No Angel

Part 10

Just as thoughts of trying to convince Andy to abseil down the side of the headquarters building started to appear in Simba's mind, the bass player himself emerged from the bedroom.

Phantom handed him a coffee as he approached them with a simple, "Morning."

His thoughts lingered to yesterday when he looked at Simba, but he wasn't sure what to do. It was like the previous day they had been in an adrenaline, passion filled bubble, and since Phantom's arrival had burst the bubble, he didn't know how he was supposed to be with the blonde. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss her tenderly. But something told him things were back to all business for her.

"How are you feeling?" Simba asked gently. Maybe not all business, Andy thought.

"Like my whole life just got blown apart and another explosion is around the corner," he said casually, trying to make his terror seem like no big deal. "How's your leg?" he asked Simba.

"Fine," Simba waved it off. Andy shifted her robe to have a look at it though and knew instantly it needed new dressing.

Without a word, Andy pulled out the first aid kit to replace it. He worked on the wound silently and Simba kept her gaze intently on his hands.

"You're lucky you didn't bust a stitch open after all the fighting last night," Andy finally said as he applied a fresh bandage.

"Well, someone had to stop the cat-burglar," Simba answered. Andy and Simba both gave Phantom a pointed look.

"Hey," said Phantom, "it's not trespassing if you own the property."

Simba rolled her eyes and went back to watching Andy work. When he was finished, they both looked up at each other.

"Thanks," Simba whispered.

Their faces were so close again and Andy could feel his heart pounding, wondering if hers was too. Then he saw it, that glimmer in her eye, showing that same passion it had yesterday right before they had kissed. It made his heart swell. He thought she'd only been with him out of adrenaline from their two near-death experiences together, but he could see it now, that it was more than that.

Simba came to the same realisation when she felt the urge to close the inch of space between their lips. Her whole life had revolved around Andy for so long, she thought that was all that had created her want for him. But she knew now that she really, truly cared for him, she might have even—

A loud slurping sound caused the two to snap back from their thoughts. Andy and Simba both looked at Phantom.

"What? Oh, don't mind me, continue whatever it was you were doing," said Phantom sheepishly.

"So what's the plan?" asked Andy, trying his best not to look completely embarrassed in front of Phantom.

Simba, who had managed to push the previous moment aside and return to business, said, "We have to get back to Mayhem. The board meets for its regular meeting today and, if Phantom's right, they could be making a decision on you. So we have to get back and tell them about Maurice."

Andy nodded along. "Any idea how we're going to do that?"

"I think I've got that covered," Phantom chimed in. "Get ready while I start to organise a plan."

Doing as he was told, Andy returned to the bedroom to jump in the shower. As soon as he was out of ear shot, Phantom gave Simba a sharp look.

"You're kidding right?" Despite the fact they were almost the same height, Phantom had a knack for making Simba feel a lot smaller. "I get it, the guy's hot and you both nearly died yesterday, but you can't seriously be falling for him?"

Simba gave the older agent an incredulous look. "Are you really lecturing me on the intricacies of agent/asset infatuation? You wrote the book on breaking that rule. So I don't think you really get a say on this. Besides, so what if I am? He's my asset and I would die to protect him, that's never going to change, no matter how I feel."

"Feelings make you reckless," Phantom said as she rinsed her now empty coffee cup. "You think you'd do anything to protect him before? You have no idea what you'll do for him if you let this keep going. I did write the book on breaking the rules, which is how I know. If you really want him, I can't stop you, and I won't, I just want to make sure you understand what's really at stake."

Simba sat on the bench quietly as she took in Phantom's words, letting her coffee go cold. She had been willing to throw away everything—Mayhem, her friends, her sister. She would have given it all up to go on the run to keep Andy safe. And maybe she still was willing to do that.

Andy was still in the shower when Simba entered the bathroom. He greeted her warmly under the running water but could see on her face that she hadn't joined him for the fun of it.

When the agent spoke, he almost didn't hear her and he realised she didn't want their conversation overheard.

"Do you want this?" Simba asked him. He looked at her confused. He knew what he did want, but he didn't think that was what she meant. "Do you want to go back and take down Maurice?"

Andy blinked at her in surprise, not sure where she was going with the conversation.

When Andy didn't answer, Simba elaborated. "I will burn the whole place to the ground if that's what you want. But if you want to run, I'll take you. Nothing is ever going back to how it was, so whatever you want to do, I'm with you."

Moments ago, Simba had been willing to do whatever it took to take Maurice down, but now, in this guarded moment with Andy, she knew she would give it all up if he asked her too.

"I want you, more than anything," the musician finally said after a long silence. "But you said I'd make a good leader, and a good leader can't run. I can't let Maurice keep putting people in danger. What if it's Shaun or Bradie he goes after next? We're the only ones that can stop him. We could run, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. I want to stay and fight."

He meant it. It was the choice that terrified him the most, and that's how he knew it was the right decision.

"Lets go start a fire," Simba smirked.