Sam stood outside Skye's office, dread running through his veins. After his talk with Lisa, he felt like he really needed to see his therapist. But he'd missed his appointment which meant one of three things. She wasn't there, she was, but with someone else, or, even if there and alone, she wouldn't see him because she was stubborn like that.

He'd long ago stopped trusting the sign on the door, so with a deep sigh, he just went in.

Skye was inside, alone, leaning back in her plush leather chair, her red heels on the desk, reading a book. The moment she heard the door, she scurried to make herself presentable, dropping her huge book in the process.

"Oh, it's you," she said with a glare.

Sam bit back his amused smile. It was nice to see she was human at least when she was alone. "Yes, it's me. Don't look so glad to see me. I might take it the wrong way."

"You missed your appointment. Get out."

Expected reaction, but still annoying. "It's not like you have something better to do."

"Look at you, so entitled you won't even apologize."

"Yeah, right, I bet you loved it that I didn't come in. Had more time for reading porn or whatever that is."

Her gaze turned exasperated. "Wow, that's a new low, even for you."

Apparently he was very good at being a dick today, but he still liked that he got to her. Lashing out at someone who didn't give a shit about him was an efficient unloading method and he seriously doubted Skye lost any sleep over him. So she was proving to be remarkably useful.

"Isn't that what middle aged soccer moms do?"

"And what part of that sentence seems to fit me as far as your special snowflake brain is concerned?"

Yeah, he wouldn't go that low. "Can we talk?"

"Is this about the latest news? Please don't tell me you're here to come out to me, because I'm not your mother."

His mind screeched to a halt. How could she get to him so easily, push his buttons like that? "Are you ever going to start actually listening to me?"

"I listen." She shrugged and the smile on her face was devious, as if getting him with the last comment was delicious revenge. "You just don't realize that people hear different things. Yes, you have a bit of family trouble, but that doesn't mean it justifies your breakdown."

The affirmation stung and hit a little too close to home. "A bit of family troubles? Do you even have a family or a meaningful relationship in your life? Because you don't seem to understand how human beings work."

"Of course I have a family," she said between her teeth. Her eyes flashed with danger, but he was way past giving a shit.

"Really now? Kids? A husband? I don't see a ring around your finger. Do you even have a boyfriend?"

"That is none of your concern--"

"Because it sounds to me like you're all snark on the outside and a big black hole on the inside, with no love to fill it."

Skye stood from her chair and slammed the book on the desk. The loud sound was enough to silence Sam.

"Not everyone wants a family, you ignorant ass," she said, pointing a shaking finger at him. "Some people are happy with their career, with their independence."

"Oh, bullshit, your voice is shaking."

"Shut up."

"Why, am I getting to you? Not fun to be on the other side of the firing cannon, is it? How about I belittle your problems?"

"This isn't about my problems."

"Then what is it about? Because it sure as hell doesn't seem to be about mine either."

"I'm letting you out."

His next scathing answer died on his tongue. "What did you just say?"

A deadly calm took over Skye and she straightened. "I spoke to Herrison. After reading more on you, I decided I agree with you. Going out into the field might be beneficial for you."

He couldn't believe his ears. Was he actually getting rid of her?

"So you have an assignment for tonight. But, I will need to come with you to see if you are ready and what might make you freeze."

At that moment, he didn't care. Let her come along. The excitement to be back in action improved his mood exponentially. "I didn't get the briefing."

"I'll be taking care of that. Because your therapy session was supposed to be an interview of sorts. But since spite seems to motivate you, I think we can give it a try."

Yes, he wanted to give it a try. Focus on something else and escape the shame and nothingness inside him.

"Here you go." Skye picked up a yellow folder off her desk and passed it to him.

"Did you read it?" he asked, already pulling out the report inside.

"Yes. It's a surveillance mission for starters so it shouldn't be too hard. We have to see what this Eye Pooch character is up to."

He froze in the process of studying the layout of the docks where their target was supposed to be meeting a supplier. "Who?"

"Eye Pooch. These guys really have strange code names."

He couldn't help it. He started laughing so hard, he choked on it. Skye was asking questions, but it was hard to hear as he tried to draw breaths. But he couldn't stop laughing.

She stopped talking, just watched him until he was done. Tears streamed down his face, but for once they weren't of anger, frustration or sorrow.

"His name is Eye Patch," he said, taking deep breaths, "which is still stupid, but..." His eyes took in the report. "Oh, there's a typo. So yes, you were totally justified to call him Eye Pooch." He cracked up again. He couldn't say that name with a straight face.

"As melodious as your laughter is, I think we both have some preparing to do." She took in a deep breath. "Any tips?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Have you ever been out in the field before?"

"Yes, a few times, but I always ask."

Which was actually very smart of her. "Wear dark clothes."

This seemed to actually trouble her since her pant suit was a light blue that matched her eyes, but she nodded.

And when Sam left her office with the folder clutched in his hand, he finally felt a little bit like himself again.

♠️

Kyle could hear the words coming out of Herrison's mouth, but they made no damn sense so he had to have heard wrong.

"Wait, you're letting me off for the evening because you're sending Sam to watch what Eye Patch is doing? Sam. The Sam you wouldn't let anywhere near field work."

Herrison just shrugged. "I had a talk with his therapist and she seems to think he could start going out again, for now under direct supervision."

Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes. "Are you sure Sam didn't sweet talk his way into this and that she's not hopelessly in love with him or something?"

"Actually, they seem to despise each other. And I trust Skye. She's done a great job with the other agents who have seen her."

Kyle didn't know this Skye, but he already doubted her. The other agents rarely had any significant fieldwork, and he doubted any of them were under even a fraction of the pressure Sam was dealing with. So no, he was not assured that Skye knew what she was doing.

"I don't think this is a good idea. I've seen Sam. He's not better."

Herrison shrugged again, apparently glad not to have the decision on his shoulders anymore. "As far as his therapist is concerned, this could make him better. Honestly, Kyle, stop worrying. Just take the night off. You need it. You look exhausted."

"You never cared about that before. Just let me--"

"No. Sam has been assigned and I'm convinced he'll do a great job, like he usually does. Go home. Spend some time with Kay. I haven't ever seen you this tense."

"Kay's out for the night," he blurted out, even if Herrison didn't give a shit.

But it was true. Even if she didn't spend as much time at Angie's anymore, Kay was still coming home late and heading straight for bed. No more cooking, no more movies, no more talking. To be fair, he'd also been swamped at work with new surveilling assignments and night work, so he wasn't exactly a monument of joy to be around.

But ever since the night he'd almost proposed to her, something seemed to have broken between them. They were still together except... not really.

Maybe Herrison was right. Even if Kay was leaving for the evening with her class from the Academy to have a reunion after their first year on the force, it was still early. He could catch her before she left and help her get ready. Then he could sleep for twelve hours and maybe feel better.

So he just nodded and headed home. Yes, maybe he should be more worried about Sam. But then again, maybe he should be more worried about himself.

When he got home, it was still light outside, which was so strange. He had almost forgotten what his place looked like bathed in sunlight.

"Kay?" he called, tossing his keys on the table.

She didn't answer so he headed for the bedroom. There she was, in front of the mirror, her hair in bouncy waves, wearing only a towel around herself as she applied makeup. She turned to him as he came in, her eyes wide with surprise.

"What are you doing home? Weren't you on call tonight."

"Herrison gave the assignment to Sam and told me to go home."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Is he sure that's a good idea?"

"Apparently Sam's therapist said it would be." He walked over and stopped behind her, watching her in the mirror. "When are you leaving?"

"I'm already running late," she mumbled, tracing a thin black line above her lashes. "Took too long to shower, but I needed to unwind."

"I know something else that could make you unwind." He ran his hand from the base of her neck, down her back until he reached the towel. The lily smell surrounding her was so powerful, it made his brain all fuzzy. It would unwind him, too.

"Didn't I just mention I was running late? Don't you listen?" She shoved his hand back and he got the message.

"Okay, okay. Sorry." Ugh, now he needed a shower to unwind. "I know you have to go. Just enjoying the few minutes we have together."

"Alright. That's sweet." And she smiled at him in the mirror, but it somehow felt off. Like she was doing it just to get him off her back.

He missed her so much, just being home with her and doing stupid boring shit like watch a movie or just lay in bed talking. Couldn't Herrison had given him the night off yesterday or tomorrow or any other day in which whe didn't have to leave?

"Do you really have to go?"

"Don't get whiny," she warned, wagging a mascara stick at him. "It's not like I get to go out much anyway."

True. Not alone and not with him. Not since Sam and Christine had broken up. But even if he was aware she might needed, it still hurt because he felt other people were more important than him. And he'd been feeling that for too long.

"Okay, I'll let you get dressed. I'll be out in five minutes to say goodbye."

She just hummed so he stomped into the shower and soaked under it, trying to drown his negativity. Maybe he was exaggerating and was really smothering her. They'd been together for a whole while so it was time to give her more space. It's not like she ever nagged him about not being home. He should return the favor. And wait for her to he back and maybe drape her in a towel again and take it from there.

The thought cheered him up and by the time he'd finished showering, he was more than willing to be an understanding boyfriend.

"Sweetheart, how long do you think you'll be?" he called, stepping out of the bathroom. "Asking because maybe you'll want dessert here and I want to know what to get you..."

His voice trailed as he took in the empty bedroom.

"Kay?"

She wasn't in the leaving room either or in the kitchen. The place was empty. She'd just left without saying goodbye. A sudden surge of anger burned down the cheerfulness he'd forced on himself. She wasn't listening. It was maybe a small thing but it felt like a damn kick in the gut. He hadn't asked for much.

Trying to contain his anger, he threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and flopped on the couch. He had nothing to do. Watching TV felt stupid, he didn't want to start reading anything, and it wasn't like he could go out or talk to anyone. Because he'd be raging about her and that wasn't a topic he usually discussed with a lot of people.

It was shocking to suddenly realize he didn't really have any friends. Calling Joey would feel wrong, Jessie was no longer there, and he felt like he was drowning on the inside. He'd never felt more alone.

Come on, snap out of it.

For lack of anything better to do, he pulled the guitar into his lap and started strumming the chords absentmindedly. He hadn't had time to touch it in ages, so he should really take advantage of it. So he started off with a few of his favorite songs. Singing into an empty room reminded him of his time away from Kay, when he'd retreat to his attic and write depressing shit about a love gone wrong.

Think happy thoughts. What was the happiest time in his life? That was so easy. His senior prom. The night he and Kay had gotten together, before he knew about his family and Snitch Gravel and before all this Agency crap started. Those had been, beyond any doubt, the happiest hours of his life. No worries, no constant pressure at the back of his mind, just excitement for a future that would never be and raw happiness.

That Kyle was long gone, crushed to bits the very next day. Sure, he'd been happy after, but there had always been a nagging worry at the back of his mind that would never disappear. And now, more than ever, it was hard to find a reason for joy.

You're still alive.

For some reason, that didn't necessarily count as a plus. He shouldn't have let Herrison send Sam after Eye Patch. What if something happened?

He tossed the guitar back on the couch and started pacing. The sun was setting outside and he had no idea how many hours he spent on miserable thoughts. He didn't care enough to check the time until it was completely dark. Then, he picked up his phone and was halfway through texting Kay when he stopped himself.

It was only nine thirty. She'd been out since six, but it didn't mean she had to be home in three hours. Let her have her fun. He could handle it.

Except as ten thirty rolled around, it became harder to keep up the positive front. By eleven, he sat at the kitchen table, in the dark, cursing himself for not just going to bed. He didn't need this negativity. He trusted her. She was just having fun.

It wasn't her fault that he was fucked up. It wasn't her fault that he needed her. This was on him. All on him.

♠️♠️♠️

I know not much happens here, but it's set up for the next part of the chapter. I'm planning a very special little mission for Sam.

So, curious how you feel about the human interactions. Sam and Skye are going on an adventure together apparently. Think she'll handle it? And will he prove himself or mess it up completely? Really curious how you feel about Skye at this point.

Also Kyle is totally crashing and burning and needs to figure his shit out. Can't even let poor Kay enjoy a night out with her friends. At least he's trying to keep himself in check. What do you think might happen now? Some of you already know but I'm still enjoying this too much.

All thoughts are greatly appreciated.