“Well done, Howell!” congratulated the commander, his back up tall and arms behind him. “Another case solved.” They were still in Phil's destroyed apartment after Alicia was taken in. Phil stood next to, but almost behind Dan. “Sorry about the trouble, boy,” the commander said to him.

“It's ok, sir. It was worth it.”

“Right, well, we'll send our insurance to help reconstruct your busted door here. We need to return to the agency, private – ah, excuse me, general Howell.” He turned and began to walk, but Dan didn't follow. “Howell, you heard me. You are dismissed. Lets go.”

“Sir,” Dan said. “I... I don't want to go.”

“What?”

“I want to stay here, with Phil.” Dan's fingers laced with Phil's as he squeezed him tight.

The commander stared at them, beginning to figure out what he meant. “You know the rules: no one gets their leave until the age of 25. You're 24, Howell. Your restrained duty is still active.”

In the agency, there are two kinds of duty – restrained and unrestrained. Restrained means that you are bound to the agency until you are 25. Once you are or pass the age, you are on unrestrained duty, so you may live in your own place instead of the agency's dorms. Dan was no exception.

“Sir, as general, I request early release,” he said strongly. It was the strongest he'd ever spoken to his commander. “I will, of course, remain on duty. I just want to have my unrestrained duty early.” Phil smiled.

“Well, I'd love you help you Howell, but I can't just break your bondage code because you want to be with your boyfriend. Not that I care. People have had their reasons to want to break their codes, but of all the reasons, this tops it. Especially because you're my top man.”

Dan's other hand clenched tight. “Well if I can't stay,” he said angrily, “Phil comes with us.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Dan, don't do this.” Phil turned Dan's head to face him. “I can't do what you do. You've trained for years to be an amazing soldier. I'm just not. ”

“But there are more jobs than just being an undercover soldier. Phil, please,” he begged with his eyes. “You're the only thing I have that loves me! You're the only thing I've ever loved! I need you Phil. I love you! Please don't leave me!”

“Dan, I don't know what to do....”

“I don't want to go, Phil! Please don't make me! Come with me.” Dan's mind flashed back: “No! I don't wanna go! Mummy, please don't let them take me!”

“Dan, I love you, but there isn't anything I can do.”

Dan pulled Phil in tightly and hugged him. His heart continued to burn.

“Howell?” the commander asked. “Permission to interrupt?”

Dan wasn't sure why the commander was asking for his permission, but he didn't care at this point. “Permission granted.”

He sighed. “I don't know if this is of any help, but I know of a place he can stay while his place is being repaired.”

“Where?” Phil asked.

“Across from our base is a newer apartment complex. We can fund your stay, and Dan has permission to go around, so long as he stays on duty. You have a year to go before turning 25 hmm.... Well, across the street is still on property.”

“You mean I can visit Phil, sir?”

“I'll allow it.”

“Oh sir! Thank you so much!” Dan almost jumped. He was beginning to like the feeling of emotion.

“It's too bad he wont be staying very long. She's only broken a door down – an easy fix.”

“Oh,” Phil sighed unhappily.

“Yep, too bad,” the commander repeated, walking towards Phil's farthest wall and looking out the window. In an instant, he drew up his huge, muscular arm and blasted a fist through the glass, shattering it to bits.

Dan's eyes hung open and Phil covered his mouth in shock.

“Ninth floor, huh?” he admired the outside. “Pretty high up. Outta be a tough fix.” He walked around. “We're leaving in an hour. Do not be late. Gentlemen,” he said, taking his exit.

“He means for you to go pack your things,” Dan told Phil. “I'll be right back.” He rushed down to meet his commander. “Sir? Sir, why did you do that?”

“Do what?” he said without turning around.

“Destroyed the window. What was that about?”

“The damage done up there ought to keep the boy with us for a little longer than we expected.”

“What do you mean? You want him to stay?”

“Don't you?” He walked out then. When the commander was done, he was done. There was nothing left to be said.

 Dan nodded to himself, beginning to understand. He ran back upstairs to Phil to help him finish packing.