I feel the sun warm my face as I break through the unconsciousness. I open my eyes to my warm cream colored bedroom; the sun is breaking through the curtains, lightening the space. I turn over to find a small note folded on my bedside table. The note is from Nash, and by the looks of the scrawl, he was in a hurry: Lauren, HQ called this morning, I'm on a small mission. It shouldn't take long. I hope you had sweet dreams, I'll be back soon. Love, Nash. My heart beats faster. There is never a "small" mission, the people in this line of work know that every mission is life or death, always dangerous, and there is always a chance someone won't make it home. I fell anxiety envelope me; I just got Nash back, I don't want to lose him. But, this is what I get for being a spy, you never know what will happen, you just have to hope for the best and do what is planned.

I make my way into the bathroom. It's my day off, so I might as well not waste the day in bed. The shower relaxes my body, slowly loosening each muscle, but my mind is still on Nash. I try to concentrate on everything I can; brushing my teeth, drying my hair, applying my make-up, but nothing keeps my mind off of Nash for longer than a few minutes. I dress in my favorite dark-wash jeans, and one of Nash's old school hoodies. I feel the stress get to me as I make my way into the kitchen for coffee. The smell of coffee beans sooths my mind. I look out the window to see the bright sun shine on the amber colored leaves, and brighten the mountain tops.

The coffee warms my insides as I relax on one of the wicker chairs on our 2-story balcony. The leaves are changing colors; some have even fallen off the limbs. I look around at the beautiful Colorado mountain view as I sip my coffee." I wonder what mission Nash is on," I find myself thinking in this peaceful space, "I hope he's okay." Suddenly, a chilly breeze breaks me of my immersive thoughts. A horrid feeling over comes me, as goose bumps form on my arms. "Something is wrong," I know it in the pit of my stomach. "Nash." I look into the sky; trying to tell myself everything is okay, looking for a sign in the clouds. I grab my mug as I walk back inside. Walking down the stairs I hear the door opening.

"Hello? Anyone home," Nash's deep voice floats up the stairs.

"Nash," I practically yell as I race down the stairs, happy to hear his voice, to know that my worries were pointless a few moments ago. I run to him and take my place in his arms.

"Hello, beautiful," Nash murmurs in my ear as he spins me around in his strong embrace. I feel myself melting away the stress and worry. But too soon, the hug is over. Nash places me back on my feet, but still holds me in his arms. I look up into his deep brown eyes, and fall in love all over again.

"So how was your day off," Nash says looking down at me.

"Oh, it was fine. Nothing really happened. So how was your mission? Did everything go okay," I ask nonchalantly, but still worried on the inside.

"Oh. It was fine," he says, but I know him too well to believe that tone of voice. I look at him, and he breaks eye contact with me. "Yes something is defiantly wrong," I say to myself.

"Nash, you're not telling me something. What is it," I ask as that uneasy feeling I had on the balcony comes back again.

"Lauren, nothing's wrong. What makes you think that," he says while letting me go and moving to the kitchen fridge.

"Nash, I've known you long enough to know when something is wrong. You won't look me in the eyes, and your voice is off when you say nothing is wrong. I'm a spy as well as you. You can't seriously believe you can keep something from me."

Nash takes a deep breath and sighs as he closes the fridge after grabbing a bottle of water. He looks up at me, and his face is emotionless. I hate when he has that look, there isn't a trace of the happiness I love about his personality. My stomach drops ten feet as I look at that expression.

"Okay. Lauren, after going back to HQ from my mission, I got called to the head office. I had no idea what I was in store for, but apparently HQ had something majorly important. I went into the head office to see the panel of agents looking down solemnly at me. Apparently, they've been tracking this group of dangerous people."

"What about these dangerous people?"

"The group has been around for years, but they aren't very prone to attention. They are almost never on the radar, but they've made an appearance. Lauren, the panel has information that makes us believe that this group is after you."

"Oh," I mumble as realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Nash rushes over to me, grabs me around the shoulders, and whispers in my ear.

"Lauren, you have no need to worry. HQ has entitled me as your security detail. You know I will keep you safe. I won't let anything hurt you, nothing."

"Nash," I push away and walk to the window, "I knew something was off today, but what if Nash gets hurt to safe me? I could never live with myself."

"Nash, what does this mean exactly? What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?"

"Lauren, it means I'm going to be with you all day, every day until this situation is under control. HQ told me that you are to stay in town, unless our cover is compromised, or if they have knowledge that says we're in danger. You're safe with me, I promise."

I can feel him looking at me. I look up at him, and I know by the look on his face, he can see the fear I'm feeling even when I won't admit it out loud. I look away, back out the window, as he pulls me into another embrace.

"I'll keep you safe," Nash mumbles in my ear.

I pull my head back, "I know you'll keep me safe. But how will we know if it's not safe here anymore?"

"HQ will contact us, and have a team of rescue helicopters sent here to take us away to a more secure location."

I nod, and rest my head on his chest. I can hear his heart beat; steady and even. Nothing in this life is ever easy; I just hope we make it through this.