Back in the hotel, Hunter was flipping out.

"Why did you go back for Anthony? You put yourself in danger again! You got the files, you leave, mission is done," Hunter yelled. 

Nina knew he had rules, but she had rules of her own. It was Anthony, she couldn't just leave him like that. They had history.

Shadow seemed to be frowning at his words. "Well, you were the one yelling at her to get out before the transfer was complete. That was not protocol."

Hunter opened his mouth then closed it dumbfounded. Now that she was replaying what happened in her head, Shadow was making some valid statements.

Sky chose the perfect moment to walk through the door.

"Okay, car and heli are all fuelled up, let's go," said Sky before pausing. "Oh damn, the tension in here is real. What's going on?"

"Nothing, let's go," grunted Hunter.

The ride back was very quiet. No one even spoke upon reaching headquarters. 

Before going to sleep, Fox crept into Nina's room with a smile on her face.

"Hey Kitty, did you notice what I noticed?" Fox asked, her grin widening even more.

"And what's that?"

"That Hunter is totally in to you. You should have seen him back at the hotel. He was a total mess! He wanted to abandon the mission so you'd be okay. This is Hunter  we're speaking about, this is unheard of! And you should have seen the way he looked at you when I gave you that makeover, which I will say again-- you were sexy as hell. It was as if you were a goddess in front of his eyes," Fox was unable to hide her excitement.

"Are you sure or are you making yourself think that?" Nina asked, but she couldn't help herself from feeling hopeful.

"I think I know a little about men, it's my expertise," said Fox, with a confident flip of her hair behind her shoulder.

Nina smiled widely and Fox's smile widened even more. They both shrieked.

***

The whole crew was gathered in the dining hall during lunch time.

"Hey Fox, I just got an answer," said Shadow, skimming through his tablet.

This made her smile.

"Kitty, you have another mission," said Fox.

"What is it?" Nina asked, curious and excited.

"I sent our suspect a picture of both of us saying that we are the best in the modeling 'dating' agency, asking him to pick one. He said he'll pay for both of us. We go in, eventually go to a private room, make his death look like an accident and tada! Mission accomplished," Fox explained.

"Perfect!" Nina pipped, she was excited to go on a mission with Fox.

"Oh! I got the perfect dress for you, it's going to look so good against your complexion," Fox added.

"Already playing dress up babe," Wolf smiled at his girlfriend.

"My Kitty looks good in anything," said Sky with a playful wink Nina's way, causing her to roll her eyes and blush.

"Yes, I have to admit Fox did a good job on the last mission," Doc nodded.

"You kidding? Kitty was on fire last mission," said Shadow as he grabbed his tablet and stood up. "I'll go tell Hunter to add Kitty to the plan."

"I can't wait! Nina lets go get your dress fitted," Fox pulled her along.

After a few hours of dolling Nina up, Fox stood back to admire her work.

"Smoking girl! Give me a little spin," said Fox, motioning with a twirl of her fingers.

"You know the mission isn't until tomorrow?" Nina asked her teasingly.

"I know but sometimes I can't help myself," she shrugged, feeling happy with herself.

There was a knock on the door. It was Rock. His face gave away nothing, he was as stoic as ever.  Like a rock.

"Kitty, the boss is taking you off the mission. He told us to tell the suspect about a 'only one girl' policy or something," he gave the bad news.

"What? Why not!" Nina yelled.

"Somewhere along the lines of Fox being more experienced," he replied, lifting one shoulder into a shrug.

"That's not fair! I thought it was going to be fun to do it together," Fox pouted, not liking the news.

"Take it out on him," Rock shrugged his shoulders and walked out the room.

"I will," said Nina marching out the door. She was furious. Hunter never thought she was up for the job. Why did he ask her to join his team if he was going to keep her on the bench the whole time? 

Nina marched up to his office and began banging on the door.

She heard a click unlocking the door.

"You can come in now," Hunter said through the intercom, his voice giving away nothing.

Nina barged in and slammed the door behind her. She didn't give him a chance to talk.

"Why?" Nina asked, marching to the edge of his desk slamming her hands on the surface for emphasis.

"Why what?" Hunter replied, raising a brow.

"You know what! Why'd you take me off the mission?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "We both know that I'm more than qualified to do it and Fox will be with me the whole time."

"Kitty, last mission... With Alejandro... I can't-- I'm too--" Hunter was at a loss for words.

"What is it Hunter? I knew what I was doing, I had it under control. If I remember correctly, it was you who was frantic and yelling," she reminded.

He let out a loud sigh.

"Kitty... I just don't know what I'd do if you got hurt," he ran his hands through his hair, a result of stress. "We were so close to losing you."

Nina took a step closer. "You always see the crew get hurt, why does it stop at me?"

He got out of his seat, "Yes, but-"

"But what Hunter?" she asked, stepping closer. She didn't want to give him an out. She wanted an answer. And if making him feel cornered did so, then so be it.

"You're just-"

"I'm what, please explain it to me."

"I-"

"You what?" She yelled. They stood toe to toe. His eyes burned in anger and passion, but Nina did not back down.

"I love you. Are you happy? Is that what you wanted to hear? How I couldn't stop thinking about you since the moment we met? The moment I saw you fighting in the warehouse, I couldn't help but think of how strong and special you were. How every day since meeting you, you only made me want you more. I kept trying to push you away, but you kept on coming back! I'm so damn in love with you and it's driving me insane," he blurted.

Nina was taken aback. So many thoughts running through her head. Emotions wild. One thought rang louder than any. She put her hands behind his neck and pulled him down to her and kissed him hard. This time, Hunter didn't pull away. They deepened into the kiss. All this bottled up emotions finally escaping. He put his forehead against hers giving them a moment to breath.

"I love you too," she said, breathless. She didn't know when it happened. But it did. After months, she couldn't help it either.

Before either could say or do anything, a buzz rang through the room.

Their eyes widened.

"Shit," cursed Hunter.

"Oh no, what do we do?" asked Nina beginning to fix herself.

"Calm down. No one knows anything," he said before he pressed a button on the phone laying on his desk. "What is it?"

"Hunter, we have an emergency," said Rock on the other side.

Hunter looked at Nina and they hurry out. They found the crew all sitting around Shadow. By the look on their faces, it had to be something big.

"Boss, I got news on Slade. He was last seen in a black market in Vienna," Shadow informed him.

"Was my dad with him?" asked Nina hopefully.

"No, I'm sorry, we have no visuals on him," he replied with a frown.

Hunter put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a light squeeze.

"It's okay, Nina he's probably safe in some warehouse, If he was out in the open, he would try to run or ask for help. He's too valuable to Slade for him to get hurt," Hunter assured her.

The crew started to give each other weird looks.

"Did something happen to you guys? You seem close," Fox narrowed her eyes at them suspiciously.

Nina and Hunter took a step away from each other both shouting, "No!"

The crew started to laugh.

"Did Kitty give you a piece of her mind?" asked Wolf.

Nina started to blush.

"Does this look like we have time to joke? Shadow, start looking for possible hideouts. Sky, get the jet ready. Rock, make inventory. Doc, get health checks ready. Wolf, Fox, Kitty let's go over tactics," Hunter ordered.

All jokes were forgotten and everyone got to work. Their timeframe was short, so it all had to be done in a few hours.

That night Nina went to Hunters room. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. She twisted the door handle and it opened. Nina entered. 

His room was big. A full on suite with a kitchen, living room bedroom and washroom. She could hear the shower running. Nina sat on the bed waiting for him. When he got out he was only in his boxers, his hair still wet. Nina couldn't help but take him in. His beautifully carved body, those scars that create the perfect imperfections. 

"What are you doing here?" he asked, stopping in his place upon realizing someone was in his room.

She walked over to him running her fingers on the scars.

"I had to see you," she said.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry as he roamed her face as if looking for clues.

"I just-- I don't know what tomorrow holds," she admit. She was scared. Scared for her father. Scared for her team. Scared for Hunter.

"We can do this, we'll get your father back," he promised, holding her closer to him.

"I believe in the team, it's just I don't want any regrets or would haves between us," she said.

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" she asked. She just needed to be beside him tonight, nothing else. She wanted to feel safe, that for a moment everything was right.

Hunter pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head and mumbled. "Always."

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