Twenty-four - Decisions

Chloe completely froze. Her eyes carried the shock Gabriel's action had on her momentarily.

But she recovered fast. And within few seconds she wondered whether to push Gabriel away or perhaps go along and see how Nathaniel would react. She felt there would be something fun to notice, so she went for the second option.

Taking even Gabriel by surprise, she placed a hand on his cheek, tilted her head a bit more then, returned his kiss. As he took her invitation and intensified his kiss, Chloe found her mind going to Nathaniel.

Almost instinctively, she flashed her eyes open to look his way. His folded arms were there, but his eyes didn't hold that much confidence his body language was trying to give.

Her choice didn't turn out to be fun. Chloe felt somewhat terrible and that caused her to withdraw from the mouth lock. As she slowly slid her hand off Gabriel's jaw, her head slowly moved in Nathaniel's direction.

Her lower lip sucked in as soon as their eyes met. Chloe instantly recalled the time he kissed her and she immediately felt as though she had done him harm.

Almost groaning out loud, Chloe damned her thoughts, she was angered by what she was feeling for the man who was clearly trying to distance her with the good old method of being hostile after he had done things to rouse stuff inside her that she was trying to fight.

"Chloe..." Gabriel's eyes never left her and like other times, they looked dreamy. Chloe sighed as she met his eyes. Then her eyes went shut for a moment. She damned the situation she had found herself in. The mission had brought along matters of emotions, one thing she had tried so much to evade.

As she opened her eyes, she turned to Nathaniel again whose tongue was flicking inside his shut mouth. Chloe knew she had to, at that moment shun every feeling, every attraction towards the man, and kill any space of romance. And she was doing it for real.

"You really don't care then?" she asked Nathaniel. His lips parted as his arms came free and rested on the table. Nothing came from his mouth as his eyes pierced hers. She nodded slowly, "I guess there will be no more dates. I guess this is it as long as we are concerned."

"I guess," his voice came low but deep. Chloe smiled. It was for the good of the mission and herself. She hardly knew anything about issues of the heart and she certainly wasn't going to learn about it in a house that could become an abode of danger were her identity revealed.

She got up and faced Gabriel. "I am sorry Gabriel, but we can only be friends."

"I know. I will keep on trying though, I would love to be the first man in your life." She did not miss the little frown that Nathaniel face had in response.

"Who knows? Maybe you will finally take that position."

"Well, time will tell, Cupcake." Chloe smiled at him, took her box and made for her room.

Occupied by thoughts that assured her that it really was necessary to end it all, Chloe was blind to the fact that she was almost at the foot of the staircase.

"Hey." A perky Amir caught her before she tripped over. "Are you okay? Aren't you having dinner?"

Chloe sighed. "I think I will make do with these babies," she gestured to the box.

Amir's eyes raked through her as his hands left her. He studied her like he was trying to run a diagnosis on the spot. Eventually, he said, "I will have Lucille bring your dinner. Don't forget to use your medications, okay?"

She nodded. He patted her and walked away. Chloe was grateful that he didn't ask anymore questions, she had so much thinking to do.

~

It was simple. As long as she was still working for the Agency, she would never live a normal life. The life where one has a person she loves living with her in a place she adores. It was a life she could only dream of as she joined the Agency to get certain answers and until she got to a certain level, she could not get them.

Her dream of a normal life was always tainted by that fact which is why dreaming about being on a holiday after a tedious mission always seemed to be a better sight.

Quietly she laid at the end of her bed, her eyes capturing the night. In her right hand was her smart watch which she had been tossing for about thirty minutes as though she were trying to make a decision.

But there were no more decisions to be made. She already made a rather unwanted one earlier.

Sighing deeply, she reached for her headset, got off the bed and made for the bathroom, her hand hitting the call button on her smart watch.

There was no delay in picking up the call. "Where on earth have you been Chloe?" She was glad to hear Agent's Connor on the other end.

"I have been busy."

"Did you make any new discovery?" Chloe almost snickered at his question.

"I was hoping those who stalk for the Agency would have told you I was a bit sick."

He sighed. "It is good that you are alive Chloe."

"I wasn't dying," she snapped.

"Chloe..."

"When am I getting my answers Agent Connor? I am sick of these missions."

"Chloe, maybe you should rest, you must be a bit tired," Agent Connor gently persuaded.

"Yes, I am tired of all these drama." Chloe wished she were with in person, he would not only hear but see how frustrated she was. "I lost so much in the first mission but I questioned noone. As long as I got answers, I didn't mind walking into a bomb infested land. But now I mind because I have thought of it, and I strongly feel that I am being used."

"Chloe... that's not true. These things take time."

"It takes time to provide answers? They are just answers Agent, just words. All I need are sentences to lead me to the truth."

"And you will get them."

"When?" Chloe's eyes narrowed at his statement. "After I have lost everything? After I become some lonely person who does nothing but risk her life for a non-caring Agency? Tell me sir..." she said softly. "When will I ever get them?"

"Soon. You have to exercise patience Chloe, these things are not as easy as you think." Chloe went quiet. "Please Chloe, be patient."

"Why have you been calling?" She felt she might as well continue what she was there for.

"The NAG brothers are expecting a shipment and it will be delivered to their house."

"What do you think is inside?"

"Arms probably?"

Chloe frowned. "Why would they need arms?"

"They might be traders. But we don't know for sure. That's why we need you to check once the shipment is around."

"And if it turns out to be something illegal?"

"We will conduct a raid and most likely have them detained."

Chloe felt a draw on her chest as she thought of them being in prison. She chuckled in her head. In the beginning of the mission,she could already see them behind bars. But then...

"We are counting on you Chloe," Agent Connor intercepted her thoughts.

"You people had better have what I am asking for at the end of this mission," she said before abruptly disconnecting the call with the hope that they would finally keep thier end of the bargain.

She was really craving a normal life.