Ryan smiled and backed off a little so there was some distance between them. He stood with his arms crossed, yet also appeared relaxed. “Well,” he began with a smile, choosing his words wisely, “you were the one who had dealt the killing blow. And you… especially you… I think you deserve a little reward, don’t you? I like to reward everyone who pulls off a big move. It’s kind of like a tradition, you know?” There was a devious look in his eyes and his grin suddenly widened a little. Anyone who dealt a killing blow surely did deserve a reward. That was how he felt, though the fact that he rewarded everyone was something he had made up off the top of his head right then and there. He hoped that Eric would agree, and that this would lean him towards ditching his military duties and staying with him.<br/><br/>To be honest, while he did trust Eric to an extent, he did not trust the military. “But, I need you to do something for me. You know how it works, right? You do me a favor, and I do you a favor?” Ryan’s heart was racing at this point. “I want you to stay here with me.” The least Eric could do was say no. He really hoped he wouldn’t, though, not wanting too much trouble. If Eric ran back to the military about what just happened his ass was on the line, and it could spell the end of his little operation. Not only would he be fighting his enemies, but the military as well. That was not something that he wanted to deal with. He hoped he wouldn’t have to, and on the other hand was willing to do one last thing for Eric if it came down to that, if that was what it took to get him to stay with him.