Agent Chetiri

Chapter 22

Author's Note: This isn't really a new addition, more of a mix. There are new bits so I hope you like it!

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Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.

-James A. Baldwin

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(October 28, 2013- 7:10 AM)

Alexa stood in front of the bathroom mirror that morning, making ready to see M. Today, she wore a black wrap dress with a pair of black heels that had a red backing. Her hair was shifted to one side and her expression was frigid and emotionless. She looked cold and calculating, as if she truly meant business today.

She walked out of the room and down the stairs to grab a cup of coffee for the morning. Q was already at the kitchen, wearing his regular ensemble of a dress shirt, slightly rumpled cardigan, and slacks. He turned to look as she came into the kitchen and she gave him a mirthless smile. "Good morning," she said politely.

"Good morning," he said, passing her a cup of coffee. He could not help but look twice at her appearance and noted that she looked colder today, as if she was purposely guarding her heart. She had a fierce gleam in her eye, like she was ready to fight, but that was all. He saw no other emotion on her face and it seemed that she did not intend to show any other emotion in the least.

As they ate quietly, they chose to disregard small talk. It seemed irrelevant, in moments like these, and both of them were unwilling to say anything. Alexa would frequently draw her gaze away from him on purpose, in order to avoid any confrontation of any sort. She washed their dishes in silence and left afterwards to prepare for the day. Alexa emerged from the bathroom with her bag and slipped on her coat in the foyer. She saw Q waiting with his things and nodded at him. "Let's go," she said.

Their way to the building was completely silent. Even as they walked through the halls, nothing but silence filled the air around them, aside from the clack of their shoes against the floor. No one was really here yet, not even Tanner or Eve. Alexa opened the door to M's office and stepped inside, ready for battle.

"Good morning," she said, her expression calm and collected. M looked up from his desk and his eyes flickered with surprise.

"Ah, good morning, Alexa, Q," he said, nodding to each of them, respectively. "Take a seat; this news might surprise you."

Alexa did as she was instructed and took a seat, folding her hands calmly in her lap. M could sense some sort of tension between them that he thought was natural, due to the fact that she had pretended to be dead for the past nine months. "I understand you require the help of our Quartemaster," M said

"That's correct," she said coolly.

"No."

The word came out of M's lips, grim and full of displeasure. He glared at Alexa with a steely glint in his eyes, and she responded with a look of chilling apathy. He glanced at her once more and set his hands on the table. "I refuse to let you endanger the life of my Quartermaster, Alexa. I've lost one already, so what makes you think I'm willing to let go of another one?" he said.

"I'm sure you've been informed of my situation, M. You know the circumstances and you damn well know that my hands are tied. This definitely isn't my first choice, but sadly, this is the only option I have that could possibly fix this mess," Alexa said smoothly.