One Sad Jackunzel Kiss, coming up. The first time Jack had to leave for an assignment after they got married. This is why Jack usually leaves before she wakes up. It hurts too much.

Kiss Me Goodbye

They had known this was coming.

Every time the doctors had told them cheerfully that the stab wound in Jack's side was healing without a problem. More rapidly than expected. Apparently the procedure had increased his healing abilities. She had been grateful he was recovering. But there had been that shadow on the horizon. Knowing that, once he was cleared for active service, he would be back on the field.

Though it had been weeks since he was given a clean bill of health – she suspected Tsar Lunar had given them time.

They'd had two months together. While Jack healed, and the settled into the safe house. (Though Jack's injury had put a damper on the first few weeks of their honeymoon.) And it was time she was grateful for.

She had known this was coming.

But that didn't make it easier.

Jack finished packing his last few things, then the silence was bropen by the whir of the zipper as he closed it.

"You're sure you'll be okay?" Jack asked.

Rapunzel looked up to meet his concerned gaze. Blue, now. Not warm brown. Maybe someday soon she would be used to the change, and it wouldn't take her by surprise.

She forced herself to smile, smoothing the black leather jacket draped over her forearm. Then looked back at her husband.

"I'll be fine," she said. Because that was what he needed to hear. And it was true.

"You're sure?"

It was a conversation they'd had multiple times in the past few days. Since they had realized that their reprieve was fast coming to a close. And she had to face the fact she had married a special operative.

"I'm sure." Again, she forced a smile, trying to put a note of teasing in her voice. "Without you distracting me, I can finally start working on the garden. And sending my portfolio out to editors."

The corner of Jack's mouth twitched in something close to a grin. But only a twitch.

"Lunar promised it's safe," she said, her voice growing serious. "I- I've always trusted him."

"That's not what I asked," he said quietly, still standing by his backpack. He was dressed for work: black cargo pants, and a fitted, black tshirt that teased her by grazing over the contours of muscles she was now very familiar with.

The night before, she had finger-painted swirling purple lines across his chest and stomach. For no particular reason other than that her paints had been within reach. She wondered how long they would last. Probably not long. If they weren't washed off with sweat when he worked out, they would come off in the shower.

Coming around the bed, she reached out and took his left hand. Raising it so she could see the white gold bracelet he wore. She twisted it so the small amethyst was at the top.

"I'm trying to be strong," she said. Not able to meet his eyes. Wishing she wasn't saying this. But needing to be honest. "I'm trying not to say that I want you to stay. Because we both know you can't. And I can't change that I'm going to worry about you."

She stroked her thumb over the back of his pale hand. Wanting to remember the contrast of her tan skin against his.

"It's team orientation," Jack said. "They're not going to send us on a high stakes assignment right out the gate."

It was an attempt to reassure her. But they both knew the high risk assignments would come. It was only a matter of time.

But Rapunzel forced herself to take a deep breath. Her mother had always taught her that there was no point worrying about what wasn't here yet.

"So I'm just going to say that I'll miss you," she said, finally looking up into those blue, blue eyes. Unforgiving, unrelenting blue. When she wasn't surprised by them, her breath caught with how beautiful the shade was.

"Com'ere," Jack whispered. He took the jacket from her, setting it on the bed.

His calloused fingers brushed over her cheek, a barely there touch as he leaned in. The moment his forehead touched hers, she felt tears well up in her eyes. But she closed them, fighting back. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry. Jack needed her to be strong – not for her to cry and cling to him when he needed to go. He needed to know that she would be alright on her own, that she could keep moving while he was gone.

When his lips touched hers, though, she couldn't stop the sob that welled up inside her.

Jack started to pull back. Probably to try and comfort her.

There was nothing he could say. Words wouldn't help right now. So she wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him close as she pressed her lips to his.

He seemed to understand. His arms circled her back. Holding her almost too tight as their lips moved in fervent tandem.

In that moment, that was what she needed. To feel him, solid and alive. To remember the taste and feel of him. Somehow, knowing he was alive now, reassured her that he would come back safely.

Too soon, he pulled back.

"I have to go," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I don't want to. I'd rather stay with you."

Rapunzel nodded. She reached up to wipe away her tears, but he beat her to it. There was something wonderful about the gentle way his rough thumb wiped away her tears. He was a fighter, through and through. But with her, he put the fighter aside. Touching her carefully. Tenderly.

"I know," she said. "I can't keep you here when people need a hero."

Jack snorted. "Thanks, Punz. But I'm not a hero."

The nickname sent a shiver of happiness up her spine.

"You're mine," she said, squeezing his hand.

He grinned faintly. "Thanks."

Turning away, he picked up the jacket and shrugged into it. And like that, Jackson Overland was hidden behind the mask of Jack Frost.

She followed him downstairs, to the front door. They both hesitated. Stalling in their last few moments together.

Jack stepped close again. Forehead touching hers.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

They kissed again, but didn't linger.

"I'll be back."