[ Survivor AU ]

[bothbarrels]

X

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[bothbarrels]

"I can help you network, too, if this works out. I'm sure I have information you don't have."

[ghostthatlingers]

"I've got plenty of connections, but we can compare notes when we get back." And maybe that'll be incentive to get all her paperwork in order finally. "I've got records, I just need to organize them."

[bothbarrels]

"I look forward to it," he says, stifling a urge to talk about how important organization is. That's the sort of thing he would have said to his sister.

[ghostthatlingers]

"We can do it at my place. I've got space for us to set-up and work." She reaches into her bag to pull out a book she had brought for the flight. She's not sure how talkative he'll be on the ride over and she always packs to be ready for travel.

[bothbarrels]

"Sounds good." The emergence of her book seems to be a clear signal she'd like to disengage for a while at least and he pulls out his COM pad to look over the information on their job again—just in case.

[ghostthatlingers]

She'll be content to read until shortly before their boarding time unless he interrupts her. Reading doesn't have the usual activity level she prefers, especially right before being forced to sit still for who knows how long, but there's not exactly a gym nearby or a place to jog. It'll have to do to keep her busy.

She checks the time before slipping her book back into her bag and nudging him with her foot to get his attention. "Got everything you need for the flight?"

[bothbarrels]

"All set," he confirms. She has good timing because that's when their flight is called and he stands. "Should be about a four-hour flight."

[ghostthatlingers]

"And then we can hit the ground running." She takes a moment to stretch herself before getting in line. Her bag is shoved into the overhead compartment and she takes a seat by with a few items from it to keep herself entertained for the trip.

"So, I've seen you in action in the field. What does your sister specialize in?"

[bothbarrels]

"Fast-running, boots on the ground work." She'd started out as stealth but that had never suited her. In fast she'd seemed to sabotage herself when she was supposed to be taking on that role.

[ghostthatlingers]

That kind of mentality had a time and a place in their line of work, although it could easily make jobs more messy than they needed to be. "And you don't work with her anymore?"

[bothbarrels]

He shrugs. "She has time periods where she prefers to go solo. And right now she's on kind of a hiatus."

[ghostthatlingers]

She nods and leans back in her seat. "Family business? Or just the two of you? When she's working, that is."

[bothbarrels]

"Just us two. We spent about eight years in the forces before turning to mercenary work."

[ghostthatlingers]

"I've got a similar background. You make a lot more money working in the private sector and we - I," she corrects quickly, "Needed it." There had been a lot of factors that went into her swapping careers.

[bothbarrels]

"That's one of the things that factored into it for us, too." Though it wasn't need so much as desire. By that time they'd already broken free of their family's history of poverty.

[ghostthatlingers]

"The only part that sucks are the health benefits, but at least I can afford the bills," she jokes lightly.

[bothbarrels]

"I know where you're coming from," he says. Injury is a high liability in their line of work and accordingly their insurance cost was quite high. "You mentioned a partner?"

[ghostthatlingers]

"A partner, yeah, just not in this line of work." Calm, cool. That's what she needs to be right now. She takes a deep breath before she continues speaking, the next words always the hardest when someone asks. "Husband. He died a year ago."

[bothbarrels]

He nods slightly. He doesn't believe in trite reassurances. An expression of sympathy goes a lot further. "I'm sorry to hear that."

[ghostthatlingers]

Her gaze shifts to look out the window. "It's been a while and won't be an issue." Just in case he thinks the emotional baggage will be a hindrance. It weighs on her minds at times, but never on a job.

[bothbarrels]

"Oh, I wasn't thinking that. I know you're a pro."

[ghostthatlingers]

"I've put the work in, so I'd hope so." Topic change time. She is not spending an entire four-hour flight living in the past. "So, do you spend most of your off-time in Austin at the place you rent?"

[bothbarrels]

He nods. "It's a nice place. I do get out, though."

[ghostthatlingers]

She smirks slightly at that. "I meant, do you go to stay in other cities? Besides for work."

[bothbarrels]

"Oh, yeah. I visit New York on a pretty regular basis. Great place."