"See you in a couple of months, yeah, 801?" he clapped the younger man on the back.

"12 months and I'll be back in Ordin."

The man nodded before gesturing to his face, "And please be more careful than this."

~~~~~~~~~

It was a cold day in Ottawa. Tristan pulled his coat tighter as he walked down the street. He thought about the meeting. He wouldn't say corporate was pleased, but they weren't disappointed either, which was a small win in Tristan's book. During his first missions, these meetings always went horribly wrong. The disappointed faces and small threats have been with Tristan for two decades now.

Covering his face as he yawned, Tristan wished he was in his apartment right now. Between all the packing and dealing with the pole he bent he only slept for three hours. How could he let himself be so careless? A car accident, really?

"Oh my god!" someone exclaimed pulling him out of his thoughts. "Tristan! What happened to your face?" 

"Evelyn, good evening. They're just scratches, nothing to worry about."

"Scratches from what? You look terrible," she groans, "Sorry, I didn't mean that."

Tristan let out a laugh, "I do look terrible but it's really alright."

"That's good to hear but you should take better care of yourself."

Tristan rolled his eyes at being told the same thing twice in less than an hour, "What're you doing in Ottawa?" he decided to change the subject. 

"Important family thing I had to attend." Although she spoke normally, she didn't have her casual, fun, out-of-work demeanor. She lacked her usual contagious smile, the one that adorned her face when they'd gone drinking with the others from Kerzillion or when they crossed paths in the park.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, as alright as it can be, I guess," she shivered against the chilling breeze. Tristan, of course, did the courteous thing and wrapped his coat around her. He almost regretted it as the winter cold chilled him to the bone. Evelyn smiled gratefully at him, "Thanks, you're such a gentleman."

"You're welcome. As it can be?" he inquired, referring to her previous reply, "What does that mean?"

"My uncle passed away before yesterday."

"I'm terribly sorry for your loss."

"It's fine, we weren't really close. I just wanted to be here for my mom."

"I hope she's doing well," Tristan gave her a comforting smile.

"I couldn't take more than seven days off to stay with her," she scowled, "It's a very stupid rule, honestly. Can't take more than a week off on such short notice."

"You know how these uptight companies are," he definitely didn't agree with her. A week is very fair for an untimely break but now's not the time to argue, "Wanna grab a coffee?" he asked instead.

"Sure, I could go for something hot in this awful weather." Tristan couldn't agree more with that.

"Milady," he opened the door to a small cafe they'd walked to with a playful bow, earning a small laugh. They were greeted by the aromatic scent of coffee beans and the hint of fresh bread. 

"How chivalrous. Mmm, this place smells amazing."

"Order anything you like, my treat, of course." Tristan knew Evelyn wouldn't refuse before she even answered. 

They read their menus in silence. Tristan watched her trying to find a way to approach the subject. She said that her uncle wasn't close but Tristan knew from experience that it might have been an overstatement. He could tell she wasn't just trying to respect the recent death. She really was sad.

"A caffè mocha," Evelyn folded her menu as a waiter approached their table. He stole a nervous glance at Tristan before smiling at them.

"An americano and," he looked at Evelyn, "Have you had lunch?"

"No," she hesitated, "I'm not sure I can eat now anyway."

"I'll order us something, alright?"

"Sure."

Tristan quickly scanned the menu, "Two ham and cheese croissants and two brownies. Bring the brownies later, though. Thank you."

"You said your uncle wasn't close and yet you seem very upset," he turned to her once the waiter left.

"Well, he's still my uncle."

"Evelyn," he said softly, "It's fine that his death isn't the cause of your sadness. Even if it feels wrong that you're sad about something else when a family member died."

She huffed, "Fine. It was just a tiring trip. 4 whole hours of just me and my car and the one person I'm supposed to always count on couldn't even come."

"Couldn't?"

"Yes, and I'm not supposed to be angry because there was nothing he could do about it but it's just making me think what if I really needed him and he couldn't come."

"Does he know you well?"

"On the list of people who know me well he's probably the fourth."

"Well, then I'm sure when you really need him, you'll find him next to you."

"I really hope so."

Their food was placed in front of them and even though Tristan wasn't hungry, he took a bite out of his croissant out of politeness. It wouldn't be mannerly to invite someone to food and not eat with them, especially since he was paying. He was very exhausted, however, and found himself wondering why on Earth he'd suggested that they have a drink together. He took a large gulp of his americano hoping that would help him stay awake. 

"Are you feeling better now?" he questioned.

"With this amazing croissant? Yes."

"The croissant only?" he put a hand to his heart, feigning hurt.

"And the wonderful company too," she laughed at him.

They spent the rest of their stay laughing and having light-hearted conversations.

"You remembered that I like brownies," they were now digging into the warm chocolatey goodness.

"Oh yeah, I suppose I did." He didn't even realize that.

"Thanks, you really helped make me feel better."

"My pleasure," he said before hearing a ringtone.

"Oh, that's me," Evelyn said as she grabbed her phone, "Hey, mom. Yes, sorry, I just met someone from work and kinda got too caught up to tell you," she took a pause, "Alright, alright. Love you too," she put her phone back before looking at Tristan, "She's saying hi."

"Send her my greetings then and my thanks for allowing me to steal you for some time."

Evelyn let out a guffaw, "I will."

After finishing their brownies, Evelyn took a cab home. Tristan would've driven her home except he didn't have a car right now. It was only after she left and he was walking back to the hotel he rented a room in did Tristan realize that he forgot his coat with her. He really needed to be more focused than this.