In hindsight, it's ridiculous that it took her so long to notice what Cougar was doing, but she's never claimed to be very perceptive, that's Cougar's job. "I'm sorry it took me so long to understand," she murmurs, her eyes closing as he kisses her cheeks.

"I'm working on it," she promises. Her progress may be slow, but she's better now than she used to be. Living immersed in a culture where most people don't speak any English has forced her comprehension to improve, if nothing else.