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An Ocean of Fire

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Avenues of Escape - Supercorp Spy AU, Summer 2019

“The nature of fieldwork is changing, Kara. We can’t provide you with the real time support you need anymore, not even from the remote offices. The current combat theater is too volatile.”

Kara’s eyebrows drew together. Her relaxed position –  feet propped up on Alex’s desk, knocking askew the shiny placard that read Director Danvers – suddenly grew a lot more tense.

“What does that mean?”

“We’re assigning you an analyst.”

Kara’s feet hit the floor with a slam, and she was up in an instant.

“Absolutely not.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Blue eyes bore into Alex’s brown ones, but her sister simply planted her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow. Kara huffed a breath of exasperation.

“Like hell I don’t. I’m not taking a squint into the field Alex, he’s going to get us both killed.”

“Someone is getting Kara killed?”

The manufactured cheer in the lilting voice at the doorway was evident, though no less irritating. Kara’s shoulders bunched up near her neck and her eyes closed slowly.

“Alex…” she muttered through gritted teeth.

The apology in her tone came through, but the stern voice remained.

“Kara, Lena is the foremost expert on emerging cartels in the Caribbean, and you’re hands-down our best agent on the ground. This only makes sense.”

Kara could practically feel the smug smile starting to grow on the brunette’s face, and her nails dug into her palms. She took a deep breath in, counting to five like her therapist instructed her to, before turning to glare at Lena over her shoulder.

Lena flashed her a dazzling smile, a stack of folders tucked against her chest. Kara’s eyes trailed down her pencil skirt and completely impractical stilettos while Alex began outlining details.

“We were picking up a lot of activity between the Dominican Republic and the coasts of Puerto Rico and the Keys, but two weeks ago our contacts all dropped off the radar. We need you to go down and reestablish lines of communication. You leave in two weeks.”

Kara crossed her arms, her fingers tucking into the soft brown leather of her jacket, and leaned her hip into the side of Alex’s desk. A slow smile crept across her face, and her lower lip twitched when Lena’s own began to falter.

“Agency policy – an analyst can’t go on a field mission without SERE training and weapons qualifications. It’ll take her four weeks just to get the paperwork sorted.”

Lena’s smile dropped and her eyes narrowed. “Well I’m certain that it’s also policy for an agent to have a simple measure of common sense before going into the field, yet they seem delighted to make exceptions for you.”

Kara’s arms fell and she took a step forward, her finger pointed at Lena’s chest.

“If you think for one second – ”

“Ladies. That’s enough.” Alex began shuffling through the papers on her desk. “Kara, you’re correct. But the paperwork has already been completed.” She tossed a manila envelope at her chest, which the blonde caught effortlessly. “You will personally bring her up to speed on her missing requirements. You have until your date of departure.”

They both turned to her, talking over each other in loud protest, until she finally shoved her hands up into the air between them.

“I said that’s enough! Whatever your issues are, leave them outside of this mission and certainly outside of this office. Lena, if you want to go on this mission, you need to be trained. I’m not sending you somewhere potentially dangerous if you don’t know how to shoot a gun.” A triumphant snort was breathed somewhere in the vicinity of Kara’s face, and Alex turned her attention over. “And you – she’s going to be your responsibility. If anything happens to her, I’m putting it on your head. So train her, or it’ll be hell. Now both of you, get out of my office.”

She sat down, turning to her computer, her demeanor evidently intent on ending the conversation. Kara shook her head and pushed past the chair she’d been sitting in, slamming the manila envelope on the edge of the door frame as she left.

 

 

Lena stepped out behind her, shutting the door. They were left alone in the empty hallway, fluorescent lighting beaming down at them from above. The brunette pursed her cherry red lips and watched the blonde stalk around angrily for a few moments before sighing.

“If you’re done, I’m certain there is a better use for our time than you groaning about rules in this hallway.”

Kara’s grip tightened on the envelope, and Lena watched as she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She noted with amusement that she appeared to be counting, but lost all sense of humor when the angry blonde stepped into her space – much closer than she’d ever been before. Lena smelled clean soap and worn leather, and the blonde hair curling around her collar did nothing to distract from the strong shoulders beneath the jacket.

“Fine. I have to train you? Then I’ll train you.”

Lena looked at her suspiciously. “And I’m certain that whatever it is you have in mind is strictly per regulation, Agent Danvers.”

“Be on the south lawn at 4:30 tomorrow.” She spun on her heel and stalked off down the hall, muttering to herself. Lena stared after her.

“In the morning..? Agent Danvers! …I’m talking to you!”