Jack was beginning to worry about Renee—Agent Walker. She looked pale and tired and he swore he saw her hands trembling. He climbed out of the front seat and sat beside Renee. Chloe was talking with Tony and Elle about something else.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jack asked Renee.

She nodded. "I'm just tired. Everything that has happened—it just doesn't seem real right now."

Jack put his hand on her arm gently. "I'm sorry that you're involved in all of this. And I'm sorry I had to shoot you."

Renee half laughed, half sobbed. "I'm just glad you didn't kill me. Not like that." She put her hand on Jack's lightly and they're fingers interlocked briefly. Renee took in a shallow breath.

"This is…impossible," she whispered. "I just met you a few hours ago."

Jack smiled a little, looking down at the floor. "Yeah. I know."

Elle's P.O.V.

"Where are we going exactly?" I asked, watching Jack and Agent Walker with interest. They were practically holding hands.

"To a location where we think that Dubaku moved Henry Taylor too," Tony replied. "But we're going to drop you off at a safe house and then go."

"What kind of safe house?" I wanted to know. "Wasn't I safe back at the warehouse?"

"This will be better. It's an FBI safe house that Renee told us about. You and Chloe are going to stay there while we deal with Mr. Taylor and Dubaku."

"Promise me you'll be careful," I whispered so that only he could hear.

Tony leaned down and kissed my forehead lightly. "I promise."

When they dropped us off at the safe house, they left me and Chloe O'Brian, the computer nerd. Just before they left, Tony handed me a 9mm handgun.

"If you feel threatened, use this, but only if you have too," he instructed me.

I nodded, massaging my sore shoulder gently. "I understand."

Tony leaned in and kissed me passionately and roughly. "You'll be fine, baby. I love you."

"I love you too," I called to him as he got into the van.

The house was small, but nice. Chloe set up her computer on the bar in the kitchen.

"I hope they won't be gone long," I remarked, unsure of what exactly to say to her.

"You really love Tony, don't you?" Chloe spoke up suddenly.

Taken aback, I hesitated before answering. "Yes, I do. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No," Chloe said abruptly. "It's just a shame he'll have to go to prison after today, since he's done so many bad things and all."

My heart skipped a beat and the granola bar I was opening fell to the floor. "Prison?" I breathed. "What for? What does he have to go to prison for?"

"For everything he did when he was working for your brother," Chloe replied. I turned around and she saw the obvious look of distress on my face.

"You mean he didn't tell you? I assumed you knew." Chloe's expression became embarrassed and awkward.

"We haven't seen each other in months. Today was the first time in a while and we haven't exactly had a chance to talk," I said quietly, leaning down to pick up the dropped energy bar.

"I just never could picture Tony with anyone besides Michelle. He loved her so much," Chloe continued. Her conversation wasn't boosting my morale by any means. I swallowed hard and tried to forget about what she had said. We would deal with all of this when the crisis was over. At least, I hoped it would. I hoped we'd both make it out alive.

After a quick exploration of the house, I crashed on the sofa and pulled a blanket over me. My strength was quick to wane and I needed some rest to refresh me. I closed my eyes and quickly fell into a deep, troubled sleep.

I was awakened by someone shaking me roughly. "Go away," I mumbled, rolling over. I rolled onto my gunshot wounded-shoulder and cursed loudly, sitting up immediately.

"Elle! Wake up!" Chloe demanded. "We have to go! Now!"

I looked around, for a moment forgetting where I was. "What's going on?" I asked. "Is Tony back?"

"No! There are men outside with guns. We've gotta get out of here!"

I hurried behind her, picking up my jacket and the gun Tony had given me. We headed for the front door, but we were too late. Two men wearing masks burst through the door, aiming their automatic weapons at us.

"Let's go!" of them shouted, pushing us out the door.

I draped my coat over the gun and hurried behind Chloe, not at all excited about what I was going to have to do.