I made this chapter a little longer than average to make up for such a long wait between chapters. Hopefully, the next wait won't be as long because I plan on wrapping this whole story up by the end of summer.

Chapter 16

I'm surprised by you, Kowalski. This may be the start of a beautiful partnership.

Kowalski could practically hear the purr of Doris's voice as he read the message. A part of him felt some relief that she had even bothered to respond to him now that he was changing the script. But overall he could only feel yet another wave of self-loathing wash over him a part of him wanting nothing more than to come clean to the team or even Hans. But if they knew then his plans would come to a grinding halt and Rico…well Rico would just be facing the same fate.

And speaking of Rico, the other man had just emerged from the bathroom having showered and changed into sweats. Kowalski quickly deleted the text and plugged his phone in to charge. He watched for a moment and then frowned as it seemed like Rico hadn't even noticed him and instead was turning in the night.

"Are you okay? Skipper called a team meeting in 15."

"Just tired," Rico answered, taking a seat on the bed across from Kowalski. For a moment he could almost pretend that they were in their shared room at HQ, but the ache in his chest and the sharp pain shooting up the back of his neck made it hard to forget where they were and why.

"Are you sure? If your symptoms are getting worse you can tell us so we can-"

"Do what?" Rico snapped, cutting Kowalski off mid-sentence. "Nothing?" And as soon as the words left his mouth he regretted it especially after seeing the hurt look briefly cross the other man's face. He knew that Kowalski was still blaming himself for the situation and while a hundred arguments could be made for why Kowalski was at fault (at least in part) the blame really lied with Doris. Rico couldn't blame Kowalski for going after something (someone?) that he had wanted for so long. A chance at happiness like that would have turned anyone blind to even the slightest of red flags.

"Rico…" Kowalski felt at a loss for words but found enough thought to string a sentence together. "We're doing what we can."

"I know, I'm sorry."

Despite his better judgment Kowalski crossed the small space between their beds and sat down next to Rico. He reached over and placed his hand over Rico's arm, positioning it just so he would feel the other man's pulse under his fingers. It was a means of comfort for him which is probably why Rico allowed it and neither of them could remember when exactly the habit had started.

"When I told you that I will do everything and anything I can so that Doris doesn't win this, I meant it." Kowalski finally spoke after a moment, Rico's pulse was strong and steady beneath his fingers and for a moment he could pretend that this was like any mission. "Not because this is my fault and I need to make it right. That may be part of it, but more importantly, after knowing each other for over a decade you're," Kowalski stumbled for a moment. Using the term best friend felt juvenile and to say teammate was too impersonal, "my partner and I'm not ready to lose you.'

Rico's pulse quickened, and he turned his body to face the taller man. Green eyes met blue and it seemed like Rico was about to interrupt but Kowalski continued on, driven by his need to give Rico closure if everything went according to plan.

"And I know that I have lost your trust over the past few weeks, if not months, if the fact that Julien knows things about you that I don't is anything to go by. But that isn't important, what is important is that you're still my partner so your health and happiness matter to me. I don't know how everything is going to play out, but just remember that because I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you survive this." Kowalski frowned as Rico's pulse became rapid, he watched something like hope spark in his eyes, only to be overshadowed by doubt.

"Kowalski…I…."Rico's heart was pounding inside his chest. It would be so easy to say it, just three words, but he couldn't bring himself to not when he knew it wouldn't change anything.

"You don't have to say anything, just promise me that when this is over you'll try to pursue whoever it is that has stolen your heart this time," Kowalski added, remembering their texts in the car. "I know you'll argue that you don't deserve it after what happened with Miguel and the mess that was Guatemala, but you do."

Rico huffed at the irony that Kowalski took for a sound of disbelief, but before either of them could say anything someone pounded on the door.

"Meeting in 2 minutes!" Skipper's voice cut through the moment.

Kowalski broke away from Rico,"I suppose that's our cue," as he stood he noticed that Rico was looking a little worse for wear again, and considering his pulse he had probably experienced another round of coronary spasms. "Unless you're going to stay and lay down for a bit?"

Rico nodded and absently rubbed the back of his neck. The sight causes guilt to once again flare up in Kowalski's own chest.

"I'll fill you in later," Kowalski didn't linger any longer and made his way to the living room/kitchen area of the suite they were staying in. Everyone was already gathered around the table.

"No Rico?" Skipper asked.

No, he's experiencing fatigue and I suspect a headache. I believe he experienced some coronary spasms earlier but didn't say anything," Kowalski answered and hoped that it wouldn't raise any alarm.

"Of course," Skipper huffed in annoyance that Rico wouldn't say anything. "Well, it can't be helped. You can brief him later. It'll be short anyway, just some more insight into what we could expect. Hans, you're up."

"This is the facility that we'll be accessing tomorrow," Hans explained as he set the tablet on the table to show what appeared to be an abandoned storage unit.

"You know, that was not what I was expecting," Private commented as Kowalski took a seat next to him.

Hans moved to the next image which showed that the storage units rested practically in the middle of nowhere. "I believe Francis was attempting the whole hiding in plain sight. While CENTRAAL has made some notable investments, they tend to be cheap and wouldn't waste time or resources checking into abandoned properties."

Skipper huffed at the unnecessary jab, "you can call it cheap, but I'd call it not being wasteful. Besides, there was never anything to tie either Delphini to that location or else CENTRAAL would have investigated it fully."

"I suppose that is kinda brilliant, but I don't think it would be best for the long term. I mean even if CENTRAAL didn't get a hold of all of Blowhole's assets if this wasn't maintained then who knows what is actually left?"

"I'm with Private on that one." Kowalski took it as an opportunity to join the conversation, even if it was just for appearance's sake and by the look, Hans sent him the Puffin knew that as well. "Just how good is your intel that there's something there?"

"Because I made a drop for Francis there a few weeks before he met his end. After that…." Hans paused for a moment trying to find the right word. He had become well acquainted with the events that had transpired from Kowalski's abduction to Francis's death at the hands of Rico. "Incident. I suspected that what I added was Project Collar and I confirmed those suspicions several months ago."

"But you have no way of confirming if its still there now?" Kowalski already knew the answer himself but it would be interesting to see what cards Hans had been given.

"Unfortunately not, but that was less than a year ago and security was still functioning. There is a biometric scanner, but I was still coded to it."

"What about Doris?" Kowalski pressed. "Does she know anything about this facility?"

"As far as I know," Hans offered in return as a veiled jab, "she doesn't and I have quite the web woven to keep it that way. If for any reason the scanner does not accept me, say a rat got in and chewed some wires, then we may be able to access the lab through the ventilation system. The key thing is to not set off any of the security protocols as they are rigged to wipe everything. So no pressure."

"Alright men, we have an idea of what we're up against tomorrow, but we need to be ready for anything so it's time to call it a night." Skipper stood up as he spoke and then turned his attention to the youngest member of the team. "Private, you're bunking with me and Hans tonight."