Chapter three

The call

"You're wearing that?" Christine asked, her nose scrunching in disapproval.

Sam looked down at himself. Faded blue jeans, red t-shirt, checkered shirt, trainers. He didn't see anything wrong with his outfit. "Yeah."

Christine rolled her eyes. "We have to get you a new wardrobe." She wore a light blue spaghetti strap dress and heals, looking as stylish and as beautiful as ever. But they were going to see a movie, so, even if Christine looked gorgeous, his outfit was a lot more appropriate.

"What's wrong with my stuff?"

"It's too... I don't know. Boring."

Ouch. "I like it. It's comfy. Anyway, can we drop this and go?"

Christine put the strap of her purse over her shoulder and stepped out of her house. "Okay, let's go." She looked up and down the street. "Where's your car?"

Okay, now that he was here, it seemed stupid that he just didn't take one of the cars. Since his parents were gone, two extra cars were there for the taking. He was just so used to relying on public transportation or Kyle that he hadn't even thought about driving over.

"I came on foot. I usually take the bus into town." Sam took a step back. Christine seemed literally able to blow fire out her nostrils. But she sighed, closed her eyes and smiled.

"Sure, we'll take the bus."

One extremely awkward bus ride later, they waited in line to get movie tickets. Sam had to admit that it felt weird walking through town, holding hands with Christine. A month ago he wouldn't have even dreamed of something like that. But almost getting killed a handful of times changed things dramatically. Changed him. Not much, he was still pretty much awkward and the biggest geek around, but he'd gotten a confidence that made him feel like he deserved Christine's love.

A flash blinded him for a second. He turned to his right to see a guy with a camera flashing madly at him and Christine.

"Oh, great," he groaned, turning away to block Christine from view.

"Just ignore him," Christine said, pushing Sam back into his original position and fluffing her hair.

Sam frowned. "You're enjoying this."

"No. It's annoying." She tightened her hold on his hand and leaned against his shoulder. "But I think the best way to get rid of them is to give them what they want."

He'd never seen it like that. Could she be right? It still annoyed him to now end, being followed around and photographed like a show animal. He led the normal life of a teenager. Why did anyone care what he did?

A small crowd gathered around them. Sam did his best to keep his mouth shut and act as if he couldn't see them. Christine whispered that he should just ignore them. Finally, minutes later, they bought their tickets and entered the theater. People kept staring at them and Sam was more grateful than ever when they were surrounded by darkness.

"Finally," Christine breathed. "Some peace and quiet."

Sam couldn't agree more. He was growing very fond of darkness and deserted places. Going on a date was becoming harder and harder, and not just because of his father. He couldn't go anywhere with Christine without it getting out and appearing in the papers. He couldn't understand why people cared.

Two girls made their way to their seats next to them. Christine pulled her feet back to avoid being stepped on. One of the girls passed them, but the other stumbled and fell into Sam's lap, popcorn and all. Sam caught the bucket before it spilled all over them.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, turning to Sam to retrieve her snack. "You're Sam Grant."

"You're in my lap," Sam answered, hoping she'd get the not so subtle hint.

She didn't. "I hoped I'd get to meet you. I'm Bree." Her words poured out in an excited avalanche and she forgot to whisper. "I wanted to tell you that what you did is just great. You're like Indiana Jones."

"With less Nazis," Sam mumbled.

The girl laughed as if he'd said the funniest thing in the world. She turned as Christine tapped her shoulder.

"Hi," Christine said, her voice dangerously sweet. "I'm Christine Palmer. Sam's girlfriend."

Bree didn't get that subtle hint either. "Uh, the photos don't do you justice. You're sooo pretty. And sooo lucky to have Sam. You two are my favorite celebrity couple."

Wait, what? "We're not a celebrity couple," Sam said, lifting Bree off him. And he'd always thought he was lucky to have Christine, not the other way around.

"You kinda are." Bree giggled and hurried to sit on Sam's other side. "So, what was it like, in the jungle?"

"Muddy and wet. Look, can we just watch the movie?" And thank God it was actually starting. He leaned over the Christine. "Can we switch seats please?"

"Come on Sam, she's just a fan girl and she'll shut up. The movie is starting," Christine whispered back.

"Her hand is on my knee."

"Okay, we're switching seats."

Sam ended up next to an overexcited kid who kept repeating every line of the superhero movie on screen. Ugh, home cinema it was from now on. About halfway through the movie, Sam's phone started to vibrate. He wasn't really into the movie so he was glad for the distraction. The caller ID showed it was Herrison.

Excitement flooded Sam and the annoyance he'd been feeling finally disappeared. He got of his seat and made his way outside. Christine whispered behind him, asking where he was going, but he had no time to explain. The moment he cleared the theater, Sam answered.

"Good, you finally answered," Herrison said at once.

"Hello to you too, Herrison," Sam said, but couldn't help but smile. He had a feeling Herrison wasn't calling to update their training schedule.

"Yes, hello, sure. Something's come up and we have to move fast. How fast can you get here?"

Sam did a mental calculation. "Twenty minutes."

"I'd have liked it to be ten, but twenty works. Keep it low." And Herrison hung up.

Sam looked at his phone and started towards the exit. He should be annoyed at Herrison for pushing him around, for cutting his date short, but he felt like laughing. Ever since returning from the jungle he'd felt a little disconnected, dull and... dead. He couldn't find another word for it. He had no idea when he'd become an adrenaline junky, but he missed the excitement missions provided. If Herrison had another mission for them, he wouldn't complain.

He started texting Christine: Got to run. Something urgent came up.

Christine's answer was almost instant: Sam!!! Dont leave me here!!

Ugh, he was such a grammar Nazi, but he hated when she didn't write properly, even if they were just texts. Really sorry. I promise I'll make it up, but I can't stay. I'll call you a cab.

Christine didn't answer, and as Sam rushed to the nearest subway station, he got the distinct feeling that she was no longer talking to him.

*

Sam paced the length of the room. It was long, narrow and only had a few chairs, a narrow desk and a whiteboard for furniture. Jerry sat patiently on one of the chairs, his knees trembling slightly, while Kyle balanced on the hind legs of another. Herrison wasn't there yet.

The agency took up most of an office building on the fringe of the downtown area. To any outsider, it was a huge real estate agency, but the cover only took two poorly equipped offices. The rest was redesigned as huge halls for combat training and obstacle courses, labs for research and development and small briefing rooms like the ones they were in.

When officially joining, they had received a presentation folder containing the agency's history. Founded during the cold war, the CII was an intergovernmental agency sponsored by a multitude of states to keep an eye on everything east of Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin wall, strapped of its initial purpose, the agency now focused on projects of global significance. Sam liked to think of them as the UN's CIA. The energy project they'd retrieved the ruby for was one of the most important the agency was working on.

Now, Sam had no idea what they could do next.

"He said it was an emergency," he mumbled.

"I agree," Jerry said, looking at Kyle. "You didn't have to drive so fast."

"It's a new record. We got here in seven minutes." Kyle didn't seem bothered that he'd hurried over for nothing.

Sam stared at him. Was that even possible? No wonder Jerry looked shaken.

Herrison finally entered the room, carrying a stack of briefing folders. He stopped in his tracks and stared at them as if counting them. "Where are Jimmy and Tom?"

"In Arizona. They left last night," Jerry answered. "Didn't they tell you?"

"No." Herrison sighed and threw two of the briefing folders on the desk. He passed the others to them. "Sorry for being late, and rude on the phone. We've had a very rough couple of days." He dropped on a chair, next to Kyle. "I have a new mission for you."

Sam's stomach did a somersault. He almost cheered out loud with joy. Kyle seemed excited about the perspective as well. Jerry swallowed heavily, but said nothing. He'd decided to join the agency as well and, even if he obviously didn't like it, he was taking it like a champ.

"This is urgent. We sent an agent to see what Snitch Gravel was up to, find out why he left the jungle in a hurry without the ruby." Herrison rubbed his eyes and paused as if searching for words.

"Okay, and what did they gather?" Sam asked. He had a bad feeling about this.

"We don't know." Herrison sighed. "Our agent was captured. We need you to bust them out."

Jerry let out a breath of relief. "So that's all we have to do? Rescue someone?"

Sam had no idea why Jerry was so happy about this. They'd never broken into Snitch Gravel's base before. The last time they'd tried something like that Jimmy and Kay almost died.

"Yes, that's all. You'll be going to Montana this time."

"Snitch Gravel is in Montana," Kyle said skeptically.

Herrison gave a weak smile. "It sounds silly, I know. You were probably expecting a more exotic destination. Sorry to disappoint. You'll be leaving on Friday."

"Friday?" Jerry straightened in his chair. "That's in three days. When will I have time to pack?"

"Jerry, you have three days to pack," Sam said, rolling his eyes. "Who else is coming?"

"Jimmy and Tom. I'll get a hold of them soon and they'll probably meet you there."

"Hmm, so no one else?" Sam couldn't help but find the whole thing a little suspicious. It was true that fewer people were easier to detect, but Snitch Gravel was dangerous to face. And he sort of hoped Herrison would bring the girls back. Though he had to admit he was glad Christine wasn't in on it.

"I'll meet you there, too, and give you more information. For now, you have your plane tickets and basics in the briefing folders."

"No research this time?" Sam asked, trying not to sound too disappointed.

"Nope." Herrison got up from his chair and yawned. "You should go home and get some rest."