Root woke roughly an hour before Shaw. Shaw, she realised, must have been exhausted from the fight against Samaritan. Seeing how tired Shaw was made Root start to feel guilty for all the sleep she'd gotten over the past few days. She wished she could have been out there fighting as well instead of stuck in this safe house, but she also knew there was no point dwelling on that. The fight was over, and Shaw was safe now. That was all that mattered.

As Root lay there watching Shaw sleep, she noticed how peaceful Shaw looked now that she was sleeping. It must have been the first time in months that she'd been able to rest without fear of Samaritan. Root didn't even want to consider how little rest Shaw must have gotten during her torture. She realised now that she'd had to fake her death so quickly after Shaw's return that they'd never properly had the chance to discuss it.

Things were different now, though. Samaritan was gone, The Machine was free, and they were safe. Sure, they'd still get numbers, but at least now they'd have some more time. Time to talk about everything that's happened; time to be together; maybe even time for a proper relationship, if that was what Shaw wanted.

The Machine began to chatter in Root's ear, interrupting her train of thoughts. "Really?" She asked, grabbing a notepad from the counter beside her so she could scribble down the new number. "Can't I just have at least one day with her?" The Machine's lack of response gave her the answer. Clearly they wouldn't be having as much free time as she'd hoped.

Grumbling was followed by shuffling and a second later Shaw had rolled over to face Root. "What time is it?" She groaned.

"Just coming up to nine," replied Root as Shaw pushed herself upright so they were now sitting next to each other.

"That's late," said Shaw, resting her head on Root's shoulder. "You should have woken me earlier."

Root smiled. "You needed the rest. Besides, last night left us both pretty worn out."

"I guess it did," replied Shaw, wrapping her arms around Root. She glanced down and noticed the notebook still in Root's hand. "New number?".

Root returned the pad to the counter. "Yeah," she answered. "But we don't need to worry about it right now." Root began planting kisses on Shaw's neck, to which she let out a small moan of appreciation.

"As much as I'd like to stay here with you and continue this," said Shaw, causing Root to stop abruptly, "we can't ignore the numbers."

"I know," replied Root, sitting up again. She pushed a few stray strands of hair behind Shaw's ear. "We don't have to go right now." Shaw rolled her eyes, but kissed her anyway.

They stayed in bed for at least another hour. Root's arms were wrapped around Shaw, holding her from behind. "This is nice," she said, nuzzling the back of Shaw's neck. "I could get used to this."

Shaw sighed, and rolled herself over to face Root. Root could see she was troubled and began to worry she'd spoken too soon.

Shaw seemed distant as she spoke. "Root, I really want to do this for real, but to be honest I'm still not… right. Samaritan got in my head and messed me up pretty bad. I don't want to start something if I'm still a danger. It wouldn't be fair."

Root frowned. "I thought, after I died, you'd got passed that."

"I did, mostly." Shaw sighed, like she was struggling to put the issue into words. "Look, I know this isn't a simulation and for the most part I've been fine. It's just…"

Shaw trailed off, and Root gave a comforting smile. "What is it sweetie? If you explain it to me I can help you."

Shaw began to explain, but she avoided eye contact as she spoke. "Sometimes, at night, I see the images they put in my brain and just for a moment it's like I'm being controlled again." Shaw paused for a moment and finally looked at Root. "So far it's been fine because I've been alone, but if we keep doing this I don't know if I might hurt you." Shaw's voice was trembling as she finished speaking and Root hated seeing her so afraid of herself and what she might do.

Root took Shaw's hand in her own and gave a reassuring squeeze. "I know you won't," she said as confidently as she could.

Shaw shook her head. "You don't know that. How can you be so sure?"

"You told me yourself," replied Root flatly. "Seven thousand simulations and in every single one you killed yourself instead of me. That's how I know."

Shaw seemed to consider for a moment. Root could see she was getting through to her, but it was also clear she still wasn't entirely convinced. "Sameen," she said, drawing Shaw's attention back to her. "I've loved you for a long time now and if you didn't want to be together I'd respect that. But you've just told me that you do and I've nearly lost you twice now so I'm not gonna let this go." Root's voice became pleading. "Please don't throw away what we have over this fear."

Shaw's expression softened at the change in tone. She sighed, shaking her head as she spoke. "Alright Root. We can try to make this work, but if I kill you in your sleep that's on you."

That small bit of sarcasm was enough of a reminder of the old Shaw, the Shaw who hadn't been tortured and broken by Samaritan, to make Root smile.

Shaw's lips twitched upwards in a smile of her own. "So," she said, propping herself up with her elbow, "Now we've decided to do this properly, are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"

"I don't know what you mean," replied Root causally, though her smile faded a little.

"Oh cut the crap Root. I've known you long enough, cared for you long enough, to know when you're upset. What is it?" Shaw's voice was sharp, but she was understandably frustrated with Root's secrecy and Root knew she meant well.

Root sighed, deliberately looking away from Shaw as she spoke. "It's nothing, really. Certainly nothing as bad as what you've been through."

"If it's nothing, then why do you keep looking at me like I could disappear any second." Shaw had always been good at reading her, but Root hadn't realised she was being that obvious.

"It's silly really," she replied, shaking her head. "But I thought that when you found out that I'd lied to you, you'd hate me for it."

Shaw drew back in surprise and even let out a small laugh. "That's crazy. Root, when I thought you were dead I was angry, but not at you. I was angry because losing you hurt, and I wanted the world to know it. Feelings aren't really my thing, but when I'm with you I can't help it." Shaw leaned closer, brushing her fingers softly against Root's cheek. "You make me feel things. It's frustrating and it's painful, but it's so much better than feeling nothing."

Root pushed Shaw's hand away, turning away shamefully. "All that pain, that was my fault. That anger should be directed at me."

Shaw tilted Root's chin so she was looking at her again. "No it shouldn't. I know you would never have faked your death unless you felt that you had to. At the end of the day it was Samaritan who forced you into hiding. They still shot you, Root." Shaw traced a finger along the scar left by the sniper bullet as she spoke. "I don't blame you at all, I'm just relieved you're alive."

Root smiled, realising that maybe she had been worrying about nothing after all. Shaw returned the smile, cupping the back of Root's head as she drew her in for a kiss. Root ran her hands over Shaw's body as they kissed, feeling the bumps of various scars as she did so. She then tugged Shaw on top of her, who grinned as she straddled Root, pinning her to the bed. Root moaned from pleasure as Shaw kissed and nibbled her neck and she trembled slightly in anticipation as those kisses moved agonisingly slowly down her body.

She was furious when the Machine interrupted her. Hearing the voice in her head made her jolt suddenly with surprise, prompting Shaw to stop what she'd been doing. "Seriously?" asked Shaw, reading Root's expression. "You should tell the Machine her timing sucks."

"Our number just went urgent," replied Root, swinging her legs out of the bed. "Looks like that's the only sucking we're gonna be getting today." Shaw punched her lightly in the arm for that comment as the pair began to get dressed. It was time for them to get back to work.