A brief exchange with the JTF checkpoint guards allows us to park at the Base of Operations. Jay and I disembark and head inside. The exterior hasn't changed much, aside from uniform changes. National Guard troops wear OD Green t-shirts and police officers wear their short sleeve button ups.

The inside of the base shows little activity, thanks to the early hour. Jay turns to the security office, while I decide to look for Kelly. Instead, I find myself in a flashback of sorts as I stand in the middle of the Citadel.

I see what appears to be me and Jay during one of our few moments of downtime. A group of people are gathered around the piano area, with us near the center dancing to some upbeat song. A nostalgic smile creeps up as I look around, but quickly vanishes as my eyes rest near the clinic doorway. Now, I'm sitting by the door alone. Battered and beaten, covered with blood, head in my hands as I try to come to terms with the possibility of losing my best friend. Despite Faye's attempt at comforting words, I still fell asleep that night fearing the worst, shortly after nearly bursting into tears in the shower. I still sometimes see that sight of crimson water around my bare feet when I close my eyes. The third-person flashback fades as Kelly approaches from the barracks area.

"How things have changed." I think to myself.

"Sarah!" Kelly's sweet voice echoes around the cavernous room.

"Hey, Kell-oof!" I'm cut off by the Guardsman gripping me in a tight hug, which I happily return.

"It's so great to see you." She says, pulling away after a few moments. "I'm sorry I couldn't visit much...barely at all."

"Don't worry, we understand." I reply, taking another look around. "You all had quite a bit of cleaning up to do."

"So… D.C., huh?" She asks. "What's going on there?"

"No idea. Faye didn't say much, other than it's urgent. 'I'll explain when you get here.'" I say, making air quotes.

"Where's 'here'?"

"Lincoln Tunnel. So is anyone other than you coming?"

"I asked around." Kelly replies. "Upton, Finnigan and Miller are in. I talked to the Skipper, and he said go for it."

"Perfect." I rub my hands together, before Jay calls us over. Kelly and I head to the security wing where Captain Benitez greets us.

"Good to see you again, Sarah."

"You as well, Sir." We share a tight handshake.

"Jaylene says you two know about as much as I do about where you're going and why."

"Unfortunately so." I reply. "Faye's phone briefing was...well...brief."

"Some things never change, eh?" He says with a smile. "Well, I'm sure Lambert has told you she's coming along, as well as anyone who volunteers from her team."

Kelly and I nod almost in unison.

"I'm only being lenient A: Because it's the two of you, and I trust you both to take care of them, and B: Manhattan is finally returning to it's old, quiet self again. The same is true for quite a few other cities around the country… except for D.C. I suppose."

"You didn't know?"

"While it's true, there hasn't been really any communication between Washington and anybody else, for the most part we were focused on ourselves and our city. Didn't give it any thought. Hard to, given the circumstances."

"Well, hopefully we'll be able to fix that." Jay says confidently.

"I thought I heard familiar voices." Says someone off to the side. I turn to see Dr. Jessica Kandel in the doorway to the office.

"Guess who dropped by, Doc." Benitez announces, gesturing to us.

"Agents, stop by the clinic when you get a moment." Dr. Kandel says. "I believe I still owe you both something." She quickly leaves us with the Captain again.

"Well, you three best get a move on." He says, looking to me. "It's good to see you both still kicking. Fix whatever's broken, and bring everyone back in one piece."

"Will do, Sir." I reply sharply.

While Kelly leaves to check on her team, Jay and I head for the clinic.

"There it is again." I say to myself.

Another flashback. This time, at Jay's bedside. The exact moment I kissed her for the first time. On the head, anyway.

"Good, you're here." Dr. Kandel's voice snaps me back. She reaches into the bottom of one of the nearby cabinets, returning with two bottles of wine.

"I at least try to keep my promises." She says somewhat sheepishly. Jay picks up a bottle, reading the label.

"Oliver Cherry Moscato?" She asks.

"In English," Jessica explains, "It's light and sweet. Not heavy and overpowering like some wines. This is one of my favorites. I think you'll like it, too."

I pick up the other bottle, rolling it in my hands a few times.

"Thank you, Doctor." I say with a nod.

"One for each of you." She says with a grin. "I can easily finish two by myself. I'm not sure if you'll find Gin and cranberry juice wherever you're going, but I recommend looking around. I have a bit of a weakness to Cherry Chirps. Mixed or on it's own, it's best ice cold."

"We'll definitely keep an eye out." Says Jay, tucking her bottle under her arm. I shoot a glance towards the counseling area to see that Dr. Mercer is absent.

"Is Dr. Mercer still here?" I ask.

"Oh of course. But he's not a night owl like us. Want to leave a message for him?" Jessica asks politely.

"Tell him, "Jaylene and Sarah are doing well, and thank you for the advice."" I say, shooting Jay a smile.