WASHINGTON, D.C.
"Benji?" Skye murmured into the dark.
"Don't worry, it's me," came the response as he got into bed next to her. "Go back to sleep."
"Sleep," she mumbled with some irony. She still hadn't moved or opened her eyes and seemed to have no intention of doing so. "When you hear someone entering who could be anyone wearing a mask."
He kissed her forehead. "It's me, feather."
Skye sighed and got closer. "I'm not yet used to this."
Despite spending the night together at their respective flats in turn for almost the entirety of their relationship, this suddenly felt different. Skye and Benji had moved in together. They had played with the idea before, but with missions going on and never knowing when they would have the time, the plan had never come to fruition. Now that wasn't an issue anymore, and since Skye craved distraction from the fact that she was working for the CIA now, she had thrown herself into the move with everything she had. Organised a realtor and scheduled viewings, and before Benji knew it they had fallen for a nice flat and were packing their stuff into cardboard boxes.
Coming home felt different now. Better than before.
Benji smiled. "What would you do if I was someone wearing a mask?" he asked after a while, suddenly interested. He half expected not to get a reply anymore, but Skye's nose nudged into his shoulder when she answered.
"Right now I can think of five ways to incapacitate you." Her voice was soft and sleepy. "Six, if I can get the window open."
Benji swallowed. "Maybe we should think of a codeword."
She chuckled for a second and let her hand slide under his shirt, tracing the muscles of his flat stomach – not enough to overly show, but certainly enough to be felt. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation.
"Ben?" she asked when he thought she'd already dosed off again.
"Ooh, that sounds serious."
"Just promise me to be careful."
Benji swallowed. "What do you mean?"
Skye moved slightly, and he turned his head to meet her eyes.
"You helping Ethan."
He opened his mouth, ready to disagree and counter her, but when an adequate response finally popped into his head, he knew the pause had already been long enough to confirm whatever suspicions she might have.
"Benji, I'm not stupid," she continued. "They cut me off from looking at anything that concerns the Special Activities Division, which isn't normal considering I'm supposed to be leading Extractions, meaning they don't trust me. I know Ethan was on to something before he disappeared. Ever since the CIA has labelled him as a wanted fugitive for classified reasons. And not even he can hide this long from someone as determined as Hunley without any help. Also there's not many people you would accept a Windows phone for."
Benji took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. "Skye... I can't just-"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to stop. I don't doubt that Ethan needs you. Just don't get caught."
He looked back at her. "You're incredible."
She smiled. "Do I get the whole story now?"
Benji sighed. "Do you remember when you said I was worth a thousand CIA jobs?"
"Yes?"
"Just keep that in mind."
/\/\/\/\/\/\
"...and the best part is, Hunley decided to make the polygraphs a weekly thing. The next one is scheduled for tomorrow, and I have no idea how to get out of it," Benji finished his report of what was going on, by now sitting cross-legged on crumpled blankets.
"Are you sure that Hunley is on to you?" Skye was sitting up as well, facing her boyfriend while leaning against the wall.
"Not necessarily, but I guess Ethan ditched them one time too often for him to keep believing that it's chance. He's less suspicious of Brandt, fortunately, but I'm guessing he's gonna wait for me to break."
"Then don't break," she said simply.
"How? How am I supposed to beat a polygraph every seven days?"
"For god's sake, you're still a trained field agent. You can withstand interrogation, you're better than some ditsy CIA polygraph." She nudged his shoulder and elicited a smile. "Okay, look. Generally there's two ways to beat a polygraph."
Expectantly, Benji raised his eyebrows.
"Either you're a good enough liar. Or you tell the truth. I mean, you've done it before, how did you beat it last time?"
Benji looked at the ceiling. "I told the truth."
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Skye hated being stuck in one place, and Benji knew that. She loved the field agent life, never knowing where you end up next, which country you'll be in tomorrow. She needed it. Which made the fact that he had confined her to D.C. the worst thing he could have done to her – and the fact that she had stayed the biggest possible proof of her affection. She kept quiet about it, never voiced her discomfort for the sake of her pride and his guilt, and kept herself busy with making the new flat their home. But by now every carpet was rolled out, their bookshelf was assorted and the last plates were sorted into cupboards. There was nothing left to do except practising for polygraphs.
Benji knew how unhappy she secretly was. Precisely the reason why he was looking forward to bringing her good news.
"What brings you up here?" Skye said when she saw him enter her department.
"How's it going?" he asked cheerfully.
Skye sighed. "Do you remember Crover?"
"Yeah? What about him?"
"These people make me miss him."
Benji smiled. "Bad day?"
Skye shrugged, slightly annoyed. "The usual. Some moustache tried to chat me up, and everyone hates me because I'm new and their boss. But what are you gonna do. How was the polygraph?"
"Pretty good. I tried royalty this time."
"Denmark?"
"Norway."
"Nice."
He smiled. "Anyway, today is about to get a lot better."
Skye raised her eyebrows.
Benji showed her the two tickets in his hand.
Skye tilted her head to read. "Vienna?"
"That opera magazine you always make fun of sent me those as a thank you for my subscription," he said teasingly. "We leave on Friday. I already booked our flight."
Skye was already hugging him before he could finish the sentence. "That's amazing!"
"It's just for the weekend. And you'll have to sit through an opera with me. But I feel like it's exactly what we need."
"Yes, it is," Skye agreed, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
It was so good to see her smile.
Author's Note: All right, enough with the fluff now, shit is about to get real. Thanks for being so patient, and for the reviews, it means the world to me!
