Valentine's Valentine: A Narrative Fiction

LIZ Hawthorne pulled up outside the gates to Hirsch’s dock and braked much harder than she needed to. Valentine looked out at the gates and the floodlights beyond. It was fully dark now, which meant any minute Fleischer could be summoning the djinn. He put his hand on the door handle and looked at Liz. She was smiling grimly, that wildness still in her eyes. Enjoying herself a little bit too much. “Well,” Valentine said, “better go save the world.” She laughed, high and strained. Then she put a hand on his thigh. He turned to look into her eyes, flickering with colour even in the gloom of the car. “Good luck,” she said. “Yeah,” Valentine grunted. He opened the door briefly, then closed it. Something was eating at him and he wanted

I’ll kill him for that if I can. But that’s not the only reason I’m here. Truth is, I’m like that fox. I’m too stupid and too stubborn to know when to quit. They tell me it can't be done, that Fleischer can’t be killed? All I want to do is prove them wrong.” Liz smiled at him. “You’re not stupid, Valentine.” “You’re not the one going after a fire demon with a bunch of people you only just met,” he said, grinning. She laughed, and despite his growing distrust of her, he liked the sound of it. “What is this?” she said. “A deathbed confession?” Valentine chuckled. “I’d have a lot worse stories to get off my chest if it was,” he said. He shrugged. “I dunno. Just thinking about that fox.” He turned to look at her and grinned mirthlessly. “But if I’m gonna get killed, it’ll be on my terms.” “You’ll still be dead.” “Yeah, but it may as well be while I’m getting even.” He leaned over and kissed her neck, catching a pleasant hint of her perfume. She caught him by the chin and kissed him on the mouth, surprisingly gentle. “Come back in one piece,” she said. “Any particular piece you have in mind?” he asked, grinning. She squeezed his chin tighter. “Kill him,” she said. “And come back. I’ll be here.” “Really? I thought you’d be heading back to look after daddy.” “Daddy can look after himself,” she said,

He grinned, blue eyes flashing. “But I was really looking forward to chatting to you on the way there,” he said. “I might get lonely.” “I’m sure…” Valentine cocked the carbine. “I’m afraid I have to insist,” he said, raising his voice over the helicopter. “I am doing your dirty work for you, after all. Best you’re there to make sure it’s done right.” Shelby’s shoulders dropped, and he threw his weight forward just a touch, onto his toes. Valentine knew the big American would be on him in less than a second if the fat man asked him to, but that wasn’t what this was about. Hirsch hesitated. “I’m not really suited for the field.” Valentine sighed. “You want to work with the Directorate after this is over, right? Get to the good stuff?” “But of course.” “Then I need to know I can trust you. And I’m not keen on you sitting back here stuffing your face while I’m risking my ass on your behalf.” He winked. “I’m kind of funny like that.” Hirsch laughed, wiping his mouth. “Of course,” he said, trying to make a joke of it. “I’ll be delighted to accompany you. Just don’t ask me to shoot anything.” “Oh, I won’t,” Valentine grinned. Shelby glared at him, then helped Hirsch into a spare set of body