It was hours later when Claire hitched a breath, waking herself up.
It took a moment for her to remind herself where she was. On a bus, on her way to Solide with her crew.
As the consequence of her action, of her taking in a sudden rush of air, Gabriel too slowly opened his eyes.
And with that, he looked Claire's way.
"Claire?" he began, noting the fact that she was awake. A small smile appeared on his lips as he furthermore awakened. "Like always, the early one.".
"Good morning to you too, Captain.". A pause. "As I said before, I am very much used to it...". Another pause came only second later. "But can you tell me, Captain? What is the time right now?". Asking the question, she diverted her eyes out the window. She, for herself, saw the sun and the way it was to rise further into the early, morning sky.
The storm went away. What used to be the darkened sky, now was splatter or warm, early morning colours. The clouds that ruled most of the sky, and reflected the sun, allowing for a patch or two of the atmosphere to be seen.
All while Claire gazed out the window, Gabriel rooted his pocket for his pocket watch. Feeling its cold metal, he took it out and opening it up. With that, he looked at what time it was.
"It's a little past 6 in the morning, Claire," he spoke quietly.
Looking up from his watch, he saw the way Claire looked his way.
Although, their gazes didn't meet. It was only when he spoke up again, did she look him in the eyes. "We have a little bit left to go before we reach Solide.".
---
Just as Gabriel said, it wasn't long before they arrived at Solide.
Driving through the bustling streets, such a view was new to Claire. She gazed at all the cars on the road, at the traffic. At all the people walking about.
'I'd be lying if I was to say that in the last 5 minutes, I saw more cars than in the last 5 years...' Claire thought to herself.
The sun was higher than before and the sky was clear of clouds. There was an odd cotton ball or two of clouds that sailed across the sky.
The bus continued driving out of the city centre and into its suburbs.
Here, the driver drove for a little bit more before he stopped by a big, three-story building. Upon the opening of the door, the warm, humid air rushed into the bus.
Claire stood up, looking around and towards the back of the bus. Gabriel followed her lead.
Looking back, like always, they knew what the other was thinking, and with that, they walked towards the back before helping those injured to walk out of the bus and into the building.
---
The next day came around, it was early enough in the morning when Claire work up. Her usual time.
She had her breakfast. Though there was food available in the hotel, the cost was pretty pricey.
So, she got her money and went out into the small suburbia. The only place that worked at that time of day was the outdoor market, which was just around the corner.
She purchased something simple, she wasn't in the mood to have a full-fledged breakfast like the ones she had at home.
If anything, she wanted to save as much money as she possibly could. Who knows when she'll urgently need the money.
After she ate, for the few hours that followed she wrote, drafted some letters that she planned to send to her parents.
It was coming close to noon when she began her way to find the post office.
But upon walking out and heading down the street, opposite where she went earlier that morning, she saw someone familiar. The familiar face of the man who she helped two days ago. Frank.
He was walking towards Claire. A bag in his right hand.
Coming close enough, Claire looking into his eyes before smiling his way. Greeting him without saying anything.
Just as she thought he would walk past her and go to where he needed to be, he called out her name, surprising her. "Claire?".
Slightly flabbergasted, Claire turned and faced Frank. She wasn't given a chance to even structure what she was going to say in her head, Frank continued speaking.
"I didn't get a chance to properly thank you for the bullet.". Claire smiled warmly at his words of appreciation. "And for that, please do accept this gift as my gratitude for what you did for me. Really and truly, thank you.".
With that, he handed Claire the bag.
Even more surprised, Claire opened the bag and viewed its contents. There she found a beautiful dress, neatly folded, and a pair of heeled shoes beside the dress.
She looked back at Frank, shaking her head ever so slightly. "I-I mean, you are more than welcome. But this... you really, really didn't have to buy me this. The dress looks stunning.". A pause. "Thank you. This is too much!".
Frank chuckled at her words. "It's nothing. Trust me. The fact that you helped me out and very potentially saved my life, it's worth more than that gift... I just... I didn't know what else to buy you.". A short pause followed. "I used to work in a boutique in my home town which was run and is still going strong by a good friend of mine. I am pretty sure I managed to grab you a good size, but if not, the receipt is in the bag. I am sure you know what follows after that...".
Claire nodded to his words.
Once more, she looked down at the dress and shoes before letting the bag slide to her left hand. Her eyes returned to Frank. She stood up before saluting him, "Thank you for your service, but first and foremost, for keeping us safe!".
At first, she saw the slight confusion expressed on Frank's face, but very soon it was switched for an expression of a feeling she couldn't have quite put her finger on. She saw his brows quiver with joy as, slowly and strangely, his eyes filled with tears. "Likewise, Claire. You are, quite literally, saving us all.".
"It's just my job. I like to help out those who need me.".
From there, they both spent a moment or two looking at each other, silence surrounding them.
"I'll get going now, Claire. Once again, thank you for everything.".
---
Claire found a local post office, got a stamp and sent the letter away.
Afterwards, she proceeded on walking back home, deciding to spend the rest of her day in her room. Waiting for a knock, a call, come sort of a sign, signalling that she was needed.
---
The next morning came around, and just like the previous morning, Claire was up early.
She got into her dress, the gift from Frank, before putting on the complimentary footwear.
Walking out of her room and outside and immediately, she felt the difference. The difference of her wearing something so casual, in comparison to her military uniform.
She walked to the local market and on her way back, grabbed another thing or two. 'Today... I feel like today will be a good day,' Claire thought to herself. 'What about you, Garrett?... I wonder how your Thursday began.'.
Suddenly, a familiar voice kicked her out of her trance. "Good morning, Claire.". Looking up, she saw his familiar face, her Captain. Gabriel.
"Good morning, Captain!".
His gaze lingered on her, as the silence extended for longer than expected.
Only when he smiled did she realise the reasoning for the silence. "Sorry, Gabriel. It's just so unusual for me to call you anything but 'Captain'.".
"I understand that, and I feel honoured that you have such respect for me. Especially by knowing the fact that you've known me for about a month or two," he replied, deciding to leave it there.
His eyes descended down Claire's body, to her dress. Gabriel furrowed his brows.
"Did you bring a dress with you, Claire?" he asked.
"No, I got it from that soldier I helped 2 days ago.".
Gabriel felt himself choke on his spit. Claire's words didn't have much appeal to him, if anything, for a reason quite mysterious to him, it made him sense a bit of anger.
Before speaking, Claire thought back over his words. "Gabriel?... Is everything okay?" she asked, noticing the slight change in his demeanour.
He nodded, in an act of reassurance. But his face showed that he was still a bit bothered. His gaze was elsewhere, but when he inhaled a breath of fresh air, his eyes rose back to her. "S-so kind of like a gift?".
Claire nodded. "Something to express his gratitude.".
He swallowed whatever was in him mouth. And worried he might say something he shouldn't, he sent Claire a smile. "You have a good day, Miss Emerson.".
With that, he walked off and past Claire. Before she got an opportunity to word anything, he was already gone. Too far for her to call him back, it would have been futile.
It reminded her of that one, warm Autumn day. The day when she met him, all those few months ago.