Six o' clock on the dot, Annabelle rose out of her bed. She flung Mina's leg aside, pushing her over to her side of the bed and climbed out herself. Mina's nasal snort had her stopping for a moment, but her friend only swallowed and rolled over onto her belly, throwing her arm over herself. Anna shook her head and rose to her feet.

The usual routine of washing her face and making her coffee passed as normal. As the coffee brewed, she made her way to her spare bedroom, where Dan and Jessi slept. Jessi, being the injured one, slept on the bed, while Dan slept on the couch.

Anna walked up to Jessi's sleeping frame, watched him. After a few seconds passed, he stirred and his eyes opened. "Anna?"

"Morning," she greeted, sitting on the bedside. "Feeling any better?"

Groaning, Jessi tried sitting up. Anna reached out and pushed him back down. "Don't strain yourself," she said. "The pill must be wearing off."

"Have any more of that around?" he asked her, frowning in pain.

Anna chuckled. "I do but you're not getting any."

"Cruel woman."

"Trust me, okay? Too much at one time will do more damage than anything else." She pulled the sheet over him, properly tucking him in. "Sleep some more."

"What time is it?"

"Six ten," she answered.

"Are you usually up this early?"

Anna shrugged. "I guess. Now, stop talking and get some more rest."

"Stay with me?" He grinned devilishly at her.

Anna almost said yes. It was right on the tip of her tongue, just as much as the urge to jump into the bed beside him was in her joints. She wanted nothing else but to sleep beside him, but she had things to do and a girl to find. That would have to wait. So instead of jumping right on board, Anna rolled her eyes, leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "There. That should hold you over for a while."

"I'm not so sure about that," Jessi said, still grinning.

She kissed him twice this time, on both cheeks. Still, Jessi shook his head. "You can do better than that."

Anna couldn't help smiling when she leaned down and planted a long kiss on his lips. Jessi made a sound of appreciation in the back of his throat when she pulled away. She wanted to mimic it, but she only smiled harder. "That's much better," Jessi said.

"Glad I could be of help," Anna said. "Now sleep."

Slowly, she got to her feet and inched her way to the door. Jessi watched her all the way, that dopey smile on his face. Anna waved to him before she slipped out the room.

Her smile never faded though. She supposed it was rather ill fitting to be smiling so happily at a time like this, when Jessi's best friend was in such danger, but she couldn't help it. She was happy. It was odd and it was welcomed. The first time in forever she ever felt something so real ... and her life was in trouble because of it. Assassins couldn't have cohorts. They couldn't form long lasting relationships with anyone, out of fear that it might dull their sense of dedication to a mission. It was why she generally stayed away from people and it was also why her life as an assassin was in danger.

No use thinking about that now. That was for the future, when the mission was over. Right now, she had to get Angela back home safely, protect Jessi until the will was out, which was tomorrow, then let the NPA take care of the rest.

She was pouring her second cup of coffee when her doorbell rang. Instead of instantly reaching for her gun, Annabelle casually made her way to the door, peaked through the peephole and opened it. Roger breezed past, smelling of expensive cologne and AC. He went straight to the kitchen, where he poured himself a cup of coffee and downed it in one go.

"Slow down there, buddy," Anna commented, taking a seat at the island. She sipped her coffee slowly.

"Oh I'm your buddy now? Whenever you want something?"

"You act like you're surprised." Anna shrugged, watching him as he angrily washed his cup and set it down.

"Don't think I like waking up at such an ungodly hour at your every beck and call, Anna."

"So who was it?"

Eyes narrowing, he asked, "Who was who?"

"Who was the girl I heard on the phone? I'm assuming you're this pissed because you had to leave her. Maybe you even had to write her a little note, get her a farewell bagel. Who was it?"

"None of your damn business. She's never going to go out with me again after this, Anna. This isn't the first time I'm leaving her before she woke up."

"Your fault for running out on her all those other times." Unbothered, Anna rose to wash her cup. "Don't worry about it, Dumbass. She's missing out."

"She had one hell of a rack too."

"I'm sure she did."

"Very good in bed, Anna. I'm talking phenomenal."

"Must be true love."

Roger laughed. He was already rummaging through her cupboards and he brought out a bag of chips. "Love? Nah. She was a good lay, easy too. One call and I'm in."

"It'll be harder to see her go," Anna said dryly. She quirked a brow at Roger as he laughed again.

"I don't know," he said, grinning. "I think you would be more than enough to fill that hole."

"I'm assuming it's a pretty large hole?"

"Massive. What do you say, Anna? Wanna go for it?"

Anna chuckled. Before she could reply, another voice broke in. "She has a boyfriend."

Both agents' turned their heads to see Jessi standing at the door, leaning heavily on the frame. He was glaring at Roger, whose only response was a raise of his brows. "And you are?" he asked.

Before Jessi could answer, Roger said, "Oh, I recognize you! You're the guy with the bomb Corvette. Aren't you the one Anna's protecting?"

"Who are you?" Jessi growled.

"Aw, Anna doesn't talk about me?"

"Roger," Anna warned.

"I'm just kidding," he laughed. "Name's Roger Dumas. Nice to finally meet you, Jessime Beaumont."

Jessi looked at Anna in question, but once again, it was Roger who replied. "She never told me your name, but I like to make it a hobby of mine to know what my dear friend here is up to."

"You two are friends?" Jessi inched closer, eyeing Roger. He took in the suave suit, the slick hair and the air of confidence. His eyes shifted over to Anna. "I thought you didn't have any friends."

"Don't ask me where he got that idea," Anna responded casually. She recognized the hint of jealousy in Jessi's voice but she decided to ignore it. She didn't have any time to reassure him. Slowly, she slid out of her chair. "I'm going to wake the others. We've got some things to talk about."

Half an hour later, Anna stood in the centre of the living room, facing everyone. Mina's head was rested in Dan's lap, her hair as disheveled as it always was when she woke up, but Anna knew she was listening. Dan was carefully sipping a cup of coffee above her. As soon as he did, his face screwed, but he drank it anyway, since Anna had no tea in the apartment.

Sitting in the matching armchair was Jessi, downing some of the antibiotics and painkillers she had given him, still sending death glares Roger's way. Roger was on the other side of the room, smiling tauntingly at Jessi.

"Jessi," Anna called. Jessi's eyes snapped to her in surprise. "Still no word from Angela's father?"

Jessi shook his head, "He didn't mention anything about a ransom note."

"Times up then. Jessi, tomorrow's your birthday, so by tomorrow we should have your will read. Today, I'll be going to HQ."

"What will we be doing?" Dan asked.

"You'll be with me," Roger smiled. Roger jumped to his feet and came to stand beside Anna.

"This is Roger Dumas," Anna introduced. "He's a spy at the NPA, and one of my close associates."

Roger gasped, eyes wide. "That's the first time you've ever said anything so nice to me."

"Don't get used to it. Roger will be teaching you guys how to defend yourselves."

Mina's head shot up, almost making Dan spill his coffee. "You mean you're going to teach us how to fight?"

"Sure will, cutie," Roger confirmed with a grin.

"I'll be taking you somewhere where there's more space. Roger'll help you guys know the basics of self defense."

"Why can't you do it?"

Anna looked over at Jessi's grumble. "Because I have other things to do. I'm leaving in half an hour, be ready by then."

At that, Anna walked out the room.

**

She was in her black again and God, it was good to be back. Black tank, black jeans, black boots, black leather jacket. All black, just how she liked it. Sitting on her bike made it so much better and it revved under her tender touch, following easily behind Jessi's Corvette. Roger was driving, much to Jessi's dislike, but Anna never gave him any room for arguments. She had piled them all in the car, then took off behind them.

In no time, they made it to the warehouse. It was abandoned, and lonely and Anna could tell it was giving Mina the creeps. Her brunette friend looked very out of place in her blue jeans and frilly top. When Anna saw her come out in that, she wanted to tell her to go back and change but she decided she didn't have the time. It was sufficient enough. The others were dressed jeans and a loose shirt, except Roger who hadn't traded in his suit.

"This is where you'll be training us?" Dan asked, looking around as they entered.

"You guys need to stay out of the public eye for a while. We can't risk having them know where you are so yes, this is where you'll be training."

Anna turned her back to them. "Roger, you take care of the rest. I'm going."

"You're not going to show them what you've got first?" he called.

Anna looked at him. "Why would I do that?"

He shrugged. "You know, let the kids see first hand what the best assassin in the NPA can do."

"You're the best?" Mina asked Anna.

"Sure is, cutie. The longest one there too with a whopping five years. No one has ever lasted that long."

"Hard to last that long," Anna interjected. "When you're life is at stake everyday."

"Yeah, but five years is one hell of a record, don't you think? She's my superior, you know," Roger informed them.

"Roger."

"Come on, Anna. Let's show them what you can do. Fight me."

Anna rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for games."

"Fight him, Anna," Dan exclaimed excitedly. "Come on. Show us what you've got."

Both Jessi and Mina agreed. Anna conceded. "Fine." She stripped her jacket as Roger stripped his.

Roger held his hands out before him, getting into a ready position. Anna watched as he jogged back and forth on the balls of his feet. He made the first move – as he usually did – but she dodged it. Collective oohs rose into the air as she continued to dodge the others before she finally grabbed his hand and threw him over her shoulder. Instead of jumping to his feet, Roger swiped at hers, bringing Anna down.

No sooner had her butt kissed the ground did she jumped back up. She blocked Roger's kick, blocked his punch and counter punched him in the stomach. She punched him in the chin too, for good measure, before she grabbed his arm, pulled it behind him and forced him to the ground. Roger was calling forfeit in a matter of seconds.

"That's my girl!" Jessi exclaimed. He was before her in a second, sweeping her around. Anna released a laugh of surprise before it was cut off by his lips. "Show them who's boss."

"Jessi, your wound."

"I can take it," he grinned, allowing her to pull away from him. He sent a superior look Roger's way.

Roger was too busy dusting himself off to notice. "That, ladies and gentlemen, is only half of what she can do."

Anna rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I have a boss to talk to and you guys have training to do. Go easy on Jessi," she called as she walked out. "He has an injury."