It took another day for the ship to return to port. Nadia and Ivy were practically vibrating with nerves.

They got work done but only what was required. And to be honest, their boss couldn't even get mad at them. He was well aware of the people who went on that mission. Even if he didn't know the specifics, he knew they had loved ones coming home.

Finally, the ship was arriving. Nadia and Ivy had driven together, getting to Port with a good twenty minutes to spare.

Ivy was quite literally shaking with excitement. “Okay, calm it down a bit, Ivy. We got a few more minutes before the ship even gets here and a few more after that until they get off.”

She looks over to Nadia. “So you're telling me you're not excited to see Lex just as I am to see Reuben? Or Mickey, as much as I am to see Lex?”

Nadia deadpans. “First of all, of course, I'm excited to see Lex. He's been annoying me for the past almost fifteen years, can't have him stopping now. And second, yes, I am excited to see Mickey, but no way is it as much as you and Lex. We haven't even gone on our first date yet!”

Now it's Ivy's turn to give her a look. “Just because you haven't gone on a date yet doesn't mean you can't have the same feelings I have. There is no blueprint when it comes to love and care.” She holds up her hand as Nadia opens her mouth to interject. “I'm not saying you love him. I'm just saying that no experience is exactly the same. And it's completely okay if you feel that strongly or not.”

Nadia sighs, understanding what Ivy was saying. But before she has the chance to respond, the ship comes into port.

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The minute the two girls spotted their boys, they took off running. Now, both Nadia and Ivy go for their brothers first, needing that reassurance they are okay.

(You would think Ivy would go straight to her boyfriend, but A. His sister is also here, and B. So is her brother.)

But after they get some good hugs, both boys sagging in relief against their sisters, the families quickly separate.

Now it's time for Ivy to practically tackle Lex in a hug. In fact, she jumps the poor guy, but he is ready. His arms go around her waist as she wraps her legs around his.

Both Reuben and Nadia have to look away because it is not a position they need to be seeing their siblings in.

Even if their reunion is sweet and deserved, the rest of the detachment has the same sentiments. Coyote and Hangman start to exaggerate a gagging noise, trying to get the couple off of each other.

Unfortunately for everyone, it doesn't help much.

“Okay you two. Please stop before this becomes a public indecency violation.”

Ivy does respect that plea, unwrapping her legs to get down, but Lex flips off Nadia, who is laughing at him.

But that laugh is quickly cut short the moment Nadia clocks Mickey. And suddenly, all those feelings she had inside, the ones she wasn't sure what to do with? They finally stop, as if the stars aligned to give her a sign.

A sign she was finally going to take.

So without any warning, Nadia marches straight up to Mickey, grabs the front of his uniform, and brings him in for a kiss.

He's certainly taken aback by the kiss, stunned into stillness for a few seconds before snapping out of it and responding just as fast.

His hands land on Nadia’s hips, pulling her in just a little bit closer. They break apart for two reasons. One, they needed to breathe. And two, there was clapping, cheering, and groans of disappointment heard from the rest of the team.

Mickey didn't give Nadia time to feel any embarrassment, as he was quick to sweep her into a hug.

But as he looked up, all he saw was money exchanging hands. Mickey couldn't help the laughter that rumbled in his chest. Nadia turned to see what was causing his laughter and nearly yelled.

“You bet on this?!”

Lex, Ivy, and Reuben were off to the side, practically bent at the waist in laughter. “Our night at the Hard Deck, you two weren't exactly being subtle. So we placed bets on when you would finally get together. Of course, we….” Ivy gestured to her brother and boyfriend, “were excluded due to insider knowledge.”

Hangman grumbled the most, handing over a crisp twenty to none other than Rooster, the winner of the bet.

Nadia only shook her head. It didn't surprise her, not really. “And can I ask just why you thought this would be the outcome and win you the bet?” She directed her question to the winner in hand.

Rooster shrugged. “Because it's exactly what my mom used to do when my dad came home from missions when I was a kid.”

No one could argue that logic. In fact, they all found it rather sweet. So before anyone could make a jab at him, Rooster suggested they all actually move away from the ship and go home.

That, no one could ever argue, all of them ready to sleep in comfortable beds again.

Ivy was leaving with Lex Nadia already, knowing that was the plan. But when she looked at Mickey, she could only ask one thing. “You want a ride back to your place?”

He smiled at her. “Sure. It will give you a chance to tell me the best spicy food places you've found.”

She let out a laugh as they made their way to her car. But before she could unlock it, Mickey grabbed her wrist and spun her around. He quickly lent in to steal another kiss, too overjoyed at the feeling of the first to let it go.

Nadia smiled into the kiss before breaking it. “You are too good to be true, Mickey. I don't know what I did to deserve you.”

Mickey shook his head, a smile still on his face. “You fought. You survive. And you conquered. You deserve love, too.”

And Nadia was finally starting to believe that. After all, love wasn't what she was expecting to find when she was given this assignment.

But boy, was she glad she did.

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Word count: 1,076

That's it!! That's the last chapter!! Now obviously we've got the epilogue and some bonus chapters but this wraps up TG:M!

I hope I brought them together organically. I'm not used to writing a couple that doesn't already have some sort of connection to play off of.

But I will see you in the Epilogue. Bye guys!!!