"Ugh, what time is it?", Katherine groaned as her eyes adjusted to the blinding rays of sunshine. As she started to see clearly, she could make out a body lying next to her, moving up and down slowly.

Once her eyes had adjusted completely, they widened in surprise and embarassment.

She and Johnny were practically cuddling in bed.

"What the f-", her cursing was cut off by her hitting her head on the bedside table, awaking Johnny. He jumped up in shock and squinted his eyes at the woman.

"What the heck did you do again?", he asked in his morning voice, looking at her curiously. His hair was messy and his shirt was folded a bit, giving Katherine a slight view of his killer abs.

"Why the f**k were you hugging me?", she asked, sitting upright and hiding her blush which resulted from her catching a glimpse of his body.

"I wasn't doing anything. Maybe you did.", he replied, crossing his arms. Kathy scoffed at his response.

"Wow, really. Okay, fine. Have it your way. I'm gonna prepare for today.", Katherine answered, not wanting to argue with her partner, and Johnny smirked at her.

Katherine knocked on the children's room before opening the door. She saw the twins sharing a blanket, facing each other, and they couldn't look any more adorable.

"Kids, it's time to 'go to school'.", she said softly, gently tapping their shoulders to wake them up.

Sarah was the first to open her eyes, and she smiled upon seeing the senior agent.

"Good morning, Auntie Vanessa.", Sarah said, and Katherine giggled. Sam woke up shortly after and stretched his arms, almost hitting his sister in the face.

"Come on. Breakfast is on me.", Katherine stated, making the twins cheer and hug her.

Johnny watched them from the doorway, and he smiled at them. They looked like a happy family.

'When will I have that? A family of my own?', he thought to himself, and found himself staring at the wall.

He shook his head, and went downstairs, with the trio following shortly after.

Katherine did prepare breakfast, and the twins were very vocal about how they love her cooking. Johnny, as usual, had to say something to annoy her.

"This is nothing compared to what I cook, kids.", he whispered to them, earning cute little giggles from the twins.

"I heard that.", she mused, raising an eyebrow.

Soon, it was time for them to change into their outfits for the day. Katherine wore a baby pink sleeveless dress which she topped with a cream cardigan and a black belt, cream open-toed high heels, and some accessories. She applied little makeup on just to conceal some blemishes. Lastly, she put on her glasses.

Johnny wore a blue plaid shirt and had a purple sweater on with his signature round glasses, along with some gray slacks and some black leather shoes. He had a brown briefcase with him

The twins had put on their school uniforms. Sarah had her hair neatly combed with a blue headband on, while had his straight hair gelled to the side.

"You all ready?", Johnny asked, and the three of them nodded. He opened the door for them to get out. When Katherine was about to leave the house though, Johnny shut the door and followed the twins to the car.

"F**king jerk.", she muttered. She was tempted to say it out loud, but of course, there were children around.

She made her way to the car and was about to sit in the back with the twins, when Johnny rolled down the car window.

"Why won't you ride shotgun?", he asked.

"I don't want to.", she answered, rolling her eyes. Johnny did the same.

"The twins are already comfortable there. Ride in front.", he ordered.

"But-"

"Now.", Johnny said and Katherine sighed in defeat. She opened the car door and put on her seatbelt. Sarah and Sam were giggling at their little banter. He started the car and off they went.

The twins were dropped off first, at School. Sarah and Sam waved their hands and bid goodbye to the two senior agents.

"Take care, you two. We'll pick you up later.", Katherine said, and the twins nodded. Johnny drove off to their next destination: Rays of Sunshine Preschool and Gradeschool. This was were the latest bombing had taken place.

"This is it. Go find some intel.", Johnny said, and Katherine faced him.

"I know my job, Johnny. I'm an agent too, y'know.", she answered. Johnny shrugged.

"I'm just saying. I don't wanna have to rescue you again.", he replied, making the woman smack his arm. He anticipated it, though.

"Whatever. Just call me whenever you spot something fishy.", Johnny added. Katherine left the car and walked towards the school.

She was instantly greeted by a rather hyper principal who seemed like she was in her late 40s. She had short hair and wore thick-rimmed glasses. What really was prominent about her were her sharp cheekbones.

"Welcome! You must be the new teacher, Ms. Vanessa!", the principal said, hugging Katherine.

"Oof!", Katherine said, but the principal only hugged her tightly.

"I am Gertrude Robins, but you may call me Mrs. Gert.", she giggled as she pulled away, and Katherine nodded.

"Let me show you around the school before you teach, eh?", Mrs. Gert said, guiding Katherine inside the school.

It was a small school and had few rooms. The walls were painted with pastel colors, and the furniture were really kid-friendly.
Mrs. Gert showed her the classrooms, the library, the offices of the faculty, the principal and the guidance counselor. They also had an audio-visual room were the kids' presentations and school activities were held. She was also led to a covered court where the intramurals are held during the months of September and October.

"Well, I've pretty much shown you around. You're going to teach the preschoolers in Room Generosity.", Mrs. Gert spoke, and Katherine spotted the said room.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gert. I'll be heading there now.", Katherine replied, and she walked inside the room.

She was actually about to ask what happened during the latest bombing, but she felt that now wasn't the time.

'I'll find some intel first.', she thought

Katherine entered the room and saw the children running around and screaming at each other. Just as she expected preschool to be.

"Good morning, kids.", she greeted, and they all instantly faced her.

"Good morning Ms. Fitzgerald!", said the kids. All except one, the little boy who sat at the back.

"Glad you all know me. I wanna know you all, too. Let's start with the little boy in the back.", Katherine spoke, and all the kids turned their attention to him.

The boy raised his head and seemed surprised that all eyes were on him. He started to fidget and he began perspiring.

"Uh-um...", he stuttered, and Katherine approached him.

"Hey, are you alrigh-"

She was cut off by the boy running away and leaving the room.

"What just happened?", she asked the girl who sat next to him. The little girl, who introduced herself as Louise, shrugged.

"Don't know. Been like that since the smoke.", she replied, and all the others nodded.

"The smoke, huh?", Katherine said, and shifted her attention to the door which she noticed has a messed-up doorknob.

'Was that like that before?', she thought.

-x-

"Welcome, Mr. Fitzgerald, to the Pernham Research Center. Here, we continuously make new discoveries and inventions for the benefit of the world.", Maxwell said as he toured Johnny around.

"Wow, this is huge.", he muttered, and the older man nodded with a huge grin.

"Yes, indeed. Come, let me show you the different rooms.", Maxwell said, and Johnny followed suit.

He came across the various laboratories each with their own purposes: one was for biological studies, another for invention of machines and gadgets, and there was also one for chemical engineering.

"Dr. Pernham is usually in the Chemical laboratory. I don't know why, but I guess that is his passion.", Maxwell said, and Johnny nodded slowly.

"By the way, have you heard of the school and orphanage bombings?", Maxwell asked in a whisper. Johnny seemed hesitant, but he nodded his head.

"Well, a lot of us suspect Dr. Pernham behind all that. But, we have no proof yet to accuse him that way.", Maxwell added.

"Why would you suspect him?", Johnny asked, and Maxwell shrugged.

"He's this eccentric and very solitary man. He rarely speaks to anyone, except me. I am the only one in this facility to have a conversation with him. The rest seem to either fear him or find him weird.", Maxwell answered, and Johnny was taking mental notes to himself.

"Does he have a-"

"Dr. Maxwell, may I have a word-", an old man wearing a lab coat appeared out of nowhere and stopped mid-sentence when he saw Johnny.

'This must be him', Johnny thought.

"Dr. Pernham, this is Mr. Victor Fitzgerald. He is our newest intern. Victor, the one and only Dr. Pernham.", Maxwell said cheerfully.

The two men just stared each otjer down. Johnny felt that something was off with this man.

"Good day, doctor.", Johnny said as he reached his hand out for the doctor to shake.

"Pleased to meet you. Have you shown him around, Dr. Maxwell?", Pernham replied, not shaking Johnny's hand. Johnny withdrew his hand awkwardly.

'D**k.', he mentally cursed.

"Yes, I have, doctor. I think Victor will be a great addition to the center.", Maxwell answered, and Pernham nodded.

"Well, I'll speak to you later. Keep an eye on our intern.", Pernham said, walking away.

"So? Any thoughts?", Maxwell asked Johnny.

"I don't know. He does seem weird.", Johnny spoke, and the two men laughed.

"Well, it is only your first day. Come on, I'll show you what to do.", Maxwell said, and Johnny nodded.

'Why is Pernham a secluded man? Why is Maxwell the only one who can talk to him?', Johnny asked. He wanted to why, really, really bad.