15.

*Joe*

I opened my eyes and blinked rapidly, unsure of whether it was real. But it was. Katelyn was lying in my arms, her hands curled into loose fists against my chest. Her ponytail had gotten looser over the night, but it was still pulled away from her beautiful face. She looked so peaceful just lying there, and it sparked many memories for me. And I also felt more hopeful about the future now that Katelyn could remember.

No, we hadn't slept together. Well, I mean, technically we had; we had slept in the same bed and everything. But, no clothes had come off; I was a complete gentleman the whole time. It had felt so good to just be with her that I hadn't even thought of anything other than to hold her close to me. And I never wanted to let go. I loved listening to her steady heartbeat and feeling her soft, warm breath against my neck. I liked smelling the soap and the shampoo that she used, and feeling the way that her body pressed into mine. And I loved the way that she slept, her face completely calm and everything about her just so relaxed and peaceful.

Suddenly, Katelyn's eyes fluttered open and she blinked furiously, as I had. I made no move at all, so as not to startle her. After a few moments, things seemed to come into focus for her and she gave me that shy smile that I had never stopped loving. "Hi."

"Hi," I whispered softly. "Did you sleep okay?" Maybe that was a stupid question; I had watched her sleep like a rock for a full five minutes. But, still, it was the polite thing to ask.

"For the first time in ages," she said softly and snuggled closer to me, resting her head in the space between my arm and my neck. I couldn't help but grin and tighten my arms slightly around her.

"That's great," I said. "Really great."

"Your presence calms me," she admitted. "And my dreams were nice, too."

"What'd you dream about?"

She sighed against my skin. "That we were skiing in the Alps."

"I can make that happen."

She chuckled softly. "I could, too. Anyone with our kind of experience could."

I rubbed slow circles on her back. "Are you feeling okay? I mean, after everything from yesterday. You still remember all of that, right?"

"Yeah," she said softly. "I remember everything."

"Good." Part of me had been afraid that she would sleep it all off and wake up wondering what the hell she was doing in my bed, even if we were fully clothed.

"Joe?"

"Yeah?"

"Did anyone suspect that I wasn't actually at an accelerated program?"

"No one except for Leah and me," I replied. "No one knew the truth except for us. And the paperwork was very authentic and no one had reason to think Headmistress Morgan was lying when she made the announcement. Even she thought it was the truth."

"It does sound pretty convincing, doesn't it?"

I said nothing in response, just relishing every single second that I got to be with her. After a few minutes, though – after I thought she had fallen back to sleep – she asked, "Do you have to leave today?"

"Yes," I said regretfully. "I have to go back to Gallagher, Wouldn't want anyone to get suspicious."

"No," she murmured. "We wouldn't." Then, she sat up. "Do you mind if I take a shower here? And if I could borrow sweats and a t-shirt, that would be great."

"Sure," I nodded and moved to comply. I found my smallest black sweatpants available and then found a T-shirt for her. She took them appreciatively and then moved into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I noticed that she didn't lock it, though, which made me happy. She still trusted me enough to leave the door unlocked while she showered. That was definitely something good.

While she showered, I changed into jeans and a T-shirt, along with my Nike Shox. I made sure that everything was packed neatly away so that I wouldn't leave anything behind, and then I just sat on my bed to wait. (You'd be surprised at how long operatives can sit without moving.)

She emerged from the bathroom in the clothes that I'd given her, looking like the most beautiful woman in the world. Her blue eyes were bright and her dark hair looked jet black from the water, and it hung straight to the middle of her back. She had slipped on her shoes form yesterday and as she walked towards me, she slipped her ponytail holder off of her wrist and began to pull her wet hair into a messy bun. "Can I walk you to your helicopter?"

"I would love that," I replied.

She smiled. "Then let's go."

I grabbed my bags and she walked out of the hotel with me, keeping pace easily. The day was cool and pleasant. "Nice surveillance day," I commented.

"Speaking of surveillance, will you be coming back?"

I wanted to say that I would come back the following weekend, but I couldn't. I had to meet Zach to go over some information that was actually about the Circle this time. "I will," I said. "I just don't know when that will be."

"I get it," she said and gave me a reassuring smile. "It's not a big deal."

"If you really need me, send a message," I told her. "I don't mind canceling plans for you."

We were reaching the air strip then, and that's when she stopped walking and asked, "Do you still love me?"

I stopped walking, too, and faced her, dropping my bags at my feet. "Yes, Katelyn. I never stopped loving you. And I never will."

"Then will you do something for me?"

"Anything," I promised.

She blushed slightly. "Kiss me; before you have to go."

I smiled and moved forward to pull her into my arms as I pressed my lips gently to hers, hoping to convey my love.