CIA Academy of Espionage

Washington, DC

Nathan Hale Administration Building

December 18th, 2015

1100 hours

Alexander POV

When I finally awoke, I recalled the very strange dream I had last night. Cath, Ben, Erica, and I were in a spot in the countryside, and I viewed the whole spectacle from another perspective, being able to see all four of us. I then realized something: this was in Hereford, England, close to the headquarters of the British Special Air Service. I had been here before with Cath, when I was on a mission, still unaware that she was with MI6 like the fool I was.

There were some rather odd details in the dream. We were all many years older. Cath and I were both middle-aged with a couple of gray streaks and wrinkles, but she somehow looked as beautiful as ever. Ben and Erica appeared to be in their mid-20s. My dream self made a joke about my father objecting at a wedding. Apparently Ben and I were betting that he would.

'Whose wedding?' I wondered.

While observing, I saw more: identical golden glimmers from something on mine and Cath's left hands. There was also a silver band on Erica's hand. It had a single, small ice-blue diamond that matched her eyes. Next to it was another ring made of steel and... the bottom section of a bullet casing?

I quickly pieced together what was happening, and smiled brightly.

'Maybe this happens in the future?' I wondered, hoping that was true.

Then I remembered that dreams could sometimes be the product of our own desires. I felt a little sad by the fact that this wasn't a confirmed glimpse into the future and just a man's own greatest wishes, but I pushed it aside, enjoying the scene and the happiness it gave me until I awoke.

Thankfully, Ben was still between Cath and I, asleep, but alive. Safe.

I had been the one to recruit him. Even though I was a fraud then, I was still considered the best in the Agency, and whenever you send the best on a recruitment mission, the potential asset is always a great one.

He proved himself to be a great asset. Despite a lack of spy skills early on, he was always the one to figure out the enemy's plans and stop them, something which even my father couldn't do when he was involved on the missions.

I had come to think of Ben as one of my own, especially since he had helped me improve myself and bring my family back together. This parental affection escalated further when Cath and I managed to figure out that Erica liked Ben more as a friend, no matter how much as she denied it. We had no trouble mercilessly teasing her about it, commenting on how Ben would be a wonderful son-in-law.

We weren't exactly joking, though. We were 100% serious that Ben would be a great son-in-law.

Like their friends, we shipped the two hard.

We actually had no idea what this meant until a couple of years ago, when we found Zoe, Chip, Jawa, and Mike discussing something called "Berica." When we asked what it was, they explained everything. We are now referred to as the "mom and dad of the Berica Shippers."

Of course, Dad being Dad, he wasn't pleased with this idea, given his whole icy persona. Also, there's the fact that he's quite protective of his granddaughter. If he were to give a shovel talk to Ben, he would actually mean it, and would have a plan to torture and kill Ben and dispose of the body, all while having an airtight alibi. Of course, Cath and I are just as protective of Erica, if not more. However, we don't feel the need to give a shovel talk when Berica finally happens. We know and trust Ben well enough.

Speaking of the devil, he groaned tiredly as his eyes began to open, and Cath also began stirring.

"Morning, you two. Sleep well?" I asked softly.

"Yeah," Ben muttered groggily.

"Yes, dear," Cath said brightly, smiling.

'Damn, she's a ray of pure sunshine,' I thought.

"OK, here's the deal: it's 11:15 AM. I'm pretty sure that all students that were supposed to go home have already shipped out. What about you, Ben? Where were you headed?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I've been staying with Mike. His parents are in South Korea along with his grandparents, so I'm staying back here with him."

Cath nodded. "Are you hungry, Ben?" she asked.

"A bit. But most of the students are gone, so wouldn't the mess hall be closed?"

"We have a contingency for those students. However, we're heading to the break room, not the mess," I said. "I've got something better."

Ben raised an eyebrow, but then nodded. "Lead the way, Alexander."

The three of us stood and stretched briefly. As I was smoothing out my shirt, Ben seemed to have some blood rushing to his face.

"Ben, are you alright? You look a little red," asked Cath as she put her palm on his forehead.

"I'm fine. It's just that... well... I'm sorry about last night," he said, looking down, sounding guilty.

Cath cupped his face with her palms and turned his head up to look at her.

"Benjamin Ripley," she said gently, but firmly. "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad we found out when we did. You almost went too far."

"But—"

"No buts, young man. Do not feel ashamed about what happened. Do not think you committed a crime, or that you burdened Alex and I. We care for you, Ben, and we want to see you safe and happy. Whatever it takes. Do you understand?"

He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you."

She smiled and bent him down a little, giving him a motherly kiss on the forehead, then a hug. I joined in from the side.

"Like I said, we will always be by your side," I said, ruffling his hair.

We then released each other. "Now, Alex. Are you ready to make breakfast, or are you going to destroy the kitchen like you did all those years ago?" Cath teased.

I rolled my eyes. "That was one time. One time!" I groaned, pushing open the door.

"What happened?" asked Ben as he followed me.

She grinned mischievously. "Well, this was shortly after we were married. Alex decided to try making shepherd's pie. I have to make you some at some point. It's one of my favorites and it's excellent! Anyways, Alex here attempted to make the dish, and he ended up not only turning on the temperature too high, but he had coincidentally left some M67 fragmentation grenades in there."

I sighed as I threw my hands up in the air. "I was significantly stupider back then, Ben. I forgot to get some sort of safe or concealed storage, so I left the grenades in the oven. Never do that," I said.

"Anyways, the heat wouldn't have been a problem if he hadn't forgotten to check on the pie. But he forgot, and eventually... BOOM!" she exclaimed, giggling.

I turned back towards her. "Well, it was kind of your fault. You decided to walk in, and I got a little distracted by how hot you looked in that little outfit you always wore in bed," I responded, lowering my voice a bit.

She blushed, her playful smugness disappearing. "I... well... er... it's your fault for not restraining yourself!" she protested, but it sounded weak.

I stepped closer until I was right in front of her, with her shrinking back shyly. "Really? You didn't seem to mind. In fact, I'd say you enjoyed it. It's a good thing the walls were thick. You're quite noisy, you know," I whispered huskily in her ear.

She turned redder than a cherry and let out a mortified squeak as she covered her face. 'Nice to know I still have that effect on her,' I thought smugly as I gave her a wolfish grin.

Ben then cleared his throat. "Guys? I'm still here!" he said.

I turned towards Ben, who looked amused and embarrassed at the same time.

I chuckled. "Sorry, Ben. Remind me to later teach you how to charm the ladies."

Cath slapped me on the shoulder. "Alexander! Leave the poor boy alone!"

I shrugged. "Sorry. I'm just preparing him for life! Actually, now that I think about it, he's already got a very special lady on his mind."

Ben blushed. "W-what?"

Cath then turned towards him, having recovered from her blushing fit and was grinning evilly. "Oh-ho-ho, yes. Erica likes you! And you like her too!" she sang.

Ben turned even redder. "C'mon, guys," he groaned, covering his face with his hands.

I laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, son. I approve. So does Cath. I'm not even going to give you the shovel talk! Dad will take care of that!"

"Don't you mean, 'son-in-law?'" teased Cath.

I grinned. "Oh yeah, that's right. Now, onward my dear girlfriend and son-in-law! To the break room!" I exclaimed as dramatically as I could.

Cath burst into laughter while Ben groaned even more. I felt like a proud dad embarrassing his kid. I suppose it was a good thing we didn't run into anyone else.

We finally made it to the break room, which had a pool table, a ping-pong table, some couches, a TV, a small kitchen, and a refrigerator.

I rolled up my sleeves and made a beeline for the kitchen. "All right, you two! Prepare yourselves for Alexander Hale's famous breakfast special: bacon, roasted tomatoes, brown sugar hickory baked beans, toast, and over-hard eggs with cheese!" I declared as I started taking out ingredients from the refrigerator and the pantry.

Ben stared at me. "I didn't know you could cook!"

I grinned back. "Well, my dear son-in-law, that's one of the things I've always been good at. Unless Cath distracts me. But don't you worry! Since we've got you here, and we wouldn't want an audience for that sort of thing, I think she and I will be able to restrain our hormones and have a good breakfast!" I joked.

Those two blushed a deep red in embarrassment. "ALEXANDER!" they shouted in unison.

I kept laughing and washed my hands, preparing to cook.

This chapter was more humor-based than anything.  What do you think?

Chapter 14 should hopefully be ready within a week's time or so.  As always, if you have any questions, drop them in the comments and I'll respond ASAP.

Until next time.  Stay safe!

- ADF-2