Chapter One

Santorini Athens

Charles looked up at the waitress holding the menu. Her smile and her patience while he placed his order made the task of ordering another meal less daunting. He needed to eat but the intrusion was not what he needed and she knew it. He settled for a double scotch and looked up with a reply. "I will eat." She nodded and walked away as Charles sat back looking out towards the water. He continued to look around as would "any" tourist trying to blend in, but he had tried to 'blend' in for the last twelve and half months and as many countries and hotels. He tried to be normal, he tried to be invisible, but now that he had the chance to be both, it wouldn't come. His past and what he witnessed, was still hanging over his head, strangling any chance of having a normal life. He never looked up as the glass was slid towards him. He grabbed it as if on cue staring at the ice swirling in a circle inside the glass. He lifted the glass taking a big swig. The burning tickled his throat, instantly feeling numb and for once he liked it.

Slipping his key card into his room he pushed the door open and crashed on his bed. Their voices, their screams and their memories were stuck in a repetitive sequence never changing but reminding him of what was and how it all ended.

A few weeks later

A knock at the door startled Charles as he walked out of the bathroom. He opened the door to see the hotel's concierge and his overzealous grin became infectious. Charles shook his head. "Now what, Nico?" Nico adjusted his stance. "Heads up, spring break and we need your room."

Charles looked around his room that he had spent the last month in and then faced the door. "You need this room, but isn't this a hotel?"

"It is but your room has three beds in which we can."

"Charge an arm and a leg to unbeknownst college students. Making a huge profit."

Nico cleared his throat. "But we can make the move less stressful." Charles waited. "We have a room near the beach, one of our prestige rooms. Queen size bed, full bar, high end bathroom, killer views." Charles walked back into his room. Nico followed waiting for some type of response. "All my stuff will be moved?"

Nico smiled. "Yes, certainly."

Charles packed the few items he had taken out as the rest of his suitcase remained unpacked. Nico walked to the door pulling in a suitcase cart and placing his things on it. The two walked the hall till they reached the elevator. Nico pressed the upper button. Charles remained quiet.

Nico pressed the sixth floor. Charles started singing the theme song from the TV show the Jeffersons. Nico looked confused. Charles stopped singing. "Sorry, I have a habit of singing when something new happens." Nico smiled. "No worries."

The two turned left and headed down the hall to the end reaching the last room. Nico slid the key card into the door hearing a click. Nico pushed down on the handle opening the door. Charles walked in seeing first the view, then he scanned the room giving his approval.

Charles looked back at Nico. "Well?" "It's fine, it will do." Charles was actually amazed at the single room with the queen size bed. Not sure if they knew what an upgrade met to them but Charles would say this was a close second. Plus, he didn't need all the room he had before. Nico passed him his key card and rolled the cart out. "Would you like anything?" Charles looked at him. "The usual." Nico knew what that was. A bottle of Jack, burger, fries, and a chocolate shake.

The next day Charles awoke to laughter and lots of splashing. He slipped the covers off and walked over to the window. Sliding it open he looked down and over night the quiet resort was bombarded by college students on spring break. He leaned on the railing looking down. Another opportunity to blend in. Charles still looked twenty-one and with his longer hair he could easily pass as a college student. He looked at his watch, it had been months since he was back in D.C. and even longer since he was back in LA. And he was okay with it.

That afternoon, the lounge was full of unleashed college students mostly drinking than eating. Charles slid into an empty seat and pulled the table closer to him allowing the flow of patrons to move freely. He slid his headphones on drowning out the noise. He was four chapters into the latest crime novel he was reading, before he noticed her. He glanced up once or twice losing her a few times in the crowd. This time he looked up she caught his eye. And in return he saw her innocence, her contagious beauty, her smile. He watched as she slid the loose hairs away from her face not wanting to make it too obvious that she was looking back. Charles continued to watch her but staying cool, as she tried to get someone to acknowledge her request. She tried raising her hand, then leaning over the bar. Nothing. He felt her pain. He stood up waiting for her to look his way again. When she finally looked his way, he waved then motioned for her to join him. She looked away figuring that it was just a fluke that this stranger was making contact. When Charles stood up straighter and at the same time motioning to the empty chair, she knew he was addressing her. Charles watched as she grabbed her bag which was an oversized carry-on cloth bag over her shoulder. He watched her intently as she moved through the crowd till, she arrived at the table. He smiled pulling out the chair. "It's just a chair." That's all he said. She sat down as he stood behind her. A perfect gentleman in that manner. Charles returned to his chair and smiled. "You've been standing there for a long time and this crowd." She looked around. "Spring Break." Charles's voice was soft but loud enough to be heard over the crowd. "I see." The woman turned around. "Thanks for the chair." A slight pause in her voice, still looking at her. "Charles." His brown eyes smiled if eyes could smile. She looked back at him. "Sarah." My name is Sarah." Charles extended his hand out shaking hers. He noticed how soft her hands were and she noticed how well they fit together. She pulled away grabbing the glass of water that had been delivered. "You hungry?" Sarah nodded.

Charles raised his hand alerting the waitress making her rounds. Sarah scrolled the menu and settled for a sandwich and fries. Charles ordered the same which didn't surprise her. They waited for their meal passing glances back and forth. "So, what brings you to Athens?" Charles was a pro and after he looked her over, he felt safe enough to continue with the "getting to know" you questions. "What brought me here?" Sarah didn't know this guy from Adam but felt comfortable for once. The last few years were not a story book kind of life but more of a after school special with a twist of COPS. "Last minute vacation you can say." Charles nodded. "I hear ya." "And you? What brought you here?" Charles mumbled just before he took a sip of his drink. "Hiding from the world."

Sarah looked at him. He wasn't the type to make her question his answer but it made her curious to ask another. "Have you been hiding long?"

"Long enough. And I hope that I am getting good at it." Charles took a bite, wiped his face with his napkin, then asked another question. "So, what do you do for a living?"

Sarah didn't know what to say. Frankly, she didn't have a response. She looked up at him and kind of lied but also told the truth. "I'm in between things right now, so I figured a last-minute trip would be the answer."

Sarah finished her meal sliding her plate forward then raising her elbows onto the table leaning into them. "What do you do for a living?"

Charles wiped his face moving his empty plate forward. "I'm a forensic engineer."

"A forensic engineer? And what does that job do?"

"I get that often, I investigate and inspect building structures to ensure that if a building was damaged, what were the reasons." He continued to talk making the job sound interesting. As Sarah listened, she could tell that he actually enjoyed what he did for a living but there were parts of his story that began to sound very mysterious, which intrigued her.

Their conversation continued over small talk to more intimate details. She seemed fascinated with his choice of profession steering clear away from hers. She participated in the conversation by telling him she had worked in a Weinerlicious and an Orange Orange yogurt shop. Charles laughed. "Yogurt. I love yogurt. ". "Well, I am not a fan." They both laughed. Their laughter subsided as the waitress walked by again. Sarah figured that they would be asked to leave but as she looked around the place was quiet for once. She looked at them both when Charles piped up. "We would like some coffee?" Then he turned to look at Sarah. "Sorry do you drink coffee?" His forwardness though charming, just added to things she started to like about him. "Coffee sounds good." She slid her hand into her pocket pulling out a few bucks at least she could pay for the coffee. Charles looked at her. "Keep it. I have a standing account here." Sarah smiled then slid the money back into her purse. Their coffees arrived they each took turns taking sipping from their cups.

Sarah looked at Charles. "Have you been here long?" Charles looked up. "I mean."

"No, I get it. About a month." "A month?" "Yeah, I arrived here and kind of liked it. Had been to other hotels and sights but been here for the longest." "So, vacation?" She remembered what he had said about hiding and regretted asking him if this was a vacation." "You can say that." He took a sip of his coffee. He took another sip. "And you?" She looked up with her blue eyes. "Looking for some fun before I sell my soul." Charles looked deeper into her eyes and she instinctively hid her face with her cup. Those words didn't sit right with him but added to the mystery of this girl and he was eager to find out more.

There was a lengthy pause in the conversation but when Sarah looked back at him and he didn't say anything but was still looking at her with his deep brown eyes, his sincerity chipped away a small chunk from the wall she had built up around her most of her life. "Just starting a new job soon, and I am kind of freaking out so I guess I don't know what to expect?" Charles slid his hand over hers reassuring her. "New jobs can be challenging and scary. So, I can see why you decided to come here." Sarah laughed. Well actually, it was a fluke that I came to arrive here. I was at home and I knew I had a few weeks before my (slight pause) my new job started and I didn't want to be at home and all my stuff was in storage. So, I threw a knife at a map that I still had on my wall and said to myself that wherever it landed that's where I'd go."

"So, it landed here."

"It did so, I booked a flight and arrived here this morning. The airport lost my luggage and said that I could get a room here."

"Luggage bummer."

Hours past and the two remain concentrated in each other. The space around them filled up with spring breakers. But to them it was like it was just the two of them in that room, and the on goings around them just faded from all their senses. They slowly held hands which just happened but neither of them minded. After they ate again and nursed a few more drinks, Charles looked at his watch. "Man, I didn't realize the time, sorry I must have kept you from?" Sarah stroked his hand. "I didn't have any plans. But I guess I better go and see if I can get a room." Her hand slipped from his giving his hand a slight chill. Sarah got up and grabbed her bag headed to the front desk. Charles followed signing his bill and leaving a decent tip. He stood near the desk knowing that the hotel was booked solid. And any chance of getting a room was slim. He tried not to listen but he watched her body language, as it sank and her upper body leaned even more over the counter. Charles walked up to her. "It may not be much but you're more than welcome to share my room. I will sleep on the couch. At least for tonight and in the morning, you can try again for a room." Sarah turned her upper body to face him. If that were a pick up line it was the worst, or it was so sincere and the kindest thing any stranger could say. But when she looked at him, he didn't feel like a stranger.

They had talked most of the day from where they came from to the fact that he liked yogurt and she didn't. They weren't really strangers anymore. She was Sarah and he was Charles. When Charles didn't get a response, he grabbed a scrap piece of paper and wrote down his room number. He leaned into her while sliding the paper toward her. "Here's my room number." It's just a bed for the night." His closeness warmed her heart and his breath on her cheek added to the feelings that she was starting to feel something for this stranger. She looked again and he was gone.

Sarah faced the desk clerk. "You sure there are no rooms left." "Sorry ma'am nothing till Wednesday." She knew it was Sunday. That would be three days till she'd get a room and she couldn't expect to stay with him till then. "Can you check another hotel?" "I can." The clerk replied. The clerk typed away clicking and moving the mouse back and forth.

Charles headed up to his room grabbing some water and walking to the window opening the door hearing the chatter down below. He realized that he didn't say goodbye to her and felt that his forwardness might have seen a bit abrupt. He placed the bottle of water on the table and walked to the door pulling it open, he stepped out seeing her in the hall. "Sarah?" She looked defeated. She looked lost. "Is your offer still on the table?" "Yeah." Charles stepped back opening the door further and as Sarah walked in. He reached out taking her bag and placing it on the chair by the door. She continued to walk in taking in the room then headed towards the balcony. Charles followed. "It's a bit loud." "That's okay."

Sarah leaned over the railing looking over the pool area and faintly seeing the ocean. Charles was glad that she was there and that he could say goodbye properly. They stood and stared out from the balcony for the next hour till Sarah turned to face him. "There's no room till maybe Wednesday and no other rooms in the area. Plus, still no word on my luggage." Sarah wiped a tear from her cheek. "Worst day ever." She quietly said under her breath. Charles looked at her. "Well not for me. I met you." Sarah looked up at him as for the first time she saw how tall he was and she had a hard time keeping her stare. She focussed on his lips diverting her from looking into his brown eyes. But even his lips were tempting her. "I wouldn't say that meeting me could be anyone's highlight to their day." He continued to look at her. "In my line of work, it is far and few." More tears ran down her face. Charles opened his arms and like a magnet they were wrapped around her. He held her close like they had done it before. His one hand pressed against the back of her head and the other wrapped around her lower back. Her face laid across his chest allowing her to hear his heartbeat, fast at first, then slowing down the more they stayed embraced. Charles looked down at her as she looked up. Their breaths became laboured. "I'm not that kind of girl." "I'm not that kind of guy."

When he looked down at her and she looked up at him their lips faintly touched. The kiss was soft as if they were treading carefully to see what would happen next. Sarah moved her arm out from under her and caressed his face. Her palm laid flat across his cheek, which led to the invitation for him to kiss her again. Charles accepted the invitation and kissed her again. This time it was more intense, more passionate. Charles held her close making her feel safe. Sarah felt his hand slid up under her shirt. She looked down at where his hands were. He was waiting for her to end it but she looked up at him and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt. When she was down three buttons, he kissed her again. She hurried to get the last remaining buttons and slowly slid his shirt off him, taking her first look at his upper body. She wouldn't say she had a type of man or what they looked like but when she saw him, she was pleasantly impressed. His chest quite muscular and he had the right amount of chest hair that tickled her fingers as she ran her open palm over his chest.

Charles slid his hand further up her shirt taking it over her head. Her beautiful chest staring at him. He leaned down kissing her chest then moving back to her lips. He picked her up carrying her to the bed. He carefully laid her down. He leaned into her facing her. He undid her jeans, pulling them off slowly to her feet. Sarah kicked them off, the best she could making Charles laugh. She didn't care for his response so she made him take notice when she grabbed his jeans at the waist and pulled him down to her. Charles pressed his arms out bracing himself so he wouldn't crash into her but it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen at this point. Sarah slid her hand around to the back of his head bringing him closer.

The two of them slid under the covers. Two strangers no longer, their bodies entwined the act progressing. Their worries silenced, for this moment. Charles held Sarah close as their bodies moved together. It was something unique that neither of them had ever experienced before. The feelings, the passion, the focus, the intense electricity that moved through their bodies. Sarah rolled Charles onto his back staring down at him. He looked up at her. They had been so focussed on what was happening that neither of them had said anything. Sarah looked at him and she couldn't take back what had happened but she felt that she had to say something. Charles sat up as Sarah slid her legs around him. He kissed her softly. She broke the kiss. "I'm not that kind of girl." He looked at her. "You mentioned that." She tried not to focus on their closeness but her words were getting lost in what was happening to her. "Maybe we don't need to label this, maybe this is something that we have no control over." Charles looked at her. "Maybe it was written for us already." Sarah slid her arms around him holding him closer kissing him and waiting for him to kiss her back. They fell back into the bed and continued to make love.

Sarah tried to focus as the morning sun seeped through the window. She raised her head looking at the clock. It was a little past eight. She turned to face the other direction seeing him and what he had done to her hours before. She wasn't sure when they finally fell asleep but she had not slept like that in years. He moved slightly startling her out of her thoughts. When he rolled onto his back, she got a glimpse of him warming up every inch of her. He adjusted his pillow opening his arms to have her join him. "I guess he's a cuddlier." And she was fine with that. She nestled once again in his arms and when he kissed the top of her head, she took notice.

"Good morning?"

"Morning, you slept well?"

She paused then replied, "Yes."

He looked at her. "Good." She looked up as he kissed her. She resumed her spot in his arms and continued to caress his chest, moving her fingers along side his neck. Finding that one spot that she noticed made him react. She slid her hand across his cheek bringing him into a passionate kiss. He rolled her onto her back starting up where they left off.

Charles slid out of bed mid afternoon allowing her to sleep. Her tiredness was more that the two of them making love but something more. He looked at her before he slipped into the bathroom. There was something mysterious about her and in his line of work, she was a puzzle and he wanted to know more about her.

He walked to the bed sitting beside her caressing her face and brushing her hair back over her ear. She opened her eyes. "Sorry to wake you." Sarah slid up onto her elbow. "What time is it?"

"A little past two." She sat up further taking the sheet with her. "Sorry that I slept this long." "No, that's okay." She reached for his hand and when she took it, she saw that he was dressed, well sort of. He saw her looking at him. "Just had a shower." He opened the robe and all she saw was that he was wearing a pair of boxers. He laughed. "I ordered lunch or a late breakfast, whatever you want to call it." She continued to hold his hand. "I better call down and see what is happening and I'll be out of your hair." She slid out the other side making Charles look at her as she grabbed the other robe that she assumed that he had left for her. She called down getting a busy signal. She looked at Charles. "Busy signal. I'll go have a shower then I'll call again." Charles nodded as she grabbed her clothes from the floor and wherever else they landed from earlier and walked over to her bag that was still on the chair where he had left it hours before.

Sarah showered and slipped on her clothes from the day before. She dried her hair the best she could and tried to make herself somewhat appealing. She walked out not seeing him at first. She sat down on the bed and dialed down to the front desk. Charles walked in from the balcony now wearing shorts and a t shirt. They both looked at the door hearing the knock. Sarah watched as Charles walked past her then returned to the call. Moments later. "I see and any word on my luggage?"

Charles rearranged the table setting up for their meal. He looked up as she said thanks and goodbye. She sat for a moment till his words made her turn around. "Come, there's no sense thinking about stuff you have no control over." Sarah stood up and walked over to the table and once again Charles pushed the chair in for her. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"It's just a chair." They both laughed then got serious as those words was how this all started.

They finished eating and moved to the couch of rather laid on the couch. Sarah slid in beside him as they stared out the window listening to the noises down below.

"So, you mentioned that you were originally from LA?"

"Yeah, my sister and her fiancé still live there. They are both doctors and my best friend Morgan is there as well."

"I live now on the east coast, not as sunny as LA?"

"And you? There's not many Wienerlicious or Orange Oranges in the USA."

"No there isn't, I am from San Diego. No brothers or sisters."

Sarah went quiet. "Did I overstep my…" Sarah rolled into him. "No, you didn't, its just I don't have an interesting life story to tell." She looked down and turned her face. "Me either, my story only has a few chapters and they are mostly about my sister and her fiancé and my best friend Morgan, comic books and video games." He looked at her. "Don't worry about the room thing. I promise to sleep on the couch." They knew that wouldn't be happening.

Sarah got up and extended her hand as Charles got up walking following her to the bed. They repeated the same motions as they did the first time. Sarah slipped under the covers waiting for him to join her. Each anticipating what was going to happen. They made love far into the night.

Charles slid to the side still holding Sarah in his arms. Their bodies drenched in sweat. Sarah got up and came back with two bottles of water. Charles sat up welcoming the cold bottle. Sarah slid back into his arms and casually said. "This was one interesting one night stand." Charles looked at her. "It's not a one-night stand if it leads into two." Sarah capped her bottle and tossed hers as Charles down his tossing it as well. Sarah straddled his legs. "I told you that I wasn't that type of guy." Sarah smiled and welcomed him again.

Early Tuesday Morning

Charles slid out of the shower leaving Sarah alone in the bathroom. He heard a knock at the door. He grabbed a robe and slipped it on. He opened the door looking at the person standing in front of him. "Agent Carmicheal." Charles stepped into the hall closing the door slightly behind him. "You are to report to General Beckman as soon as possible. We have a car waiting downstairs." Charles looked at the young man, an over achiever named Fitzroy. "How did you find me?"

Charles had been trying not to be found for almost a year. "We have a car waiting downstairs." Fitzroy walked away as Nico came walking towards him. They both looked at the man walking down the hall. "Hello."

"Hello." Charles replied.

"I have the ladies luggage here." Charles thanked him then acknowledged that they had a tray to be taken down. Nico waited at the door as Charles brought the tray to him. "Would that be all?"

Charles looked at the room. Then faced Nico. "No, I have to head back to work but My guest will be staying, she can stay as long as she wants. Just bill me any extra charges and credit my account when she leaves."

"Will do, we will miss you."

Charles smiled then closed the door.

He turned around as Sarah came walking out seeing her luggage. She jumped into Charles' arms. Charles kissed her hard. They moved to the bed. "Again?"

Charles looked at her. She saw the sincerity again in his eyes. Charles made love to her for what might be the last time ever. Sarah sensed that something was wrong when he kissed her and then got up and headed to the bathroom. He came out wearing a pair of dress pants and a baby blue dress shirt. He looked so handsome. To him they were those clothes that remained in his garment bag, for the longest time. Charles walked his luggage to the door and came back. Sarah looked at the clock, it was almost 10:30 p.m. "Where are you going?"

Charles sat down beside her. "I got called back to work; they have a car downstairs waiting for me." "When did this happen?"

"They came knocking around earlier this morning."

"And you're just telling me this now that you're leaving?"

"Yes, and I'm so sorry." He took her hand and kissed it. Then got up. Sarah slid out grabbing a robe and slipping it on. "The room is paid for so you can stay as long as you want." Sarah not sure what was going on. "You were going to leave without saying goodbye?"

Charles grabbed her and held her close. "Never. It's just I was not expecting to be foun-d, I mean called back so soon and I didn't expect to meet you and especially what happened between us." "Will we see eachother again?"

Charles kissed her with all he had left. He held her face in his hands. In between kisses he looked at her. "What he had these few days, were more than what it ended up to be. This doesn't happen very often, at least not to me."

"Me either. Will I see you again?"

Charles looked at her. "If it is meant to be then yes, we will see each other again."

Charles grabbed his suit jacket and slipped it on as Sarah walked over and grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down her number. She walked over to him for maybe the last time and slipped the piece of paper into his suit pocket. "I will miss you."

"Me too." He hugged her once more then kissed her and bent down grabbing his suitcase and exiting the room. As the door closed all the emotions, she felt the last few days became too much and she started to cry. Charles entered the elevator and tried to hold his emotions intact. He gained his composure as the doors opened. He walked out towards the parking lot where Fitzroy and another agent waited. They took his bags, opening the door for him. Charles slid into the back. The two agents slid into the front. "How did you find me?"

"We found you on an ATM camera about a week ago and it led us here. Do you want us to take care of your guest?"

Charles instantly replied. He was glad that Sarah wasn't the reason that he had been found, that she was planted. He wasn't sure how he would have taken the news if that were true. "No, she will not be taken care of, understood."

"Yes, Agent Carmicheal."

The car took off. An hour later they reached the airport where a jet was waiting. Charles sat down as Fitzroy placed a laptop in front of him. Charles opened the screen. There popped up was his supervisor a one General Beckman. Charles cleared his throat. "General?"

"Agent Carmicheal. Good to see you?"

Charles nodded.

"You are probably wanting to know why we are calling you back?"

"It did cross my mind as I was doing just fine without the agency."

"Yes, I am, impressed that you were able to stay hidden this long but this is of the utmost importance and it can't wait."

"It better be good?"

Beckman took her glasses off. "We found him?"

"Found who?"

"We found him, Charles." Charles's heart sank in his chest.

"And we need you to…" Her voice trailed off. Charles looked back in disbelief.