Phoenix in the Light

Soldier, Spy

Writers Note: I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I'll be taking a break to celebrate the New Year. I may write a chapter from Alex's POV, his relationship with Jamie is just so fun and heartwarming. I also love exploring his relationship with Farah as well as Price and Laswell. Maybe I'll work on a prequel between him and Farah at the end of this book. Idk.

Trigger Warning: Jamie has some suicidal contemplation.  

...............................................................

"Just stay with Laswell," Alex said, helping me to fix the collar of my disguise uniform. "Don't talk to anyone, don't look anyone in the eye."

As a former CIA operator, I trusted that what he was telling me was exactly what he had been trained to do under Laswell's careful guise. But even with two CIA spies looking after me, I still felt extremely out of place and my nerves were on full display for everyone around me. I tried to think back to the way I felt the night I had to pretend to be a guest at a party at El Sin Nombre's penthouse last year. Alejandro and Ghost had both been watching over me, and I was still nearly compromised, would I even be able to make it through sneaking onto a Russian military base? The only solace was that I would be with Kate, she was a professional in espionage and I would be her tail. The years of experience under her belt, the things she's survived, the things she's accomplished... they were all impressive to even seasoned soldiers.

"Alex..." I whispered as I pined the cap into the military bun that I had slicked back only moments before, "what happens if Laswell gets caught but I don't?"

"Do not try to help her, the United States government has jurisdiction over hostage rescues and Kate can take care of herself," Alex said, words cold as stone.

"And what if I get caught and Laswell doesn't?"

Pulling me into a hug that only the two of us could share, he says into the crook of my neck, "then they will have to deal with me personally."

I chuckled, grateful for his reassurance, but it didn't stop the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. Something just didn't feel right being away from my usual teammates, since I had joined Task Force 141, I had worked almost exclusively with Soap and Ghost on their missions. We had been to Mexico together, the night of the Las Almas massacre had brought us closer together, and the betrayal of Philip Graves had cemented our loyalty and alliance with one another. "I'm a soldier, not a spy. I hate missions like this."

"That's too bad, because you look the part so well," he said, stepping away from me to look my disguise up and down.

"Where did Laswell even get these anyway?" I questioned, fixing the button on my sleeve so that the jacket was form fitting on my arm.

"We have a Russian friend, loyal to Task Force 141," Alex said.

"Who?"

"Nikolai," Alex said, a sly smirk filling out the corner of his lips, clear memories of buffoonery passed over his glazed eyes. "He's a pilot just like you."

"Why isn't he here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Who do you think is dropping off Farah and Price at the missile silo right now?" Alex said, a whisper of amusement crossed his face as he ran his hand through his hair. "I can't wait to see him again."

"I'm afraid to even ask," I replied.

"You'll understand once you meet him." We began walking out of the makeshift conference/ barracks room, silently enjoying each other's company while we walked the tarmac to the Russian helicopter, I had landed on site just yesterday.