Swan Headquarters
7:34 PM
"Are you ready?" A giddy Mela asked as Casey sat before her with closed eyes and a stomach full of apprehensive knots. "The final touches are complete."
"I don't know if I am..." Casey hesitated. "I won't even look like me anymore."
"Well that's kind of the whole point, Chica." Mela chuckled.
"You know what I mean." The young agent sighed.
"Trust me, you don't have anything to worry about, Sweetie. You're smokin'! Now open those eyes and see for yourself!"
Casey let out a shaky breath and slowly began to open her eyes. She gasped at the reflection staring back at her. Her hair had been cut and styled into layers, and it was now black with red on the ends and her bangs. It looked amazing. She was also trying out the new eye tech with the camera inside, which changed her eye color to yellow.
"What do you think?" The latina asked with a proud grin on her face.
"Whoa! Is that really you, Bluebird?" Ben's voice exclaimed from behind and they both spun around to see his handsome figure standing in the doorway with wide eyes.
"Benjamin! You weren't supposed to see me yet!" Casey complained while spinning the chair away from him and trying to cover herself up.
"I couldn't help myself!" Ben laughed as he grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her back to face him. "There's no point on trying to hide from me. I already saw."
"You can never listen, can you?" The young agent frowned at her partner.
Ben shrugged nonchalantly, "You should know better by now, Case."
"She looks hot, right?" Mela questioned him with a wink.
"Totally badass! Good job, Mela!" He praised excitedly and high-fived the stylist.
"You really think this look will pull it off?" Casey asked while examining her new identity in the mirror and twisting one of the red locks around her finger.
"With your fighting skills and new techniques combined, you'll pull off a great assassin." Ben said with a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
I just wish Derek were here to see me. The young agent thought with a frown.
(=)
The Blue Zebra Bar
Washington, DC
8:08 PM
Derek debated over and over in his mind on whether he should approach his high school best friend after the band was finished performing on stage. He had to do a second take when he saw Sam playing the bass guitar. They hadn't spoken since the first summer back from University. After high school, Sam had gone off to college in Vancouver, so they didn't see each other much, and eventually drifted apart like so many friends often do when finishing high school.
He watched as Sam wrapped up his cord and put his bass away while a few fans gushed over him, asking for his autograph. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Maybe I should just go back to my hotel… Derek decided and stood up from the bar. I wouldn't want to take him away from all the fun.
"Derek Venturi?" A familiar voice called from behind him and Derek knew he'd been spotted.
The former hockey star turned around with a sheepish grin and waved at his friend, "Sammy! I thought that was you!"
The blonde pushed past the girls fawning over him and rushed over to Derek. He grinned wide and immediately pulled his high school friend into a tight embrace while slapping his back.
"I can't believe it's you!" Sam exclaimed while letting Derek go and giving him a once over. "Wow… You look… rough…" He spoke honestly while taking in Derek's appearance.
"That's a great way to greet your friend you haven't seen in about six years." Derek chuckled. He had to admit, he did look rough. He wasn't sleeping well lately and didn't even bother shaving in the mornings, or fix his hair for that matter. He just didn't care anymore.
"Sorry, man." Sam shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that…"
"Yeah, you did, but don't worry about it," Derek smiled as they took a seat at the bar. "I know I look hideous, especially compared to you." He whistled while eyeing his friend up and down.
Sam's blonde locks had been cut and styled so that his bangs hung a bit over his eyes while the rest of his hair was short. He wore a white blazer over a black muscle shirt and grey skinny jeans with rips in the knees. There was no mistaking he was a rocker.
"Knock it off." The blonde laughed and punched Derek in the shoulder. He then turned serious as he looked into his friend's eyes, "Do you want to go for a walk or something? We could catch up and maybe get a bite to eat. I'm starving."
"Your band mates won't mind you running off?"
"Nah. They're probably just gonna have a couple drinks then head back to the bus anyway."
"You sure?"
"Unless you don't want to. It's all good either way." Sam shrugged, but Derek knew there was no getting rid of him now, even if he wanted to, which he honestly didn't.
"Of course I do." He smiled at his friend. "In fact, I know of a good pizza joint a few blocks away."
"You had me at pizza." Sam smirked as he jumped up from the stool. "Just give me a sec to tell the guys where I'm headed and to make sure they take my bass back with them." He said before walking back over to other guys being surrounded by girls wanting their autographs and pictures.
8:25 PM
"So what are you doing in D.C.?" Sam asked as the two walked along the street outside. A few cars passed on the road beside them but it wasn't a super busy night for traffic.
"I've lived here a couple of years now." Derek replied, wanting to remain as cryptic as possible. "What about you? Since when are you in an awesome band, besides D-Rock?" He smirked, remembering the days they tried to form a band together in high school.
"I met the lead singer, Foster, in college. We became good friends and eventually our love for music collided and Lost Wonder was created. We're on tour right now and hoping to record our second album this spring."
"You guys sounded great. I'm proud of you, man."
"My wife thinks so too." Sam grinned and Derek stopped walking to look at him in surprise.
"You're freakin' married too? Since when?"
"Going on three years next month. We even have a daughter; her name is Emma."
Now Derek was flabbergasted as he slapped his friend on the back in congratulations, "Wow, man! Life is sure working out great for you!"
"Yeah. What about you though?"
"What about me?"
"You got anyone special here in D.C.?"
Derek rubbed the back of his neck and continued walking, "I uh… I do… or I did… It's complicated." He sighed.
"I see. Hence the reason you were hanging out in a bar by yourself tonight?" Sam nodded in understanding.
"Yeah."
They were both silent as they kept walking, the sound of their shoes hitting the pavement and the beeping of a car horn in the distance was the only noise. Derek just didn't know what to say. He wanted to confide in his former best friend but there was only so much he could say without out revealing the secret of The Swan.
"You know," Sam broke the awkward silence as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "the last time I heard of you was when you beat up your teammate in Boston and disappeared."
"You saw that?" Derek frowned.
"Yeah. I used to watch all your games." The blonde shrugged.
"You did?" Derek glanced at him with a half smile.
"Of course, and I was really worried after that whole disappearance act you pulled. Where did you go?"
"I… uh… I needed some time away." Derek lied.
"From what?"
"Just life, I guess."
"Is that why you quit hockey?"
Derek didn't answer. He couldn't.
"I couldn't believe my ears when I saw that you'd quit. I even tried to get a hold of you a couple of times, but you're a tough guy to reach."
Derek looked up at his friend remorsefully, "I'm sorry, man. I'm sorry we never stayed in touch after high school and that life just… got in the way. You have no idea how much I've missed you."
Sam's eyes widened at Derek's admission, "Whoa! Did the Derek Venturi just express feelings?"
"It wasn't easy." Derek chuckled as Sam grabbed him in a headlock and they both laughed together.
"Here's that pizza place." The former hockey star said as he stopped in front of a building with a big sign that read: Mario and Isabella's Pizzeria.
"Sounds good. Let's eat." Sam grinned as he opened the door and they walked inside.
After they ordered a large donair pizza to share, the two friends sat in a booth and continued talking.
"So how long are you guys here for?" Derek asked while taking a sip of the bottled water he paid for.
"Tonight's our last night here." Sam frowned. "If I'd known you lived here, we could've caught up sooner."
"Yeah," Derek nodded. "I'm not sure I would've been much company though."
"So what's going on? You going through a break up or something?"
"I guess you can say that." The former hockey star sighed.
"Anything you want to talk about? I know it's been a while, but I'm always here for you."
"It's… It's kinda complicated…"
"Aren't all relationships?"
Derek nodded, "Yeah, but this one was different. I really love her, man, and I messed it up."
"You didn't cheat or anything, did you?"
"No, I would never. I just… She got this new job assignment that's kind of… risky and would require her to be gone for more than six months. She really wanted to do it, but I was being selfish and didn't want her to go. We ended up having this huge fight and now I've lost my girlfriend, my job and I'm living in a hotel, and getting wasted at local bars in the evening."
Sam was about to open his mouth to respond when a server approached their table and set the pizza in between them.
"Thank you." Sam smiled as the woman walked away.
Both men immediately grabbed a couple of slices and began eating.
"You were right, this pizza is amazing." The rocker moaned as he took another bite and finished off his first piece. He then looked at his friend and knew he needed to say something. Derek had just laid out his problems, which he never used to do. He could definitely see how much his high school friend had matured over the years.
"Look, man, I'm no relationship therapist or anything… but I can tell you love this girl just by the way you talk about her, and I can see it in your eyes how much it pains you for hurting her the way you did. If she's really worth fighting for, then you should go back to her and support whatever decision she makes. It obviously means a lot to her, so you need to stick by her side no matter the outcome. Even if it means she takes a risky career choice and has to leave for six months. At least she'd know you're on her side."
Derek swallowed the piece of pizza he'd been chewing and glanced out the window beside him, "You're the second person to tell me that today." He sighed while watching a young couple walk hand in hand down the lit up street. "I'm just afraid it's too late to go back now."
"As cliché as this sounds… If she loves you as much as you love her, then it's never too late, D."
"Even if she leaves in three days?" Derek looked back at him with a grimace.
Sam's eyes widened, "Three days? Dude, what are you doing sitting here with me for? You should be talking to your girl before it really is too late!"
"You're right," the young man nodded as he stood from his seat. "Thanks, Sam. We need to keep in touch, all right?"
"Definitely. I want to meet this girl that's got you so madly in love." Sam grinned as he stood up to give Derek a final hug goodbye. "Ya know, I heard a crazy rumor a while back that you and Casey got together. Can you imagine?" Sam chuckled.
"Ha! Yeah… That's definitely crazy…"
"Wait… It's true?" Sam's eyes widened when he noticed Derek wasn't laughing like he'd expected him to. "But… what? I mean… How…?"
"That's a story for another time." Derek winked before leaving his best friend with a gaping jaw as he hurried out of the pizzeria to catch a cab, hoping he really wasn't too late.
(=)
The Swan Headquarters
8:38 PM
"Now that your alias is complete, let's see how much your skills have improved, Agent McDonald." Colonel Yemchuk spoke sternly with his hands behind his back while Casey stood inside the field simulator all geared up and ready to go. She wore a thin black one-piece suit with red and orange stripes down the sides; the material looked like it was leather but was definitely easier to breathe and move around in. Her gun was holstered to her hip with an extra refill of bullets and she had a few knives sheathed to the insides of her thighs and ankle.
"Is this like a final test or something?" Casey asked nervously as she glanced at the five spectators: Olivia Inez, Agent Morvis, Mela, Ben, and Karma, whom were watching from outside of the simulator.
"We just want to make sure that everything will work out properly when you have to do this for real." Olivia assured her. "Please turn on the camera and your communication devise. We are switching off the sound box and turning the simulator on. Get ready."
Casey did as instructed and let out a startled gasp as a holographic image appeared in front of her eyes. It was like a computer giving her information and instructions about certain items and people around her.
"Whoa! I feel like Iron-Man!" She spoke aloud while admiring the technical team's work.
"Yeah, they added in a few extra perks. It will be able to guide you in the mission as well. It also keeps track of your heart rate and if you receive any injuries." Ben's voice spoke into her ear. "By the way, can you hear me all right?"
"Affirmative."
"Good. We can also see everything you do and even what you can't."
"Don't forget to use your weapons, Agent McDonald." Colonel Yemchuk's voice advised. "The agents you will be targeting in the simulator have already been given a shot that will only let the drugs from the gun affect them momentarily, that way they won't be knocked out for twelve hours straight."
"So I'm actually fighting real people this time?"
"Not fighting; killing."
Casey's stomach twisted at that notion.
"Your knives are also laced with the same red liquid and drug that will spill out upon contact and render the victim unconscious."
"Quick question before we begin," The young agent stated with a wary brow. "What will happen to the real victims after the drug wears off? Won't the mission be compromised if they awake?"
Olivia's voice answered in Casey's ear, "According to a source, they usually discard of the fallen bodies afterwards and put them in an incinerator to burn, leaving no traces back to The Collective. We will be sending a couple of agents to intervene when that time comes. They will switch the unconscious bodies with actual ones from the morgue, then bring the fallen assassins back to the agency for us to lock up and hopefully make a deal with."
"Wow…" Ben whistled. "You've really thought everything through."
"We need to have all of our bases covered if we're to finally beat these guys."
"Anymore questions, Agent McDonald, or shall we begin?" Yemchuk barked.
"I'm ready." Casey breathed out.
"Agent Morvis and Agent Blake will be guiding you. Good luck." Olivia said before the room went completely dark and the simulation began.
The tech in her eyes immediately turned into night vision, giving Casey an advantage in the dark, one that she was thankful for. She pulled out her gun and got into the ready position as she surveyed her surroundings.
A noise to her left caused her to spin in the direction but she couldn't make out anything. There were pillars and walls built up inside the simulator, the perfect places for hiding.
"Easy now, Bluebird." Ben's voice spoke calmly in her ear. "Don't forget that none of these people are your allies. You all have the same mission: to kill."
"I got it." The agent whispered.
A hooded figure suddenly jumped out from behind a pillar and slashed at her throat with a knife. She managed to dodge the blade just in time and spun to her right. She then gripped the figure's arm, causing them to release the weapon and fired her gun. The assailant went down, fake blood oozing from their arm.
"Behind you!" Ben's voice said and Casey didn't hesitate to fire a round into the second hooded figure's chest.
"On your left, coming fast." Agent Morvis advised.
Casey ducked just as a bullet flew past her ear. She kicked her leg out and brought the figure down hard, she then fired a bullet and got ready for the next one.
"Stop the simulation!" Colonel Yemchuk's voice ordered as the lights suddenly went on and Casey's vision was back to normal.
"Why'd you stop it?" Casey asked with a frown as the agents on the ground began to regain consciousness.
"You're not ready." Yemchuk growled.
"What do you mean, I'm not ready? I just took out three guys!" Casey snapped as she made her way out of the simulator to approach the stubborn man.
"You are not thinking like an assassin! You need to focus on the mission!"
"I am focusing!"
"Nyet! You are not! Look at where you shot your victims!" He shouted, pointing to the red stains on the men's coats. "You're being too easy on them. A shot to the arm is not going to kill someone! You shot another in the chest, but nowhere near his heart. Sure, he'll bleed out for a while and eventually die, but a real assassin shoots to KILL!"
"Well I'm not a real assassin!"
"That's the whole point! You're not getting into character!" The colonel yelled as he got up in Casey's face. "You need to become your alias, you need to believe that you are her, or this will all be for nothing! They will kill you on the spot if you don't have them 100% invested!"
"I am trying my best here!"
"Well it's not good enough! Have you been paying attention to any of your training at all? Get your head out of the clouds and focus! I know your boyfriend left and you're in pain, but you need to forget about him! Just because Agent Venturi didn't believe in you, doesn't mean you can't believe in yourself!"
"Don't talk about him!" Casey suddenly became furious as she grabbed Colonel Yemchuk by the collar and shoved him into a wall. The young agent was seething with anger as she glared at her trainer. "Don't ever talk about him. You know nothing about him."
"Agent McDonald!" Olivia shouted. They were all surprised by what she'd just done.
The Colonel held up a hand to silence everyone as he looked directly into Casey's eyes with a wide grin upon his face and replied, "Now, this is the kind of attitude you need to have if you're going to pull off being an assassin."
Casey's eyes widened when she realized what she had done. She quickly released her hold on the man and took a step back, disturbed by the sheer hatred she'd felt towards him in that moment.
"Let's try this again, shall we?" The colonel said as he indicated towards the simulator. "This time, become your alias and let that anger out."
Casey took a deep breath in as she walked back into the simulation room and closed her eyes.
Become the assassin. Believe you're an assassin. Let your anger out. Go for the kill.
She then opened her eyes as the room darkened, the simulation started over and she spoke aloud to herself, "I am The Phoenix."
So Phoenix is Casey's alias name, in case you weren't too sure. You'll find out more about that soon.
I know the scene in the pizzeria was kind of cheesy, but I wrote this at like 1:30 AM, so give me a break. My mind is mush right now, especially since I'm getting over having laryngitis, bronchitis and an ear infection in both ears. It hasn't been a fun week. I was able to attend an awesome concert tonight though, but had to wear earplugs because my ears are still sore.
Anyway... PLEASE REVIEW. It really does keep me motivated and want to update quicker.
Thanks again!