Nina held her breath and knocked on Hunter's door. Silence. She knocked again.

"I'm busy," Hunter's voice sounded through the little intercom on the side of the door.

"Hunter, it's me, please I need to talk to you," she tried again.

"I'm busy," he repeated.

"I just need to clear things out," she said, sucking in a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Actually, I'm really, really, really sorry. It was a dumb move and I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea, but it was just a move to distract you in order to flip you over. I know better now and I won't do it again. I just don't want things to be awkward between us and we'll keep things one hundred percent professional. I was so foolish... I'm sorry."

She felt like she was drowning.

Silence again. Nina frowned realizing he wasn't going to respond and head back to her room.

There was a knock on her door. Her heart leaped out of her, a glimmer of hope. The door opened and Nina's heart sunk.

"Hey Kitty, dinner's ready," said Doc, popping his head through the door.

"I'm not hungry," she mumbled. "Can you turn off the lights I'm tired."

"Are you okay? Do you feel sick?" he asked, his brows furrowed in worry.

"No, I'm just sleepy. I'll see you tomorrow."

***

Someone blew a whistle again this morning.

A smile broke out on Nina's face. Hunter had forgave her!

"Up and at 'em pumpkin! Today I'm training you! Get ready for a world of pain!" Wolf said.

Nina frowned realizing the whistle came from Wolf. So Hunter was avoiding her now, great.

"What happened to Hunter?" she asked.

"Oh the gang is going on a mission so I'm staying back and helping you train," he grinned.

"Don't they need your help?" she raised a brow.

"No, this is a simple task, they only call in the big guns for the serious missions," he smirked, flexing his arms.

Nina laughed. "Okay, get out so I can change."

"You sure you don't want me to stay?" Wolf winked.

"Out!" Nina pushed him out the door.

***

Wolf let Nina watch the team get ready for the mission. She noticed how everyone was dressing accordingly. Selecting weapons. Shadow had a map projected onto a screen as Hunter explained the procedure.

"So cool!" shrieked Nina, feeling like a child in a toy store. She didn't let the frustration of not having Hunter look at her distract from the excitement.

Wolf hushed her. "I only let you get a sneak peak. Now lets get going before we both get in trouble."

Nina and Wolf repeated the same things Hunter did. She had started to get better at some of the moves. Wolf showed her some new ones too.

"Hey, you're actually not that bad! A fast learner, that's so good. I don't know what Hunter was pissed off at, you're amazing for a beginner," said Wolf during their lunch break.

Nina cringed at the mention of Hunter's name.

"Thanks."

"Soon enough you'll be on one of our missions," he winked.

"When will I learn some martial arts, how to shoot, do some fast and furious shit?" Nina asked.

Wolf burst into laughter. "Slow down girl! You're a fast learner, but not that fast. Patience young grasshopper."

Nina sighed, this was going to be a long ride.

***

A few weeks passed and everyone took a turn training Nina. She even got some tech and hacking lessons from Shadow and first aid training from Doc. She got to witness more missions and sat with Shadow as he lead them through the plan. Fox gave her a new wardrobe, some beauty tips, taught her body language and how to manipulate a guy. She learned the different types of guns and how to shoot and build them with a blindfold on with Rock. Sky had taken her driving in different types of vehicles and flying a couple times. She got enough trust by then that they let her take the car to the training fields to train on her own when they were busy. Finally, she had returned to train with Hunter. They never brought up the issue and trained for two weeks. By then Nina had started to become great at close combat thanks to Wolf and even beat the high score for the relay race.

"What is it you want to learn today Kitty?" Hunter asked.

"Hmmm, how to use a bow and arrow?" she suggested.

"Seriously?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah, it looks hot," she shrugged.

He shook his head. "Fine."

Nina beamed.

She skipped to pick the bow and arrows out from the shed. Hunter took them from her and stood in the proper position in from of a target.

"I'm only going to say this once so pay attention. Your body should be perpendicular to the target and the shooting line. Since you are right eye dominant, hold the bow with your left hand, point your left shoulder to the target, and handle the arrow and string with your right hand. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, your feet forming a straight line pointing towards the target.The index finger is held above the arrow and the middle and ring fingers below. Hold the bow arm outwards toward the target. Your inner elbow should be parallel to the ground and the bow should always stay vertical. Draw the string hand towards the face to an anchor point. Don't relax too much or to keep pulling back once you reach the anchor point. Aim and-"

He released the arrow and it hit bulls-eye.

Nina gasped. "Wow, that was amazing!"

Hunter handed the equipment to her, shrugging off the compliment. Nina tried to follow what Hunter said. She aimed and shot. It hit the target board, but it wasn't a bulls-eye.

"It's okay, try again," said Hunter.

Nina pulled back and let go. Again, the arrow didn't hit bulls-eye. Again. Miss.

"Ugh!" Nina yelled in frustration ready to from the bow across the field.

"It's okay Kitty. In terms of posture, stand upright without tension. It should be a comfortable, yet a firm stance. Stand erect, forming a "T". Here-" Hunter went up to Nina and put his arms around her trying to get her to the right position. "The archer's back muscles are used to pull the arrow to the anchor point."

Nina shivered at Hunters cool breath on her neck. Her skin burned at his touch. This was the closest they've been since the 'incident'. Nina shook her head. Okay focus. Nina felt Hunter tense up. He must have noticed too.

She turned her head to look at him only to find his face only inches away from her. Their breathing deepened. This time, it was Hunter that closed the space between them and kissed her. Nina dropped the bow and turned her body towards him feeling his hard chest against her ignoring all the warning lights going off in her head. His arms went around her waist pulling her closer. Nina hands tugged his hair, in return Hunter deepened the kiss. His hands cupped her cheeks. She felt the calluses on his hands from all his experience.

Like a bandage, Hunter ripped himself away from her. His breathing heavy, his face flushed and shocked.

"I'm sorry, I should have done that. It was a mistake. I- I need to leave," Hunter paled, looking like he'd seen a ghost. He quickly sped away from her, creating as much distance as he possibly could.

Nina stood there confused for a moment not understand what just happened. Hunter. Just. Kissed. Her. It was so passionate yet rough. The weeks the spent together, the tension, the way her body reacted to him. She hadn't felt that way about someone in a long time. And he left her just like that.

Nina was so angry and embarrassed. Angry at Hunter for leading her on. For leaving her like an idiot. Hated herself for even allowing this to happen. Allowed herself to fall for him through the month she'd known him. With a loud groan, she punched the nearby tree over and over again until her hand was covered in blood. She fell to the ground and started to weep. She hated feeling this weak but she couldn't stop crying.

He had ruined her.

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