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CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK...
One step at time he told himself, fighting through the pain as he walked with Mosley in Central Park.
He could tell Mosley watching him closely, probably making sure he don’t fall over in a crowded place.
“You good ?” Mosley asked him genuinely.
“Yes, sir. I am. Just taking one step at time... even if the pain in my leg absolutely sucks.” Peter replied, earning a light chuckle from his handler as they made their way to the lake.
Peter took in his surroundings as he and Mosley stood still, taking in the view with a sunset slowly beginning to rise up far away from where they were.
Hearing the water waves move smoothly in the lake in front of them.
People all around them in different directions, going about their day.
Families having ice cream or playing frisbee with their kids.
Couples laughing and giggling as they held hands while walking together.
That last one particularly hit Peter really hard.
He wanted to have that experience again.
And he knew who he wanted it with.
She just wasn’t here to have that moment... that experience - with him.
And it killed him inside.
Her not being around him, was for her own safety - he would tell himself.
She would be safe at the cost of his heart and happiness.
Rose.
His whole world, who he hadn’t seen in over a year.
The pain in his leg from being shot was nothing compared to not having seen Rose in a year.
But despite that, everything else around him in Central Park was peaceful.
And that did bring him some comfort.
“So... I have thought about your request about having a new partner when you come back.” Mosley says, breaking the silence between them.
“You disapprove, sir ?” Peter says, turning to look at him.
“Not at all. In fact, I completely support your decision. I think having a new partner would be good for you again. And I already have the perfect candidate in mind.” Mosley tells him, forming a small grin on his face.
Peter’s eyebrows shoot up as he looked at his handler.
“Wow, that was quick.” Peter says.
“You sound surprised.” Mosley replies back.
“No, no... well, maybe a little. I thought I was allowed my extended leave before you would choose a partner for me.” Peter says.
“And you still are allowed to have your leave, Peter. Hell, you’ve earned it. You’re a great agent, Peter. And even a better person. These people around here will never know what exactly you have done for your country but people like me will never forget.” Mosley tells him.
Peter nods at him, appreciating the kind words.
“Thank you, sir.” He says.
“Don’t mention it. As for your new partner, she’ll be here shortly.” Mosley tells him.
“She ?” Peter asks.
“Yes. I think the two of you will be a great pairing for Night Action. I should know, i’ve read her file. Believe me when I tell you, I have a good feeling about this one.” Mosley says with a small smile.
There was silence between the two men for a moment as Peter waited to know more about this new partner but Mosley wasn’t giving in.
“Well, are you gonna tell me her name or what ?” Peter says, looking slightly confused.
“Nope.” His handler tells him.
“No ?” Peter asks, being even more confused.
“I don’t need to, Peter. Just trust me on this. I’ll take my leave now and leave the two of you be. Take care of yourself, Peter. I’ll see you soon.” Mosley says.
Peter nods at him before looking back at the sunset.
Just Mosley begins to leave; he stops and turns back around to see Peter.
“Oh, and one more thing, Peter ?” Mosley says, getting his attention again.
Mosley leans in close - putting a assuring hand on Peter’s shoulder and whispers into his ear.
“Here’s some advice for you, son. You have a chance here to have that balance you’ve been looking for. To do what you do for your country while doing it with the right person you want to do it with. Don’t think, just take it.” Mosley tells him and then leaves, walking away before Peter can even say a word.
Peter watches his handler leave, looking completely confused.
He shakes his head slightly before looking back at the lake and sunset, closing his eyes and letting out a deep breath.
Listening to the multiple sounds around him again - the water waves from the lake and the people in the park - Peter felt relaxed again. It felt nice.
But not too long after, he could hear slow, gentle footsteps coming his way. And then suddenly, they stopped.
“Peter ?” A voice calls out to him.
He opened his eyes immediately upon hearing it and felt his heart stopped for a second, before starting again.
He knew that soft voice. He would never forget it.
Peter slowly turned and felt his eyes wanting to fill up with tears, upon seeing her.
Three she was.
“Rose.” He said, ever so quietly but she heard him.
His whole world, standing in front of him again with her beautiful smile.
Her hair looked a bit longer and more light brown than it did, last time he saw her.
And she was wearing a green leather coat - his favourite colour in the world, especially when she wore it.
God, she was beautiful. Always has been.
The two moved slowly towards each other, keeping their eyes locked to the other as they did.
They stopped as they stood close, their foreheads almost touching.
There was silence between the two before Peter’s arms gently wrapped around her back, while her’s wrapped around his neck.
Both embraced each other as Peter buried his head into her neck.
“You’re really here.” He finally said, almost tearing up.
She could feel the weight on his shoulders coming off as he became more relaxed upon feeling her touch.
“Yeah... I am.” She replied.
The two soon leaned back just a bit and held each other.
“Hi.” Peter said.
“Hi.” Rose repeated, still smiling at him.
Peter smiled himself before noticing a bench nearby and suggested they head there.
“You wanna...” He says, with Rose following his direction.
“Yeah, of course.” She says.
Rose immediately notices Peter limping and wrapped her arm around his back, helping him to the bench.
“You’re hurt.” Rose says, looking genuinely concerned for him.
“It’s nothing. It’s just my leg hurts... and my pride.” He jokes, earning a slight chuckle from her.
They reach the bench and sit down - staring at the sunset for a moment as they gathered their thoughts.
“So...” He begins.
“So...” Rose replies back.
“I take it you’re my new partner ? You’re part of Night Action ?” He asks, with her nodding at him.
He took a moment to wrap his head around the idea of that, before continuing.
“What changed your mind ? I thought you wanted a normal life back in California.” Peter says.
“I did and believe me, Peter. I tried. I really did...” Rose says.
“But ?” He asks calmly.
“I couldn’t go back to what I used to do or who I used to be. Working in a office, listening to friends and colleagues talking about their normal life’s. It’s not me, anymore. I don’t think it has been since the night my aunt and uncle were killed. So; I managed to contact Catherine and she helped me out. Said herself I would be a great asset for Night Action.”
Peter nodded at her, feeling a bit guilty upon hearing Catherine’s name.
“You heard what happened to her ?” He asks.
She could tell Peter blamed himself, which she 100% disagreed with.
“I did. And it wasn’t your fault, so don’t even go there, ok ?” Rose tells him, gently holding his hand.
He nods at her as his hand held her’s.
He really did miss feeling her touch.
“Anyway; for the past year, i’ve just been a cyber technical analyst for Night Action. I’ve barely gone into the field and when I have, it was either doing small recon or meeting another agent in a public location and retrieving intel from them. Guess that’s about to change though, if we’re gonna be partners now.” Rose continues.
“Did Mosley force you to do this in anyway possible ? Because you don’t need to...” Peter says before she cuts him.
“No, he didn’t. He did the exact opposite actually. He found me and asked me directly - explaining everything that has happened since we last saw each other. He gave me a choice and would have understand if I said no.” Rose tells him.
“Why didn’t you ?” He asks.
“Isn’t it obvious ? I want this life because I feel useful. I get to help people... and deep down, I had hoped one day I would get to do it with you. Yes; it’s dangerous and terrifying but getting to do that with you is a way better life than just being alone. You’re all I have, Peter. There’s no one else I want this life with.” Rose says.
Mosley’s words immediately played into his head as Peter nodded at her, staring into her beautiful eyes.
“You have a chance here to have that balance you’ve been looking for. To do what you do for your country while doing it with the right person you want to do it with. Don’t think, just take it.” Mosley’s voice said to him.
Peter knew he couldn’t go on with his life without her.
She meant everything to him and not spending another day with her, would just break his heart even more.
She would be at risk of course, just like him but at least they would face it together.
“I really missed you.” He said, his voice almost breaking upon admitting that.
“I missed you, too. Not did a day go by without me thinking about you.” Rose replies.
Peter raised his arm up and Rose immediately wrapped herself into his embrace, getting comfortable as she laid her head into his neck.
The two continued staring out into the sunset as they enjoyed the moment.
“You’re absolutely sure about this ?” He asks, sincerely.
“I am and you have to accept this, Peter. It’s the only way this will work.” Rose replies.
“I know and I will but just because we’re gonna be partners, doesn’t mean I won’t stop worrying about you and your safety.” Peter tells her.
“Likewise... partner.” She hits back, making them both chuckle.
They continued watching the sunset as they both admired it’s beauty in awe.
“Can’t deny that view, can you ?” She asks.
“No, you cannot. It’s probably the second most beautiful thing I’ve seen.” Peter admits.
“Oh, really ? What’s number one on your list, then ?” Rose teases with a smirk.
She looked up at him as Peter turned to face her.
“What do you think ?” He replied with a smile.
She returned the favour by smiling at him before gently touching his face and pulled him in with a kiss.
A kiss that both had longed been waiting for.
They soon departed their lips and continued to stare into each other’s eyes.
“I have waited so long for that to happen, it felt like torture.” Peter joked, with Rose letting out a giggle.
“Ditto. And nice to know you didn’t forget about me.” Rose teased.
Peter leaned in closer.
“I couldn’t even if I tried.” He whispers.
Rose’s smile grew bigger upon hearing Peter using her words.
Words she said to him before he left for his first mission as a Night Agent.
That quickly made her kiss him again, this time a bit more passionately - before they return to their previous position and snuggle up together on the bench.
“We do have some talking to do, you know ? We got make sure we’re both on the same page.” Rose eventually says, as they both kept their eyes on the sunset.
“I know and we’ve got plenty of time to do that, since I am on extended leave for the moment. But for now; let’s just enjoy this together. We can talk while getting something to eat, if you want. I know a place that’s not too far from here.” Peter says.
“Good because I am starving. And you’re definitely buying.” Rose replies, making Peter chuckle.
“Ok, then.” Peter says.
“Just one quick question, though ?” Rose asks.
“Sure, shoot.” Peter tells her.
“This place we’re going to...” She begins.
“Mhmm...” Peter responds.
“Does it by any chance do chicken and waffles ?” Rose asks.
The two immediately begin laughing quietly as they stared out into the sunset, enjoying this peaceful beautiful moment together.
Both of them thought they will be plenty of more beautiful moments they will have together, in their future.
And nothing could get better than that.