Chapter Text
Six was in Margaret Cahill’s office in London, looking out the window as Fitz got comfortable in one of the chairs.
“Six, come.” Six turned from the window to look at Margaret, walking toward her and sitting down. “Fitz, tell him why he’s here.”
“Okay.” Six turned to look at him, and Fitz turned his head to look at him. “I have a niece that I’m raising. I know what line of work I’m in, I want the kid to have a normal life and Margaret’s helped me give her one.”
“Any number of nefarious assholes would like to see him and his family dead.” Margaret added while Six looked between the two of them growing more confused and slightly irritated.
“Is there a point to this story?” He asked, looking from Margaret to Fitz.
“Someone in the DC office has accidentally leaked Fitz’s address in Hong Kong.”
“Bunch of idiots.” Fitz jumped in, obviously miffed.
“Indeed. We’ve asked for agency security, but for some curious reason, Denny Carmichael won’t supply it. Fitz is starting a mission in Brazil tomorrow which means you are going to babysit.”
Six stared at her, her words sinking in.
“My brother and his wife died about three years ago and to top it off Claire was born with a heart condition. Last month we put in a pacemaker and since then she’s been in and out of Mt. St. Mary’s.” Fitz explained and Six stored the information in his memory, his mind filled with doubts.
“Poor thing got dealt a brutal hand.” Margaret sympathized.
Six looked at Fitz, uncomfortable. “You guys taught me how to kill people, not care for them.”
“You don’t have to care, just keep her alive.” Margaret ordered.
🩶🫀🩶
When they left Margaret’s office, Six paused. “Fitz.”
Fitz stopped and turned to him. “What is it, son?”
“Why’d you choose me?”
Fitz stared at him. “Because you’re the only one I trust for the job.”
“The only Sierra agent?”
“The only one period. Claire is a very special kid, I think you’ll like her.”
Six looked down and thought over his mentor’s words. “I’ll protect her with my life, Fitz.”
Fitz gave him a proud smile and a nod. “Attaboy.”
🩶🫀🩶
“Claire dear, this is Six. He’ll be looking after the house while Donald is away.”
“Just the two exits?” Six asked, walking towards the sliding door, aware of the girl on the bed who hadn’t looked up yet.
“Yes, that’s right.” Helen, her caretaker, replied.
Claire lowered her light blue camera to glance at him. “Six is an odd name.”
“Yeah, well… 007 was taken, so….” He shrugged, joking. That’s what you were supposed to do with kids right? Joke with them?
Claire looked up to meet his eyes, staring at him. “Are you chewing gum?”
Six froze, pausing in his chewing. “Yeah.”
“We don’t chew gum in this house.” Claire stared at the agent, trying her very best not to grin as she finally met the “Son” her uncle talked about all the time, face-to-face.
Six glanced at Helen before looking back at Claire, turning a little sheepish. “I wasn’t briefed,” Six looked out the window “Won’t happen—” Claire took a picture of him, the flash causing him to pause and look back at her. “—again.” Claire playfully smiled as she tilted her head at him while the developing photo rolled out.
“Hmm, okay. Well, I’ll try and stay out of your way.” Six paused and tilted his head. “Do you mind?” He asked, picking up the Polaroid she had taken of him. “Hmm. May I?” He asked and she shrugged.
“Sure.” She appeared disappointed but agreed anyway.
“Thanks.” He tucked the polaroid inside the pocket in his jacket and straightened his jacket, smiling politely at Claire. “Nice to meet you.”
He just had to keep her alive.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire had swiped Six’s jacket when he hadn’t been looking, her intention to steal back the Polaroid but when she finally had it back in her hands she didn’t feel right taking it back. Sighing, she walked over to the chair, tossed the jacket onto the chair and intentionally sat on it before pulling out her phone and she started playing her game. It was about twenty or so minutes later when Six appeared around the corner. “S’cuse me.” He waved before starting to leave. Claire, wanting him to stay longer and rope him into conversation, spoke up.
“Looking for your jacket? Looks like I sat on it.” She smiled, holding out a piece of it as proof as she let out a quiet giggle.
He walked over to her and pointed at her phone. “Is that a secure phone?”
“Just got the high score. I had a lot of time to practice after the operation, they made me stay in bed.” She ignored the question because of course, it was a secure phone. She wasn’t stupid neither was Donald.
When Six remained silent Claire decided to continue, imitating him. “How long they make you stay in bed for?’ Quite a long time, several weeks actually. ‘Oh, I hope you’re okay?’ Better now Six thanks for asking. How’s your time been here, enjoying the grounds? ‘Oh, they're lovely. I like to walk in circles and stare at my shoes.”
Six just gave her a small smile. “Can I get that jacket?”
Claire slid it out from underneath her and handed it to him. As he slipped it back on, Claire looked at his tattoo. “I like your tattoo. Where’d you get it? Prison?”
“Yeah actually.”
“I’m shocked.” She sarcastically replied. Six nodded, starting to walk away to leave. Claire spoke up again, curious. “What’s it mean? The writing?”
“Oh, it’s uh… a guy's name in Greek.”
“What guy?”
“Just a guy, you know, trying to get a rock up a hill.”
“Why?”
“They made him.”
“Who made him?”
“The gods.”
“Did they need a rock?”
“They were just uh… trying to punish him I think.”
“Did he deserve it?”
“Probably.”
“Did he like it?”
“Probably not.”
“So why’d he do it?”
Six gave her another small smile. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“You’re quite the conversationalist.” She fired back.
“I’m gonna get back to work.” He turned and started walking away
“Hey,” Claire called out, causing him to stop and face her again. “Does he ever get to the top of the hill?”
Six let out a small laugh. “I’ll let you know.”
🩶🫀🩶
Six looked out the window with his flashlight, doing one more final check before turning it off.
“Claire’s asleep, I’m going out for a bite.” Helen said, turning the kitchen’s light off and leaving as Six walked to the table to look at his computer, pulling out a piece of gum. He checked around before putting it in his mouth, checking the cameras. The only disturbance was a monkey going through the trash…. Yeah, not a big priority.
Claire stumbled out into the hall. “Mr. Six… something’s wrong—” She collapsed on the floor, “something—” she quietly breathed out, faintly hearing running footsteps.
She barely remembers the car ride, faintly feeling Six carrying her small body as she was set on a bed, wheeling her away.
Next thing she knows she’s back in a hospital bed, an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth.
She faintly heard the nurse talking to Helen, and heard Helen’s footsteps leave the room.
Six stood by the door, keeping an eye out while still keeping an eye on her. When he turned his head she looked at him and signed “Rock on.” He nodded, looking down at the ground before lifting his head to continue keeping a lookout.
🩶🫀🩶
When the nurse came back a little while later, Claire was more coherent and was able to breathe on her own, so the nurse removed the mask and lifted her bed so she could eat while another nurse brought her food.
“Thanks.” Claire smiled and the nurse nodded.
Six turned his head and met Claire’s brown eyes. Her smile widened and Six felt his heart squeeze. He took one last sweep outside the room with his eyes before turning and approaching the chair next to her bedside. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down in it while Claire’s eyes followed him paying no heed to the food in front of her, smiling.
“You should eat something.”
Claire’s smile widened into a grin, picking up her spoon to point at him. Six just smiled, watching her eat. “You saved my life.” Claire’s wide smile turned into a serious expression. “Thank you.”
“Well, that is my duty.” Six replied, softly smiling, his eyes holding concern.
Claire’s wide smile returned. “You like me.” She drew out the middle word and it was then that Six figured out that she must still be doped up on medication.
“What did they give you?” He muttered.
“You didn't deny it.” She pointed out, smirking as she pointed at him. Six just patiently watched her, waiting for the drugs to wear off. Claire giggled at his expression. “Are you always so stone-faced?”
“Are you always this stoned?” Six replied while Claire dissolved into laughter, confirming his theory.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire was eating chocolate ice cream as Six watched the security camera live footage. If Six was being completely honest with himself, a huge part of him panicked when Claire collapsed on the floor, and he knew it had nothing to do with completing the job. It almost scared him how rapidly he had grown a soft spot for her.
“You feeling better?” He asked.
Claire stared ahead, her expression distant as her head rested on her palm. “Just another Thursday.” Six glanced over at her and watched as she smiled, picking up her spoon again. “Donald says this is the best medicine. Ice cream. Tend to agree.”
“He’s a very smart man.”
“Only family I got.”
“Closest thing to family I got too.”
Claire turned her head, contemplating his words. “Maybe that kind of makes us family.”
Six looked over at her, surprised at first, before he smiled at her, a real smile. ‘Maybe.’
He looked back at his screen when the cameras mysteriously shut offline, shortly afterward Claire yawned. “You should go to bed.” He said, his gut telling him something was about to happen.
Helen walked over, smiling as she placed her hands on Claire’s chair. “Alright little one, you heard the number, let’s go.”
Claire stood up, chuckling to herself as a quiet “True.” slipped out of her mouth. “Night Robot.”
Six focused on the cameras. “Goodnight… Claire.” Six had a gut feeling that something was up, and something was going to happen soon.
“Can I play a record?” He turned his head to watch Claire ask as she walked into her room, following Helen.
“Just one. And don’t forget to brush your teeth.” Helen responded.
Six heard a dog bark outside and a gate squeak open.
Claire started playing Silver Bird as Six turned off the lights and searched with his flashlight, the muffled voices of Helen and Claire in the other room distinctly heard. When he faintly heard a gun cock he covered the beam of the flashlight, sneaking up on the idiot that decided to go after Claire.
While he fought with the assassin, he felt a strong drive that he hadn’t had before. He was always driven to beat his opponent, but this time he had a personal motivator, and that was the young girl in the other room.
He quickly snapped the intruder's neck and his lifeless body fell to the ground, Six turned to look at Claire, who was staring at him. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, broke a bowl.” He held up the fragment of the bowl he used to smash over the intruder’s head. He stepped in front of the dead man’s feet, blocking it from Claire’s sight that was going back and forth from Six to the mostly hidden dead body.
“You sure you’re alright?”
Six nodded, shrugging. “Yeah, just another Thursday.” Six paused before continuing. “You should go to bed; goodnight.”
“G’night.” She replied, looking down at the place Six was blocking, before turning away and walking back to her room.
Six’s eyes followed her all the way to her bedroom, and she turned back to look at him before closing her door. He would protect her at all costs, she was family. His family.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire was looking up at the sky as she lay on her back on the ground.
She heard footsteps and smiled. “That looks like a bunny, doesn’t it?” She pointed upwards and Six shrugged. “A little.”
Claire turned her head and patted the area next to her. “Come on, sit.”
“I’m working.”
“You can work while you sit next to me.” Claire smiled at him while Six just raised an eyebrow at her, watching her. Claire’s smile widened as Six gravitated near to her and she sat up. “That one looks like a brachiosaurus.”
Six frowned. “A what?”
“It’s a dinosaur.”
Six gave her a confused look. “Is that supposed to help me narrow it down?”
Claire nodded. “That’s a fair point. The long necks.”
“Oh.” Claire had to purse her lips to stifle a laugh. She found it both amusing and sad that the agent had no knowledge of dinosaurs.
“Why did you end up in prison?” She suddenly blurted out, and Six’s blue eyes snapped from the sky down to her brown eyes and were replaced with a soft smile that she'd seen the first night.
“Doesn’t matter. That was then, this is now.”
Claire frowned, studying him as she scrutinized him. “Did you kill someone?”
Six didn't outwardly react, his poker face no match for even a master like Claire, who even as smart as she was, was still only a child.
“You immediately assume I killed someone?”
“Well, you don't seem like the art-stealing type.”
“I don't?”
“No, you're far too serious.”
“Hollywood isn't always accurate, you know.” Six tightly reminded her.
“I know, but you just lack the Ryan Reynolds charm from Red Notice.”
Six barely held back from rolling his eyes. Ryan Reynolds? She was comparing him to Ryan Reynolds?
🩶🫀🩶
Six was eating his late-night snack, salad. He was still very aware of his surroundings so when he heard silent footsteps he turned, pulling his flashlight out.
However, it was just Claire, and Six quickly lowered his light, tucking it away.
“You’re still up?” He asked, taking another bite of his salad.
“This is the first time I’ve actually seen you eat something other than bread. Do you sleep? Or are you kind of like a vampire?”
Six smiled his infamous Sierra Six smile. “You like salad?”
Claire nodded. “I’m okay though, I just had some Skittles.”
“I wasn’t offering to share.”
Claire grinned, and in pure Claire-like behavior she reached over and popped a crouton in her mouth.
Six pursed his lips, a wide smile threatening to spread on his face. “You should go back to bed.” Claire deflated, her demeanor dimming. She looked up at him, her expression giving away that she wanted to ask something. “What is it?”
“Can I stay up with you?” Six opened his mouth to refuse when Claire spoke again. “Just until I get sleepy! I’m not tired and I’m going crazy just lying in my bed.”
Six sighed, debating whether or not he should allow it. It could be a good idea or a bad one. “First sign of trouble, you go straight to your bedroom okay?” Claire eagerly nodded. “And when you get tired you have to go to bed, understand?” Claire nodded again. “Alright.” Six nodded, finishing his salad.
“So… if you won't tell me why you went to prison can you tell me your real name?” Claire asked, and Six shook his head.
“I can’t tell you that either.”
“I won’t tell anyone, I promise. I’ll still call you Six.”
Six looked at her, and her eyes were burning with curiosity. He sighed and looked down. “You’re not allowed to say it or use it or tell anyone. You can’t even write it down.”
Claire nodded.
‘This might be a mistake.’ Six thought to himself. But he found it hard to refuse her brown eyes swimming in innocence. “It’s Court. Courtland Gentry.”
Claire smiled, and it made Six feel better. Fitz knew his real name, now Claire did. “I like that, we both have C’s in our names.”
The rest of the night was low-key, and Claire ended up on the couch as she watched Six on a comfy chair across from her.
Eventually, her eyes slipped closed and she drifted off.
Six was looking at the security cameras when he looked up to see Claire fast asleep.
He smiled softly, stood up, and picked her up, carrying her back to her bed. He gently laid her down, tucking her in the blankets, pausing as he watched her peaceful state. He quietly sighed and walked out of her room, looking back at her before softly closing the door behind him.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire stared out the window of her bedroom, sitting on her bed, her Polaroid photos in front of her.
She reached for her camera only to find it missing. Frowning, she remembered leaving it outside while taking pictures of the plants and little critters.
She got up and walked outside, walking around the house before she spotted it on a stone bench. She walked towards it, pausing when she noticed a rustle in the bushes. She tensed. It wasn’t an animal, and Six wasn’t one to play practical jokes, so the only thing it could be was….
“SIX!!!” She screamed just as a man with a gun jumped out of the bushes, and headed towards her. She flinched back, falling to the ground and closing her eyes with her forearms in front of her in a defensive position.
She heard a gunshot and something hit the ground, just as she was about to drop her guard and look, she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her.
She jerked, surprised but he soothed her. “It’s me, you’re okay. You’re okay.” Claire had a weird feeling that he wasn’t just telling her that, but more so reassuring himself.
Six had been inside looking at the footage when something on the backyard cam caught his attention. When he realized a man was hiding in the bushes he pulled out his gun, quietly rushing outside, but then he heard Claire scream and everything was just autopilot after that.
He should’ve seen that man way before then. How could he let it get past his watch? How could he let someone get within five feet of her? He chided himself as he held onto Claire, who seemed to be frozen in shock.
Next thing Claire knew she was lifted once again, and back on her bed. “My camera—”
“I’ll get it.” Six interrupted, leaving, and Claire pursed her lips as she sank in on herself. Six’s tone was clipped, and he had tension in his body. He was probably mad at her. When he reappeared he handed her her camera.
“I’m sorry.” Claire whispered, not meeting his gaze.
“For what?”
Claire looked up and was surprised to see his brows furrowed in confusion and a small hint of concern, not anger. “For being out there?” She asked and Six let out a quiet humorless chuckle.
“You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This one was on me.” Claire opened her mouth to deny it, to tell him that he too was only human and had needs just as the rest of humankind, but Six just shook his head, his expression turning into something Claire couldn’t decipher. “Don’t look outside until I come back, okay?”
Something in his tone had chills running down Claire’s spine as she paused. Six wasn’t a goofball, but he wasn’t completely serious either. He had a dry sarcastic sense of humor and Claire figured that that was why they got along so well. Six had been here for less than three days and she hadn’t been intimidated by him in the slightest, despite his commanding presence and gun.
She knew he killed people, that was part of the job. She'd seen it on the first night, she wasn't supposed to but she did. Some girls would be horrified…. But Claire felt safe.
She nodded and Six winked at her, then left once again, closing her sliding door.
🩶🫀🩶
Six did his rounds, his flashlight lighting his path and sight.
When he finally started to wind down, checking the cameras once again, he heard a loud scream.
Six bolted to Claire’s bedroom, his gun drawn, ready to shoot the intruder he kicked her door open, only to stop dead in his tracks as he saw no intruder, but Claire sitting up on her bed, her hands covering her face as she cried.
Six felt a swift punch to the gut at the sight, suddenly overcome with emotion.
Court woke up when he heard his brother scream.
Court rolled out of bed, covering his brother's mouth, who flinched at first before realizing it was him. Court wrapped an arm around him to soothe him, hoping that his father hadn’t woken up.
“Shhh, it’s okay. It’s okay.” Court whispered, closing his eyes, wishing it were true.
“It’s not. He’s going to kill me, Court. I just know it.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
Six tucked his gun away, approaching the distressed eleven-year-old, who was sobbing like her life depended on it.
He hesitated, before sitting down next to her on her bed unsure of how to initiate a comforting gesture. In the end, he didn’t have to because once he sat down Claire looked up at him with her brownie eyes before she laid her head on his shoulder, crying into his collarbone. Six slowly wrapped an arm around her, securing her shaking frame so she didn’t fall off the bed or slide.
He held her while she fell apart, his heart growing in size as he held her small frame. Her sobs racked her body and Six gently squeezed her when it would happen, letting her know she was supported.
Claire sniffled and Six remained silent, even as her breathing slowly returned normal and her body stopped shaking.
Claire was thumbing Six’s jacket, her eyes drying as she ran out of tears.
“My parents died in a car crash.” She whispered, fiddling with the fabric of Six’s jacket. “Straight head on. I was in the back, lucky to be alive, mostly unharmed.” Claire sniffed, wiping away a tear.
“I’m sorry.” Six’s words were soft and gentle.
“I barely remember my parents. I wouldn’t know what they looked like without pictures and videos. But I miss them a lot.”
Six didn't know what he was supposed to say to that. Was he supposed to reassure her? Was he supposed to just listen? He didn't know what he was doing. Luckily for him, Claire had fallen back asleep in his tender embrace.
Careful not to wake her back up he slipped out of her grip, gently laid her down, and left her room as if he were never there to begin with. In fact, Claire would wonder if she had dreamt the whole thing up.
🩶🫀🩶
Six was in the dining room about to sneak some gum in his mouth when heard Helen’s voice drawing near, warning him of the “we-don’t-chew-gum-in-this-house” officer’s approach. Seriously, what did she have against gum?
Tucking the piece of gum back in his pocket with a grimace he pulled out a toothpick. If she had a problem with that….
“Is that a toothpick?” Claire asked, not even mad, just amused.
Six turned his head and raised an eyebrow at her, a retort on his tongue, pausing as he assessed her holding a blanket along with sunscreen.
“Yeah, I've been robbed of my right to have gum so a toothpick will have to do.” Six replied.
“What if you poke yourself?”
“That wouldn't be the worst thing that happened to me, trust me.” Six replied with a slight chuckle in his tone.
When Claire didn't reply Six turned to look at her and found her watching him, as if trying to figure out all of his secrets. Their eyes locked and Six cleared his throat, feeling unsettled as he changed the subject without breaking eye contact.
“You planning on causing any trouble?”
Claire rolled her eyes. “If you consider having a picnic trouble then yes.”
“Claire!” Helen called.
“Coming!” Claire called back. She sighed before pressing her hand to her chest and a flicker of uncertainty passed on her face.
“You okay?” Six asked, immediately ready to take action as he swore his heart nearly stopped. He watched her collapse once already, he was in no hurry to repeat that.
“F-fine.” Claire tried to smile to convince him but Six wasn't convinced. Claire moved to walk outside while Six followed her.
Claire didn't comment, but Six could feel the warmth of her bright smile.
“Six, I didn't know you'd be joining us.” Helen had a hint of surprise in her British tone, and Six just gave her a tight smile.
“Just making sure the backyard is clear.” Six replied, and Claire set up the blanket while Helen sorted through the cooler.
Claire sighed as she stood up and turned to look out at the horizon, getting lost in thought.
“Say hi Dada.” A kind-looking woman with caramel eyes and coffee brown curls framed her face as she nuzzled her and Claire giggled. “Say hi.”
Claire grasped onto the forgotten memory, reminiscing as a tear fell down her face. She only remembered her mother’s face, and even that was fading from her memory.
“Claire, come eat something.” Helen urged.
“Alright.” Claire sat down on the blanket and started eating her ham and cheese sandwich. She noticed Six lingering in the corner of her eye keeping busy but still close by.
Claire didn't want to be a brat, but she liked the attention she got from the agent. She enjoyed their banters and his company.
“Mr. Six?” Claire called out. Six turned his head and met her eyes. “Do you want some Gatorade?” She held out a bottle but he just held up his hand.
“I'm good.”
“You sure? When's the last time you drank something?” Claire pushed, holding back a grin as Helen turned her head and took a good look at the agent.
“Claire’s right, you need hydration, come on, even you need sustenance.”
Six was ready to argue but when he met Helen’s eyes he was reminded of his mother, who though wasn't perfect, tried her best. Nodding he walked over to where they sat on the ground and Helen handed him a Gatorade and a sandwich.
Six watched as Claire’s eyes sparkled while she watched him. Six felt his heart squeeze.
“You don't have to care, just keep her alive.” Six internally scoffed. Dang it Margaret. She probably already knew that Six would end up figuring it out on his own. Margaret Cahill knew pretty much everything.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire was fast asleep when she was awoken by the sound of a gunshot. She scrambled out of bed, ignoring the reasonable conscience that was telling her to stay in her room.
She quietly but swiftly crept out into the hall, the lights out, giving her a sense of déj vù. The rest of the house was dark, and she still found no trace of Six which was beginning to freak her out. Her heartbeat was starting to quicken and her throat went dry but she didn't dare make a sound for fear of anybody unwelcome in her home.
Then she was grabbed from behind. She struggled and thrashed around like a fish out of water, trying to scream, but her captor held a handkerchief over her nose and mouth that started to make her feel light and peaceful. She let out a small giggle before everything went dark.
🩶🫀🩶
Six tackled the final assassin who grunted and they both tripped and fell and rolled. Six gained his footing immediately afterward, spotting Claire’s still form in the corner of his eye. His stomach dropped but he started to see red as he fought with the final assassin.
Six was bleeding from the last five in the front backyard and side, the last one shot him, but Six barely felt it as all he felt was rage as he slowly strangled the assassin, watching him with cold eyes.
As soon as the life left the assassin’s eyes and the heart stopped Six let the body drop to the floor with a thud before rushing over to Claire’s form, distressed. What was he going to tell Fitz? How could he face him?
“Claire?” Six brokenly whispered, and it was only when he finally found the courage to lift her head, cupping her neck, that he found her body was warm and her pulse was still strong, she was just breathing lightly.
Six let out a big sigh of relief, closing his eyes he shifted her body so he could pick her up and carry her back to bed. He paused when he noticed the handkerchief next to her that the assassin held up to her nose and mouth.
Six lightly took a whiff and wrinkled his nose. Nitrous Oxide?
“At least you're asleep.” He muttered. He stood up and made his way to her bedroom, cradling her body carefully in his arms, checking her face to make sure she was still breathing.
As soon as he lay her down he walked inside her bathroom, grabbed her first aid, and started to treat his gunshot wound. The bullet only grazed his side so he didn’t have to worry about stitches or about digging the bullet out or a hole in both sides of his flesh.
He was so engrossed in wrapping his wound he didn't even notice Claire had gotten up and was lingering in the doorframe.
“You alright?” Six turned his head and met her concerned gaze.
“Just another Thursday kiddo.”
Claire grinned and let out a giggle. “I like that nickname. Kiddo.” She was definitely loopy from the gas. Claire wandered inside the bathroom while Six kept an eye on her. “How many tattoos do you have?”
“Six.”
Claire giggled again before her eyes landed on his arm. “What happened to your shoulder?”
Six didn't need to check to know what she was referring to. The burn scar on his shoulder extended to his upper arm was a painful reminder of a mission gone wrong and misplaced trust. “Mission got loud.” Six replied, and Claire got the impression that she shouldn't push the subject so she didn't.
Claire watched him as he grimaced and slipped back into his shirt. “Your shirt has a hole in it. And blood on it.” Six growled in frustration and Claire giggled at the sound. “Are you growling?”
Six looked over at her. “Are you high as a kite?” Claire stuck her tongue out at him. “Not helping your case.” Six added. “You should get to bed.”
“But I'm not tired.”
“You will be, plus I need to clean up.”
“But the bathroom is clean.” Claire protested, her foggy mind forgetting the massacre that started the journey to the bathroom in the first place.
Six was in no hurry to remind her.
“Yeah, well like you said my shirt is ruined and you need to get your beauty sleep.” Claire wrinkled her nose at him while she stood up and started dragging her feet to her bedroom, Six following.
“Does anybody look beautiful in their sleep?” Claire wondered aloud. She started getting more drowsy on her feet and Six wrapped an arm around her to keep her steady as she was swaying on her feet.
“I doubt it.” Six replied. They reached her bed and Claire collapsed on her bed. Six tucked the blankets over her frame and turned her lamp off. “Goodnight Claire.”
“G’night Dad.” Her drowsy reply had Six pausing in his tracks as he headed for the door. Six shook his head. She was really drowsy, she just mixed up her words by accident. The thought calmed him and made him release the tension he'd been holding.
🩶🫀🩶
Claire woke up feeling more groggy than usual, and by the time she wandered into the dining room for breakfast Six was doing his rounds. The agent was strictly dedicated to his work. She briefly wondered if there was anything that could stray him from his plans but she highly doubted it.
When she finished her breakfast she heard the door open and Six walked in, his stony expression softening as he locked eyes with Claire.
“Morning.” Claire smiled as she broke the silence.
“Good morning Claire.” Six replied and Claire's smile widened.
Claire was in the middle of cleaning up her breakfast when she remembered. She dropped her plate, shattering it.
Immediately Six was in the doorway, his stance showing he was ready for combat. But when he noticed her shocked expression and the shattered plate he started to worry.
“Claire, don't move.” Six started to collect the glass around her while the eleven-year-old was dying of embarrassment.
How could she call her bodyguard her— Claire couldn't even think of the word now.
‘Dad.’
Claire groaned, her face turning red and Six looked up at her, concern written all over his usual stoic expression.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, fine, I just have a headache.” Claire told half of the truth, she did have a headache and it was called overthinking.
Six frowned before standing up and throwing the pieces of glass into the trash. “Have you been drinking enough water?”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dad.”
Six’s eyes snapped back to hers and Claire felt her cheeks heat up as she wished the ground would swallow her up. She did it again!
Deciding she could play it off as sarcasm she walked over toward the cupboard, took a cup and filled it with water before starting to drink while Six watched her.
“You alright over there robot? Or did I fry your circuits?” Claire teased with a light chuckle, hiding her anxiety over how silent the agent had become.
Claire’s voice snapped Six out of his daze, and he shook his head. “Yeah, No, I'm good.” He replied, still trying to process what had just occurred between him and his handler's niece.
🩶🫀🩶
Six was keeping watch over Claire from the front as she was sitting on the grass.
She looked up and she shrieked before rushing towards whatever she saw. Six sprinted around to see what Claire had shrieked at, only to see Fitz standing in the driveway Claire in his arms.
Helen walked outside and smiled. “Aww, look at that, isn’t it precious?”
Six just absently nodded. For some reason, he felt no relief or satisfaction that his assignment was now over. He felt… disappointed.
When Claire released Fitz he proudly smiled at Six, walking towards him.
Fitz patted his arms and nodded. “Good job kid.”
Six nodded. “Thanks, Fitz.” When Six looked over Fitz's shoulder he caught sight of Claire, who had suddenly lost all trace of happiness and was staring at Six with a dismal expression. She realized that he would be leaving.
“Welcome home Donald.” Helen smiled and Fitz moved to speak to her.
Claire slowly walked over to Six, who gave her a small halfhearted smile.
The sight of her tears made his heart clench and felt an uncharacteristic urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
He cared about her. He had unwittingly learned how to care for her, and the feeling couldn’t be reversed or shunned. Sierra Six was compromised by an eleven-year-old, and that secretly scared him. Because if he cared, he could lose her.
“This is goodbye.” She quietly broke the silence. It wasn’t a question.
Six nodded. “Yeah, it is.” Claire looked down on the ground just as a tear fell. Six was at a loss as to what he should do. He turned his head and saw Fitz nod at him. “I’m only a call away.”
Claire looked up at him. “Do you really mean that?” She skeptically but sadly asked.
Six smiled sadly. “You’ll be okay, Fitz is back.”
“But you’re leaving.” She argued, another tear falling down her face, and she hurriedly wiped it away, not wanting to make the agent feel uncomfortable.
“Yeah, I am.” Six admitted. How was he supposed to handle this? She was staring up at him with watery brown eyes. “Claire—”
Claire cut him off by throwing herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around his middle. “Don’t you dare forget me, Six.” She whispered, and Six felt his shirt getting wet from her tears.
Building attachments in this line of work was dangerous. But Six already knew he would never forget Claire. How could he? He had her name carved on his heart in bold. He could never forget the sight of her collapsing that first night nor the haunting sight of her still body on the ground when he thought she….
Six wrapped an arm around her. “Never, Claire.”
Claire’s grip tightened around his waist, indulging in the safety she felt. “Will I see you again?” Six looked back down, his grip on Claire tightening.
“Yeah, you will.”
“Actually?” Claire wasn’t stupid, she knew there was a chance that Six was lying just to make things easier.
Six shifted and Claire lifted her head. “Actually.” He confirmed. He had a feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time he saw Claire. Claire smiled, tightening her grip on the supposed emotionless gray man.