IT'S GONNA BE MAY - happy may 1st

please make sure you read all the key details in this chapter!! i struggled really hard with liking my writing but its really important for the rest of the story.

DONT FORGET TO COMMENT AND VOTE XOXO

//

067. FOUR KEYS

01:00.00... 00:59.59... 00:59.58... 00:59.57...

"Rory," his voice softly whispered. "Rory, baby," a kiss was placed against her forehead before he added in a mumble, "It's time to get up."

As her eyes slowly opened, a displeased groan escaped. "Why?"

"Because," Harry paused, allowing him to choose his following words carefully, "I made breakfast, and I want you to eat before Dallas inhales everything."

It wasn't a complete lie - Dallas was awake and had a never-ending pit for a stomach. But the urgency behind her needing to wake up wasn't alluded to. Harry didn't want to remind her of the text from Handler first thing in the morning.

One eye slowly opened. "What did you make?"

"Asparagus and Brussels sprouts," he teased, earning a disgusted wrinkle of her nose, just like he knew she'd respond. "You know I made your favourite."

"Pancakes?"

"Mmhm..."

"With chocolate chips?"

"Yes..."

"And strawberries?"

"Yes, Bambi. I even got bananas too. Everything fresh from the market."

"You went to the market?"

Harry nodded, brushing the hair from her face. "Got there first thing this morning after my run."

"First thing?" Rubbing her tired eyes, she said, "But the market opens at six! How long did you sleep?"

"Long enough." Harry pressed another kiss to her forehead. "Now, get a move on and come downstairs before everything ends up in Dallas's stomach."

Rory sat up in bed and stretched her arms, letting out a loud, dramatic yawn. "Mm, you're lucky I'm a sucker for pancakes."

"I know you are. That's why I told Dallas if he had any before I got back downstairs, I'd put a bullet through his skull."

"Aw," she cooed, "So romantic!"

"See you down there in five?"

Receiving a nod of agreement, Harry got up from the bed and headed to the door. But just as he reached for the handle, he heard her ask,

"How long?"

Harry turned around. "What?"

"How long?" she repeated. "For... breakfast."

Guilt pained his heart. "About an hour."

Rory forced a smile. "Okay," she said, "Is Stefano...."

"Coming for breakfast?" he finished for her. The forced smile was slowly replaced by a genuine one, signalling she appreciated his gesture of playing along. "He'll be here in about thirty to forty minutes." Lingering in the doorway, he added, "Everything will be okay, Rory."

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, attention on the floor in front of her, she said, "I know. It's just breakfast, after all," she looked over at him, "Right?"

"Right."

Noticing him lingering in the doorway, seemingly lost in thought, Rory stood and told him, "I'll be okay."

"I know, I know," he repeated, tapping his fingers against the door frame, "You're the strongest person I've ever met."

With slow, half-awake steps, she walked over to Harry's spot in the doorway. A calm beat of silence passed as she stood before him. Rory couldn't tell what he was thinking - far too many emotions flashed through his eyes. She wished she knew the right thing to say so he could believe she would be okay. But even she wasn't sure. No one knew what lay ahead for them.

That was the scariest thing of all - not knowing.

With a lack of knowing what to say, Rory opted for something simple. She raised her hand and placed it on his chest. It turned out that saying something to help ease his mind wasn't necessary at all.

Her touch was all he needed.

Harry placed his hand over hers and gently squeezed. The slight crease of worry between his brows faded, and the corners of his mouth tugged upward.

"You and me." Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead and added, "Forever and always."

"We're a team."

"And I-"

"No, Dallas!" Kip's yell was evident from the kitchen below. "You can't eat the pancakes yet!"

With an annoyed sigh, Harry's jaw tensed as he looked over his shoulder and yelled, "If I come downstairs and find out you've been anywhere near the food, we're going to have a fucking problem, Dallas!"

There was a beat of pure silence before a voice replied, "... sorry."

"Aw," Rory cooed, "Don't be too hard on him, Daddy."

Hearing that nickname, one Harry swore she said last night as well, he turned back around. "What did you just say?"

"I said, don't be too hard on him, Harry."

"No, you didn't."

Rory mockingly cocked her head to the side. "Mm, I think I know what I said."

"But you-" A crash silenced his words. Turning his head again, Harry yelled, "What was that?"

"Uh... nothing!"

"Fucking hell," Harry muttered, "I can't leave them alone for one fucking second."

"It's never a dull moment." Rory patted her hand against his chest before letting her touch fall. She took a few steps back as a coy smirk appeared. "You never get a day off from Daddy duty!"

Harry's eyes widened. "Okay, I fucking know I heard you say it that time!"

Harry took that as her confession as Rory disappeared into the bathroom, unable to contain her giggles. Daddy duty, the voice in his head sneered. I'm not their fucking dad.

"Hey! That's my cereal!" Kip cried. "Harry!"

Releasing another annoyed sigh, Harry hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen before another fight could break out. "A little peace, that's all I asked for," he scolded, narrowing his eyes at the two children at the table. "What's the fucking problem?"

Kip pouted his bottom lip. "Dallas took my cereal!" he whined, pointing his finger at the man who smugly shoved a spoonful of chocolate cereal into his mouth.

"Give Kip his cereal back, Dallas."

"Well, I don't want it now! He got his mouth germs all over it!"

"You bet I did!" Dallas snarkily replied, inhaling another spoonful.

"Why did you take his food, Dallas?"

"Because I was hungry!"

"And I told you to wait five minutes because you would get pancakes!" Kip cried.

"But I'm hungry now."

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose with a defeated sigh. "Do I bother asking why you took his bowl instead of getting your own?"

Dallas shrugged. "It was right there."

Harry, unable to think of words aside from calling him a fucking idiot, made his way to the cabinets. He returned with a clean bowl and spoon and set them down in front of Kip, pouring him new cereal. "I'm sorry, buddy," he said, grabbing the milk container off the counter. "I'll get you another box of cereal tomorrow, okay?"

Upon receiving a nod of agreement, Harry walked around to the back of Dallas's chair, smacking the back of his head before making his way over to the kitchen counter. Harry resumed his task of slicing fruit, wanting to ensure there was more than enough of all her favourites in each bowl. He nearly purchased the entire store's stock of strawberries and bananas earlier in the morning. Whatever it took to make her feel as calm as possible, Harry wanted to make sure he did. And keeping an eye on the two sitting at the table, he also made sure they were on their best behaviour.

Shit. Maybe I am like their dad. He shuttered over the thought. No, my kids would be way more behaved. They're worse than toddlers.

Thoughts over his supposed parental role suddenly came to a halt hearing the front door open. Harry turned his attention back to the cutting board and resumed slicing the banana. As the footsteps drew near, he couldn't help but look up occasionally, waiting for the figure's arrival. Usually, he wouldn't find himself with a slightly anxious feeling coursing through his body. But on a day like this one, anything was possible.

"Hey, Colty!" Dallas greeted, "Thanks for joining us!"

Nose wrinkling with disgust, he sneered, "Will you ever learn to swallow your food before you speak?"

"Dallas," Harry warned, pointing the knife in his direction, "shut your mouth before you spit any more cereal onto the table!"

Following a grumble of displeasure from one end of the table and a snicker from the other, Harry returned to his task.

"Need any help?"

"I think I've got it all under control," Harry replied, quickly surveying the items. Meeting Colson's glance, he asked, "Hungry?"

"I ate before I came. But, got any coffee?"

He nodded to the pot. "Help yourself."

And that was how the two reconciled. There was no deep conversation - no hugging or confessing their feelings. None of that was necessary. Would it be considered the healthy way to move on? No, of course not. However, there was no time for anything else. There were far more significant issues at hand, pressing at the forefront. If the two could brush aside their petty argument over something neither of them knew how it materialized in the first place, then so be it.

Besides, when Rory entered the room, Harry focused solely on her.

Harry opened the oven and pulled out the tray of freshly made pancakes. No one liked cold pancakes first thing in the morning, and thankfully, the oven had done an excellent job keeping them warm - while also keeping out Dallas.

While she wished the two at the table a quiet hello (and even spared Colson a pleasant greeting), Harry placed the tray on the stovetop and ensured the fruit bowls were ready with their spoons for serving. He gave the setup a final once over as Rory made her way over.

Rory had changed into new clothes - a fresh pair of jeans and one of his hooded sweatshirts. Knowing she found comfort in wearing his clothes made his chest warm. He thought finding happiness in it odd, but he was more than willing to welcome the feeling. And, of course, he was more than willing to share his clothes with her.

Harry grabbed the spare tea towel and wiped off his hands before turning to greet her with a kiss. He licked his lips, tasting the toothpaste lingering behind. "Hungry?" he asked, tossing the towel over his shoulder.

Although she replied with a smile and an audible "yes," Harry could feel the fear behind her eyes. He noticed it too – how she rocked back and forth on the balls of her sock-covered feet and pulled at the ends of her sweater, covering her hands.

The change in her demeanour was evident to Harry. Knowing how she acted barely twenty-four hours ago to the initial text, Harry expected nothing less. It went without saying that he didn't blame her for feeling nervous.

Placing his arm around her waist, he gently squeezed her hip and handed her a plate. "It's okay," he whispered, only for her to hear. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention from the others that she was nervous - clearly, she wanted to hide it for a reason.

After successfully getting two pancakes onto her plate, Rory turned her attention to the bowl of fruit. Unfortunately for the nervous Bambi, that's when her cracks started to show. With the spoonful of strawberries shaking in her hand, the metal utensil made an unmistakable clinking sound as it rattled against the ceramic as she tried getting the fruit onto her plate.

The spoon slipped from her grasp and fell onto the ground. Rory immediately sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, biting down to stop the tears from escaping.

The noise drew a crowd.

But to Harry's surprise, he spotted Colson swatting Dallas's arm and pointing to his bowl, signalling to keep his attention on the cereal.

"It's okay," he whispered, grabbing another spoon. "Here, let me help. You hold the plate, okay?"

With a slight nod, she kept her head down and watched the pile of strawberries, bananas, and chocolate chips appear on her plate.

"C'mon," he said, gripping her waist tightly, "Let's go sit."

Harry guided her to the table and into a chair before catching the eye of Colson. Pointing at the other two, he nodded toward the counter before sitting.

"Go get your food," Colson instructed the two, hurrying them out of their seats. "Let's go," he ushered, "come on now."

The two were left alone at the table for a brief moment of peace. Harry was well aware that she didn't want any attention on her, meaning he knew that suggesting they went to another room, although her preference, wasn't a possibility. And so, he did what he could to give her a brief moment of quiet, even if that proved to be a challenge, with the two children arguing only a few feet away.

"Harry," she said his name faintly, hand shaking as she attempted to hold the fork. "I-"

"Here, let me," he quickly interjected before she had to ask.

Rory hated asking for help. And although she had gotten far better at it, all due to her trust in the person sitting next to her, the last thing she needed right now was to push her comfort zone and ask for help, specifically when it came to something like this.

"I feel like a pathetic child," she whispered, watching him cut her food.

"Trust me when I say you are far from a child. Especially when you have those two," he nodded at Dallas and Kip, "in the same room." Collecting a mixture of pancake, fruit and chocolate onto the utensil, he instructed, "Open." Parting her lips without hesitation, Harry guided the fork into her mouth. "Good?"

A soft moan of delight escaped as she nodded, and her legs bounced happily as she chewed her food. She loved pancakes - that was a given. But when he made them, she couldn't help but wonder if she loved Harry's pancakes the most.

"More," she whispered before adding a quick, "please."

With another forkful already prepared, Harry brought it up to her waiting mouth. "I'm glad you like it," he said.

In addition to her liking the food, Harry was glad she was eating. Her sudden loss of appetite worried him whenever it flared up. But at least she was eating and happily doing so.

Reaching a hand forward, he wiped away the smear of chocolate from the corner of her mouth. Rory watched in bewilderment as he raised his thumb to his mouth and licked it clean. She was so entranced by the action she hadn't realized the other three had joined them at the table.

It wasn't just Harry licking his fingers that stole her attention; it was everything.

Everything he did stole her attention: ensuring everyone had what they needed; 

How he spoke with Kip, letting the kid have his moment to speak and not be (unintentionally) interrupted by Dallas's interjections;

His exchanges with everyone at the table to keep them engaged in conversation and distracted from her nerves.

"More?" Harry asked.

Rory nodded, accepting another bite without hesitation. Looking down at the plate, she tried to hide her suddenly flushed skin from view as she chewed the food.

I definitely love his pancakes the most.

"What's on your mind, Bambi?"

Attempting to shield the overpowering thoughts that ran through her head over the sudden realization, she gave him a nonchalant shrug and softly answered, "You and me."

A smile tugged on his lips over the answer. "You and me," Harry whispered as the hand on her thigh gently squeezed. "Forever and always, yeah?"

"Yeah." Leaning forward, she kissed him quickly and added, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything."

Harry put the fork down and moved his hand to gently grasp her chin to guide her lips back to his. "Well, then, thank you for everything, too," he said, stealing another kiss.

... 00:20.04... 00:20.03... 00:20.02... 00:20.01...

Finishing the rest of her food - even managing a few bites on her own without letting the fork fall - Rory sat peacefully for the remainder of breakfast. With her head on Harry's shoulder, she watched the others interacting and making conversation. A laugh left her lips, watching Colson attempt to wrangle the two boys into cleaning up the table and washing the dishes. While Kip was happy to oblige (to no one's surprise), Dallas preferred trying to stick a wet finger into the kid's ear rather than actually helping.

The morning was one Rory didn't expect - it was a nice, welcomed distraction.

Unfortunately, nothing could make her forget what was happening at the end of the hour.

And a knock at the front door forced a stomach-turning reminder down upon her.

Nodding in the direction of the front door, Harry said, "Colson." A simple order and all that was needed for him to know what was required. As the man exited the kitchen, Harry focused solely on the frightened girl before him. "Rory, baby, it's going to be okay," he said softly, reaching for her hands.

Eyes falling to her lap, she tried to find the confidence within her to make her voice sound believable. But the second she uttered, "I know," she could hear the crack in her faint whisper.

"Look at me." When she didn't move, Harry gently tapped his index finger under her chin. "Come on, baby. Let me see those big Bambi eyes," he teased. As her head slowly lifted, guided by his finger, Harry smiled. "There's my girl." Knowing her eyes wanted to fall back to her lap, he quickly added, "You're strong, Rory."

Remaining silent, she replied with a nod.

"Say it."

"I'm strong," she faintly said.

"Again."

Resisting the pressing urge to roll her eyes, she repeated, "I'm strong."

"You're brave."

Without needing the prompt this time around, she repeated, "I'm brave."

"And you're smart."

Rory couldn't help but smile over the remark. "You just called me smart."

"Because you are."

"Can you say it again?"

There were many things Harry found attractive about Rory. Those large brown eyes... her sarcasm... the way she knew someone's weakness just with one look... her kindness and generosity... how she took pleasure in such simple things he would have never thought about before meeting her, like sitting in the rain or opening a brand new textbook.

Truth be told, the list was never ending. Just when he thought all of them were written down on the list, Rory surprised him with something new.

However, nothing surprised him like remembering how pleased she got over hearing him say she was smart. No compliment on earth could compare to the glint in her widened eyes and rose-tinted cheeks.

Harry dipped his head forward and whispered, "You are smart."

"How smart?"

A grin spread across his lips, watching her nerves fade. They didn't disappear altogether - saying the particular phrase was powerful, but it wasn't magical enough to make her completely forget everything else. However, it was enough to get her foot to stop vigorously tapping against the ground, which helped her leg to stop shaking.

"Extremely smart. The smartest person I know." Hearing footsteps approach from the hallway, Harry squeezed her hand. "My beautiful, strong, brave, smart girl, yeah?"

Rory nodded, showing a hint of a smile. "Yeah." Looking at the doorway, the urge to tap her foot again quickly grew unbearable. Instead of giving in, she forced her eyes back to Harry. "When this is done, can we get ice cream?"

"Of course," Harry stole a quick kiss from her lips, "We can get whatever you want."

Rory opened her mouth to speak but fell silent their new house guest, followed by Colson and the two children, entered the kitchen. She didn't mind the interruption. A part of her welcomed it. Now she no longer had to force herself to talk - given the only thing on her mind was to tell Harry about the various ice cream flavours she wanted to indulge in post-meeting with their robot stalker.

"Good morning, everyone," Stefano greeted, eyes scanning each individual standing in the room until falling upon one in particular, sitting at the table. "Miss Young," he acknowledged with a nod.

"Mr. Romano," she said, copying his gesture.

Like always, the man wore a well-fitted suit from a luxurious brand - although the large bag in his hand was a new accessory. Rory liked that he always dressed so nicely. Oddly, it made her feel more comfortable knowing he wouldn't change his day-to-day attire for their robot stalker. Sometimes, Rory wondered if he slept in a suit.

"Ah, I see you enjoyed some pancakes this morning," the man commented, "Always a nice way to start the morning with your favourite breakfast."

"Would you like some?"

Stefano shook his head. "Thank you. But I'm quite alright. The Doctor made quite a feast this morning and wouldn't let me leave until I finished two plates of food." He patted his stomach. "Speaking of food," placing a large bag on the countertop, he said, "Doctor Khan wanted me to bring some of your favourite meals."

Already catching a greedy face licking his lips, Harry quickly warned, "Dallas, don't even think about it."

"B-but-"

"There are snacks for you in the car," Stefano quickly interrupted. "You will be well fed, my boy, so-" Before the man could finish his sentence, Dallas was already out the door and heading to the car for his snacks. Checking his watch, Stefano sighed. "It appears his exit was well-timed. We should get a move on."

... 00:10.04... 00:10.03... 00:10.02... 00:10.01...

Rory observed in silence, watching the men around her begin to prepare. She held Harry's hand and followed his lead outside. Two large SUVs were parked out front. One was for Colson, Kip and Dallas (already enjoying his abundance of snacks), while the other was for herself, Harry and Mr. Romano. She overheard the older man explain in addition to the guards that would ride in each car, there were additional vehicles following.

Considering Handler seemed to hold the power to blow up whatever she wanted, Rory didn't understand its need. But she knew better than to comment such a thing. Besides, it's not like there was any harm in having additional protection. Even if that meant more men with blank, emotionless glares nearby. Protection was never a bad thing. And while Harry geared up his own protection of the house by turning on the alarm and ensuring every door and window was locked, Rory waited near the black SUV.

"Mr. Romano?"

The man pocketed his cell phone and looked down at the girl. "Yes, Miss Young?"

Pulling on the sleeves of her sweater, Rory cleared her throat. "Could you thank Doctor Khan for me? You know, for the food? I'd call her, but I know she's busy and-"

"Doctor Khan is never too busy for you, Miss Young."

She blinked, surprised by the revelation. "Really?"

"Really. In fact, between you and me," his voice dropped to a whisper, "I think she'd love to hear from you."

"She would?"

Stefano nodded. "If you ever need her, she'd drop everything to answer your call. But you already know that."

"What if I just wanted to talk? You know, ask her how her day went... She wouldn't mind?"

"Miss Young, you can trust me when I say that you will never be a bother."

... 00:01.00... 00:00.59... 00:00.58... 00:00.57...

Harry hurried down the front steps and went to Rory's side. "Sorry, the door was giving me some trouble. Are you doing alright?"

"Yeah. I'm okay," she said, surprised to find herself somewhat believing her words. That has to be good, right?

Opening the passenger door, Harry held out his hand to help her climb in before making his own way into the vehicle. He was alert of the timer from the corner of his eye, wanting to ensure he was prepared when it went off. Thankfully, Rory's focus was glued to the stoic guard sitting on the other side of her as she tried to get him to break character.

"Rory," Harry tried. "Rory, baby, stop poking him."

"But he won't even say hi to me!" Her eyes narrowed. "I don't think he's even blinked!" she cried in a not-so-subtle whisper, earning a chuckle from Stefano in the front seat.

"Rory," he attempted once again. With a gentle grip on her chin, Harry turned her head, forcing their eyes to meet. "I need you to put these on," he held up a pair of headphones, "and you're going to close your eyes for me for just a minute, okay? I'll tell you when it's over."

In any other situation, Rory would have pestered him with a hundred questions over the odd request. But she knew there was a reason behind him asking such a thing. And so, without hesitation, she slipped on the pair of headphones, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the sweet sounds of Dolly's voice.

... 00:00.04... 00:01.03... 00:01.02... 00:01.01...

With a tap on her shoulder, Rory slowly opened one eye. Harry motioned with his hands to take the headphones off, signalling that her time with the peaceful music had ended.

As she slowly wrapped the cord around, not wanting anything to get tangled, she noticed the car was already in motion to the destination. "Thank you."

Harry put his arm around her. "For what?"

"Distracting me from the timer," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.

Rory closed her eyes, wanting to let the rest of the ride pass. The car was quiet but not eerily so. To her surprise, it was almost peaceful. Stefano turned on the radio, letting it play lightly in the background, and it wasn't like any of the guards were about to strike up a conversation. Therefore, her eyes remained closed and (thankfully) uninterrupted for the rest of the journey.

"Start the search," she heard Stefano order from the front seat.

"Give us a moment," Harry's voice said.

Rory waited until she heard the sounds of the bodies exiting the vehicle and the car doors slamming shut behind them before slowly opening her eyes. Lifting her head off Harry's shoulder, she looked out the window and unsurprisingly saw the same house from before still standing tall.

With a kiss on her forehead, Harry whispered, "Rory, baby...."

"Mm?" she hummed, sitting up.

"I got you something." Harry reached behind, fishing the item out of his back pocket. He placed it in her hands and explained, "It's a little pin of a cartoon cow."

Rory was at a loss for words as she looked down at the shiny metal pin in her hand. "Y-you got this for me?" she asked, running her thumb across the comically large head.

"I saw it at the market this morning. It reminded me of Pebbles, and I know he brings you comfort... but since you can't bring him to this, I thought you could bring a little piece of him with you. You can pin it to-"

Rory silenced his words with a sudden kiss, and Harry was more than happy to welcome the surprise. His hands went to her cheeks, cupping her face as he returned the kiss. It was a brief exchange, but her body felt on fire. She pulled her head back, staring at the man before her in amazement, trying to understand the rush of emotions flowing through her body.

At a loss for words, she said the first thing that came to mind, "You and me."

You and me.

Rory said you and me.

Harry heard her say you and me and repeated it back to her.

They both said you and me.

But they both meant I love you.

You and me was their I love you. 

"So, you don't think it's lame?"

Rory couldn't help but let out a choked laugh over the question. "No, not at all," she said, wiping her eyes. "It's... I can't even think of the right words to describe what I'm thinking... but lame isn't the word."

"Do you want me to pin it for you?"

"I do, but I'm wearing your sweater."

"I don't mind."

"Okay, then, yes, please," she said. "Can you pin it here?" Pointing at the inside of the collar. "Then he can be my little secret."

Harry took the pin from her hand and removed the backing before bringing it to the spot she wanted. "Right here?" he asked, waiting for her confirmation of a nod. Pushing the pin into the material, he secured the backing back on and admired the handiwork. "There, all done."

"I think I'll call him Rock. It's funny because he's so small."

"I think it suits him. Now we have Pebbles and Rock."

We. The simple word caused her chest to fill with warmth and the palms of her hands to slick with sweat. "We do," was all she could manage in response.

"Our little moo-moo family is growing," he continued, "Before you know it, we'll have to get a farm to keep them all."

Rory hummed a response, knowing even the simplest of words were impossible. She had no idea whether he was saying such things because he thought it would help ease her mind or if he genuinely meant it. Whichever it was, she didn't care. It filled her heart with joy just the same.

A knock against the glass of the passenger side window pulled their attention. Harry squeezed her hand with a heavy sigh and asked, "Ready?"

With a laugh, she attempted to make light of the situation by saying in a teasing tone, "Ready to get in there and have some robot lady threaten my life? You bet I am!"

"Rory-"

"It was a joke," she said, poking his side with her finger. "You know, something people usually go ha-ha too?" Looking down at her pin, she mumbled, "At least Rock found it funny."

"I just-" Harry's words were cut off by a knock on the window. "Shit," he mumbled. Turning his head over his shoulder, he opened the door and yelled, "One minute," before slamming it shut again.

"Are you okay?"

Harry looked back, surprised by the sudden question. She didn't need to ask him such a thing that caused him to react that way, but because he couldn't remember someone ever thinking about his state of mind in this type of situation before. Plus, the retaliation that his answer was 'no' was a scary thought.

Brushing the hair from her face, he nodded and softly replied, "You and me," before capturing her lips with a kiss.

"Forever," kiss, "and," kiss, "always," kiss.

"You're the strong person I know, Rory Young."

"I am strong," she whispered in agreement.

"That's my girl," Harry grinned, kissing her again, "And don't you fucking forget it, baby."

Harry opened the passenger door and exited the car, extending his hand for her to take. As she slid across the seats and made her way out, Rory intertwined her fingers with his as they walked to the rest of the group.

The house was still the same as she remembered. Although, it wasn't like they were here that long ago, so she didn't know what else she expected. The small one-story abandoned house still had overgrown grass surrounding it, and every window was boarded up with planks of wood.

Harry led the way to the front door, gently pulling Rory behind. She turned her head and reached for Kip's hand, giving him a smile and a gentle squeeze as they stepped inside the house.

A message was waiting for them, displayed on the far wall by the projector hanging from the ceiling.

WELCOME, AGENTS.

...

PLEASE WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

...

HANDLER WILL BE ARRIVING SHORTLY.

...

... 00:00.30... 00:00.29... 00:00.28... 00:00.27...

The same message appeared the first time they entered this house not too long ago. Rory quickly learned that days easily felt like weeks - she wondered if it would always feel this way.

"Remember what I told you?"

Rory turned her head; her brow furrowed slightly. He said that exact same thing last time too.

"Rory? Are you alright?"

She blinked. "Sorry, I'm fine." Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she added, "I'm-"

DING.

...0:00.10... 0:00.09... 00:00.08... 0:00.07...

"AGENTS," a robotic voice boomed throughout the house, "HANDLER IS ARRIVING. PLEASE PREPARE."

...0:00.03... 0:00.02... 00:00.01... 0:00.00...

And just like last time, the typed letters were replaced by a loading screen. Unlike last time, Rory didn't silently laugh over remembering Kip liked to call this screen the spinning wheel of death. She couldn't find any humour now. Maybe it came to her previously because everything was so unknown to her; she could only laugh. But now, there was nothing to laugh about or find humour in - nothing to mask or distract from her nerves.

Last time, everything was unknown. But now, she couldn't rely on the unknown. She knew how standard procedure went - a process she never thought she'd have to know.

The loading screen turned black, just like she expected. The deafening silencing spread throughout the house, causing a familiar chill to run up her spine. The screen glitched. One. Twice. And then, a third time before, an image slowly appeared - just like clockwork.

"Welcome, Agents," the eerily delicate voice announced as her image appeared on the screen. "Ready to comply?" A grin spread across Handler's lips, watching six blank expressions stare back. "My, my, everyone looks so... sad. I thought there would be some excitement over starting our mission!" The woman turned her attention to the end of the line, "Are you excited, Zero-Zero-One?"

With a twitch in his neck, Harry gritted a lie through his teeth, "Yes, Handler."

"Excellent! I am happy to hear. Well, with that positivity, why don't we jump right into things!" Handler pulled out a clipboard. "Before we begin with the details of our mission, let's first provide an overview of the program. As we all know, recruits for the Killshot program found their way into V's arms at the age of thirteen. V had this insane charm - it made you feel like they were the missing puzzle piece in your life. A loving, caring, perfect mother and father figure combined into one person."

Handler paused for a brief moment before continuing,

"That's how V earned one's trust - you felt special with just one smile and were given exactly what was missing. V knew the simplest things you needed and gave them to you before you could even think about it, whether it was a roof over your head, food, running water, clothes, or a bed. V made you feel comforted, protected, and, most importantly, safe. That's how you were won over. But as meticulous as V's strategy may seem now, it wasn't like that from the start."

Images appeared on the screen of a young boy Rory didn't recognize - but the squeeze of her hand signalled the man standing next to her did.

"Alex was bright and smart," the woman started, speaking of her brother. "He was a gifted child. And in our small town, it was easy for him to get recognition for his advanced abilities. But at home, he was still my baby brother. We were thick as thieves, the two of us. He was always there for me - no matter what. One summer, he was invited to an overnight camp for gifted children - it was the first time we had been apart for that long. My parents went on the long drive to pick him up while I stayed home. But they never returned."

As images of a car wreck appeared on the screen, Rory forced her lips to press together, muffling the sounds of pain that begged to escape. It was a confusing feeling that bubbled inside her - she understood the pain of someone she hated. Feeling sympathy for Handler should have been the last thing on her mind. And yet, that's what she felt. Sympathy.

"Alex was one of the first to enter the program. While V called Zero-Zero-One her Golden Boy, Alex was her Baby Boy—the only recruit with a surviving family member. When I started learning more about the program, my survival made little sense. I don't think I'll ever fully understand why. But I know that at some point, V decided to use my life as a ploy to get Alex to create the serum. I think she knew it was the only way to get Alex to turn on his makeshift family. More specifically, you, Zero-Zero-One."

The screen flashed with more images—pictures of the serum and videos playing trials of the tests, along with documentation of notes from various marked dates.

"As the trials kept going, so did his mind. Alex couldn't be brainwashed like the rest of you, which led to his insanity. But, instead of stopping everything, V knew the one way to keep him going was to let us meet. She toyed with his emotions so he could go back and finish what he started to create. So, we got to meet under strict supervision. I remember the first time I saw him - my baby brother that I thought died. It was heartbreaking to stare at the ghost of a person you once knew. And even though he was a shell himself... he still remembered a secret language we invented as kids... which is how I gained information about the program... the serum... and the knowledge to know how to destroy it."

Vials of the serum appeared on the screen. Harry's neck twitched as he squeezed Rory's hand.

"V expected to be dead by now - their enemies of the past are endless, and surely one would have finished the job. And so, to ensure no one stole what they believed to be their life's work, you were given mission fourteen. Your last mission was completed to such perfection that no one could ever find it. Not even V," Handler explained. "When we first met, right in this spot not too long ago, you made a point, Zero-Zero-One. If you don't want the serum for yourself, and you're the only one that knows where it is, doesn't that solve the problem?"

V's image appeared.

"As we are now all aware, V is not dead. With a great loss of power, they are no longer such a ghost - which is why I know they are overseas, not near you or the serum. They connected with an old flame, someone our investor knows quite well, and began rebuilding. It started with the Skullz crew to gain money and influence, and while the two are still licking their wounds, it may not be long before they return to full strength."

Pictures of every enemy started to pop up, covering the entire screen. From V, to Luca, Stefano's alive brother-in-law, to members of the Skullz Gang, including Tanner and other various men Rory had seen from their time together... the images of them all appeared. Most, aside from V and Luca, were marked as deceased.

"They're looking for you, Zero-Zero-One. I know they are because I toyed around with that horrid ex-boyfriend of Siren's to gain information. I gave him exactly what he needed to think he had information about you to work himself up the ranks - and I ensured he'd be taken care of before ever uttering a word." Handler paused, grin widening as she added, "Imagine what will happen if they find the serum. And who do they think they'll go after first?"

Rory stole a glance from the corner of her eye, attempting to read the expression written across his face. It didn't take long for her to know what he felt – she felt the same way. They would come for him. And both of them knew it wouldn't be to have a pleasant and peaceful reunion.

"Four pillars created the Killshot program: innovation, power, control, and obedience," Handler continued. "All I know about the serum is that it's locked away in a box that requires four keys. Four pillars. Four keys. I assume that each key was hidden in a place representing each pillar. And based on the way Zero-Zero-One is responding, I believe my theories are being proven correct."

Handler flashed through various images of the keys. "The key is a chip containing codes that will unlock the safe when all paired together. Its appearance is similar to the ones found around our beautiful Siren and Doctor Khan's neck not too long ago. The box containing the serum cannot be opened without all four codes working in unison to unlock it - and it cannot be destroyed without them either, and wherever it is hidden requires the keys to get inside."

A 3D model of the case appeared on the screen as an animation began, showing how each key was placed in their respective slots before unlocking the case.

"Therefore, with everything working in unison, we must find exactly what is necessary to limit any complications when recovering the serum. As it currently stands, we don't know where the final spot is for the serum. However, recovering one key should trigger your memories to find the next, leading us to the spot," Handler continued.

"You were the most prized possession, Zero-Zero-One, the one who was supposed to be the perfected model. And yet, you were able to break free. A part of you wanted to be able to rediscover the serum if needed. That is why you hid each key with something to represent a pillar - so you could always retrace your steps. V didn't know what your plans were, given someone tried to means of torture against them for information," the woman explained. "You had memories and could form your own thoughts when you were supposed to be the brainwashed example. Your past will always be connected to you - which is why I have no doubt you will be able to recall your steps. In fact, you might want to ask Doctor Khan to help you with your trials."

Harry squeezed Rory's hand, feeling his neck twitch.

"This is the last footage of you that I could uncover while a part of the program. And based on the information I've collected regarding mission thirteen, this has nothing to do with it. Which leads me to believe it is our starting point."

To everyone's surprise, a photo of Harry appeared on the screen. Although it was taken from a surveillance camera and the quality was poor, his features were evident. And to Rory's surprise, his hair was far shorter.

"The grainy image may provide little on the surface. However, this building to the far left of the image is our golden ticket. An office space that hasn't rented a floor, let alone a cubicle, in years. It may seem odd on the surface, but no one raises a brow. The property is on one of the most profitable streets in the downtown area, meaning whoever owns this property is holding onto it as a smart business decision," she stated.

"Did you hide something so significant in an abandoned office building? No, of course not," Handler scoffed at her remark, "Besides, that would be too easy for you, or anyone else, to retrieve. The building is owned by a real estate development company that has no financial records, which is run by someone who is deceased and whose business partners have no other traces aside from the purchase. The mystery of this building remains, well, a mystery. And so, I'm sure it looks like a dead end. Luckily for us, that is far from the case."

Handler flipped to another image on the screen.

"What is significant about the building and your photo is that it creates a vital link between you and the program. And that all starts with this surveillance footage of the same night from the back of the abandoned office building. Although he did his best to remain hidden when exiting through the back door in the middle of the night, this is William Adkins."

An image of a young man smiling at the camera appeared. The photograph looked like it belonged on an ID tag. In some ways, the man reminded Rory of Kip - a little geeky looking but with kind, soft eyes that made you feel at ease.

"Twenty-five years old at the time, he had a promising career in accounting ahead of him due to his brilliant mind and love for numbers," Handler explained, "William, however, didn't want to work anywhere. He was a kind soul that always dreamed of helping others. And so, he took his accounting job with Love Charity - an organization that provided clean drinking water, food, and school infrastructure to those in need."

The screen flashed with news reports and articles regarding the impressive work from the Love Charity, year after year, highlighting its great achievements and recognition.

"On paper, Love Charity was a fantastic initiative that helped tens of thousands of people, but the individuals behind the scenes painted a far different picture. On the board was Dorinda Lakeman, wife to Boris Lakeman. Publicly, the Lakeman family is wildly known for their generosity. A masterclass in public relations, I prefer to call them. No billionaire creates their wealth ethically - the Lakeman family, at least in the general public eye, is the exception to this fact."

Handler put the two surveillance images next to each other – the one of Harry on the left, and William's on the right. "And interestingly enough, the building that William was walking out of, the one with no identifiable ownership, actually links to a connection in Dorinda's family. The one business that held operations in this building was the Love Charity. Again, due to legalities, it is not a surprise that a trustee funds the office space - but what is interesting is that it was hidden," Handler explained.

"Around this time, Lakeman Industries was growing at an astronomical rate. Every company they have absorbed and strategic decision they made was record-breaking. Any business sector you could imagine, they had their foot in. Technology, manufacturing, hotels and entertainment, utilities, energy, and industrial - just to name a few. However, at this time, there was one area they hadn't branched into. Healthcare. That brings us to Viktor Malkovich of MalCorp."

Another man appeared on the screen. He looked to be around his mid-forties. His eyes didn't look cruel, Rory noted, but not as kind as William's. His dark hair was cut short, and Rory noticed a faded scar under his eye.

"Ring any bells? I'm sure it doesn't. It is the one company Lakeman Industries prefers not to have attached to its name. MalCorp, although unknown to the public, has created some of the most advanced pharmaceuticals in the world, all thanks to Viktor. Again, that is far from public knowledge because you will never see these advanced drugs on the shelves or prescribed to your doctor. Instead, they are sold to far more powerful, sinister people. Like our very own government. And V. And so, why is all of this important?"

Various inventions by MalCorp appeared on the screen, followed by what Rory could only assume were the buyers of such creations.

"Well, William was taken under Boris's wing, so to speak. A kid from nothing, working to give himself something, all while dedicating his life to giving back - I guess it pulled on the man's heartstrings." Handler mockingly pouted her bottom lip.

"Boris used the knowledge that he was William's idol to his sinister advantage – taking the poor boy under his wing, stating he would mentor the child to great success. What Boris truly wanted, was William's help hiding the business partnership between Lakeman Industries and MalCorp - which you knew about, Zero-Zero-One. On this night, you weren't after Dorinda, Boris, or anyone apart of Lakeman Industries... you were watching William."

Feeling Harry's hand squeeze hers for what felt like the hundredth time, she looked to the side.

"Viktor views his work in a twisted way. He believes what he creates is for the greater good, and once he sells his inventions, his hands are clean. He has no idea what damage he's done to the world... but that damage, his innovation, is why he represents the program's first pillar."

With a pause in the woman's speech, Rory softly whispered, "Do you remember him?"

He grimaced as his neck tensed with unbearable pain. "No," he replied. Another twitch from his muscles forced him to add, "But I'm sure I will soon."

"Viktor is always one for keeping a low profile - he rarely makes a public appearance," Handler carried on, "While his business associates always shine in the spotlight, he is nothing more but a ghost to the public. However, William had information about Viktor's whereabouts at the time, making him your target that night. You killed him and got the information you needed, leading you to hide the first key. As for where you hid it, well, that's still part of our mystery."

The images suddenly disappeared from the screen. "I'll send you my files regarding Viktor, MalCorp, and all his business affiliates. I'm sure there is something in there that will help form a connection for what we need to go after."

The rest of them stood in silence, trying to absorb all the information given.

Keys? Codes? MalCorp?

A dead accountant?

An evil man that knows how to make special pills? 

People they thought were dead coming after them for a special serum to turn normal people into brainwashed robot assassins?

If it weren't for Harry's strong grip on her hand, Rory may have found her body passed out on the ground instead of standing upright.

"Agents, you are now dismissed. We will be in touch soon. When you hear your name, please proceed to the exit." Handler picked up her clipboard.

"P-Dash-RED...."

Kip squeezed Rory's hand. He hesitated, finding it difficult to move his feet. Rory returned the hand squeeze and nodded to the door, mouthing a silent "go" to her friend. She smiled, not letting it falter until he disappeared behind the door.

"T-Dash-Zero-Zero-One..."

Dallas looked at the others with an uncomfortable grimace and headed to the door, shortly followed by the dismissal of Colson.

"I-Dash-Zero-One..."

Upon hearing his name, Stefano nodded at the others before leaving.

And just like that, only two remained.

The door slammed shut, and an eerie silence filled the house. Shifting uncomfortably, Rory gently rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. She squeezed Harry's hand, keeping her eyes forward as she waited for them to hear their dismissal. The waiting between names being called increased. Her chest tightened with unease. Sweat pooled on the back of her neck and in her palm. She wanted to pull her hand out from Harry's grasp, worried he would feel it. But his hold was far too strong; she didn't dare try.

"Siren," Handler's announcement allowed the release of a short breath of relief until it was followed by, "Please remain where you are. Zero-Zero-One, you are dismissed."

Rory's lips parted to speak, but the pure shock over the announcement forced her into silence. Her head turned, looking at Harry for guidance. However, his glance remained ahead, staring at Handler with disgust.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

Eyes widening over the outburst, she squeezed his hand. "Harry-"

"No, Rory." With a narrowed glare, he called out, "Well? Are you?"

Handler looked up from her clipboard. "You have been dismissed, Zero-Zero-One. Please wait outside."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You have been dismissed."

"Dismissed my fucking ass!" Ignoring the tugs on his hand to stop, he continued, "I'm not leaving her here with you. So, anything you want to say, you can say it to both of us."

"Oh, I'm sure there are some stories from your past the three of us could discuss," Handler taunted. "However, I'm only interested in speaking with Siren today."

A flicker of an evil grin grew evident, watching the man unravel. Harry was stuck between a losing battle, as both sides had a possible detrimental end. Either he left her to stand alone, or he risked her hearing about his past.

"Harry, please," the sweet voice pleaded. "Look at me."

Harry's glance softened the second his eyes fell upon her. Her words from last night echoed in his mind. The decisions made in his past didn't matter; the decisions he made now did. Harry prayed to whatever higher being above that what she believed would hold true. Only if she knew, the voice in his head taunted.

He noticed her digging her nails into the palm of her hand, attempting to hold back tears Harry knew were seconds from escaping. Entranced by her saddened Bambi eyes, he almost missed her lips parting to speak - thankfully, he caught on at the last second. He knew what she was about to say. But before she had the chance, Harry quickly said,

"No."

"Harry-"

"I'm not leaving."

Raising her hands to his face, she cupped his cheeks. "You told me to be strong," she replied softly. "Be strong for me and wait outside. I'll be right there."

"You don't have to do this."

A smile crossed her lips as she repeated, "I'll be right there. Okay?"

Placing his hand over hers, Harry turned his head to the side. His lips pressed against her palm, kissing the marks she had indented into her skin moments ago. Regret weighed heavily in his chest. He couldn't leave her. But he knew she wouldn't let him stay.

Looking back to the screen, the softness across his expression vanished as he faced Handler once again. "How long?"

"Three minutes or less."

"I'll be timing you."

"I expect nothing less," Handler replied, scribbling something down onto her clipboard.

"And don't you fucking dare think about hurting her. She better walk outside without a fucking scratch when three minutes is up."

The movements of Handler's pen came to a sudden halt. "Siren is my favourite, Zero-Zero-One. I would never dream of hurting her." Her voice sounded offended, as if Harry's remark was the most absurd thing she had heard. "Now, please proceed outside, Zero-Zero-One. I've been quite lenient thus far, but I'd hate to punish you for causing such a disturbance."

"Go," Rory whispered, "I'll be okay."

She's being strong, Harry reminded himself. You need to be strong for her too. Show her you trust her strength.

"You'll be okay," he replied in agreement. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he softly added, "You've got Rock on your side."

With one final glance, Harry stepped back, forcing their touch to disappear. His steps were slow, keeping a careful eye as he made his way to the exit, giving her one final hopeful look before opening the door.

The second he stepped outside, Harry regretted his decision. Although, he didn't allude to it at all. He barely spared the others around him so much as a glance as he turned to Kip and ordered, "Set a timer for three minutes.

... 00:03.00... 00:02.59... 00:02.58... 00:02.57...

Harry fell into painful silence. No longer did the regret weigh heavily in his chest. It spread throughout his entire body like wildfire. It was hard to let the time pass by peacefully when his skin burned with a reminder of what he had left behind in the house.

He knew the others around him didn't agree with what he did, but no one dared to question it. They knew he didn't have much of a choice. Besides, it was clear Harry's mind did a fine enough job torturing him over the decision.

... 00:02.34... 00:02.33... 00:02.32... 00:02.31...

"How much longer?" Dallas asked in a whisper.

Kip looked down at his watch. "Only thirty seconds have passed."

"Damn. I'm starving."

Harry's eyes narrowed. He knew Dallas meant no harm by the comment; it was only a thought he accidentally spoke out loud. But the guilt and regret overpowered Harry's ability to rationally think it through, causing a vicious "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" to escape.

"What? I'm hungry!"

"Could you please do us all a great honour and spare us your selfish needs for two more fucking minutes?"

"Oh, come on!" Dallas rolled his eyes. "None of this would be happening right now if-" An elbow jabbed into his side by Kip forced the words to be silenced. "What was that for?"

"Shut up," the kid beside him warned through his teeth.

... 00:01.04... 00:01.03... 00:01.02... 00:01.01...

"That's it. I'm going in there."

"But there's only a minute left!" Kip squeaked from behind.

"Don't you fucking dare," Stefano grabbed hold of his arm before the enraged man could take a step. "You heard the kid. There's only a minute left."

"I don't give a shit," Harry sneered. "She's had enough fucking time."

"And what's your big plan? Please, enlighten me. Because the only way I see this ending is by you making it worse - not because you intend to, but because that's how Handler operates." Stefano loosened his grip. "Do you want to help her?"

"Of course-"

"Then pull yourself together and wait. Regardless of what happens, when Miss Young walks out of that house, she will need you." His voice dropped low, "I know you think busting in there will save her. But we both know that will only make things worse."

"So, I'm just supposed to stand around and-"

"Yes."

"This is fucking torture."

Stefano clasped his hand on Harry's back. "I know it is."

... 00:00.44... 00:00.43... 00:00.42... 00:00.41...

Staring at the door, Harry counted down the seconds. 

Stay calm. Stay strong. Keep yourself together for her, he reminded himself, chanting the words in a loop. 

Stay calm. Stay strong. Keep yourself together for her.

... 00:00.34... 00:00.33... 00:00.32... 00:00.31...

His palms started to sweat as unease coursed its way through his body. Shit. He hated this – the game of waiting and not acting. He just needed to see her and know she was alright.

... 00:00.23... 00:00.19... 00:00.18... 00:00.17...

Of course she had to be alright.

Nothing was going to happen.

Rory was going to be fine.

After all, the last time he was forced to stay behind, everything ended up just fine. Right?

... 00:00.10... 00:00.09... 00:00.08... 00:00.07...

Harry scratched the back of his neck, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. Fuck.

Just as Harry started to believe the worst had happened...

... 00:00.04... 00:00.03... 00:00.02... 00:00.01...

... the front door creaked open.

Suddenly, his lungs were no longer tied by a string that cut his airways and the tight closure in his throat was released. His fists were no longer clenched, and his brow unfurrowed. And that was all thanks to the door opening.

Harry felt relieved. He was thankful. Grateful, even, that she was alright. There were no words to describe the guilt he would have felt had something happened to her. Harry would have never forgiven himself; that was obvious.

Relief was fleeting - an unexpected lesson Harry quickly learned.

Rory may have walked out of the house - but it was only her body.

One look at her and Harry could tell there was something wrong - the woman he knew and loved was standing only a few feet away, yet he could hardly recognize her. There was no life behind those large Bambi eyes; her skin was drained of colour.

Three minutes.

That's all it took.

Three minutes to kill her - not physically, of course. 

Mentally and emotionally kill her.

Three fucking minutes.

Against his better judgment, Harry stepped forward. He approached slowly, not wanting to scare the frightened thing off. At least this way, he could attempt to get a read on whether his plan would have detrimental results. But it was the only thing he could think to do in this situation. It wasn't like anyone else knew the best course of action.

What was someone supposed to do when faced with the ghost of a real person?

"Rory..." he whispered, reaching out for her.

She accepted his touch but didn't acknowledge the sound of her name. Her head turned, looking down at his hand on her waist. Harry froze for a brief second, wondering if it was the wrong move. He just wanted her to know he was there - and selfishly, remind himself that she was genuinely standing there.

As Rory's head moved again, that relief began to creep back in, easing the tension in his body. He knew those eyes of hers would be full of life once she looked up at him - signalling that everything would be okay. But she didn't look at him.

Rory looked at Stefano and said,

"I need to see Doctor Khan."

so... how we doing?