AN: Sorry that it took me so long to update. I did write the Christmas Special that I said that I was going to publish, but I'm saving it for this holiday season since it would make more sense and I want to get straight to the action. I'm also taking college algebra now and a writing class so homework has been taking up most of my time lately. Enjoy!
"Oh, I'm sorry, what was your name again?" Anna asked her new lab partner.
"Linda," a pretty girl with long, bright red hair answered back.
"I'm Anna. Nice to meet you."
"You too. Hey, do you know how to work this?" Linda asked as she fiddled with the burner.
"Um, let me see…" Anna put on her lab coat, goggles, and took over. Anna realized what was wrong.
"It's broken. We need another one."
When Linda came back with a new one, they became immersed in their work.
Two years had passed, and Anna was getting closer to completing her bachelor's degree. Her medical education was also earning her brownie points with Griffin, since every time he came back from fighting Paladins; he was usually scarred and bruised. Anna was used to it though; since he was mainly doing it to protect her, but it seemed that the Paladins were growing stronger by the minute.
"So, you want to become a doctor?" Linda asked, snapping Anna out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, since I like helping people, I figured that I would be a doctor. My boyfriend just hates that it's taking so long."
"So he hates it?"
"No, not really. He just hates that he can't be around me all the time."
"Figures, since he's a…" Linda mumbled.
Anna lifted up her head. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Oh, nothing." Linda shot her a fake smile and Anna went back to her work.
Later, when class ended, Anna waved goodbye and squealed with joy when Griffin greeted her outside the building.
Linda walked past the couple smirking. Later, the young woman pulled out her cell phone and said, "Sir, I have located the target and the girl. Shall I proceed with the mission?"
"No, Agent Tatum, you will not. He will be expecting the girl to be in danger, and we will fail yet again. We have to be patient. Do not proceed until I give the command, understood?"
Linda protested, "But sir, we have been waiting for this opportunity for months. They are out in the open. Once this semester ends, he will take her back into hiding again, we both know it. Besides, I'm ready sir."
"I know that, but he will be expecting it. Besides, I have orders from upstairs; the girl is not to be harmed. We will not jeopardize this mission because you do not like sitting still for a while. Keep your cover, earn the girl's trust, and keep me updated on their movements, understood?"
"Yes, sir."