>>5 Ach, sorry... The Engineer was deliberately leaving herself open to the Spy, honeying it as a trap to guarantee her interest. I thought it was clear enough, but I could do with tidying it up further. As for kill count, that would be something teams pass between themselves - even without a scoreboard, ingame everyone knows when there's a beast of a Sniper or a killer Heavy/Medic combo on the opposition. Likewise, if a dangerous opponent is suddenly a lot less dangerous then people will notice. The Spy's job is to be observant - if she has absolutely no trouble catching the Engineer out but everyone else is getting sent to Respawn, then she'll soon see that something's amiss. Glad you liked what of it I hadn't rendered impenetrably tangled or confusing! At any rate, here's the next installment: --- “I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to kill me for just a moment, Madame!†“When someone could walk in? Not likely, sugar.†The Engineer’s wrench swung across in an arc the Spy dodged easily, but which forced her away from the machines she’d intended to sap. “Look, I am a professional just as you are, but we can just maintain a pretense of violence while we speak!†“Or you can find me after the day’s done. You know where I am.†“Fine, you insufferable laborer.†The Spy backed out from the nest the Engineer had built, her apology unspoken. They spent the rest of the day distant from each other, the Spy performing only a perfunctory few attempts upon the Engineer’s life, and the Engineer staying firmly lodged in her nest rather than roaming abroad from her beloved machines. It was only when the Announcer’s nicotine-ravaged voice called a cessation to hostilities that she tried the Engineer again. “Bonsoir-†“Cut to the chase, I got heavy goods to move.†The Engineer preferred to take her sentries and dispensers down properly at the end of each day, whereas the one on the Spy’s team just self-destructed them and carted the scrap back. “Well. I wished to apologise for the incident the other night. I did not mean to lash out, but I should like to continue our lucrative arrangement.†“You want me to invite you back into my home after you nearly kicked me in the face, is what you’re sayin’?†“Ah... oui, Madame. It will not happen again.†The Engineer pushed her goggles up and glared suspiciously at the Spy. “You want any more of my information, you’re gonna agree to a few more of my terms,†she stated flatly. “Includin’ that if you’re gettin’ fractious, you’re either gonna tell me or I’m gonna pin you down til you learn to keep your dang legs still.†This had not been in the Spy’s range of possible options, but the rate of recompense for such valuable ‘stolen’ documents was exceptional, and the possibilities for advancement beyond the battlefield improved with every item of rare intelligence gathered. She nodded. “That is understandable. I won’t have my wrists restrained, though.†“We’ll see about that. I don’t fancy you tryin’ to use my hair as a set of reins, either.†Despite her prickly words, the Engineer seemed to be warming again. “And this time, we ain’t stoppin’ til I say we’re stoppin’.†Recalling the unusual intensity of the sensations the Engineer’s device caused, the Spy was less than certain that it would be entirely worthwhile to take such a risk. But so long as she had her arms free, she could always make her refusal quite clear if she needed to. “You drive a hard bargain, Madame, but I will accept. Tomorrow evening?†“Friday. I’m busy tomorrow.†“Friday, then.†The Engineer dropped her goggles back into place, but the Spy was all the same quite certain that the woman rolled her eyes when the Spy vanished from sight rather than walk out where anyone could see her. --- This second liaison would have to go more smoothly than the first, if she wanted the business arrangement to continue profitably. That much was clear. The Engineer had started it, and was perfectly capable of finishing it if she desired - that she not desire as much was entirely up to the Spy. She spent the Thursday night running through her missteps to avoid them in future. Her paranoia could perhaps stand to relax a little, if only so that she didn’t immediately create physical distance when she was getting a touch vulnerable. Performance was likewise a no-go, except at the most subtle level. Flattery might still be useful, if carefully handled. The knives would have to stay, of course. A little extra bribery wouldn’t go amiss. Wine seemed apt enough for a Friday night, even if she was now into her selection of passable table wines rather than independently enjoyable vintages. After a little thought, she also put in an order for a bolt of fine silk from one of her preferred suppliers in Europe. If the Engineer couldn’t be won over with physical charms, she could still be bought with raw materials. The fabric wouldn’t arrive for weeks yet, but it was a backup plan. Backup plans were always useful. The Spy reviewed her options a few more times before bed that evening, finally settling into a few hours of solid sleep before the working day began. This time, she felt, she would have enough advantage of the Engineer to guarantee a long and very fruitful working relationship.