The next evening, Eliza was surprised to find that she was the first to make it to the shooting ground. It wasn't particularly unusual for Eliza to beat Alex there, what with his habits of working all hours of the day, but he hadn't still been in HQ when she left. Still, Eliza decided that she would get the equipment out ready for their lesson.

Just as she was getting the guns out, Eliza heard a loud cough behind her. She turned around to see Alex standing behind her, holding a basket,

"What's that for?" Eliza asked, nodding at the basket,

"Dinner," Alex grinned.

Eliza gave him a puzzled look.

Alex sighed, "I don't think you need any more shooting lessons. There's nothing left I can teach you,"

Eliza raised her eyebrow, "I highly doubt that," she said,

"So," Alex continued, as if Eliza hadn't said anything, "We are going to go for a picnic and I am going to take you for a surprise,"

"A surprise?"

"It'll be fun. I promise,"

Eliza smiled and placed the guns down on the ground. She offered Alex her arm in lieu of accepting. "So where are we going?" she asked,

"You'll see."

The two of them quickly tied up the training ground then Alex lead Eliza out of the camp, down a twisting over-grown path, until a large expanse of water came into view,

"The lake?" Eliza asked,

"Yes," Alex smiled as he put the basket down, "You said you used to go swimming with your sisters and how you would have liked to go last night, well, now there's nobody else around so we can do all the swimming you want,"

Eliza threw her arms around Alex, "Thank you!"

"A good surprise then?"

"The best!"

Eliza let go of Alex and ran down to the edge of the water. She dipped her hand into the water, "It's warm!" she cried happily.

Alex made is way to the shore to join Eliza, "Perfect for swimming then,"

Eliza let out a laugh and unbuttoned her jacket. She shrugged it off while Alex pulled off his boots. They stripped off until they were down to just their underwear. Then Eliza threw a grin at Alex before taking off into a run and leaping into the lake. Alex laughed and jumped in after her.

There was a big splash as Alex landed and Eliza let out a squeal as she was hit with a cold spray of water. Alex burst out laughing, however, he was cut off when Eliza got her revenge by splashing him in return. Alex turned to pout at Eliza who just offered a cheeky grin in return.

Alex leapt forward, colliding with Eliza, pushing the two of them under the water. Eliza kicked at Alex playfully so that she broke free of his grip. With another kick she broke the surface and Alex was quick to follow her. Eliza turned to look at Alex and burst out laughing, Alex's hair was sticking to his face with half of it in his eyes, she just couldn't help but laugh, even though she was sure her hair was just as bad.

Alex brushed his hair out of his eyes, "That's how it is, is it?"

"Oh yeah, you know it,"

"It's on!" Alex jumped at Eliza again but this time she dived under the water before he could reach her. She grabbed hold of Alex's leg and dragged him down. Alex let out a screech as he was pulled under. He tried to push Eliza off him, but she let go of him before he could. The two of them broke the surface again and Eliza let out a laugh before setting off across the lake, with Alex in quick pursuit.

The two of them splashed around in the lake until the sun was setting and they eventually decided they were just too cold to continue.

Alex climbed out of the lake then offered Eliza his hand. He led her out of the lake and over to the picnic basket and their abandoned clothes. He picked up their jackets, wrapping one around Eliza and putting the other on himself,

"I'm sorry I didn't think to bring any towels," Alex said as the two of them sat down.

Eliza smiled at him and pulled her jacket more tightly around her shoulders. She looked out over the lake at the setting sun, "I'm sure we'll dry off soon enough,"

Alex smiled back at her as he opened up the basket. He produced bunches of fruit and a bottle of wine,

"Milady," he said with a bow of his head as he poured Eliza a glass of wine.

Eliza let out a laugh, "Where did you get this?" she asked,

"I have my methods,"

Eliza rose her eyebrow at him.

Alex sighed, "Laf knows a smuggler."

Eliza took a sip of the wine, "Well it's very nice," she said, "Much nicer than rum,"

"Oh, I don't know about that," Alex said as he took a gulp of the wine, "I think that they both have their places, I wouldn't want to waste this wine playing cards with the others, rum is perfect for that, whereas this wine is perfect for sitting here watching the sunset with you,"

Eliza turned to look at Alex. She smiled and took another sip of wine, "It is perfect," she agreed.

Alex turned to look at her in surprise, "It is?"

"Ummm," Eliza hummed in response, "Thank you for this evening, it's nice not having to pretend, even if it is just for one evening,"

"You never have to pretend with me,"

Eliza and Alex stared at each other for a moment. The two of them flicked their eyes down to glance at the other's lips and Alex's eyes fluttered closed. Eliza made as if to lean forward but before her lips met Alex's she stopped,

"No, we can't do this," Eliza shook her head and just like that, the spell was broken,

"Right, yes, of course not," Alex said, looking down at his knees sadly.

Eliza went to reach out to him but she stopped herself, suddenly feeling as if there was a wall between the two of them.

Alex looked back up, but he didn't look at Eliza, he looked back out over the lake just in time to see the sun dip below the horizon.

"It's getting dark, we should start heading back," he said as he stood up and started putting on the remainder of his clothes.

"Yes, the others will be wondering where we've got to," Eliza agreed as she too jumped to her feet and also started to get dressed. The two of them gathered up the remains of their picnic and headed back to camp in an awkward silence that hadn't been there before.