LEO
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29/02/2003
Panay, The Philippines
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"Leo? Nova?"

I heave out groan at the sound of my name, burying my face deeper into Nova's hair as a breeze rustles past. I groggily come to terms with the realisation that I am in fact not in bed. I'm on a patch of grass, arms right around her as she presses against my chest, fast asleep.

I turn my head, finding Tara gazing down at us with an expression I can't quite read.

Shock? Amusement? Confusion? One of them, I've got no fucking idea.

"You're lucky I found you both before anyone else did," she snickers, folding her arms.

"We-"

She shakes her head with a smirk, halting my explanation, "I saw something like this happening, it was only a matter of time."

Before I can ask how she knew something would happen, Nova starts to stir. She lets out a dramatic sigh, and I wait for her realise the position we're in right now.

"Leo," she groans against my chest with a yawn, slowly tilting her face to look up at mine. She follows my gaze, eyebrows furrowing as she glances sideways at Tara.

"Oh for fucks sake," she murmurs with a breathy laugh, still coming out of her sleep. Tara erupts into laughter, clapping her hands together.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me as always," she snickers, "although, I don't think it would've been ideal if any of the Commanders found you out here."

"Yeah, you're right about that one," I sigh, pushing myself up into a seat, "what time is it?"

"It's 10am, I had to practically tear this base apart to find you both. I didn't even realise you could come around the back of the barracks," she shrugs.

I glance down at Nova with a grin, helping her sit up in her groggy state. "See? I told you nobody else comes around here."

She rolls her pretty green eyes, rubbing them and pushing up onto her feet. "Was somebody looking for us?" She tilts her head as I stand up behind her.

"Vincent and North want to talk with you both at 11, not sure what it's about. I didn't hear you in the bunk last night Novie, so I guessed something was going on. Didn't want you to sleep in, then it would look suspicious." She grins, gesturing back and forth to both of us.

I clear my throat abruptly, "is there still food around?"

She hums. "Most of the group are still eating. Seems like everybody's taking it easy considering we leave tomorrow, some are even talking about getting drunk tonight to mark the end of our time here."

I glance at Nova, who I know is thinking the exact same thing as me.

It's hardly a celebration, we've lost a good few members of our group and Las is still roaming around fuck knows where.

The attempt to rescue the hostages was a success, but the loose ends haven't been tied up, and no amount of Tennessee whiskey will bring the dead back from the grave.

Then again, getting drunk with Nova on our last night doesn't sound like an awful idea. If one good thing came out of our time here other than rescuing the hostages, it's how me and her have changed.

How everything about us has changed.

"Anyway, I'll leave you both to it for now. Just remember, 11am." Tara beams, striding back through the alley and into the main base.

Nova turns to face me, and for some goddamn reason my nerves fucking skyrocket. She's going to say she regrets it, or something like that. 

Instead, she shuts down my overthinking by leaning up and gently pressing her lips against my own. I close my eyes, opening them as she pulls away.

"Last night was amazing," she grins.

God, I fucking love her smile.

"I was hoping you'd say that. 'Had me worried for a minute," I chuckle, she shakes her head.

"I have a habit for stressing you out, don't I?" She snickers, I snake my arm around her waist and yank her back in for another kiss.

"Damn straight, Nov." I mumble against her lips, hesitantly pulling away.

She's like some sort of goddamn drug. Now that I've had her lips on mine, no amount of times will ever be enough.

"You 'got any idea about what North and Vincent want to talk with us about?" I gaze down, playing with some strands of hair that have fallen down her back.

"Honestly? I'm guessing about if I'll be in the Hawks or the Falcons, I guess they need to have it arranged before we fly back," she sighs.

Something tightens in my chest.

"You're probably right," I mumble, running my hand down her arm.

I really don't want to have this fucking meeting. I don't want to hear it if she's going back to the goddamn Falcons, but I can't even openly complain about it since whatever it is we've got going on is a secret.

I guide her forward into my chest, wrapping my arms around her and resting my chin on the top of her head.

"I'll go to the hall first, you follow a few minutes after. Don't want it to look 'suspicious'," she snickers against me, but I can tell it's just a futile attempt to take the edge off about the discussion.

"Alright, Nov. I'll see you in there," I grin as she pulls away from my grasp, turning around and striding off.

If I go into that mess hall and see Dylan Holmes laying a damn finger on her, I'm going to break his fucking arms.

—

I follow behind her a minute or two later, falling into complete amazement at the base. Everybody is organising themselves, the bulk of our artillery is being loaded into a big steel container. All of the previous hostages are talking excitedly amongst themselves, urging for tomorrow to come so they can finally return home.

I watch Divya and Rohit link Ali into a hug, and it warms my heart.

It warms the heart that's been ice cold for so many years, up until recently.

Martin Shelley paces up to me, giving me the usual slap on the back. In the past, this would've pissed me right the fuck off, but right now? I don't mind.

"Say, 'ya excited to touch down back in the home country, Hendrix?" He grins, shaking my shoulder.

It depends if a certain somebody is in my group.

"Definitely," I lie, "are you?"

"Damn right I am! 'Means I'm one less plane journey away from my Jennie!" he chuckles, slapping his knee. I should've guessed 'Jennie' would be brought up in some way or another.

"So, who is Jennie? Your wife?" I tilt my head.

I never thought I'd actually show an interest, but considering her name has been hammered down my ear for our entire time here, It's probably about time I ask.

"She's more than a wife. My Jen, my sweetheart. Damn retirement can't come sooner! Well, I'll tell 'ya something, Hendrix. If 'ya were to ever find a woman like my Jennie, you'd best damn never let her go!" He beams.

I'm starting to think I've found my Jennie in the woman I once despised.

"I'll take a note of that," I grin, patting his shoulder and continuing my path towards the mess hall.

To no surprise, Nova's in here; perched on a bench discussing something with Yamato. He notices me before she does, waving me over. I grab a sachet of oatmeal, striding towards them and sitting down.

"Morning Hendrix. Last day in the Philippines, 'ay? We made it," he nudges my shoulder with a grin.

"It's been an eventful time to say the least," I sigh, glancing at Nova and pouring the sachets contents into a bowl.

"Yamato was just telling me about his plans to get 'wasted' tonight," she snickers.

"That bottle of Jack Daniels didn't come all this way with me for nothing!" He laughs.

Nova doesn't even seem apprehensive of the idea. Maybe it is a good idea after all, drowning our sorrows in some dark liquor.

"The Commanders probably won't be impressed," I chuckle, he flails his arms in the air. For somebody who's usually so reserved, he's already acting drunk.

"Ah, they'll only be pissed at the fact they can't join in. Besides, we've got a fuck knows how long plane journey back to the States tomorrow, I'll just sleep it off," he snickers.

"Remind me not to sit anywhere near you, I don't want sick on me when we've got to travel." Nova grimaces, a playful grin tugging on her lips.

I'm starting to think that nobody is drinking because we had a 'success', but more so the fact that they're actually getting out of here alive.

For a time, it felt as though the odds were well against us. Although some of them still are, we did what we came here to do. We put our lives on the line, took down the bulk of Altashih and the hostages are going home.

That's what we came here to do, after all.

—

We hesitantly pace towards the Commanders office, hands brushing together yet not quite holding.

I halt her outside the door for a second, glancing around to make sure we aren't being watched before leaning down and giving her a quick kiss on her forehead.

"Whatever the outcome of this is, I'll always be around, Nov," I force a smile.

She squeezes my hand briefly, "I know you will. Let's just get this over with," a nervous inhale drags into her lips as she pushes the door open.

North and Vincent are already in a conversation on one side of the desk, glancing up as we enter.

"Ah. Hendrix, Shields. Right on time." North gestures for us to take a seat. We exchange a quick glance before falling into our respective chairs, pulling them towards the desk and discreetly edging them closer together.

"So, what's this about?" I lean forward.

"The arrangements for when we're back in the US." Vincent scratches above his eyepatch, his British accent slicing through the tension.

Could've guessed.

I slowly rest my hand onto Nova's jittering knee underneath the desk, rubbing it gently with my thumb.

"So, we lost Lisa and we also lost Rhys. Two of your co-captains." North sighs, shaking his head.

"We've decided the best thing to do is transfer Miles Quinn from the Eagles into the Hawk group, he will be your new co-captain, Hendrix. As for you, Shields, we're promoting Yamato, since he's the one who originally took your place."

Fuck.

We both tense up immediately. My jaw clenches, grip tightening on her knee. She glances down at the desk with a small sigh, biting her lip.

We can't even show how we damn feel about this.

"With all due respect, Leo and I have come to work well alongside each other during this operation despite our past differences. Is this really the best decision?" She speaks after a sharp inhale.

"You've both demonstrated your leadership and resilience, that's why we need 'ya separate. We need each of you in between the groups, that way you can lead separately, but also work together during missions when we need it." Vincent explains, although it's not exactly reassuring us.

The worst part is that it makes perfect fucking sense.

We hesitantly nod in unison, understanding from their tone that the decision is final.

"Also, whilst we've got you both here, whose damn idea was it to get the goddamn child hostage to draw this,"

North's tone turns colder as he picks up a piece of paper, slamming it onto the desk before us.

I didn't think Nova could possibly tense up even more, but I was wrong. In front of us is an eerily accurate, menacing sketch of Nicholas Shields.

I watch as her face immediately pales, eyes twitching and hands shaking as she pushes herself up from the seat.

"I'm sorry, excuse me for a second," she whispers, already speeding out of the office.

Are they fucking around right now?

My eyebrows furrow, fists clenching. I can't contain my anger.

"Are you being fucking serious? You thought showing her the goddamn sketch of her lunatic brother who, may I remind you, fucking stabbed her and killed her Mother is a good idea?" I seethe, flailing my arms before slamming my hands against the desk.

Both of their faces twist, into shock more than anything. "What in the goddamn fuck do you mean 'he killed her Mother'?" North's mouth hangs ajar.

"I mean what the fuck I said. Her 'missing Mom' has in fact been dead this entire time," I hiss, already storming towards the door.

"Hendrix-"

"It was my fucking idea. We need at least some sort of picture of him, I wasn't anticipating that you'd just shove it down her throat out of the goddamn blue with absolutely no warning."

For once, they are both completely silent.

"I'm going to go after her," I mumble, disappearing out of the office before one of them breaks through the quietness.

-

I knew I'd find her here, since I told her nobody knows about this spot.

She's sitting against the back wall of the barracks, hunched over, breathing heavily and clutching one hand over her chest, the other over her face.

"Nova?" I pace towards her, crouching onto the floor.

"I don't know what's fucking wrong with me. I'm a damn grown adult and I'm being ridiculous, but seeing his face just triggered something-" she splutters out, still trying to catch her breath and hiding her face with her hand.

"You aren't being ridiculous, Nov. It's traumatic," I slide towards her, carefully curling my arms around her and guiding her back against my chest.

"I'm fucked up, Leo. I'm so fucking broken. I hate it."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Hearing Nova Shields, who months ago would never have admitted anything is wrong, talk so fucking self deprecatingly? After the shit she's gone through?

"You're not broken, Nov. Just— fuck—" I tighten my grip, some part of me wishing I can just hold her hard enough that she forgets everything, even just for a second. "I've got you, alright? Just try and breathe for me, baby."

I feel the slight rustle of her head against my chest as she nods.

"There you go, everything's gonna be okay," I whisper, planting a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

There's silence, and then, "I'm sorry."

"Don't you dare apologise, none of this is your fault."

We fall into silence as she works on taking deep breaths, listening to the sounds of rustling trees just behind the walls of base.

"Jesus, I think I do need some sort of whiskey later," she forces a breathy laugh after a few minutes.

"We can make that happen if that's what you want," I smile against her hair as she turns around to face me.

"I mean, I guess it's our last night," she sighs.

"Only for now," I place my hand on the side of her face, running my thumb across her cheek.

"You still need to show me your family picture you mentioned, hopefully yours isn't as unhinged as mine," she chuckles lightly as I hook my arms under hers, pulling her up to her feet with ease.

"I can show you now, only if you want of course,"

I don't want it to come across as though I'm trying to rub my conventionally 'perfect family' right in her damn face.

She nods, blinking her bloodshot eyes as I take her hand, leading her down the small alley. Nobody is paying attention to us, so I don't let go as I push the door of the barracks open.

It's empty, to my surprise.

I pace us towards my bunk, crouching down towards my duffle as she sits onto the bed. I unzip the inside pocket, feeling the cold metal of my compass against the picture as I pull it out, standing and taking a seat beside her.

1988 is written in black ink at the top of the photograph, I was only thirteen. We're all in the back yard of our home in Nebraska, a clear blue sky behind us. Well, it was a clear blue sky, it's faded significantly after all these years.

Me, Jaques and James are stood in front of our Mom and Dad, both of their own parents positioned on either side of them. Our family dog at the time, Rex; an all black German Shepherd, is sitting next to Jaques with his tongue sticking out.

I pass the photograph across to Nova. She brings it close to her face, studying it carefully.

"That's Jaques, isn't it?" She asks quietly, pointing to him. I hum.

"He really did look so much like you," she smiles softly before returning her gaze to the picture.

"Me and him definitely got our genes from Dad's side of the family, the Italian heritage. That's him, and that's my grandfather." I gesture.

She looks at them, then at me, holding the picture up next to my face.

"You're the spitting image of your Dad now," she grins.

"We're all just carbon copies of each other, except for James." I snicker, gesturing to my blonde haired, pale brother who is the spitting image of my Mom.

"Your Mom is beautiful," she whispers, "my Mom was beautiful."

"You're beautiful, so it makes sense,"

"Oh, and is your Dad a flirt like you?" She chuckles.

"Pretty much. My Mom was a waitress in a diner, Dad was training to become a business man. He always says it was 'love at first sight', but my Mom kept turning him down. Eventually, after lots of failed attempts, she said yes to a date and suddenly three kids were in the picture," I snicker.

"And your older brother? What's he up to now?"

"He's married, still lives in Nebraska. His wife is pregnant, she should be nearing her due date."

"So you're going to be an uncle. Do you want kids one day, Leo?"

"Yeah, I'd love to be a Dad depending on what age I retire," I shrug, "you?"

She hums, "I haven't thought about it for a long time, but I'd like to be a Mother, providing I don't end up dead of course." 

I cringe at her words, facing the hard reality. She hands the picture back over to me as I slide it into it's pocket.

"But, I'd definitely love to be a dog Mom, I always wanted a German Shepherd," she grins.

"Yeah, they're the best companions. Rex came everywhere with us, it was almost like having a fourth brother," I chuckle.

"How about the compass? What's the story there? I've always wanted to ask," she changes the subject.

I pull it out, setting it into her palm.

"It was my great grandfathers," I gesture for her to spin it around, showing the 'Hendrix' engraved into it's back. "I thought I'd lost it for good until I found it in my bag, after you'd returned it," I wrap an arm around her waist.

"Well, now I'm really fucking glad that I didn't lose it in the meantime," she chuckles, leaning into me.

This is just so nice.

Being with her dissolves anything negative that's racking around in my mind.

For months, the feelings have been there but went completely unspoken, utterly denied.

Now, everything is out. Well, maybe not everything.

I slide the compass back into my bag, already leaning my lips to hers. She returns the kiss immediately, laying back onto the mattress as I press myself on top of her, feeling her legs entwining with my own.

"This is more comfortable than some patch of grass," she muffles into my lips. I snicker against hers, wrapping a hand in her dark hair in an attempt to pull her even closer.

"You drive me insane," I whisper, "I can't even explain what I feel when I'm with you."

"Honestly? Me neither,"

The intensity increases the moment she finishes her sentence, both of us desperately grasping at each other, lips not parting for a damn second.

I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I don't just want her anymore.

I need her.

Both of us pick up on some footsteps, instantly yet very hesitantly pulling apart. I adjust the straps of her vest as the door swings open.

It's Tara, who comes stumbling into the barracks with Rosa. Neither of them notice us, and it honestly looks as though they're already drunk.

I think me and Nova both experience the same level of shock as they fall onto a bunk and instantly start aggressively making out.

"She never mentioned that she also liked women," Nova whispers with a small smile, discreetly standing up and taking my hand.

"This day is just full of surprises, hm?" I grin as she pulls me up and off of the bed.

"We can't exactly just stroll out since they've decided to get at it right next to the damn door," she speaks with a snicker.

"We'll just have to wait their moment out in the washroom," I shrug, pulling her into the direction. We tread quietly along the wooden floorboards, stepping inside as she closes the door behind us.

As soon as that door clicks shut, I've got my hands under her thighs, lifting her up and onto the washbasin so she's at my height as I crash my lips back against hers. 

Her nails sink into the nape of my neck, my hands hold a firm grip on her waist, pulling her flush against me as her legs link around my own.

Before I know it, I've got my fingers right down the front of her cargos, gliding in and out between her thighs with my thumb rubbing her swollen clit.

I know she enjoys what I'm doing from the small noises she's making, the way she's squirming and how damn soaked she is.

I'm enjoying the way my name keeps escaping her lips in bated breaths, begging me not to stop as she grinds herself against my hand.

I could quite literally do this all day and not get tired.

If she's feeling good, so am I.

Something must be in the damn air today. Maybe it's the fact it's our final day out here, or maybe it's something so much more intense.

Whatever it is, I'd happily spend the rest of my life in it.