Manosque, France

The mood in the car was mostly gentle and quiet, though I could feel we were all on the edge. I was driving, which took Andy plenty of convincing since she was more prone to driving winding roads in the countryside. I convinced her where we are going was very hard to find, even for expert navigators like us. So, I was behind the well as we were going along the dirt roads that were weaving us in and out of the rolling hills of lavender and poppies.

The cloudy skies were soothing, almost hiding us from the sun we were prone to be used to thanks to Venice. Now, the cooler weather was lifting me somehow as the sweet smell of rain and flowers were mixing while all of the windows were down in the car we got. It was a good-sized car, really it was an SUV, all of our equipment in the trunk except for one gun for each of us in our laps, just in case. We had to be careful for now on, more than we were in the past.

Nile was in the driver's seat with me, Nicky and Joe were in the middle seats as Andy was sleeping soundly in the very back with the whole row to herself, using her jacket as a pillow. I could tell she needed some sleep, not that the rest of us didn't need it, but she needed it the most. The way she would walk and try to corral us together like we were infants was enough to want to give her a good night's sleep.

"This is beautiful out here," Nile said in a hum as she was watching the countryside with a sense of wonder. I looked over briefly, seeing her watch almost every flower that was going by. I had to grin, looking up at the rearview mirror to see Nicky and Joe cuddling together in the middle row. Nicky was fast asleep, or at least it looked like he was asleep, his head on Joe's shoulder as Joe was flipping through one of his old sketchbooks to see the old drawings he made in the past.

"I love the quiet," I commented to her, "Sometimes you can hear the rustling of the grass when some wildlife wood come through, but most of the time it's nice and quiet out here,"

"I have to get used to that," Nile hummed as her head was turned, she was sitting so realized and calm but I could tell she was feeling a bit on the edge. I wondered what I could do since it felt like I was bringing on a bit of this Nazi baggage and heaviness. She was so young, not even a single year in this Immortal life and there were plenty of things that were jumbled in her head. So I leaned over to the center consul, turning on the radio and tuning it to the station I remembered would be reachable out here in the middle of nowhere.

Finally, I found it.

The faint sound of classical music was heard in the car, which made me tweak the settings to have the music only play in the front and not disrupt either Nicky or Andy in their sleep. I grinned, leaning back a bit as I recognized the song that was floating softly in the air between Nile and I. Nile watched the radio in curiosity.

"This is a good song," I said to her as I tapped the steering wheel along with the stroke of the cello playing on the radio, a sense of relief was slowly coming through me as I listened to the song, "Cello Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major. It's a classic,"

"Is it…Beethoven?" Nile asked, having me grin at her and shake my head.

"No, Bach actually," I corrected, seeing how her face she looked a bit embarrassed not knowing it correctly, "Nile, trust me it's okay. I've listened to classical music for hundreds of years, studied it while I played the cello in England. I got used to how each composure sounds differently. It's like any hobby..…it takes practice,"

"You like classical music," Nile stated, not as a question but a comment.

"It's calming for me. I think for what we have, being Immortals and all, we need a hobby or something to fall back on and make us feel more…" I tried to think of the right word.

"Mortal?" Nile asked with a raised eyebrow. I chuckled softly.

"Exactly," I agreed, "For Nicky, he cooks. You should see all of the different kinds of pasta that man can whip out with his eyes closed because of the cooking classes and schools he went to, not to mention the dishes he would make from his homeland of Genova," Nile looked back briefly at Nicky though I looked through the rearview mirror. I briefly saw him smile with his eyes close, so I knew that he wasn't fully asleep and he could hear us. Even Joe was cracking a smile as he planted a kiss on Nicky's head.

"And Joe's an artist," I went on as Nile was watching me again while I was still driving smoothly, "All of his pictures and paintings that he's done are exquisite. Not to mention his poetry, it's another form of art in a way, and he could publish hundreds of poetry novels and pieces if he wanted to, if he wasn't so shy about it," Once again, a brief looking the mirror showed me the Joe was watching me with a smirk, giving me a wink in his eye as Nicky snuggling into him some more.

"So…for you it's music," Nile commented, having me nod at her.

"Well…music and medicine," I said to her, seeing her cocking her head at me, "It was music first, just listing to it during the height of classical music made me happy, truly happy. Later on, though, I wanted to dive into medicine and helping people."

"Even when we can't die?" She asked, pondering about it.

"Yes, but to those who could die, I wanted to help them. It takes a certain person to walk by someone who is in need and not even give a second glance. I've seen it before…and it made me want to help all the more. So I decided to learn about modern medicine, going to classes and schools throughout the years," I explained some more between the both of us

"Medical School takes time," Nile commented, "Some of my friends have been in it for five years at a time,"

"I had the perk of having all the time in the world," I replied back smoothly, "So, within 30 years back at the turn of the 20th century, I got at least 10 degrees in medicine," Nile's eyes went wide from how I said it like it was just another hobby.

"I thought it was 12," Joe commented from his spot in the middle row, his voice was coy and gravely since he sounded like he was about to fall asleep himself. I looked back at him briefly, giving him playful glare as I rolled my eyes and looked back ahead, taking a wide turn onto another graveled road that was taking us in heavy cover under the trees and foliage.

"It was 10," I reminded him, not raising my voice to wake the others, "Anyways, Nile, I also learned how to play the Cello,"

"I never knew that," Joe commented once more, sounding interested as I chuckled, "You were busy."

"I was bored in the late 1950s and I wanted something to do," I said in a shrug as I could tell we were getting very close to where I was taking them, "When it comes to medicine…I want to know just in case….well…if something happens to one of us and we can't heal."

"When we're mortal again," Nile said in agreement, having me give her a curious look as she nodded her head slowly and looking ahead at the trees that were covering us as we drove along, "Andy filled me in on that part after they recruited me."

"As terrifying as it is," I spoke out, "I can't help but at least want to be prepared to help when I can. In the Gulf War, I worked as a Combat Medic for the French, which I would never take back, but it made me want to help those innocent people more than ever,"

"I'll have to find something to do then on our downtime," Nile said in amazement as she was thinking to herself. I had to pat her on her arm to show her that I knew too, seeing that she was thinking about it far too hard.

"You'll find it, Nile," I said to her calmly, "Remember, you have all the time in the world now to explore and find that one thing you love and adore. And who knows, maybe it'll be three things…or five…or just the one," I watched as Nile was smiling briefly as I made one more turn to the right, seeing that we were about to go out into a clearing and I sighed, "We're here."

"Really?" Nile asked, sitting up a bit as we were going into a small opening and clearing. there were apple orchids, left and right of us in perfect rows. The trees were filled with green leaves, and I could spot a few apples that were too small to pick but they were growing in. The sweet smell the blossoms were in the SUV, having em hear Nicky waking up slightly as Nile breathed it in.

"I love the smell," She said in a sigh.

"It's one of my favorite smells here," I said to her as we were going down the rows of the apple trees, the road curving slightly to the left and going up a very faint hill. Once we made it to the hill, a small white barn was perched on the side with white fences surrounding it and some sheep were roaming amongst the grass with the fence. Once we pasted the barn, I saw Nile's face go in awe and amazement as we were approaching the main home.

Well, it was a Manor.

It was a two-story with a basement and attic with white brick exterior and floor to ceiling delicate windows shinned slightly from the rare sunlight that as coming through. A gravel driveway was right in the front and wrap around drive in the front of the house. A least three chimneys were reaching to the sky as we were slowing down on the gravel drive up to the very front. I had to grin as Nile looked like she saw an extinct animal, and I knew the others were thinking the same thing too since I never showed the others, ever.

I turned the car off and hopped out as the others were piling out, looking at the Manor in with awe and amazement. Even Andy was impressed as she came out and closed the door behind her. I just shoved my hands in my pockets, merely watching them as Nile then looked over at me and pointed to the house tile.

"This is beautiful, Eleanor," She said in awe, almost looking like a kid in a candy store.

"Magnifico," Joe said under his breath as Andy then walked over to stand next to me.

"How did you find this place?" She asked, thinking that I got it from a source. I gave her a nervous smile, not knowing how she was going to take it as the others were looking at the Manor with amazement, 'Talking about being off the beaten path,"

"It's called Manor De Clermont," I explained to her, the French accent coming through smoothly from using the title like I've used it plenty of times, I was quite proud of this place, and yet it was one of the only best-kept secrets that I never exposed to anyone else. In fact, I was the only sole witness to this place, and for good reason. So the next thing I stated was almost like I was letting the cat out of the bag:

"It's mine, actually,"

The other's head all snapped over to see me as Andy was looking at me with some shock. I shrugged my shoulders awkwardly, not knowing what else to do at this moment since now it felt like I was going to get plenty of questions about it.

"It's yours?" Nicky asked, sounding a bit shocked from his spot next to Joe. I nervously laughed and nodding my head.

"Yeah, I own it," I explained, the others were still amazed from the news, "I've owned it for about 70 years now,"

Of course, I knew they were going to be shocked by this news. But I trusted them over anyone else in my life, and I knew this was the perfect place for us to hide away for a few days and get things together before we did anything else. This place, to me, was one of the best things that I invested in and held close to my heart. It was my haven in the lonely times, my training ground for upcoming missions, and my church in depressing times.

All in all, this was my home.

"I have some questions," Andy said cautiously, having me grin at her as she was giving me a pondering look.

"Of course you do, but in a bit. Come on, I'll give you guys a tour," I reassured her, clasping her on the shoulder before I passed off of them and walked over to the front door, fishing out my keys from my backpack pocket that I stored secretly.

"Is this a normal thing, for an Immortal to have a place like this?" Nile asked behind me as I got the door unlocked.

"Not in the slightest," Nicky answered her, having me grin from my spot as I pushed the doors open and walked inside. If they thought the outside was something, then the inside would blow their socks off.

The main foyer was small and quaint, but it still had charm. Plenty of historical paintings and pictures were hanging on the wall with the stairs that curved up against the wall to the second floor, a smaller balcony at the top that lead to the bedrooms and a study. Straight ahead was a hallway, one door on the left side that lead into the powder room, and on the other side was the closet and laundry room.

On the left sat the kitchen and dining room, having me give a glance over to see that nothing really changed since I was here last. On the right-hand side was the living room that had a massive fireplace, a smaller parlor tucked in the back, and a double back door that lead to the garden.

The decor was a mixture of the old furniture that was here when I bought the property, later refurbishing those pieces to better conditions, and pieces that I found around the world during solo travels. I didn't add too much to the walls and floors, apart from the central heating and AC and solar panels on the roof for electricity when they came around. But I was still prone to some of the old commodities: open windows 90% of the time and doing my laundry outside on the lines when the weather was right. It brought me back to the older times, being nostalgic and reminiscing.

"Holy shit," Nile said in a gasp as she was looking up at the chandelier that was right in the middle of the foyer, hanging from the very top angled ceiling that passed the second floor.

"This place was built in the late 1800s," I explained to her as I was toeing off my shoes and shrugged off my jacket, the others following suit as I looked back at them, "It was in okay shape when I found it, and I did a lot of upkeep to keep it like this,"

"So you found this on a whim?" Andy asked, sounding a bit skeptical as I walked with them over to the living room, seeing them all look around at what was inside the room. The fireplace was against the wall, two counties facing each other sightly and to the fireplace were a soft gray color, a flat-screen TV was perched over the top of the fireplace and two massive bookshelves were on either side, filled with books and texts that I got from the past adventures, and a record player from the 1970s on a smaller end table with records stored underneath. It still had the French charm within it with a few chairs scattered about and a soft yellow color along the walls with the window showing the countryside and grassy plains.

"No," I replied as I walked through the room to see how things were looking, hoping there was' any damage or anything out of place while I others were watching me now to hear what else I was going to say, "I did some research….on my family. Turns out the family Clermont lasted all this time, spanning the centuries in both England and France. My Clermont family was listed back to the early 170o's, nothing earlier on but I had a hunch it was the same family. I wanted to find out more about them, and it turns out this place is the last piece of property under the name Clermont,"

"So you told them your last name?" Nile asked, sounding unconvinced.

"I couldn't since they wouldn't believe me, but I did get to see a relative of mine," I explained to her, "He was the last Claremont alive, a kind old man who was on the brink of death with brain cancer. Once I found this place and knew he was here all by himself, no children or relatives around to calming it, I made myself a live-in nurse, under a new alias, and worked for him for his last five years of life," I had to smile, thinking about that moment in time that seemed like a flicker, "Thanks to him and his kindness, I was giving this place in his will."

"That's clever," Andy commented in amusement, "Didn't think you could pull something like that off," I had to blush in how she complimented me in such a manner. I saw the others smirking too since Andy was somehow giving me a dig but was almost making it sound like a compliment as well.

"Neither did I," I admitted, taking in a deep breath before I was getting down to business, "As you can tell, the nearest place for food or supplies is 10 miles out, but I have plenty of staples and things dry goods in the pantry that we can use tonight for dinner and breakfast tomorrow before we can go on a supply run. There's a garden out back with herbs and vegetables, and a massive field out back for target practice or space, you can guys can free range of it,"

"Damn," Nile said in a low whistle as she walked over to the back windows to look out herself.

"I have beds for all of you on the second floor, and I'm giving Andy the master bedroom," I said to them as I started to walk over to the massive stairs, having me already hear Andy about to argue with me, "it's already set in stone, boss. Deal with it,"

"It's your house, Eleanor," She reasoned as we were all climbing the stairs, "I can sleep on the floor if I need to,"

"First of all, that's terrible for your back," I commented over my shoulder, "Secondly, it is my house, and you look like you need to sleep for three days straight. The bed in there is a king-sized, so don't argue and take it," I said to here as we were all on the second-floor landing, "Nicky and Joe can have the bedroom on the left since it has its own bathroom, Nile you can have the one down the hall with the windows looking into the garden. It's a good room for sunrises, trust me,"

"What about you, where will you sleep?" Joe asked in wonder as I leaned back on my feet a bit. I then looked over at a smaller door that was tucked away next to a small bookshelf and a loveseat that was built into the wall. The others were looking too, having me grin.

"My favorite room in the house."

I reached the top fo the smaller stairs, the others were coming up as well behind me as the stairs were creaking every other step while we were climbing to what seemed to be the attic of the entire Manor. I breathed in the small scent of the old wood and dust that did come through in the room, but once was others were looking around at the room, I could tell they understood why.

A massive circle window was at the very end along the wall, looking out onto the front drive-way and out into the orchid. The same kind of window was on the other side to look in the backyard and garden. The attic was spacious, not cramped in with no need to crouch down. I had a fairly large bed in the middle of the room, filled with pillows and a cool blue comforter. I had plenty of bookshelves that were filled to the brim along the walls of the active, some big and some small. A cello was propped up against a chair with a music stand and music sheets at the ready.

There were trinkets, some small and gentle like vases and picture frames, and others a bit larger like ancient medical and musical instruments propped all around the room with a massive ancient rug right in the middle near my bed. All in all. it did look like a bohemian loft in London, yet it was in a Manor in France. Fairy lights were stapled to the ceiling, stretching out like veins all around the room as I clicked them on to give the room an ombre glow.

"I lived up here when I was the live-in nurse for my relative, and I never really moved out," I explained to them as they were once again walking around my bedroom and looking at all that I had, "The other safehouses were very minimal, but I kept my very prized things here in this home all this time,"

"No one ever found this place?" Joe asked me in curiosity as he was looking at my cello that had a thin layer of dust on its surface.

"I made sure of it," I reassured him, "All of the townsfolk that knew of my relative passed away soon after he did, so now this place is merely a myth. A rumor went around of this place deteriorating from a massive storm that came through in the late 60s, and I went along with it just to not be seen or followed. I did all the maintenance and upkeep, added security cameras and light here and two miles out near the main road, and I keep coming back every few years to check on the place."

"Can't believe you did all of this yourself for all these years," Andy said in her cool tone, though I could tell she was very impressed.

"It kept me busy, busy and made my mind occupied all this time," I explained as Nile was walking over to a bookshelf to look through some of the French books that I had there, "I love this place too much to let it go,"

"I think it's suiting for you," Nicky said in his kind tone, all of us looking at him as he was inspecting the small jewelry box that I had on top of an antique dresser. I cocked my head at him, not undemanding what he meant as the other did as well. He just grinned at me as he pointed to my room.

"Being in this beautiful home and yet finding your favorite place in a space like this feels more like…you," Nicky explained, another wave of blush was coming over me in how he said it about me. Joe had to chuckle form the remark. I had to sigh as I finally gestured around the room to others.

"This is your home now," I said to all of them in reassurance, wanting to show them wholeheartedly believe that I wanted this huge house to be a safe place for them to do as they please. I trusted them, and although I was with them for so long for so many years, that small amount of time I was away made me think that their trust in me was gone.

But Andy was the one who walked over to wrap her arm around my shoulder, looking down at me with a motherly smile on her face.

"I tend to forget how big of a heart you have," She said in a kind tone, though I shook my head from the compliment and pointed at Nicky.

"Nicky's the one with the big heart," I reminded her, "I'm just wanting to be able to pull my weight around here for all that I missed,"

Andy gave me a familiar squeeze, seeing what I was saying and where I was coming from. Even when I knew we were all the same page with it came to be being away, after telling Nile everything and feeling that sense of freedom, I had had those thoughts from time to time on how I should fix or mend what happened. Wanting to make up for the lost time I had away from them. But I knew they love me none the less.

"Your heart is big, none the less," Andy said to me, in which I could only smile and say nothing else. I knew I was giving them a small glimpse of what happened to me while I was away from them, and although it was raw and authentic, It was better than nothing.

This was better than nothing.

I woke up in the early hours of the night, somehow my mind was going back to the Nazi dagger that we had on our possession. It was back to when I was fighting the goon in the alleyway and he drove the dagger into my chest when I was woken up abruptly. It wasn't a nightmare, nor was it a pleasant dream, but it was just a reminder in how I felt a bit stronger in comparison to all those years ago.

But at that moment, I just wanted some wine.

I snuck onto the second floor, wearing my pajamas shorts and a shirt with a thin robe over my shoulders. It was a chilly night, but I loved it more than the heat as I walked barefoot along the hardwood floor to check on the others in their bedrooms. Something almost protective in me was having me want to check them, not just to make sure they were comfortable in my home, but that they had a sense they were safe here.

The first one I went to was Nicky and Joe since they were the closest to me, poking my head inside and grinning softly. Their room was a decent size, their windows open and bringing in a cool breeze from the outside. They both were suctioned together right in the middle of the bed, Joe right behind Nicky and his arm around Nicky's waist. Joe's face was gently pressed against Nicky's neck, and Nicky looked beyond calm as he was in a deep slumber against the cool pillow. They never slept in any other position, and it made me feel better to see they both were in a deep sleep.

The next person I went to was Nile, her room at the very end of the hallway. It was my favorite room, apart from mine of course, since it was nice and secluded. I poked my head in, the moonlight pouring into the room and giving a glow around Nile as she was deeply asleep in the Queen sized bed. The comforter was tucked around her shoulders, almost looking like she could be swallowed up by the feather comforter and massive pillows. Just like Nicky and Joe, Nile was in a deep sleep and looked peaceful on her face. Even though she didn't have enough miles under her belt when it came to fights and missions, or years for that matter, a good sleep was much needed for her.

The last bedroom to check on was the massive bedroom with Nady, which was close to the main staircase that would lead to the first floor. But when I was approaching the bedroom, the door was already cracked up, having me pause and go over very silently in comparison to before. I poked my head in, seeing the massive room and the king-sized bed that was right in the middle and pressed against the wall. The headboard itself, like other things here, came with the house. My relative slept here, it was a glorious bed, and sometimes I would venture there in that bed when I needed a massive time for rest. When I looked inside, the bed was unkempt and looked like it was rolled around in.

But, to my surprise, no Andy.

Going down the stairs into the foyer, I saw a warm glow coming from the kitchen bouncing on the foyer floors. I tied the robe together, walking carefully over towards the glow and seeing none other than Andy at the kitchen island, propped on a barstool and a small glass of whiskey in her hand. I saw the whiskey she had on the side of her, having me see her look up and over at me. I could tell there was something else behind her eyes, something was haunting her more than other times.

"You found my favorite whiskey," I commented to her as I walked over to get a wine glass from the shelf, Andy chuckled dryly while I went into the refrigerator and pulled out a chilled bottle that I knew was there.

"This is my favorite," She commented, motioning to the whiskey as I went to sit next to her, pouring my wine as I grinned at her.

"I know, which is why I got it for nights like this," I replied calmly, seeing her give me an eye as I cocked my head at her, "I know how you are, Andy. You like to think in the wee hours of the morning with alcohol in tow, which says to me, as I remember correctly, that something is bothering you,"

Andy sighed, looking at the crystal glass her drink was in as I was patient, seeing how the wheels in her head were once again turning.

"A lot of things are on my mind," She admitted, taking another sip and cracking her neck, " I don't know if you want to hear all of it,"

"Oh come on now," I said to her as I took a sip of my wine, "We're drinking some of the best alcohol in the world and you're not gonna indulge me? I disappointed," Andy snorted from how I was trying to make it seem a bit casual. But once again, it was quiet for a moment. I didn't want to push her, not when I knew it made to be something serious.

"Back when we were dealing with Merrick," Andy said to me, her voice calm and level as she was looking off int he distance, "Something happened with me,"

"What?" I asked her, seeing her grip the glass in her hands almost a death grip. Was she afraid of telling me something? I never knew her of being afraid of anything. I reached over to top her arm, almost trying to soothe her, "Andy, what is it?"

She looked over at me briefly, seeing that I was still there and not freaking out just yet. She then sat up a bit in her chair, arching down at her shirt that she was wearing and raising it sightly to her lower stomach. That was when I saw it, and it made my stomach drop and my heart hitting hard against my chest.

A scar. The size of a baseball, distinct and pink against her pale skin.

"Andy…" I said in a lower manner, not being able to say something else and feeling like I was about to have a panic attack. Andy lowered her shirt, saying nothing for a moment before she cleared her throat as I looked at her in panic.

"It happened when I was ambushed and taken to Merrick," She explained, "I got used to it now since we banished Booker for what he did with us. But it's still…."

"Still real," I finished for her, seeing her watch me now as I was about to break down in tears from this recent news. I couldn't wrap my head around all that was happening now, all that I knew about Andy and how long she was alive. But this was taking things right off the table: our fearless leader, our boss, and the one who got me in check for being an immortal. Now, she was no longer immortal.

"Eleanor," She said to me, seeing that I was teetering on the edge of crying. It was her turn to place her hand on my arm and rubbing it soothingly, "It'll be okay,"

"I know," I said in a huff, trying to get the tears out of sight from her, "But it's….it's not fair for you,"

"None of this life is fair, if we're gonna be honest about it," Andy grumbled as she drank the last in her glass, "I've made peace with it when we left London those months ago. Sure, it'll take some more time than I would want to accept this, but I'll get there and I'll accept it without any bitching,"

"Well then it's good that I have some medical degrees behind me to patch you up when you fall," I said, trying not to be bitter as I took a massive drink of my wine, "I'll keep you alive until you're well into being an old lady that still swing her axe," Andy chuckled, having me look at her as she pointed at me with the glass in her hand.

"I don't want anyone else to patch me up than you," She reasoned, having me see that she was trying to get me to smile. I knew she was coming from a good place, I had to give her credit. But this was still raw in me, raw and saddening to know that Andy's clock was now officially running, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"With that being said," Andy said, sounding a bit lighter as she cleared her throat and poured a bit more whiskey into her glass, "I have to be a bit more careful than I was before,"

"Of course you do," I agreed with her, leaning a bit on the counter with my elbows as I was watching her "Whatever you need us to do, we'll do,"

"So willing to follow my commands these days," she commented, not in a tease but with curiosity. I shrugged, pouring some more wine in my glass.

"You're still our boss," I reminded her, seeing that she was watching my every move as I looked over at her kindly, "You'll be our boss until you decide to leave this earth,"

"Until I decide?" Andy asked, almost amused. I had to chuckle from how she wasn't getting what I was telling her.

"I know you far too well to now that you're not going to die as a mortal very easily," I explained some more, and I had to smile since I knew it was true, "You never back down without a fight, and I know when death comes to take you, you'll be kicking and screaming,"

Andy thought about it for a moment as I eyed her, then having me see her slowly grin as I grinned back at her. Now it was my turn to make her smile about this whole talk about her mortality. She swirled her whiskey in her glass, which made me realize she was thinking about soothing else.

"I want you to promise me something, Eleanor," She said to me in her serious tone, having me look at her calmly as whatever was weighing on her mind was dying to come out.

"What is it?" I asked her carefully. She gave me a look, and look to which I have sense before with her. Whatever she's gonna tell me, I know I'm gonna push back on.

"When my times comes, whenever that might be," she paused, seeing that I was still listening without saying a word, "You need to take care of Nile for me,"

I raised an eyebrow at her, sitting up a bit with this news. Andy was really thinking hard about too fo this: her mortality and what will happen when she's gone. It made me worry about her and what she would think tonight alone in her own mind.

"My moral clock is now officially ticking and I don't have time to think of what could happen, but what will happen. Nile is still a baby, and even though Nicky and Joe can still be around for another thousand years or so, You're closer in years to her," Andy explained, having me slowly nod my head, "And I do know the boys will take care of her, but I just need you there too. What happened back at Merrick's lab was too close, and Nile could have been on her own if things would have gone left and we all were gone."

I sighed, looking at my wine glass in front of me and re-thinking all of this new information and what she truly wants from me. It felt heavy, but not the kind of heavy I was feeling when all of this was happening to me. All thanks to those Nazi thugs who wanted my head on a platter. This time, it was a new heavy. I knew where Andy was coming from: She had to think of what will happen to us when she's gone. We knew this time would come, to each of us, when our mortality would kick in, and we would be like everyone else.

Andy was just the unlucky one to pull that draw first.

"As much as I don't want to think about it," I paused, sitting up again in my seat and looking at Andy wholeheartedly, "I'll look after Nile for you…when it's time," Andy gave me a kind smile, seeing how hard this was for me as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"I trust all of you with my life, so that's why I trust you all with Nile," She said to me, "Especially you, Eleanor. I know you'll protect her and show her more than I could ever with the short time I have with her,"

"Way to butter me up about it I already said yes," I grunted as her, seeing her grin widely, "But the way she is now, to be honest, I think she'll be alright,"

"I know she will be," Andy said in agreement, though it pained her a bit to think about this a bit too deeply, "I just…"

"I know," I stopped her, squeezing the arm the was still up against my shoulder. We were quiet then, two full-grown women in the wee hours of the morning having alcohol and having an emotional moment. It made me snort. Andy looked at me slightly in amusement.

"What?" she asked, clearly not getting what I was thinking.

"Man, we're pathetic drinking like this," I said in a huff, seeing how she was slowly getting what I was talking about, "Honestly, I thought we had it bad when we were drinking Ale by the barrel that one night during the American Revolution after we slaughtered the British."

Andy did snort this time from the memory as she held up her drink between both of us. I held up my glass, clicking mine with hers.

"Those Americans didn't stand a chance," She said as she down the last of her whiskey in one shot. Sure, things were complicated now, and new objectives and perspectives placed on the table, but I enjoyed this small sliver of a moment. Of all that was unfolding the last few days, including Nazi goons that were trying to kill me and the discovery of Andy's mortality, I couldn't help but wanting to savor this moment I could have with Andy.

Even with alcohol involved.