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Then smiled again. A real one this time. Subtle, but undeniable. “Touché.”
Nash’s breath caught for half a second before he eased back, gave her space again, not because he wanted to, but because herespectedit. That was the difference now. He didn’t just want her. He was beginning to understandhowhe wanted her.
Right. On her terms. When the ground beneath her feet felt steady.
He dropped back into the chair beside her, settled his elbows on the table, and watched as her fingers return to the keyboard, precise and fluid once again.
But now her shoulder tilted just slightly toward his. Now her knee bumped his once before she shifted. Now her breath, when it caught, did so on a smile instead of a sharp inhale.
They were still surrounded by code and firewalls and things designed to erase people like them, but now they had each other.
Somewhere inside the machine…the enemy took their measure.
* * *
GRAVITY SYSTEM LOG// OBSERVATION ENTRY: 10.73.24
Subjects:
HARLAN, GRACE — Former NCIS Embedded Cyber Intelligence Operative: Designated Agency — Naval Criminal Investigative Service / Current Assignment: Black Kite Systems Auditor (Off-Book)
RAHIM, NASHIR — Former Special Operator: Designated Military Branch-Navy SEAL / Callsign: Prophet / Black Kite Direct-Action Audit Oversight
Environment:
Annex Terminal 4 / Level 3 Clearance
Drone Presence: Removed (Per Subject 002 request)
Surveillance Mode: Passive / Audio + Visual Stream Only
Interaction Analysis:
Subject 001 initiated deep trace protocol.
Subject 001 located dormant financial shell: WTRXN Solutions.
Subject 001 cross-referenced vector against procurement channel: Adaptive AI BattlefieldSystems.
Subject 002 initiated proximity buffer breach.
Physical alignment observed:
Subject 002 leaned in
Subject 001 mirrored body angle.
Sustained mutual eye contact: 3.7 seconds.
Subject 001 exhibited Duchenne smile.
Subject 002 issued low-frequency vocalization: “Next time, hebbiti…”
Subjects engaged in informal verbal exchange. Laughter (shared).
Subject 001 exhibited minor shoulder tilt toward Subject 002.
Subject 002 returned to seated position closer than initial orientation. No readjustment.