Quirkless

Long Time, No See

"I have news." Director was standing behind her desk, flicking through the tablet that Q was positive was permanently sautered to her hand. "Sit."

Q sat. It had been two weeks since she had started watching Midoriya, and it had been the most mind-numbing two weeks of her life since she'd joined Interpol. The closest she had been to action since that second night was an oil fire that started when Midoriya attempted to make omelets.

"Do we have a lead?" Q asked, not even attempting to keep the desperation out of her voice.

Director raised her eyebrows. "Would I have called you in if we didn't?" she replied dryly, sitting down at her desk. "It appears that Keidoro is getting restless. They were hoping that the news of Deku's condition would be out by now - there are even some whispers in the forums that the leadership lied about him having been 'disabled'." She grimaced slightly at the term. "Their word, not mine."

"So they're getting ready to make a move on him," Q said, leaning forward in her chair. "They need to prove that they have the serum."

"Yes," Director said flatly. "And I think we should let them. It seems they have already picked their target - we have reason to believe it is the upcoming hero gala."

Q nodded. The event was all that the agency had been talking about for the past few days. "Deku is supposed to give a speech there," she said. "They would be stupid if they didn't have seats already purchased."

Director nodded. "Since you've been aware of the event, I'm guessing you've already combed through the guest list and flagged some suspicious names?"

"Of course," Q said. "Originally I was going to ask Aizawa to have them removed." She had had no intention of doing so. Waiting two weeks for a lead was long enough and if dangling Midoriya out as bait was what she needed to do to get one, she was perfectly happy to. But Director didn't need to know that.

"Obviously," Director said, a small smirk twitching at the corners of her mouth. "I know you would never risk a protectee's safety for a lead on an international terrorist group."

Q pointedly ignored her subtle jab. It was a familiar dance - Q did what she had to do, Director kept plausible deniability. "I'd want back up. I'm sure Shinsou will be attending, but I also want someone working with the staff."

Director nodded slowly. She tapped her desk, looking up at the ceiling as if thinking hard about who she could send in. "Carter will be in town," she said slowly, her smirk spreading into a wider grin, "how about I send him in?"

Q could feel her face light up. It was clear that Director had been planning on assigning the agent to the case regardless, but Q appreciated the showmanship. Her boss knew perfectly well that Q would never turn down a chance to work with her old friend. The two agents had been in each other's orbits since basic training.

"That would be perfect," Q said, trying to keep her tone professional. It may be an open secret that she and Carter were close, but she was still in Director's office. Happy squealing was not appropriate. "When will he be in Japan?"

Director's eyes flicked to the open door of her office.

"I already am," a warm familiar baritone drawled from the entrance. Q really did squeal then, twisting in her chair to see her old companion. Leaning casually on the door frame, he looked skinnier than the last time she'd seen him, suit hanging loose off his lanky frame. He must have just gotten off of assignment. His floppy curls were in desperate need of a haircut, falling into his tired eyes, and the suit he wore was wrinkled from travel.

"Ah," said Director, no surprise in her voice. "Glad you could make it."

The lanky brunette made no move to enter the office. "Of course, sir, you know I'd never miss a chance to work with this one." He grinned at Q, apparently satisfied with the look of joyful surprise on her face.