Leila had perhaps smoked a hundred cigarettes since last night as she worried about coming into close contact with the two male agents she fondly named the terror twins, it wasn’t that she hated them, it was that her onset of grey hair was because of them, it wasn’t that she disliked them, it was that her smoker’s cough and sore throat was due to their antics, all in all, she doted on them, they were a breath of fresh air, but she also wanted to kill them and upon retirement, she expected she’d do just that. Zoya and Mishti were lovely girls and if she’d had any other choice she wouldn’t have paired them together with two agents who were responsible for her long list of incident forms rather than her appraisals. “Today took its toll on all us females” she began, hoping the bags beneath her eyes weren’t as visible now she’d had eight cups of coffee, “But in this job, we will come across such things, but what we learn from that experience is most important, so now I hand it to you, we’ll go around the table and find out what you all have picked up” sitting back, she raised her mug to her lips.

“Abir often deflects using humour, jibes and sexual comments to undermine those he feels are easily scared, I believe this shows a history of never dealing with traumatic events properly which in turn leaves him haunted, he evades things he doesn’t like with quick wit rather than outright lies and is not opposed to creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for others which comes in handy during interrogation” Mishti eyed him proudly over her glass, her lips curled in haughty derision. She was glad it was his jaw that was now on the floor, he’d clearly thought he’d gotten to her, but what he didn’t know was that innocence she portrayed was her biggest weapon, people always fell for it and never expected much from her.

“Mishti” he licked his lip, part pleased and partly annoyed at her comments. “What can I say about a woman like Mishti? Hm,” he tapped his chin. “Let’s start on how easily distracted she is by the unexpected therefore making her an easily defeated opponent, then there is how quickly she breaks under pressure, she ran from the room and jumped away from me which hints towards a past of” he stopped at the tears in her eyes, but he wasn’t here to make friends, “A past of heartbreak that she has not and will not ever deal with, yet she is quick to point out other’s failures, I believe that is what they call checkmate” he rested back, his arms crossed as he focused on anything but the look on her face that was beginning to make his chest hurt.

Zoya placed her hand over hers, a reassuring smile taking over her lips before she turned to her partner “Aditya though able to see the humour in a situation also has a mature insight to life likely due to his personal experiences, like Abir he hides behind his quips and flirtatious behaviour and seems to enjoy angering others due to his unexplainable need to get a rise that likely makes him feel good about himself or” she watched him carefully, revenge like poison on her tongue as she spat: “He wants to hurt, so he allows other people to hurt him, if you want someone to throw themselves on the firing line to save you, he’s your man, not because he cares, but because death is something he craves” dropping the file as if dropping a mic, she crossed her ankles and raised a brow at the shock so clear on his face.

“Baby” he pouted, “You wound me so, but” he held his hands up, “That’s just what you do, right? Hurt people before they can hurt you first? No, no, I get it, people see you as a cold, hard woman who likely needs a good spanking, am I wrong?” Not allowing her to respond, he stood up “So you became the image people so desperately wanted you to be, that makes you a very good person when it comes to physical battles, we all know what that body can do, but if you weren’t so strung up you’d be easier to be around, when you want to release some of that pent up frustration, give me a-“ he was cut off by her hand swiping across his cheek, holding his face, he chuckled. “That leads me to my last point, you’re far too angry, couldn’t stay calm even if your life depended on it”.

“Alright, alright” standing up she placed a hand on each of their chests. “You are not facing your enemies, save that for the battleground, this test was to highlight the positives and negatives of your relationships, but you have all taken it too far, at this rate I cannot trust any of you to save lives when you’re at each other's necks like this” she huffed, fingers itching for a smoke. “The most important part of going undercover is being able to fully trust your partner, if you’re in a muck then your life is in their hands, you need them to have your back and right now that isn’t a priority for any of you, so, over the next few days you will partake in trust-building exercises made specifically to ready you for what is to come”. Leila knew she wouldn’t get a good reaction, if lives weren’t on the line she wouldn’t have even suggested it “Zoya, Aditya to the right, Mishti and Abir to the left and for God’s sake” she fell into her chair, “Act your age, not your damn shoe size”.

Aditya flicked open the page “Ah, the signature trust fall, I’ve been waiting for you to fall for me” he held his arms out. “I appreciate the rough love also, how did you know I liked it like that?”

Grabbing his wrist, she wrapped her other hand around his throat and pushed him into the wall “Do not think for one second that I have forgotten how you embarrassed me out there” she warned, her aggravation clouding her grief at his words echoing so many other people’s. “You tell me how do I trust someone who so easily did that?”

“You mean exactly what you did?” He scoffed. “You called me suicidal in front of my boss, my best friend and your sister, did you really think I’d be nice after? Always prepare for the worst” pushing his leg between hers, he lifted her from the ground then tackled her back onto the soft mat so he was led atop her. “You’ve met your match, Zoya, the worst mistake you’ll ever make is underestimating me”.

Struggling in his hold, she growled, head slamming against the floor “Get off of me” screaming up at him, her eyes hardened, “Who do you think you are?”

“Me? I’m Aditya Hooda, don’t forget the name, you’ll be screaming it soon”.

Lifting her hips, she twirled them over so she was on top of him “The day I scream your name will be the day I kill you with my own hands, if you ever touch me like that again I’ll put my skills to use to ensure children will never be a part of your future” jumping up, she held out her hand, “I’m Zoya, but you already know that, late night dreams will do that to you” pulling him up, she lifted her chin and glared, then shoved him back.

●◇●◇

The second Mishti fell into Abir’s arms, his hands rested on her hips, fingers tickling beneath her ribs as she squirmed, begging him to let her go.

Throwing her head back, she gasped as he faltered into the door and held his nose with bloody fingers “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, wait” she shook her head, “No, no I’m not”.

“What do you mean you’re not sorry?” He bellowed, “When I said I didn’t mind doing what turned you on this isn’t what I meant, do I look like the kind of man getting a boner over blood play?”

Placing her hands on her hips, her lips pursed “Welllll”.

“Do I?” He shouted again causing her to jump.

“How am I meant to know what turns you on? One minute you’re flirting with me, then you’re ripping me to s.h.i.t in front of everyone”.

Closing his eyes, he exhaled loudly, counting to ten to calm his temper “Do you ever say swearwords properly? It’s shit not s.h.i.t and,” he stepped in front of her, “Were you trying to turn me on? Because” he eyed his trousers, “It hasn’t worked”.

She gasped, mouth a perfect O “No I was not trying to turn you on and I don’t swear, my sister always said swearwords made your teeth yellow and yes I know she was lying, but that stayed with me, okay?” Holding tissue to his nose, she frowned “I’m not sorry, but I hope you’re not too badly hurt, it was an accident”.

His voice came out nasally “Is it bad that this innocent shtik you have going on is something I’m really digging?”

“I didn’t understand a word of what you just said, but I assume it was inappropriate so shh” she ordered, squeezing his nose a little too hard just because she could.

Leila relaxed against the door “Abir and Mishti, time’s up, next challenge” she froze, “What happened to your nose? Self-defence isn’t till another few days, actually, I don’t wanna know” watching Aditya massage his throat and rub his head, she looked between the four “If this is what you kids call sex nowadays then count me out” she shook her head while walking past the two sisters who high fived and the two best friends who comforted each other.

The Winter's Widow has also been updated. I wrote this and updated it as I may not have another chance to tomorrow! I hope you are all enjoying the dynamics between each duo, I adore them all so much!