Trinity

Murphy's Law

The remaining members on the team were grateful for the break; the river was cool and felt incredible. They were used to the heat, their new bodies handled it differently, but the humidity was almost suffocating. While they relaxed, Ten worried about Mansk; Quaritch had put the entire mission on pause to take him aside and help him deal with the meltdown.

Periodically, she stared down the bank of the long river where the two had disappeared earlier. After about an hour, Lyle motioned for her to follow him down the river.

"C'mon, let's go check on the two idiots."

"Lyle!" She feigned shock. "What would he think if he found out his second in command was talking so badly of him?" He laughed and then went in for the kill.

"Oh I'd say he'd deal with that better than if he found out you and Mansk had been fuckin' around." Her steps halted instantly as her body froze in place. When he realized she had stopped, he tsked, moved behind her, and pushed her to keep walking.

"Of course, the one time I manage to get you speechless and no one else is around to witness it. I've known since the first night at the hot spring."

"How? I know damn well no one was there."

"Damn, you folded f ast ." She glowered at him, still waiting on an answer. "I haven't seen Mansk that happy since long before we died. I had a feeling he went after what he wanted, and that means you."

Lyle was careful with his words, the Recoms had decided against telling her anything about her memories or previous life. * cough * Quaritch threatened them * cough * Unsure of how she would handle it, it's a fucking lot to deal with and in her case... even more so considering the whole Paragon thing.

"So..."

"What? Do you want details?"

"You really ain't gonna gossip with me? You wound me deeply. Can't believe you've done this." She groaned and shoved him as he placed his hand over his heart. He smirked, this was how they bantered before. He missed his friend. Lyle was never interested in her like Mansk or the Colonel.

They were just good friends. He'd argue with God himself, that he was her second best friend; he knew Mansk held first place and he didn't care. It wasn't a competition and even if it was, he wasn't trying to win.

Their relationships were different and he loved her in his own way, but it was more like family. He hated the cliche, but she legitimately became his sister. Unleashing the two of them together placed the so-called fresh meat in peril. They acted as a threat and promise to anyone who fucked with their team. They were absolute menaces to anyone and everyone, including each other.

"Jesus Christ, you're such a pain in my ass." Lyle kept rolling his head to look at her, as if he were pouting and after a few seconds he'd look away.

"I am a man of many talents."

"Yeah, add 'perfectly timed cockblocking,' to your repertoire." Her eyes rolled.

"I fuckin' knew it," he grinned from ear to ear. "Last night? Really? Y'all were going to fuck in the forest?"

"You actually want details, don't you?" Ten'etirey didn't try to hide the amusement in her voice.

"We've established this, thank you for catching up. Give."

"I don't think he would be comfortable with me sharing details of... what we've done." He groaned.

"Oh come on! I'm bored as shit out in this forest. It'll stay between us, promise." She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him.