Thanks for all your reviews, I really appreciate them! This chapter is really emotional, I hope you like it and forgive me for my mistakes! Enjoy and reviews!

Since that night at her apartment Zoe didn't hear of John anymore, she knew he was beyond mad at her but she couldn't find anything to tell him to make things better so she simply chose to disappear.

It was better that way, making a clean break and moving on. Probably they'd have met again, sometimes the city could be incredibly small but anything she couldn't handle, it was her job handling things, fixing them and that was what she'd have done with her life.

Spring in New York City was a sight not to miss, the air was warm and it was nice being outside, taking a break from her crazy schedule. Seated at the table of that nice coffee shop and sipping her cappuccino, Zoe took the eco photo from her bag and stared at it: the baby was barely a tiny dot, almost invisible yet so present in her life, so much to turn her world upside down completely.

When the doctor told her she was a healthy six weeks pregnant woman, perfectly capable to have a beautiful pregnancy despite her age, she simply asked when she could get an abortion. That was two weeks ago and she still didn't do it, Zoe brushed the photo with her fingertips, almost caressing her dot, other four weeks to make a decision that would have changed her completely, no matter if positive or not.

Suddenly she felt to be watched and she didn't need to wonder who was, John had to be near if she could sense his presence so much. In the deep of her heart, she knew he wouldn't have stopped shadowing her, not until she'd have made her decision… it was his child too, he was right and whatever she decided, she'd have to informed him.

She finished her cappuccino, put the photo back and left the café, her break was over and she had a very busy day ahead.

Zoe Morgan has never been anyone's plus one. She was the kind of woman so influent to bring a man to an exclusive event, not the other way around but that was a very special occasion, an "emergency" that required a formal attire and she couldn't say no.

Seated in the limo, Zoe watched the endless lights of the city sparkled outside the window and sighed brushing her expensive gown. She had bought it long time ago but never had the right occasion to wear it, she usually worked behind the scenes in her sexy sheath dresses, but that night her presence was necessary on the stage.

The limo stopped in front of The Met and the escort opened the door welcoming her. As soon as she stepped out of the car, a rain of flashes hit her: it was one of the most important event of the season, famous personalities were expected, she should have imagined it. She walked on the red carpet with her usual self-confidence that many women envied, gorgeous as ever in her sweetheart trumpet gown, an array of mirrored crystals covered the bodice until the knees, where soft pale pink tulle caressed her legs dying to the floor. Hided under the tulle, her signature red sole shoes, silver Christian Louboutin Debout Patent and to match the gown, a silver rounded clutch. Her long wavy hair were styled in a perfect bun that uncovered her face, enhanced with just the right amount of make-up, two drops of Chanel n5 on her neck, her grandma's stud diamonds at her ears and the tennis bracelet she bought herself after her first very lucrative job.

She felt she could conquer the world in her shining armor, every man in the room turned to look at her in awe, she took everybody's breath away including his, John's. He was under cover as waiter, watching the last number Finch assigned him, he didn't expect her to be there so kept staring until she reached the side of Senator Jones, his number, who kissed her hand gallantly and she smiled making his blood boil. So that was the reason why she was there? Was she her mistress? The Zoe he knew was far too smart to make a mistake like that but they seemed to cozy to be just a work social meeting. He already cloned the Senator's phone so could easily listen them.

"Zoe Morgan, you're a sight for sore eyes"

"Always kind, Senator"

"Champagne?" he offered

"No thanks, just a soft drink for me, please" she asked the waiter

"So professional, huh?"

"Always"

"I'll introduce you some people, then after socializing a bit we can go talking somewhere more private"

"Sure"

John watched Zoe and Senator joined a group of people and moved on to the introductions, soon after the waiter brought her the soft drink… and that reminded him of the baby. He knew she still didn't get the abortion, watching every step she took and tracking her phone any moment. That same morning he saw her look at the eco photo, she seemed so sad, so lonely, he had the push to go to her but his anger stopped him, it wouldn't have changed anything anyway.

He kept spying the conversation, compliments, small talks, her polite laugh, anything that was worth to listen but he couldn't stop, telling himself he was just doing his job.

The sweet voice of a famous French artist singing a special version of "Tu si na cosa grande" invaded the museum and the Senator turned to Zoe smiling.

"Shall we dance?" he offered her the hand

"It's not the right move, Senator. You're married, we don't want the press thinking you've a mistress, you'll have to pay me so much more to fix it then" she smirked

"It's just a dance Zoe, relax"

She hesitated a second before taking his hand, if he didn't care, why would she? And if she was right, her fee would increase any moment. Zoe felt uncomfortable in his arms, she knew the Senator since long time, even before he got elected and he has always been a gentleman but with that dress on men could easily changed their mind.

At the other part of the room, John was clenching his fists, jealousy was a bitter pill to swallow. He stared angrily at his hand on the small of her back, their closeness, the secure way he lead her during their dance… if that damn Senator wasn't his number, he'd have already broken his face! He should have relaxed, she wasn't his mistress and thinking better how could she? But seeing her in someone else's arms – even for an innocent dance – drove him out of his mind.

"Do you speak Italian?" the Senator asked her moving along the room

"I don't"

"The woman's singing about how important the man is for her and asks him to tell her if he loves her like she does"

She couldn't avoid to think of John for a moment "Very cheesy"

"I gather that you're not a romantic woman, Ms Morgan"

"I'm a practical woman, I've seen too much to still believe in romanticism"

The smell of his cologne grew stronger when he got closer to whisper in her ear "One day you'll find a man who makes you change your mind Zoe"

The song ended preventing her from answering bitterly like she'd have liked to. What did that man know about her? How did he dare to tell her those things? If she remembered correctly, she was there to give him advices, to fix his problems, not the other way around. She inhaled touching her neck, she did need a drink, a real one, damn pregnancy!

The Senator was stopped for other greetings and introductions and Zoe took the opportunity to detach herself from the group and enjoy few minutes alone. John's eyes were fixed on her while she watched closely the exhibition's masterpiece, the unique creation of Van Cleef & Arpels, the most beautiful diamond she had ever seen. She never wore many jewelries, never display a status, she was called for her services, not to show off her money but the sight of that diamond made her feel nostalgic, she didn't know why, maybe there wasn't any reason and the hormones were just playing her a bad trick, but she thought of her grandmother, she'd have appreciated it.

He was about to go talking to her when the Senator appeared by her side and John was resigned to another round of introductions and pleasantries when… It happened all of a sudden, he didn't even have time to react when gun shots broke the idle talk in the room. Blood, screams, the noise of glasses shattering and hurried steps, everything was in slow motion: Zoe and the Senator have been shot.

The moment he saw her nothing was important anymore, Zoe, the woman he loved, the mother of his child, was on the floor bleeding from the abdomen, he run to her pressing his hands on the wound, Finch's panicked voice was just an irritating sound in the background, he wanted to yell at him to stop talking because even if the police arrived, he wouldn't have left her for any reason in the world. John kept whispering her reassuring words and her hand, shaking, reached and covered his, her eyes became watery, they both knew what was happening. She seemed a fallen angel in her elegant dress stained of blood, her messy hair and the drooled make-up, but no matter the way she looked, he'd have always found her beautiful and in that moment he realized that he did love her, so deeply to ache and he wasn't mad at her because he wanted a baby, but because he wanted a baby with her.

The ambulance's siren woke him up from that horrible nightmare that was the reality, the paramedics arrived to aid Zoe but couldn't do anything for the Senator, he was already dead. While they laid her on the gurney, John kept holding her as if she could just vanish front of his eyes and didn't want to let her go but he had to if he wanted them to save her… holding in his pain he loosened the grip, one finger after the other slipped out of her hand and they carried her away.