I can't help but feel like I'm back in middle school, waiting in the principal's office after I had punched a kid who used to bully Amber in 8th grade. He had been teasing her for her red hair and freckles, telling her she looked like some sick vampire.

Ames, being the sensitive and softy she is, took the teasing a little too hard and had run away sobbing. Her reaction had sent me over the edge with rage towards the kid, who I decked right in the nose. Satisfied when blood had squirted from his nostrils, I ran after my best friend to try and comfort her. It wasn't long until an attendant showed up in my next class, then escorted me to Principle Johnson's office.

Johnson gave me detention for a month because I had broken the kid's nose, but looking back now I still believe it was worth it. Some idiots deserve to be shown their place, and I realize with a heated feeling of shame that I'm one of them, and it's all my goddamn fault.

The office door behind me opens with a soft click, interrupting my thoughts as I twist around to see who the intruder is, my stomach sinking when I see it's Superior Harks.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he says, making his way across the room and towards his desk. His dark eyes follow me as he moves, an odd glint shining within them. In that moment, I realize just how young Hark looks compared to other I.S.A.I.A agents. He looks as if he just turned thirty, with his barely-wrinkled face and ebony hair that doesn't have a streak of grey.

I remain silent and attempt to school my features into one of feigned disinterest, Superior Harks raising an eyebrow at my silence, before sitting down into his office chair and splaying his hands on the desk between us.

"Nothing to say?" he inquires, as a strong feeling of annoyance pulses in my forehead.

"I am merely awaiting your decision, sir." I grit out, failing to keep my tone neutral as a hint of that annoyance slips in.

Superior Harks nods, setting his elbows onto the desk and pressing his fingertips together as he continues to stare at me, dark eyes almost glowing.

"I have to say, your future in the I.S.A.I.A is certainly not looking good." I resist the urge to scowl as he continues on. "You've been here for just under 24 hours and have gotten shot, as well as lost your composure as a leader in front of both my and the Blue Jay Sector's agents. How do you expect us to let you lead a mission if you could have an attack at any second?"

"It was one panic attack! And I'm sure I'll have more control over any future attacks now that I am aware I could have them." I lie smoothly, attempting to infuse confidence into my statement.

Superior Hark sighs and runs a hand down his face. "I understand your desire to remain in the mission, but the risk of these panic attacks not only puts you in danger, but the other agents in your mission as well. Are you really okay with possibly being responsible for the loss of an agent's life in the event of an attack? Lives could be lost, your life to be perfectly clear. Your friends could lose their lives as well."

I stiffen at the thought, and Superior Harks gives me a sympathetic look. "I apologize Miss Medley, but I believe that it's best you return back to America and sort these matters out with your own Superior. I don't want you to have this on your conscience, and I'm sure you'll thank me for it later."

My hands curl into fists as I rise to my feet. "Superior Harks, I ask that you please reconsider! I-"

A shrill ringing noise cuts me off as my eyes lock onto the vibrating black telephone on Harks' desk. Without a single glance towards me, he picks up the phone, eyes widening slightly when he hears the voice on the receiving end.

"Superior Burris, I didn't expect your call," he says, eyes cutting to mine as I can't help but feel a surge of panic wash over me.

Shit, if Burris is calling... then this means that this'll be a done deal. The two of them will agree to send me back, and I won't be able to continue the mission.

My lungs tighten in helplessness, but I refuse to be dragged down into a hysterical fit, focusing on how Harks responds to whatever Burris says on the end of the line.

"Yes, a severe one," I hear him interject, "My leading agent called for a medic who had to set her up with an oxygen tank. The medic said it was very severe for a first panic attack." Harks responds, and I can't help but feel the tinge of irritation towards Rene, even though she was just doing her job.

Then, the realization of the agents who had been watching Beau and I spar must've seen my attack. My heart lurches in horror as I realize that they saw me collapsed on the floor, Beau comforting me of all people... and my utter weakness.

Regardless of the possibility of having another panic attack, how can I expect them to willingly follow my orders when they saw me in my weakness? Shit, I've really screwed myself over this time, I think miserably, just as Harks clenches a hand in frustration.

"You want to what? You really still want her to lead this mission? Sir, I understand your concern for your agent, but I absolutely cannot let her back onto the field after what just happened."

I growl at his words, barely restraining my rage. I've been doing this for 5 months you fuckstick, and this is the first time I've screwed up. I internally scream, but Harks doesn't pay me any attention as he argues with my superior.

"No Sir, she needs time away from the field, probably some supervision as well." Harks glances over to me just as my scowl deepens, before he tilts his head in thought at something Burris says.

"I suppose I could consider that, but only if I oversee a final test at the end of the time frame to properly evaluate her readiness."

My eyebrows knit together at the odd request, as I race through all the possibilities of what the two are talking about. Are they going to send me back to America? What does he mean by final test? Is there a possibility that Burris is trying to talk Harks into letting me stay?

"Medley, Superior Burris would like to talk to you." Harks' deep voice interrupts my thoughts, a slight frown on his lips as he hands me the phone.

I quickly take the phone from him and press it to my ear, "Superior Burris?"

"Hello Medley," a comforting tone greets, my heart lifting at the sound of a familiar voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, are you taking me out of the mission?" I ask, gripping the phone anxiously. I can hear a sigh on the end of the line, which makes my heart drop a little.

Shit, he's going to say yes.

"Superior Harks and I were discussing the possibility of you staying," I glance up at Harks triumphantly, who is looking at me with blatant annoyance. "But on the condition that you stay out of the field for at least two weeks under the supervision of another agent to oversee your current mental state, as well as a refresher of combat training. Only when you show improvement in your stability will Superior Harks consider you returning back to the original mission. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"I-two weeks? With all due respect Superior Burris, who knows how many more agents the Serpent's Circle will have kidnapped in my absence. It would be unthinkable to pause the mission to have me... complete this two-week test or whatever."

I can feel my expression darken at his next words, "I agree Miss Medley, which is why Agent Smith will continue as the Blue Jay Sector's mission leader until you are cleared for combat."

No, that can't happen! If they replace me with Gus, even temporarily, later they're not going to let me switch back in... not to mention that's an extreme hit to my reputation.

"There's no other way I can remain in this mission?" I grit out, ignoring the finality in his voice.

"I'm afraid not. But I have full faith that you will be able to get past this Miss Medley, just persevere as you always do, and Superior Harks will have no reason not to let you back in... you hear me?"

I finally look back into Harks' dark eyes, a new wave of ambition racing over me, as he waits to hear how I will respond.

"I hear you sir, and I will do as you say."

I hear Burris breathe out a relieved sigh on the other end of the line. "Very good, and one more thing. If you lose control of the situation again, or put yourself or one of my other agents in danger on the field when you do return, I will not hesitate to pull you out, understood?"

"Loud and clear, I would never endanger my subordinates like that," nor my friends.

We exchange goodbyes, before I give the phone back to Harks, a displeased look on his face. "I suppose we have a deal then Superior Burris, I'll update you on of Agent Medley's improvements if there are any," he states, before saying goodbye to Burris.

It takes every fiber of my being not to slam my fist into his smug face. God, why must every goddamn Raven agent have to be either unbearable cocky or antagonistic?

Harks gives me a stern look as he hangs up the phone. "Alright Medley, your medic from earlier will be the overseer of your condition. She will try to help you with your current mental state as you undertake two weeks of refresher combat training. I've decided to put Agent Allard in charge of your training, which he will conduct with you in his free time, seeing as he was the one who caused your panic attack."

I barely suppress a groan as my back automatically straightens. "Can you please have someone else do it? How about Agent Parks, or maybe Agent Taurens?"

Harks shakes his head, rolling the tips of his fingers across his desk in annoyance. "Out of the question, they will also be concerned with the original mission, but they are also focusing on their own training. To have one of them do it would be putting them under immense strain."

"I imagine it would be equally as straining for Agent Allard to have to oversee me and lead a mission, and besides, it wasn't his fault that I had my panic attack." I grit out, as I think please, please don't stick me and that insufferable ass together, I'm sure he already hates me enough.

Harks rolls his eyes, "On the contrary Miss Medley, I'm sure it will be a good challenge for Allard, he's been extremely distracted recently. Now, I don't want to argue with you anymore," I open my mouth but Harks levels me with a commanding glare. "Dismissed."

I clench my hands as I walk out of the office. Pompous jerk. Just because you're a superior doesn't mean you get to be an ass. In my blaze of rage, I almost bump into Rene, who stands just outside of the door.

"Oh Rene, sorry, I didn't see you there," I mumble, inwardly cursing. Can you people just leave me alone?

"No worries Miss Medley! I was just coming to see Superior Harks," she says brightly, looking past me into the office.

"Come on in Rene, you're just in time for me to brief you on your new duties." I can't help but grit my teeth as I turn around to see Harks' dark eyes staring into mine.

"I'll call for Agent Allard to escort you to your room, seeing as you'll be spending the next two weeks here. For now, you can wait in the conference room next door." Harks jerks his thumb to his right, which I look over to see a wooden door that must lead to the conference room.

Harks then smiles at Rene and gestures for her to take a seat. "Now, for your duties Miss Rene..."

I quickly step into the conference room and slam the door, knowing that if I hear another word from Harks I'll explode... and probably punch him in the face.

I walk over to the huge oval table that sits in the center of the room, which has about twenty black hairs circled around its perimeter. I can't help but slide into one of those comfy black chairs, dropping my head into the palms of my hands as I struggle to grasp what the next two weeks of my life will be like.

How the hell am I going to do this?

A/N-

Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! 

It's been a whirlwind of emotions rewriting this story over the past 5-days, but I have certainly enjoyed it! Nothing like a 2-hour playlist of 80s music about love and heartbreak to keep your creative juices flowing 😂. Let me know if you want me to release the Rogue in Paris Offical Playlist!

So, what do you guys think is going to happen next? Who are your favorite characters?

Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to leave a star! :)

~Syd Mari