The Assassin & The Mercenary

Chapter 12

*Three weeks later*

"Lizzie!" I hear a voice call from behind me as I pace quickly down the hall to my quarters. "Liz, wait up!"

"What is it James?" I reply with a huff "What do you need oh so urgently need at this very moment that couldn't possibly wait until we dock in a couple hours."

The last three weeks have gone by in a very forgettable routine of mundane activities. Up early for workouts, then breakfast, chores until lunch, mandatory routines, dinner, an hour of free time then lights out at 2100. Being on a ship for the past three weeks has left every soldier on this ship more excited to land in Europe than any sane human should be.

"Lizzie!"

"What?!" I shout as I halt outside my door. "What the fuck do you want James."

I'm reasonably pissed off at the moment. My communication with my new boss overseas has been pissing me off because apparently he thought it would be absolutely hilarious to make the posted details of the position I applied to, completely inaccurate in their reflection to what I'd actually be required to do. On top of that apparently he's not even qualified for his position and is only there because the government called in some favors since he was high enough in their chain of command that they thought he would look more than qualified to any civilian who looked at him on the T.V. screen to make an announcement that really shouldn't be made by him.

So hes not only misogynistic, but hes also a spoiled brat and vastly incompetent in his position beyond the knowledge required for an intro-level biology course he took 20 years ago because it was required for him to get a degree that he probably decided wasn't worth it.

Don't even get me started on the soldiers on the ship. If they allowed women into the military, then there would be no doubt that I would outrank the vast majority of them by now. But of course that doesn't stop them from the cat calls and the vile comments and the mundane questions of "why isnt it in the kitchen with the rest of the bread ovens".

Because of course all a woman is good for is cooking meals and producing children. Nevermind a woman who wants to have a purpose in life beyond being invisible to everyone until someone yells at us for being too invisible. What a silly idea to have. A woman having an idea? Better burn her at the stake because only witches could have such strong magic that is to be considered as thinking. Or even arguably the most vile kind of magic to exist. The forbidden practice of autonomy.

"Lizzie?" his voice shakes as he almost stutters in his steps due to surprise from my shouting "I-I just wanted to know if you wanted to grab some supper with me after we land. I-I couldn't find you earlier when I thought was looking for you so I thought it wouldve b-been better to wait for you here since this is the way to your room. Should I come back later? I don't want to bother you if you're not in the mood for company, of course."

I sigh as I look over to him. "I'm sorry James. I didn't mean to yell at you like that but these past three weeks are so close to pushing beyond the edge of my patience. And I would love for you to come in though. We haven't had much time available to spend as just the two of us."

He looks at me with a renewed softness etched along his face. He gently walks over to me where I stand leaning into the wall and places his hands on either side of my head. He stares down at me from his 6"1 height, almost half a foot above me, and leans in to press his forehead gently against mine.

"I won't pretend to understand everything but all I know being around all these men probably hasnt been as easy on you as it has on me" I scoff and gently roll my eyes to avert his gaze but he takes two fingers under my chin and tilts my head to encourage me to look at him again. "Hey. Don't do that. Baby, look at me."