Tough Lady (Part 6) –

Agent Matthews took long fourteen minutes to come back with the results from her research.

"Alright, Matthews, what do you have?" Annie asked.

"I have found two farms that fit the profile."

"You're sure we can't narrow it down to one farm?" Annie asked, hopeful that Elisa had not finished talking.

"I am… Sorry." She answered knowing she would disappoint Annie.

"Ok." Annie sighed. "How far away from each other are they?"

"Probably one hour."

"You're kidding, right? How will we get to the other in time if we go to the wrong one first?" Annie started to lose her temper.

"Mom! We have a little less than 4 hours. If we go now, there will be enough time!" Zarya said.

"Sweetie. Ops like this take time. We still need to elaborate a coherent and decent plan."

"Well. In that case, I am so sorry. I mistook you for Annie Walker-Anderson. You heard of her? Badass spy who is especially good at improvising?" She teased her mother, even though she knew it wasn't the right time for that. But she was afraid if she didn't, her mother would turn it into a scene. She was so stressed already.

Annie took a deep breath, looked at her watch and then at her daughter.

"Ok, guys! Prepare a team! We're going in!" Annie announced to the huge crowd gathered in the DPD.

Zarya suppressed a smile.

Annie approached the DCI and let him know she had decided to move. He disapproved of her spontaneity, but he didn't have a better plan. And Annie could be extremely persuasive.

Barber was told to arrange a backup team, and make sure everything would go as expected.

Before they left, Zarya asked Annie if she could go too. It was no surprise when a huge 'no' escaped her mother's mouth. But Zarya had made a decision, and even though she knew her mother's words were definitive, she knew another thing: she was going; no matter what. Her decision was definitive too.

Before Annie reached the door, she was interrupted again. This time it was Elisa.

"Excuse me." She called and Annie turned around. "I am so sorry… I know this is all my fault. I am not ready for this, I suppose."

"Matthews. We talk about it later. Not now." Annie left the DPD.

As Elisa returned to her desk, slightly devastated, Zarya called her.

"Hey. You're Elisa, right?"

"Yes."

"You know, Elisa? If you want my mom to like you, you need to defy her. You have to impose yourself. She doesn't like people who are always trying to please others."

Elisa kept staring at Zarya, but didn't say anything. She gazed almost through Zarya's mind. Knowing exactly where this was going.

"I am her daughter. I'd know that." Zarya kept pushing. She had kind of a plan in mind. And Elisa had already figured it out.

"I am not that person. I am not taking you there against her will." Elisa tried to sound like an adult, but the truth is she was less than 5 years older than Zarya, and she didn't sound very threatening.

"Come on… You know you want to score some points with my mother…"

"Exactly! If anything else happens to you or to your father, I am done. Forever."

"Well, let me break it to you, in case you didn't get it." Zarya crossed her arms in front of her body. "I am going. I don't care if you do too. I will find a way. I have been through hell today. I've seen and heard things I had never imagined before. And I will not go through all this in vain."

Elisa seemed confused.

"So." Zarya went on. "If you want to be there protecting me, I am sure my mother will be really thankful…"

Elisa sighed. "I'll get my coat."

...

Auggie was getting anxious. He asked the man who was pacing across the barn how much time they had left.

"Three hours." The man stopped and kneeled down, next to Auggie. "You afraid your woman is not gonna make it?" He laughed.

"My woman, as you say, is not only gonna make it, she is going to kick. your. ass."

"Oh… I don't think she is. She doesn't even know your location." The man gave Auggie a little push to the left.

"Yeah… Make sure of that…" Auggie rolled his eyes. He needed to seem in control of the situation.

"And you haven't even told us anything interesting…"

"I don't have anything interesting to tell. Especially to you."

"I think your other rib disagrees…"

Before Auggie could elaborate a fair response, he felt the man's fist hit his not yet broken rib, and all the air escaped from his lungs, not finding its way back for the next seconds.