Just the Way you Are

The Mission Part 1

'Do you really have to go?' Hetty asked her husband, who had been called to go overseas on an important mission.

''Fraid so'. Granger responded.

'Do you know who you're after, or how long it'll be?'

'No. I'll find out when I get there. Look, I'll make sure we can talk from OPS each day, or when I can. No need to worry so much!' Granger reassured her.

'Good luck with that.' Hetty thought.

'Hey. I'll be fine.'

'You better. Because I don't feel like sending my agents after you if you get in trouble!'

'Then I hope it doesn't come to that.'

'May I give you a hug to say good bye?' Hetty asked.

'Of course.'

They hugged.

'Please be careful out there'. Hetty said, and kissed him on the cheek.

'I will. Just take care of yourself.' Granger responded.

Hetty waved at him as he walked away.

The next evening, In OPS

'Hi! Did you get in okay?' Hetty asked.

'Yes. No problems.' Granger responded.

'Are the people you're working with good? Do you have a good place to sleep? Do you have clean underwear?'

Granger chuckled.

'What? What's so funny?'

'You know you're starting to sound like one of those nagging, worrywart wives right now, right?' He asked, smiling.

'I do not!' Hetty responded, sounding insulted.

'Come on, the clean underwear question?!'

'Oh. I guess that was a bit much. Excuse me.'

'You're cute when you're worried like that.'

'Oh, stop!' Hetty retorted.

Granger continued to call every evening. But after a week, the calls started to come in less and less.

One evening, 5 days after the last call

'Hello? Oh my, Owen! Are you okay?!' Hetty asked after seeing his black left eye.

'Criminal was a bit of a hassle to get into custody Nothing big.' Granger responded.

'Nothing big? Your last call was 5 days ago! And now you're getting hurt? I think that constitutes as something serious!' Hetty exclaimed.

'Look, I don't want to put up with your worriness right now. I'm okay! Please don't worry so much!' Granger responded, grumpily.

'You're my husband, I'm supposed to worry about you!'

'I know. All I can say is, you're going to have to trust me.'

'Trust you with what? Owen, what's going on?' Hetty asked, concerned.

'Please trust me in what I'm going to do next. Something is going to happen soon, and I may not be able to talk for a while. Please trust that I will do my best to stay alive.'

'Wait what?!'

'I love you, goodbye.'

'Wait, Owen!'

Connection was cut.

Over the next few days, Hetty waited and waited for Granger to call. All while sipping tea and wondering if he was okay.

On the 8th day

Hetty went up to OPS in the evening, and tried to call Granger, like she had done day after day. This time, the call was answered.

'Owen!'

It was an officer.

'Are you Henrietta Lange?'

'Yes. Why?'

'I regret to inform you, that the squad that your husband is in, has gone missing. I fear they might be dead.'

To be continued