"Boss, we've got a problem!" James greeted, knocking on Garrett's bedroom door.

"What is it?"

"They're on to us. Intel just came in. Report filed by IMF Agent Grace Kincaide gives coordinates for this base."

"Fuck!"

"Hope she was good while it lasted ‘cause I don't think she likes you much anymore."

"Shit shit shit."

“Any orders?”

"Yeah. Start Evac procedures."

"You got it. Should I send someone to see to Red, or is that best left to you?"

"Don't hurt her."

"I'll tell them, Boss."

Cassidy didn't have time to react as she was grabbed almost violently out of bed and shoved to the floor. "We're leaving, bitch, get ready to move."

It took her a moment to orient herself - or try to, but with no information it was difficult - but she jumped to her feet to avoid a boot slung in her direction. Not quite fast enough, that'd leave a bruise. No matter. She had, after all, had worse.

"Let's go." He said.

She followed.

~*~*~

"Where the fuck is Cass?"

"Guard said he'd handled it..." James set about looking it up and gulped. "Umm, in the cell block, Boss."

"CELL BLOCK?!"

"Yes sir, that's where the idiot saw fit to put her."

"Get her out."

"And have her put where, sir?"

"Here with me."

James nodded and sent the order down, and Cass was almost instantly escorted up.

"Is this what you call safe, Garrett?" She asked rather sardonically.

"Are you okay?"

"Lovely, thanks."

"Did they hurt you?"

"Nah, we were down there having tea."

"Seriously Cassidy."

"What, you don't think I'm serious?"

"Boss, I'm gonna... not be in this area unless you need me," James said, slipping out.

"No I don't."

"Yeah, well I'm not serious. They are, however, remarkably efficient."

"Show me..."

"I really can't strip in your office."

"Yes you can."

"Nor am I sure I want to strip for you, how's that?"

"Show me."

Cassidy folded her arms but winced a little bit.

"Cassidy please."

"Yeah, Garrett, I'm hurt. I've had worse. I'm fine."

"Cassidy..."

"What?" But her tone was softer.

"Please."

She turned away from him to slip out of her shirt and pants. The trip hadn't been long, but the bruises were already present.

"Shit..."

"I'm hurt. Like I said, I've had worse."

Garrett pushed a button. "James, fire the asshole that was in charge of Cass."

"You got it, Boss."

He looked at her. "I’m so sorry."

She shrugged, still facing away from him.

"Cass, I told them not to hurt you."

"They did."

"I know. I can see that."

She was still facing away from him... wanting to dress yet not, wanting to face him yet not.

"Can I hold you?"

"If you want."

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

She closed her eyes, leaning against him.

"I am so sorry."

"It'll heal, and I've had worse."

"When?"

"Growing up. Once I was with the IMF I could fight back."

"What happened?"

"Either the older girls would hit me or the caretakers. Sometimes because I did something they didn't like, or for fun. I got it worse than most because I didn't just sit there and cower." She turned around in his arms, facing him now.

"And yet you came out of it fighting."

She nodded. "Yeah."

"That says a lot about you."

"Guess so." She paused. "And what does this right now say about me?"

"That you do love me."

"What, the fact that I'm standing in your office in my underwear?"

"No. That you trust me."

"I don't know if I trust you."

"You do."

"I don't know," she repeated, looking up a little bit to really look at him.

"If you didn't you wouldn’t be standing here."

She settled for kissing him softly.

"You're in danger now...we all are." Garrett said softly.

"I know."

"If you want to leave you can. I won't stop you." He said, turning away from her.

Cassidy stopped, considering. "Garrett, do you honestly love me?"

"Yes."

"Then I want to stay." The rest would have to come later.

He looked at her. "You do?"

Cass nodded. "Yes."

He smiled a little. "Well, that makes me happy..."

She smiled back, but it faded. "It also makes things more difficult."

"Why?"

"Well because you've got to worry about me. And we're left wondering what's going on with us."

"As far as us goes, I just want things to ride out. And about worrying...I'd do that anyway."

That brought a smile to her face. Cass quickly dressed again and turned around to kiss his cheek.

"I'll get a doctor to tend to you."

"Alright."

To The Next Part