Dravon POV..

The smell of sweat and determination met me as I walked into the training facility. Normally I would immediately focus on preparation, but my mind kept replaying the council member's decision. Would they really jeopardize the whole operation like that? Adding her to the team was ludicrous. Maybe I've been putting too much trust in the council. In ten minutes they went from my family, to my cold-hearted boss.

I got to the martial arts training studio and pressed my face against the cool one way glass. I couldn't see in, but I knew someone was on the other side. Their pitiful sobs were very audible.

"I'm trying, I really am!"

On any other day I would have laughed at their distress. But right now I kinda can empathize. I'm really trying to keep my faith in the council. One bad choice shouldn't change my opinion of them. Maybe it's not a bad choice. Maybe I'm looking at it from the wrong angle.

"Dravon? I wasn't expecting you here today." My head turned to see who spoke.

Ah. It was Master Wilson, the main martial arts director. He was standing by the studio doors drying his hands. His forehead had a few sweat beads, but not enough to show he was with someone experienced. Guess whoever was in there wasn't trying their best.

"Council ordered me to train. I decided to get it done early today."

"Oh, well I'm already with a walk-in, would you mind waiting ten minutes."

I wanted to say yes, yes I would mind. I wanted to tell him that whoever he was with needed to leave before I walked in there myself to teach them a lesson. I wanted to throw a temper tantrum. Right now I needed to do something. Anything. The rage boiling inside of me needed to be taken out on something. Or someone. Sitting around waiting would only cause the fury inside of me to fester until I cracked. Nothing good came from Dravon Stewart cracking.

But all I could say was, "no, not at all," and sit down on a chair while Master Wilson gave me a grateful smile.

"She's a feisty level two," he whispered to me, "Not quite getting it, but will die trying"

"Oh what are you trying to teach her? Perhaps I can help..." I jumped up at the opportunity to do something.

"I'm not sure Dravon. I've always done her lessons privately." He bit his lip, I could tell he was caving.

"Oh Master, give me fifteen minutes and I promise she'll be mopping the floor with you," I let a smug grin escape. He can't resist my offer. He didn't refuse my offer.

"Okay, okay. You can give it a shot. But I need to get my Student Helper log so you can get merited for this. Don't start without me," he started walking across the lobby towards his office, "Go, go in. Talk to her, inspire her."

At first I thought he meant flirt with her. But then I remembered Master Wilson was big on pep talks.

I took a deep breath and smiled to myself before walking inside. Now my mind will be occupied with teaching this lame brain level two some moves.

"Master Wilson I, er, broke the balancer stick thing,"

I heard her call from the corner. Her back was turned towards me. The voice was familiar, but forgotten.

"I'm real sorry, I didn't mean to-" she turned around.

Fuuuuuuuck. Treakle.

I'd say I didn't expect it, but then I'd be lying. My luck has been on the fritz lately.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" she demanded starring dead into my eyes.

Damn, does she recognize me? Should I hightail it out of here? What will the council do if they ever find out? Oh man, oh man. What is it with this girl? Why is it I always lose my common sense around her? We were taught what to do in this situation, yet for the life of me I can't remember. I never forget stuff like this.

"I'm training with Master Wilson; you'll have to wait outside." She cocked her hip out, still holding a broken stabilizer.

I smiled to myself, she doesn't remember me. "Master Wilson has asked me to help you. I overheard you were having some difficulties."

"I'm doing perfectly fine, thank you very much." She turned back away from me, trying to fix the stick.

"Aright, but if you ever wanted to reach level three, there were some things I could have taught you. Seeing as I'm a level five. But, your fine, right?" I asked walking towards a wall. As she turned to say "Yes, I'm alright," I braced my body, took a deep breath and ran up the wall, flipping as I reached halfway. It was a little trick I learnt from obsessing over Jackie Chan movies.

Her awe was audible. I couldn't help but feel smug

"I'll just be on my way then," I picked up my student id that fell out my pocket and began walking towards the door. When I was two feet from the door frame I began panicking. Is she going to call me back? Why hasn't she called me back already? I'm an idiot. Expecting that generic Hollywood movie trick to work.

I was already out the studio door when she ran after me. I can't tell you how happy I was. However, a tiny voice in the back of my head yelled, don't do it! Keep walking! Remember what the council said! Let's just say I shut that voice up pretty quickly. Screw the council.

"You can help, but no showing off in front of Master Wilson. Everyone already thinks I'm a poor excuse for a spy."

"Whate-" I stopped myself from saying 'whatever'. All of her instructors say she's the best they've ever taught (aside from me of course). Students walk around gossiping about "that girl who made level two in a week," an accomplishment that not even I could have done. Would it be suspicious if I knew all about her? She may start to wonder and get her memory back. Although I'd love that, I don't think I have it in me.

"Well, why don't you just tell me everything you know?" I restarted, motioning to a bench.

She sat down next to me, "I'm a level two, what do you think I know?" Her voice was very mocking; she even had the nerve to roll her eyes. It made me want to flip her over my shoulder with her arm and press my foot against her throat until she apologized. Here I am offering to help and she's going to patronize me? Oh fuck no.

"Look, I don't have to help you. It isn't doing me any good being in this room with you. I'm risking everything I've done just by being here. Making little cynical remarks like that may have been okay in that little hick town you call home, but that shit doesn't fly here. You're alone in a room with a spy who's trained to kill. Don't tempt me."

She glared at me, but I didn't care. She crossed her arms and huffed, trying to calm herself, but I didn't care. When her eyes got wide, when she took a sharp intake of breath, and when she turned to me with an alert look, then I cared.

"Did...did you just say "Don't tempt me?"' she asked searching for something in my face.

I hid my panic attack well, "Yeah, it's a pretty common saying. A lot of people typically say it when someone is being a smart ass-"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not stupid," she tilted her head to the side as she continued. Note to self: she tilts her head when confused; "It's just the way you said it. Like... I've heard someone say it like that before, but I don't remember."

It's hard to admit, but she confused me. When had I ever gotten so fed up with her smart ass comments that I'd use that line on her? I wracked my brain for any incident, when the very one came to my mind. It was when I first rescued her and we were on my jet flying back to headquarters.

...§...

"No! And if you keep the smart ass comments up I'm going to kick your ass so hard the next time you take a shit will be when your great grandchildren go into college."

"That can't be very healthy...that slipped I swear."

I got my gun out; she begged for me not to shoot...I wasn't going to anyways. I don't take innocent lives.

"You already got shot once. Don't tempt me. I know the areas to shoot so that you won't die, just bleed in agony."

...§...

So that's when I said it. That can't be good that she remembers. It must mean-

"Oh I know who you are!"

Casually I got up and ran my fingers through my hair. It was a sign that showed I was stressed, but no one else knew that. To everyone I just looked like those surfer guys that care too much about hair.

"Who am I?" I asked taking inconspicuous steps towards the door. As soon as Master Wilson got back I'd make up some excuse. This was getting too surreal. I knew I shouldn't have come in here. Who knows what the council will do.

"You're Dravon Stewart, everyone knows you!"

I lost my footing and tripped. Something I never do.

She knows who I am.

I don't think she remembers our time together, but who knows how long that will take. Suddenly that voice I shut up when I first came in resurfaced, asking a very important question.

Why are you risking your career for her?

Why am I? Even though I know it was wrong to brainwash her, then place her on a mission like this, what did she really mean to me? The spy world is made up of egotistical, conniving, sadistic, killers who will do anything to save their own butt. I've never been put in a situation where I had power over another spy's life. Unless you count that rebel spy, Peyton, but even then I spared her. I always work alone.

And the truth is I do have a lot of power over Treakle's right now. Well the power I have won't affect anything now, but my actions certainly will affect her future. She can come with me on that rescue mission absolutely clueless about her life and ultimately die. Or she can know everything, possibly hate me a little, and live happily ever after. As happy as spy life gets.

Damn this is hard. My obligation to the council is slowly taking over, but my protective nature is resisting with all its might. I have to save her life.

She stared at me like I was running around in a green tutu. Her head was titled, and her long black hair quivered in a random wind. I looked towards the door. Master Wilson had swung it open and was starring at us.

"Awh, Dravon, I said don't start without me!"

I saw her head snap towards the new voice in my peripheral vision.

"Excuse me sir?" we said in unison.

"Treakle, I'm very proud of you! Not many can get this young man on the floor," he winked.

Treak and I looked at each other and shared a look that said both "Go along with it," and "Get out."

I knew she wanted Master Wilson to think she was getting better, I wanted him to think I taught her something (for some reason), and somehow we both knew I needed to get out of here.

"Oh yeah, Master, I think she's been holding out on you." I said standing up and dusting off my pants.

"Oh but Dravon admit it, you went easy on me." She said my name in a funny sarcastic way. She started walking over to me, but stopped halfway and glanced at Master Wilson; who was busy filling out the student helper log. "Master, I don't think that's necessary, see Dravon here told me that he forgot he had to go to the library to pick up a book before he..." her voice trailed off. Rookie mistake. Always have your lie ready. She's just lucky Master Wilson isn't a trained spy and didn't pick up on her blunder.

"Before I have to work on my jet. I think a bird has made a nest in my engine. Daft thing," I picked up right where she left. As a spy you have to be ready for anything, everything, and nothing. All at the same time. Master Wilson and I laughed while Treakle awkwardly stared at me. With awe I assume. How can someone be this awesomely skilled? I don't know. I'm blessed.

"Well, let's not hold you up. I do hope you can come by again and help me with some of my other students who are struggling." Master led me to the training facilities main door.

"Anytime sir." I replied opening the facility doors. Making sure Treakle was out of earshot I continued, "Oh and can you pass a message onto Treakle, I forgot to tell her while I was in there."

"Of course,"

"Tell her, I need to speak to her. I'll find her sometime tonight."

"Hmmm," he gave me a mischievous grin and a wink, "I certainly will."

I walked down the steps feeling excited. As I got to the bottom reality hit me.

Is she worth it? That voice asked.

I sure hope.

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