Nyssa,

Off to my first mission. I don't know how I really feel. I just wish that you could be by my side through this. It feels different yet somehow same when you're the one heading out like this. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I miss you already, my love. I will see you soon.

- Sara

Sara wrote the letter as they made their way to the port, then she handed it over to a messenger to deliver to Nyssa. She felt nervous going outside the walls of Nanda Parbat for the first time as an assassin of the league. At the same time, she felt alive. The thought of actually being out there using the skills she acquires in her trainings is extremely exhilarating for her. She was no longer running away from danger, but diving head first to it. She was simply thrilled.

She only wondered about Nyssa. What could she be doing at that moment? Other than worry for her endlessly? She was right. No matter how alive she feels going on a mission like this, she still would rather be by Nyssa's side. Maybe they'd get to go on one together some other time.

Nyssa was pacing back and forth in their room when there was a knock on the door. She was in no mood to see and talk to anyone. It's the first time Sara was to be out there and she's not by her side. She opened the door, frustration evident in her facial features. The messenger knew not to say anything and just handed her the note with her name scribbled on top. She took it and closed the door.

She read the letter and smiled. Of course she would think of doing that. It was comforting to know that she thinks of her instead of worrying about herself. It tells her that she isn't scared to be out there. But still, Nyssa worried. How could she not? It was the first time she had to be the one waiting if she'll come back. To ease herself a bit she thought of writing her a letter in reply. Though she wouldn't be able to give it to her until she gets back, she will write to her until she does.

My dearest Sara,

You're right. Somehow the feeling is similar, yet different. It is far scarier to be on this side, though. This has got to be one of the worst feelings I have ever felt. The uncertainty is excruciating. And it is very difficult to get my mind out of the thought of you being out there. How do you do this and not go mad?

Thank you for always patiently waiting for me here. Leaving for a mission got a little more difficult since it also meant leaving you behind, but knowing that you're here waiting for me makes it easier as well. I hope that's also the case for you. I love you, Sara. And I will always have my arms wide open to welcome you back home.

Always yours,
Nyssa

Sara observed her target carefully. She has to evaluate carefully where she could grab him, since her mission was not a simple assassination, but she also has to retrieve information using any means necessary. Doing her reconnaissance, she wore normal clothes to blend into the crowd, but when night came, and it was time to snatch her mark, she donned the gear and clothing all the assassins of the league wore, with the hood, mask and all the works. She had various weapons with her, but of course, by her hip, her weapon of choice, a collapsible metal bo staff. It wasn't as lethal as other weapons, but it makes up for its reach and could still cause much damage if used well. And she has excellent mastery of it.

She followed the man as he entered a seemingly low-key club. She waited patiently for him. After an hour or two, the man exited the building and made his way out through a dark alley which opened an opportunity for Sara to make her move. The guy was no easy target being former military. Learning stealth from the league, he didn't see her coming, but he sure did put up a fight. Using her speed and agility to her advantage, docking a punch from the guy, she swiftly struck him at the side of his head with her staff, knocking him out.

She took him to an abandoned warehouse and tied him up to a chair. Anxious to get the mission over with, she punched him in the face to jolt him awake. And she could tell that sweet talk won't get her anywhere with this guy. She stood right in front of him as he came to.

"Whatever you want from me, you won't get it." He then spit blood at her.

Sara smirked. Back when she was on the Amazo, if he was there in front her then, maybe she would not be able to break him. But with all the training she did, there was no doubt in her mind that she could break him. It was only a matter of time. She took her time beating him up into a pulp without even asking him a single question.

"You think you could break me with this cheap tactic? Beating on me to scare me?"

"You have no idea. When I'm done with you..."

"You think I'm gonna beg for my life?"

"You're going to beg me to kill you."

That certainly got him on the edge, he clearly has no idea what he was into. And that gave Sara the indication that she was close to getting him to the point she wants. She stuck a knife into his hand and another to his thigh, then twisted them, making him scream in pain.

"Is this all you've got?" The guy taunted.

Sara twisted the knives again, then left the room without saying a word.

The guy writhed in pain, close to passing out. When he did, Sara reentered and twisted the knife on his thigh to wake him up.

"What the hell do you want?"

Then and there, Sara knew she had broken him. No matter what she asks of him, he will answer. Whenever she is not satisfied with the answer, she punches him or twist the knife. When she knew he was lying, she shucked another knife on him. In a few hours, she got all that she needed from him. The guy was bruised and bloodied. He still has a chance of surviving the beating Sara gave him, but his will has completely come to a surrender.

"Just kill me. Please just kill me!" Like what Sara had said, he pleaded for his life to be ended. And that was what Sara did. She took one of the knives stuck in him and used it to slit his throught open.

As she took that life, all she could think of was getting back into Nyssa arms. She has learned to repress her emotions that she can't even tell how exactly she felt after taking another life. She simply focused on what mattered to her, Nyssa.

On their journey back, she wrote another letter for Nyssa, knowing her too well that she would also have letters ready for her when she gets back.

Nyssa,

I missed you so much. All I could think of was getting back to you as soon as I could, but I promise I was still careful, I intended to go back to you in one piece. Being away on a mission got me thinking.

This life of being an assassin may not be ideal, but after everything I have been through, I think I have found a place in life. What makes it even better is, it is a life with you. I have grown to be strong and fearless, and I no longer feel helpless. I don't know if it's because of all the training or simply because of you.

We've had our fair share of ups and downs together, but looking back, with you I always felt at ease and safe. With you, I always knew I could simply be who I am and worry about nothing else. Wherever I was, I always felt lost or out of place, except when I'm with you.

I love you, Nyssa. With you is the place I have been longing for to be. I have tried to be blind to it, and run away from it, but I always find my way back to you.

Always yours,
Sara

Nyssa was waiting by the docks and she could already see Sara with her golden locks flowing in the air even before ship docked. God, she missed her so much. She wasn't sure she was gonna make it through the rest of those days waiting with her sanity intact. She could finally breathe easily again. She's back. Her Sara is back. And by the looks of things, she is safe and well.

Sara smiled at the sight of Nyssa waiting for her. She shouldn't be surprised that Nyssa couldn't wait at the fortress. Now that she's allowed outside those walls, she would have done the same thing. She smiled blissfully as she saw Nyssa walking towards her. It was all worth it. Having done what she had to do, joining the league, as long as she could come home to her. The warm welcome she offers is more than enough, and she knew things doesn't stop at that. Everything between them has gone way beyond what she could ever ask for. She has truly found her place in life with her.

They made their way back to the fortress in silence. They simply enjoyed the company of each other. They held each other close, neither letting go and always making sure they were in physical contact of the other. The slightest sign of reassurance that they were really together. They have always been like that even before they were actually together. They may have not noticed it but they always seemed to have craved the slightest touch of each other.

What they have come to have seems so unreal that it could only be a dream, but at the same time, it is like the only real thing that matters to the both of them. They are genuinely happy with their life together, they fear that it would not last, but they keep holding on to the hope that could make it work until the end. And with the life they are in, the end is always looming over them in every corner. They are uncertain when it might come, so they make the most of the times they have together.

It doesn't have to be grand, as long as they were together, they would always find a simple reason to call it special and memorable.

"I have something for you." Nyssa reached out for the notes she had placed by the table.

They were seated across from each other in the tub. The warm water and fragrant essence making the mood intimate.

"So do I."

They exchanged letters. Sara smiled at the numerous ones Nyssa handed her, compared to the single letter she wrote back. They carefully read them, making sure the letters don't get wet.

The contents of Nyssa's were mostly about how excruciating it was for her, how it had to be the worst form of torture she had to endure. Sara found her endless complaint in them, cute and endearing. A couple stood out to her from the rest; the first one she wrote in reply to the one she sent as she was leaving for the mission; another about her admitting her fears about their relationship; and the one she seemed to have written just that morning as she waited for her return.

My dearest Sara,

As days went by without you by my side, I have spent a lot of time worrying and thinking, not just about your wellbeing, but also about us.

I have no idea what more in life could be ahead of us, I fear whether there is more or if this is all that there is for us. I fear for the end. I fear that one of these days it would come without me knowing and there would be nothing I could do about it. I am afraid, Sara. I don't want to worry you with these things, but I think it's best that you know what I feel. I want to be brave and hopeful, or simply enjoy this, but I can't always ignore the fear that eats me up for all time.

.........

My beloved Sara,

Alas, the day I have awaited for quite so long is here, you're coming home. I see that our lives would be filled with such scenarios. The torturous waiting and the dreaded homecomings. I don't know if the feeling of missing you would ever recede. If it would be something I would get used to.

I love you, Sara Lance. Ta-er al-Sahfer. Both you, but of different sides. Nevertheless, I love you. The sweet girl who danced her way to my heart, and the warrior who saved me from the dark. I hope you know how enchantingly wonderful you are. You are everything I never thought of ever having. With you is where I would always want to be.

Always yours,
Nyssa

Nyssa's eyes were clouded with tears as she watched Sara read through the letters. She was gravely touched by Sara's words, how she thought that she has found a place in life with her. It was all she needed to hear after all the worrying she has done for the past number of days.

Sara placed the letters down and what was in her eyes reflected Nyssa's. Nyssa reached out to her, turning her around so she could hold her from behind. They held each other close and tight, taking in each other's words, and how much that moment was al they needed and that is exactly where they both wanted to be, in each other's arms.

"This is where I want to be. You are home to me, Nyssa."

Nyssa let a tear slip down her cheek as she placed a soft and tender kiss on Sara's shoulder.

"And you are mine."