A/N: Well I wasn't planning on updating this early, but I'm in a good mood, an extremely good mood with school having been closed today an early no homework weekend. Almost a foot of snow in February in Texas this is very exciting and pleasing for me. So I present the second chapter of Dreamless Wake.

Chapter 2: Believe It or Not

Zach…Zachary Goode…age twentyish.

He was watching me while leaning against the corner on the left side of me. A towel was draped across his neck and his hair was dripping wet from a recent shower, probably. He had on a loose white shirt, dark jeans, and a gold wedding band. His eyes were heavily guarded and he was waiting for…something.

I took a step back towards the wall, farther away from him. Relax Cameron this is only a dream, even if it does feel real.

But dream or no dream I was still standing in a room wearing only a light, really light, sheet with Zachary Goode watching me closely, too closely.

"STAY BACK!" I shout at him. Because really what else is there to say. One hand is reaching behind me feeling the vase I had seen only moments before. It was my only weapon and it was all I needed.

There was hurt in Zach's eyes that made me falter on grasping the vase. He looked…well, I never thought I would see that look from Zachary Goode, from any guy really. A lump caught in my throat that I couldn't help.

Then he laughed, but it wasn't a normal laugh it was a pathetic sounding laugh. "Well, we knew it would be bad and we knew it would be coming." He kept his eyes on me as he ran a hand through his glistening hair.

"What are you talking about?" I ask keeping a tight grip on the sheet and vase. My voice stays firm and tough and I try to keep from revealing how helpless I feel at the moment.

He takes in a deep breath. "Cammie you need to put down the vase and then I'll tell you exactly what is happening." He took a few steps forward.

I flash the vase in front of me. I wasn't about to let the vase go even when it was Zach, older Zach. Actually I wasn't going to let this vase go because this was Zach, I had no clothes on, and I had no clue where I was and what was going on.

It's a dream. You can't hurt anyone in a dream. He can't hurt you. Just try to wake up. This isn't real.

"Do not come any closer, Zach, or I swear I'll knock you out with it. Don't test me," I warn him through gritted teeth. I try to look tough and not vulnerable, which was hard considering I was only in a sheet that I was gripping onto for dear life.

"Cammie," Zach said, dropping his voice an octave. "Cammie, please place the vase back down. It's only me." I shake my head still he takes another step forward. "You don't want to do this Cammie. You're just confused and…scared." He takes another step. "All I want to do is talk. I can explain ever…"

I don't let him finish he's already taken too many steps. He had been trying to distract me and had done a poor job at it.

I swing the vase at him with full force. The vase smashes into pieces against the wall as he amazingly dodges. I expect to see him mad, angry but his face remains calm. And now he's closer to me than ever. I take another swing at him with a bare fist which this time he isn't able to miss and make a dash for the room he came out of and just as I enter I freeze.

Pictures. Pictures of me and him and our friends. Pictures from graduation. Pictures that turn everything upside down but one in particular.

One that was placed directly on the mantle over the fireplace that is a picture of a beautiful wedding with a familiar bride and groom. This can't be this has to be a dream.

"I should have anticipated that," I heard Zach say from behind me. I tense because I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. How did I not hear him? How was I not paying attention? "Cam, I know that this makes no sense to you and that you're only confused and frightened. But listen to me I'm not going to hurt you. I am your husband , this is our home, and if you let me I can tell you exactly why you can't remember anything for the last seven years."

Seven years. Twenty-four.

I turn around to face him hands clutched in tight fists. He looks calm and patient and waits for me to respond. "I'm…your saying I'm twenty-four." He nods. "And that we're married and live here together." He nods again. "Then why am I only wearing an engagement ring and don't give me an excuse saying that two wedding bands were too expensive."

It was an odd thing to state but it seems to put a hole in what he is saying, a hole that might tear his story to pieces which was what I wanted desperately. Only he smiles and takes my left hand that's clutched to my side before I can react.

"They took it," he said as a simple fact starring down at the one engagement ring. "I mean, the director will say it's because you lost it on the mission, but that's a lie. You told me it was a lie when you still could." He was shaking his head at the thought.

"A lie?" I ask. "The director?" An uncontrollable shiver goes up my spine and I forget all about Zach holding my hand.

"Yes, the director, Mr. Jacobson." He says the name viciously and a dark look passes across his face. It's gone as soon as he looks at me it's replaced with a much cooler, calmer look. "He's the reason why you're in this state. He's the reason your memory of the last seven years is gone."

Maybe this isn't a dream; maybe what Zach is saying is true. It doesn't seem to be a lie when I look into his eyes. His caring…No, I can't think like that. I cannot allow myself to think like that this could all be a trap he set up.

The pictures, all the pictures could be photo shopped. I've seen them do that before. And Zach…Zach could be the reason I don't remember anything. Seven years may have gone by that I don't remember and it's all because of him because he doesn't want me to remember for a reason.

He drops my hand. "I know you don't believe me. I can tell by the look in your eyes, but I have something to show you and maybe it will help you believe me." He walked past me towards the television in the room.

This was my chance, my perfect chance to run. His back was turned and he was completely vulnerable. I could really knock him out this time.

But, no, I stood there I just stood there too shocked to do anything. Only able to move once he was back on his feet.

He had placed a video in the DVR and was pressing play, stepping away from the television in the process.

The next image I saw was me, looking the same age I did at the moment, starring straight at the screen.

"Hi…well, hi myself. Gosh, this is really weird," I start off nervously and laugh awkwardly to fill in space. "Well if Zach has put this in it means either I'm being a good spy and not believing a word he says or that I've tied him up and threatening to kill him and this is his last resort."

"That is not going to happen," a voice, Zach's voice, replies in response on the tape.

I nod, looking smug. "Hmm, you hope because if the second happens then you're in trouble. A spy who hasn't even graduated high school is taking you down."

"A spy that doesn't have the memory."

"Right," I agree looking more somber instead of smug. "Which is exactly why I'm making this. Cammie, myself you have to trust in what Zach,"-a smile passes across my face-, "has to tell you. What I can say right now is that you cannot under any circumstances trust the director, Mr. Jacobson, or for that matter anyone who works close to him. Whatever comes from his mouth is an outright lie. He'll try to cover everything up, which is how you, I, ended up in this situation. I knew too much, but luckily I'm too valuable of a spy so I'm losing only the memory that puts them at risk instead of my life. The problem they over-looked was that I've been able to get to my friends first before I'm about to forget everything."

Noises sounded from a hall somewhat close by as my attention is inverted.

"Which is all I can say and I need to get back before they realize I'm gone." I turn to look back at the camera but it seems I'm looking past it or maybe over it. "I need to go, Zach, before I'm not the only one who has to worry about this."

The image on the screen starts to shake as the camera is set down, slanted on its side.

Zach appears in front taking a seat down next to me on the couch. "Are you sure you have to stay here?" he asks.

I'm nodding vaguely, tears in my eye. "I'm not going to remember you by tomorrow, not in the way I do now. I don't see how this is going to work out."

"Hey, Cammie, look at me." His voice is forceful but gentle. He tilts my chin up with one finger. "I'm not leaving you. It will work out."

"Zach." My voice sounds hoarse and raw. Suddenly I have the strong urgency not to watch, it seems all too personal even if it is me. "I'm going to lose so much of my memory. I'm not going to be in love with you. Everything you've done is going to be gone in my mind. You're going to be on your own. I won't be there anymore."

"Don't say that, it's a lie." Zach's voice takes on an edge I haven't heard before. "You may forget everything but you will still be there. Even if it isn't seven years, if it turns into your whole life, you will still be there. You'll act different, you'll think different but it will still be you." Tears stream down my face as I break into a smile. "I'm in love with you, Cammie, you. I'll make this work even by myself and even if I have to I'll make you fall in love with me all over again. It will work out I'll make sure of it." He sounds and looks determined.

"Good luck with that, you know how stubborn I can get."

Zach gave off a dramatic eye roll. "Do I ever."

I slap him lightly across the shoulder. There's silence only starring now as voices float from the outside. These sound far away though. Soon we're kissing and it becomes all too strange to watch that I look down at my feet.

"Maybe…maybe I can get out tonight." I look back up to the screen to see that we're mere inches from each other faces.

"You can?" Zach asks his voice sounding cheerful.

I lean back taking in a long look at him, nodding. "But you have to make sure I get here in time Zach. It's your responsibility because…well, I won't remember." The far away sound doesn't sound so far away any longer. My shoulders hunch and I sit up taller, eyes wide and alert. "I have to go. I'll come back when I can, but if this is going to work…"

"I'll have to get you back in time." We're both standing and then we're both disappearing from the screen going in opposite directions. The television becomes blank.

My legs don't feel solid anymore, the room spins around me. I practically fall on top of the nearby coffee table. My breathing becomes hitched.

Zach has come around me looking at me concerned.

"I believe you…I think I believe you."

His fingers graze my cheek and I feel heat coming into them before I can stop it. "I was hoping you would, but I guess it will take more time." He looks down seeming to take notice at my lack of clothes. I hold the sheets tighter. "I can show you your closet now…and the bathroom." He holds out his hand for me to stand and the strangest, outrageous thought pops into my head.

Madame Dabney would be proud.

A/N: Was it good? Did you hate it? Confusion? Shock? Review.