“I don't want you to ever doubt yourself like that again,” Day said, staring at where one of their best friends had just been standing with a gun to his head and a countdown ticking on his life. “Imagine if Ex and Meridian didn't know where to go. Imagine if you hadn't trusted your instincts to give them the address. This whole thing would have ended very differently.”
God exhaled a long, slow breath. No he couldn't imagine. And he didn't want to.
“You were the commander we needed. Like you always are.” Day gazed into his eyes for a long moment before they had to eventually break the connection. They had to stay focused at all times in the field. Still, his husband discreetly grazed his forearm when he walked by to meet the captain, who’d just arrived.
God followed as the pressure he’d been feeling on his shoulders for so long finally began to ease.
They’d survived.
They’d live to fight for Atlanta another day.
“Hey,” he said, coming up behind Ex at the bar in the dining car on the train. “You good?”
Ex downed his shot of Cîroc Vodka and motioned for the bartender to give him another. They were a half hour early before they were set to head back to Langley where they’d catch a flight home. There were only a few other passengers in the car with them and Meridian took advantage of the last few moments he had to touch his partner freely. He wrapped his arms around Ex from behind and leaned into him, loving how willingly Ex accepted the affection and reclined against him.
“I’m fine, Mere,” Ex murmured.
“I’d think you’d be better than fine after shooting Evan’s killer between the eyes,” Meridian whispered against Ex’s earlobe.
Ex sipped his second drink, a slight curve playing on his full lips. “I am better than good, aren’t I?”
“No one likes a bragger,” Meridian murmured, squeezing Ex tighter. “But that was a damn good shot.”
Ex smirked. “Why’d my distraction take so long?”
Meridian glared. “Forgive my tardiness. I had to find another location to shoot from since a SWAT team barreled in and threw shields up in my line of fire.”
“You’re forgiven. Did you text God and let him know we found his rat in the precinct?” Ex asked him.
“No. But I will. I kinda like the fact of him owing me,” Meridian said. “Though he’d likely sock me in the jaw rather than repay me.”
Ex shook his head. “Yeah. They’re all right guys. Maybe we’ll get an invite to the next company barbecue.”
“Would you want to see God and his team again?”
“Day is all right. Why not?” Ex drank some more. “Besides. If we can’t make this work in the intelligence agency anymore... we might need a job.”
“God help us.” Meridian pfftd. “No pun intended.”
They stood leaning against the bar until it started to fill with happy travelers. But Meridian wasn’t in the mood to be around a bunch of people. “Let’s get out of here. I have something to show you.”
Ex turned and touched Meridian’s chest. “I’m gonna go to the quiet car... I um... just wanna make a quick call.” Ex gazed into Meridian’s eyes as if he was pleading with him to make one last exception. “I just wanna tell her goodbye, Mere. I’ll likely never see her again now that she’s moved.”
Meridian nodded. “I’ll be waiting in the suite.”
“Okay,” Ex said. He glanced around before he leaned in and kissed Meridian lightly on the lips. “I won’t be long.”
Meridian didn’t bother to partake of the cheap liquor they had on the Amtrak train. Instead, he went to their room to make sure everything he’d arranged was being set up. When he walked into his two-person suite, the attendant he’d paid while they were boarding was still inside. Meridian glanced around at what the woman had already implemented.
“I uh... is this okay? It sounded like you were trying to make it romantic, so I thought I’d add some extra touches,” the attendant said cautiously, after staring at his blank expression.
She was a slight bubbly woman with a curly ponytail sitting high on top of her head. He’d figured she’d be easy to persuade into doing what he wasn’t familiar with. Being spontaneous and...yeah... romantic.
He frowned then reached into his pocket and pulled out some more bills. He handed it to her as she smiled while he surveyed the small space. Train rides were long and boring, and tended to get on his nerves, but it always helped if he had a private view liner suite. Then, of course, sharing it with Ex was going to make the ride a lot more bearable. Matter of fact, he had a feeling this trip was going to fly by.
“This looks fine.” Meridian lifted the silver dome lids and checked out their dinner. It wasn’t gourmet, but it wasn’t snack food either.