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Between recovering from an avalanche, writing a sophisticated download manager and subsequently getting shot, Hayes had forgotten to write the Sky Peaks mission report until a few days ago. While he'd omitted nothing of consequence, the agent had glossed over the argument, the knee to his groin, and described what happened after the avalanche in straightforward, non-congratulatory terms.

The day after submitting it he'd received new orders: he and Nikki were assigned to one of the recent recruits for extended training sessions. This was an additional level of responsibility and the agents were expected to display a corresponding level of teamwork and coordination.

Correlation, he knew, wasn't causation, but Hayes couldn't help feeling the memo had an underlying message: 'GET ALONG OR ELSE.'

And what kind of a trainee needed extra training? The standard program was pretty intensive.

Now the blond stepped out of the elevator to meet this.. actually, Hayes wasn't sure of his name, or if he was even a he. He'd had a look at the new batch of dossiers and been surprised to find there was more than one trainee he'd consider a candidate. The agent looked even more out of place than he did in other, more informal areas of the base; he'd been counting down the time it usually took a broken collarbone to heal and allow him back into uniform, but for now there was no helping it - it was casual wear again. A festively colored Chingling clung to his shirt collar, half-floating, half-towed along.

He paused in front of the door marked 'Elite Agent TRP' and looked around. Given the stress on teamwork, it would really be better if he and his partner showed up for this together.

TRP sighed and looked from Liam, who was already seated in her office, to the door, or more specifically the voices on the other side. "..I can hear you two arguing out there. Come in."

They weren't getting along yet, but Hayes was getting used to Nikki's habit of jumping to unfortunate conclusions.

"Chingling?" Noel peered around the blond at the other pair as her trainer pushed his glasses back into place.

"I didn't." He failed to keep the laugh out of his voice or the faint grin off his face - 'I hate you. This sucks.' had pushed his partner's accusations into the realm of ridiculousness. "We're pushing out a beta next month; c'mon." Hearing TRP call out, he straightened up, gave Nikki a little half-smile, and turned the door handle.

The blond stepped inside and to the side so his partner and her Pidgeot could pass through, saluting the elite as he did so. "TRP, ma'am." His voice was mid-range, pleasant, and suffused with the same quiet good humor as the smile he directed first to his superior, then the short little Rocket in the chair beside her desk. "This him?"

TRP nodded at Hayes' question. "This is him." Rather than look at Liam she kept her eyes and Hayes and Nikki, "..do you know how many successful teams I've seen that can't cooperate? None. Consider this an opportunity to get your act together." She turned her gaze on Liam, "These two will be showing you the ropes. Or.. ....the ropes you've missed, at least."

There was nothing he could guarantee, and 'We'll work on it' was an empty promise; Hayes settled for a respectful "Ma'am" to indicate comprehension and approached their new charge, left hand out, palm upraised, with a mellow, friendly smile.

"Hayes is fine," the blond started to say; his gaze flickered to TRP and he amended with a little grin, "Agent Hayes, I guess." He left it to his partner to make her own introductions, while a little golden face appeared over his shoulder, peering at Liam with wide, curious eyes.

"Ching?" Noel caroled, floating into full view; Hayes glanced at her and shrugged slightly with his good shoulder. The Psychic-type seemed to take this as a license to descend slowly towards the grunt, beaming happily at him all the while.

"Great. We're all friends. I'll be expecting weekly reports on your progress. From all three of you. Try to be honest." TRP nodded and turned her attention back to the work on her desk, "You can go."

"Chingling." Tiny little paws grasped Liam's index finger and returned the handshake, although the difference in size meant it was really the Chingling that was shaken up and down. She didn't seem to mind this, though, and just bobbled along merrily.

"..And that's Noel," Hayes grinned, as if that explained it all. "Nice to meet you, yeah. Tell you what-" Another glance at TRP and back again, "-how about we clear out of here and Nikki and I can get up to speed on where you are with things, then make a plan. Had lunch yet?"

The blond withdrew toward the door with an easy, respectful salute to his superior, and waited for the boy to follow. If he proved reluctant, Noel would tug at his hand with an encouraging "Ching ching."

Obviously, Liam couldn't wait to leave TRP's office. he did so with a hurried salute and a bow before following Hayes outside, where Nikki waited. He was wrong. TRP wasn't the most menacing Rocket he had met, Nikki was. And he was assigned to her. Today was going so well. But at least this Hayes seemed to be nice? And his Chingling was cute and eager to meet him, which was something he was grateful for.
He turned back to Hayes, realizing the Chingling was still attached to his finger. He patted it softly on the head with a smile before turning to its trainer. "No sir, agent Hayes, sir. I haven't had lunch yet... sir." He felt that three sirs may be overdoing it a bit, but you could never be too polite... right?
"I-I am willing to do whatever it is you and A-agent Nikki wish, of course," he added, mostly for Nikki's benefit. He really wanted to her to at least not hate him, and he had a feeling that she might like him a bit more if he could prove himself a bit in her eyes.