The two men were clearly arguing over something or other. However, what wasn't immediately clear. Sighing, Ashleigh hit the 'rewind button' listened carefully to the sequence again, before jotting down neat, precise notes when she felt it was appropriate.
Anyone who happened to peer inside the office would simply see a young, smartly dressed woman, working hard in a cool efficient manner. Appearances could be so deceptive though.
Inside, she was seething.
Her triumphant return to MI6 had not gone as well as she had hoped. Half expecting to be welcomed back like the prodigal son, she had been confused when it had become apparent that no one knew what she was supposed to be doing there. Moneypenny, however, came to the rescue, with a collection of files. She had handed them to Ashleigh with a slightly guilty look.
'M left specific orders for you,' Moneypenny gestured to the top file in an apologetic manner. 'You'll find them in there.'
'I was supposed to see M when I returned,' Ashleigh had persisted, struggling to get a grip on the high pile of slippery folders. 'You told me so last night.' She was aware that she was sounding like a spoilt brat, but her confusion was combining with tiredness, and she didn't have the strength to fight.
'Yes, I'm afraid that won't be possible at the moment. M has been called abroad on urgent business.' It sounded like a flimsy excuse, and Moneypenny knew it. The red head's had face softened as she spoke. 'I'm sorry, Ashleigh, but I've already told you too much. I'm sure though that M will want to see you when she returns.'
'I'm sure,' Ashleigh had muttered sullenly, and retreated with her stack of files.
The small office she found herself in was definitely small. Drab and dreary were also words that sprang to Ashleigh's mind. It was depressing, and disheartening, and nothing like she had imagined. The work she was doing didn't help.
The men continued arguing in Russian. Ashleigh knew several languages, learnt at her employer's insistence, and was therefore considered the perfect person for the job of working through the large pile of surveillance recordings. It was difficult work, but dull. Each recording could hold the key to something huge, a terrorist attack, underhand dealings, anything, and Ashleigh had to catch what the key statements were. Unfortunately they were usually well hidden in the most trivial conversations. It was a punishment duty, loosely disguised as serious work, and Ashleigh had to grit her teeth and get on with it.
She would probably have had more success with the task if she were actually focused on the job in hand.
Instead, she tapped her pen lightly against the desk in front of her, and thought of the events of the night before.
Sleeping with Dan had not been her wisest decision. But caught up in the moment, lost in her own loneliness she had needed him, pulling him closer all the time, kissing him hard, wrapping herself around him as if his body could exorcise all thoughts of Alec. They knew each other, and they had quickly found the kind of pleasure that comes from familiarity, and at the time she hadn't regretted it.
It was afterwards, when they lay quietly in the dark, not knowing whether to speak, or to fall into sleep, that the doubts had begin to rise once more. It had felt so good to have someone touch her, someone who was warm and welcoming, and unlikely to hold a gun to her temple afterwards. Someone who had wanted her for herself, and not what he could gain from bedding her. When he had taken her hand, and led her to her bed, she had gone willingly, almost enthusiastically.
However, that one act couldn't heal everything.
Couldn't wipe away the memories of another man.
