Story

"Well, Doctor," Kendall said as he pulled you into the cell. "Your old friend paid you a visit."

Your heartbeat raced as you saw Finch tied up in the cell. Why are you here? You thought. This isn't in our plan.

You agreed to work with Woodward to protect your country by sabotaging the Professor's plan from the inside. Finch was supposed to work with Woodward on strategy, to be safe.

Was this a ploy of Woodward? Worse, were Woodward's people compromised? No, you would be dead if your secret came out. You hoped to read any clues from Finch's bruised and bleeding face, but his was unreadable.

He bled too much. Your medical training told you that head injury always looked more serious than it actually was, but human bodies were fragile.

You took a step forward before you noticed Kendall's smugness. This was a test of your loyalty. Kendall hated you because you threatened his position. He wanted to use Finch to destroy you. You admitted he was more perceptive than he looked.

You dared not show concern. You were dying of concern. You remembered when Finch broke in torture to protect you, but now you were supposed to be his enemy.

"Your friend insisted on playing mule. Let's see if he opens up to you " Kendall said.

You said, "Our friendship is largely exaggerated. Besides, I have nothing to do with Royal toadies since I joined the Free Merica."

It hurt you to say the words. You hoped Finch would see through your lie.

"I am no friend with a turncoat." Finch spoke through split lips. His eyes were as cold as steel and ice.

You knew Finch said these to maintain your cover. However, part of you winced because the words hit too close to home. Finch begged you to leave when he found that you joined Free Merica. You refused and broke up with him because back then you thought you were working for the common good. You might be working together now, but you suspected that you could never recover your past relationship.

Kendall crossed his arms with a gleeful grin. “If you can't make him talk, I will take over.” He shoved a whip into your hand.

"Let me check the rope first. I hate to be sloppy," You went behind Finch in pretence of checking over the knots that tied his hands behind the chair, but you subtly loosened them and tapped the code for "Free" on his arms.

His fingers tapped "n" back. You had to trust that Finch had a plan.

Kendall looked like he were fuming at the perceived insult. Good, if he was too angry, he couldn't think clearly. You ignored him and stood before Finch. "You will be deluded if you trust your imbecile boss."

"You had better scream. I have no mercy for the Professor's enemy," You made a show of waving the whip at Finch's thighs, which would be safer to hurt. Finch clearly got what you meant as he started to whimper and groan.

You threw the whip and pulled his collar towards you. "You think you're so clever. You can get away from everything. This time you can't do this anymore. You won't even get a grave."

You sounded angry and raw to your ears. You needed to play up your role if you wanted to lessen Finch's physical injury, but he winced at your words. Perhaps he also recalled the years that everyone, including you, thought he was dead.

"Your fame must have gone so much into your head that you think you're invulnerable. But you're just another pawn of the government. Your boss will write you off as soon as he hears about this. You're practically a dead man."

"He won't---" Finch was still playing along with your plan. You were glad and grateful that you both still could communicate without words.

"Your only chance is to work with us," You interrupted, adjusting your position to shield Finch further from Kendall. "Don't think you can try to be stoic. Everyone breaks, including you. You spell your doom when you work against us."

"Hey, you talk too much," Kendall yelled.

You replied coldly without turning back, "You're sabotaging my effort."

You refocused on Finch, and was relieved that his bleeding stopped. "You can see how impatient my friend is. You had better start talking before I sic him on you."

You held his chin with your fingers and looked into his swollen eyes, trying to sound as insulting as you could. "Don't think you can fool me. I know your every trick. Do you think you can hold on and wait for the cavalry to arrive? They will never come."

After a long period of time, Finch said, "I will talk to you alone."

You said, "It's time for you to see reason" You turned to Kendall. "Please leave us alone."

Kendall towered over you, probably for intimidation. "You don't get to dictate anything."

"Any delay of information will hurt the revolution. The Professor will be displeased with you if he knows about this."

As you have hoped for, Kendall backed down and stomped out of the cell, shouting. "The Professor will know about this!"

When the sound of his footsteps faded, you pulled out a handkerchief and gently pressed it against Finch's wound. "Are you leaving now?"

It would blow your cover, but you have already drugged the rebels' food. People were getting sick and there were fearful whispers of cholera returning. Some have already deserted from their positions and return to their loved one

"No," Finch mouthed.

"Be careful," You said while putting a hand on his shoulder, taking care to avoid his bruises. You couldn't afford to linger long as Kendall would return any time. "Don't be too reckless"

"We will talk later," Finch said with softened eyes, "We are better together."

Warmth burst inside your chest. You kissed him on his cheeks before saying, "I will look forward to it."