I've been awake for two hours now. I'm spooning Root, even if she is still a bit flinchy when I try to touch her more intimately. She moved when I got closer, she didn't push me away though, so maybe she doesn't mind. That's progress. It's been a week since the "interrogation " and we haven't got further than hugs and pecks when she feels likely to. She reminds me of myself when I got back from Samaritan and that helps me to manage this situation sometimes. Just sometimes. Because, after all, my social skills are disastrous and I can't understand her needs entirely.

Suddenly, I notice she flinches away from my embrace, almost falling over the edge of the bed, her breathing all fast and hard. "Sorry, I thought it was-" She swallows the last words and I just nod, getting out of the bed. It's not like I'm feeling hurt by her, it just settles my plans for today once again, because this is not her, she is not like this. This is her being afraid that them would get into her apartment, into her clothes, into her underwear. So, if I had any doubts about today when I woke up, this just confirms them.

"Want breakfast?" I ask without looking at her, putting some shorts on and heading to the door.

"Maybe later..."

I sigh and I turn, facing her finally. "Root, you need to eat."

"I don't feel like breakfast right now, Sameen. Later, please..." I nod again and I even if she said "no breakfast" I make some scrambled eggs and toasts for her. I place them on a tray along with a hot coffee mug and I put them all next to our bed, on the nightstand.

Silently, I finish my breakfast and my dark coffee, and I decide to take a shower before meeting John. Just when I get under the shower spray, I feel cool air entering through the shower stall.

"Why are you showering?" I hear behind me.

"I always shower in the morning."

"But today you didn't get your running done." She points out.

I huff. Of course she noticed it. She cares way too much. "I have some plans today. I will get home late." I confess as I reach for the soap and I start to soap myself.

"Oh..." She is following my hands with her eyes. Even in her state, she still takes her time to contemplate my body with those darkened eyes. "Are you going to look for Samaritan?"

It takes me off-guard and all I manage to say is "What?"

"I've seen you select some good guns and shotguns, even grenades."

I shake my head at my mistake and I get under the spray again, ignoring her question. I feel Root hands on my waist, traveling forward until her front is touching my back, her pelvis cupping my ass. "Would you take me with you?"

I turn around suddenly at those words, startling her. "No way I'm taking you there."

"I'm good with guns."

"Yes, and that's hot. But what if you see Martine? What if you just stand there because you are too afraid to move?"

"That can happen to you too. Also, the Machine told me John is going too. Please, Sameen."

I stare at her and she seems determinant. "Okay. But try not to get shot." She smiles lightly for the first time in a long time and it warms my chest.

We pick John up and we drive towards the latest location of some Samaritan's basement in New Jersey. Root and John talk about the plan and they consult probabilities of getting injured with the Machine as they modify it. I keep silent, focusing on the road. But my mind drifts away. Images of Root crying, hitting my chest with her fists when I hugged her, Root taking care of me when I was paranoid and refusing to get out of bed, images of her kissing me softly, images of us fucking for the first time - more like making love, because she went really soft on me - after my captivity. I grip the wheel harder, my knuckles going white.

So when we get there, I get out of the car, grab my arsenal and without a word, I throw a grenade to the main entrance, blowing it up.

"You seem eager, Shaw." John says with a smile on his face. I scoff at him and we get in. Just when we are few steps in, some Samaritan assets start shooting. I grab my shotgun and I walk towards them, taking them down as I get closer. Root and John are too busy looking surprised at me that they seem unable to keep walking. They don't understand what got me. At least not completely because they haven't seen and felt what I did under your constant watch. They don't agree with me putting holes in your assets chests, but I don't care. Because I'd already felt dead once. Because your definition of the greater good has perturbed my mind, changing my mental processes. It felt like everything was inside my veins, running through my body, twisting my arteries, but it was your invisible hand squeezing my brain. The time I spent under your constant gaze is burned in my body permanently, making it impossible for me to stitch me up and heal. But even after ruining my soul, you didn't stop: you had to make her cry. Don't take me wrong, she is strong, she is able to kill all of your assets. But she is different. She feels and she cares. And now you seem to be hunting her, watching carefully until you see your opportunity to make your move.

So I decided that I'm not going to respect the truce we have between us, not anymore. I don't want you to ignore me when I'm exposing myself in front of street cameras. I'm not as damaged as you think - I'm still capable to make you struggle. It's been long since I decided to take revenge, but today it's for real: I'm not going to wait anymore to make you suffer. I'm going to aim to your skull. I'm going to look you in the eye, where you can't lie to me, the dark side of your secrets being revealed in front of me. I'm going to make it easier for everyone. Alert all your assets, put them on the field, because I'm going to make my move and I don't care if I suffer. I've decided it long time ago and no one is going to do it for me.

A/N: ladies and gentlemen, Shaw's revenge is coming!