He looks shocked.
Can I blame him? It was rather off-the-wall.
I'm probably going to get so much flak for this. But I don't care. I've never done things the way others wanted, anyway.
I'm my own woman! At least, that's what I tell myself.
I take the opportunity in his stuttering, "I'll have Joshua release you from this gurney and have you moved into a nicer room." I pause. He looks very skeptical, "I actually do mean nicer. Unless you like that gurney?" I give a swift nod to his metal restraints.
He shakes his head and says, "I'm still trying to process the whole date thing."
Wow. He really is flustered. "Would it be that big a shock? Our... group has been after you for some time now. I've had a chance to look at some pictures and profiling information. I would be lying if I said that there weren't your fair share of fans." Thomas' face lights up with a mischievous grin.
He's so simple to read. How did it take the Holos five years to catch him?
I start to walk away, flinging a stray strand of red out of my face. "I'll pick you up at seven. Tomorrow." I look back at him with all the charm I can muster. "Don't be late."
He gives me a smirk that makes my breath hitch. My heart hammers in my chest and I can only hope he doesn't see the effect he has on me. "Do I have a choice?" His voice is so confident and smooth that I have trouble keeping my smile hidden.
I open my mouth to say something, then grin instead. "I guess you don't." There's a slight sadness in my voice that surprises even myself.
I doubt he'd say yes if he wasn't chained to a medical bed and drugged.
What a shame.
*****
We walk in silence for some time. The corridor is brightly lit. My eyes have only just adjusted even though we've been walking for a good 20 minutes.
"Did you get any information out of him?" Joshua questions hesitantly.
I sigh, "No. I will, though. Tomorrow night." I sound less confident than I would like.
Joshua's mouth presses into a tight line, thinking. His amber eyes dart slightly as if he's sorting through something. "Tomorrow night? Why not just press him tonight? Logistics won't like having nothing to present to your father."
I huff. He's always so bent on impressing Dad. "You could just bend over." My words are sharp, curt.
I mean them.
Joshua scowls, his hand running through his auburn hair, "Be civil, if you please, Coordinator. It wasn't long ago that you and I stood on equal grounds in terms of rank and camaraderie."
I snort derisively, "Camaraderie? Just come out and say it, Josh. We're far from civilities. We dated. End of discussion."
Before he can say another word we arrive at my quarters. "I'm very tired." He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off, "Good night, Operator Evans."
*****
The shower felt great. I needed it.
My thoughts wander as I put a towel to my damp hair. We caught him. It was surprising, really. Some even called it an accident or happenstance.
I still remember him kicking and screaming against my best Operators. Their grip on him was firm, but they still struggled. I think that's what caught my interest immediately. His fierce, oceanic-blue eyes darted wildly. Thomas had gotten a few good kicks and punches in before they administered the sleeping agent.
I was somewhat sad to see such a small spherical device take down such a beautiful boy. I'm beginning to understand why all the girls in my division swooned whenever the topic of Thomas came up.
I easily slip into some pajamas. They're no silk royalty, but they feel amazing and just the right kind of heavy - like I could sink right into my own clothes and be lost forever.
My door chimes. I jump, slightly startled. It's 4AM - does anyone have the decency to let a grown woman sleep?
A muffled voice finds its way through the door, "Coordinator Hayes, may I enter?"
Keeping up the facade is tiring. I press the button beside the sliding door. It gives way with a quiet hiss and I jump onto her.
She gives me the same embrace, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "Nice to see you, too."
Her chuckle mirrors my own, "It's good to see you! How have you been? When did you get back?"
She flicks her hair back, the blond strands calming behind her shoulders, "Only a few hours ago. After hearing about your success, I just had to come congratulate you!" Fierce green eyes lock onto mine, "They were super vague on the way over. Operational security, no doubt. Who'd you get?"
My face lights up in a smug grin. She'll be so proud! "None other than Thomas Shade!" I place my fists on my hips, triumphantly posing.
There's a pause. No clapping, no jumping up and down, no squeals of joy. I look to see her face. She has a hesitant frown, her face partially covered behind long strands of blond hair. Beneath the veil she tries to force a smile.
"I'm happy for you," she says. Her voice is strained, but only slightly.
"What's wrong?" I ask, placing a hand on her shoulder. I give it a reassuring squeeze, "We finally got him! Are you okay?"
She looks down at me and smiles a little wider, "I'm okay. No, it's great, really! I think I'm just really tired from the flight."
"You can tell me if anything is wrong, you know," I sigh.
"I know," she replies simply, giving me one more hug, "Hey, listen, I'm gonna go get some shuteye. I have a full report to your dad." She emphasizes, rolling her eyes.
I chuckle, pressing the button to slide the door back, "I'll see you later, Sarah"
