New Assignment
Nicole walks down the bustling city street, her heart beating fast with anticipation. She can feel the heat radiating from the sun on her skin, but it does little to calm her nerves. She clenches and unclenches her hands in her pockets, trying to distract herself from the fact she’ll be visiting a certain brunette. As she approaches the building, she slows down her steps, peering inside the glass window of the doctor's office in hopes to catch sight of Waverley first to steel herself to no luck. She takes a deep breath before pushing the door open. The sterile smell of the office engulfs her senses causing her stomach churns with nervousness.
The waiting room is quiet and serene, with calming, neutral-coloured walls adorned with tasteful art pieces. Soft voices on a nearby tv play in the background, while the gentle hum of the air conditioner provides a constant white noise. Comfortable, upholstered chairs lined the walls, each spaced far enough apart to allow for privacy and to abide by recent COVID rules. The room was dimly lit, giving off a cosy and intimate atmosphere that helps to soothe the nerves of the patients waiting for their appointments.
She approaches the receptionist and forces a smile, her fingers trembling as she hands over her ID. The receptionist takes her information, and as Nicole waits, she can feel the eyes of other patients on her, making her feel exposed. Finally, the receptionist hands her a clipboard and directs her to a seat in the waiting area, where Nicole takes a deep breath and tries to calm her nerves.
As Nicole nervously sits and fills out the lengthy form, which seems excessive for a cut, the sound of a nearby television catches her attention. The news anchors are reporting on the death of a prominent political figure, the same person who Nicole had been contracted to eliminate just a few days ago.
An elderly woman sitting calmly next to her notices Nicole's watching the tv and strikes up a conversation about the news story, unaware of Nicole's involvement. The woman realizes that Nicole became increasingly tense as more details are released about the death of Niall Barage. "It’s so sad to hear about poor Barrage." the woman hums, turning to Nicole.
Nicole's face remains blank even as her shoulders tense at the woman’s words as she responds, "Yeah, I caught some of it on the news."
The woman’s eyes narrow. "Only some of it? It's been all over the news for days. Such a pity such a fine fellow passed away."
Nicole shifts in her seat finding the woman’s empathy towards the controversial man unnerving and trying to avoid the conversation. "I'm not really interested in that kind of thing."
The woman’s gaze lingers on Nicole for a moment, sensing that something was off. "I’m surprised? It seems like everyone else is."
Nicole's eyes flicker briefly, and she stands up abruptly. "Excuse me, I need to use the ladies' room." She turns and walks towards the front desk to drop off the now completed clipboard and then follows a sign signalling a toilet was near, leaving the woman’s eyes to follow her with confusion.
Entering the toilet, Nicole splashes cool water on her face, taking deep breaths to calm her frustrations. She had been waiting anxiously in the doctor's office for what felt like hours, though it was realistically only a few minutes. She had been evasive and short with the woman and regrets it now. With a final deep breath, Nicole straightened her shoulders and exits the bathroom. As soon as she steps out, a nurse calls her name saving her from another awkward encounter with the older woman.
The nurse leads her down a narrow hallway with white walls and beige tile floors. The air is cool and smells of disinfectant, and the sound of muffled voices drifts through the hall. As they approach a door, the nurse turns to Nicole with a smile. "The doctor will be with you in just a moment," she says before walking back down the hallway. Nicole takes a deep breath and enters the room, feeling a sense of relief that she's about to see Waverley even if she isn’t thrilled about the circumstances.
Nicole’s always hated hospitals and doctors' offices with a passion, a result of spending much of her childhood in and out of them due to various injuries. The antiseptic smell, the harsh fluorescent lighting, and the sterile white walls all serve as constant reminders of the pain and fear she experienced as a child.
Nicole wrings her hands anxiously as she sits down on the exam table, waiting for Waverley to come in. Her heart was pounding, and she feels a nervous sweat starting to break out on her palms, which was new given her normally calm and collected outward demeanour. It was ridiculous, really - she had only just met this woman the night before, and already she was feeling like a love-struck teenager. But something about Waverley had captured her attention, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there could be something special between them.
As she waits, Nicole's mind wanders back to their game of pool, and the way Waverley had looked at her as they flirted and bantered back and forth. She wondered if the other woman was feeling the same way she was, or if she was just reading too much into their chemistry.
Before she could dwell on it too much longer, the door opens and Waverley walks in, a gentle smile on her face. Nicole's heart skips a beat and feels as though time actually slows down as she stands up to greet her.
Nicole takes a steadying breath as Waverley steps into the room, looking stunning in her doctor's uniform. Her heart thuds as Waverley greets her, and she tries to keep her voice steady as she responds. Their eyes meet and Nicole feels a jolt of electricity pass between them. They both seem a little nervous, but Nicole can sense a playful energy between them that she finds intoxicating. As Waverley finally approaches her, Nicole can't help but admire her beauty, noticing the slight flush in her cheeks that makes her look even more attractive. She feels a wave of excitement wash over her, eager to spend more time with this woman who has captured her attention in such a short amount of time.
Waverley positions herself facing Nicole with her hands clasped in front of her and offers Nicole a shy warm smile. "How are you feeling?" she asks.
Nicole returns the smile - dimples popping. "Not hungover, which is a win. Just not a big fan of doctor's offices," she replies as casually as she can muster.
Waverley nods sympathetically. "I had a rough 6am wakeup but I made it. But don't worry, I'll get you taken care of," she says reassuringly with a slight upturn of her lip at the suggestive nature.
Nicole can feel her cheeks flush as she looks up at Waverley allowing herself to briefly envision what that implies. "I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
Waverley's eyes light up with a playful glint. "Well, I'm glad you did," she responds, the flirtatious tone of her voice not lost on Nicole.
As Nicole waits patiently on the examination table, she coyly smiles, "So, did you end up winning that pool game last night?" she asks.
Waverley looks up from her notes and grins. "Unsurprisingly, I did, actually," she says. "And if I recall, someone owes me a gin and tonic if her ego isn’t as injured as her arm."
Nicole smirks, feeling a rush of excitement at the playful banter. "I'll have you know, I'm an expert healer," she teases. "You’ll hardly be able to tell I was ever hurt. And for the record - my ego can take plenty of hits if it's for a pretty lady."
Nicole has sustained numerous injuries throughout her long and perilous career, some more severe than others. Her body is riddled with mostly healed scars that serve as small reminders of the dangers she has faced. Potentially the most scarring are those that can’t be seen given what she’s been asked to do for the last decade.
Despite the physical toll, Nicole has never let her injuries hold her back. She has always been a fighter, pushing through the pain and persevering through adversity. Her toughness and resilience are what have allowed her to survive in a line of work that is not for the faint of heart.
Waverley laughs and shakes her head. "Well, chicks dig scars," she says, glancing shyly at the injured woman. "But let's make sure everything's in order before we start planning my victory celebration, shall we?"
Nicole feels herself get giddy at the implication of Waverley being serious about seeing each other again. Her nerves quickly catch up at the realization that she hasn’t dated in years and that she is seriously out of practice.
Waverley gestures to the examination table. "Why don't you lie back for me, Nicole, so I can check that wound out a little further?" Nicole obediently reclines to a lying position on the table, feeling her heart racing in her chest. As Waverley leans over her, Nicole couldn't help but notice how close their bodies are, and her face begins to feel as though she’s dived face-first into lava. Waverley's touch is gentle as she probes at the cut, but Nicole still winces at the contact.
"It looks like it's deeper than I initially thought," Waverley said, her tone serious. "You're going to need a few more stitches than anticipated."
Waverley gets the needle and thread ready and carefully cleans the wound with a disinfectant wipe before looking up at Nicole. "So, how did you get this?" she asks, trying to make playful small talk as she prepares to begin the suturing process.
Nicole hesitates for a moment, considering what to say. Clearly, she couldn’t say the truth, which was snagging her arm as she was hopping a fence as she discreetly trailed Barrage through a neighbourhood. Settling on something more causal, "I got it playing football with my nephew. Thought I could hop a fence with barbed wire but obviously, I’m no high jumper," she finally admits, her voice wavering slightly embarrassed.
As Waverley begins to suture Nicole's wound, she asks, "What position does he play?"
Nicole feels a sense of relief that Waverley is making an effort to distract her from the pain and not asking for more details on the wound. "Yeah, he's a goalkeeper. He's pretty good too. He actually has trials for Tottenham coming up," she replies, gritting her teeth as the needle pierces her skin.
Waverley nods, "That's cool, I've always been more of a tennis fan myself, but I appreciate a good game of football."
Nicole lets out a small laugh, "Tennis, huh? Did you play it competitively?"
Waverley grins, "When I was younger I played a few tournaments. My older sister, Wynonna, used to take me to local courts so we could get out of the house. It was the closest park we had so it caught on after a while."
Smiling softly at the doctor, Nicole empathises with having an older sibling that looks out for her. Without Jason, she’d probably be on the streets or have little to show for herself. He kept her on the straight and narrow never missing school work or hanging out with the wrong kids.
“Sounds like your sister really cares about you,” Nicole offers kindly.
Waverley nods and smiles, "She does, she's always looking out for me, just like I try to look out for her too. Hard to do when she’s in another country though. She has a habit of getting herself into trouble but she has a great heart. We've been through a lot together, you know? But that's what siblings are for, right?" She pauses for a moment before continuing, "What about you? Do you have any siblings?"
Nicole pauses briefly before responding, her voice tinged with emotion. "Yeah, Jason was always there for me. We had to stick together growing up. It wasn't always easy, but we made it through together." She offers Waverley a small smile. "I don't talk about it much, but I'm grateful for him. And my nephew. I’d probably be a workaholic and a recluse without them."
As Waverley finishes stitching up Nicole's wound, she hums softly stroking Nicole’s arm below her wound in comfort. Nicole can't help but feel a sense of trust in the doctor. "You know, I don't usually open up about this kind of stuff, but I had a pretty rough childhood," Nicole says hesitantly.
Waverley nods, her expression sympathetic. "It's tough when your family doesn't support you in the way you need them to. But it sounds like you've made a life for yourself despite the challenges, and that's something to be proud of."
Nicole feels her heart race as she looks into Waverley's eyes, sensing a potential connection between them. She smiles softly and nods her head, feeling a wave of shyness overcome her. "Yeah, I'm sure your sister is proud of you too," she replies, her voice gentle.
She finishes up with the suturing and begins to clean up. "Alright, you’re all done. You should be good to go, but make sure to keep the wound clean and dry. And if you experience any pain or swelling, don't hesitate to come back in and see me, okay?"
Nicole wants to ask Waverley out on a date for the drink she promised her, but she can't seem to find the right words. She feels tongue-tied and nervous, unsure how to just go for it.
Just as Nicole’s worked up the courage to ask Waverley out on a date the door of the exam room suddenly burst open and a nurse rushes in looking completely exhausted and overwhelmed. "Sorry to interrupt but Dr Gibson, we have an emergency patient in the waiting room that needs your immediate attention," the nurse said, her voice urgent.
Waverley's expression shifts from relaxed to serious as she turns to Nicole. "I'm sorry, Nicole, duty calls."
Nicole nodded, trying to hide her disappointment at missing her opportunity. "Of course. I hope everything turns out okay."
Waverley smiles, briefly touching Nicole's hand gently as though trying to convey just how sorry she is that their conversation is being cut short. "Thanks for coming in today. It was lovely to see you again."
As Waverley quickly leaves the room, Nicole sighs, dejected as she couldn’t believe she’d let her newfound nerves, which had never been an issue with women in the past get the better of her. Granted none of those women meant anything and had just been one-night stands.
——
Nicole’s muscles flex as she reaches for the next handhold, her fingers wrapping tightly around the rough surface of the artificial rock. Her heart pounds with adrenaline as she pulls herself up higher, feeling the rush of excitement and the cool air against her skin. She pauses, hanging in the air, her body suspended on the wall like a spider ready to strike. The rhythmic sound of her breathing ricocheted off the faux rock as she gazed around, looking for her next move.
The walls of the climbing centre tower around her, a labyrinth of brightly coloured grips, ropes, and mats. Her body was a blur of motion as she ascends, effortlessly navigating the course. She moves with grace, her movements fluid and practise.
The room fills with the sound of other climbers, their heavy breathing, and the occasional gasp as they made difficult manoeuvres. Nicole tunes them out, focusing only on her own climb. She was in her element, her mind clear, and her body perfectly in sync with the wall.
As she reaches the top, she let out a triumphant grunt, her arms raised in victory. She hangs there for a moment, savouring the rush of accomplishment, before gracefully lowering herself to the mat. Nicole grins, feeling a rush of joy and pride. She loves the challenge of rock climbing, the thrill, and the satisfaction of reaching the top.
Nicole was always drawn to physical activities that tests her strength, agility, and endurance. She found that rock climbing was the perfect way to get lost in the moment and push herself to the limit. But rock climbing wasn't the only activity that Nicole enjoys. She was also a skilled mixed martial artist, and she loved nothing more than sparring with other fighters and testing her skills in the ring. The intense physical exertion required in combat sports like MMA was a welcome challenge.
In fact, any activity that requires her to use her body to its fullest potential was something that Nicole enjoys. Whether it was hiking, kayaking, or even just going for a long run, she found that being in motion was the best way to clear her head and recharge her batteries. Despite the danger inherent in her line of work, Nicole finds that physical activity was the one thing that can truly calm her nerves and give her a sense of peace.
Nicole finally makes it to the ground, panting and exhilarated from her climb. As she pulls off her harness, she spots her brother Jason approaching her after finishing an obstacle close by. He flashes her a grin and asks what's got her so happy.
Nicole hesitates for a moment before begrudgingly admitting, "I met someone." She tells him about Waverley, the beautiful doctor who stitched up her wound and she’s found herself uncharacteristically opening up to.
Jason raises his eyebrows in surprise, "You? Seeing someone? It's a miracle."
Shyly, Nicole explains who the woman is, “Do you remember the stunning brunette at the pub?”
He chuckles, teasing her gently. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to make your move and ask her out?"
Nicole's smile fades slightly as she admits, "I don't know. I keep trying to work up the nerve. I hope I’m not misreading things. Could you imagine if I ask her out on a date and she only wanted to meet up as friends?" She thinks about the emergency patient that interrupted them earlier, and can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.
Jason gives her a sympathetic look, "If you like her - you’ve got to make the move before the potential chemistry burns out." He starts to walk a few paces toward where they’ve stored their water bottles.
Nicole leans against the wall of the climbing gym, catching her breath as she glances up at Jason. "I don't know what it is, Jase," she admits, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I just can't stop thinking about her. I haven't felt this kind of connection with anyone before."
Jason nods knowingly, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, it's about damn time," he teases. "You've been working so hard, I was starting to think you'd forgotten how to have fun. Other than casual hookups of course."
Nicole rolls her eyes playfully, but she can't help the feeling of warmth spreading through her chest. "It's not like that," she protests. "I just...I don't know, she's different. I feel like I can be open and myself around her."
Jason nods again, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That's good, Nic," he says, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "You deserve to be happy. I’m not seeing any negatives in just calling her and taking a chance. If it’s meant to be it will. "
Nicole can feel her heart racing at the thought, but she quickly pushes it aside. "I don't know," she says, trying to sound nonchalant. "We'll see."
But as she turns to look back up at the climbing wall, she can't shake the feeling that this could be the start of something special if she’d read the signs right.
Shifting the conversation, Nicole asks, "Hey, how did James do in his soccer game?"
"He did great," Jason replied, taking a swig from his water bottle. "Saved an overtime penalty that would have tied the game up."
"That's awesome. He seriously has so much potential," Nicole said, smiling. "I'm really proud of him."
"You should come to one of his upcoming games," Jason suggested. "He'd love to have you there."
Nicole hesitates. She wants to go, but she knew it was hard to predict her schedule with her line of work. "I'll try to make it," she said. "When’s his next game?"
Jason pulls out his phone and checks. "It's next Saturday at 2 pm."
"Okay, I'll see what I can do," Nicole said, reaching for her own phone to make a note of the date.
——
Nicole unlocks the door to her home and walks inside, tossing her climbing gear on the couch as she makes her way to the master bedroom. She quickly strips off her sweaty clothes and heads to the en suite, where she turns on the shower to let the water warm up.
As the steam begins to fill the room, she steps inside and lets the hot water cascade over her body, washing away the sweat from her climbing session. The water pounds against her skin, easing the tension in her muscles and soothing her mind.
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, feeling the steam and the warm water envelop her. For a few moments, she just stands there, allowing the relaxation to wash over her as she casts her mind back to a certain brunette
Eventually, she reaches for the shampoo and lathers it into her hair, scrubbing away the grime and grit. She repeats the process with conditioner, then moves on to washing her body with the vanilla soap she’s been using for years.
As she rinses off, she can feel the exhaustion from her climb begin to fade away. She knows that she'll be sore tomorrow, but it's worth it for the rush of adrenaline and the sense of accomplishment. Once she's finished, she turns off the water and steps out of the shower, grabbing a fluffy towel to dry herself off.
Feeling refreshed and invigorated, Nicole wraps the towel around herself and heads to her bedroom to change into some comfortable clothes.
Nicole drops herself onto the plush sofa, enjoying the softness as her muscles slowly began to relax. She picks up her phone and scrolls through social media, her attention grabbed by a video of a goalkeeper making an incredible save. Her eyes lit up, and she began to dive deep into tutorials on goalkeeper training, taking mental notes and analyzing each drill.
Planning to spend some extra time with her nephew before his Tottenham trials in a few weeks, these new drills give her great ideas for practice. She thinks back to the times when she practices with him, and how his enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. She loves how he looks up to her as a role model and feels a sense of responsibility to always be there for him unlike her parents when she was his age. Jason clearly feels the same given how hands-on he is with his son’s hobbies.
In the background, the TV is playing sports highlights. The sound of cheering crowds and the commentators' voices were a comforting white noise that helps her unwind. She felt at ease, almost forgetting the dangerous nature of her job as a hitman and how she will be receiving a new assignment at any moment.
As the highlights come to an end, Nicole stretches out on the sofa, allowing herself to drift off into thought. She couldn't stop thinking about Waverley and how she had touched her hand as she left the room had sent a shiver down Nicole's spine.
Nicole's phone suddenly pings with a message notification, causing her to jump slightly. She glances down at the screen and sees that the message is from a private number. With a sense of trepidation, she opens the message and sees a link attached to it.
Taking a deep breath, she clicks on the link and her heart sinks as she reads the details of her new assignment. It's the kind of job she hates, a hit on what appears to be an everyday person. She grimaces and tosses her phone onto the couch next to her, feeling a sense of disgust and dread.
Her mind races as she tries to figure out how to handle the situation. She knows she can't turn down the job, which is prohibited, but the thought of taking the life of an apparent civilian fills her with an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse. She stands up and paces back and forth across the room, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Nicole knows that she can't let her emotions get in the way of her work and that the target must have done something illegal or morally corrupt to have warranted the assignment but the thought still weighs heavily on her. She takes a deep breath and tries to push her emotions aside, focusing on the task at hand. She grabs her phone and heads to her computer, ready to start researching her target and preparing for the job.