Chapter 47

Jolene

Kristen and Lee went down to the firing range. Lee stood back and watched as she was firing. Technically, she was doing everything right, except she appeared to be concentrating too hard and stiffening up as she was firing. Given the fact that her first time firing on an assignment she killed a terrorist, this reaction was not unexpected. He tried recommending breathing and a few other techniques but nothing was working. He then remembered what Alex told him about her when she was younger, before all the bullying in high school, singing made her happy and relaxed.

"I think the problem is that you've still over-thinking and stiffening up." Lee said.

"I'm a woman, we all over-think." She responded. Lee had to chuckle, she wasn't wrong as all the Amanda rambles he'd experienced had proved.

"Listen, you helped me so much with Jamie, I'm going to return the favor with some advice. Excuse my French, but f— those girls in high school. Look at what you've accomplished. You are miles ahead of the rest of the trainees in your class, even Amanda says that. Those girls in high school are probably married to jerks or working some miserable entry level jobs, meanwhile you are living out the life you've always wanted. At 22 you moved across the country where you knew no one and started a career. This job found me, but you chased it. I'm saying this because I'm going to recommend something unusual. Alex told me that singing used to make you relax." He could see her stiffening already. "Don't worry, I'm not going to recommend you belt out show tunes in the firing range, although I have no doubt it would be likely be impressive. However, do you often have an ear worm or music in your head?"

"Yeah, all the time."

"Ok, what is a song, even just the chorus, that you know by heart without even thinking about it? What's going through your head today?"

"Today? Jolene by Dolly Parton." Kristen said, it had been rolling around in her subconscious all day.

"Okay, start singing it to yourself when you're about to fire, just in your head. Let that song block out all the other noise."

Kristen readied herself. Then she let the music take charge: Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeene, I'm begging of you, just don't take my main. She fired at the target. Second ring. She continued with the song in her bead. Second ring closer, first ring, first ring, first ring, direct hit, direct hit. "Holy shit!" It worked.

"Do it again, singing and music come naturally to you. Think of it like your super power or secret weapon."

"It used to be," she said. "I really miss the way it used to make me feel."

"I think it still has that effect. When you were singing at our wedding, there was such joy on your face. Ask anyone who was there, you were in your element. Don't let some bitches in high school who were clearly jealous of you take that away. Try it again."

She readied herself, aimed and sang to herself. She had the best firing session she'd ever had. Leatherneck walked up.

"Damn, girl. I think you figured it out."

"I think I found my super power again." Kristen smiled. She'd taken for granted all she had accomplished. Lee was right, f*** those girls. "Thank you, Lee."

- SMK -

Meanwhile, the CIA Field Director for DC was in agreement with the plan in theory, however, they all agreed several pieces had to be put in place first. They would need the cooperation of the Professors from Caltech to provide some research material that was close enough to the real thing to fool anyone looking at it , but essentially worthless. Over the next few of weeks, Kristen, Amanda and Lee worked with Caltech and the Professors for their assistance in providing this material. They had discussed that Brody was still out there and had a buyer. If they were going to keep the real material from being stolen again by Brody, they needed their help. The Professors all eventually agreed but it would take a little time to produce what they needed.

During the next couple weeks, Kristen continued to work on her skills at the firing range. Her scores continued to improve. Little pieces of her that were lost were starting to return.