"Take as long as you need." Charlie said as Stella stepped out of the car, "I'll be right here." He said softly and snuck in a half smile whilst he leaned back on the front of the car and watched her walk in. She could feel his gaze on her as she strolled through the cemetery but that didn't bother her at this stage. She was trying to think about what to say to Michael, and keep him updated on what's going on. She froze when she saw "Michael Sandrelli" on the corner of her eye. She slowly walked towards the gravestone, went down on her knees and turned of her wire. "Hey Mike, it's me," she began, "I just wanted to let you know what's been going on around here lately." She took a deep breath before continuing,

"It's been pretty hectic. There was a massive bomb that some Russian psychopath called the 'Cuckoo' wanted to use to blow up thousands of innocent people, and then there was something to do with Korea and some Doomsday cult shit. But we stopped the Cuckoo, well actually Charlie shot him, and Josh stopped the bomb. Josh typed in a number combination that Lawson gave him, and if the number didn't work the bomb would've blown up. So that was a pretty ballsy move by him." She paused and took a few more deep breaths, trying to keep her composure.

"Shannon and Lawson are going well, I reckon they'll be getting married soon. I'll let you know when they do. Christian is same old Christian with his religious crap. Josh has been fearless since you've been up there. Nothing bothers him anymore. But not me – " Her body finally gave in as her lungs slightly choked on the cold air.

"Some days I find this easier than others. It's just not the same without you." She clenched her fists as the tears flowed like a waterfall down her cheeks. She thought she had already let it all out before but that obviously wasn't the case. The toxicity burning in her veins reached boiling point.

She looked up to see Charlie walking towards her. She closed her eyes, "Far out," she thought; she really couldn't be bothered listening to whatever it was he was going to say. But she didn't care about anything - nothing mattered anymore.

To her surprise, when he knelt down beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder, he said nothing. His touch was gentle although the look on his eyes didn't suggest so. They looked angry and hurt and being where he was right now wasn't doing him any favours either. To his surprise, Stella placed her hand on top of his on her shoulder. He thought she was trying to brush it off, but she gripped it as though her life depended it.

He squeezed her hand before letting go, "C'mon, let's get out of here." He whispered before he stood up and started to walk back to the car. The piercing sounds of Stella's pain made him turn around. She stood up, and through her tears she desperately looked into his eyes, "I can't do this anymore."

"Yes, you can..." He said softly.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" She roared each word between every sob.

"I do, Stel. Please calm down."

"NO, YOU DON'T!" She turned her back on him and kicked rocks along the ground in frustration. She was losing her mind and Charlie was beginning to feel powerless. He slowly walked towards her, "You will get through this. It gets easier." His voice was merely louder than a whisper. "It's okay to feel like this."

When she didn't respond, he took a few steps closer. He swallowed apprehensively, worried about what might happen next, before walking to face her front on. She turned away, not wanting him to see her in the state that she was. Her energy was rubbing off on him and as every second passed his blood was also slowly feeling toxic. Impulsively, he reached out to put his right hand on top of her elbow. This time she yanked his hand away. "Don't…please…" she pleaded as she turned her head away from him again. She felt weak at the knees. It was all too much.

"You're not alone this time, Stel"

She broke down at the sound of her name. Within that moment, he pulled her closer to him and embraced her gently. When she didn't resist, he closed his eyes and placed his head on top of hers.

Kerry answered the phone, anticipating on good news.

"This information better be good." She continued listening, "Okay." She shook her head in disbelief. "Shit."

"What's wrong Kerry?" asked Leon.

"They've got another bomb."

Leon momentarily froze in shock, before he slanted his head on the wall. Kerry needed to alert the team and get them back to base instantly.

"Hey everyone, just got some ah, important news and I need you all back at base immediately."

"Yep, we're on our way Kerry." Replied Lawson.

"Charlie, did you get that?" Kerry's voice filled the air, "Charlie, do you read me? Hello?"

His eyes flashed open and he turned off his wire. Whatever Kerry wanted didn't matter right now. That could wait.

Stella's breathing was slowing down and she was beginning to relax. Without a second thought, Charlie planted a kiss on top of her head and let go of her. He turned around and walked back to the car, deliberately avoiding eye contact. Stella followed him shortly after and jumped into the passenger seat.

"Charlie, where the bloody hell are you?" Kerry's voice growled from Stella's mic.

Stella looked up at Charlie, who obviously had no intention to respond to Kerry. "Yeah we're coming Kerry." Stella replied.

"Now you decided to respond? Tell Charlie to put his wire on, will ya?"

"Alright."

She gave him one quick glance then looked out the window. She knew that something was playing around in his mind. His face was unusually expressionless, deeply lost in his thoughts. They sat in silence the entire trip back to base.