nashuaworldcup This is my habit
This is my habit
Kate lowered his head and pondered for a moment before looking up at him, with a smile on his lips, "Okay, Lynn. Maybe you're right, I'll try to relax today."
Lynn nodded and said nothing more. The two stood together quietly, watching the yacht sail across the river, gradually moving away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
When night fell, the sunset in the sky dyed the water surface golden red, and the city lights in the distance began to light up, as if they were drawing a perfect end to the day. For the first time, Kate felt an unprecedented peace and security.
At the early morning FBI headquarters, the sun shines through tall glass windows on the hall floor, plating all the cold metal and concrete with a warm glow. However, this warmth did not melt the busyness and order here. The agents shuttled back and forth, holding documents and headphones in their hands, and whispered about the latest mission. The air was filled with the smell of coffee and copier operation, filled with the tension that was unique to the place.
Lynn walked through the hall and walked straight to his office. His steps were still steady and powerful, but there seemed to be something thoughtful hidden between his eyebrows. Kate's invitation yesterday was still circling in his mind. Hawaii vacation, beaches, seas, sunshine…it sounds more like a strange dream to him than a familiar reality.
He pushed open the office door and closed it, then sat straight at his desk. He clicked on the computer and began to check his work schedule and the remaining holiday time. A file from the internal system popped up, which clearly showed: He had five days of available holidays - not much, but it was not entirely impossible to take time.
Lynn's fingers typing on the keyboard, but his eyes gradually became focused. He was not an agent who could easily let go of his work. Even on vacation, there was an invisible string in his mind that was tightly stretched. He knew very well that every FBI case could affect several or even hundreds of lives, and his responsibility was to let these cases find the answer.
"Linn," a familiar voice came from the door, interrupting his thoughts. Hans held a bunch of documents and leaned against the door frame, his eyes jokingly, "I thought you would take another day off today, but I didn't expect you to come back."
Lynn looked up and looked at him calmly, "I only had a day off, I don't need more."
Hans walked in, put the documents on the table, and casually pulled open the chair and sat down, "Tell me, why did you come back this time? The holidays are not enough, do you think none of us can handle it?"
"There are both." Lynn's tone was still calm, but with a little self-deprecating not easy to detect. "I want to confirm the remaining holidays and see if there are any emergency cases recently."
Hans raised his eyebrows, "You have five days off, and the system clearly states. But to be honest, this is not like you. You are actually concerned about the holidays. Has someone given you any special reason? ? ”
Lynn did not answer directly, but just looked down at the documents brought by Hans, and said slowly, "What new cases are there?"
Hans stared at him for a while, as if trying to see something from his expression, but eventually he just shrugged and replied, "There is a case that is still in the preliminary investigation stage and the intelligence team has just sent it. It sounds a bit complicated. , but not yet to the point where you need to take action yourself.”
Lynn opened the document and glanced at it quickly. There is indeed not much content. A cross-state illegal weapons transaction involves several suspicious suspects, and relevant clues are currently being sorted out. He put down the papers and leaned thoughtfully on the back of the chair.
"What are you worried about?" Hans' tone became serious. "We have not had any major cases recently. Even if you take a long vacation, no one will question you. Anyway, you have done twice as much work as others. .”
Lynn's eyes stayed outside the window for a moment before whispering, "I'm just not used to relaxing in uncertainty."
"Oh my God, Lynn," Hans couldn't help laughing, "Are you a machine? No wonder a woman like Kate would fall in love with you. She might feel like you need someone to pull you out of your world."
Lynn's eyes flashed, but he did not respond. It’s not that he doesn’t understand what Hans means, he’s just…not sure how to respond. He has become accustomed to this high-pressure and dangerous world and is used to facing emergencies at any time. The words "relaxation, vacation, and Hawaii" always seem a little strange to him.
"Well, no matter what you think," Hans stood up and walked out the door, "but I suggest you think about it. If someone is willing to let you leave these troubled cases for the time being, it means she cares about you. And you, Maybe you should try to enjoy it once.”
Lynn watched Hans leave, was silent for a moment, then picked up his cell phone and dialed Kate's number.
"Lynn?" Kate's voice came from the other end of the phone, with his usual briskness and joking, "Let me guess, are you trying to tell me that you finally decided to accept my invitation?"
"I'm still thinking." Lynn's tone was calm, but there was a hint of softness in his eyes. "But I need to know why you must choose Hawaii?"
Kate chuckled over the other end of the phone, "Why? Because I feel like you need a real relaxation and Hawaii is the best place. Beaches, sunshine, sea, and… me."
Lin En was slightly stunned and then said, "You know this is not easy for me."
"I know." Kate's tone softened a little, "but that's why you need to give it a try. Lynn, not everything requires so much planning and responsibility. Sometimes, you should give yourself a little time, too. .”
Lynn didn't answer immediately. His eyes fell on the documents on the table, and his mind flashed through the countless cases he had experienced over the years, each filled with darkness and danger. At this moment, Kate's voice was like a kind of sunshine, penetrating his layer by layer of defense.
"Okay," he whispered in the end, "I'll think about it."
Kate smiled, a hint of joy of success in his laughter, "Very good, then I'll wait for your decision. But don't let me wait too long."
After hanging up the phone, Lynn leaned against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.
After Lynn hung up the phone, he placed his hands crossed on the table and pondered for a moment. Kate's laughter seemed to still echo in his ears, the relaxed and sly tone of voice was incompatible with his world, but it was impossible for him to ignore it. To him, Kate was like an unexpected storm that disturbed his peace, but brought something he could not resist - a long-lost warmth.
He turned on his computer and began browsing recent case updates. He tried to pull himself back from the thoughts of this invitation with a familiar work rhythm, but no matter how focused he was, Kate's voice always came to his mind.
“The beach, the sun, the sea, and… me.”
A nearly imperceptible curve rose slightly at the corner of Lynn's mouth, but soon, he returned to his usual calmness. Maybe Hans is right, he really needs to relax himself. Years of high-pressure work have made his nerves tight like a steel wire, and Hawaii - a place away from cases and dangers, may be a good choice.
He picked up the phone and dialed the number of the FBI Human Resources Department. An operator with a crisp voice answered the phone, "This is the FBI Human Resources Department. Is there anything I can help you?"
"I'm Lynn Wittman," Lynn's voice was low and straightforward, "I want to confirm if I apply for the rest of the week, will it affect the schedule of any emergency tasks?"
The operator checked the system and replied, "Agent Lynn, you do have five days of vacation available according to our records. Your application for leave will not have any impact on the current case arrangement."
"I understand, thank you." Lynn hung up the phone, was silent for a few seconds, and then dialed back Kate's number.
The phone was picked up almost immediately, Kate's voice was obviously expectant, "Lynn, have you decided?"
Lynn sighed slightly, but there was a hint of helplessness in his tone, "If you can guarantee that this is a complete relaxation, not an opportunity to dig out the news, I will go."
Kate smiled like a successful kid on the other end of the phone, "You really surprised me, Lynn. I thought you would hesitate for a few more days."
"Kate." Lynn's voice was warning, "Don't make me regret it."
"Don't worry, I swear, this time we'll only enjoy the holidays. There's no interview or recorder, I can even leave my laptop at home." Kate paused, then added in a brisk tone, "But you have to Dress more easily. Don't show up on the beach with your old black jacket, I don't want people around you to think I'm here with a bodyguard."
Lynn didn't answer, but just snorted softly, then hung up the phone.
Three days later, at the sunny Hawaii Airport, Lynn looked around the crowd at the airport in a simple gray T-shirt and jeans, carrying a travel bag on his shoulder. Kate had already stood at the pick-up gate and was waiting for him. Her light white dress and straw hat made her look completely different from the busy reporter on weekdays.
"I can hardly believe you're really here." Kate waved at him, his smile as bright as if it could melt everything cold.
Lynn approached her, frowning slightly, "Why do you feel like you've been doubting me?"
"Not doubt, just surprise." Kate raised his eyebrows, glanced at his outfit, and couldn't help laughing, "Wow, you're dressed so casually. Lynn, I think I should buy a lottery ticket now, obviously today It's a miracle day."
"Stop talking nonsense." Lynn glanced at her and pulled her travel bag over her shoulder, "Where are we going next?"
"Of course it's going to the resort by the sea." Kate smiled and pulled his arm. "I've booked a room, you just need to enjoy it."
Lynn twitched his arm a little uncomfortable, but in the end she still let her hold it. Kate excitedly talked to him about the attractions, food and activities here, while Lynn just observed the surroundings with those sharp eyes, maintaining his usual calmness.
However, when they arrived at the beach resort, the turquoise waters and white sand did give Lynn a different feeling of relaxation. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the pressure of work, the air here seems to have become a little lighter.
Kate takes him to the room they booked. The rooms are spacious and bright with a balcony overlooking the beach. She dropped her luggage and walked to the balcony excitedly, taking a deep breath of the sea breeze, "Linn, isn't this much better than your office?"
Lynn stood aside, put his hands in his pockets, looking at her smile, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "It's better than the office."
"What are you waiting for?" Kate turned around and pulled his hand, "Change in swimming trunks and go to the beach!"
Lynn raised his eyebrows, "Kate, I'm not interested in sunbathing on the beach."
"It's not a multiple-choice question, Lynn." Kate smiled sly, "What you promised me was a real holiday, and that means you have to fit in the rhythm here. Go, I'm not going to let you board all day long. Face."
Lynn looked at her and sighed in a low voice after a moment, "Okay, but I have to remind you that I don't like playing with sand."
Kate laughed and dragged him to the balcony, "We don't play with the sand, Lynn, we enjoy life!"
Lynn stood there, looking at her back, and finally shook her head.
The beach is sunny, and the sand is like a layer of gold powder in the sun. Visitors gathered together in groups of three or three, some playing volleyball, and some lazily drinking cold drinks on beach chairs. Lynn stood in the shade beside the beach, holding a bottle of water in his hand, his eyes always leaving Kate's figure. She was chatting with a group of young tourists not far from him, and it looked easier than ever.
He didn't feel like this was a complete relaxation. His habits can’t really let him down his guard, even on this sunny resort. Everyone around him could be a potential source of some kind of accident, which made him unconsciously maintain a low intensity alert.
Kate walked over with a smile on his face, "Linn, are you really not going to play a game of volleyball? This is an excellent opportunity. I have already found a teammate for you."
Lynn raised his eyebrows and glanced at the crowd who were shouting excitedly, "You know this is not my style."
"Of course," Kate shrugged, "I guessed you would refuse. But at least you can try to enjoy the atmosphere instead of standing here and observing everyone like a bodyguard."
Lynn lowered his head and took a sip of water, "This is my habit."
Kate shook his head, smiled and turned toward an ice cream stall, "Okay, then I'll go and have a holiday myself."
Lin En watched her walk towards the stall and then turned her attention back to her. His eyes swept through every detail on the beach until his eyes returned to Kate again. At this moment, however, he noticed a strange phenomenon—a man in a floral shirt, with his movements looking particularly sneaky, and was reaching out a hand from Kate’s bag on a beach chair.