Protection

Chapter 7 Get

"Absolutely NOT!" Agent Lena scolds Killian, echoing down the entire hallway to where Regina is near the room. "She can handle it, I'll be right there, you bug the entire thing," Killian says. "It is way too risky, she could enter PTSD distress in the moment, and then what?" Lena snaps. 

"I don't know, but.. she came up with it, you said so yourself Regina deserves to nail them more than anyone," He said. "It is VERY uncertain what could happen putting her in that situation, with her captor? Jones, you know better," Lena said. 

Killian rolls his eyes, "I do know better. But she's strong, and she can handle this," Killian argues. Lena crosses her arms and paces away from him. "I can do it," Regina comes up to them. Killian opens his eyes wide at his boss and presses his lips into a thin line. 

"Regina," Lena calms, "This is very dangerous, for you. Emotionally at the least," Lena reasons. "Killian will be there, I know how to shoot too," Regina alleges. "Well you won't be able to hide the weapon, if you're dressed in the old way," Lena disputes. "Lena, you're looking for every excuse, she can do this, and remember I'll still have my weapon," Killian maintains. 

"If I allow her to go in there like this, we're going to play the rest by MY rules," Lena contends. Killian nods. "I'll have everything arranged by morning. Get a good night's sleep, make sure Regina knows everything that is going to happen. Memorize it," Lena said. "I'll get her ready," Killian affirms. 

They return to the room Regina was in her first night. "Ok, so, if I'm presenting you to him, that means, he's going to touch you." Killian said. "He has before," Regina reminds. Killian sighs, "Yeah well I'll have to prevent myself from cutting off his hand," he grits his teeth. 

"Do you want me to practice what he would likely do?" Killian asks. "No, because he likes trembling, may as well wait for him to make it so," Regina said. Killian nods, with pride, looking at her. 

"Ok, so we present you to him, I pretend that I'm really a master in disguise, and that I'm giving you..." Killian can barely bring himself to say it, "To him," he forces. Regina furrows her brow, "You wanted to say something the other night," Regina remembers. 

Killian had indeed stopped himself saying a phrase when they had realized how close Regina and been kept to the embassy. "What was it?" She asks. "It wasn't anything really," he denies. "Yes it was, I'm supposed to trust you," she says. 

"Right, you're right." he nods. "Umm, it just broke my heart, thinking that you were so close all the time. Like you were at the end of my finger tips and just out of my reach," he said. She breathes deeply in her chest as she stares at his warm and hurt eyes. 

"You didn't know I existed though," Regina shrugs. "Well no. But just the though of it, that you were so bloody close, and I.." he halts and stares in her eyes. "I wish I could have gotten you out of there sooner," he said.

"I'm out now," Regina nods. He smiles, "I'm proud of you." 

"You are?" Regina doubts. She hasn't had someone proud of her in as long as she can remember. "I am, very proud," he repeats. She leans up and sweetly kisses his cheek, and nibbles her bottom lip after it. He chuckles softly, and gently touches her cheek. "You won't kiss me," she shrugs. 

"Uhh, I want to, very much. I've wanted to kiss you a dozen times since our first one," he admits. "But I want you to feel in control, for a while," he said. "A while?" she asks. "Well, I mean, it's up to you what happens with us," he says. 

"Me?" She disbelieves again. "Regina, you're your own person now, no one owns you. You get to do what you want," he nods. "And if I want you?" she hears herself saying it, before she can think. "If you... want me, I would be truly honored," he smiles. "Do you.." she begins, "Yes," he interjects. 

Regina takes a deep breath, "Come on, how about pajamas and I get to pick a movie? What do you say?" He asks. "Or... I can retreat to another room," he adds. "No... stay with me, let's watch something you want," she said. 

"Ok, how do you feel about Aliens?" he asks. Regina is confused, "like the movies, Aliens, funny creatures, separate from reality a bit," he says. "Sure, do you think I'm ready for tomorrow?" She asks. "You're as ready as you'll ever be, I think," he said. 

"If all goes according to plan, after tomorrow, this entire part of your life, is over," he explains. "Except you," she says. "If you choose that, yes," he smiles. "I mean the bad part," he said. "I don't know what I'll do," she shakes her head.

"Well, that's the beauty of it, you'll get to do whatever you want," he said. "Not really, there's money, I always to go to school. I don't know what's left of my family," Regina said. "Well, we'll figure that out, ok?" he raises his brows. 

"We?" She asks. "Well, if you want me, then I'll be around, and I'll help you get what you want," he said. "What did you want to do?" He asks. "Well I used to love to cook, but now, maybe I need to do something good, for other people like me," she explains. 

"What will you do when this case is over?" Regina asks. "Well, typically we get another case, which can lead us who knows where," he said. "And it's similar to this?" She asks. "Not necessarily, it can be drug cartel, or something," he said. 

Regina sighed, not wanting to say much, feeling worried. Killian could sense it. "I'm quite perceptive Regina, what is it?" he asks. "If you have a case, you won't be there," she said. "Mmm, I'm a man of my word, if I tell you I'll be there, I will," he asserts. 

She smiles, and relaxes a bit, "Come on, dorky pajamas, and aliens," he said. "Is it scary?" She asks. "Compared to what my dear?" he asks. Regina pauses, and touches his shirt gently. After a moment, she clutches him tightly, hugging him. 

He breathes, and slowly wraps his arms around her. "Don't leave me," she mutters, holding onto him. He closes his eyes, and gently touches the back of her hair, "I won't, I promise, you have my word," he said.