Mika, I showed , Raizo, what you have so far about this child trafficking situation, he agreed to help, so we're getting started, me and him" Maslow leafed through a folder.
"Another case of your bromance, I suppose, I fielded this case, so I'm as much part of it" she replied coolly.
"Absolutely not" Raizo said in a dangerously low voice
"Excuse me?" Mika laughed dryly.
"The men who kidnap these children are just a surface, the big people up there involved are more dangerous" Maslow explained.
"It won't be my first time to piss off the big people up there" she shrugged.
"Yes, and you barely made it alive that last time" Maslow reminded her.
"What else did you expect Maslow, me riding into the sunset the bad guys gone?" she said sarcastically.
"Mika, if you think you are joining me and Maslow out there you are mistaken, because you are not" Raizo who had been trying to stay out of the conversation finally spoke.
"Well, the thing is none of you will stop me" she had a smug smile.
"I will, I will stop you" Raizo said confidently.
"I'm under the impression that this is my life'
"You haven't been exactly been the good judge in preserving that life" Raizo cut in again.
"So have you!"She snapped back.
"Err guys, cool down a bit okay" Maslow interjected feeling the heat from both sides.
"Maslow, this isn't what you called me for here, I came here so I could replace her role in this operation" Raizo lowered his voice.
"Who's to say you won't die too? She had lowered her voice too.
"Mika, I can take care of myself" he almost pleaded.
"So can I Raizo"
Maslow sighed; the war of words was going on again.
"I almost lost you once Mika, and losing you again is something I'm not prepared to do"
"I almost lost you too, numerous times Raizo"
Maslow rolled his eyes, that was the problem with working with people with unresolved feelings everything became personal.
"Uh, you know what, I'll leave you two to discuss this and come up with a solution" Maslow stood up and left the two of them together.
"I want to help too Raizo, there are helpless children, kidnapped, separated from everything they know to be used by merciless men for their own selfish means" Mika pleaded.
"I know Mika, your research has helped, your efforts has bought this to our attention"
"I can't just sit here and do nothing; I feel it's not enough"
"I know how it feels Mika, I—was one of those children too once remember" he swallowed. Mika looked down the table surface for a moment her feelings a jumble of colors'
"Just—be safe, you and Ryan" she said hesitantly.
"We will be, hey, I promise" raised her chin up with his finger tip.
"And keep in touch with me" she stressed out.
"Mika?" Raizo began, she inclined her head.
"When I come back, you, me, dinner, at my place with Marlene and her grandson Henri, I want you to meet them"
"I'll be happy to" she smiled and tip toed for a hug. They held each other tightly like it was the last time.