Requested by XxZombie4ChocolatexX

Carmen POV

I watched Gray sadly from across the street, Player's words bouncing around in my head. Gray had tried to kill me, true. Could my being in his presence jeopardize his safety? Yes. Did he remember me? No.

But did it still hurt? Forever.

Sighing, I fidgeted with my fingers in the pocket of my red hoodie. I desperately wanted to walk across the street and sit down with him, but my friend was being insistent.

"What happens if VILE sees you with him?"

I tuned Player out, my mood darkening. I knew what would happen if they saw me with him. Player kept saying how I would be put in danger, but he apparently had yet to realize that I didn't care. It was Gray's life that I was afraid to put on the line. The life and the future that he had just gained back, though I didn't know why.

"Carmen? Red, are you listening to me?"

I snapped back to reality, then scowled. "Yes, Player. I get what you're saying, okay? Just- just drop it already. I'll choose what I choose, got it? If I get attacked that's my fault alone."

The surprise was evident in his voice. "I- okay, then."

A small pang of guilt hit me that I had barked at him, but I shook it away. No time for that.

"Just be careful, okay?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course, Player."

There was a pause. "Carmen, please rethink this. I know he was your friend, but there's still a chance of him being-"

I quickly tapped my earring to silence him, then sucked in a small breath. I had already made up my mind, and I was willing to risk it. If worst came to worst, I could just bring Gray with me, clue him into the memories he had lost. Maybe even give him to the police, if I really had to. At least there he would have a chance of being protected.

I screwed my eyes shut, then shook out my shoulders to give the position I was standing in a nonchalant feeling. Gray hadn't seen me yet, and the light had just turned red, so I was prepared to wait patiently. He glanced down at his watch, muttering something under his breath. Then, his face lit up as his eyes landed on me.

He stood, relief tinting his charming smile. I smiled back, my emotions warring in my chest. A bus was a few seconds from passing me, and it was my last chance to change my mind.

It passed, and even I was holding my breath to see what would happen. Would I grab it on instinct?

No. It drove by, and I was relieved to find myself still standing on the sidewalk. The light turned green, and I took in another deep breath before crossing the street towards him. The cafe was small and twinkled with fairy lights, giving it a cozy, joyful aura.

"Carmen, nice to see you," Gray said, dipping his head in a tiny bow.

"You're relieved I showed up, aren't you?"

His face flushed, and I mentally slapped myself.

Stupid, don't say stuff like that.

He gave a nervous smile, but he relaxed again when I tipped my imaginary fedora to him. "Sorry. The food here any good?"

Gray nodded, then motioned for me to sit. I did so, and he gave another breathtaking smile. "I've been coming to this cafe for almost my entire life, Mate." He laughed, and I found myself watching him. I missed that happy sound.

I don't know why, but the thought made me feel guilty.

He noticed the look on my face, and the glimmer in his brown eyes faded a bit. "Everything okay, Carmen?"

"Oh, of course, sorry Gra-" I stopped myself, then pretended to be clearing my throat. "Sorry Graham."

"No, just wanted to make sure you're ok." He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. "I do suppose that the point of a date is to get to know one each other, eh?"

I smirked, tapping my fingers on the table. "Indeed it is."

"Well, then." He sat up straighter, tapping along to the rhythm I was doing. "I'll start, and then we'll order?"

I nodded.

"Ok. Well, I've been living in Australia my entire life. I was actually born in Victoria's capital-"

"Melbourne," I said.

He nodded. "You're good with geography, huh?"

A somewhat cocky smile tugged at my lips, but I nestled my chin into my hands and propped my elbows on the table. "Yeah, but we're talking about you. Do continue, I didn't mean to interrupt." I already knew what he was telling me, of course. VILE had given us plenty of time to get to know each other. I suddenly froze as he went on, my mind whirling.

I'd have to explain bits and pieces of myself, too.

I smiled at his jokes, and when he told me that Aussies called large male kangaroos 'Boomers', I choked on my tongue and had to bite back a snort. He noticed this and let out a small giggle, and that was just too much for me. A laugh bubbled in my throat, and then there were tears in my eyes as we both lost it.

"No... way!" I gasped, trying to catch my breath back.

He nodded, rubbing moisture from his own eyes. "I'm serious! It wasn't a big deal until the meme, and now it's everywhere."

I made a mental note of what he had told me. Zack would love this.

"So." Gray sucked in a calming breath and scooped up his menu. "Shall we order?"

We were off to a good start.

The food was amazing, as Gray had told me, but it left a sour feeling in my stomach. I needed to weave myself a completely new backstory for tonight. Of course, I was sure that Gray would accept anything I told him and wouldn't totally push for details, but... still. He offered me the rest of his cheesecake, and I accepted it for his sake. (And possibly for the sake of my tastebuds, which were enjoying themselves)

"Ok. Where are you from, Black Sheep?"

My blood turned to ice in my veins. "What did you call me?"

Gray frowned. "Carmen is your name, isn't it?"

"I- yes, sorry, I'm just tired. I could've sworn you said..." I rubbed my head, regretfully setting aside the fork. "Never mind."

His eyes narrowed, and he raised a brow.

Sighing, I did my best to force a smile, but my good mood had completely ebbed away. Paranoia was building in my gut, and I had to choke it back. "I was born in Chile," I quickly improvised. "But my parents and I moved to America before I learned to speak, which is why I have an American accent."

He laughed. "I wouldn't have known. Did you lean Spanish, still?"

I switched to it to prove a point. "Why, yes, I did. It wasn't too hard to figure out for me."

"Um... ok?"

Smiling coyly, I shrugged.

Gray just rolled his eyes with a dimpled smile.

I was suddenly struck with a sense of terror, and I bolted up straight in my chair. "Do you... feel anything?" I asked Gray. The air felt... bad.

He cocked his head, looking confused. "Feel? No, I don't think so. Why, is something wrong?"

"I- yes, actually." I bit back the sadness in my voice and pretended to check my phone. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cut our time together short. Some... friends of mine are on their way, and I'm going to meet them."

"Oh. Okay." Gray frowned, disappointment entering his gaze.

I stood, trying to ignore the panic that was swirling in my head. I didn't know why it was there, just that it was. My instincts didn't lie to me.

I needed to get away from him.

"Bye! Thank you so much, Gray!" I waved to him and bolted, ignoring the surprised murmurs from other people around me.

"It's Graham!" he called after me, and I flinched against the bitterness in his tone.

I'm sorry.

Sweat was beading on my face as I ran, my tongue choking my throat as I tried to breath. Tears were spilling from my eyes, and I reached up to brush them away before tapping my link earring. Player's voice almost immediately came over the line.

"Red, you turned me off!"

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," I sobbed, gasping heavily as I finally stopped to catch my breath.

"Carmen!" Worry shot into his voice, his anger forgotten. "What's going on?"

"I don't know!" I yelled, gripping my head.

Get away from him. Stay away from him.

I took off again, tears mixing with sweat on my face. I didn't know what was wrong with me, why had I just left?

Danger. Go. Run faster.

My brain was screaming at me, so I listened to it. I was crying heavily by the time I reached a partially secluded spot, and I collapsed onto a park bench, hiccups shaking my back as my throat burned painfully.

"I'm sending Zack and Ivy to come get you." Player said, trying to sound calm. "Don't go anywhere, OK?"

I nodded, coughing, though he couldn't see me.

Eventually I could breath again, though there were still droplets on my face and chin. Why had I left? Why had I been so terrified?

You're not safe around him. Neither of you are.

I rubbed my tired eyes, biting my lip. I knew it was true.

I should never have gone to see him. I should have listened to Player.

This had been a terrible idea.