My throat immediately closes up at the thought as I quickly swallow the bite of the sandwich in my mouth, nearly choking on it. Tell her? What would she think of me... who would she tell? Can I trust her-no that's a stupid question, I can't trust anyone with-

"But if it really upsets you right now, we can work our way up to it, alright?" Rene quickly says, seeing my increasing panic. "How about you tell me why you were uncomfortable in that moment, instead of what caused it?"

I think about whether I should answer her question truthfully, before deciding that it isn't as sensitive as what caused my attack.

"It-" I hesitate, finding it hard to find the right words. I shake my head and decide to just say it as it is, forcing myself to continue. "It was because of my closeness to Beau-Agent Allard- in that moment, that's what made me uncomfortable."

Rene nods, as I take another bite of my sandwich, my cheeks heating at the idea of me lying on top of Beau in front of a whole group of other agents. I wonder how it made him feel, he must've been just as embarresed... or not, it is Beau after all.

"And what about being close to Agent Allard made you uncomfortable? Was it because he is the opposite gender? Or maybe because he was a stranger...?" Rene asks, pushing her fork through the green salad on her plate.

Quite the opposite, actually. His face reminded me of- I quickly pressed my lips shut as I realize that I had said my thought out loud on accident. Rene lifts a single eyebrow, as I shift uncomfortably on my stool.

Shit, I've said too much.

"His face reminded you of someone? May I ask who?" Rene gently pushes, but I immediately shut down the idea of telling her, as my chest growing tight.

"I am not going to talk about it," I say firmly, though a little stab of guilt pricks my heart when a spark of disappointment glints in Rene's coco-colored eyes.

"That is completely fine Harper, I understand that it must very hard for you to talk about-" she tilts her head to give me a gentle smile. "I just hope that one day you will feel comfortable to talk to me about it."

I really doubt that, I think to myself, but force myself to give her an agreeing nod. "As do I."

"So, why else might Agent Allard make you feel uncomfortable?" Rene continues, her question catching me by surprise as I choke on a piece of salmon.

"Well first of all, he's a complete jerk," I say without thinking, my eyes widening when I realize that I've called an important Raven Sector agent a jerk in front of another sector employee. "Er... sorry."

Rene just laughs and shakes her head. "At least you're being honest. And how is he a jerk to you."

"Well, when I first met him he..." I begin to say, thinking of how he told me I had a stick up my ass, but then I remember that was because I had told him he ruined the moment, and proceeded to call him a prick. I shake my head, then remember his anger towards me today. "Oh, yeah he did-" I cut off again, remembering our argument in the cafeteria after I had snapped at him when he asked if I was okay, and called him fake because he acted like he cared about my well being.

"Well shit," I mutter, dragging the palms of my hands down my face. "I'm the one who's a jerk." No wonder he struck that deal with me earlier to try and get me to be nicer to him... I've been nothing but an asshole to him, and frustratingly enough, he hasn't done anything to instigate my harshness towards him.

"It's okay Harper, it's good that you're looking back on the past and self-reflecting. Now, you can make it right by looking forward and trying to right your wrongs." Rene says tenderly, as she gives me an amused smile.

Yeah, but I don't want to be nice to Beau... he's just so Goddamn cocky, with his stupid grins and mocking laugh. And I like seeing his face turn red when he finally looses his temper, it takes a lot to get him to do that.

I can tell I'm conveying my thoughts on my face, as Rene titters in front of me. "Harper, if you are to successfully complete your mission when you are allowed back onto the field, you must develop at least a mutual partnership with Agent Allard. How is Agent Allard supposed to focus on the mission if you're constantly poking fun at him? And how are you supposed to trust and rely on him if you refuse to build a friendly relationship with him?"

I throw an annoyed glare at Rene, as I begrudgingly process the validity of her points. "Why do you have to be so goddamn logical? It's not fun when you do that."

Rene laughs and shrugs. "Think of me as the friend in highschool that you would rant about your problems to, and in return she would be 'annoying' and give you advice instead of just nodding her head and moving on."

I roll my eyes, though a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "Those friends were always the worst. I loved them to death, but they really were annoying. I mean, who wants solutions for their problems these days anyways?" I drawl sarcastically.

After that, Rene and I just spent the rest of the time getting to know each other, Rene sprinkling in a few questions about what annoyed me or made me uncomfortable in general, but our conversation felt very light and airy. I didn't feel pressured into answering any sensitive questions, which I really appreciated.

As the sun rose higher in the sky and new faces passed in and out of the cafe throughout our conversation, I naturally glance down at my watch and gasp when I see the time. "Rene! It's three o'clock, we've been here for over four hours!"

Rene looks down at her own watch, almond eyes widening as she reads the time. "Mon Dieu, I wasn't intending to keep you this long!" We both quickly get up from out seats, waving at the lady working at the counter as we rush out of the exit. "I hope Agent Allard didn't need you for any training, he doesn't have any way to contact me... what about you?" Rene asks, glancing up at me.

I shake my head as we quickly walk across the street and towards the Raven Sector complex. "No, I hadn't thought about that."

"Well, that would certainly be a good idea since the two of you will be working together." Rene prods, giving me a stern look. "Remember what I said about building a mutual relationship between the two of you.

"I know, I know." I mutter as we walk around the back of the complex building and towards the back-entrance glass doors. We pass through them and walk down the hall towards our rooms, just as Amber and Gus turn the corner.

The two suddenly stop as Amber stares at us for a second, before her eyes light up in recognition. "Harper! Oh my goodness!" she blurts out, striding over to me and throwing her arms around me. "I was so worried when you collapsed, and then Beau rushed us out and I never got to check on you... are you okay? What the hell happened?"

"Uh, it's kind of a long story." I mumble, quickly pulling away from her embrace.

"Oh, okay! Do you want to talk about it? I heard you got assigned a room so you could stay here for a few weeks." Ames says, looking past me to see Rene. "Oh, who's this?"

I glance back at Rene and take a step back. "Rene, this is Amber, Amber, this is my..." I trail of searching for another word other than 'medic' or 'supervisor.'

"I suppose I'm like a consultant," Rene cuts in, giving Amber a shy smile. "I've heard so much about you Ms. Talle, and you as well Mr. Gus!"

Amber laughs as Gus returns her shy smile. "Aw, I like you already." Ames then turns to me, raising an eyebrow. "So, want to step into your room and catch up for a bit? These past few days have been pretty crazy."

I scratch my neck awkwardly, and glance back at Rene. "Actually, I'm really tired and I was hoping to get some rest. Maybe tomorrow though?"

"Oh," Amber says, slightly disappointedly. She quickly recovers, though, and gives me a bright smile. "Alright! Well, I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow. Rest well!"

I nod and stiffly give her a mock salute. "Aye aye captain."

Ames squeezes my shoulder as her and Gus walk past me and towards the exit doors, probably going to leave to go to their apartment. Rene steps around me and towards her room door. "I'm going to unwind as well, let me know if you need anything!"

"I will," I promise, digging out my room key and inserting it into the lock. When I tug the door open, my ears suddenly pick up the low toned strokes of a cello to my right. I shut the door behind me and toss my key on top of the chesnut dresser beside me, leaning against the wall to my right as the music growing slightly louder.

Hmm, I suppose it would make sense for a guy like Beau to like classical cello music, I think to myself, not being able to help a smirk. Basic french bastard.

I look around my room, eyes landing on the gold streams of light that cascade through the glass door that leads to my balcony. I stride across the small room and slide the door open as a stream of cool air cools the room. I then walk back over to my bed and shuck off my black combat boots, collapsing onto the unmade black sheets.

I close my eyes as the strokes of the bow gently rise up in tone, before fluttering to a long drawn-out resolve. Suddenly, the tone of the piece grows more somber as the strokes grow quieter and dreamier, as if the musician is reminiscing about a fond memory.

I smile and set my hands behind my head, as the strokes grow louder and a clear high note rings through the air, somehow quivering as the musician draws out its importance.

The alluring piece reminds me of a time, many years ago, when I used to take piano lessons. My teacher used to accompany me with a large cello, and we would spend hours exploring the depths of emotion behind certain pieces. She would evoke the emotion through the strokes of her bow, and I with effortless crescendos of dynamics.

God, I sure did love how the cool keys felt against my fingertips, I sigh, as the cello piece in the other room shifts into a more whimsical and mysterious one.

Unfortunately, my piano teacher moved out of state to live with her daughter after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I haven't played the piano since, as life tends to distract us with new shiny experiences, and we forget the things we once used to love.

My breathing slows, and I feel myself grow more and more relaxed with the soft cello music floating through the air. I figure it wouldn't hurt to take a little nap, as Beau seems occupied with other things. And besides, I can guarantee that I won't be able to muster the courage to attempt a full night's sleep later tonight, so I might as well get as much as I can now.