~_____~

Tao was ecstatic when he found Namjoo standing in the doorway. He had least expected her appearance that he was left dumbfounded as she stood there awkwardly.

“I was told you were having dinner. Can I join?” Namjoo started.

His lips pried themselves apart before he let her in. When he turned around Namjoo was already walking naturally into the kitchen to peer into the pot on the stove.

“It looks good,” she commented.

“I didn’t make it,” he immediately told before realizing she probably wasn’t referring to that.

“Donghae’s special; it’s his hangover soup,” Namjoo clarified when she turned to look at him, “he’s been drinking?”

Thinking back to the past few days, Tao guessed Donghae did seem a little strung over something. Donghae hadn’t really loitered around the house nor had Tao seen him as much. Sometimes Donghae disappeared for hours on end and Tao had no idea where he went. Now that Namjoo asked, Tao realized Donghae could have been indulging in worries he had no idea about.

Did it make him bad for not looking out for someone Namjoo cared about?

“Yes,” Tao slightly nodded his head halfway, “I guess he has. Sometimes I barely see him.”

He took note of how her eyes seemed to roll to the side and toward the ground as if calculating out some thoughts. And he wondered if this had to do with work. Why did they all seem so hung over it when they were supposed to be on break? Honestly, he just wanted some time without work becoming an issue. Some time alone with Namjoo without the mention of work or anyone else sounded like heaven.

“Where did you come from?” Tao asked moving for the cupboard to grab some bowls.

Namjoo turned to switch the stove off before turning to him, “Tao, were you with Donghae when we were in Daegu?”

His fingers pressed themselves against the cold ceramic, “Yea.”

Why the mention of Daegu? He didn’t think Namjoo wanted to talk about that place for it would remind her of the incident back there. Tao skimmed his eyes over her somewhat curiously.

“Do you remember if anything happened to Donghae back there?” Her eyes searched him so expectantly he felt his nerves twist up.

Unable to let her down he ransacked his memory at the speed of light to recall anything that he could. It felt like he was searching through heaps of clothes that had accumulated into a thick pile. Shirts, polos, jeans, shorts, and all the like went sprawling through the air flimsily.

“Sorry,” he apologized with a disappointed sigh, “everything was so chaotic it’s hard to recall. I only remember him telling to go back to the hotel.”

As expected, disappointment drained her face.

“Never mind,” Namjoo said with a small smile, “lets just eat.”

They spent majority of the time eating in silence; his eyes drifting up every now and then to look at her. There was a lot he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to start or what to talk to her about. His mind endlessly wandered back and forth. He’d never experienced this before.

“How’s your ankle?” He finally questioned. “Did you drive here?”

“It’s fine,” Namjoo replied stirring her bowl of soup tastelessly.

The conversation ended there and even when Namjoo washed the dishes he stared at her back from where he sat. There was so much running through his mind; to talk with her, spend some time with her, watch her smile at him, and just get to know her so that he could become someone close. So that she might open up to him like she did to Suho.

Tao wanted to become someone trusted by her, but where should he start? How should he start? Would Namjoo be able to see his heart and the intentions behind it?

He felt his heart protruding against his chest when he got up to walk toward her quietly only stopping a step from her. Not even the pouring of the water from the faucet seemed to touch his ears before she turned it off. She was so short against him he couldn’t even hit her properly with his chin. And he thought it was good too. No one would be able to hurt her if he was able to hide her behind his height.

He only awoke when Namjoo gasped surprised as she turned around to bump into him. Her bangs bristled against the tip of his chin and his heart raced.

This was definitely real.

Namjoo was close to him in a way he’d never noticed before. Inclining forward he pressed his lips against her forehead soaking in the touch of her soft hair against his lips. The moment seemed to last a lifetime setting his heart aflame. This was it, he thought, he would be happy to die here and now. He’d gone as far as heaven and hell and he couldn’t ask for more.

Pulling away with his blood gushing like wildfire he slowly raised his arms to place his hands very swiftly against her back, but without holding her in a hug. At that moment he was afraid to look at her, so he stood frozen like the idiot he was until her phone rang. Afraid she would make her way away from him, he tightly clutched her, this time into a hug. Her head gently bumped into his shoulder, her hair lining the crevice of his neck, and their hearts pumping into each other.

That instant he could hear the silence cheering him on. Telling him the world was in the palm of his hands. The warmth of her washed over him chiding him that he was good. It was as if he was washing all his sins away. Becoming a whole new person in an instant sounded all the more possible than he’d ever thought before. All because of some sound encouragement Namjoo effortlessly gave him. 

The droning of the phone went on for some time spinning around them while he sorted his thoughts. He knew then he really wanted to be with her. Everything silenced for a while before her phone started going off again.

Who was calling? Kris?

“Tao…” Namjoo began, her hands finally touching him to ease him away.

“This,” he cut her off successfully interrupting her, “is the first time I hugged someone. It’s nice after all.”

When her phone died he began to become accustomed in his position, but when it went off again Namjoo pushed him back successfully. She looked flustered as her eyes landed on the ground, but Tao felt a sense of satisfaction overflow him. Finally turning away she grabbed her phone clutching it within her grasp and shot him a glance.

“I’m going now,” was all she said before leaving.     

~_____~

The ing of her heart against her chest unnerved her as she scurried down the hall. Namjoo had last expected anything of that sort from Tao. Tao of all people would have been last on her list to show any type of affection. Tao!

Namjoo brushed her hand over her forehead still flabbergasted before glancing at her phone in hopes of forgetting the sanctuary of Tao’s earlier arms. To her unexpectation, Suho had been the one calling.

~_____~

Victoria was easily closing in on him and would get even closer if he couldn’t find a way to distract her. Trouble would be caused for Suho and Namjoo if he didn’t pave a way for Victoria away from them. Donghae wasn’t about to risk his personal objectives. The welfare of the group would remain the same if he grabbed Eunhyuk alone.

It was a nuisance that Victoria was at headquarters. What was she hoping to get there when no one else was there? What other information was she prying for?

Donghae was a little frustrated, but very impatient when he stepped out of his car. It wasn’t as if he had anything hidden there, he didn’t keep personal records or belongings at headquarters. It all, but told him that Victoria was looking or hoping for some kind of information regarding Eunhyuk’s disappearance.

Obviously he wasn’t allowing her to get a hold of anything.

To his dismay he found her sitting in the library with a large red binder that looked like a heavy photo album in front of her. It was a record of D.A.’s from the year 1960’s to the present. It could have been an encyclopedia, Donghae measured.

On the other hand, what was she looking up? Or more specifically, who was she looking for? And why? Or was it that she’d found something as Namjoo had warned?

Donghae panicked a little, but calmed himself before allowing the door to close behind him. Victoria glanced up before peering back down the list of each assigned D.A.’s and to what department they worked for and the duties they fulfilled.

“What are you doing?” Donghae remained standing.

“It’s self-explanatory.”

The urge to bite down on his tongue hit him.

“Can you forget the book,” Donghae said without questioning.

Victoria craned her neck back to look at him and they widened in absurdity when he grabbed her arm to pull her up. Donghae only partially managed to pull his move because he’d startled her, but mainly because it’d been quite unexpected.

“What are you doing?” Victoria slid her arm up and out of his hand acting as if he’d violated part of her territory.

“Assuming that you haven’t eaten yet, lets have dinner,” Donghae said.

Victoria slightly turned her head, eyed, and frowned at him. “Dinner?”

“For arguing with you earlier, as an apology,” Donghae implied in a kinder way. “And maybe we can catch a movie before the stress comes back in when the others return.”

“No, you go ahead. I’m quite fine.” Victoria said starting to turn back to the book, but Donghae took her arm again to stop her.

“When I say something concerning food it’s only right that you agree,” he told. “We can forget the movie, but lets have dinner.”

Pressing his lips into a firm smile he pulled her out of the library.

“What’s gotten into you?” Victoria interrogated him later inside the restaurant.

“Why? You don’t want to eat with me?” Donghae asked.

“That’s not the direction I was headed…”

The corner of Donghae’s lips curved up and he let out a small snort, “Just…sorry for being hotheaded toward you. I just want you to know I appreciate you and your team’s contribution to this case.” Then added with quite an emphasis, “Really.”

Victoria looked him over carefully deciding whether he was being sincere or not. Donghae had to admit he secretly had his fingers crossed. She couldn’t refute him, but even if she did he’d find a way around it. It would be important to be in Victoria’s favor as he transgressed forward with his goals. But it wasn’t as if he were lying. The work Victoria and her call in aids did for his team wasn’t just anything simple. He guessed he owed them quite a bit for all the trouble they’ve gone through.

“Sure, it’s something we’re supposed to do. I’m sure the others feel quite a sense of responsibility and aren’t just doing it cause it’s their job,” Victoria nodded. “I know you get when Eunhyuk is mentioned. I guess I added to the argument too with my assumptions, so I’ll apologize too.”

Donghae threw her a smile.

“How often do you go home, Victoria?”

“Depends on my schedule. Maybe at least four times a year.”

“Then perhaps after this operation you’ll probably make time to head back for a visit.”

“I guess,” Victoria nodded. “Why the question? Looking to throw me off?”

“No, no,” Donghae shook her off. “I’m just thinking that without you or your team here, we’ll probably cross lines some time in the future anyway. Since our areas of work overlap, we’re more than likely to meet up again.”

“That sounds reasonable,” Victoria agreed. “Then how are you planning to end this operation? Do you have everything figured out already?”

“I don’t even understand half the things we’ve discovered so far,” Donghae admitted, “I’m not planning to conclude everything yet. If you’re wondering why I sent Suho, it’s because I know he’ll come back with something for sure.”

“I have to admit, I admire you Donghae.”  

He raised his brow suprirsed. It would have been one of the last few confessions he would have expected to come from Victoria. They weren’t very close nor were they on very friendly terms. What was there for Victoria to see about him?  

“Are you kidding me?”

“I used to doubt that you weren’t the greatest lead of the team, but you proved me wrong,” Victoria confessed, “somehow situations always fall more or less in your favor. Plus, you know your team mates enough to allow them to make decisions that will benefit the team; trust like that is hard to come across. And to be honest, I thought you were a little over your head for recruiting Tao. At first he just seemed like a useless bump in the team, but he’s becoming useful after all. There must be something about you that makes your team work so well.”

Donghae wondered what she’d been analyzing to say these to him. He didn’t know what she saw, but he didn’t think situations always favored him. It was true he trusted Suho and Namjoo, but they were smart individuals who wouldn’t just think for themselves. They did it for everyone as a whole. And it wasn’t him who was transforming Tao.

In the end he chose not to correct Victoria.

“I honestly look forward to the upcoming weeks,” Victoria anticipated, “it’s sort of fun with so many of us.”

This wasn’t what he’d quite expected from Victoria. He just thought they’d have small talk and he’d sway her with some movies wih a night out. Here she was, though, talking to him about his strengths and telling him she believed in his abilities.

Was she complimenting him with flattery in hopes of making him feel guilt for his selfish plans?

~_____~

This was crazy. They were overstepping their bounds, but Lay couldn’t say anything now.

It was too late since he had no choice now. Chorong had made the last decision and he couldn’t quite help, but feel that she trusted in Suho more than he. Although he too believed that Suho would make the best of things, he still fetl doubtful about this sudden plan.

Suho was a righteous person. Lay had to admit that he was in awe when Suho had selflessly handed so much money to the girl they’d saved. Suho barely knew her, but he’d been willing to act on his kindness to give so much without expecting anything in return. Lay didn’t think he’d be able to do that.

He was nervous as Suho drove past abandoned homes in the far countryside just outside of Yeongwol. He’d gotten them armed weapons through the police and some extra ammunition in case needed. Now he could only pray that this would turn out well and they’d get those girls out of that situation, but if all else failed he was afraid to be confronted by the higher ups.

Lay respected his seniors the most and he always obeyed commands no matter the situation. Donghae had given them specific directions, but Suho was outrightly rebelling without any second thought. Though Donghae might be in favor of Suho, the thing was that Donghae had been quite furious and impulsive upon sending them out. Lay didn’t know how he’d react to them when they returned.

The other fact was that Suho was relying on him for orders as well. Of course he’d led operations himself, but this wasn’t an individual assignment. This was a group assignment with Victoria, Kris, Tao, Namjoo, Suho, Donghae, and Chorong all on the line. If anything went wrong the guilt would go to him, but the responsibility would go to Suho. To prevent any further conflict he’d have to think of the best moves possible only.

Problem was that he didn’t have enough information about these people for this infiltration. Nothing could be accurate or well thought out. Technically they were walking into some form of suicide.

Even if he wanted to turn back now, it was too late. Road bumps made the ride uncomfortable as Suho entered the woods at the end of the countryside. The tires noisily crushed the dirt as trees swayed motionlessly above them, its leaves scattered on the ground like clothes in a bedroom. The late sun was filtering in through the leaves down on them when Lay stared out. It gave him melonchonlic emotions crushing him with some kind of nostalgia as if he were some boy returning to a home he’d moved from a decade ago. As if memories were clinching him of past lovers or the sad faces he’d left behind.

At last the engine died down and what looked like a junk yard appeared in front of them. There were old refrigerators of sizes Lay would have never imagined, old trucks, old tires stacked atop each other, closets, drawers, dismantled shelves, bookshelves, chairs, tables, and so many more his eyes couldn’t catch. They were all sprawled around dirtily allowing the environment to look shabby and poorer than should be.

There were a few storage houses standing around, but upon seeing that some doors had been left open Lay assumed they were empty. Then he spotted three large army trucks where passengers could sit at the back parked by a red building standing in spiderwebs.

Chorong leaned forward to hand Suho his gun and Lay heard him check it twice for sturdiness and ammunition.

“Are you ready?” Suho turned to look at them both.

There was contentment on Chorong’s face, but Lay just ended up staring at Suho blankly.

“Lets do this,” Suho stated before opening his door and stepped out.

Again, Lay prayed that Lady Luck was with them when the soles of his shoes touched the grass.  

***Operation...START! I'll put up a new poster at the 60th chapter mark. Finally redid the posters and they're so much better looking this time.