#and that Sarah has to be the: BE MORE BOYFRIENDY DAMN IT

[savingthrcw]

"Same," she agreed, since she wasn't known to be jumping from one relationship to another - his Ice Queen comment hadn't been too far from the truth. And for good reason, considering how it had all ended.

She really doubted it was going to be an 'open and shut' case, but why ruin his moment of hope? He'd be stuck playing boyfriend for a while regardless. And because they had already started on the wrong foot, she'd have to start learning more about him on their company-mission, so that she could better play real-girlfriend for his coworkers later. It was going to be awkward, she was sure of it. If only because she didn't know if she should trust a word he said.

--

Ah, so he was the nag boyfriend. Sarah let herself smile; windows were open, best to look normal. "I unpacked my luggage, honey," she called loudly, and that in itself was always a weird thing to do, seeing as the real Sarah never unpacked her things. "Checked nothing was missing from the kitchen, and I'm choosing how to decorate the coffee table. You are the muscle, I will be taking care of where things go once you bring them in so the house looks nice. That's what a girlfriend does."

Her smile was mischievous, looking up to him as if she did nothing but tease her dear boyfriend all day, "And you are doing what a stressed out boyfriend does, your choice. You could've just taken it slower," she murmured, turning more in his direction so they could talk. Even if he didn't exactly look relaxed and happy, it was fine: he could simply be the nervous over-organized type. That he was kissing her hand as a choice of affection was also excellent, even if it reminded her of how he had played innocent on their first time out.

But asking her for updates now, already, was not as fine, and her smile turned just a little tighter. "This is our current mission, in the last few days I've only been focusing on getting everything ready for our temporary life here. I suggest you do the same, splitting your focus will only make you fail both. You'll be the first to know if Graham finds something, but it's going to take a while, it's not like we are talking about rookies here. We don't even know who is involved and how high ranking, if there is someone from our ranks in the first place." Her tone was gentle, to help herself match the look on his face, but she knew her eyes had turned more serious, and shook her head, hopping with one knee on the couch to face him properly and wrapping both arms around his neck with a smile, "Sweetie, stop making me look so serious on our first day in our new home, will you? This is supposed to be fun and romantic, remember? I wouldn't assume we aren't being watched even if you weren't potentially close to traitors who are willing to kill you, let alone now."

She tilted her head, batting her eyelashes at him, her tone softening more: "Talk about something else, think about something else so you loosen up, this is all you can do for now so focus on it. I know it's hard. But this is how we get them. And then they'll pay." Probably not the nicest words to go with her loving look, but she also knew how important it was for him to know that she wasn't dismissing it out of lack of care, that she did want to catch the traitors too; he needed to be far more patient than expecting updates after a few days, that was for sure. "Be the boyfriend now. What would you do besides complaining that I'm unhelpful, if we were finally moving in together?"

His best agent... Well, that was certainly news to Ben, but he at least was comforted to know Graham hadn't sidelined him with an agent he was hoping to babysit. In the field, it wasn't uncommon for loose cannons to be reassigned with more seasoned, favorable team members, and until today, he'd never even heard of Agent Walker.

When they were dismissed, Ben followed Sarah out into the hallway, tucking his file underneath his arm. "Yes, I think it should be fine," he assured her. "You're right that I'm likely being watched...and if that is, indeed the case, then they'll at least know we spent the afternoon together. Anything hasty might draw suspicion. I'm not exactly known for impulsiveness when it comes to personal relationships."

Exhaling, he lifted his shoulders. "Well...thank you for taking the time to explain everything. With any luck, this will be an open-and-shut case."

Because for the love of God, he wasn't so sure he could play house with this woman for more than a few days...

--

Ben's fears, unfortunately, would soon be put to the test. After an appropriate stint of easing everyone into the idea of their supposed attraction, he and Sarah found themselves in their new home -- a ridiculously nice house in the suburbs, complete with Photoshopped pictures of them as a couple, charming (if not kitschy) decorations, and the promised Golden Retriever.

"Are you going to help?" Ben asked, feigning a smile to mask his irritation. "I've already unloaded the car, fed the dog, and put away our luggage. If your whole cover is to just 'sit there and look cute,' I think it needs some work."

Despite the grin he plastered on for the benefit of any potential spies -- most especially with them standing in front of a conveniently large and tall window -- his gaze was sharp and impatient as he approached. Placing his hand onto the back of the couch, he leaned toward Sarah and maintained his tight smile, pretending he was merely encroaching her space for sweet nothings. "When you said we'd be sharing the load, I didn't realize that meant I'd become your own personal little bellhop for the week."

To at least appear affectionate, Ben took Sarah's hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "It's been a while since we last conferred," he said. "Have you found anything new?"