Crimson Versus Blue

[JawnKarTurr]

James drove his modified Jeep through the twisting streets of the gated community he called home after checking in with security. The lovely newly build homes and landscaped neighborhood looked identical and so did the people. He was one of the few people that didn't directly work for the federal government, and even Evelyn his girlfriend had a post in the bureaucracy. Still though it was a nice place to live, and the people weren't all that bad.

He grew up in Springfield though an all American town with a dark secret. Every household had at least one member of Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to bring down the United States and one day rule the world. They worshiped brutal strength and power. In his safe room he had Conversion by Blackmail, Revolution and Anarchy proudly displayed on the wall. Well it was hidden from the world, but it was there to remind him where he came from and that he had a mission.

He pulled into the drive way and sat for a minute and collected his thoughts. He called it getting into character. He couldn't tell Evelyn everything he did today, but he could lie to the woman. Well he didn't want to, and his training said lies cost you. What he told her would happen was what happen.

That morning he'd gotten up before her and went to the university. It was true and like his early morning workout of three miles, weights, sauna and shower was easily confirmed. He made sure he was noticed in the gym and when he visited his shared office. He answered emails and a few students made it in person to ask questions. Since he was only a part time teacher the rest of the day was free.

The rest he couldn't tell her because his first trip was to a storage unit which was under one of his several aliases he had made up. He used a device to interfere with the facilities camera system and entered his unit and took out several packages of cash and placed them in a small knapsack along with a custom pistol. Then he made his way to the Falcon Warrior Gym.

The place was run by a Cobra associate Darren Blake who's brother was a decorated viper. The ex-professional football player always greeted him with the same big bear-hug that lifted him off the ground. He'd closed the place for the morning so he and his four "friends" could have some privacy. So while Darren patrolled the perimeter set in the boxing ring on folding chairs and at a table with a laptop.

It was run like any small business meeting, but with a twist. They were a terror cell either gathering information or causing chaos. The high command had been happy, and most reported progress in their given area. He'd hand out the cash as their monthly stipend and gave them a financial report. That all went well, but two other topics didn't sit well with him.

The first being that he was supposed to have gotten all the information he could from Evelyn and her job, and move on within six to eight months. They said that he didn't need to killer, but just move on. That was "Crit's" contribution to the discussion. Ever six months he murdered some poor woman and moved on, but his handlers didn't care since her proved good fresh information. He'd been a serial killer if Cobra hadn't recruited him.

He'd made a few excuses saying stability was good for the cover and he wouldn't compromise all he'd setup in the area just to break up with a woman. Then he said she was a good cook and great in the sack. That got a bunch of laughs. Well it was all true, but he couldn't tell him the real reason. The one that gnawed at him when he rolled over and watched her sleep. He cared for Evelyn so deeply he couldn't see life without her.

The other item brought up was his lack of recruiting on campus. Militia's, hate groups, terrorists, and yes even college campuses were all good places for recruiting. Even American troops stuck overseas for years could be brought on board. So the powers at be wanted more recruits, and if he couldn't do it they'd send someone out who could. He made it clear that he'd try harder and he'd take some direct actions.

After things broke up "Wraith" the battle hardened cell leader pulled him aside after the meeting began breaking up. To him though he was John Boyle who grew up threw doors down from him in Broca Beach a seaside town in New Jersey. His father was a cop too, and they'd done everything together. He'd even met Evelyn who was happy to meet an old friend from his pasted. She probably not thought he was so charming if she knew half the things he'd done for the cause. Now though he posed as a respectable capital police officer who was involved in community outreach.

John had a good heart to heart with him over a few sandwiches. He was worried, and not because he wanted his drinking buddy back. They'd been through some nasty stuff in Africa making sure the black market diamond trade went smoothly. He'd saved Johns life and carried him back to the air base on his back. It made him a hero in his unit, but the moment of glory and heroism was subverted. His unit's commander ordered the village the guerrillas might have come from annihilated. That was the first time he began doubting what he was doing.

His friend just remembered his heroics and justified revenge, and because of this loyalty he said they were having the talk. Do your job and get back on track was the gist of his message though they talked about lot's of things. Also the next time there was a solo operation sent to the group he would have him do it. Putting a mark in the win column would go a long way to putting people at ease. The strange corporate and para-military structure of the organization was no more officiant then the ones they fought, but like all others they demanded results.

He parted company with his friend he got his car washed then took care of a few errands and the shopping for the week. Even though it took a little longer he made sure to get all of Evelyn's favorites. From what brand of chocolate milk she liked to what kind of chicken soup she ate when she felt a cold coming on. There were fresh cute flowers on sale so he bought three flower bouquets for the price of two. He bought enough that they'd be fine if they got stuck in the house for two weeks.

Finally got to the present. As he unloaded the car making sure to get all the food, packages, and dry cleaning. He tried to do it as fast as possible before securing the car inside the garage. He laid out all the mail and packages along with the flowers on the counter so it would be there for Evelyn when she arrived. What would he tell her when she came home?

The truth he met a friend she knew for lunch after working and did a few necessary errands. The potential terrorist act, the money laundering, and the meeting with a group of rather savage men wasn't part of that truth. He sat down and turned on ESPN and sat in the living room watching the plasma screen. He couldn't wait to hear the sound of her heels when she walked in the door.

He loved and adored the woman and he so wanted to tell her and mean it. He'd told her but she didn't know the whole truth. She'd at the very least leave him and probably report him. The protocol for that was simple and clear. Eliminate the informer and burn your cover down. The thing was that was much easier to repeat back to a trainer then perform in real life. You couldn't tell someone you loved you could kill them without a thought.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

“Once more, we’re going to go into downward facing dog, adho mukha śvānāsana. True story - what helped me really get a good idea on how to handle this pose was watching my friend’s dog stretch. Seriously! Look it up on YouTube - the light bulbs will go off.”

A few scattered chuckles around the room. Straightening herself up out of the position, she paced around the classroom, correcting those who needed it. Soothing music, overlaid with the sounds of nature, filled the otherwise quiet room. Walking back to the front of the room, she did a mental countdown. Reaching 60, she turned the lights down low, plunging the room into near darkness.

“Listen to your breath…”

Panting heavily, she kicked the man through the wall, whirled on the balls of her feet to face her next opponent…

“Use this time to listen to your body. What is it telling you?”

She barely had time to yelp as the assailant behind her grabbed her braid, yanked her backwards. That was her fault; she’d left it open by leaving her hair that long. But a girl had to keep some things that she cherished.

“Thank it, thank yourself, for the practice we’ve had today.”

She barely had time to take down the man in front of her; she managed to whirl around, her hair still firmly in the man’s grasp behind her, and snapped her foot out, knocking the man behind her. And of course, he hadn’t let go of her hair. And so, she went down with him.

In the darkness, she laid down into the corpse pose, stretching her arms over her head, stretched her feet as far away as she could from her body. Took a deep breath. Held it. The spot between her shoulders was sore; she’d spent too much time in front of her computer at her other job. Well, lucky for her, she thought wryly, that she was able to teach yoga part time. Kept her from being too stiff. But, that was enough for her. Silently getting to her feet, she began to turn the lights back on. “Slowly drift into a sitting position….bring yourself back into the moment. Follow your breath.”

She was momentarily stunned; stars flickered behind her eyelids. Apparently she wasn’t the only one; the guy was groaning behind her, letting go of her hair. Taking the brief opportunity, she got to her feet as quickly as she could, and shoulder checked him into the wall as hard as she could. He crumpled, out cold. Panting heavily, standing over him, she pulled a long bladed knife from her belt…

Now, with the lights on, she was sitting serenely in front of the class, her braided hair a long coiled tail behind her. “The divinity in me recognizes the divinity within you. Namaste.”

________

“Good class, Evelyn.” His voice was quiet behind her. The room was empty now, and he’d carefully closed the door behind the last person.

Turning to face him, she wiped off the sweat from her neck and shoulders. “Why, Chris, I didn’t notice you come in.”

“You were in the middle of Tortoise.”

“Ah.”

Chris padded towards her, his bare feet silent on the wooden floor. He was all American handsome, with a square jaw, blue eyes, and a plethora of rich golden hair. Hair she’d teased him about in the past; even gotten her hands in it. He was a head taller than her, broad shouldered, taper-waist. Bled “Truth, Justice, and The American Way” from every pore.

So, of course, he was her handler.

Not that she resented him for it. “Better make it quick, Chris. The folks around here know about James, and tongues’ll start wagging if we’re in here too long.” She stretched, pulled out a wedgie. “Fuckin’ yoga pants.”

“You’re a regular princess, Vi,” he chuckled, folding his arms behind his back. “But you’re right. Long story short, we think something’s brewing.”

“Something is always brewing,” she said, with a long eye-roll.

“None of that,” and he gently tugged on the long coil of her braid. It was nearly past her waist, a swinging tail of hair that moved with the sway of her hips. “I’m serious. Big brass is saying that something pretty big is going to be going down here soon.”

“Any other details?” She swatted his hands away, freeing her hair from his grasp.

“That was supposed to be your job. Got anything for us?”

“James…is James,” she gave an off-handed shrug. “I haven’t noticed anything else about him. He’s really got that whole, ‘boring perfect boyfriend’ thing down pat.”

“Are you saying you’d rather have a complete pig for a mark?”

Kneeling to roll up her yoga mat, she cut her eyes at him, comically. “Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit. Jesus. I’m just saying he’s perfectly dull, is all,” and she put her mat in her shoulder bag. “He’s good at his role.”

Chris said nothing, keeping his pale blue eyes on her, tracing her movements. “…Can hardly tell you were flat on your butt less than a week ago.”

“Oh, Jesus God, don’t remind me.” She had to act like the massive bruise between her shoulder blades was a bit of soreness; too much pressure brought on from doing inversions in class. After all, she had to practice. Had to be good enough to show the rest of the class and at least look like she’d mastered it. That’d been her excuse to James. Not entirely untrue, as the best lies tended to be. “But if I hear anything, notice anything, I’ll let you know. Same Bat time?”

“Same Bat channel,” he responded, with a slight smirk.

______

A quick shower, change of clothes, and she was on her way home. Sitting in traffic, she drummed her fingers against the steering wheel of the car. What WAS it between her and James, anyway? He was a nice enough ‘boyfriend’ - she’d been on enough ops to know when she was paired up with a real shithead- and, she supposed, this was as close as normal life as someone like her got.

Though, apparently, your mileage may vary when it came to being “normal.” Her folks were in love with each other, had married, despite all of the insanity around them. Probably easier to fall into something close to a real life when you were on the side of the “good guys,” although little enemies of the state had to come from somewhere. And really, that was the funny thing. That was one of the things that kept her up at night - where did he really come from? How did that family unit even work? Did his parents love him? Did he have siblings?

To hear him tell it, he had a fairly boring upbringing - but the story was false. She’d done the digging herself, a careful turning over of stones. She knew who he actually was, had for a while now. And, she had to admit to herself, she had to give him credit for acting as flawlessly as he did. To anyone from the outside, their relationship was the type of stuff that people longed for - caring, passionate, considerate. Perfect.

Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

A little “too” perfect, really. She had never been one for “longing” for a relationship; her job (or jobs) were enough to keep her going. Her parents had been happily married for decades; all but one of her brothers was married. The other was just engaged. Everyone around her seemed to be settling down…and that was fine with her. Really.

The thing that sucked, royally fucking sucked about this gig was that every single fucking time she’d gotten to a place where she could dehumanize James, write him off, keep firm to her “role”, he did something that sucked her back in. That gave her…hope? That warmed her and made her smiles towards him genuine. Like the one time that she was sick as balls, he’d gone clear across town to get her her favorite pho. And it wasn’t just that he got the pho - he got it specifically the way she loved it; tons of sirihacha and garlic. And he’d spoon fed her in bed, helping prop her up. Or the way he gave her leg massages when she pushed it a little too hard in training (which she always told him was yoga gone awry). And he always gave her flowers - so many that she expected them when she got home. It seemed that he enjoyed the process of giving more than she did receiving. Flowers were…nice, but not always her thing. Usually she didn’t know what to do with them, other than give a smile and put them in a vase somewhere.

Ah; he was already home. Well, that made sense. A few nights a week (and on the weekends) when she taught yoga, he’d beat her home. She’d showered at the studio, changed back into her work clothes, and now, getting out of the car with her yoga mat and gym bag slung over her shoulder, she took off her heels and walked in.

“James?”

 

[JawnKarTurr]

James had trained himself to be ready for everything and while he had to confine himself to just keeping weapons in his secure room he did try to keep himself at a state of constant readiness. This had lead him to surprising a few delivery people as well as neighbors' kids and pets that "wondered to close'," to the house. Evelyn's car was easier to pick up though so he was out at the door in no time.

He smiled brightly at her as he greeted his lovely barefoot girlfriend and kissed her passionately. He took the gym bag with the yoga mat in it out of her hand and continued to kiss her and gave her a hug. He wasn't pretending to love this woman. He was pretending to tell her the whole truth about his life. He hugged her again and walked towards the kitchen near the rear of the house along with the den she lovingly referred to his man cave.

She often parked outside it was a gated community after all, so rather then come in through the garage by the gym and sauna area they most often greeted each other at the front of the house by the staircase winding up to the bedrooms. He didn't know why she didn't want to be that much more secure, but that was just one of the many little things he'd gotten used too.

"Hey baby you didn't need to change for me. I love you in yoga pants. Use the purple ones I bought for you? What do you feel like? We still have takeout from the two places. Chicken and rice or stir fry. I went all out today I had a burger and fries with John and the guys today. After I saw some of my students. I don't think they will be putting my on full time any time soon though."

He walked into the small room off the kitchen that was their laundry room and placed the bag there. He'd let her handle her own stuff, and he'd checked it enough times already to know if she was up to something. She had secrets, but all women did. Was she an operative? If she was she was very good. Besides who would hang around for 18 months and have sex with him. She was the real deal.

"Got your favorite ice cream and I hope you like these flowers I thought they looked pretty. Dry cleaning, post office, and shopping is all done so we can relax and stay in tonight if you want."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

….So fucking perfect it made her teeth hurt.

But, still, she returned his kisses, maneuvered her way into his arms and out of them, and shouldered her bag up a little higher on her shoulder. “I swear, you’re more in touch with your feminine side than I am,” she sighed. There was a bit of how she actually felt in there - on a bad day, he could be sweet, charming - and by “bad day”, that meant one that she’d had. Things out of her control at the office, or actually pulling a muscle in yoga, or just one of those days where nothing seemed to go the way she wanted it to.

On “normal” days like today, his attentiveness…could be suffocating. It became harder to play the role. She had a lot on her mind - namely, what Chris had been prodding her towards. Regardless of how she felt - or thought she felt- about James, her mission came first. Without it, she was nothing.

“Shame about them not getting you past being an adjunct,” she said, setting her bag down. Forcing the emotion in her voice. Well, for her, it felt like forcing - but it sounded as natural as ever. “Did some of the kids d-, I mean, did they give you a bad review of your class?”

The Evelyn he “loved” didn’t swear. She kept a neat house. She liked flowers. She wore make up and liked shopping and went to the spa and got massages on a regular basis.

She didn’t swear, she didn’t drink rot gut beer, she didn’t fart in the bathtub and let her armpit hair grow out.

She was…in essence, an absolutely fucking bore of a woman that Evelyn found it particularly teeth-gritting to play tonight. As much as she didn’t want to admit to herself, being with James, on those days that she felt that she was suffocated, the days that she saw Chris, was like coming up and finally gasping for air. She was allowed to just…be. And lately, it was getting harder to be able to put her head under.

Realizing that she hadn’t moderated the tone of her voice, she rubbed the back of her neck. “Sorry if that was a little out of line, honey. I’ve had a day,” she let a sigh sit heavy in her voice. “Did the college say anything about keeping you on for another semester? Or anything about how you could move forward? I mean, I’ve heard that most places, you can’t get tenure unless you have the fancy letters after your name.”