Work Text:
The van was freezing. Apparently the Counter Measures budget did not extend to a heater. They were parked on some tiny road in the middle of nowhere, with the November air seeping under the doors and night falling quickly. Allison shuffled around in her seat, drawing her duffel coat around her shoulders, trying to banish the pressing chill that had made it way through the layers of her clothing right into her bones. Her breath made clouds before her and the evening's orange half light lit up Rachel's eyes. She was sat next to Allison in the driver's seat, hands on the steering wheel, ready to go at the signal from Ian.
They were waiting, watching a nearby farmhouse for a supposed deal in alien weapons. But the tip-off had been from an anonymous source and in all likelihood, this deal wasn't happening. There had been nothing for six hours and it was approaching the seventh and Allison just wanted to go home.
An icy shiver ran up Allison's spine. She rubbed her hands together, and Rachel looked over, away from the road.
"Oh, come here," she said. "This deal clearly isn't going to happen, but Toby will want us to stay here for a while. We might as well try to warm up."
Thank goodness the van was spacious. Well, as spacious as a van could be. Allison shuffled over and squeezed next to Rachel. Her arm looped around her shoulder and her warm, steady breathing leeched all the tension out of her that had been brought on by the winter air. Allison put her own arm round Rachel's waist and pressed herself closer, smiling. Her free hand found Rachel's and she entwined their fingers, relaxing into her friend.