Chapter 4

What a ride for Efraim Beamon. Just a few days ago, it had been his worst day ever. He'd gone to Nedlingers to get drunk. He had no idea he'd actually meet someone. Phyllis had tomboyish short, dark hair, and a rough yet carefree look. She had a slight middle eastern accent which she attributed to her Iranian parents who moved to the U.S. when she was a child. She was young, willful, and full of life.

After that first meeting, they'd returned back to his apartment where they'd made love. She talked of standing up for what you believe in and never letting anyone push down your ideas. She spoke of the revolution and how society needed to change. Her willful, unhindered demeanor excited him. He explained how his life was so different from hers and his frustration at work. While leaving out details, he explained there was a co-worker who constantly belittled him in front of superiors and made him feel like his contributions were worthless This guy always seemed to be the hero in every situation and he'd had enough of it.

"Maybe it's time for a change," she'd said. "Time to break the chains and put this guy in his place. Make him suffer as you do it."

Since that night, those words had been ringing in his ears. He and Phyllis had been meeting up the last few evenings after work. He would get a table in the back where Phyllis would meet him. They have a few drinks and usually head over to his place. For the first time in months, Efraim was excited about his future. Now, today he'd been able to participate in a successful rescue of an asylum-seeker from Russia, who'd been taken from Russia against his will and used the Comrade Tolst. The sting allowed them to locate Tolst and apprehend him. Maybe his luck was turning around. He returned to the office to even better news, a message from Phyllis. He immediately returned her call.

"Hi, Sweetie. I heard you called?" Efraim cheerfully said over the phone.

"Hey Baby," Phyllis seductively whispered into the phone, "it's good to hear your voice. I was thinking, how about we meet somewhere new tonight. Somewhere a little more fun. Nedlingers is so dull.."

Efraim's heart leapt Wow, she was really into him.

"Of course," he said. "Where do you want to meet?

"It's a place called Lincoln's Lounge. It's on 6th Street, a few blocks from the Capitol Building. I'll grab a table in the back. Meet you around 8:30?"

"I can't wait." Efraim breathed. How could it be that his luck changed so much in just a few days.

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After an afternoon of celebrating with Zhmed, Kristen was feeling great. She went back to the office to share with Tony, William and Jackie, and the other freshman candidates. She recounted the events of the day to them, excited after her first real assignment.

"I can't believe your first real assignment turned into a rescue of a defector and capture of a known KGC agent." Tony said. "That's crazy."

"Meanwhile, I was on a stakeout with Duffy," said William. "That guy has no personality. Not to mention NOTHING happened. We sat there for hours. It was torture." Everyone laughed along with him.

"So, Beamon was part of the mission too, right?" Said Jackie

"Yeah," Kristen explained. "He drove the car that blocked the Russian Embassy limo so Zhmed could jump into the car with Amanda and I."

"Did she bake him some cookies beforehand?" William joked about Amanda.

"Actually, she's pretty cool," said Kristen. "Yeah, she has kids, but there's a lot more to her. She chased down the limo in a meter maid car earlier in the day. It was pretty badass." Kristen felt the needed to shed the Boy Scout mom only image of Amanda. Kristen genuinely liked her and felt she could learn from both Amanda and Lee.

"Kristien?" The receptionist came up to the group. "You have a call on line 3."

"Ok." Kristen responded, picking up a phone next to the group. "Kristen Adler" she answered.

"Hey girl," Kristen recognized the voice of her roommate, Tess. "Some of us are going out tonight. Come join us. We're going Lincoln's Lounge around 9:00." Kristen recognized this haunt as a regular for a lot of the younger DC crowd and she'd been there before with Tess. It was always a good time and the chance to meet some new people.

"Great. I'll meet you there!" Kristen replied excitedly.

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It was such a great afternoon as they enjoyed cheeseburgers and milkshakes, listening to Zhmed chatter about his excitement at being in the U.S. After lunch, Billy met with his contact at the State Department to fill them in on the capture of Comrade Tolst with Zhmed Doorlof's assistance. He returned with the good news that Zhmed would be accepted in the Defector's Relocation Program. They would provide him some temporary housing while they assisted him with finding a job and a place to live. With Zhmed's skills, there was already some talk of interest by NASA. If that played out, he would likely move to Houston, which excited Zhmed. He joked he could become a real cowboy like Maverick.

Between the all-nighter last night and the excitement of the day, Amanda was finding it hard to keep her eyes open. Lee told her to eat light as he had a surprise for her at his place. Amanda made herself comfortable lying on the couch while he prepared a meal. He set up a chafing dish on the table with a salad and his world famous frittatas.

She read a magazine and felt herself getting drowsy. The easiness she felt at his apartment made her feel especially relaxed so soon she drifted off to sleep.

She felt herself being awakened by a soft kiss. She opened her eyes to find Lee smiling down on her. Damn, those dimples made her heart race every time.

"I may be sleepy, but I'm not dead." She said to him. He chuckled and leaned in and kissed her again. She reached up to pull him closer and deepened the kiss. Their tongues explored as the kiss became more passionate.

Lee pulled back. "Uh oh," he said. "Better check on the frittatas." He gentled caressed her face as the stood up. Amanda felt invigorated and stood up to follow him to the dining room.

"Let's try these frittatas," she said as she walked up behind him, grabbing his behind and pressing up against his ear. "Then maybe some dessert." She teased. Lee turned to face her, his eyes twinkling."

"I love dessert," he grinned devilishly.

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The afternoon dragged while Efraim watched the clock. He left the agency at 6:00 so he had time to get home and take a shower before meeting Phyllis.

When he walked into the bar, he noticed it was rather dark. There were a few groups of young DC professionals around the bar. A much younger crowd than Nedlingers. On the opposite side of the bar were tables pushed back away from the main part of the bar and a much more intimate. He spotted Phyllis sitting at a table nursing a drink. She looked up and smiled at him. Efraim made his way to the table. As he approached, she stood and greeted him with a kiss. She had her usual air of youth which is probably why she chose this bar.

"It's good to see you." She said, "you look pretty happy today."

"I had a good day today," he smiled, "but it's even better now."

Phyllis smiled and took his hand.

"How about that guy at work, still an asshole?"

"Not too bad today. We worked together on a," he paused, "a project. We actually collaborated decently. Great outcome."

"Will he still get all the praise?" She seemed to almost be fishing.

"Yeah," Efraim explained trying to steer away from details, "but to be honest it was his project, so I don't mind. How about you today?" Trying to change the subject.

"My day was good," she said, "but I want to hear more about you. Tell me about your work and that guy you hate. I'm great at revenge." She said with a devious grin.

Efraim looked a bit concerned. Was she probing him? Was there something she wanted? For the first time, something felt off. For a split second he was going to ask, but he was so afraid if he said something he'd scare her away. This was the first woman in months who seemed to genuintely wanted to be with him. Get over if, Efraim! He told himself and just brushed it off.

"I'm just kidding," Phyllis joked back, clearly recognizing the concern on this face. "I'm just glad you had a good day."

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A few minutes after 9:00 Kristen entered the bar and looked around. Tess waved at her to come over. Kristen had only met Tess, very fortuitously, after moving to DC. She recalled their first meeting in a bar just around the corner.

It was late June, and Kristen had been looking for an apartment. It was clear she was not going to find a place to rent on her own and be in a decent area. After one particularly horrible interview for an apartment that turned out to be a closet for rent by a middle aged woman who smoked 2 packs a day and had an obsession with birds. Nothing like a windowless room with the smell of bird shit and cigarettes. She stopped off at a bar near the Capitol where a number of the young aides to the various Senators and Congressmen came after work to let off some steam.

She sat at the bar and ordered a whiskey sour, her drink of choice, when a young woman with dark hair passed behind her shouting at some drunken twenty-something, "Dude, no means no. How many times do I have to say I'm not interested."

"Come on, Baby" the inebriated yuppie bellowed. "You know how playing hard to get just turns me on."

Oh hell no! Kristin thought. After the day she'd had, some overconfident drunk jackass harassing a woman was too much. She flipped around on her stool and yelled, "Are you deaf? She said she's not interested."

"Who the hell are you?" He looked at her up and down. "Or are you begging for it, Blondie?"

"No, thank you. I don't date trolls." Kristen snapped back. The dark haired girl smiled and crossed her arms, clearly amused. "Go find a bridge somewhere."

"Oh you love it," he spat out at her. "You uptight bitches just want to be teases. How about I take you out back and show you what a real man is."

"How about you back off or go to jail for threatening a federal agent." Kristen pulled out her badge. This was the first time she whipped out her badge like that, and in this situation, it was so satisfying.

"Whoa," he backed up. "I was just joking. We're cool here." Kristen smiled as he turned around and left.

The young woman turned to Kristen, "That was the best thing I've seen in months," she laughed. "You totally shredded that asshole. Hi, I'm Tess."

"Kristen. Nice to meet you."

"Are you seriously a federal agent?" Tess looked impressed.

"Well, Freshman candidate in training. Actually, I don't think I'm supposed to do that, but I don't think he's gonna tell anyone." Kristen laughed, "and it felt so good."

"I think I owe you drink," Tess said.

"I could use one," Kristen replied, "It's been a rough day."

"Bad day at Secret Agent School?" Tess joked.

"No, terrible day trying to find a place to live," Kristen explained. "I've been in a short term rental and it's way too expensive. I can't seem to find anything decent."

"You're kidding, right?" Tess asked incredulously. "I was about to take out an ad for a roommate. My last one just got fired from Senator Fitzgerald's office and I hate living alone. I live in Georgetown, so it's been tough because the metro doesn't go there."

"No way, really?" Kristen gaped, "My office is actually in Georgetown."

"This is too weird," Tess said. "The condo actually belongs to my father, however, I rent out the extra room."

"I believe this might be fate," Kristen laughed. "I'm a clean person, pay my bills on time, and unless you can't stand listening to Duran Duran or have a problem with my Rob Lowe obsession, I swear I'm a normal person."

"I think we just became best friends," Tess jumped up on the stool next to her and the two spent the evening getting to know each other. The next day, Kristen moved into the condo..

From that day forward, Kristen and Tess had become not only roommates, but the best of friends. Tess understood that Kristen needed to keep her cover as an assistant producer at a film company. In exchange, Tess doled out all the dirt she picked up as a Senior Aide to Senator Lautenberg.

"Hey," Tess called and walked up to give Kristen a hug. Both women worked long hours so even though they were roommates they did not get to spend a great deal of time together. "Glad you made it."

"So glad you called me," Kristen smiled. "I had an amazing day."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you more later." Kristen chirped."For now, I need a drink."

"Oh yeah," Tess said walking over and smacking her hand on the bar, "Davey, get Kristen a whiskey sour. The girl needs to celebrate" she yelled. Kristen loved how loud and boisterous Tess could be. Truly the life of the party.

Tess took the drink and handed it to Kristen, then held up her own, "Cheers! To the two hottest bitches in DC!." Tess laughed.

"Here, here." Kristen replied taking a drink. She looked around the room. Over in the corner she thought she recognized someone. She moved to get a closer look.

"Holy shit!" Kristen told Tess, recognizing Efraim Beamon. "That's my supervisor over there."

"Where?" said Tess, looking around.

"The guy over there with the glasses. The one sitting with that girl in the jeans and brown jacket at the table in the back"

"You mean that nerdy-looking guy?" Tess said. "Huh, well if he's at one of those back tables he's gettin' serious. That's the 'don't bother me' section. He may be getting lucky later."

"Eww, I did NOT need to know that" Kristen laughed. "He's been acting really strange at work lately. He's actually seemed pretty happy the last few days, so you may actually be right… and I may need another drink to clean out that image you've planted in my brain"

"I guess you know why he's so happy. He's getting some from the rebel girl." Tess laughed.

"Oh my God," Kristen burst out laughing. "You are such a bad influence."

"Yes I am!" Tess said proudly as the two walked over to a group of other friends.

After a couple drinks and some laughs with friends, Kristen turned to Tess. "I need to hit the little girl's room. Back in a minute."

"Ok, you want another drink?"

"No, I'm good for now. I won't want to get up tomorrow if I have another." Kristen laughed to her friend.

She made her way back into the ladies room. When she entered, the woman sitting with Efraim Beamon was at the sink. She had an intense look on her face as she washed her hands. She pulled a couple paper towels and pushed by Kristen without a word.

Well, that was rude, Kristin thought. Beamon sure did not have high standards when it came to manners in the women he dates. Whatever.