Disclaimer: Nope, still not mine. This show is from the 80's so I'm just bringing them back for a bit.
Note: This is based on the 1988-1991 version of Mission Impossible series.
Summary: Post-ep for 'Cargo Cult'. The team has successfully completed yet another mission but for Shannon this mission affected her more than any other to date. Nicholas tries to help her through.
Aftermath
It had been a long few days for everyone. Exhaustion had set in and everyone had turned in for the night before their early morning flight back to the States. Everyone except for Shannon. Her wrists still ached from being tied up for so long, the bruising was starting to show around the small scratches, and she was so overtired there was no way to sleep.
Standing on the balcony of the shared living area of the suite, she took a deep breath of the warm, tropical air. She kept replaying the events of the mission, being abducted by the natives, watching Nicholas and Max being taken away to be sacrificed and not knowing what happened to them, that monster touching her, kissing her. A shiver ran through her even in the heat.
"Are you okay?" a sleepy voice asked in the dark.
"I will be," she answered honestly.
Nicholas stood beside her in the darkness. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She glanced over at him for a moment. "We've all been in situations like that before but for some reason this one was different. No matter how many times I shower…" She sighed. "It's probably just exhaustion."
Gently taking hold of her injured wrists, he turned to face her. She did the same.
Looking into her eyes, he asked the one question he feared an answer to. "Did he… did he hurt you?"
Shannon shook her head. "No. He kissed me and was a bit touchy but nothing more."
"Thank God." His fingers lightly massaged the bruising on her wrists. "I'm sorry it even got that far. We should have…"
"Should have what? You and Max weren't any better off," she reminded him. " I was so scared I was never going to see you again."
"Grant and Jim wouldn't have left you behind even if Max and I didn't make it."
She gave him a small nod but it was little comfort. "I don't really know why this one bothers me. I've been kidnapped, drugged, even shot."
"Don't remind me," he whispered.
They stood together in silence, him still holding her wrists.
"Thank you," she softly said.
When he just looked at her confused, she glanced down at her wrists where his hands were still gently massaging them. "That helped a lot." Her eyes met his once more. "And not just the physical pain."
Nicholas slid his hands down to take hers as she stifled a yawn. "Do you think you'll be able to get some sleep now?"
Looking down at their joined hands, she admitted, "Probably not." She looked up into his dark eyes and smiled. "But that's not a reason for you to stay up all night. I'm sorry I woke you."
He smiled at Shannon. "You didn't. I couldn't sleep either, really."
With a chuckle, Shannon asked, "Do you think we can convince Jim to give us an easy assignment on a tropical beach somewhere?"
"Let's put in a request tomorrow. I'm going to make some tea, do you want anything?"
"Tea sounds good."
Reluctantly he let go of her hands. "Two teas coming up."
Shannon watched Nicholas as he disappeared behind the balcony door. Despite all the danger, all the worry, all the fear she wouldn't change a single thing. They were her family and that was worth everything.
