Meet and Greet

According to their email correspondence through the "secure" CIA server, Agents Cloak and Dagger set up a time and place to get to know one another. Although, Ayla had heard much about Agent Dagger's victories and family legacy, Agent Dagger knew less about Agent Cloak.

From what he heard however, it's enough to cause alarm. She's a lady who becomes very invested in not just the mission but her team members. Usually, Ayla has been known to know somebody's birthday and surprise them with a sweet delicacy from whatever region they're at. The only exception is when she's playing a prisoner of war or someone missing in action of course. The fact she celebrates her fellow spies birthdays makes Agent Dagger cringe. Only because he hates his birthday...known also as April Fool's Day.

So as he waits at The Lookout, a local restaurant in Langley, he squirms in his seat. "Would you like to order sir?"

"Oh, not yet. I'm meeting someone so she'll be here any moment." At the mention of the person he's meeting as being a she, the waitress looks downcast.

"Okay. I'll be back, sir," she replies as she walks away to another table.

He's about to call her back and ask for a cup of water, when movement near the front door catches his eye. A nice looking lady with long blonde hair and warm brown eyes. "Hello, Conroy," she replies as she sits down. She bats her eyelashes and manages not to look like a fool or cartoon character, making Agent Dagger clear his throat.

"You must be Ayla?" he asks her. When she nods he reaches his hand out to her. They shake hands, causing Ayla to raise an eyebrow.

"My, aren't you the serious one," she says with a smirk. Then, she leans on the table with her forearms. "Tell me, Conroy. Were you named that because you have Irish roots?"

"Yes, but it's also a family name." He cocks his head to the side before he says, "You are Irish; but your name isn't. Sounds like an interesting story there." Ayla shrugs and sighs as she smiles at the approaching waitress.

The waitress hands them both menus and her eyes widen. "I'll get both of you waters! Sorry about that." She spins around and is about to walk away from the table when Ayla grabs her hand. The waitress and Agent Dagger both look at Ayla.

"Take your time luv, you should pace yourself. You're carrying a wee life you know."

The waitress blushes as she asks, "Is it too obvious?"

"No, I'm just observant is all. When is the baby due?"

"In about seven months." The waitress then glances in Agent Dagger's direction before adding, "The dad isn't in the picture."

Ayla nods solemnly as she answers brightly, "Well, I didn't have my father in the picture and I turned out alright! Thank you for confiding in me, darling." With those words, the waitress smiles warmly at Ayla as she walks away to get their waters. Agent Dagger smirks at her.

"Do you use that approach to find out other people's birthdays?" he asks her.

"If you mean the basic conversation then yes," she replies as she takes a sip of her water as it arrives. When the waitress is out of earshot she looks at Agent Dagger and shakes her head. "So, is it true what they say?"

"Wh-what do they say?" asks Agent Dagger.

"They say your dad was a soldier and so was your grandfather so the Dagger family has carried out quite a legacy." Agent Dagger takes a sip of his water as well.

"Being part of a legacy is not what it's cracked up to be," is his answer. "You on the other hand are a self-made legend or so I've heard."

"Seems we've heard much about each other but not enough of the truth eh?" she asks rhetorically. "It's a shame, you know. All of our heroics are circumstantial at best." The waitress returns with her notepad. "I'll have the house salad, a steak, and some fried calamari." After she closes her menu she notices Conroy's reaction. "Your turn."

"I'll just have the house salad," he replies as he hands the waitress his menu.

When she leaves he shakes his head at Ayla. "So, you did look at how much everything was right?"

"Mmm-hmm, I did," she replies before taking another sip of her water. "But, I'm giving you the opportunity of a lifetime, you know."

"Oh? What opportunity?"

"The chance to be a gentleman."

"I don't catch your meaning?"

"It's a phrase my friend Freesia and I came up with. Giving a man a chance to be a gentleman means men can open the door for us, open pickle jars for us, and even pay on a date."

Conroy scoffs. "Well, this isn't a date."

"You sure about that?" Ayla replies as she gestures to her dark green curve hugging dress. "I'm dressed to impress, so are you--"

"I always dress like this," Conroy replies.

"Silk shirts!?"

"Mm-hmm. Doesn't make this a date though."

"How do you explain the dimmed lights then?" He's about to tell her differently, when the lights do dim. Ayla pushes some of her blonde hair from her shoulder to her back. "Nice feature, hmm? Less migraines because of it but I do luv the ambiance."

"Of course, you know that. You suggested the place. Why is it called the Lookout anyway?"

"I have no idea. Why not ask the lady waitress who's been making eyes at you?"

"I would but finding out she has a baby on the way is kind of a deal breaker, you know." Agent Cloak's jaw drops as she leans away from Agent Dagger.

"You won't get a woman with that attitude and you don't have much choices to begin with. What are you pushing? 30 years?" Conroy laughs loud enough for some dinner patrons to look over at them.

"Actually, I'm 28."

Ayla clicks her tongue and says again, "My, aren't you the serious one."