June:

Day… Daniel had stared at me with such wonder in his eyes, I was sure for a second he remembered everything about me. It took me a minute to realize what his eyes had been missing: the pain and torment and grief I had caused. It had been my fault that he was broken all those years ago, my fault. The image of him crying in what was left of his house sprung to my mind, and I needed to get away from him. To stay out of his life. Forever. I had assured myself I would never see him again, and if I did see him I would say nothing. But despite this promise to myself I did say something, I had responded to him and introduced myself. He remembered a little, I could tell. And in the moment I pictured him crying, I knew I had to get away. I had to leave him alone, let him continue living his new life without me. If it broke my heart, so what? At least Day wouldn't get hurt.

So in that moment in the middle of the street, as he was shaking my hand, I pulled away. I lowered my eyes to the ground, not wanting to bear his reaction. "I-I have to go. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry about everything." My heart twinged with sadness at the thought of having to say goodbye without actually saying goodbye one more time.

I pulled myself out of the memory and turned my back to Day. Daniel, now. As I took a step forward and try to regain my composure, I was shocked when Eden, five paces behind Day, called, "Wait! You'll still go to Tess's for dinner, right?"

I knew what he was thinking. He wanted Day and I to reconnect, after all these years. But why? I just shrugged it off, knowing it wouldn't matter.

"Of course," I lied. I wouldn't come. I'd fake being sick, or maybe fly out of the city tonight and go anywhere but Tess's. Anywhere but back on the path of hurting Daniel.

For a split second I turned and looked into Day's eyes, where his brilliant blue eyes were unfocused. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes moved back and forth over my face as if trying to read it. His mouth was pressed into a firm line, something he used to do when he was concentrating really hard on something.

This is goodbye, forever, I had thought. My eyes flicked to Eden, who was trying to give us space. He gave me a sad smile, as if he knew I was lying. Eden opened his mouth as if to say something, but I walked away before I could hear it.

So here I am, slowly wandering back to Ruby sector, to my apartment where I have lived alone since Ollie died. For possibly the first time in my life, I ignore what I've been trained to notice. I stop counting distance between buildings, stop noting the people and their clothes and appearances, I stop counting the minutes it has been since I saw Day. God, meeting him again messed with my mind. I have no choice but to fold in on myself, emptying my mind and my heart so I won't feel the pain of walking away. I am numb.

Eventually I make it back to my apartment, and open the door. But something stops me. A slight noise behind me powers on all of my senses again as my training kicks in. Someone is behind me. How did I not notice them following me? I silently scold myself, and pretend to fiddle with the handle to have an extra three seconds to think.

This has to be an enemy. The only people who would trail me would be someone either attempting to harm me or someone spying on me. Either way, I need to find out why.

I turn and quickly glide to the side at the same time, using surprise to my advantage. The first impression I have of the person is that it's a male, and he's tall and muscular. In two seconds I have his arm pulled behind his back tightly and have forced him to his knees. "What-"

My vision tunnels. All I see is shoulder-length blond hair, and I can't breathe. "Da-Daniel" I murmur, tripping over his name as I almost call him Day.

He laughs. And my heart flutters in my chest. I instantly let him go, and he slowly stands and turns to face me with his hands out in an appeasing gesture.

I step backwards until my back hits the closed door. "What are you doing here?" I tried to make the words sound harsh and strict. In his eyes, all he knows is that I'm friends with Tess. And because of my Republic uniform, that I'm an agent. So I have to act my position of power, but I fail miserably. The words come out shaky and… sad.

I finally meet his eyes, and I see something I never believed I'd see.

"June."

Recognition.

I breathe in sharply and my eyes widen. "Daniel, what are you doing here? Did you- did you follow me?"

Day takes two long strides forward, wraps his arms around my back, and presses his lips against mine. I blink in shock, not even closing my eyes. My hands reach up to wrap around his neck without me thinking about it; their place when we kissed over a decade ago.

I finally break away gasping for air, but Day doesn't pull all the way back. He rests his forehead against mine, staring into my eyes. I feel his breath hot against my lips.

"You know that I'm not Daniel. My name is Day. To you, sweetheart, I will always be Day. I remember."

The way Day looks at me now is the same way he looked at me the day I was almost killed by Commander Jameson, when we met in the hospital before I found out I was Patient Zero. God, how long ago even was that? His eyes are full of emotion: of concern, of fear, of excitement, of passion, of love. He's returned to me.