Chapter 4
When Five returned from the mission, Sam hardly let her step off the elevator before enveloping her in a rather sizable hug.
“You’re back!” He exclaimed.
“Yay!” Five tried to sound enthusiastic but it came out only as a whisper. Janine gave her a quick concerned glance before heading down the hall to her office. Five took out her earpiece and rolled it around in her hand. “It was good to be out there.”
“You’re shaking.”
“Yeah. Well, I haven’t been running much so I’m a little tired.” Five shrugged.
“This seems like more than a little-”
“Christ, Sam. I said I'm fine! Stop!” Five immediately covered her mouth with her hands. Where did that come from? “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Sam took a step back. His face fell.
“Sorry, Five. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Five wanted nothing more than to hug him, apologize to him, laugh at herself for her overreaction. Her brain told her everything she should say. No, I’m sorry. I’m tired and taking it out on you. Let me go have a short rest and then we can celebrate my safe homecoming. But her mouth said,
“No. You shouldn’t have. I’m tired of you hovering.” She had absolutely no idea where the disconnect was between her brain and her mouth.
“Why don’t you go rest for a minute?”
Yes, that’s a good idea. This run took a lot more out of me than I thought it would.
“There you go again. For fuck's sake, Sam. Stop telling me what to do. You’re not my operator when I’m not in the field.” No, mouth. That wasn’t what you were supposed to say.
“You’re right, Five. I’ll give you space.”
I don’t know why I’m snapping at you. I don’t want space. I want a hug.
“Good. I’m going to our room. Don’t follow me.” Damn.
Five turned before her sharp, rogue tongue could cut Sam any deeper. She walked down the hall and closed the door to the room. She flopped on the bed without so much as removing her shoes and promptly fell into a dreamless sleep.
***
Steve sat in the office with Sigrid and Ian. It was stuffy and hot. Ian had a fan pointed directly at him. When it would oscillate, it would tease him with the slightest breath and immediately begin to turn away. He was well aware that he could move to the same side of the room as Ian, but these days flinching the wrong way would set Sigrid and Ian off. And Ian was already inches from irate.
Sigrid had called Ian and Steve into her office for an “urgent matter.” It had been 10 minutes and so far all Ian had done was point the fan at himself, take a seat next to the Minister on her side of the desk, and complain about the residents of Abel.
“...that one was out of line, Minister, so I had to throw her in the punishment cell. She says she tripped and fell but I know she was trying to get me. If I can just-”
“Ian, I called you in here so I could speak with you, not so you could speak with me.” Sigrid’s mouth turned down in a tight frown.
“Oh, yes, Minister. I thought you would be interested in an update.”
“You thought wrong.”
“I’m here for you, Minister. Whatever you need. What can I help with?” Steven looked on, curiously. Why am I here?
“Ian, I hear you’ve been giving orders to the forces I’ve sent into Abel, sending them to do work for you.” Sigrid explained. Steve instinctively raised his eyebrows. What?
“Oh, yes, Minister! I wanted to improve the agricultural projects here. I know that’s important to you, so I had some of the troops on work break look for new food resources.”
“You overstep your bounds.” Steve was all too familiar with that cold look in Sigrid’s eyes and despite the heat, a small shiver ran down his spine.
“But Minister, I’m sorry. I -”
“The Abel labs are protected by countermeasures, thanks to Runner Five’s antics. We’re going to have to dig in and under, starting our tunnel six miles out.”
“That sounds like a lot of work, Minister.” Steve added, but he looked at Ian when he said it. Ian glared back at him.
“Yes. I am devoting a substantial portion of the MInistry’s resources to this task. A great deal other important work is going undone because of this project. And the teams I have working on it deserve rest, Mr. Golightly. They are not to be dragged off to hunt out wild asparagus for you. Do I make myself quite clear?”
“Yes, Minister. You do. I’m sorry.”
“In future, Ian, my team leaders will be instructed to disregard any orders from you.” Steve was still watching Ian as Sigrid spoke. He saw the exact moment Ian’s face changed. There was a darkness - a danger - behind his expression.
“Any orders? But what about-”
“Any orders, Golightly. Goodbye.”
“But what about the serum? Can I ask about the serum?”
“You have been dismissed, Ian.” Sigrid raised her voice.
“Yes, Minister.” Ian stood up and smoothed out wrinkles in his pants. He tugged on and straightened the bottom of his shirt. Bit by bit, he was collecting himself, trying to dust the humiliation off. “Good day.” He left the room.
“That man is obnoxious.” Sigrid muttered. Steve watched her. She was looking down at her desk, at a map of the area surrounding the Abel labs. “Steven, I’d like your opinion on something.”
“What can I help you with, Minister?”
“Come over here for a minute.” Steve stood and made his way over to Sigrid’s desk. The cool air from the fan hit him instantly. It felt delicious. He bent over slightly to look over Sigrid’s shoulder. His face was unsettlingly close to hers. He could smell a hint of floral with a sharp punch of antiseptic. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a bead of sweat trail down her hairline and he had to stop himself from wiping it away. “What is DeLuca hiding? What am I missing? Runner Five set my work back months. I have to be missing something. She really never told you anything? Never revealed any secrets? She knew something. She must have in order to set up these countermeasures.” Sigrid didn’t take her eyes off the maps. Her face was stern. Steve cautiously put his arm on her shoulder.
“She never told me anything. If I had more time I could have worked her a little more. If Ian hadn’t continually put me in the infirmary or punishment cells I might have had more time.” Sigrid finally looked up.
“Are you giving me an excuse, Steven?”
“Sorry, ma’am.”
“You should be. You had weeks with her, constantly whispering in the corners. You know, if I didn’t know you better, I’d think you actually were falling for her. I might be worried that you actually were a traitor.” Steve smiled.
“I wouldn’t do that to you, Minister.” He was sure he saw something cross Sigrid’s face - something calm? Relaxed? Happy? It didn’t matter. It was gone almost as quickly as it came.
“Be sure that I never find out any different.” She stood abruptly and left the room, slamming the door. Steve stood there, now properly chilled.
***
Five woke up to the sound of the door lightly closing.
“Sam?” No answer. “Sam? Is that you?” Nothing.
Her eyes adjusted to the light. She squinted at the door and barely made out the outline of a tray of food. Five stood, stretched, and padded over to pick it up. She bent down and saw that there was a note.
Five - I didn’t want to wake you but I thought you’d be hungry when you woke up. I’ll be sleeping in the rec room. If you want to talk, come find me. I will give you space until you’re ready.
Five examined the tray. Peanut butter crackers and a sports drink. Her go-to when she was tired. Nobody knew her better than Sam did. Nobody was kinder, more patient. He absolutely did not deserve her attitude. Five put the package of crackers in her pocket and grabbed the drink. She made her way to the rec room.
She found Sam sprawled out on the couch. He was covered with the thin, itchy blanket. He was too tall - his feet were propped up on the arm of the couch, one sock on and one sock lying limply on the floor. His arms were tucked under his head, an uncomfortable makeshift pillow.
He looked ridiculously uncomfortable.
“Sam? Are you awake?”
“It is remarkably hard to sleep on this couch.” A muffled voice came from the corner of the couch where Sam’s face was buried.
“Why? It looks so cozy.” Five picked up the floor sock. “What happened here?” Sam sat up slightly and looked at what she was holding.
“My foot was hot.”
“Just the one?”
“Yeah. Maybe I should see Maxine about that.”
“Sam?”
“Yeah?” Five tentatively sat next to him as he adjusted his position to make room.
“I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you for trying to help.”
“Nope. You shouldn’t have. But I shouldn’t-”
“No.” Five interrupted. “Nope. Sometimes it’s a little your fault.” She gently elbowed him in the ribs. “But not this time. Not even a little bit.” She looked away and put her drink down on the table next to the couch. “Truth is, I didn’t feel great after that run. I’m hurting quite a bit. I’m not used to feeling weak.” Sam turned on the lamp beside him and turned toward Five. He took her face in his hands and gently forced her to look at him.
“I want you to watch me very carefully when I say this, Five. So that you know I am not lying to you. You are NOT weak. You are anything but weak. It is okay to feel lousy. You just came back from hell. Your body is recovering. Your brain is recovering. I’d be more worried if you didn’t struggle.” His eyes never shifted, never looked anywhere else but hers.
“I - yeah. Yes. I know.”
“But…” Sam paused and ran his hand through her hair. He stopped with his hand on the back of her head and started pulling her in for a kiss. Just as she got centimeters away he stopped. “Please don’t speak to me like that again.” Five grinned.
“Or?”
“I’ll put you in the corner for being a bad girl.” He teased. This teasing was not new. But it hit differently after having spent time in actual punishment cells. As his lips met hers, she felt the cool concrete under her head, she smelled the stale air. She heard the pained screams. Her heart raced. She pushed Sam away and stood up.
“Nope. Nope. Sorry. Sorry. I - just a minute.” She paced back and forth, shaking out her arms, flexing her fingers, rolling her neck. “I’ve got this. Hold on.”
“What happened?” Sam asked, pulling his knees up to his chest and holding them with his arms. Closing himself off.
“I’m okay. It’s okay.” She took several deep breaths and took her place back at Sam’s side. She calmly explained how her brain processed his words. Sam listened and nodded.
“Thanks, Five. The more you explain to me, the better I can help. That’s all I want.”
“I know. And I love you for it.” She brought her face to his and completed the kiss quickly this time, before her brain could shift her thoughts. “Let’s get you off this couch and into an actual bed.”
“Ah, there we go. I was only forgiving you so you’d invite me back to bed.” Sam sighed.
“That figures. Come on, you master manipulator.” He got up and crossed the room. Five watched him go and shook her head. How the hell did I ever get this lucky?
Five slowly munched on the crackers and followed Sam back to their room. She was walking slowly, so by the time she opened the door Sam was already face down on the bed, spread out over the whole space. Five watched him as she continued to finish her food.
"Muff cffmmg?" A muffled voice came from the pillow.
"Yes." Five brushed her hands on her thighs and turned off the light. "Just didn't want to bring crumbs to bed." Sam turned as she placed herself carefully next to him.
"Thank you." He said.
"For the lack of crumbs?"
"Yes." Sam said, chuckling. He put an arm gently around her. "And for being home. And for rescuing me from that awful couch."
“I’ll always come to rescue you.” Five promised.
It was a little harsh to be woken in the morning by a bouncing force on the bed, but that was exactly what was happening. Five sat up, fists tight, in the best fighting stance she could get with her legs tangled around Sam’s and a sheet wrapped around one arm. She could only get one fist in the air, the other was balled up near Sam’s abdomen.
“Down, Five!” Maxine’s voice came from the other side of the room. “It’s just Sara. Sara, honey, we’ve told you. You can’t startle Five.”
“Ffffffff!” Sara, unfazed, raised her little arms and Five pulled her in for a hug.
“Sorry, kiddo. Five doesn’t like surprises.”
“Fffffffvvvvvv.”
“Maxine! She put a V sound in there! She’s almost got my name.” Five pulled Sara in and marveled at how she still smelled vaguely of baby. Sweet and soapy. Sam snored.
“How did he sleep through all of that?” Maxine marveled. Five poked him. Nothing.
“Sara, I want you to do me a favor.” Five whispered. Sara leaned in close and grabbed her hair for balance. “Ow, sweetheart. Let my hair go. Hold my hand. Okay - give daddy a big sloppy kiss on the nose.” She helped guide Sara to Sam’s face where, just like a good Abel runner, she followed instructions perfectly.
“When did we get a dog?” Sam muttered. He opened his eyes. “Oh, good morning my little girly-wurly!” He sat up and placed her in his lap. Of course, she didn’t stay there. She immediately crawled under the sheets and started digging around.
“As lovely as this moment is, I have to admit that we're really here on business.” Maxine had to speak a little more loudly so she could be heard over Sara’s squeals of delight. “We’ve had a message from Netrophil. It came disguised as a chicken soup recipe, but Tom thinks he’s worked out a secret code. We think it’s a message about a rendezvous with a Netrophil agent today. We think they have useful information for us. Plus, we need all the allies we can get. So, I was sent to get Sam for comms. And also to, ummm…” she trailed off and cleared her throat. “To give you a quick exam, Five, and make sure you’re good to run.” Five squinted at her.
“Really? Am I going to need a checkup every time I run now?”
“I knew you wouldn’t like it. Just for now. It’s only your second run back and…well…it’s just….” Maxine looked away. Conveniently, Sara took this moment to climb out of the bed and grab on to Maxine’s leg. “You went to bed and fell asleep very quickly after getting back yesterday.” Five started to protest. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but we’re not doing our jobs if we aren’t looking out for each other.”
“Fine.”
“Go ahead and check up on Five, Maxine. I’m going to take this little nugget to get some breakfast.” He picked Sara up, kissed Five on the cheek, and let the door close gently behind him.
Sam walked into the kitchen, Sara in his arms, and he ran into Louise. Sara blew a raspberry in Louise’s direction. Louise scrunched up her nose.
“That sounded wet.”
“Like a rainy day in May.” Sam responded.
“I do not know how you all do it with children.” Louise watched as Sam put Sara in her chair with some crackers. “She is cute though.” She closed her eyes and tried to play peek-a-boo but Sara was busy slamming her hand down on the crackers and mashing them into crumbs. “Hey, if Five clears her exam I’ll be running with her today.” She winked at Sam. “Don’t be jealous, but I do love running with her. The view is great when she runs point.” Sam rolled his eyes.
“Yes, Louise. It sure is.” He said, barely playing along. “Can I ask…I’m just wondering…” He stumbled over his words as he sat down with his own breakfast. He chose a chair directly across from Louise. “Did you notice anything going on with Five yesterday? Did anything happen when I wasn’t on comms?”
Louise thought for a minute.
“I don’t think so. Everything seemed fine.”
“Hmm.” Sam spooned a pear from his fruit cocktail. “Okay. Thanks. Just wondering. She seemed off. I mean, I know why she’s off. Obviously. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t something other than the obvious.” Sara threw a handful of cracker crumbs at him. “Thanks Sara.” She giggled. Louise shook her head.
“I’m going to go get dressed. Meet you in the lobby in a bit.”
“See you.” Sam looked over at Sara. “Okay, bunny. Let’s find you one of your mums so I can get my cams ready.”
Maxine finished examining Five and marking a chart.
“Everything looks good physically, Five. Some obvious muscle tenderness, even though you tried to hide it. Don’t think I didn’t see the face you pulled when I touched your calf muscle.” Maxine laughed as Five groaned. “Even the most badass runner can still experience sore muscles. But really - you are healing well on the outside. How are you on the inside? How was the run yesterday?”
“It was perfect.” Five said, her voice flat.
“Five - “
“Dr. Myers. I appreciate your concern. But I just want to move on. Please.”
“Do you feel like you are able to perform at your best out there today? Honestly?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Okay, then. I won’t stand in your way.” Maxine scribbled a quick note for Janine. “You’ve passed my inspection. Get yourself ready. You’ll meet Janine and Sam in the lobby for a briefing in about 20 minutes. Sam should be getting briefed now. I should go rescue him from Sara.” She grinned and left the room. As Five got herself dressed for a run, all she could do was hope she really was well enough.