A/N — well, the goal of finishing this in June was a massive failure. So no promises this time other than promising that I *will* finish the story. Soon... xoxo — kals

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Chapter 20 — Alisha and Azima

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Alisha sat, her back against the headboard of the bed, as Azima finished packing up the last of her belongings. Well, at least those belonging that she was taking. Despite having been here only a year, Azima had acquired quite a few items that would not be returning to Kenya with her. The furniture was staying here, of course, as it was far cheaper to buy new than to ship everything overseas. Azima had also decided not to take the decorative pillows and wall decorations that Alisha helped Azima pick out, back when they both imagined Azima remaining in this apartment for years. Azima had told everyone who asked that the style would not make sense in Kenya and, while Alisha knew that it was true, she also knew that wasn't the only reason Azima was taking so little with her.

She didn't want the daily reminder of what she was leaving behind.

That was a sentiment Alisha understood well. She was relieved that most of the items from the apartment were going to Ray rather than someone on Delta Team. The idea of swinging by Wolf and Miller's place and having to sit on the same couch where she spent so much time with Azima simply felt wrong.

Azima stood, hands on hips, as she checked under the bed for the third time. Alisha spoke softly. "I think you have everything. And, if you don't, I can always send it to you on the next transport."

Her head lifting, Azima gazed at Alisha silently for a moment, before stepping forward to set a hand on Alisha's cheek. "I will miss you."

Feeling the lump in her throat, Alisha lifted her own hand to cup Azima's against her face. "I'll miss you too."

"I will be back in twenty-four months, perhaps sooner, to re-join Delta Team," Azima said, but there was no conviction in her words. Both because two years was a long time, and because they had both been through far too much to trust that things would go to plan. "In the meantime, Captain Slattery has mentioned the possibility of a joint operation. Perhaps we will see each other then."

"Perhaps," Alisha replied softly. Because, again, they both understood the reality. Even if there was a joint operation, that didn't mean they would have more than five minutes together and, even then, those minutes were unlikely to be alone. Alisha met Azima's eyes, and found herself smiling, genuinely this time. "Even if I never see you again, I'll always be glad that I ran into you that morning at the coffee shop. You reminded me that there are still good people in this world — people worth taking a chance on. I wanted you to know that."

"The feeling is shared." The smile that spread across Azima's face made Alisha weak in the knees and, for half a second, she wondered whether long-distance could work. Then Azima's phone beeped, signaling — again — that it was time to go. Azima's smile disappeared. "You do not mind waiting here for young Diaz to collect the items? Please inform him that I will report his tardiness to Lieutenant Green."

"Not at all," Alisha replied, vaguely amused. She could remember Sarah complaining about how Alisha left mentally before she left physically. How odd to be on the other side of things, watching Azima shift from the version of herself shown only to Alisha to the one she presented to the world. Alisha leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Azima's lips, lingering for just a moment longer than usual. Because she knew, even if neither one of them would say it aloud, this was their last embrace. Pulling away, Alisha allowed her hands to drop to her sides. "Now go, before you miss your transport and I have to bribe Sunshine to wait for you."

A moment later Azima was gone and, suddenly, the apartment felt very quiet. Alisha sat on the couch with her laptop, planning to check in with work, but finding that she couldn't concentrate on anything. Finally, Alisha pulled out her phone to text Kara, Andrea, Sasha and Maddie to suggest an impromptu girls' night.

Tonight, she didn't want to be alone.