Scarlett Mccarthy's Story

Scarlett automatically curled her arm through Roman’s, making sure to nod excitedly, as if she had been looking forward to this for months. And according to the story, Olivia had been waiting for months. Before approaching the automatic doors, Scarlett glanced back where Madison and Jason were, when she looked back, Scarlett was gone. The interior of the airport was loud. You could see numerous families, tanned, as if they just returned from somewhere hot. And they probably had, considering it was nearing the end of Spring break. After dropping their luggage off at the ‘luggage check in,’ Olivia pulled Alex into the security line that dispersed into three different sectors. They’d have just less than forty five minutes, but impatience didn’t fail to return, and Scarlett just wanted to get through- just as Olivia would.

Jason and Madison would catch up later.

Within the next few minutes of waiting in line was when she finally noticed the stares. Not so many that it would be as if they were celebrities, but enough to be obvious that the people were envious of them. Not only because the both of them were dressed and styled to perfection, and that they were already attractive, but because both of them were taken. Olivia giggled quietly, noticing a group of young girls who appeared to be heading home from some sort of tournament or competition, their eyes glued to Roman as if he were a celebrity. “Looks like you’ve got some fans,” Olivia whispered up at her husband before lightly tapping his stomach with the back of her hand.

Roman stood in line, checking his watch. It felt as if the world were moving in slow-motion. He didn't like it. Without thinking, his usual stony persona took over his body. His back was straight, his lips were pulled into a tight line, and his eyes were filled with a hardness that only a man that seen too much would be able to have.

"Looks like you've got some fans," 'Olivia's' voice caressed his ears. He looked down at her with a hint of confusion etched onto his face.

"Fans?" He said skeptically, following her eyes to the group of girls that were staring at him. He wasn't used to getting looks like that...well, he was, but he never really acknowledged them or thought much about it. He felt a tad awkward, but managed to give them a small wave as a kind gesture, but his face didn't convey anything remotely warm. Their responses surprised him. He could see the blush on their cheeks and hear the girly giggles. He bought his hand back down to his side and glanced at 'Olivia'. "That was...uh...weird, and I don't have time to worry about them" he shrugged. He noticed the line beginning to move and shifted his focused to the mission at hand. Women can wait...they'll be waiting a long time. he thought. He gave 'Olivia' a sideways look, "Let's go, the line is moving." He said gruffly.

"Certainly darling." Greg responded in a somewhat formal but yet enthusiastic and happy voice, squeezing the hand of his beloved Lizzy and starting to walk towards the door Alex and Olivia just passed through.

Jason led Madison Young, dressed as Mrs. Bennet through the door leading into the airport and thereafter to the nearest luggage check in. After dropping Elizabeth's and his own bags off, Greg's sight was drawn to the scene a short distance away. Seeing the look on Alex's face, Jason almost chuckled, as he understood how Roman Atkins would feel in the sort of situation he was put in, getting looks from a bypassing group of young girls, Gregory however, did not, and the chuckle was covered in a subtle cough.

Greg proceeded by turning to his wife. "Sorry darling, shall we?" he then asked the woman in front of him.

Scarlett’s initial reaction to the younger girls was to roll her eyes –Acting cute, didn’t make you cute- Instead, she had sucked it up and laughed as if she actually thought it were funny.

“You’re so boring,” She muttered in response, shuffling forward with the line. With three different stations, only one seemed to be moving at a consistent pace. Scarlett glanced at Roman, noticing a stiffness he always seemed to have- from what she knew, at least. “Oh don’t worry, honey, it’s just an airplane. You have nothing to be so nervous about,” she smiled at him with what looked like reassurance. May as well have a little fun with this. Scarlett could hear a faint chuckle from behind them. A scratchy voice followed after.

“First timer?” An elderly woman said to them with a kind smile.

“Yup! Ever since he watched that movie ‘Altitude,’ he’s had this fear of flying. But finally I convinced him that flying would be so much quicker than driving.” Scarlett said sweetly, speaking as if Roman hadn’t been standing right next to her.

“Men…” Scarlett heard the woman say before they were directed to the station at the far right. Before removing her watch, Scarlett glanced at the time. They still had forty five minutes before the plane would arrive, giving them enough time to do absolutely nothing.

With a warm smile, Roman nodded in agreement with his 'wife'. "What can I say?" He shrugged playfully. "I'm not one for being off ground." He placed his hand nonchalantly on the small of 'Olivia's back. He ushered them through the metal detectors and security until they were near the gate. He could feel the eyes of strangers burning into his shoulder blades, so he kept up the newly wed facade. He just had to remember to smile, walk, and acknowledge 'Olivia's existent. Easy enough, right? Wrong.

Being nonchalant took effort, more effort than Roman imagined. He was usually stoic, silent, and deadly...not loving or affectionate. Hell, the last time he'd ever been with a woman was when he was undercover in human trafficking and even then he barely got to second base because he didn't want to take advantage of the woman. He had morals. He had to be mindful of his stiff and straight posture, relaxing his shoulders and hunching a tad.

His gaze drifted to his new partner, taking his hand off of the small of her back. "The sooner this plane leaves, the better," he sighed, stuffing his large hands into the pockets of his trousers. He leaned against the wall and waited. His patience was wearing thin. He watched her, studying her face and posture. "Since we'll have to wait," he said. "It's best if we try to communicate. I'm not necessarily sure how to go about it, but I'll make an effort. I'll start off small, what are your hobbies?"

“Like I have time for hobbies...” Scarlett muttered. “Hm... Well, before shit got real, I enjoyed painting... drawing... Not really anything else,” Well, that was partly true. Whether anyone believed it or not, Scarlett enjoyed many things- she was just too stubborn to make her enjoyment known- like now.

“Now, let me guess,” Scarlett said, pretending to stroke a nonexistent beard as she stared at Roman as if she could see straight through him, “You don’t seem like much of a people person. You probably don’t like to lose either. So I’m guessing you’re into things with a challenge or are unpredictable? And you didn’t even give those younger girls a second glance. Do you even like females?” Scarlett said seriously, still trying to get some sort of emotion out of this detached man.

And she did enjoy pushing people’s buttons...

With crossed arms and a tapping foot, Scarlett waited. For something. Anything; whether Roman was the same or not, Scarlett didn’t like to lose either.

If Roman had to describe Scarlett from what he's seen, so far, he'd only have one word. Difficult. He remained where he was, stone faced and stiff. He listened to her speak, making a mental notes of her personality. He quirked an eyebrow, waiting a heartbeat or two before responding. Don't roll your eyes. Don't roll your eyes. Maintaining his blank stare, Roman answered: "First off, I'm not a 'people person'," he used his fingers to put air quotes around the word. "Not unless I have to be. Secondly, who in the world actually enjoys losing, think about it. Third, rudimentary feats are bromidic and lastly, if you're referring to my sexuality, I'm straight. However, I'm not interested in girls. I like women; classy women."

He rubbed his chin, mocking her previous gesture. "I believe it's my turn to make some observations," he said. "Judging by what I've witnessed, thus far, you like to get reactions out of people, be it positive or negative. I bet you hate not having control. You're don't have a submissive personality. You are opinionated for sure, and though you tend to receive rather negative feedback, you don't seem to give a damn. Am I right? If not, these are merely observations and things that I've noticed since I walked through the office's doors." Roman tilted his head slightly with his features frozen in a blank expression that conveyed absolutely nothing. Though he did allow his lip to twitch just a tad, revealing the faint smugness he felt.

Scarlett’s lips perked together like a child’s did when they were angry. Not because of Roman’s false judgement, but because that his ‘false judgement’ was actually pretty accurate- not that she would admit that. And considering that it was clear that he had zero interest in her, what was he referring to her as?

With a step forward, Scarlett finally replied:
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Scarlett then retracted and instantly removed her irritated expression, mirroring the blank face of the man in front of her. She had never met someone who could frustrate her so easily, and now she had to live with him. It would have been so easy to simply walk away, search for some better company (which would be anyone but Roman). But even if the agency were only witnessing their current behaviours (or rather, her behaviours), it would be, even then, probable that the both of them would be suspended from this mission. And Scarlett couldn't afford any more negative feedback.

"Why were you even preferred for this mission? You're like a statue that voids absolutely any emotion whatsoever..." Scarlett said quietly and flippantly, again.

Roman's lip quirked slightly, displaying the faint amusement that he was currently feeling. He watched her lip form a rather...cute pout. He tilted his head a bit, another sign of amusement, but also interest. She was strong, he could admire that, but she was also too caustic and defensive for her own good. His ability to read people knew no bounds. Leaning his head against the wall, he simply watched her with an equally blank expression.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” She frowned, but Roman's eyes scanned her body, noting her posture, the faint twist in her lips, and the tensing of her muscles. He was right, about everything he said, he concluded. He almost laughed, it was like dealing with a child, but he managed to keep his face void of emotion. His poker face was practically impenetrable.

"Why were you even preferred for this mission? You're like a statue that voids absolutely any emotion whatsoever..."

At this he replied with an air of condescending undertone in his baritone voice. "I was recommended for the same reason you were," He didn't tear his eyes off of hers, a challenging gesture. "I get the job done. No loose ends. No mistakes. Simple. Emotions get in the way, true, I can fake it, but that's as far as it gets. Anymore questions?" He glanced at his watch, their plane should be boarding very soon. "We have less than four minutes. I suggest you get ready, we'll continue this conversation in the plane, sweetie." He added the last part with sarcasm. Maybe she was a nagging little child, but there was one thing that she could be useful for, and that was giving Roman something to pick on.

Madison glanced at the barista, and then back at Anthony. He'd walked over to the small attached counter where the various sized lids, stirrers, and other condiments were laid out in an accessible order and was in the process of matching an appropriate lid to his Styrofoam cup. The phone vibrated quietly in her hand, alerting Madison to an incoming message.

"Definitely the second one," Jason had typed. Madison sighed. Why couldn't he have just taken the easy way out?

Men.

Glancing at the expensive Rolex glittering on her slim wrist, Madison swallowed a colorful string of curses; swearing like a sailor in the middle of a coffee shop with her socialite attire was the last thing she needed to do to cement her image. However, with Jason stranded in the washroom, there wasn't much Madison could do on her own without making herself too obvious. There was only one thing to do...

Don't hate me for this, but Jason's been compromised. We've got a rogue in the Starbucks and I need an intervention. I'll mark him, but we need his luggage and possibly his boarding pass to disappear. Your count is 4 minutes. Madison hit 'send' and watched the screen for a confirmation of delivery to both Scarlet and Roman. Yeah, she was gonna have to buy Scarlet ten dozen cupcakes after this...

"One signature hot chocolate up front," the barista called out. Madison looked up in time to see the girl slide a sleeve with "Elizabeth Bennet" scribbled in a Sharpie over the Styrofoam cup. "Your second custom order is still in the works. Give it a minute and I'll be done with it." Elizabeth nodded, taking the hot chocolate and sipping it delicately. It was delicious. Too bad she'd have to spill it on Anthony as a distraction for her other two partners... when they finally arrived, anyways. She glanced at the entrance and wondered what was taking them so long. They were already down to a count of 3:37 and ticking.

Roman's fingers wrapped around the handle of his luggage just as his cell phone vibrated in his breast pocket. He sighed, grabbing it and checked his messages.

Don't hate me for this, but Jason's been compromised. We've got a rogue in the Starbucks and I need an intervention. I'll mark him, but we need his luggage and possibly his boarding pass to disappear. Your count is 4 minutes.

~ M.Y.

"Fuck," he muttered, glancing at Scarlett. She probably got the message as well. If this person recognized Jason then he would most likely be able to spot Roman too. He looked at his watch. They had exactly four minute and fifty-four seconds to get the job done. "Let's go."

Brushing pass, Scarlett, Roman was in strictly mission mode, ready to get his hands a bit dirty. "If he was able to recognize Jason then he might notice me too. Can't risk it. Can you distract him while I swipe his pass." He glanced at his watch again. "We've got precisely three minutes and fifty-nine seconds." He said all this while speed walking. The Starbucks was in view now. "Ready?"

At the same time as Roman reached for his pocket, Scarlett could hear a muffled beep coming from her purse. She had almost forgotten the cell that Madison had given her, as well as the other agents.

Before she could finish reading the text, Roman had slipped passed her, already headed in the direction of Jason and Madison.
“Marvelous,” Scarlett muttered sarcastically, completely ignoring any of Roman’s comments.

Without even a nod, Scarlett closed the remaining distance between her and the Starbucks, her eyes searching for the obvious. Her eyes found Madison standing casually at the counter as if she was waiting for her order. Within the store, there was really only one person this rogue could be, but that was only a guess.

Heading towards the little counter, Scarlett acted as if she had just needed to grab a quick handful of napkins. On top of the counter layed an open bag of ‘grande’ lids, as if none of the workers had enough time to put them in there place. Reaching towards the napkin dispenser, Scarlett accidently jerked her arm in the direction of the bag, causing it to fall to the ground with bag now half empty and lids scattered along the floor. Scarlett gasped and her shoulders slouched as a look of embarrassment bombarded her previous happy facade. The man who she presumed to be the rogue eyed the lids on the ground, as if anticipating whether he should offer to help. With luck, he did, but even if he hadn’t, Scarlett would have figured out a way to get him to.

“Need help?” The man asked Scarlett just as she began to kneel down, careful of her dress, and pick up the fallen lids. “That would be great,” she replied, smiling up at him with abashment. Now was where Roman would hopefully come in.

Roman ducked behind a pillar, that wasn't far from the Starbucks. He grabbed his cell phone and held it against his ear, pretending to be having a conversation. Nonchalantly, the tall agent strolled towards the stand, just as Scarlett created the perfect distraction. He waited until the rogue was looking away.

"As you can see," Roman talked into his phone. "I've got the papers with me." He walked behind the rogue, glancing down at the pocket of his jacket. His passport was peeking out, practically begging Roman to swipe it. Roman casually dropped his cellphone next to rogue's left hand. As he bent down to pick up the device, he snatched the passport discreetly. He glanced at Scarlett, giving her a wink as he pulled himself into an upright position. "Yeah sorry, Dave," he chuckled a bit. "I dropped my cell, so about those plans." He walked away, stuffing the stolen passport in to the inner pocket of his jacket. He speed walked back to the terminal, typing on his cell phone with haste.

Mission accomplished. We have one minute and precisely fifty eight seconds to board the plane.

He sent it to all of them, practically bolting to his luggage.