Though I had left WHOOP four years ago, I still kept in touch with Samantha and Alexandra. Nothing was going to separate us, even if my career path went into a completely different direction. Because of my decade of service, I was allowed to keep my memories. There was also the fact that tampering with a decade's worth of memories could have serious repercussions on my mind. Suffice it to say, I most likely would have lost it. He made it very clear though, Jerry, my old boss, made it very clear that if I revealed anything to anyone at any point, he would know and my memories would be erased regardless of the damage it would do to me. I didn't care. I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him or WHOOP ever again.

It was a disturbing cut from life. Most of those I knew, even of the activities I did first began at WHOOP, and losing the many perks of the job was nearly fatale (I still allow myself to exaggerate.) As I mentioned to Sam and Alex, it was very difficult to shake off. Especially since it had been part of my life for so long. Which included my friends.

We swore that this would change nothing in our friendship, but as life happens, it did. A beep of their x-powder, and they had to leave, regardless of where we were and what we were doing. They always came back when they were done, always called to apologize, but I realized it wouldn't be the same. Their lives and mine no longer synced. They were smart enough to realize that my many refusals to meet anymore was for them to avoid their guilt of leaving me. Also, my guilt of leaving them. We were more than best friends after all, we were a team. But as a team, we understood each other and never fought about it. The most they said, was that they missed me.

So we still meet, from time to time. It has been some time with Sam though. Because they can no longer talk about work with me, I have no idea what she is up to. I guess that she is working undercover. I don't ask Alex, and she doesn't tell. The understood rule.

Alex on the other hand, though she follows the rules, is much less talented at keeping secrets. She always has been. Her innocence, even now, is why I love her so much. One of the reasons. Anyway, I know thanks to her slip ups (nothing serious, but I was a spy after all! I can deduce things), that she is second in command at WHOOP, second only to Jerry. This frustrates her, I can tell, because her field work is limited. She loves fieldwork. Action is involved.

As for me, like I said, I, Clover, hung up my spy suit four years. I had had enough. It was … just enough. I hadn't seen, heard or asked about Jerry since then, making it clear to all that I was cutting him out of my life. He had been a father figure to me, to all of us. And I guess it is hard to accept that a hero is human. I still do not accept it. His flaw was too much.

He was in his 50s when I started. So late 60s now ? I know he's never going to retire. And it makes me glad. He's great at his job. It also infuriates me. I just, can't anymore. At least not with him around.

And the (minimum monthly) rendez-vous with my friends is the last of the spy world I interact with willingly. This is where I am, at a lovely coffee place with Alex, drinking and chatting, like we always do, like we always do. Though it had been some time.

"Alex," she said, brushing the bangs out of her eyes, "I don't mean to be rude, but why did you call me here today?"

She blushed, "I'm sorry!" she squeaked, "I've been really busy with work and i'm sorry I couldn't see you before ! I swear it wasn't on purpose ! You still are totally a best friend … !"

"Alex," Clover laughed, stopping her with a raised hand, "Don't apologize for being busy with work. Its been a while, but i remember what that was like!" Alex sighed, clearly relieved. "It has however, been the first time that you asked me to come to L.A again, so there must be a special reason." Clover narrowed her eyes, "I have nothing to do with WHOOP anymore sweetie, you know that."

Again, Alex sighed. Her usual face melted away and there she was, the second in command of WHOOP speaking of important news to an ex-spy. Clover frowned. Was this going to be about her memories again?

"There's news of Blaine."

The large cup full of latte banged on the table with a frightening force. Alex lost her business face again for a moment, flinching at the reaction. Clover noted this showed previous worry and rumination on the subject. A subject they only mentioned once, and it ended badly. Blaine, Clover's ex-boyfriend.

Not waiting for an outburst, or just a storming off, Alex continued.

"I want to tell you what I know, but I promised Sam that she would be there when I did. So if you don't mind, we are going to her house now."

Clover nodded. After a moment, she took in the second piece of information. "We're going to see Sammy!", she smiled. Alex smiled too, it had been a while since the three were together. "What has she been doing all this time? Oh wait! Right, you can't say! Oh but she's still around this is so exciting! It has been like what, 5 months since I last heard from her ? I thought she might be doing undercover work so, but yes, don't tell can't say. Oh let's go Alex. You drive, I want her new house to be a surprise! Oh but, ew I don't like your driving. But no, no you drive."

Alex smiled and they walked to her car, linking arms and laughing, just as they did when they were teens.

Still, as Alex drove and chatted on about her fabulous new martial arts skills, Clover couldn't help but worry. Firstly, because Alex was driving. Her eyes seemed always closed because of her smiling. Second, because Alex had important information that could not be disclosed without the presence of Sam. Again, Clover thought of her memories. Maybe today was the day they were going to take them. Alex and Sam would be there for support. But under Jerry's orders, even they wouldn't say no. As for Jerry … well she didn't trust him to keep his word. Clover breathed in and out, accepting what she thought would be the inevitable. Even if she did fight them off, WHOOP would still track her. Her life would be an exhausting game of cat and mouse. Still, why now after four years ? Because her eyes were now closed, Alex peared at her friend, sadness and worry present in her eyes.

Finally, Alex stopped the car.

"Voilà ! Sam's house!" She seemed very excited for a simple house. After Clover opened her eyes and scanned the area, Clover realized why, and she too couldn't help but smile.
It was the villa the three had shared so long ago, in high school, when all of their parents were traveling the world. The one place she had truly felt like calling her home.

"This .. is Sam's house?"

Alex nodded. Thankful for the lack of comments, Clover wiped away the tear forming in her eye.

"Wow." she joked, "Deja vu much?"

Clover readied herself for whatever was behind the door as Alex knocked on the door. However, as much as she had prepared herself, what appeared before them was not even remotely expected in Clover's mind.

It was Tim Scam who opened the door.