Be Steel My Heart

By RocketFAN

Chapter four: On borrowed time

"Take it easy?" Hun repeated Giovanni's words in a mocking tone. It had only been two months since she was released from the hospital after suffering a mild heart attack.

"Come on, Hun, you had a freakin' heart attack! I'm surprised the boss is letting you stay on the team," her partner, Attila told her as he sat down next to her.

"And why wouldn't he?!" Hun snapped at the comment.

"Well, you have a chronic heart condition. Even the doctor said you were on 'borrowed time' unless you get a heart transplant. What is he supposed to do? He cares about you. And so do I," Attila said while taking her hand.

"I just don't like to be limited to what I can do. I've always been the "sick one," even when I was a kid. I could never run around and play sports like all the other kids. I was told when I was a teenager that the odds of finding a donor with the same tissue and blood type as me were slim to none. I've been on 'borrowed time' for 20 years. Hopefully I can borrow at least 20 more," Hun said softly with a sad smile.

"How come you never told me about this?" Attila asked her while scooting closer to her.

"I never tell anyone I'm sick. It seems like when people know, they treat me differently. Like they feel sorry for me or something. And that's the last thing I ever want: pity. I've been fine for a long time, except for that. I really don't want to start taking medication again. I've been on it all my life, it's just such a pain," Hun said while leaning back against the couch with a sigh.

"Well, if it will keep you from having another heart attack, I think a little inconvenience is better than a big one," Attila told her while putting his arm around her and pulling her closer to him in his usual rough fashion.

"Nothing's guaranteed, Attila," she said while getting up and walking over to her window. She enjoyed hanging out in her quarters with him. He was such a good friend and confidant to her, and made her feel safe and comfortable unlike anyone else ever had. Suddenly, her comm link started beeping. "Hun here," she answered into it.

"I have a mission for you and Attila. Meet me in my office in 10 minutes," Giovanni's voice said over the link.

"Right away, sir," Hun answered and shut the link.

"You heard him, 10 minutes," she said with a raised eyebrow to her partner.

"Let's go," Attila said with an exasperated sigh as he walked out the door with Hun following closely.

"How are you feeling, Hun?" Giovanni asked her as they entered his ritzy office.

"I wish everyone would stop asking me that. But I'm fine, thank you," she replied slightly irritably.

"We have a little problem with one of our high-ranking officers that I would like the two of you to resolve," Giovanni explained.

"A bounty hunt! Your giving us a bounty hunt! Sir, we're class "A" members, aren't those for rookies'?" Hun replied angrily.

"Usually, they are, but I think this would be a good mission for you," Giovanni said cooly.

"Why?" Hun asked while folding her arms in her usual way when she was mad.

"Considering the circumstances . . . I think you should take it easy for a while," Giovanni replied.

"This isn't fair, sir. I'm fine now," Hun said a little calmer, seeing Giovanni's genuine concern for her.

"I don't want to take any risks, Hun. I am only looking out for you and your health," Giovanni said in sweet tone, one he used rarely.

"Okay," Hun agreed to the mission with a deep sigh.

"Don't worry, boss, we'll get him!" Attila said as he accepted his mission.