Washington D.C.
Cammie's Flat 2:00 A.M.
Cammie's POV:
I woke up from a nightmare once again. They'd been more persistent recently and all I could hear besides the traffic outside was my own heavy breathing. I felt the sweat roll down my face and I quickly wiped it away.
It was going to be another restless night. I sighed as I recalled the nightmare.
White walls, a silver table, and screaming. Everything was very blurry and vague. I closed my eyes and wished it would all go away.
All of a sudden I heard the floorboards creaking. Now that wasn't normal. I don't have any roommates and much less a pet I could attribute the noises to. Someone had definitely broken into my flat. I quietly reached over to the nightstand drawer and pulled out a pocket knife I kept there just in case.
A girl can never have enough precautions, especially one who's a spy.
My apartment layout all of a sudden put me at both an advantage and disadvantage. The front door leads into a narrow hallway that leads to the kitchen, then an open space that serves as both a living room and diner, then it curves into another narrow hallway that leads to my room. Thankfully, I had left my door open and I slipped out quietly, pocket knife in hand. I couldn't make out anybody so I peered over the wall and saw a male figure standing in my living room.
Tall, broad shoulders, and muscular. He was carrying a backpack. I narrowed my eyes. This wasn't a robber. This was a spy. He seemed to be examining the room so he had his back turned to me. I smirked. Rookie mistake. He should be on his guard.
I crept up behind him and I got within arms reach when he must have been alerted to my presence as he whipped around. I quickly noticed the window reflected my appearance and cursed it as it was likely what might have alerted him to my presence. Still, he was too slow. He made as if to reach me but I had a kick ready. I saw a flash of a smile and as I was about to swing he disarmed me. I glowered as I used the momentum and knocked him over and within a minute I had him on the floor.
"Who the hell are you?" I raised an eyebrow, eyes piercing his. "Who do you work for?
The guy simply let out a small laugh. "Zachary Goode. CIA. A bit demanding are we?"
CIA? And he'd give it away just like that? Yea ok.
"Ok, Zachary. ID?" For all, I know it could be a cover. I needed some sort of confirmation. His eyes studied me and I looked at them. Actually looked at them and all of a sudden I got a weird sense of deja vu. I quickly shook myself out of that thought. I'd never met anyone with naturally green eyes before I was sure of it. Yet it seemed familiar but maybe I was thinking of a mission where I'd seen someone with green contacts.
"And I'd give it to you because?"
I tried to keep myself from snapping at him. "You gave me your name and who you work for. The CIA? That's rich."
"And if you're a mole?"
I wanted to slap him.
"Your ID. Now." I was not in the mood to play his games especially as I've been deprived of sleep because of those nightmares.
"Yeah, yeah. It's in my back pocket. Unless you want to reach for it yourself be my guest." He smirked. I shot him a look of disgust and glared at him. I rolled my eyes and let him grab his ID. I made sure to keep him in my line of sight as I went to turn on the lights. The room lit up and then he came into view.
He was tall. Sharp cheekbones. pink lips. And his hair. His hair was the color of chocolate, messy in all the right places.
He flicked his id at me, "Here."
Zachary Goode.
Well, at least he really is who he says he is. I sighed, my hand resting on my hip. I'm too tired for this.
"My name's Cammie Morgan." It sounded stiff but the least I could do was introduce myself.
Zach looked around the apartment and decided to sit down on the couch. "Yeah, I know. The famous Chameleon."
He said that so casually that it nearly slipped past me but when I realized I whipped around to look at him. How the hell did he know my codename? "How do you know that? It's classified to agents under level 6 clearance."
I raised an eyebrow, eyeing him. Don't tell me he hacked into my CIA profile.
He simply rested his hands on his lap, studying me. I saw the slightest tug at his lips. He was biting back a smile. I closed my eyes shut for a brief second. This was a long night.
"Right...that's why I'm here. We were assigned for a mission." He eyed my clothes and I felt my cheeks begin to flame up. "Of course, we have a budget for clothes."
I bit back my tongue from saying anything. I was sleeping before he'd broken into my flat. I simply shot him a glare and went over to the couch to see the file he had taken out.
"Moving on. Mission?" I peered over to look at the information. I squinted and took the file from his hands. So I did read that right.
"'Operation Take Down'?" They couldn't come up with a better name? "Are you serious?"
"Seems like a standard in and out but I highly doubt that given our clearance levels." He said as he glanced over the file. I nodded, biting on my lower lip as I took in all this information.
The file said as follows:
Operation: Take Down
Agents assigned on this mission: Zachary Alexander Goode, Cameron Ann Morgan
Objective: Take down organization (note: name will be revealed via dead drop)
Dead Drop: Eye Of The City
Location(s): London (dead drop), Switzerland
Zachary Alexander Goode:
Code Name: Shadow
Cover: Liam Clark
Likes:Hanging out with friends, spying, missions, sports (basketball, soccer, hockey, etc), his wife
Dislikes: Girls who throw themselves at him, amateurs (spy or not), dense people, idiots
Wife: Emma Roberts
Job: Agent for organization (name unknown)
Residence: Clarens Montreux, Montreux, Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District, Switzerland
Residence Cost: 22,296,408
Cameron Ann Morgan:
Code Name: Chameleon
Cover: Emma Robert-Clark
Likes:Parties, spying, missions, bars, danger, husband
Dislikes: Men who don't take a hint, manipulation, failing, amateurs, idiots
Husband: Liam Clark
Job: Informant for organization (name unknown)
Residence: Clarens Montreux, Montreux, Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District, Switzerland
Residence Cost: 22,296,408
Backup Team:
Name:codename
Rebecca Grace Baxter: Duchess
Grant Newman: Twilight
Elizabeth Sutton: Bookworm
Jonas Anderson: Thief
Macey Mchenry: Peacock
Preston Winters: Mad Dog
No name for the organization? It speaks volumes. As for the riddle, Bex might be of help with that. She knows London better than I do after all. I smiled softly at the thought of my friends being there. It might be because I'm tired but I'm feeling slightly nostalgic. I couldn't help but yawn as I glanced at the clock on my wall. It's 2:45 AM. Zach glanced at me and sighed as he took the file out of my hands.
"Tired? You should go to sleep. You look...terrible." I closed my eyes and pursed my lips. Geez. What a charming partner I've been assigned.
"You certainly have a way with words. Thanks." I shot him a fake smile and suddenly the quiet room was filled with a low grumble. Did his stomach just..growl?"
I saw his cheeks flare red as he looked down. "Man, I'm famished. Do you have something to eat? Leftovers from dinner?"
I raised an eyebrow. He sure was full of...surprises. "Anything...to eat?" I echoed. Part of me wanted to say no and tell him to go away but I simply sighed and shook my head, making my way to the kitchen. "I'll make you something to eat. You a fan of instant noodles?"
He let out a breath as he smiled. "I don't mind them. Thanks." He looked around once more and cleared his throat. "Hey..."
I pursed my lips, trying to hold back a laugh as I set the pot full of water on the stove, setting it to high flame. He just dragged out his 'hey' and for some reason, I found it hilarious. Call it the sleep deprivation or my broken humor but it made me smile. Just a bit. I hummed in response.
"Can I crash here?"
I raised an eyebrow and turned around. "You already broke into my apartment. Why not? Sleep on the couch." I grabbed the instant noodles and began taking off the packaging. "Oh. And the next time you break into my house, your body will be flowing down the Nile."
I thanked Joe Solomon for that threat. I could sense his smile as he said, "You know Joe?"
I turned around and nodded. He shook his head as he made his way to the kitchen counter. He sat and looked at me. Considering me. "Joe knows everyone."
I poured the water into the cup and set it onto the counter then handed him a spoon and fork. "He taught me everything I know."
He smiled. An actual smile, not one of his smirks. It was a nice change of pace. He began eating and I let out a breath.
"Buen provecho," I murmured as I headed to my room. "Night, Zach."
"Mmhm. Night!" I heard as he scarfed down the noodles. I shook my head slightly amused.
I looked at the clock that sat on my nightstand.
3 AM
What has my life come to?
And with that last thought, I laid down and fell asleep.
Following Morning
7:30 AM
I felt someone shaking me. It was too early for this.
"5 more minutes..." I murmured groggily and turned on my side. The shaking, however, persisted.
I was starting to get annoyed so i elbowed whoever was shaking me. I heard a grunt and turned around to see Zach.
"What the hell..." I sat up and studied him. He'd be fine.
"Sharp elbow you've got there, Gallagher Girl."
Any sleepiness I had before disappeared once I heard the mention of Gallagher.
"How'd you know I went to Gallagher?" I asked.
"So many questions." Zach looked at me. "Spy." And then there was that damned smirk.
I groaned. Of course. He's always more questions than answers.
"Why are you waking me up?"
"To pack. We leave in an hour. Hurry up." He handed me a copy of the file and left. I sighed. He should've woken me up earlier so I could pack. Either way I'd be quick about. I pulled my suitcase out of the closet and got to work.
An hour later we were headed towards the jet the CIA had prepared for us. Headed towards London. To this mission.
"Zach?" I needed to know one thing.
"Yea?" He closed the book he was reading and looked at me.
"What level is this mission?" This was probably a level 7. Taking down an organization. Probably one of those minor groups. Still, it bothered me that the name of said organization wasn't given; meaning it was probable the mission level would be higher.
I noticed his grip on the book tighten ever so proudly and for a brief second I thought Joe Solomon would be proud.
"Ten," He murmured. "It's the maximum level. Level Ten."
He glanced at me and studied me and my reaction.
"Ten..." I repeated. I met his gaze and his green eyes pierced into mine. Ten.
It couldn't be...
"Ten," He nodded and reopened his book as if to show he wasn't all that worried. "It's a blackout mission."
I felt his eyes on me.
He could tell what I was thinking. Why us? "We are the best of the best Gallagher Girl. He would send us. Because we would take it down...even if we go down with it."
I've taken up dangerous missions including level nine missions. But never a blackout mission. It's the most dangerous type of mission.
I can't go MIA or worse KIA. My mom would be devastated. We've already lost so much.
Dad...
Zach must have noticed my uneasiness because he took my hand and squeezed it.
"It's ok. I'll have your back no matter what," He said as he squeezed once more. He was trying to comfort me and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I squeezed his hand in return.
"And I'll have yours. What else are partners for?"
I looked out the window as the airport came into view.
Let's hope this mission won't have many complications.
It feels good to return to this story after what? 3 years? I've matured as a writer and wanted to give this story another go. I'll keep the original one up ofc. I hope you'll bear with me as I expand this story and add onto it. Have a good read!
-N