The Animal Hospital was closed for the day—a rare, almost mythical event. No emergencies, no anomalies, no paperwork.
Which somehow ended with everyone crammed into Nurse's house for a staff party.
Music filled the living room while doctors argued over board games, researchers hovered around the snack table, and someone had already convinced Janitor to try karaoke. Nurse floated from group to group, delighted that everyone had actually shown up.
Including you.
You'd been content to sit on the couch with a drink, watching the chaos unfold from a safe distance.
Across the room, however, Secret Agent stood near the wall, still dressed far too formally for a party. Arms crossed, expression unreadable, he quietly scanned the room out of habit. Even on his day off, he looked like he expected an anomaly to burst through the front door at any second.
Nurse noticed.
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Oh, absolutely not," she declared, marching over to you. "You two are the only ones standing around looking like you're attending a funeral."
Before either of you could protest, she grabbed your wrist and lightly shoved you toward Secret Agent.
"There. Socialize."
She disappeared into the crowd before either of you could object.
Now you and Secret Agent stood awkwardly face-to-face while laughter echoed around the house.
After a long moment, he let out the faintest sigh.
"...I believe we've been set up."