A/N; I know its short but I'm really busy. Sorry! As always, R&R! xx

Two Days Later- Nine's POV

We sit by a lake, in the south of France. There is a pretty little Chateau behind us- that's where we are staying. We've just hit another dead end- turns out, the world is full of disappointment. This one, anyway. I miss Sandor. He'd be able to say something reassuring and calm me down.

One by one, the others head to bed. Soon, it's just Eight and I left. She sighs, clearly frustrated. "What's up?" I ask, turning to face her.

"Does this happen often? The whole Lead that led nowhere?" I laugh

"Yeah. A lot. But patience is a virtue as they say."

"Whoever "They" are obviously weren't in this situation, were they?" She frowns, her beautiful face ruined by the scorn.

"You shouldn't frown you know. It gives you wrinkles, I hear." She laughs but stops, suddenly serious again.

"How do you handle it? The disappointment?"

"I don't. Well, I pretend to. But deep down it frustrates me, just like everything else I do."

"Why do you hide so much?" She whispers, locking eyes with me.

"To protect other people. If I let go, there's no telling what might happen." I say, turning to the water.

"In case you haven't noticed, sometimes other people can take care of themselves." She moves towards me.

"Yeah. That's what I thought about Sandor, and look at what happened."

"You have to stop dwelling on the past! At best, it's upsetting. At worst, it's a good way to get yourself killed."

"Where'd you hear that?" I ask, turning to face her.

"It's just something Cam said once." She's close now, almost touching me. "Why don't you let go of the past, see what happens?" I sigh.

"I don't want to. It helps me stay alive. Keeps me fighting." Suddenly, she presses her lips to mine. I find myself kissing back, though I'm shocked.

"I've wanted to do that for a while." She says, pulling away.

"Me too." I say.

"I think- I think I love you." She whispers, her head on my shoulder.

"I know I love you." I reply, and we sit, staring into each other's eyes at the sun goes down above us.