A/N: And, guess who is back! I know a lot of you were looking forward to his fic, so I want to thank you for your interest and sweet messages. For those of you who are new here, this fic is the sequel to my other fic "The Hours In Between." While this can be read alone, I recommend you read the other to pick up on the small inside jokes/references. So, here's chapter 1 to start out nice and easy. Hope you enjoy!~


It was warmer than it had been in quite awhile. Saeyoung relished in the breeze that whipped his hair back as he sped down the open road. The salty air from the seaside mingled with the sweet remnants of breakfast on his taste buds. If the unsettling knot in his stomach were to disappear, then he might feel as if he were on a holiday.

"Saeyoung, it says it picked up another trace."

MC's sweet voice carried over the wind to his ears. She had gotten into the habit of using his real name now…but no matter how many times she said it, his heart flipped in his chest at each syllable. Just the fact of having her there made him dizzy. Sometimes, he still wondered if it was real. Sometimes, he found himself reaching out for her, just to make sure she was actually there. They were really searching for his brother together. This was his new reality.

With a soft sigh, he pulled the car off the road. It was still fairly early in the morning, and the road was mostly abandoned anyway. He took the computer from her lap and stepped out of the car. "You can stretch your legs if you want," he said. "I'll need some time to analyze this."

Unsurprisingly, she took his offer. He glanced up at her every few seconds as he ran his program. Since the days in Rika's apartment, she had less of a tendency to wander off, but watching her had been a habit he had developed when he guarded her through the CCTV.

"He's close-by," Saeyoung said. "That means Vanderwood took my message seriously. He's coming towards the meeting place."

MC joined his side, leaning slightly against the car. She peered over his shoulder to see the traces that marked their own route and Vanderwood's route. "They won't be coming alone, will they?"

He chewed on his bottom lip. "No," he replied. "If we're lucky, my boss will keep his distance. But…I doubt it."

"How high up the ladder were you in the agency?" she asked.

He gave a small shrug. If he was being honest, he ticked off a lot of people when he joined the agency, simply because he managed to get in without conditioning and without the years of training the others went through. He had a lot of enemies probably volunteering for the chance to kill him.

Her eyes searched his face, but he tried not to let his fear show. He forced a smile and set the computer down to continue its diagnostics. "You should enjoy the view while we're here," he said, casually throwing an arm around her shoulder. "We'll be moving again in a few minutes."

She leaned into him, her arms snaking around his middle. "When this is all over," she muttered. "We should come back."

"Oh, but I might get sunburned," Saeyoung whined. "Or get a weird tan. See my hair? I'll look like a tomato or a potato with ketchup."

He felt her vibrate against him as she laughed silently. "Bring sunscreen," she said.

"Honey, you're so cruel," he gasped.

"It'll be fun," she went on. "The water will be warm by then. We don't even have to go deep. We'll just walk along it. As long as you don't decide to push me in, you'll stay alive."

It was his turn to laugh. They fell into a comfortable silence for a few moments before his computer once again alerted him of another trace from Vanderwood. He made the adjustments to the route quickly. His old comrade was predictable as ever…which was why Saeyoung prayed he would take the offer.

He and MC returned to their respective sides of the car. He started the car. "This should be our last long drive," he said. "They're very close now."

"We'll need a plan," MC pointed out.

He nodded. His eyes fell onto the glove compartment. "MC," he hesitated. He pointed to the compartment with a jerk of his chin. "Open it."

She gave him an odd look but obeyed. She froze for a few moments before she reached out with trembling fingers. She didn't pull the gun out of its place, but Saeyoung knew she understood what he meant. "Take it out," he instructed, while he reached underneath this seat. He pulled out a pack of extra bullets.

MC barely lifted the weapon, holding it in between her fingers as if it were a poisonous object. He took it from her and loaded it. He grabbed her wrist and placed the handle firmly in her open palm.

"S-Saeyoung, I can't," she said with a nervous chuckle. "Besides, you'll be there and—"

"I might not be," he interrupted. "If anything happens, I want you to use it."

"Nothing is going to happen," she said. She tried pulling away, but he kept his grip.

"MC, this isn't just Vanderwood," Saeyoung said, looking her straight in the eye. "This is the agency. They won't have mercy like you might. So, please…"

She clenched her teeth. "I can't. I could never shoot someone."

With an exasperated sigh, he grabbed her shoulders. "MC, please understand. I don't care what happens to me as long as you're safe. I need-" he shut his eyes, his emotions suddenly welling up inside him. He took a few moments to steady himself before once again looking her in the eyes. "I need to always know you're alive. Even if we're separated, I can find you. But I need you alive."

She hit his shoulder hard. "And you think I don't need you, dummy?" she snapped, her voice wavering. She hit him again, and Saeyoung had to resist the urge to pull her out of her seat and into his arms. She was usually calm and collected. He knew he pushed her limits when she grew passionate. "If you think I would just leave you behind, you're—you're—"

He pressed his lips her forehead. "MC," he mumbled against her skin. "For me. Promise if anything happens, you'll use it."

He waited, listening to her sharp breaths. Finally, she pushed herself away and nodded. She slipped the gun in between her seat and armrest. Then, she turned her whole body so that she was facing him. "But if anything happens, Saeyoung Choi, I will use the gun to get to you. So don't you dare pull any heroics on me."

He gave her a soft smile. "Yes, ma'am," he saluted before pulling the car back onto the road.

As they continued driving, Saeyoung gave her the details of what would most likely occur. She listened patiently, asking questions here and there. When he was done, he glanced over at her. Her brows were furrowed, and she chewed on her already worn-down bottom lip. "What's worrying you?"

MC inhaled sharply and leaned back in her seat. "I have an idea. I think it'll work."

Saeyoung scratched his cheek. He couldn't deny she was a good strategist. She was the one who found the seaside route in the first place…one he had missed completely in his research. Besides that, she could predict people better than him. "Yeah? What is it?"

She let out a dry laugh. "You're not going to like it."

"Oh, gosh," he groaned. He had a feeling that she intended to get way more involved than he would've liked. But, more likely than not, it would be better than anything he could come up with. So, he resigned himself to her brilliance and their attempt at a new beginning.

"Okay, what's your plan?"


A/N: Hope it was worth the wait! Let me know what you think.

For the most part, my updating schedule will differ a bit from my previous fic. The secret ends are a bit heavier in terms of content and also plot, so bear with me. I'll most likely update once a week instead of every few days, and always between friday-sunday, so keep an eye out! Anything in between the week is when I have bursts of inspiration ^_^ I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'll post the next part soon, since it's already done and edited.