"Teresa!"

A twenty-five-year-old woman with a slim build turned around, her light brown ponytail flying around with her head. Her sharp eyes searched among the people in the compound until she found the owner of the voice.

"Edward!" her low voice squealed in glee.

The man named Edward ran towards her and embraced her into a bear hug. The six feet tall guy crushed the small woman within that moment of contact.

"Can't... Breathe!" Teresa patted his arms.

Edward let go of her with a huge grin plastered on his fair-skinned face. His olive-green eyes were shining. Teresa reflected his mood on seeing her best and only friend after almost a year.

"When did ya get back?! You didn't even call!" he whined as soon as he started talking.

Teresa smiled to herself, realizing how much she missed his company. How could she forget his nagging and his facetious manner? Edward was the first friend she had found ever since she joined the CBI.

"Today," she replied lamely.

Edward tsked and rolled those big green eyes that she loved ever so dearly.

"You know what I mean," he probed.

Teresa considered it for a moment and shrugged as if it did not hold much importance. She knew he wanted all the details even if it was against the rules to talk about your missions. A rule Teresa was very serious about. However, Edward was like a girlfriend she never had. He loved to hear about her stories.

"Guess I can tell you now. I came back a week ago. It was a tiring mission," she told him, not exaggerating.

Edward pinched her chubby cheeks playfully but harshly until she punched him in the gut causing him to reel over in pain, cursing all sorts of profanities. Both of them walked to the office - fighting silently like small kids - to report to work.

"Agent Teresa Greene back on duty!" she announced loudly with an exaggerated salute as she entered the office reporting room.

Everyone perked up at that. Soon, every one of them cheered for her. Some grabbed and congratulated her for her successful mission. The entire squad had been on standby, knowing she was away at an important mission.

Her mind weakened at the recollection of the mission. She was supposed to be tailing the activities of Scorpio. It was a mafia gang which was known for its rash violence on the streets of Compton. Unfortunately, life is nothing without a few quandaries. Her cover had been blown. Therefore, she had to resort to the last option. The one she dreaded...

Someone thumped her proudly on the back, jerking her out of her thoughts. She smiled slightly and beamed at Edward happily. He winked back at her and threw her a dramatic flying kiss with a toothy grin.

He was rapped at the back of his head out of nowhere. It turned out to be the senior, Mr Bakshi, who entered the office with his morning cup of Americano and a black file under his arm.

"Agent Greene, see me in my office," he ordered, his voice hoarse.

Everyone immediately hushed down at the sight of the menacing old man. He was the senior-most in the field due to which all missions and promotions were at his mercy. Known as a choleric aged officer, he was nearing his retirement and was a misanthrope to all except the few who knew him. He was famous for being bilious and phlegmatic towards the team. Teresa was the only one who had met the golden and gentle side of him in the entire department. She was also the only one who had seen him at his worst if not the best when his child and wife had died in India. It had been a car crash and was the deadline to the warm side of Mr Bakshi.

"You all get back to work." he boomed. "Agent Greene simply completed her mission with the help of the entire team. Nobody won a war baba," he grumbled on, his Bengali accent starkly clear.

He's in a bad mood already, Teresa sighed.

He went into his cabin with Teresa trailing behind him.

"May I-"

"- come in, come in girl," his voice softening at 'girl'.

Teresa smiled knowingly at the old man. She held out her palm as if she was expecting something.... and sure enough! A small orange lolly was placed on it.

"Thank you Mr Bakshi!" she sang and giggled like a little child.

Mr Bakshi smiled ruefully at her with his tired eyes. She noticed the bags under them and wondered when was the last time he went home on time and had a good night's sleep.

He had taken a liking to her ever since she joined the force and supported her aspirations of joining the Crime Branch even when her own father did not. It was only natural for him to be softer on her now.

Since she had joined, Mr Bakshi had taken a keen interest towards her and had gone easy hence. Edward had always detested that.

"We live and work hard within an impartial judicial system. But not you. You have the Mister Bakshi at your side," he used to say.

Teresa placed the lolly safely in her pocket and stood firmly before him.

"You called, sir?" she reminded him.

Mr Bakshi eyed her pitifully and shook his head slightly. Of course, he felt terrible for doing what he was about to do, but it couldn't be avoided. It was his duty and a promise he had to keep.

Baacha (child), it's just time, he apologized in his head.

Teresa simply stood there watching him with concern etched on her face. She could sense something worrying him, and she knew she was about to know what.

"Your identity in Operation Scorpio wasn't revealed?" he confirmed with fingers crossed mentally.

"Barely. They just know it was a woman. That's all," she assured him.

Of course, I had to shoot five men dead for that.

"Well, they have been successfully terminated with your information. Glad about that," he said unbothered.

Teresa nodded once. More was to come yet.

"We have another mission called Operation Shadow Killers. O-P-S-K. Both an infiltrator and an informer. No one knows the mafia world as good as you do and you're the only one I trust now. We have spies within us everywhere due to which this mafia has been slipping my hands every single time."

Mr Bakshi's fists curled up in anger.

Teresa didn't understand what her role was supposed to be. Might she be able to direct it? Her first time as a Team Leader? A promotion? Thoughts of victory swam inside her head.

Mr Bakshi looked at her tiredly. And sadly.

"It's a one m-ae-n job Teresa. Or a wom-ahn," he emphasized, his accent heavier now.

Oh.

OH, she thought this time with more of an understanding.

Teresa's heart sank at the prospect of another tiring, perhaps longer mission. Her last one had lasted for almost a year away from home. It was just observation yet difficult. This was infiltration. To top it all off, she had just got back. She hadn't even gone to meet dad and Caleb yet.

I hope I go missing tomorrow.

"You have another mission, Agent Greene."

*****

And that's all for today!!!! I find Edward so attractive in my head but let's not talk about that XD

Hopefully you liked this chapter! Please vote and comment. AS USUAL.

@Pride_04 this chapter is dedicated to you! Thanks a lot for your support and ever wonderful motivation!!!!!!!!

And with that.... goodnight. Meet you on Monday XD