Phew! I'm finally back! Unfortunately I was at a funeral, which was tough, but thank you for all the condolences! To make up for last week, I'll be updating multiple times over the next week. Again, thanks to all who read and especially to the reviewers (we made it past 70!) You guys make my day!

This chapter is mostly fluff, the next couple ones will be action filled, I promise. But we learn a little about Cammie and Zach in this chapter, and it's the longest one yet, so I hope you like it!

Chapter Thirteen

It's a common known fact among girls that spending all your time with a boy is stressful. Especially if that particular boy happens to have a long and complicated past with you, and if that boy happens to be very confusing, even if it's in a hot way.

Perhaps that was the reason I fell flat on the bed once Zach and I got to the room. Our room. Whatever the reason was, I was tired. It was hard to believe that just this morning I had had a leisurely pancake breakfast. But such was the life as a spy.

I pushed my hair out of my face and watched as Zach threw his duffle in the corner and lay down on the other bed. I sighed, loudly, and turned my head to face him.

It was early evening, almost dinner time.

"What should we do?" Zach asked me.

"Well, we should go get dinner and then come back and look at that microchip." I said.

"But what do you want to do?" Zach watched my face.

I closed my eyes. "Honestly I just want to crash, but we can't do that." I groaned and sat up. Zach raised his arm to check his watch. Then, sighing, he ran his hand through his dark hair.

"Okay Cam, can you be ready to go in 20? I'll look and find someplace nearby. What are you in the mood for?"

"Italian," I answered immediately. Pasta was my favorite and I was totally craving comfort food.

Zach looked at me and grinned, "I'll make sure to wear a white shirt."

I laughed and got up. I grabbed a comfortable knee-length skirt out of my suitcase and the top that went with it, and then I headed to the bathroom.

Ten minutes later I was ready. I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. Makeup had gotten rid of the weariness on my face and I had to admit, I look good.

Walking out of the bathroom I found Zach already dressed.

He looked at me, "I found a nice place a couple blocks away, is that okay?"

I shrugged and grabbed my purse, "Sounds good to me."

Because of the proximity to our hotel, we decided to walk. It was unusually warm outside so I didn't mind the chance to be outdoors at all.

We soon discovered the reason there wasn't any vacancy in the hotel. In the large park across the street, a music festival was taking place. Tents were set up and people milled around. Even from a distance I could smell the scents of foods being cooked and hear the different melodies of songs.

Zach smelled the food too. "Want to skip the restaurant?"

"Nah," I shook my head. "But we'll stop through on the way back."

Zach and I continued to walk in silence, each of us observing the things around us. Neither he nor I felt the need to talk.

Zach stopped in front of black and red building with the name La Campagna labeled on it. He opened the door and I stepped in and looked around. The restaurant was busy, but not so crowded to ruin the cozy atmosphere.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes when the waiter confirmed "a table for two". Why did everyone seem to assume that Zach and I were together?

But after sitting down, my annoyance disappeared. This was clearly a nice restaurant, I had to give Zach credit.

While we both looked over the menu I found myself studying Zach. Overall he looked the same since I last saw him, but he was older. He was still in great shape, and his face had that constant look of confidence. But beneath that I saw the real Zach. The one who had a troubled past, the one who'd been betrayed and taught not to trust anyone.

Zach's green eyes looked up to catch me looking at him. Instead of looking away, I held his gaze.

"Yes Gallagher Girl?" A small smirk appeared on his lips.

I cocked my head and gave a small shrug. "I'm trying to decide if you've changed."

The smirk slipped for a half-second. If I wasn't a highly trained operative, I never would have caught it.

"And?" he asked.

I scrunched up my nose as if I was thinking. "Nope, you haven't. You're still…Zach."

Zach laughed, "Very good, Cam. You're right."

"And what about me?" I asked. "Have I changed?"

Zach leaned forward, setting both arms on the table. His eyes stared at him, and I tried not to squirm under his gaze.

After a moment, he nodded, "I think you have. You've definitely grown up."

For a moment I thought about that. "Yeah, I have. You really don't get a choice in this business, you know? I mean, we're the few twenty-something year olds who travel the world in constant danger. How many normal people do you know who have to deal with the stuff we do?" I reached for a piece of garlic bread.

Zach made a face, "None. But you know you wouldn't have it any other way," he waved his hand around the room. "Normal is boring."

I didn't answer, for the waiter came up to take our orders. He looked at me. "What can I get for the beautiful Ms.-"

"Emily," I filled in. "And I'll have the fettuccine alfredo please." I sent a smirk in Zach's direction. The waiter proceeded to take Zach's order and then walked away.

"So," Zach reached for his wine glass. "I heard a rumor about you."

A slight feeling of dread filled my stomach. I had no clue what he was talking about.

"Okaayyy," I drew out the word.

"I heard that a year ago you were engaged to a guy named, oh what was it, Michael. But yet now I don't see a ring…" he raised his eyebrows.

Groaning out loud, I rolled my eyes. "We were not engaged. Now where did you hear that?"

"Spy," Zach smirked and pointed to himself. "So there really was a guy?"

I shrugged, not giving anything away. "Is this your way of asking if I'm involved with anyone?"

Zach smirked and took a sip of his wine. "Maybe. So what happened? Getting engaged is serious stuff."

I made a face. "Life happened, what else? And we were both too young. I had just turned 21 and he was 23. We weren't ready."

Zach nodded. "Did you love him?"

I looked at him, "I don't think any of it matters now. So what about you? Any tragic love stories?"

"That, Gallagher Girl, is confidential." Zach smirked.

I shook my head. "C'mon Zach. Don't play games."

He sighed. "Well if you really want to know, there have been a couple of girls. Nothing that really lasted though."

A part of me hurt a little, picturing Zach with another girl. But I pushed it away and smiled.

"Sounds like we both suck at love," I said.

Zach nodded, "Amen to that." He lifted his glass and I gently clinked mine against his.

A little under an hour later, our dinner was over and I was fully stuffed. I probably could have fallen asleep at the table after the good food and the wine. But we both wanted to walk through the music festival.

So we slowly made our way down the sidewalk. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful night. Many people were outside chatting and laughing, just living their lives. It was a moment where I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would want to disturb the peace in the world.

Leisurely, we made our way into the park. Big oak trees and green grass added visual beauty to match the sounds of music drifting through the air. Vendors with shops and food stands were set up everywhere, while musical acts were under small tents. There was so much to look at and listen to, I couldn't help but genuinely enjoy myself.

Looking at Zach, he looked content too. For just this moment, neither of us were worried or stressed.

We walked by a girl playing her guitar on a bench. She was only sixteen or seventeen, but was really talented. Zach and I stopped to listen to her play a few songs and when we decided to move on, Zach dropped some money in her guitar case and winked at her. Unlike most girls, she didn't swoon, but smiled and kept playing.

As we continued on I bumped Zach's shoulder with my own. "That was nice of you."

"Well what can I say, I'm a nice guy." Zach replied and looked at me as if asking me if I disagreed.

"You have your moments," I admitted, not wanting to ruin the mood.

Zach didn't say anything – we both just walked along in our own thoughts.

We spent quite some time going through the festival. I couldn't help but stop and observe some of the beautifully handmade jewelry. Particularly, a necklace caught my eye. It was a silver wire heart on a delicate chain. But the heart wasn't perfect; it was bent in some places that made it unique and even more beautiful. Inside the heart and green emerald was centered. Zach noticed me eyeing it but didn't say anything. I was tempted to get it but decide against it.

Zach and I had almost made our way through everything when we reached a final tent. A band was set up on the stage and the lead singers were a man and woman. A few people were sitting listening to them, but a majority was paired up dancing on a grassy area.

Taking me completely by surprise, Zach grabbed my hand and gently pulled me toward the people dancing. The band was playing a slow duet.

"Zach, what are you doing?" I asked, even though I already had a pretty good idea.

He held on to my hand and placed his other on the small of my back. Pulling me close, he whispered.

"Dancing with you."

Completely oblivious to what came over me, I put my hand on his shoulder and allowed myself to gently sway with him.

Ahhh...romance is in the air...or is it? What did you guys think? Goode...or bad? Tell me in a review!

Again, sorry for the delay, but stay tuned for more! :D