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𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀, 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
ELEANOR
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The car ride from Tabora's base airport had taken a hot hour, the scorching heat of the sun through two to three starting to melt my skin. Even with air-conditioning, I would be most likely to scramble an egg over my scalp. We arrived at the crash site of the bombing, civilians cleared from a ten-mile radius and only authorized personnel scouring the grounds. Fences were rolled up and the place has become your average, American federal scene.
SAPS lined the entryways to the one-way road from beyond and cop-dogs already on the case. Behind a familiar-looking troop of men was a delving crater in the ground, shockingly wide in the perimeter, like it wasn't a normal bomb used for the explosion. My calculations termed it as a nuclear-bomb rather than a short-range missile or a bullet-triggered grenade.
I spotted the man amongst the masses. I was more than happy to see Rhodey with his big gleaming smile and perfectly ironed militant uniform. I left Tony's side to give him a hug, squeezing his shoulders as tight as possible. The badges of honour that were strapped along the side pierced my skin put I paid no heed, happy to reunite with a friend.
'Elle,' Rhodey muttered into my hair, 'so good to see you.'
Funnily enough, I met James Rhodes before I was acquainted with Tony. We met through a column featuring his take on the Russian airstrike many years ago, becoming good friends soon after. Apparently, Tony wanted to be introduced to little old me at a wine-and-dine party at my colleague's place a year ago, his only way to me through the Colonel.
'I missed you too much, Rhodey,' I said and lowered my voice to a whisper, my lips nearing his ear. His tall stature had me place my hands over his shoulders and tip-toe lightly. 'Tony doesn't feel bad at all for ditching you.'
'Thank for the heads up,' he murmured back swiftly, the smile in his voice as I pulled back. Tony was instant to pull me back to his side, hitching an arm over my waist. He was smirking when he nodded once at his best friend and partner-in-crime.
'Rhodey,' he said, like some jester in court. 'Some love for your pal?'
'Piss off, Tony,' Rhodey grumbled and turned to lead us to where the US military had positioned their tents for their own research. The army-green tent with the large emblem stood taller than most, a few of the officers getting handsy with the high-tech gear.
'Have you apologized?' I asked Tony, trying to fight off laughter as he let out an exhausted sigh.
'I wouldn't hold my breath,' he whispered back, a little more stressed now. By now, little chuckles had started to slip out of my trembling lips.
