Internal Affairs

Sara was apprehensive about this day—the day she would meet the two new members of her elite FBI team. She hadn't anticipated how challenging it would be to replace the men she had lost, who were not just good agents but akin to family.

The newcomers had large shoes to fill. The first file she reviewed belonged to Jack. His biography was sparse, offering little except for his graduation at the top of his class from MIT in Computer Science and Analysis. He had constructed his own supercomputer and had hacked into various government agencies' systems before turning twenty. These feats secured him a position at the F.B.I. rather than a prison sentence. His former supervisor had praised him as a significant asset to the team.

Xavier, on the other hand, is a no-nonsense agent with a wild streak and a strong aversion to authority. He prefers to do things his way and is indifferent to the repercussions of his actions. He's a true rebel. His supervisor was less than pleased when Assistant Director Shaw instructed a change in operations, resulting in the loss of his two top agents in one fell swoop.

Neither seemed like the ideal candidate she would have chosen to work with her team but given the limited options and the urgency of the situation, they were the best the Bureau had to offer. Time was critical; her case was teetering on the brink of chaos.

Holding the files for the new team members in her right hand and a cup of coffee in her left, she stepped into the elevator heading to the fourth floor. Just as the doors were about to close, a strong hand prevented them from shutting.

The men who entered caused her to startle and take a second look. They were laughing amongst themselves as they came in, and the elevator doors sealed shut. Jack glanced at Xavier and remarked,

"I hope this new boss isn't as much of a royal pain as the last one."

Xavier simply emitted a soft chuckle and replied,

"It's probably just some old-timer who's been here too long; I've never heard of Special Agent McKenzie."

Sara smiled to herself, thinking, 'Yep, I've got my hands full,' and said, "This is going to be interesting."

Jack turned to her and smiled, his gaze sweeping over her. His breath caught when he met her piercing blue eyes. He couldn't recall ever seeing her before, or had he? No, he was certain he would remember someone like her.

With her long, dark brown hair, captivating blue eyes, and seemingly endless legs, she was unforgettable. The contrast of her snow-white button-up shirt beneath a jet-black blazer, paired with a short black skirt that clearly wasn't standard FBI issue, left him breathless. As he imagined the clothes scattered on his bedroom floor, he shook his head, cleared the lump from his throat, extended his hand, and introduced himself.

"Hi, my name is Jack, and this is my best friend and colleague, Xavier. Sorry for not noticing you earlier. We're not accustomed to arriving this early, but we were informed that our new boss prefers to start the day at the crack of dawn."

Sara grasped his hand, her eyes widening at the contact. His touch was fiery, prompting her to retract her hand as she declared, "I know who you are," striving to maintain her composure and conceal the impact he had on her.

Xavier chuckled and remarked, "Dude, she's way out of your league."

He then pivoted towards her, extending his hand, and said, "I apologize for Jack; he can be quite the jerk, particularly around beautiful women. I'm Xavier." When she accepted his hand, she experienced the same startling sensation.

A fire ignited within her, and as she clenched her thighs together, she pulled away. His smile faded when she said, "I'm aware of who you are as well. Could you please press 4 so that we can proceed?"

During the elevator ride, Sara took the opportunity to observe the men. Jack was clad in black jeans, a blue cotton button-up shirt, and boots. Xavier donned black slacks, a light pink button-up shirt with a black tie, and a black jacket, complemented by mirror-shine shoes. They were polar opposites, yet she found herself staring. Jack's haircut, reminiscent of the military, seemed to declare his law enforcement status. Xavier, in contrast, was in need of a trim. Jack's eyes were brown, while Xavier's were as blue as the ocean. Both stood tall, at least 6'3" or 6'4", making her feel diminutive in comparison; she wasn't ready for this.

Both men were strikingly handsome, stirring all sorts of thoughts within her, yet she was determined not to be swayed. Or was she? Dismissing such distractions with a shake of her head, she resolved to keep her focus clear: work must never entangle with pleasure, as the risks of getting burned were all too familiar.

Reaching the 4th floor, Sara hurried out of the elevator and into the ladies' room. Facing her reflection, she admitted to the dangerous path she was on. The flush on her cheeks was as evident as the impact Jack and Xavier had on her heart, a feeling long forgotten. Having dedicated five years to her career as an agent, Sara, now 27 and single, was the youngest in her family with a bachelor's degree in criminal psychology. Recruited by the FBI before she even graduated, she now stood as a Supervisory Special Agent with her own team, carrying the weight of high expectations.

Director Shaw was waiting for them upon their arrival.

"By the way, who is this Agent McKenzie, and where is he? We were told to be here early, and we are, but he isn't," Jack said, just as a knock sounded at the door.

Director Shaw smiled towards the door and responded, "What makes you think it's a man?"

Jack turned towards the door, a lump forming in his throat. Xavier followed his gaze and began to say,

"You've got to be shitting me."

Sara glances at them before responding,

"No, I'm not shitting you, and I've never really understood that expression."

Director Shaw addresses the group,

"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Supervisory Special Agent McKenzie, your new boss."

Both men nearly jumped out of their skin. Jack was the first to object, telling Director Shaw,

"I should not have to work under a woman, and a woman should not do a man's job."

Words he would later regret. Director Shaw gave him a stern look and said, "You will work for her, you will do as you're told, and you will not complain about it; she is the best in her field." Xavier laughed at Jack and shook his head, while Sara thought to herself, "This is definitely going to be a very long day."

The meeting with Shaw lasted longer than anticipated. Jack was outspoken, sharing his opinions and concerns about Sara freely. Xavier, however, remained silent throughout the meeting, choosing to keep his thoughts to himself, content to let Jack make his own mistakes.

Sara expressed her gratitude to Shaw as she left his office, but her new agents didn’t follow. Turning to them, she said, “You can either follow me or just sit there and watch my ass as I leave, but I suggest you come along—we have work to do.”

Jack glanced back at Shaw and remarked, “With all due respect, Sir, this is horseshit. I was perfectly content where I was.”

Director Shaw responded, “Your expertise is needed for the case she’s working on. Once it’s complete, if you still feel the same, we can talk about a transfer.”

Sara navigated her way back to the elevator through the bullpen. As they awaited its arrival, Jack excused himself to the restroom, leaving Xavier alone with Sara. Xavier spoke,

“Jack is actually a good guy; he just doesn’t like change. We were with Johnson for five years,” he said.

Noticing the sincerity in his eyes, Sara responds,

“That may be so, but there’s no need for him to be an ass about it. Considering you’re replacing two members of my team who were killed in the line of duty, I needed the best, and I was told you were just that.”

The doors opened, and they stepped inside just as Jack returned to them. Glancing at Xavier, he could tell something had been said. He decided to talk to him about it later.

After Sara pressed the button for the lower basement level, Jack and Xavier exchanged glances. They had never been to B2 before. With hesitation, Jack asked,

“Where are we going?” Sara says quietly, “The morgue.”

Jack laughs and then says, “So, you’re going to show us what happens when we work with you?”

Unbeknownst to him, his comment struck a chord with her. She did, after all, blame herself for the deaths of her previous team members. Xavier gives him a stern look and gestures towards Sara, signaling him to be cautious.

The moment the elevator door's part, a pungent odor of decay engulfs them. Xavier and Jack share a look of bewilderment before Jack inquires, “Agent McKenzie, why are we here, and how is this related to your case?”

Sara says, “We are going to meet the men you are replacing.”

Jack, even more confused, asks, “Why the morgue? Why not in your office?”

Struggling to keep her emotions under control, Sara looks at Xavier and then at Jack. Tears are visible in her eyes as she says,

" They were tortured to death, so we need to talk to the ME Dr. Barton.”

As Sara walks down the corridor, thoughts of Sanchez and Ericson weigh heavily on her mind. Both were good men with much to live for. Ericson, only 28, leaves behind a wife and a six-month-old daughter who will now grow up without her father. Sanchez, at 32, had a beautiful wife, a one-and-a-half-year-old son, and another child on the way. The guilt is crushing; it was her command, her decision to assign them. The choice to send them undercover was the most difficult she ever had to make, a risk she never wanted for them. But circumstances left her no choice. Now, the burden of their deaths is hers to bear. She must resolve this case before another life is lost, and time is a luxury they don’t have.

Xavier is troubled by Jack’s heartless behavior towards Sara. He recalls an email from the bureau about two agents, SSA Sanchez and SA Ericson, who were found brutally tortured and murdered, their bodies nearly unrecognizable. The memory evokes a sickening feeling that unsettles him. As they approach the room’s door, he grabs Jack’s arm, urging him to wait, with a pressing thought on his mind.

Sara reaches for the door, but before she can open it, Xavier interjects, “Can we have a minute, please?” Observing the questioning look in their eyes, she nods and responds, “Come in when you’re ready.” Once Sara enters the room, Xavier turns to Jack and remarks, “This is no time to be obnoxious, man. These men were like her family. Can’t you see that? She’s holding back, but it’s clear how much she cared for them. Do us both a favor and stop being such a jerk.” Jack gazes at the door, as if wishing for Sara to reemerge, and says,

“Look, I’m sorry, man. You know me—I need to be tough; it keeps me from doing something stupid.”

Even though he wouldn’t mind being reckless with her, Xavier shares the sentiment and can’t argue with that.