Forgive me for taking so long to get this out! _ Sadly I work in medicine and as you all may know it's been a crazy year...

Chapter 36:

A sharp snap and hiss broke the sound of the reporter covering the latest news...

The hitman slumped onto the couch, nursing a cold beer. He would've preferred a dry wine, but the options were limited in the safehouse. The information leak had been a mixed blessing for him. As hard as it'd make finding loose ends, those who were stupid enough to seek refuge in the safe houses made easy pickings for him. It certainly made finding bodies to cover up the mishaps from earlier a less tedious job. Drawing another mouthful, his attention drifted to the glassy eyed stare of his last "visitor". A blossom of scarlet tinged the dead man's chest as he lay prostate on the tarp that had been laid out to ease clean up.

Ophelia's attention returned to the television.

Now and then he'd see her face on the screen, seconds footage of the exodus from the Mint Eye compound and glimpses as she volunteered to help others. She was usually behind young 's assistant in some way. Never quite in the foreground, but the long-haired girl always there, diligently working in the clips they repeated. It was hard not to notice the bandage on her hand and the lack of footage of the hacker. He had to assume they'd both made it out...

The hitman felt relieved, but he was far from pleased.

How could Ophelia be happy knowing the sort of man she'd involved herself with? On the list of approved boyfriends, retired hacker for a shady secret intelligence agency who happened to be the illegitimate son of a high-ranking political official who wanted him and his twin brother dead wasn't among them. How come she couldn't have ended up with that little blonde in the group? He seemed earnest and was into the same things. Hell, even the studious Assistant Kang was a better option. She was stable, well paid.

Then again, he knew all too well the heart wanted what it wanted.

It was only natural the girl wouldn't seek out the lie of a "Prince Charming". A scruffy script kiddie with a habit of blowing his money on fast cars was as far as that as anyone could go.

Seven wasn't necessarily a "bad" guy, and it was obvious that he cared for her. Whether that was "trauma bonding" or limerence, Ophelia wasn't sure. Judging from Vanderwood, they hadn't been together long. Theirs was a relationship of only a few weeks of talking online. They'd imprinted so deeply onto each other so fast, likely due to social isolation and the danger. Yet, in such a short time, that relationship had made her bold. She spoke up for herself and had no trouble facing down a hitman to defend the red head. There was a time when the girl would've simply hung her head and said nothing.

How much taller she'd gotten and how very strong her back had become. As long as there was someone leaning against her, she could be strong. When it came to herself, it was very different. But hadn't that always been the case?

Hopefully things worked out, but if not, Saeyoung Choi was easy enough to find now.

His "guest" continued to stare at him with unseeing eyes.

... Ophelia could see a ghost of himself in them.

Then the heavy door squeaked while swinging open.

As it closed, Ophelia stood, seeing a breathless, and shriveled agent holding a suitcase. The middle-aged man struggled to think of a code word, before he noticed the feet pointing up from the edge of the couch. Before he could move to open the door and run, the hitman had pounced over the back of the seat and put the agent into a submission hold.

The man looked familiar.

"Please don't kill me!"

He knew that voice... This one was a liaison for "the boss" of the Agency. No wonder Seven'd had no issues getting so much information on them, how sloppy were they? They'd probably kept him busy trying to cover their weak links. Now that he wasn't there to hide that weakness, it was easy to exploit.

As long as that man's "boss" was out there, it'd be a problem for Seven's new "happy" family... Granted if his information about the boys' connection to that politician was true, things were never going to be that easy for them. The fact that one of those boogeymen was on the list of essential targets was just icing on the cake. Ophelia was a professional, but it was personal at this point. If in five years he could look up those two and see a happy little family, that'd be enough. He'd killed for less noble things.

His voice was smooth and casual over the older man's cries.

"...Where's the boss?"

"Wha...? I can't tell yo-"

There was hesitation until he began to apply pressure to the other man's arm in such a way that it would surely be dislocated or break.

"STOP! AGH!"

"Where... Is... The... Boss?" Ophelia asked more pointedly, pressing a little harder with each word.

"I don't kn-"

SNAP!

Ophelia covered the man's mouth as he cried out in pain. The guttural noise ebbed into a heaving breath and low whine. He couldn't deny that a part of him really loved that sound. It was the clarion of compliance. How many bullies had he dreamt of doing that to?

"For every time you make this difficult, I'm going to break a finger or a rib. Then I'm going to start cutting things off."

"OKAY! OKAY! STOP! PLEASE! I'll tell you everything! Just... Please no more."

Callously he threw the man down next to his previous guest before sitting on his belly and practically shoving a gun into the man's mouth.

"Good boy... Now, talk."

Saeyoung's mouth was so dry…

An attempt at swallowing only resulted in him being aware of how strange his body felt. His throat felt scratchy and his tongue like cotton, one hand was so very warm, while there was no sensation at all in the other. He was certain his fingers on his right hand could move, but the delirium that had settled over him that made Saeyoung certain his arm had been cut off. That was until the constant throbbing made him very aware of its attachment to his body.

There were fragmented memories of where he had been, a girl's gentle words, someone asking him questions about how much pain he was in and being told to count. The numbers were small ones, he knew that by the colors and shapes of them in his mind. But… Thinking back in his confusion, he was certain he'd counted in Arabic and not the language being spoken to him.

His skin itched all over, but he also felt like toothpaste in a tube… Would he just slip out of himself? Was that how angels got wings? Was he going to be an angel?

Everything felt heavy as he moved to scratch, only to feel his left hand being squeezed and a soft voice soothing him. That voice and the sweet scent coming from that side of his strange form made him so happy in a way that felt warm and blossomed, filling his mind with meadows and galaxies. It was a formless, primitive happiness. Something told him that everything was okay.

Maybe slipping out of his own body wasn't a bad thing. He didn't like the fluffy, prickly warmth in his veins though.

Opening his eyes confirmed that something of him was still physical.

There was a rather plain ceiling above him and to his side was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen. Saeyoung knew the shape of the girl and the way her long dark hair fell. His heart felt full of melty honey butter looking at her. The lines of code that made her were flawless and her graphics were so lovely. His 606… She was a dream made real. This was someone important to him…

The floor plan didn't match anything he remembered seeing in the Mint Eye compound blueprints… He wasn't in that dingy, cramped room that reeked of beer.

Was this Heaven?

Time slipped by so slowly and seemed to drag him along with it. Eventually, he tried to sit up to steady the way the world sloshed around him.

Before his lips could move to say her name and he could try to sit up anymore, her head lifted, and her arms wrapped around his neck so very lovingly…

"Saeyoung…!"

That was his real name… How long had it been since someone had called him that without malice? No one had ever sounded so happy while uttering it. He wanted this angel to hold him like this and say his name like that forever. But she sounded a little worried. Had something happened? His left arm reached up and gently patted her back while the warmth and sweet, honey butter scented angel overcame him. For some reason his right one felt like heavy static on a screen. The softness of her hands guided his face up to hers until the warmth of her lips settled over his own.

The boy in him was wide eyed and amazed.

He was in love!

This definitely had to be heaven, right?
Another, more tender kiss followed as his faculties returned to him. His right arm was bound and was tingling, but his left could feel the cloth sink until he could feel the firmness of her back. A bite of his own lip and sudden breathless laugh broke the third kiss as the realization fully hit him and the hard drive with his memories finally booted up and finished loading the OS that was Saeyoung Choi.

He was alive…

HE WAS ALIVE!

His heart fluttered feeling her lips curl into a meek smile against his cheek as she noticed him grinning like an idiot. The retired hacker wanted to pull her into bed with him to celebrate, but a glance down at the unpleasant tugging within his arm came from IVs and the adhesive patches used to keep them in place. Another quick glance around finally clicked that he was in a hospital room. A few blessings to his creator and any of the saints that seemed appropriate fell from his lips.

With care he eased back and studied Miyeon. She looked intact but something felt off. Maybe it was the drugs in his system? The world seemed to be sideways and cross ways. Already the precautionary part of him was stirring…

"Are you hurt?!"

She shook her head.

"We're safe. Jumin's security team showed up a little after you blacked out," the sweet voice soothed while she brushed the hair from his face.

Saeyoung sunk back into his pillow with some relief.

Before he could even ask about his brother, his angel was answering.

"Saeran is just down the hall in another wing on this floor. He wasn't hurt when help came, but he's likely going to need to stay in the hospital for a little while," her voice trailed a little as she collected her thoughts. "How do you feel? Are you tired?"

Cautiously the hacker flexed the fingers of his right hand. It was surprising that his digits still worked considering how useless and weak they had been before. They responded sluggishly to his wishes, but he wasn't sure if the numbness was from how tightly his arm was bound or the nerve damage. Without unwrapping the limb he could tell some sort of surgery had been performed by the tightness of stitches pulling his skin.

"...I feel fine - just little woozy - numb… What's wrong with my brother? Why will he need to stay?"

Miyeon gave him a glance over to make sure he was cognizant enough to stay awake while she explained. Something told him they'd had some of this conversation while he had been coming out of sedation. There were glimpses of it or maybe he had wanted to see her so badly the whole thing had been imagined. Sitting up tall, Saeyoung made it a point to show he was very much awake and alert. This was convincing judging by how she explained in detail...

"His immune system is very weak, and he's got a chronic case of gastritis. They're worried he'll develop an ulcer. They won't let him leave until that's resolved."

His poor brother… Then again, his twin had stomach pain and got sick easily for as long as he could remember. Whether they were stress or auto-immune related, he wasn't sure. The drugs used to brainwash him certainly hadn't helped any… But that was over now. With Saeran free, they could get him healthy again; they'd have time to find out now and get him a proper diagnosis. They were finally free from that woman and the hell their lives had become.

Miyeon continued, "The nurse told me conditions he was under were so extreme that his light hair is from vitamin deficiency and from his immune system was targeting his own body. He was being starved to encourage him to work harder… But if we make sure he eats properly and gets plenty of vitamin B-12 back into his system, his hair should start to return to its natural color. That will give us a way to make sure he's getting proper nutrition, but there's a chance it might stay light due to just how long he's been malnourished. I mean… You guys were deprived of food when you were younger, so at some point we really should get both of your teeth checked. Right now, the biggest concern is his mental state. When I went to check on him, they had him restrained for the nurses' safety… And his own."

The girl continued for a bit; her weary expression focused as she pondered a whole dietary regiment. At some point, the words didn't matter as much to him as the intensity of his affection for her. He'd never been "mothered" before, but this was probably what it was like if Yoosung's account of his own mom was anything to go by. It wasn't nagging as much as her anxieties being woven into some sort of plan to ensure the wellbeing of those dear to her to ensure they were well cared for.

"…Thank you for checking on Saeran, but…" His voice broke as though he were going through puberty again and sounded more brittle than he expected. Saeyoung knew well the sort of volatile being his brother had become in order to survive. The pain he'd put Miyeon through already, and the malice towards him wasn't something that was just going to go away. "I don't think it's safe for you to see him without me there."

"I couldn't just leave him alone after everything that's happened. We're in this together, right?"

With her bangs having been trimmed, he could make out the soulful warmth in her eyes without her hiding them away. He'd loved her from the moment he'd seen the sparkle and honey color in them in that picture weeks ago. This was the person who saved him and the people dear to him. His hope. His light. His future wife and mother of their children. It was this sort of love that had let her through his walls. Every crack and vulnerability had been filled with roots, strengthening him and helping him grow into something more.

Saeran would be her brother too when they married, but right now, his brother likely didn't see it that way… It was hard to tell exactly what his twin's feelings towards her were. He could hurt her and likely would if given the chance. Just as it was his job to keep his future bride safe, the retired hacker needed to do the same for Saeran… That meant not making a situation where either could harm the other.

Saeyoung gave her uninjured hand a squeeze. "We are but… I don't think it's safe for you..."

Miyeon looked as though she wanted to object, but the realization that his concept of "you" wasn't just "her" anymore seemed to quiet any objections. Although, she might have been too tired to argue the point. The dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her skin spoke to the limit being very close. Yet she sat firm with a gentle smile with the weight of the world on her back as if it were nothing.

Even more worrying, he was aware of how she kept one of her hands hidden.

"Aein, your hand... "

The girl quietly tucked the wrapped limb into the sweater she was wearing.

"Nothing, it's okay, really…"

His stomach already felt raw and strange, but the anger laying latent in him made it all the more sour. Something had undoubtedly been done to her when she was out of sight. His near eidetic memory was foggy from the drugs, but he seemed to recall Miyeon wearing gloves when they were in the chamber.

Before he could gather the mettle to confirm his suspicion, she moved to change the subject.

"…Do you remember anything after you passed out?"

"I think I remember being in the ambulance. And maybe a little after they started treatment here…"

Her gaze wouldn't meet his. That worried him. Even more so was the way she finally glanced up from the corner of her eye as though gauging whether or not he was well enough to hear what she had to say. Miyeon's expression paled as the honey in her eyes darkened. Whatever it was wasn't good news. With care, she eased him back, stroking the hair from his face as her mouth pursed.

"…Before they got there, Saeran did his best to protect you. In the fight that broke out … V was shot."

No… He misheard her… He definitely misheard her.

"Wh..at?"

His heart buckled painfully against his ribs. The heavy numbness in his arm seemed to settle over the rest of Saeyoung, suffocating him. The girl's lips moved as she said something else, but his mind was still stumbling over this information.

V couldn't be hurt… Since Saeyoung had been a boy his mind always held V as an indestructible being, larger than himself. Even when he'd felt the man's cheek under his fist… The distance he had to look up to that man had shrunk over the years as his body had grown, but he still had to crane his neck to see him. As fresh as the anger and resentment were, the depth of a lifetime of feelings before those revelations intermingled with them. He could remember the man's hand gently rumpling his hair… V and Rika had still been kind to him and given him food when no one else had. As terrible as some of the things he had done were, the skills and money he had made from the opportunity V had lead him to had ensured he'd never go hungry again.

That gentle smile V'd always flash...

Was Saeyoung never going to hear Jihyun's voice again?

What about Jumin?

It took a moment, but the familiar warmth of his love's body enveloped him, hiding his face as the shock ebbed to a sob. The boy in him was a tangle of fear, pain, and regrets. This was a side he could never show Saeran… Only V and Miyeon had seen him weak like this. He clung so tightly to her.

Being so vulnerable and weak in-front of someone he was supposed to protect felt so shameful…

Was that why V'd tried to do everything on his own? It was obvious now that he looked back… The two of them were more alike than he wanted to acknowledge. He'd tried to push everyone away to handle things on his own too… He could tell himself it was to keep them safe, but the reality was that he hated himself for not being stronger.

He was such a hypocrite…

For all the mistakes that man made, Saeyoung and Saeran wouldn't be alive were it not for him. Jihyun, like a father, nurtured his curiosity and industriousness with a quiet pride. Of course, he had his own struggles and worries. It was so like V to not bother anyone with them unless it was really important. For so long he'd thought it was just from the pride of being a grown man from a well-off family… He was expected to handle those things alone, rather, pressured to… His mistake was thinking his love was enough to cure another person's illness.
The truth was just as simple as it was complicated. V was the person he'd always been…

Saeyoung still needed him; he needed to apologize… The young man wanted to show that he had grown into a good person, not everything Jihyun had done was a mistake. Were it not for V, he would've never met Miyeon. As much as part of him loathed to admit it, there were many things about those two that were similar… The warmth, strength, and kindness that seemed to flow so freely from the both of them was the same. They never seemed to complain. Their "selfish" requests were never for themselves. They both made him want to be better. Being with her made him realize that he still had a lot of growing up to do, especially if he really were going to be a father himself one day. He needed to be better, to be someone she could rely on. Even with her being so weary, he leaned on her like this…

He still needed V to help him become that man. He needed answers…

As his mind calmed, the hacker felt her throat tighten as she continued to speak.

"I know you're angry with him, Saeyoung… And you have every right to be, but I did get to hear his side of things. He made mistakes, but he isn't the one who did those things to your brother… I don't expect you to forgive him, but I do think you should see him and talk when you're both well enough."

Biting his lip and sniffling, the hacker did his best to regain control of himself. Part of him wanted to rip the IVs out and see him now. What could he say to that man after everything he'd said and done? Not as though he'd hear him if his condition were as grave as the girl's words inferred. Saeyoung wasn't sure he'd be able to find the words to say. Those bitter feelings were still there. V had still misled him and lied to everyone. Then again… How could he expect his brother to forgive him for leaving him alone to suffer like that?

His mouth was still so dry which made swallowing his pride and sorrow so very hard. The practical side of his mind was working in darker ways though. If V had been shot, someone had pulled the trigger.

"...Who did that to him…?" he stammered as the realization hit him. His brother was the one with the gun.

The girl didn't answer him.

"Did Saeran..?"

She smoothed his cheek over, with her eyes betraying her suspicions.

"...Did he?" he asked hoarsely.

Miyeon bit her lip.

"Please."

If they were surrounded, how did he manage to hit V and not one of those men? That couldn't have just been luck… Just thinking it made him ill, but he had to know as much as possible before Jumin drew that conclusion. She'd surely seen enough to make that judgment call, right?

"...It seemed more like an accident; he was scared and just reacted. I don't think he was aiming at anyone in particular."

Somehow, he felt some relief, but he doubted… In the back of his mind, scenarios played out in an attempt to get himself into his brother's headspace. He must've been aiming for V or Rika… Most likely Rika and V got in the way. Sincerely, he hoped Miyeon was right, but-

"Here…"

She poured a bit of water for him before offering the cup to him. After a small "thank you" he drank. As soon as he finished the cup, the girl refilled it for him. She'd scarcely offered it before he was already greedily swallowing between sniffles. It didn't have any real flavor to it as his mouth felt parched, but the coolness of it was refreshing.

"Feel any better?"

He hummed an affirmative. This seemed to relieve her, but she still looked so worn and ragged. His gaze came to rest on Miyeon's bandaged hand again.

"Did she do that to you?" he asked softly while studying the wrapping.

There was no need for him to clarify who he meant. His love understood well enough judging by the deep breath she drew in.

"It doesn't matter. It's over now."

From a pragmatic perspective, she wasn't wrong. What bothered him was the way she said it… It was these little moments he could feel a wall between them. Even with as intimate as they had been, there was this boundary around her that kept the world out. Not even he got through… He hoped that would change in time. They had only known each other a few weeks, after all. Best not to push too much, as it'd likely make her pull back even more.

"Do the others know about Rika and her role there…?"

"Jaehee and Jumin know…" Her lips narrowed. "But I haven't been able to reach out to the others since our phones are still missing… When they're returned, I was told that we were to "refrain" from sharing details." There was no mistaking the frustration on her brow. "Can you imagine what Yoosung and Zen are thinking? Having to hear things through the news… Especially Yoosung… Finding out all of this without anyone explaining to him. All of this suffering started because secrets were being kept in the first place."

Of course, Miyeon was more worried about the others…

Saeyoung rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand, but he could feel the tremble of suppressed anger in her. Keeping secrets was what had brought this catastrophe upon them. There was a time and place for the truth. More often or not, that was with some fixer or degenerate like him doctoring it to be more palatable to certain parties. In this case, he suspected the C&R money and power was being put to use to delay and obfuscate things, but there was only so much that could be done in such a situation.

"Jumin's not a fool," he assured her.

She didn't seem totally convinced.

"Anyone would make a mistake at a time like this."

"We'll work through it together," he assured her, giving her little hand a gentle squeeze. Her skin so cool and dry…

The last thing he remembered her eating were those tomatoes God only knew how long before he'd blacked out… Saeyoung wasn't even sure what day it was but clearly Miyeon hadn't slept in any of the hours since their capture. Something told him she'd keep going until her body couldn't physically take anymore. It was painful to see.

"When was the last time you slept or ate...?"

"I'll be ok…"

Was this how she felt looking at him for the past week?

With care he scooted over and patted the bed beside him.

"Here. Come lay with me," Saeyoung offered brightly.

Her dull eyes widened.

"I don't mean it like that!" he offered with a slight stammer before regaining his composure. "You've been keeping watch, right? I'm awake now, so you can rest."

Her body seemed to shrink in her chair. Was it too bright for her to get comfortable? Even with the blinds drawn, he could tell by the light it was probably late morning or early afternoon. There was a couch with a pillow and folded hospital blanket that a nurse had lightly brought her. It didn't look too hard, but it was obvious she hadn't even made an attempt.

Then something occurred him…

"You can't sleep. Can you?"

There was a flinch that he would've missed if he had blinked. With some reluctance, she nodded.

"I've never been able to sleep at hospitals…" A quiet fell between them before she offered explanation in a low, whisper of a voice, "I'm afraid of what I'll wake up to. If I stay awake, I can do something."

Of course, she'd hate places like this. Miyeon had probably spent more than her fair share of hours in a hospital with her father. He felt a kinship with the father-in-law he'd never meet.

"...I'm fine," she assured him again doing her best to brighten her smile.

Before he could even question it, a nurse entered the room. It wasn't long before Jaehee and a doctor followed to check on him. There were certainly benefits for being in the inner circle of some of the most prestigious people in the country. One of the top orthopedic doctors in the country had apparently been brought in to work on his arm. He'd need some physical therapy to regain the full function of his hand, but that wasn't hard to arrange. There would be some issues for him to watch for and check in with the clinic over the new few weeks but otherwise, he'd be ready to leave by that afternoon if he wished. They would prefer him to stay another day or two just be certain, but it took only a glance over to Miyeon to make that decision for him. He could always drive back to visit his brother or get news of V.

Assistant Kang seemed just as aware and worried about the newest member of the RFA's condition judging by the sympathetic glances she'd give under the rim of her glasses. It made him wonder just how much she knew about what had transpired between them. He tried not to think too much about it as the tangle of IV's was removed from him and a few tests of his functionality were done. There was relief on everyone's face in seeing him get up and walk around.

He'd be taking it "easy" for a few days, but 707 was well enough to return to "duty" in his own mind… There was a whole litany of things he needed to get to work on, and he needed his equipment for that. C&R's deep pockets had likely invested in people to start digging where he might not have wanted them yet. They had a head start. He needed his equipment or at the very least a phone.

When the doctor left, and the three of them were alone, that was his first order of business. As reliable as always, Jaehee had seemed to read his mind and removed their phones from her purse onto the bedside table.

"It was a bit of a challenge to retrieve these before law enforcement got involved. I don't approve of hiding evidence, but your 'maid' impressed upon me the importance of discretion in your case. Vanderwood also took the liberty of retrieving many of those items from wherever you were stationed prior and has them in what I presume is one of your cars."

His heart stopped.

"You let him?"

" has been compliant with our requests. He's also been inquiring about your status… And employment opportunities," the executive assistant noted, looking a little weary. "Miyeon vouched for him."

Saeyoung resolved himself to trust his future bride's judgment on the matter. If he wanted her to rely on him, he needed to be able to do the same. Besides, Vanderwood was an easy to predict person. He'd go the pragmatic and safe path. Right now, that was with someone who could help cover his tracks and who had rich friends.

Taking a seat on his hospital bed, the discussion turned to the state of his brother's health, V's care, and how to handle the situation in general. Jaehee was already asking for details of what'd happened. It was easy enough for him to pretend to still feel weak which thankfully deflected much of the more challenging questions. He didn't want to say too much without knowing what they knew, and Assistant Kang seemed very aware of that. She was a merciful interrogator.

"First, allow me to say I'm sorry for being so harsh to you. I've misjudged you and your circumstances… For so long I assumed you did things as they suited your humor. Your life is more complicated and trying than I could have ever imagined. Rest assured; we're doing our best to ensure that your privacy is maintained."

That was somewhat reassuring, but he would feel much better after he scrubbed their servers of everything. He offered a smile while pondering if it'd be best to wait until 's money did the investigation for him first while he pampered his future bride.

"Thank you… I'm guessing Jumin knows about "that man" too?"

"Yes…" she sighed. "Please don't be upset by my saying this, but it's my sincere hope no one else has noticed. The resemblance is… Hard not to notice once one knows. For now we've done everything we can to ensure you and your brother are off the record."

"I have faith in the RFA's best android," he offered with a cheeky smile. "…If it's okay though, I'd like to go home to check on some things."

"Is that safe?" the older woman asked.

"There's probably no where safer for us at the moment. But before we go, would it be possible for me to see my brother?" His voice trailed some at the other thought. "Or Jihyun…?"

"Not at this time. Saeran is undergoing treatments and is undergoing surgery."

"He was finally stable enough for them to repair the rest?" Miyeon queried meekly.

"The doctor felt so. Hopefully we'll have some good news on that front soon."

Saeyoung lowered his head. No doubt that Jumin and Jihyun's father would be there. This wasn't the place for him to force his nose. Maybe that was for the best, the coward in him didn't want to see V broken like this… There was also no way of knowing what Jumin thought of him and the whole situation yet. He knew well enough his guilt in the matter. There was nothing keeping him from visiting tomorrow, and he'd be able to hack into the hospital cameras from the house anyway…

More pressing was the fact that Miyeon needed rest. She wouldn't sleep as long as they were here. Plus there were undoubtly media swarming around, even with the extra security. Jaehee seemed just as concerned judging by the way she tried to covertly glance over at the girl. If he got her home, she could rest somewhere well-guarded while he figured out the full extent of the situation.

"Will you be going with him?

The executive assistant turned her attention to the girl.

Miyeon nodded quietly.

"I may be overstepping my boundaries here but… Are you certain you won't see her before you go? Once they clear her health, it's very likely she'll be taken into custody."

The hacker raised his head, a little confused.

"See who?"

"No one important," Miyeon answered meekly, before unsteadily forcing herself to her feet.

As his gaze met the older woman's, he became very aware that there was something very important he was missing. Even more importantly, Miyeon looked as though even a gentle breeze might topple her. He stood and put his good arm around her back in such a way that he could support her.

"She has been asking to see you. Is there anything I should tell her?"

The girl wrapped her arms tightly around herself, letting him see the bandages on her hand better than he had before. She may as well have been on the moon for as cold and distant as she felt against him.

"It's not my place to say this, as I don't know the relationship you two had. But as a friend, I think you should at least try to get some closure…" Jaehee urged.

"I understand why you'd feel that way… But there's nothing I want to say to that person."

There was no denying the uncharacteristically cold tone in her voice. It stirred something in him… He caught himself asking before he could help himself.

"Who was asking about Miyeon?"

Jaehee glanced at him before returning her attention to the pale girl at his side.

"May I tell him?"

Miyeon lowered her head.

"…Rika isn't trying to talk to her is she?" he queried darkly.

"No," the older woman replied.

His immediate urge was to hold and comfort her, but he'd scarcely leaned in before she stepped away.

"… I'm going to get some fresh air, ok?" she murmured with fake cheer before stepping out of the room.

As much as he wanted to follow, the feeling that she needed a moment alone was stronger. That didn't make it easy. There was a pained silence was left in her wake as the two of them watched her disappear down the hall.

"…Her mother was one of the acolytes we took in."

His jaw tightened as a picture seemed to become clearer. The taunts his brother had levied at her echoed in his mind.

"We are still gathering information, but her mother was serving as a nurse on the compound. But there is some intel that may indicate deeper involvement…"

The correlation and possible charges were already scrolling in his mind before Assistant Kang even finished speaking. That definitely explained why he couldn't find much on her mother after a point… Saeran had likely wiped her information. Maybe her brother was in the compound too?

"After she gets some rest, I'll talk to her but… If Miyeon doesn't want contact, it must be for a really good reason."

Jaehee nodded, but it was obvious that there was an objection in her throat.

"Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf until now. When I get back to the house, I'll let you know. There's some things I need to follow up on and any access you can give would speed things along."

"Understood. Just, don't overdo it, Saeyoung."

He laughed breathlessly and flexed his arm gently. "I'll be fine. God Seven owes Cat Daddy a life debt. I need to make sure Jumin gets his money's worth."

"I'll make sure you have a safe ride home."

"Thank you again."

A private nondescript vehicle had been arranged to drop him and Miyeon back at his house. It was a bit presumptive to assume she even would come along, but the other options weren't secure enough for his tastes. He was confident in his security system and scheduled "check in" times with Jumin's security team. That left discussing the matter with Vanderwood guarding things when he wasn't around.

He was to be released at a clandestine exit from the hospital. The acrid waft of cigarette smoke hit him with a nauseating punch as soon as the door opened. To his surprise, his former handler stood downwind of Miyeon with a cigarette. They appeared to be talking, but he couldn't quite make out what was being said. There was a general feeling of annoyance directed towards him that wasn't there when the agent dealt with others. If anything, the older man looked like he could've been a wayward uncle checking on a niece. Vanderwood always had a softness. As much as Saeyoung pricked his ears, he just couldn't focus enough to hear what was being discussed. It didn't help that the guards escorting him drew the conversation to a hold.

For just a flash, he could see something like relief in the older agent's scowl before the familiar frown returned. The retired hacker offered a small wave, that didn't even get an acknowledgement as his former handler focused in on the driver. They were discussing routes and how to avoid being tailed. He paid only enough attention as was necessary to pick up anything that sounded off, but there was something else that needed to be discussed.

The late morning light was so very bright. Already the heat was rising, but it was still quite cool in the shade. There was no denying how pale she looked sitting on that bench. Saeyoung took a seat to the right of her, trying to find whatever point on the ground her gaze had dropped to. A brightly colored beetle was marching along the concrete, oblivious to the chaos in the human world around it.

"…I didn't get a chance to ask earlier. Are you ok with staying at my house for awhile?"

Miyeon glanced up at him with an unspoken question on her lips.

"You can't go back to the apartment. Your house hasn't been secured. Jaehee could probably arrange something at one of their hotel chains, but you'd have C&R security close by. My house is pretty big and it's secure. You don't have to if you don't want to. If you need privacy, I could sleep on the couch or get another bed for one of the spare rooms if-"

The familiar weight of her head against his shoulder quieted him before he felt her hand rest upon his. Calm settled over him. After a quick look down for confirmation, which she returned with a nestle against him, Saeyoung smiled.

They both already knew the answer.

For a moment, he drank it in. The clear skies and the expanse of the future waiting for them. He was afraid but calm… At times like this, he couldn't help but imagine a well-placed bullet or unpleasant surprise. But nothing like that happened at all. The conversation the driver and his former agent had wasn't anything ominous.

Peace… Until a little squeak of a snore sounded his shoulder. He had to resist the urge to chuckle at how cute it was. Minutes passed of him soaking in the depth of his love for her before the driver gave a beckoning nod.

"Hey…" he urged Miyeon awake with a stroke of her cheek. Her brow furrowed as she buried her face against him. "Our chariot awaits, my princess."

There was a little flustered little huff, but after a shake of her head, they were up and in the car. Vanderwood was in the front passenger seat while they allowed the couple to take the back. She put up a good fight of trying to sit up and look proper for the first thirty minutes. The comfortable temperature, soft seat, and white noise won out. What started with her resting her head on his shoulder turned to her laying out over the backseat with her head in his lap. She was completely out the whole trip from that point. Any discussion with Vanderwood was held in low tones in other languages to avoid the driver or her being able to understand. There weren't details as much as general things.

He had his new identity; he could go anywhere he wanted. Yet the brunette was asking questions about the both of them looking for work together and what "the plan" would be. Saeyoung kept his answers vague. Truthfully, the years of getting cuffed and tasered hadn't bred much love for his former handler. The guy could've been worse to him and he had gotten away with a lot… But Vanderwood was a connection to a life he didn't want anymore. However much he wanted to burn that bridge, he was well aware that he needed someone like him for now. There were times he'd need someone to keep an eye on Miyeon or his brother. He could trust Vanderwood to be discreet as long as he was compensated properly. The details could be hashed out later, but there was an understanding that the old man would get his pick of the cars in his harem… Except Saeyoung's current favorites.

It was well into the late afternoon before they arrived. The driver had made great time despite the amount of evasive driving taken. To his surprise, his former handler took the lead entering and confirming the sanctity of the house. Normally he would've gone himself, but the girl was still resting on his lap. No one had the heart to wake her until necessary. Once the other agent gave him the all clear though, he gently stroked the hair from her face.

That at least got her to raise her head and sit up, but she was leaning on the other window by the time he got to the other side of the car. Against his better judgement, he cradled and carried her. It hurt even though he had her legs on the injured arm… He could bear it for a little. Thanking the driver, he carried her up the path and through the security doors on the first level. Like a husband carrying his bride over the threshold…

"We're home…"

She was on the cusp of sleep yet… Bearing the discomfort, he carried her up the steps to his bedroom and laid her out with care. Reflexively she curled up with the comfort of a pillow under her head. He pulled the sheets over her before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Her quickened breathing soon ebbed into deep, restful ones as he stroked her hair.

"Sweet dreams, my princess… When you wake, your wizard will do everything to make those sweet dreams come true."

He gave her forehead a tender kiss before giving Vanderwood a list of supplies. There were little things from food and drink to bandages and medicine. At some point, they'd need to get her clothes. That could wait till tomorrow. Now? He had some hacking to do.