-RILEY'S POV-

"Gabriel, we can't stay here." Riley was kneeling next to a black SUV, struggling to keep Gabriel upright.

"Where can we go?" Mei- Chen asked, the fear evident in her voice.

"I know a place." Gabriel said through the pain.

10 minutes and a stolen car later, Riley and Mei-Chen were helping Gabriel to the door of his mother's house. When Mrs. Vaughn opened the door, she looked nearly ready to faint.

"Gabriel? What have you gotten yourself into?" She asked as Riley shouldered past her.

"Put him on the island." Mrs. Vaughn said in a tone that sounded very much like her son when he took charge of a mission.

Moments later, Riley and Mei-Chen struggled to put Gabriel on the countertop. Once they finally got him laid out, Riley tore off his shirt. Her eyes couldn't help but linger over his chest and stomach. He was extremely muscular, and it was hard to tear her eyes away.

"I need alcohol, a needle, thread, towels, and bandages." Mei-Chen and Mrs. Vaughn left to find what she needed. Gabriel was starting to close his eyes.

"Gabriel, stay with me." Riley demanded, getting close to his face.

"Don't worry." Gabriel half-smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."

Riley couldn't help but smile. "You know, I think I'm supposed to be the one comforting you."

Gabriel's eyes were closing again. She had to keep him awake.

"Gabriel."

"Mm?" He groaned. "Let me sleep."

"Gabriel, look at me."

"Mm...i need to tell you something..."he mumbled, his eyes still half closed.

"Tell me when you don't have a hole in your stomach." Riley forced a smile.

Just then, Mei Chen and returned with the supplies. Once Riley cleaned the blood, she began to dig out the bullet. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mrs. Vaughn flinch every time Gabriel moaned. Once she got the bullet out, she began sewing up the hole.

"Okay. Lets get him into bed." Riley helped Mei Chen get him off the island and into what looked like his old room.

When Riley returned, she began cleaning the blood soaked kitchen. Mrs. Vaughn and Mei Chen both returned and started to scrub along side her.

-GABRIEL'S POV-

When he woke up, the wound in his side was a dull ache. Blinking, Gabriel opened his eyes and started to sit up.

"Whoa, easy there tiger. Don't sit up." A familiar voice said, and he was gently pushed into a laying down position.

"Mm. Riley." Gabriel said in a husky voice, his eyes half-closed again.

Gabriel closed his eyes fully and imagined waking up and hearing the same thing, only under very different circumstances. He opened his eyes when he felt the edge of the bed move down. Riley had come to sit on the edge of the bed.

"How do you feel?" Riley asked.

Gabriel almost didn't hear her, he was so caught up in a daydream that was almost as vivid as one of his cyber renders.

"Fine. Almost no pain." Gabriel smiled. "You make a good doctor."

"Yeah. Right." Riley rolled her eyes.

"So, has Lillian contacted us yet?" Gabriel asked.

"No, but Tetazoo has men everywhere. We need to move soon."

Gabriel tried to focus on what he was saying, but a million thoughts were running through his head. If they wanted to, they could run off to Fiji or Tahiti and never be bothered again. The chip would erase any record of them in any database. They could run off, be safe, and start a family.

"So, what did you need to tell me?" Riley said after a moment of silence. Instead of speaking, Gabriel grabbed her upper arms and pulled her into the bed next to him.

"Gabriel, what the he-" Before she could finish, Gabriel started tickling her stomach and sides.

"Gabriel! What are you doing?! Stop!" Riley squealed.

"Make me." Gabriel growled playfully.

He was now fully on top of her, his hands right above her shoulders. He looked like he was about to do a push up. Just as he was a breath away from her lips, the door opened.

"Oh my Lord!" Mrs. Vaughn gasped, nearly dropping the water she was holding. Gabriel immediately rolled off of Riley, and she sat up. "Gabriel Vaughn! You are supposed to be resting!" His mother scolded.

Riley was blushing like crazy, but she looked like she was hiding a smile. She was laughing at him, he realized. Suddenly Mei Chen appeared at the door.

"What's going on?!"

"Nothing." Riley and Gabriel said at the same time.

Riley stood and smoothed her shirt. "We need to figure out our next move."