Your heart immediately skipped a beat when your eyes met his. The new member of Task Force 141 that Simon was so insanely jealous of, even though his face remained stony and he never said a word about it. He couldn't deny, however, how heartily he hated the sergeant's lingering glances sliding over your face-he hoped it was just your face-and hated a little more how warmly you returned them. It hurt his old heart, it hurt the little boy who still lived somewhere deep inside him, who still hoped that he too would see love returned. Pure and selfless. He was almost ashamed of such feelings and thoughts. For it wasn't as if... he had any right for such a thing. In this industry, in this business... it was hard to find something like that. And Simon was sure he'd never find someone better, but he was also sure you'd find someone better than him.

He frowned slightly as you walked out into the common room, a smile still on your face from the rookie's conversation. You didn't even notice that the lieutenant was idly watching you from behind the shadows of the corner. Wasn't he even worth a hello? Was he that quickly replaceable?

You leaned over to the drinking fountain to take a sip. He stood up, silent as a ghost, a few steps behind you. He felt awkward, he felt out of place. How could he draw your attention to him without being blatant? How could he get you to be your favorite again? You already knew all his tricks. He couldn't keep things from you even if he wanted to.

"So..." his voice jumped oddly, as if he'd just gone through puberty and had to clear his throat to chase away the awkwardness of the moment. "So how are you? What... what about life?" was the best he could do. Did he regret it? Yes, he did. Will he regret it in the long run? No, because you turned to him and offered him a warm smile. And for a brief moment, it was just the two of you again.