[attr="class","text"]

Zev had been asleep when Nenet left, but only a half-hour afterward had he woken to an empty apartment. He'd walked the dogs, played with them, then made a meal and sat at her kitchen table to answer emails.[break][break]

The ones for the bar he addressed first, followed by at least an hour sorting through assassination contracts to accept the suitable ones and reject the rest. Finally, he sorted through the latest reports and updates from Team Rocket.[break][break]

As Nenet walked through her front door, summoning their Rockruff and Yamper to her, Zev was reading over a detailed briefing of an upcoming operation. He raised his eyes to acknowledge her, then lowered them again to continue reading.[break][break]

He thought about closing his laptop and finishing up his own work later. But the date of the operation was soon, and he needed to know what was required of him.[break][break]

"How was work?" he said, only guessing at her whereabouts but, having known her for so long, guessing accurately.

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

NOTES

- Zev Harcourt.[break]
- Mission: Zero to One Hundred.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Zev picked up the coffee almost as soon as Nenet placed it on the table and sipped it. The hot, bitter brew washed over his tongue, soothing in its familiarity. In short order, he would feel more awake, less grumpy.[break][break]

His other hand stilled on the laptop's trackpad when she mentioned her assignment. Blue eyes locked with golden ones as he considered how to respond.[break][break]

He remembered their trip into the Ultra Crater and how he felt pleased that she continued to support him despite knowing more about him. The feeling was similar to how Caleb Harcourt knew everything and helped Zev with work back in Kanto, or how Isaac Merlo had done the same more recently, there in Hoenn.[break][break]

But Nenet was not just a tool for Zev's use. She was his wife, his most precious possession. Even though he had no equals, she had insisted they were partners.[break][break]

Perhaps they could very well be.[break][break]

"The new island on Route 105? I know of it," he said at last, coming to a decision. "My organization thinks it could be a valuable resource, so I'll be looking into it, too."[break][break]

So said the important mission briefing he'd just been reading.[break][break]

Zev kept his voice even as he added thoughtfully, "Good to know the Rangers have interest in that place."

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

NOTES

- Zev Harcourt.[break]
- Mission: Zero to One Hundred.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

A Rockruff pawed at Zev's leg. He reached down a hand and picked up the puppy, placing her in his lap before sipping his coffee again.[break][break]

Somehow, answering Nenet directly felt wrong. The idea that it would be much more fun to see if she could piece together the truth through hints occurred to Zev. He leaned back in his chair, an amused smile spreading across his face.[break][break]

"Nenet, I've been a successful hitman for a decade, with most of my career in Kanto," he said. "What organization do you think sponsors acts of murder over such a long period of time?"[break][break]

The Rockruff—Aphrodite, he recalled—wriggled in his arms and tried to lick his chin. Absently, he scratched her behind the ears with his free hand.[break][break]

"Go ahead and take an educated guess. I know you know."

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

NOTES

- Zev Harcourt.[break]
- Mission: Zero to One Hundred.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Zev wondered, at first, if Nenet's initial silence meant a desire not to give voice to an unwanted truth. But then she relented, confirming once again that she was a very intelligent woman who knew how to piece together the puzzle of his life.[break][break]

"They're safe," he confirmed, recalling their trip to Alola. Unbeknownst to his wife, Zev had gotten in touch with the branch of Team Rocket there to confirm they'd received his request. "I set up protection for them shortly after we got married."[break][break]

Releasing his own coffee cup, he reached out his hand to meet Nenet's halfway across the table. His fingers grasped hers lightly, and his thumb rubbed her knuckles gently, affectionately.[break][break]

"You don't seem too bothered by this knowledge," Zev observed, still smiling in that amused way despite her own frown.

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

NOTES

- Zev Harcourt.[break]
- Mission: Zero to One Hundred.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Not a revelation, but a confirmation. It was the same as when Nenet had asked if Zev was a sociopath. She'd guessed, but she was not satisfied with a hypothesis. She was a woman of answers, as scientists tended to be.[break][break]

However, his smile vanished at her questions. A gravity entered his face that was neither cold nor uncaring, but possessing an intensity that betrayed his protectiveness of her.[break][break]

"What happens is, I make sure you're not injured," Zev said, matter-of-factly. "I warn you of dangerous areas to avoid and make sure your Pokémon are healed so they can keep protecting you."[break][break]

His hand around hers tightened.[break][break]

"You will have strong Pokémon with you." It was not a question, but an expectation. He knew he could not stop Nenet from going where she pleased, doing whatever work she wanted. But at the very least, he could make sure she wouldn't be defenseless.

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

NOTES

- Zev Harcourt.[break]
- Mission: Zero to One Hundred.

MADE BY GUNSMILE