She was oblivious to the concept that she never closed the door. She was so immersed in her gentle luxury that she did not see Baellnar quietly closing the door nor Aagi's fiery beard as it got caught in the crack of the bureau as it sealed. When she finished her bath, she changed into dark brown linen pants and a tan linen shirt wanting to avoid the mistake she made earlier with lighter colors. She tied her hair light brown hair back into a tight ponytail but let two strands lose in the front to frame her face. Satisfied with the image she saw in the ornate dragon-guarded mirror she headed for the door. She opened it to reveal the two miscreants sitting on her bed and laughing congenially with each other. When she came out, Aagi stood up snickered as Baellnar elegantly directed her towards the hallway. She did catch the fact that his alabaster skin had a slight shade of pink to it that was not there before. Baellnar still blushing told her to follow him. She did her best, but she had to run to keep up with his ridiculously long and graceful legs. He must be over six feet tall, and she was of a much more average and unremarkable height. She had to strain to gain the extra distance that he conquered so easily. He smiled at her as she tried her best to keep up then slowed down to keep pace with her. "you'll want to save that energy, Aly." He spoke softly. The soft silk of his voice sent shivers up her spine. Luckily the logical side of her brain silenced the feeling and objected to being directed all over the place with so little explanation. "Why?" She paused and stood her ground. It did not matter how comfortable she felt around him. She had been down this road before, friendly people were dangerous. Without stopping he explained. "You will meet with three people every day. We need to teach you how to fight, create, and to conform to our world. You will have a short reprieve in the middle of each day. It would be advisable to use this time to either further your studies on or to explore within the safe confines of the fortress." He took a deep breath his eyes commanding her attention. The intensity of his expression matched hers. "This world is not safe, especially not for you, and you need to be prepared for everything." His expression softened, and a gentle sigh shifted his body. "I may not always be around to protect you." Then without warning, Baellnar tossed her a bow-staff, "Let us begin." She caught the staff on instinct alone. She never actually saw it coming. She then she looked at another elf who was holding a staff identical to hers. He seemed to be watching them, and the hair on Alyenna's neck stood on end feeling the intensity of his stare. Baellnar grunted at her. When she looked back, she realized he had removed his shirt. She understood why the intensity of the sun in this area would be oppressive. She chuckled to herself with a sense of confidence, well to those who were bothered by the heat. She allowed herself a brief second to take in what was happening. She was about to fight a shirtless elf. This whole scene seemed like something out of a novel, how could this possibly be real? She barred her teeth refusing to allow her eyes any more time to wander. She couldn't let him get the best of her. She let her guard down once, and she would not make that mistake again. She already understood that even simple mistakes could mean life or death, in this world. She glared at Baellnar. Aly could not permit herself to make that kind of mistake, even in training. She took a robust front stance and spun the bow in her hands and struck forward. She felt powerful; a feeling she had long forgotten, even with this simple wooden pole clutched in her hands. "Anytime you are ready, you albino beanstalk." Without any warning, the other elf lunged at her. She had taken her attention away from Baellnar. She stupidly assumed that when had begun casually working through katas, he would not be involved in the sparring match. Aly, ruled by only instinct, blocked the attack. In a span of a breath, she danced to her right and swung at his knees.

"What if he took advantage of you?" Axel pushed, frowning at me and my stupid decisions. Alright, it was stupid. I should've trusted the R.U. and my team, not some assassin. It was just hard to rely on someone again, I had been alone for quite some time. I was used to being independent. "He didn't, Axel," My voice softened as I tried to get through to him. He was just worried. Imagine finding out your sister not only stayed at the same school with an assassin but also voluntarily chose to sleep with him. Even though I wasn't his sister, the situation was damn right similar. "Hey hey," I continued with my gentle tone, seeming that it toned down his anger a bit, "I'm alright. I'm not called the best sniper for no reason. I'm still here, right? I'm grown- up, you don't have to treat me like a child anymore." "You are a child," Axel snapped as his eyes turned dull and emotionless. I rolled my eyes, "Maybe I am. But I've experienced way too much to be dumb. Yes, maybe a moment or two I could've taken a different route and it would've been safer for me. But you know me Axel, I do what's necessary at the moment." That got him to frown at me, so I quickly continued to my next point. "In the end things will work out," I concluded, "I'm not going to die." That was what he wanted to hear. That last sentence was what he was afraid of happening the most. "You are the most handful stubborn woman fighting machine I have ever met," Axel breathed out in defeat, leaning away from me so that we could comfortably stare at each other. "That's what makes Jamie Lennon, Jamie Lennon," I commented, giving him a huge hug now that that situation was over. — End of Flashback — - "Sammy," I let out gently as I snapped out of my trance to the past. The boy angled his head towards my direction and met my eyes. "Go back to sleep, bud. You have classes tomorrow." I began walking into the kitchen towards the high cabinets for some medical tools. My left arm was throbbing every few seconds, but my mind was preoccupied with my team. Sammy groaned and scratched his head slowly. "Same-old same-old. With or without sleep I'm always shot at everyday." At the comment me, Axel, and Chestin laughed harder than we intended too, and the poor sane boy watched us adults break. "I'm already planning to be a little lenient tomorrow," I managed to let out after straining my mouth muscles. I ripped out the layer of suit that I had on with a knife and applied medicine and gauze wrappings to the wound after cleaning it. All of that took great effort too, considering I was using one arm for everything, still being in my mentally tired state, and engaging in the unadult-like laughing fit I just had earlier. And at that, Sammy was wide awake. "Wait- what?" He recited, finding his stance and walking towards me. The boy got a little side-tracked and his mischievous side sprung to surface, sliding his hand underneath a slightly drunken Axel, who had his head tilted down a bit to wait out the alcohol, and grabbing probably the man's 10th shot by now. If only I had remembered alcohol poisoning in middle school. I would be able to save him, or Chestin, if they really were going overboard. I doubt it though. From what I remember, it takes intense drinking to even be in the risk of dying, and that may still not be enough. Plus, I was sure Axel and Chestin grew some tolerance of alcohol when there were just the two of them. That's what it felt like being the third-wheel. I sighed to myself, before it was replaced with a disapproving-amused look towards Sammy, who had managed to snatch himself a shot glass and was glancing at me for permission. Before I could say anything however, Axel's head abruptly popped up from the kitchen counter, which made Sammy take a defensive step back. Chestin seemed to only care about pouring the alcohol glass after glass and poured Axel another cup of 'Jamie's forbidden drink.' He regained himself a bit before saying, "She's teaching class tomorrow." "You're lying," Sammy quickly refuted back, forced to place the drink back when Axel slapped his hand. "She's like an ancient myth. Top sniper but too busy to teach. That's what makes everyone anticipate seeing her. But since she's been away for 2 years, and the last three years she's been on so many missions, I doubt anyone remembers what she looks like. And now she's teaching class? You're all lying just to get me to sleep aren't you?" He was such a child, I loved him. Axel had choked on his drink once he heard 'ancient myth' and was now constantly laughing, in an unusually dark tone might I add, while looking down. "Stop staring at your crotch and laughing you creep," I jeered playfully at the drunken grown-man. Axel told me to ' shuddupp' and resumed back to whatever the hell kept his humor system up. "Yeah I'm being fired from work currently," I turned back to Sammy as I put the medical kit away, "I need sleep too. Whether or not you're at your best tomorrow I'll shoot like crazy, so I expect you to avoid them, kiddo." Sammy smirked and I immediately thought that whoever would be his future girlfriend, would be lucky to see his expressions. He was darn adorable and I was partially proud of him for pursuing such a dangerous career like Jay. Chestin suddenly spoke up, "I have some things to discuss with Jamie, Sam. Go to sleep, bud." I turned my head to my partner and was surprised at the fact that he sounded so stable after all of that drinking. He must be the stronger of the two- him and Axel. Axel was already knocked out. "Sleep well then, Anne, see ya," The dirty-blonde haired boy dismissed himself after waving his hand in the air and went off into the dark hallways. I watched the boy disappear into the shadows and had forgotten about something before I realized a shot glass was placed on the counter, as a way of saying, " Hey." My body turned around and Chestin had pushed away from the counter. My heart skipped a beat when he stared straight into my tired eyes before I immediately frowned. "Chestin, what's wrong?" From the way he was moving, the way he was looking at me, and the way he had spoken earlier... He had been sober this whole time. My frown deepened as the man took steps towards me, his form growing larger and larger. I took a step back, but I doubt he noticed. It almost seemed like he planned to have us alone again... There was something he wanted off his chest. I was just afraid to get started.

"What if he took advantage of you?" Axel pushed, frowning at me and my stupid decisions. Alright, it was stupid. I should've trusted the R.U. and my team, not some assassin. It was just hard to rely on someone again, I had been alone for quite some time. I was used to being independent. "He didn't, Axel," My voice softened as I tried to get through to him. He was just worried. Imagine finding out your sister not only stayed at the same school with an assassin but also voluntarily chose to sleep with him. Even though I wasn't his sister, the situation was damn right similar. "Hey hey," I continued with my gentle tone, seeming that it toned down his anger a bit, "I'm alright. I'm not called the best sniper for no reason. I'm still here, right? I'm grown- up, you don't have to treat me like a child anymore." "You are a child," Axel snapped as his eyes turned dull and emotionless. I rolled my eyes, "Maybe I am. But I've experienced way too much to be dumb. Yes, maybe a moment or two I could've taken a different route and it would've been safer for me. But you know me Axel, I do what's necessary at the moment." That got him to frown at me, so I quickly continued to my next point. "In the end things will work out," I concluded, "I'm not going to die." That was what he wanted to hear. That last sentence was what he was afraid of happening the most. "You are the most handful stubborn woman fighting machine I have ever met," Axel breathed out in defeat, leaning away from me so that we could comfortably stare at each other. "That's what makes Jamie Lennon, Jamie Lennon," I commented, giving him a huge hug now that that situation was over. — End of Flashback — - "Sammy," I let out gently as I snapped out of my trance to the past. The boy angled his head towards my direction and met my eyes. "Go back to sleep, bud. You have classes tomorrow." I began walking into the kitchen towards the high cabinets for some medical tools. My left arm was throbbing every few seconds, but my mind was preoccupied with my team. Sammy groaned and scratched his head slowly. "Same-old same-old. With or without sleep I'm always shot at everyday." At the comment me, Axel, and Chestin laughed harder than we intended too, and the poor sane boy watched us adults break. "I'm already planning to be a little lenient tomorrow," I managed to let out after straining my mouth muscles. I ripped out the layer of suit that I had on with a knife and applied medicine and gauze wrappings to the wound after cleaning it. All of that took great effort too, considering I was using one arm for everything, still being in my mentally tired state, and engaging in the unadult-like laughing fit I just had earlier. And at that, Sammy was wide awake. "Wait- what?" He recited, finding his stance and walking towards me. The boy got a little side-tracked and his mischievous side sprung to surface, sliding his hand underneath a slightly drunken Axel, who had his head tilted down a bit to wait out the alcohol, and grabbing probably the man's 10th shot by now. If only I had remembered alcohol poisoning in middle school. I would be able to save him, or Chestin, if they really were going overboard. I doubt it though. From what I remember, it takes intense drinking to even be in the risk of dying, and that may still not be enough. Plus, I was sure Axel and Chestin grew some tolerance of alcohol when there were just the two of them. That's what it felt like being the third-wheel. I sighed to myself, before it was replaced with a disapproving-amused look towards Sammy, who had managed to snatch himself a shot glass and was glancing at me for permission. Before I could say anything however, Axel's head abruptly popped up from the kitchen counter, which made Sammy take a defensive step back. Chestin seemed to only care about pouring the alcohol glass after glass and poured Axel another cup of 'Jamie's forbidden drink.' He regained himself a bit before saying, "She's teaching class tomorrow." "You're lying," Sammy quickly refuted back, forced to place the drink back when Axel slapped his hand. "She's like an ancient myth. Top sniper but too busy to teach. That's what makes everyone anticipate seeing her. But since she's been away for 2 years, and the last three years she's been on so many missions, I doubt anyone remembers what she looks like. And now she's teaching class? You're all lying just to get me to sleep aren't you?" He was such a child, I loved him. Axel had choked on his drink once he heard 'ancient myth' and was now constantly laughing, in an unusually dark tone might I add, while looking down. "Stop staring at your crotch and laughing you creep," I jeered playfully at the drunken grown-man. Axel told me to ' shuddupp' and resumed back to whatever the hell kept his humor system up. "Yeah I'm being fired from work currently," I turned back to Sammy as I put the medical kit away, "I need sleep too. Whether or not you're at your best tomorrow I'll shoot like crazy, so I expect you to avoid them, kiddo." Sammy smirked and I immediately thought that whoever would be his future girlfriend, would be lucky to see his expressions. He was darn adorable and I was partially proud of him for pursuing such a dangerous career like Jay. Chestin suddenly spoke up, "I have some things to discuss with Jamie, Sam. Go to sleep, bud." I turned my head to my partner and was surprised at the fact that he sounded so stable after all of that drinking. He must be the stronger of the two- him and Axel. Axel was already knocked out. "Sleep well then, Anne, see ya," The dirty-blonde haired boy dismissed himself after waving his hand in the air and went off into the dark hallways. I watched the boy disappear into the shadows and had forgotten about something before I realized a shot glass was placed on the counter, as a way of saying, " Hey." My body turned around and Chestin had pushed away from the counter. My heart skipped a beat when he stared straight into my tired eyes before I immediately frowned. "Chestin, what's wrong?" From the way he was moving, the way he was looking at me, and the way he had spoken earlier... He had been sober this whole time. My frown deepened as the man took steps towards me, his form growing larger and larger. I took a step back, but I doubt he noticed. It almost seemed like he planned to have us alone again... There was something he wanted off his chest. I was just afraid to get started.

23 So we drink

— Flashback —
"COME OVER HERE," his bellowing voice threatened to strangle my small neck. "Uhhh... new phone number who's this?" My voice squeaked, dashing around the parking lot. "JAMIE," Axel roared, sliding across a car and picking up his pace until we're only a few feet apart. "Wait Axel," I whined out in staggered breaths, "Wait- I'm not as young as I used to be-" "'Not as young' my ass, get your 'bout-to-be-spanked' butt over here," he growled in a low tone, grabbing my wrist and yanking it closer to him so that my body twirled abruptly against his broad chest. Now in movies that shit was romantic. My nonexistent chest hitting his solid rock one was something humanity never wanted to happen. "Ax- Axel, ple- ease please- Wait Axel!" I cried out as he grabbed my chin and surprisingly gently pulled it up to his face so that our two eyes were forced to make eye contact. "Now," he tried to catch his breath, all the while trapping me in this 'very much too close' position, "Explain... to me again what happened?" I was sweating, and I was proud to say it wasn't the sun cooking our faces this time. "Aren't you just glad I'm back?" I piped carefully, my eyes wavering from his. It was interesting to note that Helene and Carlos were standing right there with me. All three of us had stalled at a hotel and ate out at fast food restaurants before returning to the R.U. It had been two years since I stepped foot in there, and I should've looked forward to it. Correction. I looked forward to seeing one person, but I also dreaded seeing him the most. "I..." I started, gulping a little. He's making me lose my cool, luckily no other agent was outside being chased in the parking lot and then locked tightly against each other. "I slept with... him." "Now why in heaven's word did you do that, Jamie?" He raised his eyebrows, sarcastically amused to the point where I wanted to lasso the sun and hurdle it at him. "I texted you already about it," That was it. My eyes fell to some trees in the background because I honestly didn't have any good reason. He tightened his grip, making me let out a quick tsk before returning back to drilling a hole in his eyeballs. "YOU SLEPT WITH HIM," Axel reminded me, making me flinch for real, "That wasn't on the to-do list, Agent W." I pursed my lips quietly as I heard my code name being called. No doubt I was getting in trouble. "I'm sorry," I emphasized for like the twentieth time this afternoon, "I said I'm sorry!" Axel shook his head, not taking the damn apology. "Did you think this through?" No. "What would happen if he SHOT you or something?" ... Oh did I leave that part out too? Yikes...

Chestin smiled cheekily at me, "We drink of course." As if that was the most reasonable thing to do at this time. As if I should've known they drank at four in the morning. There's something about drinking that always tips me off. "I'll go get Jamie her glass of water before we begin," Axel sighed teasingly, pushing off the couch and heading for the kitchen. "No, I want to too," I protested loud enough for both men to hear, "Why not? Why can't I?" "How old are you Jamie?" My partner raised his eyebrows. "It is rude to ask a lady her age," I joked, refusing to answer him. Chestin smirked, "An underage lady." "By one year," I tried. Axel walked back into the living room and handed me my glass of water. "Still underage," he winked at me, receiving a glare before he settled down on the couch, getting ready to bring Kora into her bedroom before the big men did big boy things. I was in the process of sending Chestin death glares, to which he dismissed with scoffs, before a grungy voice from the hallways rang throughout the childish tense air. "Anne?" sixteen-year-old Sammy, nephew of Jay, grumbled, stretching his gradually forming muscles and rubbing at his crystal green eyes. I turned to the boy and laughed at his messy bed hair and poor appearance to greet my return. Although I had to admit, he grew up well under Axel and Chestin's care, and had the same handsome features that Jay had. "Haven't heard that name in a while," Axel chimed with a side grin before going back to preparing his and Chestin's drinks. I couldn't help but let out a melted smile as well. When Sammy was first introduced to me by Jay, he had been determined to call me Anne, which was short for my middle name that I barely remembered, Antoinette. He commented that 'Jamie' was a guy's name, and that calling me Anne sounded more feminine and sweet. Whatever made the kid sleep better at night, I let him have his own free will. Besides, at this point who even knows who I am. Jamie? James? Lennon? Antoinette? Anne? Wendy? Agent W? (Princess?) (Kitten?) (Bitch?) (Nerd?) (Loser?) Instructor? (A/N- kudos to whoever can make references to all of these nicknames/ names/ titles!) Other than my parents, I was only called my full middle name once in my life. "Sam-my-man," I greeted the boy before I walked over and gave him a death squeeze. He grew up so much over the last few years that I felt like crying. From his eyes, to his chin, shoulders, and thighs, everything was now defined and sharp. Sammy didn't particularly mind me ruffling his hair afterwards since it already looked like a big pile of fur-ball string, but he did push me away when he thought that he smelled bad from napping. I rolled my eyes and continued to examine his wondrous growth change, imagining any stories that could have been worth experiencing when I wasn't home at the R.U. "Stop creeping the kid out," Chestin remarked a moment later as he and Axel watched us reunite, popping the beer bottle. "Please," I countered back sarcastically, "What's creepy is how well you took care of this kid all by yourself. I'm impressed." Sammy stood there half-asleep with his head slightly tilted down, probably not even realizing that I was ruffling his hair at this point. "What 'you mean, James?" Axel's voice slurred playfully. I could hear the two men over at the counter getting busy with clinking glass cups and pouring the sizzling alcohol that only adults had access too. Which was no fair. I turned to them and my mood dropped five flights of steps as I remembered the memories of when I was under their care. We were all relatively in the same age group, but I was the youngest, and female, and let me just tell you I did not feel like a princess. Then again, when was 'Jamie James Wendy Agent W Anne Antoinette Lennon' ever a princess? The name doesn't even ring well.

"-How's Sarah doing?" Chestin asked the man, checking the elevator floor number, "She must feel burdened with not knowing what kind of job you do behind her back. But, top secret right?" Ooo. I see, I seee. I understood what was going on now. He must've had a girlfriend outside of work. Then again, no agent ever had a relationship within the R.U. It was a strict policy. The few who did either kept it a secret until they were well respected within the cooperation, or suffered the consequences. There was a pretty scandalous case in the past, and the two agents involved were reprimanded heavily. No one spoke of the top agent that resigned from the R.U. It was a taboo to speak her code name, and agents now don't even know who she was or where she is. The most recent dare devils were from three years ago. Helene and Carlos. They were put on probation for three long years, before Carlos was permanently fired and Helene returned with low status recognition. The only reason why she attended the mission with us tonight was because my previous spotter, I heard, had suffered a lethal bullet wound a year ago and died. It took both Axel, Chestin, and I to beg Jay to even consider taking her. However, although she was reduced to a lower rank, in reality she had the skills that rivaled top agents from time to time. His lips shut silently and the man left once we reached floor 8. The moment the doors slid shut, I couldn't hold back a "pfft." Axel and Chestin shared a glance with one another and then directed their glares at me, so I pursed my lips shut and kept quiet till we reached our floor. _ We walked into our spaced-out dorm and the air conditioning hit my face like a train moving at high speeds. It felt so refreshing that I went towards the couch and laid Kora down, before slouching lazily down next to her small body with my head tilted back and my eyes closed. From my right I heard Axel exchange Helene to Chestin, who took responsibility in taking the woman to her room for the night. Axel stood there for a while before spotting my lifeless form and plopping down on the couch as well, arms ready to wrap over me. My eyes fluttered open and I playfully smacked him for making such movements on the couch that could possibly awaken Kora, but otherwise his arms wrapped around my shoulders and I laid tiredly against his protective arms. Axel has always been there for me, I loved him like a family. He was more important to me than anyone in this cooperation and line of business. To be back to my normal life where I could make sure my family was close and safe, that's all I could ask for. "What are you thinking?" Axel asks as he studied my dazed expression. I looked up at him and shook my head slowly. "Just, glad you're here. Glad to be back." The man scoffed silently at me being cheesy before leaning down to kiss the top of my head, brutally ruffling it afterwards so that I looked a little something like the great Albert Einstein. "Time to slee-" Axel announced. "Uh, sleep?" cuts in Chestin who had just exited the room and closed Helene's bedroom door. Both Axel and I sat up and spun around on the couch, leaning against the back upright slat like kids. "What are you suggesting?" I piped suspiciously, "it's like four in the morning."

The look on her face turned less confident every passing millisecond as she processed my words. Her eyes flashed a couple of emotions, from regret to being scared for her life. I let out a small sigh at her careless mistake. Truthfully, any student could have a bad moment and accidentally spit out words they don't mean. Exactly why I didn't break out the teacher-student lecture I should've given to her. Because I just came back to my daily life, I was being lenient to her. Her behavior was unacceptable, however. Any other teacher, take for example Axel and Chestin, would have fried her with a ten-hour talk. I joined the boys and we all walked down the hall into the gold-designed elevator (much nicer than the one Chestin and I were stuck in earlier might I add, although that was obvious), but not before we heard the young intern from afar yell out " WELCOME BACK, AGENT W!" Once inside and settled, Chestin pressed number 11 and we waited to be taken to our floor. The three of us looked at each other and I saw the boys eyeing me with a smirk. "Unbelievable," Axel remarked, shaking his head slightly, "Causing trouble right when you come back." "What bad timing too," Chestin chimed in, "If it was us two like usual, she wouldn't have gotten in trouble." He nudged Axel and the man nodded in agreement. I rolled my eyes. "Oh please. Your lectures are long as f. You'd finish by the time the girl turned 45." "Whaat?" Axel mocked, "Mee? Never." I kicked him in the shin and he let out a quiet groan. "Since I'm back there'll be four of us again," I continued, "Axel, Chestin, Helene, and I. We're like a pack. A team. A family. Four owls-" Chestin cut in with, "Owls?" "You never realized our code names spelled 'owls?'" I retorted, laughing at him and glad that I could stop sounding so cringy. Axel mouthed quietly to himself. "O," he points to himself. "W," he points to me. "L," he points to Chestin. "S," his finger slides down to Helene in his arms. "You're right," he sang out, amused. The elevator door came to a stop at floor 5 and both Chestin and I snapped our heads up to the ceiling before realizing someone was just getting in. Axel managed to mouth to us, 'what the Bleep is wrong with you two?' before we let our gazes relax from the hatch on the ceiling. Another agent entered into the crammed space and glanced at us in acknowledgement, before seeing my existence and making secret ogling stares my way. He was handsome too, and it would've stayed a secret if the two men in there with me hadn't completely shuffled somehow where they blocked all view from my line of vision. The man seemed irritated and dropped his gaze to my legs instead. That's when I started feeling uncomfortable. "Woan," Chestin greeted the agent with his last name, succeeding in getting his attention. "Hall," he snaps out of his trance and nods towards Chestin. "Damond," he then addressed Axel. My eyes met with the man I didn't know and he gestured towards me. "And you are?" I hesitated. I mean, I might as well. He was a fellow agent. "Len-" I began.