Brett nodded in agreement.
“This is a lot to consider,” Kennedy said.
“Have you decided?” Dustin asked
“Yes, I'm going back to school, but I will continue to help the NSA” Kennedy said, almost surprising herself for going forward.
“Good choice,” Dustin replied.
“I agree,” Jennifer said.
“What about Taylor?”
“Taylor can join you when he is ready,” Dustin assured her.
Kennedy nodded, and turned to Dustin. “Are you going to stay on with me?”
“Of course! I couldn't leave you alone.”
Kennedy smiled, “Thanks.”
“We are willing to offer you a seventy-thousand-dollar salary, along with housing if you desire. In exchange for your services. We can talk in detail later.”
“That sounds great,” Kennedy agreed.
“We won't push you as hard of course,” Brett assured them.
“Until the next crisis,” Dustin said, doubtingly.
Jennifer and Brett gave Dustin a look, Kennedy giggled.
∆∆∆
Earlier that day, Taylor had been transferred back to NSA headquarters too. After the meeting, Kennedy went to visit him. When Kennedy walked in, Wendy was there.
“Hey Kennedy,” Wendy said, giving her a smile.
“Hey,” Kennedy replied. She was hoping that Taylor would have been alone so she could talk to him. Apparently, Wendy got the hint.
“I'm almost done,” Wendy assured her.
“How was lunch?” Taylor asked.
“Good, Dustin ate with me.”
“Where is he?”
“Finishing a meeting with Brett and Jennifer.”
“I’ll check on you a little later. Always nice to see you Kennedy,” Wendy said as she walked out.
“So,” Taylor said awkwardly. “What are you going to do?”
“I'm going to do school and decipher part time,” Kennedy said as she stared at the floor.
“Good.”
Kennedy looked up, “Good? You approve?”
Taylor laughed and then abruptly stopped as he remembered his broken ribs, “Yes, whatever makes you happy, I approve of.”
“It would seem a waste of an ability not to. Plus, I feel a sense of purpose here. I’ll have to wait a few months to start back up again. I’ve missed too much this semester.”
“You are going to spoil Jennifer and Brett on your break. Then when you go back to school they’ll be devastated.”
“I don’t care,” Kennedy said, getting into bed with him.
Taylor smiled and held her close.
“Thank you for everything,” Kennedy said.
He held out his hand for hers, “Thank you. You inspired me to be better too. When you could’ve given up, you kept fighting. I respect that.”
Kennedy tilted her head up and gently kissed Taylor’s lips. She held her lips there for a second, enjoying the feeling of his lips on hers. It was as if pure happiness flowed through her like a river, reaching every inch of her body. Everything felt perfect.
“If you have any extra time, you can come visit me.”
“I’ll be here until you are sick of me.”
“I’ll never be sick of you,” Taylor said. “When I get out, I’ll back out there with you.”
“I’m counting on it.”
He then bent down and kissed her again.
Kennedy couldn't predict her future, but this was her new life. Instead of being thrown into a life she had no control of. This was an adventure that she had picked for herself.
T 10100 U 10101 V 10110 W 10111 X 11000 Y 11001 Z 11010 Did you decipher the code?
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