Chapter 100: Prison Break Part 2

Earth Orbit, Solar System, February 13th, 1999 (Earth Time)

Jack O'Neill knew that he technically shouldn't be here. On Darla, a spaceship belonging to a foreign country that was about to start a hostile operation against another country that would violate said country's territorial integrity. Especially since they were currently directly above that country - if he looked out of the window, he could see the Persian Gulf below them. Depending on which theory you followed, they were inside Iranian airspace - and Jack was well aware that as a member of the United States Air Force, he had no business entering Iranian airspace without clear and legitimate orders. Orders which he had not received in this case.

On the other hand, another theory limited a country's airspace to 19 miles, far below their current orbit. And, of course, Iran didn't have any means to contest the orbitals. Further, the Etherians were allies of the United States, and he had received clear orders to provide them with all the support they desired in a blatant attempt to butter them up (also using his personal friendship with the Etherian leadership) so they would favour the United States over any other country. Especially England, France and Germany. Also, Iran was an enemy of the United States, even if they weren't at war. Yet.

But, and that was important for such situations, no one - officially - knew about his presence here, and no one would know unless he got caught. In which case he'd have much worse problems. Most importantly, though, he was needed here. Someone had to be the voice of reason, and it didn't look like anyone else cared for that job right now. Not even Bow.

Quite the contrary, in fact.

"...and we can neutralise all their air defences with precision fire. Or a few special bombs, where we want to avoid hitting anyone nearby," Bow suggested.

"Giant trick arrow?" Catra grinned.

"Essentially, yes." Bow nodded. "I've been thinking about that for a while, made a few prototypes. I haven't tested them yet, but the concept's solid."

Catra nodded as well. "No test like a field test, right?"

"Uh…" Adora frowned. "We don't want to let the Iranians pick up advanced technology if a bomb doesn't get off. Or reverse-engineer your formulas from the residue even when it goes off."

"Depends on what sort of Iranian government is left after we're done," Catra retorted.

Uh-oh! Jack winced. "I didn't think you were going for a regime change," he said.

"They're torturing their prisoners!" Catra spat, baring her fangs. "I saw it!"

Melog, sitting behind her, was glowing brightly in what Jack assumed was the anger colour. The catwoman was spitting mad. He could understand that, of course - if he had witnessed torture, he might not have been able to control himself. But… "Changing a regime means you'll be stuck propping the new regime up for a long time. And maybe a civil war. A dirty, bloody civil war. At least, there'll be a purge of the old regime's leaders and flunkies, and that kind of purge is never clean." He shook his head. "We - the United States - did that in Iran, actually. And it wasn't pretty."

"Yes, we've read about your coup. And the revolution." Glimmer scoffed. "But we can't let the current government torture its people."

"That would be wrong," Adora added with a grim expression. "Very wrong."

Catra nodded. Jack noticed her tail swishing back and forth. Agitated like a cat's, he thought. "Pretty much any government should be an improvement over that," she said. "And if it's not, we can topple that government as well and hope the next one is smart enough to learn that they can't torture people any more."

"Or execute people for being gay. Or having magic," Bow added.

More nods followed from all Etherians. Jack wished he had taken Daniel with him. In hindsight, it had been pretty dumb to think that Daniel's morals would be a problem instead of what Jack needed to prevent the Etheians from starting another war in the Middle East. Or a series of wars. "Last time the Iranians changed government, their neighbour invaded and started a war that lasted for years. And that wasn't a good neighbour - worse than the current Iranian regime, I'd say."

"Iraq? You defeated them and destroyed their army, didn't you?"

"They've rebuilt." To some degree, at least, but that was a detail. "And they're not the only neighbouring country that might invade. Or intervene."

Catra shrugged. "Most of those countries want to kill sorceresses as well. And torture people."

That was… not wrong. But not helpful. "But in a war - or a civil war, or an insurrection - a lot more people will die. Many of them innocents." Jack felt like a hypocrite, given his past.

"That would be the fault of the regime - or those who start a war," Glimmer said. "We can't just let them torture people because things might turn even worse if they were removed."

"Yeah, but you can save their victims without starting a war, can't you? That was the plan, at least as I remember it," Jack said.

"Yes. That was before we discovered how bad that prison is - and how many people they torture. Many more than just the ones accused of using magic," Adora said.

Catra nodded with a grim expression.

Jack shrugged before he could help it. "Well, if you want to stop all torture, you would be better off freeing every prisoner instead of trying to change the regime."

He watched how the Etherians looked at each other in response to his comment with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Yes." Adora nodded firmly. "We need to save everyone!"

Catra nodded as well, though she was smirking at Jack for some reason.

"Ah… that's a tall order," Jack said, wincing. "You're talking about hundreds, perhaps thousands of political prisoners. You can't just make them disappear without a trace - I mean, free them without being obvious about it."

"I think that's where your plausible deniability comes in," Glimmer said. "Everyone knows you did it, but they can't prove it."

Which was a weird concept, in Adora's opinion. Innocent until proven guilty worked fine for a trial - Earth had a very good idea there, and she really hoped that would be implemented on Etheria as well. But neither war nor politics were trials. If everyone knew you had done something, people would act accordingly. And it wouldn't let people save face, either.

"That won't stop terrorist attacks," Jack retorted.

"The Iranians already said they wanted us dead," Glimmer said with a sneer. "Didn't we replace the United States as the 'Great Satan'?"

"Ah, I think they settled on you being the Satanic Whores or something," Jack said, then winced again. "Sorry."

Glimmer scoffed. "I don't care if they want to insult us. Especially not if it's such a childish insult."

"Not sophisticated enough?" Jack grinned again.

Glimmer snorted. "And not personal enough. Most princesses wouldn't be caught dead using such an insult."

"Mostly because that would be grounds for a duel," Bow cut in. "Historically, at least."

"Yeah, if you're talking to people wielding magic powers, it pays to be polite," Jack said.

"Or to just be good enough to cut them down if they fight you," Catra added. "Anyway, if we want plausible deniability, we can't just park a frigate at the prison and load it full of prisoners. We need to be a little more subtle."

Adora nodded. "And we need to be quick - that prison is not the only prison where they torture people. If we attack it, they'll expect attacks on their other prisons."

"You want to hit every prison in Iran?" Jack's eyebrows rose.

"Yes," Adora told him. "We want to stop the torture."

"I don't think they just torture the political prisoners," Jack said.

"Yes?" That was obvious from the intel they had received from the Americans.

"Do you want to free all their prisoners?" Jack blurted out.

"Well, isn't it a basic principle that if you're innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial?" Adora cocked her head. "And if people torture you, or you have to fear torture, can you claim it's a fair trial?"

Jack opened his mouth, then closed it again and pouted a little. "Yes, but some of those prisoners might be actual criminals."

"What was the saying? 'It's better to let a hundred guilty men go than imprison one innocent'?" Glimmer cocked her head.

Jack sighed. "Yeah. But most people never expect that to be taken so literally." He smiled wrily. "But now we're talking tens of thousands of prisoners! Where do you want to take them all? Most countries won't take in criminals!"

"Even if they were tortured?" Adora frowned. That was… a bit hypocritical. More than a bit, actually.

"Do they have proof for that?"

"So, it's guilty until proven innocent in that case?" Catra asked.

"It's not like that." Jack shook his head. "Look, I'm just saying - you can't take every prisoner and expect Earth to take them, no questions asked. That's impossible."

Adora frowned. If that was true… Well, she trusted Jack. But to leave people behind like that, to be tortured? Maybe they could move them to Etheria? Or another planet? But they didn't have the structures set up. And what if those people didn't want to leave Earth? And their families? They might not like magic and wouldn't want to be ruled by princesses.

"Then we'll need to find out who got tortured, and free all of them," Catra said. "And all their political prisoners. Your countries won't refuse to take in political prisoners, right?" She all but glared at Jack as if he was responsible, Adora saw.

Jack slowly nodded. "No, political prisoners and proven victims of torture wouldn't be refused."

"Not if we deliver the proof, right?" Catra bared her fangs.

Jack chuckled. "Yeah."

"Then we need to get that proof - and the prisoners," Adora said. That would complicate things.

"And how do you plan to rescue hundreds, possibly thousands of prisoners?" Jack asked. "I'm just curious," he added with a grin.

Catra snorted again. "Well, Eagle Claw showed us how not to do it."

"We thought about using a Stargate, but the logistics won't add up," Adora said. Power wasn't the problem, but transporting the Stargate and setting it up would take too long for the number of prisons, and getting a Stargate for each prison would take far too long - if they could even find enough Stargates that they could safely pick up. "So, we'll have to use stealth shuttles."

"And a distraction, of course," Catra added.

"But first, we need the Iranian prisoner files," Bow said.

Adora nodded once more. They might not be honest in their reports - she didn't think they would record their torture sessions in official documents - but there should be data to pick it up anyway. And, of course, their political prisoners and the sorceresses they accused would be listed as such. And they would find the families of the prisoners that way as well. "And we have an idea how to get them," she said, smiling.

Earth Orbit, Solar System, February 14th, 1999 (Earth Time)

Samantha Carter felt a little guilty. She should be on the Third Moon of Enchantment, working on the cures for the Jaffa and the Asgard. And keeping an eye on Loki and Morrison. Not here, on Darla, working on hacking into the Iranian government's files. Entrapta and Bow could do that on their own, after all, and Sam helping with an Etherian operation on Iranian soil was a diplomatic nightmare.

That she technically was merely providing technical advice, not active help, and could be claiming to be following orders with regard to their alliance with Etheria, wouldn't impress anyone. If her superiors wanted, she could be punished for this. They wouldn't do it, of course, since that would lead to pointed questions from the Etherians - and from the press and public as well as from the war hawks in Congress. Iran was a hostile country, after all. That she was helping to save Iranian prisoners from being tortured would also weigh in, but not nearly as much as her friends seemed to believe.

But Sam wanted to do this. And she needed a break; you could only tolerate Loki's antics and Morrison's attitude for so long before you started fantasising about lab accidents and 'accidents'. She still couldn't help feeling a bit guilty about leaving others to suffer in her place.

"...so, we should be able to hack into the government's database easily once we get access to their systems. But we can't do that from outside; we need access to a terminal or the main server. That's very inconvenient - the Iranians really need to upgrade their computer systems!" Entrapta said.

"I think making it harder to hack into their data banks is the point for them," Bow commented.

"But it's also very inefficient! They might have to use crystals - sorry, compact discs, I think, right? - to transfer data. And that makes it easy to lose data. One missing disc, or one mistake, and you have two different sets of data in two computers," Entrapta retorted. "And you won't be able to know which one is correct. We might save the wrong people - not that would be a bad thing - but we might miss out on someone we want to save if the Iranians didn't keep their data up to date."

"They might deliberately fudge the data - or lose it - to hide their crimes," Sam pointed out.

"I thought the government wanted their prisoners tortured," Entrapta said, blinking. "Why would they hide that? That makes checking if people are following your orders much harder."

"Because officially, they aren't torturing people in Iran," Sam said.

"They absolutely do," Bow disagreed. "They beat, mutilate and stone people."

"Yes, they do." Sam nodded. "But those are official punishments. Torturing prisoners to get confessions, or just to harm them, is supposed to be illegal in Iran." Even though everyone knew it happened. As it did in most countries in the Middle East. And, Sam added with a guilty feeling, in some cases in the United States. At least in America, the culprits would be prosecuted, not protected and promoted. If they were caught, of course. And were not working for the NID or CIA.

"So, they are breaking their own rules and laws. And that makes it harder for us to help people." Entrapta pouted.

"Yes," Sam said. "If we have to access their computers directly, we need to enter the building where their main data banks are housed."

"Well, someone has to," Bow said. "Not all of us need to go. The rest of us can work remotely."

"But someone has to guard the one inside, so we need more people with them," Entrapta pointed out. "Like when I was hacking Horde Prime's system. Systems."

Like the rest of SG-1 guarding her. But she wouldn't be going on this mission, Sam reminded herself.

"We could send in a bot," Entrapta said. "One to access the data banks, and maybe a few more to guard them?"

"And ensure that no technology can be recovered, should things go wrong," Sam added.

"Right, that too. We could build a bot for this! A hacking bot! Like a spy bot, but with all sorts of connections for computers!" Entrapta beamed.

Sam frowned a little. "Maybe make it modular? There are a lot of possible computer connections on Earth alone." And every new standard added another because people kept old and obsolete systems going.

"Or make it adaptable?" Bow suggested. "So it can reconfigure itself to access a wider range of systems?"

"Yes! Or a combination of both!" Entrapta nodded. "Let's start designing it!"

Sam nodded. This should be a nice engineering challenge. A nice change of pace from genetic engineering. Just what she needed on this particular date.

"Valentine's Day?"

Catra nodded. "Yes. It's an Earth holiday for couples. Worldwide." Well, at least according to the media she had checked. Which were rather America-centric. Anyway, it was still close enough. "It's celebrated by exchanging chocolate or flowers and going on a date."

"Oh. A holiday for couples…" Adora trailed off. Then her eyes widened. "I completely missed it! I didn't prepare anything!" She jumped up from her chair, almost knocking into her desk in their quarters on Darla.

"Well, I didn't." Catra grinned and pulled the box of chocolates she'd had Daniel purchase for them out of her bag. "Here!"

Adora glanced at it, then bit her lower lip. "But I didn't get you anything!"

You've given me more than enough, Catra thought. Far more than I deserve. Out loud, she said: "You can make it up to me later." She grinned at her lover's blush. "I also prepared a date for us. And you can make up for that later as well," she added when Adora opened her mouth.

"But… why didn't you tell me?"

"You were busy planning the largest prison break in history," Catra said, making a point of shrugging. And a mental note to rub that in Sea Hawk's face the next time he started boasting about his adventures.

"So were you!" And here came the pout she knew so well.

"But you're the Supreme Commander of the Alliance. You have so much else to do, I didn't want to distract you." And Adora would have probably tried to stop the whole thing because she would feel guilty about taking time off for herself (and Catra) while people were suffering in Iranian prisons. Even though they couldn't really do anything until Entrapta and the others finished building their new bot.

"You actually went on a recon mission for it!" Adora retorted. "That was very distracting!"

"Distracting, you say?" Catra grinned again, then moved forward until their noses were almost touching. "Like this!"

Adora pressed her lips together and raised her chin a little. "Yes! I mean, not exactly like this - but also distracting!"

"Good." Catra raised her hand and put her palm on Adora's cheek then moved it forward, to the back of her lover's head, gently gripping her hair, before starting to pull Adora's face towards her own and…

"There you are! Are you ready for Valentine's Day?"

Catra turned around and hissed at Glimmer. "Don't barge into our room!"

"Oh, was I interrupting something?" Glimmer blinked. "You weren't about to have sex so close before our dates?"

"Dates?" Adora asked.

"Yes, it's Valentine's Day!" Glimmer nodded. "A traditional date for a date."

"You knew about that as well? And you didn't tell me?" Adora frowned.

"Catra said she wanted to surprise you. And you were stressing yourself enough already with the mission planning," Glimmer said.

Adora pouted at her, then at Catra.

"See? We know you best." Catra patted her lover's head, but Adora pulled away before she could mess up the poof.

"Wait! You said 'our dates'?"

"Yes. Bow and me, and you and Catra, of course," Glimmer said.

Catra nodded.

"So, this is going to be a double date?" Adora asked.

"No!" Catra said at once.

"No." Glimmer shook her head. "Traditionally, it's just the couple. We're going on separate dates. Just in the same city, so we don't have to take two shuttles."

And so we're close - relatively - if something happens, Catra mentally added.

"Ah." Adora nodded. "That makes sense."

She seemed relieved - had she honestly thought they'd go on a double date? Catra snorted.

"So, where are we going?"

"There's only one location that is perfect for this holiday," Glimmer replied. "The City of Love!"

"Paris," Catra explained when she saw Adora didn't recognise the name.

"That's the City of Love?"

"Yes. It's supposed to be the most romantic city on Earth," Glimmer said. "It's famous for it!"

"And it's the capital of France," Catra added. "One of our first Earth allies." So they should be safe enough there.

Adora muttered: "I know that."

"Good! Now get ready - we'll be leaving in thirty minutes!" Glimmer told them before storming out of the room. "I'll have to drag Bow out of the lab and get him presentable!"

"Isn't Bow helping Sam and Entrapta build a new bot?" Adora asked.

"I am sure they can spare him for the rest of the day," Catra told her. If not - tough!

"I know Sam's not going to go on a date, what with all the regulations," Adora said. "But maybe Entrapta would like to go on a date as well?" It doesn't seem fair if we go on a date and leave her to work."

"We talked about dates with her," Catra said.

"Oh? What did she say?"

"Well, as she sees it, you go on a date to have fun," Catra said. "And she said she had the most fun doing science."

"Oh, but…" Adora trailed off.

"She also mentioned experimenting with Hordak," Catra added.

"Oh. But did she mean…?" Adora trailed off, blushing a little.

"Yes," Catra said. Their friend had been as blunt and informative as always. "Anyway, let's go change for our date."

"Right!" Adora nodded. "We can't be late! That would ruin the schedule!"

Catra snorted. As if she would plan a date like Adora would!

"What?"

"Nothing. Go change," Catra said. "Pick the white dress."

"I don't have a white dress."

"Yes, you do." Catra grinned again. "You can repay me later."

"I will!" Adora nodded, then suddenly smiled almost mischievously. "But first…" Two steps brought her face to face with Catra again.

This time, their kiss wasn't interrupted.

Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States of America, Earth, February 14th, 1999

Working on a Sunday. And on Valentine's Day, to boot. Well, they were at war - now also officially - and it wasn't as if Jack O'Neill had something planned for the weekend. Or Valentine's Day. Especially since Carter - since the rest of SG-1, he corrected himself - was a bunch of workaholics whose idea of a good weekend was doing research. Except for Teal'c, who liked to train and meditate. And watch Star Wars. Or other movies or TV shows that caught his interest. Which wouldn't actually be a bad way to spend the Sunday.

"So, the Etherians are going through with their plans."

Right, he was in the middle of a briefing. "Yes, sir," he told the Secretary of Defense.

"You couldn't convince them not to invade a sovereign country."

"They're not planning an invasion or intervention, sir," he corrected the man. "They're planning a prison break. A covert action. And I couldn't convince them that they should leave those people to be tortured at the hand of an evil regime," he added before he could help himself. He managed to keep a bland expression on his face, at least. Just quoting official policy.

"The world will see it as an intervention!" The Secretary of Defense shook his head. "And do you know how many countries will fear they will be next?"

How many countries persecute sorceresses and torture their political prisoners? Jack knew better than to say that, of course. "I think that's a question for the Secretary of State, not for the military."

Judging by the scowl that caused on the other man's face, that wasn't the right answer, either.

"How to react to the dangers and threats this will cause is a question for the military!"

Jack was sure the military had plans for every such threat or danger. Hell, they had plans for an attack by or on Canada! And it wasn't Stargate Command's problem. He almost snorted when he thought that most threats from those countries could probably be handled by the Coasties. Especially if they could use advanced scanners.

"But that isn't your problem. Dismissed."

Jack nodded, stood and left the room.

Outside, he checked his watch. The briefing hadn't run as long as he had thought. It hadn't even run as long as it had been supposed to. So, while he technically should go back to his office and do more paperwork, no one would actually expect him to be available for a good while longer. And as a veteran soldier, Jack knew how to act in this situation.

He grinned as he started towards the lift to the upper levels. If he tried to take a break in the mess hall, someone would come and bother him. Same for his office. But outside? He could always claim he was doing a surprise inspection of the training grounds. No one could argue that - well, no one who could argue that would likely be outside the mountain. And a bit of fresh air would do him good as well.

He grinned as he pushed the button of the lift. He was lucky - he could hear it coming to a stop right away!

"Ah, hello, Colonel." Lenkova was inside the cabin, dressed for the field.

He managed to smile and nod without tensing up. "Lieutenant. Training on Sunday?"

"Yes." She nodded curtly. Professionally. A moment passed. Just as he thought this would be an awkward ride, she added: "You as well? Or are you going home? Or to a meeting in space?"

"I thought I'd inspect the troops training today," Jack replied before realising that sticking with his cover story meant he would have to actually do it. He couldn't get lost on the way with Lenkova in tow.

She nodded again. "You shouldn't find anything amiss with my team."

"I don't expect it either," he said. It was true - Lenkova had run her reformed team even harder than her old one since she was cleared for service again.

She smiled in response. Almost shyly, he thought. Not like the confident, even flirty smile she had before she had been taken over by a snake.

Damn the Goa'uld.

They reached the first stop and travelled to the lift that led up to the surface. There were only American guards here, of course; this was no longer Stargate Command turf. "Are you looking forward to the move?" he asked as they entered the second cabin. "To Canada."

"I think having a base dedicated to Stargate Command, and in a more accessible location, is a good idea."

"That's almost word for word the official stance," he told her, raising his eyebrows.

Another small smile. "I kind of liked it here. Some of the changes I don't like."

Was that about the climate? Or was she subtly referring to the reassignment of SG-1 that everyone knew would be coming? Or was Jack seeing things? She's still recovering from Goa'uld possession, he reminded himself. Of course, so, technically, was Carter.

He pushed the thoughts away. Time t focus on work. "So, any insight into today's training?" he asked.

"It's a basic assault and close combat drill," she said.

"The basics are important," he commented.

"Of course, sir."

They talked shop until they reached the training area.

Paris, France, Earth, February 14th, 1999

"You can't go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower!"

Adora looked at the tower. It was impressive enough, with all those huge steel beams and rails and other things. They didn't have anything like it on Etheria. Some of the factory complexes in the former Fright Zone, maybe… No. But Catra sounded a bit too enthusiastic. "Really?" Adora asked. Glimmer and Bow weren't with them, after all.

Catra nodded. "Everyone says so. At least according to what I've read. Just look at it! There's none of that glittering glass that covers most skyscrapers. And there aren't any offices or flats in it. This tower was built for only one purpose: So you can climb it and watch the world from its top! And it's perfect for that!" She smiled widely. "No stench of factories, no pipes releasing smoke or steam, no stupid cheap walls blocking the sight. Just you and the fresh air and the sun!" She beamed at Adora.

Adora smiled back. This did take them back to their cadet days. Catra had loved to climb on the tallest structures in the Fright Zone, and… Oh. She winced a little.

Catra frowned at her. "What?"

"I don't think you're allowed to climb it," Adora said, pointing at a sign ahead of them.

"What?" Catra checked her pamphlet. "They talk about climbing it on foot here!"

"That probably means taking the stairs, not scaling the… beams," Adora replied.

"But… You're right - there aren't any other climbers. So much for it being perfect!" Catra muttered.

Adora wrapped her arm around her waist. "It will still have a great view, and we can walk up the stairs."

"It's not the same…"

Her lover eyed the tower again. Then the guards on the ground.

There were more of them than Adora had expected, she noted. But she also noticed the expression on Catra's face. "Don't try climbing it anyway," she said.

"I bet we could dodge the guards. They wouldn't try to stop the Supreme Commander of the Alliance, would they?"

"We're on a date," Adora pointed out.

Catra pouted some more, then sighed. "It would have been fun… But let's take the lift then. It'll be faster."

"And it will be easier on the guards," Adora added. She glanced at the not-so-subtle French guards that had been shadowing them ever since they had stepped out of the car that had taken them here from their shuttle at the airport. They were easy to spot since, unlike the passers-by, they were not gawking at her and Catra and taking pictures. The guards were looking at everyone other than them.

"That would be a reason to take the stairs and watch them struggle." Catra grinned. "But it would take too long, I think."

"Longer than it would have taken you to climb the tower?" Adora raised her eyebrows.

"It's not the same!" Catra retorted. "Let's go!"

As they approached the tower's base, Adora noticed the guards moving the other people waiting there away. Or trying to - the people didn't want to move. Well, that was understandable. Adora wouldn't like having to move either if she had been waiting. And this was all because of Catra and her date!

Then she realised that the people weren't trying to keep their spot in the queue - they were trying to get closer to her and Catra. "Uh. Maybe we should have gone, ah, 'incognito'…" That was the Earth term for going in disguise; she remembered Glimmer mentioning it.

"And how would I have been able to disguise myself? Crush my ears and use my tail as a belt?" Catra scoffed. "Besides, I want to go on a date with you. As we are. I'm not going to hide!"

Ah… Adora smiled at her and pulled her a bit closer into her side. She felt Catra's tail rub along her calf and thigh and her ear tickle Adora's neck when her lover leaned into her.

Which made the crowd ahead - and around them - break out on cheers. Loud cheers. And demands for autographs. And other things Adora didn't quite understand.

By the time they reached the lift, Adora didn't feel guilty about everyone else being pushed back any more.

Catra was scowling at her datapad as the lift carried them up the tower. "I think I have to adjust our planned date. Obviously, taking a stroll down Les Champs-Elysées isn't going to be very romantic if we get mobbed like this."

Adora nodded. "The restaurant should be fine, though."

Her lover nodded. "But some of the other spots… We'll have to improvise," she said with a grin.

Adora nodded again.

The view from the top of the tower was breathtaking. Somehow, seeing Paris sprawling below them, the Seine running through endless lines and blocks of houses, showed just how many people lived on Earth even better than watching the planet from orbit or a shuttle.

And Catra's kiss there was breathtaking as well.

"I don't like this," Catra commented five minutes later.

What? Adora blinked. This was perfect! The blue sky above them, the city below them, Catra next to her… Then she realised Catra was looking directly down.

Where, Adora saw as she leaned over the railing, a large crowd was gathering. And still growing. The guards had formed a line to keep the people back, she also noticed - and there were more guards and police as well.

"Oh."

"Yeah. I blame Glimmer for this," Catra said, shaking her head.

"What?" Adora stared at her. Glimmer wasn't even here!

"Yes." Catra smirked. "She's the queen - she should be used to dealing with crowds."

Adora snorted. "She and Bow went in disguise, didn't they?" Bow had even worn a shirt that covered his abs.

Catra scowled in return before sniffing. "Anyway, obviously, taking a walk is off. But we should be fine on the river."

"On the river?" Adora looked at the Seine.

"I've booked a boat for a trip," Catra said. "It's a more comfortable way to see the city. The parts of it at the river, at least," she added with a grin that showed her fangs.

"Right." Adora nodded. Then her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed when she realised what her lover meant. "Catra!"

"What?" Catra was smirking again. "What are you thinking?"

Oh, you! Adora pouted. "Tease."

"Yes!" Catra held her gaze for a moment, then looked down at the ground again. "But first, we need to reach the river. I don't think the humans down there will let us leave."

Adora agreed. Some of the people were carrying placards and signs. "It looks like a protest - well, some of them do look like they're protesting."

"The French are famous for their protests," Catra said. "Remember their riots when we arrived?"

Everyone had been rioting back then. Or so it had seemed. Adora made a neutral noise.

"Anyway. If we go down there, we'll probably start a riot," Cara went on. "Well, you would."

"I would?" Adora frowned.

"You're the princess." Catra smirked.

"And you're the catgirl," Adora shot back.

"I'd just claw the first fool who tries to pull on my ears or tail. You'd have to deal with half the crowd begging you to heal them."

Healing? Adora looked down again, squinting. Maybe not all of those signs were protesting her presence? Maybe they were cries for help?

"Oh, no! I know that look! We're not here to heal everyone!" Catra hissed. "If you start, you won't be able to stop. And you'll cause a riot! We're on a date, not a healing tour!"

"But… A healing tour?" Adora blinked.

"Forget about that as well!" Catra shook her head. "You're the Supreme Commander of the Alliance. You don't have time to go heal people. We went over that, remember?"

Adora pressed her lips together. Yes, they had thought this out. She couldn't heal everyone. Or even most. And she did have other duties.

"I won't let you sacrifice your life for healing."

"It wouldn't…" Adora trailed off at Catra's glare.

"Yes, it would cost you your life because I would kill you for trying!"

Adora doubted that. But… Catra did look… not quite desperate but very determined. And concerned, maybe afraid - she was trying to hide it, but Adora knew her. Just as Adora knew that Catra would be hurt if Adora was an idiot about this.

And she wouldn't hurt Catra.

"I'm not going to heal those people," she told her lover. Catra still looked sceptical, so Adora added: "If I do, people will expect me to heal them if they show up. We wouldn't ever have some peace in public."

Catra slowly nodded, then smiled and pulled her in for another kiss.

"We still need a way to leave the tower and get to the river without dragging half of Paris with us, though," Adora pointed out once they broke their kiss.

"Oh, I'll just call our stealth shuttle."

"But we took a normal shuttle…" Adora blinked. "You're going to call one from the fleet? We'll have to ask the French for permission to enter their airspace."

Catra smirked again.

Adora sighed. "It's already here, over Paris, right?"

"We told the French that we'd help secure the airspace. They didn't ask for details after we parked a frigate in orbit over Paris." Catra flashed her fangs. She peered over the railing again. Adora followed her example. The crowd was still growing. "Besides, I don't think they'll mind if we say we'll evacuate from the tower without going down."

"Maybe we should at least talk to them," Adora said. "If we just sneak away, they'll be disappointed and angry…"

Catra scoffed. "So? They'll be angry anyway once they'll realise that you won't spend your day healing them."

That was true. Still… "But we should at least explain that we're on a date here." Adora nodded. Honesty was best. And that would avoid the French discovering that Catra sneaked a stealth shuttle into their airspace.

Catra sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Adora smiled. "I'll just explain things to them. It'll be fine."

The boat - a bateau-mouche, whatever that meant - was travelling past a beautiful riverfront. All those pretty buildings… And the bridges. And the landmarks.

But Adora and Catra were the only ones looking at the riverfront. The other passengers on the boat were either looking at them.

Or at the smoke rising from the direction of the Eiffel Tower. Smoke mixed with tear gas.

"Told you so."

Adora winced.