Chapter 1
I don't own Intelligence or its characters. Michael Seitzman does. I just like to day dream and play with his characters.
It took me a while to complete the first chapter, because the plot bunnies were fighting like crazy in my head, but I tamed them and here it is.
"Gabriel, come on, is 7 a. m. I told you last night that we have to leave early. We meet the new CIA Director in one hour and Lillian was clear that she won't allow us to shop up late"
"Relax agent Neal, there is plenty of time. I see you made yourself comfortable on my couch" Gabriel added sarcastically. "Seriously now, I thought you, women, are taking longer time to get yourself ready and all that girl things you do".
If looks could kill, Gabriel would have been six feet under.
"What can I say Gabriel, or should I call you Gabriella, I thought we established from the beginning of our partnership who is the girl between you and I. And now go and get dressed, unless you want to meet Lillian and the new CIA Director in your underwear."
"Oh... Miss Neal, just admit I am a charming devil."
"Gabriel... "
"Yeah, yeah... I am going, I am going. You're so cranky this morning Riley. We definitely have to stop for coffee to cheer you up."
Gabriel closed his bedroom door and started getting ready for the day, leaving a slightly annoyed Riley in his living room.
The past three months had been tough for U.S. Cyber- Command. The news of Adam Weatherly's betrayal affected not only the Intelligence Community, but also CyberCom's relations with the White House. Every Agency and Agency Leader had been verified over and over again, heads fell and every agent suspected of treason or any other association with Adam Weatherly had been removed and disappeared to God knows what prison. Lillian had to defend her assets and demonstrate that Gabriel's escape had been a human decision made because he wanted to discover who framed those murders and not a chip malfunction.
In the end everyone agreed that no matter the piece of technology implanted in his brain, Gabriel's escape has its advantages: he prevented an attack against a future candidate at United States Presidency, someone, if elected, will get to know about Clockwork and discovered a sleeper agents network, that every agency fought now to catch every single one of its members.
During this time, with no criminals or agents hunting him, Gabriel's wound healed nicely and he became the usual pain in the ass, much to Riley's dismay, as she had to keep a closer eye on him that usual. This meant that she had to spend more time at his apartment after work, take him to lunch, dinner, coffee and other errands that apparently Mr. Vaughn had to accomplish in his spare time.
As the time passed they got to know each other better: Gabriel's passion for soccer, Riley's fondness for different kind of martial arts and baseball and discovered they both had a sweet tooth. Of course, the latest brought a not so nice comment from Gabriel regarding her passion for chocolate chips cookies and her usual morning runs. And, of course, because that particular day Gabriel couldn't dig himself a deeper hole, his mother, who came to visit, heard him and no amount of apologies from Gabriel to poor Riley, who didn't know if she could laugh or cry at his puppy dog eyes, couldn't save him from a Mary Vaughn "good manners in front of a lady" crash course.
Riley couldn't help to smile at that particular memory. The rebellious, billions of dollars chip carrier, Gabriel Vaughn, turned into a scarred little boy in front of his momma.
A door opening and closing a moment later stopped Riley's trip down the memory lane. Gabriel was finally dressed and ready to go.
"What got you smiling agent Neal?" he asked without hiding his curiosity. "Some hot date I don't know about?"
"Very funny Gabriel. If you are ready, we can, please, go? We have less than 30 minutes to get to work."
" I wouldn't worry about that. I mean, you took professional driving classes. A drive to work should be a piece a cake. And remember you have here a chip at your service: no red lights, no speeding tickets" he added smugly.
"Oh... and we have to stop for coffee. I am curious though... Why didn't you have your coffee before coming to get me?"
" I don't know Gabriel. Probably I was waiting for you to buy it for me."
" All right Miss Neal. Let's get you a nice, steamy cup of coffee."
Twenty minutes and a cup of coffee later, Gabriel and Riley arrived at CyberCom, where they were greeted by Nelson and Agent Jameson.
" Good morning Gabriel, Riley! Ready to meet the new Director? " Nelson asked excitedly. " Lillian and my dad are already in there. Apparently they have urgent matters to discuss and we weren't invited."
" Don't worry Nelson. If there is something we need to know, they will brief us shortly", Gabriel tried to appease the young scientist.
" Gabriel, my father wanted to remind you that after the meeting we have a new maintenance session. He plans to add some new protection features for your chip so you could be safe in case Mei Chen decides to show up again. "
Gabriel groaned, not happy about the news. " As good at it sounds, I hate to sit on that operating table. But if that will keep the crazy bitch out of my head, be it. "
" What can I say Gabriel, you only attract the femme fatale type of chicks. " Chris Jameson added his two cents.
" Yeah, right. " Riley rolled her eyes at them. Men...
Just as Gabriel was about to tell them a few words of wisdom, Riley's phone buzzed and they had to stop their banter and go to Lillian's office.
As they entered Lillian's office, Gabriel and Riley were surprised to see there only the CIA Assistant Director, Russel.
" Good morning everyone" Lillian greeted them.
" Morning" Gabriel muttered, not very surprised to see the meeting participants. He researched briefly into the Langley servers and found a few details that revealed him the new Director's identity.
" Well, as you all know" Lillian started, "after a long debating, the president decided the new CIA Director. Because of his experience in Intelligence Community, former Assistant Director Russel was considered the best for this job. We hope we will have a good collaboration. "
" As we already know each other", Director Russel added, "I better get to the other reason I am here: two of our assets that operated undercover in an Import – Export company which we were suspecting of obtaining and selling secret intelligence to the Chinese agencies, had been discovered death in a container abandoned in a port from Los Angeles. The state of their bodies showed that they were tortured to death and an USB drive with sensitive information they carried with them, missing. Because of the delicate intel these agents owned, the president recommended Clockwork."
" Your mission, Gabriel and Riley, is to infiltrate as potential investors in this Company, Catharsis Ltd., find out what is their actual sphere of activity, recover the drive and to stop any information from being sent to China." Lillian added. " You will leave in 30 minutes."
" Lillian remember that the chip needs to have a security upgrade." Dr. Cassidy, who remained silent during the briefing, reminded Lillian.
" Which are the risks? " Director Russel asked.
" We need to make sure that the chip won't be hacked, our main concern being Mei Chen, who I might add, is Chinese." Dr. Cassidy informed them.
" I believe he is safe Dr. Cassidy. Our surveillance showed to activity that may involve Mei Chen. And Agent Neal did a good job protecting Gabriel until now" Director Russell acknowledged Riley with a nod, " I wouldn't be worried about that. You have to find that drive and catch the members of that company. "
" I am sure it will be all right" Gabriel said. " Nelson will build us solid aliases by the time we get there and, if necessary, will improvise. Let's go Riley. We are visiting The City of Angels. Bye!"
Gabriel left Lillian's office with Riley hot on his trail. The protector was frowning at him.
" What made you so unhappy Agent Neal?"
" Nothing. I just have a bad feeling about this."
" Well.. I don't. We will be just fine. And after the mission, if Mommy Lillian doesn't call us back home too quickly, maybe we will catch some sun, work a bit on your skin complexion." Gabriel smirked at her, showing his dimples.
" Yeah, whatever" Riley dismissed him, making a mental note to take with her as many protection devices as possible. She couldn't shake the feeling that this mission will change everyone's life and not in a good way.
Thank you all for your kind reviews. You are awesome and I hope you will continue to read my little story.