The week later

I had been working like crazy at the base, and at the university with my old mentors Dr. Larissa Casey and Dr. Charles Francis as they were helping me study the Mirror of Ages.

"I hate to say this Melanie," said Larissa, "But I don't think going through it again is going to restore your memory, the fact is according to your translation it is linked to the Mirror you're Grandmother originally found that Captain America and the Commandos rediscovered in a Hydra Base where they met Melanippe was working undercover for the allied forces."

"But what does it have to do with me?"

"Hard to say Melanie, but I asked a few colleagues about theories if the two mirrors face one another-." Began Charles.

"Let me guess a time flux?"

"Ah can you explain on it anyhow?" asked Larissa.

"It means, either A someone could be stuck in time loop reliving Earth's timeline or B the whole world will be in a constant loop and not know it." I explained.

"What she said." Said Charles.

"However it was just theories, if I was a betting lady which I'm not I'd think option two is probably the best bet of what could happen."

"Melanie, the United Nations declared it a world Heritage site, both Russia, Canada and the States are making a memorial to the Cold War near the old KGB base."

"Don't tell me that is going to become a museum?"

"Yes and we were asked to help Curate it." Said Charles, "And Artists are working around the clock to make a statue of you since you're the one who exposed it for the whole world to see."

I found a seat to sit in, "What am I Captain America now?"

"Oh no," They chuckled together, "You're Commander Relic Raider."

I left my journal with them as I decided to call it a night as I went to a bar to order my favorite drink, just to relax my thoughts. I saw a man with his arm in a sling in the far corner.

"What would you like Commander?" asked the Bartender.

"The usual a Purple Haze please."

"We're thinking of making a drink in your name." He said.

I put my head in my hand, "We'll talk about that later ok, I'm still getting a bit creeped out by sudden increase celebrity status."

"What can we say Commander, you are Canada's favorite girl."

"Who can't get a decent date." I muttered to myself as I received my drink as I gave him a $5.00 bill.

"Ah it's already been paid by the guy with the sling over there." The Bartender said.

I got up from my chair as I took my drink with me to the man with his arm in a sling as I sat beside him.

"Thanks for the drink."

"You're welcome."

"You're here alone eh?'

"Yeah, you?"

I scoffed then spoke, "obviously."

"Trade stories?" He said as I saw him take his tags out.

"The government and the world already knows my story..."

"How about something they don't know?"

"I fell for a guy who's already taken."

"That's rough."

"Yeah well, I didn't have much choice but to let him go, we're still kinda friends but I don't want him in my life anymore."

"Too much pain?"

"Yeah... What's with me and curly haired red heads? It has to be a Canadian thing."

"You too? I was in love with a redhead too, they arranged her to marry some guy other and put me in jail."

"Outch." I said as I took a sip of my drink, "Well I'm glad that didn't happen to me but how did you get out?"

"I wasn't in there long, they let me out once she was far away from me."

"Where you from?"

"The states, I work between there and Russia."

"Then what got you here?"

"I got involved with bad people."

"Oh the lying low scenario. Well that explains a lot was it work related?"

"Yeah."

"I don't like undercover crap, unless it's involves something up my area of expertise."

"And that is?"

"Ancient, powerful and dangerous."

"I don't know about Ancient part, but the last two words describe me."

I chuckled, "I bet you say that to all the girls?"

"I didn't date many, well if you call instant attraction part of it."

"I never met a man who'd make me throw the book out the window yet. I don't like the One night stand kind of guys."

"Those guys are arrogant idiots."

"Exactly my point." I said as I looked at him... He didn't have very warm clothes for March weather up here in Canada, and he had a backpack on. I felt like helping him out, nothing like a good deed to make me feel better. "Come with me, you won't survive long in our weather with a jacket like that."

"That's nice of you but I can manage."

"Dude take the lady's offer." said The Bartender, "Commander Hansen likes to return the favor, she always does. Besides she's right, she survived in far worst weather conditions in the rocky mountains than any other soldier."

I tried not to roll my eyes, "Ah thanks for pointing that out I think."

I went to a thrift store as I found him a warmer jacket, as I helped him put it on keeping his sling on. I found some mitts, scarf and a warmer hat for him to wear, and I came up with a idea for his backpack as I found a purse as I took it's strap as I attached it to the d rings to go on like a belt.

"Neat idea."

"Purse straps come in handy." I said as I paid for everything then helped him put everything back on again, "do you have a place to stay?"

"Ah no."

"Do you have a name soldier?"

"James."

"Nice to meet you James, I'm Melanie."

"Why does people call you Commander?"

"Commander Relic Raider sounds better than Captain Relic Raider don't you think?"

He chuckled, "I suppose you're right."

"I have a bed in the sofa if you like to crash there."

"You're very generous Mel."

"It's part of my nature... So what's with your arm?"

"Shoulder injury."

"From your last assignment?"

"Yeah... How can I repay you?"

"I don't know but you'll think of something."

He stayed for a week, and then the last night he surprised me when I came home to a candle light pizza dinner. I smiled as he helped me take off my overcoat as I was in my Service Uniform.

"How was work?"

"Not bad, how was your day?"

"I got news from my work."

"Really? Is that related to this lovely dinner?"

"I've contacted my people they need me back."

"Oh." I said sadly, "So you're going home?"

"Yeah."

I was quiet for a bit, as I felt it's for the best.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"I'll be fine, I'm just glad I helped in some way."

"Melanie you've been a great help." He said as he gave me a bottle of wine.

"Well I'm off tomorrow, I guess getting drunk this once wouldn't hurt." I said as I opened the bottle as I had some... He wasn't having any except beer. I got drunk pretty easily that night, we laughed, and then... I let him take me to my bedroom, where the night was ours...

He left in the morning as I slept... I woke up feeling nasty as I called a cab to take me to the hospital as the General said the man I helped gave me a drug that causes anaemia. But I remembered everything but his physical, facial features and the sound of his voice. The man I helped was nowhere to be found, and I couldn't identify him. I let my guard down, and I prayed I won't get into trouble for it. I was lucky, but I didn't want to be put into that situation again. Next time I'll have a back up, and harden my heart even more.