4.

*Joe*

"You're sure you have to do this?"

I nodded my head and put another shirt into the bag. "I'll be back for classes on Monday, Rachel."

She continued to lean against the doorframe, her arms crossed and her head tilted to the side, studying me with her green eyes. "I realize that. But can't it wait, Joe? Can't it wait until…I don't know…Thanksgiving holiday? Christmas holidays?"

I shook my head and zipped the bag. "No, Rachel. This can't wait. I told you; it's a lead on the Circle."

Her eyes widened slightly as they always did when I mentioned the Circle that was after her daughter and not Macey McHenry, as everyone believed. "Yes, I know that you've told me. But you haven't told me what the lead is or where it's taking you."

Truth be told: I wasn't actually following a lead. I'd been missing Katelyn more than ever, and I just needed to get away from the place that held all of my memories of her. I was planning on escaping to Italy, where Katelyn and I had always talked about as a possibility of living. Katelyn said that she had loved it there when she'd lived there and that she would love to live there permanently. Or, rather, as permanently as her job would allow. Of course, we'd also talked about Paris and Zurich, but Italy always struck me as her favorite. So, I was going to go there to be alone and meditate on her. Just to get away for a while. "I can't, Rachel. Not until I'm sure it's any good." I sat down on my bed and looked at her, letting off all of my "truth-telling" signs that spies were so good at. "If there's anything leading to the Circle, I'll contact you right away, okay? I promise."

She nodded and pushed off from the doorframe. "Okay. The helicopter is waiting for you out front. Are you sure you won't take any dinner to go?"

Dinner would be starting in around an hour, but I had wanted to leave as soon as classes were over. "No, Rachel. Thanks, though."

She nodded and gave me a small smile. "Sure. And be careful, Joe. Please."

I stood and grabbed my bag, giving her that confident Joe Solomon smile that I had perfected over the years. "I will, Rachel." And I walked out of the room. I managed to get through the mansion without running into any girls, which was a lucky break for me. The last thing I needed were questions.

I told the pilot the destination and he merely nodded before steering the helicopter up and into the sky. I watched as the mansion grew smaller and smaller and then I let the memories take over.

"Marry me," I said to Katelyn.

She smiled at me and ran a finger down my jaw. "Marry you?"

"Yeah. You know, certificates and rings and-"

"You know that'd be hard," she whispered, something in her eyes that I couldn't really decipher.

I didn't like not knowing. "Why?"

She shook her head slowly and then forced a smile, leaning in to kiss me. I could have fallen into it and we could have made love again, but I needed to know. I pulled away. "No, Katelyn. Tell me."

She sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. I propped myself up on one elbow to watch her. After a moment, she said, "About a year ago, I found out that my parents had only gotten married because my mom was pregnant with me. They were on a mission together and they were bored and lonely…" She choked up for a moment and then continued. "So they got married and had me. But they don't really believe in the institution of marriage, Joe. They cheat on each other whenever they want; whenever they go on missions and they're bored. They're married, but they're not."

"It doesn't have to be like that for us," I replied, kissing her slightly damp temple. "I love you. So much. And I would never cheat on you, Katelyn. I'll never want anyone else. Ever."

She looked at me, her blue eyes sparkling with tears. "How can you love someone like me?"

"Because you're perfect for me," I told her honestly, lacing our fingers together. She moved towards me and I put my arms around her so that she could fold her body into mine. "We fit," I mused with a smile.

"Like puzzle pieces," she agreed, kissing my bare chest.

"Katelyn?"

"Hmm?" she asked as she laid her head on my chest and breathed deeply.

"Think about it. Please."

"Think about what?"

"Marrying me."

She sat up, the sheet fitting tightly to her naked body. She looked into my eyes for a moment, trying to decide on whether or not I was serious. Finally, she allowed herself a smile. "If you still want to marry me after I'm done with Gallagher, then yes, Joe, I'll marry you."

I pulled her down and kissed her passionately. "So, do I still have to propose later?"

"Yes," she decided with a flirty smile. "At a candlelight vineyard dinner, with a solitaire ring. White gold. Under no circumstances are you to propose to me with a yellow gold ring. I will say no."

"What cut?" I asked, smirking at her particularness.

She pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm…surprise me." Then she leaned down and kissed me.

But she had been the one to surprise me the next day. Or, rather, her parents had by showing up and forcing her to take a memory modifier and then taking her away from me.

"I still want to marry you, Katelyn," I said softly, staring out at the stars and at the waning crescent moon. "I still want to marry you more than I've ever wanted anything in this world. And I promise you, I'm still looking for you. And when I find you, I'll help you remember."