"It's always sunny in California-"

"I thought it was 'It's always sunny in Philadelphia'," Rob looked up from his phone.

"Philadelphia is wet and cloudy a lot of the time, I'm sure," Ant frowned. "Makes more sense to say California, look at that sunset," Ant gazed at the horizon, a pink and amber sky meeting the flat blue line of ocean.

"There's probably no parking at this place," Rob mused aloud.

"Why do you hate cities so much?" Ant drove the car over the rails of a tram crossing and into the gas lamp quarter, immediately on the look out for a parking spot.

"I don't like city drivers, or lack of parking," Rob groused.

"Well if you looked out for a-"

"There!" Rob called suddenly, and Ant screeched the car to a halt. They were only a block away from the restaurant they were due to meet Paige and Jase at, and Ant was feeling a strange fluttering of discomfort he wasn't used to.

"We've got to go to the zoo while we're here," Rob squinted as sun reflected off a glass building into his eyes, drawing his sunglasses down from his head.

"I'll take you to see the lions, big man. Maybe we'll take Paige," Ant locked the car and glanced around to take in the bustle of the city.

"You make it sound like she's a niece we're looking after."

"Well I very much doubt Jase has been showing her the local sights, it might be nice for her to get out a bit and have some distance from him," Ant strolled beside his comrade and friend, still adjusting to the 'on leave' mindset.

"She hasn't tried any more disappearing acts has she?"

"No, he said she's just regressed to no communication whatsoever. I've got a lot of time for him, you know. I don't know if I'd be able to do what he's done," Ant had been blocked from returning for over a month with paperwork and and assessments, and try as he might he couldn't absolve himself of the nag of responsibility for Paige's wellbeing and recovery. Knowing Jase was struggling to assert his dominance had surprised him, but it was possible that the American had a little more conscience than he did. Still, Ant knew there was no way he would have been able to make the sacrifices Jase had done for the sake of Paige's safety. He privately admitted to himself that if he was in Jase's shoes, he probably would have left her to the CIA in Jordan.

Rob had known Ant for long enough to understand that the SAS point man had an ego just big enough to block him from being able to make the kinds of tactical sacrifices others could, but his simple black and white view of the world was what made him the ruthless legend he was on their side of the pond. He had been surprised by Ant's continued determination to return to San Diego, but privately thought it had less to do with Paige's welfare and more to do with his own self-pride.

"There it is," Rob looked towards the Water Grill, a large anchor painted on the side of the black building in off white, two flags crossing over it's center with W and G inside them. Ant dismissed the negative thoughts that threatened to intrude. What if Paige still held a grudge against him? Would she be pleased to see them, or upset? Would it trigger more memories for her, or would she be pleased to have someone familiar around?

*

Paige shifted in the seat of the car in undiagnosed discomfort. The day was blisteringly hot, not that the blast of the AC let it affect her within the cool confines of the car. The wardrobe of black leggings and hoodies she had equipped herself with was not going to cut it in the thick of the city where the sea breeze couldn't reach her. She had bought a dress in airy white linen that flowed halfway down her shins, delicate thin straps accentuating the slight v of the neckline leading to buttons down the length of the fabric. She had put on makeup too, a ritual that felt totally foreign to her fingers as she applied light touches of concealer to disguise the purple tells of sleepless nights. Paige flipped open the sunshade in the car to reveal the small rectangular mirror and assessed her face again. She so rarely looked at herself, the reflection staring back at her today was shocking. She looked... normal. There were no signs of anything she had been through, aside from the little puckered scars across her wrists. This woman looked deceptively attractive, and it was grossly unnerving to Paige. Subtle hints of mascara accentuated her blue eyes, a rosy blush on her cheeks giving a healthy glow. Paige glared back at herself with worry, she could attract attention looking like this.

Jase had done his best to ignore the compulsion to admit his surprise when Paige had emerged from her room. He saw her every day, in comfortable, casual things or nondescript work attire of dark shades that always looked a little unpolished on her, mostly because she bought the clothes slightly too big so she didn't stand out. But today she looked... like the girl in the file he'd eyed darkly, feeling somehow her captivity was all the more tragic because she was so beautiful. For a split second he considered asking her to change. People would look at her. Men would look at her. If she needed the restroom at any point, he would have to wait outside. He had shaken those thoughts from his head with determination. She wasn't dressed to grab attention, and you couldn't see anything aside from a slight modest hint of the beginnings of cleavage. It was just... her. She looked unsettlingly captivating, but there was nothing he could do about that.

"It's one block up," Jase closed Paige's door for her and assessed his route. He'd walked alongside her in superstores, sure, but being out on the busy streets was a different story. He absently reached to his back to trace the outline of the Glock in a holster attached to his belt. It suddenly seemed very possible that he would need it today. Paige seemed to mimic his thoughts, hesitating as they reached the foot exit of the multi-storied parking lot. Jase's hand drew her attention, the outline of the weapon visible through the folds of his black t-shirt.

"Are you allowed to have that?" She gaped, feeling comforted and concerned at the same time.

"I have a concealed weapons license," Jase responded, positioning himself on the road side of the pavement as they strode forward.

"Oh, ok," Paige murmured, suppressing the urge to ask the other questions swirling in her mind. Would the restaurant be busy? What if someone saw her- a contact of al-Raheem's or something? What if she felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave? She straightened her dress, half wanting to tug it down to conceal more of her shins and half wanting to pull it up to cover more of her chest. She had wanted to drown herself in dark jeans and a jumper, but she knew she would have only stood out more. Besides, it was rude to dress too casually when you were meeting people to dine out, at least in London.

When they reached the Water Grill Jase leaned forward to open the door, keeping Paige in front of him so there wasn't a single moment she would have been unprotected by his imposing frame. Goosebumps shivered across her body as Jase's tanned warm arm slid against hers, his body shielding her from anything behind. Another reason to regret not wearing a thick loose sweater, she thought.

Rob glanced up as the door opened, admiring the beautiful brunette who walked in until a man, presumably her boyfriend or husband entered behind her. He flicked his eyes back to the menu in front of him, wondering if he'd need a burger afterwards.

"What are you going to have?" He glanced up to Ant.

"The Swordfish probab-" Ant stared at the entrance and halted his sentence, about to continue speaking until he realised who he was gazing at. "They're here," he announced casually, ignoring his own mistake. He'd thought it was just a stranger, he hadn't realised it was her.

*

I moved forward as Jase instructed into the restaurant, the interior designed in elegant industrial chic. I was glad it wasn't an oppressive old fashioned bistro, or a sticky tabled pizza place. Still, the sight of all the regular people enjoying their food, having their regular conversations was somewhat unnerving. I clocked sight of Ant and Rob almost immediately, their large muscled bodies commanding the attention in the room of average everyday civilians. A smile spread across my lips as our eyes greeted one another's, one of genuine felicity. I breathed headily in relief; I hadn't been sure how I would feel when I saw them again, but I was actually pleased to be reunited others who would understand aside from Jase.

"Well I never would have recognised you," Ant's face broke into a handsome smile as he stood and leaned in for a large bear hug. Out of politeness I mirrored his movement and tilted in to his body, my mind screaming at me the entire time. A hug? You haven't hugged anybody yet. Is it too soon for one? Are you comfortable with it? Ant's huge arms pressed around me with a slight squeeze, held only for a moment before he retreated. There, you've been hugged. And it wasn't unpleasant. Rob moved around Ant to greet me, twisting his body to shadow me with a sideways squeeze, only half of his frame against mine. He always was more reserved than Ant, with his outgoing nature.

"You look well," Rob announced politely. "How have you been doing?"

"Good," I smiled tightly and took a seat between my two fellow countrymen, glad the chairs they'd taken meant that Jase and I couldn't be next to one another.

"How was your flight?" Jase shook his napkin out and placed it in his lap.

"Turbulent," Ant grinned.

I sat quietly throughout most of the meal, ignoring the looks I knew I was getting from the manager across the restaurant. The attention hadn't escaped Jase's notice either apparently, his eyes had been flicking over to observe him every few minutes. It was almost comforting to know he immediately recognised things like that.

"Shall we go back to yours for some beers?" Ant stood dutifully to pull my chair out for me. Jase flashed a glance at me before he thought better of whatever he'd considered saying.

"Yeah give me your reg number I'll let the gate know," Jase rested a generous tip on the table and positioned himself behind me as we made our way out.

The evening had turned to night across the city by the time I climbed out of the car and waited patiently with Jase for Ant and Rob to park up, a gentle breeze cooling my skin comfortingly. Silence hung between us with all the small talk we no longer said, until headlights appeared around the corner.

"There they are," he said unnecessarily as the truck drew into the lot.

"Nice apartments," Rob squinted up to the top of the building, slamming the car door behind him.

"There's a rooftop pool and bar, we could go there instead," I suggested it as though the idea had just occurred to me. I'd deliberately waited until both Ant and Rob were there so they could latch on to the idea before Jase shot it down. I would have preferred to sit in a public place with a group of men than be stuck inside a comparatively small apartment with all of them drinking and having a good time.

"Sold," Ant nodded, Jase's face falling slightly in annoyance.

"Have you been swimming here yet?" Ant glanced at Paige as they walked alongside the pool, attractively lit and framed by stylish sun loungers and outdoor heaters. Rob and Jase were inside the lounge getting drinks, which meant I had a rare opportunity to have actual conversation with somebody whilst Jase was absent.

"No, I should do," I mused as I gazed at the pool, only my own self-consciousness was stopping me from enjoying all the amenities the military campus life had to offer.

"How's it been, with Jase? Look," Ant took a seat on the edge of a sun lounger and I followed his lead, sitting opposite. "I know you probably feel like I threw you under the bus. I did what I could to position Jase with you, and I know that won't make much sense, but it was the best thing to do, you have to believe that." I kept my eyes fixed to the undisturbed surface of the pool, not even a single subtle ripple shaking the water's peace.

"I feel like..." It had only been a few hours since Ant had been back, but there was something comforting about his presence. "I can't fully process everything and move on whilst I'm in this strange state of limbo, living here, under Jase's control. I'm grateful for the opportunity to rehabilitate with the luxury of being given somewhere to live and doctors and therapists and a work opportunity, but doing it all living with somebody I don't trust who just triggers all of the worst kinds of memories... it's kind of counter productive."

Ant sighed and held his hands together, elbows rested on his knees.

"You've got me there. If it was just about your recovery, yes, one hundred percent I would say being around Jase was a bad idea. But it's not just about your recovery, or the way you feel. It's about your safety as a primary concern. And-" he hastily added, "-if the higher ups think the threat warrants personal protection then you have to listen to that. I wouldn't have anyone else living with you, what if it was a total stranger?"

I had considered this myself. Would I have felt any more comfortable with a complete stranger by my side instead? The answer was complex. In many ways I was grateful Jase knew and understood the things I'd been through, and I felt lucky to already know the kind of person he was. On the other hand, I knew that person was deceptively dangerous and unpredictable, and I would never be able to relax in his presence.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "I just want one day where I don't worry. A day away from him where I can try to be myself."

"We can do that," Ant nodded seriously. "I'm here now for a while, Rob will be here for a few weeks too. We can take the edge off a bit, take you out, have some fun. What do you want to do?"

"Here man," Jase approached suddenly from behind Ant and handed him a perspiring beer. He sat beside Ant and leaned in slightly to conceal his conversation from anybody else, not that there were more than four or five other people on the rooftop alongside us.

"Lorres just called," Jase locked his eyes on to mine. "She wants you to take a look at something tomorrow morning, they've cancelled your 10am appointment and asked us to come to them instead."

"Oh, I- okay," I sat straight in sudden discomfort. "Did she say what it was?"

"No, we'll find out in the morning. It'll be a picture or something," Jase reassured me. "You should get some sleep beforehand," he thought aloud, glancing out to the blackened horizon.

"Right, okay," I nodded obediently and stood, smoothing the fabric of the dress down.

"Bell me tomorrow and we'll come over when you're done," Ant clapped Jase on the shoulder by way of goodbye and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek, his hard jaw colliding softly into my cheekbone. Jase stared reproachfully at the social nicety, his eyes darker than normal as they held my gaze.

"Do you think everything's ok?" I addressed Jase directly for the first time in days as the elevator doors closed behind us.

"I'm sure it will be. As long as they don't know about your memory trick, it will be," Jase exhaled sharply through his nose and crossed his arms over his chest. Nothing he said or did made me feel particularly anxious about the impromptu meeting, but I could feel there was something left unsaid. Whatever it was, it was possible I would find out in the morning.