SHE SAVES.

i  do  love  me  coffee .  christ ,  that  accent  reminds  sam  of  home .  if  she  wasn’t  swimming  with  adrenaline  right  now ,  she’d  be  a  blushing  mess .  ahh ,  a  wild  night  and  a gorgeous  woman  who’s  willing  to  play  nurse .  what  more  could  a  slayer  want ?  sam’s  gaze  is  all  dilated  pupils  and  reckless  hunger  when  nic  steps  back .  and  she  flexes  and  unflexes  her  fingers  at  her  side  to  remain  cool . show  some  respect ,  you  dumbass . she  ain’t  here  to  be  your  eye  candy .  “ soz ,  love .  it’s …  it’s  been  a  wild  night . “  no  shit ,  right ?  once  the  nose  is  set ,  sam’s  gonna  splash  cold  water  on  her  face  until  the  personality  shift  subsides .

speaking  of  the  nose .  sam  braces  herself  for  the  crack  then  giggles  in  response  to  it ,  as  another  shot  of  adrenaline  courses  through  her  veins .  “ me ?  i’m  fucking  fantastic ,  pet . “  time  to  nudge  past  her  companion  and  twist  the  cold  tap  on .  sam  cups  her  hands  under  the  faucet  then  begins  splashing  the  liquid  against  her  skin .  it  soothes some  of  the  heat ,  at  least .  “ give  us  a  chance .  i’ll  take  you  for  the  best  coffee  you’ve  ever  had . “ oh  sam ,  no .

              “ guarantee y’ do that more than I do, ”   nic remarks.   wild night.   hah.   does sam even know the half of it ?    how did I go from minding my own business to this ?   she thinks to herself with a smirk.    her gaze follows the other to the sink, waiting until her back is turned to rub a hand over her forehead.   the giggle rings in her ear, brows furrowing with concern.   it’s such a bizarre turn of events that she simply feels like packing up and going home.   I’m off to bed.   however, something keeps her rooted in place.

HOPE COUNTY IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAR ZONE THAN THE ONE ROOK HAD BEEN TOSSED INTO ON HER TOUR, but it still curbs the urge to fight that rushes through her veins every time she dares to let herself relax. it’s something she suspects nic understands; they’re one and the same, the two of them. fresh out of one conflict and jumping back into another, but where the medic has a reason to fight, rook DOESN’T – not really. she doesn’t have personal stakes in hope county. while she’s gotten to know the people who live here and genuinely wants to help them, at the end of the day, being a deputy is her JOB. the circumstances here are not normal, but that’s the sole reasoning behind most of the things she does. she chews on her bottom lip, pensive. it’s not something she says out-loud, not wanting to seem SELFISH or UNCARING but she fears that the others see things in her that she just doesn’t have. “ you as well, “ she says, unable to accept nic’s praise easily, even when it does warm her cheeks. “ the work you do isn’t easy – i sure as hell couldn’t do it. everyone here appreciates your help. “

everyone here appreciates your help.    her smile tightens, tongue pressing against the backs of her teeth, it’s not praise she struggles with  -  but rather, the constant disappointment that she could be doing more.   it’s a flaw that’s followed her through her years in the military,  ever since the incident.   if I had done this, that wouldn’t have happened.   if I’d have been quicker, they wouldn’t have died.   if only I’d have known.  paid attention.   pushed that little bit harder.   she’d been told it was related to her ptsd; her mind a turbulent maze, constantly searching for a way out, reassurance, justification.   survivors guilt, consuming her from the inside out.    everyone here appreciates her help, meanwhile, her brothers out there somewhere  -  rotting in a fucking cage.   it’s not good enough.

THAT CRACKS A BIT OF A GRIN, barely there, the quickest twitch of his mouth at her words. He knows people are WARY around him, he doesn’t blame them. He’s gained an idea of how the bliss works and being CLOSELY INTERLINKED with Faith isn’t something good. But it’s not like he can do anything, he’ll be on his arse before he can even do any damage to anyone if Faith were to try to control him.

Perhaps his SHITTY HEALTH is a blessing in disguise, and he never thought he’d think of it that way.

“Ach, I’ve had m’ fair share TROUBLE,” he shrugs, and but would much rather not elaborate on exactly what. “Mostly ‘cause I care t’ much. Wanna help everyone. Don’t really think before I act when it comes t’ that.” He doesn’t miss the CURIOSITY in her voice, his head nodding in response. “Aye, Detective Inspector, specifically. Was called in from across the pond after having solved a fairly prolific case.” He confirms, giving the super short version that really doesn’t cut it, instinctively patting at his empty pockets out of HABIT to pull out his badge.

He lets his hand drop, coming up empty. “Always hated paperwork,” he agrees, “mostly waitin’ f’r EVERYONE else t’ finish off on it so I could sign it all.” There’s a bit of growing humor in his voice. A certain fondness.

the quickest twitch, perhaps, but she picks up on it anyway.   trained eyes, attentive to even the most minuscule of details.   when he brings up caring too much, nic finds herself relating to his words more than she’d like to.   however,  the military teaches you that you can’t save everyone.   no matter the effort and time you put in.   “ then it’d seem you an’ I ‘ave somethin’ in common, detective, ”   she states, arching a brow as she tilts her head back.    amusement shrouds the pit of anxiety in her stomach.   “ think I’d rather be around someone that cares too much than too little though, eh ? ”   she’s met people like that.   commanding officers seemingly wholly apathetic.    detached  -  and she can understand it.   in a job where you have to make the kinds of decisions they do, that she does, sometimes it’s better to not be emotionally involved.   that doesn’t make it easier, though.

        He   was   on   a   supply   run   with   a   few   others   from   Jackson.   Traveling   out   farther   than   they   had   first   planned.   Miles   wanted   to   know   if   there   was   anything   else   to   scavenge   while   the   others   agreed   with   him.   It   was   a   silly   idea   but,   they   didn’t   all   want   to   go   back   empty   handed.   The   look   on   Tommy’s   face   would   kill   every   point   he   gained,   so   Miles   refused   to   return   without   something   to   prove   that   they   did   their   very   best.   Yet,   that   meant   being   away   for   longer   than   planned   as   well.   He   knows   there’s   a   scolding   coming   from   a   certain   person,   a   promise   that   she   wouldn’t   be   too   happy   over   this.   Nevertheless,   he   moves   with   his   group,   equipped   with   a   pistol   and   a   bow   with   a   dozen   arrows.   They   agreed   to   split   for   a   few   moments   to   cover   more   ground   faster.   There’s   an   odd   number   of   them,   so   Miles   offered   to   break   by   himself.   He   felt   experienced   enough   that.    ❝    Meet   up   in   twenty.   If   I’m   not   back,   go   without   me.    ❞    It’s   a   joke,   as   he   smirks.   He   always   makes   it   back.

He’s   moving   quietly   yet   casually   through   the   building,   keeping   his   pistol   lose   to   him   with   the   safety   off.   And   that’s   when   he   hears   it,   the   mumbling   of   solider   jargon   in   a   quiet   whisper.   There’s   a   small   ping   of   fear   that   boils   in   his   stomach.   His   body   stiffens,   leaning   back   against   the   wall   as   he   listens.   But   there’s   only   one   of   them.   He   could   take   him   out   quickly,   unnoticed.   He   quietly   pulls   the   silencer   out   of   his   bag   that   he   once   nicked   off   a   hunter   aways   back.   With   a   quick   move,   he   fires.   The   bullet   flying   straight   into   the   back   of   his   head   and   right   out   the   front.   So   much   for   making   it   look   like   a   suicide,   he   thinks   walking   over   to   the   body   and   searching   it   for   anything   he   could   find   useful.   He   moves   back   up   toward   the   main   hall   when   he   hears   more   of   them.

Miles   shuts   himself   off   into   the   darkness,   listening   closely.   They   weren’t   expecting   to   receive   the   full   force   of   a   rogue   solider,   huh?   He   waits,   waits,   listening   to   her   slow   movements   to   turn   the   corner.   That’s   when   he   acts,   the   element   of   surprise.   His   hand   over   her   mouth   as   his   other   holds   his   loaded,   silenced   weapon   to   her   head.    ❝    Do   you   want   to   die,   captain?   Do   you   want   to   return   home?   Then   you’ll   shut   up   and   corroborate.   If   not,   you   and   your   boys   will   die.    ❞

                            the moment she hears them speak she ceases her struggle.   it’s not an infected.   a weight lifted, however, panic still races down her spine and causes her to tense.   these days, humans were to be feared more than the dead, her heart thundering  -  adrenaline coursing through her.    it’s not the threat to her own life that has her halting,  but the threat to her team.   not again, she thinks.   she’s not losing another team.

the radio on her pack strap crackles, mcclyde’s voice rumbling through.    can’t see you cap, you good ?   “ they’re gonna come lookin’ f’ me, ”   she states through gritted teeth.    the idea of risking her life to let them know of the straggler’s presence passes over her, acknowledging that they may very well kill her before she gets out the first word.   “ if I don’t respond, they’ll know somethin’s up, ”   nic struggles, having lost her footing when she was grabbed.   she knows how to disarm someone, knows how to escape the suffocating grasp but she just can’t risk it.

“Most people can tell it’s me in the air. Like t’ think it’s my distinctive style. Probably ‘cause I’ve got the only bright yellow plane around here, actually, but same difference. Although it’s not always helpful being so recognizable, now that I’m thinking it over.” Much as he liked to throw ‘round benefit of the doubt, Nick couldn’t blame the newcomer for being cautious. It seemed like years ( almost a decade now ) since anyone felt safe in Hope County. If someone hadn’t been taken by the cult, they’d probably already had to deal with the more trigger-happy locals, and he couldn’t imagine it being any different for her. Still, he can at least offer some company that isn’t either of the two if nothing else.

most people.   the corner of her lip quirks upwards.    he makes it sound like he’s some kind of local legend, and judging by the way he drives that plane  -  it comes as little surprise.   “ it’s distinctive, alright, ”   she agrees, shifting her weight.   “ guessin’ the not-so-good guys are better at recognizin’ y’ ? ”   it’s a mighty shame to think these people aren’t able to live their lives to the full extent because there’s always the overshadowing threat of being shot down or attacked.

it  is  the  𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐓  that  makes  him  who  he  is   ,   the  practice  hard  -  wired  into  his  dna   ,   as  they  say   .    for  as  far  back  as  his  father  can  remember   ,   cohens  have  come  at  the  beck   &   call  of  the  maladied   .   (   from  plague  doctors  to  brain  surgeons   !    )   acting  as  𝚄𝙽𝙲𝙻𝙴  𝚂𝙰𝙼'𝚂  son   &   bodyguard   ——   that  is  borne  from  a  desire  wholly  his  own   .    good  for  the  sake  of  being  good   ,   as  someone  once  described   ,   though  he   ,   self  -  effacing   ,   can’t  help  denying  praise  come  his  way   .    as  he  sees  it   ,   people  need  his  help  everywhere   ,   &   the  skills  he  needs  are  sorely  needed  in  parts  of  the  world  the  general  population  takes  precautions  to  avoid   .

this  isn’t  to  say  the  work  is  effortless   &   the  journey  it  takes  to  get  here  facile   ——   it’s  undoubtedly  the  opposite   ,   meant  only  for  the  most  UNDAUNTED  men   &   women   .    he  takes  comfort  in  knowing  he  isn’t  the  only  one  with  ache  in  his  arms   &   fatigue  in  his  shoulders   .    on  the  contrary   ,   every  boot  at  the  table  belongs  to  a  world  -  weary  medical  practitioner   .

among  them   ,   a  woman   ,   not  much  younger  than  he   ,   who  in  her  royal  army  uniform   ,   falls  victim  to  so  difficult  a  foe   :   exhaustion   .

                   ❝     yeah   ,   sorry   ,   ❞     he  laughs   ,     ❝     i  was  just  askin’  if  you  could  hand  me  that  water  bottle  next  to  ya   .     ❞

the medic blinks, lips parting and then sealing as she turns to look at the bottle the bloke’s on about.   she gives a nod, forcing a warm smile as she lifts and passes it to him.   “ ‘course !  here ya go. ”   there’s no denying she’s a little flushed, although no one likes being caught zoning out.   especially not nikki.   she prides herself on her focus and alertness.   to be found without it is like being under fire without a helmet.

she’s  hardly  a  stranger  to  bloody ,  painful  wounds .  her  nose  is  broken ,  and  there’s  a  gash  across  a  high  cheekbone .  honestly ,  she  looks  like  she’s  been  in  a  drunken  bar  fight .  she’s  had  much  worse ,  though .  like  the  time  a  demon  stabbed  her  in  the  abdomen ,  or  the  time  a  vampire  actually  managed  to  chow  down  before  she  staked  it . flesh  wounds  and  broken  cartilage ?  no  big  deal .  though ,  she’s  not  gonna  argue  against  being  cleaned  up  and  checked  over  by  a  pretty  medic .

  “ how  would  you  prefer  to  meet ? “  the  confidence  of  a  successful  slay  is  swimming  through  sam’s  veins .  it  takes  every  bit  of  willpower  to  keep  flirtation  minimal ,  just  out  of  respect .  sam  knows  she’s  under  the  influence .  wouldn’t  be  so  mouthy  otherwise .  “ i’d  argue  that  this … “  chin  is  lifted  and  skull  tipped  back .  sam  focuses  on  the  mirror  behind  her  companion’s  head .  “ …  is  more  fun  than  colliding  at  a  local  coffee  dive . “

pause .  sam  furrows  her  brow .

  “ y’fancy  re-setting  my  nose ?  it’ll  heal  by  tonight ,  so … “  gotta  make  sure  it  heals  properly ,  right ?

nic’s not blind to the confidence radiating from the other, but she’s resilient to it.   being a female soldier is no mean feat,  especially when you spend your days surrounded by rootless men.    trust that she’s experienced worse.   nevertheless, she gives a humoured huff and rolls her eyes.   “ can’t say I agree with that.  I do love me coffee. ”   despite being the adrenaline junkie she is, nic’s got a healthy respect for the calm and easy-going lifestyle.   something she prefers to savour when it’s offered to her.    upon her company’s request, she takes a step back  -  placing the tissue beside the sink as she gazes in wonder.    it’ll  heal  by  tonight.   “ just who on earth are ya ?  actualleh, y' know what ?    on second thought, think I’m better off not knowin’. ”

LANCE CORPORAL REID  —  details.