Grown Ups

~ Chris ~

The little boy took a deep breath, widened his very blue eyes and faced his fellow classmates. Scratching surreptitiously at the scab on his arm, he started.

"I want to be lotsa different things when I grow up. I wanna be a fireman and a policeman 'cos I wanna be able to help people. I want to be able to fly planes. The really fast ones that go 'boom' in the sky! And I wanna travel all around the world, seeing different things." Pausing, the boy sighs, old before his time, and adds softly, "I want to make a difference."

~*~

~ Sam ~

"Why do I do what I do? Sheesh, what a question. Um... Ignoring the hours, the constant threat to my life and having to encounter the darkest side of humanity on a regular basis, where to start... The travel's definitely a positive. As is meeting so many different people. And, yeah, okay, call me noble, but I like knowing that I'm working for the greater good. Don't smirk at me like that! It's true. I mean, wouldn't you rather be saving lives than pushing paper around an office? Besides, as we all know, we James Bond's always get our girl."

~* ~

~ Backup ~

Other women have acrylic nails and worry about wrinkles. They go to the gym in an attempt to keep their butt firm and to catch up on gossip. High heels are their shoes of choice and they wouldn't be seen dead outside their front door without full make-up on.

My nails are as short as a man's. I'll be happy if I live long enough to get wrinkles. I keep fit so as to outrun those chasing me and wear flat shoes. I've discovered very little make-up goes with camouflage clothing.

 And would I swap places?

Not on your life.

Brave New World

Sighing heavily, Malone buried his head in his hands. He suddenly felt like a very old man, one who'd seen too much action in his time.

The sounds were unmistakable. Gunfire, harsh and far, far too familiar, cut through the air in the otherwise silent office. Imagination alone made Malone smell the heat of the weapons.

"Watch out behind you!"

"Got 'im! Take that sucker!"

Malone sighed again as he stood up and shut his door.

Computer games emulating death and destruction... How playing something like that could be relaxing was beyond Malone. Didn't his agents see enough action already?