Nicole

This morning, I was woken up by a familiar sound of footsteps walking down the hall. A walk pattern that only belongs to one person.

Simon.

I quickly rolled out of bed and jogged to my door, opening it before he could hit the buzzer. I felt much better today and my energy was back at a healthier level which was an enormous relief for me. If I could describe myself in yesterday's condition with one word, it'd be "miserable". It was miserable turtling around and feeling like an old bag of rotting grizzly shit all day.

"How do you always do that?" he asked.

I smiled, "I know the pattern of your walk. I can kind of sense it."

He smiled back, exposing his perfectly straight, white teeth that he only allowed me to see above anyone else, "Were you already awake or did my footsteps wake you?"

I nodded with a small smile, "It was your footsteps." I had always been a light sleeper. Any alerting sound could wake me up in less than a second unless I'm drunk or super exhausted... "Come in." I moved aside, giving him a short, welcoming gesture.

He looked around the room with his hands on his hips as he entered, nodding at its appearance.

"What brings you here? Any tasks I have to deal with? I could use the excitement." I grinned, remembering what Coach informed me of after he overheard Simon's conversation.

He pursed his lips, nodding some more as he scanned the room. "Actually... I want you to pack up."

Excuse me?

I winced, "Pack up? Why?"

He turned to me with a gentle twinkle in his eyes as he told me, "We're moving."

Moving... Like now?

I could only gawk at him, not knowing where to start. My words already began to swarm around and bundle up in my head, causing my voice to remain stuck and silent.

Moving?! To where? This is our home, we live here! I don't want to move, there's nowhere to go!

He frowned at my expression. "We need to make some adjustments to the system here-"

"We can't move..." I said, barely above a whisper.

"Soldier..."

"No... We live here. This our home." I felt my heart starting to sink to my gut. I couldn't leave a place like this, not when I've become so attached to it for as long as I can remember.

He walked over to me, gently cupping my face in his hands, "I thought you would like the idea..." he chuckled before gently kissing my hair.

I moved his hands away then crossed my arms, "I hate the idea. I feel just fine living here." Those words made him sigh deeply.

"Nicole. This place. It's too small. Just look at this." he pointed at the box under my T.V stand, "You've got you're firearms all jumbled up in there, that's the best the maids could do for you. Just... Throw it all in a box."

"So what if I like it like that?"

He rubbed my arm for comfort, "You don't... Nicole, take a seat." he guided me to the couch and sat next to me. I didn't want to hear any more of what he has to say. I know what I want and what I want is to stay at headquarters.

"I understand that you grew up here. This place holds a lot of memories and good times. I know it. I've watched you grow in this headquarters but believe me when I say this. In our new home, we can create more memories and cherish the ones we've already made. All of the stuff you have here will be coming with us."

I sighed, "What's going to happen to this place then?"

"I..." he paused to look at me unsurely, "I don't know. We're still working out the system but here's the problem. The facility's growing. We've got too many members living here that it's starting to become an overcrowding and a health problem for some of them. It's hard for the custodians to keep up with it. If everyone only stayed in for the hours they're here for work and training, the campus would be kept cleaner and there will be less overcrowding. It also helps for security reasons as well. While everyone is at home, we could easily find if any intruders were secretly hiding here. I doubt that would be the case but we have to prepare for anything to happen."

"I guess it makes sense." I sighed. There was no denying that the team is growing larger as the years go by.

"If you really want to keep this place, you can stay here for the days you are at headquarters but you can't have all of your stuff here. Just what you need for trainings and food and little things like such."

I nodded and rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. I can't believe I'm saying this, "Fine... But that's if I like the new place. What could possibly be better than headquarters?"

He frowned.

"Simon... I've been in some really nice cabins and shacks as a kid. Even the hotels and condos we go to for missions can't compare to being here."

"And I take full blame for that."

I chuckled, "Why? You took me away from all that. Life has been... A billion times better for me since you've stepped into my life. If it wasn't for you and this headquarters, I would've still been at the back of the bakery shop, waiting for the baker to sneak some bread and cookie dough over to me and I'd still be living in that tiny little fort. I would still be hunting for my own food in the forest! I would still-"

"Soldier!" he grabbed my hands so I could calm down.

I took in a deep breath to calm myself. Those days had been hard for me and hard to forget. It all still affected me to this day but being away from it was always something I continue to be grateful for.

"I love you, Nicole. I would never let you go back to living that way... I blame myself for not showing you the beauties of the world. Life gets a little hectic and I never get to travel with you most of the time. You travel when you're on missions but it doesn't leave the most positive impressions on you while you're there. One day, I will show you that. All of its beauties, okay?"

I nodded. Sure, I guess.

"So let's start with our new home. Trust me, this place is a dump compared to it." he chuckled crisply.

I smiled, "I'll believe it when I see it... I love you too, Simon."

He squeezed my hand then stood up with a clap, "Alright then. I have to head back to the office. I'll check back with you in a little bit."

"What about the mission?"

He stopped for a moment then cocked his head to the side, "Oh. You've already heard about it?" he then straightened his burgundy suit, telling me, "We still have to confirm our suspect. We don't want to rush in and arrest the wrong person."

No problem for me, "How 'bout I help you out?" I insisted.

He crossed his arms with a smile. He thought for a while before he finally said, "Sure. I'm actually going to be meeting with our investigators in a few. You can join us after you get ready."

"Got it."

"But you have to work with Jaden afterward. By the way, how's he doing so far?"

I groaned at the thought of it, "I feel like his babysitter rather than his actual partner..."

He laughed boldly, "A babysitter? That's new."

I nodded, "I don't get him. He could give an outstanding performance one minute, then the next, he's getting distracted by a pretty butterfly. He has potential, Simon. I know he does but he just doesn't care to try."

"I know he does too, which is why I recruited him. I'll see what I can do but for now, try and figure something out. I know you'll find a way, you always do."

"I guess. But it's almost to the point where I'll have to cut out his clavicle and replace it with his tongue."

"Nicole..." he sighed. "What did I tell you about that? Stop with the threats, stop threatening people you work with. It only triggers your violence."

I rolled my eyes, irked by those words. Triggers my ass... I can't help that I don't have the patience for people who waste my time. "Okay, I get it." I told him with clear annoyance in my tone.

He eyed me sternly, "I'm serious, Nicole. You know I don't want to put you back on treatment. I know you can control yourself so act like it."

Here we go again with the therapy threats...

"You've told me this a thousand times, dammit... Why do you and everyone else act like I have some fucking anger disorder?"

He forcefully grabbed my arm and stared deep into my soul, catching me off guard, "And don't talk back to me that way. I never said that you have a disorder, you're just too violent when it is completely unnecessary. The last thing I want to do is go back to arranging those psychologist appointments. If you can't behave professionally, that is exactly... What will happen, understood?"

I looked at him, slightly terrified. I knew he wouldn't hurt me because he never did but every time he looked at me that way, it never failed to give me goosebumps.

"Perfectly." I responded through the breath I was holding.

He nodded then after a moment, gave me a hug, "That's all I wanted to hear. No attitude from you. I only raise professionals, remember that."

I chuckled and hugged him back, "Roger that. Give me a few minutes and I'll be on my way to your office."

He ruffled my hair, "I'll be waiting. Later, soldier." he tipped his fedora at me and I gave him a two-finger salute before he made his way out.

I huffed then scanned my room for a minute.

This place will always be my favorite. Nothing can, or ever will, replace it.

I sighed then went to the bathroom to start getting ready for the meeting.

Alright, so after the meeting with Simon, I have to do something about Jaden. Maybe I should give him a dog treat every time he does something good.

I smiled to myself.

And spray him with water when he's bad... Or maybe, give him a shock collar.

This time, I chuckled at the thought.

Aww... Who's a good boy...

I know I shouldn't be looking at my partner as some wild animal, nor should I be even considering treating him as such but I can't resist when all he does is behave as one. Perhaps, these techniques will actually have a good effect on him.

Not too long after, I finished getting ready. I decided to go with a baseball jersey and a pair of ripped jeans today, then I braided my hair into two braids to keep it from getting into my face during training.

Soon, I headed out of my place and went down the hall to Jaden's. I needed him to be awake and ready for training ahead of time.

When I approached his door, the sound of muffled yelling was coming from inside. I couldn't tell what all of the commotion was about and it didn't sound like sex so it was hard for me to pinpoint what his deal was. Welp, at least I know he's awake... I hit the buzzer, waiting.

And waiting...

And hitting the buzzer again then waiting some more...

You've got to be kidding me.

I banged on the door, impatiently until it finally opened. Jaden appeared on the other side, shirtless and eating out of a bowl of berries while he had some cartoon show running on his T.V behind him. He rubbed his hand over his head and stopped it at the back of his neck, his smile fading as he looked at me, "Hey..." he said in a low voice.

"You're up early." I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, uh... Is it training time already?"

I shook my head, "I came to wake you but, apparently..."

He chuckled softly, "I was just-"

"Jay! Are you done being a pussy?!" Tyler's voice called but I couldn't see him.

I snickered, "Care to explain?"

Tyler walked over to the door, holding some type of blended drink with a fishtail sticking out of it. He was also careless of putting an actual shirt on, wearing a tank top that had a small stain from the drink he held and his black hair was pulled back into a curly ponytail. I'd always liked his hair. It was supposed to be all black but a spot at the front was almost platinum blonde, caused by a burn incident while on a mission. His skin kind of healed but that area on his scalp permanently produces white hair from a loss of melanin after what happened.

Seeing Tyler here wasn't surprising, I could see Jaden and him getting along well because he's the playful and outgoing type. Only difference between him and Jaden is that Tyler actually puts his job first, isn't a flirt, and he's a pure mathematic genius. His accuracy in calculating distance, time, and speed in a matter of seconds makes him an outstanding hawkeye for the team.

He widened his eyes at me when he noticed then he smiled at Jaden. "Well look who it is... Sorry if he pissed his pants, I don't think he was expecting you this morning."

Jaden slapped his belly with the back of his hand, "Yo! Shut up." he chuckled.

"Don't hit me." Tyler did the same, backhanding his chest. "You almost made me drop the shake."

"I told you I'm not gonna drink that." Jaden sneered.

"Too late, you should've thought about that before you claimed that you could beat me at darts." He did a little victory dance and when Jaden glared at him, he laughed hysterically and made his way back towards the kitchen.

Jaden looked back at me with humor still in his eyes, "So... What's up?" he asked.

"I'm going to a meeting," I said. "We might be assigned to a new mission depending on the case so I expect you to be prepared before I get back about an hour from now."

"Alright." he said rubbing the back of his neck.

Good.

Before I could turn to leave, a few bandages on his wrist and one on his finger immediately caught my attention. "What happened to your arm?" I suddenly asked.

He rubbernecked at me a bit before he realized what I meant, "Ah..." He huffed a small laugh, moving a gentle hand to cover them. "I... It's nothing really. You know, just careless cooking."

Classic Jaden.

I nodded, "I see... Be careful next time." Was all I said as I turned to leave for my meeting.

"Hey, Nicole?" he called, hesitantly.

I turned back to him with my eyebrows raised. "Yeah."

"You're not... Mad at me, are you?"

I crossed my arms at that, "No... Concerned? Very."

He sighed, "I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, the number on my arm was just some dog shelter... I was pranked." he chuckled softly then quickly cleared his throat, "But, uh... Again, I'm sorry."

He was right, that did make me feel a little better, but I needed something more. Something from him.

"Don't apologize. Just show me. Give me a reason to forgive you, Jaden." and I meant that...

"You got it." he scratched his nose, "I'm not promising that I won't get distracted though."

I rolled my eyes, of course...

"It'll be hard to stay focus when my instructor is this sexy." humor returned to his eyes.

I honestly didn't see that one coming. I wasn't impressed either.

I stared at him, "That's getting really old."

"Hold on, you didn't let me finish." He smiled almost shyly as he told me, "I meant that I find it 'sexy' that you have such a huge effect on me..." He moved his hand to rub his forearm, adding, "Usually, I wouldn't let any woman tell me what to do but for you, it's different. I'm willing to obey whatever you say, I just want to impress you. At least once. Just so I know you still believe in me."

I was slightly taken aback by that. I almost didn't know what to say. Truth is, I was actually... Flattered. I knew my cheeks were turning a light shade of red but I pretended like it didn't even bother me as I told him, "Don't just obey me just because you want to impress me... Do it for you. Because you want to become stronger, more focused. Because you want to be useful for the team."

He nodded silently.

"Okay then, don't upset me today and no flirting with the girls. Easy?" I nodded sternly.

"Easy." He confirmed with a proud nod back to me. "I'll see you in a bit."

I gave him a satisfied smirk then continued out in the other direction to head for Simon's office.

When I got there, I sat with investigators and mapped out where our suspect might be and found out who she was.

Her name was The "Fire Catcher". She's an entertainer but she's also a murdering thief. It's been reported that after her performances, many children go missing and are never seen again. Her husband works with her as the assistant of her "performances" at this show called, Twisted Reality, who we just found out to be the one who covers up her crimes, getting rid of all traces and signs of murder. He's the reason why police could never find those children and trace evidence back to the two suspects. After looking at the footage of a hidden camera planted backstage a few weeks back, we saw some suspicious activity but it wasn't clear who exactly was committing the crimes. Even with that fact, I still knew it was them. Something in my gut screamed that it was.

Simon must've had the same feeling. I noticed that he continued to glare over at the suspect's name, specifically Fire Catcher's. He seemed more concerned about her rather than her partner in crime. Nonetheless, both the clown and the she-devil were my targets, both being equally significant in this case.

Of course, I was told not to kill any of them so that we can interrogate them after their arrest, but that won't stop me from torturing the hell out of them. After learning that they hunt and kill children as young as 5 years old, they deserve to feel my rage.

This is going to be one interesting mission for me. I hope Jaden is up for it. I've got to admit, this might be a tough one. If we're not careful, we could become their next victims. To keep that from happening, we're going to need lots of planning, lots of training, and a whole lot of communication.