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Joe's head was spinning and what didn't help at all was the feeling of someone slapping his face.
Andy: "There's the ugly face Nicky loves."
Joe a bit hurt: "Ugly face? Don't you know that I once was considered a great beauty?"
Andy: "You said it, old man. Once."
Joe let out a groan which made Andy slap Joe's face again.
Joe: "Stop it, Boss. And why are you slapping me?"
Andy: "To make sure you're awake. Do you need one more slap?"
Joe: "No thanks. And thanks for the rough awakening. It's nice to see you are still as gentle as always."
Andy: "Any time."
Andy helped Joe up and it didn't take long before they were back at the safe house, where Nicky had baked baklava.
Andy: "Great baklava as always."
Nicky: "Thanks, Boss."
Andy licked her fingers to get the rest of the honey off with a big smile.
Andy: "And you should know that your husband got himself knocked out because he was thinking of you and not the mission. Again."
Joe: "Andy slapped me. And called me ugly."
Andy: "Just making sure you still were alive. Something you should be really grateful for because if you had died for good, you would be in really big problem with Nicky."
Nicky: "Andy, why don't you take the tray with baklava with you? I need to speak with Joe. Alone."
Andy disappeared with the tray with baklava.
Joe: "Sorry for being knocked out. I didn't see him sneaking up on me from behind."
Nicky: "You know what that means."
Joe let out a frustrated groan. Most of all because he knew what would come next.
Nicky: "No sex for a month until I'm sure you pay attention to your surroundings."
Joe: "A month? Please don't be that cruel. A month without you in my arms..."
Nicky: "Do you prefer an eternity without me in your arms? Because that could be the reality if you don't pay attention to your surroundings."
Joe: "You're right as always. I accept my punishment but could I not at least get a kiss once a day?"
Nicky: "No, not this time. I got something else planned for your training but when the month is up, I make it up to you. See it as a reward."
Joe: "Let's get started because I want this month done as fast as possible."
Nicky: "It won't be me who will be in charge of your punishment. Follow me."
Joe followed Nicky into Nile's room.
Nile: "What's up?"
Nicky: "Could I ask for a favour?"
Nile: "Sure, if I can help."
Nicky: "Put Joe through the training you went through as a marine. Be as hard as the one who trained you."
Nile: "I can do that but why?"
Nicky: "Because Joe isn't paying attention to his surroundings."
Nile: "Ok, this is what we will do. We will go..."
Nicky: "I don't want to know. See you back in a month."
Nicky kissed Joe before leaving them. When he came into the living room he sat down in the armchair nearest the window and looked out of it.
Andy: "Don't know if it helps, Nicolò, but you did the right thing by sending Joe away with Nile. It is what Quynh and I did with you both back then when you and Joe didn't pay much attention to your surroundings but only to yourself. We separated you for a month and trained with you. And it helped."
Nicky: "I know, Boss. Do you mind doing it again? Train with me for a month so I don't spend all the time thinking of Joe."
Andy: "I think it's the right choice. Get your longsword. We'll leave in ten minutes."