~ 3rd person POV ~

The train slipped under the cover of the night. Lights dimmed and curtains were pulled past windows, except for one.

An oddly dressed foreign couple sat- no, slouched- at the far end of the wagon.

Chrissie laid the side of her face on the table, her nose almost touching the window. Foggy breaths formed clouds on the glass, blurring the background as it sped past them. No turning back now.

The bench-seats in front of them were empty, aside from the pair of shoes that were blacker than the night itself.

Austin was on her left with his feet propped on the other seats, and judging by the scribbling sounds, he'd somehow acquired a pencil and was writing on a piece of paper.

"That table's nowhere near clean, you know." He said absently.

Chrissie pulled the hoodie to her ears and dragged herself up. Her eyelids continuously threatened to fall down, but she wasn't particular sleepy. Just a little drowsy. And tired. And hungry. And scared. And...

"Whatcha writing?"

She rested her chin on her hands. Austin's gaze flicked towards her for a moment before returning to the scrap paper.

He shook his head, trying to find the right words but failing.

"Uh...a...message....report...thing..."

Chrissie leaned over.

Agent Tardigrade, XAWS2300. Operation North Star
Status: Undetermined

Currently on the run. Proceeded well up until being uncovered. Target wounded, dead? Not sure. Captured by military, detained in cell for 3-ish days. Managed to escape, hid in cargo ship. Docked at China. Taking a train to contact point RE-CR163 (or something)

"What's XAWS2300?"

Austin shrugged. "My tag. The X is my rank- you know, like Special Operative or SEAL, except I'm an Operative- Extreme Operative to be exact. Austin Winters, Skyrise, and 00 is the year I was born. I forget what the 23 means though."

She blinked, letting the silence ask the question for her.

Austin sighed. He knew what she was implying with that look.

"I really don't know what to do. If I include you, it's gonna be a mess. When we get back- because we are getting back- and they know you're involved, that'll be the end of your normal life. They'll interrogate you, keep tabs on you, try to see if you're a potential double agent. But..."

He glanced out of the window. Deep blues, cut off by the gray cityline, and soft colorful lights. Like when they'd stolen the motorcycle and zoomed past the countryside. Only this time, he was glad he was inside a vehicle and not facing the cutting wind.

"But how on earth are we going to explain your unlikely escape from the capital of the tightest country in the world?"

"Don't say I escaped then." Chrissie offered. "I stayed for three months because I had a lot of research to do, and then I just...took a plane back."

"What's your company gonna say? You don't have any research. Your plane ticket isn't from North Korea. If someone asked you to describe in detail your stay at Pyongyang, you got nothing."

"Lime green holding cells." Chrissie muttered under her breath.

"So what am I supposed to do?" Austin sighed, putting his head on the table.

"Tell them I found you at the jail and conveniently rescued you? Or that I failed to assassinate the target so I took a vacation to China and Russia before going back in? Both sound idiotic. And both present so many side problems."

"I know....but still...there must be another option." Chrissie said stubbornly. "I hardly think I'm the biggest problem here. You failing your mission is a problem. People being aware of an assassin on the loose is a huge problem."

"Austin?"

Chrissie realized Austin wasn't moving. He was slumped over the table. The paper and pencil were crumpled under his elbow.

Chrissie felt her heart skip a beat as her eyes bounced around their wagon. What could that have been? Poison? Chloroform? Long range silent stun dart?

Austin's back rose and fell peacefully.

Oh.

Chrissie slumped back against the seat. She had too much on her mind. The tension was driving her crazy. Why couldn't she fall asleep on command like Austin could and rest?

That table's nowhere near clean, you know, she mouthed to him silently.