Rule #1: Never Date An A.C.E. [COMPLETED]

Chapter 28: Rule #45: If Something Seems Suspicious, It Probably Is

Dylan stopped his attack on my neck and rested his forehead against my shoulder, sighing.

"Why'd you stop?" I whined, and he chuckled against my skin before placing one more kiss against my neck before completely pulling away. He retrieved his shirt from where I had thrown it on the ground, pulling it back on.

"Not tonight, love," his smoldering eyes met mine.

"But," I started and he kissed me again.

"Not because I don't want to," he whispered, his hands gripping my hips. "But because I want our first time to not be here at Ace. I want it to be somewhere where it's the two of us..." he trailed off.

I rolled my eyes, pouting, "Fine."

He poked my sides until I laughed and we left the room after fixing ourselves. Hand-in-hand, we walked toward our rooms. I dropped Dylan off at his, and with a goodbye kiss, headed to my own. I walked in, starry-eyed, but was surprised to find the room empty. I shrugged and went about my business. I ate some grapes left on the counter and spied a manila folder. Nonchalantly flipping it open, I eyed the contents. It was a description of a previous mission a few members of my team had gone on. Other than the small fact their surveillance had been compromised, the mission went off without a hitch.

Or it did on a surface level.

There was a handwritten note added to the fact of the file with just one word: MOLE. I scoured the document for more information, but came up empty-handed. I snapped the folder closed, frustrated. I chomped on grapes as I watched the front door for my suitemates' return.

When I finally got bored of waiting, I took a hot bath. I finished reading Mom's fourth and fifth journals when the water ran cold. I put on my pajama's and stuck my head from my room. The rest of the apartment seemed empty. Dismissing any awful thought, I curled up in my bed. Flicking off the light, I fell into the most restful sleep I had since joining Ace.

______________

I awoke refreshed and ready for the day. I completed my morning routine, dressed in easy clothes, and left the room.

Only to find the apartment still empty.

"Now this is getting suspicious," I mused to myself, sending off a quick text to Dylan. I marched down to the cafeteria, glaring at the non-existent answer on my phone.

The cafeteria was stark-empty as well. Mysteriously, food was still out. I uneasily took a waffle and sat alone in the massive cafeteria. Munching on my food, I looked around the room. Spotting something on the wall, I stood and walked over with waffle in hand. A paper arrow had been taped to the wall. I followed it down the hallway to find another. I entered a part of Ace I hadn't been in, similar to the day before. Lush, maroon carpet covered the floor. A large 'X' was pasted on a door and I opened it hesitantly.

"SURPRISE!" I jumped and placed my fists up, before laughing. 'Happy 22th Birthday' was written crudely on a sign over all of the smiling Ace agents.

Dylan ran up and handed me a birthday crown, whispering in my ear, "Were you surprised?"

"Rule number twelve," I teased and he chuckled in return. "I actually forgot it was my birthday. The days sort of run together in here."

"We got you presents!" Alex exclaimed, but Vanessa insisted on having me blow out the candles on my cake first. Everyone dived into the cake as I opened presents from my immediate friends. Alex got me a nice set of shooting gloves that went along with Vanessa's personal red handgun. I received an extensive first-aid kit from Flower, a technological watch from Levi, and Boone put together a gift box of my favorite foods.

The Director even got me a travel coffee mug, complete with cup cozy.

"My second present for you is in my room," Dylan whispered seductively, "but here's one to open now." I pulled the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside were sweatpants, leggings, and large, comfy shirts. I thanked everyone for their gifts and for coming as I scarfed down a slice of vanilla cake. Agents filed from the room until it was only my closest friends.

"It was so sweet of you to surprise me," I said and Vanessa nudged my shoulder.

"It was all Dylan's idea."

Kitten.

I whipped my head around, looking around the room wildly. Dylan called out to me, but I waved him off. The voice I heard didn't repeat itself.

"Let's go out tonight!" Flower exclaimed, and the group mostly agreed. All except Dylan.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

I smiled, "I'd really like to."

He crumbled under my gaze, "Fine. But, rule number forty-five applies. If something seems suspicious, it probably is."

____

Our night, shockingly, went off without a hitch. The restaurant we went to had a calm environment, where we easily gave up being agents for a night.

And became the young people we were.

We returned to headquarters, moving toward our rooms for the night when Dylan pulled me aside. He had me open my gift in his room, which it was good I did.

Opening red baby-doll lingerie in front of everyone would have been completely embarrassing. I hid the clothing under my extra-large sweater and kissed Dylan goodnight.

Maybe gave him more than one kiss.

As I moved through the hallway to my own room, I clutched the bundle tightly. I blushed every time an agent passed me, even though they had no idea what I was carrying. I suddenly loosened my grip on the lingerie and it fluttered to the floor, loosing a few red feathers along the way. But, I was too shocked to care.

"Happy Birthday, kitten."