THREE DAYS LATER
NEW ATLANTIS – RIVERSIDE PROMENADE – LATE AFTERNOON
The river runs slow and silver under the sinking sun.
Civilians walk the promenade unaware of the shadow war happening in their city.
Jaxon Steel leans on the railing overlooking the water.
He's dressed casually, hood up, eyes tired — the tension of the cyborg attack still echoing under his skin.
For the first time since joining INN, he looks… humanly exhausted.
A notification buzzes.
He glances at his phone.
Then he sighs and dials a number.
SMALL COFFEE HOUSE – SAME TIME
Dr. Susan Thomas sits with a tablet open — research documents, neural graphs — but frustration lines her brow.
She's been thinking of Jaxon too, in ways she hasn't admitted.
Her phone vibrates.
She sees "Steel" calling.
A small, warm smile appears.
She answers.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Hey… you okay?
Steel exhales, quiet and honest.
[Agent Steel]:Not really.Are you free?
A moment — Susan closes her tablet, already standing.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Where are you?
Steel tells her.
[Dr. Susan Thomas ] :Stay there. I'm coming.
---
RIVERSIDE PROMENADE — TWENTY MINUTES LATER
Susan walks toward him — hair slightly wind-tousled, casual coat, no lab equipment, just Susan.
Steel turns when he hears her footsteps.
The shift in his expression is subtle — but clear.
Relief.
He didn't realize how much he needed someone familiar until now.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]: You look terrible.
Steel smirks faintly.
[Agent Steel] : You really know how to cheer a guy up.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]: It's called honesty. I'm a doctor — not a poet.
She stands next to him, leaning on the railing.
A comfortable silence settles in.
[Dr. Susan Thomas] : So… what was it?
Nightmares? Pressure? Or just too much adrenaline crash?
[Agent Steel]: All of it. The cyborg… the timing… the way it targeted me.
Feels like I'm missing something.
Susan listens — really listens.
No clinical distance. No interrogation.
Just empathy.
[Dr. Susan Thomas] :Jaxon… you almost died.
Your mind needs time to catch up with the reality your body survived.
Steel nods, eyes on the water.
His voice is quiet.
[Agent Steel]:I've never felt vulnerable like that.Not since I was a kid.
Susan turns toward him.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:You don't have to pretend with me.
Steel looks at her, surprised by the softness in her tone.
Something shifts — a small spark.
A MOMENT OF LIGHTNESS
Susan nudges his arm gently.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Come on. Let's walk before you sink into existential crisis mode again.
Steel chuckles.
[Agent Steel]:You're the only person who talks to me like that.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Maybe that's why you called.
Steel gives her a look — a real look.
[Agent Steel]:Maybe it is.
A longer pause.
Susan's smile grows just a little — not flirtatious, just warm.
---
AFTER A SHORT WALK
They sit at a bench facing the water.
A street musician plays a soft guitar nearby — distant, calming.
Steel leans back, shoulders finally relaxing.
Susan watches him from the corner of her eye.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:You know… everyone sees you as the tough one.
The unstoppable one.
But you're still human, Jaxon.
Steel turns towards her — something in his eyes vulnerable.
[Agent Steel]:Not many people let me be.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Then maybe you've been around the wrong people.
Their eyes meet.
For the first time, Steel doesn't look away.
The spark isn't loud.
It's gentle.
Real.
Human.
Susan tucks a strand of hair behind her ear — unintentionally soft.
Steel notices and looks away, hiding a small smile.
[Agent Steel]:Thanks for coming.Really.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:You don't need to thank me.
Friends show up.That's what we are, right?
Steel hesitates — briefly.
[Agent Steel]:Yeah..Friends.
But the tone carries more weight than the word.
Susan catches it.
She doesn't mention it — but her expression softens slightly.
She stands.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:Come on. You need real food.Not whatever protein brick INN feeds you.
Steel laughs.
[Agent Steel]:Lead the way, doctor.
They walk together into the evening crowd, silhouettes framed by golden twilight.
And for the first time…
Steel looks like someone beginning to feel something deeper —
something he didn't ask for, didn't expect, but can't deny.
CITY CENTER/NIGHT
Susan stands outside a cab, looking at Steel before leaving.
[Dr. Susan Thomas]:If things get heavy again…You call me.No hesitation.
Steel nods.
[Agnet Steel]: I will.
She steps into the cab.
Steel watches it leave.
A quiet smile
TO BE CONTINUED...
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