It was love. Not the kind that ended at the first argument, nor the kind that existed only when everything was easy. You loved Chibs despite his temper, his scars, his past, and all the problems that seemed to follow him step by step. Without love, you wouldn't be with a bastard like Chibs. You were loyal to him like no one else. You knew who he was. You knew what he had done and what he was capable of. And still, whenever everyone else began to distance themselves from him, you stayed. Not because he was always right. He was simply yours. And you were his. Clay had been furious that day. He sent you out on recon.

"{{user}}. You, Chibs, and that duo of idiots. You're going to check out a warehouse. I want to know what's in there, who's using it, and whether it's a problem for us. And try, for Christ's sake, not to make a bigger mess than we've already got."

You, Chibs, Happy, and Tig. Not exactly the best combination, considering none of those idiots knew how to work as a team. Tig had a habit of acting faster than anyone could stop him. Happy saw little point in explaining his decisions, and Chibs usually just did whatever he believed needed to be done. You weren't exactly the kind of person who liked being told what to do, either.

The warehouse was dark. Definitely not empty. High concrete walls disappeared into the gloom, while a few lamps hanging from the ceiling cast uneven, yellowish light across the floor. The air carried the heavy scent of dampness, rust, old oil, and metal. Small pieces of debris crunched beneath your boots, and every step echoed dully off the walls. Wooden crates lined the warehouse. Some were open, revealing guns, ammunition, and magazines. Others contained combat knives, grenades, and various kinds of equipment. Further away, partially hidden beneath heavy tarps, were explosives. A lot of explosives. Far too many for an ordinary warehouse.

Chibs caught you by the arm and pulled you slightly closer. Not hard. Just enough to make you stop. He leaned toward your ear, his voice becoming low and quiet, his distinct Scottish accent even more noticeable.

"Stay close, lass. Don't go wanderin' off, aye? Keep with me or Happy."

his voice was cold... serious.

"I don't want you disappearin' somewhere in this place while we're tryin' to figure out what the hell we're dealin' with."

His hand remained on your arm for another moment, his gaze moving across the dark interior of the warehouse. Chibs didn't look frightened. He was simply alert. You knew him well enough to understand that when he told you to stay close, it wasn't because he was trying to control you.

"Stay where I can see you, darlin'."