A/N: Hi! You guys really didn't think I was going to let you sit there with that cliffhanger for months and months did you? This chapter was already in the works before I posted that one! Anyway…ya know the drill.

Twitter: DrLaurenLewisZP

R/R ENJOY!

Lauren – Sometime Later

"Come on, come on…Laur!" I faintly heard somebody talking before I coughed back to consciousness, trying to rid of the water down my throat.

"That's it, cough it all out." Dyson encouraged me as he helped me sit up as I was coughing. I looked around at our surroundings when I was done coughing up a lung.

Air Force One was in shambles in the water that Dyson barely managed to hit.

Huh…

Everyone thinks that Air Force One is indestructible but that is not the case, especially against a hostile missile that came out of nowhere. People always think that money equals indestructibility but that is never the case, I mean look at the Titanic. Hell, look at the Death Star. This just further goes to prove that a well-targeted missile can take down anything and nothing human-made is indestructible.

"Lauren? You okay? I mean, as okay as can be all things considered?"

"Yeah…just thinking about how even Air Force One is not indestructible. But then again, I already knew that…It's just still surprising to see it in flames in front of me."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better I'm pretty sure we would be dead is it was a lesser aircraft." He chimed as he helped me to my feet.

I took a moment to examine both our bodies; we were both drenched and had cuts and bruises on our bodies from the crash. "You're probably right. Come on, let's see if we can salvage anything like water since we're in the desert."

"Any idea how long we've been here?" I asked as we looked through the wreckage. "Well, luckily, my watch is surprisingly still in working condition and I checked it right before we got hit and if I look at it now…We've been stranded for about 12 hours."

"Great…" I muttered as we both found the two chutes we weren't able to use. We started to rip out the chutes out of their bags with our tactical knives so we could use them as regular backpacks.

Dyson was able to find all the non-alcoholic beverages and preserved foods to put them in one of the bags while I loaded my bag with some weapons from the aircraft's artillery cabinet. Anything that we couldn't put in our pockets or carry went in the bag. "It's going to be a while before they come for us because they're going to be looking for the president first."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah and we're not exactly in friendly territory. So, I say we grab whatever else we can and we get out of here. Not like this bird is dry anyway."

Dyson agreed with a chuckle as he saw that the river water was up to our knees. "Yeah…This sucks. Come on, let's go find a large rock or something to survive under. I found the emergency kit. We have a flare gun and few flares and I'd say if we consumed everything very sparingly then we should have enough to survive for maybe a week or two."

"Oh fun…So, we just have to hope that a friendly finds us in less than two weeks." My statement was dripping with sarcasm as I moved to look at the impact point of what took us down.

"Dy, the missile that took us down wasn't just your average missile. It fucked with the Air Force One's tech. All it's tech. It may have been why we couldn't open those doors when they shut since the doors had electronics going through them. It's like I always say new is not always better especially these days when it everything and anything with even just one chip or electric current going through it can be hacked. I wish I could take some photos and send them to Vex but from the looks of it, everything but your watch survived and your watch barely survived. I mean it still ticks but it's cracked to hell. Anyway, come on, let's get out of here before some people that may not be on our side decide to show up."

Dyson chuckled with a nod in agreement as we walked away from the fallen bird. "How many times have we been stranded now in the name of duty?"

"Twice for me, this is the third time for you, Laur. But in all cases the salary on this one is far superior." I rolled my eyes with a sarcastic smile. "So, there's that."

"Yes, there is that. Leave it to you to find the silver lining in any situation, Dy. So, what do you think we're going to encounter first; our temporary home under a rock, illusions, predatory wild animals that want to kill us for food or people that want to kill just to kill us? And God damn it, I wish we were in camo at least then, this would be a more appropriate."

Dyson laughed, "You would worry about what you're wearing instead of just worrying is finding a place to take shelter. And to answer your question; optimistically, I'm hoping we find shelter first. Realistically, we're probably going to run into the people that blew us out of the sky, first."

Bo – 69th Precinct – Tamsin's Office

"It's been over 12 hours! Why haven't they found anything yet? All the news keeps saying is they're currently looking for the president and are not sure who survived the crash."

"Bo, I know you're upset. We all are and I'm trying to get in contact with one of my contacts at the Pentagon but currently none of them are responding. Vex is doing everything that he can on his side too. We just have to stay calm. Maybe you should take a seat before you pace a hole into my floor?"

I stopped pacing and took a seat with a huff of frustration. "Sorry. Oh and thanks for catching me when I fainted earlier."

"No prob-"

"What if Lauren and Dyson are dead!?"

"They're not."

"How do you know?" Tamsin looked me right in the eyes and didn't hesitate at all with her answer.

"Because as individuals, those two are two of the toughest son of a bitches I've ever met and when they work together as a team as they so often do they are pretty much invincible. Trust me, they're okay. This is not the first time either one of them have been through something like this and knowing those two it likely may not be the last either. They were born to serve, protect and most importantly, survive."

"Were they born to love?"

"What?" Tamsin asked with understandable confusion for a split second before her expression turned to annoyance with an eye roll. "Look, I don't mean to sound like a bitch but I don't do lovey dovey stuff. Where is your best friend, Kenzi? Or that really materialistic girl Evony or that dude Hale? Or Trick?"

"Kenzi is doing stuff that I can't tell you about because you are who you are. Ev-"

Tamsin groaned and she rubbed her forehead with her hand like she had a headache. "For the love of God, she's hackin- Ugh, never mind, the less I say or know the better. Fine. For this one time only, what in the world are you talking about?"

"I asked her to marry me and she said no." Tamsin looked at me dumbfounded. "You…She…What?"

"You heard me." I told her as I started to tear up with a crack in my voice. "Why would she say no?"

"Well, think about it. Lauren has been on the move for as long as she can remember. In and out of orphanages, foster homes, schools, military bases, war zones etc. I think the longest she's ever been in one location was like 3 years. And you proposed. A proposal leads to marriage and marriage is very…permanent. Lauren is not used to permanent she's used to temporary."

"So…what you're saying is that I scared the crap out of her?"

"Possibly, it's just one theory. Look, I can't tell you why Lauren said no. She never talked about marriage with me. I'm not sure if she ever really thought about marriage. But…if it's any consolation, I think if anyone has a shot of getting her hitched, it's you. Just…keep in mind she might be one of those people that don't believe in a piece of paper and you don't need a piece of paper be committed to somebody. And if she isn't one of those people that wants that piece paper then you have to figure out if that's something you can live with if you want to be with her, forever."

Tamsin ended her speech with a bit of laughter, which made me raise my eyebrows at her.

"I'm sorry, it's just the irony when you think about it. Lauren is not used to commitment because nobody has ever really showed her what commitment is. And with your profession…Well, it's a profession that is the very definition of commitment issues because you could be playing a character for a few minutes or years. And yet your offering her commitment. See the irony?"

"Gee, thanks…" Tamsin definitely didn't miss the obvious sarcasm in my tone. "Hey, I told you I'm not good with the lovey-dovey crap."

"No, no, don't be. You actually did help. You calm me down during the worst time of my life and you made me think about what you said. And yes, if Lauren is against a piece of paper then I don't need either as long as I have her forever."

She started to make gagging noises at my closing statement. "Sorry, I really am bad at this stuff but seriously, I'm glad she has you, Bo. You're really good for her."

"Thanks." We were having a moment between the two of us. We've never had a moment. Hell, we've never been alone long enough to have a moment. We've never even talked long enough to have a moment.

It was nice even with the hint of awkwardness.

Then, just when I was about to find an excuse to get out of this increasingly awkward moment, Vex blew through the door with Kenzi hot on his heels, both talking really fast at once. Tamsin had to blow and ear piercing whistle just to take charge. "Guys, slow down and one at a time. Vex, you first since you walked in the door first."

"They are zeroing in on the president's location. They got a distress call from the president's designated jumper but it was broken up."

"Any word on Lauren or Dyson!?" I couldn't contain my anxiousness anymore. Vex shook his head. "Since the call was broken up they're trying to piece it together but I'm not sure if there was any word on our guys in the message."

"And that's where my genius comes in-"

"STOP! Kenz, before you continue, shut my door behind you since what your about to say is not really…You know, not really for public consumption…"

Kenzi did as Tamsin instructed before she went on to say what she wanted to say. "I intercepted that message and while I was not able to get the whole thing, apparently, I got more than the big boys. They did mention that the president was the first one off, then the pilots and then the standard security. Lauren and Dyson make sure everyone got off before they did."

"So…if they were the last two still on the plane then…" I was about to go into hysterics again. "…Nobody can verify whether they got off or not." Tamsin finished my thought for me.

I was starting to hyperventilate. Kenzi was kneed in front of me in an instant trying to clam me down with a paper bag in hand that I grabbed immediately and started to utilize.

"Breathe Bobo, breathe."

"Listen to your bestie, luv. It'll be okay, they're not dead. I know in my heart and my gut that we'll get them back soon."

I knew they were right. I knew in my heart and soul that if she were really gone then I would know it in an instant and without any doubt. So, I took another deep breath as I made a mental plea to Lauren that I hope she can somehow hear as I grasped her necklace that was around my neck.

"I love you, Lauren. Please come back home to me soon. Please be okay. I love you so much."

Lauren – 5 Hours Later

"There…Good thing we grabbed other stuff and alcohol from Air Force One. This fire should keep us warm for the night."

"Thanks D. Here, have half of this chocolate bar, heard your stomach grumble and you know it's best to try and nip hunger in the bud before actual hunger kicks in if we wanna trick our bodies to believe it's content for as long as possible. By my estimate they'll be a day; three tops, before finding the president since I made sure her jumper had everything they needed to make exactly one distress call while we're fucked. So, we might not be found for at least a week. After we take turns resting we can continue west. We weren't in the desert long before we were hit so we should be able to find civilization as long as we keep going west. I believe we were only about twelve clicks into the desert when you and I jumped. The president jumped a lot sooner than we did in terms of a crashing bird so, she should be fine. Definitely three days tops for her and the pilots and such."

"Yeah." He agreed as he eat the chocolate bar slowly as he relaxed his back against the rock that we're under, right next to me. "So…since I know that neither one of us is going to fall asleep in an instant, you want to tell me what you were about to tell me on the plane?"

"You rest first. I'll use the scope from the sniper rifle to lookout for any friendly's or otherwise…And as for the question on the plane..."

I had to stop to take a sad sigh. Luckily for me, Dyson is a patient guy that just waits for you to continue. "Bo spontaneously asked me to marry her and I said no…And no, I'm not sure why I said no."

"I'm sorry. I knew I walked in on something. Now, I'm really wishing I didn't have to interrupt at that time."

"Honestly, a part of me was a bit grateful that you did interrupt because I wasn't sure how I was going to explain my answer. I don't even understand my answer."

Dyson looked at me with a small laugh.

"That's not true. Somewhere inside you knows why you said no. If I had to take a wild guess I would say it was because you're not used to commitment and getting married is one of the biggest actions of commitment there is. Many would say that getting enlisted is one of the biggest commitments you can make. But it's not really a commitment if you think about it because you're moving from station to station and could die at any moment."

I took a moment to think about what he said. I stared at the fire and really let his words sink in. Meanwhile, he just patiently waited for me to finish my inner thoughts.

"You could be right. But I think it's something else along with it. I've never really seen myself get married anyone. More importantly, to serve and protect is not just an oath to me. It's a part of me and it always will be. I mean when somebody is about to get hit by a car most people's instincts are too slow to react to jump into action quickly enough, which by then it's too late to do anything but to call 911. However, my instinct is to instantly run and save the person that's going to get hit by a car even if it means I'll get hit instead. How can I marry her when I will do things like that without a second thought? How can I marry her when I can't give her the stability that she deserves? Not can mention the fact that I have enemies because of what we do. Heroes always attract villains and vice versa. My odds of dying an early death is greater than the average person because of those enemies. Dyson, how can I do that to her? And again, I've never seen the appeal in letting the government went in my bed even though I work for them a lot. I don't see the need in needing a piece of paper to show my commitment to her. I'm so fucked up, aren't I?"

"No. You want to know what you are? You're human, which means you're not perfect. Everyone has their flaws. You, me, Vex, Tamsin, Bo, etc. As long as you're human you're going to have flaws. That's just the way it's going to be. But Lauren, everything you told me you have to talk to Bo about. That girl is crazy about you and something tells me if you told her that you are committed to her and you don't want that piece of paper to show that commitment then she would be okay with it. But you have to talk to her. You two need to figure out if marriage is what you guys want. But just so you know, I've never seen two people so perfect for each other than you two. So, there's no doubt in my mind that as long as you guys communicate then you guys will be just fine."

I looked Dyson in the eyes and saw nothing but love and sincerity. He's such a good guy. "Thank you."

He just smiled at me and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Anytime."

We broke our gaze and looked at the fire for a few moments of silence before I broke that silence. "Dy?"

"Yeah?"

"I really love her."

"I know."

Another moment of comforting silence before I decided that it was time for him to really try to get some sleep. I handed him a parachute bag so he could use it as a pillow. "Here, get some sleep. I'll keep an eye on the sky with the scope and flares in case we get lucky. We still have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow before we get back to civilization and a way home."

He took my offering and laid down. "Don't worry Laur, we'll get home to your Bo before you know it. And then you two will be back to grossing everyone around you guys, out again in no time."

His joke earned him a light kick in the leg and a little laugh from both of us. "Shut up and get some shut eye."

"Yes ma'am." He was already drifting off. I could hear it in his voice. "Laur?"

"Yeah?"

"If we ever get stranded again, can you make sure it's a bountiful tropical island? I'm so sick of the desert scene."

I laughed, "I'll try be best, D." I promised him but I knew he didn't hear me because I could hear him lightly snoring.

I looked up at the stars and all I could think about was getting back to the love of my life. I hated the way I left things with her. And I hate that she's probably worried sick about me right now and there's nothing I can do about it.

But I swear, I'll get home to her soon.

Very soon.

And when I do, I'll fix…No. We'll fix how things were left between us, together.

I looked down from the stars and to Bo's necklace around my neck, grasping it in my hand to make a vow that I hope she somehow hears.

"I love you so much. I'll be home soon Bo. I promise."