"Try not to get yourself killed before I finish filing my report," Lexa said. Her voice was calm now, almost gentle and it made something flutter in Theo's chest.
He didn't look back. "No promises."
He was just about to leave when her voice stopped him again. "Why haven't you joined AMSO?"
Theo froze at the stairwell, one hand resting on the railing. For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, without turning around, he replied quietly, "I have my reasons."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting," he said, but there wasn't any real bite to his words.
Lexa stepped forward, her boots clicking softly against the debris-littered floor. "You're strong. Skilled. If you just followed protocol, you'd be a Class 3 by now. Maybe even higher. So what are you running from?"
He turned slightly, just enough for her to see the side of his face. There was a strange look in his eyes. Not fear. Not pride. Something quieter.
