Whisper of the Heart

"If you gave someone your heart and they died, did they take it with them? Did you spend the rest of forever with a hole inside you that couldn't be filled?"

― Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes

It was freezing cold when Root woke up that Friday morning. Noticing Shaw's absence, she whimpered and rolled on her side, pulling Shaw's pillow to her chest.

Sameen.

It wasn't like Shaw to disappear on her, at least not now. Not after the "War of Gods", as she had so delightedly called it. There were some casualties of war. Shaw was broken and Root was dying...well at least until she could find a suitable donor.

And that donor just pulled up in Root's ear via the Machine.

"You contacted the donor? A healthy heart, I feel like you're spoiling me….No, she doesn't need to know yet. Speaking of, where did she go?" Root sat up a little too quickly at the Machine's response causing her to feel lightheaded. "Tomas? Why the hell is she with him?"

Growling, Root ignored the nausea that had suddenly settled in her empty stomach and reached for her phone, dialing Shaw. It didn't normally take her so long to answer her phone. Finally Shaw's voice chimed in, "Yeah?"

Trying to sound as unaffected by the situation as possible, Root let out a sigh of relief. "Shaw, why are you with Tomas?"

"He needed my help with something."

"With something? What kind of something?"

"Relax it's just a simple diamond heist. I'm bored, Root, I need to feel like myself again. I just need to do this, okay?"

Relaxing a bit and biting back bile, Root took a nervous gasp of air. "I, uh, I've got a number in upstate New York. It's a personal number so I thought you could come?

"I'll catch up with you later. You can handle it right, Root?"

Root looked down as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. She could hear someone laugh in the background and say something to Shaw. "I'm...dying, Sameen."

"Huh, what was that?"

"Nothing, never mind, I can handle it. I'll have Her forward the information, in case you have the time."

"Okay, yeah, yeah, see you later."

Root sighed as she heard the click and put her phone down. "It's okay, I can handle it alone," she grumbled to the Machine, "Just let her do what she wants and make sure you forward the information to her, please."

Root sighed one last time before proceeding to get ready for her journey. She just had one stop to make before she was ready for the long drive.

Root made her way into the subway, eager to pick up a few supplies before heading out. Finch looked up from his seat and let out a sigh of relief, "Ms. Groves, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Hey, Harry, just picking up some supplies, I got a-"

"We know Ms. Groves."

Falling silent, Root's smile faltered, "Nothing to worry about, Harry."

"You're taking Ms. Shaw with you at least?"

"She's busy with Tomas," Root said his name with such disdain, "She'll be around when she feels like it."

"Are you sure you don't Mr. Reese or I to go with you?"

"That's alright, but I'll take Bear if you don't mind?"

Bear perked up at the sound of his name and whined, as he looked between Harold and Root.

"I suppose. Are you going to be in any condition to handle him? I mean, after your procedure?"

"We'll be fine, Harry. It's just a heart transplant. Now you guys can't say I'm heartless," Root giggled as she swung a bag of guns and ammo over her shoulder.

"I don't recall heart transplants needing guns, Ms. Groves."

"Just a precaution, Harry. You never know in this day and age. -girl could get mugged," Root smiled and patted her leg, "Komm, Bear."

Bear eagerly trotted up to her, wagging his tail. He sat as she snapped his leash to his collar.

"I really wish you'd have John or I go with you," Finch searched her face and saw a flicker of hesitance.

Resolving herself, Root tugged on Bear's leash, "I appreciate the offer but if I can't handle this, I can't handle our future enemies. If I can't do this then I can't protect you guys, if the need should ever arise."

"Root, you single handedly helped bring Samaritan down, don't sell yourself short. Besides, you don't have to handle this all on your own. This isn't your burden."

Root smiled weakly, "I really should be going The fatigue is getting worse, Harry, and I have a long drive."

"I'll make sure to send Ms. Shaw along after."

Tightening the hold on her bag and looking back at him, she adds, "Thank you, Harry."

Ready to face her journey not entirely alone she and Bear walked out into the autumn day. Pausing she smiled down at him.

Bear's presence should make this a little less nerving…..please hurry Sameen. I can't do this without you.