Reminder that underlined speech is spoken in English! :)

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Chapter Twenty-Five – The Punishment

April was sitting nervously, holding July's hand, as the two of them were waiting for their sentence. Since she was from MI-6, she had to write her own formal report and present it to both MI-6 and Foreign Affairs. As a result, she was told to wait where she was until they reviewed the document and had time to decide what to do next. Now was the moment of reckoning and she had no clue what to expect.

She had been called away to a different office along with July while Jacob and the others were in a meeting with their own superiors. She had failed them and there was a price to pay for it. She couldn't imagine that her life was on the line for it. Even so, she had never faced this type of judgment before; she was nervous. It was bad enough that she had to deal with Misaki being gone. This just seemed to compound the anxiety.

"What's going to happen to us?" July inquired.

"Honestly, I have no idea, but whatever it is, we'll stick together. I won't leave you behind."

July didn't say anything in response; only squeezed her hand a little tighter as they continued to wait. It seemed like eternity had passed before the phone rang. Cautiously, April picked it up while July watched her.

[A/N: This conversation is entirely in English. The underline isn't formatting for the italicized words.]

"Hello?" she said softly.

"Hello April. I trust July is with you."

"Yes, he is," she answered.

"Good. I'm sure you know what we were to discuss today."

"Of course."

"Then I won't beat around the bush," he replied."Foreign Affairs was not impressed to hear that they lost one of their best agents, especially when you know the position her father holds..."

"Yes, of course."

"Then what I'm about to say next won't come as a surprise. He wants you out," he stated. "Both you and July."

"Out?" she repeated. "Out as in fired?"

"We haven't decided that part quite yet, but off this case. You've been given your chance between working with November and Misaki the first time, and now Misaki again. I wouldn't bank on returning though... The others aren't thrilled about this and they think that you have fallen short of your potential."

"I understand, sir," she replied.

"Well... You'll have to wait a while longer before coming back. I'll keep you posted."

"Understood. Thank you sir." [/end of conversation]

Hanging up the phone, April sighed softly, but turned to glance at July with a slight smile. It wasn't as bad as she had imagined, now that she had a chance to think about it. If she was discharged, they would most likely discharge July as well. After all, they had known that his abilities had originally reached a standstill. There hadn't been time to inform them that he had regained his powers; not that he would agree to work with anyone else.

July looked at her expectantly and all she could do was relay the message to him. She took the blame since no one believed that July would act without orders. Perhaps it was time. She couldn't imagine working with someone who was meant to replace November. She didn't think that they would be so lucky as to find another qualified ice Contractor. They had worked well together because her powers complimented his.

"Home?"July asked.

"No, not yet. But I'm sure it'll be soon."

Nodding in reply, July took a step closer towards her. April lightly touched her hand to his head, understanding what he needed. It was because of Misaki that he had grown accustomed to human contact. She had been the one who comforted him in ways only a human could do; a gentle smile, a light touch and even the occasional hug. Though he didn't act like a human, April knew that he was continually stepping closer towards that direction.

"If they release us, that's not so bad," April commented. "It will be odd not being part of the team, but we'll get used it. I think Misaki would like that; to find us living peacefully instead of getting mixed up in their business."

July nodded his head and they left the room together to find the others.

***

In the meeting room, Marissa, Devon and Ryan were seated at the table while Jacob paced its length nervously. His superior was sitting at the head of the table, calmly glancing through the report, even though Jacob knew he had already read it in detail prior to this. It was time to receive the verdict on what was to happen next. Jacob finally stopped pacing when he lightly placed the file on the table, leaning in with his arms on the tabletop.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

"I'm fine," Jacob stated. "Just tell me what's going on."

"Well, I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but Misaki comes from an influential family as her father is the Superintendent Supervisor of the National Police Agency back in Japan."

"I didn't know..."

"Now you do," he replied. "They are not impressed with the latest events, especially the fact that she passed on under your watch."

"Shit! What's going to happen to me?" Jacob inquired.

He despised the way his superior took his time, enjoying it as he squirmed. Slowly, he sat back in his chair while watching him the whole time. When he still didn't speak a moment later, Jacob resumed his anxious pacing. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good news, but he needed to know how bad it was going to be.

"They've already reached a decision."

"I knew that already or you wouldn't be here," snapped Jacob. "Just tell me what it is."

"Alright. You're off the team."

"That's not so bad."

"And you're demoted," he added. "You'll start from bottom ranks again."

"What?! Just because that woman was crazy enough to run into a blazing building?! I was the one who tried to stop her!"

"Tried and failed. It's no use. They were already lenient with you as Foreign Affairs wanted you off the force permanently."

"Then what about them?" he asked, pointing at the rest of his team. "And April?"

"MI-6 is handling her, but from my understanding, she'll be permanently out. As for the others, they stay. We can't lose our entire BK-201 team. As the leader, you take the blame."

Jacob growled, clenching his fists. He was sorely tempted to throttle the man, unable to accept that he was demoted to beginner's rank when he already had over ten years of experience, just because Misaki knew people in high places. Even so, he didn't act out on his anger as that meant he would be kicked out permanently. He couldn't afford that as he had already dedicated his life to the service.

"Excuse me, but what do we do now?" Marissa asked.

"You'll resume your duties of monitoring BK-201's activities."

"And a team leader?"

"We'll send Jacob's replacement tomorrow," he replied. "And I want to see you in my office first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes sir," Jacob answered with gritted teeth.

He nodded his head, standing before he picked up the file and left the room. Jacob fumed, ready to shoot something or someone. The other three sat quietly, afraid to say anything that set him off. It was unfair that he had to take the blame and they could understand why. Misaki had acted on her own and it wasn't anyone's responsibility to monitor her actions. But Foreign Affairs was upset and they were exerting pressure on the CIA.

"Finished now?"

The others looked up to see April and July entering the room. They looked like they had fared better. But then again, one always had a straight face and the other was relatively laid back for a Contractor. The three at the table didn't speak and April turned her gaze towards the one angrily pacing the room, muttering profanity and curses under his breath. She didn't want to know.

"So what are you going to do now?" April asked quietly when she joined the other three. "Looks like things went horribly wrong."

"He got stripped of everything, short of being kicked out," Ryan explained. "And you?"

"I'm out. They said they haven't taken me out of the service yet, but I'm sure they will."

"And July?"

"Him too," she answered. "He's my partner. We're replaced easily enough..."

"What are you doing here?!"

The four of them turned to look up as Jacob stormed towards them. July was the only one who hadn't responded as he was holding onto one of the water glasses on the table. He hadn't given up on searching, despite April's attempts to convince him that she was truly gone.

"Well?!"

"I came to see how everyone was doing," April replied calmly.

"There's nothing to see! Now get out!"

She could understand his irrational tendency to blame her and perhaps she was partially to blame. Even so, no longer on the team, she had no reason to argue with him. After returning home, she would never see him again. He stormed around the chairs when she didn't respond, grabbing her from her seat by the collar of her jacket. April just stared at him, not intimidated by him.

"I said. Get. Out," he growled.

"I'll be gone soon enough."

Both Ryan and Devon jumped out of their chairs to stop him as he wrapped a hand around April's neck to strangle her. Behind her, July turned to stare at him, gripping the glass. Unexpectedly, July flung the glass at him where it connected with Jacob's temple and dropped to shatter on the floor. He began to grab at another one and Devon was finally able to get him to loosen his grip.

"I'm fine, July," April commented as she was dropped to the floor.

July came to her defence, standing at her side. His gaze was unrelenting even as he stared up at a man more than a foot taller than him. Jacob stared back, disbelieving that the boy would try to threaten him. As he made a move to grab the boy, a rumble sounded above them and his gaze was drawn to the Contractor beside him.

"I suggest you watch your hand," she stated, red eyes piercing his. [underlined]"I'll take our share of the blame, but I won't let you touch July. Don't forget that I answer to no one now."[/underlined]

It was enough to scare him and he dropped his hand, angrily continuing his string of curses. He left them alone and April checked on July. He nodded in reply when she asked if he was okay. Smiling slightly, he had come to her aid a second time; the first when they had unexpectedly encountered BK-201.

"I'm sorry," Ryan said on Jacob's behalf. "He's always been like that and being demoted because of Misaki..."

"I know. But that's just how the politics work."

"So when are you leaving?"

"We're not sure," answered April. "They didn't even say that I was out permanently yet, but I know. I'm sure that we'll be on our way back by the end of the week."

"I see."

"Anyways, I should return these."

July held out his temporary badge that he had received on the first day. Ryan smiled slightly, impressed by the bond between the two partners. It was very different from what he had seen here. But then again, he had a feeling it was because they both had special powers that it had formed. Jacob wasn't the first human to despise Contractors and he certainly wasn't going to be the last. April held out the cell phone, gun and badge, which Ryan also took.

"I know it wasn't very long and we didn't start off on the right foot, but take care of yourselves," April stated, glancing at each of them individually.

"Yah, you too. It's unfortunate how things turned out."

She nodded in reply before she said her good-byes; not for herself really, but for Misaki. She knew Misaki would have wanted their work to end on a good note; preferably with the capture of BK-201. July held up his hand in the form of a wave before the two of them left the room and ultimately the building as free people. It was actually pretty nice not having to answer to anyone but herself. She was sure they could get used to this.

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A/N: Justice is served! Kind of... :) Though Jacob wasn't really a bad guy, he was just a major jerk. In the end, he had to pay a price, even if it seemed unreasonable. I hope it was punishment enough for those of you who didn't like him. And, I like the way things ended for April and July. Seems more fitting for them to do their own thing, especially since April's powers really aren't all that useful without November. And of course, I have to include July moments!! hehe, he's so cute! Now you just have to wait for the last chapter to see what happens to Hei, Misaki and Yin~