Sean blinked in surprise, eyes snapping up from their linked hands to meet Alexei’s gaze. Those warm brown eyes searched Alexei’s face for a few seconds before Sean leaned forward and kissed him gently on the corner of hismouth.
“Ya tebya lyublyu,” Sean said, the Russian words coming out perfectly, as if he’d been practicing them in secret, waiting tosaythem.
Alexei closed his eyes, fighting back the sting of tears as he drew Sean flush against him. He wrapped his arms around Sean as tight as he could before burying his face against the curve of Sean’s neck. Alexei breathed in the smell of him, this feeling of home he’d been searching for since waking up in Medical without Sean byhisside.
Sean wrapped his arms around Alexei’s shoulders, resting his cheek against the side of Alexei’s head. He didn’t speak, merely stroked a hand over the back of Alexei’s neck, cradling him close. Sean’s touch was grounding in a way Alexei hadn’t known he missed until it returned, a lifeline he never wanted toletgo.
NOW
2285
___________________
18
EverythingWeKeep
Thursday foundJamie sitting down behind his desk in his office on base, pulling open the biolocked side drawer only two people had approved access to without an override. The lock beeped softly as it disengaged and he hooked his fingers beneath the handle, pulling it open. The drawer slid open soundlessly and he rifled through the random assortment of old snacks that needed to be tossed out, a few high-calorie nutrient bars, a broken work tablet, and a handful of holoframes that needed to be charged. Behind all that, shoved to the back of the drawer, was a small, black, leather-encased box Katie had delivered to him theotherday.
Jamie lifted it out and closed the drawer, absently resetting the lock. He leaned back in his chair and opened the box, staring down at the engagement ring he’d had made. In a day and age where the more expensive and gaudier the ring, the better, Jamie had opted for a sleek platinum band, polished to a high shine. No engraving other than the jeweler’s mark was etched on the underside of the band. An emerald-cut diamond of the highest clarity sparkled brilliantly in the light, placed in an east-west tension setting onthering.
It fit who Kyle was, who they were, because Jamie knew Kyle wouldn’t be comfortable wearing a ring that everyone would talk about. Not that he’d have many opportunities to show it off outside their home, but when that time came, Jamie wanted him to be comfortablewithit.
“Captain Callahan, the director is on his way to you,” Ceresannounced.
Jamie frowned before closing the box and slipping it into the inner pocket of his blazer. While Thanksgiving with his family was always a formal affair, the gathering happening at his condo today for the holiday was less so. That still hadn’t stopped him from dressing up a bit this morning before running a few last-minuteerrands.
He got to his feet when the door slid open and opted to salute the director despite wearing civilian clothes and not auniform. “Sir.”
Nazari wasn’t in uniform, which was a bit of a surprise. He wore a raincoat over his clothes and had an umbrella tucked under one arm. He nodded at Jamie in greeting. “Leaving?”
“Just aboutto,sir.”
“I’ll walk with you. I won’t take a lot of your time. I’m heading out as well,actually.”
“Need to catch a flight somewhere?” Jamie asked. He grabbed his damp umbrella off the floor and headed for the door, letting Nazari exitfirst.
“No. I told my wife I would be home for the holidays this year. A political crisis isn’t enough to get me out of the dog house with her if I’m not on time for dinner today.” Nazari’s expression was unreadable as they walked down the hallway toward the elevator. “Speaking of said political crisis, I had another meeting with the Joint Chiefs lastnight.”
Jamie managed to refrain from making a face through sheer will alone. “What didtheywant?”
“To reiterate that while they are grateful for the sacrifices your family has made over the past year or so regarding your name and social standing, the Joint Chiefs, and in extension the MDF, would have still preferred you consult with us prior to ending the mission with thePavluhkins.”
As a captain, Jamie didn’t have the rank, in any way, shape, or form, to talk back to someone of Nazari’s rank. He stilldidit.
“I don’t appreciate the MDF keeping me out of the loop when it comes to my team. I would’ve preferred you let me know Alexei and Sean were taken prisoner when it happened, not a day later. So let’s consider ourselves even on that score, sir. Feel free to share that observation with the Joint Chiefs,”Jamiesaid.
“You had your family to worry about,” Nazari reminded him as the elevator door opened and they steppedinside.
“My teamismy family, sir. I had the righttoknow.”
“We needed you clearheaded,Callahan.”
That statement was as close to an acknowledgement of the MDF’s awareness of Jamie’s personal issues as he was ever going to get. Jamie’s PTSD had manifested itself off and on through the years, but he could handle it, otherwise he wouldn’t be cleared for thefield.
“If you think I would ever sacrifice one over the other, then you’re sadly mistaken. I know how to do myjob,sir.”
Nazari inclined his head in silent acknowledgement of Jamie’s argument as they descended. “We’ll keep that in mind for thefuture.”
