At least it wasn't raining. Chandra Gupta was well ahead, to the north, and Gerritt Vanderveldt well south. Grell, at rearguard, was keeping an eye on the three new hires working in the middle of the triangle. All were Thorns survivors who had not wanted to return to their original Branches, after being expelled for being cursed. This was much better than training youngsters. These three were Seniors in their own right, perfectly capable if a little slow; just needing to get back into practice after a long stay on the sick list.

No stupid mistakes, no inexperienced foolishness, no manifesting into the Human Realm and collecting a half-pound of bullets. Just a bit of clumsiness and the occasional stumble when they tried movements their bodies weren't quite up to yet. The formation Reaped steadily eastward as Grell worked cleanup and watched out for her teammates.

The Demons were present with their own Lists. Everybody was behaving. No poaching on either side. There were one or two Angels about, with little to do. In the past, Grell reflected, she would have preferred an all-out fight. Today, everyone was too tired, too drained, too busy to go off-List.

A shell exploded. Dvořák turned toward it. Tsiakals shifted his course slightly and O'Connell held her position. They were working very well, actually. Getting a little tired, of course, but the shift was nearly over. All six of them would adjourn to the food tent and then to the nearest Reaper-realm bar. She'd rather go home and meet Will coming off his shift, but she and her partners had been assigned overtime to stay with their new hires - to eat and drink, and above all, listen.

Grell rather liked these three, as much as she liked anyone when she was at the end of a hard shift. They were polite, companionable, and accepted her as a damn good Reaper to work with. Didn't try to patronize Gupta, either. Grell was ready to approve them for partner assignments as soon as they were just a little stronger. Eric would pair them off with seasoned Londoners and they would do perfectly well.

Even though it was late, Eric was waiting for them at the War Room Portal. He waved the trial trio off home while holding Gupta's team behind.

They settled in Eric's office, which offered mismatched but comfortable chairs.

"I know ye've all had more than enough today. Just a quick report on yer probationers, please, and then ye're free."

"I think they are ready to start work with single or double partners. They tire a little quickly still. Maybe not the front lines just yet, except as part of a larger group," yawned Vanderveldt.

"They worked very well with us and with each other this week. O'Connell's defenses are a little weak to her left, which may be an artifact of training rather than her curse," said Gupta.

"Habit," said Grell. "Her previous partner always worked to her left. Find her another lefty."

"Is that partner likely to want to join her here, d'ye know?"

"Oh, he'd love to work in London, but he'd never get past his first interview – he's a bounder, and it shows. Cait despises him. He dumped her in front of their whole shift when he found out she was cursed, you see. Now that she's recovered and far better employed, suddenly he's back. He cornered her in the Scythe and Skull last Saturday. The cad told her to request that he be transferred in as her Reaping partner. She turned him down as firmly as a lady may and still be a lady. He started shouting and grabbed her arm. I slapped him to stop his tantrum. The bouncer picked him up off the floor and the host told him he was permanently banned."

"Did ye help throw him out?"

"Of course I did not! We two ladies stood aside and looked on with righteous approval and admiration while the gentlemen took out the trash. Besides, I didn't want to get another week-long ban for myself."

Gupta chuckled. "It was a group effort. Nearly a record distance, measured from the front door."

"We would have beaten the record if the bouncer hadn't held onto his belt a little too long," added Vanderveldt. "But then his trousers wouldn't have ended round his knees when he landed. By the time he got them back up, he'd noticed that the walk was full of people just waiting to see if he'd like to have another go."

Grell laughed softly. "He's gone home to tell everyone that she's a terrible person who spurned his generous offer of reconciliation. He'll not be back. Let Cait work with Iris or Antonia for a week or three. Give her strong partners and a white uniform. She'll be amazing."

"What about Dvořák and Tsiakals?"

"The same, with less drama. No warning, no defense. Escorted out to the street, declared Lost. They've no desire to reconnect."

"Thanks, and a good evening to you all, then. I'll line you up a new group for next week. Grell, Will was called to Madame's office and isn't back yet. He left a note for you with Anton."

Anton's desk was covered by Brock for this shift. Fred saw her coming, unlocked a drawer and passed her a sealed envelope. She took it to her office. How empty it seemed, with Ronnie off being a grownup and Molly graduated to her own Reaping team and desk. Perhaps—but no; better to work with the Thorns survivors. Taking an apprentice would require major changes to her current status. She'd need a permanent single partner, a reassignment to local Reaping for at least the first two years; no, she was needed more in her current position. Perhaps when the humans got tired of their war, and Alan's next disaster ran its course, Eric would come looking for mentors. Or he would bring her a third-year for introduction to the wars.

She opened her envelope and slid the letter out.

My Dear Grell,

She was warmed by that one extra word; it had taken years for him to unbend to the point where he could call her his.

Madame Administrator has called me to a meeting of her fellow Uppers. I do not know how long the meeting will be, nor the subjects of discussion, but I suspect this will be an extended session. I have asked Knox to cover this shift, and Humphries will take the next one, with Solway backing them both up. I ask you to consider what recompense I will owe Solway for the extra shift.

How considerate of him to remember that additional work deserved additional pay. She'd ask Marisa whether she'd prefer a bonus or time off, or had some other secret wish that could be granted. It had only taken Humphries twenty-four years of nagging to get Will to reward good work instead of dismissing it as merely doing one's duty.

If I am not back for dinner, do go on without me. I hope that your battlefield shift was uneventful.

Yr obdt servt

Spears

Just like Will to assume that anything written would end up in the archives. 'Obedient servant' indeed. She'd find a time to remind him of that. Gently she refolded the note, replaced it in its envelope and tucked it into an inner pocket of her trenchcoat. She'd take it home and add it to her treasured bundle of letters from Will.