Chapter 21: Perspectives

For this chapter I wanted to do something a little different, since you met so many new characters last time. This chapter will contain scenes and conversations from the previous chapter–in the same chronology–just from new perspectives!

Ella Cornell

I wake up to my grandfather knocking on my bedroom door, telling me to wake up in Dutch. With his military background, he has always been very 'seize the day.' I sense movement beside me in bed and remember that I did not sleep alone last night. Next to me in my sage-and-lavender room from my childhood was none other than Alex Rider.

"Goedemorgen," I mumble, barely conscious. I mentally thanked Johannes for the water and the Advil last night. After all of that Jenever last night it's a miracle I'm not hungover.

"Morning," Alex replies, much more alert than I am, "Where the hell are we? And what happened last night? Why are we in the same bed?"

"Do you seriously not remember?" I question, sitting up in my bed and pulling my legs into my chest in an attempt to wake myself up.

"I seriously do not," Alex responds.

"Well, to help you out a little bit," I explain, "We're at my family's home–still in The Hague. As for my bed, you passed out here last night and I wasn't about to go sleep on the couch. Nothing happened–we just slept."

"Thank God for that," Alex sighs.

Asshole. "Shtik drek," I whisper, insulting him in Yiddish. My head is a little full from everything that happened and was said last night and I definitely need a little alone time to process. I fell asleep almost instantly last night and haven't had any time to think.

"Say again?" he asks.

"Nothing," I reply, needing to maintain my aura of mystery for another few hours at least, "How 'bout some breakfast?"

"Please. I am so hungover."

"You really can't hold your liquor, can you?" I tease. While Alex didn't get Johannes' water-and-Advil treatment last night, there's no way he drank as much as me, so seeing him deathly hungover was a little bit funny. Okay, a lot funny. Feeling just fine, I lead him into my kitchen where I run directly into my grandparents. Godverdomme. I do not need to explain to my grandparents why there was a boy in my bed.

"Goedemorgen Oma en Opa," I greet them, kissing them both on their cheeks. Please be cool, please be cool, please be cool. "My grandparents," I tell Alex. At least if I'm talking to him I don't have to explain myself. Not that that is much better, but I digress.

"Morgen, Eljse," Opa greets me, his eyes glued to his paper. He is clearly ignoring this situation and for that, I am eternally grateful.

"Elsje, wie is deze jongen?" Oma asks, waggling her eyebrows at me. And so it begins…

Rebekka Goudstikker Berman, JD

Rebekka Goudstikker Berman was sitting in her breakfast nook sipping her tea like it was any other day. Her typical breakfast of oatmeal with bananas and strawberries sat next to her half-eaten. She preferred it after it had sat out for a little while anyway. She split the newspaper with her husband. There was nothing interesting going on in this entire country. Though she lived in the Hague, the land of international court, she was retired from being a human rights lawyer so she no longer got to hear about the trials until after they had ended. Even her Eredivisie team, Feyenoord, had drawn in its first two games of the season.

Rebekka sighed. Perhaps she would call up her daughter, Michelle, today. It had been a few weeks since she heard about her grandchildren, minus Ella of course, who had been staying with Rebekka and her husband for the summer. She wondered if James was still with his girlfriend; if Ava was still enjoying her internship; if Christopher's football–sorry, he called it soccer–season had begun; and if little Lilia was still taking that painting class. She heard next to nothing about them from Ella, which was irritating for Rebekka who just liked to be in the know when it came to her family.

Rebekka had wanted Michelle to fly back for the summer, just like she used to, even just with Christopher and Lilia. She understood that the eldest two had jobs now–James in accounting and Lilia in her computer science internship–but the youngest two had no responsibilities. The excuse of college had never stopped Ella from visiting, at least for a few weeks each summer, except for last year when she was focusing on transitioning from America to England.

America was no good for her grandchildren, Rebekka thought. Their father, John, homeschooled them along with her daughter. Rebekka was a big believer that a child should be properly socialized by being sent to public school. She had voiced her concerns to her daughter once, in the beginning, and it was the only fight they had ever had. Michelle was too nervous to send her children to school. Rebekka understood this: sending away Michelle and her brother on the first day of school was one of the hardest things she ever had to do, but it was simply a fact of life. Michelle sheltered her children a bit too much for Rebekka's liking, but she quickly realized that it wasn't her business. She could either be supportive or she would lose her grandchildren. Rebekka had never spoken up again, but always felt better when her grandchildren were here with her in the Hague.

She never truly trusted that zhlob John Cornell, but Michelle loved him and she couldn't argue with that. Plus, he gave Michelle five beautiful children, and Rebekka couldn't argue with that either. John had always come off a little bit untruthful to Rebekka–something she had been trained to look for as a Human Rights Lawyer–but she feared that if she spoke up she would never see her grandchildren again. So, Rebekka bit her tongue and enjoyed seeing her daughter and grandchildren a few times per year: for two months every summer (John always stayed home, save for the last week when he met his family here in the Netherlands); for Passover, which she and her husband flew to America; and for the few weeks between Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot in September where Michelle brought the kids back home to The Hague. That was one benefit to them being homeschooled, Rebekka conceded.

While Rebekka was beyond grateful to have Ella here, she had noticed a shift in her over the years. The older Ella got, the more like her father she became. Quieter, sneakier, more reserved. While she had never caught Ella in a lie more serious than where she was last night–which Rebekka wasn't particularly concerned about, as long as Ella ended up back in her bed safely–she knew there was a lot about her granddaughter that she didn't know.

At the top of that list, was why Ella had gone to Oxford. Rebekka was overjoyed to have her granddaughter so close and had even visited her a handful of times in the last year, but she wondered why Ella had broken her family's tradition of American University. Furthermore, she wondered how Ella had convinced John of this, as he tended to keep those children very close to home.

The Cornell children were difficult reads, unlike her other grandchild, Johannes. Johannes had grown up in nearby Rotterdam with her son and daughter-in-law before eventually attending The Hague University of Applied Sciences and buying a house about seven minutes down the road after joining the army as an officer. Johannes was always such a kind boy, eager to please his parents. His mother-Rebekka's daughter-in-law, Hana-was never able to have that second baby she wanted, so she put all of her energy into raising that beautiful boy Johannes. Rebekka, Johannes, and her son and daughter-in-law still spent Shabbat together every week, and Johannes always made time for a weekly lunch with Rebekka. He was the most lovely grandson a woman could ever ask for.

Now that Ella was here for the summer, the three of them got lunch together every Tuesday at that adorable little restaurant where Ella was waitressing. Ella's job was another thing that Rebekka wondered about. She knew John and Michelle had plenty of money and were funding Ella's education, but other than tuition, Ella refused to accept money from them. Rebekka could tell it wasn't a pride thing–Ella was more than happy to accept help from her and her husband or her aunt, uncle, and cousin, but refused anything from her parents. This summer job was to help pay for groceries during the school year.

Rebekka was just about to clean up her breakfast and head outside to find something interesting to do–it was far too early in Washington to call Michelle yet–when something, or rather someone caught her attention.

Ella walked into the kitchen looking pretty raggedy with a boy in tow. He was tall, blonde, and a very handsome young man, and looked even more disheveled than Ella. Finally, something to catch Rebekka's attention. This was going to be fun.

"Goedemorgen Oma en Opa," Ella greeted Rebekka and her husband, sweetly kissing them both on their cheeks. "My grandparents," she clarified to the boy in English. Ella should know by now that a couple of kisses on the cheek were not enough to avoid a little grandmotherly questioning.

"Morgen, Eljse," her husband greeted their granddaughter, his eyes glued to his paper. Rebekka knew he saw the boy follow Ella into the kitchen but was choosing to ignore it, but that was simply not her style.

"Elsje," she greeted her granddaughter, using the Dutch version of her name, which Rebekka had always preferred slightly to the Hebrew, "Wie is deze jongen?" She asked her granddaughter, raising her eyebrows innocently.

"Niemand!" Ella exclaimed, "Alex is mijn vriend van school." Rebekka noted the young man's name. Alex. From School. He didn't look Dutch, but Rebekka could look past that. Some friend this Alex must be, to share a bed with her granddaughter last night.

"Ja, okay," Rebekka teased. She was not mad that her granddaughter had brought home a boy last night–it's not like Rebekka slept with her hearing aids in–she was simply an old woman looking for a piece of gossip.

Ella clicked her tongue. Completely ignoring her grandmother, she said: "Anyways, Alex, because the Dutch have the worst hangover food on planet Earth, sorry Oma en Opa, I will introduce you to an American East Coast Speciality Hangover Cure–the bacon egg and cheese on a bagel."

Rebekka stood up, refusing to be ignored. "Thee of Koffie, Lieve?" she asked Alex.

"Oma, he's English," Ella corrected her. That answered one of Rebekka's burning questions, though it generated many more. What was this nice English boy doing in the Hague? Was he visiting Ella as her Oxford boyfriend? Why hadn't they been properly introduced?

"My bad, coffee or tea?" she asked him again, this time in English.

"Tea please." Right answer!

"Ah! Elsje, this boy has good taste. Unlike you Amerikanen and your coffee." Rebekka's main gripe with Ella and her siblings was with how Americanized they were. She blamed their father, that fonferer John Cornell. Rebekka and her husband were Dutch-Jewish–two identities Rebekka loved dearly and ones that her parents nearly died trying to keep alive. Ella has held onto those traditions the most out of any of her siblings, but she still enjoyed her wretched coffee and had no respect for broodje haring. In fact, Ella doesn't even celebrate Shabbat unless she is here in the Netherlands. Michelle had not even given her children Dutch or Jewish names, for the most part. James and Ava had Hebrew origins but were so anglicized. Christopher and Lilia were nothing at all. Ella's name, at least, was Germanic and Hebrew, so Rebekka gave her a pass on that. Besides, Ella was a lovely name, and she was named after her lovely mother Michelle. Rebekka knew the name Michelle only had loose Hebrew origins, but she had chosen to name her daughter after a Beatles song–something she had never regretted.

"My coffee is delicious and it's one of the few things America does actually do correctly," Ella grinned.

Ella then began making her and Alex some breakfast. Rebekka had approximately one thousand questions, but decided she would speak with her granddaughter further once Alex had gone home. Ella looked happy with Alex, beaming whenever he spoke to her. Above all, Rebekka wanted her grandchildren, Americanized or not, to be happy. She decided to leave the kids be and excused herself and her husband to their garden to give the kids some space.

"Give them space," her husband directed her, once they got outside.

"That's exactly what I'm doing!" Rebekka exclaimed, "Though, I am dying to know everything."

"Elsje won't tell you anything," her husband scoffed, "But I have some information you might be interested in. Rebekka's eyes widened. "Johannes drove the two of them home last night. You may have more luck talking to him." Rebekka loved how her husband always entertained her love for gossip.

"I just want her to be happy," Rebekka said softly.

"Me too," replied her husband, "And she looks it."

"She really does."

Rebekka's conversation with her husband was cut off by the sound of their granddaughter and Alex leaving their home. Ella was laughing at something Alex said while locking the front door. The two of them began walking towards the ocean, walking close together. Rebekka noted this and turned back to her husband. It was time to tend to the sunflowers in her garden.

Two hours later, once Rebekka had finished gardening and showering–her granddaughter had not yet returned–she called her lovely grandson Johannes.

"Hallo, Oma," he greeted her in Dutch, picking up the phone immediately.

"Hallo, Johannes," Rebekka replied, "How are you?"

"Goed," he replied, "What's up?"

"So," she began, "You drove Elsje and her friend home from a party last night?" she asked, fishing for information.

"Ja, Oma, I did. They were at a party together and needed a ride home."

"You're a good boy. Thanks for picking up your cousin," Rebekka said appreciatively. She did love how close the two cousins were and was happy Johannes was there to pick Ella up.

"Anytime," Johannes replied.

"So anyways," Rebekka said, drawing out the word, "I do have a few questions."

Johannes sighed through the phone. "Okay, Oma, what do you want to know?"

Yuri Kozlov

Yuri Kozlov was feeling energized. After having slept all day, he was ready to spend all night at the Thee en Zand, the little dive bar in the Hague that has become like home over the past few weeks. The Thee en Zand was serving as a centralized headquarters for their little team: "The Revengers" as Elsje Maas called them. Yuri liked the name–ever since leaving Russia, he had always found himself being drawn to superhero movies, and Elsje's play on words always made him smile.

His old connection Oliver Baker had called him up a month ago to bring him onto the team. With the twenty-three-year-old's experience in hacking with the KGB, he was the perfect fit to figure out the next move of various Scorpia cells.

He had met Oliver in America–they both interned at the CIA for a short time before both going freelance. They still reconnect every so often, when circumstances call for it. With Yuri's computer abilities and Oliver's leadership and skills with weapons, they make a great team.

Yuri used to work for the KGB back in his home country: Russia. He had finished a computer science degree at the Moscow Institute of Physics & Technology by age 19, got recruited immediately upon graduation, and was on the fast track to move up the ladder. Yuri was all-in on his career at first. Like any good Russian boy, he had been raised to love his country and was excited to dedicate his life to Russia's wellbeing. It was only after the KGB had blindsided him and disappeared his family–his parents and his younger sister Vera–to punish Yuri for something that had nothing to do with his job when he knew it was time to change careers. The next day, Yuri fled the country, turned himself in to the CIA, and gave them every piece of information he had about the KGB. They had been trying for two years to find his family but to no avail. Ever since then, Yuri's career has been what could be considered "opportunistic." If the CIA needed him, he was there. If another intelligence needed him, he was there. If a friend or old colleague needed him, he was there. So long as they opposed Russia, Yuri would help them out.

He, Oliver, and Oliver's long-term girlfriend Fenna had been at the Thee en Zand since 8pm. The owner, a man known as Mr. J, was a friend of Elsje's. He asked zero questions, let them have a back room all to themselves, and gave them free alcohol, so it was basically Yuri's dream situation. He didn't expect the others in his group–Noa, Tai, and Elsje–to arrive until later.

For now, they waited. Fenna and Oliver spoke quietly in Dutch while cleaning weapons. There was a small arsenal in the basement of the restaurant next door. This was again organized by more connections of Elsje. Yuri had no idea how she knew so many people, especially with weapons and connections as good at these, but he never asked. Yuri was very good at knowing when things were not his business. He didn't ask questions and he didn't like being asked questions either.

Yuri continued on his laptop looking for intel on Scorpia cell whereabouts. It had been a pretty quiet day, but he knew something could happen at any time.

A little while later, Noa arrived. Yuri really liked Noa, though he only met her three weeks before. She was the same age that Vera was when she was disappeared, and Noa was a lot like his younger sister. While they didn't look anything alike–with Vera being blonde, fair-skinned, and nearly Yuri's height, while Noa was short and had long brown hair and olive skin–both girls were sweet yet no-nonsense. Noa also spoke some Russian, from her maternal grandfather, which Yuri really enjoyed as well.

"Privet," he greeted her in Russian, "How was your day?"

"Great," she replied in the same language, "I just went for a run and had breakfast." Yuri nodded. Noa went straight to the arsenal to organize their gear from a recon mission from the night before. Yuri appreciated how Noa always got right down to business. There was little room for drama with her.

A bit later, Tai arrived. Tai was another connection of Elsje's, and the person he knew the least from "The Revengers." He was from the south of France and came in just to help with this assignment. From what Yuri understood, Tai was brought onto the team as someone who knew a little too much about chemistry. Tai had a flair for the dramatic and often acted completely uninterested in whatever was going on around him, which annoyed Yuri. They were here to focus and do a job, not to create more problems. Tai ordered some fries for the table and proceeded to put in his headphones and tune out the world.

Eventually, Elsje arrived with a tall, fair-haired boy in tow. She was grabbing his arm with her right hand, and a bottle of Jenever in her left. Yuri sighed. This was going to be quite an interesting night.

Yuri did not know Elsje particularly well either. All he could gather was that she was Dutch, yet had befriended Oliver in America. She could speak a ton of languages, which Yuri appreciated. He thoroughly enjoyed it when he could use Russian, his mother tongue, with others. Elsje also had far too many connections and Yuri suspected she was just slightly above the law. He didn't fully trust her, nor did she fully trust him. Elsje, however, had proven herself to be useful and reliable, which was good enough for Yuri. She too, could be a bit dramatic, but if Yuri said that to Oliver, he may kill him. For now, Yuri just sat back at his laptop and drank his vodka like a good soldier.

"Hallo team," Elsje greeted the room, "I want you all to meet my friend, Alex," she said, letting go of his arm, "Alex, meet my crew. Crew, meet Alex. He speaks English, mostly." Yuri took note of this. English, he could handle. However, besides English, Russian, and the bit of French he had learned in school, Yuri was lost.

Oliver stood up to greet Alex. "Cheers, Mate," he shook Alex's hand.

"Cheers," Alex smiled back. Yuri could hear from his accent that he was also English. His accent sounded different than Oliver's, but Yuri couldn't place either one if his life depended on it.

"An Englishman," Oliver made the same observation, "And a posh one at that. Elsje, you have good taste in 'friends.'"

"He's just a friend, Ollie, a colleague even," she shot back. Elsje used his nickname that only she was allowed to use. Elsje definitely felt like Oliver's younger sister–a relationship Yuri was beginning to feel with Noa. Yuri also did not care if Elsje was dating this boy or not. Who someone was dating was positively none of his business. The only thing that mattered to Yuri tonight was to stay on top of any Scorpia-related incidents happening in the Hague.

Yuri put his headphones back on until he was kicked in the shin by Noa. "Introduce yourself," she hissed. Yuri nodded a thank you and slipped them off again.

"Privet, I'm Yuri," he greeted Alex, still typing, "Happy to meet you." Yuri put his headphones back on and continued typing furiously. He wasn't listening to any music–rather, they were both noise canceling and connected to local police scanners. For a long time, there was absolutely nothing abnormal. Yuri poured over different forums, sifted through emails, and listened to the run-of-the-mill crimes on his police scanner.

Eventually, Yuri caught a signal of a hostage situation in a nearby restaurant. "It's time!" Yuri exclaimed suddenly, jumping out of his chair. It was time.

Yuri ran through the room's early door, veered left, and sped down a flight of stairs to access their small arsenal, followed by the others. He grabbed bulletproof vests and earpieces for everybody, even Alex, and a pair of military fatigues for Ella. He assumed they were using their usual story again. Oliver and Noa collected weapons for everybody while Fenna and Tai stood guard out in front of the door. Thee en Zand was a real bar, after all, and no civilians needed to see what was going on in its depths.

A few moments later, Yuri distributed the gear he had collected to the rest of the Revengers.

Yuri came around and handed everybody a small black earpiece and a bulletproof vest. He gave Ella the fatigues. "Okay team," he said, his voice icy, "There's word of a rogue Scorpia cell taking over a restaurant filled with some of the personnel from the trial–we told them to keep a low profile, dammit," this part did frustrate Yuri, "It's up to us to control the situation, save the hostages, and handle the Scorpia agents. Got it?" Everyone nodded and followed Yuri out to Oliver's SUV behind the bar.

Oliver drove and Fenna sat up front as always, and Yuri made it a point to sit next to Noa in the middle row. He liked to talk things through with her before they entered a mission situation. Noa was smart and level-headed, and always thought of those little details that Yuri overlooked.

"The restaurant supposedly has 50 hostages," Yuri began, showing Noa his smartphone. He had hacked into the restaurant's "Between customers and employees. There are five Scorpia agents and three of them are guarding them. The other two, the leaders, are making demands."

"Anything out of the ordinary?" Noa asked. Yuri shook his head. "How many entrances are there?"

"Three," Yuri noted, "The Scorpia people came in through the front door and have since barricaded it. No one is getting in or out of there. There is a back door and a side door," he explained, showing Noa the footage."

Noa glanced at it for a few seconds before nodding. "The back door has more things to hide behind. See all of those pillars? We should definitely send Elsje and Fenna in that way," she observed, "Then, we can stick Tai on the other side to make sure no one escapes." Yuri tapped her bicep with his fist. This was why he loved talking mission things through with Noa.

The crew got out of the car, and Yuri had them huddled in a circle. While Oliver was usually the team leader, it was Yuri who knew the details of this mission. It wasn't anything crazier than they had witnessed in the past few weeks–not on paper, anyway. They would be using the same protocol as the past few weeks–Elsje goes in as the best negotiator who speaks the most languages and tries to calm the situation down. Fenna would be her direct backup, attempting to distract the Scorpia agents. Tai would bring smoke bombs and wait at an entrance, and Yuri, Oliver, and Noa would be the muscle. Yuri wasn't sure what Alex did, nor did he care. He assumed Elsje or Oliver would brief him.

"Okay, team. Oliver, Noa, and I are the muscles. Stay close to us when you can. Elsje, I'm not saying to negotiate with terrorists, but you're our best bet for being able to communicate with them–I'm told they speak Italian," Ella nodded at him, "Tai, Fenna, you two keep the hostages safe. Alex, I don't know what you do but hold onto your weapon and don't get shot. Everybody ready?" The team nods, and Yuri breaks out a flask, tossing it back. It's his pre-mission tradition. A little liquid courage never hurts anybody. He passed it around the circle to everyone. Once it's Alex's turn, he takes a sip and coughs twice, making Yuri and the others laugh. While Yuri no longer feels much of a connection to Russia, he still shares the country's view on good vodka. Elsje takes two sips without a problem and passes it off to Tai, who takes three, only to regret his choices immediately. He spits out the vodka onto the ground which Yuri shook his head at. This was not the time to be showing off, and more importantly, not the time to be wasting his vodka.

"It's time," Oliver announced, leading the team through a back entrance of the restaurant, "Elsje, you're up." Elsje just finished putting in a pair of brown contacts and popped a retainer into her mouth. More than anyone else Yuri had ever met, Elsje was very concerned about not being recognized.

With her pistol concealed in her waistband, Elsje threw open the back door to the restaurant.

Fenna Van Dijk

Fenna Van Dijk took a deep breath. Then a second. Though she has been doing this for years, the nerves never fully went away. It was her job to put on a show, and she had to do it perfectly.

"Mi chiamo Elsje," Elsje's voice boomed throughout the restaurant. This was starting now.

Yuri and Fenna had run inside the restaurant and stood behind a pillar. Yuri had a bag of new clothes for Fenna and was helping her change into her role while Elsje kicked off their mission. "And you," Elsje continued in Italian, "Need to listen to me. Now, I have received word that the Dutch special forces are on their way here right now—"

"We're not scared of the cops, una bambina." Fenna could not see anything happening inside the restaurant but knew that Yuri and Noa had eyes on Elsje.

"And neither am I, Imbroglione. I meant the army. I've been told they're on their way." Fenna had kept her tights on but exchanged her sweatshirt for a little black dress that displayed nearly everything. Yuri helped her adjust the dress so that all the right places were showing.

"Who even is this girl," a second agent demanded, "And how does she know this?" Yuri quickly did Fenna's eye shadow–overly dramatic–while she put on a coat of bright red lipstick. She clasped a diamond necklace around her neck that plunged into her cleavage. Last, Fenna stepped into a pair of 5-inch stiletto heels, and Yuri patted her on the back. She took a final deep breath. Fenna Van Dijk was ready to go.

"Because I work for the Dutch army," Elsje said twice, once in Dutch and once in Italian. Fenna finally peeked around the pillar to see Elsje pull out a military badge from her wallet, "I'm just a desk job—in fact, I took the call about you guys holding this restaurant hostage–but I want more. They won't let me do anything and they keep underestimating me. I can shoot, and I can speak four languages—Nederlands, Italiano, English, and Français, but still, they treat me like a child. I'm telling you this because…because I want to join you. I'm sick of being overlooked by the army. I want to work with people who can respect my skills and actually let me do something. You want proof I'm all in?" Elsje challenged, "Well, you hear those sirens? I can hide you. Tell the army it was all a misunderstanding." The sirens, played by Noa, were becoming louder. Fenna shuddered. Even she was convinced of Elsje's story. She saluted Yuri, who returned the gesture before running out the back door of the restaurant.

"You don't have much time. Fenna! Come here," Elsje called out, and Fenna quickly appeared from behind the pillar, all legs and hips and cleavage.

"This is my sister. Don't shoot her," While Elsje and Fenna had similar enough coloring–pale skin and blonde hair–they did not look enough alike to actually be sisters. Plus, Fenna knew that Elsje's hair was dyed blonde, not that she would ever say anything. "She will lead you to our van. Drop the hostages and let's go," the sirens had to be right outside of the restaurant by now, and Elsje's voice did not leave any room for discussion.

"Come on, boys," Fenna finally addressed the five Scorpia agents in sultry Italian. Elsje wasn't the only one who could speak another language. Fenna's semester in Venice was really coming in handy, "Elsje is driving so I'll need to sit on someone's lap." She ran her left hand across her collarbone and bit her bottom lip.

While Fenna didn't always love being a trope, there were definitely some benefits. First, she quite liked being underestimated. People saw her–admittedly hot–body first and by the time they came to their senses, they were already dead. Second, it allowed her to own her body and sexuality. Last, it really was just fun being beautiful, and who could argue with that? She was quite literally paid to be hot and flirty. Fenna loved the chase and she loved the game, and she loved that she had that much influence over people. It gave her agency, and ever since Scorpia had killed her brother all of those years ago, it had given her power over them. Were her methods a little extreme? Possibly. Fenna didn't care. This was Scorpia, so the end always justified the means.

As the old adage goes,

"Before you start, you're already beat/She's gonna play you for a fool/Yes, it's true."

Fenna's opening line alone made the three Scorpia agents guarding the restaurant-goers stand up. A sly smile appeared on Fenna's face. Elsje's dramatics coupled with a little motivation from Fenna to leave had convinced them in a second. Three down, two to go. Of the other two, the brunette looked hesitant, and the bald man looked angry at his soldiers. The bald man shouted something to his men in Italian that was above Fenna's pay grade. While he was yelling, Fenna spun back around and began heading towards the door. The three men who got up to leave followed her quickly, ignoring their leader.

Fenna towards the back door and began whispering something to each of the three men. She grabbed the first–by far the most handsome–by his t-shirt collar and pulled him in close. Her lips were practically touching his ear, and when she exhaled, she felt his whole body shiver in her hands. "I'll be right out, handsome. Don't tell the others, but I'm all yours," she whispered in Italian. She guided him towards the door, where Noa opened it to receive him, before promptly shutting it. The door had no windows, but Fenna knew exactly what was to happen next. Noa would lure him towards the van, standing a couple of feet ahead, while Yuri took the shot from the left. Fenna cleared her throat the same second the body fell to the ground. They all had this down to a science.

The second man was shorter than Fenna, especially in her heels. For him, she employed a different strategy. She kissed him on the forehead and bent down to speak to him, keeping one hand on her hip and the other on his ear. "You, Piccino, listen to me. You see, I have always had a thing for men I can just toss around," she winked at him, and Fenna swore she could see him drooling. Amateur. She led him out the door, again handing him off to Noa.

She knew that Noa would take this one for herself. Fenna could just picture Noa grabbing him by the arm, so he couldn't see his fallen friend, and shooting him in the head-right where Fenna's lipstick had left a mark-before he ever knew what hit him.

Fenna had saved the best for last. The third man was the ugliest of the three. He was gangly, greasy, and had yellow, crooked teeth. There was nothing more fun to Fenna than building up a man who very clearly didn't get much attention from women. There was nothing in the world she couldn't make him do.

"Come here, Amore," she beckoned, waggling her fingers at him. She pulled him in close, even closer than the others. "You know, you're the best-looking man here?" The man couldn't even move. Fenna brought him so close that her hip was touching his groin "You know that?" she said more forcefully this time." The man nodded furiously. Fenna leaned in and kissed him on his stubble-covered upper lip. The man tried to shift his face, but Fenna had a hand on his head, keeping her distance. She pushed him backward against the door, causing it to swing open. The man stumbled on the pavement, and before he could even right himself, he had been picked off by Oliver.

Fenna strutted over to Oliver and kissed him, long and deep. "Baby, that will always be hot."

A second later, Fenna heard the back door creak open once again. She spun away from Oliver just to see one of the remaining two Scorpia men fall to his knees. Noa appeared from behind one of the trees and saluted Fenna and Oliver.

The parking lot was beginning to look like a massacre. Four dead Scorpia bodies littered the ground. Noa, Yuri, and Oliver began moving bodies–Fenna didn't ask where–while that new guy, Alex watched on in horror. Bambino.

Fenna heard a yell from the restaurant. "Schijt," she exclaimed, "Elsje needs help." Fenna ran back into the restaurant. She removed the pistol strapped to her upper thigh and shoved it between her breasts.

"Sir, Sir," Elsje was pleading in Italian, "The Dutch army is nearly here. You must let me save you."

"From everything you've said, una bambina, they should have been here by now. I hear sirens, but no army. You're lying," he spit in her face. The two were inches apart.

"Hey!" Fenna exclaimed, sauntering back into the room, while Elsje wiped off her face with an oversized sleeve–the army fatigues were a little ridiculous on her, "There's one spot left in the van, and you're in luck because it's with me," Fenna smirked at him. "C'mon, your men are waiting…and so am I." She took a step closer to him, now only a few feet away.

"You have nothing I want, Puttana, I want her," he gestured at Elsje. Fenna gasped after being called a whore. She was in a very committed long-term relationship, thank you very much.

"But, but," Fenna sputtered, "Elsje is a child! You want me," she declared, running her fingers across her bare collarbone, "I'm the pretty one." Fenna could not fathom what the man wanted from Elsje, who definitely wasn't a day over 19, but looked 15 on a good day. Fenna knew she wasn't going to enjoy the next couple of moments.

The man spat at Fenna and shook his head. Fenna scowled. "I want her." He grabbed Elsje by the shoulders, pulled her in, and kissed her. Hard. Fenna was just pulling the pistol out from between her breasts to make this guy regret ever breathing when all of a sudden he crumpled.

Fenna quickly turned her focus to Elsje, who was absolutely in shock. Covered in blood and brain matter, Elsje gagged and stumbled backward. Fenna caught her and helped her into the nearest chair. "Fenna, what…?" she whispered, clearly in shock.

Before Fenna could speak, Alex came walking out from behind the column, holding a gun.

"Alex, that was you?" Fenna asked incredulously. She hadn't even heard him come inside the restaurant. He had been about twenty feet away from the action and had still hit the bald man perfectly in the head. Alex nodded. He walked up to Elsje and kneeled in front of her, tucking a bloody strand of hair behind her ear. Now this was interesting. Fenna took a step back and observed the scene.

"You okay?" he asked her softly.

Elsje nodded slowly and started to gag. Alex grabbed an empty bread basket from the nearest table that Elsje promptly threw up in. Fenna wrinkled her nose at the smell.

When she was done, Alex found a cloth napkin and wiped her face. He grabbed another chair and sat across from her. "You saved me."

"Of course I did," he smiled softly. Fenna was slack-jawed.

"Elsje, Fenna, Alex, we have got to go. Yuri said the cops are en route and we have to get the hell out of here," Oliver shouted from the entryway, taking a few steps into the restaurant, "What the fuck?" he exclaimed after seeing Alex sitting across from a vomit-and-blood-covered Elsje and Fenna successfully moving the bald man's body out of the restaurant while in heels.

Fenna exhaled. "I'll catch you up later, Olls, now help me move this body. Alex," she directed, "Can you help Elsje into the van?" Alex nodded, "Sit next to her and tell Yuri and Noa to get into the backseat–she needs some air. We'll get her cleaned up at home."

Fenna and Oliver picked up the remaining Scorpia body and hauled it out the side door where Tai had taken the hostages. They had all been moved to the front of the restaurant and were currently being questioned. The couple tossed the last body into the trees with its counterparts–Oliver had arranged for a sort of 'clean-up' service that would handle all of that nonsense.

"You okay, Love?" Oliver asked Fenna as they made their way back to the van. Fenna nodded. "So what happened anyway? That was quite a scene I walked into."

"Yeah," Fenna bit her lip, "So I heard Elsje call out so I rushed back into the restaurant," Oliver nodded, "And I guess that new guy, Alex, had followed me in. Anyways, Ella and the Scorpia guy said a few things back and forth. Basically, she was pleading with him to leave the restaurant, and I did my whole 'come sit on my lap' routine," Oliver chuckled, "Scorpia guy calls me a whore and decides he will come with if he can 'have' Elsje–"

"WHAT?" Oliver exclaimed.

"Yeah. So he grabs her and kisses her. I'm literally pulling the gun out from between my tits to shoot this guy, when all of a sudden he just crumples," Oliver's eyes widen, "Turns out that Alex had shot him, cleanly in the head from across the room." The couple had stopped walking and were now standing about 15 feet from the van. Oliver shook his head in disbelief. "Yeah, I couldn't believe it. Anyways, what I find even more interesting is those two."

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Well, not only did he have the perfect shot from across the restaurant the second Elsje was threatened, but once the deed was done, Romeo here came to her aid and it was very intimate."

"Explain," Oliver repeated impatiently.

"Yeah. He kneeled in front of her and tucked her hair behind her cheek. They were whispering like no one else was there. I was right there, Oliver. I was three feet away."

"Hm," was all Oliver said. The couple got back into the car, deciding to finish their conversation later.

Not five seconds after Fenna buckled, Alex was carrying Elsje out of the restaurant in a bridal carry. Fenna nudged her partner who just shook his head.

Fenna watched as Alex buckled Elsje into the car. The two maintained eye contact and he patted her arm. Alex ran around to the other side and quickly got into his seat. "Let's go!" Oliver exclaimed. He peeled out of the parking lot before Alex even closed to van's door. Fenna could tell he was annoyed.

In minutes, they arrived back at Thee en Zand. "Everybody get the fuck out," Oliver announced, "Elsje and Fenna stay." Yep. Oliver was definitely mad if he was separating Romeo and Juliet.

"Alex, stay too," Elsje mumbled. It was the only thing she had said since getting in the van. Fenna's eyes widened. This was the most exciting thing to happen all night, if not ever.

"We need people to stay at base," Oliver shook his head. He was not letting this one slide.

"Calm down. I'll stay," Fenna decided, getting out of the van. It was much funnier to her specifically if Oliver, Elsje, and Alex had a little alone time.

"Fine," Oliver growled, and sped off again, once Noa, Yuri, and Tai climbed out of the van.

Fenna led them back down to the basement of Thee en Zand, putting her hoodie back on in the process. She was done being hot and dangerous for tonight.

Tai Anouilh-Chen

Tai Anouilh-Chen grabbed his bag of smoke bombs from the backseat of the van and sauntered back into Thee en Zand. Once they were safely put away inside the arsenal, he walked back up the stairs and greeted Yuri, Fenna, and Noa.

Tai did not know these people particularly well–he knew Ella and Oliver the best. He grabbed a glass and a bottle of Jägermeister from the bar. Tai did not feel like making conversation, he felt like drinking.

"So," Fenna cleared her throat, "What do you all think of Alex?"

"He performed well today," Yuri remarked and Noa nodded her agreement. Tai liked those two as a duo. Their personalities complimented each other well, and they got along well.

"That shot was impressive, I must say," Noa replied.

"Totally not what I meant," Fenna rolled her eyes, "I meant personally."

"He didn't really say much," Noa said and Tai nodded in agreement, "But he seemed nice enough."

Fenna grinned. "And do we think he and Elsje are dating?" It was weird for Tai to call Ella 'Elsje,' but everyone in this room only knew her as Elsje, he was pretty sure.

"Not my business," Yuri replied automatically.

"Seconded," Noa agreed.

"You guys are the worst people on the planet to gossip with," Fenna scowled.

"Thank you, Fenna," Yuri responded, making Noa laugh.

"How about you, Tai?" Fenna looked over at him.

Tai took another gulp of his Jäger. "Yeah, I don't know."

"Aren't you at least a little curious?" Fenna prodded, "She must have gotten over you quickly." Tai looked like a deer in headlights. Noa and Yuri exchanged concerned glances.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tai stammered.

"Wow, two months and you've already forgotten that you led her on just to hang her out to dry?" Fenna challenged.

"It wasn't like that," Tai mumbled. Tai had assumed that everything between him and Ella was fine after she invited him to be part of her team. Well, Oliver was the one who invited him, but Ella clearly still allowed it. And anyway, the whole situation was just a big misunderstanding anyway. He and Ella worked together back in January and became really close friends. He always knew she had a thing for him, but he didn't let that change their friendship. They kept in touch, texting nearly every day and calling maybe weekly. It wasn't his fault that she caught feelings, nor was it his responsibility to act any differently towards her once he figured that out. To him, they would always just be friends. He was surprised when she actually confessed to him, but he just never saw her in that light and made sure she knew that.

"Then what was it like?" Tai and Fenna locked eyes.

Tai didn't know what to say. He didn't know how Fenna even knew about the whole him-and-Ella situation. He stayed silent.

"Furthermore," Fenna baited, "Are you worried she won't be giving you the same attention anymore, now that she's over you?"

"Okay!" Noa yelled, standing up. "Tai, let's play some darts."

"No, wait a second," Tai began, but Noa was already dragging him off the other side of the room and forcing darts into the palm of his hand. He took another sip of his Jäger before putting the bottle down and beginning the game.

Oliver Baker

"What the hell was that about?" Oliver Baker did not like being undermined, especially in front of his team. He might love Ella like a sister but he was not happy with her right now.

"Alex doesn't know the others and they don't know him. It's better for everyone to be around people they trust," Ella shot back.

"And you trust him?" Oliver growled.

"Ollie, can we talk about this later? I'd really like to not fight with you while covered in Scorpia blood."

"Fine," he sighed. "Alex," Oliver directed, "We're heading to my flat to get her cleaned up." It was Fenna's father's flat, actually, but he was letting them borrow it for the time being.

"Yessir."

Once they got inside the third-floor apartment, Oliver handed Ella a towel. "Go figure your shit out," he directed, and Ella saluted him with two fingers before disappearing into the bathroom. Oliver waited until he heard the water start to begin speaking to his guest.

Oliver motioned to the seat on the couch next to him. "Sit." Alex followed. "What are your intentions with my sister?" After what he had seen, and what Fenna had told him, it was time that he and Alex had a little chat.

Alex sighed. "Literally nothing. We happened to be in the same city at the same time and she brought me to you." Oliver called bullshit on that.

"If you two are 'literally nothing' then why did you bridal carry her into the van?" He challenged.

"Only way to not get blood and guts all over me," Alex retorted. Oliver couldn't say anything to that.

"How did you meet, and why have I never heard of you before?" Oliver knew there was something here. It still all seemed a little too convenient.

"Listen, man. I know you're protective of Ella, but I think you should have this conversation with her. There really is nothing to tell, but I think you'll take that better from her."

"Are you telling me what I think?" Oliver challenged. He was growing angry at Alex's insubordination.

Alex swallowed. "Absolutely not. But you have no reason to trust what I say. You have a baseline trust just because Ella brought me around. But she's not here now, so I can say whatever I want. And what I want is for you to hash this out with her because honestly? I'm tired."

"You're a tough read, Alex," Oliver observed.

Alex just nodded. "I just know when things are or aren't my business."

Oliver considered this. "What do you do, Alex?"

"Whatever is funniest in the moment."

"Hilarious," Oliver rolled his eyes. He was getting nowhere with this kid and he was not happy.

"I know. I can tell you, however, that my favorite color is blue and my favorite season is spring."

"Enlightening."

"I try."

The pair sat in a slightly awkward silence for the next ten minutes. Oliver was trying to calm himself down enough to no longer want to waterboard Alex. He probably would have–he did intern at the CIA, after all–if Ella hadn't been using his bathroom. Waterboarding using the kitchen sink just wasn't the same. Oliver just stared at his boots and considered what he was going to say to Ella about all of this.

Finally, Ella returned. "Hey guys," she smiled, walking over to sit between them on the couch. Oliver noted her choice of seating.

"You okay, Ella?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, I am. Just needed a little time. Thanks again for saving me," she smiled, "That shot was impressive I must say."

"Yeah that was fully instinct," Alex chuckled, "He grabbed you and I just reacted."

"And I appreciate it," Ella declared. Oliver cleared his throat. He had had quite enough of this nonsense.

"Alex, go sit outside. I need to talk to my sister." With that, Alex stood up and left through the front door of the apartment. "And you," he turned to Ella, "Need to explain yourself."

"Ollie, that was so dramatic."

"I'm just looking out for you."

"No. You're interrogating my friend and making him feel uncomfortable. You're not even believing what I'm telling you–we're just friends. We met in England last summer and have talked like, a couple of times since. There's really nothing much to it."

"I don't believe you." Ella would not be changing Oliver's mind.

"I don't care if you believe me or not. Furthermore, even if we were dating, which we most certainly are not, I don't see how that's any of your business."

Oliver sighed, exasperated. "Because I'm meant to look after you."

"You think I can't look after myself?" Ella challenged, "I've gotten this far."

"Yeah, and you have such a great history of relationships."

Ella's jaw dropped. She stood up. "Excuse me?" she exclaimed, "Yeah, I think we're done here, Oliver."

"Am I wrong?" Oliver argued. He knew about Tai, and Kyla, and Ali, and…

"Why do I even tell you things, if you're just going to weaponize them against me? I brought one friend along tonight and he actually saved my life, but instead of–I don't know–thanking him? You just interrogate us both and act shitty to me."

"Ella, I am the only person who knows the full truth about you on this entire continent. Of course, I am going to look after you. Our dads were friends for 20 years and we're family. Don't get so defensive when I want to make sure you're alright."

"Contrary to popular belief, I do actually know this, Oliver. But protecting me doesn't mean challenging me and weaponizing my past against me. It means supporting me and intervening when you actually see something. Alex didn't do anything wrong tonight. You're just being controlling and it's shitty and unfair and just plain mean."

Oliver sighed. "I see your point, but do you see mine? My little sister, who has not had the best few years, relationship-wise–"

"I am nineteen and dating other nineteen-year-olds. Of course, it's going to be messy," Ella cut him off.

"There's normal nineteen-year-old messy and there's the situations you find yourself in. I know we're at odds right now, but could you please just acknowledge that?"

Ella sucked in her breath. "Yes, I have the worst relationship luck in the world. Now please tell me everything else that I do wrong."

"It's not bad luck, Ella, you need to grow up and start spending your time with better people."

"If this is about Tai, you knew him first."

"This is about Kyla and it's about you."

"Again, weaponizing my past against me! That was eight months ago and I was at the lowest point of my life. Oliver, if this conversation doesn't get productive right now, I'm leaving. And honestly? I'll probably steal a car or sleep with someone inappropriate because it's just in my nature." Ella shot back.

"Woah. Okay. Back up and sit back down,' Oliver directed. He needed to calm her down immediately. Remembering he was in fact the older and more mature person in the room (arguing with a teenager) he took a deep breath. Ella sat but looked on edge. "Ella. I'm sorry, okay? You're right. I should not have weaponized your past against you. I'm just worried about you and took it a little too far." Ella said nothing but maintained steady eye contact. Oliver sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry for assuming the worst from you and Alex. I should have given him a chance, but instead, I just overreacted."

"Apology accepted," Ella uncrossed her arms.

"Now, can I ask a few questions, please? I promise to keep things civil."

"If they're nice questions then I'll answer them," Ella kept staring him down.

"They will be. First, when did you two meet?"

"Last July, right after I got to Oxford."

"So a year ago," Oliver considered, "How many times have you seen him since?"

"Twice, including today."

"Want to give me any more details than that?"

"Not particularly."

Oliver sighed. "Fine. How did you find him here?"

"Yeah you're not going to believe this, but it really was a coincidence. He walked into the restaurant I work at, and I told him to meet me after dark. He's also in town for trial reasons, but I don't know anything more than that. Long story short, we talked for a few minutes and I brought him to you. He was looking for something to do, and he also hates Scorpia."

"Yeah there are a lot of missing pieces there," Ella grinned at her brother, "But I'm assuming that's all I get to know?"

"There is one more thing," Ella teased him, "His last name? Rider."

"RIDER?" Oliver exclaimed, "As in…"

"As in John and Ian. I know it's the same Rider, I've been to his house," Ella said proudly.

Oliver left for a second, before returning with an old photograph. Ella knew what it was before she even saw it. Her father had the same one framed in his office. It was taken nearly 25 years ago and featured eight young soldiers, all in their early 20s. The eight men all had their arms wrapped around each other and smiles on their faces. They didn't appear to be on the job. Rather, they just looked like eight friends before a night out.

Ella smiled at the picture. It was one of her favorites. It was crazy to think how many future world leaders were all in this picture. She handed it back to Oliver. "He's such an important piece of the puzzle, and he doesn't even know it yet."

Noa Yaron

Noa Yaron was sick and tired of drama. They were all professionals, damnit, and they needed to act like it. Noa was the youngest person here and even she knew how to behave. Everyone else was too goddamn emotional.

Fenna had no reason to talk to Tai like that–she knew it would make him mad and that he would act on it. Noa had pulled him away immediately to play darts, just to remove him from the situation. Plus, she was letting him win because his ego needed it. Badly. Noa wasn't the type to just let men win-she grew up in the middle of two hypercompetitive brothers-but she was very much the conflict de-escalation type. That combined with her general lack of ego made her darts veer a little to the left with every throw.

Yuri nodded at her from across the room. Noa wished she could talk to him rather than babysit Tai, but such is life as the emotionally stable person in the group. She hadn't known Yuri before a few weeks ago, but they had gotten close quickly. It was bound to happen since Oliver and Fenna always paired up and Ella and Tai were usually together. It wasn't like that, though. Noa wasn't interested in romantics, and besides, Yuri reminded her a lot of her older brother, Roee.

She enjoyed being able to speak Russian with him (and Ella when she wasn't preoccupied). Russian was her maternal grandfather's language that he all but lost when he fled to Israel in the 30s. Noa's mother didn't speak the language–instead, she learned Hebrew from her mother to fit in. Her brothers, Roee and Oren, were not interested in learning either. It was only Noa, who would visit her grandfather on her walk home from school, who wanted to learn the language and the stories of her past. After her grandfather had died two years ago, when Noa was 16, she didn't use the language until she met Yuri. She had known Ella longer, practically their whole lives, but Ella was usually more interested in practicing her Hebrew or learning Yiddish together.

A few minutes later, Ella, Oliver, and Alex returned. Everyone greeted each other, and Oliver joined the others at the table. Ella and Alex stood together for a minute, drinking Jenever–a Dutch liquor that Ella had been attempting to sell Noa on for years now. Eventually, Ella made her way to the other side of the room where Tai had just beaten Noa at darts–or so he thought. "I got next game," she declared.

"Well I won, so you can play me," Tai announced, "But I definitely get to go first." Ella nodded.

Noa walked back to where Alex was standing. He offered her the Jenever but she shook her head. "That stuff is disgusting," she laughed.

"It's growing on me," Alex admitted.

"Are you ready to watch the most tense game of darts ever?" Noa rolled her eyes. She decided that she would try and get to know him a little better, especially since he was Ella's friend.

"I'm not sure what you mean–" Alex began before getting cut off by Tai shouting. Noa sighed, ever so slightly.

"Outer ring! That's 25 points, thank you very much," Tai threw his second dart, "FUCK. Okay that's twelve more points," he threw his last dart, "Rats, nine points. Okay mark me down for 46 and I'd like to see you do better," he raised his eyebrows, challenging Ella.

Ella stepped up to the line, dart in hand, and effortlessly hit a bullseye. "You were saying?" she smirked at him. Alex and Noa chuckled.

"Fuck this," Tai announced. Ella scored a total of 76 points in her first round, much to Tai's dismay.

"You lost this round so you have to drink," she challenged. Without hesitating, he pulled a flask of Jägermeister from his back pocket and took a swig. Alex's eyes widened.

"This is typical," Noa explained to Alex.

Ella stepped back up to the line, ready to throw her next round of darts. "Second round we stand further back," Tai corrected her, grabbing Ella by the shoulders and moving her back a step.

"She is going to kick his ass," Alex mumbled and Noa laughed.

Ella shook him off before throwing her first dart for 16 points. Tai scored more points in the second round, forcing Ella to take another shot of Jenever. This went back and forth for a little while, with whoever was winning getting cockier, and the loser getting madder. And it switched back and forth nearly every round. Alex and Noa watched onwards as the situation devolved.

"Hah! You need to learn to read a dart board," Tai exclaimed after Ella hit the "2" space.

"Maybe I can't read, but at least I can count," Ella shot back after Tai totaled her points wrong.

"Here, let me show you proper technique," Tai said, grabbing Ella's elbow while she was holding a dart.

"Tai, so help me God, this dart will end up in your shoulder if you don't leave me the fuck alone."

"I thought that's the opposite of what you wanted."

"I'm going to need you to shut the fuck up."

"Do I want to know what this is about?" Alex asked Noa.

"Probably not. It's not my story to tell anyway. Just sit back and watch the fireworks."

The game dragged on and Ella and Tai both got drunker and worse at darts. "I told you so," Noa mumbled to Alex after Tai removed the dartboard from the wall and tossed it at the adjacent wall like a frisbee after a heartbreaking defeat to Ella.

"Wow, who can't read the dart board now?" Ella challenged him.

"Maybe I can't read a dart board, but at least I can read someone's intentions," he shot back. Noa gasped. That escalated very quickly.

"And I can read a room," Ella snarled before promptly leaving the room. Tai followed her. Alex made a motion to go after her but Noa shook her head.

"I got this one, Alex. Enjoy your disgusting Dutch liquor," she told him and he took another swig.

She ran up the stairs and outside the bar to discover quite the scene. Ella was sitting on the curb with her head in her hands, while Tai tried to explain to Ella how this wasn't his fault and how he usually does win at darts.

"Tai," Noa commanded, "You're drunk and you're emotional. I think it's best if you go home now."

"What if there's another mission?"

"Tai, it's nearly 2:00. Even Scorpia sleeps. Besides, if something comes up, the rest of us can handle it. I really think it's best if you go home."

"Why isn't she going home?" Tai protested, jutting his chin out towards Ella.

"I'll handle her next. You are currently not in a catatonic state, so I'm focusing on you first," Noa said civilly, "Now go get your things and I'll walk you home."

"I'm fine," Tai protested.

"And I'm walking you home." Noa put her foot down. Tai mumbled something before heading back into the bar. "Finally," Noa sighed.

"Now," Noa said, sitting next to her childhood friend, "What the fuck was that?"

Ella looked up at Noa with a tear-streaked face. "I'm an idiot."

"Yeah. But at least you're not a mean idiot like Tai is. He had no right to start talking to you like that. Competitive banter is one thing, but he took it too far."

"He always does," Ella frowned, "Man, I really know how to pick them." Noa laughed.

"Just let me interview them next time," Noa teased, "I am the objective point of view." Ella laughed. Ever since Noa had come out to Ella as asexual, it had been a joke between the two friends.

"Yeah, we truly have reached that point," Ella wiped the last of the tears out of her eyes and reached over to hug Noa.

When they had let go, Noa asked Fenna's burning question (fine, she was a little curious too, but Ella was one of her best friends since childhood!). "So. Speaking of interviews, is there anybody I should schedule?" Noa waggled her eyebrows.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ella shut her eyes.

"So there's really nothing going on with you and Alex?"

"No. There seriously is not. And to be honest, I'm getting a little sick of that question."

"Sorry, sorry," Noa backed off immediately, "Forget this ever happened. I am going to walk Tai home really quickly and then the rest of us can all do something fun, okay?" Ella smiled and nodded. "Okay." Noa kissed Ella on the forehead and helped her up off of the curb. They walked back into the bar, passing Tai on the way down. "Wait for me," Noa directed him.

"I'm making sure Tai gets home. Nobody does anything I wouldn't do," she commanded before spinning back around, "Fenna and Oliver, handle this," she said, gesturing at Ella before running after Tai.

Tai was staying very close–it was only a five-minute walk each way. The pair walked in silence until they reached the entrance of the apartment complex Tai was renting.

"You need to think before you speak to her," Noa said sternly, "You act like your words don't have an impact on her but they do. I know you want to pretend like nothing ever happened, but something did happen. Again, I know you don't seem to realize this, but you hurt her and you tricked her and you need to give her some space. This isn't about you."

Tai opened his mouth to speak, but Noa shook her head. "Okay, Noa," he mumbled. "Night."

"Night," Noa replied, beginning the walk back. She jogged and made the walk in just three minutes.

When she reached Thee en Zand, she found Ella, Oliver, and Fenna on a bench outside the bar. Ella was sitting between the two of them. She was looking a lot better now.

"What's up, guys?" Noa asked.

Fenna answered her. "Ella was telling us an interesting little fact about her friend Alex."

"Is it that they're dating?" Noa teased, causing Ella to flick her on the arm.

"His last name is Rider–as in, John and Ian," Ella grinned.

"You found Alex Rider?" Noa exclaimed, clasping her hand over her mouth. Ella nodded furiously. "So he's one of us, first of all. I guess everyone here is except Yuri."

"We are Yuri's family," Oliver pointed out.

"And he's the best," Noa agreed, "Anyways, we have to celebrate! Get to know the guy a little better. I know!"

"Drinking game!" Ella announced to Alex and Yuri once she re-entered the bar, in much higher spirits. Noa smiled as Oliver handed her a bottle of Arak. She hated these damn Western Europeans and their disgusting liquor. Oliver handed out bottles to a few others–Noa smiled at the multinationalism displayed just in their liquors of choice. Noa had her Mediterranean Arak (an Israeli brand, obviously). Yuri had his Russian vodka. Oliver had gin and Ella had Jenever (and Fenna drank from both bottles). Alex, on the other hand…

"Alex, you're welcome to the gin if you're sick of that fucking Jenever." Oliver declared like the good Englishman he was. Alex winked at Ella and took another sip straight from the bottle. Noa side-eyed this.

"Let's play 'Never Have I Ever," she declared, wanting to stop thinking about whatever the fuck that just was. "Rules are simple. Say something you've never done before. If someone else at the table has done it, they have to drink," everybody nodded. "Fenna you first."

"Never have I ever been someone's first kiss," Fenna smiled. Noa remembered hers for a fleeting second. Adiva Amin in her treehouse. Everyone but Alex drank. Interesting.

"Never have I ever been someone's last kiss," Noa winked at Ella.

"Too soon!" Ella laughed but drank anyway. Fenna drank as well. No surprises yet.

"You'll have to tell me about that sometime," Oliver chuckled. Fenna just kissed him on the cheek. "My turn. Never have I ever flashed someone," he winked at Fenna, who was the only drinker. Noa loved it once this game devolved into old friends targeting each other.

"Never have I ever had a one-night stand," Alex declared. Everybody but Noa drank.

"I got one," Yuri declared, "Never have I ever been arrested." Oliver and Ella drank to that.

"What the fuck did you do?" Oliver demanded of Ella. Noa hid her smile as she recalled the story: Ella's literal second day at Oxford.

"Nothing that wasn't deserved," she shrugged, "Never have I ever taught fourth-grade math," she looked at Alex who was the only one to drink, finally getting him on the board. These two had more of a history than Ella had originally let on. Not that this was Noa's business–she was simply observing what she saw.

"Never have I ever had my heart broken," Fenna said. Everyone but Noa drank again. She didn't have much experience on the relationship front, but that didn't bother her one bit.

The game went on and everyone got drunker and drunker. Ella had made sure to include Alex in the game, as he appeared pretty innocent on the surface, with claims such as "poisoned an intelligence agency" and "been functionally kidnapped in the Hague." Noa simply sat back and noted all of this.

"Okay, okay," Yuri began, after about 30 minutes of the game, standing up and swaying a little, "I am drunk enough to do something stupid," he said, his Russian accent sounding a little heavier.

Ella stood up immediately. "So what's the plan?" Noa shook her head. She loved these people to death, but they needed to know when to call it a night.

"I'm too old for this shit," Oliver announced, "It's nearly three and it's a 20-minute walk home. Fenna?"

"Yeah, sorry kids. I'm gone too," she said sleepily.

"Alright then. Everybody get the fuck out so I can lock up," Oliver directed. Five minutes later everyone was standing outside. Alex had a hand on Ella's shoulder, steadying himself from the Jenever. "Now. Ground rules. Nobody gets arrested, killed, hospitalized, or high tonight. Don't be a nuisance and don't make anything my problem. Deal?"

"Deal," said Alex, Ella, Noa, and Yuri.

"So what's the plan, Yuri?" Ella asked.

"We're getting a pizza and going swimming," he declared.

Twenty minutes later, the four were eating slices of plain pizza while Noa easily picked the lock of a gate surrounding a local hotel pool. It was a skill she had learned long ago from her dad who was high-ranking in Mossad. Once inside, Ella hid the Jenever behind one of the pool chairs and set the leftover pizza on a neighboring table. It was a wonder this girl didn't get arrested more often.

Yuri was the first to strip down to his underwear and slide into the pool. Ella and Noa exchanged glances quickly and followed suit. They were joined just a few seconds later by Alex, who dove into the pool after them.

The four of them spent a while just splashing around before they quickly devolved into an incredibly drunk "chicken fight." It was a game Noa knew well, and she usually sat on one of her brother's shoulders. Roee was three years older, and Oren, Noa's twin, was three minutes younger. They had always been much taller than her, which was very useful in games like this one.

Alex and Yuri stood facing each other. Ella sat on Alex's shoulders while Noa sat on Yuri's. The pairings made sense, and even though her world was spinning a little from the Arak and the swimming, Noa noticed the way Ella had her fingers in Alex's hair while holding onto him.

Using nothing but drunk strength and instinct, Noa and Ella tried to knock one another off of their partners' shoulders. It was a game they had played hundreds of times, but this was by far the drunkest iteration. Ella had only managed to knock Noa off twice in comparison to Noa's six times (see, Noa can be very good at games when she isn't letting fragile men win for the sake of her sanity).

It was a raucous time that ended abruptly when a police siren approached. "Shit," Yuri hissed as the car's headlight illuminated the four of them, "Everybody run."

"No, no," Ella slurred, "I got this. Trust me."

"We're screwed," Alex shook his head as Ella climbed out of the pool facing two police officers in nothing but a black sports bra and underwear. Alex, Noa, and Yuri huddled in the pool quietly. I know something they don't, Noa smiled to herself. Noa Yaron was many things but worried was not one of them. She knew exactly how this was going to play out.

"Yeah, Oliver is going to kick my ass when I call him in an hour asking for bail," Yuri said solemnly.

"Hallo officieren," Ella greeted them in surprisingly steady Dutch.

"Hallo," the first officer continued in Dutch, "We have received a noise complaint."

Noa's knowledge of the Dutch language ended there, so she just stood back in the pool quietly as they went back and forth. Ella could get them out of just about any situation, especially on her home turf. In both America and the Netherlands (and Israel, to be honest, and Noa suspected England and Australia were also on that list) Ella was definitively above the law.

The two officers stepped away for a few minutes to dial a number on their phones. Ella turned to face the others in the pool. She had a huge grin and gave them two thumbs up. See? Noa knew she had nothing to worry about.

"Either of you speak Dutch?" Alex whispered to Noa and Yuri who both shook their heads, "Because I would really like to know what the hell is going on."

"Elsje is usually our go-to translator," Yuri admits, "I only know Russian, English, and French."

"No one can bullshit quite like Elsje," Noa noted, "And I'd bet money that whoever she told those officers to call is real and will cover for her. Never doubt Ells, especially on her home turf. The only thing that surprises me is how sober she sounds," she snickered.

"God I hope you're right," Alex replied.

"I am," Noa whispered, far too quiet for the boys to hear.

The officers finished up on the phone and said something to Ella. She smiled and offered them each a slice of pizza. Finally, she walked over to the pool and spoke in whispered yet commanding English. "We're all good. I talked our way out of this. However, if anyone asks, we're all in the Dutch army, Yuri and Noa are engaged, and your names are Jaan and Sophie because you need to sound more Dutch. Now, keep your fucking mouths shut while you get dressed, because there's a safe car coming to pick us up in five minutes. You're going to get out of the pool and we're all going to get dressed." Noa did not know how this story convinced anybody of anything, but she was more than happy to go along with it.

"If one of the officers says 'Gefeliciteerd met jullie verloving!' That means 'congrats on the engagement.' Yuri and Noa respond with 'Hartelijk dank.' It means 'thank you.' Now everyone get the fuck out of the pool slowly, get dressed, keep your mouths shut, and follow my lead." Noa had promptly forgotten the Dutch phrases already and prayed that Yuri had not.

Everyone did as they were told. Ella continued talking the officers' ears off in Dutch while everyone collected their things. Yuri grabbed the bottle of Jenever and hid it under his coat while Noa and Alex shared the rest of the pizza. What felt like an eternity later but was realistically only five more minutes, a grey Ford Escape with tinted windows pulled up to the gate.

"Dank je," Ella shouted to the officers as she grabbed Alex's hand and ran to the vehicle. Note. Noa and Yuri followed behind, holding hands as well, like the fictional engaged couple they were. It was admittedly, a little weird. Ella sat up front and Noa sat between the two boys in the backseat. Such was her life.

"You all speak English?" Ella's cousin, the driver, asked with a mild Dutch accent. Noa knew him well. Everyone nodded.

"Great. Elsje? I'm going to kick your ass. What the hell are you doing out so late? It's nearly four in the morning."

Ella laughed and hugged him. "Good to see you too, Cousin, I've missed you."

Almost immediately, Alex passed out in the seat next to Noa.

Ella turned around, "Make sure he's breathing, okay?" She seemed stressed. Noa noted this too, as she reached over to check his pulse. It was strong. She nodded back at Ella, who did not turn away for the remainder of the drive.

Yuri was dropped off first and Noa second. Ella got out of the car to hug her goodbye. "Ella, just date him already," Noa whispered before walking into her apartment building, her world still spinning. Noa Yaron could handle some drama, after all.

Kapitein Johannes Berman III

Kapitein Johannes Berman III was woken up by a loud ringing sound. Despite his time in the army, he still had a difficult time waking up quickly: a trait his commanding officers have tried to train out of him to no avail. Groggy, he turned over in his bed, careful not to disturb Maartje, his three-year-old labrador.

Turning on his phone, he saw that it was half past three in the morning and an unknown number was calling.

"Hallo?" he questioned. This was his work phone, so he knew it had to be important.

"Hallo," a deep male voice replied in Dutch, "Is this Kapitein Johannes Berman?"

"Ja, that is me," Johannes mumbled, his eyes still closed.

"Ik ben Officier Daan Claasen met de politie. Sorry to bother you so late, Kapitein Berman, but we have just received noise complaints from four of your Tweede luitenanten. One of them gave your name and said you gave them permission to be out this late." Johannes was confused. All of his Tweede luitenanten should have been asleep hours ago.

"Who said this?" he asked, sitting up against his headboard. Maartje stirred so he gave her a pat on the head to settle her back down. He had no idea who the officer could possibly be speaking about.

"Her name is Elsje Goudstikker," the officer replied, "She said that you gave her and three others the night off from duty to celebrate two Tweede luitenanten getting engaged." Johannes now knew exactly who this was about and was going to kill his younger cousin.

"Oh, Ja, of course," Johannes gritted his teeth, "My congratulations to the happy couple. I'm sorry you got called over there so late and I'll be right over to come pick them up. Where exactly are they?"

Johannes hung up the phone before the officer could say "Dank je." He rubbed his tired eyes and climbed out of bed. Maartje opened her eyes when she felt him move but fell back asleep immediately. So much for a guard dog, thought Johannes. He put on a clean uniform and paired it with slippers. He hoped to God he wouldn't have to get out of his car. Still sleepy, he ran his head under a cold faucet–an old trick he had picked up when he himself was a Tweede luitenanten. Feeling much more alert, he grabbed his keys and drove the five minutes to a hotel he had never heard of to pick up his cousin.

There were very few people in the world that Johannes would wake up at three to get out of legal trouble, his younger cousin Ella being one of them. Despite being eight years older than her, he still fondly remembered the summers of their youth spent at their grandparents' house a few miles down the road. Johannes and the older Cornell siblings would splash around in the chilly North Sea waters before playing football together in their grandparents' tiny yard. As the eldest and the youngest in the group, he and Ella were always matched up against her siblings James and Ava. Even from a young age, Ella taught him to curse in a multitude of languages: their Grandfather knew Dutch, English, Hebrew, and a little Yiddish and German, and had a strict rule on cursing. However, Ella realized early on that if she kept adapting to her repertoire of words in other languages, then she would never actually get in trouble. Ella also came in handy that one summer in college Johannes had to take Spanish. Johannes never had any siblings, but spending the summers with his Amerikan cousins more than made up for it.

The closer he got to the hotel, the more nervous he got. As much as he loved Ella, she tended to hang out with the wrong crowds and often found herself in messy situations. Ella's choice of friends had never been the safe, comfortable option and this wasn't the first time he's had to bail her out. When she was sixteen and stayed here in the Hague over the summer, she was kicked out of a club for being too intoxicated. She had snuck out and hopped on a train to Amsterdam, took ecstasy for the first time, and nearly passed out due to dehydration. She had luckily written down Johannes' phone number across her arm, in case of emergency, and he was able to pick her up and get her back to their grandparents' house before anyone was the wiser. As smart as she was, some of her decision-making was well, questionable, at best. If she was really in trouble here and he couldn't get her out of it, he was not ready to explain that one to their grandparents. Their Opa was retired from the Dutch army and thus held Johannes to a very high standard. At the beginning of the summer before Ella had arrived, Johannes and his Opa had a very serious conversation about keeping Ella out of trouble, as if Johannes had any real authority on that matter.

After five of the longest minutes of his life, Johannes pulled up next to a police car outside of a hotel pool. Baruch Hashem, he thought when he saw Ella standing outside of the pool in all-black clothes with soaking wet hair. Behind her were three other people around her age: little Noa Yaron, and two boys who he had never seen before.

"Is everything alright?" he shouted to the officers while Ella and her friends climbed into the car. The officer came up to the car to shake his hand and Johannes apologized again for the nuisance and thanked him for looking out for his "Tweede luitenanten." The second the officer took a step back, Johannes drove out of there, as fast as was reasonable. Once he turned the corner, he sped off for a few minutes before pulling into an alleyway.

"You all speak English?" he asked Ella's three friends in the backseat. He would have spoken his native Dutch, but he heard them all conversing in English as they ran to his car. There were two blonde guys on either side with Noa in the middle. They all nodded. "Great," he replied, feeling a little annoyed that he had to pick up his cousin after a presumably drunken pool party, "Elsje? I'm going to kick your ass. What the hell are you doing out so late? It's nearly four in the morning."

Ella just laughed and hugged Johannes. "Good to see you too, Cousin, I've missed you." He was really, truly, going to kick her ass.

The blonde guy on the left, the taller of the two, had passed out in Johannes' backseat. Ella turned around, "Make sure he's breathing, okay?" She seemed stressed.

Noa checked his pulse and breath before nodding back at Ella, who sighed in relief.

Johannes spent the next ten minutes dropping off Noa and the awake boy in his backseat. Luckily, the Hague was a small city and there was no one on the roads, so he was able to make both drop-offs quickly. Ella never turned back around, still observing the passed-out boy. "Okay," Johannes sighed, "Do you know where he lives?" he asked Ella in reference to the blonde boy sleeping in his backseat.

"He's not from here," Ella informed him, "And I have no idea where he's staying–I found him at the restaurant."

"Oy, Gut in himmel," Johannes exclaimed, "You just went out partying and swimming with some boy you picked up at work? Ella, I–"

"You speak Yiddish now?" Ella exclaimed, "Mazel tov! Ikh bin–"

"Nope. We're not doing this."

"Sorry Johannes," Ella mumbled, "I didn't just meet him today, I swear. We used to be coworkers, actually. In England. I've known him for over a year."

"Oh," Johannes conceded, "Well that's fine then. So you worked together when you first got to Oxford and then ran into him here?"

Ella sighed. "Yes, Johannes."

"And the other boy?"

"He works with me at the restaurant. We've been friends all summer."

"I see," Johannes conceded, "So you just went swimming with Noa, a restaurant co-worker, and an old co-worker from England?"

"That's the 'working' theory," Ella stuck her tongue out. Johannes stopped the car in the middle of the road.

"Can you be serious for one minute, please?" he asked, exasperated, "I'm just trying to understand why I had to pick you up at four in the morning."

"I'm sorry, Johannes. Seriously. My friend and I had a rough day at work with all the trial stuff going on. Things were chaotic and we wanted to wind down. Noa and I were already supposed to hang out, so I invited my work friend along. Alex," she gestured at the guy, "Was bored visiting family and we all just wanted to let loose. Yeah, I agree we were stupid for going swimming after drinking. You have a right to be mad about that, but I promise I've known those three for longer than a day. Also," Ella began, "I really appreciate you coming to get us and covering for us. I owe you one."

Johannes sighed. "You don't 'owe me one,' Ella. You're family and that's what matters. I would rather you call me to get home safe than the alternative."

"Thank you," Ella smiled.

"However," Johannes began, "There is a difference between picking you up from a party because your ride home got drunk and using my status in the army to get you out of foolish legal trouble. You put me in a tough spot tonight, Ella."

Ella flinched. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Johannes bumped her arm with his fist. "Hey. It's okay. Just, next time you want to use me as your 'friend in high places' make sure it's for something better than a drunken pool party," he smiled. Ella managed a laugh. "So. What do we do about Sleepy?" Johannes asked, gesturing towards Alex.

A few minutes later, Johannes pulled into the driveway of his and Ella's grandparents' house. Neither of them knew where Alex was staying, so they figured the best thing to do was just to bring him back here. He could sleep in Ella's room so she could keep an eye on him.

Johannes carried Alex fireman-style through the house, careful not to wake up his grandparents. Johannes was many things, but a man with a death wish wasn't one of them. Ella helped turn Alex on his side once they reached her bed. "Are you guys going to be alright?" Johannes asked his cousin.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine," Ella said sleepily. Johannes could tell she was pretty drunk.

"Okay," he conceded. "I'm going to the restroom while you get ready for bed. I'll come back to check on you once you're done."

"I'm fine," Ella mumbled.

"Of course you are," Johannes said kindly. He left to go to the restroom and wash his face. On the way out, he grabbed the mostly empty bottle of Jenever and poured the remainder down the sink. Ella and Alex did not need to drink anymore tonight. He returned to Ella's bedroom five minutes later–with a glass of water and a couple of Advil–when he saw her already in bed, lying on her side. Johannes walked over to the left side of the bed, placed the empty bottle of Jenever on Ella's dresser, and sat down in Ella's desk chair.

"You feeling alright, Elsje?" he asked, using his cousin's nickname. He handed her the pills and the glass of water, which she took and drank quickly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, yawning, "Thank you again for covering for us. That could have been bad."

"Just please be more careful next time."

"I will, Johannes, I promise."

"Good. Now. I have a few burning questions if you don't mind."

"Okay," she said softly.

"Are you two dating?" he asked, gesturing towards Alex.

Ella groaned. "No, and I'm sick of people asking me that."

"Mmm, touchy," Johannes remarked.

"I just don't like my personal life being debated by everyone," Ella frowned.

"You know why I asked?" Johannes questioned.

"Because putting my love life in the spotlight is endless fun for the whole world?" Ella challenged.

"No," Johannes sighed, "Because even in the few minutes I've seen you two interact, I can tell you really care about him. You grabbed his hand when you ran to my car, even though you said your other two friends were the ones engaged. I don't believe that, though, there was no chemistry there," Johannes laughed.

"Yeah, they're both gay in the wrong direction," Ella chuckled, "You're really observant," she noted.

Johannes smiled. "Kind of my job," he shrugged, "But yeah. If you two weren't fake engaged or whatever, then why did you grab his hand while you were running?"

This caused Ella to pause. "I, uh, wow. We were both drunk and it's better to have a buddy so no one falls or anything."

"Sure, Jan. You buckled his seatbelt. Also, when he fell asleep in my backseat, you were noticeably worried. I thought you were going to jump into my backseat if Noa didn't check his breathing any faster. Even once she did, you never looked away from him."

"I would have done that for anyone in that backseat," Ella challenged, "Just because I don't want somebody to die doesn't mean I'm in love with them."

"I agree. And if that was all that had happened we wouldn't be having this conversation. Ella, when we were putting him into bed–your bed, might I add–you literally tucked him in and tousled his hair." Ella was quiet. "I'm not shaming you. There's nothing wrong with liking somebody. As your older cousin, I am simply telling you what I saw."

Ella mumbled something under her breath.

"What's that?" Johannes asked.

"I said there is something wrong with liking him. Which is why I don't and never will."

"Oh no, is he in a relationship?"

"It's complicated," Ella muttered.

"Okay, okay, I'll drop it. I'm just saying what I saw because I respect you. If you say there's nothing there, then I believe there's nothing there. However, if you want to talk about it, I'm always here for you, Elsje." Johannes did not believe Ella in the slightest, but for now, it was better to just let his cousin sleep. "Goodnight, Ella."

"Night," she whispered and fell asleep in seconds.

After Ella fell asleep, Johannes double-checked that both teenagers were still breathing. He noticed that Ella, while facing away from Alex, did not put a pillow or anything in between them on her bed. But that is none of my business, Johannes conceded.

He snuck out of Ella's room quietly and nearly ran right into his grandfather.

"Hallo, Opa," he said nervously.

"Is she safe?" Opa asked in Dutch, gesturing towards Ella's closed door.

"Ja, Opa, she's okay. She was out with Noa Yaron and needed a ride home." Johannes knew that telling the full truth to his grandfather would not go well for anybody. Johannes loved his grandfather, the original Johannes Berman, but he could be a little tough sometimes. Knowing that Johannes had bailed Ella out at nearly four in the morning by using his military status might cause an aneurysm.

"Dank je, mijn kleinzoon," Opa sighed, "She's a good girl but I worry about her."

"Me too," Johannes confessed, "But she'll be okay."

"I hope so," Opa replied. "Thank you for keeping her safe." Johannes smiled. "You want to stay the night, Johann?" Opa asked.

Johannes shook his head. "Thank you, Opa, but I need to get back to Maartje. I'm sure she's worried I'm gone." Opa nodded.

Shaking Johannes' hand, he said "Thank you again. Get home safely."

Johannes drove the four minutes home, thinking through the past hour of his life. It was weird, to say the least. When he finally got back to his house, he noticed that Maartje had not moved an inch since he had left. So much for a guard dog, he thought fondly.

Ella Cornell

"So you're telling me I shot a man, had like 12 shots of Jenever, went skinny dipping, and had the cops called on me all in one night?" Alex asks incredulously.

"That is precisely what I am saying," I smile.

"Well damn, Cornell, we need to hang out more often because that was a great night," I nudge his arm, keeping close, "Except for the whole you getting assaulted thing. That was fucked up."

"It was," I agree, "But I'm okay. I promise." More fucked up things have happened.

"Good. So what ended up happening after we got into your cousin's car? It really all went black after that."

"Yeah you passed out in his back seat," I laugh, "But anyways, we drove Yuri and Noa back to their residences and Johannes drove you and me back to our grandparents. We weren't sure where you were staying, so we just took you back to mine. To answer your questions: yes, Johannes is actually my first cousin and yes he's actually a Captain in the Dutch military. I knew he'd cover for me, no questions asked, so I gave the officers his number last night and he corroborated our story. He helped me carry you into my room and I passed out pretty quickly," I say quickly, giving Alex the Cliff Notes version of the end of the night.

"Do all of your nights out end like this?" Alex asks.

"Only the very best ones," I grin as we walk back up the steps of my grandparents' house. Alex has to pick up his clothes, and then I will walk him back to his hotel. It's already nearly 4:00, and I don't particularly need British intelligence to be mad at me.

I drop Alex off at his hotel, leaving him a few buildings away. I don't need to be picked up by any of the cameras, even though I have dyed hair and colored contacts.

I walk home slowly. I have a lot to think about–it has truly been a night. I yawn as I walk past Rebecca's. Thank god I don't have to work tonight. My head is heavy and I don't even know where to begin after last night.

I pull out my phone and text a group chat with three other people, telling them to meet me at Thee en Zand in half an hour. I have time to change, but not enough time to get interviewed by my grandmother, so I choose to slip in the window. I'm just hoisting myself in through the bathroom window–the easiest by far to sneak in through– when the bathroom door opens. It's my cousin Johannes. Upon processing me being halfway through the window, he begins laughing.

"What's so funny, Johannes?" Oma calls out. I bring a finger to my lips, quieting him.

He shakes his head at me. "Nothing, Oma," he yells back, "Nina just sent me a funny picture of Maartje." Nina is Johannes' teenage neighbor that he pays to walk his dog a few times per week. Johannes shuts the bathroom door behind him and helps me through the window. Not like I need the help or anything. He turns on the faucet to block out our noise. "Now what do we have here?" he grinned, "Sneaking back into the house to avoid Oma, aren't you?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"Yeah, you really are."

"Okay, fine. I just dropped Alex back off at his hotel, which I did not go anywhere near, for your information," I scowl, "Now I'm meeting up with Noa but I wanted to change first and maybe not answer fifty questions?"

"Yeah I can't argue with that," Johannes conceded.

"So why are you here anyway?"

"Since you escaped, I have been answering Oma's fifty questions about Alex," he shook his head, "I guess Opa told her I drove you guys home last night and she has decided to ask me everything. She knows she isn't getting anything from you."

"Yeah, yeah, you're the favorite, we all knew this, Johannes. Anyway, I really, really need to get out of here, so could you run interference for me, please? You can tell her I'm out with Noa. Please, Johannes? I owe you one."

"You say that a lot," he remarked.

"And I always deliver," I grin.

"I'll cover for you, but how do you plan on sneaking out of this bathroom?"

"Watch and learn, Johannes, watch and learn." I whip out my phone and FaceTime my younger brother, Christopher. He picks up immediately.

"What's up, Ellie?" I turn the phone around. "Hey, Johannes!"

"Hi Christopher," he waves.

"Anyways, Christopher, I'm in a bit of a bind. Can you do me a huge favor?"

Christopher rolls his eyes. "What now?" As the sibling I am closest to and the most agreeable Cornell sibling, Christopher has certainly been caught up in quite a few of my schemes.

"I need you to get Lili and call Oma. I need her distracted for a few minutes and I know you don't call her enough." Christopher looks sheepish through the phone.

"Yeah, I got you, Ellie. Tell me later, though."

"Of course. Bye, Christopher, thanks, Christopher!" I hung up the phone.

"That was devious," Johannes laughed, "Weaponizing some grandmotherly love."

"Well it's true, he doesn't call her enough."

We get cut off by my grandmother exclaiming "Christopher!" Were my methods questionable? Sure. But my results were undeniable and the worst thing I did was make my brother call his grandmother for the first time in weeks.

I took this as my window to leave and snuck out of the bathroom and into my room. I changed into olive green cargo pants and a vintage gray "Golden Earring" shirt. I don't know their catalog too well, but they do have some good music. Plus, I cannot wear American or English band shirts every day, and Golden Earring sure keeps me in character. I'm lacing up my docs when my phone lights up with a text message.

Johannes Cubed:

Oma just kicked me out lol, wants time to talk to your sibs. Can I come out with you tonight, or is it just girl time?

Me:

absolutely you're coming out tonight

meet you outside in 3

Johannes Cubed:

Need help sneaking out?

Me:

silly boy

If there's one thing I know how to do it's sneak out of this place. I open my bedroom window and climb out, landing in a deep crouch. I am very, very grateful for a first-floor bedroom. I sneak around the house, making sure my grandmother isn't looking. I find Johannes outside of the front door. "You're driving," I announce and begin directing him towards Thee en Zand.

I shoot off a quick text to my group chat with Noa, Fenna, and Oliver:

Me:

hey guys, just fyi Johannes will be coming too, so pls do not tell him about any "Revengers" shenanigans

I shut off my phone and focus on directing Johannes.

We arrive at Thee en Zand last, and Noa, Fenna, and Ollie greet Johannes. Noa is just putting the finishing touches on a pitcher of her favorite drink: Arak mixed with pomegranate juice with pomegranate seeds floating on top. It is refreshing and delicious. She poured five glasses for us and we all sat down at the same table as yesterday.

"How did you guys find this place?" Johannes asked.

"Yeah, a friend of Oliver and Fenna's owns it and they let them use the backroom when it isn't rented out," I explain and Johannes nods.

"So what's this little Council meeting about anyways? Or is this just a coincidence?"

"No such thing as coincidences," Noa and I say automatically and in unison.

"I hate it when you guys do that," Ollie shakes his head. Noa and I have been pretty much attached at the hip since she was born 7 months after me. Even though she grew up in Tel Aviv and I grew up in DC, I still consider her my best friend in the world. It's so good to spend the summer with her.

"Elsje has news," Fenna waggles her eyebrows.

"Oh," Johannes smiles, "Is she dating that guy?"

"That's the goal!" Fenna crows, and Noa and Oliver burst out laughing.

"I truly hate all of you," I declare, "New gag rule on my love life for the next thirty minutes."

Everyone protests at once:

Noa: "Well that's no fun."

Johannes: "I live alone with my dog, I need to get gossip from somewhere."

Oliver: "I finally support this one though."

Fenna: "Fine, but I'm counting down to the exact second."

I sigh. "Okay, let's get this started. Johannes, you are the only one who doesn't know this yet, but I do have some non-love life news to share about Alex. But first," Oliver hands me the picture frame from last night and I prop it up on the table so everyone can see it. It's tradition, and it's the only reason I know any of these lovely people.

Eight young soldiers, all in their early twenties. Eight young soldiers in 1988, getting ready for a years-long Cold War intelligence mission. I'm still not allowed to know the details, but what I do know is how much I love this singular photograph.

Of these eight soldiers from America, England, Israel, Australia, and the Netherlands, there were three future generals (including the future head of AIVD), two future MI6 special operations agents, the future heads of ASIS and Mossad, and the current second-in-command at the CIA.

My father, John Cornell, is in the middle. He looked so young and healthy–this was way before his leg injury–and his bright green eyes were noticeable even in the old photograph. This was back when he first joined the Green Berets, judging by his uniform. To his left was the late and great General Edward Baker. To John Cornell's right were none other than a pair of brothers: John and Ian Rider, as well as a man named Ethan Brooke. To Edward's right were three other men: Ira Yaron and Generaals Johannes Berman II and Hendrick Van Dijk.

Virtually everyone that I trust is in this picture or descended from this picture. Operation Piper, it was called. Eight young soldiers went in, and eight slightly older soldiers came back. The eight men had become so close over their three years together that they still met up once or twice each year to catch up. Down the road, they all (except for Ian) got married and brought their children around for these gatherings. It was a tight-knit group, and until I was about 12 years old, they were the only friends I ever knew. Living in my world, trust is a currency, but I know that I can trust these people without even thinking. I would do anything for them and they would do anything for me.

Let me explain. There were seven original Piper families: The Cornells, the Riders (John and Ian count as one), the Bermans, the Yarons, the Bakers, the Van Dijks, and the Brookes. Twice each year, the men would pick a different location to spend a week together–it was one of the few family vacations we ever actually went on. The kids played while the wives watched, and the eight Piper Men essentially had a G8 summit. After the success of Piper, many of them had been propelled into positions of power across the (mostly Western) world, and these twice-yearly meetings were to keep everybody on the same page in a friendly setting.

The families have gotten more and more intermingled by now, so I'll try and lay it out as simply as possible, starting easy:

Ira Yaron is the husband of Esther Rosenthal Yaron, and father of Roee(21), Noa(18), and Oren(18) Yaron. At the time of Piper, he was the youngest–in his second year in the IDF. After his mandatory service concluded, he became a Kidon (assassin) for Mossad. He worked his way through the ranks and is now the head of Caesarea (Mossad's assassination division). Ester worked as a medic in the IDF for years before switching to training medics after her children were born. Roee is following in his father's footsteps: joining Caesarea after finishing his Conscription. The twins, Noa and Oren, are adjusting to their first year in the IDF.

Ethan Brooke is the husband of Charlotte Brooke and the father of Danny Brooke(20). He serves as the current director of the Covert Action Division of ASIS. Before that, he was a lieutenant colonel in the Australian Commandos until he was blinded by an unfortunately placed land mine in East Timor. Compared to her husband. Charlotte was so very normal. They had met when she was taking a Braille class with her younger brother and hit it off immediately. In her day to day, Charlotte works as an accountant. Danny is entering his third year at the University of Sydney studying Politics and International Relations with plans to become a diplomat one day.

Hendrick Van Dijk is the husband of Anneliese Van Dijk and the father of Adriaan(deceased), Sem(26), and Fenna Van Dijk(25). Hendrik is a generaal in the Dutch army with no interest in the intelligence field. Anneliese was a model when she was younger and is still involved in the industry today. Fenna fully planned on following in her mother's footsteps and even did some modeling work in her late teens until her brother Adriaan was murdered by Scorpia on a mission with AIVD. Fenna joined AIVD for a little while before deciding it was too structured and went off on her own. With her mother's looks and her father's violent streak, she became a weapon. She and Oliver finally got together at the 2015 rendition of Piper, after seemingly years of will they/won't they (I've been predicting it since 2013). Sem, on the other hand, is nothing like his family. He just graduated from medical school at the University of Amsterdam last month. He doesn't plan to be a military doctor, much to his father's dismay, and instead wants to lead a quiet life as an Anesthesiologist.

Edward Baker was the husband of Louise and the father of Oliver(26) and Clara Baker(20). Edward started out in the SAS and eventually moved up the ranks to general. General Baker died young–three years ago–from an aggressive cancer in his stomach. Louise is a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of East London. Oliver did his degree at the school his mother teaches at, though he studied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. He finished his degree in 3 years and joined the SAS for a year before getting recruited to the CIA for an internship for another 2 years. Once he returned to England, when he was 24, he rejoined the SAS for a few months until his father got sick. Oliver stayed with his dad until he passed, about a year ago. Since then, he tagged along on some of Fenna's odd jobs before finding his own path essentially as a mercenary for different governments. Clara is studying to be a professor as well, at the University of Surrey, though her interests lie in music theory much to the protests of her parents.

Johannes Berman II is the husband of Hana Berman and the father of Johannes Berman III(27). Both Johannes Bermans are in the Dutch Army: II is a generaal and III is a kapitein. III is happy to follow in his father's footsteps. Hana owns a little Jewish bakery in Rotterdam and makes the best Rugelach you have ever tasted.

My father, John Cornell, is the husband of Michelle Berman Cornell (yes, he married his friend's sister) and the father of James(22), Ava(20), Ella(19), Christopher(15), and Lilia(12). You know us already, but some quick updates on everybody: Ava is interning in the CIA's cryptography department that my mom runs (though Ava totally deserves the internship) and she has two years left in her Computer Science Degree at American. James just graduated from American with an Economics major and started full-time as a field agent. He is really quite bad at field work and is basically there to boost my father's ego, but that's none of my business. Christopher is entering his junior year of homeschooling, and Lilia is entering 7th grade. As the youngest Piper kids by far, they have never been quite as involved. My dad is the second-in-command at the CIA after his injury and still texts me weekly telling me to come home. I, Ella, just finished my first year at Oxford studying Modern Languages and Linguistics. Don't ask me what I want to do with my life, because that's between me, my academic advisor, and God.

The Riders consist of the late John and Ian. John and his wife, Helen Beckett Rider had one son: Alex Rider(19). John and Helen died when their son was an infant, leaving him in the care of John's brother, one Ian Rider. Both John and Ian met untimely fates working in the Special Operations division of MI6, causing the remaining Rider family (Alex) to no longer attend Piper events. Ever since I met Alex, I've wanted to introduce him to Piper, but there hasn't been a proper time.

"What news could you possibly have about Alex?" Johannes questions.

"His full name is Alex Rider," I pause for effect, "As in, son of John, nephew of Ian."

Johannes' eyes bug out of his head. "You mean to tell me you met Alex Fucking Rider randomly?"

"Well, 'randomly' is a strong word probably," I confess, "The real story about that is that right when I got to Oxford I got arrested like, the next day…" I'm interrupted by Noa laughing. She's the only one who knows this story. "Anyways, I had just moved in like 18 hours before and they searched my dorm and found a couple of fake passports. They handed me over to MI6 since they suspected I was a spy–wouldn't that be crazy?"

It's probably time I tell you that the only ones here who know about my CIA ties are Noa and Oliver and I plan to keep it that way. The number of people who know I'm the CIA's Princess are my immediate family; Joe Byrne; the CIA gadgets guy; Mrs. Jones and probably John Crawley; Noa (my best friend), as well as her dad (my dad's best friend); Oliver (he basically is immediate family); and, to an extent, Alex Fucking Rider. My extended family thinks my parents have desk jobs in the government, but know nothing more, not even Johannes (any of them). I was really fucking serious when I said the CIA didn't brag about me.

"Anyways, somehow they found my dad since he works in the government, and they interrogated me for a bit. They realized I was nobody, but were impressed by my language-speaking abilities. They sent Alex and me into the field for a couple weeks with me as his translator, and we have crossed paths a couple of times since. I've gotten to know him decently well, but yesterday was the first time I told anybody besides my dad who he actually was."

"Wow that…is a lot," Johannes shakes his head, "I'm guessing you three already knew?" he says, gesturing towards Noa, Fenna, and Oliver.

"I told them last night after they met Alex." Johannes nods again.

"Well, at least you know you have finally found someone your father will approve of," Fenna teases me.

I look down at my phone. "Fenna, it's literally been ten minutes."

"And what else is there to say before we get to that? His last name is Rider, we will talk to everyone about the situation at the next Piper event a few weeks from now, and go from there." This seems logical to me so I nod. "Furthermore," Fenna begins, "You two need to just date already."

"Can you seriously drop it?" I am getting annoyed.

"Hey–" Oliver starts but is cut off by Fenna.

"I seriously cannot," Fenna challenges, "I'm just saying what I saw. That boy cares about you and you care about him too. Why the hell not try?"

"Fenna, please stop it," I beg.

"Not a chance," she smiles all wide and toothy.

"I have literally not even considered that possibility until yesterday when everyone was shoving this whole thing down my throat!" I exclaim, "And if anyone here wants to make a joke about 'shoving things down my throat,' remember that I am trained in three martial arts. I seriously do not understand why you all won't just drop this," I'm practically shouting at this point and know I need to calm down. I take a deep breath before getting out of my chair and walking up the stairs without saying a word. I need to go outside and cool off. I need to get out of here.

"Someone's defensive," Fenna mutters and I freeze. It takes every cell in my body to not turn around. I'm fuming mad and I need to get the hell out of here.

I go outside and sit on the same bench as last night. I know that either Noa or Oliver, though more likely the former, will be sent out to assess the situation in a few minutes. I put my head in my hands. Deep breath in through my nose. Four seconds. Out through my mouth. Four seconds. I repeat this cycle a few more times until my head is a lot clearer. I need to stop getting so mad so easily, but this old military breathing exercise my therapist taught me does actually help. Maybe she is right after all.

A minute later, Noa exits Thee en Zand. She walks over and sits next to me on the bench, "Thought I'd find you here. How are you doing, Ellie?"

"Less pissed than I was five minutes ago," I shrug.

"Well that's good," Noa nods, "Fenna needs to stop taking things so far. I know we were all teasing you about Alex, but she is such a conflict-escalator."

"Then she should work for the US Military," I mumble and Noa laughs.

"Yeah, last night, she is the reason Tai blew up too. When you, Oliver, and Alex went to clean up after the mission, Fenna was grilling us all about what we thought of Alex. I hadn't spoken to him much at that point so I didn't say anything, and you already know that Yuri wasn't there to gossip," I nod, "Anyways, she kept baiting Tai about how you moved on from him so quickly and just generally challenging him about what he did to you."

"Are you serious?"

"100%. Obviously, Tai is an adult and chose to react poorly, but Fenna absolutely was the reason that situation blew up."

I sigh. "I love Fenna to death, but she really, really needs to leave people the hell alone."

"Agreed," Noa pauses, "So how are you really?"

"I'm okay, I just needed to get out of there and calm down." Noa nods, "And I'm honestly not dating Alex or anybody. I truthfully had never even considered the possibility until yesterday when Ollie started interrogating him. He's a great guy. I've seen that firsthand. We're absolutely friends, but I still don't know him super well."

"How do you know him?" Noa asks, "Because I do feel like I'm missing a large part of this story. Hell, I didn't even know Alex existed until yesterday and you've known him a year."

"Yeah, yeah. You can't tell anybody though, because no one else knows the full and complete story. Actually, can we go somewhere more private than this?" My eyes dart around. I don't want to be overheard. Noa nods, and the two of us sneak down to the weapons arsenal, careful to not be heard by Johannes, Oliver, and Fenna.

"Go on," Noa prompts. She's my best friend in the world and it's weird I haven't told her this yet. We tell each other everything, but I guess I just wanted to keep this one to myself for a little while.

'Okay, so you know the whole 'setting a rapist on fire and getting arrested' piece of this story," I begin. Noa nods, "Well, they found my fake passports in my dorm. There were actually like 20, not 2 like I told Johannes. Anyways, after that, they sent me over to MI6. I'm assuming they reached out to the CIA and were like 'Who the fuck is this' and either Byrne or my dad told them. MI6 then threatened me: if I didn't go on a mission for them, they wouldn't give my passports back and they made some other threats about outing my family for using me as an agent and throwing me in jail."

"That's beyond messed up," Noa shook her head.

"Yeah well, this is why I hate intelligence agencies. Long story short, Alex and I were sent on a mission together in Texas. We were investigating this elementary school and had to wait a few weeks before moving down there since the school year started later. I crashed on Alex's couch for a few days–it was Ian's same house which was very very weird–and then they sent us to go train with the SAS."

"Oof," Noa said, "I'm sure that was lovely for you."

"Yeah, you know how much I love male-dominated military camps," Noa laughed, "We literally were there for a day before we got kicked out."

"I can only imagine."

"Yeah, we were all eating dinner together and a guy grabbed me. I broke his nose and Alex grabbed my hand and we booked it out of there. I showered and we sat on the porch for a little while before the guy came back and Alex punched him out. We burned down his cabin as revenge and were kicked out immediately and shipped off to America early," Noa is quiet, "Back to the mission, our cover was that we were married and I was pregnant, just to throw people off. So we lived together for two weeks–we shared a room in this apartment but we each had a twin bed on either side so it's not like we slept together at night. We mostly just chilled and I taught him some Arabic. We had to pretend to be a couple for a couple of days at the school before our cover was blown. Long story short, I broke my ankle and went to the ER for surgery. Both Alex and my dad–who was being a complete and utter asshole–were there and Alex was so sweet. He was so caring and held me while I cried and was the best fake husband I could ever ask for and even the Nurse said he liked me and oh my God why am I not dating Alex," I put my head in my hands, "Fuck…"

Noa is genuinely doubled over laughing at this point. "I'm going to need you to fuck off please," I grumble at her.

"Is now a good time to tell you 'I told you so?'" Noa smiles innocently, "This was like, completely obvious to me without all of the added context. You're kind of thick-headed, you know that?"

"Rude," I say but my mind is elsewhere, "Noa there's even more."

Noa grabs my shoulders, "Tell me," she laughs.

"He's like, definitely called me pretty before. And I've called him good-looking too, shit," Noa starts laughing again, "He's always been so sweet and caring and we spoke about our past relationships and oh my god he's always like, tucking my hair behind my ears and last night during the mission it was basically a movie moment. NOA, HE CARRIED ME TO THE CAR! I'm genuinely going to throw up." I am freaking out right now and Noa's laughing is not helping.

"No you're not," Noa is still giggling.

"What's so funny anyways?"

"You with a crush is extremely funny, that's all," Noa beams.

"Who said I had a crush?"

"Okay, okay," Noa concedes, "You go home and think on this one and text me what you decide."

"And I'll decide I don't have a crush on Alex or anyone." Noa shrugs.

Noa Yaron

Noa's phone buzzed about an hour after she got back to her apartment. She had just finished taking a shower and put on a pomegranate-scented facemask.

Ella Cornell, 11:57pm

i think you're right

:(

Noa had never called somebody faster in her life.

Longest chapter yet! What do you think about all our new friends?