Protection

Chapter 3 Trust

Killian was already impressed with Regina's bravery. She was only nineteen, and here she was helping a five year undercover mission after already suffering for three years. He found himself feeling quite proud of the young woman, and how, in just 24 hours she cut her hair, and was ready to go head to head with her own captives. 

Regina was showering, and of course had locked the door to the bathroom. Killian stood overlooking the town from the balcony of their room. It was of course supposed to be the honeymoon suite, so it was quite luxurious. 

Killian had small binoculars on him, and he took them out to gaze into an ally he could see in the distance. A familiar man, the man who showed him to Regina, was making an exchange. Subtle, but Killian could see the money in his hand, from the other man. The man was in a business suit, looked American. 

He purses his lips together, and hears the bathroom door open. Regina is in another lovely dress,  she looks at him a bit anxious, "Umm, could you?" She asks. Slowly she turns, and he sees her zipper undone in the back. "Oh, umm, sure," he walks to her cautiously, knowing that she's still a bit skittish, and he slowly zips it up. 

"Perhaps the flat shoes today, if you don't mind losing some height," he suggests, concerned about the cut on her foot. "Oh, that's true," she agrees and laces up the greek style looking sandals up her leg. They do go with her floral dress. 

"You look older with your hair shorter," he said. "I feel older, in general," she shrugs. "Aye, you've lived a life that would give that feeling," he agrees. 

Killian can't help but be a bit entranced by her beauty, he scolds himself internally. She's only nineteen, he tells himself. You're a thirty year old gun wielding detective who hasn't been back home in over 6 years, he hears in his own head. 

Indeed, he doesn't have the most settled life, but he can't help but feel a strong sense of protection, and attraction to the young woman. Unbeknownst to him, Regina can't help but feel calm, safe, and actually attracted to him. 

She doesn't jolt at his touch, she doesn't startle when he walks by, she feels safe with him. "Uhh, here, come see the view," he gestures her to the balcony. Regina blinks her eyes as the sun washes over her, "Wow, you can see so far," she says. 

"Aye, and I think I just saw a customer, pay your master," he says. Regina sighs, "So I guess it's time?" She asks. "Well, come, I have to show you a bit how to use this weapon," he goes inside and sits down. 

She watches him, and he loads the PPK gun, "Ok, then you just, pull this," he cocks the gun, "And then shoot," he says. She gathers all the info, "Ok," he clicks it and unloads it. Handing it to her, "Now you try," he says. 

She repeats exactly what he did moments before, and gets it right the first time. "There you go, good learner," he smiles. "Isn't this the same gun as James Bond?" She asks. Killian laughs, "That's the first thing I said when I joined the Embassy," he said. 

"Well you kinda look like him," Regina said. "You think so?" he smiles at her. "Yeah, and you have an accent," She said. He laughs, "True, well you can call me Jones, Killian Jones," he jokes. "Do you like Martini's?" She asks. 

"No, actually, I'm a wine guy," he says. "Actually you know since you're not in America, you can drink here," he said. "Oh," she thinks. "Uhh I didn't mean like, I want you to get tipsy or ... you know?" He shakes his head, fearing he made her nervous. "No, I know," she nods. 

"Ok, good," he breathes. 

Killian stands, and attaches his gun to a hidden holster under a jacket. "Umm," Regina looks around herself, unsure where she can keep her gun. 

"Oh, umm, there's a leg, attachment, to put under your dress," he said. She looks at the velcro, garter look alike. He realizes she isn't sure how to really attach the gun to it, but doesn't know if he should offer to help attach something to her leg. 

She manages to slip the holder up her leg, he focuses his eyes upward to make her a bit more comfortable. "How does the gun hold in there?" she asks. "Umm there's a little tiny hidden loop, that helps to hold it," he tries to explain. Since the material is all black, it's tricky to fine. 

She sighs, and hands him the gun, he blinks at her. "Umm could you?" she asks, and puts her leg up on the bench, "You sure?" He asks. "Yes," she breathes. "Ok," he slowly, slides his fingers around the black garter, and gets the loop, pointing the gun down, and slipping it through the holder, it's now on her leg. 

She breathes slowly, and he keeps his eyes to hers as he does it, to build trust. "There you go," he stands upward. She places her leg back down, and the dress falls over it. "Thanks," she exhales. 

Taking his arm, they put their sunglasses on, and leave the room. They look like your basic hollywood couple in the outfits that they have, definitely fitting the look of a rich couple on a honeymoon. 

Killian's plan is to act as casual as possible, and appear to be tourists as they move around the village out of the hotel. He spots a cafe, "Lunch?" he offers, Regina nods. A waiter attends to them quickly, and Killian reaches across the table for Regina's hand. 

She takes it, knowing she has to look like his wife, "Behind you, is the man I saw pay your master," Killian whispers. The man in the suit is reading a paper, sitting at another table. Killian observes every detail of him, and what he's got. Some toast, and a cup of tea. 

"What are you going to do?" Regina asks. "I'm going to pretend to be like your master," he says. Regina's face changes, "no no, not to you, to him," Killian says softly, and gets up from their table. 

He walks casually over to the man, "Greetings, your pay is in progress," Killian alters his voice. The man looks up at him, and nods for him to sit down. Killian looks back at Regina to confirm her safety, "What have you got for me?" the man asks. "Well," Killian nods towards Regina. 

The man subtly looks over at her back. "Similar to her," Killian says. "Why not her?" the man asks. "Mmm, she's mine, I don't share," Killian says. "Be in your room tomorrow night, 7 pm," Killian says. The man nods in agreement, and Killian leaves his table. 

Sitting back across from Regina, she waits for his explanation. "Have an appetite?" He asks. "What did you do?" Regina asks quietly. Killian doesn't speak, until they finish two small plates, and he stands, escorting Regina, and giving the man in the suit, a nod.

"I told him where to be tomorrow night, we're setting up a sting," he said. Regina sighs, feeling nervous. "What's wrong?" He asks. "I don't know, just you didn't promise him me or something did you?" She asks. 

"What? No, in fact, I said you're mine, and I don't share," he said. She breathes again and looks away from him. "Hey, try something new darling, it's called trust," he said. 

She faces him again and scowls a bit, "You have to trust me, if this is going to work at all, do you trust me?" He asks. She feels her chest heave, but says it, "I trust you."