Chapter Text
The alarm goes off besides Chief. Immediately she reaches out and shuts it off. “Ugh, my head…” She groans. The previous night was a Halloween party and as usual at the MBCC the sinners took advantage of planning the night with Faye giving the go ahead on any and all requests. From the drinks that flowed freely and the property damage that surely was done, she was already dreading hearing the report of how much it cost the Bureau.
She takes a look at her comms device and sees numerous missed calls from Faye. “Just what I needed. At least Nightinga-”
On cue her comms device starts to ring with a call from her Adjutant.
Just as she is about to answer, Chief realizes she isn’t alone in bed as she feels movement beside her and she pauses in horror.
‘Oh fuck, what did I do….’
Slowly Chief turns over in bed. Beside her she sees a head with purple hair and white ends peacefully asleep. “Oh no…”
Carefully she tries to slip out of bed, but as she moves the covers she freezes when she hears the familiar voice. “Good morning dear Chief.”
Turning fully Chief gives a nervous smile. “Good morning Shalom. Did we… You know…”
“Well what do you think?” The Paradeisos representative replies with a teasing smirk. Chief’s comms device keeps ringing with another call from Nightingale. “Are you going to ignore your Adjutant? If you are, I can answer it for you and explain that you are occupied.”
Chief instantly pulls the comms device away. “Like fuck you aren’t!” Her hand shoots up to her mouth, ‘Has Hella rubbed off on me that much?’
Shalom giggles as she pulls the sheet up over herself. “It seems the little Chief has grown up quite a bit.”
“Shalom, I- how about we talk about this later? I have things I need to do and I need to make sure the ducks haven’t…”
A finger goes up to her lips. “Shhh, it’s okay. You don’t need to explain yourself.”
Taking the opportunity, Chief quickly dresses into the standard MBCC uniform.
Just as she is about to dart out the door she pauses, “Chief, hold on. There is something on your neck.” Shalom’s coy voice calls out from the bed. “If you would like, you can borrow my choker, I have another so no need to worry about me.”
Chief moves to the mirror and her eyes go wide at seeing the evidence left on her neck of what happened last night. ‘If I go out like this that would cause so many questions. But if I go out in her choker, then that would have so many more implications.’
Sensing Chief’s indecision Shalom giggles, “Where is that decisive Chief I know? Stuck between embarrassment and scandal? If I was you, I would take the choker. It is easier to say you were looking to return it for me and decided to wear it instead of carrying it around. You do have a tenancy of sometimes forgetting things or rushing off. So it would be a bit plausible.” She suggested with a playful lilt in her voice. Shalom was very much enjoying seeing Chief squirm, but very much wanted to see Chief wearing something of hers, especially the choker.
“Fine, I’ll take the choker.” Chief relents as she moves to Shalom’s side to take it from her. As she ties it around her neck she sighs. “How much of this have you planned Shalom?”
“Me? Planning this? Sometimes there are just happy accidents dear Chief. I don’t control everything in the world, let alone your own feelings.”
Chief pauses. She wouldn’t admit it, but deep down there was a part of her that longed for Shalom. Albeit she wished that it was sober that she acted on it, not that she would… But if she did… ‘No, stop it. You have your duty.’ She shakes her head. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Shalom gives a knowing smirk and rises with the sheet still wrapped around her. She adjusts the choker on Chief so the flower was hanging front and center as it usually does for her. “There, now you’re set.”
Feeling her hands on her neck, Chief blushes. “Th-thank you Shalom. I’ll see you… I’ll see you when I see you.” She stammers out before leaving her apartment.
Outside of her apartment, Chief leans against the door and lets a sigh out. ‘I will never hear the end of this will I?’ Even then she couldn’t help but play with the flower petals between her fingers. After gathering herself she makes a call on her comms device as she walks to the elevator.
Immediately it is answered. “What’s up Chief? You missed 7 calls from your supply chief. So if I was to bet on what happened, you partied a bit too hard last night huh? Don’t worry, I have just things that will make you feel better in no time! Just stop by the supply office.”
“Faye, I-..”
“You know where to find me.”
Chief sighs and hits the floor for her office where she had no doubt in her mind Nightingale was already waiting for her along with a stack of papers to go through. Mid descent it stops. Chief looks up to see which floor it stopped on.
Her face pales at realizing which sinners could come through the doors. ‘Just my luck…’
The elevator opens and Chief lets out a sigh of relief. “Coquelic, oh my goodness am I happy to see you.”
The Mentor pauses and her eyes zero in on the choker. Her eyes narrow while her words cut deep with disdain. “I think I’ll take the next one my child. I don’t want any poison to linger on me when I go tend to my flowers.”
“Coquelic it isn’t what-” Before Chief could finish the door slides shut. “Well fuck me…”
The elevator continues its descent until it gets to the offices. She doesn’t stop walking until she gets to the doors to her office. Her hand moves up to the choker as she tries to decide if she should take it off and face the music or keep up the story that she’s told.
She opens the door and leaves the choker on. As soon as she steps through she feels the blood drain from her face. “Boss, what are you doing here?” Chief tries to remain calm but her heart was racing at seeing Langley talking with Nightingale.
Langley looks up from the folder in her hands and looks Chief up and down. “Looks good on you rookie. Don’t be shy and show off your spoils.” She remarks dryly.
Nightingale on the other hand sighs and shakes her head with disappointment. She refrains from addressing the flower in the room and gestures to the stack of papers. “So about the monetary cost from last night. It seems that a few of the wealthier sinners were somehow convinced to cover the costs. Something about how a certain someone from Paradeisos convinced them. Is that your doing Chief?”
Chief’s eyes go wide as she tries to explain. “Oh no no no. I would never ask Shalom to do something like that. If anything I would ask them myself. But I would never do that because-”
“Because you’re a fucking bottom Rookie.” Langley completes the sentence before pulling a flask out and adding whisky to her coffee. “You don’t have a spine with some of the sinners. Tell me the last time you told one of them ‘no’, And don’t try to slither around the question, I’ve read the reports.”
Chief looks to Nightingale for backup, but her Adjutant remained silent.
“There was… There was that time that Hella asked for a comms device and I told her no.”
Langley raised an eyebrow.
“Okay okay, I told her I’d get her one for her birthday… But I did say no at the time.”
Langley remained quiet and continued to stare at Chief. Chief shifted a bit as she rakes her mind to think of another example.
“I sometimes tell Nightingale I’m doing something else but instead I’m doing something else.” She decides to admit.
Nightingale rolls her eyes, but Langley cuts in, “That’s you being a brat and sneaking away with your girlfriend Chief.” Nightingale chokes momentarily and shoots a look to Langley.
“I think what Director Langley is trying to say is that you need to grow a spine Chief.”
Chief’s eyes go wide, “Nightingale! I have a spine! How else would I walk around and stand?!”
Langley chuckles and stands. She walks to Chief and puts a hand on her shoulder, “Rookie, you really are dense huh? Maybe get some sleep… Without the extracurricular activities. I’ll see you at the review later.” The 9th Agency director walks through the office doors leaving Nightingale alone with Chief.
Now alone with Nightingale, Chief beings to profusely apologize, “Nightingale, I’m so sorry for missing your calls. It wasn’t something I wanted to do, I kind of slept in after the party.”
Her Adjutant's eyes soften, “Chief… You worry me so much. I’m just glad you’re safe… Even if it’s with her.”
Chief blinks a few times trying to understand what she means. “It isn’t… We aren’t dating!”
“But you have her choker on.” Nightingale shoots back with an exasperated sigh. “Just be careful around her okay? I know you will do what you want no matter what I say.” She frowns.
Before Chief can reply, Nightingale sets a folder on top. “Just get through the paperwork. That’s how you can make it up to me.”
She starts to walk out and pauses by the door, “I’m just happy to see you happy Chief.” She says with a small smile before walking out.
“What does she mean to see me happy? Aren’t I always happy?” Chief says to herself as she begins going through the stack of paperwork.
Hours pass as she goes report after report. By now she was used to the choker and completely forgot that it she was wearing it. Once it hits noon she stretches, “Ahhhh… Lunch time… That means a break.”
Chief puts her coat on and heads down to the cafeteria. As she passes different sinners they have wide eyes and steer clear of her. “Did I do something last night? Or maybe I just look even more tired than usual…” She thinks out loud.
The cafeteria was a bustle of sinners getting back from dispatches, getting a meal before a dispatch, taking lunch, or just hanging out. As Chief walks into the doors eyes move to her and slowly a hush falls over the cafeteria. Awkwardly Chief goes to get some mackerel and rice before finding a seat at her usual table.
Sinners start to whisper in the groups they have, the rumor mill of the MBCC was in full swing.
‘Last night did Chief?’ ‘No, she would never…’
Chief keeps her head down as she eats her fish, but her ears were perked to try and catch bits and pieces to why the sinners were avoiding her and possibly what she did last night. However the storm of words was hard to pierce through with so many tales going around, she couldn’t help but think what if they were all true.
She hears light footsteps approach and looks up. “Zero, can you sit with me? I kinda would like some company.” Chief asked the sinner before she can continue walking past.
Zero looks at Chief and smirks, “Sure thing, I’ll keep little old you some company.” She says before plopping into the seat opposite of chief. Her bowl was filled with icecream and Chief sighs.
“Zero, you should actually eat something besides icecream.”
“But why would I? Icecream is soooo good Chief! You should try having it for a meal one day.” She replies as she takes a big spoonful of it.
Chief shakes her head fondly, “Maybe one day I will Zero.”
She shifts gears into the question that has been burning into her mind, “Were you at the party last night? If you were, did I do anything… Embarrassing? It seems that everyone is ignoring me or trying to.” Chief asked.
Zero sucks on the spoon as she thinks. “I actually wasn’t. Had a dispatch that took most of the night. I could always try and see if anything was caught on the cameras if you really want to know.”
“No, no cameras. If something happened I really do not want to relive them.” Chief replies as she places emphasis on reliving it as she knew that the sinner would then suggest rewinding time to the party if only to view it.
Zero gives a playful huff, “Fine. You were the one that thought of reliving it, not me! So don’t look at me like that.” She teased before taking another bite of her icecream.
“Okay okay okay. Well how was the dispatch?” Chief asked to try and change the topic.
“Oh you know, just the usual. Nothing I couldn’t handle in this world.” Zero then smirked as her eyes fall on the choker before going back to the Chief’s face.. “So how you feeling Chief?”
Chief gives her a puzzled look. “How am I feeling? I… I guess I’m feeling fine? A bit hung over. Why do you ask?”
“Just wonderiiing.” Zero sing songs as she finishes her ice cream. “Okay, I gotta head out Chief, and remember you owe me a date still! You promised to show me places!”
Chief watches as the sinner leaves, “Did I say a date?” She whispers to herself before finishing her lunch in quiet contemplation on what could be the reason for the wide berth the other sinners are giving her.
—-
Hours later after some meetings Chief finally is able to finish the paperwork. “Freedom, finally!” She breathes as she hands a duck the final stack of papers to take to Nightingale or wherever it might need to go.
“Quack quack quack quack?”
“No. Secretary duck. I’m not going to be going to visit Paradeisos. I don’t know why you would even ask that.” Chief sighs.
The duck snickers as it leaves the office. Chief meanwhile was oblivious to what it might be despite having worn Shalom’s choker all day.
“Everyone has been acting weird… Even the ducks are joining in on the teasing…” She thinks out loud as her hand absentmindedly goes to the choker. “Maybe a walk outside the MBCC would help.”
–
Chief makes her way to the Eastside and walks the vibrant streets. The bright towers above provide the perfect backdrop for her to get lost in and definitely not get kidnapped. Who would be so brazen to abduct someone with so many people around? ‘But with my luck it is bound to happen.’
She keeps walking to help clear her head and finds herself on a bridge overlooking the streets below. Cars whisk past none the wiser that one of the people they pass is the head of a secret organization, then again in the East side celebrity sightings is almost an every day thing. She stops and looks out over all the lights in front of her and behind. “If only things were simpler…” She sighs.
A motorcycle rumbles to a stop nearby. ‘Probably some traffic.’ She thinks as she continues to enjoy the view.
Another car screeches to a stop and that is what draws Chief to look back. As soon as she turns she feels something that feels like a pipe hit her in the head. As she falls she feels arms wrap around her before she hits the ground.
“Didn’t expect you here Chief…” She hears. Before her world turns black she gets the scent of leather and blood.
–
Chief comes to and her hand goes up to her head to confirm if it was a dream. She finds a bump there and groans, “Of course I had to jinx it.” She says out loud. Her eyes flutter open and she looks around.
She was laying on a couch and all around her things were a mess. A familiar tune was playing on a record player by the window and when she turned she saw a fish tank. “Angell?? Is this a contract again?” She calls out as pieces fall into place to who was responsible and where she might be.
As Chief gets up and walks around it was eerily familiar to the other safehouse she was held at by the assassin. However she can tell that the furniture and goldfish were different. She continues to explore the apartment and as she does she starts to clean up as she has done before. “I did wish for something simpler, I didn’t expect it to come like this.” She says out loud as she begins to do the dishes.
Her comms device rings a few times and she ignores it, with Angell things just came naturally. And it looked like the sinner needed her help tiding up the place too. However Langley’s voice comes back to her: You’re a bottom.
Chief pauses and looks down. “I’m not… I’m just helping a friend out. That’s all that it is.” she says to no one before going back to finishing the dishes. She then gets what ingredients are there and starts on some red bean soup.
As she finishes, the door opens. Chief makes no movement to hide what she was doing. “If you wanted someone to clean up, you could always get a maid or even ask me. You don’t have to kidnap me.” She says as she sets the now cleaned table for them.
Heavy footsteps enter the kitchen and Angell looks over to her, “Oh, you made my favorite.” She says plainly before having a seat.
“I had the feeling you might want a break so I gave it to you.” She adds nonchalantly as she takes a bite.
Chief takes a seat across from her, “And I thank you for that Angell.” She replies with a smile before also digging in.
The two finish dinner and sit on the couch together. Chief’s comms device keeps getting ignored despite the numerous calls she is getting. “Oh my goodness they are so insistent… Oh… It's probably because I was kidnapped.” She says out loud.
Suddenly she hears the smooth voice of Shalom somehow make its way through the comms device, “Dear Chief… Answer my call please before I have Moore help me find you.”
Angell looks to Chief and shrugs. “Up to you…”