A/N: So terribly sorry for the long wait! The story is getting closer to the end. Thank you for still staying with me and this story! Hope you enjoy this chapter! And sorry it's so short :(

Still don't own Mission: Impossible.

Chapter 18

The bar was crowded as usual, as another Friday night was on.

"So what's new?" Brandt asked as he sat down at the table beside his friends.

"Humphries was denied of reconsideration of his case," Ethan replied, looking at his glass pensively.

It had been over six months since they had gotten the name 'Tony Humphries' from a barely breathing Lovett who had been taken by the Italian police shortly afterwards. He hadn't made it to the police station though. Nobody found the sniper who had gotten him as he had been getting out of the car…

Luther had gathered some forces and soon just enough witnesses were found, and the dealer got caught midway through a deal. Humphries had gotten a life sentence just a few days before now.

"And yet he still manages to make headlines," Jane commented, remembering the papers she had seen lately. 'Anthony 'Tony' Humphries – the drug king', 'Tony Humphries – the governments' secret holder or a hoax?' The second one actually bothered her, as she remembered when Humphries had begun to yell out about knowing quite a few mysteries of the US government. And since the IMF had been led by one of his men, she knew that was not a bluff. They were literally in his mercy, and it was only a matter of time till he began to actually speak. Despite not wanting to talk about it, every agent knew that the IMF just had to deal with that, and that there was no way for Humphries' life sentence to be long. And for his life in general, as a matter of fact.

"Do you think…" Brandt started but stuttered, not knowing how to finish the sentence. He was almost one hundred percent sure that killing Humphries was going to be their next mission, given their involvement with this mess from the very start. He hated this part of his job, as it was quite literally murder, but he knew there was no other way. Besides, he had to remind himself, it was war. And Humphries had already caused so many deaths and so much suffering… But now, as Brandt realized just in time to stop, now was not the time and place to talk about it.

Ethan, however, seemingly understood what was in the analyst's mind, as he had kept asking himself that same question for the past days, waiting for the new IMF Secretary to contact him any second. Glancing at Brandt, he saw the same look in his eyes. He shrugged and stared at his drink.

"Any news from Benji?" Brandt asked, changing the subject, his hopeful glance jumping from Ethan to Jane. He looked down again when his teammates shook their heads in response.

The former technician had left them shortly after giving Lovett to the police. He had said that he needed some time alone, away from all the IMF business. They knew that after what he had been through he might never come back. They couldn't blame him for it. And yet it made them feel uneasy. They had no idea where he was now. As far as they knew, he had no close family. They were his closest friends. Without mentioning it, each of them began to regret leaving him all alone, given his condition, although he had told them politely but firmly that he had needed to leave. He had looked like he hadn't been sure if he would ever come back himself.

Suddenly, the entire atmosphere changed. Ethan's phone buzzed, making his teammates' eyes light up and focus on him. Feeling the ever-present sensation of anxiety, the team leader pressed the dial button.

"Hello," his voice was strained, and sensing the other two agents' intense stares on him made him feel even more anxious.

"Ethan," the voice certainly wasn't the Secretary's. However, it still was unmistakably familiar…

"Luther?" Ethan couldn't hide his confusion for some reason. Luther was unlikely to send him on his next mission. Which meant that the IMF had decided to postpone it even further and wait even longer before trying to solve the Humphries problem.

"Guess you haven't heard the news yet," Luther sighed.

"News?" just a few seconds before Ethan had thought it to be impossible to be any more agitated than he had been but now he knew he had been wrong. His uneasiness got caught by his teammates who had even less information and were merely looking at him eagerly.

"Humphries is dead," Luther stated dryly. "Had a heart attack an hour ago".

"Heart attack?" Ethan repeated, bewildered.

"Convenient, isn't it?" Luther mused, making a strong feeling of déjà vu grow in the younger man's mind.

"Do you know if anyone of our…"

"No," Luther interrupted before Hunt could finish the question. "I've got access to the IMF's databases. No records on anyone being on jobs at the given time".

"Maybe it's someone from his business?" Ethan suggested, ignoring Brandt and Jane's still increasing confusion. "Those guys have long reach, too".

"Yeah, must be it," Luther agreed. "Still, organizing a heart attack is more complicated than, say, shooting someone. They must be really well-equipped".

Having finished the conversation, Ethan came face to face with Brandt and Jane. He was really curious about what their opinions on the matter would be…