Told from Twilight's P.O.V. (only for this chapter):

Yor leave Ostania, huh?

I pondered this thought as I gazed over to Yor through the corner of my eye. She was laying down on the couch while I got up to see Franky to the door. He took his time collecting the apartment ads and putting on his coat and gloves.

"I don't know what to tell ya, man. The prospects aren't great, but you've gotta move. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a place nearby, but it might take a few days." "Thanks," I replied, not looking away from my wife. Franky zipped up his jacket and turned to face me head on. He wore a prominent frown which he flashed in my direction. "Is she asleep?" He asked me. I tiptoed over to Yor and placed two fingers under her chin. Her pulse and breathing were low; she was definitely sleeping. "Yes," I answered, straightening my back up again.

Franky narrowed his glare onto me. "What are you doing?" "What?" "Come on, you know "what". First rule of espionage: no getting attached." "I'm not attached," I countered a little too quickly; my tone was low and severe now, just like his. Franky made me look him in the eye, cementing his harsh stare resolutely. "You think I don't see you, Twilight? See the way you act around that girl? The way you treat her? You're not married; this isn't real. None of this is real. You gotta remember that you'll be leaving Berlint the moment your mission is complete. You'll go back to Westalis and never see her again, as is the rule."

I gazed back onto Yor, letting my eyes linger for a moment. "I know that….. But…. Is there any way we can bring her to Westalis?" "What?! You want to smuggle her across the border?" My oldest friend gasped in pure shock and horror. My stare lowered a tad. "I just want to know if it's possible." "Do you know what Handler would say if she heard you were even considering such a thing? We're trying to stop a war here! You can't bring a civilian back with you."

My lips pursed together; I knew he was right, but that's not the answer I wanted to hear. "We could arrange it indirectly. Her brother could help us. I don't know what he does or who he works for exactly, but I know he's not a member of the National Unity Party," that was an obvious cover. Why Yor's brother would lie to me about his profession, I don't know, but that might be of use to us. He's willing to help Yor get out of Ostania anyway; that works fine for me.

Franky blinked in surprise. "Mr. Briar? How could he possibly help Yor escape?" "I don't know, but I think he can. We can supply him with the resources necessary to help Yor cross through to Westalis," I said, glancing back to Franky. He watched me a moment, his expression progressively growing sterner.

"Even if she did move to Westalis, you still could never see her again. Handler was VERY clear at the start of your mission: what happens in Berlint stays in Berlint." "I understand, but it would me a lot easier for me to move on if I knew she was somewhere safe," I insisted, causing him to scowl again. "That shouldn't matter to you, Twilight. You know how dangerous "feelings" are in this profession. You should forget about Yor's very existence once this is all said and done; she'll only be a hindrance for you in the future." "A hindrance….." That particular word lingered on my lips for a solid second, leaving a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

My head dropped down slightly a second time as I spun back around to look at my slumbering wife. She was sleeping so peacefully, so innocently… so trustingly. My mouth unconsciously opened a sliver. "Hindrance…. Why should having someone to protect be a hindrance?" "Someone to protect?" Franky's eyes enlarged, clearly taken aback. "I don't see how my protecting Yor makes me a worse spy," I declared with the upmost resolution, refusing to look away from her even for a moment.

Franky's back jerked a little and his head turned to the side as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Neither of us said anything briefly; I waited for him to break the silence this time. "Protecting people isn't in our job description," was all he could think to refuse me. My eyes lowered a tad. "Be that as it may, I can't leave Yor until I know she'll be ok. She has to live….. She has to have a future….. even if I'm not in it." "You're talking nonsense, dude. You and I both know that even if we secure her safety, you can never be with her again." My hands balled into fist, my fingers tightly pressing into my palms. "I don't care if we're not together, if I never see her again; none of that matters now.

I cannot afford to lose her."

"Twilight….." Franky's mouth hung open. We didn't say much more after that; there wasn't much more that needed to be said. I saw him to the door, locking it after he left. Still holding onto the doorknob, I stared out into space momentarily, re-playing our conversation in my head. Someone to protect…. The side of my head rested against the wood of the door. I've never "wanted" to protect anyone before. This was a weird feeling; weird…. and powerful. Funny, I was always taught that getting close to anybody would make me weak as a spy…. But I felt more powerful, more dangerous than I ever have in my life.

I slowly walked back over to the couch where Yor was asleep. My eyes immediately fixed onto her as I beheld her with a burning intensity. What is it about you that makes me stronger? Why do I want to protect you so damn badly? Why do I want to beat anyone who dares to threaten you within an inch of their life? What makes you so goddamn precious? My lips pressed tight together and my eyes lowered. Yor….

You are so precious to me.

You've changed me without even trying….. Somehow without my willingness or consent, you've carved a spot for yourself out in the centre of my world. Everything about you drew me in…. I could watch you for hours and never grow bored. You were like a melody, with each note more beautiful than the last. Oh Yor…. My lips parted a tiny bit. You'll never know what you look like through my eyes.

I laid down on the couch next to my wife in such a way that our faces were nearly touching. Her mouth was a little open and her eyes closed. Her breathing was low and gentle. Settling in myself, I watched her for a good long minute or two. I simply, closely, effortlessly watched Yor sleep…. before shutting my own eyes and letting my mind wander off to a quiet, dark place.