AN- Apologies for the delay on this one- I was away this week and haven't had so much writing time, but should be back on track now for weekly(ish) updates.
This is a bit of a dark one- hold on tight! And once more, I'm so grateful for the reviews and kudos, thanks again :)

I've also gone back and added songs that inspired each chapter to the author notes, in case anyone's interested!

Songs that inspired this chapter:

- Silver, by Hibou
- Interspace, by Starcadian
- Prey, by She's Not Real
- Darker Place, by Rachel Chinouriri
- Sing Me to Sleep, by Jeremy Blake
- Someone Somewhere, by VHS Collection
- If I Lead, by Kiltro

Ravi gave two celebratory blasts of the truck's horn as they swerved into HQ's parking lot.

"Yeah baby!" they whooped, rolling down the window so they could lean out of it, grinning at the agents who'd stopped to stare. "We got him!"

Mondo sat ashen-faced in the passenger's seat. He could hardly believe what was happening, but each vivid second that went by only hammered in harder how real it all was. This wasn't something he could hope to wake up from.

The truck parked, Ravi kicked the door open and hopped down, met by a gaggle of grunts.

"Is it really him?" one of them asked, craning her head to get a better look at the truck.

"Sure is," Ravi confirmed, beaming in the limelight. They'd never seen the point in humility. "Team Rocket's third-most-wanted in the bag."

"Wow," another Rocket said. "Can we see him?"

"You can help me carry him to the cells if you want," Ravi replied.

"Really?!"

"Now that's the kind of enthusiasm I'm talking about," chuckled Ravi. "Go nuts, just don't drop him." With that they opened the back.

James lay in a heap on the floor, dead to the world but uninjured, save the dart and maybe a few bruises from the bumpy ride. The grunts crowded around.

"All right, chill, we only need two of you to carry him," Ravi called.

"That's James? He doesn't look very dangerous to me."

"Nah, I heard it's his partner who was the brains."

"Don't forget he killed the boss, guys- keep your guard up, he could be faking it!"

It soon became very apparent that James was not faking it. The two grunts who'd shoved their way to the front made a meal out of hauling him up, though in their defence it wasn't easy to carry dead weight, Ravi knew that from experience.

"Careful!" Mondo cautioned as the grunts dragged James down from the truck. "Watch his head on the door!"

The taller grunt sneered at him. "Pfft- who cares about his head?"

"I do," Ravi spoke up. "I can't interrogate a concussion." They waved their hand. "Right, now get to the cells- tell them Ravi cleared you."

"Yes, Commander!" the agents chorused.

Mondo hesitated. "Um, I'll go with them," he said. "Make sure they go the right way."

Ravi nodded. "Good thinking. And hey, congrats, man!" They squeezed his shoulder and smiled. "You're moving up in the world, Dodo. Trust."

"Yeah," Mondo said. He did his best to smile back. "Thanks, Ravi."

As he left to follow the grunts, Ravi noticed a familiar silhouette approaching from HQ's main building. They straightened up immediately, flicking their hair back; it was Matori, decked out in a chequered designer suit that made Ravi's outfit look pedestrian.

"Ma'am," they greeted as soon as she was in earshot, and gave her a casual two-finger salute.

Matori's frown only deepened. "Commander Ravi," she said. "Perhaps you would like to tell me why you thought it appropriate to barrel into base honking your horn?"

Ravi blinked. "The mission was a success, Madame Matori. I thought it apt to announce that."

"Well, I shall advise you that The Council do not look favourably on such behaviour. You must understand, that kind of commotion is usually cause for alarm."

Ravi looked at their boots. "Yes Madame. I'll be more sensitive in future."

"Good. As for the mission- you have him in custody?"

"Yes. We were able to triangulate his location using the number he left."

"Hm." Matori raised her eyebrows. "I'm impressed, Ravi. I had my doubts I'll admit, but you're proving a worthy replacement."

Bowing, Ravi released the air they'd been holding. "Thank you, Madame- Mondo was a very big help. I'd like to credit him for this mission's success."

"Noted." Matori jutted her chin out. "I expect you have things to do."

Ravi bowed again. "Yes Madame Matori- I'll get straight to it."

They turned on their heels and marched towards their office.

Now came the fun part.

"The number you have dialled cannot be recognised. Please check you have entered all digits correctly. The number you have dialled cannot…"

Jessie felt like she'd had all the wind knocked out of her. Two hours of walking uphill for a signal, and it didn't even matter that they'd found one. He wasn't there.

"No," she choked. "No, NO!"

"Shh, shh," soothed Cassidy. "It's okay-"

"It's not okay!" Jessie cried.

"You've got to keep it down, Jess," Cassidy urged, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

"Why would he have disconnected it," Jessie gasped, "unless something had happened to him? What if- oh fuck, what if someone else got to him first?!"

"It's my fault," Meowth said. "I shoulda just pinched some money and called from a payphone, 'stead of comin' all da way back here." He shook his head, sighing. "An' I shoulda checked da database earlier on…"

Cassidy pulled out of the hug. "That's enough shoulda coulda woulda," she said firmly. "Don't torture yourselves, there are a million reasons why he might not be picking up."

"Yeah, and most of them are bad, aren't they," Jessie sniffed.

"He had enough foresight to break his phone," Cassidy countered. "So if someone did come for him, he can't have been taken totally by surprise. And you know what he's like, he's good at making an exit."

Her arms folded around her, Jessie sat on the leaf-coated ground. "It just felt like we were so close," she said, wiping away her tears. "I can't stand the thought that we might've found him, if we'd just been quicker…"

Cassidy took a deep breath, and sat down next to her. "I know what that's like," she said softly. "When… When Butch was killed, I was on a solo mission." She swallowed. "Pretty standard break-and-enter contract. But the pay was great, and we agreed I should go while Butch took bodyguard work, and then I'd join him."

Meowth had been redialling the number to quadruple-check they'd got it right, but he stopped to listen.

Jessie could feel her heart in her throat.

"When I found out what happened…" Cassidy let out another shuddering sigh. She closed her eyes. "They worst part was not being there. Not even having a chance to help him."

"Cassidy," Jessie breathed, her eyes shiny with tears. "Cassidy, I need to tell you something."

Cassidy stared at her, petrified. She could sense the gravity of what was coming.

Jessie's face crumpled. "It was my idea," she sobbed. "I asked Butch to do it. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry-"

"Huh," Cassidy exhaled, blinking rapidly. "God."

It wasn't that she'd been totally surprised by Jessie's confession. She knew that Jessie and Meowth had organised the rebellion against Carter, so it made sense that they would have approached Butch. She'd considered that before, she'd just never expected Jessie to actually say the words.

"I just wanted the deaths to stop- and I know that's not enough for you to forgive me, I don't expect that," Jessie rambled, "I just want you to know I never wanted any of this, I-"

She was cut off by the squeeze of Cassidy's hand on her shoulder.

"Cut that out. You're not the one who killed Butch."

"Well he'd be alive if I hadn't asked him-"

"He'd be alive if I hadn't left!" Cassidy snapped. "You think that makes it my fault?"

Jessie shook her head. "N-No, of course not-"

"So enough with the guilt! I'm so sick of all this blaming ourselves, when we never started any of this shit!" She snatched a leaf from the ground and began ripping pieces from the stem. "And I fucking refuse to be angry at anyone, except whichever coward put a hit on Giovanni." She flicked the stem away and started on a new leaf. "The only way Butch gets justice is me proving who. Team Rocket clearly can't be bothered." She stood up. Her hands were clenched so hard it hurt. "I can't deal with this right now. I'm gonna walk back on my own- I'll see you there, I need to think."

"Do you hate me?" Jessie asked. She couldn't help herself.

Cassidy sighed deep. "You're the only one I haven't lost, Jessie. I can't afford to hate you." She took a step, then hesitated. "Don't you go losing your shit over James. There's still hope for him." Then she took off walking fast down the hill, back towards the safehouse.

If her thoughts were a mess, her emotions were the whirlwind that had scattered them. Cassidy's legs couldn't go fast enough to burn away the terrible energy coursing through her. She wanted to rip apart something bigger than a leaf. She wanted to destroy.

Her old feelings for Jessie had been a welcome trip back in time, but no more would she let them cloud her objective. For all their sakes, she needed to concentrate.

She was not in Kanto for love, but for the truth.

Doing her best to rein in the stream of tears from her eyes, Jessie watched Cassidy disappear from the slope into the woods.

Meowth came closer. He'd known to give her space before, but now he knew she needed him.

"I hate this," Jessie whispered. Her words could have been another whistle on the wind. "It's all wrong."

They leaned into each other. Two silhouettes huddled against the pink sky.

"It sucks," Meowth agreed. "But I ain't givin' up."

Jessie sniffled. "Me neither."

Guilt or no guilt, she owed Butch that much.

The world crept back into existence as James' senses returned to him. He wasn't sure where he had been, only that it hurt to be back.

Cold concrete was the first thing he was aware of. Who he was and what had happened flooded in next, and with a wince he opened his eyes.

He was lying on the floor of a solitary-style cell. Four solid walls and a slot in the door to pass food through- not dissimilar from the kind of design the police used. As his eyes tracked to the steel toilet in the corner, James wondered if they hadn't hired the same contractor.

He realised he was strangely calm, given the circumstances. In fact his whole body felt warm, heavy- sedated. He lifted a limp hand up to where the dart had hit his neck, just under his jaw. Evidently, the effects were only beginning to wear off.

The clunk of a turning key echoed down the walkway outside, followed by the shuffle of footsteps getting closer; James strained to push himself up to a sitting position before whoever was coming got there.

The footsteps stopped outside the door.

A jingle. Another clunk.

The door swung open, and there was a young guard-

No. There was Mondo.

He shut the door behind him, then knelt next to James, holding out a cup.

"Are you okay, Mister James?" he asked, worry all over his face. "I- I got you some water."

The kid James remembered peeked through the body armour and stubble. It was amazing to see him after so long.

"Mondo," he gasped, reaching to embrace him, but Mondo shook his head.

"Careful- there's a camera."

James scanned the room, and found it mercifully pointing away from the toilet.

"Sorry," Mondo cringed, "I just can't be seen being too friendly. Oh, I feel terrible, I can't believe that you're here-"

"I can't believe you're a guard," James remarked. He took the cup, but his movements were still clumsy, and he didn't get as far as bringing the water to his lips before he spilled some.

"Sorry," Mondo said again. "It should wear off soon."

Trying again, James managed to drink. He didn't realise how dry his mouth was until the water touched his lips.

Mondo jumped as his earpiece chimed. He quickly tapped the side, answering the call.

"Is he awake yet?"

Mondo blinked at James. "He's um, he's still waking up."

"Great, he'll be easier to handle- bring him down to interrogation, would you? Out."

"Um-" Mondo began, but the call had already ended.

"Your boss?" James guessed. He'd finished the water, and felt a little more alert. A little more afraid.

"Ravi," Mondo nodded. "They want to talk to you." He fidgeted with the handcuffs hooked on his belt. "I've never been a guard before," he admitted. "They said I need the practice." He took the cuffs off the belt, but couldn't bring himself to move any further.

"Are they going to kill me?" James asked. He almost wished the dart would last a little longer.

"No," Mondo said quickly. "No, they're not allowed to hurt you until The Council decides what to do."

James frowned. "The Council?"

"Oh, right- er, since the last two bosses… You know…" Mondo gulped. "Well, Team Rocket decided to appoint a council instead."

His earpiece chimed again.

"What're you doing in there? Just grab him and go!"

"Yes, sorry. Out." Mondo hung up, then grimaced at James. "I'm so sorry, Mister James, but would you please hold your hands out?"

James did so. "I think you can lose the 'Mister', given our positions."

They both tried to smile, but it was too awful, too awkward to pretend it was anything else. There was no avoiding the reality of what was happening as Mondo snapped the handcuffs around James' wrists.

"I'll do whatever I can," Mondo promised. "I wish I could get you out of this, but…"

"I understand," James said. "Can't ignore orders, can you?"

Mondo shook his head. "No," he murmured. He took James' arm, though it was just for show- he didn't hold him with any real force.

For all the calm James was trying to exude, his stomach was a nest of nerves as he was led out of the cell and down the corridor. There wasn't a scrap of natural light down here. Cheap bulbs dotted the ceiling, harshly lighting up the narrow walkway.

Claustrophobia started to set in. Wherever he looked, James couldn't tune out the cold bite of the cuffs keeping his hands together.

He was used to being a prisoner, just not Team Rocket's. The rumours he'd heard combined with Mondo's pained expression told him everything he needed to know: things were not about to get easier.

He supposed he had no one to blame but himself. He'd known he'd been getting careless with the roses, and the last one had been downright sloppy. What did he expect when he'd been drunk on the job? It wasn't like the risk had been a mystery- he wasn't even remotely surprised he'd landed himself here. A part of him had been waiting for it.

Playing with fire until the heat caught up with him.

Mondo unlocked the door at the end of the corridor, where another guard was posted. James dodged her scowl, and then it was left, through another door.

They came into a small square room. Bolted to the floor was a metal table, at one side of which sat Ravi, reclined in the chair with their arms folded behind their head. James didn't recognise them, but he knew well the deadly glint in their eyes. This was not someone to trifle with.

"Thanks Mondo," Ravi said. "You can leave him here."

Mondo gave James' arm a parting squeeze, then let go. James watched him leave, wishing he would stay, but the closing door showed no mercy. Mondo was gone before he knew it.

"Take a seat," Ravi instructed.

James had been trying not to look at them, but it was sort of impossible now that it was just the two of them. He did as they said, glad to be off his feet. His legs were still wobbly from whatever drug was leaving his system.

Ravi pushed a packet of raisin biscuits across the table. "You want some?"

Boy did he, but James just eyed the packet suspiciously.

"Ugh," Ravi said, taking one and putting the whole thing in their mouth. "Happy?" they asked as they chewed. "Not poison. Unless you're allergic to nuts, then don't eat them."

Hunger won out. James slowly took a biscuit, holding it awkwardly in both hands. He took a small bite, then a bigger bite, then the whole thing, and went in for a second. Arceus it was good to eat something.

"I'll be straight up," Ravi said. "You're in a lot of shit right now. You know that, don't you James?" They clucked their tongue. "High treason. Murder. Hell, I wouldn't want those charges, I'll tell you that much."

James was onto his fourth biscuit.

"I've been reading your file," Ravi continued. "You're the child of billionaires, that right? You weren't born into Team Rocket. That's a weird one." They lazily drummed their fingers against the side of the table. "Do you get off on playing criminal? Is that it? Man, I bet you never thought you'd wind up in a murder plot." They raised an eyebrow. "Actually, a lot of people said you didn't seem the type."

Biscuit six was down the hatch when Ravi realised James was steadily demolishing the entire pack.

"Hey, leave some, I bought those!" they complained, pulling the packet away from him. "Fuckin' munchlax. Where was I? Oh yeah- look, James, I've seen the elevator CCTV." Their eyes cut through him. "You didn't even mean to kill Carter, did you? Cassidy was the one who shot him."

James saw where this was going. He closed his eyes. Took a breath and called on every molecule of bravery he had. Here went everything.

"I killed Carter," he said firmly. He took another, shakier breath. "I organised it all. I- I had the others act on my behalf."

"Lies," Ravi scoffed.

"I paid them to-"

"It's a lie," Ravi cut him off. "And a damn stupid one at that." They propped their chin on their hand. "Right, let's say I take your word for it. You're the mastermind. What do you think happens next?"

"You kill me," James said. He'd had the feeling he was going to die soon for years now. At least this way it wouldn't be for nothing.

Ravi's lips pulled into a smirk. "We kill you," they repeated. "How do you think we'll do it? Few more darts? Nice bullet to the head?" They shook their head. "You should be so lucky. But we don't need to go there, because I know for a fact you're holding out on me."

James kept silent.

"Cassidy or Jessica," Ravi told him. "I figured you wouldn't want to give up your partner, so why don't we start with Cassidy? You fled together, you must know something."

"She died," James blurted. "Years ago."

"Oh did she?" Ravi asked, mocking surprise. "Pretty stunning that we've seen her this week then, innit?"

James' eyes widened. He opened his mouth to a few stuttering syllables, but he couldn't think what to say.

"If I were you I'd spill those beans while she's still in the region, because if you don't you will take the fall, and I promise you it won't be a pretty one." Glare softening, Ravi sighed and passed the biscuits back. "Shit, I didn't wanna go that hard off the bat. Level with me James, I'm doing my best to make this easy for both of us."

The biscuits sat untouched. James' appetite had evacuated somewhere in the death threats.

"Give me something," Ravi implored him. "We'll find the others, with or without you. Hear me: there's no one you can save but yourself."

James looked at the camera pointing down at him. "I accept full responsibility for Carter's death."

Ravi stood up. "Fine," they said, teeth grit. "I'll go tell The Council."

On the monitor in the next room, Mondo was watching the live feed of the interrogation, and felt like the universe was playing some cruel prank. James was saying all the wrong things. Mondo didn't see any way this was going to end well for him.

Ravi walked out of the room on the screen, and a few moments later Mondo heard the door handle turn behind him.

"Well, I've got a meeting with the higher-ups," Ravi said, leaning in through the doorway. "Hey, you've worked with his team before, haven't you?"

"Er, ages ago yeah."

"We could use that- why don't you take over while I'm gone? Play Nice Rocket."

"Um-"

Ravi was already leaving. "And try out some of those methods I taught you," they called over their shoulder.

His eyes going back to the screen where James sat all alone, Mondo steadied his emotions as best he could, then went to the interview room.

"Hi," he greeted as he entered.

James' face brightened at the sight of him. "Hi."

Mondo took the seat Ravi had just been in. "How are you feeling?"

"Well whatever they shot me with is definitely wearing off," James said. "Otherwise, fairly rotten."

"You don't have to do this." Mondo chewed his knuckle, trying to figure out what else to say.

"I do," James countered. "I can't let the others pay for my mistake. It's my fault I got caught."

Mondo bit his lip. "You know the kinds of things they do to traitors, right? I just really don't want to see you get hurt."

"Mondo, they're going to hurt me no matter what," James said. His emerald eyes looked dull, hopeless. "And even if I wanted to turn the others in, I have absolutely no idea where they are, so it's a moot point." He knitted his hands together so there was slack in the chain between. "I've accepted my fate," he murmured, though he shuddered as the words left him. He knew well that his fate was most likely a main course of torture, with a slow death for dessert.

When it came to it, he wasn't sure his bravery would last very long.

"At least say you weren't the leader," Mondo begged him.

James shifted in his seat. "But I was," he maintained, smiling sadly. He knew Team Rocket wanted a head on a platter, and if it was his then it wasn't Jessie's. But he couldn't tell Mondo that with the cameras rolling.

A hollow settled in the air between them. A black hole of hopelessness smudging them both.

James knew the feeling, had developed a dark taste for it; he'd learned to find the sweet in the bitter. Mondo however had no palate for destruction, and certainly not James'. He felt absolutely sick to think there was nothing he could do.

"Could you take me back now?" James asked. He looked down. "I'd like some time to rest."

"Of course, Mister-" Mondo stopped himself, and cleared his throat. "Come with me."

Ravi left the meeting absolutely buzzing. It was the first time a conspirator in Carter's assassination had been caught in years, and for that they'd been duly rewarded. They couldn't wait to tell Mondo, and found him pouring over files in their office.

"The Council commended us for bringing justice to Team Rocket," Ravi announced, and let the grin they'd been holding back spread wide across their face. "And you wanna know who got a promotion?" They laughed at Mondo's dumbstruck expression. "Yeah you! You know what that means?" They brandished a key. "Full access to the weapons locker! Well, except the rifles and explosives. But you get a bunch of stuff- handguns, knockout powder, I think stun grenades, those don't really count as explosives- plus a much needed pay rise!"

The key dropped into Mondo's hand. He stared at it. Ravi knocked their shoulder into his.

"Well don't look too pleased," they said sarcastically.

"No, that's er, that's great. I guess I just didn't expect it so soon."

"You deserve it," Ravi encouraged. "You're going places, you better believe it!"

Mondo twisted the key around his fingers. "What did they say about James?"

"Well we've got a confession," Ravi said, "so as far as they're concerned he's our man. Which is ideal, 'cause now I've got the go-ahead to use force."

"Force?" Mondo echoed. "Do you uh, do you think that's necessary? I mean we've only just got started, and if I can earn his trust, maybe-"

"We haven't got time for that." Ravi let out a small sigh. "I've dealt with his type before- he's got a complex that he's saving his friends. That kind of loyalty doesn't crack peacefully. If we want to get anything out of him before he's executed, force is the way to go." They stretched their knuckles. "And it's not like he doesn't have it coming to him. Traitor pretty much begged for it."

"But… But-"

"Don't worry, I'll do the dirty work. I don't think it'll take too much to break him- we'll let him stew overnight first, that should give him time to doubt himself." They gave Mondo another pat on the shoulder. "You've done plenty- get yourself to bed, I'll clear shop."

Mondo nodded. "Right."

Executed.

The word rang in his ears all the way back to his room.

3am. Not an hour Ravi would usually be awake for- unless they were on a job or there was booze involved- but the mission report wasn't going to fill itself in, unfortunately. They didn't want to wake up with unfinished paperwork hanging over their head, that was never a good feeling. Especially with how pressed Matori got about that kind of stuff.

The door to their office was open, so they heard distinctly the rattle of a trolley wheeling past. Ravi spun their chair around to confirm it was Mondo pushing it.

"Tea? Coffee?" he asked an agent passing through the hall, who stopped to take a mug.

"Quality- cheers, Mond," the agent thanked as they walked away.

"All right?" Ravi called, startling Mondo. "Thought you went to bed."

"Oh." Mondo did a two-point turn to get the trolley through the door. "I thought you'd be asleep by now," he said.

"Well there you go, we're even."

"I couldn't sleep," he said, "so I er, I thought I'd do the tea rounds for everyone on night shift."

"What did I tell you about playing Tea Boy, eh?" Ravi tutted. "Still, I'm not mad about it- coffee please, three sugars."

Mondo slowly picked up a mug; Ravi could see his hands shaking.

"Yeah, it's a lot of excitement, isn't it," they hummed. "And it's always a bit weird when you're dealing with someone you used to work for, I get that. Just don't lose sight of why we're doing this- it's our job to keep Team Rocket safe, no matter what. And that's a noble role, Dodo."

The teaspoon clinked against the mug as Mondo stirred the sugar in, watching the coffee swirl. "Yeah, I suppose."

Ravi studied him. "You need a day off," they decided. "We're going for drinks tomorrow night- gotta celebrate your first mission, haven't we?"

Nodding without enthusiasm, Mondo handed them the coffee.

"And I don't want any getting up early to bring me-" (they took a sip) "- delicious coffee, is this a new blend?"

Mondo shook his head.

"Guess it just tastes better when you're dead tired, don't it." Ravi took a heartier gulp. "Ohh yeah, at'sthestuff. I need some bounce for this damn report."

"I'll leave you to it, then," Mondo said, starting to push the trolley back out.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that. I can tell you're not happy about something." They sighed as Mondo turned back to face them. "Am I pushing you too hard? Be honest." Their expression softened, and they lowered their voice. "You can always tell me how you're feeling, you know that? I'm not going to turn my back on you because you've got concerns about the job."

"It's not that." Mondo gave them the best smile he could manage given the circumstance. "I'm just tired, that's all. I need- I need to get back to bed."

"All right then- attaboy, get your beauty sleep."

Mondo nodded, wiping his eyes. "Thanks, Ravi."

He pushed the trolley out and put the brakes on, then went as quick as he could without running towards James' cell, readying the key in his hand. Shakily, he opened the door.

James was curled up on his side, clearly struggling to sleep in the bright light and cold. As Mondo entered he unfurled, blinking.

"Is it bad news?" James guessed. He saw plainly how uncomfortable Mondo was, even more so than before.

Mondo didn't answer, but instead started to shrug off his jacket.

"Here," he said, handing it to James. "Put that on."

Baffled, James looked up at the camera and raised an eyebrow at Mondo.

"Don't worry, it's fine- just quick, quick."

"Mondo, what's going on?" James asked, but did as he said. The jacket was a bit small for him- he could just about zip it up, though the arms were short.

"I'm getting you out of here, Mister James," Mondo said between breaths. He took off his cap and put it on James' head. "We have to hurry- follow me."

"Wait, are you sure-" James began, but Mondo was already walking ahead.

"Quick!" he hissed back.

James followed. Mondo stopped at the end of the walkway and peeked out through the doorway.

"We'll be caught," James whispered.

Mondo beckoned him onwards. "No we won't." But his steps slowed as they passed the open door of Ravi's office. He braced himself, little good it did him. His heart was still cantering as he looked inside.

A dark blotch on the carpet where the mug had dropped. Ravi lay beside it, out cold.

"Mondo," James gasped. He looked at the parked trolley and the drinks still on it. "What did you-"

"We have to hurry," Mondo repeated. His voice was cracking all over the place, and he couldn't help but let out a sob as he rushed on.

Another guard lay prone at the end of the hall. Mondo stepped over her, apologising under his breath.

"Did you drug their tea?!" James realised. They were onto the stairway, going two steps at a time.

"I- I didn't know what else to do," Mondo panted. "They were-" He gulped. "They were going to…"

James put a hand over his mouth. "Oh Mondo. I'm so sorry, this is all because of me."

Mondo unlocked the door that took them back out into HQ. "No it's not," he said. "I… I don't think I belong here anymore." His chocolate eyes were liquid with tears.

"Ah." James sighed. "I see."

"We can't slow down," Mondo said, dabbing his eyes with his sleeve as he pressed onwards. "Not yet."

As they came into the main building, James felt a cold familiarity. Like a ghost in a house that had once belonged to him. He never thought he would see these walls again.

The night receptionist was slumped over his desk, dead to the world. Even though Mondo had put enough knockout powder in each mug to put someone to sleep for about an hour, he still kept an eye on the receptionist, paranoid that he might jolt up at any second and slam the alarm.

But Mondo swiped his card at the doors, and they were out, into the freezing sting of early morning air. Their breath came out in ragged plumes, the stars unreal in the sky.

"This way," Mondo said.

There wasn't much carpark to cross before they got to Ravi's truck- even though he'd been out of the business for years, James still sort of envied the VIP parking spot that his team had never been blessed with.

Mondo took out his spare set of keys and clicked the button, unlocking the truck's doors. He climbed up into the driver's seat and switched on the engine.

"I can drive if you want," James offered.

"I got my licence last year," Mondo replied, buckling his seatbelt.

James sat next to him and closed the door. "That makes one of us."

The truck crawled through the parking lot, towards a freedom so huge that Mondo wasn't sure if he was ready for it. But he kept his foot pressed on accelerate.

Forwards was the only way left to go.