Fallen, by Konstantine (PG13)

[anenko.livejournal.com]

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Toni/McKenas Cole
Author on LJ: konstantine03
Author’s Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:

konstantine03 bravely chose to write about one of Alias’ minor female characters for the Alias Femme (Fatale) extended challenge. She took Toni, from season one’s two-parter, The Box, and gave her a history and personality. This fic is a wonderful example of what can be done with the most minor of characters.

She’d learnt to deal with the wisecracks, the false endearments and inappropriate attempts at humour a long time ago. She didn’t let it affect her anymore. She often found that as soon as she had the chance to prove herself in the field, her fellow agents would rescind their prior statements. That she would slowly become ‘one of the guys.’ It was a repetitive cycle. But one she was willing to put up with in order to gain a good seat at the table. To ensure she remained in the game.

Her prior bitterness and irritation had receded a long time ago.

Or so she thought.

As soon as he called out to her, “Come and show us what you’re made of baby,” all her prior resentment came flooding back. Collecting in the back of her throat with that same familiar acrid taste. That same sensation that seemed to make her blood boil. Make her even more determined to do the job – to do it well – just to show them. To prove their preconceptions wrong.

Maybe it was his flippancy. His tone. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was about his comment that had pushed her buttons, but it had. Some internal trigger had been flipped.

Something in Cole’s eyes seemed to sense it too. Sense the simmering pit of frustration his comment had unleashed within her. His eyes remained fixed on her as she cracked the vault code in under sixty seconds; half of the time they had set aside for her. He seemed to enjoy the power the flippant endearment had given him over her. How it had motivated her in some unspoken way that nothing else could.

He never did call her ‘Toni’ again after that first meeting was over.

Fallen