Three weeks.
It had taken three long, painfully boring weeks to be cleared for active duty again.
Alex and Storm had made it somewhat bearable. Storm had taken on a more practical caring role, always making sure she had plenty to eat, and that she was getting enough sleep. He scolded her multiple times for falling asleep on the sofa.
Alex had become more of a friend, despite their rocky introduction. He had a seemingly endless supply of junk food, comics and old TV shows, and most afternoons he'd spend just hanging out with her.
"Don't you have Crucible training?" she'd ask occasionally.
He always had a vague reason for not going, and to her surprise she didn't really mind at all.
She couldn't help but notice the silent competitive behaviour creeping up in them both, and it filled her with a sense of dread.
Lucy did not do emotions.
Not anymore.
They were trying to impress her, please her, draw her to them and best each other.
Being unable to take care of herself at home, Storm had moved back into the Exile house, and they had all insisted that she move in with them as well - "Till your leg heals." Alex had assured her.
They'd given her a corner dorm on the sunny side of the complex. Out her window was a beautiful view of the city, and she could even see the Traveller if she looked up. Her room was nestled in between Alex and Lee's, and Storms was two doors down on the left.
It was cosy enough, with a big bay window and a large bed with plushy pillows.
She was out on the balcony, gazing down absentmindedly at the city. Storm and Alex were inside, debating something with very slightly raised voices.
She cocked her head to listen.
"I'm not saying it's a bad weapon, Alex. It's just not as good as mine." Storm was saying, and Lucy snorted.
She never thought she could fancy a Titan, but in all honesty it had never crossed her mind. The two Titans on her old Fireteam had been together for centuries, and truth be told she'd never seen two people so in love. There was something sexy about Titans though, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was how big and strong they were. Occasionally if she took too long moving somewhere, Storm would pick her up with one arm and carry her to the destination. At first it was embarrassing, but now it was quite enjoyable - not that she'd ever admit it.

Hunters were a completely different story. They were very physical lovers, often a little agressive and played dirty behind closed doors. She would know, the Hunter on her Fireteam, Kevin, and her had spent many a cold night keeping each other warm.

That's all it had been though. In the midst of so much bloodshed and bullets, he was the physical she craved. He was the outlet, and he had a knack for fucking the bad feelings away.

But no matter how good the sex was, the warmth of his body against hers never lasted, and she would wake up as cold as she had been before. She wasn't sure why he never stayed, perhaps he had the same fears of loss as she did.

There was something about Alex that intrigued her just as much as Storm did, although she felt like it was more sexual chemistry than anything else. He'd find ways to touch her, press himself against her, and the smell of him made her lust after him. Through his playful advances though, he'd never given any clear signs, and she didn't dare make any of her own.

She'd never known love until the Warlock came along. He'd been right under her nose the entire time, serving faithfully alongside her, and she'd failed to notice. That was, until one day when he'd seen Kevin sneaking out of her room in the early hours.
He'd challenged her the next morning.
"Why do you do it?" He'd asked rather abruptly.
"What?"
"Kev."
She'd stared at him with a face full of confusion mixed with guilt.
"Don't know what you're talking about." She'd refused to hold his gaze. His forwardness had thrown her completely through a loop.
"You do." He'd moved closer, and tilted her chin towards him. Her heart was racing. She'd been totally oblivious to his feelings for years. She almost felt bad about it, but this had been the first time he'd shown any kind of interest in her.
The next few moments had been a blur, his lips against hers, tongue hot and pressing. She'd felt herself melt into his arms, and from that point on, they became inseparable.
Losing him broke her heart.

The sudden tears pricking in her eyes snapped her back to reality, and Storm and Alex focussed back into her vision. The two were being nicer to each other now, Storm was aiming Alex's Last Word at the wall and Alex was giving him pointers.
No emotions. She scolded herself. Now was not the time for love, or sex, or anything for that matter. Staying focussed right now was the important task.