I Used to Be a Spy

This isn't Spy Stuff

Charlie ran in the field with the nearest neighbor boy chasing close behind him. Michael, Sam, Fi and Jesse sat on the patio, watching.
Sam and Jesse chattered about trivial matters while Michael gingerly sipped his foamy beer, contentment spreading through him. He hadn't realized how much he missed his crew.
"While I'd love to sit here and enjoy this beer, shall we get down to business?" Sam set his half empty mug on the table beside him.
Michael hid his reluctance, and added, "Fiona's brother is en route to bring us some illegals to plant on Keenan's boss."
"Perfect, thank you... Fi, isn't your family supposed to think you're dead?" Sam asked, concern clear on his face.
Fiona laughed, "Shoulda seen my mother's face. To the family I'm 'cousin Meabh.' Plus it's only the immediate family that's aware."
"What kind of 'illegals' are we talking about?" Jesse asked, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head. Forgetting he was in a rocking chair, he swung forward, surprised by the rocking motion. "Might I add, this chair makes me feel like a grandpa-how do you say that in Irish?"
A mix of annoyance and endearment swirled in Michael's heart. Ignoring his last question he answered, "This drug dealer is mid ranks. If we hit him with anything too light he'll get a slap on the wrist. Anything too hard..."
"And he'll raise suspicion with the bigger problems in these parts." Sam finished Michael's thoughts, just like old times.
"Exactly. Now who'd be the best one to approach 'em?" Michael asked, feeling all eyes turn to him. He pushed away the embarrassment encroaching on his face. "Guys, I'm rusty..."
Sam chuckled. "Michael Westen doesn't "get rusty." Sure it's been a few years but that training doesn't vanish." Sam peered at Fi who had a similar look of doubt on her face. "C'mon guys, you're kidding right?"
Michael lifted his hand to quiet his friend. "We vowed to put that life behind us, and I've been focused on the family."
"This isn't spy stuff," Sam added, putting down his beer hard on the small outside table before him. "This is about saving an innocent life, to help someone who wants to fix a mistake they made."
"Sam." Michael's voice was stern. "I'll do it, okay? I'm simply voicing my concerns."
"Oh... I-I guess I'm not used to that." Sam looked confused, but pleased. "I think I like the new Mike."
"Me too, Sam, me too." Michael took a sip of his beer, trying to swallow his angst with it.
"Sean." Michael took the man's hand.
"McBride." Sean winked at Michael. The man never seemed to tire of this exchange, even though they were going under a different alias. Thankfully that's as far as he held it over Michael's head regarding his betrayal all those years back. In truth, Michael could sense Sean's approval and excitement over their coming child.
"What kinda illegals do you have for me?"
Michael Sam and Jesse stood around the back of the small red car, eager to see what they were working with.
"National security has beefed up a bit within the last 8 months, something about too many guns and fugitives breaking into the Emerald isle, you know." Sean winked again at Michael.
Michael lightly chuckled, hoping it didn't sound as fake as it felt.
"So, I had a friend make some fake passports and give us a realistic looking passport making machine. The gardaí finding this will think they've stopped a major part of that. Plus I threw in some pills for added measure, since he is a drug dealer after all." Sean turned and sat on the edge of his trunk. "Tá sé seo costasach."
"Sam will take care of that for you." Michael grinned.
"I'll be doing what now?" Sam asked, concerned.
"You'll pay Sean back, ya?" Michael asked, amused.
Sam squinted his eyes. "Why? Because it's my fault we are a part of this?"
"Precisely."
Sam shrugged and handed Sean a wad of cash. "Fair enough. Must I say though, Elsa gave me a beer budget and I don't wanna blow through it so quickly."
Michael rolled his eyes and began pulling the illegals from the trunk.
Sean's eyes went wide at the large roll of cash. "Let's do business again soon. This has been fun."
Sean waved his hand, hopped in his car and sped off.
"Isn't family the best?" Jesse asked sarcastically.