The late afternoon sun painted the campus in gold as Naomi and I walked toward the administrative building. Students moved between classes in the usual patterns, but everything felt different with her hand in mine and the promise of actual danger waiting Friday evening.
"We should probably discuss contingency planning," she said as we passed the fountain where I'd first realized she was more than just another academy student. "Resource allocation during extended combat scenarios. Communication protocols if the team gets separated."
"Absolutely. Very important tactical considerations." I squeezed her hand gently. "Also, when's the last time we went somewhere that wasn't about training or studying or preparing for life-threatening situations?"
She tilted her head, considering. "I don't think we ever have, actually. Our first real conversation was about combat theory. Our second was during that disastrous gate simulation. Everything since has been academy-related."
