A Second Chance (Blake/Squad Assignment)

[Blake Oleander]

He didn't look away, and he didn't try to get a better look either. It was what it was.

"No problem."

[Bailey Oleander]

She gathered the remaining fabric, wrapping it around her arm as she rose to her feet.

"I should probably head back." He'd also wanted to be alone when she invaded. All things aside, he probably still did.

[Blake Oleander]

He pressed his lips together, about to let her leave before he decided against it.

"You okay?"

[Bailey Oleander]

She paused, not certain she'd heard right at first. When she was sure, Bailey shook her head.

"No, but I will be. I think I have to, at this point." He had warned her.

"Are you?"

[Blake Oleander]

He'd look to his arm and clench his fist.

"I didn't die."

He'd release the clenching.

"And I can still feel the energy from that blast coursing through my blood. I think it lingers in me."

[Bailey Oleander]

She nodded. That was in their favor at least, or his. Technically, she had, and Blake had been the one to keep that from happening.

"You took the brunt of the blast," she noted after a moment, also looking at his arm for a moment. "It's possible it will take time to fully fade."

[Blake Oleander]

"I'm not sure it will."

[Bailey Oleander]

"Does it worry you?"

[Blake Oleander]

"No."

He would adapt. His body was built for that. He would pick himself up again and again until he burnt to ash. He was trained to not worry over things out of his control. He was trained and conditioned to break things down into objectives and to look at them as something to be achieved. He felt fear, but he'd learned to control it long ago.

[Bailey Oleander]

Another nod. She had expected the answer. If there was anything else, he would keep it to himself. That didn't mean it didn't worry her, but she trusted Blake to know his body and its reaction. It was enough for him to say anything at all.

"Then I guess all that can be done now is see if anything comes of it."

[Blake Oleander]

"We are of the same mind."

[Bailey Oleander]

"So it seems." Another nod, pausing for a moment as a different train of thought entered her mind.

"I'm glad you're alive Blake. I know i said it before, and I know you can handle yourself, but I am glad. I wasn't sure how many of us would be, at the end."

[Blake Oleander]

"I am not easy to kill."

[Bailey Oleander]

"No, you're not." For which she was also grateful. Still, she found she coudln't turn to leave just yet. She tried, just to turn back.

"This is probably going to sound stupid, but why did you kiss me?"

[Blake Oleander]

He let out a long exhale.

"Because I almost lost you."