Haligan Island Needs Her Leaders

"Haligan Island Needs Her Leaders" is a BOTGD 2 oneshot written on January 2, 2021.
== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
Takes place right after A Change of Plans 
“How did it go with Lila?” Brandt asked as Grey walked back into their tent.
“Went well,” Grey said with a small smile on her face as she gently patted Shadow on the snout. “She was actually up all night. The poor dear was exhausted, but we managed to discuss some plans.”
“And?” Brandt asked as he put down the reports he was reading. 
“For starters, she’s going to continue with plans to move the Rebellion from Haligan Island,” the Chief explained as she sat down next to her husband. “However, she told me that she wishes to bring the Rebellion here…to the Jaw.”
“Really?” Brandt said with raised eyebrows. “I feel like I know the answer to this already, but why?”
“Well, think about it,” Grey said. “They have access to resources here, and the land is wide open, which makes it easier to watch for oncoming attacks. They have stable structures for shelter and defense and weapons. The less we have to ship to them the better.”
Brandt nodded realizing that his wife was right. The Grounded Dungeon barely had anything, and the building was far too old to withstand any attack of any kind. That was the main thing Grey was worried about when Lila told her that she wanted to move the Rebellion back to the dungeon, but this would put Grey’s worries at ease and his own. “I agree,” Brandt said. “I think it’s a wise decision. She does have a good head on her shoulders.”
“She does,” Grey said nodding. “She also brought up that we…well at least one of us should return to Haligan Island and that it was unwise for both of us to leave the island.”
“Well, we were both worried about Stonegit and Nala, that’s all,” Brandt replied, “but I thought about that myself. We both agreed after the raid that we wouldn’t both leave the island after what happened with Sven.”
Grey nodded. “I agree,” she said. “We got lucky this time, but next time probably wouldn’t be.” She hated the idea of both of them leaving Sven to deal with a High Central attack and a murder/suicide, when he could’ve died himself. 
Brandt seemed to sense his wife’s thoughts and gently took her hand into his and kissed it. “It was a spur of the moment decision,” he said. “That’s all. We’ll do better next time.”
Grey smiled at her husband and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re right,” she said. “So…not that it’s a life or death decision, which one of us should return to Haligan?” 
“I can return to Haligan Island,” Brandt said quickly, “and you can stay here with Shadow. It’s not a hard decision. Lila will need you to make sure everything is settled, and it’s not going to be for long. I can get back and get the Council caught up with everything and make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“You don’t mind?” Grey asked raising an eyebrow. She hated the idea of sending her husband off or making him think that he was being forced out. “If you want to stay and me to go back, that’s fine.”
“Grey, it’s alright,” Brandt replied wrapping an arm around her pulling her close to his side. “We are both leaders of Haligan Island. It’s our home and our people just as this is our Rebellion. We share the burdens and blessings of leadership, we are equals…partners…husband and wife.” He meant every word of it. It wasn’t a power struggle or an imbalance between them. It never was even with the Rebellion now on their plate. When this Rebellion began, Brandt promised to do whatever he could to make things easier for his beloved wife, and in the 18 years they had been married, there was never an imbalance of power or duties. It was his duty as her husband and second-in-command to carry out half the work, and he was willing to do just that…the job he agreed to do when he took those wedding vows. “I promise, it’s okay. It’s more than okay. It’s my job.”
Grey smiled and kissed Brandt on the lips. “What would I ever do without you?” she asked as she leaned her forehead against his. 
“You’ll always have me,” he said. 
“I’ll come back as soon as Lila and the rebels are settled,” Grey said. “I promise.”
“I know you will,” Brandt replied with a smile. “Haligan Island needs both of her leaders, and our kids need both of their parents. It’s hard for either one of us to stay away for too long.”
“You’re right about that,” the Chief replied.