"The Calm Before The Storm"

Finn and Kai slid into the car, the doors shutting with a soft thud. Kai turned the ignition, and the engine hummed to life. The automatic gates of the CIZA headquarters opened, and Kai drove them out onto the busy streets of Frankfurt, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the windshield.

Finn leaned back in the passenger seat, gazing out the window as he pulled out a cigarette. He lit it with a flick of his lighter, taking a slow drag before exhaling a cloud of smoke. After a beat, he glanced at Kai. "You're way too serious, man," he said, his voice easy, but there was a knowing edge to his words.

Kai's eyes remained focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel. He let out a long breath, his expression unreadable. "I'm worried about Mina... We don't even know if she's still in Frankfurt," he said, the worry clear in his eyes despite his controlled tone.

Finn took another puff, looking out the window. "Can you open the window? Need to dump the ash."

Without a word, Kai hit the button, rolling the window down. Finn flicked the cigarette, letting the ash drift into the wind, then took another drag before turning back to Kai. "Alright, so we're heading west, but you got anything specific in mind? Or are we just shooting in the dark?"

Kai glanced at him briefly, keeping his focus mostly on the road. "No specific location yet. If they're headed west, there's a good chance they've got a hideout out there somewhere. We'll start from there."

Finn raised an eyebrow, thinking it over. "So, no intel, just gut feeling?"

Kai's grip tightened on the wheel as he shot Finn another look. "That's all we've got right now. We'll have to make our own lead."

Finn exhaled slowly, rolling the window back up and leaning against the door. "Sounds like we're flying blind. But hey, I'm in."

There was a quiet pause as Kai's eyes narrowed, scanning the road ahead. "We don't have time to waste," he said, his voice low. "Every minute counts."

Finn nodded, his usual laid-back vibe replaced with something more serious. "Alright, we'll get her."

Kai didn't answer. He just kept driving, the city bustling around them, focused on the mission ahead.

Finn's phone rang, drawing their attention. Kai glanced briefly in the rearview mirror while Finn reached into his coat pocket and pulled it out, seeing Julia's name flash on the screen.

"It's Julia," Finn muttered, answering the call and putting it to his ear.

"Hello?" Finn's voice was calm, though Kai listened closely, his grip tightening on the wheel.

"We're already in position. I'm with Hannah. Update, Colonel." Julia's voice came through steady and unbothered, with that familiar sharpness to it.

Kai's focus remained on the road, but his eyes narrowed slightly, listening intently to Julia's report.

"I'll tell him," Finn replied, then heard the click of the call ending. He glanced down at the screen one last time before tucking the phone back into his coat.

Kai looked at him from the corner of his eyes.

"They're already in position," Finn confirmed, his voice low, not needing to elaborate. Kai simply nodded, his gaze steady on the road ahead.

Finn, however, couldn't help himself. He glanced at Kai, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I gotta ask, man. Why's Julia so... well, ill-tempered? I mean, she's new to the team, but she's already acting like she's been with us for years. And she's pretty damn rude to Cassian, too."

Kai didn't respond, his hands tight on the wheel, eyes never leaving the road ahead, but he softened a bit, just a bit.

Finn, sensing Kai's silence, raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his seat. "You know, Cassian's been saying he's got a thing for her. Wants to hit on her, or whatever. Think he stands a chance?" His voice was casual, but there was an unmistakable note of curiosity in it.

Kai let out a quiet chuckle, his lips barely curving upward as he kept his eyes on the road. "Cassian thinks he has a shot with Julia?" He shook his head, a dry laugh escaping him. "Does he really think he stands a chance? He can barely say 'hello' without coming off like an idiot. That woman's not here for his charm."

Finn grinned, leaning back in his seat with his cigarette hanging loosely between his fingers. "Yeah, I don't think 'smooth talk' is exactly Cassian's strong suit. I've seen him stumble through basic conversation, let alone trying to impress a woman like Julia. She'd eat him alive."

Kai smirked, his eyes flicking briefly toward Finn. "I mean, Cassian's got the 'charming idiot' routine down, but I don't think Julia's buying it. She's got a bit more bite than that."

Finn laughed softly. "More like 'a lot more.' It's like he's trying to convince her with puppy eyes while she's ready to put him in the doghouse." He paused, glancing at Kai. "You think he's gonna give up anytime soon?"

Kai shrugged, his expression half-amused. "Cassian's persistent, I'll give him that. But honestly, if he thinks he can win her over with that... 'charming idiot' routine, he's in for a rude awakening."

Finn snorted, shaking his head. "I guess some lessons take longer to learn. But hey, if he somehow pulls it off, I'll buy him a drink. I'll be impressed."

Kai gave him a quick, side-eyed glance. "You buying drinks for that? Might be the most surprising thing to happen today."

Finn finished his cigarette, flicking it out of the window as he shifted in his seat, eyes turning to Kai with a more serious glint. "Hey, you know... don't you think Julia's got some serious charm? Let's put Hannah aside for a second," Finn said, his voice low, thoughtful.

Kai shot him a quick look, not breaking his focus on the road. "Hmm?"

Finn leaned back, his tone shifting slightly. "I mean, to be honest, Cassian's a fool. The guy's a womanizer, and he's got this thing for Julia... But do you really think he's worth it? Do you think she deserves someone like him?"

Kai let out a quiet chuckle, eyes still on the road. "Worthy? You act like you know her. But yeah, I agree. Cassian's not worth it," he said, calm and collected.

Finn exhaled slowly, letting the silence stretch a bit before he continued, his tone a bit more serious now. "I'm being real here, Kai. Every time I look at Julia, I can't help but notice everything about her—the way her red hair catches the light, her sharp nose, those eyes that could cut through anyone, and her cheeky smile... It's almost too kissable, you know?" Finn said, a hint of admiration in his voice, though his usual playful undertone remained.

Kai's lips twitched into a small smile, momentarily distracted from the mission. "Are you planning to hit on her too?" he asked with a teasing note in his voice, his eyes flicking to Finn for just a second before turning back to the road.

Finn chuckled, his gaze drifting to the window, a smirk forming on his lips. "If you'd let me," he said, his voice steady but still amused.

Kai let out a soft laugh, his hand loosening on the steering wheel as he shook his head slightly. "It's up to you, man," he whispered, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he focused back on the road ahead.