agent [ reader x zussman ]

• x •

"Brigadeführer Weiss, there seems to have been a mishap with the train plans." Weber stutters nervously under his breath. Although he stands still at attention, his hands seem to be itching to fiddle with the hem of his grey jacket. Zussman's body tenses under your hand, blood rushing to his cheeks in anger.

"Mishap? What kind of mishap?" Zussman questions, his gaze piercing holes in the younger man's face. When Weber takes just a moment too long to answer, Zussman's arm pulls out of my grasp and grabs onto Weber's collar in an iron grasp. "Answer me!"

"There was an issue in communications. The courier of the plans was killed this morning by French resistance. Luckily the supporting troops managed to get the plans before they fell into enemy hands." Weber rushes, sweat forming at the base of his brow. "They had to detour and won't be here until morning."

In the throws of anger, Zussman angrily shoves the man backwards slightly. Zussman raises his arm to punch the man but before his irrational actions could take the reins, you grab hold of his raised arm and pull it gently down to his side. He looks down at you, his hand still gripping the collar of Weber's jacket with white knuckles.

"Calm down, dear. Surely it isn't Weber's fault, there's no point in taking it out on him." You speak softly, careful not to give away any cues with your facial features as you look at him with warning. Zussman looks away from you and back at a trembling Weber, slowly releasing his fist and letting Weber's now wrinkled collar go. Weber stumbles backwards, bracing himself on the table behind him as Zussman's shoulders relax.

"When will they be here? I need an exact time. We do have a gala to get to tomorrow evening and it is a fair ways away." Zussman demands, his rapid breathing slowing and the tensity draining from his face.

"No later than 10am sharp. That's the earliest they can get here." Weber explains through rushed breaths, trying to deescalate the situation. "Of course, if you'd like to head out for the gala now we can always give the plans to someone else." Weber adds. With a smile, you quickly swoop into the conversation.

"We promised to bring the plans and we don't break our promises. There's no need to send for anyone else. We can always come back tomorrow morning to pick them up." You reassure, keeping your voice as sweet as possible. Weber thinks for a moment.

"That would be such a waste. Why not stay for the night, on us? We'll have a lovely dinner and you can meet my fellows and their wives. They're mostly passing through, though some of us are stationed here. We have a spare bedroom that you can stay in, extra clothing as well. Then, you can pick the plans up as soon as the couriers get here and get on your way." Weber offers in an attempt to diffuse the tense air stirring around the room.

"Well, maybe it's best if we go-" Zussman says but as he speaks, you cut in.

"Don't be so rude, Hans!" You giggle. "We'd love to stay the night, wouldn't we?" You feed, laying a hand on his bicep. Zussman nods, quickly catching on to the facade.

"Of course, Rita." Zussman agrees, looking back at Weber. "Very well, then. I suppose we'll stay."

Weber smiles a grin of relief now that the situation at hand is under control. "Great," he replies quickly, rushing to the door. "I'll get everything set up for you. Feel free to go wherever you'd like on the property in the meantime." With those final words, Weber heads out of the room. The door swings closed and both you and Zussman wait a few moments to make sure that you're alone before talking.

"Well that was unexpected." You mutter in English as if nothing at all had happened. At this point, you knew that missions almost never, if ever, go according to plan. Usually the derailing is something as mild as an uncovered identity or a compromised colleague. Regardless of what throws the plan off track, as an agent you need to be ready for anything.