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"We’ll be back" DJ picked up a duffel she hadn’t noticed earlier It clunked when he slung the strap over his shoulder No doubt his portable weapons stash

She had a powerful urge to hug the two men It would probably only embarrass theh to presu, "Be careful out there, guys"

"We always are," DJ said, winking at her on his way out the door

Somehow she doubted the truth of that statement, but she didn’t call him on it Instead, she headed downstairs to Laurel’s lab She caught herself pausing to check her hair in the glea stainless steel door God, how dumb was that? She was here to check on the status of the injured, not to make an impression on anyone

But, even so, her hands shook as she pushed open the door

"Checkmate"

Larem tried not to smirk at his roommate’s defeat, but it was hard Lonzo leaned forward to study the board, obviously still trying to figure how Lare

"Listen, you alien jerk, you must have cheated Did you ?" Lonzo started resetting the board "This tiain, and I’ll get souards"

Larelass of ice water "Is it my fault you left your queen vulnerable? Perhaps you should ask Cullen for some tips, or even DJ"

Norestion that anyone--especially DJ--could show hiht now his roo across the roo?"

"Not really Sasha Willis just walked in, and it looks like our favorite Handler is not so happy to see her What’s up with that?"

Larem wasn’t about to tell Lonzo that Laurel kneas reluctant to see Sasha again His roo down into the tunnels to save her It hat happened afterward that he had no intentions of confessing

Tia to play or not?"

"Yeah, we are" Lonzo ain "Ortoward the "Can we finish this garinned at hi to kick me out this afternoon Said she wants the space for someone who really needs it"

Lare with the problem over by the door "Guess that means you’ll have to do the laundry this week She already said I should stay here until tomorrow"

Lonzo shoved another pawn off its square "Fat chance The dirty clothes can wait until you get home"

Laurel stepped around the table so that she was facing Lareuys Lonzo, I need to check you over before I sign off on your discharge I ht need the bed space"

The Paladin went cold "Son of a bitch, what happened this ti so far Lacey sent out a notice that the energy levels are fluctuating again south of here" Laurel looked grim "I want to make sure I’m ready You know, just in case"

Lonzo swept the chess pieces back into a beat-up box, added the board, and then jammed the lid back on "Sorry, Larem"

"Not a probleone, Lare, still all too aware of the woht behind hi hi his side when he thought I wouldn’t notice"

Laurel’s eyes narrowed as she watched Lonzo make his way back to his bed "That sneaky jerk! And he’s been co I should’ve known better than to trust hiame after all"

Then she dropped her voice "Sasha Willis wants to make sure you’re on the mend Okay if I send her over?"

"Sure" He wanted to kno she was doing, too

Before walking away, Laurelthe curtain partly closed "This is the first tith of time I don’t want hi I promise"

Sasha stood in front of hiently rest on his ar"