Okay, the next one will actually get into the mission. I just had to build a little more into the Rico/Julien arc that was going on and add to Kowalski's suffering.

Kowalski wasn't sure how much more he could take of Skipper and Hans together. There hadn't been a single moment of peace since they had left and he had never been more envious of Private's ability to sleep anywhere and through anything. He had tried to take apart the formula of the toxin Doris had created for himself; CENTRAAL could have missed something but it was difficult to do with only a phone. And even more difficult to with the unending snarking coming from the front seat leaving with few options other than reading, playing games on his phone, or staring out the window. All three of which grew rather boring after three solid hours of driving. He wondered if Rico had also grown bored, but a quick glance only showed he was on his phone and gave no indication of being stir crazy.

It was only a moment later that he felt his phone buzz and fought back a laugh as he read the question and knew who it was from without needing to check the name.

Are they fighting or flirting?

He looked over to Rico who sat on the other side of Private and caught his eye. Instantly he recognized the spark of mischief in Rico's as the man inclined his head toward the front.

I think the fighting is the flirting. Kowalski sent off his reply and couldn't help but smile when he heard a soft chuckle come from Rico a moment later. He watched in anticipation as Rico typed, which slowly turned over to anxiety the more time passed.

Finally, a message came back, surprising Kowalski with its length.

Whatever it is, if one of us has to share a tent or room with them, it's going to be Private.

Agreed. He owes us.

Kowalski sent his reply, wondering if the remark had anything to do with the spasms from the other night. He involuntarily shuddered at the memory of feeling Rico's pulse racing under his fingers. Then he felt himself blush as it called to mind an even earlier memory that he had tried to bury and silently chastised himself before glancing over to Rico. It would be nothing short of mortifying if Rico had taken notice of his reaction.

However, it seemed that Rico hadn't noticed and instead was typing out a message which gave Kowalski a moment to notice how fatigued the other man really looked. He had learned long ago that Rico was seldom open about how he was doing physically, mentally, or emotionally. Instead, he had learned to look for the little things that gave him away and now seeing the dark circles and washed out pallor, Kowalski wondered why they had allowed Rico to be a part of the mission. And as he watched Rico type with one hand while the other toyed with a small charm (perhaps a cross?) on a paperclip thin gold chain around his neck, he wondered if Rico even wanted to be a part of the mission. Honestly, if the situation was reversed, Kowalski wasn't sure he would want to. He felt his phone buzz and he looked and saw a reply from Rico who was busy typing again.

How many do you think he owes us?

As many as we need to get through this trip. Kowalski's response was near instantaneous as his mind wandered back to the chain Rico was continuing to fidget with as he typed. While in Rico's wilder days (and that in itself was a frightening concept) it hadn't been unusual to see him sporting some form of jewelry. And although it was primarily body jewelry, Kowalski recalled a variety of more "traditional" jewelry in the form of chains and the ever-memorable spiked collar, he couldn't remember Rico owning anything that looked remotely like what he had on at the moment. In fact, now that Kowalski was really looking at it, at least as best as he could, it didn't look like a cross at all, instead, it appeared to be….

A clover.

The realization hit Kowalski like a sucker punch to the stomach or a mouthful of Skipper's monkfish surprise. Guilt settled heavily in his chest and he looked away recalling the moments between Rico and Julien he had intruded on.

U were staring. Is everything ok?

Kowalski read the message and blushed with embarrassment once again.

Just noticed the necklace is all. It looked familiar.

It's Julien's. Gave it to me this morning. Said that clover always brought him luck so maybe it would bring me some.

Kowalski felt his throat tighten as he read the message.

I thought you and Julien broke up.

We did.

So when did you get back together?

We didn't.

Oh. The word nearly passed through Kowalski's lips as it passed through his brain. His fingers hesitated over the keys, ghosting over letters, unsure of how to respond. What could he say? He wasn't even sure what he was feeling as he processed the new information. Could the new feeling in his chest somehow be relief? Was it a weight lifted at the idea that he wouldn't be responsible for ruining another life if they failed the mission?

We still love each other.

No. Not relief. But whatever the feeling was it was overshadowed by a dozen questions about the nature of Rico and Julien's relationship. If they were still in love then why weren't they still together? More jarring was the fact that when asked about the breakup, Rico had said that it was simply a case of growing apart. But if anything it seemed they had been growing closer. Another buzz sounded and Kowalski looked down with growing dread.

The problem was/is that we just happened to still be in love with other people.

Kowalski swallowed thickly and looked to Rico who had turned attention to the window as if purposely avoiding him. And to add salt to an already gaping wound he noticed that Rico was no longer fidgeting with the gold clover and instead had a hand pressed to the left side of his chest with fingers digging in hard enough to bruise. Quickly, Kowalski looked away and closed his eyes, seeing the words from the file as if it were right there in his hands: Emotional duress potentially accelerates invasive tissue growth.

After a moment, Kowalski found something to say in the face of the information that had come to light and he typed his message. Two simple words (technically three) that seemed empty and hollow in the face of all that had unfolded in the last few days.

I'm sorry.

It wasn't enough and Kowalski could only hope that what he had planned would be enough and that Doris thought that one penguin's life for another was a fair trade.