Raelle was packing a basket with food when Tally came into the kitchen in a blissful mood that she hadn't seen in a while. "Good morning; you look quite happy."
"Oh, does it show?" Tally wondered lightheartedly hovering around Raelle and picking up one of the sandwiches she had made.
"Hey, make your own," Raelle swatted her hand away. "I take it, Jin was quite capable?" She couldn't help but tease her sister-in-arms.
"He made moves that were not in that book if that's what you mean," Tally shared happily. She was still in a heady state when a familiar face popped into the kitchen.
"Hi," Gregorio greeted them quietly. He wasn't sure how welcome he would be in a Spree house.
"Hi," Raelle greeted back for both of them because Tally was stunned to silence. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," Gregorio admitted, looking directly at Tally. "Although officially, I'm here to assist Anacostia on her mission."
Raelle took advantage of having finished packing her basket to get out of the awkward situation and take Scylla out for a trip to the lake. She saw Scylla heading towards the kitchen and diverted her away instead.
"What's going on?" Scylla asked.
"You wouldn't want to be in there," Raelle warned, pulling her gently towards the garage. "Gregorio is here."
"Who?" Scylla asked, having not heard about him before.
"It's a long story," Raelle said, avoiding the subject. "Besides, weren't we going to the lake?" She stood still while Scylla did her work to transform her back to Jack at least as a precaution as they drove through the city.
"You look great, Jack," Scylla said proudly.
"Thanks to Justine who takes good care of me," Raelle said, appreciating her work. "You driving?"
Scylla got behind the wheel and drove them to a secluded part of the lake. She walked to the lake edge and tested the water to her satisfaction.
.
Scylla sat on the grass cradling Raelle's head as she ran her fingers down the blonde's braided hair. She marveled at how peaceful it was and wished that they could just run away together to a place like it and shut the world away.
"Then I'll color my hair pink," Raelle said loudly to draw her attention.
"What?" Scylla asked, missing the conversation.
"You haven't heard a word I said, have you?" Raelle said more than asked, getting up to sit next to her. "Are you going to tell me now what that was about with Anacostia?"
Scylla took a deep breath and faced Raelle. "During the attack on the facility, I'll be inside to rescue the witches they have captive."
"No," Raelle said strongly. "There must be other agents for that."
"There are not enough of us," Scylla explained. "Besides, I have unfinished business with the Camarilla."
"What happened to us doing this together?"
"We still are; just using our different skills where needed," Scylla continued. "You and your unit will be destroying their militia and contain the witch plague while the rest of us round up the non-combatant Camarilla and prevent innocent witches and civilians from getting caught in the crossfire."
Raelle couldn't argue that point. "When this is all over, I'm leaving the Army." She made that decisive decision there and then.
"I don't think that's possible," Scylla noted. "The Army won't let you go; you're the most powerful witch alive."
"It is precisely because of it that they have to let me go," Raelle reasoned.
"Then what will you do instead?" Scylla wondered, opening herself to the possibility.
"Maybe find a beach where I can watch ships sail to distant lands," Raelle repeated something Scylla said, watching her conceal her reaction with a well-rehearsed smile. "And maybe this sexy Spree agent I know would consider coming with me. Do you think she would?"
"Tempting," Scylla pretending to hesitate. "Only if you promise not to color your hair pink." She later got up and prepared to go for a dip.
Raelle realized then that she forgot to bring towels.
"It doesn't matter, live a little," Scylla said invitingly when told.
Raelle remembered they got in trouble the last time she said those words but didn't care either time.
.
Raelle showed Scylla where she hid the vial of witch plague as they discussed what to do with it.
"Is it safe?" Scylla wondered, watching the black substance wiggle inside of the container.
"I think so," Raelle guessed. "It doesn't seem dangerous until it's out of the vial."
"So, it can't get through glass or metal," Scylla observed based on what she's seen so far.
"You wouldn't happen to know where we can get a gigantic glass jar would you?"
Scylla laughed and appreciated how easily Raelle could lighten her mood. "We should go; it's getting late." She watched as Raelle carefully hid the vial again.
"So, do you think I made the right decision?" Raelle asked, having opted to keep it away from them.
"Yes; until we learn more about it, it's best to keep it safely away from us," Scylla agreed, glad that her opinion mattered.
"I still owe you dinner," Raelle said as they walked back to the car. "I made a mess the other night then things just got a little chaotic since."
"You don't have to," Scylla assured her.
"I want to," Raelle insisted. "I saw this restaurant that Abigail said has lobster and aba-something."
"Abalone," Scylla finished for her. "It's an expensive mollusk."
"Beautiful and smart," Raelle noted with pride. "You're worth it."
"Why don't we just get burgers and fries," Scylla suggested, being the practical one.
"But I want us to be fancy," Raelle tried to convince her.
"In case you've forgotten, you're supposed to lay low," Scylla reminded her.
"But I'm going as Jack," Raelle countered.
"If we're going to be fancy, I'd like it to be with you not as Jack," Scylla answered back.
"Can I get milkshake?" Raelle reluctantly settled, loving that Scylla wanted to be with her as herself.
"And milkshake," Scylla agreed.
When they got back to the house, Scylla had an idea to have dinner on the roof.
"This is a great idea," Raelle said, sitting next to Scylla. She did worry that the house was getting far too crowded for an intimate dinner. Now they had just that.
.
Scylla was feeling a little cold making her snuggle closer to Raelle while they watched the stars on the roof.
"There you are," Tally called out, coming out of the attic window to join them.
"Tal, we're having a private moment," Raelle warned, hoping to be left alone.
"I need you," Tally insisted. "Sorry for interrupting Scylla." She watched the brunette sit up and encourage Raelle to go so she mouthed a thank you to her.
"What is it?" Raelle asked, climbing back inside the house and not hiding her annoyance. "This has better be good."
"I think I'm in trouble with Gregorio," Tally said. "I told him about Jin."
"Ok," Raelle wondered why this was an issue for a knower. "So, what's the problem?"
"He's hard to read," Tally admitted. "I'm not sure if he's ok with it or not."
"Then just tell him you were helping Scylla out with the death current," Raelle suggested. She knew Tally liked Gregorio but it was obvious she was also fond of Jin.
"It's just that he hasn't made a move," Tally complained. "But Jin has."
"Then maybe this is the wake-up call Gregorio needs," Raelle explained. "If he still doesn't do something, he never will."
"You're right," Tally agreed, hugging Raelle for being her sounding board.
Raelle was glad she could help Tally but disappointed when she saw Scylla climb back inside. "Weren't you supposed to wait for me out there?"
"I just wanted to grab a jacket," Scylla explained.
Raelle offered to get it for her and also grabbed a warm blanket for good measure.
"The moon is almost full," Scylla noted as they looked up at the night sky.
"Hmm," Raelle intoned briefly.
"Are you sleepy?" Scylla asked, turning to look at her.
"No; I'm just very content," Raelle explained. "I wish everyday could be like today."
"When we win the war, I promise we will have as many as you want," Scylla said.
"When not if," Raelle thought to herself. Scylla's confidence always amazed her and made her hopeful for their future.
.
Raelle felt Scylla stir beside her and groaned to object to the brunette waking up so early.
"Good morning," Scylla greeted, reaching over to run her fingers through Raelle's hair. "I should make us breakfast before it gets busy in the kitchen."
"No, let's just wait until Jin makes his omelet on toast for everyone," Raelle suggested, pulling Scylla back into her arms. "I think we can use the time to keep each other warm."
Scylla was agreeable until she heard Raelle's stomach grumble signaling it needed attention. "I think your body thinks otherwise."
Raelle felt betrayed by her digestive organ and reluctantly let Scylla go to get them sustenance.
"Perhaps my friends have caught some worms we can feast on," Scylla teased, checking the window. She caught the pillow Raelle threw at her in protest to that suggestion.
"I'm not eating worms," Raelle said still half asleep. "Even if they are cooked!"
"Alright, omelet it is," Scylla yielded, hoping Jin had started cooking already.
Raelle waited and waited until she couldn't anymore so she got up to find her missing girlfriend. She jogged to the kitchen and found a tray ready with two plates in front of Scylla.
Scylla was conversing with Nicte when she saw Raelle out of the corner of her eye. She handed her girlfriend a plate of food and gave a repentant smile for making her wait so long.
"We leave in an hour," Nicte said, giving the couple time to have breakfast together.
Raelle sat at the table across from Scylla and began to eat. "Where are you going?"
"Nicte asked me to help convince some holdouts," Scylla explained.
"To push or persuade them?" Raelle asked, wondering why Nicte needed Scylla for that until she remembered it took a lot of work.
"None of that," Scylla clarified, guessing her thoughts correctly. "We won't force them to join the fight; we're not like the Army and make it illegal if they don't."
Raelle heard the lingering bitterness in her voice that made her reach for Scylla's hand to ease her pain.
.
"Scyl, I just don't understand why this has to take so long," Raelle complained, learning that she'd be gone for a few days if not weeks. "Can't you just like send them notices like the Army does when they call us to serve or maybe use mirrors like the Spree does?"
"You do understand that we're trying to earn their trust by showing we're neither," Scylla explained.
"But why does it have to be you?" Raelle asked.
"Because I have a unique perspective; I was raised a dodger, became a Spree agent then joined the Army and got attacked by the Camarilla. I can show them that our goals are similar."
"Can't you just write a letter?" Raelle wondered, knowing that a sigil would express her sincerity.
"Nicte believes that an in-person meeting would help assure them that this is real," Scylla said.
"By linking with you?" Raelle wondered, knowing how guarded she is.
"Only if necessary," Scylla said, hoping to rely on her other skills instead.
"Will they find out about us?" Raelle asked.
"Are we a secret?" Scylla asked, wondering why Raelle was suddenly secretive.
"No, but a lot of it is," Raelle said, blushing a little.
"No one can draw those memories out; not even Anacostia," Scylla said confidently, knowing what she meant. "I have to go pack."
"Aren't you always packed?" Raelle said more than asked.
"I'm leaving most of my things with you," Scylla replied, wanting to let Raelle know she's coming back.
"Call me," Raelle entreated, watching Scylla pack a smaller bag for the trip.
"Every day," Scylla promised.
"And every night," Raelle added, sitting at the edge of their bed. "I want to hear your voice before I go to sleep."
"Anything else?" Scylla asked, leaning over to give her a kiss.
"Stay safe," Raelle requested, getting up to walk her out.
"Where are you going?" Tally asked, seeing them on her way to the kitchen.
"Take care of her for me," Scylla asked Tally before giving Raelle another hug goodbye.
.
Raelle was taking a break from training and wondered if Scylla's plane had arrived at her destination.
"Missing her already?" Anacostia asked, sitting next to her.
"I never really stopped," Raelle admitted. "Even when I thought I'd never see her again. Do you think she misses me, too?"
"She's probably thinking about you," Anacostia presumed. "Probably imagining how much you've improved since being together. But I don't see it."
Raelle could hear the challenge in her voice so decided to show her just how far she's come in training.
"What is going on?" Quinn asked, seeing a purposeful Raelle march to her sisters-in-arms.
"A little motivation to see just how good she is," Anacostia said with a smile. She watched as the trio showed her what they were truly capable of.
"Where did that come from?" Tally asked, amazed at how well they performed even before Anacostia gave her opinion.
"That's what happens when necro isn't distracting Raelle," Abigail explained.
Raelle was forming a retort but then remembered Scylla asking her to temper her impulsiveness so she let it go. Instead, she decided to look forward to telling Scylla when she called about how she impressed Anacostia.
"Raelle, I was wondering if you can help me," Gregorio requested, sitting next to her and away from Tally.
Raelle looked over at Tally who was busying herself looking out the window at the road and wondered why he wasn't talking to Tally instead of her. She tentatively accepted.
"I'd like to take Tally to a romantic dinner," Gregorio said softly. "But if I take her out, Jin would need to tag along and there's just nowhere in the house to have a private moment."
Raelle debated whether to share the spot Scylla had found for them or not. She looked at Gregorio and felt for him so she decided to go ahead and hoped Scylla wouldn't mind. She saw him light up and begin to describe what he would do. "I don't need to know the details; just make Tally happy."
"If there's anything you ever need," he offered. "Just let me know."
"Actually, if you don't mind," she began. "I'd like to have a fancy dinner with Scylla when she returns."
"I'll tell them to expect your call," he agreed.
.
"Scyl?" Raelle answered the call on its first ring. She could hear Scylla take a breath and imagined her smile.
"What if you were wrong?" Scylla asked. "I could've been a telemarketer."
"I'd buy anything you're selling," Raelle replied, smiling when she heard Scylla laugh. "So, how're things over there?"
"Unfortunately, I'm not a good telemarketer after all," Scylla said sadly, having seen the resistance from the first few contacts they had talked to so far.
"I'm sure you'll find a way to make them believe and see what they can become," Raelle assured her.
"Scylla," a male voice called to her on the other end.
"I'll be right there," Scylla replied to him. "I have to go, Raelle."
"Who was that?" Raelle asked curiously.
"That was Larry," Scylla said briefly. "We met when we were kids." She added to give Raelle an idea how she knew him.
"At the beach?" Raelle wondered, wanting to know more.
"No, in school," Scylla clarified, realizing what Raelle might think. "He's just a friend."
"Are you sure?" Raelle prodded for more details about the guy since she couldn't see her reaction in-person.
"Raelle, I'm with you," Scylla reassured her. "How're things with you?"
"Aren't you supposed to be with Larry now?" Raelle teased, trying to avoid the question.
"I'd rather be on the phone with you," Scylla admitted. "So, how did training go?" She wanted to prolong their call as much as she could.
"Anacostia is using you to make me work harder," Raelle said, looking at her former drill sergeant seated in the family room waiting for Jin to finish cooking dinner. "It's a good thing she's heading back to base tomorrow."
"Then it's back to High Atlantic to drive you huh?" Scylla asked, knowing Abigail was probably accusing her of keeping Raelle from her true potential.
"If only she knew that you're actually making me better," Raelle revealed. "I didn't talk back to her today. I tried to be zen."
"That's my girl," Scylla said proudly. "I have to go."
"Alright," Raelle allowed. "Dream of me?"
"Always," Scylla replied before hanging up.
.
Raelle counted down the days and hoped that Scylla would be back by the time she celebrated her birthday. She was quite excited until she heard that Scylla had to go to D.C. for the final push to get the last holdouts on-board. She replayed the previous night's call in her head as she lay in bed ignoring the bird tapping on the window.
"Nicte and I are heading to D.C.," Scylla said. "I've never been there before."
"Neither have I," Raelle replied, trying to suppress the disappointment in her voice. "Will you have time to swing by?"
"I'm afraid not, it's a direct flight," Scylla replied. "I have to go; Nicte wants me ready to go bright and early. I probably won't be able to call you tomorrow morning but I definitely will when I get there, ok?"
Raelle wished she could do something to spend the day with Scylla but each idea that came to her was just not possible. She resigned herself to having the mundane routine and got ready for training.
"Good morning," Tally greeted cheerfully.
"What's wrong with you?" Abigail asked, recognizing that look on Raelle's face. "Did you and necro fight?"
"No Abigail, we didn't fight," Raelle said plainly.
"Of course, they didn't," Tally seconded. "Not on the eve of her birthday. Happy Birthday!" She gave Raelle a big hug.
"Thanks Tal," Raelle said gratefully.
"Did necro forget your birthday then?" Abigail continued.
"I don't think she knows it's my birthday," Raelle said.
"How can she not know?" Abigail persisted.
"It never came up, Abs," Raelle said, getting upset.
"Maybe your mom told her," Tally supposed. "Maybe she's planning a surprise."
"She isn't; she's headed to D.C.," Raelle said, gulping down her breakfast. She tried to just get through the day as quickly as possible but that didn't work out quite as planned. Instead, it seemed to grind on forever.