I walked out side of the office and I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I took in one long deep breath and walked toward where Christian and Kirova were pacing anxiously.
"What happened?" Christian asked.
"I told them the truth and now…all of this is behind us," I answered honestly.
Kirova nodded. "That's good. The only loose end is what happened to Janine Mazur."
"A loose end that can be taken care of later. She's not a threat," I told them.
"Good. For now, case closed." She relaxed and leaned against the wall of the building. "We're all taking time off to…recover from all of this."
"How much time are they giving us?" Christian asked.
"As much time as we need. They recommend that we get out of town until things calm down around here, especially with Mazur's trial coming up. "
"Lissa and I were going to do that any way," Christian chuckled. We both smiled.
"How is she?" I asked serious.
"She's still a little torn apart but she's not mad at me about Eric. We're good."
"Well I'm glad," Kirova sighed. She looked at me, her eyes apologetic and then warm. I nodded knowingly. "I'm just glad we made out of this only partially unscathed."
"Same here." Christian looked at his watched and started backing toward the elevator. "I'm going to go home to Lissa. You guys be careful out there," he warmed with his signature smirk. We gave a few more farewells.
Kirova and I gathered separated to grab a few belongings form our offices. My desk was clear except for the basic office supplies and my computer. The last thing I picked up was the necklace.
I had taken if off when I came back from the hospital after the shooting and tossed it aside. As much as I loved Rose, I was angry she had taken such a big risk with her life. I was mad at her and just wanted to go back and change things.
I picked up the necklace and clasped it around my neck again. I actually felt like I was missing something without it on. The spot over my heart warmed where the charm brushed my skin and I smiled to my self.
I wasn't angry any more. I was happy I had this necklace that carried so many memories.
I tucked it into my shirt and walked out of the office along side Kirova.
She pushed the button on the elevator.
"Your family's doing better?" she asked as we got on the elevator.
"Yeah. Paul woke up a few days ago and my mom is already healing and ready to start cooking again," I laughed. I hadn't laughed in awhile and it felt foreign.
"I'm glad." There was the briefest of moments before she spoke again. "I'm sorry about Rose. The hospital says they don't know what happened after the surgery."
I nodded. I didn't need the hospitals explanation. I knew what happened.
Rose was gone. "It's okay. I understand. It's just hard…being away from her, not having her beside me."
She gave me a long glance…
A twinge in her eye…
Maybe she knew…
"I can imagine," she said knowingly. "I bet this entire ordeal would have been easier if she were with you now."
I brushed my fingers over the charm of my necklace and nodded. "Yeah, it would have been. I've never grown so attached to someone. I feel like my other half is missing," I told her honestly. This conversation was crossing over into personal territory but I didn't care, our professional walls were down.
"You two are soul mates," she said matter of fact.
"I had a fortune teller tell me the same thing."
"You'll find each other again," she said with a certain tone I took notice too. Kirova definitely knew.
It took me less than an hour to go home, pack the essentials, and get back in my on the road again. Staying the apartment too long right now was too much for me to bare. I couldn't handle Rose not being there any more. I don't even know how I made this week without some sort of breakdown.
I drove for half the day until I finally made it.
I almost forgot the address and how to get there because I had made the arrangements so long ago but I found it soon enough.
I hopped out of the car and treaded down the path that led to the small cottage in the trees. It was obscured by the thick trees and I could see the clear ocean down below. The view would have to wait until later though. I pushed the last of the plants aside and walked up the few steps onto the front porch, earlier words echoing in my head.
"You have to promise me something."
"Anything."
"…Promise me that if something happens…you'll run… Promise me Rose."
"Run where? Dimitri that's not going to happ-"
"Rose, please. I spent this week setting up and making arrangements for you in case anything happens, with Kirova. So long as you don't stop, you don't look behind and you don't try to save anyone but your self you should be okay."
"I promise. No matter what, I'll run."
I knocked on the door of the cabin and waited. Through the door I could hear the soft pat of feet against the floor. The curtain at the side of door pulled back and a tangle of hair and large eyes peered out. I saw the flash of a smile before the curtain fell back again and the latch of the door was pulled up.
The door opened wide…
"Dimitri…"