It was the night before the team shipped out to complete the mission. So, naturally, they decided to go to the Hard Deck.

(Cause nothing says ‘good idea’ like going to a bar and potentially getting drunk right before a death defying mission.)

Either way, Penny was serving up drinks to everyone in the bar. She knew what it was like for most of them, having lived through it all herself.

But once the crew got into the swing of things, they had a wonderful night. Games of pool were being set up, darts were being thrown, and bets were being placed.

Apparently, Lex and the Finch siblings hadn't been the only ones to notice the looks and touches between Nadia and Mickey. Pretty much the entire detachment knew there was something going on there.

So bets were placed all around, trying to figure out who would break first and when. (Lex, Ivy, and Reuben were not allowed to place bets as they were too close to both subjects and would then skew the potential.)

“I'm telling you, nothing is going to happen until after we come home,” Natasha insisted.

Coyote rolled his eyes. “Phoenix, literally everyone except Bob has placed that bet. Especially since we leave tomorrow. The real question is when after we return.”

Bon loomed slightly offended but couldn't really argue. He was a hopeless romantic, sue him.

Ivy was doing her best to hold in a laugh. “Are you all sure you don't want some insider info? To make more educated bets?”

They all shook their heads. “This is a matter of pride and skill. No help needed.”

Even Hangman and Rooster were hard-core into this betting. I guess they all needed something happy and light-hearted to keep their own spirits up. And what better way than to see if someone could potentially get their own happy ending.

The two people in question were in their own little world over by the dart boards.

(It had become their go-to game, of course.)

Nadia had gotten much better, although she did occasionally need correcting. (And no, she wasn't just faking it, so Mickey would fix it. She genuinely needed the help. Sometimes.)

“Ha! Take that!” Nadia exclaimed as she jumped up and down from making a bullseye.

Mickey laughed. “Calm down, Hotshot. You've only made one bullseye. I need to see some consistency before I start believing you're getting better.”

Of course, he had to challenge her. Nadia was super competitive. It was in her blood to beat the other person at whatever they were doing.

Unfortunately, Lex had been on the other side of that competitiveness too many times to count. He could see the crazy look in her eye when he got closer and slowly backed away.

“Mickey got her riled up. No one go near her for the next,” he checked his watch. “Ten or so minutes, for fear, you may lose an eye.”

Rooster was the brave soul to ask why. Lex only shook his head, having flashbacks to some of the worst moments of Nadia’s competitive attitude.

Ivy could only laugh. “Nadia gets super competitive, like she will learn a new sport just to prove she can beat you, competitive. It can get pretty dangerous, depending on the game and its pieces.”

Lex let out a shutter, recalling the last game of Monopoly they had played. He's still not quite sure how that Monopoly piece ended up in his nose, but he couldn't smell or breathe right for a week afterward.

Natasha let out a low whistle. “Maybe we should leave the lovebirds alone for a little while.”

Everyone else nodded in agreement before going back to their games of pool.

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

The night was finally coming to a close.

Penny had left the bar early, after Maverick had walked in with that look on his face. But her staff had kept the place busy until closing time.

The detachment had left long before then, all having to get a good night's rest for the next day.

Lex was going back to Ivy's place, both of them refusing to spend this last night apart.

But Mickey made sure to walk Nadia out to her car, like a proper gentleman.

(Hangman and Coyote were whistling at the pair before Natasha managed to silence them both.)

“I won't be seeing you in the morning, what with how early you've got to leave.” Nadia looked into Mickey's eyes as she talked. “So this is my official ‘Good Luck and Don't Die’ moment.”

Mickey couldn't help but laugh. “That's always the plan, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

He took her hand. “But I do plan to come home, if only so I can take you out on that date.”

Nadia smiled up at him, squeezing his hand gently. “I'll start looking for some spicy food. See where the good places are.”

He squeezed her hand back before leaning down. Mickey placed a gentle kiss on Nadia's cheek, a little close to her lips. Not that she was complaining.

“Good night, Mickey. I'll see you soon.”

He nodded his head, closing her car door before leaning down to the open window.

“Good night, Nadia. Don't worry too much. We've got this.”

She gave his hand one last squeeze before he stepped away from her car. As she drove back to her apartment, Nadia could only think one thing.

It didn't matter that she wanted to wait until after this mission was complete. She already cared for Mickey in exactly the way she was hoping to avoid.

Nadia Novak was pretty sure she was on her way to falling in love with Mickey Garcia.

And for once, she had no problem with it.

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 958

Fun little chapter before the craziness that is the mission.

And yes, everyone taking bets because Nadia and Mickey are both obvious and oblivious is too good to pass up.

Next chapter will be the mission, so warning, there isn't a whole lot of Nadia. Sorry.

So see you for the mission and more. Bye guys!!