Step back and suggest focusing on the plan to take down Marco, putting these feelings aside until Jane has justice.

You take a deliberate step back, creating physical distance that mirrors the emotional boundary you're trying to establish. The morning light streaming through the windows casts long shadows across the living room, highlighting the space between you and Lina.

"I think we should focus on the plan to take down Marco," you say, your voice steadier now. "These feelings... whatever they are... they're complicated. And they can wait until Jane has justice."

Lina watches you for a moment, her dark eyes unreadable. Then her expression shifts, something **** retreating behind a mask of determination. She straightens her shoulders, runs a hand through her tousled hair, and nods.

"You're right," she says, her tone changing to match yours—more businesslike, though an undercurrent of tension remains. "Justice first. Everything else... later."

She moves to the kitchen counter where she left her phone, checking something on the screen before turning back to you. The flush on her skin has subsided somewhat, though beads of perspiration still glisten along her hairline.

"I'll do a round about this new hideout tonight," she says, tucking her phone into the pocket of her sweatpants. "Just a lookup, reconnaissance only. With my powers coming back faster than expected, I should be able to teleport home once I've gathered enough intel."

You notice how she says "home" rather than "back here," creating her own subtle distance.

"Once I'm ready, I'll strike," she continues, crossing her arms over her chest. The movement pulls her university t-shirt tighter across her breasts, emphasizing the similarities to Jane that you're both trying to ignore. "But I need to be smart about this. Viktor will be on high alert after finding those bodies at the Red Brick."

She glances toward the lead helmet still sitting on the coffee table, a reminder of your strange journey together.

"Your notes," she says suddenly. "They're still in the van at the Red Brick garage, aren't they?"

"Yes," you confirm, stomach knotting at the implication. "The formula for the compound that affected your diamond form. If Marco's men find those..."

"Then they'll have a weapon against me." Lina's jaw tightens. "I need to get those notes before they do."

"That might be too dangerous," you argue, imagining her walking back into what will certainly be a trap. "They'll expect you to return for them. Viktor isn't stupid."

Lina's lips quirk in a half-smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Who said anything about me going?"

You feel the weight of her implication settle on your shoulders. "You want me to go back for them?"

"You're the bio-engineer," she counters, starting to pace the small living room. "You'll know exactly what to look for. They won't be expecting you—they'll assume you're either dead or my hostage by now."

She stops pacing and meets your gaze directly. "Besides, you wrote the formula in scientific shorthand, right? Even if they find it, it'll take them time to decode what it means."

"Time we can use," you conclude, already thinking through the logistics of such a mission. "But I can't just walk back in there. Viktor knows my face."

Lina's expression hardens with resolve. "There are other ways into that garage. Service entrances. Maintenance shafts. This city is full of hidden paths if you know where to look."

She comes to stand before you, close enough that you can smell the faint scent of soap and something uniquely her. Not Jane—Lina.

"Will you help me?" she asks, vulnerability flickering briefly across her features before determination reclaims them. "Not for me. For Jane."