Traitor POV.
I listened in on the small ear piece, the two men sat nestled into a corner booth at the back of the bar, angled so that they could see anyone who entered. They talked quietly of day to day things, their eyes continuously sweeping the room for a threat. I hugged my drink and carried on reading the newspaper spread out on the table in front of me. She'd called me again demanding in her threatening manner that I keep tabs on the Seal team, the plans they had made were moving up at speed and they wanted to ensure there would be no problems from this end. I felt terrible doing this; I was conducting the ultimate betrayal and all because they held my own problems over me.
"How was he when you left?" A gruff voice said.
"Still pretty beat up, but he's improving daily, she's good for him." said the other in reply.
"And her?"
"She's tougher than she looks, we just have to keep them hidden a bit longer, give her time to find the source, we need to keep up appearances here, they are meant to be dead after all."
"I just don't like feeling out of the loop, so I can only guess what those two are like being stuck in the ass crack of nowhere." The gruff voice chuckled.
"It'll be over soon, and then they can resume living. Although I think they may be doing a little living up there as it is, you know she stayed in that hospital in Kalispell for days waiting for him to wake up, they have some weird kind of telepathic bond voodoo going on."
"Yeah, I saw it on the plane back from Spetses, freaky. I'm glad for him, he's been alone for too long."
"Yeah..."
I didn't listen anymore, Swan and Cullen were alive, near some place called Kalispell, where ever the hell that is, I need to do some research. I stood from my seat, folding the newspaper under my arm and walked from the bar, my head held high as if nothing was wrong. I swiftly walked the few blocks to my car and left as quickly as I could. I had research to do and another call to make. I sighed at how that would go, I could only hope that the woman would go easy on me.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Instead of driving home, I drove to Reston, I couldn't chance having this information on my own computer and using the terminals at work would raise flags immediately. I soon found myself standing in the entrance to Java Grande Coffee Bar, in Issac Newton Square, just off route 828. I quickly found a terminal and ordered a coffee from the barista. Pulling up Google I typed in Kalispell, I clicked on maps in the results, Montana. Why Montana? Why didn't they hide out here in Virginia, or downtown DC? The logic escaped me, but the more I viewed about the location, the more it became clear, that they had chosen wisely, it was easily defended, remote enough to not draw too much attention, and had easy access to interstates and airports to make a quick getaway. I sat back in the chair, and took a sip of the steaming coffee set beside the terminal. I let the warmth spread through me, I really didn't know what to do now. On one hand I knew I had to make the call, on the other I didn't want to, too much damage had been done already and I was already in so much trouble, I knew that adding anything else to this long list of crimes would put the final nails into my coffin.
I thought about my family, I cringed, I'm essentially a selfish person, it's very rare for me to consider anyone else besides myself, yet I couldn't help but wonder how they would take my betrayal. Would they turn their backs on me, or would they support me and attempt to understand why I've done what I have? Atonement would be a long time coming I'm sure. I closed the browser and swallowed the last of the coffee, before standing and walking from the cafe, my inner voice was in as much turmoil as the rest of me, I really didn't know what to do. The night was still young, but it held no call for me to go anywhere but home.
Home, I let out a mirthless chuckle, had I really not been back in so long? I walked the remaining few blocks to my car, eager to put as much distance as I could between myself and Reston. I spent the drive silently at war with myself, not even the night time ramblings of the DJ on the radio could pull me from my solitary bout of conscience. Why now?
As I drew into my driveway, I had finally settled on my next move. This would be the last time, no more cow towing to the Volturi, I'd done enough damage. I turned off the ignition and the engine rumbled to a stop. I rested my head against the back of the seat, this is it, tell them what you know then stop. I pulled my cell from my bag, my hands shook, fear spiked causing sweat to bead across my forehead. It's a phone call, get a grip. I hit 1 on the speed dial and waited, the dial tone was followed by ringing.
"What?" the sharp voice echoed through the ear piece.
"I-I- um, I have information." I stuttered, cursing myself internally at my own weakness.
"Well. Get on with it, I don't have all day." She replied.
"I was misinformed, th-they're not dead."
"WHAT!" she screeched. I pulled the cell from my ear in pain at the sharp sounds coming from the line.
"Th-they're not dead, it was faked, th-th-they're in hiding." I muttered.
"Where and how did you not know this before now?"
"I-I-It wasn't done by the agency, they think they're dead too. I-I-I d-did as you asked and kept tabs on the teams, th-th-they have them hidden in Montana. A-a-a town called Kalispell."
"Not for long. Don't fail me again." She snarled.
"N-never again, I-I-I'm done, I-I-I won't do anymore, I-I-If that means you'll kill me, then so be it, I-I-I can't take it anymore, I-I-I deserve to die for what I've done." I stuttered.
"Oh you will, you will." She all but growled at me, before hanging up.
I gulped as I dropped the cell back into my bag, it's done, if they don't get me, then the agency will, either way, I'm finished. I stepped from my car on shaky legs, resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be around to see the fall out. I shuffled towards the door of my apartment, fighting the desire to jump back into my car and drive, just drive anywhere as long as it's away from here.
No more running, I made the choice to betray them, I have to stand by it and take the consequences too. I can't be a coward anymore. I turned the lock and entered the dimly lit hallway, shrugging out of my light jacket I hung it on the coat rack as I walked past and headed to the kitchen. It would be a long night; sleep was far from my grasp, despite the enduring fatigue that washed through me. I moved sluggishly through the apartment, checking windows, the locks on the door, anything to give me a sense of safety. Nothing did, nothing will again. I couldn't blame it on anyone but myself. My own mistakes lead to this situation. I was filled with remorse, a feeling that I was completely unfamiliar with, I felt the need to seek out and apologise to those affected by my stupid decisions, but thought better of it. It wouldn't make any difference. They would still pay the price for what I had done; the only saving grace is that soon I would too.
*~*~*~*~*
The last few weeks had been hell. I still went to work; I had to keep up appearances, even though I knew that getting out of this unscathed is barely a pipe dream anymore. I know for certain that they are joining the dots and I know that soon I'll be made to answer for my actions. Why didn't I just go to them when they first got hold of me? Hindsight is as always 20/20, if only I'd had the benefit of that bit of wisdom months ago.
Security here had been bumped up exponentially over the last month; I had no hope of going down to the server room and ensuring my tracks were completely covered, not without company. Since Swan had been found and then died, you couldn't take a dump without someone nearby, big brother has nothing on the CIA, especially when the paranoia gene kicks in with the D/O. Everyone is a suspect. I'd managed to avoid being questioned thus far, but I knew that my turn would come and soon.
I was startled from my inner rant by a sharp knock to my door; I guess my turn was now.
"Come in." I called nervously, my hands wringing under the desk.
The door opened slowly and two large men stepped into the room, they were the archetype 'Men in Black', black, suit, white shirt, black tie, ear pieces, only thing missing was the sunglasses. Broad shoulders helped to fill out the fitted jackets, tightly cropped hair, not quite buzzcuts, but short none the less, kept them looking slick and somewhat menacing. Adrenalin pumped through my veins, this is it, sink or swim. I stood from my chair, my hands held lightly onto my desk to keep me from falling.
"Gentlemen?"
"Ma'am, your presence is requested in the sub level conference room, if you would follow us please."
I was tempted to ask if it was urgent, but decided against it when an eyebrow was quirked in my direction, it was as if he was begging me to protest. I sighed and logged out of my terminal, before moving to join them. I felt quite insignificant flanked by these two giants. People openly gawked as we walked through the building; it's almost as if I had already been found out, not just being routinely questioned. A shiver ran up my spine, maybe if I come clean, they'll be lenient with me, and maybe they'll keep my family safe, maybe, maybe, maybe. Yeah and maybe they'll strap me to the table and administer the lethal injections themselves. I was torn, do I come clean, or do I continue to live this double life and hope they don't catch me on a lie?
The elevator to the sub level was claustrophobic, the walls were too close, the men were too close, it didn't descend quick enough. I felt sick, I knew I couldn't lie anymore, they would know, they would know the moment I opened my mouth. I swallowed, my mouth was dry and no matter how hard I tried, I just could make enough saliva to compensate for the cotton mouth feeling. I could feel the sweat gathering on the back of my neck, there's no way I'd be able to play it off as just being hot, they would know. I was done for.
We exited the elevator and continued down a sparsely lit corridor to the sub level conference room, it was really only used for high security briefings, I didn't go there often; in fact my last visit had been the last time Swan attended a briefing. I faltered in my steps slightly, so this is what it's like going to the guillotine. As we approached the conference room, I noticed two more men stood guard beside the double doors, once more adorned in the trademark black suits. As we stopped, one knocked the door heavily and opened it before stepping back at the call to enter.
I took a deep breath and stepped through, my fate teetered on a knife edge. The room was empty apart from a small table set in the middle, seated behind it was Phil Dwyer, General Garret and another man I didn't recognise. Papers were set in a tidy pile in front of them; a small recorder sat in the middle of the table, a single light over head illuminated them in the cavernous room. My escort stayed outside the door, unmoving, I glanced at them before moving towards the assembled men. My hands hung limply at my sides, my steps sluggish, my breathing laboured. If ever there was evidence to them of my guilt this was it, I couldn't even make eye contact. I stopped at the single seat sat opposite them, yet far enough from the table to tell me that I was there to be interviewed and that I had nothing to protect me from revealing everything. Nothing to hide my betrayal behind. I barely spotted the video camera sitting on the tripod to the left of the assembly. I had the urge to clench my hands, but didn't want to draw any more attention to myself; I needed to have some semblance of control. Now that is laughable. I stole a glance at them before dropping my head once more and waited for their instructions. The silence was deafening, please say something, anything, just don't just sit there and stare at me. I sighed under my breath, I didn't go unnoticed, Phil Dwyer moved slightly in his seat, his hand moved towards the small recorder, clicking a button.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Take a seat Miss Mallory."
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