Sally tore her gloves off and threw them in the incinerator, yanking the prep-room door open and storming out into the hallway. A couple of cadets flattened themselves against the wall as Preventers' head physician marched past, her heavy boots making a thumping sound that echoed down the quiet corridor.

By the time she got to the end of the hall Sally had lost momentum, and she wearily stepped out into the yard as the perimeter doors slid open.

Breathing deeply to let rain cleansed air replace alcohol and gunpowder and blood, Sally made her way to a corner of the compound she knew held a secluded bench. Unfortunately it was occupied by a young agent who appeared to be meditating, his shoes carefully lined up on the grass and his jacket tied around his waist.

"Get off my bench, Shen, now."

Wufei's only response was an irritated twitch in his left eye.

"That's not my name, woman."

Sally huffed, "And that's not mine."

She sat down heavily, making sure to shove Wufei out of his pose in the process. He mumbled something incoherent and quickly regained his balance, leaning down to slip his shoes back on before squaring his feet on the ground. He glanced to his right, where Sally was slumped over, her head in her hands.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" he asked, stretching his arms.

Glaring at him out of the corner of her eye, Sally let her hands fall over her knees.

"Stupid cadets getting themselves killed." She sighed and looked away.

Wufei nodded.

"And I assume you're being an emotional woman about it, and taking all responsibility. Was it even your mission, or were you just the doctor on duty?"

The way his partner refused to meet his eyes answered Wufei's question perfectly. He shook his head and leaned back against the bench, one arm resting behind Sally's bent shoulders. She needed time to process, even now after seeing so many perish on the cold beds of Preventers' medical ward. The guilt complex covered a strange sort of egotism, where the woman thought she could save everyone from their pain by saying it was her fault. The problem was no one believed her, and Wufei had tried to convince her countless times that families would rather hear that their children died in honorable battle than in a hospital, whether it suggested a cadet's incapacity or not.

After a long moment Sally sat up, resting lightly against Wufei's arm, appreciating the warmth in the rapidly chilling air.

"Thank you, Shen."

Wufei sighed exaggeratedly and Sally chuckled, bringing her hand up to grasp his.

"What did I tell you about thanking me?"

"I know, I know, jie yi xiong di."

"Close enough."

They sat in companionable silence for several minutes, watching the new brightest walk in and out of the building. A recommissioned officer building, abandoned in the wars, it served the fledgling organization well enough.

Glancing around with a distinct scowl on his face, Wufei mumbled, "You know, we'd have hardier cadets if you would stop recruiting everyone you meet."

Sally shrugged.

"Plus," he continued, gesturing rudely, "Why did you have to invite that OZ bastard? He'll probably try to head a coup!"

Laughing, Sally tapped her boots absently against the grass and winked.

"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him."

Wufei narrowed his gaze and looked back at her.

"I'm sure you will," he stood, pulling Sally up with him. "Now stop being inappropriate. We have a class to teach."

Saluting messily, Sally smiled. Wufei may have been right about not assigning blame where there wasn't any, but she knew he counted the dead closer than anyone else. He internalized it, she vocalized it, and together their steps were a comforting rhythm on the floors of HQ.