Fixing Herself

Leaving the hospital without a family member or friend to pick you up would have offended most people, but Olivia wasn't like others. 

A car had been sent for her that would immediately take her to the airport. She would undergo a month of training at a top-secret base in China before relocating once more to London. 

After multiple calls between her and the agency, she finally decided to participate in the mission. It wasn't physically dangerous but shapeshifters were known to be slippery. They were cunning and strong. 

All the SIA was there for was to neutralize them and even the score. These people could live out in the open with full rights, but they had to follow strict rules if they wanted to participate in human businesses. It was clear that Ian Novak was doing everything but that. 

Once she was finally in the private jet that would take her away, Olivia went into the bathroom and looked at herself in the dingy lighting. 

At least she looked more alive than when the agency found her. She didn't have to turn into a vampire so she knew she should be grateful for at least that.

The thought made her skin crawl. The sight of the bloodsuckers standing over her while she lay helpless was burnt into her brain. She couldn't imagine being part of the ranks of those who took Q from her. 

His funeral was in a few days and she wasn't allowed to attend. What was left of his body was cremated upon his family's request. 

Her best friend and partner. All that was left of him was ash. 

She still hadn't cried but she imagined she would plan it appropriately over alcohol and by herself. 

At that moment, she didn't have time for tears, only organizing what the future held for her. 

The flight was only a few hours, most of which she listened to calming music and reorganized her life as she knew it. Towards the end, she was able to go into a video call with Nova and discuss her itinerary when she landed. 

Considering she was being sent to a base in the tropics of Southeast Asia, in another life she might enjoy alcohol and socializing on the beach. Perhaps she would have a fling with one of the locals. 

Unfortunately, her life was never that carefree.

The reality she was in, she would be sent underground almost immediately where her training would begin. She felt weak and she needed to feel strong. Otherwise, she wouldn't feel secure even being in the same building as Ian. 

As she walked away from the airport and towards a cement tunnel leading underground, Olivia witnessed a man walking towards her wearing a suit. It was a sight she was familiar with. 

"Eagle," Olivia greeted him with a light smile. "Does that mean you're my training partner while I'm here?" 

She only used his mission name as if there weren't familiarity between them. However, their similar toothy smile, full lips, and same coloration would expose them immediately.

"Who else would get the job, sis?" he asked her. "Just 'cause I have kids now doesn't mean I can't lend a hand every now and then." 

"I just hope you haven't slowed down," Olivia responded. "You've gained weight and lost muscle." 

"Takes one to know one," Eagle shot back. "Except mine wasn't because I was failing a mission. I was busy starting a family."

Her smirk revealed nothing of her inner turmoil. 

She wondered momentarily if his being there was a test of her mental state. 

Considering Eagle was her brother, it was obvious he was someone she trusted with herself both physically and emotionally. Would they fault her if she vented to him and finally cried? 

Nearly every bad moment in her life was punctuated by her older brother comforting her over a bottle of something stiff. He was her best friend in the world outside of Q. 

As they walked into the underground base together, she debated on how she was going to handle the following few weeks. 

All she knew how to do was throw herself headfirst into the task. It turned out that was the only way to handle herself after suffering such a loss and coming to terms with failing an important mission. 

+

Four weeks later, Olivia emerged with her brother, a new woman ready to face what lay ahead. 

While she did have a few mental breakdowns that left her in the middle of the training gym in a fetal position, she managed to pull through and compartmentalize all that she was feeling. Eventually, it became determination to take down Ian Novak. 

As she was in the base, the research division of the SIA was lining up all of Ian's wrongdoings and would continue doing so as she climbed the ranks of RK Nielson's secretarial staff.

Nova waited just outside the private jet that would take her and her daughter to London. She pulled down her sunglasses as she witnessed Olivia's change in demeanor from the last time she saw her.

Rather than her usual button-up shirt tucked into a pair of trousers with a belt separating the two pieces, Olivia was wearing a suitable skirt and high heels that gave her the image of someone feminine. Despite her strong build and height, the blouse underneath the blazer hid anything about her that would make someone curious about her build. 

They had even lightened her dark brown hair. It was a lighter brown she wasn't used to but it softened her image overall. 

Along with retraining the physical side of herself for emergency situations, she went through administrative training that sharpened her organizational skills. Communication training was also necessary for her to act less domineering and more attentive. 

She also had forged a fancy associate degree in business administration from a prestigious university suitable for the company. Along with it went her certification in office administration. 

When they were close enough to speak with their mother, Nova pulled her undoubtedly designer sunglasses off altogether. She gestured at her daughter with her glasses. 

"Was this a willing change or did they have to tie you up to make you look more feminine?" Nova asked. 

Olivia noted that, for once her mother seemed to be admiring her rather than ridiculing her.

Her mother was always the epitome of beauty and strength while Olivia's focus on beauty fell by the wayside. She wanted to get strong like her older brother more than she wanted to be beautiful like her mother. 

It must have been such a pain for a Barbie like Nova to have to deal with a tomboy daughter. 

Eagle laughed. This was an argument he was familiar with. Even with their unconventional family, there were still a few things the same as others.

"She was compliant," he responded. "Not that you don't already know that considering all the new cameras littering the place." 

"Watch your tone, Jose," Nova said to her ever sarcastic eldest son, being sure to use his name rather than his agent name to pretend they had familiarity with one another. 

Eagle raised his hands and took a couple of steps backward. 

"Now can I go back to my wife and son?" he asked. "I'm sure Ari's gonna be mad at me for staying a week longer than I said I would." 

Nova pulled her son's phone out of her back pocket and tossed it to him. 

"Here's your contact with the outside world. Go back to being a family man," Nova said. "Even though your wife married you when you were in shape. At least you lost a few pounds while you were training with your sister." 

Without missing a beat, Jose caught his phone and turned around, beginning to walk away as he powered up the device. 

"As always, good to see you too, madre," he remarked sarcastically. "You're ever the nurturing matriarch of this family." 

Olivia and Nova's eyes met one another. 

All Olivia could do was laugh and shake her head as she walked up the steps and into the plane. 

"Love you, Eagle!" Olivia called. "Let me video chat with my nephew now and then, okay?" 

When Olivia turned around to see her brother now that she was at the top step before going into the plane, she saw him flip her off but he had a big grin on his face. 

She returned his middle finger with one of her own. 

"Appearance can change, but it only goes so far, doesn't it?" Nova asked, following her daughter into the plane. 

"Reporting for duty, Director Nova," Olivia responded. "Let's discuss mission details on the way to the UK." 

Nova sighed but followed along. 

Everyone in the organization was petrified of her. Unfortunately, her children were immune to her power especially when they were feeding off one another. 

It was going to be a long trip.