<div class="floatright">(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/jillvader/mw-nmfkmpkarimonero_zps55a1bf27.jpg)</div>As happy as Kari could see that Allia was, there was that part of her that could see that small hint of regret in her tone and actions. Even though it remained unspoken, Kari had an inkling of how the other woman felt about her. She also knew that there was no good way that she could ever address the issue head on without making things awkward at best, and more importantly, risk jeopardizing her best officer’s feelings and working relationship.<br/><br/>Damien’s entrance defused the situation through Allia’s comments. She approached his arrival with obvious and open levity, her comment making Kari openly laugh a moment before regaining her composure. Inside she was trying not to laugh again at the mental images it conjured.<em>Yeah, get the stick out of his ass and instead-</em>she mentally cut herself off before she let that go any further, lest it cause an even further breakdown of decorum.<em>Vital meeting now about your family’s legacy and its future, Kari. Naughty thoughts later</em><br/><br/>She let Allia outline the plan, giving the lieutenant the chance to speak. It was interesting to see how much she had changed recently; here and now, she was professional, honest and forthright, speaking clearly and without hesitation. Allia was definitely a lot better then she had been, and something had changed about her. Whatever it was, Kari was glad for it, and was willing to leave it at that.<br/><br/>“It’s an early concept, I admit, but I do think the Battle Armour would be an asset,” she added, “and not just because we’re the only Merc unit I know without any. They open up tactical options that we wouldn’t have otherwise while also helping to protect our assets”<br/>