agent [ reader x zussman ]

prologue • major crowley's offer

This morning was the same as any other morning. You woke bright and early when the family of robins nesting outside of your second floor London flat chirped as the sun rises above the rooftops.

Looking at the clock beside your bed, you noticed you're exactly on time. No alarm clock is needed to wake at the same time every day, only the little birds outside your window.

You got out of bed, combed through your hair, and grabbed a slice of toast with a mug of coffee. You could practically hear your mother scolding you now.

"Coffee is for men, it is not fit for a lady to drink!" She'd howl, the crows feet around her eyes creasing with anger. Being the eldest sibling and only daughter of three children, your mother had high expectations for you. She wanted you to be the most womanly woman in existence.

If only she knew half the things you had done.

You waltzed to the bathroom and took a quick bath, careful to keep in time with your schedule. You dried off, pinned your hair up in curls, and dusted small amounts of rouge across the apples of your cheek. Pulling on your uniform and grabbing your bag, you left your apartment and headed to the hospital.

St Michael's Hospital was where you had worked for the past four years, and you expected to work there forever (if you had the chance). You were quite content being a nurse, helping others, but it got rather dull sometimes.

You walk down the street, careful to keep to yourself. Londoners are not morning people, so it's best to stay out of the way.

The second you walked through the doors into the quaint four-floor hospital, you immediately knew something was off. Laura, the receptionist, was not sitting at her desk. The phone was dead silent. Looking around the corner, you saw your co-workers talking quietly to themselves while they took much too long to prepare shots and stitches. What was going on?

A few steps more, just a couple of paces, and you are stopped. It is Francois, your boss, who is never in any time before 8:30am sharp. So why is he here at 6:43am?

"Y/N, if you would come this way. There is someone here to see you." He rushes, grabbing your arm and pulling you along.

"Doctor, is there something wrong? I won't walk into a situation blind, so tell me what's happening." You demand, shaking your arm free from his grip. You now stand in front of his office, a place rarely anyone gets to see.

"Y/N, trust me, it's better if I let them explain." He breathes in a quiet tone. His firm hand pushes open the door and reveals a well groomed man in an even more well groomed suit, sipping on a glass of brandy. An odd drink choice this early.

You step into the room, taking in the man. His hair is milky brown, his jaw square set with a small shadow of stubble around his mouth and lower jawline. The pins on his chest and patches on his arm give away his position immediately: military man.

"Ah," The man starts, looking you over. "You must be the woman Doctor Francois told us about. Y/N, is it?" He questions. Before you can answer, he pulls out a chair for you. "Take a seat, Y/N, we have much to discuss."

Cautiously, you walk to the seat but do not sit down.

"What is the meaning of this meeting? I have patients to get to, if you wouldn't mind hurrying." You inquire, your heels clicking quietly on the wooden floor. The man nods to the chair once again and sits down. You follow his lead.

"I am Major Arthur Crowley, sent on behalf of the Special Operations Executives of Britain. Perhaps you've heard of us, given your background." The man introduces, tapping a file on the desk. Your picture peaks out at you from the corner. It's the same one you wear on your badge.

"How do you know who I am?" You ask, putting on a stare that you hope will wear him down.

"My dear, we know many things." He chuckles, taking another sip. "But if you must know, we were looking for recruits. People with a certain spunk to carry out missions. A man of ours you treated a few days ago got your information from your boss and gave it to us." Major Crowley explains, leaning back into the chair. You press your knees together uncomfortably, the fabric of your tights grinding together slightly.

"What exactly do you expect from me? I'm a nurse, nothing more. Sorry, but I can't be your superhero. Besides, you don't really need more people, do you? You're looking for some lowlife to complete dirty work. I know how this goes." You spit slightly, crossing your arms over your chest. Major Crowley chuckles.

"Private Leane wasn't joking about the fiery personality." He recalls before putting a file in your lap.

It is thick, filled to the brim with papers and photographs, in many languages. You can read most of them, but struggle with the Russian articles. You thumb through the pages and you come to the realization that something is truly wrong.

You knew that the war had been brewing. Germany's forces had been toying with France, England was becoming furious. The Allies were quick to their feet. But what you didn't know was to the extent of what was happening.

"Y/N, it may not seem bad now, but Europe will soon be nothing more then a pile of ash and blood if we aren't careful." Major Crowley explains. "Sometimes, we need those men on the front line to charge in with their guns and bayonets. Other times, they need us to go in quietly and find out what we truly need to know. That's where we, and hopefully you as well, come into play."

You flip through the papers, scanning them with your eyes. Some words pop out at you, such as death tolls and prisoners, while others whisk by you. Pictures of the German army standing tall and proud with their weapons at their sides send chills down your spine. Images of civilians terrified make you want to punch a wall. Who would do that to someone else?

"What do you ask of me?" You whisper.

"We need people like you within our ranks. Someone who is adaptable, smart, and willing to do just about anything. To rise against the machine and take back what is ours. We need people like you because without them, the war will go on forever." Major Crowley explains. "I can see it in your eyes: you crave adventure. You're intelligent, you speak three languages and you were the top of your class. You live alone but you don't mind because you're strong and independent. You helped to raise two younger brothers when your father was killed in the first war, so you're not afraid of challenge.

"With our training, you can become one of the best. You can change the course of the war, you can truly make a difference. You can seek action, have a helping hand in the fate of the war. You can do all of this for a good pay and life insurance. Or you can remain and treat the wounded if you so please." He recites. He takes the files and leaves a pamphlet along with a card on Doctor Francois' desk.

"I do hope you'll consider joining us, but I understand you need time to think. I depart London for our base tomorrow at 9am. Meet me at the train station if you wish to see the life you have the chance to live." With that, Major Crowley picks up his hat and walks out the door. "Have a good day, Miss Y/N." He finishes before ducking out of sight.

So, the morning had been the same. That is until a man came in with a key to the life you always wanted to live. You knew in your heart that you weren't one to settle down and live the fairytale life your mother dreamed up for you. You wanted to fight, you wanted to help.

That night, you packed a bag with a few belongings. The next morning at 9am sharp, you met Major Crowley at the train station. That very day would change your life forever.