He tastes death.
Real.
Sharp.
Sour.
It overloads his senses.
It makes him want to puke.
But he swallows it down.
Fights the rising tide.
Because he chose this.
Signed his name on the dotted line.
And when he looks up and meets her eyes, he knows he made the right choice.
He may have alienated Kate with his words and actions, but these people have the answers he needs.
The answers he needs to get closure for Kate.
So he nods his head and shifts the M4 down.
Away.
He's killed a man.
Not the first.
Most likely not the last.
He came to the realization that he would do anything for Kate a while ago.
Anything to keep her safe.
Even if it meant that she hated him for keeping her in the dark.
For fighting her battles for her.
He rises out of his crouch and turns to face the others.
Scans their faces for censure.
These people who accepted him into their small band of warriors.
Who bear the same mark on their bodies as he does.
No judgment.
No condemnation.
Just acceptance.
It's not enough.
It will never be enough.
But until the Dragon's been slain, until Kate has the justice she deserves…
It will do.
A/N: This is part of a bigger story that's been fighting me for a couple years. Unfortunately, I can't tie it all together; I have bits and pieces and a story-line, but it's the "in the weeds" stuff that keeps tripping me up. What I'm trying to say is as much as I'd like to post more context to this, it's not going to happen (unless I get a burst of inspiration).