“That wasn’t the way I was going to put it, but yeah.”
“We don’t have a few weeks,” Ava said with a shake of her head. “This is happening now. And I am not going to sit on my hands and do nothing.”
“You’re hardly doing nothing. You’ve been a huge part of the resistance, Avs. You’ve rappelled down the side of a building for information, for heaven’s sake. It’s no big deal if you sit this one out.”
“And let you menfolk do all the work?”
He chuckled. “Yep. Us menfolk are capable.”
“I know you are, but I also know you’re capable of tearing each other apart without the proper supervision.”
Alex’s features pinched. “We wouldn’t do that. Doc and I are besties. And as for Shadow…well, we can get along.”
“Uh-huh, sure you can. I’m going. We have no idea what we’re going to run into up there. I want to be with you. We’re partners, remember?”
Alex heaved a sigh before he nodded. “Fine, fine. I just want to keep you safe and take care of you.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Yeah, but you’re supposed to let me do all the caring.”
“Ohhh,” she said with a teasing grin. “I see…I’m just the little missus who waits at home for you.”
He grinned at her and nodded. “Right.”
Her smile faded away, replaced by a glowering expression.
Alex held his hands up, chuckling. “I’m just kidding, Sparky. I’m not going all alpha male on you. I just wanted you to have the option to not push yourself if you didn’t feel up to it. I’ll support you no matter what you decide.”
Her warm expression returned, and she pecked him on the lips. “Good. I’m going with you. We’re in this together, Ace. I’m not sending you into the hot zone alone.”
He grimaced. “Please don’t call it the hot zone. I’m not super pleased about going near all these germs. You know how I feel about being sick.”
“I know,” she said with a nod. “Maybe you should stay home.”
“Ah, no. Team, remember?”
“Better get packing then,” she said, motioning to his empty bag still on the floor of their closet.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going to.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was really hoping the biohazard suit I ordered would be here so I could see how much room I had left after I packed it.”
“You’re packing a biohazard suit?” she asked, a hint of incredulity in her voice.
“You’re right. Totally stupid. I should wear it.”
“On the plane?” she cried, her jaw dropping open.
He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I bought you one, too.”
“Ace…”
“Avs, what? I don’t want the killer flu to get us. I’m just…terrified something is going to rip us apart just when we’re finally together.”
She dumped her bag on the floor, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
“I’m not worried about you leaving me. I’m worried about PharmaTech ripping you out of my arms.” He turned to her, his eyes filled with the unspoken fear she could read all too well. “What if something happens to you, Avs?”
She pressed her forehead against his, her breath warm against his lips. “I’m scared too,” she admitted. “But we can’t let that stop us. If I stay here, I’ll just be sitting around, worrying about you the whole time. We’re stronger together, right?”
