Easily Obsessed

Gunfire, yelling, pain, blood, her lifeless body in his arms. He’d failed, failed to protect the one he loved most.

Kay woke up suddenly from the nightmare half sitting up in a bed a weight on his left side and a sharp pain in his right shoulder. He cringed at the pain and laid back down, his head was spinning.

“Easy there, tough guy,” a familiar voice said.

Kay blinked several times and opened his eyes.

“Jonas?” Kay saw the healer standing over him.

“Were you expecting The Prior of the Inquisition?” Jonas quipped.

“Where’s Lou?” Kay coughed, his throat was very dry. “Is she alright?”

“Relax, lover boy, she’s right next to you,” Jonas said flatly. Then he moved away from the bed headed towards the kitchen unit.

Kay turned his head and saw her asleep on his left shoulder, and only then did he feel her body pressed up against his. He sighed when he saw her then he buried his nose in her hair and hugged her with his left arm that was wrapped around her. Kay stroked Lou’s hair as he nuzzled her, trying to calm his own emotions. It was selfish, but he wanted her to wake up, he wanted to see her eyes, to hear her voice. He gave her a little shake, hoping to rouse her, but she didn’t even react. He tried a little harder, and said her name softly, still nothing, that made him worry.

“Here,” Jonas was back at his side with a glass of water.

“What’s wrong with her?” Kay asked, worried.

“Nothing, she’s fine. I just give her a sedative,” Jonas told him.

Kay turned and looked at the healer in surprise. “She won’t be happy about that.”

“Nope, she wasn’t. Now here drink this,” he helped Kay sit up a little and drink the water.

Kay hadn’t realized just how thirsty he was until the cool liquid filled his mouth and eased his dry throat.

“Thank you,” he said to the healer, after finished the glass of water, then he rubbed his wounded shoulder.

“That hurt?” Jonas asked.

Kay nodded.

“Sharp or dull pain?”

“Sharp,” Kay said.

“Here,” Jonas indicated that he wanted Kay to move his hand, Kay complied.

Jonas put his hand on the wound on Kay’s shoulder.

“Take a deep breath,” he told the empath.

Kay did as he was told and then he felt the heat coming from Jonas’ fingers, the sharp pain intensified. Kay’s face contorted in pain, but he didn’t make a sound.

“Keep breathing,” Jonas instructed.

Kay let go of the breath he didn’t realize he was holding and took another deep breath. And then the pain faded away.

“Better?” Jonas asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Kay said.

“Anymore sharp pains or just a dull ache?”

“Just a dull ache,” Kay replied.

“Good, those sharp pains were bone fragments, but I think I’ve gotten all back into place. That was a nasty bullet that hit you,” the healer eyed the empath.

“Yes, it was,” Kay agreed.

“You wanna tell me why all of Termitary wanted to kill you all last night?” Jonas asked.

Kay said nothing.

“You ever think about a career change, Stone?” Jonas sounded annoyed.

“No,” Kay said simply, not sure why his choice of work bothered the healer.

“You wanna know why I sedated Lou?” Jonas was sounding angrier every time he spoke.

“Yes,” Kay remained calm.

“She was hysterical, not a word I ever thought I’d use to describe Lou. You know why she was hysterical?” Jonas asked.

“She was worried about me,” Kay replied.

“Worried is putting it lightly, she kept asking me why. ‘Why would he do that, Jonas, why? Why would he just lay there and sacrifice himself?’” Jonas was downright angry now.

Kay stayed calm. “It was foolish on my part, but at the time I couldn’t see any other way to protect her. And asking me not to protect her, is like asking you not to heal her.”

Jonas and Kay stared at each other for awhile, Kay could see something in the healer’s eyes that he’d never noticed before.

“Go back to sleep,” Jonas finally said. “You haven’t gotten enough yet.”

“What time is it, anyway?” Kay asked.

“9:30ish,” Jonas said.

“What?” Kay was surprised, he tried to sit up. “We have to get to work.”

Jonas put his hand on the empath’s shoulder, keeping him in bed. The touch confirmed Kay’s suspicion.

“You aren’t going anywhere, doctor’s orders. Besides, she probably won’t wake for another 2-3 hours,” he nodded towards Lou. “So go back to sleep or I’ll sedate you too.”

Jonas walked anyway signaling that he was done with the conversation. Kay sighed, he didn’t exactly have much a of choice and if Jonas was telling the truth about Lou then there was no point. Kay turned and buried his nose back into Lou’s hair, kissed her head, closed his eyes, and tried to go back to sleep. It was easier than he’d expected.

When Kay woke again a couple hours later it was hunger and the smell of food that roused him. He felt Lou nestled against his side, at first he thought they were at home just like any morning. Then he shifted slightly and a sharp pain ripped through his shoulder, he drew in a sharp breath.

Footsteps approached. “That hurt again?”

Kay opened his eyes to see Jonas standing over him, the memories flooded back.

“Yes,” Kay said breathless from the pain.

“Sharp?”

Kay nodded.

“Take a deep breath,” Jonas told him, Kay did as told.

Again Jonas put his hand on Kay’s shoulder again heat spread from his fingers into wound and the sharp pain got worse.

“Breathe through it,” Jonas said.

Kay felt like Jonas was twisting a shard of glass inside his shoulder, he scrunched up his face in pain. He turned his head and hid his face in Lou’s hair, holding her tightly.

Lou felt like she was in a vice grip, she tried to shift, but couldn’t. Then she woke up. Kay was holding her very tightly, on his face was a look of pain. Jonas was standing over him with his hand on the empath’s shoulder.

“Jonas, stop you’re hurting him!” Lou said suddenly.

Kay was surprised by the sound of her voice and opened his eyes up look at her.

“Necessary evil, Lou,” Jonas said, his voice strained.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Kay’s voice was stained as well.

Lou looked at him, she’d never seen him like that, it hurt her to see him like that. She pulled his head against her shoulder, cradling him gently, kissing his temple repeatedly.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” she whispered to him between kisses. “I’ve got you.”

Kay’s right hand landed on Jonas’ instinctually trying to stop the thing causing him pain. Jonas pulled Kay’s hand off with his other hand, put his knee on the bed, and put Kay’s wrist under it to hold him still.

“Deep breath, Kay, we’re almost there,” Jonas said.

Kay took several deep breaths, sweat running down his forehead.

Lou looked up at Jonas, red streaks were starting to run down from his eyes.

“Jonas,” she whispered.

“A bit more,” the healer said.

Kay began to squirm and try to get away for Jonas, Lou held him tightly.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby, I’ve got you,” Lou said in Kay’s ear. “Just breathe, focus on your breathing.”

He did what she said, he breathed deeply and felt all of Lou’s emotions. She was so desperate to ease his pain, to make him feel better, Kay clung to those emotions.

Then the pain was gone, Kay sighed becoming lacks in Lou’s arms as Jonas took his hand away, and then the healer headed towards the bathroom, Lou watched him go.

“Are you okay?” Lou asked Kay, looking at him intently.

“I’m fine,” he said, smiling faintly. “You?”

“Fine,” she said, then she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I was so worried about you, don’t you ever do that again,” she shook him slightly.

“Okay,” Kay whispered. He didn’t know if he could truly promise that or not, but he couldn’t deny her request in that moment.

They stayed like that for a long time, snuggled in each other’s arms, they didn’t even separate when Jonas finally came out of the bathroom. Lou watched the healer head towards the kitchen unit.

“Got food ready, if you two are hungry,” he said.

“Jonas?” Lou called to him, letting go of Kay slightly.

“Hm?” He didn’t even turn around.

“Are you okay?” Lou asked.

“I’m fine,” he said softly.

Lou let go of Kay, sat up slightly, and looked at the empath, who shrugged. She kissed him quickly and then got off the bed. Unfortunately she had completely forgotten about the abuse her bare feet had taken the night before and her first step had her stumbling and almost falling. Kay managed to catch her arm and give her enough stability to prevent a fall. Lou swore loudly. Jonas was by her side instantly and helped her back onto the bed.

“What happened?” The healer asked.

“It’s her feet,” Kay said, while Lou continued to swear.

“What’s wrong with her feet?”

“She ran all over Termitary barefoot last night,” Kay said.

“Let me see,” Jonas said to Lou.

She pointed at him angrily, “don’t you dare.”

Jonas rolled his eyes. “I won’t, just let me see them.”

Lou sat farther back in the bed so Jonas could look at her feet. He unwrapped them and got down on his knees to look at them.

“You did a good job treating them,” he said.

“Kay did it,” Lou told the healer.

“So you can treat people, not just shoot them?” Jonas said.

“Jonas!” Lou was angry, she felt Kay put his hand on her back.

“On the news this morning they said that over 30 bodies have been found,” Jonas said, then he looked at Kay. “How many of those are you responsible for?”

Kay didn’t dignify that with an answer.

“Jonas, stop it,” Lou said.

“Why is it that death seems to follow you two everywhere?” Jonas asked.

“It’s not our fault that other people think killing those in power in the answer,” Lou said, annoyed.

“There were 13 people killed not that far from here, but far away from where all the others were found. That was you wasn’t it?” Jonas said looking at Kay.

“Thirteen?” Lou asked softly.

“Yeah, 13 killed in a residential square, full of homes of innocent people,” Jonas glaring at the empath.

Kay stayed quiet, but he was perfectly willing to take the blame for those deaths in Jonas’ eyes.

“Did you even think about those people? Do you think about the families of the people you kill, Stone? Or has the Corps harden you to it?” Jonas said angrily.

“Stop it!” Lou yelled. “He didn’t kill them, I did!”

Jonas stared at his friend.

“I know you think all killing is bad because you’re a doctor but life isn’t that fucking simple, Jonas,” she continued.

Kay rubbed her back, trying to help her calm down, but she paid no attention to it.

“You act like you are so fucking righteous because you save lives, but how many people do you think are dead because you saved the life of some criminal? Huh? Do you even think about that?” Lou raged on.

Jonas was looking at Lou differently now, like maybe he was starting to understand her side.

“I know you hate killing, I’m not going to tell you that I enjoy it, but I understand that sometimes you have to take a life to save others,” Lou said.

“Lou,” Kay’s voice was soft, but it still caught her attention.

Lou looked at Jonas who was quiet, she sighed. “Jonas, I’m sorry. I overreacted, I guess I’m feeling extra protective tonight.”

“No, you’re right,” the healer admitted. “I try to never think of that side of it. I’m sorry, Lou.”

“I’m not sure I’m the one who deserves an apology,” she said.

The healer sighed. “Sorry, Kay. I had a rough night even before you two showed up, I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“No worries,” Kay said.

Lou looked at her friend kneeling in front of her and realized how tried and beat down he look. She scooted closer to the edge of the bed and him.

“Jonas, tell me the truth. Are you really okay? You look like shit,” Lou said.

Jonas chuckled. “There were a lot of gun shot wounds at the hospital last night, and then you two, and I hadn’t had much sleep or food.”

Lou hugged him, practically falling into his lap, emotions rising. “I’m sorry, Jonas, I wouldn’t have brought him here, except I didn’t know where else was safe.”

“Oh, shut up,” Jonas said, hugging her back. “You know you can always come to me.”

“Yeah, I know,” Lou let go of him and sat back on the bed, tears welling up in her eyes.

“You can come to me with your injuries, your fears, your stalking exs, your bullies, your shot up boyfriend,” Jonas joked.

Lou and Kay both chuckled.

“I promise not to make a habit out of this,” Kay said.

“You better not, or I’ll beat your ass,” Lou said turning to glare at him, Kay just smirked.

After Jonas bandaged up Lou’s feet again the three of them ate together, and then Lou and Kay left Jonas’ so he could get some sleep. They went to Lou’s house to shower and change clothes, then they headed to the Inquisition.

When they walked into The Prior’s waiting area it was after 1 o’clock, Danielle nearly flew out of her chair to greet them.

“Lou, Kay! You’re alright!” The secretary came out from behind her desk and hugged them both at once. “We’ve been so worried about you two. Quick come inside.”

The partners smiled at Danielle’s reaction and followed her to The Prior’s office. She didn’t knock before entering the office.

“Monsieur Martin, excuse me if I’m interrupting,” Danielle said, as she stepped into the room.

“Do you have news?” Martin asked.

Danielle just smiled as she moved aside so Martin could see the partners behind her.

“Lou, Kay,” Martin rose from his desk and came around it, in much the same way Danielle just had. “Glory to the United One.”

He walked up to them and put one hand on each of their shoulders, he looked at both of them and then his eyes stayed on Stone.

“Kay, how are you? Mark says you took a bullet for him,” Martin asked.

“I’m fine, Monsieur Martin,” Kay gave a half smile. “Lou’s healer friend fixed me up quite well.”

“Excellent,” Martin said.

“Where is Mark? Is he okay?” Lou asked suddenly concerned.

“I’m fine, Reed,” came Mark’s voice. “But your concern is touching.”

“Let’s sit,” Martin gestured to the sitting area where Mark was sitting.

“We were about to send out search parties for the two of you,” Mark said once they’d sat down. “You could have at least called.”

“Well, our phones died, but even after changing them we didn’t want risk using them in case more people turned up to kill us,” Lou said.

“Ah, yes,” Mark said.

“As it turns out, it was the network that was hacked, not your phones specifically,” Martin explained. “And Danielle has already solved the problem.”

“That’s good,” Lou said.

“So,” Martin began. “I have heard Mark’s account of last night, and now I want yours.”

Kay and Lou told them about the whole night from their prospective.

“Well, I’m glad everything worked out,” Martin said. “The two of you did excellent work. I’m very proud of both of you. You can expect bonuses, as well.”

“Thank you,” Lou said.

“Thank you, Monsieur Martin,” Kay said.

The Prior smiled very slightly at his bodyguards. “Now I want you to go home and get some rest. I want you both back here in two days. And Lou I want you to get your Psi assessed when you get back.”

“You think it’s advanced?” She asked, mildly surprised.

“What you did was very impressive and I think it is possible that it has,” Marion said.

Kay looked at Lou proudly while she looked at Martin still trying let that information sink

“Now go home,” Martin said.

The two Psionics left The Prior’s office, Lou decided she wanted to get some chores done at her place, but they planned to meet back at Kay’s for dinner. Being alone in her place did nothing good for Lou’s state of mind. Without Kay near her it was much easier to be angry with him. She couldn’t stop seeing him get shot or just laying on the ground waiting to be shot to death. So she angrily cleaned her apartment trying to understand what he was thinking. Every now and then tears threatened to take over her anger, but she never let them. Once her apartment was clean, Lou started working out, she began with pull ups, then push ups, sit ups. She was full of pent up anxiety and angry energy, yet nothing helped to make it go away. Eventually, hot, sweaty, and tired Lou took a long shower. Once she was done it was time to head to Kay’s for dinner, so she got dressed and drove over. Lou could smell dinner as soon as she unlocked and opened the door to Kay’s apartment.

“Hello,” Kay said, smiling as he walked over to greet her.

“Hi,” she hugged him briefly as he kissed her cheek.

“I’ve got dinner all ready,” he said stepping back so that she could see the table.

The table was covered in not just delicious smelling food, but also candles and flowers. Lou wasn’t sure what to say, everything was so romantic, she would have been really pleased if she hadn’t spend the afternoon being mad at him. She was fairly certain he was aware of it too.

“It’s beautiful,” she finally said.

Kay smiled, then gestured to the table, they walked over and sat down. Kay poured them some wine.

“What’s with all the romance?” Lou asked, after sipping her wine.

“Well, I thought after the night we had it would be nice to have a romantic meal together,” he said.

Lou watched him, he was smiling while he explained, but she was even more certain that he knew how upset she’d been earlier. Lou enjoyed her dinner, she appreciated the effort Kay had put into making everything, but she was still wrestling internally. For the most part they eat quietly, Kay tried to start up conversations now and then, but Lou clearly didn’t feel like talking, so he decided to stay quiet. After finishing her food Lou stood up.

“Thank you, Kay, that was wonderful,” Lou said with a tone that didn’t match her words.

“You’re welcome,” he said, watching her pick up both of their dishes and take them to the sink where she started washing them.

Kay sighed quietly. He knew she was still upset and he was fairly sure he knew what she needed, he just wasn’t looking forward to the process. He stood up and watched as she washed the dishes, her movements getting faster and harsher.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” He asked gently.

Lou threw the scrub brush down into the sink roughly, grabbed a towel to dry her hand, and turned to face him.

“No, Kay, I don’t want to talk about it!” she practically yelled. “I want to scream about it, I want to rage about it, I want to throw things across the room about it, I want to be mad at you for it!”

Kay stood quietly letting her work through her emotions.

“I can’t decide if I want to hold you or hit you. I’ve never felt so scared in my whole life,” she came closer to him. “I understand that you wanted to protect me, but I just can’t fathom why that was the way you choose to do it.”

She was up in his space now, her voice raised, her hands holding fistfuls of his clothes.

“Why, Kay, why!?” She yelled as she started pounding her fists on his chest as she spoke. “Why would you do that!? Why!? What good is protecting me if you’re dead!?”

Kay didn’t try to stop her, but he held his hands out, somewhat around her as if to try to contain her rage. One of her hits got him right where the bullet had exited. Jonas didn’t heal Kay completely and so it still hurt. He wrinkled up his face in pain, but he didn’t make a sound, he didn’t move, he didn’t try to stop her. It didn’t take all before her anger dissolve into the real emotion she’d been trying to conceal. She stopped hitting him and sobbed, holding him tightly, this is what he had been waiting for, only then did he speak. He didn’t try to explain himself or make excuses, he only sought to comfort her.

“I know, sunshine,” he held her securely. “I’m safe, I’m here. I’m alive thanks to you.”

She continued to sob against his chest, her arms wrapped around his neck as he repeated words of comfort in her ear. Eventually the sobbing subsided and she felt weak against him. Kay bent down slightly to grab her behind the knees and pick her up, then he carried her into their room. He set her down gently on the edge of the bed, she clung to him.

“It’s alright, I’m not going anywhere,” he reassured her.

“I-I don’t want…” she couldn’t quite get the words out.

“You don’t want what, love?” He asked softly.

“I don’t want to feel all these emotions,” she said with a shaky voice. “I don’t want to be mad, or scared, or upset, I just want it to away.”

Kay pulled away just enough to look down at her, she looked up at him, the torment in her soul reflected in her eyes.

“I know, sunshine, I know,” he kissed her forehead.

“You could feel me earlier, couldn’t you?” She asked.

“Yes,” he said stroking her cheek.

“There’s a part of me that wants to be so mad at you,” she sounded angry as she spoke. “And there’s another part of me that doesn’t want to be mad at you at all,” she sounded sad now.

“Both of those things can be true at the same time,” he told her. “It’s not uncommon to feel conflicting emotions when we are upset, especially when we’re upset with someone we care about.”

Lou reached up, touched his cheek, and traced a line from his temple down along his jawline. She studied the face of the man she loved more than any other. She looked into his eyes, there was such warmth and tenderness there that she smiled as she touched his cheek.

Kay smiled as he watched her eyes move slowly around his face, shamelessly staring at him, but he didn’t mind. He felt her conflicted emotions fade away until there was nothing but love left.

“I love you, my sunshine, my light, my joy,” he said affectionately.

Tears welled in her eyes and then she buried her face against his collarbone.

“I love you, too,” came her muffled voice.

They stayed snuggled together for awhile, Kay didn’t move away, letting her soak up as much as she wanted. Eventually Lou raised her head from his collarbone, gently pressed her cheek against his, and began nuzzling him much like a cat. Kay smiled, enjoying her affection, feeling her need to touch his skin, he slid his hands under her shirt and gently rubbed her back. She whimpered softly before sliding her hands underneath his shirt and pulling it off. Her eyes immediately fell to the scar of the gunshot wound, sadness and anger clouded her expression. With extremely delicate fingers she touched the scar, Kay felt the array of emotions that she was feeling, but there was one that he didn’t understand.

“Resentment?” He asked quietly.

Lou took her hand off his shoulder and looked up at him.

“It’s a shitty thing to think, but I’m mad that Jonas didn’t heal you completely. He would have if it had been me,” she explained.

He smiled softly, her level of concern and care for him warmed his soul.

“He saw me and my bloody eyes before he saw you, and I have this feeling that he didn’t heal you completely so that he could heal me too. I don’t know why, but it makes me angry,” she told him, gently touching his wounded shoulder again, eyes on the ugly scar.

“I don’t know if that’s true or not,” Kay said.

Lou’s eyes met his, he felt the resentment boiling again.

“He wouldn’t even let me have a tiny scar on my forehead and he left you with this,” she gently tapped the wound.

“He healed the inside, that’s far more important than the scar,” Kay said, gently.

“I know, and it looked like it was hard on him, I told you it was shitty,” she admitted. “I’m sure he did everything he could, I’m just an emotional wreck tonight.”

“I think you’re allowed,” Kay smiled and kissed her forehead. “You should go to bed, you’ll feel better in the morning.”

“No,” Lou shook her head. “I’m not ready yet. I want to touch you, to feel you close to me.”

Kay smiled as he leaned closer to her, touched his nose to hers, before he pulled her top off exposing her bare skin. His hands immediately began moving, exploring her body. Lou scooted her hips closer to his, pressing their naked torsos together. Her hands were on either sides of his face, as she looked at him, love flowing from her eyes and emotions. Their lips met in a tender, sensual kiss, it was slow as they enjoyed the taste of each other. Kay slowly pulled his mouth from hers to place kisses down her neck and along her shoulders. Lou lowered her head and rested it against his shoulder, her arms draped around his neck. After just a few short moments Kay felt that Lou was falling asleep on him. He gently laid her back onto the bed, she startled awake and looked at him confused.

“Shh, it’s alright,” he said still scooting her farther onto the bed. “You need to sleep.”

Kay, Lou, and Mark watched the car carrying The Prior headed back towards the Center and safety.

“We need to get off this street,” Kay said.

“There’s an alley behind us a little ways,” Lou told him.

“Let’s go,” Kay said.

Keeping low to stay behind the cover of the cars they moved back the way they’d come, gunfire still following them. When they reached the alleyway, Kay cautiously checked for hostiles, his gun drawn.

“Looks clear, stay behind me,” Kay told them.

Mark followed Kay and Lou followed Mark. In the alley there was no more gunfire, but they could still hear it coming from the road behind them. A sudden noise beside them has Kay turning quickly to point his gun at what turned out to be a young man in torn, dirty clothes, empty injectors all around him. He flinched and covered his face with his arms when Kay pointed the gun at him. Kay felt that the young man was no threat and turned away to keep walking.

“Come on,” he told the others.

They kept moving until they came to a right turn that sent then headed in towards Termitary. The alley continued to weave through tall buildings, the three of them kept moving. Voices could be heard coming from behind them.

“Can you slow them down?” Kay asked Lou.

She nodded and then started pulling anything that was in the alley into the path to block the way as much as possible. When they finally got out of the alleyway they were on a quiet road with a few parked cars.

“I no longer have any idea which way we’re headed,” Lou said.

“Still farther into Termitary, I think,” Kay told her. “We need to find a better way out of here, our pursuers aren’t far behind us.”

“Well, you’re in luck, boss,” Lou teased him. “Because I have a solution for that.”

Kay raised an eyebrow at her. “Oh?”

“We’re gonna steal a car,” she said, as she approached the cars, looking for a good one.

“You are aware that that is illegal, aren’t you, Reed?” Mark asked.

Lou smirked at him. “Of course. But The Prior didn’t say ‘follow all laws’ he said ‘keep him safe.’ So that’s what we’re going to do.”

Lou had found a car with a mostly full charge and knelt down in front of the driver’s side door.

That’s when Mark noticed that Lou had no shoes on, her feet were dirty and bloody.

“Where are your shoes, Reed?” The Inquisitor asked.

“Back in The Prior’s car,” she said nonchalantly, as she put her hand over the car’s lock.

“Your feet are bleeding,” Mark said.

“I know,” she said, turning her hand into they heard a click. “Got it.”

She stood up and open the door and then unlocked the other doors from the inside.

“Ready, gentlemen?” She asked, getting into the driver seat.

Kay opened the back door for mark, who got in and then the empath went around to the front passenger seat, and then they drove away. The roads in that part of Termitary were mostly one lane, winding, and unmarked. Lou drove without any idea of where she was going, all she really cared about was getting as far away from the people trying to kill them as possible. Kay pulled out his phone and called Hector, they weren’t on the call very long, and Kay didn’t sound particularly happy about it.

“We’re on our own,” Kay said after he hang up.

“What?” Lou asked surprised.

“For now,” Kay clarified. “Several members of the team are injured and right now their main priority is getting The Prior to safety.”

Lou sighed. “We can’t just drive around all night, we should find a safe place to wait.”

“I agree,” Kay said.

“And we should get some different clothes,” Lou added.

“Why, exactly?” Mark asked.

“To blend in,” was all Lou said.

She drove around until she found a clothing store, she parked a little ways away.

“Ok, I’ll go in and get us some new clothes, tell me your sizes,” Lou said.

The two men gave her their measurements, and Mark grumbled a bit about Lou going in.

“Don’t worry, Mark, you are perfectly safe with Kay,” she teasingly reassured him.

“It’s not *my* safety I’m concerned about, Reed,” Mark said.

“Now stop that,” Lou continued to tease. “You might convince me that you care.”

Mark glared at her, then gave her a strange look.

“Don’t worry, Mark,” she said seriously. “I know how to behave in Termitary, I’ll be back before you know it.” Then she pointed at Kay, “be safe.”

“You too,” he kissed her cheek briefly.

Lou smiled at him and then got out of the car, walked down the street, and disappeared in into the store. The two men were quiet for awhile.

“You know, Stone, that was some good work back there. I see why Ivo trusts you,” Mark said.

Kay turned and looked at the Inquisitor. “That sounded almost like a compliment.”

“I can give credit where credit is due,” Mark said. “Occasionally.”

Kay chuckled. “In that case, I’m honored.”

They returned to a more companionable silence. Kay kept a keen eye on their surroundings, but when he was looking a different direction Mark called to him.

“Stone,” he sounded nervous.

A dark hooded figure was headed right for them carrying something. Kay looked where Mark pointed and saw the figure.

“It’s just Lou,” Kay told him calmly.

“Are you certain?” Mark asked.

Kay turned and looked at Mark with a face that said: you think I don’t know my own partner and girlfriend?

“Right,” Mark said.

Sure enough the figure walked up to the car, got in, took off the hood, and headed Kay a bag.

“I didn’t even recognize you, Reed,” Mark said.

She chuckled. “Soon you won’t even recognize yourself.

Mark didn’t look too thrilled about that prospect.

“We need somewhere for you boys to change clothes,” Lou said, starting the car.

“Do you hear this, Stone?” Mark scoffed. “Five minutes ago we were ‘gentleman’ and now we’re ‘boys.’”

Kay smirked.

They drove around for awhile before Lou found what she was looking for, a motel. She went inside and paid for a room and then came back to the car. Then the three of them went to the room. It was small, with a queen size bed, desk, a chair, a TV, and a bathroom.

“I see you spared no expense, Reed,” Mark said.

Lou snickered.

“Only the best for you, Mark,” she winked at him.

“Go in the bathroom and wash your feet while we change, then we need to bandage them up,” Kay told her.

“Yes, sir,” Lou said, smirking at him.

Before going into the bathroom she laid out their clothes for them. Once in the bathroom Lou filled the tub with several inches of warm water and sat on the edge with her pant legs rolled up and washed her feet. She hadn’t realized how much they had hurt, but now the water it was like she could feel every little cut. The longer she sat there the more the weight of the whole evening began to weigh on her. She didn’t realize how much time had passed when there was a knock on the door.

“Lou?” Kay’s voice called.

“Yeah, come in,” she answered.

The door opened and Kay, dressed in dark pants, a dark red T-shirt, and a long, hooded, black jacket. He came up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. That’s when she realized how much she needed his comfort.

“You felt me didn’t you?” She asked quietly.

He knelt down next to her. “Yes.”

She turned to look at him and whispered, “I’m scared.”

“I know,” he said softly, then he hugged her. “It’s going to be alright, we’ll get out of this, together.”

She nodded from her spot against his neck, as she held him tightly. They stayed like that for a bit before Lou was ready to let go. Then Kay picked her up and carried her out to the bed. He set her down gently, and had her lay down. Then he set to work treating her feet, he removed bits of glass and debris. Once that was done he put medicine on them and wrapped them thoroughly with bandages.

“She’s crushed, Stone,” Mark said from his vantage point leaning against the desk.

Kay looked at Lou and sure enough she was asleep, he smiled slightly.

“You should try to rest too,” Kay told the Inquisitor.

“I’m fine,” Mark said. “And there is only the one bed.”

“Lay there next to her,” Kay pointed, there was enough space next to Lou.

Mark just stared at the empath for awhile. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go ahead, I’ll keep watch,” Kay said casually.

“Well, perhaps I’ll just lie down for a little while,” Mark said.

Mark felt awkward, but he really did want to lay down. So he came and laid down on the bed, about as far away from Lou as he could be. Kay noted this with amusement, but kept tactfully quiet as he put a blanket over Lou. Then he went and stood by the window and watched the quiet street. Barely a minute passed before Kay heard Mark’s deep, steady breaths. It was about an hour later when Kay’s phone rang, it was Hector.

“Monsieur Baretti, is The Prior safe?” He asked.

“I’m right here, Kay,” Martin’s voice came over the line. “And yes, I’m back in my office, safe.”

“That’s good,” Kay said.

“Report, Stone,” Baretti said.

“Joncière is fine, he and Lou are resting right now, we are in a small motel.” Then Kay told them how them how they had ended up there.

“We need extraction point,” Hector said. “I’ll send coordinates to your phone.”

“Thank you, sir,” Kay said.

“You three stay safe,” Martin said.

“We’ll do our best, sir,” Kay assured him.

Then they disconnected the call. A moment later, coordinates and instructions came in his messages. Kay checked to see how far away the extraction point was, it wasn’t too far according his map.

“Kay?” Lou called from the bed.

He turned to see her looking at him.

“Hey,” he walked over to her. “Hector is coming to get us.” Then he told her about his conversation with Baretti and showed her the map. “How long do you think it’ll take to get there?”

“An hour, maybe less?” Lou said looking at the map. “Faster if we walk, actually, half hour.”

“We should probably leave soon,” Kay said.

Lou looked at the sleeping Inquisitor. “Let’s give him ten more minutes.”

Kay smiled and agreed. He then helped Lou to stand up, pulled her into his arms, and hugged her tightly. Lou nestled against his chest and listened to the beating of his heart. They stood quietly that way for quite a while, renewing their mental and emotional strength.

“Did you get any rest?” Lou asked, not lifting her head away from his chest.

“No, but I’ll be fine,” Kay said, kissing the top of Lou’s head.

She looked up at him. “Are you sure?”

He looked down at her with love in his eyes and touched her cheek tenderly. “I’m sure.”

She smiled up at him, then she felt him stiffen and his eyes shifted to behind her. Lou turned and saw Mark awake and sitting up on the bed watching them.

“Oh, good,” Lou said calmly stepping out of Kay’s arms. “Hector’s coming, we need to go.”

“Excellent,” Mark said, showing no acknowledgment of what he’d just seen.

They quickly explained to Mark the plan and then headed out on foot. All of the clothes Lou had bought them had hoods, so the three of them walked through tight alleyways with hoods covering their heads. When they reached the end of one alley they came out into an open square in the middle of a tall building, that led to apartments, many doors lined the walls. There was only one other way out, to the right of where they came out, but they had to walk across the square to get to the other alleyway out. The square was dirty, covered in debris and trash cans. The three of them walked across the square, when they were about halfway across, Kay, who was leading, stopped abruptly, pull out his gun, and turned to pushed Mark down.

“Get down!” He called.

What Lou saw made her blood run cold with fear and then boil with rage. She saw blood splatter flying away from Kay, who was now facing her, as a bullet penetrated his body. The force of it sent him sprawling to the ground. His Ultimatum when flying. Lou was frozen for a second as she watched him fall in slow motion. Then she heard a gun cocking and she drove down, grabbed Mark, drug him back the way they’d come, and pulled him behind a dumpster.

Kay had felt the danger, stopped, unholstered his gun, turned around, and pushed Mark to the ground. Then he felt it, the sharp, searing pain as a bullet pierced through his right shoulder, clean through his shoulder blade, all the way out the other side. It knocked him off his feet and the gun out of his hand. After he hit the ground he looked and saw Lou pulling Mark away. He’d done his job, Mark and Lou were safe. Another bullet wizzed past him and hit the ground where Mark had just been. Kay looked around frantically for his gun, but didn’t see it anywhere. He rolled onto his back and put a hand over the bleeding bullet hole in his shoulder, he easily spotted the shooter, the gun sticking out off the roof of the building in front of him. He could tell that the shooter was scanning they area for Mark, unarmed, he wasn’t concerned about Kay. Stone kept trying to spot his gun, it couldn’t have gotten too far. The sniper fired again just the bullet hitting somewhere behind Kay, the sniper had found Mark… and Lou. Stone couldn’t see where they were, if they were safe. Pain, fear, and exhaustion clouded his mind and he could only see one way to save them.

“Lou, take Mark and run!” He yelled.

Then Kay rolled over grabbed a pipe from the ground and held it towards the shooter as if it was his gun. The sniper cocked his gun and aimed it at Kay. He felt the danger, it compelled him to move, but he stayed still.

“I’m sorry, sunshine,” he whispered, eyes closed, tears rolling down his face.

Kay felt Lou’s fear hit him like a slap in the face, it was overwhelming. Then he heard the sniper’s gun fire, he waited for death. But nothing happened. Kay opened his eyes and looked around and he saw in front of him a bullet just hanging in the air. Debris and little rocks on the ground around him began to lift up.

“Lou,” he whispered.

Kay looked up to see her walking up to him, her long coat blowing out behind her like cape, her right hand in a fist held out in front of her.

“No, Lou, don’t,” he voice was weak.

“Shut up,” she said, then she threw a cloth at him. “And put pressure on that.” Kay did what she said.

She stood in front of Kay, took a defensive stance and then whipped the hovering bullet so into the ground with such force that it penetrated the concrete. The sniper cocked his gun again and fired, Lou caught the bullet with her Psi again and threw it into the ground, her arms going through the motion as if she held the bullet in her hand. The sniper kept firing and Lou kept catching the bullets and throwing them into the ground. Then with her left hand she pulled a dumpster over to Kay’s left side.

“Just let go of the bullets after you catch them,” Kay told Lou. “You’ll use less Psi.”

Lou took his advice, bullets began clinking onto the ground.

“Look at you,” Mark said appearing beside Kay. “Lying here bleeding to death and still giving her advice.”

“What are you doing?” Kay asked the Inquisitor. “She’s going to kill you for coming out of hiding.”

“No, Stone, she’d kill me for letting you lie here and bleed to death like an idiot from a bullet meant for me,” Mark said taking the cloth from him and putting pressure on his wound.

That was hard for Kay to argue with. As they talked Lou had surrounded them with dumpsters, trash cans, and anything that could help protect them from bullets.

Suddenly Kay felt more danger coming.

“Lou! There’s more coming,” he called to her.

“Tell me where!” She called back.

“The sniper is your 12 o‘clock, we’re your 6,” Kay’s voice faltered as Mark continued to press against his shoulder. “The first one is coming up is at your 4 o’clock, wait for it.”

Lou caught one of the sniper’s bullets and held it waiting for Kay’s call, and ready to catch another bullet with her other hand.

“Now!” Kay called out.

Lou threw the bullet where Kay had told her to, and heard a brief cry and a body thud.

“11, almost 12,” Kay called.

Another throw, another hit, she took out two more that way, but then a whole group came into the square from one of the alleyways.

“The-there’s too many of them,” Kay said weakly.

Fueled by rage, a refusal to die, and a desperate desire to save Kay, Lou reached up towards the sniper, grabbed his gun, twisted it and pulled. They heard the man scream as he fell to his death. Without missing a single beat Lou reached both arms and spun around in a circle grabbing anything and everything she could with her Psi and then spun back the other way throwing everything back at the attackers. Then she collapsed, unconscious, at Kay’s feet.

“Lou,” Kay tried to sat up to her.

“Stay still, you idiot!” Mark snapped at him. “Hold this,” he patted the cloth he was holding against Kay’s wound. Kay put his hand over it.

Mark reached down to grab ahold of Lou and pull her into the makeshift shelter she’d made them. He laid her next to Kay, she was still unconscious and there was blood flowing from her eyes. Mark checked her pulse while Kay hold his breath.

“She’s alive,” Mark reported.

Kay breathed a soft sigh of relief.

“Reed!” Mark shook her, and tapped her face with his hand. “Wake up, Reed!”

Lou groaned and weakly pushed Mark’s hand away.

“Fuck off,” she said weakly.

“See, Stone, she’s fine,” Mark said, smirking, as he went back to putting pressure on Kay’s shoulder.

At the mention of Kay’s name Lou suddenly remembered where she was and what was happening. She opened her eyes and immediately regretted it, they hurt, more than they ever had, she pressed the back of her hand against them.

“It’s alright, just take your time,” Kay said softly.

“We don’t have time, Kay!” She said, furiously wiping the blood that kept flowing from her eyes. “People are trying to kill us!”

“They’re all dead, Lou,” Kay said gently.

“What?” She sounded surprised.

“He says you killed them all,” Mark said louder than Kay.

“Thank you for that, Mark,” she said sarcastically. “We still shouldn’t stay here any longer than necessary.”

“His wound has nearly stopped bleeding,” Mark told Lou. “Just give yourself a minute or two.”

“Calm your mind,” Kay told her.

That sounded impossible right then, but Kay was there, he was alive, he was with her. She reached down and found his hand and held tight to it. Then she turned her head towards his, feeling her need for comfort he leaned his head against hers. Then he used his Psi to calm her. She used the sleeve of her coat to wipe away more bloody tears and then she slowly opened her eyes. It was dark but she could see Kay looking at her.

“Hey, you,” she said smiling at him.

He laughed slightly, tears in his eyes. “Hi.”

“Now it’s time to go,” Mark said.

Lou looked up at him on Kay’s injured side, hands still on the wound.

“But we can’t move him like this, he’ll bleed out,” Mark told Lou.

She knew what to do. She sat up slowly and knelt over Kay’s legs, then she started undoing Kay’s belt. The men watched somewhat awkwardly. Lou pulled hard on the belt freeing it from the belt loops in one move. Taking two hand towels from her pockets she put one on either side of the bullet wound.

“Where did you even get those?” Mark asked.

“Took them from the motel,” She told him as she slipped the belt under Kay’s shoulder and back through the buckle. Then she looked into Kay’s eyes. “This is going hurt.”

“It’s alright,” Kay told her looking at her with such love and trust, that Lou’s eyes welled with tears.

“Take a deep breath,” she told him.

As Kay took a deep breath, Lou pressed her knee down onto his shoulder and tightened the belt as much as she could and then buckled it before removing her knee. She then put a gentle hand on his chest.

“You okay?” She asked.

“Fine,” he answered with a strained voice.

“Alright, let’s go,” Mark said.

Lou and Mark helped Kay to his feet, they both had one of his arms over their shoulders to keep him up.

“We need to find my gun before we leave,” Kay said.

“Ah, yes,” Mark said. “Here it is,” He held the weapon out to Kay, who took it.

“I found it back there when I came out here,” he explained. “Now which way?” Mark asked.

“Forward,” Kay said, “toward Baretti.”

But as they got close to the alleyway the lead toward the extraction point gunfire and loud voices could be heard.

“Fuck,” Lou swore. “Back to motel, we’ll take the car.”

Kay nodded weakly. They turned around and went back the way they came as fast as they could.

“How do they keep finding us?” Lou asked no one in particular, annoyed.

“The phones,” Kay said weakly.

“What?” Lou asked.

“Every time we make a call and tell Hector where we are, they show up first,” Kay said.

“Crap,” Lou said.

It didn’t take long to get back where they had left the car, they put Kay in the front seat, Lou went for the driver’s seat, but Mark stopped her.

“Do you really think you should be driving in your condition?” He asked.

“I still need to keep you safe and you don’t know any of the roads out here, now get in the back,” she demanded.

Mark shook his head, but did as she said.

As she was backing out of the parking spot Kay, who’s head was leaned back and his eyes closed, called at to her.

“Stop!”

Lou slammed on the brakes. Then in her rear view mirror saw a scared teenaged girl staring back at her. The girl stood for frozen in shock for a second and then she ran off. As Lou looked out her window she saw the girl leading a little boy by the hand. Lou never would have seen the boy, he was too little, if she had been paying attention she would have seen the teenage girl. They both would have been hit without Kay.

“Shit,” she swore softly.

“Lou?” Kay called.

“There were… kids in the road. They’re fine, gone now,” she backed out more carefully.

Giving up on trying to meet up with Baretti, especially with Kay hurt, Lou had come up with another idea. The good news was that seeing the map Hector had sent Kay had oriented her to where they were in Termitary, so she knew which way to go. The bad news was that Kay had lost consciousness shortly after getting on the road and she or Mark couldn’t rouse him. She pulled out her phone, noting that it was low on battery, once they had gotten back out on the road and dialed a number.

“Didn’t Stone say not to use your phones?” Mark asked.

“I’m not going to tell anyone where we are or where we’re going,” she told him.

“Lou?” Jonas answered.

“Jonas… I-” her voice faltered.

“Lou, what’s wrong?” Jonas immediately sounded concerned.

“It’s Kay…” Lou was having a harder time than she expected.

“What about him?” Now Jonas sounded protective.

“He’s been… shot,” she said.

“Where? What part of his body?” He switched to healer mode.

“Shoulder.”

“All the through?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“You putting pressure on it?”

“Yes,” she replied. “But he’s unconscious now and I can’t wake him up.”

“Shit. He lose a lot of blood?”

“Yes.”

“Shit. Okay, where are you?” He asked.

“In Termitary somewhere, I’m not sure,” she lied in case someone was listening in. “Are you at work? Can I bring him to you?”

“No, don’t. There’s some crazy shit going on here tonight,” the healer said. “Take him to my place, I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay,” Lou said, she was already headed that way.

“Can you figure how to get there?” Jonas asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” she said.

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

“And Jonas? Please hurry,” she said softly.

“I will,” he reassured her before hanging up.

“You do know how to get there, don’t you,?” Mark asked.

“Of course, I only said I don’t know in case someone is listening,” she told him.

Once Lou got back to a more familiar part of Termitary, it took no time at all for her to get to Jonas’ place. Not sure if the healer was there yet or not Lou parked the car in a quiet spot, told mark to lie down in the back, and she got out to knock on Jonas’ door. But she didn’t make it before someone came around a corner and she nearly punched him.

“Easy! It’s just me,” Jonas said. The he saw all the dried blood on her face. “What they hell happened?”

“Jonas!” Lou hugged him and then looked up at the healer with a look he’d never seen on her face. “Please, you have to help him. I-I can’t… I can’t lose him, please, Jonas.”

“Shh, shh, calm down, I’ll do everything I can. Where is he?”

“This way,” she led him back to the car.

Once they were back at the car Jonas immediately started checking Kay’s vital signs.

“Mark?” Lou called.

“I’m here,” the Inquisitor popped up from the backseat and got out of the car.

“Jonas?” Lou asked.

“We need to get him upstairs,” he said. “Who’s this?” He looked at Mark.

“A friend from work,” Lou said without missing a beat.

Then the three of them carried Kay up to Jonas’ apartment and laid him on the bed. Jonas immediately set to healing the empath. Lou paced around the apartment smoking a cigarette that Jonas had given her, unable to calm down.

“Reed,” Mark called to her. “Come sit.”

She just shook her head, continuing to smoke and pace. Several minutes passed like that.

“Okay,” Jonas said, taking his hand off of Kay’s wound. “I’ve healed it as best as I can for now. Now I need to give him more blood.”

“More blood?” Lou asked, worried. “Where are you going to get more blood?”

Jonas opened a bag he had brought home with him and pulled out a bag of blood.

“I brought some from the hospital,” the healer said, as he set to work getting it ready. “Come help me, Lou.”

Lou came over to him, and he gave her the bag of blood. Then he took out all the things he needed for an IV. Lou stared at Kay’s pale face while Jonas put the IV in his arm and got the blood flowing into the empath.

“Now all we can do is wait,” Jonas told her.

Lou stared at Kay for awhile longer, before she heard Jonas offer Mark a drink and she remembered that she still needed to get Mark to safety. She had an idea.

“Mark,” she went over to him, the Inquisitor looked at her. “Do you have Faruk’s number?”

“Of course, I do,” he said.

“Jonas can I borrow your phone?” She asked. “Mine’s dead.”

“Sure,” he handed Lou his phone.

Then Mark gave her the number she wanted. She went back to the bed and sat next to Kay as she explained to Faruk how she needed him to come and extract Mark, then she gave him a meeting spot not at Jonas’ apartment. She explained that they thought their phones being tracked and she asked him not to call Baretti or anyone else on his team. Twenty minutes passed in silence, Jonas continued to monitor Kay’s vitals, while Lou sat next to the unconscious empath, holding his hand, Mark sat on the sofa drinking a beer Jonas had given him. Then a notification came in on Jonas’ phone.

“Your ride’s here,” the healer told Mark.

Lou got up and told Jonas that she’d be right back, then she and Mark left the apartment. The pair walked quietly through the streets until they reached the spot where they were supposed to meet Mark’s guard. Lou stopped them by a wall, their backs pressed against it. Lou looked at Mark and pressed her finger to her lips, he nodded. She carefully looked around the corner to see if Faruk was where she told him to be. He was, along with a two other AC officers, she turned back to Mark and beaconed him to follow. The guards looked over at them when they heard them coming.

“Monsieur Joncière! United One be praised,” Faruk said walking up to them.

“You have no idea how happy we are to see you,” Lou said.

“The feeling is mutual, Reed,” Faruk said as the two shook hands. “The whole Inquisition and the Corps are up in arms about this.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Lou said.

“Yeah,” Faruk looked around. “Where’s Stone?”

A lump rose in Lou’s throat.

“He took a bullet for me,” Mark said.

Faruk looked at Lou, concern on his face. Apparently the entire Inquisition knew about them being a couple.

“Is he okay?” The guard asked.

“He’s going to be fine,” Mark said more to Lou than Faruk. “He’s with a healer right now.”

Faruk noticeably relaxed. “Oh good, he’ll be alright then. Those healers are miracle workers.”

Lou nodded not looking at either of the men. Mark put his hand on her shoulder.

“He’s going to be fine, Reed,” he said slowly “Faruk here was hurt far worst than Stone is.”

Lou looked at the two men.

“It’s true, I would have died without the aid of healers,” Faruk said.

“He’ll be fine,” Mark said again. “Now get back to him.”

“Be safe,” Lou said putting a hand on Mark’s shoulder.

“You too,” Mark smiled slightly.

“You need someone to walk you back?” Faruk asked.

“Nah, I’m fine,” Lou said, and then they parted ways, Mark was safe back with his guards, so Lou headed back to Jonas’.

“How is he?” Lou asked once she was back at the healer’s apartment.

“He’s stable,” Jonas said. “His blood pressure is still low, but it’s slowly getting better, the blood we’re giving him is working.”

Lou nodded, and rubbed her eyes, with everything calming down, it’s like her body was suddenly remembering its wounds.

“What did you do to make your eyes bleed?” Jonas asked.

Lou told him the story while they shared a cigarette, leaving out the part where she killed half a dozen men or more.

“Damn,” he said when she was done. “That’s fucking impressive, Lou.”

“Thanks,” she kind of smiled.

“You saved his life,” he said.

She just nodded, and rubbed her eyes again.

“Come here,” he said.

“I’m fine, Jonas,” she told him.

“You’re stubborn is what you are,” he walked over to her, grabbed her with one hand and put his other over her eyes.

“Jonas!” She tried to pull free, but she was too tired.

“Shut up and be still,” he scolded.

Lou felt the heat from his fingers and relaxed, letting him heal her eyes, she felt the pain fade away. She sighed as he removed his hand.

“Thank you,” she said, then she hugged him. “I’m sorry that I had to ask you to do all this, but I was so scared. We were being hunted all over Termitary.”

“That wasn’t just a friend from work, was it?” Jonas said, letting go to look at her.

“He’s an Inquisitor,” Lou admitted.

“Fuck,” Jonas said. “I had an Inquisitor in my house.”

Lou chuckled. “He’s really not that bad.”

“Damn, your job really has gotten to you,” Jonas teased.

“Fuck off,” she teased back, then she yawned.

“You should get some sleep,” Jonas said seriously.

Lou shook her head. “I’ll go to sleep after he wakes up.”

“Lou,” Jonas said gently. “He’s lost a lot of blood, you’ve clearly been through hell tonight. Do you even know what time it is?”

“No,” she shook her head again.

“It’s passed four in the morning, when did you two get up this morning?”

“5:30 or 6,” she admitted.

“He’s exhausted, Lou, he needs to sleep, that will help him heal. But you need sleep too,” Jonas reasoned with her.

There was more head shaking. Jonas sighed.

“I’m going to check his vitals again, you should come sit with him,” Jonas told her.

Jonas went over to the empath laying on his bed and began to check his blood pressure. Lou followed slowly, and gently sat down on the bed next to Kay’s uninjured side. She looked at his face, he was still so pale, she gently brushed some hair away from his face.

“His blood pressure has gone up a little again, that’s good,” Jonas told her.

Then he listened to Kay’s heart beat. “Steady and strong,” Jonas reported.

“Then why won’t he wake up?” Lou asked.

“He needs rest, Lou. So do you.”

She just shook her head again.

“At least lay down with him, he’ll know you’re there and he’ll sleep better,” Jonas said.

Lou made a face at him, she didn’t believe him.

“You spend a lot of nights together, right?” He asked.

“Yeah,” Lou said.

“Don’t you sleep better next to him?” Jonas asked.

Lou smiled sadly. “Yeah.”

Then she laid down next to Kay resting a hand on his chest and her head on his good shoulder.

Jonas hoped that she would fall asleep if she laid down next to Kay, but instead she seemed to become more upset. Tears started flowing from her eyes and she kept asking “why”.

“Why what, Lou?”

“Why did he do that, the son of a bitch,” Lou cried more.

“Do what?” Jonas asked.

“He just laid there, ready to sacrifice himself to save us. He was just going to lay there and let that bastard shot him so that we could get away! Why would he do that, Jonas, why?!” The longer Lou talked angrier she got, the louder she got.

“Because he loves you,” Jonas said simply.

“Well, what good is that if he’s dead?!” She yelled.

“Asking Kay not to protect you is like asking me not to heal you, it goes against everything we are,” Jonas told her.

“Protecting me is one thing, dying for no fucking reason is another!” Lou yell through her tears.

“Okay, okay, you can be as mad at him as you want to be, tomorrow. Right now you need to calm down,” he said.

“Why, Jonas, why? Why did he do that? Why would you do that?” She shook Kay slightly.

Jonas didn’t answer the question, it was obvious that she wasn’t looking for a response.

“Come on, now. Take a deep breath,” He said.

Lou didn’t take a deep breath she just cried against Kay’s good shoulder, the weight of the night finally falling down on her. Jonas walked around to the other side of the bed, sat down behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. Then Lou felt a sharp prick on her shoulder next to Jonas’ hand, she turned and saw that he was holding a small injector.

“What did you…?” Lou stared at the healer like he’d just stabbed her in the back.

“Don’t look at me like I’ve just betrayed you, it’s only a mild sedative,” Jonas said. “You *need* to rest.”

The evening of the big event Lou, Kay, Morgan, Danielle, Hector Baretti, and Mark Joncière sat in Ivo Martin’s office as The Prior explained how the event was going to go. It was a large public event, everyone was welcome, which is why extra security was needed. The event was for a secular holiday known as “The Day of None”, which was held to remember a dark time when the survivors of the genetic storm were still hiding underground with barely anything. The holiday started in the evening with parties and was followed by a day of rest.

The Prior would attend the largest gathering in New Paris and greet anyone who wish to pay their respects to him and the Church. Much like many of the parties and events Martin attended only much larger. The Prior, flanked by Joncière, wouldn’t spend more than five minutes, at most, talking with anyone. Hector and his team would be at the event too, along with many other AC employees. The Psionics were to stay close to Martin and Joncière all night. Lou was to stay between Martin and mark at all times and the two empaths would switch off walking behind Martin, next to Lou, and behind Joncière.

“I need you all to be especially vigilant tonight,” Martin told them.

Baretti turned to the Psionics. “Remember that even though there are many other people who we suspect could be targets, the three of you, are to stay with The Prior and Monsieur Joncière at all times. Breaks will only be taken as a group. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” the three Psionics said together.

“Any questions?” Hector asked.

They asked a few clarifying questions and then they were dismissed to get dressed. The three Psionics and Danielle left the office. In the waiting there was a man in full combat gear.

“Faruk!” Lou said when she saw him.

He turned and smiled. “Reed.”

The two shook hands.

“It’s good to see you back on your feet,” Lou said.

“It’s good to be back,” Faruk said. “I heard you saved my boss’s life while I was out.”

“Yeah, well, someone had to keep that jerk alive,” Lou joked.

“I heard that, Reed!” Joncière’s voice came from behind them.

“Truth hurts, Mark!” Lou shot back, totally unbothered by the fact that he’d heard her.

Faruk looked shocked, Lou just winked at him, clapped him on shoulder, and headed for her room.

“Come on, Morgan, you can change in my room,” now she winked at Kay as they walked passed him, he smirked at her.

“I’ll be right there with your dress, Mademoiselle Parker, I need to change too,” Danielle said.

“Just grab the dresses and come change in my room,” Lou said, “it’ll be faster.”

“Alright,” Danielle disappeared for just a moment and then returned carrying two dress bags.

The men watched the three women go into Lou’s small bedroom.

“The mystery that is women,” Joncière said coming to stand next to Kay and Faruk.

“What do they all do in there together?” Faruk asked quietly.

“We’ll never know,” Mark said.

Kay smiled to himself, knowing that if he asked Lou she’d tell him. He stepped away from the other men to go into his room to change, Faruk saw him smiling.

“What’s he smiling about?” He asked Mark.

“Empaths,” Mark rolled his eyes.

Kay half turned back and gave the Inquisitor such a smirk that Mark half chuckled, before Kay disappearing into his room.

The group arrived at the event that was held at the biggest park in the Center. They arrived later than most of the guests, as was The Prior’s policy. They walked together two by two like a train, The Prior and Danielle first, Lou and Morgan next, then Mark and Kay last. They walked and greeted people, Danielle had a tablet balanced on her arm with pictures and names of many notable people who were likely there, but there were still people that would have to introduce themselves. Every few steps the group was stopped so someone could say hello to The Prior. Mark and Kay would occasionally lag behind if someone was talking to the Inquisitor, but they were never very far apart. As they walked Danielle was constantly looking at her tablet and whispering names to The Prior when he needed them. Lou kept a close eye on the pair in front of her, her ears listened for Mark’s voice behind her. This went on for about three hours.

“Who are the people three couples down, I don’t recognize them,” Lou heard Martin ask Danielle.

The secretary began hurriedly swiping through the pictures on her tablet.

Looking at the path in ahead of them Lou noticed the there was a drain that was dipped down slightly coming up on Danielle’s side of the path. The Prior’s secretary was too focused on her task to see it coming. Lou quickened her pace to catch up to Danielle, putting her hands under the secretary’s elbow just as her foot stepped where the drain was. Instead of stumbling Danielle was supported by Lou’s hands and continued to walk gracefully even though one foot didn’t have stable ground for a moment.

“Thank you,” Danielle whispered to Lou, who winked at her.

“Did you find that couple, Danielle?” Martin asked.

“Not yet, sir,” she went back to looking.

Lou looked up at the couple in question and her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively she wanted to looked back at Kay, but she didn’t. Still standing close enough for The Prior to hear her, Lou answered the question.

“Monsieur and Madam… Stone, sir.”

Martin and Danielle both turned and looked at Lou and then forward again.

“As in…?” Danielle asked.

“Yes,” Lou said.

“His?” Martin asked.

“Parents, sir,” Lou answered.

“Their relationship?” Martin asked.

“Uh, not good,” Lou said.

“First names?” Martin asked.

“Robert and Adele,” Lou told him.

“Professions?” Martin asked.

“Uhhh…” Lou didn’t know.

“They both work for Partner Control,” Danielle said, having found them on her tablet.

“Ugh, that makes sense,” Lou couldn’t stop herself from saying.

“Why?” Martin asked.

“Oh, um, they rejected Kay at birth because he wasn’t Pure, his grandmother raised him,” Lou answered.

“I see. How far back is he?” Martin wanted to know.

“Ten steps,” Lou said after checking in her peripheral vision.

“Tell Parker to switch with him once he’s closer,” Martin told Lou.

“Yes, sir,” Lou said, before slipping back in beside Morgan.

Kay had seen the whole thing from he place just behind Joncière. He had smiled with pride when he saw Lou gracefully prevent Danielle from stumbling. Then he was confused by why Lou had stayed beside the two for so long. Once Joncière was done talking and they caught up again, Morgan dropped behind indicating that they should switch places. Kay quickened his pace to move into Morgan’s spot as she slowed into his. He walked closer to Lou than Morgan had, even without touching her Kay felt her concern.

“Look who’s coming up to The Prior,” she whispered.

Kay looked around The Prior and saw his parents, they were almost to Martin. His face remained calm and serious as ever.

“I thought you said that we wouldn’t run into them at an event,” Lou said softly.

“It’s a public event, Lou,” he said.

“You gonna be okay?” She touched his hand very subtly.

Just the very corners of his lips turned up. Her concern warmed his soul.

“I’ll be fine,” he said.

“Monsieur and Madam Stone,” Martin greeted the couple with a little more enthusiasm than usual. He shook their hands.

“Monsieur Prior,” they both said.

“I have to tell you,” Martin said. “It is such an honor to meet you both.”

The Stones both looked surprised.

“Thank you, Monsieur Prior,” Robert Stone said. “But the honor is ours.”

“You two must be so proud of your son,” Martin went on.

Lou realized what Martin was doing and it became difficult for her to keep the smile of her face.

“Um, of course,” Monsieur Stone said, his eyes barely shifting to his son.

“He is one of the best employees I have ever worked with, his skills and professionalism are exemplary. But what truly sets him apart is that he protects out of instinct, not just because it’s his job. He is exceptional human bean, you should be very proud,” Martin said.

Neither of the elder Stones knew what to say to all that.

“Well, if we’re giving out credit for how well that young man turned out, I think I should be first in line,” another voice said.

From behind Robert Stone stepped out Rebecca Stone with Ann Reed on her arm.

“Mother,” Robert said stiffly.

“Madam Rebecca Stone, how nice to see you again,” Martin took Rebecca’s hand. “I was just telling your son and daughter-in-law that they should be very proud of Kay.”

“Yes, they *should* be,” Rebecca said, casting a sideways glance at her son, who avoided looking at her.

Lou couldn’t keep the smile off her face now, but she managed to keep it small.

“And if I’m not mistaken,” The Prior said to Rebecca. “This is Ann Reed with you.”

Ann was shocked that he knew her name.

“It is indeed,” Rebecca said. “Ann, this is Ivo Martin, Prior of the Inquisition.”

“It’s such an honor, Monsieur Prior,” Ann said shyly.

“The honor is all mine, Madam Reed,” Martin said. “Your daughter is perhaps the fastest learners I have ever met. And she has already saved, not only my life, but the life of one my Inquisitors, as well.”

“Oh, is that right?” Ann was surprised and looked briefly at Lou, who standing behind Martin, trying not to look guilty.

Robert Stone shifted uncomfortably. “We shouldn’t keep you any longer, Monsieur Prior.”

“Thank you, Monsieur Stone, it was nice to meet you both,” Martin said, shaking their hands again, then he returned his focus to Ann and Rebecca.

Robert and Adele Stone stepped away from The Prior, the latter moved towards her son a hand outstretched, like she was going to touch him. Lou instinctively stepped in front of Kay and then she needed to come up with a reason why.

“My deepest apologies, Madam,” she said. “But touching The Prior’s personal escorts could be seen as an act of aggression.”

Kay’s mother stepped back slightly, looking aghast. “I would never…”

“Oh, of course not, Madam!” Lou exaggerated. “But you wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression to anyone, you know how high society can be.”

“Oh yes, of course,” Adele said, returning to her husband’s side.

“Surely a mother touching her son isn’t an act of aggression?” Robert said eyeing Lou.

“Certainly not, Monsieur, but they,” she waved her hands indicating the armed guards around them, “don’t know they are mother and son.”

Robert Stone stared at Lou with eyes that were dark brown just like Kay’s, but unlike Kay’s they were cold, unkind, angry even. She returned his gaze without a shred of fear, he clearly understood what Lou had done whereas his wife didn’t. Kay touched Lou’s arm gently, she stepped to the side.

“It’s was nice to see you, mom, dad, but we do have to get back to work,” he said politely.

“Of course, dear,” his mother said.

“Of course, son, we’ll call you,” his father said.

Then they said goodbye and left.

“Ugh,” Rebecca Stone scoffed. “I thought they’d never leave.”

Lou and Kay looked to see Rebecca, Ann, Martin, and Danielle facing them, Mark and Morgan had caught up to them as well.

“We are going to take a break,” Martin said. “There is a tent reserved for us right up this path. I have invited Madam Stone and Madam Reed to join us.”

Then the group of them moved to the tent, Hector Baretti and his team were already there. Hector stood by the entrance with three of his men, the others surrounded the tent. Inside the tent there were tables with food, tables and chairs, and even a sofa. Martin led his guests to the banquet table to get some food first. Mark and Danielle went next in line for food, the three Psionics brought up the rear. Everyone got some food and sat down, they talked and visited while they ate. Kay sat close to Lou.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Kay said quietly to Lou.

“Do what?” She asked.

“Stop my mom from touching me,” he said.

“Yes, I really did,” she told him.

Kay just looked at her, and touched her hand under the table.

“I might not have been responsible for my actions if I’d let her touch you,” Lou said, her anger rising.

“Shh, calm sunshine,” he whispered barely audible, squeezing her hand.

Lou took a deep breath.

“You don’t have to protect me from them,” he said, smiling.

“Yes, I do,” she looked at him very seriously.

Kay smiled at her.

After they ate, Rebecca, Ann and The Prior came over to Kay and Lou.

“Kay, Lou,” Martin said. “I have really enjoyed speaking with your family.”

“Some of them, anyway,” Rebecca said.

Lou snickered. “Rebecca, I love you.”

Rebecca smirked, looking a lot like Kay for a moment. “I love you too, dear. It looked like put my son and daughter-in-law back into their place as well.”

“I *may* have done that,” Lou said, tipping her head slightly away from Kay, who only smiled at her.

“Did he tell you that you shouldn’t have?” Rebecca asked.

“He told me that I didn’t… have to,” Lou answered slowly.

“And what did you tell him?” Rebecca asked.

“That of course I do,” Lou stood up tall, looking stubbornly at Kay out of the corner of her eye.

“Good girl,” Rebecca said. “Don’t listen to him, you protect him from those two all you like, love.”

Lou smirked. “Yes, ma’am.”

Martin leaned down slightly to Ann who was more than a head shorter than him. “You see, their first priority is to protect me, but their second priority is to protect each other. Just like I said Kay protects on instinct, so does Lou.”

Ann smiled with pride. “Just like her father.”

“It was wonderful talking with you both, but I’m afraid that duty calls,” The Prior said.

“Of course,” Rebecca and Ann said, then they both hugged Kay and Lou.

The group returned to the event and The Prior and Mark continued to greet a seemingly never ending trail of people. The rest of the evening was uneventful from the Psionics. By the time they were back in The Prior’s car Lou’s legs and feet were aching from walking in high heels all night. She subtly kicked them off and tucked them under her seat. She and Morgan sat in the backward facing seats while Martin, Kay, and, Joncière sat facing forward. Hector, Danielle, and the main security team followed in separate cars. The cars weaved through the city streets making their way back to the Inquisition building. Lou kept her eyes focused outside, knowing that their job wasn’t over until they were safely back in Martin’s office. As she watched the city going by the windows she suddenly realized something.

“Where are we going?” She asked suddenly, not realizing that she had just interrupted Mark and Martin talking.

“Back to the Inquisition,” Mark said, annoyed. “Where else would we be going, Reed?”

She looked out the window again. “This isn’t the way back to the Inquisition though.”

She turned around and spoke to the driver who was right behind her. “Why are we going this way?”

“The road was closed back there, they sent us this way,” he told her.

Lou looked behind them and saw that Hector’s car was still following them.

“What is it, Lou?” Martin asked.

“This way just takes us really close to Termitary,” she explained.

Martin smiled his slight smile. “It’s good to know that you are keeping such a close eye on our journey, but despite being close to Termitary, this is an approved alternate route.”

“Of course, sir,” Lou said, feeling kind is silly. “Sorry for causing alarm.”

“No need,” Martin said, before returning to his conversation with Mark.

Kay winked encouragingly at her from his seat between the two men, she gave him a soft smile. Morgan was now keeping a close eye out the window. Lou went back to watching out her window too. The car came to a stop in a long line of traffic, cars were being forced into one lane from three. Lou couldn’t explain why the whole situation made her uncomfortable, but it did. She looked at Kay, who was also keeping a close eye on things ahead of them, but he felt her gaze and looked at her. He was calm, so she smiled at him and went back to watching the cars behind them. That’s when she realized that Hector’s car was now several cars behind them, Lou kept a close eye on it. Their pace was slow as so many cars were all in one lane, it seemed like an hour had already passed.

“Something’s happening up ahead,” Kay broke the silence that had settled on them.

Lou turned around and looked, sure enough the were flashing yellow lights up ahead. As they got closer they saw a man standing in the road, showing the cars which way to go. Right went into the Center and left went towards Termitary. Lou looked out the back window again and tried to spot Hector’s car, but she couldn’t see it. As she looked it became their turn and the car turned.

“Wait,” Lou turned to the driver again. “Where are you going? This takes us away from the Center, we were supposed to turn right.”

“There is a detour this way,” the driver said.

Once they turned the speed of traffic had picked back up and they were moving faster again. Then it suddenly slowed again, and they were still headed towards Termitary. Lou couldn’t take it any longer, there was something suspicious about all of this. She pulled at out her phone and dialed Hector.

“Lou? What is it?” Kay asked, picking up on her distress. She looked at him, but didn’t answer.

“What is it, Reed?” Baretti answered.

“Monsieur Baretti, which way did you turn when you got to the flagger?” She asked.

“What?”

“Which way, right or left?” She sounded annoyed.

“Right, of course, towards the Center,” he said. “Why?”

“Shit,” she swore.

“Reed?”

“We were sent left,” Lou told him.

“What?!” Baretti yelled into the phone, Lou pulled it away from her ear for a second.

“It gets worse,” she said.

“Get this car turned around now!” She heard him yell. “Tell me,” he spoke to her again.

“We’re headed toward a one-way road in Termitary, with no good places to turn around,” Lou said.

“I knew this night was too easy,” Hector said. “You know your job, Reed. Keep those two alive until we can get to you. And keep me updated!” Then he hung up.

“Yes, sir,” she said to no one, hanging up her.

“How bad is it?” Kay asked.

“It’s not good,” she said. “It’s not typically a busy road, but with all this extra traffic we are going to end up sitting still surrounded by tall buildings, it’s the perfect place for an ambush.”

“Any alleyways?” Morgan asked.

Lou closed her eyes and thought as she ran her hand through her hair ruffling the neat updo she’d had. “A couple, maybe more.”

“It’d be better if we just went on foot,” Morgan said.

“Ha!” Lou looked at her like she was crazy. Morgan looked confused. “Oh, you must be from the Center too.”

“Yeeees,” Morgan said.

“We can’t just take two men in Inquisitor uniforms wandering around Termitary, they’ll be shot within the first block!”

“Lou is correct,” Martin said. “Anyone with a weapon who doesn’t like the Inquisition might try to harm us.”

“Not to mention tons of potential sniper perches for the assassins out to kill then, I mean call me paranoid,” Lou said.

“You’re not paranoid, you’re good at your job,” Kay said, looking around trying to assess the situation.

“I agree,” Martin said, then he spoke to the driver. “Can you get us out of here?”

“I can try, sir,” he said.

Unfortunately that is when they passed from the outskirts of the Center and into the tight one lane road in Termitary that Lou had warned them about.

“We’re in it now,” Lou said. “The only thing to do now, is get through it.”

The car came to a stop behind a long line of other cars. The three Psionics were keeping a close lookout on the buildings and the sides of the street.

“Is there another way back once we get through this area?” Martin asked.

“Yes,” Lou said, “the road widens out again and then there is-”

“GET DOWN!” Kay suddenly yelled, putting his hands on both Martin and Joncière’s backs pushing them down.

Morgan felt it just after Kay, she drove to cover Joncière with her body. Kay and Lou both leaned over Martin. The sound of breaking glass and a hot, burning pain across her arm, followed by more grass breaking, Lou didn’t hear the gunfire, but she knew they were being shot at. The Psionics got the Inquisitors on on to the floor of the car. The three of them were out of their seats, kneeling down on the floor, covering the other two completely, Kay and Morgan had their guns drawn. There were screams from outside, people on the street ran away, some even abandoned their cars to get away.

“Anyone got eyes on them?” Kay called out.

“I got nothing,” Morgan said.

Lou looked up at the rooftops as she shook her right arm, a bullet had grazed it, it hurt but wasn’t life threatening.

“Lou, are you hit?” Kay asked setting the blood on her arm.

“I’m fine,” she said, her eyes still searching.

Martin pulled a first aid kit out from under one of the seats and began wrapping Lou’s arm. Her eyes never once stopped searching.

“I see him!” Lou called.

“Where?” Kay asked.

“Rooftop, behind us,” she told him.

Kay turned to around and tried to take a look out of the shot-out back window. Lou saw the sniper take aim at him.

“No, don’t!” Lou called out to Kay. Martin had finished bandaging her arm, but now held onto to it preventing her from moving toward Kay.

He felt it just as she said it and he ducked back down. A bullet flew right through the window where Kay’s head had just been and into the back seat in between Lou and Morgan. Kay and Lou made eye contact, he could feel her fear for him coming off of her in waves. He touched her hand, hoping to calm her.

“There’s another one!” Morgan called, looking out the side window.

Kay squeezed Lou’s hand bringing her attention back to him.

“Lou, I’m going to need you to be my eyes,” Kay told her.

Lou nodded looking back out the window and tried to figure out coordinates, then she gave them to Kay. Morgan fired her gun at the sniper she saw out her window, Lou flinched, closing her eyes, at the loud bang.

“Cover your ears, and keep sight of where the bullet hits,” Kay told her as he took aim without raising his head to look.

Lou covered her ears and watched the sniper look for his target. Kay fired the Ultimatum, it was loud even with her ears covered, the shot missed.

“Two meters to your left and about four meters higher,” Lou told the empath.

Morgan’s gun went off. “Got him!”

“Good work, you see any others?” Kay asked Morgan, adjusting his aim.

Another bullet hit the car’s roof.

“Not yet,” she said, scanning the rooftops.

“Keep looking,” he said, then quietly to Lou he asked. “Ready?”

She nodded without taking her eyes off the sniper. Kay fired again, missed again, but it was much closer, the sniper ducked down.

“One more meter to your left, but not till I tell you,” Lou told him.

Kay adjusted slightly and waited. Lou kept her eyes on where she could see the snipers gun, for him to reappear. The wait felt like eternity. Then she saw him take his place again and adjusted his gun.

“Now,” Lou said, trying not to yell.

The Ultimatum’s shot rang true that time, Lou saw the sniper’s head fly backwards when the bullet struck him.

“Got him!” She called out.

“Morgan?” Kay asked.

“I don’t see or feel anyone else,” she reported.

“Good, let’s get out of here,” Lou said, as Martin and Mark sat up slightly.

She turned around to talk to the driver, but his head was slumped over. She touched his shoulder, he felt limp, she checked for his pulse as the group watched.

“He’s dead,” she told them, swearing internally.

“What’s the plan?” Morgan asked.

“We can’t stay here,” Lou said. “We’re sitting ducks.”

Kay pulled out his phone and started dialing Hector. “I’m going to check where Baretti is,” he told them.

That’s when Lou noticed that his sleeve was ripped and bloody.

“Are you hurt?” She asked.

He looked into her eyes as he listened to his phone, the other end was ringing.

“That first bullet grazed me too,” he said, somewhat reluctantly.

Lou grabbed his arm and pushed his sleeve out of the way. The gash on his arm was significantly larger than the one on hers and still bleeding. She locked eyes with Kay, he felt a strong mixture of anger and concern coursing through her. Grabbing the first aid kit she started to treat his wound, Martin helped her.

“Come on, Hector,” Kay said to himself as the phone just kept ringing.

“Not answering?” Martin asked.

“No,” Kay flinched slightly as Lou tied the bandage especially tight.

Mark chuckled. “Remind never to piss you off, Reed.”

Lou shot him an angry side glance before refocusing on Kay’s wound.

Kay understood perfectly why Lou was angry, he was worried about her wound and kept quiet about his even though it was worse. Hector’s voice mail finally picked up, Kay gave a quick run down of what had happened and where they were before hanging up.

“We’re on our own for now,” he told them.

“I hate to say it, but we are going to have to get out and walk back towards the Center,” Lou said.

“I thought you sai-” Morgan tried to say.

“I know what I said,” Lou didn’t let her finished. “But we can’t just sit here, if there is anyone else trying to kill us this is a great place for them to do it!”

“Lou’s right, we can’t just sit here,” Kay agreed. “But I don’t like the idea of getting out and walking around in the streets.”

“I’m open to other ideas,” Lou said.

Kay sighed. “I don’t have any.”

Lou bit her bottom lip, thinking. Then she had an idea. She looked at the three men.

“Take off your jackets,” she said pointing at Mark and Martin.

“Why?” Mark wrinkled up his face at her.

“You have plain black shirts on under them, right?” She asked.

“Yes,” Martin said starting to unbutton his jacket, understanding where Lou was going with this.

Mark still stared at her.

“This way you won’t have the bright, gold Church symbol on you like a bullseye,” she explained.

Mark finally started unbuttoning his jacket. Lou looked at Kay, he was wearing a light grey suit with a dark blue shirt.

“Take yours off too,” she said to him.

Unlike the other two men who hesitated, Kay complied immediately.

Martin and Joncière had got their jackets off by then. Lou took them and turned them inside out. She was watched by four sets of eyes. When she was done she handed Mark’s jacket and handed it to Morgan.

“Put this on,” she told the other woman.

Morgan was confused but she did it anyway. Then Lou put Martin’s inside out jacket on.

“There, now let’s get the hell out of here, shall we?” Lou said, leading the way out of the car.

The others followed her out, that’s when Lou’s idea for a wardrobe change made sense. They were all in dark clothes now, the symbol of the Church and Lou and Morgan’s fancy dresses were all covered up.

“Alright,” Martin said once they were on the sidewalk. “Now we need to get back to Hector. Stay together unless impossible, as the highest ranking officer, Kay is in charge. That includes of you and me, Mark, if it comes to our safety.”

“Understood, Monsieur Prior,” Mark said.

“And didn’t call me that. No ranks, no sir, names only,” Martin said.

“Of course, Ivo,” Mark said.

“Take point, Lou,” Kay said. “Triangle formation.”

Lou stood in front, Ivo and Mark stood shoulder to shoulder in the middle, Kay and Morgan just behind them, respectively. They moved cautiously down the street that way. There was no one else to be seen anywhere, the firefight had scared off everyone. As they walked back down the way they’d come in the car they heard something that stopped them all in their tracks.

“Gunfire,” Lou said, she looked back to Kay, awaiting his orders.

Kay closed his eyes and reached out with has Psi, trying to get a feel for what was happening.

“We need to get to cover,” he said, opening his eyes again. “Which way are the alleyways, Lou?”

“Behind us,” she pointed back towards Termitary.

“Let’s go,” Kay said, turning around, the group followed his lead. “Lou come up here with me, Morgan, take up the rear and keep smelling for trouble.”

The women switched places, Morgan lagging behind a bit to keep tabs on the firefight behind them.

“Is it Hector and them behind us?” Lou asked Kay.

“I think so,” he answered. “But there there is a lot of danger too.”

Lou nodded. “The alleyway is just up here.”

When they reached the alley Lou was about to walk into it when Kay grabbed her from behind pulling her back against his chest, while putting his other arm up to block Mark and Ivo from stepping forward. A gunshot rang out. A bullet wizzed past Lou pressed against Kay. Mark and Ivo pressed up against the side of the building, Morgan hurried to cover them. Kay shifted Lou until she was next to Martin, then pulled his gun out.

“Death to the Inquisition!” A voice in the alleyway yelled.

Kay quickly turned down the alley and fired his gun, then to cover again.

“There’s a least three of them down there,” he told Lou.

“Shit, how did they find us?” She asked.

“Probably lying in waiting,” he said.

“Kay!” Morgan called in a harsh whisper.

“I feel it,” he replied calmly.

“What?” Lou asked him.

“The firefight behind us is getting closer,” he told her.

A whole string of random swear words flew through Lou’s head, each more vulgar than the last. She was looking around trying to find away out of their predicament. Instead she saw more people sneaking around all the abandoned cars on the street, fear filled her. Instinctively she grabbed Kay’s hand, he felt the fear of death coursing through her, then he looked and saw what she saw. He felt Lou’s fear, but not any danger.

“It’s alright,” he whispered.

Then a man in AC combat gear popped up in front of them.

“Beau?!” Lou recognized him. “How?”

Follower Beaumont of The Prior’s main security team stood before them, he had a smile on his face. Two more men from the security team approached Beaumont. The three of them fired into the alleyway naturalizing the attackers.

“Baretti got Stone’s message,” he explained.

“We need to get them to safety,” Kay told him.

“We were told to take you farther down this road,” Beaumont told them.

“Farther into Termitary?” Lou asked.

“The way back down there is completely blocked with shooters. Monsieur Baretti and the others are keeping them at bay. We’re going to have to take the long way around,” Beaumont told them.

“Alright, let’s do it,” Kay said.

“We’ll follow your lead, sir,” Beaumont said to Kay.

“Surround Martin and Joncière, keep them covered at all times,” Kay told them.

The three men immediately complied, and the group began their trek down the deserted street. Lou called Baretti and told them that Beaumont had found them and they are headed back. It was faster than Lou had expected even though she was still barefoot, having never put her heels back on. Beaumont guided them back the way that they had come. They took a shortcut through a different alleyway on the other side of the road that took them to a one lane road headed out of Termitary.

“Down here a little ways we have a car,” Beaumont told them.

When they were almost to the team’s car a shots were fired and Beaumont fell to the ground. Lou immediately dropped down to him while the others surrounded Mark and Ivo more tightly and returned fire.

“Beau!?” Lou called to him.

“I’m okay,” he said. “It hit me in the vest.”

“Get him up, we need to get to cover,” Kay said.

More shots were fired as Lou pulled Beaumont to his feet and the group of them moved to take cover behind some cars.

“We’re in too big of a group,” Morgan shouted between shots. “We need to split up!”

Lou didn’t think that was a good idea, but it was up to Kay so she kept quiet.

“No, we stay together,” Kay said. “Well form a box around them, Morgan you take the lead, I’ll take up the rear, then two on each side. Lou, can you protect us from above?”

“Yes, sir, I can,” she said giving him a proud half smile.

Kay felt her pride as he gave her a quick smile back.

“Alright, let’s do it,” Kay said.

The group executed Kay’s plan perfectly as they moved towards the car. Shots were fired all around Lou, she was the only one without a gun. She kept her eyes up as she walked on Kay’s left, next to Mark. She kept her eyes on the buildings above them for any potential attack. Then she caught sight of something shiny on a rooftop, she called to Kay and put her hand up. The bullet was so fast that she actually caught it in Her bare hand. She immediately dropped it, it was still hot and it burned her hand. Kay raised his gun and fired, the shooter fell dead.

“You alright?” Kay asked, not taking his eyes off the environment.

“Yeah,” Lou shook her hand and then looked at it. There was a bullet shaped burn on her palm.

They kept moving. They had taken down many of the shooters and were almost to the car when there was another group of shooters appeared from an alleyway. The group was forced to take cover behind two different cars. Kay and Lou had pulled Mark back to safety. Morgan, Martin, Beaumont, and the other guards were at the car in front. They were so close to the team’s car, but the gunfire in between the two cars was too heavy to get through.

“We’re in trouble, partner,” Lou said to Kay.

“We are,” Kay agreed, trying to think.

Lou saw a possible solution, she took a deep breath. “I might be able to create a sort of shield, to get us across.”

“‘Might’ isn’t good enough right now, Lou,” Kay said.

She sighed. “You’re right, I know you are, but I don’t see any other options.”

Kay and Lou stared at each other for a bit, a silent understanding passing between them.

“I agree with, Stone,” Mark said. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Then what do we do?” Lou asked looking between the two men.

“Is there anything else that you could move to block the space?” Kay asked.

Lou looked, there were abandoned cars everywhere, but she wasn’t sure that she could move an entire car. Then she spotted something that she could move, a dumpster. Her eyes lit up when she looked back to Kay, he smiled.

“Do it,” he told her.

Lou reached out and started pulling the dumpster forward then sideways, trying to get it into place. Before she could move it far enough to give them cover one of the shooters threw an alcohol bottle with a burning rag in it and it hit the ground in between the two groups. A fire now blocked their way. On top of that more shooters were approaching. The two groups looked at each other through the flames.

“You two stay with Mark,” Martin called to them. “Keep him safe, and you three get back to me.”

A week had passed since the execution, Mark Joncière had easily gotten a full confession out of Councilor Harmon who was terrified of being executed himself. He told Joncière that he had received an anonymous invitation to a online meeting of like minded people who didn’t like that The Prior was trying to remove restrictions on Psionics and trying to encourage acceptance of all different genome groups. Unfortunately, the entire event was anonymous so he didn’t have names of anyone else who was there. He was able to tell them that the group believed that The Prior was too high profile of a target so they weren’t after him, yet anyway. He also give them names of other potential targets, both Church and secular leaders. Because of his full cooperation and the information he was able to provide Councilor, now only Monsieur Harmon was most likely going to be sent to jail rather than a work camp, or executed.

Extra security had been added to anyone who was on the list Harmon had given them, but for Lou and Kay work proceeded as normal.

The partners hadn’t seen Morgan Parker since the day of the execution so Kay hadn’t had a chance to apologize to her yet. But on that day while he was in the cafeteria he spotted her sitting alone, half heatedly eating. He took his lunch and walked over to her.

“Hello, Morgan,” he said.

She looked up at him, surprised. “Kay?”

“May I join you?” He asked politely.

Morgan looked at him for a moment. “Uh, yeah, sure, of course.”

Kay sat down with his tray of food and looked at Morgan. Her usually neat black hair was a little frizzy, there were dark circles under her eyes, and she’d hardly touched her food.

“What’s wrong?” He asked her.

Morgan looked at him with mild indignation. Even her usually bright blue eyes seemed dull.

“You aren’t even going to asked how I am, just going straight to ‘What’s wrong?’” She said.

Kay titled his head slightly and gave her a knowing look.

“Huh, fine. You’re probably the only one who knows me well enough to get away with that,” she smirked at him.

He smiled at her. “So?”

She sighed. “My chaplain was pissed about the whole execution incident so he’s got me on desk duty and with all they extra security stuff going on it means I’m having to write tons more reports and logs. So I’ve been working longer hours and I haven’t been sleeping very well.”

Kay smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Morgan squinted at him suspiciously. “Why are you here anyway? Won’t your girlfriend get jealous?”

Kay gave her a half smile. “No, Lou isn’t the jealous type. And I came to apologize.”

Morgan raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Apologize for what?”

“For the way I spoke to after the execution, it was too harsh and not my place. I’m sorry,” Kay said sincerely.

She just stared at him for a moment. “But you were right. I made the same mistake as befo-”

Kay put up his hand, asking her to wait. “I may have been right, but I didn’t have to say it the way I did. I was upset and it was reflected in the way I spoke to you and you don’t deserve that. I was upset because I believed that you had made the same mistake too, but now that I’ve had some more time to think about it I don’t think you did. You shifted slightly, you didn’t abandon your position.”

Morgan scoffed slightly, surprised by his words. “You wanna tell my chaplain that?”

“I will, if you want me to,” he said.

“No, no, don’t, probably just make it worse. I’m pretty sure he hates me.” Morgan looked at him for a second. “Do you really mean all that?”

Kay reached across the table and held his hand out to her. After a pause Morgan put her hand in his, she felt his honesty.

“Listen, Kay, I don’t want to be that ex-girlfriend, but have you heard the rumors about Lou?”

Kay gave her a restraining smile. “Many of them, yes. They are just that: rumors.”

“Have you heard the most recent ones about her and a certain Inquisitor?” Morgan asked.

“Mark Joncière,” Kay said without having to think.

“Yeah, that one,” Morgan confirmed.

Kay remembered that weird look and the strange feeling that passed through her when Joncière had put his hand on her shoulder. He shook his head.

“Morgan, I appreciate that you are trying to look out for me, but I’d know if Lou cheated on me,” Kay told her.

“Yeah, I know. But there is something weird about those two,” Morgan explained.

“She saved his life, and he saved hers, they were in a traumatic event together. You know how that can change the way people are with each other,” Kay explained.

“Yeah, I know, I’ve just heard a lot stuff.”

“I’m sure most of it comes from the fact that she called him by his first name and no one else, except The Prior does that,” Kay told her.

“You know her best, I’m sure you’re right, I just wanted to make sure you knew,” Morgan said.

“I appreciate that,” Kay smiled softly.

For a little while there was silence between them, Morgan looked thoughtful and Kay didn’t rush her.

“I wanted to be angry with you for so long,” she said. “But I just couldn’t.”

“I know,” Kay said softly. “I hoped that by being away for me you could-“

“Get over you?” She interrupted.

“Yes,” Kay said somewhat sadly. “Morgan, you deserve someone who will love and adore you.”

Morgan scoffed. “We aren’t all as lucky as you.”

He squeezed her hand. “There are people out there who would surprise you, not everyone hates us.”

Morgan looked down at their hands together and Kay felt a pang of sadness, but there was something else too.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” She asked.

“Yes,” Kay had anticipated this question from the moment he first saw Morgan again.

Morgan nodded. “You never looked at me the way you look at her. I always wanted to believe that you loved me once, but-”

“I did, you know I did, and I still do,” he said, she felt the truth of his words. “I was just… never in love with you. But I care about you deeply and I always have.”

Morgan was quiet, she had felt it, he spoke the truth. But she also felt the love.

“You were my best friend, Kay,” she said sadly.

“I know, you were mine too,” he said quietly.

She could feel the regret in him, she felt the same way. “What happened to us?”

“When friends get together it either works really well,” he paused. “Or it doesn’t.”

“I lost everything when they reassigned me, my home, my boyfriend, my best friend, the job I loved.”

“I know, and I’m sorry it worked out that way, I truly am. But you have another chance now, I think that’s why I got so upset with you, I was worried that you hadn’t learned anything and were making the same mistake.”

“And I’ve still managed to fucked it up again,” she said annoyed with herself.

“No, you haven’t,” he squeezed her hand. “Everything will work out.”

She smiled at him, he smiled back.

“Hi, guys,” Lou said, standing in front of their booth.

Morgan quickly pulled her hand away from Kay’s, he, however was perfectly calm, Lou ignored the whole exchange.

“Martin let you go early?” Kay asked calmly.

“Yes,” Lou said sitting down next to Kay. “I *may* have fallen asleep on his couch a little bit.”

Kay and Morgan both stared at her.

“Wasn’t he mad?” Morgan asked.

“No, not at all, he just told me to go home, but then I felt really hungry,” she said taking a breadstick off of Kay’s plate and biting into it.

Kay smiled at her. “Didn’t you order anything?”

“I did!” She said, mouth still full of bread. “It’s coming.”

He smiled again. Morgan watched them together without jealously this time, and somehow she felt different inside.

Lou turned to her, mouth now free of food. “Did he tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Morgan asked.

“I haven’t yet,” Kay told Lou.

“Well, get on it, Stone,” Lou said playfully, gesturing to Morgan, as she took another bite of Kay’s breadstick.

Kay gave Lou an amused look before turning to Morgan. “The Prior would like your help with an upcoming assignment.”

“What?” Morgan couldn’t believe her ears.

That was the moment when Lou’s lunch showed up. The two empaths watched as she dove into her food like a starving woman. Morgan was surprised, but Kay was used to Lou’s often ravenous hunger.

“You forget your morning snack again?” Kay asked.

Lou turned her head, mouth full, eyebrows scrunched up. “No! I was just… busy.”

“Busy… sleeping?” He quipped.

He smirked at her, she rolled her eyes at him, waved her hand for him to keep taking, and went back to her food.

“The Prior asked us if we could reach out to you and see if you wanted to help us out again,” Kay told Morgan.

“But,” she was confused. “After what happened?”

“He did ask our opinions first,” Lou said, between bites of food.

“We told him that we were both willing to work with you again,” Kay told her.

“Wow, well, I’d be honored,” Morgan said. “When?”

“Two weeks from now,” Kay said.

“What’s the assignment?” Morgan asked, already looking better.

“Extra security for The Prior and Mark Joncière at a social event. We’ll get all the details the day before,” Kay said.

“Alright, sounds good,” Morgan said. “But what about my chaplain?”

“No chaplain would deny The Prior’s request,” Lou told her.

“And if The Prior himself is requesting your help, that will no doubt clear up things with your chaplain and get you off desk duty,” Kay said, smiling.

Morgan looked at him happy and mildly annoyed at the same time. “You knew all along and you just sat there and let me vent?”

“You looked like you needed to vent,” Kay shrugged.

“Don’t try and understand his methods,” Lou said, nudging her partner with her shoulder. “He’s just got his own way of doing things, and damn it if he isn’t usually right.”

“Annoying, isn’t it?” Morgan said.

“So much! Like how is he always right?!” Lou agreed.

“I don’t know,” Morgan smirked.

Then the two women chuckled. Kay, instead of being annoyed or embarrassed by this, just smiled watching his ex-girlfriend and his current girlfriend share an understanding about him.

Lou texted Danielle to let her know that Morgan was willing to join them and she said she would pass it on to The Prior. After that the partners went home, they were free for the next two days. Lou also texted Jonas to let him know that they had a couple of days off if they wanted to get together.

The next day Lou and Kay were at his place, they were snuggled up on the couch together watching an old movie after lunch. It wasn’t long after they started the movie that Kay realized that Lou was asleep on his shoulder. He turned off the movie, it was one she hadn’t seen and he didn’t want her to miss it. Then he picked her up and carried her to bed, tucked her in, got a book, and snuggled in next to her. He laid reading while she slept, occasionally she would shift or snuggle closer to him; Kay enjoyed her closeness. About two hours passed when Lou’s phone, still in her pocket, went off, she flinched awake.

“It’s alright, love,” Kay told her calmly. “It’s just your phone.”

Lou was slightly disoriented at first, but then dug her phone out of her pocket. It was Jonas calling.

“Hey,” she greeted his holographic image.

“Hey, I got your text, sorry I haven’t gotten back to you till now, I’ve been busy at work,” the healer said.

“That’s fine,” Lou said, still sleepy.

“Tom and Irma are coming into the city tonight, can you two make it?” Jonas asked.

Lou turned to Kay, who smiled and nodded. “Sure, we’ll be there.”

Then they decided when and where and said good bye.

Lou sighed after hanging up and snuggled back down against Kay, he chuckled.

“Why are you so sleepy?” He ask.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled against his shoulder.

He suspected that she wasn’t sleeping as much at night, at least once he’d caught her awake and on her phone in the middle of the night. For whatever reason she never had nightmares in the day time, so Kay believed that she was staying awake at night and napping during the day to avoid the nightmares.

He kissed her forehead. She looked up at him.

“You don’t mind, did you?” She asked.

“About what?”

“Going out with the guys tonight,” She said.

Kay smirked. “Of course not, why would I?”

“I forgot to talk to you about it beforehand.”

He smiled, kissed her briefly, and said: “I like going out with you and your friends are cool.”

Lou looked at him for awhile. She hoped that someday he’d see them as his friends too and that they would be friends with him. She hated how alone in the world he seemed. Kay smiled while he watched her, feeling her emotions shifting as she thought.

Lou took a deep breath. “So what should we do until tonight?”

“Well, you did fall asleep in the middle of our movie,” he said.

“True, I’m fine with that, but I’m hungry again,” she said.

“Again? But I just fed you!” He teased.

“Yeah, well, feed me again!” She shot back.

The couple laughed and then got out of bed. Lou got more food and they went back to their movie. It was a quiet, lazy afternoon, but they both enjoyed it. It was just the kind of rest they needed after all the craziness at work and with a big event coming up. In the evening they got ready to go to the club to meet up with Lou’s friends. Kay just had on his usual style of street clothes, Lou decided to be a little fancier. Kay waited for her to finish getting ready in the living room.

“Well,” she said attracting his attention. “What do you think?”

Kay turned to look at her and felt his heart skip excitedly. Lou was wearing a blue floor length dress, that had a split on one side all the way up to her hip. It was shoulder-less with a deep scoop down her chest accentuating her cleavage and a black belt around her waist. Her long blonde hair was loose, draped over one shoulder, on the opposite side of her head there were three small braids. Kay stared at her shamelessly for a moment.

“You look incredible,” he said, still staring.

“I haven’t even shown you the best part yet,” she said, smiling.

“There’s more?” Kay wasn’t sure he could handle more, he already wanted to rip it off of her.

Lou turned her back to him to reveal that there was no back to the dress and it scooped all the down, just barely covering her ass, and hugged every delicious curve.

“Mm,” Kay made a sound of pleasure and crossed the room in three long steps.

He wrapped her in his arms and started kissing her neck.

Lou gasped not expecting to feel his hot lips against her skin. He placed several kisses on her neck before slowly moving down to her shoulder and kissing a trail that then moved to her back.

He slowly placed one kiss after another, each slightly lower than the last one. One hand stayed at her waist to give her added stability, while the hand slinked into the slit in her dress and made a discovery. She wasn’t wearing any panties.

“Mmmm,” he moaned against her back as he kissed it.

The sound vibrated against her sending a wave of tremors down her spine causing her to arch her back. That happened at the same time that his hand found its way between her legs. His dexterous fingers slipped into her hot, wet, center and gently teased her most sensitive spot.

“Kay,” his name was a breathless sound on her lips, as her legs nearly buckled. “We… need… to… leave.”

“Hush,” he said, barely taking his lips off her long enough to speak. He felt her desire, he know she didn’t want to stop any more than he did.

His lips finally reached the fabric of her dress, that barely covered her, he kissed the very base of her spine. She moaned as his fingers slid inside her, he didn’t waste any time. He set a quick pace knowing exactly how to pleasure her. Her moans filled the room as he kept up his pace, then he felt the warm liquid cover his hand and heard her cry of pleasure. Her knees gave out and he had to catch her and ease her to the floor as she breathed heavily.

They both sat on the floor with their legs folded under them, Kay held Lou securely against his chest, her head laid back on his shoulder. She was still trying to breathe normally when Kay snaked his hand back into the slit in her dress and slipped back into her. She grabbed ahold of his leg with one hand, and his free hand with her other. Moaning she turned her face towards his and he leaned his closer to her so that she could nuzzled against his cheek. Just like before he wasted no time getting up to speed, and the room was filled with the sounds of her pleasure. And again he felt the rush of wet warmth on his hand, he loved how easy it was.

Lou, still gasping for breath said: “No more.”

Kay chuckled. “Alright, alright,” then he kissed her cheek and removed his hand from under her dress.

Kay got an alert on his phone, he checked it. “The cab is here.”

“Go wash your hands,” she commanded.

Kay chuckled. Then he stood, helped her up and walk to the couch, then he washed his hands in the kitchen.

“We need to go,” she said when he came back.

Kay helped her up. “Are you alright?”

Lou chuckled, her arm looped with his. “More than alright, I feel wonderful.”

Kay smiled. “I’m glad.”

“Are you going to be alright?” She asked looking down towards his pants.

Chuckling, then kissing her cheek, he walked her down to their cab.

Once they arrived at the club they easily found her social group waiting for them, minus one.

“Where’s Dogan?” Lou asked as she and Kay sat down with their drinks.

“He said he was running late,” Jonas told her. “Apparently he’s bringing someone with him.”

“Oh really?” Lou asked, interested.

“I don’t know anything,” the healer held his hands up.

Lou chuckled, “alright, relax,” she playfully rolled her eyes and then turned to Tom and Irma. “How are you guys doing? Feels like forever since I’ve seen you.”

“We’re really well, actually,” Tom said.

Irma smiled. “We’ve both been moved to a higher pay grade.”

The whole group congratulated them all at once. Once they all quieted down again, they decided to order some food while they waited for Dogan and his date. Tom insisted on paying for the group, so he when off to order, Kiddo decided to drag Lou and Irma onto the dance floor, leaving Jonas and Kay alone at the table.

Jonas pulled out a cigarette. “You don’t mind, do you?” He asked the empath.

“No, not at all. Go right ahead,” Kay said.

They sat quietly for a moment while Jonas smoked.

“Is Tina still having a hard time being around you?” Kay asked.

Jonas took a long, slow, drag on his cigarette and then blew the smoke out. “Yeah, I don’t know what else to do about it.”

“She probably just needs time,” Kay said, sympathetically.

“She needs someone her age to get over me with,” Jonas said.

Kay chuckled, but refrained from commenting.

Just then Lou came up to them very fast, a strange look on her face, she stood in front of Kay. He felt an array of emotions flying her, instinctively he reached out to comfort her, but she stepped back before he could touch her.

“Now correct me I’m wrong, but is that, or is that not your ex-girlfriend over there hanging on the neck of my friend?” Lou asked the empath, leaning to the side so he could see.

Kay looked over Lou’s shoulder and out on the dance floor he saw Morgan Parker with her arms around Dogan’s neck as they slow danced. He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. Then he looked back to Lou, who did not look happy, his smile immediately disappeared.

“Uh… yes,” Kay said, not understanding what was going on with Lou.

“See, I knew you were going to say that, I thought ‘I know it’s dark in here, but I haven’t had that much to drink, and I saw her only a couple days ago, so it wasn’t very likely that I misidentified her’, but it was like my brain couldn’t understand what it was seeing.” Lou rambled.

“Hey,” Kay reached out, beaconing her to him, but she took another step back.

“I mean, there’s nothing at all weird or awkward about you and my friend having had sex with the same woman, right? Nothing at all,” Lou clearly didn’t believe what she was saying. “I mean, am I the only one who finds that awkward?”

Jonas was amused by the sight of his friend freaking out. “The real question, Lou, is why does his ex being with Dogan make you so jealous?”

Kay didn’t think it was jealousy that Lou was feeling so he was surprised by her answer.

“I don’t know. I don’t know! I. Don’t. Know. I have no reason to be jealous, it’s ridiculous, it’s immature, and it’s completely unnecessary. But that is apparently the side of the bed I woke up on this morning!”

“This afternoon,” Kay corrected.

Lou turned and squinted at her boyfriend. Kay didn’t smirk or smile, but he held her gaze. Without another word she turned and walked away from them.

Jonas chuckled. “Damn, Stone, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Kay looked at Jonas, a smirk on his face.

“Sassing her while she’s in one of her crazy moods, you must enjoying sleeping alone,” Jonas teased him.

“Nah,” Kay said casually. “I can calm her down again.”

“Well, yeah, with you Psi, that’s just cheating,” Jonas said.

“No, I don’t need my Psi for that,” Kay said, then he sipped his whiskey.

“Bullshit,” Jonas shot back.

Kay just raised an eyebrow at him.

“You could calm her from all that craziness, right now, without your Psi?” The healer asked.

“Yes,” Kay said simply.

“Prove it. Put your money where your mouth is, Stone,” Jonas challenged the empath.

“How much?” Kay asked, amused.

Jonas pulled out his wallet, sifted through the bills, and then slapped a 50 down onto the table. Kay followed suit, pulling the same amount from his wallet and laying on top of Jonas’.

“And you can’t tell her what you’re doing,” Jonas added.

“Of course not,” Kay agreed.

Jonas then gestured to Lou who was sipping her drink and talking to Kiddo and Irma near the dance floor as they watched Dogan and Morgan slow dancing.

“Impress me,” he said.

Kay downed the last of his drink in one glup, winked at Jonas, and got up.

Lou was quietly telling Irma and Tina about how Morgan was Kay’s ex, when familiar hands wrapped around her waist and well-known lips touched her neck.

“Kay!” she scolded him.

He pulled her gently, away from the girls, who watched amused, and then pushed her onto the dance floor from behind.

Lou twisted around in his arms to face him. “What are you doing?”

Kay smiled at her but said nothing, then he rubbed his cheek against hers as he nestled his head down against her neck and shoulder. He put his hands on her waist and slowly began to rock her back and forth to the music.

“Kay Stone, what are you up to?” She asked pushing at him slightly.

He still remained silent, only pressing gentle kisses on her neck and shoulder. Lou sighed as she let him lead her in a slow dance.

“Is this your way of telling me that I’m being too emotional again?” She asked, putting her arms around his neck.

Kay just nuzzled her more.

“Ugh, I see how it is, not even going to talk to me, huh? Alright, well then I’ll just wish you good luck with your quest,” Lou said, somewhat sarcastically.

He rocked her slowly, gently snuggling against her and leaving little kisses now and then. Lou sighed again, turning to press her nose to his cheek, breathing deeply. Kay didn’t shave that morning like he did on work days, he shaved as they were getting ready to come out. So his face was extra soft and smelled wonderfully of aftershave.

“Hey, Lou!” Dogan called to her happily.

Lou raised her head from Kay’s cheek and smiled at her friend, who was now dancing with Morgan next to them.

“Hey, Dogan,” she noted how much happier Morgan looked than the last time Lou saw her.

“I want to introduce you to someone,” her friend said smiling.

“We actually already know each other,” Morgan said.

“We met at work,” Lou explained.

“Oh, of course!” Dogan said.

“It’s nice to see you again, Mademoiselle Parker,” Lou said.

“Just Morgan, please, I hate all that formal shit,” she said.

Lou chuckled. “I understand, please just call me Lou, as well.”

Morgan titled her head looking at Kay still with his head tucked against Lou’s shoulder.

“Is… he okay?” She asked.

Lou smiled and rolled her eyes.

“He’s fine,” she said, stroking his hair.

“What’s he doing?” Dogan whispered.

Lou sighed. “Well, you see, this is just his spot when he believes that I am, to use his term, emotionally dysregulated. This is just him fixing it.”

“His Psi should have fixed it by now,” Morgan said eyeing the back of Kay’s head.

“Oh, he’s not using his Psi,” Lou said.

“Then how?” Morgan blinked several times.

“He’s fixing it with his existence, and with knowledge of how much I love his damn beautiful face tucked right here.” She gently shook his head turning to Kay as she spoke; he let out a muffled chuckle. Lou sighed again.

Morgan chuckled too, Lou look at her and smiled.

“He ruins all my best bad moods,” Lou told Morgan.

“It’s annoying, isn’t it?” Morgan said.

“It certainly can be!” Lou agreed. “But not when he’s tucked right here,” Lou snuggled against his cheek and sighed.

“He’s found your weakness,” Morgan chuckled.

Lou sighed happily, stroking his hair tenderly. “I don’t even mind.”

“You’ve got it bad,” Dogan said, smiling.

“I don’t mind that either,” Lou said.

Kay raised his head and smiled at Lou.

“Oh, am I sufficiently calm now?” Lou asked him.

“Yes,” Kay finally spoke, still smiling.

“And I see you are quite proud of yourself,” Lou teased.

“Well, I did just prove Jonas wrong,” Kay told her.

“How did you do that?” Lou asked, suddenly pleased.

“I told him that I could calm you down without using my Psi,” Kay said.

Lou smiled. “Please tell me you put money on it.”

“50 bucks,” Kay smirked.

“Eh,” Lou breathed out. She pulled him in for a quick kiss. “I’m so proud.”

Kay smiled.

“Now come back here,” she waved her hand towards her shoulder. “I didn’t say you could go.”

Still smiling Kay snuggled back against her shoulder. Lou sighed happily.

“Empath,” she said affectionately.

That’s when the slow song ended and an exciting dance beat came on, Dogan and Morgan started to move off the dance floor. Lou still held Kay against her shoulder, not wanting to let go

“Come on, Lou,” Dogan called.

“We should go sit down,” Kay whispered in Lou’s ear.

She held him tighter. “I don’t want to let go of you.”

“You never have to let me go,” he told her, snuggling her tighter.

“How do you do that?” She asked.

“Do what?”

“Take me from a place of chaos to a place of peace,” she said.

“I just ride the hurricane with you. Without Psi-empathy only you can regulate your emotions. I just offered support.”

Lou pulled him away from her to look at him. “Don’t tell Jonas that.”

Kay chuckled and she smiled at him. Then Kay took her hand and led her back to their table. There was only one chair left. A fact that bothered neither Kay or Lou. Kay sat down first and then Lou sat on the very front of the chair, between his legs.

“Show off,” Jonas said jokingly to Kay, tossing the money at him.

Lou picked up the bills and fanned herald with them.

“I can’t believe you guys were taking bets on each other,” Tina said.

“Kay and I made a bet on my mom and his grandma once,” Lou told Kiddo. “I totally won.”

“You did what?” Kiddo said.

“I bet Kay that it wouldn’t take more than half an hour before my mom and his grandmother started talking about how we should get married. Took 20 minutes,” Lou told them.

“So,” Irma cut in. “Dogan?”

Dogan smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Yes, so everyone, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is Jonas, his sister, Irma, her boyfriend, Tom, Tina, Lou you know, and her boyfriend, Kay.”

Morgan smiled guiltily. “I actually already know Kay too.”

“Oh, sure, from work,” Dogan said.

“Morgan is actually going to help us with an upcoming assignment,” Lou said, shifting the subject slightly. She knew that Dogan should know that Kay and Morgan had been together, but she didn’t think that he needed to found out right now, in front of everyone.

“With The Prior?” Dogan asked.

“He requested her specifically,” Lou said.

There was a chorus of congratulations, Morgan was taken aback, not just by the group’s reaction, but also by Lou talking her up.

“So how did you and Dogan meet anyway?” Lou asked Morgan.

“Working,” Morgan said. Then she told the story of how they met at a car crush that involved a cardinal that she was protecting. “And then he just un-bent the car without anyone getting hurt, it was pretty incredible.”

Dogan blushed. “Well, I don’t know about incredible, but-”

“Shush, it was,” Morgan said.

“It was one of my first crushes actually,” Dogan said.

“Wow, that was a while back,” Lou said.

“Yeah, about four and a half or five years?” Dogan looked at Morgan to confirm.

“Closer to five,” she said.

“Crazy,” Lou said.

“So you are all from the same social group?” Morgan asked. “Except Kay, of course.”

“I’m not,” Irma said. “I’m not a Psionic.”

“But you’re all still friends?” Morgan asked.

“I mean,” Lou interjected. “We’ve thought about kicking Jonas out a few times, but he can be handy now and then.”

“Fuck you,” Jonas said, but the amused tone in his voice didn’t match his words.

“Now, you two, don’t start,” Dogan said.

Jonas lit a cigarette, took a drag and then passed it to Lou. “You remember Dogan at the facility?” He asked Lou.

“Mm,” Lou nodded, taking a puff of the cigarette. “Bossy.”

“Exactly,” Jonas agreed, taking the cigarette back from Lou.

“That’s just because the lot of you caused so much trouble! You two especially,” Dogan said, pointing at Lou and Jonas.

“Still bossy,” Lou said, pointing at him.

“And a total drag,” Jonas said, passing the cigarette back to Lou.

“Always the dad of the group,” Tom said, joining in.

“You guys,” Tina said.

“You probably just don’t remember because you were so young,” Lou said, after taking a drag of the cigarette.

“I wasn’t *that* young!” Kiddo said, indignant.

Morgan watch the exchange with amusement while Dogan covered his face with his hand.

Lou blew out some smoke, and then held the cigarette to the side. Kay reached out and took the cigarette out of Lou’s hand. Lou slowly turned to look at him as he put the cigarette in his mouth and slowly breathed it in.

“I’ve been a bad influence on you,” Lou said.

Kay smirked at her before blowing out the smoke and holding the cigarette out to her.

“Give me that,” Lou playfully grabbed the cigarette from his fingers, while he continued to smirk. Lou finished the cigarette off.

“He’s feisty tonight, isn’t he,” Jonas said to Lou of Kay.

“He’s actually like this more often than you’d think,” Lou said, leaning back against Kay’s chest.

“That’s good,” Jonas said, then leaned to the side to see Kay better. “Don’t put up with her shit.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t,” the empath said, smiling.

Lou just rolled her eyes at them both.

“So are you all different ages?” Morgan asked.

“Yep,” Lou said. “Sound off, youngest first.

“18,” Kiddo said.

“21,” Lou said.

“22,” Irma said.

“24,” Tom said.

“26,” Kay joined in.

“27,” Jonas said.

“29,” Dogan said.

“And I’m 29 as well,” Morgan said. “You all just get along so well.”

“We took care of each other while at the facility,” Jonas said.

“We each had a roll in the group and it balanced us out,” Dogan explained.

“Huh,” Morgan didn’t know what to say.

“Are you okay?” Tina asked her.

“I’m just not used to that,” Morgan admitted.

Kay leaned around Lou, wrapping his arms around her, to get closer to Tina.

“Empaths don’t often end up as close to our social groups. People tend to feel uncomfortable around us,” Kay explained.

“You don’t see you social group?” Kiddo asked Kay, looking confused.

“No, they never really liked me,” Kay said, matter-of-factly.

Tina just stared, “What was wrong with them?”

Kay chuckled. “I was younger than all them and they didn’t want a little kid who knew exactly how they were feeling and when they were lying around them.”

“But I’m the youngest, and they all took care of me,” Kiddo said.

Kay smiled at her. “They are better people.”

“And you’re not an empath,” Morgan added.

Tina was clearly upset about this, but said nothing more.

“It bothers me too, Kiddo,” Lou kissed Kay’s cheek.

In the evening after their rest Lou and Kay were back at the Inquisition in Ivo Martin’s waiting area when Morgan Parker joined them.

“Good evening, Mademoiselle Parker,” Lou said.

“Morgan,” Kay nodded to her.

“Good evening, Kay, Mademoiselle Reed,” she greeted them.

All three Psionics were in their Assistant Corps uniforms. Morgan sat down across from the partners who sat right next to each other, casually touching. They were looking at something on Kay’s phone, Lou leaned towards him. Morgan looked on awkwardly. They didn’t speak out loud, but it was obvious that they were communicating. At one point Lou touched Kay’s hand and then pointed at the phone, Kay in turn nodded very slightly. A bit later Kay gently nudged Lou’s knee with his own and she squinted at the screen, then shook her head once.

“What are you two looking at?” Parker asked, unable to take the silence any longer.

The partners looked up from the phone in one motion as if they were a single person.

“A layout of the venue,” Lou lied.

“Haven’t you been there before?” Morgan asked.

“Of course, we’re just reviewing it,” Lou told her.

Morgan looked at Lou and then Kay, the partners were silent. She didn’t know Lou well enough to know if she was lying or not and Kay’s face was completely neutral. Moreover, Morgan knew that Kay was a damn good liar when he wanted to be, without touching him, he could fool even her.

“Do you know what the deal is with this prisoner is?” She asked.

“Of course,” they said together.

Morgan waited for more information, but they stayed quiet again. “I see,” she said rolling her eyes.

Then they heard the elevator ding, announcing the arrival of someone, who turned out to be Mark Joncière.

“Reed, Stone,” he greeted the partners informally. Then he looked at the third person in the room. “Good evening, Mademoiselle Parker.”

“Monsieur Joncière,” Morgan nodded to him.

“Monsieur,” Kay tipped his head to the Inquisitor.

“Hi, Mark,” Lou said as looked up at him, oblivious to Morgan’s stare.

Mark sat down with the Psionics and looked at the partners. “Have you spoken to the Prior yet?”

“Yes, briefly,” Kay said.

“Good,” Mark nodded in approval. “Who’s on there with him now?”

“Hector,” Lou told him.

“Good, good. Parker, do you understand why you are here?” Mark asked her, in a harsher tone than the one he’d just used with Lou and Kay.

“Yes, sir, I believe so,” she answered.

“Not the most confident answer,” Mark grumbled.

“Oh, be nice, Mark,” Lou said, not even looking at him. She and Kay were focused on the phone again.

Joncière made a slight face at her, Kay smirked without looking up, Lou was unbothered.

Morgan couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. This new girlfriend of Kay’s was talking to an Inquisitor like she was his equal or maybe more like a friend?

Joncière made no comment on Lou’s scolding. “Is that the information the Prior gave you that you two are studying so intently?”

“It is,” Lou said.

“Good,” Mark nodded again.

Lou looked up from Kay’s phone at Joncière, then she leaned over the empath towards Mark.

“If I didn’t know any better, Mark, I’d say you’re nervous,” she smirked at him.

The Inquisitor sat a bit taller in his chair. “I don’t get nervous, Reed,” he was indignant.

Lou titled her head.

“Whatever you say, Mark,” then she leaned back so she wasn’t so far over Kay’s lap.

Mark squinted at her. “I feel like I should be asking you that, Reed.”

“If I’m nervous? Why would I be nervous, that bastard is getting what he deserves,” Lou spat with bitterness.

Kay turned quickly and looked at her with surprise, having felt the sharp surge of emotions flow through her. Mark look at her with concern and even Morgan was surprised by Lou’s words.

“What?” Lou looked at each of them, but had trouble maintaining eye contact with Kay, who looked very concerned.

“Trust me when I say that you don’t want to go around wishing for people’s deaths, Reed,” Mark said. “Moreover, it isn’t your place to say who deserves death and who doesn’t.”

Lou wrinkled up her nose. “Isn’t that exactly what you do? What the Prior does?”

“Yes, Inquisitors can make suggestions based the laws and the Prior decides if what a person has done is something worth being executed for, but it’s our job, not yours. It’s our burden to bear, not yours. Don’t darken your soul with such things,” Mark said.

Lou looked at him thoughtfully.

“Besides, look what you’ve done to Stone,” Mark told her.

Lou’s eyes shifted to Kay and then away, looking in the opposite direction. She didn’t need to look at him to know how concerned and worried her words had made him.

“See you know what you’ve done to him, if you won’t even look at him,” Mark chuckled.

“You’re awfully concerned about my soul there, Mark,” Lou said, redirecting the conversation.

“You’re young, Reed. Don’t blacked your soul so soon, pace yourself,” Mark smiled.

Lou scoffed, then chuckled, shaking her head at the Inquisitor, who smirked at her.

“You’re such a bastard, Mark,” Lou said.

“I’m aware, Reed,” he replied.

A smiled passed between the two. Kay was unbothered, but Morgan thought it was strange.

Then they heard a door open, Mark, Lou and Kay stood up right away, Morgan followed. The Prior and Hector Baretti walked out of the office and into the waiting area.

“Good evening, everyone,” Ivo Martin said.

“Good evening, Monsieur Prior,” the four of them said.

“Do all of you understand your assignments?” Martin asked.

“Yes, Monsieur Prior,” they answered.

“Good, let’s go,” The Prior said.

Once they were at the execution stage The Prior and the Psionics waited while there were final security checks. After they were done The Prior, his escort of Psionics and Mark Joncière walked out onto the stage. The Prior sat in a chair to the left of the gallows, Morgan stood on his left and two steps behind, Kay and Lou on his right, two one step in front, this way the group of them were angled towards the crowd. They stood tall, with their feet shoulder width apart, hands tucked behind their backs. Kay and Lou stood so close together their were almost touching, much to Morgan’s annoyance.

There was already a large crowd that has come to watch the execution. The two empaths used their Psi to search the emotions for trouble while Lou’s eyes did the same. Morgan noticed that occasionally Lou would tap Kay with her elbow, one to four times, and Kay would respond by shifting his weight from one foot to the other, sometimes right to left and sometimes left to right. Morgan deduced that they had some sort of code between them, and couldn’t help be feel jealous again.

Morgan was right, Kay and Lou did have a code. The information The Prior had given them earlier that they were studying together on Kay’s phone wasn’t the layout as Lou had said, but was pictures of people suspected of being involved with the attempted assassination of Mark Joncière or known to be outspoken against The Prior. Lou’s job was to look for their faces in the crowd, and alert Kay. Stone’s job was to “sniff” for trouble, but also double check who Lou alerted him to. So far there had been no confirmed sightings of any suspects.

As soon as the scheduled time came, Joncière stood at a podium and spoke about the laws and the reasons society must follow them, as with every execution. After that the prisoner was brought out, and then Mark spoke about his crimes specifically. The crowd grumbled a bit at some of the crimes, but when Joncière spoke about the 19 year old that he had killed there was a quiet gasp, and the crowd was less favorable toward him after that. Once that was done The Prior stood and ordered the guards to put the noose on the prisoner.

“Any last words?” The Prior asked.

The prisoner looked out into the crowd and nodded slightly. Then he turned to face Lou and Kay, made eye contact with Lou, and said: “You’re next.”

Lou and Kay didn’t react to his words outwardly, but inside Lou’s heart beat faster. She refused to show any fear to this monster who had kill Vincent Cane, and tried to kill her and Mark. So she stared at him stoically even as Martin called for the execution and the trap door fell out from beneath his feet. The sickening sound of his neck snapping didn’t even make Lou flinch. As he hung there lifeless Lou looked out into the crowd where he had looked and she spotted a face from the suspect list. She nudged Kay twice, which was code for which part of the crowd she wanted him to look in. Kay looked in the area indicated shifted left to right to say he didn’t see anything, Lou nudged him again, then he saw: Councilor Harmon. Kay leaned down and whispered in the Prior’s ear telling him who was in the crowd. Martin didn’t look but he gave Kay a subtle nod. Kay then stepped close to Morgan and reached his hand out to her, she took his hand and felt concern.

“Stay with the Prior,” he whispered slowly.

Morgan was confused, but she squeezed his hand to show she understood and Kay let go to step back to Lou.

Kay touched Lou’s elbow and tapped it slowly three times.

“Go,” he whispered in her ear.

Lou moved first, walking quickly across the stage, Kay followed. When they got close to the edge of the stage their target started to retreat. Lou broke into a run, slid off the stage, and hit the ground running. Kay stayed in The stage and calmed the crowd who had become startled.

“Kay?” Morgan took a step towards him, wanting to help him.

“Stay with the Prior!” Stone yelled without looking at her. She stepped back and kept close to Martin, a couple of Baretti’s men were there too.

Meanwhile Lou had caught up to Councilor Harmon, but he pulled a gun on her. Lou held her hands up in front of her as if she was showing him that she had no weapons, but really she was preparing to use her Psi. As soon as the gun had come out, Kay was off the stage and running to get to Lou and the councilor.

“Take it easy, Councilor,” Lou said calmly.

“Stay away from me!” He yelled at her, still pointing his gun at her. “What do you want? Why are you attacking me?”

Lou known he was trying to make it sound like she was the dangerous one. She could see Kay coming towards her, she wasn’t going to take any risks until her partner was there to back her up.

“I’m not going to hurt you, we just need to talk,” she told him.

“I don’t even know you, why would we need to talk?” He said.

“Not me, The Prior,” Lou corrected.

“This is not how The Prior asked for an audience, you are trying to trick me!” He spat his words.

Behind the councilor, Lou could now see Kay poised with his gun raised. She was glad because she was already sick of his bullshit.

“It is when you’re pointing a gun at people,” she said.

“You came at me! I’m defending myself!”

“Hmm,” Lou leaned out slightly to see around him. “Isn’t bringing a gun to a public execution illegal, Acolyte Stone?”

“Yes, Initiate Reed, it is,” Kay said in a stern voice.

“Huh, well, I’m sure that if you come and talk to The Prior something can be worked out,” Lou said.

The way that the councilor looked at her made her think that he was considering shooting her.

“I don’t recommend pulling that trigger,” She told him. “You see, my partner there is really fast, and whereas he probably won’t kill you, even though he easily could, he would probably just wound you and then you’ll still get taken in, they’ll interrogate you, and then that,” she gestured to the dead man still dangling from the noose. “Is your fate.”

The councilor looked at the gallows and then lowered his gun. Lou reached out for the weapon which he put in her hand. Kay came close, he took the gun from Lou and then she handcuffed the councilor; only then did Kay holster his own gun. Then the partners both took ahold of the councilor’s elbows and led him out of the crowd and back to The Prior. Then The Prior and the whole group left and went back to the Inquisition.

Barerri’s men took the councilor and the Psionics went with Hector, Mark, and The Prior back to his office. In the waiting area Martin turned to them.

“Lou, Kay, you did excellent. I’m very happy with your performance today,” he said.

“Thank you, Monsieur Prior,” they said.

Then he and Joncière went into his office.

Hector Baretti turned to the Psionics.

“Stone, Reed, sit down,” he wasn’t looking at them, he was staring at Morgan.

Lou and Kay sat down with their backs to Hector and Morgan and stayed quiet. Kay pulled out his phone and together they reviewed the footage from the crowd at the execution looking for when Councilor Harmon first showed up.

“Follower Parker,” he was clearly unhappy. “Did you or did you not understand your assignment?”

“Yes, sir, I did,” she told him.

“Did you?” Hector growled. “Because it looked to me like Stone told you to stay put and yet you stepped away from The Prior towards Stone and he had to tell you AGAIN to stay put.”

Lou leaned on Kay slightly, finding it uncomfortable to listen to Baretti berate someone else.

“Yes, sir, that is what happened,” Parker stood tall as the head of security questioned her angrily. “I was concerned that Stone might need-”

“Your only concern was The Prior!” Hector nearly yelled. “What was your exact assignment?”

Lou shifted uncomfortably in her seat, Kay took her hand and squeezed it.

“To guard The Prior no matter what,” she told him.

“No matter what,” Baretti repeated. “And yet your attention shifted to Stone even after he gave you a direct order.”

“Yes, sir,” she admitted.

“If this is the way you carry out assignments I can assure you that you’ll get no more from this office,” Baretti continued.

“I deeply apologize, sir, but I assure you that it was a brief lapse in judgment and it won’t happen again,” Morgan said.

“That is yet to be seen, I will be telling your chaplain about this,” Hector said, calmer now.

“Yes, sir, I am prepared to fully accept any and all consequences for my actions.”

“Good, now go sit,” he gestured towards the chairs. “The Prior wants to speak with you all and then after that you will be free to go.” With that he left and went into The Prior’s office.

Morgan had sat down across from Lou and Kay, who still studying Kay’s phone. Parker sighed, the situation was just like before the execution, only now Morgan felt even more awkward. As she watched the partners Lou nearly jumped with excitement, grabbed Kay’s hand and pointed at the screen.

“Good eyes,” Kay said proudly.

After that Lou looked up at Morgan, who averted her eyes. Lou was kinda surprised that Kay stayed quiet.

“Are you alright?” Lou asked.

Morgan looked up at her surprised and confused.

Lou smiled. “I’ve been on the receiving end of many of Hector’s lectures.”

“Recently even,” Kay said with a straight face and without looking up from his phone.

Lou turned her head and squinted at him, Kay still didn’t look at her, but the smirk on his face said he felt his girlfriend’s stare.

“Recently even,” Lou repeated his words with playful annoyance, still staring at him. Then she cleared her throat and turned back to Morgan. “Anyway, my point is that I know how it feels. And if it makes you feel better, Hector is always like that. I’m pretty sure he enjoys lecturing people.”

Morgan’s eyes shifted to Kay.

“Well, not Monsieur Perfect, over here,” Lou jabbed her thumb at him.

Kay smirked again, but said nothing.

“Don’t let Hector get you down, though,” Lou said to Morgan. “I appreciated your help.”

Morgan stared at Lou as if she was trying to read her just by looking. Lou smirked and held her hand out to shake. Morgan took it slowly and was surprised when the gratitude was real.

Kay seemed to stiffen next to Lou he was watching the surveillance video of Morgan’s step away from Martin over and over, she nudged him with her elbow.

“Why are you still watching that?” Lou asked him, her voice almost scolding.

Kay turned off the video, put his phone away and smiled at Lou.

Morgan shifted uncomfortably. “You’ve been awfully quiet,” she said to Kay.

He turned to look at her. “I don’t have anything to say.”

“Bullshit,” Morgan fired back at him.

Kay looked her for a moment before speaking. “You really want to hear what I think?”

“Yes, I do,” Morgan insisted.

Lou watched the exchange with some surprise. She was also slightly confused by his silence.

“It was careless,” Kay said. “And you should know better.”

Morgan squinted at him. “Well, maybe if I had been in on the whole plan I wouldn’t have done it.”

“What you were allowed to know wasn’t up to us,” Kay told her. “And it shouldn’t matter, your job was to remain by The Prior at all times.”

“It was one little step, Kay,” Morgan said, annoyed.

“One little step is all it takes, Morgan!” Kay didn’t raise his voice, but it became harsh. “One step is all it takes for there to be enough space for a bullet to get passed you and into The Prior. The whole point of you being there was so that Lou and I could leave The Prior’s side if necessary and there would still be someone to protect him.”

Lou put her hand on Kay’s arm, trying to pass her calm onto him. He sighed and put his hand over Lou’s and turned to smile at her.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

Morgan sighed. “Fine. You’re right, it was stupid.”

That’s when Mark came out of the office and told them that The Prior was ready for them and then he left. The three Psionics walked into Ivo Martin’s office and up to his desk.

“Lou, Kay, please sit,” he gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk.

The partners sat, The Prior made no acknowledgment of Morgan at all. She stood tall in between the two chairs.

“I am very pleased with how you two handled the situation,” Martin told them. “You defused things quickly so that no one was hurt. You also sent a very clear message that I am well protected. You both can expect bonuses.”

“Thank you, sir,” they both said.

“As for you,” Martin looked up at Morgan. “Monsieur Baretti told me that he already talked to you and he believes that you understand your mistake.”

“Yes, Monsieur Prior, I do,” she said.

“Good, I won’t lecture you again then,” Martin said. “I do have a question though.”

“Yes, sir?” Morgan said.

“For Lou and Kay,” The Prior clarified.

“Yes, sir?” The partners said.

Martin looked at his bodyguards for a second. “Would you two work with Mademoiselle Parker again?”

There was a slight pause.

“Yes, Monsieur Martin, I would.”

Morgan was surprised that it was Lou who spoke first. Martin looked at Kay.

“Yes, sir,” Kay said. “I would.”

“Why?” Martin asked.

“She clearly understands that she made a mistake,” Lou spoke first again. “And we’ve all had those,” she cleared her throat, “momentary lapses in judgment.”

The very corners of The Prior’s mouth turned up, understanding that Lou was talking about herself.

“And if you hadn’t given me the benefit of the doubt, you might not be sitting there right now,” Lou finished.

Martin gave one soft chuckle. “A very compelling argument, Lou.” He then looked at Kay. “Do you have anything to add?”

“I agree with Lou,” Kay said.

“But do you agree with her simply because she’s your partner,” Hector said, looking at the pair of them as if to add the word “girlfriend” silently. “Or do you have an opinion of your own?”

“The truth is, Monsieur Baretti,” Kay said. “If there had been a threat to The Prior, Follower Parker would have felt it, and that small movement is unlikely to have prevented her from protecting him. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake because it was, her only concern should have been The Prior. It could also be said that if she had been privy to the whole plan she wouldn’t have moved at all.”

Hector looked like he was about to speak, but Kay didn’t stop.

“And I’m sure you can agree, Monsieur Baretti that a bodyguard needs all the information in order to protect his charge effectively,” Kay finished.

Baretti said nothing, but gave a slight nod. The Prior had a tiny smile on his face.

“Thank you both for your opinions, you two are free to go, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Martin said.

Then the two of them got up and left the office, leaving Morgan alone with Martin and Baretti.

Kay and Lou went back to Kay’s apartment, had a snack while they filled out their reports, and then crawled into bed. Curled up in their favorite spooning sleeping position, Lou couldn’t settled her mind, Kay gave her some time without butting into her thoughts. But after awhile she seemed to become restless, Kay placed a kiss on her neck. Lou turned to look at him over her shoulder and smiled when she saw the happy look on his face.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

“Talk about what?”

“Whatever it is that’s keeping you awake,” he said.

Lou sighed. “I’m just having trouble turning off my brain. Just thinking about the whole evening.”

He kissed her shoulder. “You know what I’d say.”

Lou smiled. “‘Talking about it will help’?”

“That’s right,” he said, smiling.

Lou rolled over so that she was facing him. “Why are you so harsh with Morgan?”

That wasn’t what Kay expected, he paused for a moment.

“Was I harsh?” He asked.

“Yeah, you kinda were,” she confirmed. “Would you have talked to me like that if I had done it?”

“You wouldn’t have done it,” he countered.

Lou sighed, again he was right. “If I had made a careless mistake would you talk to me like that?”

“No,” Kay said honestly. “But if you made a mistake like that I would think that there was something more to it.”

“Like what?”

“Like an old trauma or a serious lack of sleep,” he said.

“So why doesn’t Morgan get such consideration? Because she’s your ex?”

Kay sighed. “No, love. It’s because I know why she did it.”

Lou titled her head. “Why?”

“Because she was more concerned about me than she was about doing her job.”

“Are you sure that’s why?” Lou asked.

“I felt her concern, that’s how I knew she’d moved,” he told her.

That made Lou think about something else.

“It was her you felt this afternoon when we were leaving the AC, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Kay stroked her face gently. “I felt her jealousy when we were kissing.”

“Oh, no wonder you looked so confused.”Lou sighed. “You can’t be mad at her for still loving you, Kay.”

“I’m not, but regardless of how she feels about me or anyone else, she needs to do her job,” Kay explained.

Lou looked at him for a bit, considering his words. Kay was quiet for a little while, letting her think.

“The whole point of having her there was so that you and I could leave Martin and there would still be an empath to protect him,” Kay told her.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Lou said, running her fingers through his hair. “But you were still harsh.”

Kay sighed. “The reason Morgan was reassigned was because she protected me instead of the cardinal she was supposed to be protecting.”

“Oh, shit,” Lou’s eyes went wide. “Did he survive?”

“Yes, it was just a flesh wound, but needless to say he was mad,” Kay said.

“But you said that she was reassigned for the same reason that you broke up with her,” Lou said.

“Yes, because that was the last straw. She has proved to me that she had lost sight of her priorities. And that she didn’t trust me, she didn’t trust that I could handle myself in those situations.”

“If she hadn’t protected you would you have died?” Lou asked quietly.

“No, I probably would have taken a hit, but not life threatening,” he said.

Lou was quiet again, Kay stroked her face while she thought.

“You were still harsh with her,” She said again.

“I was upset,” he admitted. “And yes, I was harsh. If it will make you feel better I’ll apologize to her.”

“You should apologize,” Lou said. “But not to make me feel better, you should only apologize if it’s for her, and you.”

Kay sighed happily, smiled at her, and then touched her cheek tenderly. “Just when I think there is no way I could love you more, you go and prove me wrong.”

“You have no idea how frequently I feel that same way about you,” she smiled at him.

Kay leaned in and kissed her, enjoying the sweetness of her lips for a moment before releasing her.

“You’ve been very kind to Morgan,” Kay said. “Not many women would be like that with their boyfriend’s ex.”

“You mean they’re more likely to flash their gun at them?” She teased.

Kay looked guilty for a moment until Lou smiled and then chuckled.

Then Lou looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, I have no reason to worry about you going back to her, so to me she’s just another person who loves you.”

Kay touched her face, tracing an invisible line from right near her eye, down her cheek, and along her jaw. He looked at her with such happiness and such love, that is was sometimes hard for her to hold eye contact with him.

“You are so wonderful,” he said lovingly.

“I know,” she teased him.

Kay chuckled and then kissed her soft and slow.

“That wasn’t the only thing keeping you awake though, was it?” Kay asked after releasing her lips.

He felt the shift in her emotions before she could say anything. She was clearly upset, but she emotions were so meddled that even Kay couldn’t make sense of them. She wasn’t looking at him anymore. her face was serious.

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

Kay held her a little tighter. “Of what, sunshine?”

He felt her getting more upset. “Of going to sleep. I’m afraid I’ll see it all over again and if it isn’t bad enough sometimes it’s you I see.”

She was more upset with each sentence, Kay didn’t shush her, he just held her tighter, tucking his head down against her neck and shoulder.

“Or Kiddo, or Jonas, Tom, Irma, Dogan, my mom, even Rebecca. I’ve seen them all dead just like Cane, I don’t want to see it anymore,” she said, her voice shaken.

“I know, love, I know,” he said, nuzzling against her neck.

“I just want it to go away,” she said, stroking his hair.

“I know, I understand. I wish I could make it go away for you,” he squeezed her gently.

“Why won’t it go away?” She said, close to tears.

“You been through a traumatic event, you saw a something that was violent, bloody, and disturbing. Your brain is still trying to process it, it will take time.”

“I don’t want it to take time, I want it to go away,” she hugged him tighter.

“I know, sunshine, I know,” he said.

She had ended up on her back, Kay snuggled against her shoulder the way she loved. She stroked his hair with one hand and her other arm was wrapped around his neck. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her tightly, he placed an occasional kiss on her neck or shoulder. They laid like for awhile, enjoying touching each other, if anyone could have seen them they probably would have thought that she was comforting him.

“I could help you go to sleep by influencing you, it might prevent you from dreaming,” Kay told her.

Lou pushed him away slightly so she could look at him.

“I can’t guarantee that you won’t dream, but it might work,” he said.

“But I don’t want to hurt yourself,” she said.

“Don’t resist, and I’ll be fine,” he reassured her.

Lou paused thinking about it. “Well okay, just please be careful.”

Kay smiled. “I promise.”

Lou kissed his forehead.

“Close your eyes, relax, feel how tired you are,” Kay spoke softly.

Lou felt him in her soul, like it was when he shared his feelings with her, but this time there was something else that she could only describe as pressure. It made her want to push back.

“Shhh, relax, don’t resist,” came Kay’s voice in her ear. “It’s just me, relax and trust me, sunshine.”

Lou felt safe with him, she relaxed and instead of pushing back, she embraced him; surrendering completely. Then she fell asleep. Kay felt the sharp pain behind his eyes just before she drifted off. As soon as she was asleep he stopped influencing her. He grabbed tissues and wiped the blood off of his face, thankfully there wasn’t much. Then he snuggled back down against Lou’s shoulder.

Edited to fit into canon.

Two weeks had passed since Lou had come back across the Perimeter with Mark Joncière and it was time for Lou and Kay to get their booster shots. So they were sitting in a room in a Center hospital waiting for the nurse that had been at the Perimeter; they didn’t have to wait long.

The door opened and the nurse walked in.

“Monsieur Stone, Mademoiselle Reed,” she said. “Thank you for your promptness.”

The Psionics nodded in greeting.

“So, first I’d like to take some blood to see how your toxin levels are, if that’s alright with you,” the nurse said.

“Sure,” Lou said.

“Of course,” Kay said.

The nurse quickly got to work drawing blood from both of them. When she was done she put their blood samples into a machine.

“Ok, while that works, is it alright if I ask you both some questions?”

Lou shrugged.

“Of course,” Kay said politely.

She began to ask if they had any symptoms she listed off. Neither of them had any.

“Now for the more personal questions,” she warned them.

Kay could feel Lou’s annoyance.

“Have you two had intercourse since the incident?”

Lou rolled her eyes.

“Yes,” Kay answered simply.

“More than once?”

Lou became even more annoyed.

“Yes,” Kay answered.

“Did you use protection?” The nurse asked.

“What the fuck for?” Lou asked angrily before Kay could answer.

The nurse smiled. “I’m sorry, I know this is intrusive, but I promise it is important.”

“Why?” Lou asked.

“Whether or not protection was use would effect the possibility of passing any toxins between you two,” she explained.

“No, we don’t use any ‘protection.’ What’s the point? We have been checked for STDs, we don’t have any,” Lou said.

“Well, that’s good,” the nurse said. “During the intercourse was there ejaculation?”

Lou put her hand on Kay’s leg and pointed at him with her other hand. “Don’t answer that. Again, why?”

“The exchange of bodily fluids,” she tried to explain.

“Why don’t you just assume that there was a lot of ‘exchanging’ going on and stop asking such questions?” Lou said anger coursing through her.

Kay put his hand over hers that was still on his leg and squeezed it. She understood his message: please, calm down. Lou sighed.

“I do apologize,” the nurse said. “But I do have just one more question.”

Kay felt Lou’s anger flare, he squeezed her hand again.

“Is there anyone else that may have been exposed by either of you two?” She asked.

Lou, unable to remain calm, got up abruptly and walked to the other side of the room scoffing angrily.

Kay watched her with concern, but gave her space.

“No,” he said calmly.

The nurse smiled at him then looked at Lou’s back. While she was looking at Lou her machine beeped.

“Mademoiselle Reed?” She called.

“No,” came Lou’s annoyed answer.

“Thank you, both,” the nurse said. “Again I’m sorry for the intrusive questions. Now I heard this go off so let’s check your blood.”

As the nurse when through the results of the test, Lou came back over and sat down next to Kay, but not too close.

“Well, it’s good news, both of your toxin levels are in the safe range,” The nurse told them, smiling.

“That’s good,” Kay said.

“Yes, so I will just give you your booster shots and then you are free to go,” the nurse said.

The nurse gave them their shots and they left the room headed out of the hospital. Lou didn’t talk, she walked quickly, angrily. Kay easily kept up with her, worried, but he didn’t try to get her to talk. It wasn’t until they were back at her bike that she spoke.

“What the hell was the point of all that?!” She didn’t wait for him answer. “It’s not bad enough that that any number of people could read our files, but now we have to put up with people interrogating us about our sex life?!”

Kay waited quietly leaning on the motorcycle as Lou paced in angry circles while she talked. It may have just been his imagination, but he worried that she was avoiding him. He reached his hand out to her.

“Hey, come here,” he said.

Lou took a step toward him and then began to rage again. “And why is she so convinced that we are cheating on each other?!”

Kay reached out and grabbed Lou. “Come. Here.” He said in a playfully stern voice.

Lou resisted slightly when he first caught her, but then she relaxed and let Kay pull her into his arms, hugging her tightly. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face against his collarbone; he could feel her anger fading.

“You ruin all my best bad moods,” she said against his neck, her breath tickling his skin slightly.

“I know,” he gave her a little squeeze. “But we have to go to work and it wouldn’t be good if you were rage stomping all over Martin’s office.”

“Rage stomping?!” She pulled away to look at him, indignant.

Stone smiled at her, she was about to say something else, but he put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. As much as Lou wanted to be mad or indigent she just couldn’t while he was kissing her like that. Instead she sighed and put a hand on Kay’s cheek, keeping him close. The more their lips moved over each others, the more Lou wanted him, Kay could feel her desire growing. He knew what she want, he wanted it too, but they were standing outside a hospital in the Center, in the morning, and they needed to get to work. Lou shifted getting more in between Kay’s legs as he nearly sat on her bike. He was about to say that they should stop, but Lou kept her mouth firmly pressed against his.

“Hey, love birds!” A familiar voice called to them.

Lou flinched, Kay had felt him but because she wouldn’t release him, he didn’t get a chance to warn her.

“I hate him,” she said resting her forehead against Kay’s.

“No, you don’t,” the voice said.

“Jonas,” Lou said in annoyance. “Why are you here?”

Lou turned around to face her friend, resting her back against Kay’s chest.

“Just finished a shift,” the healer said. “The better question is: what are you two doing here? Other than making out on the side of the street.”

“Just getting some more shots,” she said.

“Shots for what?” Jonas raised an eyebrow.

That’s when Lou realized that she hadn’t told anyone else about her trip across the Perimeter and how she was exposed to a deadly pollen, among other things.

“It’s nothing,” she said, then she spoke to Kay. “We should get to work.”

Lou stood up away from Kay and her bike, Kay moved too. Jonas was next to Lou in the blink of an eye. Lou turned and nearly ran into the healer’s chest, she took an involuntary step back and ended up pressed against Kay.

“What were the shots for, Lou?” Jonas asked almost menacingly.

“What does it matter to you?” Lou asked still leaning against Kay’s chest trying to look up at Jonas.

“You aren’t due for any vaccinations. And why would both of you be getting them? So, tell me what were they for?”

“What do you have my whole medical record memorized?” She asked angrily.

Jonas titled his head. “What were they for?”

“None of your fucking business,” Lou tried to push Jonas out of her space, but he didn’t even budge.

“Easy, sunshine,” Kay said softly as put his hands on Lou’s shoulders. He could feel her getting too worked up again.

“Whose side are you on?” Lou spat at the empath.

“It’s not about sides, Lou,” Kay said gently. “It’s about battles. And whether or not you really want to fight this one.”

Lou sighed. Kay was right, damn it if he wasn’t always right.

“Two weeks ago I was guarding an Inquisitor on a trip and we ended up on the wrong side of the Perimeter where we were shot at, nearly eaten by wolves, and I breathed in toxic pollen. That’s what the shots were for, to help protect us from the toxin.”

Jonas just stared at her for a moment.

“What?” Lou asked, feeling uncomfortable.

“That isn’t how they treat the inhalation of pollen,” Jonas said, looking at her, concerned.

“What?” Lou was confused.

“There aren’t shots for inhaling pollen,” the healer said again.

“But,” Lou was trying to understand. “It worked, they gave me a shot two weeks ago that stopped me from going into anaphylactic shock.”

“Did they put a mask on your face to breathe in?” Jonas asked.

“No,” Lou told him. “Just the shot and they said we have to come back it two weeks for a booster shot.”

“That’s total bullshit,” Jonas said. “And why both of you? Did you breathe it in too?” He asked Kay.

“No,” the empath said. “They said we could pass the toxins sexually.”

Jonas laughed. “They what?! Who is the quack telling you this?”

“A nurse that works for the Prior,” Lou told him.

“You can’t pass anything that is inhaled, sexually,” Jonas said. “Not even if you were having oral sex.”

“They said that it had gotten into my bloodstream too,” Lou explained. “I had open cuts when the pollen blew over us.”

Jonas paused and thought. “Hmm, that might do it, I guess. Still seems pretty suspicious to me though.”

“You are so distrustful sometimes, Jonas,” Lou said, rolling her eyes.

“Of the Church and the Inquisition? Always,” the healer said.

“We really do need to get to work,” Kay said.

“Alright,” Jonas said. “Call me later, Tom and Irma want to come hangout.”

“Ok,” Lou said

“Bye, sunshine!” Jonas yelled over his shoulder as walked away.

“Asshole!” Lou called back, watching the healer walk away.

“Come on,” Kay’s handed her her helmet.

“Do you think he’s right about the shots?” Lou asked.

Kay hugged and kissed her head. “I don’t know, love, but what I do know is that Hector will have our heads if we don’t get to work now.”

With that they got on the motorcycle and went to the Inquisition. As it turned out Hector was out and Martin wasn’t concerned about what time it was when the partners arrived. Lou stayed with the Prior and Kay went to have his Psi assessed. The first half of the day passed slowly for Lou, what Jonas had said had gotten under her skin and she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She kept looking at the clock and eventually it was lunchtime she left Martin’s office to meet up with Kay at the AC’s cafeteria. She spotted him already sitting at a booth, she walked up to him.

“Hey,” she said as she got to him.

He looked up at her surprised and what Lou saw made her heart jump, there were bloody tears running down his face. In his hand was a bloody rag.

“Kay, what happened?” She sat down next to him, taking the rag out of his hand, and started wiping his face herself.

“The assessment was a bit intense,” he said, he could feel the concern causing through her.

“A bit?” She sounded annoyed.

Kay smiled. “I’m fine, I promise.”

Lou was still annoyed as she wiped the last of the blood away. “I think it stopped.”

“Thank you,” he said, looking at her with love in his eyes.

After the blood was all gone, she stroked his face tenderly. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” he enjoyed her touch even though he could feel the stares of other people in the room.

“So,” Lou said as took her hand away and relaxed back into the seat. “How did it go otherwise? The assessment.”

“Thankfully I haven’t moved up to 2nd stage,” he told her. “But I’ve moved a bit closer to being borderline than I’d like.”

“But not too close?” She asked, worried.

He shook his head. “No.”

“That’s good,” she hugged him, impulsively.

He smiled as he hugged her back, her concern and understanding filling him with warmth.

After that they ordered food and talked about his Psi while they ate.

“So do you think that it will be very long before you move all the way up to 2nd?” Lou asked him.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “They had me practicing a 2nd stage skill called ‘Influencing,’ I could do for a little while, but that is what made my eyes bleed.”

“‘Influencing,’ what is that?” She asked between mouthfuls.

“If done right an empath can get someone to do something for them.”

“You mean you could control somebody?” She asked wide eyed.

Kay chuckled. “Not exactly, it typically doesn’t last too long. One could have another person go somewhere or do one thing. For example, I was trying to influence someone to bring me a glass of water.”

“Did it work?” Lou was extremely interested.

“Yes,” he smiled at her. “But only when he wasn’t resisting.”

“You can resist it?”

“Yes,” Kay answered. “Is easiest on a weak-willed person, or if there are other factors involved.”

“Like what?” Lou watched Kay with curiosity.

He smiled at her almost childlike fascination. “Influencing someone to bring you food when your hungry or a coat if you’re cold. Or it can be done the other way. If a person is tired an empath could influence them to go to bed.”

“Huh, That’s cool,” Lou said, having just finished her lunch.

When they were done eating Lou told him that Martin wanted both of them to come back to his office.

“Mark is going to be there,” she told him. “He’s going to tell us something about that shooter that we caught, I guess he finally beat some information out of him.”

“Literally?” Kay joked.

“Knowing Mark?” She smirked. “Probably.”

They both chuckled as they left the cafeteria, still being watched by many other employees. Kay noticed, but Lou was blissfully unaware.

Once they were back in Martin’s office they had to wait only a few minutes before Mark showed up. After exchanging greetings the Inquisitor got right into it.

“So our friend has told us everything he knows,” he said. “Unfortunately it wasn’t as much as we’d hoped. He was hired anonymously to kill me simply because he lived in my district, he took the job because he hates all Inquisitors. He dead friend too, he is the one who hacked the Perimeter security system so they could send and receive messages. He said the one who hired him has it out for anyone who actively supports the changes you are trying to make, Prior.”

“Which means others could be at risk too,” the Prior said.

“Yes,” Mark said. “I suggest we up security on anyone who has been outspoken about supporting you in this.”

“Do it,” Martin said.

“Yes, sir,” Mark said.

The Prior turned to the Psinoics. “This will probably mean I’ll need the two of you more often, as well.”

“Of course,” Kay said.

“Understood,” Lou said.

“Was there anything you learned worth mentioning, Mark?” Martin asked.

“Not from the prisoner, but I have received a report from the village Corps commander,” Mark said, looking at Lou, his voice became gentler. “They found Cane’s body and were able to recover it from the other side of the Perimeter. His family will be able to give him a proper funeral now.”

Lou smiled sadly. “That’s good.”

Kay could feel the sadness and regret in her, he put a hand on her shoulder.

“He will be given honors at his funeral,” Martin said. “The four of us will attend it to honor his sacrifice.”

The three of them nodded.

“They also found the other shooter’s body and the radio we found,” Mark told them. “But neither yielded any information that we didn’t already have.”

“Very well,” Martin said. “His execution will be this evening, Stone, Lou, I will need you both to be there, I will also have another empath join us.”

The Psionics nodded.

“When you’re done here I want you to go home and rest,” Martin told them. “Stone, how did the assessment go?”

“Good, Monsieur Martin, they confirmed that I am now borderline,” Kay said.

“Very good,” Martin said.

“Did they have any insight on how Reed felt you?” Joncière asked.

“They said it’s rare, but not unheard of,” Kay told him. “It requires an extremely close bond that is mutual and it’s not often when a non-empath is so closely bonded to an empath.”

Lou rolled her eyes.

“Lucky you,” Joncière smirked.

“Alright,” Martin said standing up, causing his three employees to stand as well. “Mark, you and I have work to do. Lou, Kay, go to the Corps building, there will be another empath waiting for you there, explain to them the assignment for tonight and then go home.”

“Yes, sir,” the partners said together.

Lou and Kay walked over the the Assistant Corps and went to where the Prior told them they would meet the other empath; there they waited. Lou got restless and went to get a drink, leaving Kay alone in the waiting area for a little while.

“Well, well, well,” said a expectedly familiar voice. “Kay Stone, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

Kay looked at the slender woman standing in front of him. Her black hair was neatly gathered into a bun on the back of her head, a strand hung on either side of her round face, her piercing blue eyes looked at him keenly, on her full lips there was a soft smile.

“Morgan?” Kay said, surprised. “I didn’t know you were back in the city.”

“Yeah, for about a month now,” she said, looking him up and down. “I expected to run into you sooner until I heard that you had moved up in the world. Guarding The Prior of the Inquisition himself, it’s every bodyguard’s dream.”

“Yeah, I just got lucky really,” Kay said modestly.

She chuckled. “You never change, Kay.”

Stone just shrugged.

“From what I heard you got the job by your our merit and it was your partner who just got lucky,” she said.

“You should know better than to believe what you hear around here, Morgan,” he said calmly.

“Perhaps,” she stepped a bit closer to him, not inappropriately so, but closer than average coworkers would stand to each other. “How long has it been, Kay?”

“Two years?”

“Two years, nine months,” she corrected stepping a tiny bit closer. “Since you sent me away.”

“I had nothing to do with your reassignment, Morgan,” Kay said, calmly.

“No?” She reached out and touched the lapel of his suit jacket. “That’s not what I heard.”

“Well, like I said, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear,” he said.

“Really, you had nothing to do with it all at?” She reached her hand up like she was going to touch his cheek.

Kay intercepted her hand before she could touch his face. “I had nothing to do with it,” he lowered her hand and then released it.

“Hmm,” she looked at him for a moment before her eyes shifted to something behind him, her face wrinkled up.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” came Lou’s amused voice from behind Kay.

Stone turned to look at his partner, she was holding a bottle of water with a smile on her face.

“I only wish I’d gotten a snack too,” Lou said coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kay, Morgan took a couple steps away from them.

“Morgan, this is my partner, Lou Reed, Lou, this is Morgan Parker,” Kay said.

Lou held out her hand to Parker, who just looked at it slightly confused; Lou chuckled.

“You must be an empath,” Lou said, Morgan tilted her head. “I’ve never before seen a entire group of people so confused by a handshake. I can almost see the whole thought process. ‘Does she know I’m an empath? Does she understand what I can do? Would she still want to shake my hand if she knew? Isn’t she like everyone else who avoids touching us?’ The answers are: yes, yes, yes, and no.”

Lou held her hand out again, this time Parker took it and the two women shook hands while Kay smiled. They looked at each other for a moment before releasing hands.

“Huh, you are a surprisingly open person, Mademoiselle Reed,” Parker said.

“I know,” Lou said smiling. “Are you the empath we’re waiting for?”

“Yes, my chaplain asked if I could help The Prior with some extra security at an execution tonight,” Morgan said.

Kay looked at her suspiciously, he could tell she was lying, he highly suspected that she volunteered rather than was asked, but he said nothing. After that the partners explained to Parker what their assignment was and told her to go home and rest before they were needed that night. Then Lou and Kay headed back to his place.

“So,” Lou said as they walked to her motorcycle. “An execution with your ex.”

Kay sighed, Lou chuckled.

“You’re not the only one who can feel things,” she playfully nudged him with her shoulder.

Kay could feel nothing but amusement in her.

“And correct me if I’m wrong, but it looked to me like she still likes you,” Lou said, taking his hand and squeezing it.

“Yeah, I think so,” Kay said. “How much did you hear?”

“All of it,” Lou said, as they reached her bike.

Kay leaned against her bike and pulled her into his arms. “You really aren’t jealous?”

“Jealous of what, love?” Lou asked, wrapping her arms around his neck and stepping in between his legs. “I’m pretty sure that I’m the one about to go home with you.”

Kay smiled, ran his fingers through her hair, and said: “you’re amazing.”

“Eh,” Lou tilted her head smiling.

“I’ll tell you all about it at home, alright?” He said.

“Alright,” Lou touched her nose to his.

Then he pulled her in for a kiss, his lips moving hungrily over hers. Suddenly Kay felt a pang of jealousy, he pulled away from Lou and looked at her.

“What’s wrong?” Lou asked looking at him with worried eyes.

That’s when Kay realized the jealousy he’d felt wasn’t hers, he looked around and spotted Morgan near the side of a building watching them. Kay immediately turned his attention back to Lou.

“I’m sorry, sunshine,” he said, tenderly touching her face. “I just caught someone else’s emotion for a second.”

“Must have been a strong one,” she said, putting her hands into his hair.

“Yes,” he smiled at her. “But it doesn’t matter, let’s go home.”

“Okay,” she kissed him one last time before they got on to her motorcycle and drove to Kay’s place.