All recognized Burn Notice characters belong to their creators. I own Lotus.

Fuck. That's what comes to mind as I check my watch for what seems like the 400th time. The flight is late. Which in turn means she's late. I know when they left, know the route the pilot was taking. The weather shouldn't have been a problem.

So now I do the only thing I can do.

Wait.

She's had so many people abandon her.

I will not be one of them.

I'll sit here as long as it takes.

Sitting here in this empty tarmac waiting on some word from her. Anything to ease this anxiety. I'm not used to this feeling. I can count the solo jobs we've done in 4 years on one hand. It's not supposed to be like this. I'm supposed to be with her.

Not because she needs me.

She can survive without me.

I NEED HER.

She's my reason.

This is why, this job...it's our last.

After this one- we're done.

I'll make an honest woman out of her.

Cabin in the mountains on the lake.

Marriage.

Lazy days, loving her every way I can.

Kids, maybe...one day...I hope.

No more jobs.

No more late night surveillance.

No more putting ours lives in danger.

For now though; I have to pass the time.

Check the perimeter, check the supplies.

Check the weapons.

All for what seems like the 400th time.

She'd giggle and roll her eyes at my actions. This isn't her first rodeo.

She's extremely talented.

Top of her class in almost everything.

It's not her first time to Cairo.

Which still doesn't help that she is late.

FOUR fucking hours late.

Waiting isn't my strong suit.

Which she doesn't understand.

I don't understand either- I'm a sniper.

Snipers main aspect is waiting.

There is a big difference between waiting on a mark to come into my scope at the right moment because time slows to a stop in that second it takes for the breath, trigger squeeze and follow through.

This though, I can't breath without her.

As soon as I have eyes on her I'll be fine.

My world will be right on it's axis again.

Fucking bitch is probably doing this on purpose. This has got to be payback.

3 years ago I was 8 hours late on my last solo job. I didn't hear the end of it for 8 months. Shes the one who said no more solo jobs- Mrs. Independent said she'd gotten used to being with me. Wouldn't consider being partnered with someone else.

I'm getting to the point where I'm about to call my Cairo contacts and find out what the fuck happened when I can hear it.

A plane. Except it is not a cargo plane.

This is a private jet plane.

I'm on high alert.

No communication from her.

No way to know who is on the plane.

I move from my position to the sniper post.

Plane rolls to a stop.

5 heavily armed men step out.

They position around the flight steps.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I got plenty of lead but this could go south.

Then, I see a flash of purple.

The sun catches her hair just right.

I know it's her but her back is to me.

She turns.

Red hot rage flows through me.

I want to kill these men now.

She's walking with a limp.

Her right knee isn't flexing properly.

Unnoticeable to strangers but I see it.

Her left arm hangs too low, dislocated.

Raccoon eyes- broken nose.

Split lip.

She scans the area.

Picking out post number two.

She shakes her head. Calling overwatch off.

She trusts them not to attack.

Not enough to give up my location.

Quickly descending I make my way down and out the hanger. I barely hear her speaking Arabic to the armed men.

A quick look and nod from her.

I feel at ease.

She's hurt not injured.

The armed men go back on board.

A man in a suit comes out gives her a bag

In a heavy accent "Partial payment.. i wire the rest. Shall I call on your services again? You were most effective that... situation not with standing"

She doesn't look at me but I see her body react to his words, she's on edge.

She replies strongly but quietly.

"No, this I will consider a reduced payment in full. That situation as you so lightly described was a full blown double cross from your closest advisor. WE won't return, EVER...oh and Amir don't think for one second that I don't know that you wouldn't have minded if I had not survived."

He takes a deep breath and a step to her at the same I take 3 quick strides to her side. I speak calmly.

"AMIR we're square. Go home before one of us does kill you."

Finally after what seems like an eternity he boards the plane and takes off. We scan the horizon and the perimeter.

A few more moments and it's over.

They're gone.

She's here.

Slowly she turns. Exhaling a deep breath.

I see a thousand thoughts in her eyes.

I was scared. I'm hurting. I'm tired.

I'm hungry. I need you. I love you.

I do my best to return looks to convey.

I'm here now. I'll patch you up.

You can rest and eat. I've got you.

I love you too.

"Let's go baby. We gotta get out of here."

She replies, "Gonna wine and dine me?"

"Only the best for you" I reply with a grin.

"I look like a fucking raccoon" she groans.

I pull her to me and as cliche as it is

"Yeah, but you're MY raccoon"

She glares which turns to a "FUCK" when I set her shoulder.

She grimaces through the rest of the pain and says "Ugh- I should've set that hours ago. I just didn't trust them to touch me. Okay, please tell me there is a decent pizza place around here! Then just so you know, I'm doing the bare minimum when we get in bed. I'm hurt after all." She winks. I kiss her and pour all my love into it.

How in the fucking hell do I tell her we're going against her fucking brother?