Seize the day

 Liam was proud he didn't need any help from the others. Although it took hours into days he tracked down Julie who was not lost after all. It was a relief to meet her at the airport.

She said she didn't like these long trips anymore. "Maybe I'm too old for this." She was solemn as usual. He was beginning to think there was no chance to change anything about her. He should be used to this by now. 

"Oh really?" He suspected she still liked the thrill of the mission and all those unexpected moments where every trick of martial arts she knew came in handy. "What do you want to do, teach ti chi?

Now he got a smile out of her. She got in his car and they went to their usual place for breakfast. If only he could think of something romantic to do but in times like these a good meal felt like the perfect solution. Neither would admit the other might be a glutton. 

"God, I've missed these pancakes," she said as she crunched on a bacon strip.

Liam couldn't help but smile wondering if that meant something else.

"What's up with you?" She winced as if he had a secret.

He shook his head and said nothing, but he smiled even more. He knew her eyes were on him, but then again she was checking exits as if she'd be a Ninja any second and take down anyone who might want to touch him. Liam supposed he should be glad, but he wanted to protect her to.

"So, any word from Mannie?" She then asked. Liam shook his head, no.

"What if their.."

"What? Lost?" Liam looked at her straight on. "Never." 

Of course, when he looked into her intense eyes he was thinking they better make the most of their time and it had nothing to with those killer pancakes with the cherry on top.