Chapter 13
Three months have passed. Jim and his core IMF team went to Egypt on another mission.
Meanwhile, Luis was done testifying against his uncle. It was a difficult time for him. His testimonies were tumultuous and severely ended his close relationship with Esteban.
Sanchez, on the other hand, made a plea deal in exchange for a reduced sentence. He admitted that it was Esteban who ordered the killing of Judge Juan Silvero. He also implicated several high-profile cops and corrupt politicians who were in Esteban's pockets.
The US Marshals provided Luis with a new identity. He was transferred to another secret location where it would become his new home for years to come.
Days turned into weeks. Shannon and her team managed to fly out of Egypt barely unscathed. Although the mission was a success, the unpleasant experience got Shannon into thinking about and reflecting on her work with the IMF.
It's been seven years since she became an IMF agent. And since then, she's been captured, got shot at, lost her memory, was trapped in a centuries-old Egyptian tomb, and almost murdered by nefarious men. All those experiences had finally taken a toll on Shannon. She started to feel restless.
"Hey, are you listening?" Grant asked Shannon as she came out of her reverie.
They were alone inside a conference room at IMF's division office. Grant was standing before a projector screen showing Shannon some slides while she sat on a chair.
"Huh?" she muttered, blinking.
"You were staring off into space. It looked like you were someplace else."
"Oh. Sorry," she said sheepishly.
Grant tossed the projector clicker on the long table and sat across Shannon.
"Shannon, is there something wrong? You've been acting strange lately," asked Grant with a worried frown on his face.
"Am I?"
He nodded.
"Nicholas noticed it, too. Since we got back from Egypt, you've become reserved and quiet. You're not your usual self."
Shannon gave a deep sigh.
"It's just that… I've been thinking…" she started. She looked him in the eye.
"Do you ever think about living a normal life? You know, not having to keep secrets from your friends about your work or pretend to be someone else?"
He was thoughtful for a moment.
"Well… yes, sometimes I think about that. Who doesn't, especially in our line of work?! It's tough most of the time but I love what I do," answered Grant.
"I guess it runs in the family, huh," she commented.
"Well, my dad loves his work, too. No matter how much I resented him for being away for most of my childhood, I learned to accept and understand that. Being in the same field as him made me understand him better."
He studied her face.
"You're not thinking of quitting, are you?" he asked her.
She cupped her face with one hand then leaned on the table with a thoughtful look on her face.
"I kept thinking about that day when Jim and I were trapped in the tomb in Egypt. We were lucky you got us out in time. But what if in the next mission we run out of luck? What if we die the next time?"
She leaned back in her chair.
"Imagine dying in a strange land – away from home!"
"Where are you going with this?" asked Grant.
"Grant, I think it's time for me to go."
He looked crestfallen.
"So you're quitting. You've made up your mind about this?"
She nodded grimly.
"What are you going to do next?"
"I want to go back to being a journalist. I miss covering the news and chasing after stories," she replied.
"You want to live a normal life," he nodded in understanding.
He stood up and went over to her.
"I'm going to miss you," he said sadly, opening his arms to hug her.
Shannon stood up as well and gave him a warm hug.
"Aw, I'm going to miss you, too."
He pulled back and squeezed her shoulders.
"Promise you'll keep in touch?" he asked her with a smile.
"Of course I will," she smiled back at him.
Half an hour later, Shannon and Grant went out of the conference room and spent the rest of the day finishing some paperwork.
xoxoxo
Jim was saddened by the news after Shannon told him.
"What made you decide to leave?" asked Jim.
"Well, the near-death experience we recently had in Egypt got me thinking how I want to live the rest of my life. I know the constant danger we face in every mission is part of the job. And honestly, as much as it gives me great satisfaction in making the world a better place, I guess it's time for me to mellow down."
"Is there any way I can convince you to stay?"
Jim was reluctant to let her go.
Shannon shook her head.
"I've made up mind, Jim. I think seven years with the IMF is enough for me. It's been an adventure of a lifetime and I'll never forget those experiences, but it's time for me to go back to what I used to do," she replied.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and nodded in understanding.
"Then I'm sorry to see you go. You've been a very valuable part of my team, Shannon. Your brilliance, tenacity and fearless attitude got us through the missions. To me, you're not just a colleague. You're like a daughter to me," he said fondly but with a sad look on his face.
"Thank you, Jim." She reached out and hugged him.
"I'm incredibly grateful for all your support. I'll never forget you," she said, tearing up.
"Ahh, Shannon. I won't forget you, too," answered Jim, hugging her and patting her back gently.
The next day, Max and Nicholas found out about Shannon's decision to leave. They were saddened by the news as well but supportive of her decision.
Jim and the team threw a farewell party for Shannon two weeks after she filed her resignation letter.
Soon after, the IMF Secretary declared Shannon as an inactive agent and her file is tucked away for good.
xoxoxo