Chapter Text
After Footprint leaks, they do let Ingrid collect her things. Ostensibly, she's resigned, though everyone knows that her hand was over the fire. She and Diana do a handover; Diana tries not to gloat.
Not very hard, though.
"I'm sure you'll have offers soon," she says, watching as Ingrid sorts documents to be handed over and to be shredded. "Cambridge might have you back, or maybe America will call. Exciting things ahead for you, I'm sure."
None of them as exciting as this, though.
"I'm sure," Ingrid agrees, packing her fountain pens away. "You'll enjoy the view from here. Regent's Park is peaceful."
It's the one thing I'd miss, Diana had told her once, four drinks in and both of them half-clothed, my office above the Hub. I love being part of it all, being in it.
And I love being in you, Ingrid had replied, mouth hot against her throat.
Her throat is bent now, cocked to the side as she considers a small wooden sculpture; a gift,
no doubt. She smiles and places it with her things.
"Have you said your goodbyes?" Diana hears herself ask: sweet, sarcastic, petty.
"I have," Ingrid replies. "To everyone who matters, anyway." She moves out from behind the desk with her service ID in hand.
"You can hand this back for me, can't you?" she asks. "It needs destroying."
It has a lanyard attached, red, woven. Diana remembers a time when Ingrid bound her wrists with it.
"Of course," Diana says, reaching for the thing. She tries to grasp it nonchalantly but finds her hand around Ingrid's wrist instead, pulling her close. Kissing her.
Ingrid smiles minutely in the aftermath of it, shakes her head. "You always were greedy, Diana. Such a sore winner. Don't forget to enjoy your victory, will you?"