Paris France
Robert knew the chances he would come back alive were slim but luckily His wife was attending a peace conference anyway so this was a great opportunity to see her again. He was on his motorcycle driving through the busy streets he began to reflect whilst he made his way to the British embassy.
Kensington England 1990
Robert had just joined the SAS with the rank of Lance Corporal, he was only 19 but he was fierce, determined and a damn good solider.Robert had just finished a tour in the Gulf, he had saved the life of an equally young Intelligence Officer that just happened to also be his best friend, Agent Alister Locke from insurgents that would've taken his head off otherwise.
Alister recommended that Robert be promoted to Sergeant a huge achievement for a 22 year old but all the arrangements weren't sorted yet.
After Alister told his family about what happened and the fact Robert didn't exactly have permanent accommodation, his family insisted they meet Robert and have him live with them until He got his own place. Robert was anxious he knew he wouldn't really fit in, sure Alister's his best friend but Robert isn't exactly a member of English high society like Alister.
As Alister was driving to his parents' house Robert was observing his surroundings, it became more apparent that him and Alister came from two different worlds.
"Rob it'll be fine I told them all about you, they've been on my back about this for weeks I can't dodge them anymore." Alister said with a smile.
"Maybe if you weren't such a drama queen they wouldn't have this romantic idea about what happened Ali." Robert said smirking.
"Alright we're here." Alister said calmly but Robert felt like he was about to engage the enemy, he then realised he was being ridiculous and he began to let his guard down. As Robert entered the Locke family home the difference in social class became more apparent.
"Welcome home Son, Your Mother and I have been watching the news the Gulf is a bloody mess right now we've been worried about you." Alister's dad said
"Dad I'm fine, look I came back in one piece didn't I." Alister said semi defensively.
"Ah where are my manners Lance Corporeal Thatcher it's nice to finally meet you." Mr Locke said.
"Ah don't worry about it ,you haven't seen Ali in months I don't mind the wait." all of a sudden Alister's mother came down stairs and was quick to give her son a heart-warming hug.
"Lance Corporeal Thatcher Alister has told us so much about you, do make yourself at home your Room is on the third floor and its the first door to your right." Alistair's mother said with warmth. Robert definitely felt out of place but they were all nice enough but it all felt fake, It's almost like Ali had to tell them to not be passively racist or something.
Robert went upstairs with his duffle bag, he didn't exactly have a lot of personal affects considering he moved out the care home after a argument/brawl with a member of staff he joined the Royal Parachute Regiment a week later, it beat being homeless by a mile.
He was almost in his room and suddenly out of nowhere a girl bumped into him, she'd just woken up by the looks of it she started strolling from her Room around the corner to greet her brother, Alistair did often talk about his sister Isobel during tours in northern Ireland and Iraq. He did say that she's quite headstrong. But Robert knew that all too well ,she's been learning the ropes of foreign relations from family friend Andrew Tenyson and well foreign negotiations can be dangerous business so Robert was assigned as his personal special forces bodyguard.
Isobel gave subtle hints that she was interested throughout the trip but she wasn't one to get flustered if anything Robert was the nervous one.
Robert was a working class lad as for Isobel well her blood was blue, literally she's 505th in line for the throne.
They didn't really get along at first because she believes diplomacy but Robert believes the reverse is true.
Their life philosophies were put to the test when an attempt was made on Andrew's life, Robert was quick to dive in front of him but before Robert could disarm the assassin Isobel drew a pistol from her handbag and shot him in the head.
Robert learned two things from that trip, the merits of diplomacy and Isobel Locke was the toughest women he'd ever meet.
The two began a secret relationship after the ordeal but Robert was deployed again and they haven't seen each other since.
"Well e'llo beautiful." Robert said trying to be romantic.
"You were never very good at foreplay but I can forgive you." Isobel said smiling, Robert was taken aback by Isobel's style and sass as usual but here emerald eyes were his weakness.
"You've stopped straightening your hair Robert said coercing her cheek.
"Well you said I looked prettier when I'm myself." She said whilst Robert ran his fingers through her raven curls.
"Damn I missed you." Robert said whilst kissing her neck.
"Stop it my family are downstairs, besides you're the one that went back and left me alone." Isobel said trying to look away but she couldn't stop blushing.
"Your dad and Ali have gone hunting and your mother went over to a friend's house for tea, so we have the house all to ourselves." Robert said looking at her lips intensely.
"Oh don't you dare you had your chance, what if I meet someone else." Isobel said teasingly.
"Do I look like I care." Robert said whilst grabbing her waist and then she slapped him across the chest, the connection was do loud it frightened nearby birds outside.
They looked at each other intensely and then Robert grabbed her and put her over his shoulder.
" Stop it!" Isobel giggled Robert carried her to her bedroom.
The British embassy
The room was filled with the sort Robert expected, spineless politicians and bored security guards. Robert scanned the room for threats even though this was the safest place Isobel could be in all of Paris.
"Excuse me sir what are you doing here." The British diplomat said with a slight hint of aggression in his voice."
"Are can I help you's in short supply or something?" Robert asked casually, it's no secret that black people in France were treated as second class citizens and were often unemployed as a result. Having said that Robert was well dressed, he had a grey high collar coat that went down to his hips, navy straight legged jeans and dark leather gloves for tonight's
'business' so he didn't look like someone looking for a handout.
Robert's British accent even though it was a cockney one didn't put the diplomat at ease.
"I'm afraid so,what are you doing here!" The diplomat said pointing at Robert.
"Wouldn't you like to know" Robert grinned.
Two security guards approached with batons in hand, Robert reached for his pocket the security guards authorized to carry guns drew them and Robert of course drew his trusty.... Black pen.
"Alright c'mon then." Robert said clicking his pen. The two guards with batons were quick to charge him , Robert stabbed one of the guards in the neck even though it was a harmless pen Robert managed to draw blood, he used the momentum to throw the guard to the ground. The other guard swung for his head with no luck, all those wild swings kept the guard off balance so a leg sweep knock out was all too easy.
The diplomat was shocked and the armed guards took Robert into custody.
Isobel's office
" Oh you should have seen it, the cocky black bastard took down two guards with a pen in about 5 seconds no less, but don't worry he's in custody." The diplomat said with enthusiasm
"(sigh).......Alright I'm making my way down to the holding cell." Isobel sighed.
Isobel walked through the embassy with vigour as she made her way to the holding cell.
"Are you sure you want to go in alone, the primal strength this man possesses makes him dangerous and I can't hear what goes on in there, If you don't want a bodyguard I'll go with you." The diplomat warned Isobel but also trying to prop himself up.
"Look I know you think your protecting me from 'the scary black man' but quite frankly you watch way too much television." Isobel said before she slammed the door behind her.
Isobel entered the holding cell she gazed at her husband who was toying around with his black pen.
"Well you're the one who told me that the pen is mightier than the sword." Robert said trying to break the ice but it was just as solid as ever and Isobel didn't say a word.
"Well I thought that was funny, why is he still standing out there?" Robert asked casually.
" Oh Anderson, Well I don't know, maybe he's afraid what you might do to me, anyway what the hell are you doing here?"
"Me? just wanted to see yah,He's actually still outside." Robert starred into his soul behind the locked door.
"Well maybe he's afraid you'll grab me and put me over your shoulder." Isobel smiled
"Maybe he should be." Robert said before they kissed, Anderson's jaw dropped.
They both walked out the holding cell and walked towards Isobel's car.
"So how's work?" Robert asked whilst Isobel stealthy held his hand. Robert was never really fond of hand holding, who knows maybe it has something to do with his rocky formative years. But Isobel was pretty persistent and Robert learned to love it, hell they're both 40 something and still doing it.
"Well France is in the middle of a presidential election so i've been busy." Isobel said as she started to close her eyes thinking about the workload waiting for her tomorrow.
"Bit early, shouldn't yah wait till someone's won before you all start whoring yourselves out." Robert said as he put his arm around her shoulder and she leaned in to him.
"Oh no the PM wants those trade deals secured asap so we're all putting our cheap makeup and short skirts on." Isobel yawned
"Even Anderson? " Robert asked.
"Especially Anderson." They both started giggling.
"So how's work, you look tired." Isobel looked up at him.
"Work's been hectic latley." Robert said
"Oh I know, I'm sure killing terrorists in pubs is demanding." Isobel said sarcastically as she leaned into him again.
"How'd you know?" Robert asked
"The papers said a large black man in his late 40's entered and well no one else walked out." Isobel said still looking for her keys.
"It had to be done Belle, Ali gave me this high tech brace thing honestly it's like the accident never happened." Robert said looking at his leg.
"Well I still remember it as clear as day, your leg looked like a jigsaw puzzle after the operation." Isobel said still looking for her car keys.
"I've just got to kill some lone amateur and I'm going back behind a desk I swear." Robert promised and he took a glance inside the bag and grabbed the keys even though it was pitch black in the bag as well as outside.
"Alright last one or I'm done I'm not letting you put me through anything like that again clear." Isobel said with aggression.
"Crystal." Robert said kissing her on the forehead.