AN: This chapter is another favorite of mine, it cements what has always been there between Raizo and Mika. The movie gave me the impression that they were both intense people especially Mika. So we're going to see another shade of Mika's intensity and the gravity of her feelings for Raizo and we're going to see the classical Mika who's a relentless force.

"Mika you haven't said anything since we started the debriefing" Maslow noted to a rather withdrawn Mika who had a somber expression on her face.

"I don't know—I'm worried Ryan" she admitted exhaling; Raizo gave her an inquisitive look.

"About?" Maslow raised an eyebrow.

"You said you want to intercept the ship when it docks in Marseilles, you have no idea about the security there, and obviously they can't do this operation without some hired mercenaries to gun down anyone who so much tries to get in the middle of things."

"Mika, I'm going with a couple of my men, and we have Raizo, no one can match his stealth"

"But these men have guns!" Mika exclaimed.

"Hey, hey, how many people has Raizo ki—terminated?" Maslow seemed to flinch at the idea itself that Raizo had a lot of bodies in his name. Raizo on the other hand remained almost expressionless; anything to do with his unpleasant past was an unwelcome subject.

"Can't you just alert the French Intelligence?"

"I don't need to remind you about jurisprudence, cutting the red tape is a problem and how many criminals have gone free because of that, that's why we're Europol, it gives us jurisdiction anywhere on European soil."

"I know that" Mika said timidly. She didn't want to think about the grave peril that usually came with such operations and the thought of Raizo getting hurt or worse killed when they were just starting to find each other was unbearable.

"Smile please" Raizo said to Mika after they were done with the debriefing and Maslow had gone to get his squad together and start planning a strategy.

"I'm worried Rai" she said again.

"I'll be ok Mika" he reassured her, he didn't like seeing the unhappy expression on her face.

"I've just found you; I don't want to lose you" she admitted voicing her biggest fear.

"I won't be lost" he chuckled adding the humor, Mika gave him a tight smile. He drew her in his arms not caring who would see them and hugged her tightly, kissing her as if to seal the deal.

Maslow gave Raizo a quick glance whilst they were seated in the Europol jet plane after they had ambushed the illegal child trade ring in Marseille. He had never seen Raizo in full action until today and he seeing him like that gave him a new respect and fear for the man. He would never want to be on the receiving end of his wrath. He wondered how Mika was so comfortable with him. The look on Mika face whenever she was around him was the opposite of how he and the other people felt. He had spent time with him but he always felt edgy especially when he went silent like now.

The look of revulsion on Raizo's face when they had opened the shipment container to reveal dozens of children cowering in the darkness scared and holding on to each other did not escape Maslow. From their different walks of life Raizo and Maslow had witnessed unspeakable horrors, even took part in some of them. Mentally they were prepared to deal with such situations like this and still be able to handle themselves professionally no matter how much their emotions were affected. However the blood bath that Raizo had almost unleashed after they evacuated the children was terrifying, it was Maslow who had intervened, stopping him and reminding him that Mika would never want him to do this. It had somehow brought sense in him and calmed him down. If it wasn't for that, Maslow was going to have countless of heads separated from their necks to account for to his superiors not to mention to have to face Mika who would blame him for involving Raizo in the first place.

Raizo hadn't said a word after that. Maslow had tried engaging him into a conversation to no avail; he got short, curt, brief answers or just nods. He knew Raizo didn't talk much but he sensed something was bothering him, he looked pale, his expression taught as if he had internal struggle going on within.

Mika paced up and down in her apartment pulling her gown tighter. She had tried pouring herself a glass of wine to calm her nerves down but it was no use. She kept on trying Raizo's phone and it always led her to voicemail. He had promised to call again after she had spoken to him hours ago when he landed in France. It was so unlike Raizo especially when it came to her. She tried Maslow's phone now and it signaled that the number was busy.

"Damnit Maslow" she swore under her breath. She took her car keys ready to go outside but where would she go to. She had no idea where they were right now so it was just as pointless, she just at least needed to know Raizo was okay.

She half flew to her door when she heard a knock; she fumbled with the locks and opened it hastily ready to fall into Raizo's arms. It was Maslow and he was alone.

"You okay, Coretti?" Maslow asked seeing her breathless state and disturbed look.

"I tried to call you" she said accusingly then before he could answer she gave him a suspicious look.

"Where is he?" she made emphasis on each word.

"Hey, hey, relax Mika, why don't we sit down" Maslow took her by the shoulders and sat her down in her couch.

"Ryan, I said where is he?" Mika repeated dangerously.

"Mika, why don't you listen to what I have to say first?"

"I don't have time for this shit Ryan" Mika half shouted glaring at him.

"He's okay, it that makes you feel better" He heard her breathe a sigh of relief at this.

"Why is his phone off, why isn't he with you?" she demanded

"He's uh—not himself Mika, I think seeing t-the children brought sad memories to him, I think he needs time alone"

"I need to change, I'm going to him" Mika stated as a matter of fact.

"Did you hear what I said Mika, it would be wise to give him some time to himself, he'll bounce back I'm sure"

Maslow tried to explain but Mika gave him an incredulous look as if what he was saying didn't make sense at all. She ignored him and went to her room and in just a few minutes she was back and had changed.

"You can make yourself comfortable Ryan; I'll be seeing you shortly" she told him almost coldly.

"He's a man Mika" Ryan said quietly seeing that there was no stopping her.

"He's the man I love" she declared fiercely almost surprising herself as well as Ryan.

He knew there were feelings between Mika and Raizo, it was clear to everyone who saw them together. They had this creepy way of looking at each other that made everyone around them including him uncomfortable and out of their depth; they turned the most public situations into private moments by their silent conversation. He watched Mika leave, a determined look on her face, she was always a force to be reckoned with when it came to things she was passionate about, and nothing would stop her.

Mika felt tears sting her eyes that at his darkest moment, Raizo had chosen to shut her out once again. Just when she thought she had gotten through to him he had just chosen to crawl back into his shell and alienate her and the rest of the world. To distract herself from just breaking down into tears Mika switched on her car radio and tuned for a random station.

Heart beats fast, colors and promises

How to be brave, how can I love

When I'm afraid to fall

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt certainly goes away somehow

One step closer…

It was eerie how music sometimes reflected your state of mind. Music was a total constant, that's why people had such a strong visceral reaction to it. Because a song could take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else had changed in your world that one song stayed the same, just like that moment.

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years, love you for a thousand more