This is probably my worst chapter so far. Please message and tell me how I can improve it.


Cammie couldn't help shifting uncomfortably in the lumpy motel chair. She didn't need to check her watch to know that her new partner was exactly 36 seconds late for their meeting. In the field tardiness cost lives. Mr. Byrne and a few members of his entourage were waiting with her. They didn't seem to be anxious about her partner's lateness, so she tried to let herself relax, but after spending over a year with Joe Solomon stressing the importance of perfection in the field she couldn't help feeling anxious over his sloppiness.

It was exactly one minute and and four seconds later that a knock sounded on the door. One of the lackeys opened it to reveal a boy standing in the hall. Recalling the very first thing Mr. Solomon had taught her she tried to catch every detail. He was about her age, maybe a year or so younger, but a couple inches taller. He had shaggy fair hair that barely avoided hanging in his eyes. Eyes that were brown, serious, and seemed to take in everything around him. His body was lithe, his muscles visible beneath his thin nondescript t-shirt. He was attractive in a closed sort of way. She knew that closed look, it was the one she'd worn after her father died, and again after the Circle started hunting her. She wondered what had happened to make him wear such an expression. Behind the boy stood a middle-aged woman who reminded Cammie of a stiff, emotionless version of her mother. She was wearing plain, mom-ish clothes, and it wasn't until Cammie saw her did she realize that everyone was wearing regular clothing. There weren't any suits or sunglasses in sight. How had she missed that? What happened to Mr. Solomon's mantra of "notice everything"? She'd have to do better than that.

Mr. Byrne greeted the boy and warmly shook his hand. The boy smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He didn't want to be here, that much was obvious.

"Adam, welcome," said Mr. Byrne. Cammie noticed with interest that Mr. Byrne referred to him by his cover. Why? If this boy was so well known, what was the point of trying to hide who he was?

As Alex entered the room Mr. Byrne turned the woman, who was following closely on his heels. "Who are you?" he asked politely.

She pulled out a badge and showed it to the man. "Agent Audrey Burns. I'm responsible for Adam's protection for the time being."

"No one told me you were coming." His voice was emotionless, carefully avoiding accusation, but also void of welcome.

"It was a last minute assignment. There were complications not long before we left." She was matter of fact as she said the words, but Alex's shoulders tensed. It was slight, just a momentary revelation of discomfort, but it was enough to tell Cammie that the complications had been very difficult for him. Mr. Byrne had mentioned SCORPIA, one of the most dangerous groups in the world. Had they been involved? She scanned him surreptitiously, but he didn't seem to be injured. Probably not then? SCORPIA wasn't known for being gentle.

She was drawn back to the conversation as Mr. Byrne said, "I'm sorry, Agent Burns, but I'm going to have to ask you to wait in the hall."

The agent blinked at him, showing more emotion than Cammie had yet seen on her impassive face. "My job is to keep Adam safe."

"And you can do so just as well from out in the hallway." His voice was kind but his eyes were stubborn. "You don't have clearance for this meeting, and unless I receive word from Mrs. Jones, I cannot allow you to be part of it."

Cammie's eyes flicked to Alex in time to see a mock sympathetic smile. "Don't worry Ms. Burns, I'm sure it's completely safe. With the large windows and flimsy walls. Nothing could harm me in here." His smile stayed in place but his eyes were malicious. Even though Cammie was sure she could kill him more than twenty different ways just with the litter in her pockets, she was also sure she never wanted to get on his bad side. Those eyes had seen things- horrible things- and they scared her.

Whether she was scared or not, Agent Burns simply continued to glare at her teenage charge. Mr. Byrne ignored her anger as he chivied her from the room and shut the door in her face.

Alex had to resist sighing in relief once Agent Burns was shut from the room. As much as he disliked the CIA, MI6 agents were infinitely worse.

"It's good to see you kid," said Mr. Byrne. "We heard about the shooting in Chelsea and we were worried you wouldn't show."

Alex shrugged deprecatingly. "It's why they hurried me out so fast. Nothing like snipers to get the ball rolling." His hand drifted to a spot over his heart and Cammie wondered again what had happened to this boy.

Mr. Byrne determinedly ignored the movement as he said, "Well, we're glad you're here."

Alex smiled faintly and took a seat. He looked over at Cammie, examining her. She tried to avoid squirming, but it was very difficult. He gave off the same sort of feeling as Mr. Solomon, like he was examining her under a very powerful microscope.

"She my partner?" Alex asked, turning to Mr. Byrne for confirmation. When the man nodded Alex looked back at the girl. She was pretty, but not enough to stand out. Not too tall or short, not excessively skinny, but not overweight. This girl was the kind of person who could blend in in almost any crowd in Europe, or America, or even Australia. But she would stick out like a sore thumb in Japan.

Her eyes said she was vulnerable, and scared. She knew what she was getting into, but she wasn't prepared. Not really. No one could be prepared for their first mission, but she didn't need to be here. It wasn't like they didn't have someone to do the job. They were putting her in harm's way needlessly.

"I can't do this," he said, standing up and making for the door. "I won't. I told Mrs. Jones I'd take her with me, but I've changed my mind." He looked Mr. Byrne in the eye as he said, "I won't bring her with me. Not when she doesn't need to be there."

Mr. Byrne met his gaze. "I'm sorry, Adam, but if Emma wants to go on this mission, I won't stop her."

Alex ground his teeth in irritation as he turned to look at the girl still sitting calmly at the table. "I want to go," she said stubbornly. "I want to help."

Mr. Byrne looked back to Alex, his hands spread in a "Well, there you go," gesture.

Alex stepped close to Mr. Byrne and hissed, "I won't be responsible for the death of my partner, Joe. Not again."

From the corner of his eye he could see the girl looking at him with concern. Good. He wanted her scared.

"It's not as simple as all that." When Alex looked sharply at him, Mr. Byrne continued. "Whether she's here or in Japan, Emma will not be safe. She's wanted by the Circle of Caven almost as much as you're wanted by SCORPIA."

"She's wanted by who?"

"The Circle of Caven."

"Never heard of them."

Cammie had to remind herself that, up until a few months ago, she hadn't heard of the Circle either. Her life had been practically run by them for so long that she found it hard to believe that most people didn't even know they existed.

"They're an underground terrorist organization, and they want Emma."

Cammie thought she saw a bit of respect in Alex's eyes as he looked at her again. She felt a inexplicable pride that she'd been able to impress him.

"It's a hereditary thing," she said casually. "We're not sure what they want yet."

"Sending her out of the country will hopefully take her out of their sights for a while while we work to track them down."

Alex opened his mouth, then shut it again. He was still scowling but he didn't look quite as upset as he had before. He sat down again.

Mr. Byrne took that opportunity to start talking again. He didn't say much, and most of it Alex had already heard. He mentioned the mafia and its rising in Japan. He said a little about the MI6 operative living in Namimori who had brought the issue to attention in the first place.

Alex had to avoid yawning.


At the end of the meeting it was decided that the kids would spend another two days in DC while they got to know each other and learn their legends. It took Alex less than three seconds after being dismissed to get out of his chair and over to the window. It wasn't until he was on his hands and knees examining the bottom of the floor to ceiling window that Cammie had to ask.

"Um, Adam, what are you doing?"

Instead of answering he pushed it open as far as it would go and started working at the screen. She was about to ask again when he turned back to her. "What room are you in?"

"Uh, 202, why?"

Still refusing to answer Alex simply smiled grimly before ducking out of the window. "I'll see you soon then."

Cammie squeaked as the boy dropped out of sight. Rushing to the window with everybody else in the room she looked down to see Alex perched on a ledge just outside.

"What are you doing?" Perhaps she shouldn't be too shocked, she was best friends with Bex, but she never expected anyone else to simply jump out a window.

Alex looked up at her. "What does it look like?"

"Jumping out of a third story window?" Cammie turned to look at Mr. Byrne and found that, instead of looking upset he simply seemed amused.

"Do you really think you can avoid her?"

The boy allowed a smile for a brief moment before returning his attention to inching his way along the thin ledge. "Probably not, but I can buy a little time for myself."

"And what if, just hypothetically speaking, SCORPIA decides to take a potshot at you while you're perched out there on the side of our building?"

The boy's answering smile was cheeky smile. "Wasn't that the purpose of sneaking me out of England in the first place?"

"And in giving you a bodyguard."

He didn't seem to think this was worthy of a reply.