CHAPTER 45
ROXY
While in the immigration queue, she examined her passport, flipping through the stamps from her official travels as if it were a photo album. The officer immediately allowed her passage after she handed him her passport and asked no questions.
"Welcome home, Miss Powell."
She stepped out of the terminal with her luggage and encountered a welcome gust of fresh air; this was a pleasant change from being on a plane since yesterday.
"Alright, let's get this over," she muttered to herself. "The faster it's done, the sooner I can go home."
***
August 13, 2025.
London, England, United Kingdom
The sun was beating down so hard in London that it was hard to breathe. For the fifth day in a row, the capital was experiencing a heatwave.
Such a wonderful time to be back in London.
The jet lag and the heat exhausted her, having been unable to sleep since she arrived. She was nervous, and to make matters worse, her booked apartment appeared to lack air conditioning. Yet Roxanne Powell just kept her eyes on the gold.
She approached the security gate leading to gate 6 and presented her card to the heavily armed officer, who let her through with a salute—a mark of respect for all she had done for the Service in recent years.
This was a stark contrast to her first time walking through that door.
Within the Service, Roxanne Powell had become a figure of almost mythical status.
She was escorted to a small, impersonal room in the same corridor she had visited only once before, in March 2017. One table. Four chairs. Three on one side. One on the other.
Concealed by the mirrored window, a group of twelve was observing her, looking for the smallest defect to make her change her mind. She looked at them, sightless, to convey a simple message: your efforts are futile.
Today, Roxanne Powell's fate will be sealed, clearing the way for Roxanne Kerr's official comeback.
Her new life priorities directly guided that decision.
It was a decision she had thought long and hard about, prompted by the fear she saw in Ellen's face when she realized Roxy could die at any moment, with no explanation.
After just one morning waking up next to her, Roxy knew she wanted that to be her everyday reality.
More than anything, she couldn't risk losing that.
A week later, during a walk through a Sydney market, Ellen's direct question to Roxy, "Will you be my girlfriend?
" solidified her decision. Within two days, her London flight was arranged, and she launched the voluntary exit steps.
The door opened, and three people entered.
Carl, her old station chief in Sydney, now with his new position in London, took the seat to the right.
With a sharp click, the woman across from Roxy precisely adjusted the file.
Roxy recognized her immediately—the woman she had met once in March 2017.
The third person, a man with sharp eyes and a neutral suit, identified himself as legal counsel.
Roxy wasn't sure if it was true, but he was still convincing.
"Agent Powell, my name is Linda Ross, Deputy Director of Human Operations. Thank you for travelling to London. First, we'd like to confirm that it is still your intention to leave the Secret Intelligence Service."
"Yes. It is."
Linda gave a subtle nod to the tinted glass. One camera clicked softly, and the red light turned on.
"We are here today to conduct the official exit interview with Strategic Operations Officer Roxanne Megan Powell, service number 45943.
Agent Powell, do you confirm that this is a voluntary departure from the Secret Intelligence Service and reintegrate into civilian life under your original legal name, Roxanne Elizabeth Kerr? "
"I confirm," Roxy declared with certainty.
"And you understand that this action is irrevocable?" Ross asked.
"I am aware of the implications of my decision."
"And it's correct that you wish to end your service with the British Armed Forces, and you're instructing SIS to carry out all necessary actions to make this happen?"
Roxy nodded, but Ross spoke immediately. "We need a verbal response for the record."
"Yes."
A slight nod from Ross toward the mirrored window seemed to confirm their dashed hopes.
"Very well," Ross said, her gaze returning fully to Roxy.
"The board has read your exit interview questionnaire carefully and would like to ask you a few questions.
" Ross did not wait for Roxy's approval, for this was not a request, but one of the last orders she would receive from them.
"Could you explain your motivations for leaving the SIS? "
Roxy met her eyes without flinching. "I have dedicated the last ten years of my life serving the interests of my country, whether through the SIS or the armed forces.
The SIS recruited me when I was twenty-two and I have since participated in various classified operations, three of which were under 'Ghost Protocol.
' I believe I gave my best to the job, but right now, I feel drained of my strength and will to go on, particularly after the last one. "
A quick, knowing glance passed between Carl and Roxy. He recalled 'Prodigy,' and how she stepped over the line. He never said a word and never let her fall. "I need to start a new chapter."
Ross didn't blink or take notes; she was just listening.
"We've also noted considerable alterations in your personal life," Ross commented, scanning the document, "primarily the dissolution of your relationship with Mr. Charles D.
Robert and the commencement of a new romantic liaison with Ellen Caldwell, a Canadian national. Is that correct?"
There was no mention that Ellen was a target within a large operation Roxy was part of, nor of the huge mistake Roxy made by falling for her. They could not bring down the legendary Roxanne Powell for this. Not after everything she did for them.
"I confirm. I am romantically involved with Ellen Caldwell."
There was a subtle shift in Ross and the legal advisor's posture—he looked up at Roxy as she tilted her head slightly.
But Roxy didn't care. She clung to that image of Ellen on the morning of her departure, with the chaos of Taylor, Jess, and Jules' visit.
In her mind, Ellen was still there, under the covers, curled up by the window, her warm back against her chest, breathing slowly.
That image was Roxy's lifeline in that moment.
Roxy added impulsively, "I don't see how I can properly build a future with her while staying in this life. I don't want to risk never seeing her again."
The legal counsel cleared his throat for the first time. "Agent Powell, is Miss Caldwell aware of your involvement with the SIS?"
"She is aware of my cover as a security consultant at Macquarie Security Services," Roxy lied. They didn't push—they know very well that they themselves have broken this rule with their loved ones.
Ross took back the reins of the interview. "What are your intentions regarding a return to civilian life?"
She inhaled carefully. "I want to settle in Australia with her permanently and build something honest, maybe even a family."
Ross noted it without any reaction. "And professionally?"
"I haven't decided yet. I have a transition fund, which will allow me to take some time to reflect. I'd like to write fiction novels." Roxy paused. "Spy fiction. Respectfully of our rules, of course."
The legal advisor finally leaned forward. "You understand that, even post-resignation, you remain bound by the 'Neither Confirm nor Deny' clause. Clearance must be obtained before any publication."
"I'm aware." A faint smile appeared on Roxy's face. "Though correct me if I'm wrong, but my real identity will not be classified anymore. Technically, I can say that I am Lieutenant Kerr and was in the Intelligence Corps, right?"
"This is correct."
"Then I'll be writing under that name."
After two more hours of interviews and endless paperwork, it was finally finished. Each signature felt like peeling off another layer of her former self.
At the end, Ross stood. "Lieutenant Kerr, His Majesty the King's government thanks you for your service.
Your departure is considered honourable.
His Majesty the King's government will retrospectively promote you to the rank of Captain for the initial five years of your service, and subsequently to Major for the remaining period, and will provide retroactive remuneration and benefits.
We wish you the best of success, Major Kerr.
We will coordinate with the Ministry of Defence to formally conclude your commission in the Intelligence Corps. "
"That's it?" asked Roxy.
Ross just said, "That's it," and then she added, "I'm glad your talent didn't go to waste stuck at a desk."
Just like that, Roxy Kerr was no longer theirs. She wasn't entirely free. There will always be layers, obligations, and secrets to follow. The part of her that prioritized the mission above her own well-being had vanished.
Roxy shook hands with the three of them and left the room, exhausted as she had rarely been before. Suddenly, a voice spoke behind her.
"Kerr, got a sec?" She turned around to see Carl walking alone toward her. "I just wanted to say that it has been an honour working with an agent of your calibre. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything. You are part of the family."
Roxy looked at him, trying as hard as she could to hold back her emotions. "Why did you cover me with 'Prodigy?'"
Carl smiled at her. "What good would have come of it? My only regret is that I couldn't find something less brutal for your way out. Take care of yourself, Roxy, and her."
Roxy nodded, but couldn't trust herself to speak. She turned around and continued her way to the elevator, which would take her to the exit one last time, leaving Roxanne Powell behind for good.
But someone was waiting for her. Bonnie leaned against the wall by the exit, arms crossed, her familiar silhouette unmistakable.
Seeing Roxy, a knowing smile came to her face, requiring neither questions nor explanations.
"Thank you for proving me wrong. The job doesn't always win in the end," she said aloud.
Roxy couldn't help but smile back, and Bonnie gave her a quick wink before pushing off from the wall. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving Roxy with the quiet certainty that whatever happened next, some bonds may survive even when things conclude.
***
August 17, 2025
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Her brand-new passport read Roxanne Kerr.
It still felt strange in her hands. The Service swiftly managed the transition: a new document was created, her real identity was declassified, the cover story was created to explain Roxanne Kerr's time in Australia for the past two and a half years as a civilian employee at the British High Commission in Sydney, and all visas and biometrics were transferred seamlessly.
At the immigration desk in Sydney, nothing felt seamless. The border officer took her passport and studied it for longer than necessary. She examined the photo, looked at Roxy, then looked back at the passport.
The officer narrowed her eyes, though not with mistrust, but with an intense focus. She held her gaze unwavering, her shoulders carefully kept loose.
She typed something into her terminal, waited, read, and looked up again. Roxy could swear a full minute pass before she closed the passport with a quiet thump and slid it across the counter without a word.
"Welcome back, Miss Kerr," she said with a hint of courtesy. Roxy nodded, took the document, and exhaled only once she was clear of the line.
She took out her phone and called Taylor as soon as she entered the relative calm of the arrivals hall.
Taylor answered after the first ring. Dating Ellen Caldwell also meant making room in her life for Taylor.
And that bond had been established promptly.
In fact, much quicker than she would have thought when she became a true friend.
The whole thing was forged by a strange mixture of loyalty and silence to protect Ellen.
"Hey Roxy," she said. Her usual cheerfulness was gone. She seemed lifeless.
"Hey. I just landed. Are you sure she's home?" Roxy asked, straight to the point.
"Yeah, I just talked to her a couple of minutes ago," Taylor replied without hesitation. "She's at home. She had a meeting this morning and came back home early. She's already missing you and thinks you're still stuck in London for the rest of the week."
Roxy pressed her fingers to her forehead, letting out a slow breath. "And she really doesn't know?"
"Zero clue," Taylor said, and she heard the warmth in her voice for the first time. "She's probably curled up with a sapphic romance and a glass of wine, relaxing." A small, tired laugh escaped Roxy. "You good?" Taylor asked, softer now.
Roxy nodded, even though she couldn't see it. "I'm good."
"Enjoy your new life, Roxy. You deserve it so much. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. And Tay, I'm sorry about what happened with Jules. I hope it will be resolved quickly. I'm here if you need anything."
"Me as well. Thanks, Roxy. See you at home." The line cut with a soft click. She pocketed the phone and pushed forward into the hall.
There they were. Charles stood a little to the side, holding two coffees. Kimberly was next to him, arms crossed casually, her face breaking into a smile when she saw her. Charles spotted Roxy first and waved, setting one coffee down on a bench to free his hand.
Roxy walked faster without even meaning to. Charles reached her and pulled Roxy into a familiar hug. "Welcome back," he said against her hair.
She couldn't bring herself to speak, so she just bobbed her head. When he pulled away, Kimberly stepped in, wrapping Roxy into a softer hug. She wasn't aware she'd missed it.
"Come on," Charles said, grabbing her duffel without asking. "Let's go to the car." Roxy followed them out into the Sydney night, her heart pounding harder with every step.