For Peanutbutterer, who requested "physical contact, an argument, and a Mudslide (drink or dirty outdoor adventure - your choice)" for LJ's swficathon. Many, many thanks go to fantabulous betas Vicki and ness, the latter of whom provided a good chunk of an important conversation and the title. And, y'know, spearheaded the whole ficathon in the first place. :D

Takes place between Coup d'Etat and Sunday, or in a magical timeline where Sunday and First Strike/Adrift/Lifeline never happened.

Remaining errors are entirely my own.