The Academy

Part Two: Chapter Thirteen

Six weeks later, I stand outside of the main entrance at FBI headquarters, staring out into the parking lot. My lungs are back to normal now. It took weeks of respiratory therapy and even some type of prescription medicine, but they're back to where they were before. My burns have healed, finally. The only reminders I have of them are the faint scars on my leg. But they don't hurt.

I've been working again for a week. Derek, Maggie, and Jake have been working for longer. Director Landshaw still hasn't found us another agent, and since Lacey is coming back to work today, it will probably be her job now.

Lindsey is gone. Well, not gone. PBR tournament season started four weeks ago. I haven't seen her in four weeks. Long-distance is hard on both of us. She's going to be gone another five months, at least, on a tour of the entire nation, competitions every single weekend.

I watch her whenever I get the chance. It's funny, I didn't have any idea about anything remotely rodeo related two years ago, and now I could probably answer any question someone asked me.

It's terrifying. Watching her put herself on the back of a raging bull and be thrashed around like a ragdoll. It's only for eight seconds, but I swear it feels like hours. She's taken some hard falls in the past, she's not invincible, and it worries me.

My parents are gone too. They left when I started back at work. From what I heard, they absolutely love Lindsey. Now that, that makes me happy.

So, now I'm alone in my ranch house with only the animals to keep my company. Helios obviously went on the road with my girlfriend, so I have Nike. And I don't really know how to ride her. I feel bad, Lindsey insisted I start out on Helios but now Nike needs exercise and I can't give it to her. I'll have to call Lindsey and have her walk me through it on the phone.

Today, I should be in a good mood. Lacey is returning to work. But all I really want right now is a cigarette. My lungs are fine now. I could have one. Except Lindsey took my entire pack and I haven't gone to buy a new one because she told me to stop.

Lindsey. The woman I'd do anything for.

Which brings me to why I'm in such a shitty mood today. Tomorrow is our two year anniversary and she's in Colorado. Colorado. Facetime is not how I want to spend my two year anniversary with her.

I'm so wrapped up in my moping thoughts that I don't hear Lacey approaching until she calls my name. "Olivia!"

"Hey! Welcome back!" I say, a little too peppy with a smile that's a little too bright.

"Stop shooting rainbows out of your ass, it doesn't suit you." Lacey notices immediately.

"Is that any way to greet your reception party?" I quip back, falling in step beside her as we walk inside. She's wearing a light gray suit, and though I can't see most of her body where burns were, she's walking and talking normally.

"When I have a crappy reception party, yes."

"How dare you?" I exclaim with a mocking offended tone.

"I'm the boss, Olivia. I'm back. I have to establish my dominance." She smirks at me.

"If Camille were here, she'd make a really dirty joke out of that, but for the sake of images I never want to see in my mind I'm going to ignore that comment."

Lacey laughs. "Yes, she would. And get your head out of the gutter, Agent Prenton."

"Yes ma'am," I reply with a fake, sloppy salute which gets me a dirty look from her.

We enter the conference room where Derek, Jake, and Maggie are already set up and Lacey instantly dives in, leaving no time for pleasantries.

Throughout the day, I'm on the phone with LAPD a lot. I sure am taking advantage of all my old connections with that place, and we're in contact with the entire task force dedicated to taking down Liam Knox.