"What are you doing here? I thought I had until 0900 to report for training," Kira asked, puzzled.
His gaze dropped toward hers. "Quillon is expecting us."
He strode down the hall, not waiting for Kira's agreement.
"And good morning to you too," she muttered, feeling resigned.
Doctor's visits—especially those that came so early in the morning—made her cranky.
"Lingering isn't going to make this go any faster," Jin advised from under the bed.
She waved a hand at him and grimaced. She knew that. But it didn’t make it any easier swallowing the fact that this course was necessary.
"Don't forget your promise." There was a vulnerability in Jin that silenced any argument she might have made.
"I know. I won't."
"Prove it," he ordered.
She fixed a hard stare on Jin. "Since when do I need to prove things to you?"
He was her oldest friend. They'd never had to be anything but what they were with each other.
"Since I found out you lied about something pretty damn important."
Kira's eyes flicked away. "I never lied."
"Omission is the same thing."
Kira released her breath. He was right, but how he'd gone about obtaining what he wanted was wrong. Something told her he knew it too.
"We're going to have words later about you manipulating me," she informed him.
Kira accepted her health was important to him. She was his link to the world. Without her, he'd very likely be alone.
A lonely Jin was dangerous. He might be slightly ridiculous, but he was brought up the same way she was. He was a killer, like her. For better or worse, his sanity hinged on her existence.
She'd let herself forget that. She wouldn't do that again, but she also couldn't let him overstep. They had boundaries for a reason, and not even he got to circumvent them.
"Good, because I'm still mad at you," he snapped.
Kira's smile was sharp. "Then we're in agreement."
Kira started out the door, Jin following. She paused on the threshold and arched an eyebrow at him. "Where do you think you're going? You heard Finn. You're to stay hidden, that means staying here."
Jin sputtered, looking like he was about to argue.
"I mean it. I see one electrode beyond this threshold, and I'm turning you into scrap metal," she promised.
"You can't leave me behind," he squawked.
Kira's expression was gloating. This predicament held a certain poetic justice. She planned to use it to its maximum potential.
"Maybe next time try using the front door like the rest of us," Kira taunted, stepping outside.
"You can't leave me in here all alone," he wailed as the door began to shut. "You know how I get when I'm bored."
"I have every faith you'll figure this out."
