I•C•E// r.s.l.❣

0.7

There were no tears, no hand holding and no kisses like expected. The music didn't stop, I didn't feel butterflies and we didn't feel like we were the only ones in the world.

I ran, shoving through the emergency door leading outside. I ended up behind the hall, sheltering myself from the rain as I gathered back my breath.

It was overwhelming. That was the closest I have ever came to actual arlffection in the last three years, and it was rather unexpected.

The emergency door crashed open and soon, Riker and Rocky come running my way. "What did he do?! You came running out.."

"Nothing, I just made a big-" I stopped talking the moment he also came running my way.

"Athena, listen-"

"No!" I threatened. "Don't say anything, just leave me alone!"

+++

The rest of the night was a blur, but I did quite a lot of running away from them, back into the room I had when I was a spy here.

My fate gets decided today. I can either be booted out (and I would return to London), they could apply the capital punishment or force me to stay (which I doubt they will).

I've been a burden these few weeks, I wouldn't blame them if they wanted to get rid of me.

I was led to David's office, where he was with a few security guards. I sat down. "Hi"

"Hi, what happened lasts night if you don't mind me asking"

"It's kind of personal, I'd prefer to keep it to myself" I smiled politely and he nodded. A glass of water was handed to me. "Thank you. Have you decided?"

He sighed. "I thought, long and hard and, I don't want you to leave, but you're allowed to. I just personally don't think it would be a good choice. If you decide to stay, you'll be working with the younger recruits in a subject of your choice"

"So..I choose?" My eyebrows shot up.

"The ball's on your court"

I wanted to leave, to fly back to my little place in London and get about with my life at I.C.E. But, I didn't want to break my friends for a second time.

I was going to regret it, I bet you, but it seemed like the right thing to do. "I'll stay and do community service. But, one condition"

"Say it" David tried not to sound desperate, but he failed. The smile on his face gave it away.

"I get to go on missions too"

He smirked. "If you are willing to undergo recruitment again-"

"Deal" I nodded. "And I want to continue my studies, and teach dance to the recruits"

"You're getting excited already" David poked one of my dimples. "Go spread the good news"

I shot from my chair, finding the gang not far from David's office. Casey ran to me. "So? Are you going or not?"

"I have good and bad news" I sighed. Even Ross, who was distant, was now hooked. "I have to do my recruitment all over again"

"Not here.." Rocky sighed, and the others looked so sad I almost cried.

"Yeah, not here of course. At the Recruitment campus across the compound" I smiled. "You won't get rid of me that- OH OKAY"

They all attacked me with a group hug, congratulating me. It cheered me up massively that they were this supportive.

One by one, they released me, and the only one left to hug me was Ross. "Don't I get a hug?"

"Sure" he came over to me, pulling me into his signature bear hug, in which I just inhaled his scent and clung onto his shirt.

"I'm sorry about yesterday-"

"It's fine, I overreacted" I whispered back, then released him.

"You're going to need help, recruiting is mainly mental work now" Ross said and I nodded. "And physical work is more intensive"

"Good thing I have the best squad ever, right" I smiled. "Shall we go grab a bite to celebrate?"

"Say food and I'm yours" Riker commented. "Leggo"