Ilsa Faust found the situation slightly surreal, sitting in the village café across from Skye Holt, who had ordered coffee for both of them in flawless, if slightly southern-sounding French, right down to brief small-talk with the owner who had left their table smiling and would not disturb them.

Holt had not taken her coat off, and Ilsa automatically looked for concealed weapons. So far she hadn't spotted any.

"To be honest, I was hoping to talk to you at the funeral," Skye said, skipping small-talk entirely.

Ilsa took a reflective sip of coffee. "I don't belong to your agency. Hunley was one of your own. It wasn't my place."

A smile briefly flickered across the other woman's face, as if she was about to disagree, but then she nodded. "I have a proposition for you. Hear me out before you say anything."

Ilsa sat motionless, taking care not to show her surprise. Of all the unexpected things to happen, Skye Holt showing up was at least in the top ten. Was she about to recruit her? No way. Had something happened? With Ethan? To Ethan?

"There is something I have to do that I believe is in your interest as well." Holt's words sounded carefully prepared and chosen. "If you say no I will walk away and this conversation never happened. I can do it without you, but I could use your help."

"Just so I understand you correctly," she finally felt the need to interrupt, "you want my help with a mission."

"Yes," Skye replied simply.

"The last time you saw me I was leaving King's Cross with Ethan, thinking I had betrayed the whole of your team."

Skye got unexpectedly serious. "That's in the past. You did what you had to do. We all did." She took a sip of coffee, then met Ilsa's eyes. "I know about what happened in Kashmir."

Ilsa didn't bother to hide her suspicious glance.

"Benji told me everything," she elaborated. "You saved his life. If anything, we're even."

Ilsa allowed herself half a smile. "What is this proposition about?"

/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Will. Did you sleep in the office again?" Elaine asked pointedly when the chief analyst joined them at their usual table. No one was sure how it had started – probably with Ethan being around so much due to his sustained injuries, and they had to take turns keeping an eye on him so that he wouldn't do anything stupid. In any case, over the past weeks the team tended to meet in the cafeteria quite frequently, for whatever meal it was time for in their strange schedules.

"Office, yes. Sleep, not so much."

Skye smiled compassionately. "Sorry, you just missed the last cake."

"I'm not sorry," Elaine said, swallowing the last strawberry.

The Dane slowly pushed the cup of coffee over the table that was already waiting for Brandt.

"Dakar or Brisbane?" Elaine asked.

"Madrid actually. Came up last night and hasn't shut up since."

She watched him slurp his coffee as if it was the last cup on earth. "What's in Madrid?"

"It's probably a milk run, but I need a reconnaissance team there and I don't have one."

Elaine shrugged. "I don't have anything to do."

"This is something for trainees. Bit below your standards."

"But we don't have available trainees. I could take Skye?" She turned to the other woman.

"Sure," she said.

For a second Brandt looked at her like this was too good to be true. "Well, if you're sure - I can have you flown out tonight."

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Benji was running. Sweat was making its way across his forehead, but his breathing was controlled. He had passed two miles on the treadmill a while ago, by now he didn't bother looking at the display anymore. The distance didn't matter, what was important was getting as tired as humanly possible, so that he would fall asleep – and not dream about Solomon Lane slowly suffocating him. Ever since he had come home, the nightmares were back – sometimes all the way back to the explosive vest back in London. And Lane's voice was always there. If it wasn't for Skye he wouldn't sleep at all. Every time he woke up, sweating and shaking with the remnants of the nightmare, she was there. Held him. Calmed him down. Stayed up with him to watch Firefly if it got really bad. He didn't know what he'd do without her. And it would get better eventually. He knew that. He just wasn't quite there yet. Exercising helped.

"Found you," a playful voice said behind him. He turned and saw Skye smile at him as she walked over.

Benji slowed down, stopped, and grabbed his towel to dry the sweat on his face. "Heya," he greeted his girlfriend, then reached for his water bottle. He hadn't realised how thirsty he was.

Skye didn't waste any time. "I have to leave for an assignment."

Benji's heart sank a bit. "Tonight?" he asked.

She nodded. She knew exactly what was on his mind. Ignoring his sweatiness, she pulled him off the treadmill and drew him into a hug. "You're gonna be okay, skat," she whispered and smiled at him. "I know you will."

"Mh," he agreed vaguely as she let go of him. "How long do you think you'll be gone?"

"I can't really say. I have to find someone and I don't know how difficult it's gonna be. A week? Two weeks tops. I hope."

Benji nodded. "Be careful."

"As always." Skye smiled confidently. Then she took hold of his collar and tugged it until his lips were within reach. The kiss felt good. So good that Benji really didn't want to let her leave. "It's gonna be okay," she whispered. "I promise."