So thank you for everyone's patience and such! I've been very busy as of late and therefore, have been unable to give any attention to this chapter. I was able to post a very short drabble on my tumblr page! For those of you interested in it, the url is kirika-hime fanfiction . tumblr . com (be sure to remove spaces). I do reblog fandom things on there (including Assassin's Creed and some other things). I also plan on taking writing requests/challenges through there! So be sure to follow! That, and answering questions you don't feel comfortable asking here on fan fiction. If there's enough interest, on Friday (10 January) I'll do a live blogging thing. I'll take questions and requests and respond to them as quickly as I can.

Please enjoy this chapter! I look forward to hearing from all of you.

A Million to One Shot

Nate felt dread slowly filled him as he spotted the plane. Marlowe's men were almost done loading the supplies. He heard Elena scaling the wall, working her way up to the roof. He went over and held out his hand, silently offering his help. She gave him a small smile and took his hand. Nate pulled her up and let her catch her breath. They both stared at the plane. Thankfully, it didn't appear that there were more guards on the runway. Now it was a make or break moment. He felt Elena's grip tighten. He hadn't realized that they were still holding each other's hands.

"We gotta hurry. It looks like they're almost finished." Elena said softly.

He nodded and gently let go of her hand. Determination was set on his face as he jumped to the latter. He would get on, save Sully, and get him the hell out of there. Forget about Ubar. He should have listened to Elena all those months ago. Sully was right. He had gotten his pride mixed up in all of this. But before he got on that plane, he had to find a way to keep Elena safe. She had thankfully been able to avoid injuries. At least he could leave with that on his conscious. He dropped down from the latter, Elena close behind him.

"Alright, looks like it's a straight shot from here." He said as they approached the high fence. He heard Elena agree as he looked around, and that's when he saw it. The jeep at the other end. "I'll uh… climb to the top and then I'll help you over. Keep me covered."

He started climbing, hoping that she wouldn't hate him for leaving her behind. But Nate had already endangered too many people he cared about, and now Sully was in the lion's den. As soon as he was over the top, he jumped down.

Elena turned around. "Hey, what are you-" she began with confusion in her voice, "What are you doing?!"

"Elena listen-"

"Argh! Damnit! I knew you would try something like this!" she started to climb and Nate felt panic surge through him.

"No! Don't! Please." They stared at one another. He was sure that his fear for her was written all over his face. Slowly she climbed back down, her face softening from anger to worry.

"Let's be honest. This is a million to one shot. When I almost lost you before-"

She quickly covered his hands with hers, interrupting him. "You're not going to-"

"-I just can't do that again." He said as evenly as he could. But from the way that Elena looked at him, Nate was positive that she already knew what he was thinking of. Their last adventure into an ancient city had nearly gotten her killed. That was something that neither of them had forgotten. "So take that jeep and get the hell out of here, alright?"

She looked at the vehicle. Nate could see the internal debate in her eyes. He knew that she wanted to stay with him. Help him find Sully… But Nate knew his track record with crazy plans, and they hadn't been too great as of late. He threaded his fingers with Elena's. "While you can?"

Elena looked back at him, and he could see the pain he was causing her. He just hoped that she understood, even if it took some time for her to do so. It was hypocritical, he knew it. But one of the most stable people in his life was in the hands of some mad woman. And when he thought about Elena in that situation, coupled with memories of Shambhala… It was almost too much for him to bare.

Gently, she patted his hand. "You haven't got much time." she said as she pulled away. Again they stared at one another. He knew both of them had more that they wanted to say, but the plane wouldn't wait. Not for much longer. "Go."

She headed towards the jeep, and Nate watched her. He hoped that this wouldn't be the last memory he had of his wife. He hadn't even been able to hug her. She looked back him for a moment before getting into the jeep. He really hoped that this wasn't his last moment with his wife. Nate turned away as he heard the vehicle start up. He took a deep breath and turned his direction to the plane. First things first, get on the plane…

A Wedding Reception – or – When Can We Leave?

Nate and Elena were a little amazed at how much noise twenty-odd people could create. But the reception was in a small venue, so the noise really couldn't escape anywhere. And it didn't help that a number of Elena's co-workers were showing up for the reception. The couple watched as Sully, Chloe, and Charlie caught up with some of Nate's old associates. Elena's family were busy chatting away with one another over things the couple could care less about. Already they had had aunts and grandmas ask about a non-existent baby. Nate and Elena learned later on from Charlie that most of the Fisher family thought Elena was pregnant.

Really, the two just wanted to go on their vacation. Away from in-laws and co-workers. While the vow-renewal was nice, they just really, REALLY wanted time to themselves. So Nate and Elena sat at their table. Elena had abandoned her heels moments after their dance. Nate had taken off his neck tie and jacket.

"Wasn't supposed to be a vow renewal?" Elena asked as she leaned into her husband's side.

He shrugged, wrapping an arm around her. "It was, but I don't think anyone got the memo."

She laughed lightly, wrapping her arms around his torso. "Would it be bad of us to leave soon? I mean, I love my family and all, and your friends are nice, but…"

"It'll be nice to finally have a moment to ourselves for once?" Nate finished. Elena let out another laugh. "Another ten, fifteen minutes and we'll slip away?"

She nodded and quickly relocated their shoes. They watched as everyone made fools of themselves on the makeshift dance floor, relatives and friends laugh and start arguments, and tried to count the number of trips to the bar people made. It helped to pass the time quickly and soon the couple was rushing to put on their discarded articles of clothing.

"Where's the fire, you two?" Sully chuckled as he approached them.

Nate and Elena froze and looked at one another. "We're… uh…" Nate attempted. Elena scanned the crowd behind Sully, hoping that none of her relatives were noticing their attempt to escape.

Sully just chuckled. "Don't worry, Kid. I'll cover for the two of ya. You've earned a long vacation."

"Oh, thank you, Sully!" Elena said with a sigh of relief, giving him a hug.

"It's not a problem, sweetheart. I'll tell your parents that your flight was earlier than you remembered." Sully said.

Nate smiled at the older man, "You're a life saver." The two embraced.

"Anything for you, Kid." Sully replied softly. "Now make your escape before someone else comes over here!"

The couple laughed and Nate quickly finished pulling on his jacket. "Thanks again, Sully!" they shouted as they quickly made their way to the employee exit. They practically ran all the way to their car, laughing as they caught the confused looks of the hotel staff.