The night before the assault, Stella stood beside the projector screen in the briefing room while the dozen or so members of the assault team sat around the tables and chairs, listening intently. Frank sat near the front, on a desk facing the side of the room so that he had a clear view of both Stella and the rest of the team.

'Once Frank secures the control room, he will direct you to arrest the targets,' Stella concluded. She glanced sideways at Frank, who nodded. He frowned a little at the fear and worry in her eyes. Stella was never afraid of a mission.

'Anything to add, Agent London?' Stella asked, turning to Frank. Several pairs of eyes turned towards him, including those of Stella's best friend, Hyperia.

'Yes, actually. Thank you, Agent Knight,' said Frank. He addressed his team. 'Team. You have all shown immense courage by volunteering for this mission. I commend you for it. It will be dangerous. There are no guarantees, and I'm sure you understand the enemy that KORPS is. We must remain ever-vigilant, because despite all the reconnaissance that we have done, they will always have some unexpected in store for us. But know this: we will defeat them. KORPS seek power above all else and that is their weakness. They are blind to so many forces in the world. They know not bravery, nor self-sacrifice, nor love.' He glanced sideways of Stella as he said this, seeing her eyes intent upon him as he spoke. 'We will win, and we will do it together. As a team.'

There was a smattering of applause. Stella was blinking rapidly as she took over the stage once more. 'Thank you, Agent London. Team dismissed.'

The team dissipated; several agents clapped Frank on the back as they passed. Hyperia lingered and approached her leaders. As Frank's second-in-command, she knew the mission and risks as well as anyone.

Hyperia approached Frank first, because Stella had her back turned and was currently turning off the projector, trying to surreptitiously wipe her eyes as she did so. 'Frank, I just want to say, just in case I don't get a chance before we go in tomorrow, that you're a great leader. You're brave and intelligent and I trust you.'

Hyperia's face was so solemn, so genuine that Frank felt his throat tighten a little. 'Thank you, Hyperia. And trust me when I say, there's no one else I'd rather have at my right hand.'

The ghost of a mischievous grin flitted across Hyperia's face, she said cheekily, 'Even Stella?'

Frank almost laughed. Trust Hyperia to lighten up even this deadly serious situation.

Stella had finished with the projector and chose this moment to join the conversation. 'He doesn't want me at his right hand because he doesn't want me to get hurt.' She almost spat out the last word.

Stella had never felt this way before. The conflicting emotions were becoming almost too overwhelming, so strong that they spilled over the walls that she had put up to try and separate the work-related from the personal. She was indignant at Frank's will to keep her out of harm's way, even though she knew it wasn't because he thought she couldn't handle herself. She was almost sick with worry about sending Frank, Hyperia and the team into KORPS HQ tomorrow, and terrified of the thought of losing either of them. Yet to hear Frank and Hyperia show such spirit and such bravery made her heart swell with love and pride. Of course, feeling proud of their willingness to put themselves in danger also made her a little guilty to feel this way - did some part of her subconscious wish them harm? Surely not. But she couldn't shake the feeling.

Frank had the grace to look a little abashed at Stella's words, and opened his mouth to clarify his meaning, but Stella continued. 'Stay safe, the two of you. I couldn't stand losing either of you.'

Hyperia smiled sadly and reached forwards to hug her friend. Frank watched the two girls embrace. They had been relying on each other since they'd met in training. Hyperia had been Stella's rock every time she worked herself too hard, every time she'd fought with Frank, every time she'd returned from a tough mission. Stella had done the same for Hyperia. Frank silently vowed to do everything within his power to bring Hyperia back safely.

The girls pulled apart and Stella urged Hyperia to get some rest before the early start the next morning. As Hyperia left the room, she glanced over her left shoulder at Frank and Stella, who were watching her leave. She smiled with a mixture of sadness and resolve, then turned and disappeared.

Frank and Stella turned to each other slowly. Then, as if pulled together be an invisible force, they both stepped forwards at the same time and their lips met. The kiss was brief, but rich with love and longing.

Stella wasn't bothering to hide her tears now, but let them roll down her cheeks to be wiped away by Frank's thumb. Her forehead was creased into a worried frown. Something in her gut told her that this mission was going to be costly beyond any other.

'Come back safely,' she said softly. She was gazing at Frank so intently, trying to memorise every detail just in case, that she didn't even care that her voice was tinged with vulnerability and desperation.

Frank pulled her close to him and whispered into her ear, his voice a little hoarse. 'I love you.'