A Second Chance

February 2018

Chapter 45

February 2018

It had officially been six months today that Caden has been partnered with Amari. They had improved from auguring all the time but still kept their distance from each other, both mentally and physically. They were not friends and tended to avoid each other when not at work.

Caden has not had anymore warnings from James but then again Caden has not let her get hurt yet. Caden and Amari were sitting in his office. The silence that had before bothered him, now was a normal thing. They sat in his office in silence till they had a mission to do. They ate lunch separately and seemed not to talk much unless it was work related.

The phone rang and Caden answered. Amari did take notice of how this phone call seemed longer. She also saw him keep glancing over at her. He seemed worried and Amari knew this could not be good. When he hung up he did not stand from his seat. So it was not a mission? Amari just looked at him asking for an answer by the look in her eyes.

"We have been requested to accompany a team to Maine. We received a phone call from some girl who says she is being help captive." Caden explained.

"We're going all the way to Maine?" Amari asked shocked.

"I've been farther so yeah." Caden said.

"When do we leave?" She asked standing.

"Late tonight so we will arrive early in the morning." Caden informed her.

"I've never been on a mission like this. What do we do?" Amari felt lost.

"We have a few hours to ourself to gather anything we need. Get prepared. Then head to the airport." Caden explained the normal process.

Amari had called James letting him know she would be leaving. She was on the phone for awhile so Caden could only assume he was lecturing her about being safe. When she was finally done it was time to prepare themselves. The process was normal and Hanna wished them luck. Caden was surprised she did not tell him to keep her safe like everyone else seemed to. He could see the pleasant look she had toward Amari. He knows he never got that look.

They went to the airport and Caden just let Amari ride with him. The nice airport they were going to allows ARRO agents to ride for free. Caden could not remember if they ever helped someone there or not but he just assumes they realize the need for fast transportation. Amari surprisingly did not seem nervous.

They both got their ticket and walked onto the plane. When Caden looked at his seat number he realized he was right next to Amari. Normally it would bother him but he has learned to deal with it. He sat down and she smiled at him. He chuckled, basically laughing at himself. He wanted Amari no where near him but from the second he met her he has always loved her smile. She seemed so comfortable.

"Ever been in a plane before?" Caden asked.

"Yes but mainly when I was younger." Amari told him.

They buckled themselves and the plane shortly left. It was night outside so Caden thought about sleeping though he decided against it. He never could sleep on the way to a mission. Caden had to admit for some reason something was not quite right about this mission. He looked over at Amari wondering if she felt the same way. He thought she was sleeping but she opened her eyes feeling someone looking at her.

"Everything ok?" She asked, straightening up in her seat.

"Um- Yeah." Caden said unsure.

"Why were you staring at me?" She asked.

Caden looked down at the bracelet on her wrist and used that as an excuse.

"I was looking at your bracelet." He lied.

Though he has noticed it before. She always wore it, even on missions, but he never asked why. Amari smiled and looked at it herself.

"You like it?" She asked.

He nodded. It was a very beautiful piece of jewelry. It seemed wooden and had different colors. Like brown, dark orange, tan, red, mainly earthly colors. On each one was a hand painted design in white paint. Maybe it was a symbol he was not sure, but it was pretty. She twisted the bracelet to show on the other beads spelled the word strong.

"Defiantly." Caden assured her.

He could tell it meant a lot to her by the way her eyes gleamed with pride. Her smile got bigger and Caden seemed to have made her night.

"It was my mothers. My name means strong." Amari informed.

Caden chuckled but not like he was laughing at her.

"It fits you perfectly." He assured her.

Amari remained happy. She always seemed extra happy when Caden would treat her like a real partner. When he showed pleasantness toward her. Caden stared at it.

"Is it a good luck charm?" Caden tried to ask nicely but showed slight disapproval in his tone.

Amari shook her head.

"Do you believe in good luck charms Rogers?" She asked looking over at him.

Without needing to think he replied.

"No." Caden said coldly.

Amari shrugged unbothered by his annoyed tone.

"Me neither." Amari admitted.

"Then why do you always where that?" Caden asked in disbelief.

Her eyes and smile both softened.

"Like I said, it was my mothers, so I'll always have her with me if I have it." Amari told him.

He smiled softly with her. He liked that answer.

When the plane landed and they left the airport Caden made sure his team was together. Anderson made him the Captain for this mission. Anderson always wanted him to accept a Captain position but he felt if he could not protect a partner there was no way he could protect a whole team. He also did not feel like a good leader. Amari thought all that was ridiculous though. She saw the good side to Caden even if he did not show it to her. She saw it in him. She knew somewhere in Caden was great leader material. Amari seemed to see the better side of everyone. The team got their transportation and headed off with their guns loaded and minds readied for the worst.

Is anyone worried about a mission so far away? The next chapter will have some action in it so be prepared! Thanks for reading!