Chapter Two

Zach POV

Before I start, let me fill you up with my part of the story.

So, after my little chitchat with Cam, I grabbed some coffee from the cafeteria, and went straight to my room. Vacation was two days away and I concluded she needed a few more days to get ready.

From what I read in Mr. Solomon' s journal, the strongest lead I had was the safe house in Athens, Greece. I'd bet anything that's where she will go too.

-skip seven days—

This was my third day in Athens.

I booked a room in a four-star hotel near the safe house, and I've been tailing Cam (disguised as a brunette with black eyes) since I saw her. She doesn't seem to notice me. I didn't bother installing bugs in her room, because she would probably find them anyway.

I did install a few bugs in the safe house, though. She was always sneaking out to check it out, but she didn't even look for them. Of course, I sneaked out too, but under another disguise so she won't get suspicious.

The safe house was practically a mansion. When I asked people about it, they say it has been abandoned for a while, except for some people that just come and go (most probably CIA agents).

The safe house's architecture was Thai-themed. Somehow, that tiny detail bothered me. Maybe it was because I don't really understand the reason why Morgan and Solomon chose a safe house that fitted better in Thailand than in Greece. You have to admit, it was kind of weird.

On the fourth day, I found a notebook stating that Mr. Solomon hid the 'directions' to 'the blueprints' in a secure location. Vague hints from the text say that they were blueprints of the main COC base in an unknown location, secret passageways and whatnot included.

I don't think she knew about the blueprints yet, so I left the notebook on the table in one of the rooms she was likely to check.

I got the feeling I was going to be here for a while.

-skip five days—

I was tailing her in a wet market when I lost her.

After buying some fruits from the vendors, she unexpectedly turned into a well-hidden alley. Thinking it was something important, I followed her. The alley was empty. I was about to go back when someone attacked me from behind. I fell hard on the ground and felt that someone slap a napotine patch on my head.

The last thing I saw before I passed out was a pair of silver-flecked violet eyes.

-skip fifty-nine minutes—

I woke up in my expensive suite with a huge hangover.

I didn't know if she knew who I really was, so I hacked into her hotel's records and found out she left twenty-seven minutes ago. I grabbed my things and was already riding a cab to the nearest airport in thirteen minutes.

-at the airport—

You know, I think I figured out where the 'secure location' is.

The safe house was Thai-themed, right? The nearest flight was officially leaving to Thailand in ten minutes, and the plane was fully booked.

Thailand? Then it clicked. The house's design was Thai, right? And the shelves on the walls that were not packed with books, were overflowing with souvenirs from Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok, Thailand. That was the location in the notebook! It was a long shot, but something to think about. Cammie probably knew it before I did. Smart girl.

I checked for other flights but the next one was leaving in half an hour.

Seven minutes.

If I catch the next flight, she will be long gone by the time I get there.

I went in the maintenance room and went out disguised as a flight attendant. Walking casually, I skipped the line, greeted the manager, and went on the plane.

Mission accomplished.

-skip two and a half hours—

I didn't know it but this was the end of my line.

As soon as I got out of the plane, my hands were twisted behind my back and Cammie was holding a knife to my throat. She dragged me to an isolated corner and glared at me.

"What are you doing here?"

I simply gave her a look and said calmly: "I'd gladly answer that question if you aren't holding a knife to my throat."

She released me and I rubbed my throat where the knife scraped me. "What was that for, anyway?"

"I wasn't sure who you were," she said, shrugging. "Sorry."

"And I think you know what I'm doing here."

Her expression hardened. "I can do this on my own, Zach."

"Are you sure, Gallagher Girl?"

She looked away. "Yeah, of course I'm sure." It sounded like she was talking to herself.

I smirked. "You're lying."

"So?" she sighed heavily. "I know how to take care of myself, Zach."

"How are you sure?"

The corner of her mouth twitched. "I forgot how annoying you are."

"I'm not easy to forget."

"Look," she sighed, exasperated, "I can't afford to waste my time talking. I have more important things to do."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Like looking for certain directions to very secret blueprints?"

She looked mildly surprised. "So you know."

"I know a lot of things that you don't."

"I don't doubt that." She turned. "I'm going.'

"You know, I'd rather go with you. I'm quiet restless."

"Zach, I don't need—"

"Trust me. You do."

Needless to say, we talked a little bit more and she made it look like she was going to kiss me but she knocked me down and must've put a hundred napotine patches on me. It was very embarrassing, to be knocked out by a girl. But hey, she 1) caught me by surprise, 2) is a spy, and 3) she's Cammie.

So then I woke up in a plane heading to Tibet (don't ask me how she did it) and I went to the Cave for a little 'vacation'.

On my eight day out here, I couldn't sleep so I went out to have a harmless nighttime stroll.

You can take it from there.

x~x~x~x

Zach POV

*back to present*

"What are you doing here?"

I gave her a look that clearly said I thought she was getting boring."I really don't know why that's the first thing you usually say to me. Ever considered changing lines?"

She frowned and pulled away from me."Just because you kissed me several times doesn't mean you could smart-mouth me anytime you want." She picked up her knapsack and I noticed she was limping.

"What happened to your leg?"

"None of your business."

"I saved you from the cat."

"I could've done it myself-"

"Yeah, right."

She glared at me one more time. "Zach-"

"Ok, calm down. Have you gone loco or something?"

"The last time I checked, you were in a plane heading for Tibet."

I shot her a pitying look."Gallagher Girl, this is Tibet."

The shock was evident."What?"

I snorted. "You thought it was still Russia, didn't you? But honestly, time does pass when you're underground."

She stared at me."Youv'e been there before?"

"Actually, no. It was just a guess."

"You're impossible."

"Touche."

She opened her mouth to snap a retort but something rustled the trees and she hissed,"not here."

I nodded to tell her I agreed and motioned for her to follow me. Unfortunately, we hadn't walked over a few meters when she tripped over a log. She gasped in pain and I caught her by her arms and steadied her.

"I knew there was something wrong with your leg."

"I can...tell you...later. Just help me."

I smirked at her."That's good enough for me." I hooked one arm under her legs and one under her back. I started striding purposefully towards the Cave.

"I didn't mean this!," she protested weakly."This is completely uneccessary."

"Give it up."

"Fine."She glared at me one last time before asking,"Where are you taking me anyway?"

"You'll see."

R&R!