the conference calls [log]

Helina Houston was tapping the pen she held in her hand against her leg. Staring at the clock on the far wall, willing the time to go faster. She’d thought the seminar on Pulmonary Testing would be interesting, and possibly show new ways of testing, but alas...Just the same jargon done by a 70 year old something another with the most monotone of voices she’d ever heard. It was a miracle she was still awake. She couldn’t say much for the poor sap several seats down who was nearly slumped over in his seat snoring softly.

3...2...1… “Alright, that’s all the time we have left…” The speaker said. Lina was up and out of her seat in less than ten seconds. She’d already closed her notebook that she’d doodled in instead of taking the notes she’d intended to take, five minutes ago while she waited impatiently for the stupid seminar to be over. Why had she come again? Oh yes, because Uncle had insisted she take the conference as a vacation and learn something new she could use for the clinic.

Her heels clicked across the linoleum of the hotel floor as she exited the large conference room, nearly running out of there in her hurry. It was her last seminar of the day thank god, and she had a bottle of tequila at the hotel bar with her name on it. The only thing interesting about that day was the seminar they had on emergency medicine. It was more centered towards EMT’s, but she found it interesting nonetheless.

Lina had headed to the elevator after dodging in and out of people. She hated heels, even the low ones. She had a blister forming on the back of a heel already. She could feel it. Not to mention the slacks and dark navy silk blouse felt too “businessy” for her, and was nearly suffocating. A quick change upstairs and then she’d be good for that bar. Coming to the elevator she pushed the up button rapidly as she looked up at the digital floor counter above the elevator. “C’mon, c’mon.” she sighed. She reached up and stuck the pen in her hand up in her bun, and tapped her foot. She stared at the floor but heard the beep, beep, Ding! As the elevator arrived. She hurried in, pushed in her floor number and waited until it filled. Holding her notebook in front of her. When her floor arrived, she stepped out and then walked to her room, digging her room key out, she slid it in the lock, before pulling it out and heard the click of the door unlocking. Not even ten minutes later, she came out looking like a different woman dressed in the jeans, converse, and an oversized dark sweater with her reading glasses birched on top of her head. Her hair was still up, and she slid the key into her pants pocket before closing the door and then walking down to the hotel bar.

She glanced around, seeing it was already pretty packed as some of the other conferences being held at the hotel were also done for the day. From what she’d seen there was a writing conference as well as some sort of comic con happening. Writers, Doctors, and nerds oh my! She thought. Not wanting a table, she found a secluded seat at the bar itself and dug out her phone. “What’ll it be?” Came one of the bartender’s voices over the loudness of the bar. “Rum and coke with a side shot of tequila, open a tab.” She requested. She planned on a good long drink. Especially after the stunt Steven pulled before she’d left yesterday. She was rolling her eyes just thinking about it. It seemed like Steven didn’t know the meaning of a restraining order, as he had shown up out of the blue, begging her not to go wherever she was going at the airport. He was harmless...sort of…He was harmless in public at least, but didn’t like her reminding him of said restraining order in public.

Her phone lit up as she turned it back on, and she pulled her glasses down onto her face as she looked at the text messages she missed. Her mouth curled up into a small side smile at seeing the message Marie had left her, hoping she stayed awake during the seminars. She took the time to send Marie and her uncle that she was both alive and survived her first day of seminars.

“Here you go, one rum and coke, and one tequila shot.” The bartender said appearing again. “Thank you.” She told them before she took the shot and downed it. Giving a slight shake of her head at the taste. “Blegh.” She said to herself, before she picked her other drink up and began to sip it.


"Drop yer fuckin' weapon, asshole! I'm not gonna ask you again!"

As usual, things were not going according to plan. Jay held his one hand up as he slowly bent over to lay his smoking pistol on the metal catwalk before him, doing just as the angry man with the southern accent said. Normally he wasn't one to give up this easily, but generally speaking, you do whatever the hell someone aiming an assault rifle at your head tells you to do. Those bright eyes glanced over the railing down to the scene in the center of the old warehouse's main floor. The mark was a man trying to defect to a rival drug cartel, who was now lying dead on the dusty floor. Two men stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of their boss a few feet away from the dead man, and their boss- a burly Latino- looked an amusing mixture of shocked and furious. James didn't know the fine details of the two cartels, only that if that man had been allowed to defect, it would have shifted the balance of power greatly in the city...and that was something ACIS couldn't afford. In the end, that's all that mattered. He was given a job, and the job got done.

Now, all he had to do was survive the rest of this bullshit.

It had been a rookie mistake, not accounting for the ridiculous amount of traffic in this damn, sunny city, and men from the other cartel arrived sooner than he considered. And James hated traffic with a passion. But what else was expected from a man who grew up in Glasgow? Oftentimes, he wished he could just go back, retire on the river, and be done with this madness. That was the plan, anyway. It was always the plan.

That was, of course, assuming that the southern man now escorting the unarmed, black-clad Agent Bishop down the stairs to the main level wasn't about to execute him. Jay's jaw tensed in frustration as they made their way down the metal steps, their boots echoing loudly within the warehouse. He was shoved forward before they came to a stop in front of the other trio. "Guy's a good shot, but he ain't no cop," the rifleman drawled.

Their boss stepped forward a bit, bloodshot eyes glaring at James. "You know how much fuckin' money you just cost me, fuckface?"
Bishop simply smirked. "I know how much money I just made."
The southerner behind him brought the butt of his rifle down onto James' shoulder with force, sending him down to his knees in pain. "Fuckin' kill him and let's get outta here. We don't have time for this," said the angry boss man.

Well, it was now or never Bishop.

"May I just say-" he began, pausing for only a moment as he shifted on his knees. "I know I'm gettin' a bit slow in my old age, but, I'm curious..."
The head honcho rolled his eyes and sighed, humoring the Scotsman for a second more. "About?"
James pursed his lips in thought, letting those eyes wander around casually, counting only four men. Well, it could be worse. "Curious about...whether o' not, I can move fast enough to kill all o' ya." That seemed to bring all the men to a quiet pause as if they weren't sure they heard him correctly. But only a heartbeat later, he swept his leg around to trip the southerner with the rifle before his hand was unsheathing the knife from his leg holster.

As a distraction, Jay grabbed the knife by the blade, and with a harsh snap of the wrist, sent it tumbling end over end towards one of the bodyguards. The man had lowered his sights to try and dodge, but it was too late- the knife nailed him square in the chest, sending him falling over onto a heap of boxes. The other guard was stunned but was already lifting his pistol to try and aim a shot, yet the agent was on the move.

Turning into a quick drop just as the southern man was clambering up to his feet, James slammed the butt of the gun straight into his face, snatching it from his grasp where he turned the sight towards the two left standing.

And open fired.

That was nearly four hours ago. James Bishop now found himself on his way down from the room he had been occupying at the hotel, single suitcase in hand as he prepared to return the key to the front desk. Mere feet away from it, he felt his phone go off in his back pocket.

We need you to stay put for a while. Another possible job coming your way.

Another possible job? Meaning, what, they weren't sure? Heaving a sigh, he spoke to the woman at reception and prolonged his stay. Without bothering to bring his luggage all the way back up to his room, he just dragged it behind him towards the hotel bar where he found a seat.

“Hey, thought you were leavin’ today,” said the bartender as he turned from Helina, remembering James as a frequent visitor of the bar.
He had to refrain from sighing again, forcing the displeasure from his face. “Nope, not yet, apparently.”
The tender didn’t need to ask what he wanted, because he was already pouring him a glass of straight whiskey on the rocks. “Well, that just means you get some more days in the sun, yeah?”
“I’m a Scot, man,” he said with a light chuckle. “I don’t do sun.”

When the glass was placed in front of him, he was already taking a sip as blue eyes drifted sidelong to the woman seated beside him. He lifted that tumbler in a silent toast, but he didn’t really know what the fuck he was toasting to.


Lina felt the presence of the person occupying the seat next to her. She shouldn’t have been surprised as the bar was filling up fast, but she had hoped for at least a bit of “quiet” to herself before her space was invaded. By the Scots apparently. It wasn’t every day you heard someone with an accent from where she was from, and she had to admit she was curious. But they were in a large city in California, so she couldn’t be toooooo surprised.

Her first instinct was to shy away from the man. Given her father, and then Steven, Lina was surprised she still hadn’t developed a hatred for the male species altogether, but Uncle Elliot had at least shown her not all men were the same. Still, old and new habits die hard. She roasted her wrist a bit, watching the ice clink around in her glass as the liquid spun. She had her phone set right in front of her and she rested her free hand on the inner part of her arm while she leaned on the bar.

She listened idly to the conversation the Scot had with the tender, and couldn’t help but snort as he said he didn’t do sun. Then why was he here? He couldn’t do the sun, and she couldn’t do the heat despite being born and living almost half her life in California. She missed the cold air of Alaska where oversized sweaters were the norm. She glanced over with her roguish black eyes to the man beside her to see him giving her a silent toast. She caught his bright blue eyes. A bit of surprise showed on her face as she glanced at him, and then she gave him a nod and raised her glass in his direction. “To SPF 150.” She murmured, a slight smirk appearing on her lips, as she took another sip of her drink and then glanced down as she saw her phone buzz. Marie having sent the hands up emoji. Her smile only grew, as her sister was the only one save for her uncle who got a real smile out of her lately. She set her drink down and sucked the upper lip in as her bottom one came up to wipe away the moisture left behind from her drink while she quickly texted her back that the scots had invaded the hotel bar.


A while. How long was a while? James never did know, and it was rare that he had jobs back to back. It was custom (and polite) to give an agent some time off after a job, especially one that had been as brutal as this. Jumping right into another mission could mess with a man's head. He was already uneasy about it, already unsure about remaining in the same place for too long. This didn't feel...right.

Something felt different and he couldn't quite place it.

He'd been feeling this way for the last year now. At first, this had just been a job that paid extremely well. He barely asked any unnecessary questions and did what he was told, no matter what it was. Eventually, though, the guilt and remorse began to catch up. Why did ACIS give a shit about the drug cartel in this town? Unless it impacted their position or territory. What could they have gotten their hands into?

The obnoxious thoughts ceased when the woman raised her glass as well in greeting, then he was chuckling again at her words. "To the many bottles of it," he added then took another sip. He looked away when she seemed preoccupied with her phone, and he caught her smiling in his peripheral. Maybe that was his cue to leave her be, but maybe it was his residual annoyance that was making him brazen. He was being forced to essentially take a vacation until God knows when, so he might as well enjoy it.

Regardless of having no clue as to whom she was texting (could have been a boyfriend or husband for all he knew), he shifted on that stool to face her a little more. "Could I buy you another?" A gesture towards her drink, he finally held out his free hand in greeting. "James Bishop."


After sending Marie the quick text, Lina took a bigger sip of her drink, and then looked over at the Scots man as he turned to face her more. She looked over at him from over the rim of her glasses, before she was pulling them on top of her head. She gave him a quick glance over, noting he was rather attractive looking. Hot doctor? Hot Nerd? Writer? He could have been many things. Her eyes barely left his though in her initial glance. There was something about them that drew her in, and before she knew it her hand was casually reaching for his as she turned in her seat.

“Depends, how do you feel about tequila shots?” She asked as a coy smile appeared on her face. “Lina Houston.” She introduced herself as her hand slid onto his. She noticed right away how rough it was, but there was also a slight softness to it. She’d perfected her “doctor” handshake long ago, and gave his hand a firm shake without breaking eye contact. She let her hand pull away then, and then she noticed the suitcase next to him.

He couldn’t have just arrived given the conversation he’d had with the tender, so he was leaving? Maybe a late flight with some time to kill? “Late flight?” She asked, nodding towards the suitcase when her phone buzzed again. She looked over to see Marie had texted back

Are they as rowdy as they are at football games?

The jury was still out on that one. She reached over, clicking her phone off before she slipped it into her pocket and took another sip of her drink, arching an eyebrow at her new bar buddy. He had her full attention. “Are you here for one of the conferences? Or something else?” She asked curiously. She flagged the tender down and held up two fingers. “Two more shots of Tequila.” She requested as she side-eyed James. “Can you Scots hold your liquor as well as the Irish?” She asked curiously as a smirk appeared.


Maybe he could have been many things, any other thing, yet James didn't feel as though he had the mind or skills for anything else. He'd been bred and trained to fight, those calloused hands were meant to kill or accomplish an intricate task, and that was all. He didn't know what else he could have done or could have been if he never joined the Royal Marines. Then, this damned agency.

And now, he was worse than that, and he was denied much of what a normal life entailed. Which usually included speaking with lovely women at a bar.

Returning the firm handshake, his brows rose in mild surprise. "Tequila, eh? Can't say I've touched the stuff in...well, years." So, this was probably about to get embarrassing. Then again, he could handle a couple of shots. It wasn't as though he were some lightweight.

His attention flickered towards the suitcase by his feet for a second. "I was supposed to leave," he explained. "But, sounds like I'm here for a li'l while longer. My job got extended.” So no, he wasn’t here for any conferences. At least he was telling the truth, even if it was also a bit of a stretch. Was he going to have to go back into the lion’s den of the cartel, or was this to be something unrelated?

Setting his glass of whiskey aside, a grin curled up the corner of his mouth as he regarded her. “I’ll ‘ave you know, lass, that the Scottish hold their liquor better than the Irish.” Now, he didn’t know if that was true, but he sounded pretty sure. In all honesty, James shouldn’t be drinking too much because he technically didn’t know when this new job would come through. But he was annoyed, therefore, he really didn’t give a fuck.

“So what of you then?” he added, then waved his hand in soft dismissal. “Not about the liquor, because I’m fairly certain a wee thing like yerself won’t last any more than a couple shots.” There was only a second of pause, letting that small challenge just linger in the air before he continued. “Are you here for a conference? Maybe the weird...costumed...one?” It wasn’t Halloween. Jay didn’t understand the point of a comic convention and people running around in masks and capes.


Not a hot doc, nerd or writer. Just someone who happened to be there at the wrong time when half the hotel guests were there for a conference. So what did he do then? Lina had to admit she was a bit nosy, but she wasn’t the impolite type of nosy at least.

She couldn’t help but smile as he grinned at her. It was contagious, a bit wiry that reminded her of a sly fox. It could easily turn into one of mischief if she wasn’t careful, and she was supposed to be on “vacation.” She didn’t want trouble and mischief, she wanted peace and quiet. “Do they now?” She asked. Amusement in her eyes. He waved at her in dismissal then, and a look of offense crossed her face at being considered a lightweight. Sure she was on the rather thin side, but she was gaining some weight back now that some of the Steven stress was gone. She’d heard his small challenge loud and clear. She laughed then, as the offended look morphed into something else. “Excuse you, sir, I was raised by a sailor. I can handle tequila and whiskey just fine thank you.” She chuckled. She rested an elbow on the bar, and leaned on it as she sat her drink down, using the straw to play with the chunks of ice. In truth, she didn’t normally drink, though in her college years Uncle had made sure she could handle her own with any shot contest she might have found herself in, only she’d never put it to use. Her father had been a drunk, and Lina saw enough drunks on a daily basis who came to her clinic, but she needed to take some edge of the previous days' travel and today's long ass day off.

She laughed again as he asked if she was there for the costumed conference and she shook her head. “Certainly not, but I think I’ve seen enough Deadpool’s and Captain America’s today to hold me over for life.” She smiled, before her eyes drifted back to her drink. “I’m here for the one with the monotone old bat talking about pulmonary testing and heart arrhythmias. Thus the tequila.” She said with a coy smile, before her eyes caught the tender coming their way with said tequila.

She moved her drink out of the way as he sat the little tray in front of them. Two nicely full shots, complete with salt and lime. “Anything else?” The tender asked, looking between the two of them. “I’m good, thanks.” She said. She glanced over at James, raising an eyebrow at him.


‘Do they now?’ James shrugged, still grinning. From what he knew and gathered, both cultures got sloshed equally. Drunk was drunk, and he couldn’t remember the last time he had been. He couldn’t remember the last time he really had any downtime and enjoyed it. More often than not, he was simply waiting during his time off...just waiting for the next objective, the next job. Being normal wasn’t exactly something he understood anymore.

And with the look of offense that flickered over her face briefly, he noted, perhaps he was really out of practice. As her expression changed, though, he was soon forgetting it. Maybe she knew, then, that he was just teasing. What she said after that, however, had that look of surprise showing once again.

The smile on his face broadened as he leaned against the bartop. “Per Mare Per Terram,” he said, speaking the Latin phrase. By Sea By Land, the Royal Marines motto. “I was a Marine for a while.” Perhaps this sailor she spoke of hadn’t been, but even still, the love and respect for the sea was there and his intrigue spiked just a little bit more. “So this...sailor taught you well then, huh.” It wasn’t so much a question now as it was letting the curiosity in his voice show. “Are we talkin’ military, fisherman..?” It didn’t matter either way, he was just keeping the conversation going.

Another soft chuckle at the mention of the “fabulous” lecture she apparently just sat through, he took another sip of that whiskey before the cup was once again placed back down. “So, yer in the medical field?” Why did that almost sound like he was saying, so you’re clearly out of my league? This is why he didn’t socialize. Eyes drifted to the bartender with a polite shake of his before they dropped to the shots. “Alright then...I suppose I can’t back out now.” He just faced off against a cartel boss hours ago and he was more timid about doing a tequila shot? Let’s go, Bishop.

He’d been biting at his thumbnail- a bad habit he didn’t know how to break- before he licked the pad of his thumb to lightly wet the back of his hand. Pouring a pinch of the salt onto his skin, he was gesturing for her to follow suit. He wasn’t doing this by himself! Before he could question himself any further, James licked the salt and downed that shot; wincing as he was reaching for one of the lime wedges. Oh, he’d nearly forgotten his hatred for tequila. He was recalling all those bad times in the past, like the time his comrades got him drunk enough on leave and he’d been very close to getting some sort of horrible tattoo on his arse.


Hearing he was military sparked Lina’s interest, mostly for the fact Uncle Elliot had been a part of it as well. He never really talked about it however, and Lina wondered if he fought with a lot of old demons. Hearing him wake up from nightmares when she’d been younger, she’d finally persuaded him to seek counseling that seemed to help.

“We’re talking both.” Lina said leaning on the bar a bit more before she rolled up her sweater sleeves. The scar on her left forearm peaking out a bit. “He was in the navy until he retired, and then decided he liked his boats too much to part with them so he became a fisherman. Likes the quiet.” She explained. She didn’t say that he had to retire because of her and her sister, another thing she hated dear old dad for, but Elliot had been heaven on earth and he never made Lina or Marie feel guilty about ending his career early. Lina had a hunch if he could, Uncle Elliot would have stayed until they made him retire.

Lina nodded her head at his question. “I run a small clinic back home. Thought I’d learn something, but today it’s been nothing but old news.” She sighed. She grinned then, it almost looked mischievous as she licked the outside of her hand to dampen it before she placed the salt on it. “No, you can’t.” She said amused. She followed suit quickly after him, having no fear of licking the salt off, and then knocking back the shot. She set it down on the bar before reaching for her own lime, bumping into his hand as they seemed to be going for the same one. She gave him a sideways glance before she let him have it and took the other one before she bit into the lime slice. Lina made a sour face at the tartness, but then stuck the lime in the empty shot glass as she sucked on her teeth. She was already feeling the buzz from the shot she’d had earlier and now this one, any more and she’d probably be a rambling mess. She’d be nursing her rum and coke all night she decided, especially if she hadn’t eaten anything since lunch. “That wasn’t so bad now was it?” She smirked at him as she felt her cellphone vibrate in her pocket, but she ignored it.

“Alright, you know I listen to boring seminars on how to test that your lungs are working appropriately.” She turned to face him more, crossing her legs, as she bounced her dangling foot. Her converse were well worn and holey by now but she’d had them forever and didn’t quite want to part with them yet. “What is it you do that work has extended your stay?” She asked curiously. Tilting her head to the side a bit as she looked at him.


Both. Well, that man was fortunate. He didn’t get sucked into any mess (as far as Jay could tell) and got to retire to the sea. For a moment, James was actually jealous of whomever this sailor was and wondered if he would ever have that life. Something told him, the moment he got wrangled into ACIS was the moment he signed over his life. Perhaps it was a morbid thought, but he had a feeling he would die as an agent, not near the waves.

Still, he smiled at this little insight on...her father, maybe? Helina didn’t’ say and he didn’t think it was his place to ask. Of course, the smile faltered the moment that shot went down and he was grimacing for a good minute after. Those blues flickered over to her when their hands touched and she relented, allowing him to take the lime wedge. The taste made him cringe even more but he didn’t bother to conceal it. “Oh...oh yeah, I won’t be doin’ that again,” he said with another laugh. This woman would have to do a lot of convincing to get him to do another.

And it probably wouldn’t take much convincing either.

As if trying to wash the taste from his mouth, he tossed the fruit slice aside before taking up that glass of whiskey. Sure, more liquor, that’ll help. He was peering over the rim of that glass at her when she questioned what he was doing in San Diego. The corner of his mouth quirked up into a barely-there grin. This was the first time he’d have to lie to this stranger. “I’m a construction executive. Nothin’ really excitin’ and probably more dull than yer seminar.” Placing the glass back down, his gaze settled back on her. As much as it was a lie, it also wasn’t. He just didn’t spend as much time on the job as one would. He still had to make an appearance and keep things legit. “The city is buildin’ a whole complex a few blocks from here. Beachfront condos...as if they need more of those. I was just overseein’ it all, makin’ sure the project ran smoothly.” Jay held back a sigh and ran a hand through that cropped hair. “And...I suppose it isn’t anymore. So, here I am.” Jay paused while reaching for his drink again, flickering those vivid blues back to her. The sly smirk returned. “But it’s not all bad- I got to meet you...Helina.” He tried her name on for size before the smile was hidden behind the glass again. “Will you be here long then?” he dared to ask after taking another sip of that whiskey.


Lina rested her head against her hand as she leaned on the bar and watched James with those big dark eyes of hers. Construction huh? Well that explained why his hands had been so rough, but any working man had calloused hands. She found herself smiling at him, liking the sound of his voice. She found herself having to pay attention more to his mouth so she understood him given his thick accent, and given the loudness of the bar, if she didn’t she’d probably mishear him or something. “You at least get to be outside, and not cooped up in a giant room with several strangers and a guy three seats down taking a nap.” She laughed.

She picked up her own drink and took a sip. “Definitely make sure you bring the bottles and bottles of SPF 150 then.” She smirked. She met those bright blues of his as his own smirk appeared on his face, and she found her cheeks were warm. Whether from the tequila or the way he said her name, she didn’t know. She averted her eyes down and took another larger gulp of her drink. Normally she had a bit more confidence. Sure she stayed to herself, and was more quiet, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t come out of her shell. She was fine talking to people if they wanted to talk to her, and James had seemed to want to talk to her, but the work Steven had done on her had made her lose some confidence and gave her some insecurities. Surely there was something wrong with her. There had to be, as everything was always her fault. She knew it was a load of bullshit, but that was the emotional abuse baggage talking.

She made her eyes glance back up at him over the rim of her glass before she set it on the bar. “That's one good thing then to come out of this trip. Lina, please. I only get Helina when I'm in trouble.” She said a bit shyly. One corner of her mouth turned up into a small smile. “Three more days unfortunately.” She sighed. She pushed around the ice in her drink with her straw while she stared at it, watching the beads of condensation roll down the side of the glass. “Didn’t really want to come in the first place, but I was told to use it as a vacation.” She chuckled, but there wasn’t any humor in her eyes. She released the straw to reach over and scratch at the scar on her forearm. An old nervous habit she still did. Her fingers mindless traced it for a second before glancing back at him. “Any idea how long they’re keeping you here?” He probably had a family or girlfriend to get home too. She knew she’d hate an unplanned prolonged trip if she’d already been gone for sometime. She could only imagine what the wife or girlfriend was feeling as she’d been in their shoes before with Steven and his stupid business trips that sometimes made him gone for months.


He laughed. That seminar kept sounding worse and worse the more she spoke of it, and he almost felt bad that she had to sit through it. And yet, now that it was over, she found herself sitting at this crowded hotel bar while the sun was still up in the sky. How was that a vacation? Even if she didn’t originally want to come.

“I suppose I’ll have to go pick some more up,” he joked lightly. “You think they might have somethin’ stronger than SPF 150?” It was true, he tended to burn fairly quickly if he wasn’t careful. Being deployed to deserts had been the worst years of his entire military career. Being out on the water was a little different- perhaps it was the sea breeze and lull of the waves.

That grin never faltered. “And...do you get into trouble often-” he just had to ask, before correcting himself. “Lina?” Jay didn’t know why he laughed at that, but he found it rather amusing to think about, and he was genuinely asking. But then those blues were narrowing in curiosity. “Yer here, in sunny San Diego for three more days...and yer spendin’ it in here?” Shaking his head, he downed the rest of that whiskey; cringing just slightly before he was standing from his seat. For a few seconds, his gaze dropped to her arm, spotting the long scar her finger was absently tracing. That was interesting- it wasn’t really rare that someone had a scar, per se, but it wasn’t exactly common either. Jay figured it wasn’t his place to ask about it.

Back to the matter at hand. “I’m sorry, but...I can’t allow that.” The smile was immediately returning as he fished out his wallet and tossed some cash onto the bartop. “Even I’ve gone out whenever I got the chance. C’mon, there’s a boardwalk just down the beach.”

Well, he was being awfully brazen all of a sudden, wasn’t he? Jay hadn’t had that much to drink, right? Maybe he didn’t want to sit around here waiting for whatever job was about to thrown at him. It could be later or it could be in a few days, he wasn’t sure...which was also why he didn’t answer her last question.

Bending to pick up his suitcase, he slowly began to walk past her in case she was willing to join him on whatever adventure awaited two strangers in this popular city. James made sure to stop, once again, at the front desk. “Would ye mind havin’ this sent up to my room, Trish?” he asked, remembering the woman’s name.
“Sure, right away, Mr. Bishop.”
On his way towards the revolving front door, he spun in place and walked backwards to see if Helina was actually following.


Lina’s smile slowly grew as she looked at James. “You might have to really look.” She chuckled. She reached for her drink, taking another sip, and then shook her head as her smile turned more mischievous. “Depends on who you talk to.” She told him. She glanced at him as she sipped from her straw. He had a nice laugh, she decided. There was something about it that was contagious and made her grin even more.

She blinked at him when he narrowed his eyes at her, and she had a brief look of “what?” on her face before he was shaking his head at her. “I’ve got tequila!” She said a bit defensively. She laughed a little, but it soon died off. She wasn’t one to generally get out, but at least she wasn’t in her room tucked up with a book! And she had been down to the beach already. She’d gone yesterday after her flight came in.

She watched him down the rest of his whiskey before he was standing up. Was he already leaving? Running away after finding out how boring she was? For a moment there was a bit of disappointment in her eyes, and Steven’s voice of “I’m the only one you’ll ever need” came ringing into her mind. Of course he didn’t want to continue sitting next to the boring Doc…

Lina looked up at him wide eyed as he tossed the cash on the bartop. She blinked a bit rapidly at him, wondering if she’d misheard him. “What?” She asked. She watched him for a second, as he picked his suitcase up and then began to walk past her. Did he want her to follow? Should she follow? He was a strange man and she was in a strange city. Uncle Elliot logic would tell her to stay put, finish her drink and go back up to her room, but Uncle Elliot logic was also telling her she was on vacation. What was the worst thing that could happen? Getting kidnapped? Murdered by a Scotsman? She reached into her back pocket, pulling her phone out as she told the bartender that was walking by to close the tab, and left a tip. She ignored the text she’d gotten, recognizing Steven’s number, and quickly told Marie the scot was taking her on a walk on the beach. She told her his name was James and if she didn’t hear from her later, to call Uncle Elliot.

With the safety net in place, she hurried after him. What are you doing Liiiiina? She asked herself. Living? Maybe? She shoved her phone into her back pocket and eyed James suspiciously as he spun in place and began to walk backwards. “You’re not taking me in some back alley to murder me are you? Not secretly a serial killer?” She asked. “Because if you are-” She arched an eyebrow at him as she pushed on the revolving door. The late afternoon heat soon hit them and she had a feeling she’d be hating her sweater in the next hour, however, she kept it on. She tended to wear long sleeves to avoid people staring at the remains of her father's abuse. “It won’t be so easy.” She said sweetly. She didn’t think he would do either of those things, but she still wanted to make the point she could handle herself if he tried anything. She wasn’t some timid lady. Oh no, she came from one of the states that nearly all the residents had a concealed carry and knew how to use it. She just didn’t like to use hers, and her gun was tucked safely at home under her bed, a thousand plus miles away. She also had a few self-defense classes, knew where all the major pressure points in the body were, and had a good right hook her uncle had taught her.

She put her hands in her front pockets as they exited the hotel, and would follow him down to the boardwalk. It was certainly nice out, but she was not used to the warm weather, and could already feel herself warming up.


That wide smile remained upon his face as he found that she was indeed following. James wasn't really sure if she would have, considering he was pretty forward with this sudden request and still basically a complete stranger to her. Stepping through the revolving door, she was slipping in behind him, the pane of glass separating them and only partially muffling the laughter that spilled forth. "What?" He wasn't really asking for clarification but wondered if he was hearing her correctly. Once they were outside, the blazing sun already making him squint, he shook his head. Well, he has killed people, but...let's just not go there.

Those were very unnecessary details, and ones she didn't need to worry her pretty little head over.

"If I were secretly a serial killer-" James paused, needing to chuckle at that again. "I wouldn't tell you...since it'd be a secret." A little surprised at how warm it was, he busied himself with rolling up the sleeves of that simple, white button-down. He had planned on being on a plane in a couple of hours, in the AC, but clearly that backfired. The three-band tattoo on his right forearm was now visible, and she wasn't the only one with scars. There were burn marks on the other but may not have been as visible. Considering he had clearly been a Marine, such things shouldn't be such a surprise. Unlike with her...

"There's a pier somewhere along the boardwalk..." A shrug as it was just a suggestion, he drifted his attention ahead of them as they casually walked. "Never been on a ferris wheel." The amusement filtered back onto his face and he looked sidelong to her. "And there are no dark alleyways." Lina had said it "wouldn't be easy" and so he was intrigued. "Yer sailor teach ye some things to protect yerself, is that it?"


Lina watched him as he rolled his sleeves up as she fell into step beside him, deciding to push her own sleeves up, despite her usual insecurities. The scars were years old, and at this point were just silverly and slightly dark blemishes, but they still haunted her of a past life she would rather forget. She shoved her hands back into her pockets and chuckled at his little joke. “Touche Mr. Bishop.” she smirked. Feeling a bit silly about the whole thing, but at least she got him to laugh.

“Down that way.” She nodded in the direction. “I walked down there last night.” She said, letting a small sigh out. It had been a walk there, walk back sort of thing, and she hadn’t stayed long to see all there was. “Neither have I, but I’m not a fan of heights.” She added with a small grimace. Not since her dad had held her over the staircase when she was eight, threatening to drop her after she accidentally broke a glass. She gave a small shake of her head to clear her mind of those thoughts.

An amused smile appeared on her face as he brought back the dark alleyway, and she found herself nodding. “You could say that. Mostly he taught me and my sister the proper way to throw a right hook should we ever need too. Only ever had to use it on an asshole in college who decided to bark up the wrong tree with my roommate. He took the hint after I broke his nose.” An amused look crossed her face as she remembered the memory. The guy hadn’t taken no as the answer after her roommate had told him repeatedly to scram, and once he’d gotten physical, Lina had lost her patience.

“The rest I learned myself.” She sighed, glancing over at him. She looked down at her feet, and then noticed what looked like an old burn injury. It piqued her interest given her profession, but she didn’t ask about it. She knew what it was like to have people load you down with questions about imperfect blemishes on your skin. “Oh what happened? How did you get that? Did it hurt?” The usual. “What made you decide to go into construction?” She asked, turning her head to look at him.


James was normally a very patient person. He knew how to play the waiting game extremely well- it was necessary in his line of work. However, to be expecting another job so soon after this one? Leaving bodies behind never settled well for him, and staying put afterwards didn’t really feel like such a good idea. ACIS better have handled the situation like they said they would. Regardless, he couldn’t shake the uneasiness that was slowly consuming him, and getting outside and simply moving was helping keep the darkness at bay. It also helped that Lina’s laughter and smile were a pleasant distraction.

Lifting his attention up, he noticed the tip of the ferris wheel poking up from behind a large office building complex. “I used to be afraid of heights...then I had to force myself to get over it.” Such as leaping from a cliffside into the cold, Scottish waters before an enemy could shoot him in the back. Or scaling the side of a building to gain access into one particular window. Jay shrugged. “I’m in tall buildings all day...kind of had no choice.” Y’know, something like that. A tilt of his head, he regarded her with a curious look in his eyes. “So...I guess I can’t convince you to ride it with me?”

Blues drifted here and there, feeling the unease and unsureness begin to drift away, and yet it was an old habit to see and watch everything that was going on around him. Even when he wasn’t on the job, he couldn’t ever seem to slow down and relax. He was tense all the time, which probably explained the grey hairs that he was noticing in the mirror lately. Her words on the sailor had a genuine smile curling his mouth, widening to hear her own college story.

Shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, his attention drifted in front of him again and he sighed lightly. “I didn’t really feel like I had a choice. It’s what my da did, and...I felt like I had no other direction, no other skills.” James shrugged. “It’s why I joined the Marines originally. When in doubt, just ‘ave ‘em shove a gun into yer hand.” Well, that had been a bit more candid than he had intended. Perhaps downing that shot and glass of whiskey quickly made him a bit loose-lipped. As if hoping to change the topic just slightly, he was pointing off towards the construction site to their right. The building’s skeleton was all there and partial siding, but it was hardly finished. “That’s the one I’ve been overseeing. Lookit all those waterfront views.”


Lina wasn’t so sure she could get over her fear of heights. It was a near crippling anxiety and fear that would bring back flashbacks of that night, and it was not something she liked remembering. She supposed someone in Jame’s line of work would have had to get over it, but for her? “Getting over it” went far deeper than a fear of falling and high places.

She noted the curious look he gave her about going up in the ferris wheel with him, and she let a small sigh out. Exposure therapy? Maybe? If she closed her eyes it wouldn’t be that bad right? If she didn’t look down? She chewed on her bottom lip in thought. “I’ll try it, but don’t expect me to be thrilled about it. You might have to hold my hand the entire time. And,” She turned so she was backwards walking and lifting a finger to point at him. “You have to tell me something you're afraid of. Used to be afraid does not count.” She declared before she turned back around and fell into step beside him. That was fair right? “It’s only fair.” She gave him a mischievous smile as she pushed her sweater sleeves up more.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye, noting he seemed to be constantly looking around. If he was in the marines it made sense to her. Uncle Elliot was the same way, his head was always on a swivel. Always had to sit in the corner of any restaurant so he could watch the exit and entrance, always had to have a wall to his back. The men could leave the war but the war never left them he’d told her once. She wondered how long James had been in. Given his current occupation, he was no longer enlisted and seemed to be well adjusted back to civilian life.

She arched an eyebrow at him, a look of skepticism on her face. “There’s gotta be something you're good at, or some other skills.” She said. She was a firm believer there was something for everybody, they just hadn’t found it yet. “Maybe you just haven’t found that something yet.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. “My uncle told my sister and I the same thing though when we asked him. He came from a military family though, and followed in his dad’s footsteps.” She glanced at the building construction they passed as he pointed it out, and she looked it up and down before looking out to the beach. “It does have a nice view.” She agreed, only she wasn’t looking at the waterfront as she said it, and rather at James. She tucked a flyaway hair behind her ear as she looked in front of them again. Wondering what in the world she was doing. Taking a nice walk with a stranger, that was it. Nothing else would happen certainly, and tomorrow she’d be right back in the boring conference rooms, listening to yet another droning seminar. This was just a minor change of pace, nothing wrong with that. They’d walk down, he’d drag her on the ferris wheel, she’d count the minutes she could get off, they’d walk back, and then part ways in the hotel lobby and probably never see each other again. Yup. It was a good, nice logical plan. What could go wrong?


Ha, “well adjusted”. In a sense, maybe. But the war never stopped for him, and he didn’t know which was worse- being on the war front or these jobs for ACIS. Both had left a bad taste in his mouth, both put his life on the line, and both made him wonder if he’d live to see tomorrow. He single-handedly pissed off not one cartel, but possibly two this week, and the agency was asking him to stay put. Perhaps the new job was in relation to it.

How many more bodies would he have to drop before he could leave San Diego?

His own thoughts almost had him missing her words. Blinking, he looked back to her with slightly confused blues. “Something I’m afraid of?” Is that what she had asked? Anything he actually feared these days, he couldn’t exactly repeat. A hand rose to rub the back of his neck as he thought about it, not intending to appear as though nothing frightened him...yet that was nearly the case. It came when you were bred to be a weapon. “I don’t know...I might have to think on that one.” His chuckle was quiet, maybe even a little nervous. “I mean, I’ve...seen a lot of shit, so…” Maybe that would stall her for a little bit? Still, he would think of something, if only because he kind of liked the mischief he saw in her smile. And if it would get her into the seat of the ferris wheel, even better.

Shrugging his shoulders as he idly studied that particular building still, knowing construction was far from what he had wanted to do with his life. It had provided a good cover, at least, because he could actually do the job. It was just...dull compared to everything else, even if it worked perfectly to get him into other countries. “I can sail. I used to be a fairly decent cook. I can speak a wee bit of Gaelic, and speed read books ‘cause I feel like I don’t have enough time to comfortably sit and read them properly.” Huh, that sounded a little pathetic, so he laughed again as if he intended it. “I’m so used to always being on the move-” Always on the run, he meant. “That somethin’ else might kill me from a slower boredom.” Eyes squinted against the sun again before he turned his head to look at her. “Well, yer uncle sounds like a verra smart man. Perhaps I haven’t found my true skill yet.” Oh no, he was pretty certain he had, but he didn’t want to scare off the only pleasant company he’s had in months.

Maybe they should just walk to the pier and then walk back. He should be concentrating on what was to come, ensuring his safety in case any drug dealer decided to retaliate. He shouldn’t be out here with a woman he just met. And yet, all these thoughts weren’t stopping him from walking still, and his pace neither slowed or sped up as the noise from the carnival games and rides began to drift closer. Looked like they had a small coaster, too. “I hear that...fried dough with, like...powdered sugar is a thing here in the states?” Funnel cake or some such? “I think we need some of that.” Perfect way to clog up the arteries, but he didn’t care right now. “What else should I be tryin’?” He was grinning like a child as they drew closer to the carnival pier with its obnoxious music and flashing lights even against the sunny blue sky. People screaming in terror and excitement as the coaster rushed along the track and he heard the telltale noise of pellets hitting metal targets in some range game.


Lina wondered if she’d asked something she shouldn’t given his response to her question about what he was afraid of. Of course he’s seen some shit Lina, he’s a former marine. There’s probably things he doesn’t want to think about and you just went and asked a doozy of a question. She scolded herself. She opened her mouth to quickly tell him to forget it but he was moving on. Talking about what skills he had.

She found herself shaking her head and laughing. “You sound just like my uncle, he can’t sit still to save his life. Has to always be doing something, I’m surprised he has the patience for fishing.” She chuckled. The similarities were almost amusing, but she wondered if it was just because they were both servicemen. Maybe it was a military thing, and not just Uncle Elliot’s odd quirks she’d noted about him.

As the sounds of the carnival got louder, Lina became more aware of the people. Though crowds didn’t bother her, some of the loud screaming from the rides did, but she did her best in tuning it out, and focusing on other things. Like the fact James had apparently never had a funnel cake. “You’ve never had a funnel cake?! Oh now that is something I cannot allow. We most certainly are having one of those.” She agreed. She saw his childlike smile and her own grew. She had the inkling that that grin was going to cause trouble in more ways than one. As if they’d just entered a chaotic battle field of carnival mischief and James wanted to see what sort of trouble he could get into first.

Lord help her... “If we’re going to clog our arteries first, there’s also probably corn dogs around here, curly fries though I think you call them chips. If you have a sweet tooth there’s probably cotton candy that is just pure unadulterated sugar and sticky as all get out. Then there’s the funnel cakes, and elephant ears which are similar to funnel cakes. However it’s this giant flat piece of fried dough, smothered in butter and then sprinkled in sugar and cinnamon. It’s positively sinful.” She rattled off all the carnival food she could think of. Now that she was thinking about the carnival as a whole, the last and first time she’d been to one had been in college. They weren’t as common in Alaska, and when she’d lived in northern California, her father hadn’t allowed her or Marie to go to any fairs.

After a few more feet they’d finally made it to the pier, and Lina was looking around at all the people. Most people were in groups, all dressed for the California heat. There were a group of teenagers laughing and eating ice cream cones, a dad was pushing a baby stroller while what she could only assume was the mom wrestled a screaming three-year-old who looked like they’d had enough time at the pier and really just wanted a nap. There were tourists going in and out, snapping pictures, she could look down the pier and see the lines for rides, the bells and whistles of said rides and flashing lights. There were t-shirt stalls, and food stalls, and the smell of fried food wafted towards them. She could already practically taste the funnel cake.

Here was where they turned back right? And walked back the way they came. They were too old for carnival fun, even if it was something to do… She stopped, as if she’d come to a fork in the road, she glanced at the carnival and then back the way they came. As if trying to make up her mind on what she wanted to do. It was still daylight, there were plenty of people out and about still. James seemed nice enough, and if she didn’t go, she’d just be cooped up in her room. One funnel cake. She told herself. She could do that. She’d already told him she wouldn’t allow him to not have one, and she was a woman of her word. “Follow your nose, it’ll lead you straight to the funnel cake.” She grinned, as she turned towards the pier.


The closer they got and the more people that seemed to be around, the more he felt a little bit more on edge. Crowds normally didn’t bother him. After killing a couple of guys? Well, yeah, then a crowd was going to bother him. Perhaps this was a dumb idea, but it had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, something he didn’t often do anymore. His life was all routine and calculated steps. Right now, it was going off on random. He was putting his ideas on shuffle.

That would either end very badly or really well.

“I definitely like this uncle of yers. Sounds like a smart man,” he said, insinuating that he himself was also smart...since the two men appeared to be rather similar. Were this a normal scenario for him, were he a normal man just spending time with a woman, maybe it would have escalated to “meeting the family”. But nothing about James’ life could be deemed normal these days, and this would simply be a fun night out before they inevitably parted ways and she never saw or thought of him again.

His hand pressed against his stomach as she listed off all the sinfully and disgustingly good foods that these stands offered, and he grimaced. “Alright, well...I’ll just run a few extra miles tomorrow.” If he didn’t die in a sugar coma, that is. “But, I definitely need some chips and that dough.” He hadn’t been hungry until the smells of fried everything filled his nostrils. Jay had subconsciously stopped when she had, but it would seem they were in step once more as they moved further onto the pier. He didn’t know why he found all of this amusing, maybe because he couldn’t remember the last time he did something simple and silly like this. He liked it. With a tilt of his head, he walked towards the stand with its big sign stating they had funnel cake and all sorts of other fried foods. Someone was walking past them with a flimsy plate and the white-sugared treat barely staying on it. It was huge!

With only a couple of people in front of them, he slipped into the waiting line. “So, if yer here on vacation...where is it yer from?” A couple more steps as someone was being helped, it wasn’t much longer before they were being asked what they wanted, putting a pause in their conversation. “Uh, could we git one of them fried monstrosities and chips? Er, fries, I mean. Thanks, mate,” he told the young man on the other side of the window. He glanced to Helina. “You want anythin’ else right now?” he asked her. “I’m willin’ to share, though.” James flashed a cheeky grin. If he was going to sample this crazy American food, he definitely wasn’t eating it all by himself, and he was going to pace himself.


Lina chuckled at his comments about the food. Him and her both. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anything really fried, and the smell of it all was making her mouth water. She followed after James who was now clearly on a mission to get his serving of clogged arteries. Well, if he keeled over from a heart attack, at least he had a doc for company.

Lina kept her hands in her front pockets, and felt her cell phone buzz again. She pulled it out quickly, seeing Marie’s text of:
Alright, stay safe! Use the necessary precautions...and protections.

With the smirk emoji. Lina’s face flamed red, picking up on the double meaning of her sister's message. No way in hell… She thought. Quickly putting the phone away. Lina didn’t do that. Especially nowadays. This was killing time with a stranger. That was it. That’s what this was. The Scotsman was not going to go there with her, and she wasn’t with him. Even if he was sort of cute. Maybe.

She shoved her phone back in her back pocket and quickly caught up with him, falling into line. “Ah-” She started, a bit frazzled still from Marie’s text. She took a deep breath, get a grip Lina nothing is gonna happen. She told herself. “Here actually, but I lived in the northern part of the state.” She said. “Moved way up north to live with my uncle after my mom died with my sister.” She explained. She left it at that, not wanting to give too many details about herself away. Elliot had always told her to be careful with information, as you didn’t know how people might use it against you, but she’d always thought it was because he was slightly paranoid.

She watched in amusement then as James ordered, and the look on the dude’s face was nearly priceless as he realized he had an accent. He looked at her then and gave her that stupid, yes she was going to call it stupid because it did stupid things to her stomach, grin. “If you're willing to share I’m not gonna argue, but maybe a bottle of water to wash it down?” She suggested, as a small smile graced her face. “Oh! And napkins. You’re going to want them.” She said, as she remembered just how greasy fried food could get, and grease stains would be a bitch to get out of that button-down he was wearing if he decided to wipe his fingers on it. Especially if he was stuck at the hotel and only had a limited number of shirts to begin with.

She spied the napkin dispenser off to the side near the other condiments they had laid out on the other side of James. She glanced at people behind them and gave them a smile as she stepped behind James. “S’cuuuse me.” She placed a light hand on the back of one of his shoulder blades as she squeezed through. His shoulder felt warm under hand, but it was probably from the fabric of his shirt absorbing some of the heat. Once she squeezed on by, she went to the condiments, and pulled out several napkins from the dispenser. Taking extra, as you never knew when you needed it, she folded the napkin wad up before she tucked it in her pocket. “Do you want ketchup or anything to dip your fries in?” She asked, glancing over at him while she pointed to the condiments.


“This is not a real vacation, then,” he told her, playfully scolding. “You need to go out and see more. See other places. Like-” James paused for a moment, pretending to think about it. “Scotland.” Somehow that smile of his turned more impish, giving her a wink before she was asking for water. He turned back to the guy in the window. “Two waters, also?”
“You got it,” the man replied before disappearing to get their order.

Jay was fishing out the cash to pay for it all when Helina was stepping past him. With the press of her hand against his back, he was turning his head to catch her in his peripheral before paying for...well, he wouldn’t actually call it a meal. A snack, maybe? “Uh, nah, I’m good.” He actually didn’t like ketchup. Like, it was okay on a burger but he wasn’t really a fan.

Handed the two bottles of water, he placed them on the small ledge of the vendor cart before his eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the funnel cake on that flimsy plate...which was certain to just make this whole thing more difficult. “Sweet Jesus,” he murmured under his breath. Balancing it in one hand and the fries in the other, he carefully turned to Lina. “You mind grabbin’ those?” Gesturing with his chin to the waters, he carefully navigated through the small seat of people and only stopped when he wasn’t afraid of getting bumped into and losing the precious cargo. On the way to the side of one of the carnival games, he was snagging a fry that was dangling over the edge of the cardboard bowl with his teeth. It looked dangerously close to falling- he was saving it!

“I’ll trade ya,” James chuckled lightly, passing her the funnel cake (he didn’t trust himself to hold it) so that he could take one of the waters from her. “Does one person actually...eat that whole thing?” Blues averted to the fried dough. Truth be told, he probably could- and would- if she wasn’t here.


No ketchup, got it. She thought. Complete opposite of Uncle Elliot who liked to drown anything and everything in it. She started walking back as James got handed the funnel cake, and couldn’t help the laughter that bursted out at seeing the look on his face. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun. She quickly decided. If anything fun for her, in seeing the Scot try American fair food for the first time. “Already on it.” She said, as he nodded towards the water bottles. She moved quick, picking them both up and putting them in the crook of one arm while she turned to follow after him.

She found herself shaking her head, chuckling as he “saved” the fry, and was already getting ready for the funnel cake incoming. There was some finagling, but she had steady hands (came with the job description) and managed to hand him off his water while holding the plate. She could feel the heat coming off of it as it seeped through the paper plate. “Oh they most certainly do. They’re sinfully good, it’s hard not too.” She said grinning. “I bet we’ll even have the whole thing gone in maybe ten minutes. If not sooner. Maybe seven.” She grinned. Moving her water to her other arm so she could get to the plate easier and have more of a free hand, she reached up and tore off a chunk of the dough. “Are you ready to have your mind blown Scotsman?” She asked with a raised eyebrow and a look on her face that said “I know something you don’t” as she held the piece of dough out to him for him to take. The moment he did, she’d let go and then steal one of his curly fries. She nibbled on it while she watched his reaction to the funnel cake.


Was there no place to sit around here? Any bench he spotted was already taken, so they'd have to just juggle the food while people laughed and cheered loudly at the game they stood near; the little pellets from the fake guns pinging off metal ringing in his ears. He'd been watching the game in a bit of humor (and maybe his grin was a bit smug) before Lina was gaining his complete attention once more.

At her question, blue eyes watched her suspiciously for a brief moment. Slipping the water bottle beneath his arm, he had a free hand to take the offered piece of funnel cake. Well, it smelled delicious, and how could you go wrong with fried dough covered in powdered sugar? However, he was softly gasping when she was stealing a fry before he could even try it. “Oi!” Turning so that his back was mostly to her and she couldn’t steal another, he finally tried the cake. Oh yes, it was good.

Suddenly, James spun on his heel to face her again. “Alright...I think I’m gonna need the rest of that. Ye’ll hafta get yer own.” He was joking, of course, but he was still reaching over as if he was ready to steal the funnel cake right out of her hand...and if she wasn’t careful, he just might! Meanwhile, he was making sure to hold the fries out of her reach as well, grinning wildly. “C’mon now...hand it over.”


Lina couldn’t seem to stop laughing as she watched James, amusement clear in her eyes. She finished her stolen fry quickly, while she watched him try the funnel cake. Her eyes went wide in surprise when he told her she’d have to get her own. What happened to sharing the funnel cake, and fries for that matter? “Oh no! We’re sharing remember? Youuuuu wanted help, because you didn’t think you could finish it.” She told him. Dancing a bit out of his reach, It was her turn to turn her back to him to shield the precious fried dough. She looked over her shoulder at him, as she tore off another piece of the dough, before popping it into her mouth. The sugar instantly melted on her tongue and there was a brief look of pleasure on her face as she chewed. She found herself nodding, “Oh yeah, you’re going to have to share Mr. Bishop. This is too good. It’ll certainly clog your arteries if you don’t. Doctors orders.” She most certainly pulled the doctor card on him. Who better to be a judge of the human body and what it consumed then a doc?

“I’ll give it but you gotta share the fries.” She told him in her best negotiator voice. She raised an eyebrow in challenge at him as she tore off another piece of dough. If he wasn’t careful she’d eat the whole thing while trying to keep it away from him, but she was willing to be nice. To prove her willingness to share, she dangled the torn off dough between fingers at him as a peace offering.


“I lied!” he announced, struggling to wipe the amused look from his face. He only half succeeded, attempting this weird balancing act of keeping the fries out of her reach, his water still tucked under his arm while he was trying to snag more of that funnel cake. Blues glared playfully as she, quite clearly, mocked him and popped another piece into her mouth.

Then, she was trying to negotiate, and he nearly commented about how that wasn’t how he usually negotiated. But again- secret life he couldn’t tell her about, so James just watched her with amusement flickering over his face. He had certainly intended to share this whole time, but he didn’t know what had come over him briefly there, teasing and joking around. It was almost like he didn’t know himself until his head was clearing again.

“Well-” he started. When he reached out, it wasn’t quick but languid; gently grabbing her forearm as she dangled the fried treat in front of him. “If it’s doctor’s orders…” Were he intending anything more out of this simple, little outing, he might have eaten the funnel cake straight from those slender fingers. Instead, while bright eyes remained upon her face, his hand softly traveled up to her wrist, brushing over that raised scar in mild curiosity until he could wrap her hand within his own. And pluck the fried dough from her grasp. His grin managed to widen more as he was simultaneously holding the container of curly fries out to her.

His attention finally drifted from her as he ate that piece of funnel cake, eyeing all the strange games going on around them. “So, what will it take to get you to win me something?” Yes, she heard him correctly. She win him something. James chuckled, because at least he found it a humorous thought...and yes, he was still serious.


Lina eyed him suspiciously when he took her forearm rather than just taking the dough from her fingers. She pegged it up to him wanting to make sure she wasn’t gonna suddenly change her mind and deny him the sugary fried goodness. Her brown eyes stayed on his blue ones while he looked at her, and her eyebrow just arched higher as his hand slid down her arm to her hand.

He had the dough then, and that grin from earlier appeared back on his face, and Lina couldn’t resist the smile that appeared on her own face while she took a few fries from the offered container. She tipped her head back slightly as she bit into half of them and then offered him more of the funnel cake should he want it. “Excuse me?” She asked, wondering if she’d heard him wrong. He was going to make her win him something? From his chuckle it would seem she had heard him correctly, and he was serious. A roll reversal huh? Not that this was actually a date, but she would have thought he’d want to show off his male matcho-ness by trying to win something himself. Apparently that wasn’t the case, and it intrigued her. This could be fun...

She narrowed her eyes at him as she finished off the fries, and looked around at the games. “Hmmmm, depends, what do you want to win?” She asked. Each stand had a variety of different prizes, ranging from stuffed animals of various sizes to blow up toys. “Have your eye on any prize?” She asked, as she glanced down to tear off a piece of the dough. She’d humor him she decided even though there wasn’t any game she would think she’d be particularly good at, save for maybe the pellet gun one. Elliot had always told her women were better marksmen than men, and she had a fairly good aim when they’d shoot pop cans at the gun range back home when he’d taught her how to shoot. That had been years ago though. Still.

She brought the piece of the dough up to her lips with a thoughtful look on her face. She ate it slowly as she looked around him to see what other things they had down the pier but it seemed the farther down you went there were more rides than games, and an idea slowly began to form. “Mmm I have a better idea.” She said as a slow grin began to appear on her face. “Let's make a bet.” She turned to face him, as she sucked some sugar off her thumb, and then nodded to the pellet game behind them. “I’ll play you at that, however Mr. Former Marine, you have to use one hand to shoot. Non dominant hand.” She said, making sure to clarify. She had to make it somewhat difficult for him if she wanted to stand a chance! “You beat me, I’ll try and get you whatever prize you want here. I win, We’re gonna go find a kiddy ride and you’re gonna ride it by yourself, while I finish off this funnel cake, and laugh my ass off.” She arched both eyebrows at him in challenge, as a coy smile appeared on her face. They had time to kill and she was on vacation. If this was going to be her one night of fun, she was going to make the most of it with the Scottish stranger.

Really, why was he being so cheeky all of a sudden? Was this what happened when his brain was overworked? Did he just invite a stranger out to carnival games and sugar and tease her? Well, as long as she kept laughing looking at him that way (yes, like he was insane), he was going to keep doing it. All she had to do was tell him to stop or walk away...but, instead, she was upping the stakes. She was suddenly making this a challenge.

And you don’t challenge James Bishop. It didn’t matter how small or crazy it might be, he was going to do it. The man consistently gambled with his own life, which had been precisely why he was given that codename: Gamble. Meanwhile, Walsh dubbed him “Kit”, as in a young fox. James was fairly certain the old man wasn’t speaking of his looks, either, although he’d accept that reasoning as well.

That slyness was coming out in his smile as they polished off the rest of the fries. He drifted to the side to throw out the container before he was automatically pulling a piece off of the funnel cake, all the while watching her in surprise. And once again, intrigue. He was becoming more and more glad for asking her out on a simple walk, because it was anything but simple now. It was, dare he say, fun, something he often denied himself.

The more she said, the wider his smile became as he remained silent, munching on more pieces of the funnel cake. “That’s...a verra interestin’ bet, lass,” he told her, licking the sugar from his fingers before opening that bottle of water. “Doesn’t sound like the odds are in my favor, though…” So then why was he grinning still? Even as he took a few sips of water, he was eyeing her like she was completely missing something vital.

And she was.

Funny thing with James- he was a lefty, but in order to avoid needing special weapons (as most guns were designed for those with a dominant right hand), he learned to shoot with his other. It also helped when out in the field as he couldn’t hope and pray that someone else had been using a left handed weapon should he need one. One of the top rules of the agency: adapt. Not that he was going to tell her any of this yet.

“Alright, then. I accept.” No more pretending to deliberate. “But yer goin’ first.” Turning to the booth, he paid the rather unenthused young man who was running it before James drifted off to the side; casually leaning against the booth and folded his arms. His brows lifted in soft curiosity as he watched her again. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Shoot five targets and you win a prize…” said the kid all monotone before he stepped off to the side as well, flicking a switch for the targets to move to begin moving around.


Lina began to second guess herself the more James' smile grew. For a brief second she wondered if he wasn't’ telling her something, but she’d already laid down the rules. There was no going back now. “I was raised by former military, remember? I know you guys have your tricks, I have to give myself somewhat of a chance.” She threw back at him. She didn’t like the way he was looking at her as he drank his water. There was trouble in those eyes, and that smile. What had she done? Something stupid? Probably. But she didn’t think she’d be out anything other than a hurt pride. Besides, this was probably the most fun she’d had all year if she was being honest. She could use some friendly competition.

She wasn’t going to lose so easily though. He didn’t have one Captain Elliot Walsh as a firearm instructor now did he? She had Uncle Elliot on her side. “Fine.” She said rather cheerfully, walking past him she leaned down to set the funnel cake down on the stall edge with her water, and began to take her sweater off. Oh yes, she meant business. She wore a whale watcher t-shirt underneath of it, and then wrapped the sweater sleeves around her waist, tying them in a rather defiant manner as she playfully glared at James.

She picked up the pellet gun, making sure it was loaded, before she widened her stance and brought her arms up. “Alright now use yer left hand and wrap it around like so,” She could hear Elliot's voice in her mind as she went about the proper way to hold any gun. “Slow yer, breathin’... that’s it, now breath in and pull that dere trigger when yer ready.” The kid flipped the switch then and the targets began to move. Lina closed one eye to better aim as she looked down the barrel of the pellet gun and took aim at her first moving target. In hale, exhale. PING! One went down, onto the next. She had an intent focus, as she was trying to win this bet, and would have taken her sweet ass time if she really wanted to, but she also didn’t want to take too long either. She managed to hit the next three, and missed the next two. She could feel the adrenaline, and her competitive streak began to shine as she as the other targets seemed to move faster. She stuck her tongue out subconsciously, and took aim for the next one. PING. One more! She thought she was setting the anny high as it was. She took another deep breath, raised the gun up and shot her last pellet. The game shut off, and glared, seeing that she’d missed, but at least she’d hit four targets. And James was going to have to do this one handed.

“Alright, lets see if you can beat four.” She said, setting the gun down and looking over at him with raised eyebrows, and “beat that” look on her face as she walked confidently, if not a little bit cocky, over to him to switch with him. She crossed her arms over her chest as she nodded over to where she’d left the gun, that challenging mischievous glint still in her eye.


James said nothing as he stood there all casual-like, never removing his eyes from her as she prepared herself. The amusement was undeniable as she tied the sweater around her waist and he was expecting this to be good. She appeared very determined and willing to prove herself. It was cute. Admirable, but very cute.

It was only once or twice that his gaze drifted to the targets, but he’d hear the ping of the pellets against the metal and didn’t really need to verify how many she was hitting. Instead, he watched how she concentrated on the moving targets, the way she was calculating every shot, the way she held the fake gun. Yes, a professional certainly did teach her a thing or two. Jay had to refrain from laughing, tilting his head as he noticed how she stuck her tongue out in concentration. Oh, she really wanted to win, and silently, he was worried when he heard that fourth ping and wondered if she’d make it to five before her time was up.

After another miss and the game shut off, and let out a small breath of relief; the grin on his face widening even more. “Impressive,” he told her, meaning it. “You might win this one...seeing as how ye put these ridiculous rules in place.” But his face was still smug. There was still this glint in his eyes that couldn’t be ignored or mistaken for anything but having an ace up his sleeve.

As she moved trade places, he pushed off the wall of the booth but paused, leaning in to utter a single word. “Might.” Now he sounded very sure, chuckling lowly as he moved to stand in front of the targets as the kid was reloading it with more pellets. Once the gun was handed to him, he took it into his left hand. “Oh, right-” A pause, he shifted it into his right. “I’m a lefty,” he was sure to tell her to prove he wasn’t using his dominant hand. “Go fer it.” A nod to the carnival worker who, once again very unenthusiastically, reminded him he had to hit five targets to win and turned the machine back on.

His attention was completely on the targets now, taking a few seconds to study the patterns of their movements, the speed at which they moved before he shifted completely sideways and lifted the pellet gun, aiming with just his one hand. The emotion dropped completely from his face, almost deadpan as the first three shots were almost rapid fire, all three hitting a target. He waited just a heartbeat more before squeezing the trigger again and taking down a fourth. Then, as if he had nearly forgotten where he was and that this was a game, that there was a bet lingering between them, those vivid blues drifted sidelong to find her; his head turning just a little bit so that he could find her, pistol still aimed.

The smile curled up one corner of his mouth before he took another shot. Perhaps by a stroke of luck, he heard that telltale ping as the fifth target was hit. James had a few more seconds where he could have tried for more, but he got five...and that was all needed.

“Well-” started the young man, trying to sound excited but he clearly hated his job. “You hit five targets. Yay...congrats...you win...what’ll it be, miss?” He was talking to Helina now, gesturing towards the array of stuffed animals hanging all around the booth, obviously thinking this was a date and that Jay had done it to win her something. James didn’t correct him, either, as he placed the pellet gun down, reaching for the funnel cake instead and unable to wipe the humor from his face.


“I am quite confident I will.” She smirked at him, trying to appear taller than she was. Lina’s eyes darted to meet his as he leaned in and said that one word, and she arched an eyebrow. “Don’t get too cocky, you might miss.” She told him, as she leaned against the post and turned her attention on him. She wanted to make sure he didn’t cheat, though it was a bit hard given the restrictions she gave him.

She watched as he changed hands to right. Interesting. “Uh huh…” She said a bit suspiciously, though she’d never seen him write so it would be hard to determine, however he was wearing a watch on his right wrist and generally you wore them on the non-dominant hand. She’d just have to accept it.

She settled in and then saw her downfall as James essentially became a different person. Gone was the cheeky cute boy; and in his place dare she say? Was a rather attractive and focused former soldier. There was something about him that had become more intense, more dangerous, and she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. She’d have to pick her jaw off the floor, she knew it as she watched him. Her eyes glancing at the targets that began to fall. The man was certainly a professional. Or at least a former one. “Are you sure you’re left handed?!” She asked, exasperated. With a chuckle and shake of her head she continued to watch him more than the targets. When he’d nailed four targets already so quick, she knew she was going to lose. The cocky cute bastard knew it too as she watched his eyes turn towards her and he gave her that grin.

Lina’s tongue pressed against her cheek as she shook her head. Unbelievable. It was no contest as to who the more skilled shot was. She began to clap her hands as he set the pellet gun down and then looked at the kid. “Oh I get to pick? Well then he wants the unicorn.” She told him. “Are you really left handed?” She asked suspiciously. “More importantly, were you a damn ranger or marksman in the service?” She asked. She uncapped her water and took a drink. “Can’t help but feel I’ve been hustled, James. Do I need to blind fold you next time?” She laughed.

She looked up as the kid brought over James' prize. It wasn’t that big, but boy was the thing hideous. And it was bright neon pink with a white underbelly and sparkly gold horn. He handed it to her, and then she handed it to him. “A bet’s a bet, I’m winning the others.” She told him firmly. She didn’t seem to be too beaten up about losing either. If anything, he’d certainly impressed her.

Jay had said nothing during that whole thing, even if she was blatantly questioning him. Oh, he hadn’t cheated...he just didn’t share all the details. He still followed her rules, though. He half expected her to hit him once he told her that truthful little tidbit, so he wondered if he should stay silent about it.

But where was the fun in that?

As the kid was getting whatever ridiculous animal Lina requested, he finally regarded her fully again as he replied, “I am.” James paused for only a second, the smirk returning. “But, here’s the thing...I’m left handed yet I learned to shoot with my right.” Could that smile of his get any wider and cockier? Oh, it sure could! And did as he took that stuffed unicorn. It really was a hideous looking thing, wasn’t it? “I’m goin’ to treasure this forever,” he chuckled and managed to shove it into the back pocket of his jeans where it could stare strangely at whomever walked behind him.

Snatching his bottled water, he drifted away from the booth. “I was my unit’s designated marksman.” He figured she should know. He hadn’t exactly meant to show off, but...you couldn’t put even a fake gun into a former Marine’s hand and expect him not to do what he had been trained to do. Lips parted, ready to say something to her blindfold comment, but decided against it. That...wouldn’t have been appropriate.

James looked back to her then, a new sincerity on his face as he continued to smile. “But you, though...that was impressive, Lina. I’d like to see you shoot a real weapon.” Because she could clearly handle it and has done so before. “I’m sure you’ll kick my arse in anything else here. That-” He pointed a thumb behind them at the pellet gun booth. “Was the extent of my skills.” Then, his eyes fell to the carousel and that childish urge was taking over again. It looked like only children were on it with their parents standing with them but...perhaps that would count as a kiddie ride. “We should go on that,” he said, seemingly determined. “Or go in there.” He was then gesturing towards the Hall of Mirrors. It was pretty damn trippy, from what he could recall from childhood, but it always proved amusing. Blue eyes fell back to her as if asking her to decide or to choose where to go next.


Lina shook her head at him, waving her finger before she scoffed. “Of course you were.” A bubbled laugh came out as if it allllll made sense now. There was a part of her that wanted to wipe that cocky grin off his face, and another part of her wanted to see if she could get it to just get wider or last a bit longer. His eyes lit up a certain way when he grinned like that, and she found herself quite liking it. “I should have been more thorough in my initial requirements.” She sighed, faking disappointment.

She giggled as he tucked the stuffed monstrosity in his back pocket. “Ah yes, to remind yourself that you failed giving that one little detail to poor wee Lina to ensure your victory.” She told him, giving him a pointed look as she look as she picked up the funnel cake and followed after him. “I can see why, that really was rather impressive.” She confessed as she caught him looking behind at her until she could catch up with him. She could feel herself going a bit pink at his compliment and she shrugged her shoulders, trying to shake it off. “I had a good instructor, and a lot of spare times on my hands one summer.” She said as if it didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t that impressive

“Pfffffft, if you can shoot like that your hand eye coordination is far better than mine, and you’ll kick my ass at half these games.” She told him. Did he not realize most carnival games involved tossing or throwing something? Maybe she would have to make another bet or something to prove her point there were other things he was good at then apparently shooting things. Like keeping a smile on her face.

She finally caught up to his side as he pointed out the carousel, and an amused look appeared on her face. What were they? Ten again? Probably. This was certainly the most fun she’d had in some time. She tried to think of the last time she actually felt like a kid, and realized it was a bit after she and Marie had gone to live with Uncle Elliot. Where they could actually be kids, even though they’d never learned how to actually be one until they were with him.

She could be childish for one evening she supposed. “Both. Both is good.” She said, quoting an old Disney movie she’d seen once upon a time. “I vote mirrors first so the food has time to digest and we’re not booking it to the nearest trash can after being spun around.” They’d practically finished the funnel cake except for a large piece in the middle, and she picked it up and held it between them. “Here, finish this then we go.” Intending to split the rest of it with him. She’d eat her piece then and dump the plate, before she turned and stroked her chin thoughtfully, as she looked to the hall of mirrors, and then back at James, giving him a methodical judgy look before she glanced back at the hall. She tapped her chin, and pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing again before they settled on him.

She began to inch her way towards the house. “Heeeeeeey James?” She asked in a sing-song voice. “Can I redeem myself with another bet?” She asked, she was already tightening the sweater around her waist. “First one through the hall wins, loser does what the winner wants.” She pointed a finger at him. “You have to stop at every mirror though! Ready go!” she said in a flurry, before she turned and booked it down the pier towards the Hall of Mirrors.


"Yes, you should have," he agreed with her needing to be more thorough. Still, how was she to know? There was clearly a lot of things she didn't know...and never would know. There wasn't a need to dive any deeper when this fun would end the moment they returned to the hotel.

James' grin was soft but faint when she complimented, in the process of catching up. He made sure to keep his pace slow so that she could. "The Royal Marines are...tough," he said, and by the tone of his voice, it was in no way insinuating that the branch was tougher than any other. What she might hear was that there was little room for mistake. It wasn't allowed. "Yer made into this...thing, they want you to be flawless." The smile was slowly dying away, and he knew it wasn't just that. ACIS was who made him a weapon, created agents that should be unstoppable forces, ones to be reckoned with. He didn't know why this was all suddenly bothering him.

Falling back into his own thoughts again, he almost didn't hear all of what she said; the grin on his face somewhat shy now. "Just because I can shoot, doesn't mean I can throw a ball..." He could, but that wasn't the point, and he was sure she could hold her own.

When she agreed to the mirrors, he finally chuckled again. Maybe scarfing down carnival food and riding around in a circle wouldn't be such a good idea, even if the Hall of Mirrors could be kind of nauseating in a different way itself. He tore his half of what was left of the funnel cake and was in the process of eating it when she had this sudden urge to throw in another challenge. He was barely done chewing when she was running off like a wild woman. "Hey!" he called out with a mouth full of fried dough. Oooh, that sneaky wench! Desperate to catch up, his pace was a brisk walk so that he could finish the funnel cake, then he was suddenly sprinting down the pier to catch up with her. And he was gaining fast.

Oh, he also ran for dear life for a living.

He nearly caught up to her as she was entering the small building, but he was right behind her and there was no one else in line waiting to get in. If she hadn't continued to move forward, there was a chance, within his excitement and need to win, he'd practically barrel into her. Especially when he got inside and the sudden array of surrounding mirrors and horrible lights were disorienting.

Catching his breath, he paused. "I forgot...how much I hated this place..." It was also a bit disarming, not being able to watch every corner or his back, but James would try to not let that show.


It was a good thing she’d given herself that head start, because Lina could practically feel James closing that distance on her. She could hear his pounding feet on the pier boards, and it made her heart race as she grabbed the metal bar of the small barricade they’d made to make organized lines. She zig zagged, and then grabbed the stair railing before she practically leaped up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time before she was in the building.

She came to a screeching halt, once inside. She’d never actually been in one before, and took a moment to glance around, when James came barreling in. She managed to get out of the way just before she was knocked on her butt, and gave a breathless laugh while she tried to catch her breath. “I’ve never been in one.” She said as she scrambled forward, trying to look for the right path, but all she could see was herself and James. It was like they were in a room with nothing but mirrors and really cheesy neon lights.

“Not gonna lie, this looks like something that would be in a nightmare.” She chuckled. It was true, you could see almost every angle of every direction, accept the one you wanted to go in. It was a bit disorienting with the light's look, and she could see some of them were black lights. She looked almost like a ghost with her pale skin, and her eyes were even more large, almost black looking. A few strands of hair had fallen out of her bun on her run over, and she could see more of the old cigarette burns on the inner part of her right forearm if she moved it a certain way. Looking like silvery little holes on her arm. “I’d hate to play hide and seek in this place.” She said with a grin. She was glancing around, knowing where the entrance was a least, before she finally spotted something that was slightly different between two mirrors.

She rushed forward, sticking her arms out and was glad she didn’t meet glass, and instead rounded a corner as she went deeper into the hall. There was a bet to be won! She couldn’t just sit and doddle and stare at herself in the mirror forever.


'Not gonna lie, this looks like something that would be in a nightmare.' "Yep," he replied with that one word immediately. James was really struggling to not be paranoid, but he found himself looking behind him at the entrance every so often. This place was meant to be disorienting, to make you lose track of where you were, to see nothing but yourself in the crazy amount of mirrors. He really didn't like it, and regretted suggesting it.

However, she was pleasantly distracting enough to keep his mind where it should be. This was fun, not some job. The slight anxiety that was clouding his mind really shouldn't be there because there was nothing wrong. He was fine, they were fine, this was safe. It was just a stupid carnival obstacle. And it appeared to be a fairly good one, too, much to his dismay. She’d probably see the displeasure on his face as he lingered behind her, shifting those eyes every which way to find the right path.

It would only take another moment for him finally compose himself, and the mirth was returning back to those blues. They caught her dark ones in one of the mirrors before the mischievous grin was spreading across his face. “Actually...I think hide and seek sounds like a great idea…” He’d spotted one of the other openings when he was looking around before, he just wasn’t sure if it was the correct path or not. James was going to take the chance anyway.

While she rounded the corner, Jay followed only a little further in before, all of a sudden, every reflection of him was disappearing from behind her as he slipped around to another opening. The House of Mirrors was eerily silent for a moment, but they’d be able to hear the obnoxious carnival noises from the outside still. Even his steps were silent as he carefully followed this new path, wondering where it was going to lead him, if she’d continue on her own or be brazen enough to follow him. He was getting the feeling that this was just a loop around, or that it would intersect with her own path...so when he found the next opening, he stopped. And waited. He was listening to see where she was.

Quietly laughing to himself, he should probably stop in case he scared the hell out of her, but call this a test of her bravery. And resilience. He was going to get smacked, wasn’t he?


What? Had she heard him right? Hide and seek now?! She looked over her shoulder to see him and his reflection, and that stupid grin of his before he disappeared. Silence filled the air and for a moment she couldn’t hear anything but the distance sounds of the rest of the carnival and her own breathing. Apparently she’d just been dubbed the seeker, and her prey was now hiding.

Well fine, she’d catch him and win the bet!

She couldn’t help the feeling of being watched suddenly, a chill going down her spine. She looked around and didn’t see anyone, save for herself. Anticipation began to creep in and the hairs at the back of her neck stood up. This place really was creepy… she hurried to where she’d seen James disappear deciding to follow after him, though he had a head start.

She walked on the balls of her feet, not wanting to alert him that she was approaching, and trying to be quiet. It took her a bit, but she managed to follow the path James had head down, her heart was practically beating out of her chest, and she glanced. She didn’t find the next section as he had, thinking she came to a dead end. Which meant, where the hell was the Scotsman? Had he slipped off somewhere else? She turned abruptly, going back the way she’d came, and headed in the direction she’d originally started to go In.

“So if I find you, what do I get?” She called out. Deciding the silence was going to drive her nuts if she didn’t have noise. Especially in this joint, maybe she’d even be able to follow the sound of his voice if he spoke up that was. She came to another corner, the mirror in front of her angled just enough that it didn’t show James standing in the new opening. She peaked her head around the corner and the anticipation of not knowing where he was began to build again. She remembered the same feeling of not knowing where her father was in the dark when she was younger. Afraid she’d wake him by tripping over his passed out drunk body. She bit her bottom lip, glancing around. “James?” She whisper yelled.


It took him a moment to realize it, but he felt like he was slipping into “agent mode” again and that he was the hunter and not the prey. That probably wasn’t the best thing to do to a poor woman you barely knew, even if he wanted to one-up her bet with another one. Still, it was almost as if he could sense her unease...because maybe it was bringing out his own, and he was looking in the direction of the attraction’s entrance, hearing the noises from outside. He wasn’t hearing her though, not until she spoke.

Quietly, he moved a little further, but it sounded as though she was moving in the direction she had originally intended. Which meant, towards him, where he awaited around the corner adjacent. It would be so easy to frighten her, yet he didn’t have the heart to.

“What would you like?” he asked as quietly as he could so as to not easily alert her to where he was. But he was on the move again, drifting back the way he came so that, from somewhere behind her, she’d see him emerge, his reflection popping up in all of the mirrors, only to disappear again. Smirking the entire time. Call it that sixth sense or what have you, but he was picking up on her nervousness once more. “I’m over here. I’m still here,” he assured her, his voice echoing slightly. James didn’t think he’d be able to keep this charade up for much longer, so he was quietly beginning to make his way back to her. After only a few minutes, he realized the mirrors and lights were affecting his head. As much as it had been nice to get out of the sun, he preferred it over this. Also, feeling like a trapped rat in a maze was rarely fun.


Despite the whisper, it caused Lina to jump slightly, not expecting to hear him. And hearing him whisper made him more difficult to pin down, but he had to be somewhat close or else she wouldn’t have heard him.

She saw movement behind her and turned to see Many James appear, that smirk on his face before he disappeared again. He was taunting her! Teasing her. She became more determined and it make her unease dissipate a bit, but it was still there. If anything it made her want to hurry up and find him so they could get out of there.

“I dunno what I want yet. Maybe it’ll come to me once I catch you.” She said, moving further in. She stuck a finger out, trailing against the mirrors as she walked by, trying to find the next opening. She saw him again and his smirk again, and she glared playfully at him before he disappeared and his voice echoed. Well...he knew where she was. Maybe she could lose him? It was like a cat mouse game she realized, and she didn’t know if she liked it or not. She decided to stick to the plan of finding the quickest way out.

Her finger was suddenly in open air, and she saw she’d found an opening. Sticking her head in, she looked both ways before she quietly went left, and continued. “Knock knock” she called, rapping her knuckles on one of the mirrors she passed. It rattled slightly sounding like a sheet of metal that had been shaken. It wasn't that loud but was enough to startle her that she turned and then tripped over her own feet. “Oh fuck!” She said in alarm as she began to fall backwards. Her arms wind-milled to try and catch herself on what she thought would be a mirror, but it was another opening and she fell back onto the floor with a thud and a curse in the middle of the walkway. “Son of a bitch.” She mumbled reaching down to rub her butt as she’d landed hard and practically sat on her phone.


This was a mess. Even he was starting to lose where he was, although the initial idea was to simply stay out of her reach. That was failing horribly, and it didn’t sound like she was faring any better, either. “Who says you’ll catch me, hm?” he spoke again, only a little louder than last time if only to indicate that he had backtracked. Simultaneously, he was trying to loop back around and to follow her...only to come to a dead end. “Shite,” he whispered to himself.

If only they could see just how ridiculous they looked and were completely bypassing each other and barely even realizing it. Now, he was definitely lost, yet didn’t want to let her know. “Who’s there?” he echoed, chuckling to himself. She was tapping on the mirrors, he could hear it- she was close and he was rounding another corner when he heard her loud curse.

And he suddenly changed again, that agent mind taking over.

James weaved through the mirrors a lot faster now, as if he suddenly knew where to go and where to turn. He heard the thud, heard her cursing again and followed her voice as fast as he could. Suddenly, as he rounded another corner, he turned to look down and found her there in the middle of the narrowed hall of mirrors and no one else in sight.

She just fell. Calm the fuck down.

Lips pressed firmly together and he bent a little to help her back up to her feet. “Are you alright?” Jay was clearly trying not to laugh. “Alright, games inside this madhouse is not a good idea. Let’s just...find our way out, yeah?” Whenever she was ready, he’d slowly turn and attempt to lead the way...but damn if he still wasn’t really sure which way to go. That was kind of pathetic, wasn’t it?


He wasn’t there, and then he was. Lina glanced up as he approached seeing he was suppressing his urge to laugh. “Don’t attempt knock knock jokes in here, the mirrors retaliate.” She muttered, before she chuckled. She took his extended hand and let him help her up. Wincing a bit at the pain now literally in her ass, but the more she moved the more it went away.

“I completely agree, it’s giving me the heebie jeebies.” She said. “Also, I hope you don’t mind but I’m not letting go until we’re out of here. Can’t have you running off on me again.” Rather then letting go of his hand, she still held it in her own. More for the comfort that she’d know which James was the real one, and so she wouldn’t be alone again. She might walk into an actual mirror if left unsupervised.

She followed after James, trusting him to have a better sense of direction then she did. There had to be arrows or something in here right? To lead you the right way? She glanced to the floor to look, but didn’t see anything other than scuff marks from the amount of people that walked through here. Her eyes went to try and look around James, that had been her intent at least, she promised! But they got side tracked by the unicorn sticking out of his back pocket, which lead to her eyes drifting to his other back pocket, and then she couldn’t help but admire the whole butt.

She quickly raised her gaze after the brief detour and then pointed with her free hand. “Anything that way?”


"Oh, is that what happened?" he said, chuckling lowly as he helped her back up to her feet. James really didn't want to linger in this place for very long, and was making a mental note to never go into one of these ridiculous attractions again. It was more nerve-wracking than fun, even with Helina there. She certainly made it more enjoyable, but now the many mirrors were more than just disorienting.

For a second, he hadn't realized that she still held his hand. He was just automatically beginning to turn and walk regardless, only letting his gaze drop to their clasped hands in realization when she mentioned not letting him go. In response, he simply grinned from over his shoulder; shifting his hand so that he could interlace their fingers together and move on.

They had to be close to the end of this thing, right? It was just a silly carnival pier, it couldn't be that big. No, he seemed pretty confident that he was leading them in the right direction, he could feel it. He could hear the world on the other side. "Nah, it's gotta be this way…" he said when she suggested checking out the other direction.

Nope. She had been right. The former ex-Marine and current black ops agent led them straight into a dead end. James had to stop abruptly too because he nearly walked right into a mirror. Fortunately, he'd held his other hand in front of him to avoid faceplanting, but it was still embarrassing. At least he was laughing at himself for it! "Alright, I was wrong...turn around, turn around." They'd have to turn in the tight space, and now he was following behind. He remained close though (y'know, just in case), still holding her hand and gently guiding her forward, pointing to where they should have gone in the first place, where she had suggested just moments ago. Around that corner, and they'd soon be able to find their way out.


Lina glanced at their hands as James laced their fingers together and her eyes glanced up just in time to see that grin of his again before he looked in front of him and began to lead the way. She felt her cheeks warm up, but blamed it on the lack of AC the small building had.

“Ooookay.” She said, trusting him as they went in the opposite direction. The look of amusement, and I told you so eyebrows, appeared on her face once she saw they came to a deadend and giggled before he was ushering them backwards. It was certainly a tight fit with two people, and she shuffled around. Holding their joined hands at the small of her back for easier navigation. She hardly noticed how close he actually was to her. “I toooold you sooooo.” She sang softly as they walked back in the right direction that she’d originally told him to lead them down. She tilted her head back and to the side to look at him, before giving him and all knowing smirk. “Women have better sense of direction than men.” She said cheekily, before she looked ahead and led the way around the corner.

From there they could finally see the bright neon green sign that read ‘EXIT’. “We’ve escaped hell!” She exclaimed. “Do we get a participation trophy?” She asked, and as she hurried her pace up. Not wanting to be in there any longer then they had to be, and pushed the door open with the push release. The hot air from outside hit her in the face, as did the sun, and she brought her free hand to shield her eyes, while they adjusted to the natural light and not the lights of terrors in the building. Walking down the short ramp she led them off to the side. “We definitely should have done the carousel first.” She said.

Their bet donned on her, and her mouth formed a small o at the realization that she’d won set in. Her head whipped up to look at James and turned so she was facing him before pointing at him with her finger. “First one through the hall of mirrors, ah ha ha hah! I win.” She laughed gleefully. She did what could only be described as a happy wiggle, as her own cocky grin appeared on her face.

"Yeah, yeah…" he murmured as she was clearly rubbing his mistake right in his face. Well, he couldn't argue- he nearly walked face first into a mirror, so. Alright, he had to give her that one. However, when she was looking over at him, his free hand rose to playfully jab her in the shoulder. "Did that womanly sense make you fall on yer arse? Is that what happened?" That only made his grin widen more, his hand dropping to hover around her waist as they shuffled through horrible maze of mirrors.

His eyes practically lit up at seeing that exit sign, and he may have tried ushering her faster towards it. James was half a mind to just pick her up and carry her the rest of the way. Fortunately, she was just as desperate to get out of there as he was, bursting through the door where he could inhale the warm, summer air. "Oh, thank God," he said with a heavy sigh of relief. "That was, quite possibly, one of the worst ideas I ever had." Well, he had suggested it, but she chose it. Not that he was going to point that out. As suffocating as it had been, it had also been amusing and...well, interesting.

Following her down the ramp, blue eyes squinting against the sun, he almost missed that little...wiggle? Was it a dance? A happy dance? Whatever it was, it had his brow rising up in amusement after he gave her a once over, not even caring about the bet just yet. "I'm sorry, what...what was that l'il-" He didn't even know how to describe it so he just waved his hand in gesture. "Do that again and ye can have whatever you want." By the sound of it, he was only joking. Maybe. Okay, half joking? So sue him.


An almost innocent look appeared on Lina’s face as he pointed out her little happy dance. “What?” She asked, unable to keep the smile off her face as she looked up into those blue ocean depths. “My happy wiggle?” She asked, wanting to clarify. She had the habit of doing it when she was excited about something or when something really good happened. Uncle Elliot had called her a wiggle worm when he realized her little quirk, and she’d just embraced it. What better way of seeing someone happy then wiggling their whole body.

Lina stepped back a few steps. She was still holding his hand and hadn’t let go, and held their arms out so he could see it better. “This?" She asked, as she did it again. Her body seemed to wiggle in place as if she couldn’t hold still to save her life. Once it was done she walked closer to the distance they had been apart. “You don’t do a happy wiggle when you're excited about things?” She arched an eyebrow at him as if she couldn’t believe it and that everyone did it. “I also don’t know what I want. But I do know, I was the first one out, so I won this round. James:1, Lina: 1.” She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Really, what had gotten into her? When was the last time she’d been so...carefree? Silly? Never is what it felt like, but she certainly was enjoying herself with James, and the more time they spent together the more at ease she felt. If she was being honest with herself, and maybe the world, she felt as if she’d done this maybe before in a past life. There was a familiarity about James she couldn’t quite place that just made her comfortable despite her track record with men and it was refreshing. Enjoyable, and she was already beginning to wish it wouldn’t all end when they went back to the hotel. She was stuck there for another three days, and if each day was like this one, she didn’t think her “vacation” would be so bad…


"Yer happy wiggle..?" he was echoing, still fighting with himself whether to laugh over it or not. Strangely enough, this right here and right now made it seem like they were a little less than strangers who merely knew each other's names. It just felt natural in a way he couldn't explain...and it was all because of this adorable, weird quirk of hers, it felt like.

Or maybe it was because they survived the horror that was the House of Mirrors together. Never. Again.

Laughter erupted from his chest when she did it again, eyes dropping along her whole form without shame before lifting back up to her face. It was a little hard not to stare, alright? And she stepped back to blatantly show it off. "No, lass...I don't do any such thing." James replied in amusement. Frankly, he didn't know what such a simple happiness was like anymore.

Well, he supposed he had a vague idea right now.

It was a little hard not to be so amused by her antics, but the grin was still on his face even as she claimed to win the bet. Okay, so maybe she had even if he'd literally been right there behind her and could probably argue it. He wouldn't, though, because he sort of wanted to see what the price for losing was. Jay didn't seem to mind the idea at all. As each moment passed, he became more pleased with his randomness to bring her out here, more pleased with the smile that stretched clear across her face. It helped him forget what awaited him in the near future.

"Alright, then...you just let me know yer price when you think of it. In the meantime-" James suddenly paused then when his eyes drifted to the side and he actually jumped. His hand tightened around her own and he had the knee jerk reaction to run. He only dragged them into the space between the House of Mirrors and whatever carnival game was playing loud music before realizing his stupidity. He could hear the obnoxious honking, the stupid laughter and stupid voice that seemed to come with the territory.

It was a fucking clown. The most cliche, "innocent" looking clown. And he hated them with a passion. Perhaps his childhood fear still remained.

He'd put his back to it, facing her, and it was hard to tell whether he was trying to protect her from the evil or just attempting to avoid it. "Sweet Jesus…" he murmured, before he cracked into laughter again. "Every fuckin' time." Yep, bad ass black ops agent right there. Blues rose to her face, trying to act like he was serious...but he was failing. "On the count of three...we run for the carousel, yeah? Alright, one-" The clown was honking his horn again and Jay totally forwent the countdown. Keeping her hand in his, he rushed back out from that makeshift alleyway to book it back down the pier.


Lina scoffed playfully at him when he said he didn’t do a happy wiggle. “Well you’re missing out.” She told him. She looked up at him curiously then. What was it that she wanted? She didn’t know, but she knew it would have to be a good one. James didn’t finish his sentence, and instead jumped. She looked to see what he was looking at, but only had enough time to see whisps of a bright neon green wig before he was pulling her between the building and the stand.

She could hear the honking then, and looked up at James, biting her bottom lip, and trying desperately not to laugh at him. Was he? The former marine was afraid of clowns? She could hear the clown off to the side more, and she grinned as James laughed. “You okay there?” She asked before he was initiating a countdown to three, but he seemed to not want to wait. “What happened to three?!” She laughed as they ran down the pier, leaving Bozo the clown in their dust.

She couldn’t help but laugh the entire time they ran. It was ridiculous, all of it. It really was. She was running down a pier away from a clown. Running with a stranger with a unicorn in his pocket, as if this was a normal everyday thing and that two of them hadn’t met an hour ago, or hover long ago it had been. The sun was beginning to drop though, in another hour maybe sunset would happen. When they finally reached the carousel she came to a stop, resting her forehead against the side of his arm and placed her free hand on her hip, while she caught her breath. She shook her head slightly and looked up at him. “Better now that we’ve lost the clown?” She asked. There was a smile on her face, but it wasn’t a teasing question. She knew how strong certain fears were, and what it was like to be terrified of an Individual, or whatever you considered clowns, and wanted to make sure James was okay considering how fast they’d booked it out of there.


Yes, a clown. Hadn’t she ever seen IT? Even if she hadn’t seen it, she’d certainly know about it...and that shit was frightening as a child! It ruined clowns for him forever. And red balloons. Oh, fuck those red balloons. Nope, he couldn’t look at the bright green hair and red nose. Clowns were a weakness. And now she knew it.

Come on, bucko. Don't you want a...balloon?

It was a genuine fear, yes, but it had changed drastically once he was old enough to realize, well...these idiots in costumes weren’t going to lure you down into the sewer. At least, not all of them. Still, it was the discomfort, the way his spine tingled. It was funny and fearful all at the same time, which was why his heart was racing and he was laughing at himself while they ran like children down the length of the pier.

Finally making it to the carousel, they slowed to a stop and he was struggling to find his breath because he was laughing so hard. Maybe he should have been embarrassed, but there was no point. It was out in the open now. Glancing down to her as she leaned against his arm, he was still chuckling at himself. Maybe he wouldn’t have to run extra miles tomorrow- he just burned off that damn funnel cake in that sprint for dear life. “Maybe,” he told her between breaths. James forced a serious look on his face then while he watched her, almost as if he were about to confess how frightened he had really been, like the fear was going to overtake him all over again. “I’ll show ya how to floooooat down here. We all floooooooat down here!” He mimicked damn Pennywise as his free hand drifted to her side, tickling as he urged her towards the carousel. The horses moving in a roundabout would be much safer, he imagined. Even if they were probably the only adults getting on. Something told him drunken older people did this all of the time, though.

For his horse, James decided to choose one of a lovely pink shade with flowers all over it. That was finally when he let go of her hand to proudly climb up onto the fake saddle, cringing as he did so. “Well, this isn’t as comfortable as I thought it would be...” Also didn’t help he had that stuffed unicorn still stuffed in his back pocket. Standing up on the plastic stirrups a bit, he pulled it from his pocket to hold onto it. Staring at it again, he noticed how cross-eyed it was. “I think...this thing can see into my soul…”


Lina chuckled as he answered, and managed to get some of her breathing under control. She looked at him curiously as he turned more serious, thinking he was going to tell her more about this fear of clowns, when he mimicked pennywise. It caused a shiver to go down her spine at how good the impersonation was, and she contorted her body away from his tickling fingers while she reached out lightly smacked him while she laughed. “I might develop my own fear of clowns if you keep doing that.” She confessed. Her nerves will slightly shot from the hall of mirrors and hearing a creepy voice was not going to help matters.

It wasn’t until they reached the carousel and James was finally letting go of her hand that she realized how long she’d actually been holding it for. But she didn’t want to lose him! And then the clown happened, and- she tried not to think too much about it, and instead tried to stifle the laugh at seeing James on his majestic pink steed. “You’re not the right size for it.” She laughed, as if that was the simple answer. Size did matter in certain situations you know. Especially if you were going on a ride more suited for children.

She picked the horse closest to his, which was bright mustard yellow with bubbles painted on its rear. Made to look more like an under the sea type horse. She stepped on the metal stirrup, and turned and sat down on it so she was riding side saddle since she thought it would be a bit more comfortable. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and placed it in one of her front ones so it wasn’t digging into her probably already bruised butt cheek.

“Ah yes, the all seeing magical unicorn. What does it see staring into that soul of yours?” She asked. More people filtered onto the carousel, before they could hear the ka-chunk of the switch being pulled and then the cheerful music began to start before the started moving. Lina felt her horse begin to move, and she gripped the bar to hold on as it began to move up and down the bar. She kicked her legs lightly as they dangled over the side, quite enjoying the ride already. Probably because there was such a child like innocence and ease about it. Who didn’t love a carousel as the outside world spun on by, and all you had to focus on was the ride, and people around you also enjoying themselves. She glanced over at James to see how he was fairing with the pink stallion.

For someone who hated clowns and that movie, he could probably quote it a whole lot. It had been a way to get over his, or at least feel better about it, by watching that damn movie. In ways, it was laughable, but even still...sewer drains were never the same. And, needless to say, he never had clowns at his birthday parties.

He only laughed and turned away slightly when the Pennywise impression bugged her a little bit, but the carousel was already definitely the better choice. Even if they probably looked kind of ridiculous. If that notion bothered him, he didn’t make it obvious. When it came down to it, he’d never see these people again, so why did it matter if he made a fool of himself? James was just enjoying the day with a particularly amusing and lovely woman. That’s all that mattered to him.

No matter how he tried to sit on that stupid plastic horse, it wasn’t going to be comfortable, so he would just bear it for the duration of the ride. And probably laugh the whole time. Especially when it started to move, and all the horses began to rise up and down. However, every now and then, his would stutter and shake, making it even more uncomfortable. Jay began to wonder if he was just breaking the damn thing. So, he finally just slipped off and stood between their horses, still staring down at that stuffed unicorn. James was trying to figure out if he found it charming and cute, or creepier than the clown.

At her question, he pursed his lips while he contemplated it. “It’s tellin’ me…” he began, trailing off as if he was pretending to listen to the silly thing speak to him. “That yer goin’ to skip out on the boring seminar halfway through tomorrow…’cause ye’ll be goin’ out to lunch.” He turned the stuffy so that its weird eyes could look at her now instead. A gesture towards it, he shrugged his shoulders. “The all-seein’ unicorn has spoken.” Chuckling lightly, his attention drifted up to her then; his free hand resting on the pole of her mustard steed to keep himself steady.


Lina watched James as he climbed down from his horse and stood between their own. Apparently it was more comfortable to stand and he wouldn’t break his horse that way. She found it amusing as he stared at the unicorn, as if it held all the secrets to the world and was going to tell him whatever he wanted the answer to. It was cute really, as well as a little silly, but that was okay, they’d been silly already, what was a bit more?

She looked at the stuffed animal in surprise and then at James, her amusement growing even more. “Oh really now? I am huh?” She asked. Her heart skipped a beat for a moment and she wondered if she should say she couldn’t miss it. That it was important she go to the boring seminars to try and learn something of value for her clinic. That he didn’t want her to go lunch because she was too boring and not interesting enough. This might have been a one time thing, but Lina was bland! She wasn’t exciting enough aside from the restraining order she had against her abusive ex husband. This was supposed to be a one time thing where she never saw James after this, but...3 days you're stuck here. Make the most of it. A small voice told her.

To hell with it.

She stared in those beady black eyes of the unicorn, sensing James lean on the pole of her horse. Her dark eyes lifted up to look at his, giving him her attention. “Well, if the unicorn demands it, I can’t really say no can I?” She said, as a coy grin began to spread on her face. “What does it say about you? Or am I expected to have lunch alone?” She asked with an arched eyebrow.

In truth, he didn’t really know what he was doing. This was probably stupid and a mistake. He was never normally like this because he never had reason to be, never had a chance to be. But there he was, pretending a stupid unicorn was talking to him, standing on a carnival ride, and asking her out to lunch. At least it wasn’t dinner because that might’ve been too forward. Right? Why didn’t he know these things? Plus, she was only here a couple more days, and he hadn’t the slightest idea as to his own plans. For all he knew, he might be having to cancel on her tomorrow.

So, was it wrong to just go with the flow? James was enjoying himself right now, and that was all that mattered, or should matter. And he’d like to think she was having, at least, an okay time. But maybe this would finally scare her away, as simple and innocent a request it had been.

He was suppressing his smile a little when she replied. “No, probably can’t. The unicorn’s word is final,” he said jokingly, shaking the toy a little. Her following words had him laughing, dropping his gaze to his shoes. It had already been a little awkward for him to ask (especially in the way he had), and now he needed that bit of courage more to do so again. “I shall be there, of course.” Hopefully. There was a brief pang of guilt at the thought, but he wasn’t about to say anything. “So...yeah? Wherever you want. I, uh...also don’t really know what’s good around here,” he confessed. The hotel restaurant wasn’t half bad and what he had been sticking to. Mainly because, between running recon and dealing with the cartel, he didn’t really take a moment to eat out.

Was he being shy? She thought suddenly. Seeing the way he’d looked down at his feet, she had the sudden impression that maybe he was being a bit awkward, but she didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, she was surprised it wasn’t her being the awkward one for once. It was most certainly the most adorable thing she’d seen in sometime.

She brought a hand up to hide her giant smile, and to get herself together rather than looking like a giggling moron. “Well, neither do I. So it looks like the hotel it is.” She said, thinking it would the easiest for both of them and this way they didn’t have to go and get lost in the city trying to find some place. She glanced down between them, as it was now her turn to look at her feet. Not sure what else to say. She’d hoped to find something to break the awkwardness, or was it tension? Couldn’t be tension could it? It was just lunch. Two people had to eat, so why not together. Her phone began to buzz consistently in her pocket then, and she took that as her saving grace. She had to wiggle a little bit and keep one hand on the pole, but she managed to get it out and see she had incoming phone call. Knowing she wouldn’t hear the end of it if she didn’t answer, she looked apologetically up at James. “Sorry gotta take this.” She smiled at him before she answered, letting go of the bar so could plug one ear to hear better.

“Shouldn’t you be alseep?” She asked.
“I can sleep when I’m dead, I wanted ta see how your first day went.” Uncle Elliot's deep voice rumbled on the other line and Lina couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“Nothing worthy to report back on, Uncle, unless you want me to put you to sleep with the retelling of my pulmonary testing seminar. I’m actually out right now with a friend can I call you back later?” She asked, glancing up at James.
“A friend? What’s this ‘ere friends name? Is it a boy? Do I need ta drill ya for the more important details?” Elliot's tone turned more curious and she could practically feel him going into protector mode through the line before he jumped into more questions. She mouthed “he won’t shut up,” as she looked up at James and made a talking motion with one hand while she rolled her eyes.
“James. I’m gonna hang up on you now and call you back later.” She said, interrupting him as she pressed her hand over her ear again, and adjusted herself on the seat.
“Lina-“ he said firmly. She grinned widely, and couldn’t help the small giggle.
“Uncle!” She said right back, “Love you, bye, talk later!” She said quickly, before she hung up, and then sighed. Before looking at James. “Sorry about that, he would have called the nearest naval base and sent out a search party if I didn’t answer.” She chuckled, though her tone said she was teasing, there was a seriousness in her eyes that indicated her uncle would have done it without a second thought.

“The hotel it is,” he echoed lightly; a smirk curling up the corner of his mouth again. Well, hey, that wasn’t so bad! He didn’t know what he had to be so nervous about. Yes, it was just lunch. He wanted to ask because he enjoyed her company. She was on vacation, though (despite the horrible seminars), so he would be sure not to hog all her time.

That is, unless she wanted him to.

Well, that thought came out of nowhere, and it was suddenly making the situation a little...awkward? There was definitely tension, but he wondered if it was just the residual fatigue of the day. He did almost die, after all. It was a weekly occurrence, so you’d think he’d be used to it by now.

Just when he wasn’t sure about what to say next, they were both seemingly saved by her phone. James could have let out a gentle sigh of relief, but just nodded. “Sure, of course.” Normally he would have walked away to give her some privacy, but considering they were on a moving ride, he couldn’t easily do that. Still, he rounded about that pink horse so that he could lean and rest his arms across the saddle and still face her; awkwardly just letting his upper body go with the rickety movement of it. He’d have also averted his gaze, but she was still making eye contact with him- apologizing when she didn’t need to, so he waved it off to show that it was no big deal.

And then she was calling him a friend and even telling her uncle his name. Ooh, fancy that. He could only assume what the man was telling her on the other line, so he waggled his brows in exaggeration if only to make the situation even more awkward.

When the call ended, his smile was wide across his face. She joked, but he knew her words were true. He believed a man would do whatever it took to protect her, especially a retired naval officer. “He’s just doin’ his job...I get it. I’d be doin’ the same,” he told her as the ride was beginning to slow down. He realized the sun was also descending, but he wasn’t in a rush to hop off just yet. “Does he need three forms of I.D.? My social security number?” Chuckling, he shook his head lightly. “The name of my childhood pet?” Alright, he’d stop now. In all seriousness, he did get it. “It’s good that you have someone lookin’ out for you like that, though.”

When the carousel finally came to a stop, he’d wait for her to climb down from her horse (and offer her a hand if she needed it) before stepping off. “You still didn’t claim yer prize for winnin’ the last bet…” He figured he would just...casually mention it, although he assumed she’d probably just want to head back to the hotel by this point.

Lina began to laugh right along with him. “Credit Score, last three jobs, mother's maiden name…” She said listing off a few others. Honestly if she had given Elliot James’s full name he probably would have been able to pull up every single bit of Information he could on him. Her uncle could be quite thorough and terrifying if he wanted to be.

“I am pretty lucky to have him. He was protective before but after my ex he feels the need to check in more often.” She explained, as the carrousel came to a stop. She took James’s hand as she jumped down, her converse smacking into the boards as she landed. She followed after him as they stepped off. Once Elliot has learned what Steven has done, it’d taken Lina a whole lotta of persuasion to talk him out of hanging Steven his toes with one his cranes over shark infested waters. And with the restraining order in place, he’d just gotten more protective. She didn’t know why she’d said anything about it, but it just sort of slipped out. She tucked her phone into her pocket and tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear.

“Hmm because I haven’t thought of anything good yet.” She said as she glanced at him. She didn’t know what she wanted from him yet and was going to stew on it for as long as she could get away with. She glanced around then, seeing the sun was beginning it’s descend down and that it would be getting darker soon. She had an early seminar and knew she should probably have an early night, which meant they should start heading back, but Lina found she didn’t want to. Not yet at least. “We still got that Ferris wheel to go on, you’ve never been on one right? And I have my own fears to concur.” Or at least try too… she thought. Still he’d never been on a Ferris wheel, and there was one nearby. She wanted him to have the opportunity to still ride it if he wanted. She’d been brave and willing enough to even come out here with him, what was a bit more bravery?

James pretended to cringe, all the while still laughing softly. “Ooo, well, that might be too much. She was Ahearne, though,” he joked, giving his mother’s maiden name. In thought of that, he was a little bit surprised that she hadn’t called to pester him in a while. Normally he’d get a text from Jules to tell him Mother was in “one of her moods”, and if he didn’t pick up her next call there would be Hell to pay. The woman legit called several times during a job once, leaving voicemails that escalated into anger each time. Annis Ahearne-Bishop was a lovely and caring woman...but she was also a force to be reckoned with. When she wanted something, she didn’t stop until she got it.

And that meant a phone call from her son every once in a while. He nearly sent security alarms off in a place once because she called while he was scaling down the side of a very large building to break in through a window. He had to be precise while she rattled off in his ear, every now and then going, “mhm”, “yes, Ma”, “of course, Ma”, “no, I didn’t”...so on and so forth. He knew he should be calling the woman more, but when he wasn’t running and gunning, he wasn’t having a life. He was just trying to stay alive...and he couldn’t exactly tell her that, now could he?

She’d fly to wherever he was, beat him with her rolled up magazine, and drag him back home by his ear. Ask him how he knows…

‘But after my ex he feels the need to check in more often.’ “Oh?” That was probably none of his business, and he was hesitating to ask about it, even if she had blatantly brought it up. No, he wouldn’t ask...but maybe later. She was speaking about the bet, and he grinned again. “Well, I’ll give you a day to think of yer prize...but then the offer expires.” How thoughtful of him, yeah?

When she mentioned the ferris wheel, his eyes traveled in the direction. It wasn’t difficult to spot the giant wheel against the darkening sky. With the sun setting, the city probably looked pretty cool bathed in reds and yellows. However, her fear of heights was making him pause, although it seemed like she was willing to try. Again, without realizing, he was still holding onto her hand, and led her towards the ride. There was no running like children this time, just a casual pace. “If yer really sure,” he was asking, blues drifting sidelong at her. “I mean, it doesn’t look that high up..?” Of course, as he was saying that, it definitely began to look a lot bigger and taller the closer they got. James obviously didn’t say that out loud.

Lina found herself nodding slightly, at the simple question he asked. She certainly didn’t want to kill the mood by bringing Steven into this. She wasn’t going to let him ruin this even being a thousand miles away. “A whole day?” She asked, her smile growing. That would give her until this time tomorrow. Maybe lunch would help spark some ideas. They began to walk, you know like you're supposed to, down the pier toward the ferris wheel.

Her eyes followed up to the ferris wheel, and she craned her neck back a little bit as they got closer. With it getting darker, she took her free hand and took her glasses off her head before putting them back so she could see a bit better. She adjusted them then, as she looked the ferris wheel up and down. “It is certainly high up.” She said as if she was a scientist making a point. It was definitely taller then the flight of stairs her father had dangled her over. To an eight year old, everything was high, but this was even higher than most adults. Ever since then, Lina had avoided the railings of stairs since. Sticking to the wall side if she ever had to go up more than two flights of stairs or anything. This was going to be interesting…

“I’ll just have to not look down and look at something else.” She said as if it was the answer to everything. If it really got bad, she’d just close her eyes and wish the ride would move faster. It was a ride, just a ride. Everything would be fine. However the closer they got, the more looming the ferris wheel became and she tilted her head back more to stare up at it, her eyes slowly growing in size. She’d be fine. It would be okay, James was there! He was a good distraction. “Definitely going to have to hold my hand.” She found herself mumbling as she continued to look up, the wheel turning slowly as it let the pairs out and then filled back up before it went to the next cart.

Perhaps they shouldn’t do this. Every time he thought she was going to back out, he was ready to just steer her the other way. But she kept walking alongside him, even as the ride seemed to grow taller and taller with each step. When she removed the glasses from her head and investigated the ferris wheel’s height a little further, a lop-sided grin formed on his lips. He wanted to laugh because there was something adorable about her in them, but he didn’t want her to think he was laughing at her in any way. So, he just silently watched her, nodding slowly. “Aye, it is…” His words trailed off, just waiting for the telltale “I can’t do this” from her.

The subtle amusement remained on his features while he calmly stood beside her. The ride was slowly unloading and loading people, and he had a feeling that if she had to wait up top for terribly long, it wouldn’t be good. After they had filtered into the line and made it up to the front, he leaned in to the attendee and requested that they be seated last, whispering that the “lady had a wee fear of heights”. The girl nodded in understanding and gestured for them to step aside in the meantime.

“Well, I still haven’t let go,” he told her, lifting their hands up between them as if to prove it. The smirk increased, but he was still watching with those blue eyes full of understanding. “It’s not a fast ride, just supposed to be slow and relaxin’. And it’s safe, I promise.” A pause. Well, he assumed it was, anyway. The thing had been around for awhile by now.
“Alright, you two ready?” the blonde spoke up with a smile, gesturing to the last seat after the previous couple departed.
James slowly began to head over to it, gently urging Helina to follow but he was prepared to stop if she got too scared. He was sure to climb into the seat first, keeping a firm hold on her hand the entire time. “You got this, love. Just slow and steady. Piece of cake.”

Closer...closer….clooooooser, her mind told her with each step as they moved through the line. The closer they got the more the anxiety began to set in. The anticipation was going to kill her, she decided, still. James’s hand in hers surprisingly kept her grounded. She wasn’t doing this alone. When they finally reached the front of the line, Lina didn’t realize her kneecaps were shaking as she looked up. She’d be okay when they first started, but once they started actually moving and going up she knew she’d be done for. But she’d be okay. She could do it, and yet they were getting motioned off to the side. She looked a bit confused at first until she realized what James had done. She didn’t know if she wanted to hit him or kiss him, neither something he probably wanted, so she kept her mouth shut and glanced at him as he lifted their hands up for her to see. This was true, she still had a hold of him. “Yup, perfectly safe.” She said in agreement despite the fact her voice had raised several octaves, and was borderline squeaky.

The moment of truth arrived as their seat finally opened up, and she felt her heart jump into her throat. Her breathing was beginning to get faster, but she forced herself to be calm. Focusing on James’s voice and that silly all seeing unicorn, as she followed in after him. They sat down and she promptly put the safety seat belt on, before their bar was lowered into their laps and locked into place.

Lina’s hand was gripped to the bar tightly, and her other was squeezing James’s, while she was counting in her head to seven with each inhale and exhale, trying not to keep herself from panicking. We’re still on the ground, we’re still on the ground, we’re- She heard the click, and the loud groan as they began to move backwards, and slowly began to rise. Her eyes about popped out of her head as she watched them get higher and higher, and her breathing all but stopped as she did what she’d told herself she wouldn’t do and looked down. “Ooooh boy.” She whispered. She tightened her hold on the bar, and then squeezed her eyes shut. However the moment she closed her eyes she was eight again, staring into her father's face.

“No! No don’t let go Daddy, Please, don’t let go!” She’d screamed at him. Terrified out of her mind as her small hands practically dug into his wrist while he held her by the front of her overalls. She’d looked down and could see the wood floors of the foyer, and she began to scream and sob, while her father loosened his grip, and she felt herself dropping more. “Are you gonna be a good girl Helina? Huh? Not gonna be sneaking into the fucking fridge anymore are ya?! I could just let you go. Easy as that, Is that what you want?” The front door opened, and then Lina could hear her mother's sudden gasp. “David what are you doing!?” She’d shrieked. “Teaching a lesson!” He’d yelled. “Mommy!” She’d wailed.

Lina forced her eyes open with a gasp, and she blinked rapidly at the tears that had begun to form. The sky, look at the sky, she told herself. She glanced up, seeing the bright orange hues mix in with the fading blue. “I’m fine, everything is fiiiiine.” She whispered as she realized they were nearing the top of the ride.

Well, she got into the seat. That was good. She was doing great, and James tried not to reassure her too much in case he would have the complete opposite effect. Settling that ridiculous unicorn in between them, they were belted in and the bar further securing them in the softly swaying seat. Although he still held onto her hand (which she was quickly beginning to squeeze rather painfully, he noticed), the other just rested within his lap.

The moment they began to move, he could sense her beginning to tense up. No, this probably wasn’t a good idea. The child-like excitement he had felt for finally riding one of these stupid things was swiftly subsiding as his blue eyes drifted to look at her. Her eyes were shut, she was shrinking into herself, and it was too late to beg the attendee to stop the ride. They were already beginning to head towards the top, albeit at a very slow and leisurely pace.

It was only when she opened her eyes with that gasp, did the concern really hit...because, from where he sat, he could see the forming tears. No, this was a very idea. Everything was not fine. Carefully shifting on that seat bench so that he could face her a bit more, he squeezed her hand a little tighter to get her attention. She was remembering something. There was something that made her fearful of heights. “Helina...hey, lookit me,” he urged quietly. James was recalling some of the things she had said- there was something about her ex, how protective her uncle was since then. Things were very slowly beginning to add up.

Too bad he didn’t know the half of it.

“Talk to me.” Talk to me? Right, because it would probably be so damn easy for her to open up to a man she just met, but he couldn’t help but feel guilty for making her remember whatever it was. Sure, she could have said no to the ferris wheel, yet that didn’t matter. “Just lookit me. Yer safe, alright? I’ve still got yer hand, yer not goin’ anywhere.” His other hand had moved as if to replace the one she currently held so that he could slip an arm around her, but he stopped himself. She was already frightened enough.

Bright eyes never moved from her face, though, watching her steadily instead of the vastness of San Diego bathed in fading sunlight. “Why are you afraid of heights?” He almost didn’t ask, but sometimes talking through it helped, so his question was offered lightly.

James’s voice startled her despite how quiet he was, her heart was racing, and she could still feel his hands as if they still had a hold of her overalls. She whipped her head around to look at James, her focus now on him. He’d turned to face her more, and she realized she had a practical death grip on his hand. She loosened it slightly, not wanting to hurt him, and just held the bar tighter to the point her knuckles were white.

Talk to him, yes that would help. A good distraction if she could manage to speak around the lump in her throat. She forced herself to look at nothing else but his eyes, and they helped her stay grounded to that one small shred of reality. She was okay, they were moving slow, just look at James. She told herself for reassurance. She found herself nodding, though the movement was shaky. His question brought out a laugh, but there was no humor to it. Only bitterness, and hatred. “My dad.” She whispered softly. Her voice was shaky, but somehow she managed. Just look at him, it’s okay. David can’t do anything to you. He’s locked up, everything is fine. James is here. He’s real. You aren’t alone. “Held me over the stair railing w-when I-” Her voice began to crack, as she fought the urge to cry. Her throat began to burn, as did her sinuses, but she pushed through it. “Was eight, because I stole f-food f-from the fridge for m-my sister.” She stuttered out. She gripped the bar tighter, and for a moment, her eyes flickered off to the side, and she realized they were at the top. Vertigo slammed into her, and what could only be described as a strangled gasp came from her, before she was squeezing her eyes shut again, but the world felt like it was spinning.

She forced her eyes open, looking back at James. He was calm, chill. Not spinning around. He was solid. Safe. He was safe. She could be too, she hoped. Everything was fine. It was fine. “He found out what I did, dragged me up the stairs by the back of my overalls, grabbed the straps and tossed me over.” She whispered. “I can still see our wood floors from that view. And I screamed, and screamed, and he still held me over the railing.” She said softly, anger beginning to show in her brown eyes as a tear finally managed to escape and roll down her cheek. “He loosened his grip, and for a second I seriously thought he was gonna let go. My mom got home then, yelled at him, he hauled me up, and tossed me on the floor, and I was too afraid to walk or move away.” She admitted. She didn’t know why she was telling him all this, but he’d asked why she didn’t like heights, and she’d just blurted the answer. She’d never told anyone, and maybe it was because she felt vulnerable in that moment while facing her fear, or that there was something about James that just made it easy for her to talk to him. She didn’t know, but the truth was out now.

She took a shuddering breath in and then let it out. “He’s in the penitentiary now.” She whispered. Why she felt the need to throw that bit of information in, she didn’t know, but she did. Her eyes drifted over James' shoulder to see the sun setting over the ocean, and for a second her breath caught. Boy was it beautiful, especially from this view. She probably wouldn’t have seen it like this if she’d been on the ground. Well, at least it was the second prettiest sight she’d seen that day. “I don’t think I’ve seen one of these like this.” She admitted, pointing over to it. For the moment distracted by the sunset and how high they were.

He was the very definition of patience now. If she didn’t want to answer, then he wouldn’t prod. This was her business; he didn’t know her enough to feel like he should ask too much about it, even if he wanted to. If only to help get rid of that look of horror in her eyes. His own were sincere and steady, not bothered at all by the slowly moving ride or the growing height. He saw nothing but her right now as he waited.

‘My dad...held me over the stair railing…’ His lips were set in a firm line as he clenched his jaws tightly. Lina was explaining, saying far more than she really had to, but he didn’t interrupt her. So, that was it then. Her father. And how many times had the man done something that cruel? Perhaps it was why she was raised by her uncle...but what of her mother? Something told him not to go down that road right now; she was already trying to hold herself together and he didn’t wish to see her fall apart anymore.

Her second gasp had his hand squeezing hers again. She looked down, she shouldn’t have looked down. He was trying to get her to look away, to focus on him again or the sky; anything that wouldn’t bring that horrid memory crashing back down on her. Some might think she was foolish for doing this if that was the reason for her fear...but he felt she was braver for it, more than she might believe herself to be.

Softly, and somewhat subconsciously, his thumb began to brush across the back of her hand as he still held it. “Good,” he said lightly when she mentioned the man was locked away. “Means the danger is gone. No danger here.” Not in that seat on the ferris wheel, not while he was sitting there with her. Her attention finally drifted to find the sight of the ocean, and maybe...just maybe...the height wasn’t so terrible?

Just keep her mind on other things.

James followed her gaze, shifting to sit properly on the seat again, and there was a faint smile on his face. “You should see the highlands,” he started quietly, recalling a place from when he was younger. “There’s a spot in Inverness...high up-” An arm was extended out, as if he was painting it, remembering it. “And the sun sets just perfectly between massive rolling hills…” His gaze dropped, the grin fading a bit more. “Been awhile since I’ve been home.” Specifically Glasgow where he grew up and where his mother still resided. It’d been years, honestly, but he felt he never had the time now.


Her attention went back to him while he moved to the position he was supposed to be in, and then watched as he held his arm out, and she listened to him talk. His voice was quiet, gentle, as if he was trying to talk to a frightened kitten, which was exactly what she felt like at that moment. But his voice was soothing. She glanced to see his smile fading, which was a sad sight to see, as he had a very nice smile. “It sounds beautiful.” She said softly. “Why don’t go back and visit?” She asked curiously. She gave his hand a squeeze this time. Was he busy with work too much to go home? She thought of what she considered home, and already she was missing her small loft apartment above the clinic. Breakfast with Uncle Elliot at his small house by the water, near his boat The Anne he’d named after her aunt that had apparently died two years before she was born. He’d lost her and their son while she’d tried bringing him into the world. He’d never been with another woman since, and couldn’t bring himself to move on. “You and yer sister are all I need, and the unadopted sons I made in the service.” He’d told her. When she’d asked about the boys, he’d always get this wide grin on his face, as he described a wily one that enjoyed to give him heart attacks daily, and apparently another who was not nearly as bad, but still liked to push his buttons. He’d never told her their names, only the nicknames he’d given them. Kit and Sully.

They were going down now, and Lina glanced down again. Taking a deep breath, before her eyes jumped back to James. Bad idea, bad idea… She thought. This is the one time you’re allowed to stare at a perfectly good stranger. She told herself. No, not a stranger. After facing the hall of mirrors, a clown, and now the ferris wheel together, Lina was okay with calling James a friend. It said a lot about a person how they dealt with a crisis or panicked person, and Lina had certainly been in a panic, and yet... he was the calm in her chaos. The light was hitting his eyes just right and they looked almost like the ocean itself, the way the orange mixed in with the blue. They were certainly pretty, and Lina wouldn’t have looked away even if she wanted to. She was captured in those eyes, and not going, or looking at anything else even as their cart descended down, and was doing its second loop around the wheel.

“Has anyone told you how pretty your eyes are?” She blurted, using that as her distraction as they began to head back up. “The way the light is hitting them right now, I feel like I’m staring at the ocean at sunset. Which is weird, because the ocean is that way.” She told him, gesturing with her hand in the direction of the water. Her heart was still thumping loudly, and she could feel the adrenaline from her fear still, but James was certainly helping. At least at the moment.

It took a moment for him to realize that he accidentally switched the topic to himself. That hadn’t been his intention, just trying to keep her from remembering the man she had the unpleasantness of calling father, and the fall that almost happened. He had just meant to talk, and now his head was clouded with thoughts of his family and the home he had left behind. A home he had intended to return to after his service. A home that felt so out of reach now because of ACIS. And they weren’t exactly an agency you could just leave. You either died on a mission, or grew too old that they made you retire. That was the deal he had made, and it was a stupid mistake. There was no life in it; nothing but the mission, but he hadn’t exactly expected to want a life after the Royal Marines. Shit, maybe he still didn’t and just weakened temporarily over the thought of being homesick.

“Aye,” he finally spoke up. Scotland was beautiful. Her question, however, gave him pause. James couldn’t easily visit because of his job, yes, but it wasn’t the job that she knew about. A job that, believe it or not, only Juliet knew of...and that had been an unfortunate accident. If she kept her mouth shut like she promised, Annis didn’t know. Yet, at times, Jay often wondered how bad it would be if his mother knew about it. Maybe she’d let up on the guilt trips a bit and not harass him with phone calls at the worst times.

No, as much as that would help him personally, it was too dangerous.

Jay offered a shrug of his shoulder, finally pulling his gaze from the sea to look ahead of them, idly glancing down curiously. They were headed back down again, and he wondered how many times they’d go around before the ride came to an end. Despite her discomfort with the height, he almost didn’t want it to. “My job, mostly,” he began. “But, uh...I don’t always see eye to eye with my family.” That was sort of a lie and sort of not. His mother definitely would have hit him upside the head for it, though.

“What?” James was finally looking at her again, slight confusion on his face. Had he heard her correctly? Or, perhaps she was so distraught that she was losing her mind? That had to be it, and yet, she kept talking and he quite obviously didn’t know how to handle it. Not that he never got a compliment before, but it had never been something so beautifully simple like this. And he might have been staring at her for a few seconds too long as he tried to figure out how to respond to it. “No...no one really has,” he finally said before a smile cracked over his face again. “But-” A pause, he shifted in the seat again so that he could lean back lightly against her, his head on her shoulder as though he were fainting; the back of his free hand pressed against his forehead for more effect. “Tell me more about my eyes.” Wasn’t that in a Bugs Bunny cartoon or something?

Wow, nerd.

Knowing he was being an idiot now, he moved a bit so only their shoulders were brushing. “Take out yer phone,” he suddenly asked.

“You have beautiful eyes.” She repeated as he asked what. A bit of surprise filtered across her face. Did no one else appreciate his ocean blue eyes? Or see how pretty they were? They clearly had no appreciation for them then. “That is a crying shame then.” She said, her own grin beginning to form on her face. When she saw his was back. Good, she didn’t like it when he didn’t have that stupid smile on his face.

She burst out in laughter then as he leaned in and rested his head on her shoulder, batting his eyes at her. He was going to make her regret saying it now, she had the inkling he’d bring it up whenever he could now. She playfully nudged him, and rolled her own eyes. “I don’t know if I should if it’s gonna go to your head,” she told him, pressing a finger against this temple before he righted himself.

She furrowed her brows curiously, and removed her hand from the bar, digging into her pocket. “Whyyyyy?” She asked, as she pulled it out. She quickly entered her passcode and held it out to him. Her background was her and Marie making silly faces on Uncle Elliot's boat. She wasn’t that worried about him digging around and finding anything personal if she was sitting right next him. She glanced at him curiously, wondering what he was going to do.

Wow, if he wasn’t careful, he might start blushing. The secret agent was a little awestruck with this woman’s blatant honesty, but it was nice. He just wasn’t used to it; the smile that spread across his face was sincere and maybe grateful regardless. James certainly wasn’t conceited, though. As much as he would joke about it “going to his head”, he didn’t mean it. Not to mention, she was leaving in a couple of days...so there would be no teasing her for it for much longer.

James was promptly forgetting about that when she burst out into laughter.

He noted they were crawling their way back up to the top of the wheel again, and she didn’t seem to notice. That was precisely what he was hoping for as she fished out her phone. “Just give it,” he said with a grin, not looking as she put in the passcode. When she had, he noted the picture on the background, his smile softening. “Yer sister?” Those blues squinted, though, because, even though he couldn’t see much of the boat it just...seemed familiar. That was ridiculous, however, and he was dismissing the thought before he could utter a single word about it and make himself out to be a bigger fool.

When she was willing to give up her phone and he managed to find the camera, Jay was turning so that he could face her. They were reaching the top of the ferris wheel and he wondered if she had even noticed yet. “Now, gimme a smile…” Whether she honestly did or not, he waited a few more seconds before he’d snap a quick photo. They had reached the very top of the climb and he was able to get the rest of the carnival and some of the city lit up behind her; the crazy lights from the ferris wheel itself and the nearly gone sunset lighting up her face.

Handing her phone back to her, he pretended to lounge back in satisfaction. “Now, you have somethin’ to remember and prove you overcame yer fear.” Even if it was briefly, he wasn’t really sure...but she appeared to have temporarily forgotten her fear there for a moment.. “Also, to show how lovely yer own eyes get in the sun...they become this gold or ocher…” Yes, he had noticed it the moment they set foot outside the hotel.

Lina nodded at him, her smile turning fond as she thought of her sister. “Marie, though my Uncle has always said it Mari.” She said. “She’s two years younger then me.” She explained. Lina watched him as he took her phone and pushed around until he found what he was looking for. He was turning towards her then, and she eyed him suspiciously, having an idea about what he was doing. It was confirmed when he asked her to smile, and she sighed, rolling her eyes, before she did. It was a bit of a sweet one, though it was obvious she was trying hard not to grin wider, just because this whole thing was silly to her. However, she was perfectly distracted from the view around her other than James. He’d worked some sort of magic on her that made her forget exactly where she was, and what they were doing.

She took her phone back and then looked, her eyes widening slightly. It was certainly a pretty picture and something of a souvenir or proof she’d been on the ferris wheel. She’d have to send it to Marie later so she could see it. “I wouldn’t say I’m completely over it.” She laughed a bit nervously, forcing herself to not look down. She blushed slightly as he commented on her own eyes, and could see what her own eyes looked in the sun. They sure were pretty, but not as pretty as his, and he needed to see for himself. “Okay your turn, strike a pose.” She ordered. Bringing the camera back up, she’d wait for him before she snapped the picture. Behind him was the ocean just as the sun was nearly sunk down below the horizon. It didn’t quite have the same light as before, but they were still pretty. “See,” She turned to show him. “You’ve got those pretty ocean blue eyes.” That could make any girl swoon, if you looked at them with that grin of yours. She thought though she didn’t say it.

She was quite pleased with herself. Now she’d have a pic of him as well to remember him by. Was that weird? To have a pic of a random dude on your phone? No, not random. James was a new friend. Besides, Marie would probably want proof of the scots invasion, and now Lina had her evidence.

Alright, so yes...she wasn’t completely over it, but she wasn’t really fretting as much about the height, right? “But you nearly did a whole roundabout without thinkin’ about it. That’s progress.” A finger tapped his forehead as if he had just given some sage advice.

Then, all of a sudden, she was wanting to take a photo of him. For a second, he seemed unsure about that. He probably shouldn’t let her, but then again, would it really matter? James assumed she’d just delete it after a few days, because what was the point of keeping a picture of a man you barely knew? Why was he thinking about this for more than was necessary?

Why did he even care?

“Alright, alright…” he relented, leaning back in the seat as his arms folded across his chest. He didn’t “strike a pose”, just simply looked at her and smirked. She is just going to delete it later, he silently repeated to himself. James just chuckled lowly when she showed him, complimenting his eyes again. “Those are my mother’s eyes.” He finished that off with a wink. It was then that Jay realized that he wouldn’t have a memento, but asking for one now would be weird. And why did he think he even needed one? Oh boy.

The ferris wheel was beginning to slow down, and people were being unloaded, so they were going to be lingering high up for a little longer. “Thanks for humorin’ me, Lina. I’ve had fun today.” And after earlier, he had needed this. He just wish he could tell her how much he had needed it.

Lina smiled when he said he had his mother's eyes. It made her think of her own mom, and her big brown eyes she’d had. Her and Marie had thankfully inherited their mothers kind brown eyes, and not their fathers cruel hazel ones. “So are mine.” She winked back. Feeling a bit bold as she settled into her seat. This wasn’t so bad! She was fine. She was good, she was- Looking over the side again, and quickly looked back at James while her heart sputtered in her chest and kick started with rapid beating. That was a stupid idea Lina. She thought. It seemed like they were unloading though, which was good. It meant they’d be getting down, and she’d be on the ground soon and her heart could beat normally again.

She smiled at him as he thanked her, and she nudged her shoulder lightly into his. “I should actually thank you. I can’t actually remember the last time I had this much fun. Sooooo thanks for the invite.” She said as she tucked her phone back away. “I’d probably have had more tequila and then gone up to my room to be bored out of mind, so seriously. Thanks.” She smiled genuinely at him. She really met it, she was grateful. He’d given her a small piece of living that she had missed out on, and she was going to be grateful for it. He’d give her something good to think back on about this vacation, and whenever she thought of San Diego, she’d think of James Bishop. She waved her hand gesturing out at the carnival below them without actually looking down. “For everything.” She smiled wider. She glanced down between them to see the all seeing unicorn and picked it up before she handed it to him. “See, you even got a souvenir tonight, and a pretty good one too. Who else has an all seeing unicorn that sees the future and your soul?” She said with a small giggle. The thing was a monstrosity, but in a cute way. And there was a part of her that hoped he’d hang onto it for a while at least, to remember tonight, and maybe even her.

James was smirking still, watching her seem to ease...until she looked over the edge of their bench seat and he could almost feel how tense she got again again. It had him chuckling quietly, especially because she was pushing forward and not letting it affect her like it had originally. Yes, progress. If they had more time and she didn’t get annoyed with his presence, Jay would have ensured she got over every single one of her fears, even if it was a little bit.

He understood, now, that this particular one stemmed deeper than just a mere fear of heights. It was so much more, and he couldn’t help but glance down at her scars for a second. Had those come from her father, too?

Before his mind could think too much on it, she was returning his gratitude and causing that grin to return when it had, just moments ago, begun to disappear. “Sounds like me,” he quickly commented when she mentioned she couldn’t remember the last time she had any fun. Then, as she continued, he regarded her with a mocking look of disappointment. “And you claim to be on vacation? Tequila is needed, of course, but...you can’t spend yer time locked away in yer room.” But that smile spread into something softer, simply nodding to her thanks. It would seem they both saved each other from an extremely boring night.

He laughed again as she held up the strange looking stuffed unicorn. It was so ugly that it was actually almost cute, somehow. Maybe he would call it Sully. Taking it in hand, he studied its beady little eyes. “Aye, it is a good one.” He probably would hang onto it for a while, and that seemed to keep the smile on his face when he thought about it. “Although...not sure how much I like it seeing into my soul…” James cringed while staring at it, as if it was currently trying to do its voodoo on him. He looked amused, but fortunately this was all a joke.

He didn’t want to know what someone might think of his soul and the person he had become. What Helina saw now was simply a sliver of who he had once been. A façade, even.

Trying not to dwell on that idea, forcing the smile to remain on his face, they were nearly to the ground now; just a few more seats had to be unloaded. “I suppose I should get you back, though, eh? Is it another early seminar in the mornin’?” In which, he hoped, she would be bailing on halfway through as promised. Not that he would hold it against her if she didn’t. Expanding one’s mind and learning new things should never be wrong.

“Well, just get a blind fold for it, but otherwise it can keep you company.” She told him. If he didn’t like it’s eyes seeing into his soul, he could always hide them. “Only use it’s powers when absolutely necessary.” She told him in her best impression of some wise old person from some movie telling the young hero to be careful with the amount of power he now possessed. The unicorn could be a dangerous thing! He would need to be careful.

She laughed at the silliness of it all and then leaned back. Resting her head against the back of her seat and glanced up at the now purple sky. She let a sigh out, and found herself nodding. “Probably, but I don’t want to…” She trailed off. She glanced at him from the side before she was looking at the sky again. “I have a 9 am one, so we’ll see how awake I am for it.” She smiled softly and then remembered her pen. She reached up and pulled it out of her bun where she’d stuck it earlier, and clicked it. She then made herself finally let go of James' hand so she could reach across for his other. Not wanting him to have to read upside down like he would have if she wrote it on his right hand. She was focused on her self-given task then, sticking her tongue out as she concentrated, and when she was done she leaned back, clicked her pen, and stuck it back in her hair. “In case I don’t show up, I might need a rescue.” She said, finally looking at him. James would find she’d written her number on his hand in blue ink.

Their cart came to a stop then, and Lina realized the ride was over as the bar went up, and they were allowed to unbuckle. She hauled herself to her feet, and climbed out, instantly feeling loads better now that she was on solid ground again. Her whole body seemed to sigh in relief and she covered her face with her hands for a moment, to calm herself down. She’d done it! She’d survived! She didn’t fall! She was okay. She turned to look at James as they exited the ride and got out of the way of the new people getting on. She couldn’t help but laugh then, placing a hand over her chest. “I didn’t realize how fast this thing was pumping until now.” She said as she glanced back up at the ferris wheel. “All the adrenaline is finally leaving.” She said before looking back at him.

He was just laughing again at her light antics with the unicorn. Sure, the thing was a little unsettling, but it was beginning to grow on him. Whenever he traveled, he normally didn’t bring anything with him. It was just the essentials and nothing personal. He might have whatever current book he was reading or something of that nature, but nothing to really tie him to any sort of past or life such as photos. Just his cell phone, perhaps, but the encryption on it ensured things wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands. But this silly little unicorn was definitely being shoved into his suitcase whenever he left San Diego and possibly set down in whatever safehouse he found himself in next. Collecting dust and remaining nothing but a reminder of a fun time he had once, with a lovely and funny woman he only got to laugh with a few times.

It was a shame, really...but that was the life he chose, wasn’t it?

James was also leaning back with his eyes to the sky, trying not to think much about it. “Ouch, 9 in the mornin’,” he began, which really wasn’t terribly early. Actually, that was pretty late for him...who was often up and ready to go by 6:00. Lazily lifting his arm up, he glanced at his watch. “At least it’s only 8:30 now. Or did I keep you up past yer bedtime?” James grinned, but didn’t look to her for a response. Of course, that was when she was reaching for his other hand. Blues drifted to watch her retrieve the pen from her hair, lingering on her face for but a moment longer as he felt the pen gently press against his skin. He had to refrain from chuckling at her tell- she stuck her tongue out a little whenever she concentrated on something. She’d done it twice this evening already. It was when she was looking up at him did his gaze finally drop to see the scribbled number in blue ink; he was already quietly memorizing the numbers in order...you know, just in case it wiped away before he could jot it down elsewhere. A normal person might have plugged the number into their phone, but he wasn’t a normal person now, was he?

Letting his head loll to the side to regard her, the smirk was back. The one that was hinting to a bit of mischief that hadn’t happened yet...but might. “Noted,” was all he said in reply, already brewing up a plan. If she wanted a rescue, well, she might just get one!

Finally stepping off the ferris wheel, he was shoving the all-seeing unicorn back into his back pocket as they drifted away from the ride. “Adrenaline is good. Use it.” It helped you make decisions (albeit hasty ones), kept you moving...kept you alive. “But you survived, like I promised.” He began walking again, leading her back down the pier. James didn’t want to admit it, but he was getting pretty tired...which was a normal feeling after everything that happened today. He probably should have locked himself in his room after the cartel ordeal this afternoon, but he knew he would have just tossed and turned. The man barely slept. Four, maybe five hours max, and that was it. Sleep didn’t come to him so easily anymore. “If you’ve got another fear you wanna try and concur tomorrow, you just let me know.” Jay laughed softly at that, even though he meant it.

She knew all about adrenaline and using it for survival. It was something the body released for its own self preservation, and she’d used it many times when she was younger running away from her dad. “I did! And...thanks. Really, what you did up there-” She paused looking down at her feet, before she was looking back up at him. “It seriously helped.” She said gently. The thoughts of her dad came creeping back in, but she pushed them away.

“Hmmm I don’t think you want to help concur the other fear.” She said. Averting her eyes. How did you break a fear of men? Or, she supposed it was a fear of bad men? She had a restraining order against her husband for a reason. She was terrified of Steven, and his abuse. Painting himself as the victim, and that if she just came back to him he’d forgive everything. He needed her, he always said. Always needed her to apparently keep him sane. Which was funny, because he always made it seem like she drove him nuts because she wouldn’t act or behave a certain way. He was fucked up in more ways than one, and the time he put his hands on her had been the last straw. Her face had turned stoic, maybe even grave as she thought about her ex husband and all his abuse.

She didn’t want to think about him anymore, and quickly was moving on. “My uncle’s been helping with it, so I’m good.” She told him with a small smile. She was surprised at how dark it had gotten so suddenly, as well as the temperature dropping. She untied her sweater from around her waist and put it back on, adjusting the hem before she tucked her hands up so they were under her armpits and her arms were crossed over her chest.

James just nodded again at her thanks. It had been nothing, really, but he understood that it could have been more for her. Some fears stayed with you, lingered, gnawed at you at the most inconvenient times. He knew. He understood. Even if she hadn’t gotten over her fear of heights, she had still done really well, and he had been able to go on his first ferris wheel ride. And he wouldn’t forget it.

She was speaking again, averting her eyes, and those words brought his attention right back over to her. His brow furrowed lightly, getting an inkling as to what she was hinting to. Oh, if only he wasn’t who and what he was...he might have taken up that challenge. Maybe. The thought was a sudden strange one, and perhaps a relationship with Lina would have remained what it was now. But a man could dream. That was all he had these days.

“That’s good,” he finally said, nodding yet again. For once, he didn’t know what else to say, and wasn’t sure if the rest of this walk should just remain silent, or if he should change the subject? Idly glancing down to look at the inked numbers on his skin, he shoved both hands into his front pockets as they made their way back to the hotel. All of a sudden, he wished he could have a cigarette. He’d broken that habit years ago, but it was creeping back and taunting him again.

As they finally reached the hotel, he waited for her to go through that revolving door first before he’d follow, fishing out his cardkey from his wallet. They had to give him another room as his previous one was going to be occupied by another visitor, so he didn’t actually know which floor he was on. Level 2, apparently. His suitcase should already be in there so he didn’t bother stopping at the front desk again.

“Well, then-” he began as he started for the steps. He rarely took the elevator after a particular encounter. It hadn’t been pleasant and he felt bad for the worker who had to clean that mess up afterwards. “Get some sleep, and g’luck in the mornin’. You’ll be hearin’ from me later. G’night, Lina.” Was that a promise? Oh yes. James chuckled before he slipped into the staircase, unknowing that they were both on the same floor. He just thought it best to go separate ways now before he had any other “brilliant ideas” and the poor woman was kept up for a few more hours.

That thought of his had been way more innocent than it would have appeared, thank you very much.

It seemed the magic of that night was slowly fading, and Lina didn’t know why, but it made her sad. She’d come to enjoy James’s company, she realized. She didn’t didn’t know what to say either, and just let the silence fill the air as they walked back. She supposed the silence was nice too, but it left her with wild crazy thoughts thanks to this stranger, who’d given her a reminder about what life could be like. What it should have been like.

Once they got to the hotel, she smiled at James and went in through the revolving doors first, and then wandered over to the elevator. That was right! She would be seeing him tomorrow, for lunch. That thought perked her up a little and she found herself actually looking rather forward to it. Yup, this was going to be one vacation for the books she decided. She waved at him as he headed to the stairs and she waited for the elevator. “Goodnight James. I expect that rescue If you don’t see me by noon." She told him. There was a slight smirk to her lips, and she watched him disappear. She pulled her phone out of her pocket as he disappeared, and shot a quick text to Marie letting her know she made it back to the hotel and hadn’t been murdered by the Scotsman. The doors opened, and she shuffled in, pushing the 2 on the choice of floors.

It was a short ride up, and Marie had texted back rather quickly. Probably because she was already in bed.

Was he a gentleman? Details girl! You don’t get out much anymore! I’m going to grab some popcorn.

The doors opened and she walked out, snorting at her sisters text, and couldn’t help the laugh that came through. She shook her head, drifting to the right.

He was, hung out at the pier, ran away from clowns, he kicked my ass at the pellet gun game, rode the carousel and then the ferris wheel. Nothing major, just killed time I laughed at his jokes.

Uh huh, but there's more. My sister senses are tingling.

...He might be super cute to…

Aaaaah! Call me!

Lina glanced up to see where she was going, digging around in her pocket for her own card key. She patted her butt pockets and then felt it in her left back one. She dug it out and glanced up to see a familiar sight. “What are you following me now?” She laughed. She glanced quickly down at her phone to shoot Marie a text that she would later, as she began to walk towards her room. And James apparently.

If he was feeling brazen enough, he would be rescuing her before then. But, as with most things in his life, that all depended upon how work went. And, sue him, but he was praying they didn’t bother him for another day at the very least. He wanted that lunch, he realized, and it was such a small and simple thing to hope for.

At first, he wanted ACIS to get its shit together faster. Now he wanted them to continue dragging their feet. The fact that they were silent meant they were gathering intel, ensuring there would be no snags...especially if it was a darker mission.

All of these thoughts seized when he reached the top of the stairs- only slightly winded even after he had taken the first flight two steps at a time- because he was spotting Lina getting off the elevator of the same floor. Huh, fancy that. His humored smirk returned as blue eyes trailed her when she walked past him. According to the numbers on the wall, his room was also in that general direction. He had no choice but to follow behind her. “I’m not sure. It seems like yer followin’ me. I mean, I get it, but-” Shrugging his shoulders, he was feigning conceitedness. “I’m gonna need some space, lass. Calm yerself.” James found himself rather hilarious and laughed, only slowing down a little once she finally reached her room. Hesitating for a second before he brushed past her, he eyed the numbers on the doors. His room was only three doors down from her own and his hand was already slipping the cardkey into the slot to unlock it. Still smirking, bright mirth-filled eyes glanced down the hall to her as he opened the door. “G’night...again,” he said before he disappeared into the room. Before he could change his mind.

Lina began to laugh, looking over her shoulder at him. “Says the man following me.” She laughed again, she began to blush at his next comment and looked ahead of her so he couldn’t see. His laughter was infectious though, and she was laughing away with him, shaking her head until she stopped at her door. She pushed the key in and pulled it out, opening her door, but she didn’t go in quite yet.

She looked down to see there were only three rooms between them, and she smiled at him. “Sweet dreams, James.” She said before she slipped inside and closed the door behind her. Once it was closed she leaned her back against it and stared up at the ceiling, letting a big breath out. Her heart was doing stupid fluttery things and for whatever reason she couldn’t stop smiling. “What the hell was that?” She murmured. The best part of this whole damn convention. She thought. She shook her head as she pushed off the door and went to call her sister.