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“No, it wasn’t bad, but she had trouble with one of the smaller creatures. I saw Cleo a while ago, and she mentioned it. That’s when I also heard you were planning on transferring out.”

Striker turned, paced to the door, then stopped. He should check Wren was okay. He hesitated, his hands hovering over the access panel.

“Is everything okay?” Blaze said.

“I... I mean, how bad was the bite?” Striker turned back to Blaze. “I need to make sure Wren’s mission ready.”

“Or she’s ready for something you want to give her,” Rexx muttered.

Striker clenched his fists. Was he that transparent? He should stay away from her, but it was too hard. These last two days had been torturous as he’d avoided Wren and not dropped by the lab to see what she was up to. He was used to having her in his life. It felt wrong to stay away. But she needed the distance. She needed him out of the way. He was doing this for her.

“These are done.” Rexx placed down the last of the guns. “I need food. Either of you coming?”

“We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Blaze said.

Rexx shrugged and left the room.

Striker returned to the work station and focused on the weapons. His guts were in turmoil. Without Wren in his life, it felt like he was missing a limb. But she didn’t want him around. He couldn’t offer her what she needed.

“It’s not always easy working with Humans, is it?” Blaze said.

“Eden sure sounds like a handful,” Striker said.

“I’m not talking about Eden, but she’s more than a handful. She keeps me on my toes. I can’t complain about that. I wish she’d take better care of herself, though. She never has any downtime. If she’s not in the field, she’s in the lab, and if she’s not in the lab, she’s partying until dawn. One day, she’ll collapse. She never gives herself a break.”

“I know someone else like that,” Striker said. “Wren’s obsessed with work. It’s her only passion.”

Blaze was quiet for a few seconds. “I don’t regret it, joining this team. When I was forced to leave the elite squad, it felt like the world exploded. Everything I knew was gone. You know how that feels.”

Striker grunted. “Only too well.”

“It’s weird, but this place just fit. At first, I was as cautious as all of us. But these Humans really care. They’re making a difference, too. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

“And if the elite squad had a change of heart and asked you back? You wouldn’t leave this all in a heartbeat?”

“I’d be tempted to go back, but it wouldn’t be the same. You wouldn’t be there busting out the jokes, Rexx wouldn’t be prowling around and growling at everyone, and I’d miss the others. It would be a different team, a different experience. Don’t leave, not unless you’re certain the move is right for you.”

“I never said it was right for me.” Striker jerked his head up.

“You think it’s right for Wren? The partnership really isn’t working out?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. I should try harder. Stick to the rules, like she wants me to.”

Blaze rested a hand on his shoulder. “These partnerships are about compromise. Sure, maybe you could follow the rules better, but Wren has to see that you get results. We look out for each other. But sometimes, that’s painful when our ways of working collide.”

“Yeah, I’ve never felt anything quite like it.”

“So, stick with it. Go speak to Wren. Does she even know you’re transferring out?”

Striker scrubbed at his forehead. “No, and I need to be the one to tell her.”

Blaze winced. “It might be too late for that. I reckon Cleo’s been talking to her.”

Striker scowled. “Are you good to finish up here?”

“Of course. It’s just the lasers to check over and pack away. Where are you going?”

“To finish what I started.” Striker strode out the door. Screw it. He’d stayed away too long. He had to find his missing piece. He had to find Wren and fix this.