In the Line Of Duty (three word Wednesday - fear, ignore, weightless)

This is a little more storyline involving characters from past 3ww installments "Meeting Savannah," and "The New Assignment". Hope you enjoy.




“No Ed, absolutely not.”

“I knew you’d object. Don’t worry, everything’s taken care of. You just need to sign the form.”

“I really don’t think this will work.”

The tall, slender supervisor placed a hand on his shoulder, ignoring Brian’s objection. ”Brian, I would only give this arrangement to our most trusted agents.”

Brian caressed the left temple of his forehead, trying to digest what was being asked of him. He knew that employment with the FBI meant they owned you. They could send you anywhere… at any time… as anyone. They made the decisions for you. They thought for you. They were your brain. “She’s a terror Ed. How did you get her to agree to it?”

“Full scholarship for a college of her choice.”

“That was all it took?”

Ed laughed, “No. We also threw in a car, backstage passes to Lady Gaga, and a shopping spree.”

Brian placed his palm on his forehead. Ed continued, ”We presented her with a few candidates. She chose you, as hard as that is for you to believe.”

“Lucky me,” Brian sighed.

“She’s a great asset, Brian.”

Brian frowned and accepted the papers from Ed’s hands. He reviewed the documents in a prolonged silence. Ed waited until Brian’s head emerged from the documents to speak, “I realize this is asking a lot…”

“Adoption?” Brian said with a tone of fear.

“She’s a minor Brian. It would make travelling easier if you were her legal guardian.”

“She’s almost an adult herself…”

“Which is exactly why this arrangement is ideal! Once she is eighteen, she’s not your responsibility anymore.”

“I don’t know the first thing about parenting…”

“She’s an independent person Brian. And it’s not like we’re asking you to change diapers.”

Brian lowered his eyes to the document, “I still think this is above and beyond what is expected of me.”

“She’s an orphan Brian. What orphan hasn’t always wanted a father? Like I said, you are the most trusted agent in the business. I certainly would not place the life of a dependent in an agent’s hands if I did not trust them with my own…”

Brian was touched. Ed had the reputation of a hard ass, and sincere compliments were not in his character. He looked into the wizened, begging eyes of his superior. A long silence subsided with Brian’s sigh.

“Give me the pen. I cannot believe I am doing this.”

The scribbling sound ceased and the document was surrendered to Ed. The slender man shook Brian’s hand, “Thank you. Come with me.”

The two men walked down a long hallway and pushed open a door identified as the office of “Chief Edward Emerson.” An invite into the supervisor’s office was privilege in itself. Brian had only been in this spotless office once before, when they first met six years ago. The place had not changed much. Everything had its place. The books were arranged alphabetically in his bookcase, the blinds were pulled to the same length on all three windows, the abacus on his desk… was not on his desk but instead weightlessly sustained over the surface. Ed exchanged a nod with the red head girl sitting in his plush office chair. He spun on his heel to Brian, “Agent Hunt, a young woman that needs no introduction.” The abacus slowly descended onto the desk and the teenager stood up.

Savannah twisted her lip and winked mischievously, “Hi Daddy!”

Brian gave a bleak smile. ‘Daddy’ would take some getting used to. Ed dropped an envelope in his empty hand.

“What are these? Tickets?”

“Yes.”

“Where are we headed?” Brian opened the envelope, expecting plane tickets to some exotic or dangerous destination.

“I thought it would be a good bonding experience with your daughter,” Ed smirked playfully. ‘Daughter’ would also need to grow on him. Brian’s shoulders slouched in disappointment, while Ed and Savannah smiled at each other.

“Two Lady Gaga tickets!!”