Wow, it's been a while! Not that long, but much longer than I had planned. This is a part of the story which I have had written for a while, but have put of posting it because I couldn't decide whether I wanted something else to come first - the trappings of thsi part of the plot being so close to SJM's timeline meaning I can't decide which aspects to skip. However, as much as you, I want to get to my breakaway again because I have some ideas that I'm so excited to write. If I've lost you, then I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, but if not, then PLEASE KEEP READING, because I swear it's all coming. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter :))

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Celaena stood on the roof of her recently purchased apartment, watching the night pass by, tension rippling through her body. She tried not to think of the eyes she was sure were watching her, intent on watching them right back. Her entire life had left her paranoid, with a need to protect herself, and to protect Sam, now. He slept soundly in the apartment below her, and she was warmed slightly by the thought of his sleeping figure, his handsome face entirely unmasked, soft and relaxed and kind. As a gust of wind whipped her hair around her face, she wished she had stayed down there with him, curled into his arms. But she couldn't. As soon as she was sure he was asleep, she had crept up her, fully dressed, knives strapped to her thighs, and another in her jacket sleeve. They needed to be ready. Arobynn wouldn't just let them go. She knew that. And she would do everything she could to show them she wasn't afraid. Even if there was constantly fear in the bottom of her stomach. Fear for herself, fear for Sam, fear for their life together, fear of the past and fear of the future. Fear that she was well versed in pushing down.

The moon was out that night, and Celaena looked up at it, wondering if it was looking down on her. Were the storytellers who would tell her story one day, and describe this night on the rooftop, defensive and alone? She prayed there weren't. A life, that was what she wanted. A life away from this cursed city, without assassins or masters or death. Just a normal life. It was so close, just a breath away, but she didn't let herself see it, what she could have. Things she wanted had a habit of being taken away from her. But not this. She would take it one step at a time, and for now, that just meant guarding her apartment and the man in it, who she loved.

The creak behind her, hand her spinning, a knife in her hand, ready to throw, just before Sam spoke.

"Celeana?" She gripped her knife, letting out a steady breath, and looking at where Sam stood, leaning against the doorframe that led back to the apartment. He looked half asleep, his hair mussed, and eyes party closed as he looked at her. She attempted a smile, but even she knew it was weak, and Sam walked over, taking in the rooftops around them before moving his eyes back to her. Celaena slid her knife back into her jacket, trying not to focus too hard on his bare chest, looking into his eyes, which were full of concern. "Couldn't sleep?" Celaena shook her head slightly, and Sam took her hand in his, squeezing it. He understood, but he wouldn't push her on it, and she was grateful for that. They stayed there, silent for a few minutes, and Sam wrapped his arms around Celaena, letting her resting her head on his shoulder, and they watched the night together. Still, she was sure he was going to get cold, since she was and she was fully clothed, wearing a jacket. Still holding her hand, Sam took a step back, giving her a gentle smile. "Come back to bed?" She let out a slow breath, trying to slow down her racing heart, but she didn't move towards the door with him, hesitating, looking back out over the city. Sam didn't rush her, and when her words came, they were quiet, tense.

"I need to be on my guard. I always have been. And now, with everything…" she looked back to him, expecting disappointment, but there was only a quiet understanding in his gaze. After a moment, his eyes lit up, and he looked back to the door to the apartment.

"I'll be right back," he promised, giving her a quick peck on the cheek and running back inside, Celaena watching after him. She wondered what he was up to, but it was better with Sam to just wait for the surprise.

A few minutes later, Celaena wondered if he had fallen asleep again, and returned to her position, watching the night around her, trying to occupy her mind, but then she felt a pair of arms circle around her from behind. She tensed for a moment, before inhaling Sam's familiar warm scent, and relaxing, leaning into his chest, now covered by a jumper, smiling at his gentle touch, his lips at her ear. "Trust me," he whispered, cupping his hands over her eyes, and he turned her around, so that she was facing back towards the rooftop. He walked her a few steps forwards, and changed her angle slightly again, before taking his hands away. She let out a small gasp, looking at the space he had created. The soft white blanket was laid out like a rug, several cushions lying on top of it, along with a plate of food, assorted from their small kitchen, and two candles to light to space.

"Sam, it's…" she trailed off, not knowing quite how to describe what he had done for her. Twisting in his arms, she looked up. "Thank you."

"I figured if you were going to stay out here all night, I would stay with you." She leaned up and kissed him, softly, slowly.

When she drew back, he was smiling broadly, and took her hand, pulling her down onto the blanket. Using one of the cushions, he propped himself up, so that he was lying down on his hand, propped up on his elbow, and Celaena settled down, resting her head on his stomach, her legs out in front of her, still looking out into the night. They lay in a comfortable silence, and Celaena tried not to focus on the other rooftops, instead fixing her eyes on the stars, and zoning in on the feeling of Sam's hand running through her hair absent-mindedly. The night was quiet, but she listened to the soft noises of a city still partly awake through the evening. Occasionally, voices drifted up from the streets below, slurring and loud, the tell-tale signs of a group heading back from a tavern. Celaena wondered what it would be like to have the lives of those people; no secrets, no death, no fear. She didn't remember a time when her life had been free of one of those things. The thought didn't settle well with her, and she shifted, focussing her attention instead on the sound of Sam's heartbeat.

Looking up to the boy with her, she smiled, and he plucked a grape off the plate of snacks, chucking it up in the air and catching it in his mouth.

"Show off," she muttered, and he laughed, a bright, happy sound. Celaena marvelled at that; they had both done some awful things, had killed and lied and tortured, and whilst she was sure that it had made her soul dark and heavy, Sam remained happy, caring. He was the kindest person she knew. It hit her again how lucky she was. How lucky that this beautiful soul would even think about loving her. Then again, he didn't know everything she had done, the person she truly was…the thought made her sick, and she pushed it away, looking away from Sam, and out, her eyes resting on the huge glass castle that loomed over the city. For years, she had avoided looking at it, the intimidating reminder of who ruled this city, but she had reminded herself that she had no need to be afraid. If she could become Ardalan's Assassin, she could sure as hell defeat the idiots who had chosen to live in a glass building.

Tonight, though, with the moon, a familiar hatred sprung up as she looked at it. "I hate this city," she repeated the words she had uttered years ago, on another rooftop, with the same boy at her side, not taking her eyes off the building she had stared at with the same hatred then as she did now. She felt Sam's eyes on her, and his stroking of her hair paused momentarily.

"Let's find a new one then." He said it so simply, as if it was as easy as he made it sound, and she looked around, frowning. He shrugged at her expression. "Why not? Let's get out of Ardalan, find somewhere new. Somewhere better." She didn't reply, not because the idea didn't appeal, but because she wanted to be sure he meant it. To be sure that he was really proposing this. Taking her silence for hesitation, Sam bit his lip, and she saw the nervousness behind his offer. "It doesn't have to be a city?" This was real. Celaena grinned, and pushed him flat onto the blanket, so that she was lying on top of him, and kissed him. The kiss was deep and slow, and when Sam drew back, he was smiling widely, and he moved his hand from her neck to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Is that a yes?" Celaena smiled, and leaned down again, kissing him.

"Yes," she murmured against his lips, and she felt Sam smile into the kiss.

Celaena shifted her weight off him, and Sam sat up, his knees raised, so that she was sat in between his legs, her back against his chest, his lips at her ears, both of them looking out into the city they planned to leave behind. "So, where do you want to go?" She asked, and he hummed behind her, considering.

"I don't mind." He said, after a minute's thinking, and then added, "Somewhere far away. From all of this." Celaena smiled, nodding a little. She wanted to start new, properly this time. Starting new didn't scare her, not when she was doing it with Sam.

"Maybe somewhere on the Southern Continent." She suggested, imagining the exotic culture and the warm weather. It would be exciting, and different. "Maybe further."

"We could just keep going until we find somewhere we like," Sam wrapped his arms around her waist as he spoke, and she leaned into him, savouring his warmth.

"Mmmhhh," she hummed, closing her eyes, feeling safe in his arms. They were two of the best assassins in the country, and if anything happened, they were together. Her mind drifted away from the night and towards their future. "We could find somewhere just outside of a city."

"Somewhere just for us," Sam added, and she smiled. For the first time in years, she was thinking about her future, and it didn't look bleak or miserable. It was exactly what she wanted. She had let go of any part of her that had been clinging to a previous life, and she had found a new life, and a person to share it with. Adventures to be had, a home to create. And a family. Sam was her family. That was the thought that she drifted off to sleep with, safe in the arms of the boy she loved, and Celaena dreamt. Not of a night running through a forest, or water pulling her under, or of the feeling of her victims' blood on her hand. That night she dreamt of wandering freely through an unknown city, of riding horses across vast landscapes, of a small cottage on the edge of the city, and of many more nights under the stars.

When Celaena awoke the next morning, she felt the weight of her duvet on her, and her head was sunken in a soft pillow. The other side of the bed was empty, and cold, and Celaena was suddenly a lot more alert, sitting up quickly, ready to jump out of bed to find Sam, when the door of her bedroom opened. Sam walked in, a cup of something steaming in his hand, smiling down at her. She relaxed, resting back against the pillows, feeling more well rested than she had since they had left the Keep. Sam was wearing the same jumper he had had on last night, and the same loose trousers as well, but no shoes. He perched on the bed beside her, handing her the cup of coffee, and that simple act of kindness alone made her melt. Once the mug was out of his hands, he climbed into the bed beside her, smiling as he watched her take him in.

"I fell asleep." She stated, and Sam only nodded. "You kept watch?" He nodded again, and she leaned over, giving him a quick kiss, careful not to spill the coffee. "Thank you," she murmured, her forehead still resting against his, before pulling back and taking a sip of coffee. She nearly moaned it was so good. Sam laughed at her expression, and she couldn't find it within her to scowl at him.

"You're welcome." Looking over at Sam lying beside her, his expression slightly sleepy, but full of adoration, Celaena prayed that she could wake up like this every day.

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AHHH! I hope you liked it! Please REVIEW to let me know what you're thinking and your predictions, because I love hearing from anyone who reads my stories.