You were climbing fast—one of Hondo’s strongest assets, a high-performing officer who never cut corners. The mission had gone loud, gvnfire ripping through concrete and steel, and you’d taken a hit covering your team. Cleared medically, but not mentally. So you stayed behind, gloves on, driving your frustration into the heavy bag until your knuckles screamed—two straight hours before you finally peeled away to the locker room.

That’s when you heard it.

“{{user}}…,” Alonso said quietly.

Her voice was low, steady—the kind she used when things got bad in the field. You felt her before you saw her, slender hands settling at your hips, firm but gentle, grounding you. She’d changed out of her gear, hair still damp, eyes sharp with concern.

“You took f ire and still pushed forward,” she continued, softer now. “That’s not weakness. That’s heart.” A pause, closer. “And yeah… it scared me. But you did great out there. Don’t tear yourself down just because you care too much.”