Are you jealous, Sameen?
Root and Shaw woke up to the sound of the wind blowing, and thunder rattling the windowpane.
'Perfect,' Shaw mumbled, cracking her eyes open, 'Just what we needed today of all days.'
Root smiled, her eyes still closed, and pulled Sameen closer to her, placing her hand on Shaw's shoulder, her fingers trailing, tracing lines across her arm.
'Why are you always so grumpy in the mornings?' She whispered, slowly opening her eyes, and turning to face Shaw.
'I'm always grumpy.' Shaw answered. 'Besides, I'm going to be on my nerves all day because of your machine, so I get to be moody.'
Root sighed, straightening up into a sitting position, 'Sweetie, this isn't for the machine. This is for the number, the woman who might lose her life today, if we don't do anything about it. We need to continue John's legacy and you know that.' She hated bringing up John as a way to convince Shaw, she loved the big lug, and knew Shaw did too, and that she was still hurting over losing him, but she was trying so hard to satisfy both sides; the woman she loved, and the machine she's always cherished.
Shaw's eyes glazed over, as she nodded, 'We need to get ready,' she shrugged off Root's wandering hand, and got up, walking across the room to get her bag.
'We need cover identities, some money, and weapons of course.' She had to admit, at least to herself, that she liked the thrill of it all. The way it actually made her feel alive.
'Already taken care of, don't bother with packing, except for a change of clothes for the both of us,'
'I don't have clothes here, I'll take some of yours,' Shaw said nonchalantly, hoping Root won't comment.
But it's Root.
She risked a glance at her, and immediately saw the smile on her face, 'So, we're at the clothes-sharing stage now?' Root whispered, and Shaw wished she had said it as a way to flirt, but she didn't. Her voice was soft, almost shaking, and her face looked genuinely happy, making Shaw feel even more uncomfortable, although she knew Root didn't intend for that to happen, but that was just who she was.
'I just don't want to run around naked, holding a gun,' Shaw replied, trying to lighten the mood and avoid the whole situation.
'Well I'd love to see that happen,' Root smirked, and Sameen let out the breath she had been holding, relieved.
'In your dreams,' She snorted, opening the closet and stuffing the bag with clothes.
'So, are you going to help me dress or should I call Veronika?' Root asked innocently, after Shaw zipped the bag, carrying it to place it by the door.
She rolled her eyes, 'Are you seriously asking me that?' and let the bag fall to the ground in a loud thump, walking towards Root's bed, and motioning for her to lift her arms, with Root happily complying.
Sameen helped her take her shirt off, leaving Root in her bra, and her eyes dropped to her chest, as she swallowed and awkwardly cleared her throat.
'Like what you see, sweetie?' Root smirked, then winced, as Shaw removed her bandages and placed her hand over her wound, to check her stitches for infection.
'You okay?' Shaw's eyes jumped to Root's pained face, as hers filled with worry.
Root nodded, although clearly uncomfortable.
'Screw this Root, you're not ready.' Shaw said, noticing how harsh her voice sounded, but knowing she had to convince Root to stay, no matter what.
'Sameen, you need to listen to me,' Root began, but Shaw interrupted, as she grabbed her a shirt, 'It's really hard listening to you when you're half naked like that, Root. I'm a bit distracted.'
She changed her bandages, her hands lingering, as she helped Root put on the shirt.
'As I was saying,' Root continued, 'She wants me to do this, and I will, I promise I will tell you if the pain gets unbearable, okay?'
Shaw managed to nod, not the slightest bit convinced, but going along with what Root says, because she knows she'll be with her, to protect her, this time.
They said a quick goodbye to Veronika, who hugged Root and wished her well. Shaw gave her a quick smile, to show her that she's grateful for keeping her dorky hacker alive, which surprised the latter.
'Didn't know you were capable of smiling, Sam,' Root teased her as Shaw supported her weight, to help her walk to their car.
'Well, don't get used to it. I just wanted to let her know that I'm grateful.' Shaw huffed, opening the car's door, and helping Root settle in. She then threw their bags, the light one filled with clothes, and the other one, not so light, filled with weapons.
She got into the driver's seat, turned on the ignition, and looked at Root, 'So, where does it want us to go? I need details.'
'Our number is a woman, Karen Walker, 25, divorced, lives on her own, no kids, works as a manager at the Amber Hotel. The machine says she's in imminent danger, and she has an opening party for a new branch tonight, where the attempt on her life will probably happen. We have to be there to stop it from going down.' Root smirked, raising her eyebrows, as she realised what she said.
Shaw tried to prevent the smile from spreading across her face, and failed terribly, 'Leave it to you to joke about this,' She punched in the address in the car's GPS, and turned the radio on, raising the volume on a loud punk rock song. She's always hated small talk, and a two hour car ride was the perfect place for it.
A while later, Root reached towards the radio, to lower the volume, but Shaw shook her head, slightly, and she understood, withdrawing her hand and placing it on Shaw's thigh instead.
Shaw clenched her jaw, but didn't move Root's hand away, because she was enjoying it, and both hated and loved how out of control she became whenever Root touched her. But she was driving, and being out of control was not an option. Too bad Root was working her way up her thigh, her touches getting more intimate. Shaw let out a gasp, and was grateful for the extremely loud music. She managed to breathe out, a barely audible 'Root', which Root ignored, smiling, unbuttoning Shaw's pants and sliding her hand in. Shaw clutched the steering wheel, her fingernails digging into the leather, as Root slowly rubbed her clit, then faster.
'That's it,' Shaw growled, swerving the car to the side of the road and hitting the brakes, hard. She fumbled with her seatbelt, not able to see straight, finally unbuckled it and leaned over, smashing her lips with Root's who moaned, deepening the kiss, but Shaw suddenly stopped, sitting right on top of Root, the small sociopath towering over the hacker, as she moved closer to Root's neck, kissed her gently, before whispering in her ear, 'Not gonna happen.' She untangled herself from Root, got back into her seat, smiling smugly, turned on the engine and started driving again, leaving Root gasping for air, looking at her flabbergasted.
They rode in silence for a while. Shaw kept throwing Root smug smiles, and Root ignored her, rolling her eyes.
'Root, you're gonna have to talk to me sooner or later,' Shaw teased. She now knew how entertaining teasing was, and why Root enjoyed it so much.
Root huffed, crossing her arms like a child, and avoided Sameen's eyes, trying to be serious, and she knew that once she laid her eyes on her sociopath, all that firmness is going to melt away.
Shaw shrugged, turning her music on again, and trying not to smile at Root's posture.
A couple of hours later, they arrived at the Amber Hotel, and the parking lot was nearly fully occupied by fancy cars. Shaw glanced at Root as she parked the car, stuffing it into a rather narrow spot, and found her asleep. She looked so peaceful, Shaw just wanted her to rest, but thanks to the machine, she couldn't. She placed her hand on her shoulder, and gently nudged her, not wanting to scare her awake. With the lives they lead, being scared awake happens quite often.
'Hey, Root. Wake up, we're here,' she whispered, and Root mumbled incoherently, slowly opening her eyes. She moved to unbuckle her seatbelt but Shaw beat her to it, placing a hand on her knee, 'You still pissed at me?' She asked grumpily, not wanting to show how much she actually cared about such a trivial thing.
Root smiled, placing her hand on top of Shaw's, 'You know I can never be mad at you, Sam. Not for long anyway,' She went to open her door, but Shaw stopped her. She unlocked her own door, stepped outside, noticing how chilly it was, it hadn't stopped raining since that morning. She hurried to Root's door, opened it, and helped her out, putting one hand on her lower back, and another on her shoulder, keeping her steady, until they reached the crowded entrance.
'Are you able to walk on your own?' Shaw asked, looking up to her, cursing herself because of their embarrassing height difference.
'I can try,' Root nodded.
'I just want us to walk in there, you know, looking like a couple,' Shaw stammered, 'for the cover, I mean.'
'Well, you can always carry me like your bride, that'd convince them,' Root said, looking at her innocently.
Shaw shook her head, 'If you can't walk, I'll do that, but holding hands would be better,'
Root looked at her the same way she did when she mentioned sharing clothes earlier, that look, as if Shaw was her everything. And she was.
She let go of Shaw, steadying herself, and tried walking one step, wobbling, but able to move. She nodded again, offering her hand to Shaw, who looked at it, remembering the last time Root had held her hand, right after admitting that Shaw was her weakness, right before she got herself shot and presumed dead.
Shaw placed her hand gently in Root's, and clasping their fingers together, and she felt Root's pulse against hers, reminding her that Root is alive, and well, and that was all that mattered.
They walked through the entrance, giving the security guard the invitation letter the machine had sent them, the guard glanced at their intertwined hands, nodded, and let them pass. But even after they put a distance between them and him, they didn't let go of each other. Shaw stopped at the open bar, grabbing a fancy drink that probably cost more than their car. She looked around the room, keeping an eye for Karen's ex, Josh, and anyone who looked suspicious. But it was a rich people's party, so everyone looked like a douche. Root nudged Shaw, '3 o'clock, Karen's here,' They both turned at the same time, looking at the rather beautiful woman, with blonde hair and chocolate eyes, chatting with an attractive couple.
'We need to get close,' Shaw whispered, as she put her hand on Root's lower back, and moving them both towards Karen. Shaw saw the couple turning away, and walked up to Karen, Root by her side.
'Hi,' Root said, 'I'm Amy, this is my wife, Sarah. We love what you've done with the place,' Root continued, feeling Shaw's eyes burning holes in the back of her head. She was going to be in so much trouble.
Shaw clenched her jaw, forcing a smile, 'Hi.'
Karen smiled, she had a beautiful smile, as she looked at the under dressed couple, 'Hello, thank you so much. I'm glad you're enjoying the party,' She replied, focusing on Root, checking her out.
'Very much so,' Root said, smiling back.
'I'd love to have a drink with you, after the party?' Karen asked, clearly addressing the question to Root, totally ignoring Shaw, who was fuming. Karen actually had the audacity to flirt with Root, after she had introduced them as a married couple. There was a reason Shaw hated people so much.
She cleared her throat, 'My wife and I would love to,' She stressed on the word "wife". She was starting to believe she was the imminent danger that's coming for Karen.
Karen looked disappointed, but managed to nod, excusing herself to go speak with another couple.
Root turned to Shaw as they watched Karen walk away, 'Why did you do that? We needed to get close to her.'
'Exactly, Root. We. Not you. Didn't you notice that she was hitting on you?' Shaw asked, annoyed that Root considered her annoying.
Root raised one eyebrow, starting to understand, 'Are you jealous, Sameen?' She was clearly teasing her, loving the fact that her girlfriend was jealous. And that she wasn't kicking her ass for introducing them as wives.
'No,' Shaw deadpanned, 'I just don't like it when people are fucking rude,'
'Oh, so you don't mind if I do go join her for drinks alone?' She continued, smirking.
Shaw sighed dramatically, 'Fine, Root. You win. I'm going to go book us a room for tonight,' She helped Root sit on a chair, noticing how smug she looked, and went over to the front desk clerk. It was going to be a long night.