Page 33 of Crocodile Tears (Romance Expected Dating Service #2)

Cal

As soon as the plane touches down, and we disembark at the gate, I immediately spot the two men in suits who aren’t trying quite hard enough to look like regular passengers.

Government agents have a particular way of standing that screams official business, even when they’re attempting casual surveillance.

“Friends of yours?” Becci asks while juggling her new specimen collection kit with a small duffel bag of her purchases from Puerto Limón and noticing me watching them.

“Professional acquaintances. The kind who ensure we walk through customs without lengthy questioning about our recent travel activities.”

She nods with the kind of acceptance that suggests she’s fully adapted to the reality our relationship involves issues most couples never encounter.

“That’s probably for the best, considering our documentation situation.

What if the fake passports don’t hold up to TSA investigation?

My real one is still at home since the kidnappers didn’t kindly fetch it for me…

” She continues on, and I nod, watching the two suited men to be sure they are government drones and not someone posing as such.

By the time the agents approach, I’m satisfied they have down the government stance. They’re probably legit, which is why I don’t shield Becci. Instead, I just draw her a bit closer. The taller one extends his hand with professional courtesy that manages to convey both authority and reassurance.

“Mr. Morrison, Dr. Santos. I’m Agent Scalaazi, and this is Agent Cheung. We’re here to facilitate your transition back to domestic status.”

Becci shakes his hand while maintaining her new identity with impressive composure. “Thank you for the assistance. I assume there are debriefing protocols we need to complete?”

“Standard procedure for citizens who’ve experienced international incidents involving criminal organizations,” Agent Cheung says while guiding us toward a section of the airport that’s clearly restricted to official business.

“We’ll handle the administrative details and coordinate with relevant agencies regarding your situation. ”

The debriefing facility turns out to be a conference room that could belong to any government building anywhere, with fluorescent lighting, beige walls, and furniture that’s designed for function rather than comfort.

Agent Scalaazi settles behind a desk while Agent Cheung activates recording equipment that looks more sophisticated than anything I’ve seen in civilian facilities.

Becci and I take chairs in front of the desk.

“Let’s start with basic timeline information,” Scalaazi begins while opening a file that’s considerably thicker than I expected. “When did you first become aware of threats targeting Dr. Santos’s research?”

I provide a concise summary of events from surveillance detection through extraction completion. Military training teaches you to deliver briefings that cover essential information without unnecessary detail, so my report focuses on operational facts and tactical decisions.

“Surveillance identified eighteen-hundred hours, day one. Target acquired twenty-one-hundred hours, day two. Infiltration commenced zero-three-hundred hours, day three. Extraction completed fourteen-thirty hours, day four. Most opposition forces were neutralized through tactical disengagement rather than direct confrontation.”

Scalaazi looks at me with the expression of someone trying to decode a particularly dense technical manual. “Could you elaborate on the operational circumstances that led to target acquisition?”

“Hostile extraction of primary assets by professional contractors using specialized equipment designed for shifter containment. Their demands focused on research applications rather than financial compensation.”

Cheung just stares at me. “Mr. Morrison, could you explain this in terms that don’t require military translation?”

Before I can rephrase my response, Becci jumps in with her own version of events that demonstrates her scientific approach to information organization.

“The criminal organization led by Dr. Vega deployed a six-person extraction team equipped with restraint systems specifically calibrated for reptilian shifter physiology,” she begins with the systematic precision she applies to everything.

“Their operational objective involved coercing my participation in genetic modification research that would adapt naturally occurring accelerated healing capabilities for human military applications.”

She continues for several minutes, providing detailed analysis of the kidnapping methodology, facility construction, research objectives, and escape protocols.

Her explanation includes chemical formulas, biological terminology, and systematic breakdowns that would be impressive in a peer-reviewed journal but clearly overwhelm agents who deal with more conventional criminal activities.

“The genetic sequencing data they sought involves identifying specific protein expressions that regulate cellular regeneration rates in reptilian shifter populations,” she explains while drawing diagrams on a piece of paper she liberates from the stack in front of the agents.

“The applications for trauma medicine are significant, but weaponizing the research would create tactical advantages that fundamentally alter combat recovery capabilities.”

Scalaazi and Cheung exchange glances that suggest they’re witnessing a tennis match between a dictionary and a telegram.

My tactical briefing covered essential facts in minimal time while Becci’s scientific explanation provides comprehensive detail that requires advanced degrees to fully appreciate.

“So, to clarify,” Cheung says carefully, “Dr. Santos was kidnapped because her research could create super-healing soldiers, and Mr. Morrison conducted a rescue operation to prevent military applications of medical research?”

“That’s an accurate summary of the primary operational objectives,” I confirm.

“That’s a gross oversimplification of complex genetic research with multiple humanitarian applications,” Becci corrects with obvious frustration at the reduced complexity.

Agent Scalaazi makes notes while clearly struggling to reconcile our different communication styles. “What is the nature of your relationship with each other?”

The question catches us both unprepared. I realize we haven’t actually discussed how to categorize what exists between us for official purposes or civilian explanations.

“Dr. Santos was my extraction target who became my romantic interest,” I say while trying to find terminology that covers the complexity of our situation.

“Mr. Morrison is my tactical boyfriend with rescue capabilities,” Becci adds with scientific precision that somehow makes the relationship sound like a research classification.

Both agents stare at us with expressions that suggest our explanations created more confusion than clarity.

“So you’re dating?” Scalaazi asks with careful neutrality.

“We’re building a relationship that accommodates both my security consulting work and her scientific research while acknowledging that external threats may require ongoing tactical collaboration,” I say with the kind of precision that probably makes civilian dating sound like military alliance negotiations.

“We’re applying systematic methodology to romantic partnership development while integrating enhanced reptilian biology and shared experiences involving international criminal organizations,” Becci adds with enthusiasm that suggests she’s enjoying the opportunity to explain our relationship in scientific terms.

Agent Cheung stops taking notes entirely and looks between us with obvious bewilderment. “Are you two always like this?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re conducting a briefing for extraterrestrials who’ve never encountered human relationships before.”

Becci grins with obvious delight. “That’s actually an excellent analogy for how we communicate about emotional topics.”

The debriefing continues for another hour, during which we learn Nikolai’s intelligence network provided enough information for coordinated raids on Vega’s operations.

The Colombian government discovered sufficient illegal activities to shut down the research facility and ensure Dr. Vega receives lengthy prison sentences for kidnapping, human trafficking, and weapons development.

“The immediate threat to Dr. Santos has been neutralized,” Scalaazi says while reviewing the operational summary. “However, we recommend maintaining security protocols until all associated networks are confirmed dismantled.”

“How long do you estimate that process will require?” I ask while calculating the logistics of extended protection arrangements.

“Sixty to ninety days for complete network analysis and asset seizure.” Cheung closes his file with obvious satisfaction. “Your extraction operation provided intelligence that made the larger investigation possible.”

The administrative aspects of our return take most of the morning.

Everything requires a mountain of paperwork since the government makes military bureaucracy look efficient.

By the time we reach Becci’s apartment building, I feel like we’ve been processed through multiple government agencies for the past ten years.

The familiar sights of civilian life create cognitive dissonance after several days of tactical operations, jungle survival, and NSA debriefing.

“This feels surreal,” says Becci while staring at her apartment building with obvious uncertainty. “Like we’re returning to someone else’s life rather than our own.”

I understand exactly what she means. The relationship that developed during our escape exists in circumstances that don’t translate directly to normal civilian routines.

I wonder if what we found together can survive environments that don’t involve life-threatening situations and shared tactical objectives.