Here With You

"Madrona, why do you have to do this to me?"

"What do you mean?"

" I- eh- it's already hard enough, and you're pulling my leg Chief! Just tell me! Tell me what you're gonna do with me now?"

... 

"I'm going to sit on this balcony next to you."

"... you know that's not what I meant." Her voice was wavering.

Cheyenne looked over to see lunette crying now. not just tears rolling down her cheeks, but with the scrunched face and motions. She swiftly brought her hand to lunette's chin, turning it to face her.  

Lunette opened her eyes wide, eyes misty and red cheeks wet.  

Cheyenne put on her well known expressionless stare. 

"Lunette."  

She took in a sharp breath as another tear soaked her face. "I- I'm sorry- "

"Can I trust you. With everything we've done. With all that I've told you. That you won't speak a word of it to anyone?" 

Lunette just sniffled and stared blankly at Cheyenne. 

"Tell me Lunette." Her voice wasn't loud, but stern.

Lunette lowered her gaze and blinked, or tried to before Cheyenne called her attention again. 

"Look at me Lunette. Tell me. Can. I. Trust you." 

... 

"Yes."

 Her gaze stayed. 

"Yes, yes chief. You can trust me with everything and I won't say a word. It's what I should do." 

"Have you told anyone of the events that transpired in the past three months?" 

Lunette went to look away again, but was stopped, again. 

... 

She looked up at those piercing magenta eyes that she knew well, and at the same time, didn't know at all. 

"I... I have. To my sister and mother. No details, only very general comments... about you."

Cheyenne sighed and looked away from her subordinate for a second. Well, in this situation, there should be no work names, just two people, real people. She was being honest. Cheyenne closed her eyes for a second, then returned her gaze to Lunette.

"Can I trust you to keep what happens here and here alone from now on?"

Lunette unfurrowed her eyes a bit. What, was she going on about? Was it...

"Yes. Yes. I swear I won't tell a spirit about anything."

...

Cheyenne finally softened her gaze. She had a very slight smile. She could tell this wasn't a lie, that Lunette was genuine. 

Lunette in turn softened her distressed gaze, now looking up with wide, curious eyes. 

"Call me Cheyenne from now on. No more "chief", at least when we're here." 

She wavered for just a millisecond, enough time to ruin her intention. Too soon.  

She lowered her hand from Lunette's chin and stood up. Not with her hands behind her back like she started to do, but to her sides. She felt free. More free than she ever felt in the last twenty years. She sighed. 

"You are dismissed Lunette."