the-original-sineater asked: The OTP 12 month challenge March: fresh starts

'No.'

'But it makes more sense to…'

'No! We're not in the police business, Kayo. You know this. We've had this conversation too many times before.'

'But Scott, just listen to me…'

International Rescue is not a police agency. You're not employed by the GDF, you're employed to work for iR. As long as that holds true then you will abide by that policy.'

Kayo stared at Scott, heat causing her cheeks to flame, before turning on her heel and leaving.

She paused at the door and looked back at him.

'Maybe if I was GDF I could stop you from getting hurt.'

She didn't stay long enough to see him deflate and collapse back into the chair with a groan.

The last rescue Scott had been on had been a setup, one he'd barely managed to escape from and certainly he had not come away unscathed. And he'd been quite vocal about Kayo not chasing after the culprit once Scott had needed to let the man go.

This wasn't the first time they'd argued about this, and it probably wouldn't be the last, but it was their first argument as a couple. Although it was the right stance - something his Father had drummed into him from the very inception of iR - Scott still felt like a heel putting his foot down like that with Kayo.

He felt eyes on him and turned to see Virgil, arms folded and frowning.

'Don't.'

'Wasn't going to say anything!'

'It's written all over your face.'

Virgil held his hands up and made his way downstairs to the kitchen. With a huff and a sigh Scott got up and followed him - slowly and being mindful of his sore ribs and the slice between them that had been a little too close for comfort.

By the time Scott had (stubbornly) made it down the stairs Virgil was whisking hot cocoa on the stove and two mugs sat ready on the side.

He resolutely did not collapse onto a kitchen chair with relief. Virgil decided to take pity on his eldest brother rather than rag on him like certain other brothers might do, and he slid into the chair beside Scott and passed him one of the mugs.

They drank in silence for a while before Scott sighed.

'I'm such an idiot.'

'No argument here.'

'Hey!'

Well…he'd only rag a little…

'So. You're an idiot. What are you going to do about it?'

'I need to find her, Virg. I need to apologise.'

'John's got her, Scott. Give her a little space. John will call.'

'What would I do without you both?'

'Probably go grey quicker.'

Scott looked at his brother for a moment before laughing, clutching his side where the laughing was pulling at his wound.

...

Kayo had stormed out of the villa completely, down the stairs to the beach. She paced up and down, fury driving her faster and faster.

How could he be so obtuse? So clueless? So – so dense? She ground her teeth in frustration.

'Are you determined to wear a new path into the beach?'

John's voice brought her up short, and she whirled to face him. It wasn't often that someone could sneak up on her, but John had managed it. He was leaning against one of the larger rocks, arms folded and an amused look on his face.

'Wanna talk about it?'

'It? You mean do I want to talk about your idiot of a brother?'

'I thought it was Scott you were mad with, not Gordon.'

Kayo stared at John as if he'd grown another head before dissolving into laughter. Pretty soon she was on her knees, gasping for breath as hysterics overtook her.

He waited until Kayo had got herself under control before sitting beside her, nudging her just hard enough that only thrusting a hand into the sand saved her from toppling over. She spluttered in indignation.

'Well?'

'Well what, John? You know I'm right.'

'Whether you're right or not is not the issue here, is it?'

John's gaze was unwavering. Kayo wanted to turn away, but his eyes pinned her in place.

'He doesn't trust me.'

'Do you honestly believe that?'

Kayo swallowed before whispering her answer.

'No.'

'So what's the problem?'

'Someone hurt him! I missed it, and then he wouldn't let me pursue him! Catch him! Bring him to justice.'

'Kayo.'

She looked away, tears whelming up. John gently lifted her face until she was looking at him. All Kayo saw was compassion and understanding.

'Kayo.'

'I thought I was going to lose him.'

'You were there as soon as you could be.'

'I know. But…'

'No buts. You got there in time to stop that man from doing more damage or even killing Scott. You saved him, Kay. You saved him.'

He folded her into a hug as she clung to him, kissing her head and discreetly pressing his watch.

Scott appeared only a couple of moments later, sitting down beside John and gently pulling Kayo into his own embrace and mouthing his thanks to John as his brother nodded at him and retreated.

Kayo held onto Scott tightly and he held her just as hard, ignoring the flare of pain. He pressed a kiss onto her forehead and just waited for her to be ready to talk.

Eventually Kayo pulled gently away but stayed in Scott's hold. She looked up, a small smile on her face.

'Sorry.'

'Sorry.'

They laughed, slightly embarrassed. Scott kissed Kayo's temple.

'I'm sorry, Tan. I just don't want you to get hurt chasing after…you know…bad guys.'

'I'm sorry too, Scott. I feel the same. I would rather be proactive if it means you don't get hurt by said bad guys.'

Chuckling, Scott pulled her in close.

'How about a fresh start?'

'I'd like that.'

'Let's agree that there is a certain amount of "bad guy chasing" needed for your role as security specialist.'

'There is.'

'How about this. If you can see to it that you keep John informed when you need to do such work then I'll be happy. I cannot promise that I won't worry about you, though.'

'I can work with that, Scott. As long as you realise I may not be able to tell John everything…'

'I may not like that but I do understand that if you are going to be helping out the GDF then some of that will be confidential.'

Kayo turned in his arms and pressed a kiss to his lips.

'We both knew that this part of the job would be harder as a couple.'

'That's true. Maybe we should have talked about this particular part before an event happened.'

'Probably. But we're talking about it now.'

'So…fresh start?'

'Yeah. Fresh start.'

Kayo untangled herself from Scott and stood, holding her hand out to help Scott up. He tried so hard not to groan but he couldn't hold it in. Kayo bit her lip as she held him as carefully as she could.

'So, our fresh start is going to begin in the infirmary then.'

'Ye-ah. Much as I don't want to I think you're right.'