Ashes | jimmy uso AU

01: Trust is like a delicate tapestry, woven with threads of honesty

"Trust is like a delicate tapestry, woven with threads of honesty, consistency, and respect. Once damaged, it can be mended, but it requires patience, care, and the unwavering commitment to rebuild it stronger than before."

-

Today was it.

Today, Agent Olivia Chen was back to work in the office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The butterflies in her stomach were palpable and she knew she was in for a lot of questions.

Olivia had been gone from the FBI to go under cover on an operation to bust a major sex trafficking ring. She was there for one year and eight months, until she had to get out. She doesn't speak of the reason she got out, but something had caused her to pull the plug early, and people wanted to know why.

She sat at her kitchen table looking over the current file her team were working on. It was drug cartel that we're planning to release an ungodly amount of fentanyl into the streets, and one dose could cause an overdose. They had been working at it for four months before they had their first snippet of opportunity. Roman Reigns, the bureau's seasoned Assistant Director, had devised a plan to send two agents under cover.

They would pose as a drug trafficking couple, planning to buy the fentanyl and deposit it into the streets of San Francisco. Olivia knew this was her task to a tee, but she also knew that gaining the trust of her colleagues again would be a challenge on its own.

-

At the Bureau, Jimmy, Melissa, Melody and Armani were sat at the round table awaiting their colleagues return. Armani hasn't met Olivia before as she joined the bureau after Olivia had left.

"I'm excited to meet Agent Chen. I've heard she's a real boss bitch." Armani said sipping her coffee. She was met with some nods and agreements apart from Jimmy, who sat silently.

"She's a real firecracker." Melissa replied, a mischievous grin on her face. "She once took down a 300 pound, 6ft 4 man during one of our raids. It was pretty impressive."

"She did have her fair share of bruises though." Melody said a little laugh in her voice as she recounted the event in her head. Armani pulled a face that told everyone she was impressed.

"Well, it'll be good to have her alongside us." Armani said. Just as she did, Roman had entered the room, throwing the file onto the table.

"Well, don't get too excited about her sticking around. She's going to be going undercover very soon with one of us." Roman interjected, sitting in his seat. Jimmy's head snapped towards his cousin and boss with a look of disgust.

"Who?" He asked slightly panicked. Roman glared at his cousin and subordinate.

"You'll find out."

"Nah man, I don't trust this one bit." Jimmy argued. He received a few looks of confusion. "She's been away for nearly two years, on an undercover assignment that was supposed to last three. And then all of a sudden, she pulls the plug before they even take the criminals down." Jimmy explained. "Not to mention she won't tell anyone why she did that. For teamwork you need to have trust, and that's built with honesty.. something she clearly doesn't care about."

"I care about honesty." A voice spoke from the doorway. All heads turned towards the brunette stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame with her arms crossed. "What I don't care for," She continued as she walked into the room, taking a seat beside Melissa. "Is nosey agents wanting to know everything about a mission, that was confidential."