This arrangement isn't working out. That's the first thing that came to mind the moment I opened my eyes and realized my body ached like I was run over by a truck. I could blame it on my recent injuries, but I know the real reason. Back when I was in the academy I could sleep in a chair and wake up renewed, but the moment you're getting close to thirties things drastically change. In other words, I slept wrong and now my day is ruined.
Tasha was nowhere to be found, which is nice and she also made breakfast. Something I really appreciate. My friends usually ransack my pantry or put their best puppy eyes for me to cook, but Tasha not only brought her own groceries she also cooked.
The paid leave would last two weeks, two entire weeks that left me with nothing to do but to pace around the apartment while talking to fish Bob. The little creature showed no signs of understanding or caring whatsoever, but that didn't make me stop. If I'm paying for his food the least he can do is lend me an ear.
"I'm going insane. There's nothing to do here." Fish Bob bobs at me, he's probably hungry again. A quick look at the fish tank made me realize that was not the case, but maybe he needs the tank cleaned again. No, I know that's not the case.
"May I come in?" Tasha politely asked.
"I gave you keys for a reason, there's no need to ask for permission when you already said you were coming."
"I'm trying to respect your boundaries."
"Sure, but you're blowing your own cover by doing that." Over the past few days Tasha has been coming often since Patrick and Maggie can't take their hands off each other. She cooks, cleans after herself and watches TV with me, but we rarely speak.
"You're right. Speaking of my cover, what should I say when they ask me personal questions about our relationship?"
"No clue, I always say it's none of their business." I shrug and mindlessly turn on the TV. Five minutes ago I felt there was nothing good on the TV, but now Tasha is here it sounds like a good idea.
***
"I don't understand, why are you putting him under my charge?" Agent Hale respectfully asked the director.
"This was your investigation and I don't want other agents thinking I favor Bob in any way."
"He defeated an entire criminal band on his own, saved an agent and arrested over twenty people. Not just that, they had medium level items and... we barely provided cover fire. Why would an agent like that follow me? He can snap me like a twig!" Hale admitted swallowing his pride.
"He doesn't know." The director said in a whisper.
"Huh?"
"I have the report of what happened according to his perspective. Apparently, our agents wore them out with magic and he just seized the opportunity."
"They had magic barriers."
"I know, but he still believes you did most of the job. He also says he was only able to defeat them because they were 'magicians' and 'didn't know how to take a punch'."
"That's ridiculous! Those guys were tough mercenaries that gave us trouble the moment they regained consciousness. Even my agents had trouble keeping them in line. Plus, he defeated a swordsman..." As agent Hale spoke the director limited herself to bobbing her head up and down.
"And that is why we need to keep it as an absolute secret. If he finds out this is abnormal we'll lose him."
"So you want me to keep that beast on a leash?"
"There's no need to put it in such words. I just need you to keep an eye on him and make sure he puts his abilities where they can make a difference."
"Did you want to see me?" Nora walked in with a thin folder and the director gestured her to take a seat.
"This brings me to the next subject. I heard you recruited this agent promising her that she would become a field agent if she took part on the sting operation."
"I just did what needed to be done." The director shook her head then addressed Nora. "I'm sorry to inform you, but you can not become a field agent."
"I did my job, I put my life at risk!"
"I know and you may think this is unfair, but you're not ready. Agent Hale knew this and still went ahead and sent you into a dangerous situation which is why I'm writing him up. You, on the other hand, did a good job and in the meantime I'll put you on the new division along under agent Bob."
"Thank you, director, I won't disappoint you." Nora went from believing she was being punished to getting promoted and could barely keep her excitement to herself.
"As for you, Hale, I'm disappointed in the way you conducted yourself. You're dismissed." The director submerged herself into reading the mismatched reports she received. She knew exactly what Hale tried to do when he regrouped the agents. He wanted Bob to get himself killed so the blame wouldn't fall on him and that was the precise reason why she placed Bob under him.
From the outside it looked like the director wanted Bob to gain more experience from his senior, but in reality she was punishing Hale who now had to work hand in hand with someone he was terrified of. It wasn't just fear of what he could do to him, but he also felt professionally threatened by him.
"Someone who only climbed up thanks to office politics and connections can't possibly understand someone like Bob." She said to herself.
"Are you sure? He will try to kill him again." Rita, Nathan Hale's system manager appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Let him try, that will only make Bob stronger."
"The FBI agent Bob arrested has been processed for his crimes. He went to Quantico during the same time as Bob did, but that's as far as their connection goes."
"I see, what about the returnee that Bob identified?"
"He's confirmed to be the head of the smuggling operation and we suspect he has other criminal ventures. Should we proceed with the arrest?"
"No, put Nathan in charge of the investigation. Let him handle things his way. We don't want him running to his father and telling on us like the spoiled child he is. Just make sure to keep an eye on him from now on," The moment the director finished speaking Rita vanished into thin air. "those system managers, they're all so quirky."
"I heard that." Rita appeared out of a sudden and the director had to chase her out of her office brandishing a newspaper.
Meanwhile, Nora grabbed a cardboard box with her belongings and hauled them to her new office where Thompson worked tirelessly on his laptop. He barely acknowledged her presence which left her in an awkward position.
"I was just appointed to this division." She informed and Thompson replied with a stern nod.
After arranging the furniture to be delivered and setting up her work station, Nora was left with nothing to do and the worst conversation partner one could hope to never cross paths with. Without any work to do she helplessly watched the clock advance until it was finally time to clock off.
On her way home she pondered about her new situation, realizing she was now in the position she originally applied to. It came with a pay bump and it was supposedly a career advancement. She would also be working with the agent who saved her. It made her think that risking her life on the sting operation was actually worth it, even if things didn't come out exactly how she planned.
On her second day at work she was thrilled to finally meet Bob and thank him, but he didn't show up. Thompson continued to refuse talking to her and limited himself to polite monosyllables. The third day went on the same way and then the fourth and so on.
"I quit." She said to the director who didn't look up from the file she was reading.
"Reason?"
"There's nothing to do and Thompson is unbearable."
"Agent Thompson? Is he harassing you? We at the bureau take that kind of complaints very seriously."
"No, he's just too quiet and gives me the chills." Nora shivered.
"If you really want to quit then there's nothing I can do about it. However, you must understand that the reason why you're out of work is due to the field agent being on leave, but he's returning to the office tomorrow. Maybe that will make you reconsider your decision."
"I thought it better, I'm staying." Nora walked out the office like nothing happened. She would finally have the chance to get to know better the man who saved her life.