"Other Than Loneliness"
The Baha Bar/Safehouse 1 March 10, 2008 2000 hours "You know...you shouldn't let operatives drink then expect them to do more work," Paige said with a light nudge to Gray. They had left the rest of the tired Alpha Unit relaxing in the rec room and were now on their way to the Medical section of the Safehouse, for what, Paige didn't have a clue. "You're Agents Paige," he corrected her softly with a smile. "What?" she asked confused for the moment. "Agents, you're Agents, not operatives now," he repeated himself. Paige thought for a moment, "it's real then?" Gray nodded his head watching the young Agent absorb what he had said. They arrived in the medical section as Paige was led to a back bed area and three medical people came over. She wasn't introduced and didn't offer her name as Gray spoke with her (equally ignoring the medical people she noted). "We're going to take that tracker out of your arm being there's no need for it," he said casually. Paige just arched an eyebrow, "not when there's one in my neck as well." Gray shifted his weight a bit and nodded his head, "we're still working on getting clearance for that one." "Clearance? From whom?" "It's Section's hardware. Either them or Oversight has to give us the ok." "That's bullshit and you know it," she said. He again nodded his head and she wondered if he often did this in his diplomatic dealings with others such as Oversight. "Yes, I agree but that's the way it is for now..." "Take an xray, I'll help one of these guys take it out..." "No," he said shaking his head, mostly to the inquisitive look of the medics, "Paige...just hang tight for a couple minutes." She said nothing, staring at him blankly as the medics gave her arm a local and removed the tracker (for the second time now). When they were done, about ten minutes later, they left Gray and Paige alone. He spoke softly and deliberately. "I know you don't agree with this or like this. Hell, I don't agree with all of it either but you need to understand something and understand it very clearly." She gave him the courtesy of a little nod though her dark green eyes never wavered from his. "Section operatives are very unique to us. When we were told about them and their abilities we...uh," he smiled, "we actually didn't believe it. But then...well, the testing validated everything and now we realize that we have access to a resource...we only dreamed about a month ago. We will do everything we need to in order to keep that pool open, and if that means Oversight gets to play lifeguard...then that's the way it has to be." "Once we get on our feet," he continued, "we'll be able to get out from under them but until that happens..." he shook his head, "we have to play by some of their rules." "It's always about them," Paige whispered. "It won't always be," he tried to reassure her. "I've heard so many empty promises..." "I know you guys have had it rough, but you have to play by these rules for a while or..." Paige scoffed softly shaking her head, "cancelled." He nodded his head, "afraid so." Paige took a deep breath, "this experience...no matter how fleeting it may be...is still better than there." Paige understood what the root of the problem was: the SIA couldn't police its Agents...yet anyway. Paige followed Gray to the back where the garage was and got her second glimpse of the enclosed parking deck. He walked over to a black mustang convertible and unlocked the doors. "Nice wheels," she commented, grinning a little bit and remembering not too long ago driving in a black mustang (albeit many years older than this one) with Jaime. ((OOC: Jaime = first love, still in Section One)) He tossed a soft case of cds to her, "pick one out, they now belong to you." She nodded picking out a cd as Gray maneuvered the car out of the garage. Paige cranked it up, ignoring for the time being, the man who sat next to her. They arrived, finally, at the apartment complex that was to be Paige's. Gray nodded at the car. "It's yours if you want it." Paige scoffed, "get out of here." "No, I'm serious, it's yours if you want it." She studied him and he looked serious enough so she nodded her head, "hell yeah I want it." He grinned tossing her the keys, "I thought you might...pop the trunk." Paige found the little blue button on the alarm box and popped the trunk. Gray fished out a black bag that Paige recognized immediately as her own. Well, one that was in her room back at the Section. "I was given some of your things, I hope you don't mind." She smiled weakly at him, "it's ok...I'll just burn the bag later." He nodded and led her to the last building and up to the second floor and opened her door. Paige took a deep breath and stepped in...to her apartment. "So, this is mine," she said looking around. "Yes, I hope you like it," he said cautiously. Paige glance around more carefully, taking in all the details, then turned on Gray, squealed and hugged him practically knocking him over. "I never had a place of my own," she said happily. "Yes, yes, I know," he said pushing her off of him and straightening his suit. "We were worried you wouldn't take to being on your own but I see we were wrong." "Oh, please, it so hasn't even hit me yet," she said turning to pace the room as she spied the balcony. "I'm sure I'll freak out at some point and have to call you to come over." "If it's late at night call Jordan, she's the closest to you." Paige giggled opening the balcony door. She heard Gray get on the cellphone calling for a pick up. Though the Agency may not have Observers yet, they certainly had drivers. "Come see..." she motioned for him. He made his way to the balcony as Paige stared at the view. It was beautiful, and even though she hadn't seen it during the daylight yet, she knew this view would be especially beautiful at night. The marina was off to the left over a field of tall grass. The boats were lined up like soldiers awaiting the final call into battle. The sound of the water lapped up against the long docks and the air smelled thickly of salt. Off to a more distant left, the openness of the bay beckoned to her beneath the night sky that housed multiple stars and a waxing moon high enough to cast shadows. "God...it's like being home," Paige whispered thinking of her childhood on the beaches of North Carolina. "So, then you like it?" Gray asked. She turned to him, beaming, "It's perfect." "And you'll be ok...or should I stay?" "No, no, I know you've got the others...I'll be fine." Gray nodded moving back into the living room with Paige slowly following. "We've stocked the kitchen and refrigerator..." "Beer?" Paige asked hopefully. "Yes, but don't get plastered your first night, here," he said grinning. "Aye, aye, captain," Paige said returning the grin. "Make sure the alarm is always set, even when you're here. Keep your weapon hidden and your phone on." "I know, Gray, I'll be fine." He nodded though she didn't think he was all that convinced. "Just...behave yourself...there's a lot riding on you and Alpha." "I understand," she said quietly. "You know what to do if you need something," he said as he opened the door. "Gray?" He turned waiting for her. She stared at him saying nothing though she had wanted to. Wanted to at least thank him for everything he'd done so far, the opportunities, the votes of confidence. But the Section training was still fresh in her system and she said nothing. Gray apparently understood, nodded and slipped out the door. She crossed the room setting the alarm and headed to the kitchen. She opened the fridge, half expecting to see nothing, and saw a ton of food and drinks in there. She spied everything carefully noting in her head - how the hell was she expected to cook for herself? "Well, Paige-meister, you're gonna have to get Alpha over here or find a damn boytoy to cook for ya," she giggled grabbing a beer. She popped it open and headed back out to the balcony. It started sinking in as she crossed the room...quiet. It was really quiet. She shook it off and sat down in one of the two chairs (set complete with a small table) on the balcony. She watched some boats come in wishing she was out there and scheming how she was going to get out there. It was then, that it really hit her, and she held her breath waiting for the panic to settle and her heart to stop pounding. This was real. She was really on her own balcony in her own apartment. She really worked for someone other than Section. Operations was really dead. She was really alone. She bit her lip then downed the rest of her beer. She had just learned again she was capable of something other than loneliness...and now it was gone. She had left him. Not a word, not a note, nothing. Just got up and left, "see you later alligator," she mumbled, disgusted with herself. She had become so obsessed with seizing the opportunity to get out she had not even considered those left behind. Would Jaime be happy for her? Would he understand? Would he still love her? "Does it matter?" she asked herself. Did it? She would, theoretically, never see him again. She doubted very highly that he would be offered a position in the SIA, the main reason being, he preferred being on the inside, preferred being the lonely sniper. She sighed. She knew what had to be done. The opportunity she found herself in, so far, had gotten her a kick ass apartment, a brand new mustang convertible, and a promise of better things to come. Nothing, she resolved in the darkness, nothing would stand in her way of this new found freedom. And though she would always love him, always ache for his touch and gentle words, she would move on...and move forward. Return