Cam POV

There are moments in life that take longer than expected, everything seeming to go past in a blur or seemingly slow motion. You feel as though you are living an out-of-body experience, not sure how grounded you are to reality.

That's how I feel.

Constantly seeing through the eyes of another, aware of my thoughts but not sure if the decisions I am making are my own.

Actually, that's how I've felt for a while. Looking through the eyes of a different version of myself; Cammie Morgan before and after she disappeared, Cammie Morgan who lost her memory, Cammie Morgan who is piecing it back together, Cammie Morgan who met a Blackthorne Boy, Cammie Morgan who fell in love only to watch him disappear…and now Cammie Morgan, staring at her own reflection in a mirror that doesn't belong to her, wearing a black dress that is too tight, heels that are too high, and hair that is too glossy.

'Oh' Macey gasped, clutching her heart. 'I think this is my best work yet! How do you feel?'

'I feel like I'm going to be seen' I replied, my eyes never wavering from my reflection.

'Isn't that the point?' She asked, brushing off a bit of lint 'You want Zach to see you'

'I don't know if I do…' I admitted 'What will I do?'

'You'll do what's necessary' Macey squeezed my arm in reassurance. 'Think about it like the Josh situation. You had to do what was necessary to save him & protect the sisterhood'

'I don't think memory loss tea will help in this situation' I quipped back

'You never know!' Macey handed me a pair of earrings 'I'm sure Liz could whip up a brew quick enough'

Macey's expression softened.

'You'll get through this' She said. I nodded, knowing that she's probably right, even though I was bricking it.

Could I actually kill the man I loved in order to protect the world?

The answer should be yes. I've had to protect the world before and nothing stood in the way. Yet I don't know what I'd do if I had to pull the trigger at Zach.

Would I pull it?

You would have to

I don't want to hurt him

If he's a threat, he needs to be neutralised

He wouldn't hurt me

You don't know that. He threw a knife at you, he'll do it again.

'Cammie?' I snapped out of my conversation with myself to see Macey staring at me with a puzzled expression. 'You drifted there for a moment. You okay?'

I nodded.

'Yeah. I…um…this dress is just way too pretty Macey. Thank you'

There was a knock on the bedroom door.

'Wheels up in 10 minutes ladies' Grant said

'Looking very handsome Grant' I teased 'You clean up very nice'

'The name's Bond. James Bond' He smirked in his best (but awful) British accent

'More like Bond the morning after. Seriously, do you not know how to tie a tie!' Macey scoffed, fixing his tie. Grant just stood there, not really sure what to do. I think he was a little terrified of Macey in this moment.

I bit back a laugh.

'There' Macey stood back proudly 'Now the camera in your tie will actually be useful rather than staring at your double chin all day'

'Jez, thanks McHenry' Grant grumbled. 'Um, 5 minutes now' He said, scurrying out of the room.

'You ready?' Macey whirled round, her eyes mischievous.

'As I'll ever be'

'I'd hold your horses on that one' Bex came into the room, her gorgeous dark locks in a perfect bun. 'You're never going to believe what I've just heard…'

…

Zach POV

Here's the thing about balls…they're absolutely boring. It's people dressed up, pretending to have a good time, silently judging one another but will break out into the widest smile when the opportunity arises.

It's also a place where you end up seeing people's masks slips (and not the masquerade kind).

I stood at the edge of the room, thankful for a little bit of ambiguity.

The music was loud but not obnoxious. It was a traditional band. Well, not necessarily a band, more of an orchestra. The strings fill the air with a symphony.

I listened for a while, not quite remembering the last time I listened to music properly. Actually taking time to just…stop.

My world is a constant conveyer belt of alertness. Even when we're asleep, part of our brain is always awake. Waiting for an attack that may never come.

It felt weird. Unnatural to not have a constant humming in my ear from the comms unit, knowing that even though the boys are scattered around, possibly miles away, it felt as though they were right there next to me.

All that's missing is Grant making a dumb comment.

'You reckon there's an aux cord around? Show these people how to properly party'

That voice wasn't in my ear. That voice was right next to me.

I turn to see Grant, all dapper in a suit, whisky in hand, leaning against the adjacent pillar.

'You need to leave' I said

'I'm not going anywhere Sunshine' He remained leaning casually, totally calm. It was off-putting. 'It was a bit sloppy of you to get caught on CCTV' He remarked

'I thought it was a tracker' I quipped 'I didn't know that it was…' I let the sentence trail off, you never know who could be listening.

Grant studied me for a moment. He took a sip of his whiskey, turning his head to look round the room. He didn't seem to be scanning it, not looking for any threat…he was just watching.

'I don't believe you' He eventually said, turning back at me 'How can you confuse a tracker with an explosive?' He arched an eyebrow. 'Come on dude…we're highly trained; half our lives were spent near explosives so we could smell C4 in a crumb of dirt!' He shook his head 'I don't believe you' He repeated not breaking eye contact 'Cammie doesn't believe you either'

I found myself forgetting how to breath with his words.

'Is she-'

'You don't deserve to know' He said quickly and firmly. Wanting the discussion to end.

'I didn't know it was going to be a bomb' I tried again, hurting that my best friend was looking at me as if he'd never known me at all. Grant turned back to the room, this time giving it a quick scan.

'He's not here' I said 'Ambassador Winters. He hasn't shown up'

'I'm not looking for him' Grant kept his gaze on the room. I followed his gaze, trying to work out who he was looking for.

Grant's eyes fell rested on the far corner of the room. Bex was engaged in a deep discussion with a man. She looked fuming, the power of her glare was felt across the room. The man was trying to reason with her, his gestures frantic and honest.

'Is that Nick? What is he doing here? I thought he was somewhere safe'

'I have to go'

'Has something happened? Is he in trouble?'

'Don't get involved, Zach' Grant looked at me harshly

'Grant' I grabbed his arm 'What's going on?'

Grant opened his mouth to speak but clearly someone said something in his ear. His whole demeaner changed, softened.

'I hope you've got your dancing shoes on twinkle-toes'

I raised an eyebrow, not sure what this sudden change of conversation meant.

'Zach…' A voice stopped me, made every fibre in my body stand on end, my heart race and my mind leave me. The voice was liquid gold.

I turned…and there she was.

'Cammie' her name escaped my lips in a whisper. She was breathtaking. Her dress clung to every part of her, draped in the correct places, her hair & make up was soft, framing her gorgeous face. Her eyes seemed brighter, like she's been able to rest. It made me feel warm inside, knowing she was able to somehow find a little bit of peace in the months we've been apart. A small smile tugged on her lips. She extended one of her hands.

'Dance with me'

'Gallagh-'

'Please' She said. I grabbed her hand, letting her lead me to the middle of the dance floor.

We fell into sync, our bodies waltzing in time to the music, our eyes completely fixated on one another.

No one else was in the room at that moment, it was just us two.

Cammie POV

'How does everything look?' I asked. I was sitting in the van with Liz & Jonas, after what Bex told us, we had to approach tonight with a very different strategy. Meaning that I had to stay out of action as much as humanly possible.

'Don't get me started' Macey grumbled 'the amount of people I recognize is gross'

'Just think about getting intel about Ambassador Winters…and our unexpected guest' I said, flicking through the various cameras we had dotted over the place.

'I have eyes on Goode' Grant said cooly. He didn't give any indication of how he felt. Does he want to punch him? Hug him?

'Are you going to engage?' I asked

'You reckon there's an aux cord around? Show these people how to properly party' Grant said, clearly to Zach.

'I take that as a yes' I mumbled to Jonas. 'Have you got eyes?' I ask.

Jonas flicks through a few screens before getting to one with somewhat of a covert view of Zach and Grant.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat, not because of seeing Zach again…but because of how ill he looked.

His suit seemed a little looser, baggier than his trimmed physique.

'He looks…' Jonas glanced at me, not wanting to finish the sentence…Zach did not look like himself, which to the others would be worrying, but I know Catherine, I know the mind games she plays. I know how much I tortured by own body just as much as she did. I know what it's like to feel helpless.

'It was a bit sloppy of you to get caught on CCTV' Grant said

'I thought it was a tracker. I didn't know that it was…'

'I don't believe him' I said on instinct, wincing as I wished I could take it back.

Grant watched the room for a moment, contemplating. Eventually, he turned back to Zach.

'I don't believe you' Grant said calmly 'Cammie doesn't believe you either'

'Seriously Grant?' I exclaimed 'Are you trying to piss him off? Better yet, are you trying to piss me off?'

'Guys I found the bogey' Bex's voice sliced through, our focus shifting to Liz's screen, a button-hole camera on Bex's necklace pointing right at a boy who should be far away from here.

'Where's Cammie?' Nick asked

'What the hell are you doing here?' Bex hissed

'Hale & Kat invited me' He replied

'Bloody hell! Are you guys casing the joint?' Bex snapped

'Duchess, he needs to get out of here. Now' I ordered

'Nick it's not safe here. You need to tell your friends to leave'

'Oh but it's safe for you guys? Hmm? Where's Cammie? I know she can hear me. I can see the camera in your necklace so I know she's watching' He points at the camera 'Come on Cammie, come out here and talk to me!'

'How did he know!' Liz exclaimed, her brain already going into danger mode.

'He's smart' I replied. 'We're going to need him to leave. Duchess, Peacock, Grant. Do what you need to do'

'And what will you do Chameleon?' Macey asked

'Going for a dance' I say, swiftly exiting the van & making my way into the party.

.

Making my way through the crowd was easy enough. No one pays attention to me. Yet for some reason, I could feel someone watching. It wasn't Zach, he had his back to me. It wasn't my friends, they were occupied with Nick.

I shivered instinctively just as one of the violinists hit a bum note and it caused me to stop. The musical for a split moment resembled Catherine's song...yet that couldn't be true. I scanned the dance floor what…or who was there…

Everything was clear, I headed back over to Zach who was just grabbing Grant's arm.

'Grant What's going on?'

Grant opened his mouth to speak.

'I've got this' I said into my comms. Grant gave the briefest of nods.

'I hope you've got your dancing shoes on twinkle-toes' He said to Zach.

Zach's grip on Grant's arm loosened. This was my time.

'Zach…' I said. I saw his back freeze, he whipped around so fast. Looking into his eyes, I nearly gasped. They had lost their sparkle, they were bloodshot and foreign.

The bags under his eyes showed he hadn't slept much recently at all. Which only made me fear what Catherine has put him through more.

'Cammie' he whispered, as if I was a mirage in front of him, about to evaporate at any moment.

'Dance with me' I offered out my hand.

'Gallagh-'

'Please' I found myself saying. Hoping I could pull him to safety. He grabbed my hand, letting me take him to the middle of the dance floor.

We began to dance, his gaze burning into mine.

'Did you hear my conversation with Grant?' He asked 'Of course you did' He answered.

'Zach…'

'You don't actually believe I knew it was a bomb right?' He searched my eyes frantically.

'Zach…'

'You don't? I thought of all people you would believe me Gallagher Girl'

'Out of all people, I know what your mother's like. I know I killed my father, I remember the weight of the gun in my hand…I just don't remember pulling it…maybe that's what happened with you' Zach gave a hollow chuckle at my answer, it was unnerving. 'Is something funny?' I quip

'So it seems that you've had nightmares about my mother, and I'm now living one' He twirled me around, pulling me in closer.

'What's Nick doing here, Cam? I thought he was safe'

'It's been months Zach. We couldn't keep him caged up. We're just trying to minimize collateral damage

'Damage?' He arched an eyebrow 'Who is your target?'

'You know I can't tell you

'Grant said it wasn't Ambassador Winters…and if Nick is just here by chance…then who is it…is it me?'

'What would you do if I said yes?' I quipped, wondering what buttons I could press. Something passed over his eyes, a darkness that disappeared very quickly.

'That would be very stupid, Gallagher Girl'

'Maybe. But I know your mother doesn't trust you. So what's the betting a friend of hers is here right now…'

The proceeding few seconds, I saw Zach's face morph into confusion, anger, and then concern.

'You need to get out of here' He grabbed my wrist and began to pull me across the dance floor, past the band towards the kitchens.

'Zach what are you doing?'

'You're right. God how could I be so stupid! Of course she wouldn't just let me be here alone! She doesn't trust me, probably never has'

We weaved through the kitchen, making our way to a darker corridor, diving into one of the cupboards. Zach slammed the door, keeping us in darkness apart from a tiny slither of light that cut across his eyes…his manic manic green eyes.

'I need her to trust me'

'What are you saying?' I asked. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up…ready to fight.

Another look flickered across his face, a glint in his eyes as if he was the old Zach once again.

Before I knew it, his lips were crashing against mine. His hands were in my hair & on my waist.

I lost all of my senses and fell into his lips. Craving them.

Our bodies were flush together, I could feel every part of him and I wanted more.

'Are you unarmed?' He smirked 'Come on Gallagher Girl, that's a rookie mistake

'I blame Macey. This dress is too tight'

'It's gorgeous' He planted a kiss on my lips. 'But I'm glad you're unarmed'

'Why?' I arched an eyebrow

'So you can't kill me for doing this' Suddenly the sound of metal clicking together brought me back to my senses.

'YOU HANDCUFFED ME TO A RADIATOR!' I exclaimed, finally realizing his ploy

'It's the only way to keep you safe. If Catherine has brought associates here, there's still a bounty on your head'

'Zach let me go' I tugged but to no avail. Zach cupped my face, removing my bobby pins from my hair

'Sorry Gallagher Girl. This is the only way to keep you safe…or at least slow you down a little bit'

'Zach. Let me go'

'I can't Cammie. You and I both know Catherine always has some sort of trick up her sleeve. First the bomb and now this…it's too big of a risk' He tried to kiss me but I recoiled. Something past over his eyes, a glint of anger again 'This is for the best, Cam'

He held up something between his index finger & thumb. I had to squint to look at it… realizing it was my earpiece…

I couldn't believe it…

I stared at him for a moment, taking in all his features in the dark.

'You've never been more like your mother until right now' I snapped. I could tell it wounded him, but then again I wanted it too.

There's one thing knocking each other out, the classic patch that Gallagher Girls use, but we always do it when necessary - when we know we can leave someone, good or bad, in a safe state. Zach however knowing that I was unarmed still decided to chain me to a rail, take my hairpin away AND take my earpiece cutting me off from my friends.

'You'll thank me for this' He said before slipping out of the door, closing it carefully behind him.

I sprung into action. Looking around me for anything I could use to get out of the handcuffs. There was nothing.

'FUCK' I exclaimed, tugging at the mechanics of the handcuffs, hoping to do something different. But Zach had attached them at an angle - furthering my incapacity.

I took a deep breath 'Think Cammie…Think….' I looked round again just as the door knob began to turn, perhaps one of my friends saw me coming this way.

As the door opened a slither, creating a small shaft of light that bounced off of the silver metal of a gun.

The gun was followed by a hand…and that hand did not belong to a friend…

Author's Note: Hello Everyone….It seems that 'soon' almost became forever…damn…the truth is that life got more interesting. Way more than I'd ever believe it was. When I first started uploading it was 2016 which feels like a lifetime ago. Even this story being first uploaded in 2020 a lifetime has passed - this is the longest story I ever had planned out, both in chapters and word count - never did I expect that I'd be adding 'time' into the equation…three years and it's still nowhere near finished….I'm not sure how many of you are still around, how many of you are still interested or what. I've got rough ideas for how I wanted the story to end - which I'm happy to share with people should they wish, or wait for me to upload (which could take another few years). Anyway...I want to say thank you to this community for giving me somewhere to share stories that I loved just as much as you do. xxx

Alecks454: The ball became very interesting indeed...but what will happen next...xxx

Gymnast1150: Zach seems to be getting influenced by Catherine...and being a bit posessive over Cammie too. Thank you so much! I enjoyed getting back into these characters, especially Grant - love writing his bluntness. Thank you so much for everything! I hope you're still around xxx

Guest: Ahh I'm so sorry it's taken so long to get back round to this xxx

Oreocookies4: Thank you so much! Ahhhhh so it took a little bit longer than September...oops xxx

Smiles180: What did you think of Cammie & Zach's reunion? Fun right? xxx

NutellaCrackers: Hope you liked it xxx

MidnightStories1837: Thank you so much! I can't believe how long I've been writing on her for but how long it's also taken me to actually write another chapter. xxx