Another first day

Ch.23.Time.Alone.

"Take what you like, Colonel has given you full authorization." It's our usual driver, turned escort, coming along with us on plane rides, providing us with earpieces and further information, as well as his soothing company.

"What d'you think, Morris?" I'm not sure what I should bring, not with everything at my disposal, considering I'm usually handed a knife and a gun and told to be on my way. Leon's at my side, picking up a pistol, twisting a suppressor on and shoving an extended clip into it before passing it my way, a few more clips slid into a pouch at my hip.

"A rifle would do you well, miss, I'd recommend it, rather than a shotgun." He gives Leon a look, disapproving of his weapon of choice, finding the firearm overly barbaric for whatever reason. "Knives, clearly, your skill is unmatched, miss." I smile at him, flattered at the compliment, very aware of my knife skill, something I've always been proud of, even before I learned how to properly handle them.

"Grenades, princess." He steers me over, grabbing and reaching around to hook them to my belt for me, giving me time to grab minimal first aid, ammo my more necessary pocket filler, considering the place is meant to be crawling with guards and whatever creatures the facility has been cooking up. The grenades aren't exactly stealthy, but I appreciate it anyways, an easy escape if I end up cornered.

"I think that's about all you'll need, hopefully keeping altercations to a minimum, yes?" He's something like a father, an overly formal one, but one nonetheless, expecting good decision-making and scolding the lack thereof, my partner all too willing to expose my idiocy to him on our trips back from assignments, often getting me told off by our older friend.

"Yes, of course. I'm all seriousness this time, swear." I press my hand to my heart, trying a convincing smile, earning myself a head shake from Morris, a scoff from my partner. "Shut up, Leon!" I give him my most menacing glare, earning myself a quick kiss, my eyes pulling back to Morris, looking less than amused.

"Come back unscathed, please. I don't want to have to drag you into the heli again, dear." I groan, not happy the two men are ganging up on me, most of my plans turn out brilliantly, injury or not, I know the risk, and am always willing to bet I'll make it out on top.

"Sure, I'll be dragging myself on, this time." I strap a knife to my leg, pulled tight by my doting partner, his free hand pressed to my thigh as he pulls the strap, his eyes a little low, giving me some ideas I really shouldn't be having right now. With a rifle delivered from the other side of the room by my sweet chauffeur strapped to my back, my pistol tucked into its home at my hip, and a spare knife shoved up into the sheath on the chest of my back harness I'm ready to go, walking alongside both Leon and Morris to the plane, the hangar close by.

"Come back to me, princess." He presses his lips to mine, quick and heated, his worry coming out now that I'm ready to go. He's holding onto me, even after we've said our goodbyes, his hands cradling my face, eyes searching mine for something I can't name, my thoughts, maybe, any apprehension, a reason for me to stay behind.

"Don't worry about me, handsome." I tap the side of his face teasingly, trying to keep this light, not wanting to leave him on a bad note. "I'll be home soon, yeah? I love you." He pulls me in, holding me tight to him, breathing in deep through his nose, pressed to my hair.

"I love you more." He mumbles it, barely audible, drawing a light laugh out of me, his smile a little brighter when he pulls back.

"I love you most." I drag him down for another kiss, pushing all my love into it, trying my best to convey how I feel, how much I'd do for him, how much he's done for me.

"No way, princess. I love you more than-"

"Sorry to cut such a touching scene short, but the pilot is getting impatient, miss." I nod at him, giving an apologetic look.