The Soldier

lance gave him a polite smile, watching him with the slightest concern as he wondered whether he’d acknowledge the scratching. it was clear the other man had noted it yet not made a comment which was a small victory.  “so how have you been, quartermaster? i’ve heard they’ve been keeping you quite busy.”

“I’m not going to expose myself like that.”

“Hello, Pepper? Sorry I’ve been busy.”

Lance turned around then so he could face him, resting a gently laid hand against his jaw as he spoke. “I think it’s obvious I’ve suffered because of my occupation.” He knew the other man had seen his multitude of scars. “I just don’t want to tell you the extent. It’s difficult to cope with.”

Lance hesitated then, eyes closing as he felt  the other man rest against him. “I...think that I have been keeping  some things from you.  It’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s just that it’s difficult to talk about. You know about my job already with MI6 and all of that...There’s more to it though.”

Lance set the tea Danny chose aside carefully, contemplating over his own choice before settling on the same thing as the other man. “No, it’s alright. I trust you...Some of it is just very personal.” He closed the drawer then and went to making the tea. “If you want you can ask me some  questions? I’m not very good at talking about myself but perhaps that would help. I don’t want you feeling as if you know nothing about me if you’re curious.”

“Don’t worry about it really.” He reassured, readjusting the files  a bit as he spoke so he held them more firmly now. The agent noticed a man out of the corner of his eye watching him and  but tried to conceal any recognition of this. “I’m afraid I have to ask...I’m a bit lost.” He moved over to the side of the pavement so they weren’t blocking the flow of people. “I was wondering if you’d know where the nearest bank is?” He hoped this would conceal his cover from the man observing  him - after all, what kind of agent asked for directions?

“Go on ahead quietly. I can take care of this. I’ll follow close behind you and watch your back.” He whispered to him then as clearly as he could, not wanting to speak too softly should he need to repeat himself. 

“Stay quiet.” Lance whispered to him then, moving in front of him with his own gun held at ready in one hand as he passed another gun back cautiously to the other. He would need to be armed in case something happened. He returned to his two hand hold once the gun was in Q’s hands.

“Alright...” He managed to murmur, attempting to gather his senses in the same manner he’d done for his words. “...Tell me when to go.” He didn’t want to do this, that much was evident. It was clear he was terrified, bracing himself. 

“No...no, I can’t. What are you doing?”

“I took ballet for awhile.”