AN: This chapter is a lot more romantic, despite the chaos in the first half of the chapter. The sappy part of me really enjoyed writing the last scene so please let me know what you think! Savor the fluff, you're not going to get much before things start getting messy for these two. This is also a fun game of "who fell for who first?", haha.

Disclaimer: All unoriginal content, characters, and plots taken from the authors of The 39 Clues. Everything else is my own creative content, and copying is not permitted.

THE ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
9: the date(s)

Amy's navy blue blazer flew across the room and landed slung over the back of a chair. She tilted her head to the side as Ian took advantage of the newly exposed skin.

The entire trip to Greece, filled with heated debates, backstabbing Cahills, and expert liars had made her extremely paranoid. She bit down on her lip and pulled back to speak. "No one can know about this."

Ian gave her an amused look and a grin tugged at his lips. "That's the point of this entire relationship, Amy."

A rosy hue spread across her cheeks at the mention of their infidelity and she pushed his chest lightly when he tried to kiss her. "No, that's not what I mean. No one can know we are friends. It'll look like our branches are conspiring."

He raised an eyebrow, skeptical about what she was asking of him. "So you want us to purposefully act like we hate each other?"

"Uh… yes?" The way he was looking at her made her unsure.

Ian considered that for a moment and shrugged. "If you say so."

Amy walked into the Greek Parliament building a few moments later. Instead of normal politicians, it was filled with some of the most powerful Cahills. The debt-crisis in Greece had attracted a lot of attention, and in turn, the branches struggled to take advantage of the conflict and retain control of the region. Unfortunately, that meant an entire nation was at stake and the Madrigals were forced to step in.

"Please rise for the five branch leaders."

Amy was met with disdainful frowns as she filed in behind the rest of the branch leaders. They took their seat in the first row, while the ruling Tomas prime minister and his branch took the elevated stands.

"Cora Wizard, the Janus. Interim ambassador Ian Kabra, the Lucians. Ivan Kleister, the Tomas. Susan Oh, the Ekaterina. Amelia Cahill, the Madrigals."

Ivan had seated himself next to the Prime Minister and Amy met his glare. None of this would be happening had she not raised attention to his wrongdoings, and he was well aware of the fact.

"Now, considering that the Madrigals were the ones to bring about this entire mess, I suggest Miss Cahill serve as moderator," Ivan suggested.

Amy narrowed her eyes and leaned into the microphone. While normally, she would be mortified to be speaking in such a large room with hundreds of people, she was too focused to care otherwise.

"I appreciate your clever attempt to silence me, Ivan. If you recall, the moderator is not permitted to voice an opinion," she started, and a snicker rumbled through the room. "If he accepts, I think Ivan should serve this position. After all, his branch has claimed the Greek government and he has ample representation."

The arrogance had disappeared from the Tomas' expression and he watched as the entire room overwhelmingly voted in her favor.

"Fine," he grunted. The broad shouldered man moved to the podium, his face purple. "I suppose we'll go through opening statements according to leader seniority, unless Amy has a problem with that too?"

Though a flush crept up her neck, she smiled sweetly. "No, that sounds fine."

Amy grew frustrated as the statements turned into tedious thirty-minute speeches. Every branch restated the same arguments she had been fighting for the past year. The Janus wanted to remain uninvolved in the Mediterranean, and would choose an ally as they saw fit. The Ekaterina wanted to repair the economy by bolstering trade and turning Greece into a technological powerhouse. The Tomas thought the country was too unstable to withstand an election and the only road to recovery would be to transform it into a military state. All the Madrigals wanted was peace, and she made sure to restate her point a dozen times.

By the time Ian had reached the stage, Amy was falling asleep. As a simple representative, he was the last to take his turn. She watched him speak and it became apparent that he had taken advantage of the extra time and prepared a ruthless rebuttal. It didn't take long for her name to pop up in his argument.

"... and as we reach the climax of yet another family skirmish, I would like you to think: do we really want the Madrigals meddling? Unelected and chosen by blood— these people have voted themselves the peacekeepers of the Cahill world. With all due respect Amy Cahill, but I will not be taking a lesson on democracy by your branch."

A quiet murmur swept through the room. Ian's words had made an impact, and she could see several people swaying in his favor. A silent consensus had been reached against her branch and she needed to fix it fast.

Ivan called for a short intermission and Amy regrouped with the Madrigals, a mix of members from within the region and back home. The only way to retain any semblance of control was by aligning herself with one of the branches and hoping the Janus fell into line.

Ian brushed past her as she made her way back to her seat. He was smirking down at her with an incredibly self-satisfied expression.

"Believable enough?"

"You represent your branch, I represent mine. It's game on, Kabra."

He grinned, visibly pleased at the fire in her eyes, and accepted the challenge.


"While the Lucians have no interest in pursuing leadership within the Greek council, I believe we have a responsibility to keep the Madrigals in check—"

"That is ridiculous and everyone in this building knows it. This is a disgusting attempt by the Lucian party to discredit the Madrigals and I find it extremely offensive—"

"Well, the fact that you expect us to accept your endorsement for the Ekaterina without question is what's pure rubbish—"

"You're overstepping, Mr. Kabra, if you think you are going to undermine my branch. Pray tell, how many presidents have the Lucians purposefully overthrown, without any consideration for the people and purely for their own benefit?"

"None, Miss Cahill, unless you have proof of a malicious rumor intended to stereotype the Lucians as untrustworthy."

Amy popped out of her seat. "That's ironic, you were trying to do the same to the Madrigals only moments ago!"

"Oh, bloody hell, is it a sin to ask for your motives, or are you unquestionable?"

"Motion to silence Ian Kabra for slander and disrespect—"

Ian stood up to glare at her from across the room. "Is that a joke? Someone needs to hold Amy Cahill accountable for ruthless attacks on the Lucians' moral character—"

"Moral character! Do you people even know what that means?"

"We know more about it than your branch does about democracy—"

A loud bang interrupted their rapid-fire argument and the two branch representatives looked up to see Ivan with his fist against the podium. When he registered that he had successfully gotten their attention, he rubbed his temples to ward off a headache. The rest of the room was in a similar state, mouths dropped open as they observed the heated and passionate debate.

"Shut. Up," Ivan growled, impervious to professionalism. "Does anyone—other than the Lucians and Madrigals—have anything productive to contribute to this conversation?"

Cora Wizard raised her hand and took it as an opportunity to interject her own opinion, now that the two most outspoken people had been silenced. The woman had aged gracefully, streaks of grey hair sprinkled through her braids and her coffee skin just as smooth as it had been a decade ago.

"The Janus have made their decision. We would like to formally endorse the Ekaterina as the political patrons of Greece, granted they are held responsible for repairing its socio-economic conditions." She turned to Amy, though, and didn't even give her a second to be triumphant. "However, Mr. Kabra's concerns have been heard loud and clear. I would also like to put onto the table a thorough investigation into the ethics of Madrigal peacekeeping efforts, headed by the Tomas if they accept my proposition."

A murmur swept through the room as Cora's multifaceted deal was considered by everyone. While it was only day three of negotiations, the problem had been going on for over a year. There was not a single loser in the room— save for Prime Minister Alexopoulos, who didn't seem to accept any turnout without him as ruler. A sweeping number of hands were raised as Cora called for a vote.

Amy had to stop herself from laughing when she saw the prime minister's reaction at Ivan's thoughtful nod. "I believe withdrawing from the region would be good for the Tomas. We accept as well and will work with the legislators from each branch to put this into writing."

When the room stayed silent, he lifted the gavel with a tired grunt. "This session is dismissed."

Ian didn't make a move to speak with her, nor did she. As the five branches filtered out of the room, she felt a small square of paper press into her palm. She pressed her lips together to hide a smile and met him the next evening tucked in the alleyways of Santorini. They had agreed that meeting in Athens was extremely risky, considering the hundreds of Cahills that had gathered to witness the Greece negotiations. Ian had sent her a note with an address a short flight away in the small island, promising her that he knew a place that was quiet, secluded, and Cahill-free.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they strolled through white walkways. The sun had set moments ago and the sky was glowing with shades of orange and purple. They were far from tourist hotspots and a few dozen locals milled around them.

Amy leaned into him. "I'm going to have to do some serious damage control," she mumbled against his shirt.

His chest rumbled with a chuckle and she knew that he understood what she was talking about. "Then I did my job right."

She smiled and her shoulders dropped in relief. Their scalding exchanges in the parliament building were behind them and she appreciated the way Ian was able to separate work and their personal lives. It was something she always struggled with Jake— the man was extremely sensitive to her leadership at the Madrigal stronghold and the tension often followed them home. If it wasn't their involvement with the branches, then a fight was bound to breakout about her museum work or the abuse he was enduring in his lab.

They stopped at a ledge overlooking the Aegean Sea. She could smell the smoke and fire pits in the restaurants around them mixed with the salty sea water. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below was soothing and she closed her eyes as a light breeze ruffled her hair.

"I thought you had work in the morning. Did you take a day off?" he asked.

She shook her head and looked up at him. His hands were in his pockets now and he leaned back against the stone barrier blocking the cliff below. "I cancelled. I spent the day catching up with Cora and I figured I could relax tonight, before heading back to New York."

He gave her a wicked grin that made her body overheat. "Who said I was going to let you relax?"

"Ian…" she muttered, watching him step closer. They had never kissed in public.

His lips ghosted over hers. "I have a very nice friend that rents out her home. It's perfectly isolated from the tourists."

Amy frowned. "Only if you let me pay."

"I have more money than I need. Don't worry about it."

"Ian—"

"This is a date, Amy. I am a very traditional man."

That made her stop. "A date," she repeated.

Ian seemed to visibly backtrack at his slip of tongue and pulled away a few inches. "That's not what I meant. I had meetings all day and I can't seem to get my words straight."

She had never seen him embarrassed and decided to relish in the moment. "Really? What meetings?" she pressed. "And why can't this be a date?"

He gave her an exasperated look. "I could always take the house off the table."

Amy narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't be a tease."

His lips quirked upwards and he was visibly stifling a grin. "Really, I could. I had all sorts of things planned for you, but I suppose we could take a boat back—"

She wrapped her fingers around the collar of his shirt to pull him down to eye-level and he stopped talking abruptly.

"Ian?"

His amber eyes were glimmering with amusement. "Yes, love?"

"Shut up and take me to the house."


July 2022

[Ian] Back in Attleboro yet?

[Amy] Nope. I am staying the full week to fill in for James.

[Amy] See you Saturday?

[Ian] I'll meet you at your place.

Amy didn't return to Boston.

Ian wondered what happened between her and Jake. She had always flown back to her fiance on Sundays, but it had been a few weeks since the fourth of July holiday and she hadn't gone home since. He knew it wasn't any different from what he had been doing. Seeing Cara had been a chore and every time she tried to talk to him, leaned over for a kiss— he could barely stop himself from wincing. He found himself spending an obscene amount of hours at the Kabra LLC building, and nights in his private flat. They had grown apart by their own doing and he substituted his loneliness with Amy's company.

He drove to a cozy brownstone apartment nestled in between a row of similar homes in the northern side of Manhattan. A resident ducked outside and he caught the door before it locked. He climbed the stairs to the second floor of the building. He furrowed his eyebrows when no one answered his knock; he twisted the doorknob and it easily gave way. He knew he should have waited for her, but a brief bout of fear made his heart clench. Amy was smarter than leaving her front door unlocked in the middle of the city, no matter how safe an area she lived in.

The faint hum of music drifted from the back of the apartment. The wooden floors creaked under his footsteps and he smiled at the little indicators of her personality: a messy stack of books and papers on the coffee table, framed photos of her parents, boxes of tea and coffee on the kitchen counter.

He followed the music to the bathroom and raised his eyebrows when he saw the door was ajar. He leaned against the threshold and his lips quirked upwards.

Amy was half-asleep in the tub. Her hair was twisted into a messy knot and her skin was glowing from the hot water. She looked beautiful— long lashes casting a shadow over her face, a rosy hue on her cheeks and spread over her bare shoulders.

"You left the door unlocked," he said accusingly.

She cracked open her eyes and sank lower into the bubbly bathwater. He could smell a mix of lavender and rose oil.

"I know. I didn't know how long you would be and didn't want to lock you out if I was still in here."

Ian slipped off his shoes and he saw her sleepy gaze watch him as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"What are you doing?"

His pants joined the pile on the floor and he looked at her as if the answer was obvious. "Joining you. Move over."

Amy gave him a half-hearted glare and mumbled something about "disrupting the peace" before she settled back against his chest. Their legs tangled together and he wrinkled his nose as her hair tickled his skin.

"Did you lock the door behind you?" she asked him.

His fingers moved in feather like touches against her thigh and he felt her shiver. "Yes, Amy. I value safety, unlike you."

She laughed quietly, but the sound was tired. He frowned and shifted her in his arms so that he could see her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's been a long week."

"Rubbish. Tell me what's on your mind, love."

As usual, she visibly blushed at the pet name. She tilted her head back to glare at him.

"Ian. I'm okay."

He mimicked her tone. "Amy. I won't stop asking."

She crossed her arms and brought her knees up, effectively closing him off. After a few minutes, the soft music filling the silence, he was surprised to hear her speak up.

"I had another fight with Jake. He called a few hours ago."

He noticed the word another and tried to keep his curiosity at bay. "Really?"

"I haven't been home since Independence Day. He was bugging me about how I don't prioritize our relationship. Then, he called me when I got back and he told me he wanted me to leave my job, or leave him."

He hoped she couldn't tell how hard his heart was pounding. Jake Rosenbloom made him angry, but it wasn't the kind from when he was a green-faced teenager. He was furious at how selfish and demanding the man was. While a small part of him knew that there was a slim chance of them leaving their partners and being together, Amy deserved better.

"We spoke today and he called me out for hiding here in New York for the past three weeks. He isn't wrong, but we both said some horrible things to one another and—" Her voice cracked and she looked straight ahead, rubbing her eyes. "He gave me the same ultimatum. I know I'm the one at fault, but why can't I have both?"

Ian pressed his lips against her temple. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. As much as he wanted to, it wasn't his place to give his opinion.

"Three weeks," she sighed. "What kind of person refuses to see their fiance for three weeks?"

He kissed her shoulder. "He's a bloody idiot for treating you this way."

Amy exhaled. "I'm sorry. I really don't want to think about Jake," she said decidedly. "I'll shut up about it."

Ian remained quiet as she sunk even lower until she was shoulder deep, her cheek pressed against his chest. His arm wrapped around her torso and his palm stretched over her abdomen. She took his other hand and laced their fingers together.

He chuckled at her wrinkled fingertips. "How long have you been in here?"

"Too long," she mumbled. "Ten more minutes. I like being here with you."

Ian's heart clenched a second time and in that moment, he knew they had reached the point of no return.