(Un)Familiar Faces

“Have we met before?”

The question shook the woman in the booth out of her daze, looking up from her coffee.The cheery waitress was standing in front of the woman’s booth, holding a steaming pot of black coffee. Her name tag read “Kristy”, not the name the woman used to know her by.

“Um, maybe, hard to say. I’m kinda new here” The woman said, barely keeping eye contact. “I… just moved a few weeks ago, still getting my bearings” She sipped from her coffee “I’m Astra, that name rings any bells?” Astra couldn’t bear to look her in the eyes, not after everything that happened.

“Hmmm, kinda but… it’s funny. It’s like the memory of who you are is right there, but I can’t quite get it. Odd.” She chuckled lightly, before looking back at Astra “Oh! Did you want a refill on your coffee?” Kristy asked, holding the pot forward

“No thanks, I’m set for now”

“Okie doke, I’ll be around if you need anything”

Kristy walked away, and Astra watched her go. Kristy looked back a couple times, but Astra went back towards staring at her cup of coffee, the heat long since left the liquid. She was never one for coffee, but she couldn’t refuse when Kristy asked. She stared into the now cool black liquid, thinking back to just a couple weeks ago, when she got into this assignment

Two weeks ago

Agent Astra sat in her chair, awaiting her superior for her new assignment, her mind still turning over the events of the last two weeks *What caused her to go rogue? We’ve been at the Agency for years, why now? What happened?* she thought to herself as a man walked in. He was sharply dressed, a square jaw hidden beneath a well trimmed short beard “Morning Astra, how’re you holding up?” He sat opposite her, setting a small stack of paper and a cup of coffee in front of him

“Morning Carson, I’m good.” Astra said smoothly, doing her best to mask her sadness “Just a little shaken up, but I’ll live. What’ve you got for me?”

Carson took a deep breath, looking at Astra “You sure you’re okay? I know you and her were close, losing her how you did would be tough, to say the least”

“I’m good, don’t worry about me. These things happen” She said with a small smile “I’m ready to get back into the field, another assignment will get my head on straight. I’m getting a little stir crazy sitting around my place” She sipped her water, having trouble keeping eye contact

“Well, as long as you’ve been cleared by the shrinks, the Board has given you a special assignment.” Carson slipped a sheet of paper “If it was up to me, I wouldn’t have given you this assignment, but this is from on high” He slid the paper across the table. Astra read the name and saw the attached picture, and her stomach dropped

* * *

Kristy came walking back, sans nametag and apron, confidently sitting across from Astra “Hey so, normally I’m not very forward with people but something is kinda taking me over. Did you wanna go out for drinks or something tonight?” Kristy was obviously nervous, stammering her words slightly, but she was so earnest

Astra was conflicted. She couldn’t compromise the assignment; chatting and small talk was fine, but a date? Astra searched Kristy’s face, and saw her old partners eyes starting back, the same look in them that she used to have before everything happened “I really shouldn’t, I have work in the morning”

Kristy’s expression turned down, her eye’s losing the light they usually held “Oh yeah, I know how that goes, it’s all good. Have a good day then” She got up and started to head out, fishing her keys out of her purse

Astra leaned back, fighting herself. She got up quickly, leaving money for her order, and chasing after Kristy. She caught her just outside the diner “Hey, sorry, I’d love to go out. I’m just a little new to the whole dating thing, recently single and all that” She nervously fiddled with her jacket pockets. When she looked back up, Kristy’s face was flushed and beaming 

“Hell yeah! Thank you so much! I know it’s a little out of the blue, but I’ve seen you around the diner and really wanted to get to know you.” Kristy stepped a little closer, Astra’s breath catching in her chest “So, do you know any good places to get drinks? There’s a place my co-worker said he goes to, um, The Speakeasy I think he called it?”

Astra knew it well, and Kristy would have, in her past life. She did like it there, but it was a usual haunt for other agents. She was worried that they would run into someone she didn’t want to. “I’m not a big fan of that place, I had a not so great encounter there. Maybe Sideways? It’s a few blocks down from Speakeasy, does that sound good?”

“Oh sure! Any place would be fine, I just didn’t know where to go. Somewhat new to the area” Kristy tucked her hair behind her ear, before pulling out her phone “Guess I should get your number, huh? Oh, and what time did you wanna meet? Maybe 8?”

Astra pulled her phone out and shared her number “8 sounds good, I’ll be there”

“Excellent! See you there!” Kristy pulled Astra into a quick hug before lightly jogging away

Astra exhaled sharply, what had she just done? Fraternizing and going on a date with her target? This was gonna cause a lot of issues back at the Agency, but just one date wouldn’t hurt right?

* * *

Astra stood outside the bar, scanning amongst the crowd, wearing a casual button up shirt, blazer, and slacks. As she looked for Kristy, she locked eyes with someone she didn’t expect to see at this kind of place

“Oh, hey Carson. What’re you doing here?” 

“Evening Astra, just some downtime, I usually come here for drinks. I know a lot of our people prefer Speakeasy, but this one is a little quieter. What’re you doing here?

“Meeting with a friend, but she’s running late” Her heart was racing, Carson was the last person she wanted to see here

“Oh really? Would this friend be named Kristy?” He said a knowing look in his eye

Astra’s blood ran cold, she knew she couldn't lie to him. She sighed “Yeah, she asked me out and I couldn’t say no.”

Carson looked at her, hands in his pockets “Well look, as long as she doesn’t remember anything, it should be fine for tonight. Just don’t make it a regular thing, right?”

“Whatever you say boss, and thank you. I just… needed a little closure is all”

“I know the feeling Astra. Have a good night, see you tomorrow” Carson walked into the bar, greeting the door man as he entered. Kristy came up just after “Hey Astra, did you know that guy?”

“Oh yeah, he’s an old coworker of mine,  just saying hi”

“Very cool! Well, since we’re both here, shall we?” Kristy held out her hand, and Astra took it, feeling the familiar way their hands interlocked as Kristy pulled her into the bar

The bar had a decent sized crowd; some sitting in booths, tables, and the bar. Kristy pulled the two of them into a booth, sitting Astra down “So, what did you wanna drink? I’m gonna get something fruity”

Astra had a strict no alcohol personal policy after a couple really bad hangovers “Just a soda for me, alcohol and me don’t mix well” 

“All good, I know how it goes. Be back soon!”

Astra watched her go, she was wearing a cute floral print dress, coming down to just above her knees. Wasn’t the thing she’d normally wear, but she couldn’t deny it looked good on her.

Carson walked over, a clear glass of dark liquor in his hand “So how’s she holding up?”

Astra didn’t even look at him, her eyes locked on Kristy as she was conversing with the bartender “Good, asked if we knew each other. Seemed like she almost recognized me” she said longingly 

“Yeah, that tends to happen when agents undergo Reassignment. It’ll fade after a while, but old feelings still bubble near the surface.” He put a hand on her shoulder “Why don’t you have a good night tonight, don’t worry about coming in tomorrow. Just… don’t do anything stupid Astra.” He patted her shoulder before walking back to a group of people she didn’t recognize.

Kristy came back holding a glass of soda and some multi-colored concoction “So, here’s your Dr. Pepper just felt right for you, and I have a mix of two different drinks!” She took a sip, her face turned a little sour “Hoh boy that is sweet AND sour. Want a sip?” She slid it over to Astra, who took a small sip. Immediately, a burst of sweet, sour, fruit, and bitter alcohol hit her tongue, causing her to cough. Kristy laughed as Astra gulped her soda down to try and wash the taste out of her mouth

The rest of the night flew by, a blur of very friendly conversation, bad karaoke, and even worse bar food. It was an amazing time for both, but especially Astra, a window into what could’ve been, or what could be…

One month ago

Agent Astra was sitting in her living quarters in HQ, waiting for Agent Luna to come back from her solo assignment. It had been longer than expected for her, but Astra did what she could to keep herself calm. *Maybe I should see if they know where she is… This isn’t like her* Her phone started ringing, it was Luna

“Hey Luna, what’s going on?”

“No time to talk to Astra, I need you to meet me here, I’ll text you the address. Don’t tell anyone.”

Then Luna hung up, a text message came through less than a minute later with an address. 

“What the hell is going on Luna?” Astra quietly said to herself. She got up, grabbed her jacket, and started to head out 

“Where are you headed?” Carson was sitting, reading the paper, looking over the top of it at Astra

“Just going out for a walk, need to clear my head

“Mmhmm. I’m sure Agent Luna will show soon. You know her assignment was radio quiet, but she’s well trained.”

“Yeah yeah, I just need some fresh air. See you soon Carson”

Astra left the building, walking through the city streets, a light drizzle of rain coming down. She made it to the address, a run down motel a good walk away from HQ. She found the room number and knocked. There was a rustling sound, then the scraping, when the door swung open slowly, Luna looking around frantically “You came alone?”

“Yeah, of course Luna, what’s going on?”

Luna pulled her in, slamming the door behind her. She locked it, then placed the chair against the handle. Luna peeked out the curtains as Astra looked around. A briefcase was opened, its contents spilled on the ground. Despite the madness, there was a method. Things were organized, categorized, but by what? “Luna, what is this?” She picked one up, reading the paper. She couldn’t make heads or tails of any of it

Luna quickly came over “Okay, so, my last target I had to eliminate. He was said to be a threat to the Agency, and had some dangerous information, yadda yadda.” She walked around grabbing a paper “It wasn’t just information about the Agency, but from inside it. He was a whistleblower.” She started shuffling through the papers, before handing one to Astra “Here, remember the Berlin job?” 

Astra grabbed the paper, remembering the assignment “Yeah, some terrorist was hiding out in Berlin, I was sent in to neutralize him.” 

Luna handed her another paper “Well, not really, turns out that he was actually an agent in our Berlin branch, he went rogue, and we were sent to clean it up”

“What the hell, but why would they do that?”

“Because he-” Luna was cut off by a swift knocking at the door. She looked at the door, then at Astra “You weren’t followed?”

“No, I swear” 

Luna crept towards the door, going to look out the peephole as the door exploded inwards, two agents in tactical gear rushing in, grabbing Luna. They were followed by Carson, as he stepped into the motel room “Ah Agent Astra, thought you might be here. Are you harmed?”

* * *

Kristy was on her 4th drink, clearly drunk, and Astra was struggling to keep her upright. When Kirsty spilled her drink, Astra grabbed her “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s get you home.” Astra went and paid the tab, then grabbed Kristy, throwing her arm around her shoulders and walking her out 

“Little too much to drink?” Carson asked, sitting at a table near the exit 

“Yeah, for sure. Gonna get her home now. Have a good night Carson” Astra turned and left.

“You too, Agent”

Astra loaded Kristy into her car, then got into the driver seat. She knew where she lived, she had been staked out for the past week watching her. She parked, then went to take Kristy out, who was now somewhat conscious “No no, I got this” she drunkenly slurred before attempting to step out of the car. She took one step, hands gripping the car door tightly, before she started to fall. Astra caught her, and walked her inside. 

Kristy was laid in her bed, sound asleep. Astra couldn’t help but stare at her a little, the woman she once knew was gone. “Have a good night Luna” she said before going to lay on the couch, too tired to bother driving home *I’m sure she won’t mind* she thought before she dozed off.

When Astra woke up, Kristy was already awake and making some coffee “Morning, you slept like a log, even when I woke up and hurled into the toilet”

“Yeah, I can be a heavy sleeper. How’re you feeling?”

“Killer headache, but I’ll live” Kristy went to grab a bowl of cereal “I had some wild dreams about you and I. Not like, sex dreams, but like… We were spies or assassins? It was really vivid”

Astra went quiet, staring at her. She was this close to remembering, would it be wrong to give her that little push into remembrance. Kristy walked over to the window and opened it, letting the sun and cool air into her apartment “What about you, any dreams of your own?” Kristy asked over a mouthful of cereal

“Your dreams weren’t just dreams, Kristy…” Astra said quietly

“What do you mean, of course they’re just dreams, they couldn’t be real, right?”

“They are, your real name is Luna, you used to work with me at the Agency, we used to be spies, assassins, saboteurs, whatever the higher ups needed. You found some information that you shouldn't have and they reprogrammed you, for lack of a better term.”

“What, reprogram me like a robot? I”m not Luna, I’m Kristy, have been my whole life” Kristy had a concerned look on her face, worried that she invited a madwoman into her apartment 

“I’m being serious here. We used to be close, great partners, and then you were gone. I want you back, you have to remember Luna”

“My name isn’t Luna, you have the wrong woman. Look, just… go, I don’t need this toda-” Kristy was cut-off as she suddenly dropped her bowl and slumped forward, a dart stuck in her neck. 

*Shit, they were watching me. I gotta get out of here* Astra thought to herself, grabbing Kristy’s body and carrying her over her shoulders. She went to run outside, but the front door opened and Agent Carson stepped in. “I’m sorry Astra, I really don’t want to do this, but you’ve left me no choice.” He raised his sidearm, a standard issue dart shooter. He pulled the trigger, but Astra dropped down, lightly setting Kristy on the floor. Astra grabbed a heavy looking object and clocked Carson across the head, sending him stumbling to the ground

Astra grabbed Kristy again and started running down the stairs, stepping over 

Carson as he nursed his head wound “Astra don’t run, you’ll only make it worse for yourself!” He called after her. Struggling to his feet, reloading his dart shooter

Astra made it to her car, quickly throwing open the passenger side door, gently setting Kristy into the seat as a sharp pain hit her in the upper back. She stumbled away from the car, limbs growing heavy, slowly slumping to the ground. Carson appeared in her vision, blood trickling from his wound “I’m really sorry about this Astra.” He said as she drifted off.

Three weeks later

Sarah woke up to her alarm clock, stretching and taking a deep breath. Just one more day and she’d get to her weekend. She got out of bed, feeling that pain spot in her upper back again, still getting ready. She hopped down the stairs and walked the three blocks to her work, a local used bookshop

“Morning Mike” Sarah called to the man behind the counter, who waved back as he counted some loose books. She walked to the back and put her purse away, tying her apron, and headed out front to see what duty she was on today. Register duty, her least favorite, but she begrudgingly swapped out with Mike as he walked away. The bell over the door chimed as a man walked in, wearing a nice suit, a sharp jaw covered by a beard, as well as stitches across his head. Something about him seemed familiar as he walked to the desk. Sarah couldn’t help herself when she asked

“Have we met before?”