A/N: Back in Chapter 9 Root did say that once the virus passed 40% it couldn't be contained. Well the interrogation/torture scene took a little longer than i expected, and rather than re edit the chapter to suit the plot convenience, I decided to turn this into a comedic moment

Two of Earth's mightiest heroes dash down the long isolated corridors of the spooky island facility, passing grim, lifeless bodies of enemies they've dispatched, desperately trying to beat the clock before the island facility blows up.

Root couldn't help but notice Sameen's movements seemed uncharacteristically lethargic, reckless and sloppy even. Stefan was still lurking around somewhere, probably waiting around a corner to ambush them. The two needed to save the world from a technological dark age, but they can't afford to be sloppy, especially since they've come this far.

Root slows down her pace, transitioning it into a slow stealth because she knows Shaw will follow suit.

Claire's office is just a short distance away.

THIRTEEN MINUTES UNTIL COMPLETE DESTRUCTION. PLEASE SEEK SAFTEY.

"Surely there's a way off this island". Root stopped, as she looked at Shaw.

"You didn't see the pontoon boat, by the dock, I noticed it on the parachute ride down?" Shaw's words dripped out monotonously, with barely any inflection.

"No, I didn't. You sure?"

"Yeah."

Root comes to a complete stop. It breaks her heart to see Sameen, down in the dumps like this.

"Come here, Shaw." Root motions for the shorter woman to come closer to her.

Out of curiosity, Sameen approaches the taller woman and closes the gap.

Root pulls Shaw into a powerful hug. "You're not a monster Sam."

Sameen's eyes drop downward. She can't even bare to look at Root.

"Sam, look at me!" Root commands.

Reluctantly the Persian woman makes eye contact with the woman hugging her. "We don't have much time. We need to stop the virus, before we get killed."

"My soulmate not dying believing she's a monster, is more important."

Shaw's facial expression contorts into neutral.

"Would a monster, put her life on the line for innocent people, everyday? Would a monster break her stoic disposition and revert to a giddy little girl every time she plays with Bear? Would a monster's eyes water and form a subtle tear after hearing a heartfelt message from the person who she cares most about in the whole world?"

Sameen's breathing intensifies "I hurt you. I almost killed you."

"You didn't though, because somewhere in your sociopathic heart, you know we're made for each other. I didn't want to tell you this Sameen, but the other day you left the comms on. Remember Oded's words a few days ago, the day you both worked a number?"

Oz didn't give the tin man what he didn't already have, Shaw reminisced as Root said the exact same words out loud.

"So many people love you, Sameen. You're a hero to almost everyone who crosses your path. That's the antithesis of a monster." Root said in a comforting voice as she let Shaw out of the warm hug.

The perky hacker knows her little pep talk helped tremendously.

"Besides, how long did you seriously consider killing me?"

Shaw desperately attempts to fight off the devious smirk crawling up her mouth. "About Five seconds."

TEN MINUTES UNTIL COMPLETE DESTRUCTION. ALL OCCUPANTS URGED TO EVACUATE.

"This way!" Shaw smiled as they resumed their dash in the direction of Claire's office.

The metal door of Claire's private office nearly bursts open with Root nearly lunging for the computer terminal. True to form Claire was too overconfident and eager, they didn't bother removing the flash drive.

45% loaded

Panic washed over Shaw as she leans over Root, who's pounding away on the keyboard.

"Forty Five Percent! Root, we're too late!"

Root's eyebrow raises as she gives her love a quizzical look.

"No, not until it reaches fifty percent."

"Root, outside by the rocks, you said forty percent!"

"No Sam, I said fifty."

"Root" Shaw heaves a frustrated sigh before continuing "I know for a fact you said forty percent."

Root's growing frustration builds due to Sameen's distraction. She knows she is right on this and Shaw is wrong.

"Why would I say forty percent Shaw? In what world does that make any sense?"

"Tell you what Root, the moment big Sis comes back online, we're settling this argument. You said forty percent!" The Persian woman growled.

"She was glitched up Sam. Plus there weren't any electronic devices with us. So nice try Darlin." Root purrs with such endearment.

Shaw slams her hands down to her side and storms off a few feet away from the desk, as Root finishes up. Containing the virus.

I had a chance to kill her. I had the chance.

Root yanks out the flash drive and makes a bee line towards the door. "We did it Sam. C'mon where's that boat?"

Both women stumble out of the office, intending to find an exit, and run outside towards the dock.

Much to their chagrin, but not their surprise as they turn the corner, they find Stefan waiting for them. He stands before them wearing a deranged smile.

"And this is the part where we find out our escape plan is foiled" Shaw comments with complete deadpan.

Reaching into his pocket Stefan pushes a button.

A thunderous explosion roars from one side of the island. Both women know, that the goon just destroyed the boat.

SIX MINUTES TO DESTRUCTION. EVACUATION IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE.

Sameen empties half of her clip into Stefan. Samaritan's army and what ever hope it once had is now completely dead.

Root and Shaw's hearts jackhammer in response to the blaring message over the loudspeaker.

A defeated Root slides down the wall into a sitting position, unable to fight the watering in her eyes.

Sameen Shaw grinds her teeth, as her eyes dart upward as if trying to fight some minor dormant feeling deep down.

In this moment she realized now's as good a time as ever to throw Root a little bone.

Teeth still gritting, the Persian woman slides down the wall taking a seat next to Root. "Wannahavethatmaybesomeday?" She quickly forces out of her mouth.

Despite tears heavily flowing Root can't help but let out a delighted smile.

"Sure." Root chuckles.

She wouldn't want this any other way. Since she's going to die, it might as well be with the person she loves more than anything in the whole world.

Yet Root still feels the need to spill her heart out. She was robbed of the chance last time, and won't make the same mistake again.

"Hopefully our tunes will harmonize wherever they end up, and our symphony carries on for all eternity. I love you Sameen Shaw. You're perfect just the way you are." Root sobbed, while maintaining a smile.

Sameen's eyes darted upward for a second time, and several internal forces went into overdrive. The heroin's breathing slowed down, two sensations in her brain and stomach formed and battled ferociously.

Root slowly glanced over at the love of her life. The former assassin noticed the other woman's eyes and lips quivering. Her whole body shaking, something is trying to force its way out of Sameen's brain and mouth.

Sameen Shaw's eyes became heavier and heavier, blinking rapidly. Against all odds both of her eyes, manged to water, but only so subtly as a single tear forms, but ultimatley fails to trickle.

Deciding in that second if she can't force any words out, Sameen Shaw on an impulse scoots even closer to Root.

The love of Root's life, slowly and gently leans over and nuzzles the side of her head into Root's chest, her head resting right over her heart. Root feels the warm black hair and Sameen's soft skin resting on her chest. The two are completely at peace.

"Just close you eyes Root, we won't even feel it." Shaw murmurs as her eyes close. Root wraps her arm around Sameen as the Persian woman remains snuggled at her side, her head still on Root's chest. Right over her heart, where she belongs.

Root finally closes her eyes. Clamping off the remaining tears

TWO MINUTES THIRTY SECONDS TO DESTRUCTION.

The two soulmates remain frozen in time. Not even flinching.

Curled up in absolute bliss a faint sound from far off in the distance rouses their attention. The repetitive rhythmic sound edges closer and closer, reaching the point where it can't be dismissed as a figment of their imaginations.

Whump whump whump whump. The same sound recycled over and over

"That can't be what I think it is", Root breaks the ice.

Instantly a groggy familiar voice comes over the intercom. A soft lilting voice that Root and Shaw would honestly agree probably scared the shit out of them.

Like a helicopter for my two favorite girls?

The machine! Both thought simultaneously, since they truly are two halves of a whole.

Root and Shaw's eyes lunge open, as the scramble out of their position. Monumental smiles form across their face, as they stagger for an exit.

Forgive me, I couldn't resist watching you both have a moment. My archive of Rom Coms is a little less than stellar. Hurry!

Notes

*I wanted more than anything for Sameen to be able to tell Root that she loved her, but as I was writing it out, I had to kind of get in the mood and head of the characters, and in the end. I realized it wasn't within her character. Her actions speak louder than her words, and that dynamic makes their love epic.

*Poor Shaw, she was right, and has no way to prove she won the argument. We've all been in a situation like that.

* Stay tuned to see if they make it out in time.